New Year Japanese archery competition (Sanjuu-sangen-dou Temple,Kyoto)①

This is "Sanjuu-sangen-dou" Temple in Kyoto.
Today we have an annual Japanese archery competition here.
Young men and women (age 20),who have an experience of archery, gather at this big Temple,and compete with each other.
Another meaning of this event is a cerebration of coming-of-age.
This traditional event dates back to Edo era.
About 600 years ago,samurai people competed their skills of archery at this Temple,and that is the origin of this event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEzWiN6XaAQ&feature=related

They wear special costume,called "Hakama".

Today is the long-awaited day for them.

They practiced strenuously for today's competition.

Finally the competition started...
They focus all of their concentration on a target...

(To be continued)

Rakugan sweets (Kyoto)

This is "Rakugan". Traditional Japanese sweets.

When we hold a tea ceremony,we enjoy this kind of sweets.

"Rakugan" is a hard,dainty sweet made of soybean and rice flour mixed with sugar.

Originally Rakugan was introduced into Japan from China,about 700 years ago.

With tea ceremony spread throughout Japan,Rakugan become popular sweets in Japan. 

This is "Namagashi".

We can feel a sense of the season from them.

The left sweet is made in the shape of  "Japanese bell".

In New Year,every Japanese people goes to shrine,rings a bell,and prays to God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrCpmfgpN7c

So "bell shape" means "New Year".

The right sweet is made in the shape of "a narcissus".

A narcissus is known as a typical winter flower in Japan.

This flower begins to bloom in this cold season.

That is why we enjoy it in this season.

Right sweets,in the right season.

This is the heart of Kyoto sweets.

If you go to "Kinkaku-ji",you can't miss this shop.

"Nichiei-ken" is the shop name.

So many lovely sweets are here!

You'll be at a loss what to choose...

This shop is located near Kinkakuji-michi bus stop.(bound for Hakubai-chou).

(There are two Kinkakuji-michi bus stop.(going and coming).So just be careful.)

Kinkaku-ji Templeー Kyoto

"Kinkaku-ji" is one of the most beautiful and famous temple in Kyoto.
It is designated world heritage in 1994.
This temple refrects its beauty on the pond(Kyouko-chi).

About 700 years ago,Yoshimitsu-Ashikaga(1358-1408),a general of Muromachi era,rebuilt this luxurious temple to show his power to the world.
(Originally this building was another person's property,and Yoshimitsu obtained it from him.)
Please look at the top of the Temple,you can see a phoenix bird.
This bird is said to represent General Yoshimitsu himself. He wanted to rank himself as a top.

This temple is three-story building.
1st floor was constructed in the aristocratic style.
And 2st floor was constructed in the samurai style.
And the top phoenix represents General Yoshimitsu.
This ranking is very significant to him.
This shows that Yoshimitsu wanted to show his power to the aristocrat people and Samurai people,and wanted to govern them.
He wanted to show them,"I am top.Obey me."

Yoshimitsu wanted to carry on commerce with China.
He often invite Chinese trade mission people and entertained them here.
He imported weavings,books, and raw silks from China.


How to access
This is a brief map.
The fare is about 420 yen from Arashiyama to Kinkakuji-michi.(one-way)

In Arashiyama,There is 3 diffrent tram line.
①　JR Arashiyama
②　Keifuku Arashiyama (nickname "Randen")
③　Hankyu-Arashiyama

And Keifuku-Arashiyama line(Randen) is important to go to Kinkaku-ji Temple.

This is "Keifuku-Arashiyama" station. You have to find this station at Arashiyama.
I recommend "Keifuku-line",because in April,you can see beautiful cherry blossoms from this train.

