Musikfest NARA 2018

I went to the Musikfest NARA again. This year, it is being held from May 7th to June 3rd, a month earlier than last year. Of course, my aim was seeing “Songs and laughter of Okinawa” concerts, which were held on May 26th and 27th.

Because it was held one month earlier, I was able to enjoy the concerts in the refreshing air before the rainy season. In the daytime, drinking Orion Beer in the open air was great! (H.S)

　　　　　　　On the first day, it began with Okinawan classical dance

　　　　　　　　　“THE SAKISHIMA meeting”

 　　　　　　　　　They are a really nice duo, of whom I am a fan.

 　　　　　　　　　Yukito Ara from Ishigaki Island

  　　　　　　　　  Isamu Shimoji from Miyako Island

  　　　　　It is called Sakishima combining Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

　　　　　　　　　　

　　　　　　　　Members of ”Ryukyu-koku Matsuri Daiko" Nara branch

   　　　　They always perform powerful Eisa (Okinawan traditional performance).

                         “Yui Yui Sisters”

   Although the group name is ‘sisters’, actually the two members facing

   the observers’ right are mother and daughter.

　In Okinawa, it seems like there are many groups who perform with family. 

　　　　　　           The last performer was “DIAMANTES”.

                       They were just perfect for summer and so exciting. 

It was held in Kasugano-enchi, where is located in the back of Nara Park and has view of Mt. Wakakusa behind it. The performers were impressed with such a beautiful location.

                            A deer was alone near Sarusawa-Ike Pond.

   It was standing frozen, because a big dog on a walk was coming this way.

   Of course, the dog was on the lead, but I could feel the tension of the deer.

   Animals usually look relaxed and easy, but they may have many cares.  

                                   The Great Buddha of Nara 

                                        I saw it this year again. 

  

　　　　　

New and old

Because the city of Fukui was destroyed thoroughly twice, with the bombing by the American air force in 1945 and the big earthquake three years later, there are few historic buildings left.

However, after 70 years from the disasters, I may sometimes find a scene that makes feeling of history.

When I see the landscape where new buildings recently made and those old buildings coexist, I think this is so good because I'm relieved to see it.

An old-fashioned but neat wooden house standing against a new building of various administrative agencies in the center of the city.

"Happiring" a complex that is a symbol of the redevelopment around the Fukui Station, and "Shin-sakae Terrace" at a corner of Shin-sakae shopping street.

There are stores such as an Indonesian restaurant, a cafe, a cheese specialty store, etc. surrounding a square made by laying a wood deck in the space which was once a parking lot.

It seems like the street corners of a foreign country somewhere and I like that appearance of the stores reusing old buildings pretty much.
T.S

Wearing Kimono for the First Time! -Bhutanese Family in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture-

As we introduced in our previous blog that I visited Nishiyama Park and Nishiyama Zoo with Mr. Ugen Dorji’s family.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji is studying at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since around October of 2017. And at the end of March of 2018, his family arrived in Japan as well.

Today, I would like to introduce Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture which I visited with his family.
There are restored warrior's residences, menchant's houses and craftsman's houses which were rebuilt with some of the archaeological remains found there.

They were rebuilt like the old ones as much as possible, so you can feel as if you were in the Warring States Period.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s family was curious to see what they had in the restored residences and houses.

In the restored town, there is a place where you can try the kimono dressing experience.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s sister and wife were very excited to wear the kimono for the first time in their lives. The kimono which they wore that day were the ones the women from the Warring States Period would wear to special places and/or events.
They said that the kimono was heavy for them, but they enjoyed walking around the restored town with it. With the traditional kimono and the old town, they felt as if they were in Warring States Period.

They mentioned that the kimono which they wore that they were similar to traditional Bhutanese clothing.

His sister showed me how they dance the traditional dance with the traditional clothing in Bhutan.

We talked alot, laughed, and had a great time.
It was interesting to know that there are some similarities as much as there are differences between Bhutan and Japan. I found a big difference between us that in Bhutan, poeple usually wear traditional clothes when they go to schools, a city hall or any other government offices. In Japan, although some people wear kimono for ceremonial occasions such as weddings, funeral, the New Year and so on, almost no one wears kimono or any other traditional clothes for those places on a regular basis. And one of the similarities I noticed between us is that many people use smartphones, take selfies and use social networking services alot just like we do in Japan.

After they tried the kimono dressing experience, they had matcha green tea.

Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins are surrounded by beautiful nature, so you can feel refreshed and learn about Japanese history at the same time. If you have a chance to come to Fukui, you must go there!


T.F

National Museum Wales collection “From Tuner to Monet”

I went to see the exhibition “Art of lights, the birth of impressionist school, from Turner to Monet”, which was a special event celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Fukui Fine Art Museum. As you know, Turner was a painter from Britain and Monet was from France. Through the exhibition, I learned that British painters and French ones actually interacted together for the first time.

