tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90248492024-03-13T11:59:53.285+09:00My HodgepodgeMekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-42312462569434781242022-09-30T01:38:00.005+09:002022-09-30T11:44:57.635+09:00The fascinating enigma of red spider lilies<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicq4FSgvVhQCZ7VG9UPv6nGR8CWR7KQRRMDEewI0hpZgfQNbgluui4EAo1s1SONxXaZQYOlR01IDAtvG1KxpR8xKFFChdi1VDvlO2CfDrfyqBPYK_dgF6Zknc9mXN70Bq8IyleRN_iCdr4v7Oi9ddxj1UNeha90Gk1ylDR8rj159csp_ESg/s4032/IMG_7723.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicq4FSgvVhQCZ7VG9UPv6nGR8CWR7KQRRMDEewI0hpZgfQNbgluui4EAo1s1SONxXaZQYOlR01IDAtvG1KxpR8xKFFChdi1VDvlO2CfDrfyqBPYK_dgF6Zknc9mXN70Bq8IyleRN_iCdr4v7Oi9ddxj1UNeha90Gk1ylDR8rj159csp_ESg/w640-h480/IMG_7723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Red spider lilies, in Japanese, “Higan-bana” (flowers which bloom on
and around the Autumnal Equinox) have a very peculiar reputation among the older generation in Japan. My grandma, my mother and my
mother-in-law all used to say that you can't grow red spider lilies in
your home garden.<br />
The reason being that these flowers were likely to bring unwelcome
happenings in families- at least this was what they'd been taught. The
flowers were often linked to blood and even fire because of their vivid
red color. So where does all this come from?<p></p><p>
Somehow spider lilies were considered ominous despite their beauty. This
was due to a commonly believed association with “death” stemming from a
story way back when people buried bodies in the ground after a funeral.
To prevent animals unearthing the ground in graveyards, people planted
spider lilies in and around graves. The flowers have poison in their
bulbs, petals, stems and leaves and grow in clusters. Thus they kept our
ancestors’ bodies from being damaged by animals.<br />
Now due to changes in our lifestyle, we don’t use the flowers for this
purpose anymore. Nowadays farmers plant spider lilies simply to protect
their products from mice, moles, and insects.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfc5Zbp9ZbAKkpTym6R38Uv8qcfc1Mh5BsTQ3JPxnzn_fHchxX8sWP18nZxzGj-sQYK9L0K7sVkNe69d1oLsMXYFziZd5azN47ocF5E8q-ykE7ML3g9ukmNStgzU6ZMubvCbH34kyUd7bXt9NllTF0jcqGUFnxdJq3OP8-r3ivoYRT-7sWg/s4032/IMG_7701.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfc5Zbp9ZbAKkpTym6R38Uv8qcfc1Mh5BsTQ3JPxnzn_fHchxX8sWP18nZxzGj-sQYK9L0K7sVkNe69d1oLsMXYFziZd5azN47ocF5E8q-ykE7ML3g9ukmNStgzU6ZMubvCbH34kyUd7bXt9NllTF0jcqGUFnxdJq3OP8-r3ivoYRT-7sWg/w640-h480/IMG_7701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Red spider lilies are now, generally speaking, free from this malicious
image. However there are still some people who choose to hang on to
fears and superstitions and for them red spider lilies are no exception.
Ironically Buddhism has a totally opposite view of the flower and
regards it as a sign of grace . In Japanese there are more than 1,000
different names for spider lilies, one is “Manjushage”. Sounds exotic,
doesn’t it? It comes from Hindi and means - a heavenly flower which
doesn't grow on earth but only in heaven!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmRSXGhJ6yj5sgSDzLayRZQ2Yez2cWeTdwciMk3vYt0aRgMWCdu1SVyXe1DQqeYvj4YowYvVbf-OxceQ7QxwbB-MVev1N6IRxlUxYbNbW3u0v6KEjfZ4aySZepFu013aP8WiobxH5p9bUBKq0z0DnKa604DxZVfIxS2SRlj047OR3Fn51cQ/s4032/IMG_7691.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmRSXGhJ6yj5sgSDzLayRZQ2Yez2cWeTdwciMk3vYt0aRgMWCdu1SVyXe1DQqeYvj4YowYvVbf-OxceQ7QxwbB-MVev1N6IRxlUxYbNbW3u0v6KEjfZ4aySZepFu013aP8WiobxH5p9bUBKq0z0DnKa604DxZVfIxS2SRlj047OR3Fn51cQ/w640-h480/IMG_7691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>
<p>Nowadays people enjoy watching these flowers bloom in clusters in
parks, gardens, rice fields, and riverbanks. They are delightful to look
at and weirdly become even more attractive when we hear about the
creepy stories surrounding them! <br />They are just BEAUTIFUL flowers!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqy--8gBO6ZI0Szzfl5r2-ULIH7g9E4pU__XoNnE6O7NqqXRRvG7qzbvtlAUU_mqB3SsbtoBziAm6Pt-KBGrWR9N1vXQRkiQom4omOolf66ssNi8OP6p8eWiVJmN-jPZckL_yEgI5E3gw5SZnI8KDaUgIqPhwFfowNv4gRcmy60WPvvyf8w/s4032/IMG_7718.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqy--8gBO6ZI0Szzfl5r2-ULIH7g9E4pU__XoNnE6O7NqqXRRvG7qzbvtlAUU_mqB3SsbtoBziAm6Pt-KBGrWR9N1vXQRkiQom4omOolf66ssNi8OP6p8eWiVJmN-jPZckL_yEgI5E3gw5SZnI8KDaUgIqPhwFfowNv4gRcmy60WPvvyf8w/w640-h480/IMG_7718.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-79467906483878075682020-12-04T10:17:00.002+09:002020-12-04T10:25:09.858+09:00One aspect of changing seasons in our daily life<p> </p><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-He5MKPaCri4/X8mIWFxHppI/AAAAAAABd-4/mzgRNvfmLfITbt2KUaCKjwTLfFY5H0-MQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_2420.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-He5MKPaCri4/X8mIWFxHppI/AAAAAAABd-4/mzgRNvfmLfITbt2KUaCKjwTLfFY5H0-MQCPcBGAsYHg/w300-h400/IMG_2420.