April 2010 Archives

Impressive Wadaiko(Japanese dramming)

By miko on April 26, 2010 5:16 AM | 59 Comments

When I went back to Hiroshima, I visited a local community hall to see practice of Wadaiko

The adults and the children in this district are practicing the Wadaiko by the hobby every week

An experienced person teaches to the beginner then young people succeed the Japanese traditional performing arts.

I went to there around at 8pm, a lesson for children almost finish then.

I told them that I want to take pictures you then use them for my blog and want to show people who is all over the world. They chose some nice dances in repertoire they have,then showed me.

 

This is a dance to the god on season of the planting rice, they dancing with hop-hop.

This dance has the other purpose to fun the tough hard work of rice field. 

By the way,　this area is near the town of Hiroshima, and there is no rice field now.

The most children has never seen a rice planting but they will learn about Japanese traditional agriculture from these dances.

After finished the children's lesson,  another lesson start for adults until 9:30pm.

man who came to here after finished their work and housewives etc,many people take this lesson.

They take lesson the body of form and how use the wrists when they beat the drum.

Teacher said ''Please beat in feelings where the skin on the other side is sounded when you 

beat the drum.''  I heard that then I thought, ''oh, I see. that's make sense. because the sound of the drumbeat is different between teacher and learners.

That's him,  gave me a chance to know this lesson.↑↑↑

He is a carpenter,and he made over renew my parent house last year.

It is about ten years since He played the Wadaiko, so I went to watch the lesson today.

They make a circle then start practice for match drum while they keep eye contact each other and be heart together every changing rhythm and speed.

Feeling that the wall and the ceiling in the room trebling when a lot of Wadaiko beating all together in so much!!  sounds in my stomach too!!

The teacher told me,

''Wadaiko is just a musical instrument,and it is not only sound but also for god and reach to god.''

There is destination for everything, its like ships decide to where to go by light of the lighthouse and a white tape is destination for marathon runner. The destination of the sound is decide to the god, what is impressive the Wadaiko!!  (In this case of in Japan the god mean is the power of natures that is air, water, forest,ocean and sun etc. It's a wonderful isn't it?) 

They get warm-up in basic practices. next step is practice of musics for stages and festivals with Wadaiko.

Everybody is already sweaty

I realized the traditional Wadaiko's music has same way with jazz music and rock. there is intro, smooth rhythm, solo, some solo and rise the music then finish. like that.

while drumming the Wadaiko by solo everybody is sitting down.after finished solo everybody stand up and start drumming together. there is moreover rise sound of Wadaiko.

He had still energy then showed us acrobatic performance at the climax.

The Wadaiko for their feeling united the people there and they look sooo fun and coolIm really impressive the Wadaiko, 

I had though the traditional musical instrument is really formal one. the music might have been rock music long time ago.I guess.

There is an association of such a Wadaiko everywhere in Japan, and the trait is also different respectively.Some school have a club of Wadaiko, and there is a national contest sometimes for these clubs.

at this time visiting there, I understood why people is absorbed in Wadaiko 

Asa Zoo park in Hiroshima

By miko on April 19, 2010 12:10 PM | 345 Comments

This time, Let's have enjoy with Asa Zoo Park in Hiroshima

This Zoo is since 1971, here is nostalgic place for me because I visited here many times when I was child.

I went to a Zoo at Hamamatsu city in Tokyo with my kids but Asa zoo is larger than that zoo and really worth seeing

It takes about 40 minutes from my parents house to Asa zoo by car.

This zoo in the suburbs of Hiroshima but there is not enclosed by mountains.and residential area also is there

My friend live near the zoo and she told me '' in the summer season, in the morning

This is a map of Asa Zoo park　↑↑↑

It is the stroll of about 3km when you walk all around.　(Total area is 51ha in this park)

There are 160 kinds of animals, I only pick up some kinds of animals that I was interested to introduce them to you on the topic

Enjoy with many pictures this time

Coming into view first, it is a lock mountain for group of monkeys.

