The jūnihitoe (十二単) is an extremely elegant and highly complex kimono that was only worn by court-ladies in Japan. The jūnihitoe started to appear around the 10th century during the Heian Era. The various layers are silk garments.
Literally translated, it means "twelve-layer robe". The colours and the arrangements of the layers are very important.The older term,
still used by scholars but not widely recognised in mainstream Japan, is
Karaginu Mo (唐衣裳). This is in reference to its Chinese coat (Karaginu) and apron-like train (Mo), the defining parts of the costume.
An important accessory was an elaborate fan,
which could be tied together by a rope when folded. This was used by
the lady not only to cool herself, since it could get very hot, but it
was also an important communication device. Since a lady was not allowed
to speak face-to-face to a male outsider, she could hold her sleeve up
or use her opened fan to shield herself from inquiring looks.
Communication to a suitor had to follow with her normally hiding behind
the sudare (screen or blinds) in any case. The suitor could only see the sleeves of her jūnihitoe
that were peeking underneath the blinds. This practice was prominent
during the Heian-Era, being frequently and accurately described in the Tale of Genji (jp: Genji monogatari).
The movement in such a robe could be difficult due to its weight. Ladies actually slept in their jūnihitoe sometimes, using it as a form of pajamas. Layers could be shed or kept, depending on the season and the night temperatures.
Today the jūnihitoe can only be seen in museums, in movies, or at certain festivals. Production of jūnihitoe has almost died out. These robes are priceless and are one of the most expensive items of Japanese clothing.
6.6.13
Benoist Tea (ベノア)
Benoist is a type of British-style tea marketed in Japan.
The brand was greatly popularised by the Japanese movie Densha Otoko, where sales reportedly tripled as a result of being featured in the movie. The drama claimed that Benoist is the only tea company to hold a set of three Royal Warrants, specifically by Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales, and HM the Queen Mother. However there is no evidence to support this claim, and a search of the Royal Warrant Holders Association website reveals this to actually be true of R. Twining & Co.
The brand was greatly popularised by the Japanese movie Densha Otoko, where sales reportedly tripled as a result of being featured in the movie. The drama claimed that Benoist is the only tea company to hold a set of three Royal Warrants, specifically by Her Majesty the Queen, HRH The Prince of Wales, and HM the Queen Mother. However there is no evidence to support this claim, and a search of the Royal Warrant Holders Association website reveals this to actually be true of R. Twining & Co.
Naruto Whirlpools
The Naruto whirlpools (鳴門の渦潮 Naruto no Uzushio) are tidal whirlpools in the Naruto Strait, a channel between Naruto in Tokushima and Awaji Island in Hyōgo, Japan.
The current in the strait is the fastest in Japan and the fourth fastest in the world.
The whirlpools can be observed from ships, or from the Naruto Bridge spanning the strait.
A good view is also possible from the shore on Awaji island.
Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県 Tokushima-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island.[1] The capital is the city of Tokushima.[2]
Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshu island.[1] The capital is Kobe.[2]
The current in the strait is the fastest in Japan and the fourth fastest in the world.
The whirlpools can be observed from ships, or from the Naruto Bridge spanning the strait.
A good view is also possible from the shore on Awaji island.
Tokushima Prefecture (徳島県 Tokushima-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island.[1] The capital is the city of Tokushima.[2]
Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshu island.[1] The capital is Kobe.[2]
5.6.13
Gari-Gari-Kun's Hometown: Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture
Fukaya (深谷市 Fukaya-shi) is a city located in the north of Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
In the Edo era, it was an inn-town on the Nakasendō (中山道), and grew during this period. It is in the prefecture's leading agricultural area, and claim's to be the biggest producer of leeks in Japan.[citation needed] Fukaya negi are famous. Shibusawa Eiichi, the founder of the first national bank in Japan, was born here.
Akagi Nyugyo is a large ice cream company based in Fukaya. They make the famous Gari-Gari-kun ice-pop that tastes like soda, or other flavors.
Takinomiya Jinja is a large Shinto shrine in Fukaya.
The city was founded on January 1, 1955.
On January 1, 2006 the towns of Hanazono, Kawamoto and Okabe, all from Ōsato District, were merged into Fukaya.
Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県 Saitama-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu.[1] The capital is the city of Saitama.[2]
The Nakasendō (中山道), also called the Kisokaidō (木曾街道),[1] was one of the five routes of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan.
In the Edo era, it was an inn-town on the Nakasendō (中山道), and grew during this period. It is in the prefecture's leading agricultural area, and claim's to be the biggest producer of leeks in Japan.[citation needed] Fukaya negi are famous. Shibusawa Eiichi, the founder of the first national bank in Japan, was born here.
Akagi Nyugyo is a large ice cream company based in Fukaya. They make the famous Gari-Gari-kun ice-pop that tastes like soda, or other flavors.