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div>I had an important tea gathering to attend last month. It was called "Kuchikiri no Chaji", which literally means "to unseal the pot of tea leaves." It is an important tea procedure throughout the year to open it up for the first time, take the tea leaves out of it, and grind the tea leaves to enjoy in the tea gathering. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">Inside a pot, new leaves picked in early summer this year have been packed almost a half year for the best flavor. It was the first day to unseal this pot in our tea class.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVm79NOGC20/X8mIWHS3sXI/AAAAAAABd-4/i9ICM7lp_UUDIFrxtBcWXGXjAOxZxT7uACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_2422.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVm79NOGC20/X8mIWHS3sXI/AAAAAAABd-4/i9ICM7lp_UUDIFrxtBcWXGXjAOxZxT7uACPcBGAsYHg/s320/IMG_2422.JPG" /></a></div>We wore kimono to celebrate this occasion. <br />My teacher told us that this procedure was like celebrating the coming of the new year in the world of Japanese tea gatherings. I put on kimono that day with a sash full of embroidery depicting autumn harvest of fruits. I enjoyed our traditional kimono culture to appreciate the changes of the season, too. </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">This gorgeous sash was from my late mother-in-law whose mother had prepared for her marriage in 1930s. This is so precious and valuable in quality, too I’m responsible for handing it over to my daughter.</div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U506U6Ps_vI/X8mIWAssrDI/AAAAAAABd-4/4Fv4v8hR2CAlPTVHGuMrJnRvqF-_UzDPACPcBGAsYHg/s2352/IMG_2324.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2352" data-original-width="2046" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U506U6Ps_vI/X8mIWAssrDI/AAAAAAABd-4/4Fv4v8hR2CAlPTVHGuMrJnRvqF-_UzDPACPcBGAsYHg/w348-h400/IMG_2324.JPG" width="348" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu"></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu"></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu"></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu"></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu"><br /></span></div>Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-68233456232016530042020-08-14T01:50:00.000+09:002020-08-14T01:50:57.409+09:00Does COVIT-19 change our culture?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIRxVcD19ec/XzVtqj0-4GI/AAAAAAABZls/Q_Xc3vZ5H-4ewrAXVYNSZgNek6zCtKTaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/onrainfa_shi_-1-768x576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RIRxVcD19ec/XzVtqj0-4GI/AAAAAAABZls/Q_Xc3vZ5H-4ewrAXVYNSZgNek6zCtKTaACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/onrainfa_shi_-1-768x576.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p> We are in the midst of the Obon holidays in Japan. </p><p>Obon is a series of
Buddhist memorial services for family ancestors which generally takes
place on August 14 and on 15. To put it more precisely, when the
event takes place depends on the sect you belong to or the local area
you live in. My family belongs to the Soto sect and the services of
Obon actually start earlier in August.</p><p>
Every year, this is the time when many Japanese visit family graves in
temples together along with family members who usually live apart such
as children with families of their own. It’s a big family reunion.<br /><br />
However, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, things are quite different.<br /><br />
In order to avoid close contact, our temple has decided to minimize Obon
memorial services. They have also limited the number of visitors from
one family. The other day, at the beginning of the Obon, two people from
one family were allowed to attend the service with a mask on in
accordance with the service time schedule. The temple main hall used to
be full of families coming in and out the whole day, exchanging
greetings with one another—but not this year. There was no opportunity
for us to talk with the principle monk and his family in person, and no
tea service to relax with after the prayers either. We just gave a
simple bow in greeting and farewell from a distance.<br /><br />
On August 15th, the last day of the Obon, the memorial service for our
ancestors won't be an exception. This time, four members from one family
will be allowed to participate in the memorial service in the main
hall.<br />
Surprisingly enough, many other temples have also suspended the Obon
memorial services in their halls and have decided to provide memorial
services via the Zoom meeting instead. We had never expected that IT
technology would prevail in our traditional practices at temples and at
home.<br /><br />
I know the temples took a drastic measure to prevent us from infection.
