Taichi Saotome Prayer of 1000 years

Michinoku Yosakoi Festival

Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival (みちのくYOSAKOIまつり) ~ Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, October 11-12, 2014.

The Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival is a dynamic festival. It has its roots in a traditional festival of Kochi Prefecture in rivalry with the popular Awa Odori. The basic rule of dancing of this festival is that participants must dance with a clapper-type percussion instrument called naruko in their hand. They are completely free to choose the types of costumes and dances they use. Unique musical arrangements fromTohoku region folk music to vibrant rock music are used. You can enjoy powerful and passionate performance at more than 10 stages in the city. Over 8000 dancers participate in the festival from all over Japan and you can too.

Official website --> http://michinoku-yosakoi.net/

Herons Bonsai is Britain's premier Bonsai nursery

Autumn colors at Britiain's biggest bonsai nursery, which is home to over 5,000 of the miniature trees ~ Heron's bonsai nursery, a bonsai centre in Surrey, England.
In autumn, the flora turns a dazzling array of golds and reds turning the forest of pint sized trees into a spectrum of living colour. The expertly trained staff at Heron's bonsai nursery prune the delicate trees on a daily basis to make sure they retain their beautiful form. Around half of the trees are planted and cultivated in the UK, others are imported from Japan. Nursery owner Peter Chan became interested in bonsai in the 60's when he grew his first tree. Peter Chan and his wife Dawn began collecting miniature trees in 1986 and have since turned the site into a fully landscaped haven for bonsai fans. (Photo by Henry Nicholls)

Herons Bonsai is Britain's premier Bonsai nursery. Our seven and a half acre landscaped site is a Bonsai heaven for enthusiasts and gardeners alike.

                                          Acer Palmatum



As well as offering an unmatched selection of Bonsai trees and accessories, we can create your own impressive Japanese garden.

Location: Wiremill Lane, Newchapel, Near Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6HJ
Opening hours: Mon / Sat: 10.00am - 5.00pm | Sun: 11.00am - 4.00pm

Website: www.herons.co.uk

ONLY IN JAPAN GETAWAY :30 TV Commercial

Hozu River (保津川, Hozugawa) ~ a part of Katsura River in Kyoto Prefecture. The river begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town northwest of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama section of western Kyoto before changing its name to Katsura River. Boat Tour from Kameoka to Arashiyama offers wonderful views of mountains, cliffs, gorges, rocks and the wildlife. Arashiyama is really breathtaking during the fall... (Photo by SkylineGTR, 2007)

Inspiring Landscapes - The Taisetsu Mountain Range, Hokkaido 大雪山

There are plenty of other tourist attractions going on on this islands. For those who love the nature we recommend the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. 

Kintaikyo Bridge

The  Kintaikyo Bridge (錦帯橋 Kintai-kyō) is a historical wooden arch bridge, in the city of Iwakuni, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

The bridge was built in 1673, spanning the Nishiki River in a series of five wooden arches. The bridge is located on the foot of Mt.Yokoyama, at the top of which lies Iwakuni Castle.

ANGELES MARIN CABELLO PHOTO

Autumn color report from Mount Fuji

Mt. Fuji, Autumn Leaves with Sunshine ~ Lake Yamanaka, Yamanakako Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. (Photo by Takashi Mizoguchi, 2012)

Autumn color report from Mount Fuji

Art of Morita Haruyo

"Higasa" (日傘, sun umbrella) by Morita Haruyo (森田春代, b. 1945), a Japanese artist living in Australia.
--> http://www.haruyomorita.com.au/

Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture

Enjoy the autumn colors of Tochigi: Nasu Gondola ~ Mt Jeans Ski Resort Nasu (マウントジーンズ那須), Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture.
Mount Nasu (那須岳, Nasu-dake) is a group of complex volcanoes on the border of Nasushiohara and Nasu of Tochigi Prefecture, Nishigō, Nishishirakawa of Fukushima Prefecture and is located in the northeast part of Nikko National Park. In autumn, the mountains are painted red, yellow and orange. The view of the autumn colors from the mountaintop will be spectacular. A gondola ride will comfortably take you up to the summit, from which you can enjoy a 2,000-meter long run. The gondola serves throughout the year as a guide to the beauty of the Nasu Mountains that varies from season to season. The ropeway Nasu Gondola of Mt. Jeans is opearating not only in ski season but also some beautiful seasons. The Nasu mountain range painted by Autumn colors you can enjoy from September 27 to November 9.
--> http://www.mtjeans.com/green/en/ 

Japanese art

Decoration of home

"Autumn Moon at Tama River" (玉川秋月, Tamagawa shūgetsu), ca. 1837-38.
Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重, 1797-1858)
Series: Eight Views of the Suburbs of Edo (江戸近郊八景, Edo kinkō hakkei).
The original edition had 3-4 kyōka (humorous or satirical poems of 31 syllables) related to the scenery. Kyōka (狂歌), "mad" poem, was loved by intellectual people in big cities like Edo and Osaka. Later editions had no poems or some poems were altered. The complete set of eight prints is rare. This design has been considered one of Hiroshige's master pieces.

