2016年8月31日水曜日

Japanese Festival Part-1

There was a festival conducted in the center of Fukui City.

 

While I was working the other day, I heard some cheerful voice and music from outside the window at the office. The voice and music sounded so exciting and it was full of energy, and it made me smile.

 

In the morning of the festival, I could tell that it would be an extremely hot day because even it was only 9 or 10 in the morning, the sunshine was already strong. There were many people out working on closing the streets for events of the festival and setting up the stages for these events.

 

And in the afternoon, many visitors started coming out for the festival. Some of them were on line buying drinks and/or foods in front of hotels, restaurants and/or food stands which created festive atmosphere.

 

Moreover, I started seeing many people with “Yukata (informal cotton Kimono)” or colorful costumes walking around the city. Also police cars were parked and many police officers were standing on several corners of the city.

This is such an unusual scene for the city.

Some people, especially visitors from overseas might have thought that something must have happened.

 

Actually, there was “Yosakoi” dance festival which was about to be started soon.

 

Stay tuned for more about Yosakoi!

 

T.F

2016年8月30日火曜日

Recommendation of Japanese restaurant in Fukui City “Taihei”

The “Taihei” is located on Hamamachi Street, where is a short walk from our headquarters. Hamamachi Street used to be a high-class Japanese restaurant district in Meiji Period, so there are still several historic ones there.

Among them, “Taihei” is one which you can go to relatively casually. When you want to eat delicious Japanese food and seasonal sashimi with friends, you should choose “Taihei”. It’s a deal.

 Everything is so delicious, and they have many kinds of sake so you may drink too much. Inside the restaurant, it looks like Kyoto machiya (traditional town house) style and there is a nice tiny garden, which fills with nostalgic and comfortable atmosphere. Maybe that’s because “Taihei” is popular among women as well.

 “Taihei” is a true choice that you would take friends from other prefectures or your clients. Chef’s choice dinner is 6,000 yen. (reservation required) They also provide a lunch menu. (H.S)


Sashimi on a beautiful plate.             




Iwagaki (oyster) is seasonal food in summer. You can hardly eat it at home. 
 
Grated lotus dumpling with starchy sauce. It tastes good. 
I enjoyed sake from Wakasa region, Fukui in a cool-looking glass. 
Inside the restaurant. They have changed the sliding doors to reedy ones for summer properly. 

"Taihei" 
3-14-11 Chuo Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
TEL 0776-25-4686
Closed on Sundays 

2016年8月25日木曜日

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-6 / Final Episode

As I introduced in our previous blogs,

“Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-1~5”

that the firework has a long history, and there are always experienced and

skillfull pryotechnicians risking their lives to set off the amazing fireworks.

There are also many staff putting so much time and effort to make

the breathtaking fireworks displays happen.

 

I would like to review our previous blogs about Japanese fireworks.

 

Although it’s hard to say when the Mikuni fireworks display first started,

it was already established in 1932. The Mikuni fireworks display has a long history

that it is now known as one of the biggest and greatest fireworks displays

in Hokuriku region (Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures).

Moreover, Mikuni fireworks display’s pyrotechnicians had set off

the fireworks successfully in Nagano Olympics in 1998.

These pyrotechnicians belong to

Inakako Horiuchi Enka (Horiuchi fireworks-Inakako Fireworks Company) fireworks companyin Nagano Prefecture.

 

People shout “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” at fireworks in Japan,

and they are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous historical

pyrotechnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks

in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

 

Where were the fireworks started?

 

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started, it is said that the origin

of the fireworks were started from China. People used to use it as a signal fire

on the Great Wall of China in the period of the first emperor in China,

Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

 

And in Japan, it was started becoming familiar and popular

in Edo Period (1603-1867) by the two great pyrotechnicians, “Tamaya” and “Kagiya”.

 

Can you see fireworks from where you live?

 

Next time when you have an opportunity to see ones,

enjoy watching them remembering our previous blogs,

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

 

I would like to share the video of “1tsubame”,

“2016[4K]Revival Prayer fireworks[Phoenix]Nagaoka Fireworks festival”. Please enjoy!

 

 

T.F

2016年8月24日水曜日

Dancers from “Owara Kaze-no-Bon”, which is a popular festival in Toyama, came to Fukui

When I went to a department store in Fukui City the other day, suddenly a sentimental folk song was coming and a line of a folk dance appeared.

According to announcement in the store, they were dancers from a famous festival “Owara Kaze-no-Bon”, which is held in Yatsuo, Toyama City from September 1st to 3rd every year,
and they came for promoting the festival. Even in the busy department store,
the dancers were bending their steps dancing slowly along to the music.