Takinomiya Jinja is a large Shinto shrine in Fukaya.
The city was founded on January 1, 1955.
On January 1, 2006 the towns of Hanazono, Kawamoto and Okabe, all from Ōsato District, were merged into Fukaya.
Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県 Saitama-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of the island of Honshu.[1] The capital is the city of Saitama.[2]
The Nakasendō (中山道), also called the Kisokaidō (木曾街道),[1] was one of the five routes of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto in Japan.
Koara no Māchi (Koala's March)
Koala's March (コアラのマーチ Koara no Māchi) is a bite-sized cookie snack with a sweet filling inside. It is made by Lotte, and the product was first released in Japan, and was released in March 1984 as "Koala Yummies" in the United States.
Koala's March is in the shape of a koala with a picture of a koala on the outside of the cookie doing various activities.
There are various flavors available for the filling, such as honey, cafe latte, and banana. The two most common flavors are strawberry and chocolate, and are the only flavors available in the US along with white chocolate creme filled chocolate cookies. The snack also comes in pineapple flavor, though it is rarer than the other flavors.
Koala's March supports the Australian conservation group Australian Koala Foundation.
Koala's March is in the shape of a koala with a picture of a koala on the outside of the cookie doing various activities.
There are various flavors available for the filling, such as honey, cafe latte, and banana. The two most common flavors are strawberry and chocolate, and are the only flavors available in the US along with white chocolate creme filled chocolate cookies. The snack also comes in pineapple flavor, though it is rarer than the other flavors.
Koala's March supports the Australian conservation group Australian Koala Foundation.
Sendai Daikannon
Sendai Daikannon, located in Sendai,
Japan, is the sixth tallest statue in the world at 100 meters (328
feet).
An elevator takes tourists to the top of the statue, which depicts the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon.
Sendai (仙台市 Sendai-shi) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and the largest city in the Tōhoku Region. On 11 March 2011, coastal areas of the city suffered catastrophic damage from a magnitude 9.0 offshore earthquake[1][2][3] which triggered a destructive tsunami.[4]
An elevator takes tourists to the top of the statue, which depicts the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva Kannon.
Sendai (仙台市 Sendai-shi) is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and the largest city in the Tōhoku Region. On 11 March 2011, coastal areas of the city suffered catastrophic damage from a magnitude 9.0 offshore earthquake[1][2][3] which triggered a destructive tsunami.[4]
Tado Matsuri (Festival)
The Tado Festival (多度祭 Tado Matsuri) is a Japanese festival that takes place every year during Japan's Golden Week on May 4 and 5 at Tado Shrine in the city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture.
The main event for the festival is a horse jumping event. The horses are ridden by young males around the ages of 17–19 representing the six sections of the city. The horses run up a hill before trying to jump over a two-meter high wall.
On the first day, each area's representative jumps over the wall twice for a total of 12 jumps. On the second day, each representative only makes one attempt for a total of six jumps.
Other events follow the horse jumping on the second day, including yabusame, a form of archery.
This event was named one of Mie Prefecture's Designated Intangible Cultural Properties in 1978.
Golden Week (Japan), several Japanese holidays that occur during the first week of May.
Mie Prefecture (三重県 Mie-ken) is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai region on the main Honshu island.[1] The capital is the city of Tsu.[2]
The main event for the festival is a horse jumping event. The horses are ridden by young males around the ages of 17–19 representing the six sections of the city. The horses run up a hill before trying to jump over a two-meter high wall.
On the first day, each area's representative jumps over the wall twice for a total of 12 jumps. On the second day, each representative only makes one attempt for a total of six jumps.
Other events follow the horse jumping on the second day, including yabusame, a form of archery.
This event was named one of Mie Prefecture's Designated Intangible Cultural Properties in 1978.
Golden Week (Japan), several Japanese holidays that occur during the first week of May.