Namazu-e ~ Ansei Edo earthquake (安政江戸地震), 1855.
According to popular legend, Namazu (鯰) or Ōnamazu (大鯰) is a giant catfish who causes earthquakes. Namazu-e are a minor genre of ukiyo-e. Early namazu-e are thought to have contained some satirical content. Namazu-e (鯰絵, catfish prints) or catfish motif earthquake art, entitled "Shin Yoshiwara ōnamazu yurai" or "The cause of the great catfish at Shin Yoshiwara". The women of the pleasure quarters blame the catfish for the earthquake, but the catfish is delighted to have these ladies press flesh with him, and threatens to squirm again. The Ansei Edo Quake (安政江戸地震, Ansei Edo Jishin) was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake which struck Edo (modern-day Tokyo) on November 11, 1855. (Tokyo University Library)

"Takenouchi no Sukune Meets the Dragon King of the Sea", 1875-1879 ~ Bronze and Glass Sculpture.

This sculpture was created by skilled metalworking artists who looked back to the legendary founders of Japan to celebrate not only their own skills but also the age and prestige of their nation.
Takenouchi dreamed he was called by heaven to destroy a terrible sea monster that was terrorizing the waters for humans and sea creatures alike. Takenouchi undertook this task with great valor, and the Dragon King, Riujin [ree-oo-jeen], emerged from the deep with an attendant to thank him and present him with a jewel that gave control over the seas.
Ryūjin, The Dragon God of the Sea, who lives in the submerged Palace called the Ryūgū-jō castle. He is usually represented in the shape of a very old man, with long beard, and with a dragon coiled on his head or back. His countenance is fierce; he carries in hand the tide-ruling gems. (Foundation for the Arts Collection, The John R. Young Collection, gift of M. Frances and John R. Young, Professor of Sculpture; 1993, Dallas Museum of Art.)

"Tatsuta" (龍田), 1898. 
Artist: Tsukioka Kōgyo (月岡 耕漁, 1869 - 1927).
Series: "Pictures of Noh Plays", Part II, Section I (能楽図絵, Nōgaku zu-e, kōhen, jō)
Tatsuta-Hime is the Japanese Goddess of autumn, dyeing, and weaving. Every year, she dyes silk yarns into the fabulous colors of the season and weaves them into a beautiful tapestry. She then turns herself into the wind and blows the autumn colors away. Tsukioka Kōgyo, sometimes called Sakamaki Kōgyo (坂巻 耕漁), designed a spectacular series of woodblock prints with softly colored backgrounds and richly colored, dynamic figures. Many images are detailed with touches of metallic pigment, capturing the elegance of the sumptuous Noh costumes. With excellent detail and the highest printing standards, these designs are exceptional in his career.

"Flowering Plum Tree (after Hiroshige)" by Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), 1887 ~ The influence of Japanese prints, especially works of Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川 広重), remains visible in Van Gogh's works.
Japonism, from the French Japonisme, refers to the influence of the Japanese art, culture, and aesthetics. The widespread interest in all things Japanese (art, furnishings, costume, etc.) blossomed after the opening of Japan to Western trade in 1853-54. The formal composition, use of colour masses, redefined perspective, emphasis on the capture of 'impression', and ephemeral temporality in Hiroshige's work served as a touchstone to the Impressionists. Some critics have gone so far as to call Hiroshige the "first Impressionist". A sensei to the Impressionists.

Traditional Japanese Game Karuta Waka Poem Cards ~ a set of Karuta game cards consists of 100 famous Waka poems from the Heian Period selected by Fujiwara Teika in the 13th century. The life and history of the old time is passed on to the new generations over the years through the beautiful waka poems in the karuta (かるた, origin "carta", Portuguese card) game. (Image: asianartbykyoko.com)

"Court ladies are enjoying Hanetsuki", 1896.
Artist: Toyohara Chikanobu (豊原周延, 1838-1912), known as Yōshū Chikanobu.
Series: "Ladies in waiting of the Chiyoda Palace". 
Three high-ranking court ladies playing "hanetsuki" (羽根突き, 羽子突き) with a "hagoita", a rectangular wooden paddle. This game was a traditional activity of Japanese's New Year, very popular in 18-19 century.

3 HOURS of the Best Traditional Japanese Music ! - Relaxing Music - Medi...

Stroll in Japanese Gardens

The Suigō Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden.