Yet, it's sad that we are forced to change our tradition. No one can
tell what Obon will look like next year.<br /><br />
No matter what, it’s time for us to remember our ancestors, including
our parents who left us not so long ago, and to pray to them for
protection at our family altar.</p><p> </p>Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-46405926565071471672020-06-16T09:09:00.001+09:002020-06-16T09:13:09.141+09:00The Amabie is Back In Japanese folklore, we have many imaginary supernatural creatures
called “youkai”, whose history mostly dates back to the period between
the 17th and the 19th centuries.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2p5zdiA-nY/XugMgv4PGcI/AAAAAAABYew/YJbKDW8uY-Uc_B2D9G4T-S0Y2YYuwcKIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2p5zdiA-nY/XugMgv4PGcI/AAAAAAABYew/YJbKDW8uY-Uc_B2D9G4T-S0Y2YYuwcKIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4201.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yD5sbYFsQPc/XugMgjFLTSI/AAAAAAABYes/3VkxVe_BhaINeEf3xJrkALr3-zf3P1L6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yD5sbYFsQPc/XugMgjFLTSI/AAAAAAABYes/3VkxVe_BhaINeEf3xJrkALr3-zf3P1L6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The “amabie” is one example. It has
recently caught our attention throughout the country. The creature has a
mermaid-like body but its face looks like a bird with a beak, and it
wears its hair very long. It is believed to be a harbinger of disease,
telling people, "Draw my image and pass it on to others so as to ward
off infectious disease." That's the reason the amabie has come back into
our modern lives during the coronavirus pandemic.<br />
<br />
People have been posting many amabie drawings on SNS, and they have gone
viral. What's more, Japanese sweet shops across the country have been
making sweets in shape of the creature.<br />
<br />
Let's not talk about whether you approve of this business trend of
making a profit from coronavirus confusion. We surely take
comfort in sharing amabie products in hopes that we can put an end to
the crisis.<br />
<br />
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<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-3993615622489199392020-05-27T20:36:00.004+09:002020-05-27T20:36:54.835+09:00A concern following the lifitng of the state of emergency<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-zmcKS5HlU/Xs5QPOzf-4I/AAAAAAABYDY/FJUrk7TerSo0AY_DMrI5KOpMOeFjrPSZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/nagoya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="766" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-zmcKS5HlU/Xs5QPOzf-4I/AAAAAAABYDY/FJUrk7TerSo0AY_DMrI5KOpMOeFjrPSZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/nagoya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the familiar view of the station building I saw this morning.<br />
It was good to see nothing had changed. That being said, I feel that
something has changed inside of me. I'm looking at the scenery with
different eyes. I saw people wearing masks, few cars pulling in to the
station, and few people waiting on the Shinkansen platform.<br />
<br />
The state of
emergency was lifted on Monday. Schools, businesses and many other
social activities are gradually starting again with new social norms,
such as washing your hands, wearing masks, and maintaining physical
distance with others. Social life now definitely seems different from
the one we cherished.<br />
<br />
I hope we can manage this new stage in our lives
without any serious cases rebounding.<br />
<br />
Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-26979532245312126722019-02-08T23:56:00.000+09:002019-02-08T23:56:50.620+09:00The girl's death<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item even">
<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2QdNbvYh5I/XF03wkCBjyI/AAAAAAAA9So/_n_GeINyVigcVCI3vmZH6SL2v22bySRewCLcBGAs/s1600/n-abusegirl-a-20190208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1334" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k2QdNbvYh5I/XF03wkCBjyI/AAAAAAAA9So/_n_GeINyVigcVCI3vmZH6SL2v22bySRewCLcBGAs/s320/n-abusegirl-a-20190208.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Let me express how I feel in
relation to the recent news of this girl's death.<br />
I feel the same way
most mothers do. It is terrible and a nightmare. I hope that the
presence of neglect in our society won’t cripple the future of our
children.<br />
<br />
Whenever the story is aired, it makes me so depressed and angry
toward the schools, education boards and police of two prefectures,
Okinawa and Chiba, for their mishandling of her case and lack of
coordination. The girl could have been saved and would be alive now if
the teachers and officials had made more solid attempts at protecting
the abused girl.<br />
<br />
Gosh, whenever I recall the news, I want to scream at the guy from
the education board for carelessly handing over the girl's
questionnaire, full of her cries for help, to her sick father. She
would still be alive if the education board hadn’t have handed over the
questionnaire to her abusive father, who demanded the man show it.<br />
<br />
After
all, this only enraged her father and escalated his abuse of her. <br />
She was found dead in the bathroom of her house. It makes me so
depressed that no one could save her. These days, the occurence of
domestic violence is spoken about in our society. Though abuse takes
place behind closed doors, it is our duty to protect abused children on a