  “San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk”(1908) by Claude Monet, which is used for

   the leaflets for the exhibition.

   Monet is famous for the series of “Water Lillies”, but he stayed in Venice

   at that time.  

When I went to the museum, there was a collaborated exhibition with Fukui Bunka Fashion College, and several dresses inspired by the exhibited paintings and recreated 19th century costumes in Britain and France were displayed.

 

            Is it remade from kimono? It looks antique and gorgeous. 

 

It looks very elegant but actually it is a mini dress. 

The pattern, the combination of different material and the color contrast are nice.  

                         “The Palazzo Dario” by Claude Monet (1908) 

I liked above one the most among the many paintings in the exhibition.

As Venice is painted in gentle pale colors brightly, it looks new to me. (H.S)

*The exhibition “From Turner to Monet” is being held until May 27^th (Sun) at Fukui Fine Art Museum. 

            

"Untitled (Green and Gray)"

Seeing a picture taken with a drone from about 100 meters above the scene of rice planting, I imagined such a modern art style title.

This is a rice field in Echizen city, Fukui Prefecture. The rice planting machine works while shaking the shadow of Mt. Hino reflected on the water.

Even if it is not near mountains but close to the city area, I think that it is beautiful to see paddy fields that reflect the surrounding scenery in a quiet early morning. I do not want the fields to be landfilled and filled with tasteless solar panels.
T.S

Miraculous plant – Choumeisou of Yonaguni Island, Okinawa

Among Okinawan vegetables and plants, there are many healthy ones. I guess that a representative example is Goya. I grow Goya in the yard and eat it almost every day in summer.

Also, there is a plant called Gettou in Okinawa, I like the fragrance, so when I go to Okinawa, I buy Gettou soaps and teas. For your information, it is said that Gettou contains polyphenol 34 times as much as red wine.

                                         Gettou (From Wikipedia)


Today I will introduce Choumeisou of Yanaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture.
Speaking of Yonaguni Island, it is the nation’s westernmost island. If you go to
the “Monument of westernmost of Japan”, Taiwan is only about 111 km away from there. I have heard that you can see row of mountains of Taiwan on sunny days.

I have never been to the Yonaguni Island but I would love to go to the island one day. The island is well known as the location of a TV drama “Dr. Koto’s clinic”. The set for the drama has been preserved and you can watch inside. 

Choumeisou is an apiaceous plant, which grows naturally in the Yonaguni Island.

Because it is very nutritious, it is called power vegetable.

Choumeisou grows in a harsh environment that is exposed to the strong sun and salty wind, and in soil of Ryukyu limestone containing rich minerals. So, Choumeisou contains polyphenol, vitamin, mineral and dietary fiber with balance. 

         

                                  Choumeisou grows in Yonaguni Island 

                               (From  Shiseido Choumeisou Brand Special Site)

I had been interested in Choumeisou and I bought Shiseido’s powdered one.

I mixed with Japanese tea and started to drink it. It is easy to drink like green tea.

On a review site, users left comments such as ‘improved the environment inside the intestines’ ‘improved blood circulation’ ‘face became smaller’ ‘the appearance of one’s pores became smaller’ ‘prevents skin roughness’ ‘made hair glow’ ‘prevents pimples’. So there is beauty effect unexpectedly. I think I will continue to take the Choumeisou for some time. (H.S) 

        

                               

                       

Visiting Nishiyama Park and Nishimaya Zoo in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture!

As we introduced in our previous blog that I visited Echizen Matsushima Aquarium with Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s family.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji is studying at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since around October of 2017. And at the end of March of 2018, his family arrived in Japan as well.

Today, I would like to introduce Nishiyama Park and Nishiyama Zoo in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture which I visited with his family.
Nishiyama Park is famous for azalea flowers.
Nishiyama Zoo is well known for lesser pandas (also called red pandas).

We headed for Nishiyama Park and Nishiyama Zoo after visiting Echizen Matsushima Aquarium. It takes about an hour from the aquarium to the park and the zoo. It was such a beautiful day, so it was a perfect day for going for a drive as well.

It was getting so hot that we needed to take a break. We stopped by Michi-no-eki Nishiyama Park (Road Station Nishiyama Park). Mr. Ugen Dorji's son had a soft-serve ice cream.


I had an Azalea flavored soft-serve ice cream. Not only the color was cute, the taste of it was very sweet and nice! (The video above was taken by a GEN staff in May of 2015)

In this building, there is a café and a local product shop (they sell local vegetables, lacquer wares, eyeglasses and so on). Also, there is an elevator which takes visitors to the second floor. On the second floor, there is a small bridge connected to the park and the zoo. The visitors can enjoy walking on the bridge and watching the scenery.

At the zoo, cute animals welcome the visitors.

Squirrel monkeys were very active, and they kept moving around. They were so cute that we could not help watching them for a while.