The zoo in Japan, there are such a lock mountain for monkeys. (We call ''Saru Yama''  it means monkey mountain)

Next is African elephant zone.

They are family, mom and child on the picture . the small elephant come to us closely but mother elephant doesn't move from that area.

It seems to seeing my children...... man and animals all children are lovely 

Asa zoo is famous for rhino breeding.

Today, it is not unusual that breed and to breeding wild animals which are the elephants, tigers and rhinos such as on the verge of extinction in a zoo all over the world.

in Asa zoo, they often face to new various born babies

Rhinos is special for this zoo. a female rhinoceros came from Kenya in 1971 when opened this zoo then she gave birth and brought up 10 her children!!! she is alive and pretty fine with her big family 

There is a terrace named ''Rhino Terrace'' in this zoo to see rhinos as much as possible  be close. ↓↓↓

I took this picture from the rhino terrace.　↑↑↑

Can you see a small rhino?? this rhino was born at this zoo.

When I took some pictures,everyone has headed to us

・・・・・・・It scared me very very much.  I stayed back a little bit

they comes to by the side of you soon when you are at the rhino terrace.

I found a poster. it says just born baby rhino! her name is Saki ↓↓

mmmm, looks like a mummy  But she is very cute

There is a reptiles pavilion in Asa zoo.

Next picture is an appearance of reptiles pavilion's entrance. Cherry blossoms had began to bloom and it was beautiful that day.

I went to inside of the reptiles building there is pitch-dard・・・・・・no, its red inside.

The nocturnal beast and reptiles don't move under the light, so that's why there is red lights

They move very actively because there is the same as the pitch-dark for them that doesn't recognize a red color.

Dark reptiles pavilion where a snakes, bats, and a mysterious animals that doesn't know exist was a place as scary as the haunted house when I was kid

Nevertheless, my children were unabashedly observing reptiles's appearance. 

WOW, why they don't scary???

Was it not scary??

well, next is last one. it is '' Small zoo for kids''

The ponies, pigs, sheep, goats and birds are in this area and the kids can touch them 

When we joined here we passed a family. their father said '' this area was the most enjoyable spot for kids''

My kids see a pig then they stand there with an absent-minded look on their faces 

In Japan,not many ranches and the stock-raising industry is not active,so there is no chance to touch big animals in their life. Therefore, many kids are confused to the pig,cow and chickens when they face to them.

 

There is a brush for goats and pigs, so people can brush them. they looks so comfortable when they are brushed.↓↓↓

There is a lot of tools to clean their faeces,and kids clean it with pleasure.

Because the plaza is kept beautiful, this is a good idea. 

This space is for chicks which have just been born.we can't touch them but only seeing. 

I applauds the effort to be replacing the chick of every day. 

Baby rats, they have just born. rat with different stages of growth can be seen on the first day after one's birth, the ten days after one's birth, and the 20 days, etc.

The newborn rat spend time to sleep mostly, ten days after birth they stock to their mom's breast, like this ↓↓↓↓

This time, I don't know why I focused the topic and took many pictures on animal's baby.

I had no thought of taking the picture of many baby animals. anyway, I think,  as for the birth of the baby in the zoo, the environment might surely be good at there. I'm glad that.

Human being bright her/him from faraway countries and places then small caged・・・・・.

I have thought that the living thing in the zoo is poor. However, my mind that image of zoo changed a little bit after came to the zoo this time.

In addition,

Asa zoolozical park ticket, adult 500yen, student 170yen and under the 5years old is free.

Is this an amount of money that can't drink a glass of coke at the cafe in Paris? I guess.

The zoo in Japan does the effort to aim at a high quality by cheap ticket fee.

 

 

Island of World Heritage, Miyajima part2

By miko on April 12, 2010 11:55 AM | 36 Comments

I wish you could enjoy again with the topic of Miyajima continuously last week

I went to Miyajima while I had been staying in Hiroshima where is my hometown.