more proactive and social level.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-74687214810314846742018-04-16T11:02:00.000+09:002018-04-16T11:05:35.633+09:00Charms of visiting Nagoya The city of Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is located just
between Tokyo and Osaka. Nagoya has a history as a homeland of "samurai"
warriors who had fought to unify the country in the 16th and 17th
centuries. In fact the first political leader in history, called a
"shogun, " came from this region. Nagoya Castle and Main Palace are part
of our influential heritage and show the achievement of outstanding
samurai in those days.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Present Nagoya is the fourth largest city
in Japan and the leading city of the manufacturing industries across the
nation especially in the automobile, aviation and iron & steel
industries. Over the years, this success is still greatly owed to the
samurai rulers. These rulers encouraged skilled craftsmen to move to
this region to promote the local industry while the central samurai
government had failed to protect them due to strict economy policies.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Nagoya
is a hub. Nowadays, many tourists from abroad see the advantages of
visiting Nagoya. We have Chubu International Airport which is a
40-minute train ride to and from the center of Nagoya. The Shinkansen
Bullet train from Nagoya station connects the city to many destinations
nationwide. Furthermore, accommodation is more reasonable in regards to
price compared to any other big tourist cities like Kyoto, Tokyo and
Osaka. Please make the best use of your JR Pass to go back and forth.
While you are in town, you will surely feel at home, too. It's easy to
get around with public transportation such as the subway, buses, and
private train lines.<br />
<br />
For tourists visiting Nagoya for the first
time, Nagoya Castle including Main Palace should be top of the list. You
may also like to visit the popular temple in downtown Nagoya and also
one of the three main great shrines in Japan. Aside from these, you may
like to visit Toyota Museum of Industry and Technology, Tokugawa Art
Museum or one or two Japanese gardens. Depending on how long you will be
in Nagoya, I will customize the best tour for you accordingly so you
can really get the most out of your stay.<br />
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<br />
Let's explore Nagoya! I hope you find the city charming!<br />
<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-58894483736311864502018-04-07T01:26:00.000+09:002018-04-07T02:02:32.042+09:00The theater is back<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c60osNls9E0/WsefN1F4bQI/AAAAAAAAwb8/iKlrqU1u2Y8SgEA-bseQtGeWKRrUcBJJwCLcBGAs/s1600/28618702_1791438114229175_8281892159571370383_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c60osNls9E0/WsefN1F4bQI/AAAAAAAAwb8/iKlrqU1u2Y8SgEA-bseQtGeWKRrUcBJJwCLcBGAs/s640/28618702_1791438114229175_8281892159571370383_o.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<br />
The new Misonoza Theater in the city of Nagoya opened after five years
of rebuilding. A kabuki play put on by one of the prestigious families
of actors is now being performed every day to celebrate the grand
opening of the theater. April 25 is the last show.<br />
<br />
I love kabuki.<br />
<br />
For one thing, I am fascinated by the gorgeous stage,
which follows tradition, and also by how it is performed, which has been
passed on for generations. And for another, my friend plays a leading
gidayu; in other words, a narrator who chants stories with his powerful
and emotional voice.<br />
<br />
Watching kabuki gives me a chance to leave my routine life behind and get lost in a unique and magical world.<br />
<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-64094327379864734652018-04-04T02:20:00.000+09:002018-04-04T02:20:02.738+09:00The cutest maching only in springIt was a beautiful Sunday in the midst of spring.<br />
<br />
I could easily
imagine that the highway to my mother's was busy with cars--sightseers
on their way to see the cherry blossoms. I didn’t want to be trapped in a
bumper-to-bumper traffic jam on the way. I gave up on driving and took
a train instead.<br />
<br />
Soon after the train left, my eyes were caught by
the breathtaking view of cherry blossoms in full bloom out the window in
the distant mountains, along the riverbanks and the railway lines. I
was glad that I had made a good decision.<br />
<br />
The nearest station to my mother’s is called “Sakura”, namely “cherry
blossoms”. I was most happy when I stood on the platform and saw the
sign saying "Sakura" with beautiful sakura at their best in the
background. The name of the station perfectly matched the cherry trees
that bloomed beyond.<br />
<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-77958257215252899972018-02-08T22:13:00.000+09:002018-02-11T00:32:38.771+09:00Retired Hina Dolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHQ-hEOUn8k/WnxLJ3lucUI/AAAAAAAAv4E/uyvh8FRJTjoAjSRO00eBrDqibvswakhKQCLcBGAs/s1600/%25E3%2582%25AB%25E3%2583%25A1%25E3%2583%25A9%2B%25E3%2583%25AD%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2583%25AB7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHQ-hEOUn8k/WnxLJ3lucUI/AAAAAAAAv4E/uyvh8FRJTjoAjSRO00eBrDqibvswakhKQCLcBGAs/s640/%25E3%2582%25AB%25E3%2583%25A1%25E3%2583%25A9%2B%25E3%2583%25AD%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2583%25AB7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For the last few years, you may have seen some small hina dolls in unexpected places or in unusual postures.<br />
<br />