Mie Prefecture (三重県 Mie-ken) is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai region on the main Honshu island.[1] The capital is the city of Tsu.[2]
4.6.13
Brief Manga History
Japanese comics and cartooning ("manga"),[g] have a history that has been seen as far back as the anthropomorphic characters in the 13th-century Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga, 17th-century toba-e and kibyōshi picture books,[46] and woodblock prints such as ukiyo-e which were popular between the 17th and 20th centuries. The kibyōshi contained examples of sequential images, movement lines,[47] and sound effects.[48]
Illustrated magazines for Western expatriates introduced Western-style satirical cartoons to Japan in the late 19th century. New publications in both the Western and Japanese styles became popular, and at the end of the 1890s, American-style newspaper comics supplements began to appear,[49] as well as some American comic strips.[46]
1900 saw the debut of the Jiji Manga in the Jiji Shinpō newspaper—the first use of the word "manga" in its modern sense,[45] and where, in 1902, Rakuten Kitazawa began the first modern Japanese comic strip.[50] By the 1930s, comic strips were serialized in large-circulation monthly girls' and boys' magazine, and collected into hardback volumes.[51]
The modern era of comics in Japan began after World War II, propelled by the success of the serialized comics of the prolific Osamu Tezuka,[52] and the comic strip Sazae-san.[53]
Genres and audiences diversified over the following decades,[54] with comics aimed at shōnen ("boys") and shōjo ("girls") audiences making up the most significant markets.[citation needed]
Comics are usually first serialized in magazines which are often hundreds of pages thick and may over a dozen stories;[55] they are later compiled in tankōbon-format books.[56] At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, nearly a quarter of all printed material in Japan was comics.[57] translations became extremely popular in foreign markets—in some cases equalling or surpassing the sales of domestic comics.[58]
Illustrated magazines for Western expatriates introduced Western-style satirical cartoons to Japan in the late 19th century. New publications in both the Western and Japanese styles became popular, and at the end of the 1890s, American-style newspaper comics supplements began to appear,[49] as well as some American comic strips.[46]
1900 saw the debut of the Jiji Manga in the Jiji Shinpō newspaper—the first use of the word "manga" in its modern sense,[45] and where, in 1902, Rakuten Kitazawa began the first modern Japanese comic strip.[50] By the 1930s, comic strips were serialized in large-circulation monthly girls' and boys' magazine, and collected into hardback volumes.[51]
The modern era of comics in Japan began after World War II, propelled by the success of the serialized comics of the prolific Osamu Tezuka,[52] and the comic strip Sazae-san.[53]
Genres and audiences diversified over the following decades,[54] with comics aimed at shōnen ("boys") and shōjo ("girls") audiences making up the most significant markets.[citation needed]
Comics are usually first serialized in magazines which are often hundreds of pages thick and may over a dozen stories;[55] they are later compiled in tankōbon-format books.[56] At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, nearly a quarter of all printed material in Japan was comics.[57] translations became extremely popular in foreign markets—in some cases equalling or surpassing the sales of domestic comics.[58]
Isagiyosa
In Japanese society, particularly in historical feudal Japan, isagiyosa (潔さ, lit. "purity") is a virtue, translated with "resolute composure" or "manliness".
Isagiyosa is the capability of accepting defeat with composure and equanimity.
It stands besides other central virtues such as public-spiritedness (kō no seishin), loyalty (seijitsusa), diligence (kinbensa) and steadiness (jimichisa).
Cherry blossoms because of their ephemereal nature are a symbol of isagiyosa in the sense of embracing the transience of the world.[1]
Honda Yoshihiko (2001) maintains that these virtues aren't Japanese in particular but form a moral code common to all Asian agricultural societies.[2]
Isagiyosa is the capability of accepting defeat with composure and equanimity.
It stands besides other central virtues such as public-spiritedness (kō no seishin), loyalty (seijitsusa), diligence (kinbensa) and steadiness (jimichisa).
Cherry blossoms because of their ephemereal nature are a symbol of isagiyosa in the sense of embracing the transience of the world.[1]
Honda Yoshihiko (2001) maintains that these virtues aren't Japanese in particular but form a moral code common to all Asian agricultural societies.[2]
Umeshu
Umeshu (梅酒) is a Japanese liqueur made from steeping ume fruits (while still unripe and green) in alcohol (焼酎 shōchū) and sugar.
It has a sweet, sour taste, and an alcohol content of 10–15%. The taste and aroma of umeshu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike alcohol. Famous brands of umeshu include Choya and Takara Shuzo. Varieties are available with whole ume fruits contained in the bottle, and some make their own umeshu at home.[citation needed]
Japanese restaurants serve many different varieties of umeshu and also make cocktails. Umeshu on the Rocks (pronounced umeshu rokku), Umeshu Sour (pronounced umeshu sawa), Umeshu Tonic (with 2/3 tonic water), Umeshu Soda (with 2/3 carbonated water) and the Flaming Plum[citation needed] cocktail are popular. It is sometimes mixed with green tea (o-cha-wari) or warm water (o-yu-wari). "Umeshu" can be served at different temperatures; chilled or with ice, room temperature, or even hot in the winter.
Homemade Umeshu
It has a sweet, sour taste, and an alcohol content of 10–15%. The taste and aroma of umeshu can appeal to even those people who normally dislike alcohol. Famous brands of umeshu include Choya and Takara Shuzo. Varieties are available with whole ume fruits contained in the bottle, and some make their own umeshu at home.[citation needed]
Japanese restaurants serve many different varieties of umeshu and also make cocktails. Umeshu on the Rocks (pronounced umeshu rokku), Umeshu Sour (pronounced umeshu sawa), Umeshu Tonic (with 2/3 tonic water), Umeshu Soda (with 2/3 carbonated water) and the Flaming Plum[citation needed] cocktail are popular. It is sometimes mixed with green tea (o-cha-wari) or warm water (o-yu-wari). "Umeshu" can be served at different temperatures; chilled or with ice, room temperature, or even hot in the winter.