This purple train is "Keifuku-line",another name is "Randen".
And you have to transfer at "Katabira-no-tsuji",and head to "Ryouan-ji" station.
You get off at "Ryouan-ji" station.
"Ryouan-ji" is also a wonderful Temple.Beautiful garden is famous.
And "Kinkaku-ji" is not so far from "Ryouan-ji".
After you enjoyed Ryouan-ji, you can walk to Kinkaku-ji from Ryouan-ji.
(And of course you can take bus from "Ryouan-ji mae" bus stop,to go to Kinkaku-ji.)
http://www.ryoanji.jp/

There were many tourists from abroad.

This is also Yoshimitsu's big residence.
He entertained trade mission people from China here.

If you have time,it is good to visit this temple with a long and distinguished history.

There are very good Kyoto-sweets shop near Kinkakuji bus stop (return).
You can't miss it.
The shop name is "Nichiei-ken".
This shop has no web site,so please see this site below.
http://anzamu.exblog.jp/11151660/

New Year encounter with Maiko ーArashiyama,Kyotoー

Arashiyama (Kyoto) is a nice place, worth visiting.
It is a typical Kyoto sightseeing spot,located in the western part of Kyoto City.
There are always many tourists here.
Arashiyama is surrounded by mountains,and there is a very famous bridge,"Togetsu-kyou"（渡月橋） over Katsura-River（桂川）.

How about enjoy sightseeing in Arashiyama,riding in such ricksha?

And fortunately I encountered with two Maiko girls in Arashiyama.
 It is a good sign for me at the beginning of the year=D

 (And if you want to see Maiko for certain,I'd rather recommend "Miyako-Odori "in April,Gion.
Not Arashiyama.There is little likelihood of seeing Maiko in Arashiyama.
Gion is Kyoto's most famous Maiko district.
In April,"Miyako-Odori" is held at "Gion-Koubu-Kaburenjou" Theater,
from 1th April through 30th April.
Maybe you can get a day ticket on that day at that theater.(4000～4500yen/one person)
"Gion-Koubu-Kaburenjou" is the name of the Theater of Maiko Performance.
This theater is located in "Hanami-koji" Avenue,near Yasaka shrine.)
These web site below are important.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html
http://www.miyako-odori.jp/odori_en.html
http://kumiko-yoshinoyama.blogspot.com/2011/04/miyako-odoritraditional-spring-dance.html

There are many shops,restaurants,cafes lined up along the street.

This is traditional Japanese fan shop.

And you can also enjoy these sweets to the full in Arashiyama.
How to access
JR Kyoto ー JR Saga Arashiyama　 (JR Sagano lline)   　→　230yen (one way)

Tram map in Kyoto City↓



Saga-Arashiyama....  You get off at this station and enjoy sightseeing tram(torokko-ressha) and enjoy kayaking(Hozugawa-Kudari).They are worth trying.
sightseeing tram...600yen/one way (http://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/pdf/english.pdf)
kayaking...3900yen/ one person (http://www.hozugawakudari.jp/en/tickets-en)
Early morning(8:00 a.m) is good,because there will be so many people lined up and waiting.

Kawaramachi... You get off at this station (terminal) and head to Gion to see Maiko.(Hanami-kouji street)

Sonobe...You get off at this station and head to Miyama by bus.(Sonobe is terminal station.)

Higashi-yama...You get off at this station and enjoy having a stroll here. There are many good temple nere here,for example,Shouren-in.
http://kumiko-yoshinoyama.blogspot.com/2011_08_21_archive.html

Osechi (New Year Dishes)

Happy New Year!

We thank all the world for tremendous support for Tohoku last year following the earthquake.

May 2012 be a happy and wonderful year for you.

I cooked Osechi (New Year dishes) yesterday.(at full speed)
The top left is "Kazunoko",the herring roe,
It means prosperity of family.
It is necessary for Osechi.

The top right is shrinps. It means longevity.

The middle is "Kamaboko",boiled fish paste.
The pink paste means "to protect yourself from harm".
And the white means purity or cleanliness.
Pink and white are lucky colors for new year in Japan.