At the Chubu International Airport, I saw hina dolls sitting casually along a sidewalk into a building. They didn't sit neatly on a tiered stage, just like you would expect with a regular set of hina dolls on display. <br />
<br />
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Rather, they were placed in many spaces and on corners, and they were in some vivid, realistic poses. Some are reading newspapers or books, and some talking over a cup of
coffee together; some hoist a flag of welcome to tourists, and some look
happy with shopping bags in their arms.<br />
<br />
They are happily "retired hina dolls".<br />
<br />
When their outfits got worn out over the years and were not suitable to
be displayed at home, people handed them down to various public
communities in towns and cities across the country. People arranged those dolls to entertain visitors, so as to energize communities during the hina doll festive season.<br />
<br />
So they are called “fuku-yose-bina” in Japanese, which literally means “good luck inviting hina dolls.”<br />
<br />
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<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-35625647197055139192017-08-04T01:08:00.001+09:002017-08-04T01:08:46.310+09:00A complex of three tea rooms and a reception roomThis building is a landmark at Shirotori Garden.<br />
It consists of three tea rooms and one reception room.<br />
The whole complex is called “Seiu-tei”, which literally means “a pure feather house”.<br />
It's fascinating because the overhead view of the complex depicts a white bird spreading its wings to touch down on water.<br /><br />
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<br />
The tea room on your right is the head of the bird. The corridor
symbolizes its neck and the reception room symbolizes its body. The two
tea rooms are its wings.<br />
Another unique point about Seiu-tei is that it was built on the edge of
the pond, which is not such a common location for a tea house.<br />
When you attend a tea ceremony and sit in a small tatami room, the pond comes into view through the window.<br />
You may feel as if you are attending a tea gathering on a floating boat as you can feel a nice breeze from the pond.<br />
<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-90386620360834896472017-07-18T23:47:00.001+09:002017-07-18T23:47:29.234+09:00A view from Yuhintei Arbor<div class="field-items">
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<br />
As it is generally true for
many Japanese gardens, Shirotori garden also depicts the landscape of
the central Japan, which is so crucial in talking about the history of
this region.<br />
<br />
The big fir tree and the stand of trees in the far distance represents
the Kiso mountains in Gifu prefecture, which produces good quality of
Japanese cedar lumber.<br />
Pine trees along the river banks in the middle distance portray a
fertile riverside district of rice paddies called the Suigo area in
Aichi prefecuture.<br />
<br />
With the woody hills in the far distance and the pine trees in the
middle, the view from Yuhin-tei Arbor becomes much alive and dynamic as
it is in real life.<br />
<br />
Watching the colorful koi (carp) fish swimming and approaching gracefully is a special treat and is very relaxing.<br />
<br />
Visitors are always fascinated by the grand view from here in every
season, such as the cherry blossoms on weeping branches in spring, the
hydrangea flowers in early summer, the autumn foliage and the pine trees
tied with rope in winter.<br />
<br /><br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-31361952073497888342017-07-11T23:39:00.000+09:002017-07-11T23:53:38.796+09:00The main gate to Shirotori Garden<br />
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Take a look at the entrance gate to Shirotori garden.<br />
An interesting point to notice is the curve of the roof just above the entrance.<br />
It is traditional Japanese carpentry work called 「唐破風」(karahafu).<br />
<br />
Since elegant shapes were very much favored by feudal lords, it added more value to the building when this style was used.<br />
<br />
There is another factor why it was often used at the entrance of
traditional buildings such as castles, temples, shrines and palaces.<br />
<br />
On rainy days, a curved line lets falling rain run to both ends of the
curve, which prevents guests from getting wet from water running of the
roof edge above the entrance.<br />
So, the designer of the garden used this style for the benefit of visitors on rainy days.<br />
<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-39499180459415090682017-07-08T06:04:00.001+09:002017-07-08T06:06:28.519+09:00The way we name this little plant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
These flowers are called "lizard's tail" in English. Isn't it a "lovely" name? <br />
It was named so since the drooping flower depicts a lizard's tail, they say.<br />
<br />
<br />
On the other hand, 半化粧 (はんげしょう)is a Japanese name for these white,
slender and drooping flowers. The most beautiful part of this plant is
that some leaves have white splashes on the surface as if a woman were
putting powder on her face to meet her loved one. That is why we call it
"han-ge-shou", which literally means " putting makeup on halfway" in Japanese.<br />
So romantic, isn't it? They delighted my eyes this afternoon at Shirotori Japanese Garden.<br />
<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-66078657292931729632017-07-03T15:24:00.000+09:002017-07-03T15:28:35.140+09:00To my favorite blogger ☆SapphireHer handle name is ☆Sapphire and her blog title is "<a href="http://link.blogmura.com/out/?ch=00424777&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthrough-the-sapphire-sky.blogspot.com%2F" target="_blank">Through the Sapphire Sky</a>".<br />