It was the first time for Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s son to visit the zoo, and of course to see a red-crowned crane was the first time for him as well.

One of the symbols of the friendly relations between Japan and China is lesser pandas (red pandas), and they are very popular at the zoo.

It has been about 34 years since the first lesser pandas (red pandas) were given by the Beijing Zoo in 1984. They’ve been well taken care of at Nishiyama Zoo and they’ve been also loved by many visitors.

As we went on, we saw some beautiful azalea flowers. Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s sister loves flowers and she grows azalea flowers in Bhutan, so she was so excited to see the flowers there.

Nishiyama Park is famous for azalea flowers. It’s stunning when 50,000 of azalea flowers are in full bloom. It looks like a large colorful carpet. The azalea flowers are usually in full bloom in the beginning of May. It was in the end of April when we visited the park and zoo, and not every azalea was in full bloom. It was little too early for all the flowers to be in full bloom.

There is a large lawn and a water fountain in the park as well. Some people were playing with balls, running, having picnics, taking a walk, and some people were just sitting and enjoying the beautiful weather. I saw many people of all ages at the park.

If you have a chance to come Fukui, you must go to Nishiyama Park and Nishiyama Zoo in Sabae City, Fukui! I’m sure it will be a refreshing and fun experience for you.

T.F

Demonstration flight of fully automatic pesticide spraying drone

The other day, after spraying pesticide with drone in Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, I saw a demonstration flight of XAIRCRAFT drone for agricultural chemical spraying in the premises of the drone specialty shop "SORACUL".

It features a precise flight with its own measuring system and does not require human operation from take-off to landing. A strong wind was blowing on that day, but it was a stable flight that made me feel no wind at all.

Even they say it is fully automated, it is necessary to measure the form of the field to be sprayed beforehand with human power, but if you do not need human skills for the flight itself, it seems to be useful for increasing the efficiency of spraying work. T.S

XAIRCRAFT P20 (Propellers removed)
It looks sophisticated that liquid tanks and batteries are cassette type

Currently we use the Kubota MG-1K.

The secret of inspiration and memory

NHK special "Human body”series were broadcasted from last year to this year. Among them, I was particularly fascinated by the feature on “brain”.

The hosts were Mr. Shinya Yamanaka and Tamori.

The first is ‘inspiration’. How can one become a condition to have an inspiration? Unexpectedly, for that purpose, you may want to think of nothing in particular. Such a resting-state is called “Default mode network” and as a matter of fact, even at the time, brain spends 70 percent of its energy. It’s considered that, while you are thinking of nothing, your brain pieces splinters of memory together freely and creates new ideas.

Importance of thinking of nothing in particular, which is said that it is a drastic paradigm shift for brain science. In fact, Shinya Yamanaka had a sudden idea while he was taking a shower vacantly and the idea led to iPS cells in later years.

However, to piece splinters of memory together, it is necessary to store memory strong. Then, what can we do to develop our memory? Actually, to do that, anyone can do it easily, too. The key is in message substance from all organs and it’s important to keep a balanced diet. Also, it’s necessary to develop muscle through moderate exercise. It is said that brain has evolved to insulin secreted when human take food would lead to improve memory. Yamanaka said that indeed, food is necessary for survival, so that may makes sense.

After watching the program, I learned anew that not only concentrating but sometimes being vacant and moderate exercise, not drinking and not eating too much are important. (H.S) 

Visiting Echizen Matsushima Aquarium in Fukui Prefecture!

As we introduced in our previous blog that I visited FPDM (Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum) and Seidaiji Temple to see Echizen Daibutsu (the great Buddha of Echizen) with Mr. Ugyen Dorji and his family.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji is studying at University of Fukui as a teacher trainee from Bhutan since around October of 2017. And at the end of March of 2018, his family arrived in Japan as well.
Today, I would like to introduce the sea in Fukui and Echizen Matsushima Aquarium in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture which I visited with his family.

They were very excited to visit the aquarium for the first time in their lives.

As soon as we entered the aquarium, his son’s eyes were glued to swimming fish. He kept staring at them.

There is no ocean in Bhutan, so everything was new to them and they were amazed by it.

There was an area where visitors can touch sea animals. They touched a shark and an octopus.
They nervously touched the octopus and they said that it was very soft.
They said that the skin of the shark was rough.

After that, we headed to the sea after touching the sea animals.

Mr. Ugyen Dorji’s sister had seen the sea before when she visited India, but she said that the sea in Fukui is much cleaner and more beautiful.
It was the first time for his wife and son to see the sea. They were staring at the sea quietly and feeling impressed by it.

His son loves fish, so every time he saw dolphins and fish, he was very excited.

At Echizen Matsushima Aquarium, besides watching fish and touching the sea animals, you can also see dolphin performances, penguins marching out to a small park, otters eating lunch, short 3D movies and so on. If you have a chance to come to Fukui, you must go to Echizen Matsushima Aquarium!

T.F