Homemade Umeshu
- Main ingredients include:
- Umeshu is 100% natural without additives or preservatives
- Traditional recipe:
- Ume fruit 1kg
- Sugar 500g-1kg (rock/cubes)
- Shochu 1.8l
- After three months in a cold and dark place, it is ready to consume (although it is better to wait at least six months)
3.6.13
Betagel (βゲル)
Betagel (βゲル in Japanese) is a high-tech Japanese invention.
It utilizes gel and silicone to absorb violent shocks more than seven times the amount of Alphagel (fr).
As an example of the Betagel's effectiveness, an egg was dropped from a maximum height of 22 meters. It landed on a 300 mm² square plate of Betagel without breaking.
Japaneses researchers developed the Alphagel prior to creating the Betagel, using a numbered class of gel by " α" Alpha, which was used as a shock absorption material for earthquakes.
Evolution and research " α" gel resulted in the creation of the Betagel, "β", which proved seven times more effective.
Many companies (automobile, sport shoes, etc.) have demonstrated interest in Betagel.
It utilizes gel and silicone to absorb violent shocks more than seven times the amount of Alphagel (fr).
As an example of the Betagel's effectiveness, an egg was dropped from a maximum height of 22 meters. It landed on a 300 mm² square plate of Betagel without breaking.
Japaneses researchers developed the Alphagel prior to creating the Betagel, using a numbered class of gel by " α" Alpha, which was used as a shock absorption material for earthquakes.
Evolution and research " α" gel resulted in the creation of the Betagel, "β", which proved seven times more effective.
Many companies (automobile, sport shoes, etc.) have demonstrated interest in Betagel.
Hime and Hiko
Hime (姫) is the Japanese word for "princess", or more literally "demoiselle", i.e. a (usually young) lady of higher birth. Daughters of a monarch are actually referred to by other terms, e.g. Ōjo (王女?), literally king's daughter, even though Hime can be used to address Ōjo.
The word Hime initially referred to any beautiful female.
Hime is commonly seen as part of a Japanese female divinity's name, such as Toyotama-hime. The masculine counterpart of Hime is Hiko (彦, 比古 or 毘古,) which is seen as part of Japanese male gods' names, such as Saruta-hiko.
Hime may also indicate feminine or simply small when used together with other words, such as Hime-gaki (a low line of hedge).
Usually, a "Hime" will go through a ceremony, in which she is considered a "Daoshi" and then later becomes a Hime. The ceremony is similar to the Japanese tea ceremony, and is usually up to 3 hours.
Ichi hime ni taro "First baby, a girl. Second baby, a boy": It originally meant that having a girl first, and a boy second was easier on the mother as she gained experience before nurturing a boy. However, with each household having fewer children, this is commonly confused as having "one girl and two boys", or three children. This is because "ichi" means "one" in Japanese and "ni" means "two" in Japanese, and therefore could be read as, "One girl, two boys."
The word Hime initially referred to any beautiful female.
Hime is commonly seen as part of a Japanese female divinity's name, such as Toyotama-hime. The masculine counterpart of Hime is Hiko (彦, 比古 or 毘古,) which is seen as part of Japanese male gods' names, such as Saruta-hiko.
Hime may also indicate feminine or simply small when used together with other words, such as Hime-gaki (a low line of hedge).
Usually, a "Hime" will go through a ceremony, in which she is considered a "Daoshi" and then later becomes a Hime. The ceremony is similar to the Japanese tea ceremony, and is usually up to 3 hours.
Ichi hime ni taro "First baby, a girl. Second baby, a boy": It originally meant that having a girl first, and a boy second was easier on the mother as she gained experience before nurturing a boy. However, with each household having fewer children, this is commonly confused as having "one girl and two boys", or three children. This is because "ichi" means "one" in Japanese and "ni" means "two" in Japanese, and therefore could be read as, "One girl, two boys."
Yukimi, Mochi Ice Cream and Yukimi Daifuku
Yukimi is a seasonal activity in Japan, similar to hanami (cherry blossom viewng), consisting of watching snow falling.
Mochi ice cream is a Japanese confection made from mochi (pounded sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. Mochi ice cream is now an internationally recognized food, popular in the United States.[2]
Mochi ice cream is a small, round dessert ball consisting of a soft, pounded sticky rice cake (mochi) on the outside and an ice cream filling on the inside. It is then dusted with corn starch.[3] There are many flavors to choose from, but the most popular are green tea (matcha), vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and red bean (azuki).[citation needed]
Yukimi Daifuku (Japanese: 雪見だいふく "snow-viewing daifuku") is a brand of mochi ice cream manufactured by Lotte. It consists of a ball of vanilla ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of mochi, or rice cake. Lotte originally created Wataboshi (Japanese: わたぼうし "cotton hat or capped with snow"), a bite-size ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of marshmallow in 1980. Marshmallow was quickly replaced by mochi because it is more popular in Japan and the company perfected a technology to keep mochi soft at freezing temperature in 1981.