<br />
Dear ☆Sapphire,<br />
<br />
If you happen to see this post, please contact me.<br />
I have been a fan of your blog for years and while I was away from blogging, it seems that you had changed your privacy setting only for bloggers with permission.<br />
If possible I would like to get your permission. <br />
<br />
Thank you in advance.<br />
<br />
MekkanMekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-38182396795799441842017-07-02T21:41:00.001+09:002017-07-16T21:53:26.667+09:00Kabuki at a temporary theater in the Nagoya Castle grounds<div class="field-items">
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<br />
The Heisei Nakamura-za, the
most renowned troupe of kabuki performers, came back to the Nagoya
Castle grounds for the first time in 8 years!<br />
Tickets were quickly sold out.<br />
<br />
That just goes to show how people have been waiting for their next
performance at a temporary theater, especially after the troupe had lost
their main actor to cancer. His name was Kanzaburo Nakamura XVIII, and
he was just 58 years old at his death. He put his all his energy into
revitalizing the traditional atmosphere
which a temporary theater brings to an audience; just the way kabuki
used to be.<br />
<br />
Unlike many modern kabuki theaters with advanced technologies, this
type of theater is a temporary one, and after a run, it will be taken
away. This was common in the olden days when a troupe visited rural towns and villages for a performance. <br />
<br />
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<br />
In general, a temporary theater is small but it has an advantage! You find yourself much closer to the stage. Your eyes meet your favorite actor's eyes when he stops on stage for an
exaggerated, dramatic pose. It is very particular in kabuki
performance.<br />
<br />
Kabuki has a very unique style of stage performance, and has a long history of more than 400 years. Historical stories based on the era of the samurai warriors were
performed by men-only troupes (they take the women's roles as well). The actors grow up and are trained in notable families of kabuki performers, as it has always been over the generations.<br />
<br />
Dynamic stage settings and colorful, traditional costumes are
eye-catching. The style of performance is elaborate and bold with lots
of motion and sound. Kabuki actors, with their strong attachment toward Japanese traditional arts, have been entertaining people for centuries.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now the Heisei Nakamura-za troupe is back again with Kanzaburo's two adult sons following in their father's footsteps. That day, in the temporary theater in the Nagoya castle grounds, the
whole audience gave a big round of applause for the passionate kabuki
performance.<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-14053497325092284882017-03-14T22:46:00.002+09:002017-03-14T22:49:19.860+09:00<br />
<br />
<br />
An Upcoming Exhibition <br />
<br />
You may have noticed that many English language versions of official
website in Japan do not give readers much information. You may find that
English pages hardly get updated. It's a shame.<br />
So I am going to tell you about an interesting exhibition at a railway museum in Nagoya.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgZrL6N6OA/WMfymGdF_dI/AAAAAAAAgFw/4zNe-peG7zoU3iDAqq2scM_DaYh-JUFIACLcB/s1600/17097304_1221551574588129_577803446195574000_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpgZrL6N6OA/WMfymGdF_dI/AAAAAAAAgFw/4zNe-peG7zoU3iDAqq2scM_DaYh-JUFIACLcB/s640/17097304_1221551574588129_577803446195574000_o.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<br />
It's coming soon. It's a special exhibition on the history of
shinkansen electrics and track inspection trains, aka "Doctor Yellow",
at SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. "Doctor Yellow" is the nickname
for an inspection train for bulletin train tracks. Since it does not
carry passengers and doesn't run on a regular schedule, it always draws
the attention of many railway fans, both young and old. The result is
the superstition that it is good luck for people who catch a sight of it
in operation.<br />
<br />
The special exhibition "History of Doctor Yellow" will be from March 15
to September 25. Open 10:00 to 17:30. Closed on Tuesday. For more
general information about the museum, check their English site. <a href="http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/">http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/</a><br />
<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-88358540188064413902016-12-28T13:23:00.000+09:002016-12-28T13:23:26.226+09:00Time to start cooking "osechi"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christmas was over and it's time for many
housewives in Japan to prepare to welcome the New Year. I would say not all,
but many of them cook a set of traditional dishes for New Year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We call it "osechi " which is
supposed to be prepared in advance before the arrival of the new year. You may
find it very interesting that each dish of "osechi" has a good reason
behind its name and it somehow symbolizes good health, good fortune and
prosperity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">That is the significance for us to have
"osechi " during the first three days of the new year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And like my
mother did, of all "osechi " I start by cooking "kuromame".
