Yuzuru Hanyu won gold medal at Sochi Olympic (men's figure skating)

Yuzuru Hanyu (19 years old) won gold medal in men's figure skating at Sochi games.
He comes from Sendai,Miyagi prefecture (Tohoku).
He experienced Tohoku big earthquake disaster in 2011,his house also collapsed.
Dispite such adversity,he didn't stop practicing,
and finally,his hard work bore fruit at Sochi Olympic.
Tohoku people received energy from his performance.

Plushenko retires...but he will be back!

Evgeni Plushenko announced his retirement from conpetitive skating yesterday.

It is sad news, such talented skater is not to be found again. I admire his great achievement.

Latest news (February 19)
I read FOX sports (US sports news) today,
It said,"Perhaps Sochi won't be Evgeni Plushenko's swan song".
At a Russian talk show,he told that he may come back to Pyeongchang Olympic in 2018 :)
He said,
"I don't exclude the possibility that I want to remain in sport,to prove it to many people and to myself."
I take my hat off to his unyielding spirit!

Snow Valentine's Day

It snowed heavily here in Japan today.
How is the weather in your country?

Today is Valentine's day,
this is Valentine chocolates box.
I bought it at Nakamura Tokichi greentea shop in Kyoto.
Nakamura Tokichi is long established greentea store since 1854.
This shop is located in Uji,Kyoto. Highly recommended greentea shop.
These chocolates are maccha and roasted green tea flavor.
It looks my husband liked it,because it has a rich greentea flavor,and not too sweet.

Thank you for visiting my blog,
I hope you'll  have a wonderful weekend!

Setsubun Sai (Maiko dance performance and beans throwing) in Yasaka Shrine,Kyoto Feburary 2,2014

This is Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto.

Today Setsubun special event is going to be held here.It sounds exciting.

Let's go!

 

After a long wait,two maiko girls appeared to us.

From now,they're going to perform classical Japanese dance at the stage in the precincts of a shrine.
After dance performance,they're going to throw beans in order to drive away evil spirits.

They started dancing.

The dance number is "The plum-blossoms show the signs of spring".

She is "Momi-fuku (もみ福）".

She is "Chizuru (千鶴）".

The dance show ended solemnly.

After a dance,they started throwing beans.

Please don't worry,

beans are BAGGED,not bared,

so that no one gets hurt :)

I wish you every happiness!!

And these maiko events below are recommended in season from now.

Baikasai : February 25.This month

Miyako Odori :April 1-30,2014 (Gion Kobu)  http://www.miyako-odori.jp/english/index.html

Kyo-Odori : April (Details still haven't been decided) Miyagawa-chou

 

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New Year Greeting event by maiko and geiko (Miyagawa-cho,Kyoto) January 5.2014

On January 5,we went to Miyagawacho,Kyoto.

We could see an event of New Year's greeting by maiko and geiko.

There were many cameramen there,

and some of them said,"It would be preferable if they wear more colorful kimono",

but every year,in this greeting event,it is custom for them to wear black kimono crested.

Young maiko : They wear black frisode with gorgeous designs on both shoulders.

Elder maiko : They wear black furisode with no designs on both shoulders.

Geiko : They wear black tomesode with no designs on both shoulders.

And in the way of tying an obi belt,there are some differences between maiko and geiko.

 

Anyway, it is lucky for us to see such a great scene at the beginning of this year :)

 

 

 

Cool kimono style

Jordy and Jente.

They enjoy wearing kimono.

Their kimono style is so cool!

Happy kimono!

 

I found them in this wonderful blog,"Reflections".

Original maiko votive tablet

 

May this year be happy and fruitful for you!

 

Original Ema (Votive tablet)   maiko and pine tree