The name is a play upon tsukimi daifuku (月見大福, "moon-viewing daifuku"), the sweets traditionally eaten while viewing the moon.
Mochi ice cream is a Japanese confection made from mochi (pounded sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. Mochi ice cream is now an internationally recognized food, popular in the United States.[2]
Mochi ice cream is a small, round dessert ball consisting of a soft, pounded sticky rice cake (mochi) on the outside and an ice cream filling on the inside. It is then dusted with corn starch.[3] There are many flavors to choose from, but the most popular are green tea (matcha), vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and red bean (azuki).[citation needed]
Yukimi Daifuku (Japanese: 雪見だいふく "snow-viewing daifuku") is a brand of mochi ice cream manufactured by Lotte. It consists of a ball of vanilla ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of mochi, or rice cake. Lotte originally created Wataboshi (Japanese: わたぼうし "cotton hat or capped with snow"), a bite-size ice cream wrapped in a thin layer of marshmallow in 1980. Marshmallow was quickly replaced by mochi because it is more popular in Japan and the company perfected a technology to keep mochi soft at freezing temperature in 1981.
The name is a play upon tsukimi daifuku (月見大福, "moon-viewing daifuku"), the sweets traditionally eaten while viewing the moon.
2.6.13
Shodō: Broken Stone in Uji Bridge
Broken Stone in Uji Bridge (宇治橋断碑 ujibashi danpi) is the oldest stone inscription in Japan and the earliest example of Japanese calligraphy (shodō). This stone commemorated the construction of Uji Bridge, which was completed in 646.
The Current "Sekihan", Gomashio and Amanattō
Sekihan (赤飯 lit. red rice, rice boiled together with red beans[1]) is a Japanese traditional dish. It is sticky rice steamed with azuki beans, which give a reddish color to the rice, hence its name.[2]
The rice of ancient times of Japan was red. Therefore, red rice was used in the ancient divine work. Red rice has a strong taste of tannin, and its cultivation has been almost completely abandoned. The present Sekihan is colored red using azuki.
Sekihan is often served on special occasions throughout the year in Japan, for example, birthdays, weddings and some holidays, such as Shichi-Go-San.[2]
It is believed that sekihan is used for celebrations because of its red color, symbolic of happiness in Japan.
Sekihan is traditionally eaten with gomashio (a mixture of lightly toasted sesame and salt).
There are also regional varieties of sekihan. Some versions call for sugar instead of salt to give a sweet flavor. Others use amanattō (sweetened bean confectionery) instead of azuki.
Amanattō (甘納豆) is a Japanese traditional confectionery that is made of azuki or other beans, covered with refined sugar after simmering with sugar syrup and drying.[citation needed]
It was developed by Hosoda Yasubei during the Bunkyū years (1861–1863) in the Edo period. He opened a wagashi store in Tokyo, which he named for his childhood name: Eitaro. This store continues to operate.[citation needed]
In Hokkaidō, amanattō is used in cooking sekihan. For this reason, unlike other areas, the sekihan of Hokkaidō is a little sweet.[citation needed]
Originally amanattō was called amananattō (甘名納糖); the name was abbreviated to amanattō after World War II. The resemblance of the name to the fermented bean dish nattō is coincidental.[citation needed]
The rice of ancient times of Japan was red. Therefore, red rice was used in the ancient divine work. Red rice has a strong taste of tannin, and its cultivation has been almost completely abandoned. The present Sekihan is colored red using azuki.
Sekihan is often served on special occasions throughout the year in Japan, for example, birthdays, weddings and some holidays, such as Shichi-Go-San.[2]
It is believed that sekihan is used for celebrations because of its red color, symbolic of happiness in Japan.
Sekihan is traditionally eaten with gomashio (a mixture of lightly toasted sesame and salt).
There are also regional varieties of sekihan. Some versions call for sugar instead of salt to give a sweet flavor. Others use amanattō (sweetened bean confectionery) instead of azuki.