It is slow simmered black soybeans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Why do we eat them on this occasion?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It's like a pun because the word "mame" means bean, but it also means dilligent." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">"Mame(beans)" and
"mame(diligent)" in Japanese have different written characters, but the same
sound. So people wish to be diligent and healthy throughout the year by eating "kuromame".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-030WV4tWhr4/WGM8F8nyvWI/AAAAAAAAf80/uj6gcM14amE8w9ozw9Ey2eXx_0zdHAOJQCEw/s1600/15740894_1355256114514046_4992452194040234920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-030WV4tWhr4/WGM8F8nyvWI/AAAAAAAAf80/uj6gcM14amE8w9ozw9Ey2eXx_0zdHAOJQCEw/s320/15740894_1355256114514046_4992452194040234920_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7xq7lPRzNE/WGM8F3_nfyI/AAAAAAAAf84/iqDwpGIlTokdUqjHQ1hkX-V8ZvJIm9iMwCEw/s1600/15747786_1355256117847379_2557090932890432178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H7xq7lPRzNE/WGM8F3_nfyI/AAAAAAAAf84/iqDwpGIlTokdUqjHQ1hkX-V8ZvJIm9iMwCEw/s320/15747786_1355256117847379_2557090932890432178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-85476768874785033012016-10-17T18:53:00.000+09:002016-10-17T18:53:11.715+09:00Come in from the rain!Yesterday evening, when I heard the rain, an idea came to me. I went
outside and from just out the windows picked some Japanese anemone
flowers, that were at their best.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
The weather report said we would have
heavy rainfall all night. I easily imagined that the rain would flatten
the tall flowers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSwtZCdqio/WASeIUSAb6I/AAAAAAAAflk/UI2gyhhLTJwK5dMaazvottp4VGwt2fZqwCEw/s1600/image_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sSwtZCdqio/WASeIUSAb6I/AAAAAAAAflk/UI2gyhhLTJwK5dMaazvottp4VGwt2fZqwCEw/s400/image_15.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
So I saved some, arranged them and left them just by
the front door last night.<br />
<br />
It was so good to be greeted by them standing
up straight in the basket when I opened the door this morning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ0YZwuxRJs/WASeIZoexQI/AAAAAAAAflg/rTIe3tOxr5YlnxwzneBHrT_uvt-661WxgCLcB/s1600/image_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rZ0YZwuxRJs/WASeIZoexQI/AAAAAAAAflg/rTIe3tOxr5YlnxwzneBHrT_uvt-661WxgCLcB/s640/image_14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a
gorgeous start to the day!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-24017231757217473272016-10-14T11:07:00.000+09:002016-10-14T11:10:50.412+09:00Landmark of the park<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSqeao9Euwg/WAA8J7zWJ-I/AAAAAAAAfks/FOuKmjG9atUwZxu0UoG-jBqq4LhuHI9BgCLcB/s1600/162626636_624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSqeao9Euwg/WAA8J7zWJ-I/AAAAAAAAfks/FOuKmjG9atUwZxu0UoG-jBqq4LhuHI9BgCLcB/s1600/162626636_624.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This Fountain Tower was built in time for the 10th Kansai Area Prefectural Union Joint Exhibition of 1910 at Tsuruma Park in Nagoya. <br />
<br />
It has a combination of Western and Eastern styles. That is very remarkable when we see the Roman-style marble pillars
for the tower and the Japanese-style rock structure in the ponds.<br />
<br />
The tower is 10.2m high and the diameter of the top flat circular board is 2.5m. The paving stones were recycled from demolished street car railway
track beds from downtown Nagoya. The floor of the upper platform is
covered with marble stones. What’s more, a type of famous Japanese
ceramics called Bizen ware is used for decorative handrails or
banisters. Most of the stones in the ponds were from Kiso River, a prominent river for people in this region for centuries.<br />
<br />
When we look at those eight narrow water spouts sticking out from the top flat circular board, <br />
you will see the water from each spout hits the board
below and trickles down into the ponds. That eventually generates
splashes and mists of water. It was, indeed, well designed and
delighted the visitors. So it became a symbol of Tsuruma Park.<br />
<br />
The designer was Mr. Teiji Suzuki, an engineer and professor, known as
the "father of modern architecture in Nagoya." He designed more than 40
buildings including private residences in and around the city of
Nagoya. Those buildings were pretty much modern with a beautiful
balance of western and eastern tastes and drew people's attention.
Unfortunately, only 23 remain today and the rest of the buildings were
demolished or destroyed mostly by bombing during the second world war.