And the bottom is "Datemaki",
a rolled omelet mixed with fish paste.
This means culture,evolution.
Each food is necessary for Osechi.

 This is "Nishime", vegetables and chicken stewed in a soy-flavored broth.
It is really time-consuming to cook...
because root crops such as carrot,lotus roots,burdocks take so much time to stew.
I usually use a microwave oven to boil root crops.
It is very convenient.

 The top is "Kurikinton".

These are the paste of sweet potatos and yolk,honeydew,and fresh cream.

They are good. This means a fortune.

And the bottom left is "Tatsukuri",fried anchovy.

This means a good harvest this year.

And the bottom right is grilled salmons.

As you see,each foods in Osechi has its own meaning for the new year.

Every supermarket is closed until January 3,

We can't go shopping now,

so we eat these dishes to stave off starvation=D=D

This is Japanese wreath for New Year. (This is my house)

In New Year,

almost every house hangs this kind of wreath in front of the house.

With best New Year wishes.

Gaga

" I believe it's time to look forward now to the future,"

said the singer,

"It is so important  that we remind the world that Japan is now safe,

and that the doors are wide open for tourists from all over the world to come in and enjoy the beautiful country."


ーLady Gagaー

Dolls Temple (Houkyouji-Temple) （宝鏡寺） in Kyoto

Do you have dolls?

If you have your favorite dolls, and you're planning to part with that dolls for some reasons,

you may visit this temple with your dolls,and hold a memorial service for them.

In Japan,dolls are believed to be imbued with a spirit,like humanbeing,

because dolls have been loved so tenderly by the owner.

So when we have to part with our dolls,they have to be disposed of in a purifying ritual.

This ritual is held only March(3.1～4.3） and November（11.1～11.30）in this temple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2haz93ho1jk&feature=BFa&list=SP7C019956B40C4723&lf=list_related

This is the temple,"Houkyou-ji Temple" in Kyoto.People sometimes call this temple "Dolls Temple".
This temple is very famous for its dolls purifying ritual.
Many people in Japan visit this temple with their dolls which they're plannning to part with.
Originally this temple was rebuilt by ancient Imperial princess,"Karin-Egon-Zenni".（華林宮恵厳禅尼）
about 700 years ago,in Kamakura era.
According to a legend,the princess found a small statue of Goddess caught in a fishing net at Futamigaura sea in Mie prefecture,and she brought it back to Kyoto.
Then she built this temple,and worshiped that small statue as a god. That is the origin of this temple.

So this temple has long been closely connected with Imperial lineage since 700 years ago,
and for generations Imperial people takes charge of this temple.

Nadeshiko flowers are beautiful.
They are even drawn on the sliding doors for partitioning rooms.(Fusuma-e)
This temple has closely connected with princess since ancient times,
so it has so feminine atmosphere.

This is also drawing in this temple. Pheasants are vividly described by famous ancient painter, Oukyo-Maruyama.

For generations,Imperial princess loved their favorite dolls.
This doll is "Banzei-san".　（万勢伊さん）
This is in the shape of a lady-in-waiting of princess.
This doll is so loved by the ancient princess that it is said to be imbued with a spirit of humanbeing,
and it is said to have patroled (night watch) in the temple.

These dolls are lady-in-waiting of "Banzei-san". They are enjoying Japanese backgammon.
The left girl is "Otora-san",and the right girl is "Otake-san".
Ancient Imperial princess loved such realistic dolls like her real friends,
and the princess treated these dolls as real human.
And these dolls always supported the princess mentally in everyday life,
and these dolls played an important roll of teaching material of the princess.

This Dolls temple is open only in March(3.1～4.3) and November(11.1～11.30).
This is famous temple of historic interest,deserves special mention.

Access

Please take subway "Karasuma line" from Hankyu Karasuma station in Kyoto,and get off at "Imadegawa" （今出川）station.
It takes 15 minutes from Imadegawa-station to this Dolls Temple.


Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the best in the New Year.