Their yukata (cotton kimono for summer) is simple but beautiful with the vivid red color.
 Not only the graceful dance but also the musical accompaniment by shamisen and kokyu (Japanese stringed instruments) is the greatest appeal of the “Owara Kaze-no-Bon”.

“Owara Kaze-no-Bon” is one of traditional events which I would like to see one day but visitors pour into the small mountainous area every year, so it’s very difficult even to book a hotel there. Maybe it's better to participate in a bus tour to visit the festival. (H.S)



Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival

2016年8月23日火曜日

The season of autumn mountain is coming soon


It has still been very hot in Fukui and I am sick of the heat now. The good news is that the season of autumn mountain is coming soon which means that it will be cooler soon.

Last October, I went on hiking to Mt. Akausagi, where is located between Fukui and Ishikawa Prefectures. The autumn leaves I saw on the mountain were amazing. Right before the season of autumn mountain, I decided to divide a video I took at the mountain into three clips.

This is a breakaway broadcasting without description and it is pretty long but please enjoy watching the autumn leaves as if you are actually walking on the mountain. First of the three is one third of the video of that hiking day. Although many of the members of a hiking group whom I went on with were in their 70’s, I was amazed by how good walkers they were. (T.S)




Amazing autumn leaves


We took a picture on the top of the mountain.

Mikuni Fireworks Display at 10xspeed


We have just bought a wearable camera, “GoPro Hero4”, which we had been willing to have for a long time. One of our co-workers mentioned to us that she was going to see
“Mikuni Fireworks Display” so I asked her to take the camera and film the fireworks display.
The Mikuni Fireworks Display is conducted at Mikuni Sunset Beach in Mikuni Town,
Fukui Prefecture on August 11th, every year. Water fireworks is renowned for the gorgeous splendor of the display.
(T.S)


GoPro Hero4

Official Website for the 36th Mikuni Fireworks Display 2016
*Available only in Japanese

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started, it is said that the origin of

fireworks were started from china. People used to use it as a signal fire

on the Great Wall of China for a means of communication in the period of

the first emperor in China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

 

During that time, the fireworks did not look how they do in the present time,

it was not for an entertainment purpose at all.

 

And it is said that the modern fireworks which make multihued and bright sparks were

started in Italy in the 14th century. According to records, fireworks were used to be

put on floats during Christian festivals and they made noise and sparks.

 

In Japan, the modern types of fireworks were started in Edo Period (1603-1868 CE)

it became popular around this time.

 

As I introduced in our previous blogs that there were two of famous pyrotechnicians in

the Edo Period, “Kagiya” and “Tamaya”, they played important role in the

development of fireworks in Japan.

 

Now, we know that the origin of fireworks is from China.

 

I would like to share a video of “New China TV”,

“Chinese New Year Fireworks Show in New York City”. Please enjoy!

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

 

T.F

2016年8月21日日曜日

You should visit at least once “Kyoto State Guest House”

In Kyoto City, where is said to be the symbol of Japanese culture, The Kyoto State Guest House was built in 2005, for the purpose of welcoming cordially distinguished guests from abroad and deepening the understanding of Japanese history, tradition and culture.
And it has been opened to the public from this year.

The building adopts half-hipped roofs and the style of a tea-ceremony house.
Also, it is surrounded by a traditional mud wall with a roof. So it is dignified Japanese style. Traditional skills such as tea ceremony house carpenter, plasterer, gardening and cutting gold leaf are utilized.That is to say, it is filled with the seasoned artistry of Kyoto artisans.
Then again, they are far from ornate and so natural that you may not notice in passing by.
For example, when you open a sliding door, the wooden frame’s grain matches beautifully another one’s pattern.

In the garden, there is only one cherry tree. Although cherry blossoms are symbol of Japanese spring, its role is as a part of the appearance of the garden.
I have heard that Prime Minister of Austria who stayed before was gazing the garden insatiately alone.

The application for the opening to the public for August and September was already closed.
As for after October, they will announce it soon. Please check their website below. (H.S)

Public Opening of the Kyoto State Guest House



 ※The photos were taken by a friend of mine

2016年8月19日金曜日

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!

One of the highlights of the Japanese summer is fireworks.

 

Have you ever seen Japanese fireworks displays?

 

Have you ever heard people shouting “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” to the fireworks?

 

Do you know what “Tamaya” and “Kagiya” are?

 

Tamaya and Kagiya are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous and historical pyrotchnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan

during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

 

Tamaya was an apprentice to Kagiya at the beginning.