It was March 30. It has just started cherry blossoms season and it was sunny day and there were many tourists.

Miyajima is World Heritage place,so people comes to here from all over the world. especially there were most of people who are French speakers. I realized that while I listened carefully their conversations when I passed them and there were French overwhelmingly!!

I prefer walking a quiet back street to a main street in Miyajima.

You can catch a glimpse of old Japanese life style because of a lot of people still live in there.

I feel the charm of different Miyajima when I walk there.

a lot of deer is in Miyajima. It is unusual that deer is in the island though a wild deer is in the mountainous district in Japan. Miyajima deer are treated as the messenger of the gods.

There are many shops that making and selling the small cakes.Its called ''Momiji manju''.

This cake made in the shape of  Japanese maple leaf. they are made with sweet beans paste and rice cake(Mochi) is inside.but recently chocolate,custard cream,cheese, green tea(Maccha) and other various flavors are available.

My favorite shop is ''Daikon ya'' ↓↓↓

In the interior of this shop, there is a very beautiful Japanese garden though it is small.

Several colored carps are swimming in the pond, and there is a carp that became a top of Japan in the contest.but I don't know which one is

we can see the Five-Storied Pagoda(Goju no to) from the that garden,so there is my favorite place.

・・・・・actually, here is another reasons why I like this shop.

It is possible to buy fresh Momiji manju and eat at the shops.you can do it in most shops but in this shop''Daikonya'' has relaxing space for customers. we can sit down and have a delicious Japanese green tea. It is FREE!!

I guess, it is unbelievable for foreigners to having Japanese green tea with free.

This Japanese green tea is very delicious, so you can try tasting traditional Japanese tea at there with nice of view.

In addition, there is a nice bath room next to this room! check it out when you visit Miyajima!!

There are a lot of souvenir shops and restaurants around in this shop(Daikon ya) in a lively approach to a shrine.

Let me introduce my recommend another Momiji manju shop. This shop' name is ''Kimura ya  honten''.

My baby sister who live in Hiroshima, she tried out Momiji manju at various shops then Kimuraya honten's cheese flavor Momiji manju is the best one in her judgement.

She says, '' The price of Momiji monju is about 70 yen(less than $1), so I have fun tasting various shops's Momiji monju one by one. you try do that too! you also try it!! then find your favorite flavor of Momiji manju.

well, How was travel of Miyajima??

It is glad to me, if you are feeling that travel around Miyajima.

The last picture, I took it of people do ''gathering shellfish''(Shio higari) on the beach in Miyajima.

The season of the clams has began. they comes easily when you digs up the beach that you can enjoy do that until early summer.

put on boots and bring a bucket then go to gathering shellfish(Shio higari) at the beach of World Heritage Torii gate.

This is also the fabulous enjoyment of Hiroshima in the spring season.

Island of World Heritage, Miyajima part1

By miko on April 7, 2010 11:36 AM | 24 Comments

It had been raining while I stayed in Hiroshima. 

Finally, we got sunshine then went to Miyajima

I got lots of comments from overseas reader of this blog. they wish me would take up topics about Miyajima. Because they know I'm from Hiroshima.

Therefore I wish you enjoy to read this time,so I'm bring my camera

First photo↑; I took this one from parking area of hightway.

We can look the panorama of Miyajima from here

Miyajima is in Seto Inland sea(Setonaikai) and the beautiful scenery is made by other big and small islands.

There is ferry terminal to go to Miyajima.

I came to this terminal by car and parked it at the parking spot. There is many parking lots but most tourists get here by tour bus or train.

The ferry to going to Miyajima is 340 yen(US$4 about) Its cheap!!

Miyajima is enough atmosphere of sightseeing but general person lives in here too so many people who live there, use this terminal to go to school and work.

some of my friends live in Miyajima and they work at Hiroshima city. It is not unusual for them because of the city is not too far from Miyajima.