Amanattō (甘納豆) is a Japanese traditional confectionery that is made of azuki or other beans, covered with refined sugar after simmering with sugar syrup and drying.[citation needed]
It was developed by Hosoda Yasubei during the Bunkyū years (1861–1863) in the Edo period. He opened a wagashi store in Tokyo, which he named for his childhood name: Eitaro. This store continues to operate.[citation needed]
In Hokkaidō, amanattō is used in cooking sekihan. For this reason, unlike other areas, the sekihan of Hokkaidō is a little sweet.[citation needed]
Originally amanattō was called amananattō (甘名納糖); the name was abbreviated to amanattō after World War II. The resemblance of the name to the fermented bean dish nattō is coincidental.[citation needed]
Ondekoza
Ondekoza (鬼太鼓座) ("demon drum group"), sometimes referred to as "Za Ondekoza", is a Japanese troupe specializing in taiko drumming.
Members of Ondekoza reside together in a living facility in the city of Fuji, in Shizuoka, Japan. Based on Den Tagayasu's principle of "running and drumming as one", running is a central part of the lifestyle of Ondekoza members. As a means of physical and mental training, members run twice a day, once in the early morning, and again in the afternoon. Since the founding years of the group, Ondekoza members have competed in various marathons in Japan and the United States.
Founded in 1969 by Den Tagayasu, in Sado island, Japan. Ondekoza was influential in the rise of the kumi-daiko (group taiko) style of taiko. Not a taiko player himself, Tagayasu helped transform taiko from a festival-based music form to a virtuosic performance art performed on stage.
Part of a larger movement to rediscover Japanese folk art, Tagayasu brought together a group of young men and women to Sado Island to study and live. Largely without formal musical training, the original members lived communally in an old school house while studying taiko, shamisen, koto, minyo (folk music), and traditional dance. The lifestyle was austere and rigorous with most days beginning with a run before breakfast and filled with study and practice.
One of the keys to the groups success was the arrangement of traditional melodies and styles into stylized, artistic musical pieces. Examples of these are their songs yataibayashi, based on the Chichibu festival and hachijo and miyake based on the drum patterns from Hachijo Island and Miyake Island. Also groundbreaking was the Odaiko (Large Drum) solo, a musical piece focused largely on one performer with only minimal background drumming and percussion. Den Tagayasu and Ondekoza's arrangements of these pieces, and their associated playing styles, have been popularized by their widespread use by other taiko groups throughout Japan and the United States.
Members of Ondekoza reside together in a living facility in the city of Fuji, in Shizuoka, Japan. Based on Den Tagayasu's principle of "running and drumming as one", running is a central part of the lifestyle of Ondekoza members. As a means of physical and mental training, members run twice a day, once in the early morning, and again in the afternoon. Since the founding years of the group, Ondekoza members have competed in various marathons in Japan and the United States.
Founded in 1969 by Den Tagayasu, in Sado island, Japan. Ondekoza was influential in the rise of the kumi-daiko (group taiko) style of taiko. Not a taiko player himself, Tagayasu helped transform taiko from a festival-based music form to a virtuosic performance art performed on stage.
Part of a larger movement to rediscover Japanese folk art, Tagayasu brought together a group of young men and women to Sado Island to study and live. Largely without formal musical training, the original members lived communally in an old school house while studying taiko, shamisen, koto, minyo (folk music), and traditional dance. The lifestyle was austere and rigorous with most days beginning with a run before breakfast and filled with study and practice.
One of the keys to the groups success was the arrangement of traditional melodies and styles into stylized, artistic musical pieces. Examples of these are their songs yataibayashi, based on the Chichibu festival and hachijo and miyake based on the drum patterns from Hachijo Island and Miyake Island. Also groundbreaking was the Odaiko (Large Drum) solo, a musical piece focused largely on one performer with only minimal background drumming and percussion. Den Tagayasu and Ondekoza's arrangements of these pieces, and their associated playing styles, have been popularized by their widespread use by other taiko groups throughout Japan and the United States.
1.6.13
History of the Ninjatō (aka Ninjaken or Shinobi-gatana)
The Ninjato (忍者刀 ninjatō), also known as ninjaken (忍者剣) or shinobigatana (忍刀),[2] is the most common name for the sword that the ninja of feudal Japan are portrayed to have carried in movies, on television, and in numerous books written by modern ninjutsu practitioners including Masaaki Hatsumi[3] and Stephen K. Hayes.[4] Replicas of this weapon are also prominently on display in both the Koka Ninja Village Museum in Kōka, Shiga and the Iga-ryū Ninja Museum in Iga, Mie.[5]
Historically, there is no physical evidence for the existence of this "katana like sword legendarily used by ninja",[6] though it is believed that they are based on the design of the wakizashi or chokutō type swords.[1] Dr. Stephen Turnbull, a historian specializing in the military history of Japan indicates of historical ninja: "The most important ninja weapon was his sword. This was the standard Japanese fighting sword or katana...for convenience the ninja would choose a blade that was shorter and straighter than usual".[7]
The ninjatō is typically depicted as being a short sword, often portrayed as having a straight blade (similar to that of a shikomizue[11]) with a square guard.[1]
Due to the lack of historical evidence regarding the existence of the ninjatō, techniques for usage in a martial context are largely speculative.