Tamaya branched off from the Kagiya and started competing with Kagiya.

They both were great so that viewers shouted their names to praise them.

 

However, Tamaya accidently caused a firework fire in 1843 which destroyed a good deal of the city. The fire was considered as a serious crime in the Edo Period.

 

As a result of the fire,

Tamaya was kicked out of the city and had to discontinue their business.

After that, their business was no longer continued by Tamaya,

it has been continued from several people outside of their family.

Nowadays, Mr. Nakajima from Yachiyo City in Chiba Prefecture runs Tamaya.

(it is now called “Ganso Tamaya”. *available only in Japanese)

 

 

The original Kagiya company continues to this day

(it is now called SOHKE HANABI "KAGIYA" Co., Ltd *H.P is available only in Japanese),

with the 15th generation head continuing to preserve the tradition.

 

Akiko Amano is the 15th-generation director and she is the first female head of a pryotechnist family stretching back three and a half centuries. She is now in charge of 100 pyrotechnicians.

 

When you look at Japanese fireworks next time, how about shouting

“Kagiya” and/or “Tamaya”?

 

I would like to share a video of “sironekomilk”,

“HD 1080p fireworks Japan beautiful in the world/”

Please enjoy!

 

Please enjoy our previous blogs as well.

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

 

 

T.F

2016年8月17日水曜日

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians

There are several amazing fireworks displays during the summer in Fukui,

one of the best ones is “Mikuni fireworks display”.

 

Have you ever thought about who makes the fireworks and/or who sets them off

for MIkuni Fireworks Display?

 

Pyrotechnicians of

Inakako Horiuchi Enka fireworks company (Horiuchi fireworks-Inakako Fireworks Company)

in Nagano Prefecture set off the fireworks at Mikuni beach every year.

Inakako Horiuchi Enka was founded in 1899 and they have won numerous awards

at fireworks competitions in Japan and overseas.

They are renowned fireworks company in the world.

 

Moreover, they set off the fireworks for Nagano Olympics in 1998.

 

They handcraft all of the fireworks for Mikuni fireworks display every year.

They even make original ones for Mikuni.

 

30 of the pryotechnicians of Horiuchi fireworks-Inakako Fireworks Company

set off the fireworks for Mikuni risking their lives every year.

 

Behind the scene of the splendid fireworks, pryotechnicians put so much time and effort.

 

When you have a chance, how about enjoying the Mikuni fireworks display?

 

 

I would like to share a video of “plum1853”, “2014 Mikuni Fireworks Display”.

Please enjoy!

 

Please enjoy our previous blog

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

T.F

2016年8月16日火曜日

The Japanese film “Shin Godzilla” (2016)

I went to see the film “Shin Godzilla” the other day.
When it finished, it made me feel like “ Hang on, Japan!”

In the film, there was a line “ Japan tried hard to rise up by scrap and build.”
It brought a lump to my throat.
And, as I saw people devote all their time to each work in the film,
I reconsidered that this is the country of Japan.

Throughout the film, it includes a diversity of messages without imposing.
It is left to what feel about to each audience.
It has excellent sense of casting, and Kanji Tsuda from Fukui Prefecture
also enthusiastically performs. 

If you have time, why don’t you go to see the film?
It is more than just a monster film. (H.S)

 

2016年8月11日木曜日

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display

As I introduced in our previous blog,“Mikuni Fireworks Display“,

it is a stunning and a breathtaking summer event in Fukui.

 

This year’s display will be held on today, August 11th and it will be the 36th time.

The Mikuni fireworks display has been conducted since before World War Ⅱ

and it used to be run by Mikuni Awara railroad company (present Echizen Railway Co.,).

 

By 1932, the Mikuni fireworks display had already begun

but it had gradually become discontinued because of the war.

Other festivals and events in Mikuni had been cancelled as well.

 

After the World War Ⅱ, the fireworks display was started again

at the beach opening event on July 8th, 1951 and it continued until 1967.

 

In 1968, oil storage tanks were built near Mikuni beach

where the Mikuni fireworks display has always been held.

There were possibilities of explosion caused by the fire from the fireworks

so the Mikuni fireworks display was cancelled from 1968 until 1980.

 

In 1981, the tanks were removed and the fireworks that we see today

was started by volunteers.

 

I would like to share a video of(Tanabu-ch), Amazing grand finale of Mikuni Fireworks in 2015

 

Please enjoy our previous blog as well!

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer

 

 

2016年8月10日水曜日

Fireworks / The Hightlights of the Japanese Summer

Fireworks displays is one of the highlights of the Japanese summer.

