Bean-Throwing CeremonyーYoshino Mountain,Nara （節分）

 

This is "Kinpu-Senji" Temple, located at the top of Mt.Yoshino,Nara.
This Temple is Unesco World Heritage.
The founding year of this Temple is not sure,but it has a long history of more than 500 years.
It takes 20 minutes by car from my house to this Temple.
(Many priests live in seclusion in this temple and practice asceticism,
and after ascetic practices,they're spiritually awakened.)
http://www.yoshinoyama-sakura.jp/english/events.htm

Today,February 3,we have "Setsubun" ceremony here.
"Setsubun" is the bean-scattering ceremony celebrating the coming of spring.
On this day,almost all the Oni (demon or ogre) in Japan come to this Temple.
Actually,they were getting rid of a nuisance from everywhere in Japan,and they escaped and got as far as this Temple.
we throw beans toward Oni (demon or ogre),to drive away the evil spirits that bring misfortune and bad health with them.
Then the Demons repents their sinful behavior,and they swear to turn over a new leaf.

This is Oni.(Demon)

Young people in this town disguise themselves as Oni today.

This is green Oni.

They have an iron rod in their hands to threaten people.

A brave child approached Oni fearfully,and is speaking to him.

This priest is blowing on a conch shell horn to drive Demons away.

Today musical concert was also held at this Temple.

After we go back home,

we ate sushi.

On this day,we Japanese people eat sushi.

It is our custom.

The ingredients are mostly seafood,like a sea urchin,sermon,a sea eel,etc.

They are so good.^ ^

Nishiki-Market (Kyoto) ②

This is famous hardware store in Nishiki Market, "Ari-tsugu".
This store is established in 1560,a long-established store.
These are copper handmade cooking utensils,like pans with a handle,saucepans,etc.
Great deal of labors are needed to make these handmade products.
(So they're a bit expensive.)

Their works need very careful attention....

This is a pottery store.

Their colorings are lovely..

This is Japanese sweets cafe.

You can have your choice of these sweets...

So many sweets for souvenir...

This is handmade craft doll shop,"Shouki-ya".

Please look at these cats,

they are the beckoning figure of a cat displayed in shops to bring in customers.

In Japan,cats are thought to bring us good luck.

All of these dolls are thought to bring us happiness in Japan.

For example,"Red Dharma" is thought to improve our fortune,

and "Frog" is thought to bring us a long life.

Can you see big "Sushi" crafts?

They're elaborately made handy crafts.

This is like real sushi.

As you see,"Nishiki-Market" is like a treasure island.

So please visit and make a lucky find here!

Map

Get off at Hankyu Kyoto line "Karasuma" station (Exit 16),

then walk for 3 minutes.

Nishiki Market is located near Hankyu Karasuma station (Exit 16).