Because of the lack of any physical evidence or antique swords from the Sengoku period to the Edo period (16th to 19th century) matching the description of the ninjatō,[1] the history of the weapon can only be reliably chronicled from the 20th century onwards.
1964
Historically, there is no physical evidence for the existence of this "katana like sword legendarily used by ninja",[6] though it is believed that they are based on the design of the wakizashi or chokutō type swords.[1] Dr. Stephen Turnbull, a historian specializing in the military history of Japan indicates of historical ninja: "The most important ninja weapon was his sword. This was the standard Japanese fighting sword or katana...for convenience the ninja would choose a blade that was shorter and straighter than usual".[7]
The ninjatō is typically depicted as being a short sword, often portrayed as having a straight blade (similar to that of a shikomizue[11]) with a square guard.[1]
Due to the lack of historical evidence regarding the existence of the ninjatō, techniques for usage in a martial context are largely speculative.
Because of the lack of any physical evidence or antique swords from the Sengoku period to the Edo period (16th to 19th century) matching the description of the ninjatō,[1] the history of the weapon can only be reliably chronicled from the 20th century onwards.
1964
- The Iga-ryū Ninja Museum in Japan, which houses replicas of the sword, is established.[8] That same year, the swords appeared in Shinobi no Mono Kirigakure Saizō (忍びの者 霧隠才蔵) and Shinobi no Mono Zoku Kirigakure Saizō (忍びの者 続・霧隠才蔵), the 4th and 5th entries in the Japanese jidaigeki movie series Shinobi no Mono, released in theaters in Japan.
- 1973
- Ads selling newly manufactured and imported ninja swords appear in the American magazine Black Belt.[9]
- 1981
- Books containing references to the sword written by Masaaki Hatsumi, the founder of the Bujinkan,[3] and Stephen K. Hayes,[4] an American who studied under Hatsumi in 1975,[10] are published.
- 1983
- The first Hollywood film to feature the ninjatō, Revenge of the Ninja, is released in theaters.
- 1984
- The first American television production to feature these swords, The Master, is broadcast on NBC.
Tetsubin and Kyūsu
Tetsubin (鉄瓶) are Japanese cast iron
pots having a pouring spout, a lid, and a handle crossing over the top,
used for boiling and pouring hot water for drinking purposes, such as
for making tea.
Tetsubin are traditionally heated over a charcoal fire. In the Japanese art of chanoyu, the special portable brazier for this is the binkake (瓶掛). (See list of Japanese tea ceremony equipment).
Tetsubin are often elaborately decorated with relief designs on the outside. They range widely in size, and many have unusual shapes, making them popular with collectors. A relatively small tetsubin may hold around .5 litres of water; large ones may hold around 5 litres.
The historical origin of the tetsubin is not certain.[1] At least one authoritative Japanese source[2] states that it developed from the spouted and handled water kettle called tedorigama that was already being used in chanoyu in the era of Sen no Rikyū (1522–91). During the 19th century, infused tea became more popular and tetsubin were considered primarily status symbols rather than functional kitchen items.
There is also a smaller kind of cast iron pot that resembles a tetsubin and is referred to as an iron kyūsu (急須) or small teapot.
The prefectures of Iwate and Yamagata are best known for producing tetsubin as well as iron kyūsu.
Kyusu (急須 kyūsu) is a traditional Japanese teapot mainly used for brewing green tea.
The common misconception is that a kyusu always has a side handle. However, the word "kyusu" merely means "teapot", even though in common usage kyusu usually does refer to a teapot with a side handle.
The two most common types of kyusu are yokode kyūsu (横手急須 side hand(le) teapot), which has a side handle and which is the more common type, and ushirode kyūsu (後手急須 back hand(le) teapot), which has a rear handle, just like teapots in other parts of the world;[1] there are also uwade kyūsu (上手急須 top hand(le) teapot).
Tetsubin are traditionally heated over a charcoal fire. In the Japanese art of chanoyu, the special portable brazier for this is the binkake (瓶掛). (See list of Japanese tea ceremony equipment).
Tetsubin are often elaborately decorated with relief designs on the outside. They range widely in size, and many have unusual shapes, making them popular with collectors. A relatively small tetsubin may hold around .5 litres of water; large ones may hold around 5 litres.
The historical origin of the tetsubin is not certain.[1] At least one authoritative Japanese source[2] states that it developed from the spouted and handled water kettle called tedorigama that was already being used in chanoyu in the era of Sen no Rikyū (1522–91). During the 19th century, infused tea became more popular and tetsubin were considered primarily status symbols rather than functional kitchen items.
There is also a smaller kind of cast iron pot that resembles a tetsubin and is referred to as an iron kyūsu (急須) or small teapot.
The prefectures of Iwate and Yamagata are best known for producing tetsubin as well as iron kyūsu.