Visitors stroll in a flower garden covered by over 800,000 Shibazakura (芝桜, "lawn cherry blossom", pink moss or phlox moss in English) in full bloom during the Fuji Shibazakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり, Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri) at the foot of Mount Fuji in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, on May 8, 2014. (Photo by Kazuhiro Nogi / AFP / Getty Images) — with Az-zahraa Za and Mai Plazo Olango.

Hida Folk Village (飛騨の里, Hida-no-sato) ~ Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture.
Hida Minzoku Mura (飛騨民俗村, Hida Folk Village) is an open air museum recreating Hida’s historical look (Hida is an old province located in the area of Gifu Prefecture). It features traditional houses and buildings which were dismantled at their original sites throughout the region and rebuilt here in 1971. The massive gasshō-zukuri (合掌造り) farmhouses, named after their steep thatched roofs which resemble a pair of hands joined in prayer ("gassho"), were moved from nearby Shirakawago. In folk art schools, you can make traditional Hida folk art. (Photo: djoser.nl)

"Zen & Blossom" ~ The garden of Kōdai-ji (高台寺), a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. (Photo by Yoshi Shimamura, 2012)

Kyoto

Tatton Park :

Japanese gardens (日本庭園 ) are traditional gardens that create miniature idealized landscapes, often in a highly abstract and stylized way.The gardens of the Emperors and nobles were designed for recreation and aesthetic pleasure, while the gardens of Buddhist temples were designed for contemplation and meditation.

Spring flowers on a hillside, Hokkaido :

Cute Japanese Baby Dolls

Hinamatsuri Dolls

Also known as "Girls' Day", Hinamatsuri (literally Doll Festival) in Japan is a time to wish for the health and future happiness of young girls. During Hinamatsuri, most homes with young girls display hina dolls, decorate them with peach blossoms and offer the dolls special colored and diamond-shaped rice cakes, white sake and other items. In the hinamatsuri practice, originally dolls were used as substitutes to protect young girls from misfortunes and were washed away in the river with the perceived bad luck. That practice transformed into decorating dolls and spread throughout Japan in the Edo Period (1603-1868).



Japanese Samurai Doll :

Friendship Dolls: 

“Among the artworks are two of the Friendship Dolls sent to San Francisco as “goodwill ambassadors” from Japan in 1927. Nearly lifesize, these dolls make the ‘American Girl’ doll phenomenon look quite tame.”



Miss Mie, a Friendship Doll, from the Mie Prefecture in Japan and Her Accessories:

Miss Mie was among the 58 Torei Ningyo (Dolls of Gratitude) or Friendship Dolls that Japanese school children sent to the United States in 1927. Prior to their arrival, the Committee on World Friendship Among Children, founded by missionary Dr. Sidney Gulick, had sent 12,000 “blue-eyed” dolls to children in Japan. Each Torei Ningyo had a number of accessories including a passport, a steamship ticket, a wooden base with name plaque, lacquered clothing chests, shoes, two pedestal lanterns, a silk parasol, and many hand-written letters from Japanese children. Our museum is home for Miss Mie as well as all of her accessories and more than 150 friendship letters.

Public awareness about the Friendship Dolls increased during the 1980s and at least 44 dolls have been re-located throughout the United States. Four Torei Ningyo have returned to Japan for restoration and a homecoming tour. Miss Mie returned to the Mie Prefecture where she was given a “welcome home” celebration. She was then restored by the Yoshitoku Doll Company (founded in 1711) in Tokyo. Following her restoration, Miss Mie visited 12 cities within the Mie Prefecture during the spring of 2010 and then returned to Nebraska accompanied by Susan Curtis, collection assistant, and an entourage of our Japanese friends. Miss Mie’s arrival at the Museum was marked by a public celebration to honor a new and growing friendship with the citizens of the Mie Prefecture and the people of Japan.


Japanese vintage kimekomi doll of Lady in golden high hat, 1960's :

Lovely Japanese vintage doll represents young lady dressed in rich kimono and a courtier's gold hat ('eboshi'). She carries a pair of dip-buckets, painted with waves motif, on a yoke across her shoulders.
She performs a traditional dance of Shiokumi woman who carries seawater for the purpose of making salt and she dances to the memory of her poet lover and expresses her longing for him.
The doll made in kimekomi technique. 'Kimekomi' means "tuck in" in Japanese. The doll body is made of compacted paulownia sawdust mixed with glue. Clothes made of silk brocade with traditional Japanese design, and are glued and tucked into grooves of a doll body. Doll's face covered in a highly burnished gofun (crashed oyster shell) and hand-painted artistically and the wig is made of artificial hair.
Black lacquered wooden stand come with.
This lovely doll crafted about 1960's.

Japanese traditional doll :

Hina Matsuri Doll Stand :