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Decoration for the New Year Celebration

2016.01.17

Charms of Japan

Shime Kazari (Scred Straw Festoon)

A little while ago, as I was walking in the neighborhood of our office, I took photographs of decorations for the New Year celebration.

This is a Shime Kazari (a sacred straw festoon) put up on the entrance of a sushi restaurant.

　

 

Shime Kazari (Sacred Straw Fewtoon) at a bar

There is also a Japanese traditional decoration, Shime Kazari was hung next on the entrance of a bar where they serve western alcohol beverages.

 

Shime Kazari (Sacred festoon) on the entrance of a building

A large Shime Kazari which is fitted to the size of the building entrance width.

 

Kadomatsu (New Year's pine and bamboo decoration角松

I found a decent Kadomatsu ( a New Year’s pine and bamboo decoration ) at the entrance of a construction company building.

 

Display of Japanese traditional sweets especially for the new year

Although these are not the decorations for the New Year, there are Japanese traditional sweets displayed especially for the New Year at a Japanese cake shop which bring up the Japanese New Year's sprit.

 

Sagicho bon fire at Shinmei Shrine神明神社の左義長

By the way, today at Shinmei Shrine in the neighborhood of our office, they are having Dondo Yaki (New Year’s bon fire).

Maybe the decorations for the New Year above will be burned here. (The photograph of Sagicho bon fire was taken last year at Shinmei Shrine)

T.S

Shibata Shrine in Fukui City

2016.01.14

Places to visit



As you walk along Kitanosho Street where is close to JR Fukui Station,
you will find torii(shrine gate) on the sidewalk. 　
When you pass through the torii, there is the Shibata Shrine which enshrines
a Japanese military commander Katsuie SHIBATA, his wife Oichi no kata and
her three daughters.
Although it is a very small shrine, it seems to be a popular spot for Japanese history fans
as there are statues of Katsuie, Oichi and the daughters.
Also, they have their original Goshuin note.
※Goshuin is a stamp given at a shrine or a temple.

Recently, a nice Italian restaurant opened right next to the shrine.
It might be a pretty unique sight because the western-style restaurant and the torii
look like all-in-one. (H.S)

Japanese New Year Holidays

2016.01.13

Charms of Japan

New Year, especially from January 1st to the 3rd,

those three days are very special in Japan.

 

We celebrate the new year

 by putting a"Shimenawa"(a New Year festoon made of sacred straw ) on the upper part of the entrance ,

going on a "Hatsumode" (visiting shrines to wish for another good year),

drawing "Omikuji" ( a fortune slip ) to see how the year will be

(they are available through out a year as well),

if the slip does not tell a good thing, tying the fortune slip to a tree in precincts of the shrine after reading it,

buying good-luck charms for health, love, business, studying and so on.

 

At home, we usually have special food called "Osechi" (traditional Japanese New Year foods that are usually in special lunch boxes called "Jyubako")

and enjoy our winter vacation with family.

 

New Years are very important parts of Japanese culture.

Its importance is similar to Thanksgiving day and or Christmas in western culture.

 

T.F

Cute heart shape at Japanese Toka Ebisu Festival [movie]

2016.01.12

Charms of Japan

On January 10th, I found "Hearts" at the precincts of Hokoku shrine in Nagahama city, Shiga prefecture during Toka Ebisu festival.

 

Although they look like nothing but western heart shape, they are respectable traditional Japanese design called “Inome” (the word “Ino “ is a short name for wild boars and “me” means eyes in Japanese). As its name suggests, the name comes from a shape of boars’ eye and it has a wish for the magic of the beast’s eye to protect us.

 

From now on, every time I visit old buildings, I am pretty sure that I will look for hearts…

 

“Inome” which I found at a building (I am not sure of its official name) located by the side of the entrance gate (called "Torii") to the main hall.

 

The same as above

 

There was an inome on a lantern at the side of the main hall.
Furthermore, the board that is attached to under the roof has an interesting name, "Gegyo".

 

T.S

New Year’s Cards

2016.01.11

Charms of Japan

It is hard work to write many New Year’s cards,
but you will be happy when you receive them.
Recently, there are New Year’s greetings on social networks though,
I think that New Year’s cards are still special for everyone.
Conversation with old friends through New Year’s cards over a year is kind of quaint.
The photo shows some New Year’s cards I received.
It is one of my pleasures to see each design. (H.S)

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