It was just fortunate that the fountain tower was safe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24cQci3X2YM/WAA8w5PHE3I/AAAAAAAAfkw/oWl8uslq5HAyogviVT9NzAnAG0xjyvbFwCLcB/s1600/Dscn0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24cQci3X2YM/WAA8w5PHE3I/AAAAAAAAfkw/oWl8uslq5HAyogviVT9NzAnAG0xjyvbFwCLcB/s320/Dscn0416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Interestingly, in 1973 the fountain tower at Tsuruma Park was once removed from this spot due to a new subway construction. The new subway line was planned to run just under the fountain.<br />
With 60 years passing by since its construction, the city was afraid
that building the subway might cause damage to the old fountain tower. 4 years later it was restored again exactly as it was before.<br />
<br />
The fountain tower was designated as a municipal cultural property in 1986 and will continue to be a symbol of the park.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(images are from the web)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-26448311844956683882016-10-05T01:52:00.003+09:002016-10-05T02:37:59.315+09:00Japanese Anemone Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Japanese Anemone Flowers are gracefully in full bloom in my garden.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='480' height='320' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhNeIW4M2NCje5pPJ4S6Cf2oSUdXd89Dj0OB8FzZ3IFtmkFfeLAqpTNHFS2yPGeywIeMCIqn77Wsw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-46761516921183041482016-10-03T01:01:00.000+09:002016-10-03T01:06:20.717+09:00How did it start?<div class="field-items">
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Tsuruma Park was constructed in 1909 as the first public park in Nagoya.<br />
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It was in 1868 when the three-hundred-year-long samurai governance came to an end.<br />
That was a drastic change for the whole society.<br />
After opening the door to foreign countries, the new government was very much concerned about modernizing the country. Industrialization was its primary purpose.<br />
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It is very interesting to note that Tsuruma Park was originally
constructed as an industrial exhibition venue and not as a recreation
ground for citizens. It was a good chance for Nagoya to take more steps forward to develop
its local industries such as ceramics, lumber, and automotive looms and
so on.<br />
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The exhibition was a well-known and distinctive project throughout the country and had been held every three years since 1884. It was the city’s great honor to host this exhibition in Nagoya. The 31
prefectures participated and about 30 pavilions and buildings were
constructed in the park, six times as big as the present Tokyo
Dome Baseball Stadium.<br />
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During the three-month period, more than 2 million people visited the exhibition.<br />
This number was very striking when the population of Nagoya was marked at 400,000 at that time.</div>
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-83411714049964961772016-09-28T17:45:00.000+09:002016-09-28T18:22:01.227+09:00An episode from history<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">水流間</span></div>
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Please take a look at these three Japanese kanji characters.<br />
It used to be a name of a place.<br />
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It reads “tsu-ru-ma”, which means “a place full of water.”<br />
These are the original characters for the place called "Tsuruma".<br />
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In fact, villagers of this area were often bothered by floods from a small, winding river.<br />
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However, in 1910, when the city of Nagoya decided to make their first
public park at this place by reclaiming the site, they wanted to keep
the original name but with different kanji to make a better impression
on all the visitors to the new park, that is “鶴舞" (Tsuruma) park.<br />
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They use the kanji for "crane” and “dance”, but they still have the same reading.<br />
In Japanese culture, a crane is a symbol of happiness and longevity and
it sounds just perfect for the first public park in Nagoya.<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-84357374791328766762016-09-25T14:22:00.000+09:002016-09-25T14:22:39.326+09:00A Pair of Muddy BootsMy daughter came home to stay overnight on the way to Ena, a mountainous town in Gifu, which is the prefecture next to ours.<br />
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She was on a business trip with her colleagues to a stone wholesale company. Her landscape company does business with them.<br />
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Do you know how GOOD it is for a mother to see her daughter home with her backpack?<br />
Besides, she was carrying her helmet and a pair of muddy boots! Good job.<br />
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Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9024849.post-6146843758866916222016-09-21T22:42:00.000+09:002016-09-22T15:56:47.658+09:00What I thought about the Respect For The Aged Day<br />
September 19th, the third Monday of September, was a national holiday named the Respect for the Aged Day.<br />
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Various public ceremonies were held in many cities and towns throughout the country.<br />
Our school district held a ceremony at an elementary school gymnasium
and invited every person aged 70 or over in our area.<br />
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That day I helped at reception with the woman's organization that I am a part of. Dance and band performances by elementary and junior high students delighted the guests.<br />
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Japan is becoming an aged society.<br />
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There were 34.61 million people as of last week aged 65 or over. This was 27.3 percent of the total population, according to a report.<br />
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There are many discussions about this, such as the large tax burden
on the younger generation, a quality and quantity of nursery houses for
the elderly, and the amount of pension and more.<br />
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A Japanese life expectancy has been ranked very high but we have to
consider how elderly people pursue a healthy life without being
bedridden for the rest of their life.<br />
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At the same time, men and women who retired from their companies at
the age of 60 or 65, should be promised another regular job so as to
keep their enthusiasm toward life as long as they are healthy.<br />
<br />Mekkanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07068317807601003956noreply@blogger.com0