Kyusu (急須 kyūsu) is a traditional Japanese teapot mainly used for brewing green tea.
The common misconception is that a kyusu always has a side handle. However, the word "kyusu" merely means "teapot", even though in common usage kyusu usually does refer to a teapot with a side handle.
The two most common types of kyusu are yokode kyūsu (横手急須 side hand(le) teapot), which has a side handle and which is the more common type, and ushirode kyūsu (後手急須 back hand(le) teapot), which has a rear handle, just like teapots in other parts of the world;[1] there are also uwade kyūsu (上手急須 top hand(le) teapot).
The Little Known "Sega Lock-On"
Originally known as VR-SHOOTER, the Sega Lock-On was a little known laser tag game developed by Sega
and originally released in 1992.
There were three versions of this system made, unofficially called Mark I, Mark II and Voice Command Lock-On. The Mark I and Mark II versions operated the same and differed in their overall appearance.
Each system consists of a headset and a gun for each player, the aim being to shoot the opponent's headset. Each gun and headset was able to select between two teams, A and B. A gun set to team A could only hit a headset set to team B and vice versa. This way 'friendly fire' was not possible.
The guns have a primary trigger which can be pressed once for a single shot or held for continuous fire, with an unlimited number of shots. A second trigger called the high power button is located on the left hand side of the gun and when pressed gives a quick tone indicating that a high powered shot is ready. If, within a few seconds, the main trigger is then pressed, a high power shot would be fired. This high power shot would take off three hit points from a headset, whereas a normal shot would take off one. When turned on, each headset would start at nine hit points and when shot would count down and display the remaining hit points. When they reached zero, the headset sounds a death tone and the player is tagged out.
There exists a way to perform target practice with a headset and gun. The user would activate the headset, and during the power-on process, would shoot at the headset from the gun. The headset would go dark and silent for a random period of time before beeping and lighting up, indicating a target to shoot. After a short interval, if you didn't shoot it, it would go dark. The process would then continue.
There were three versions of this system made, unofficially called Mark I, Mark II and Voice Command Lock-On. The Mark I and Mark II versions operated the same and differed in their overall appearance.
Each system consists of a headset and a gun for each player, the aim being to shoot the opponent's headset. Each gun and headset was able to select between two teams, A and B. A gun set to team A could only hit a headset set to team B and vice versa. This way 'friendly fire' was not possible.
The guns have a primary trigger which can be pressed once for a single shot or held for continuous fire, with an unlimited number of shots. A second trigger called the high power button is located on the left hand side of the gun and when pressed gives a quick tone indicating that a high powered shot is ready. If, within a few seconds, the main trigger is then pressed, a high power shot would be fired. This high power shot would take off three hit points from a headset, whereas a normal shot would take off one. When turned on, each headset would start at nine hit points and when shot would count down and display the remaining hit points. When they reached zero, the headset sounds a death tone and the player is tagged out.
There exists a way to perform target practice with a headset and gun. The user would activate the headset, and during the power-on process, would shoot at the headset from the gun. The headset would go dark and silent for a random period of time before beeping and lighting up, indicating a target to shoot. After a short interval, if you didn't shoot it, it would go dark. The process would then continue.
31.5.13
Tokyo Monorail
Tokyo Monorail (東京モノレール Tōkyō Monorēru), officially the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line (東京モノレール羽田空港線 Tōkyō Monorēru Haneda Kūkō sen), is a monorail system connecting Haneda Airport in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, to Hamamatsuchō Station in Minato, Tokyo.
The Tokyo Monorail serves eleven stations and operates from 5:30 AM to midnight
Often cited as the busiest and most profitable monorail line in the world, it carried its 1.5 billionth passenger on January 24, 2007[3][4], it has recently become somewhat less popular through competition from the Keikyū Airport Line.
The trains operate along an elevated line that follows the coast of Tokyo Bay. The trip from the airport to Hamamatsuchō costs ¥470 each way.
The line opened in 1964 to coincide with the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Tokyo Monorail was originally one of the only "private" railways to use JR East's Suica fare card system. The Monorail is now fully integrated with both Suica and the new Pasmo fare card.
The Tokyo Monorail serves eleven stations and operates from 5:30 AM to midnight
Often cited as the busiest and most profitable monorail line in the world, it carried its 1.5 billionth passenger on January 24, 2007[3][4], it has recently become somewhat less popular through competition from the Keikyū Airport Line.
The trains operate along an elevated line that follows the coast of Tokyo Bay. The trip from the airport to Hamamatsuchō costs ¥470 each way.
The line opened in 1964 to coincide with the 1964 Summer Olympics.
Tokyo Monorail was originally one of the only "private" railways to use JR East's Suica fare card system. The Monorail is now fully integrated with both Suica and the new Pasmo fare card.
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