 

I would like to introduce one of the giant fireworks in Fukui, “Mikuni Fireworks”

which is conducted on the ocean and the 10,000 of fireworks exploding

light up the sky for about an hour splendidly.

 

The Mikuni fireworks for this is year will be held on August 11th, 2016 at 19:30

at Mikuni Sunset Beach in Mikuni、Fukui, Japan.

 

Water fireworks is renowned for the gorgeous splendor of Mikuni fireworks display

which are launched from off the shore of Mikuni beach.

The pryotechnician throws fireworks directly into the ocean.

There’s another highlight of the fireworks display, 2-shaku-dama

(round fireworks with a circumference of about 24-inch/60cm shells) fireworks

which create an illumination 17,716-inch / 450 meters in diameter on the ocean.

Launching many of 10-go-dama (11.8inch/30cm shells)

in a volley looks very powerful and splendid as well.

 

I would like to share a video of “FIREWORKSVIEWERS”,

 

 

T.F

2016年8月9日火曜日

Fukui-born stone “Shakudani Stone” of Japan

People who were born and live in Fukui Prefecture must have seen the Shakudani stone by your side for granted. The stone is slight pale blue and it changes to dark blue if you run water over it. Previously, I myself have never been taken notice of the stone. But the other day, while at plumbing work by its contractor in my backyard, an old Shakudani steppingstone appeared in the soil. So I wondered why my predecessor buried the stone, whether they just wanted to dispose it, and I became curious about the stone itself as well suddenly.

Shakudani stones are hardened ashes fell and settled by volcanic blast in ancient times and were taken around Mt. Asuwa mainly in Fukui City, but not any longer. According to records, the stones appeared in history of Fukui already 1,500 years ago, and they were used for stone Buddhist images or art objects as they were tractable. Especially, the most important use perhaps was castle stones, I suppose.
And, Fukui Castle Ruins’ Shakudani stones still remain as shown in the photos below. (H.S)


Fukui Castle was built in 1606 by Hideyasu Yuki and it was burned down in 1669. 


2016年8月5日金曜日

Yoga part 2

I talked about Yoga in our previous staff blog.

While doing Yoga, steady your breath by breathing easily and deeply.

Stretch your body and make it relax, as like you are a jelly fish.

 

Stay in a pose to develop the inner muscle

and increase muscle strength.

 

Yoga is effective for

 

improving your postures,

keeping yourself in shape,

enhancing your beauty,

reducing shoulder and neck stiffness,

maintaining your physical health,

keeping your mind healthy

and everything between.

 

I would like to introduce the video, “MARA'S LESSON2” (vanaphofficial)

which shows you how to do an easy and relaxing Yoga that you can do at home.

 

Do you know the origin of Yoga?

The beginning of Yoga was in the Indus valley civilization in India,

about 4,000 - 5,000 years ago.

 

Do you know how many poses are there in Yoga?

There are 84 million poses!

This fact is written in *“Gheranda Samhita” (the Yoga primal scripts)

and it says that is because there are 84 million of creatures living in this world.

 

There are many different styles of Yoga. I would like to introduce the major ones.

 

Hata,

Slow movement

Beginner level

 

Ashtanga

Poses at a moderately fast pace

 

Vinyasa, Flow

The most well known one

Not as fast as Ashtanga

Recommendable for the people who want to strengthen their muscles.

 

Power

Similar to Vinyasa and Flow

Usually the room temperature of the Yoga space is kept as warm as 35 degrees Celsius.

 

Yin Yoga

There are almost no standing poses in this type Yoga.

Stays in one pose for more than 5 minutes.

 

Restorative

Bolster, block, blankets and everything othre prop in between are used in this type of Yoga.

 

Kundalini Yoga

It is physical, mental, and spiritual one.

Meditation is an important element of every types of Yoga,

but this style has the strongest of it.

 

As I mentioned earlier, there are so many more types of Yoga than listed above.

You will find the one which will suit you.

 

Summer time is time for us to be active.

Let's maintain our health by doing Yoga.

 

 

T.F

 

 

*“Gheranda Samhita (Sanskrit gheraṇḍasaṁhitā घेरंडसंहिता ) meaning “Gheranda's collection” is one of the three classic texts of hatha yoga (the other two being the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Shiva Samhita). It is a late 17th-century text and is considered to be the most encyclopedic of the three classic texts on hatha yoga.

