A Coming-of-Age Day 2013

Today is "Seijin-Shiki" throughout Japan,as you know.

This is the scene of the ceremony (feast) of coming-of age celebration.
These new adults are opening sake barrels by breaking lids with wooden hammers.
This is called "Kagami-nuki".
In this year,1,220,000 people became new adults in Japan.
I wish you all happiness!

Winter-blooming peonies - Hase-dera,Nara

 

 

These are peonies that bloom in winter. They are rare species.
They are protected by straw cover,against cold weather in January.
They're blooming beautifully, enduring freezing weather.
And their straw tents are so lovely :)

Visiting Kashihara Jingu Shrine (Hatsu-Moude) 2013

Happy New Year!

I'm now walking the approach to Kashihara-Jingu Shrine,Nara.

So many people are here!

At the beginning of the year,everyone visits Shrines or Temples to make a petition to the gods in Japan.

It is called "Hatsu-Moude".

This is the Main Hall of the Shrine.

 

What a big votive tablet!

Can you see big snake on it?

Why snake?

Because in Japan,this year is a "snake" year,according to Chinese astrology.

Snake has long been regarded as "sacred animal" in Japan,like many other countries,

so this animal has long been an object of faith,even now.

 

This old lady is praying eagerly for God.

Maybe she's praying for the well-being of her family,or be healthy,or success in business,etc.

Unlike Christianity,our great concerns are whether this God is beneficial and responsive to us or not.

We offer money (coins) to a deity before praying,and in return,we expect God to benefit us!

Benefit is important,yes,our motives are not so pure,compared to Christianity.We admit that :)

 

These are ritual arrows to drive away evils.

It costs $37.

They're tieing the fortunetelling slips.

This is dedication.This is Japanese custom.

 

 

This is my fortunetelling paper!
What is it saying?
My fortune is "a little luck" this year.
It's saying "Stay calm,and wait for a good chance."
Well,it seems that I made a good start this year.

I wish you all happiness and joy this year! :)

Preparing for New Year Dishes : Chikuzen-Ni （筑前煮）

 

I'm not good cooker like other Japanese old ladies,

but tomorrow is New Year's Day,

so I' now preparing for this vegetable stew,Chikuzen-Ni.

 

Ingredients are as written below ;

 

・Lotus roots

・Konnyaku

・Banboo-shoots

・Carrots

・Chicken

・ginkgo nuts

 

Seasonings are as written below;

 

・Soy sauce

・Cooking sake

・Mirin (Sweet cooking sake)

・Sugar

・Dashi

 

I like this stew,because it is healthy and it tastes great.

 

I have to go to supermarket to get string beans from now....

My cooking continue endlessly today....

 

 

May the New Year bring happiness and joy to you and your loved ones :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chrysanthemums Show in Kyoto Botanical Garden in November

Today I went to the Kyoto Botanical Garden,to see a chrysanthemums show.

This Botanical Garden is located in Sakyouku,Shimogamo,Kyoto.

The chrysanthemums are at their best now,at the beginning of November.

They are in full bloom.

 

This mixed-color chrysanthemums are beautiful.

Next,let's go to the garden outside.

This is the garden.Many chrysanthemums for contest are exhibited here.

There are many ways of planting in chrysanthemum.

Please look at this picture,this is called "Kengai-zukuri".

This imitates tufted wild chrysanthemums drooping between rocks.

 

This is called "Senrin-Shitate".

This is also one of the way of planting of chrysanthemums.

This is fan-shaped planting.

 

So many chrysanthemums for competitions are lined up side by side.

Some of the chrysanthemums were awarded a "gold prize" or "silver prize" by the sponsor.

A standard for judgement is,for example, 

the leaves are not eaten by worms,

orderly arrangement (layout) of the chrysanthemums,

the size and the shape of the flowers,etc..

 

 

This layout is called "Sanbon-Shitate".

Three chrysanthemums are planted in one place side biy side.

The nearest three yellow chrysanthemums are called "Hosokuda-Saki".

"Hosokuda" means "Small tubules".

These are like fireworks,really beautiful.

 

 

These are "Golden Prize" chrysanthemums.

The shapes,the sizes,the colors,the heights,...

Every element meets adequate standard of quality.They're wonderful.

Congratulations on the victory! :):)

 

World Sports Bicycle Festival in Osaka

Do you like Sports Bicycles?
In Japan,Sports Bicycles are becoming very popular among many people these days.

Today,I came to a big complex facility in Osaka, called "ATC", Asia & Pacific Trade Center at South Port,Osaka.
Sports Bicycles Festival is held here today.
Various kinds of Sports Bikes from all over the world are displayed here today, and we can also try our favorite brand bicycles to our hearts content!

I'm not so big fan of Sports Bikes,but it is my husband's favorite.
He seems really exciting^ ^

This is "PINARELLO",an invincible brand of Big Race.
It is an Italian bicycle manufacturer in Treviso,Italy.Really famous bicycle brand.
It is at the top position of road bikes world.

It is really a stylish, cool bike!

RIDLEY is famous Belgian bicycle manufacturer.

In Belgium,Bicycle is a national sport.
Some roads in Belgium are paved by stone,or reminiscent,old,unpaved roads,
so it is really hard for professional riders to ride bicycles on such roads.
RIDLEY bicycles have been developed in such circumstances,
that is the reason why RIDLEY bikes are high-performance,
and that is why many Champions are produced from Belgium.

 What a beautiful bicycle!

This is "DE ROSA".

This is also an Italian bicycle manufacturer,established by Ugo De Rosa.

To my surprise,Ugo De Rosa established this company when he was 18 years old!

This is very popular bike brand in Japan.

 

DE ROSA road bike.

 

Wow, this is a dream bicycle with sail!

How wonderful it would be if I could ride this bicycle! 

I've never seen such bicycle before. It is really interesting.

 

Let's go outside for a change of air.

These people are waiting for their turn to test ride of their favorite bikes.

There are so many booths of each bicycle brands.

People are standing in a long line,waiting for their turn to ride.

 

 

This is the scenery of the test ride course.

My husband took a test ride three times.

I also rode this sports bike, but it was a little difficult for me.

It takes a bit of getting used to.

I'm sure you will feel so refreshed,pedal along the coastal road,on a fine beautiful autumn day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otsukimi - Appreciating the full moon night - Japan

Speaking of "full moon", what do you imagine that it means?
A wolf ?  Or temporal insomnia ?
In Japan, there is a custom of appreciating the full moon, enjoying sweets,(please look at the second picture,) especially in this autumn season.
It is said that this custom has existed for more than 1000 years in Japan.
This custom is Chinese in origin,and was introduced to Japan.

In this year, I heard that tomorrow is the most beautiful full-moon day in Japan throughout the year.
September 30.

But I also heard that a typhoon is coming to Japan now,unfortunately....

I do hope the weather will hold! (Because typhoon brings everything to ruin...)