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Japanese Summer Festival Part-1

2016.08.31

Festivals and events

There was a festival conducted in the center of Fukui City.

 

While I was working, I heard some cheerful voice and music from outside the window at the office. The voice and music sounded so exciting and it was full of energy, and it made me smile.

 

In the morning of the festival, I could tell that it would be an extremely hot day because even it was only 9 or 10 in the morning, the sunshine was already strong. There were many people out working on closing the streets for events of the festival and setting up the stages for these events.

 

And in the afternoon, many visitors started coming out for the festival. Some of them were on line buying drinks and/or foods in front of hotels, restaurants and/or food stands which created festive atmosphere.

 

Moreover, I started seeing many people with “Yukata (informal cotton Kimono)” or colorful costumes walking around the city. Also police cars were parked and many police officers were standing on several corners of the city.

This is such an unusual scene for the city.

Some people, especially visitors from overseas might have thought that something must have happened.

 

Actually, there was “Yosakoi” dance festival which was about to be started soon.

 

Stay tuned for more about Yosakoi!

 

T.F

Recommendation of Japanese restaurant in Fukui City “Taihei”

2016.08.30

Gourmet

The “Taihei” is located on Hamamachi Street, where is a short walk from our headquarters. Hamamachi Street used to be a high-class Japanese restaurant district in Meiji Period,
so there are still several historic ones there.

 

Among them, “Taihei” is one which you can go to relatively casually.
When you want to eat delicious Japanese food and seasonal sashimi with friends,
you should choose “Taihei”. It’s a deal.

 

Everything is so delicious, and they have many kinds of sake so you may drink too much.
Inside the restaurant, it looks like Kyoto machiya (traditional town house) style
and there is a nice tiny garden, which fills with nostalgic and comfortable atmosphere.
Maybe that’s because “Taihei” is popular among women as well.

 

“Taihei” is a true choice that you would take friends from other prefectures or your clients to.
Chef’s choice dinner is 6,000 yen. (reservation required)
They also provide a lunch menu. （H.S)

 


Sashimi on a beautiful plate.

 


Iwagaki (oyster) is seasonal food in summer. You can hardly eat it at home.

 


Grated lotus dumpling with starchy sauce. It tastes good.

 


I enjoyed sake from Wakasa region, Fukui in a cool-looking glass.

 


Inside the restaurant. They have changed the sliding doors to reedy ones for summer properly.

 

Taihei　
3-14-11 Chuo Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture
TEL 0776-25-4686
Closed on Sundays

Apple Pencil for iPad

2016.08.29

Production notes

I drew an illustration for our e-mail newsletter using "Apple Pencil" on iPad. I was surprised with how smooth the writing touch of the Apple Pencil compared to a Pen Tablet which I have always used.

 

After that, as I was making a rough sketch with the Apple Pencil for a meeting and I was also writing words with the pencil on iPad, I realized that the pen was very easy to write. I think that the Apple Pencil will be useful for various situations.

 

 

T.S

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-6 / Final Episode

2016.08.25

Fireworks

As I introduced in our previous blogs,

“Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-1~5”

that the firework has a long history, and there are always experienced and skillfull pryotechnicians risking their lives to set off the amazing fireworks. There are also many staff putting so much time and effort to make the breathtaking fireworks displays happen.

 

I would like to review our previous blogs about Japanese fireworks.

 

Although it’s hard to say when the Mikuni fireworks display first started, it was already established in 1932. The Mikuni fireworks display has a long history that it is now known as one of the biggest and greatest fireworks displays in Hokuriku region (Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures). Moreover, Mikuni fireworks display’s pyrotechnicians had set off the fireworks successfully in Nagano Olympics in 1998. These pyrotechnicians belong to

Inakako Horiuchi Enka (Horiuchi fireworks-Inakako Fireworks Company) fireworks company

in Nagano Prefecture.

 

People shout “Tamaya” and/or “Kagiya” at fireworks in Japan, and they are the family names of two of Japan’s most famous historical pyrotechnicians who played important role in the development of fireworks in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

 

Where were the fireworks started?

 

Although it’s hard to say where fireworks first started, it is said that the origin of the fireworks was started from China. People used to use it as a signal fire on the Great Wall of China in the period of the first emperor in China, Qin Shi Huang (259-210B.C).

 

And in Japan, it was started becoming familiar and popular in Edo Period (1603-1867) by the two great pyrotechnicians, “Tamaya” and “Kagiya”.

 

Can you see fireworks from where you live?

 

Next time when you have an opportunity to see ones, enjoy watching them remembering our previous blogs,

Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-2 / Mikuni Fireworks Display
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-3 / Pyrotechnicians
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-4 / Shout!!
Fireworks / The Highlights of the Japanese Summer part-5 / Origin of Fireworks

 

I would like to share the video of “1tsubame”, “2016[4K]Revival Prayer fireworks[Phoenix]Nagaoka Fireworks festival”. Please enjoy!

 

 

T.F

Dancers from “Owara Kaze-no-Bon”, which is a popular festival in Toyama, came to Fukui

2016.08.24

Festivals and events

When I went to a department store in Fukui City the other day,
suddenly a sentimental folk song was coming and a line of a folk dance appeared.

 

According to announcement in the store, they were dancers from a famous festival
“Owara Kaze-no-Bon”, which is held in Yatsuo, Toyama City from September 1st to 3rd
every year, and they came for promoting the festival.
Even in the busy department store, the dancers were bending their steps dancing slowly
along to the music.

 

Their yukata (cotton kimono for summer) is simple but beautiful with the vivid red color.
Not only the graceful dance but also the musical accompaniment by shamisen and kokyu
(Japanese stringed instruments) is the greatest appeal of the “Owara Kaze-no-Bon”.

 

“Owara Kaze-no-Bon” is one of traditional events which I would like to see one day
but visitors pour into the small mountainous area every year, so it’s very difficult
even to book a hotel there.
Maybe it’s better to participate in a bus tour to visit the festival. (H.S)

 


 

Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival

 

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