Gheranda Samhita is a manual of yoga taught by Gheranda to Chanda Kapali. Unlike other hatha yoga texts, the Gheranda Samhita speaks of a sevenfold yoga:

1. Shatkarma for purification

2. Asana for strengthening

3. Mudra for steadying

4. Pratyahara for calming

5. Pranayama for lightness

6. Dhyana for perception

7. Samādhi for isolation”

・Gheranda Samhita. Last modified on April 9, 2015, at 2:29. In Wikipedia.

Retrieved March 9, 2016.

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheranda_Samhita

2016年8月4日木曜日

The 100-Year project for the forest of ebony wood in Okinawa

Recently, I had the chance to listen to a talk by Kazufumi Miyazawa, a former member of
THE BOOM well known for the popular song "Shimauta", and I knew about the project.

He said that its big hit led to more people come to like Okinawan music, on the other hand,
the sales of sanhin increased, and ebony wood, material for its neck(it is called kuruchi in Okinawa) had cut with no plan. So now there are few ebony wood in Okinawa.

Therefore, supporters including Miyazawa who agree with the thought that they would like to fill up Okinawa with ebony wood 100 years later, launched the project in 2012.
Ebony wood takes 100 years to grow, and they are aiming to plant and grow the trees in Yomitan Village first.

Admiring the ebony wood grows little by little every year, they sing and drink there.
Also, they do hope that their grandchildren's grandchildren will play sanshin made from the ebony wood grown sometime in the future. They they are mowing grass and working hard even in hot weather. (H.S)

 

The originator Kazufumi Miyazawa(right), and the head of the supporters Daiichi Hirata(left),
who has another name "Southern island poet" and has been active in a variety of fields.
(From Facebook page of the project)

2016年8月3日水曜日

Miranda Kerr's Morning Yoga -easy stretching and exercises-

Summer has arrived and it has been hot in Japan.

How about where you live? Is it hot, cool or cold in summer?

 

People seem to be more active recently than we usually are in any other seasons in Japan.

 

When we have busy days, we need to

stretch our body,

relax our mind

and take a moment of silence.

 

Yoga is perfect for taking a moment from the busy days.

Have you ever tried doing Yoga?

 

There are so many different types of Yoga

including the easy ones anyone can do by doing simple stretching and quick exercises.

 

The super model, Miranda Kerr, does Yoga every morning.

I would like to introduce her video,

「Miranda Kerr’s Ultimate Morning Yoga Regime」 (Net-a-Porter)

 

 

Although we can enjoy doing Yoga all year round,

it helps to beat the heat in summer by doing Yoga.

(if where you live is not hot, it helps you to maintain your health anyway! )

I’d like to recommend you to try doing Yoga this summer.

 

T.F

2016年8月2日火曜日

A pottery studio that swallows rear their young

Recently, I visited the pottery studio of Kazunobu Maeda, who is an Echizen-yaki pottery artist, to take photographs. There, I found a parental swallow conveying food busily and its baby birds waiting for it, which is not to say that I found them usual under the eaves, they were inside the studio.

It seems like an ordinary scene to Mr. Maeda who is working everyday there.

 

Mr. Maeda, making pottery diligently very close to the swallows.

T.S

2016年8月1日月曜日

Ryuso-ga-taki waterfall in Fukui Prefecture, Japan - One of the best 100 waterfalls in Japan

The waterfall is located deep in a side road away from the main road in Ikeda Town, Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As you come near to the waterfall, you can find it makes a roaring sound
made by the powerful falling water. It was chosen as one of the best 100 waterfalls in Japan,
which is the only one in Fukui Prefecture.

Usually waterfalls have legends, and also about the waterfall like many others, it is said that an ascetic monk called Ryusobou used to live nearby, and a dragon used to live in the waterfall basin and climb into the sky going up the waterfall.


Indeed, it is a mysterious and secluded spot.
It's nice to have a passing thought about a legend at such a cool waterfall in the hot summer,
isn't it?  It seems to be beautiful in autumn also, when the leaves change color.

On the way to the waterfall, there is a narrow section so please drive with care.
You can park on the road just before the waterfall and there is another parking space
after passing it. (H.S)

The contrast between lush green of the trees and the waterfall which water flow freely is beautiful.


As you go down a few stairs, the waterfall basin is right there. I touched the water and it was cold and
so refreshing!












It would not be an exaggeration to say that the symbol of Ikeda is this "Kazura(Vine) Bridge" . I hear that it is a little scary to cross it.



Flowers by the roadside near the Kazura Bridge. I feel immediately at ease. As I was walking around Ikeda, I felt nostalgic somehow. Maybe it's because original scenery of Japan still remains there.