The ferry comes the pier at intervals of ten minutes.many tourists are waiting the ferry but I have never in crowded in here.

It is about 20 minutes to get the island.

Miyajima approaches to us.

crossing the sea to go to Miyajima by ferry is so nice!! If we go to there by land, we would not moving so much. I think.

My kids are looking forward to taking the ferry when knew going to Miyajima. when I was kid, like them

Still same feeling, I'm really excited while we are crossing the sea to get farther shore

now, we can see a big Torii gate you think, it looks not big but this is really big  when you going to to be near

well, It's starting sightseeing from the pier on the Miyajima side when you arrive

There is two ways  to go for the Itsukushima shrine!! Yes,It's a UNESCO World Heritage

One of ways, walk along the sea with nice view and quiet, the other way is shops for souvenir and restaurants line the street

Of course I choose the quiet way.because I'm not interested in souvenir but bustling street where is shops and restaurants are popular way for tourists

(I will introduce you later)

YES, this is the most famous Miyajima's big Torii gate 

I have seen it many many times but I feel this is wow every time

The vermilion of the Shinto shrine in Miyajima that shines in the color of the sea is more beautiful though the temple in Kyoto and Nara is also beautiful

the Torii gate is about 16 meters high. the two main pillars of Torii are made of camphor tree which are measure about 10 meters around.

The tide is high and low in this shoal,so it is also attractive to see that the scenery of the Torii gate is different

people can walk to under the Torii gate when the tide is low

By the way, this Torii doesn't bury under the ground also not cover with concrete. It only puts on sands

This torii has never fallen due to the typhoon and the earthquake etc

It is supported naturally by its own weight not being embedded in the sea floor. do you know how does it possible??  the weight is put in the part of roof and the foot that arrives at ground is adjusted to six.　Its　splendid structural beauty artfully combining Japanese skills

you pass by the Ootorii, you can reach to the Itsukushima shrine

The primary Itsukushima Shrine was constructed in 593 AD, and enlarged in 1168.

It seems floating in the sea during high tide Its sooo beautiful

Here is a Shinto shrine, so people can held wedding

It is one dream that held the wedding at there for people from Hiroshima. If you want to, you should take a reservation before one year or more

you can meet a happy couple who has just married at there with Japanese style when you come on weekend

Cherry blossoms began to bloom on this day.

The time when a plant should bloom slightly shifts to the cherry blossoms tree by the kind. 

The shade of this cherry blossoms with Five-Storied Pagoda just seen behind full-bloomed was very beautiful. 

In the spring,cherry blossoms are beautiful and tinted autumn leaves are also beautiful in Miyajima.

There are various showplaces every season,so you will enjoyable anytime with picturesque scene

well, there is lot of famous places in Miyajima, you can get these informations from guide books,so this time,I introduce you my favorite places

this is Miyajima fire station ↓↓↓

so as not to destroy the scenery as a sightseeing spot, is made it to externals Japanese style

There are lot of  wooden houses in Miyajima, so the firemen are protecting a valuable cultural asset and the national treasure from a fire.

Here is many Japanese style hotels(Ryokan) in Miyajima.

This is a long-established Ryokan which is located at Momijidani.↓↓↓

It is a place that flows just beside the brook and is very beautiful

The fresh green or the foliage season shall would be nice to be here

You can see many rice scoops(Shamoji) at the every shops.

Why  Shamoji?? I don't know why

anyway, the wooden rice scoops sell for actually use it and as a decoration that writes the character like this.

I don't think that many Japanese people buy them. I guess, these are mostly for foreigners.

I found them　↓↓↓↓　these are nice!! I want this one

These are made of real woods and it is possible to send it by mail with stamp

Japanese post offices has a nice humor to understand and accept this idea 

This time is that's all.  I will introduce you how my family enjoy Miyajima more next time

see you next time

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