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Why Mr. Sigh-go Takamori is a mascot character in Kagoshima. TOP

  1. (Showing pictures of Sigh-go Takamori goods), this person appears on various kinds of goods including manga, dolls, keychains, and sweet boxes.
  2. His name is Sigh-go Takamori. People in Kagoshima call him “Sehgo-don” with great affection.
  3. In the history of Japan, there have been two major powers. One is the samn-lie, and the other is the Emperor, known as “Ten-know.”
  4. From the 17th century to the 19th century, Japan was ruled by the samn-lie government. In the end, it lost its control over the country.
  5. Some samn-lies tried to overthrow the samn-lie government and build a government centered on the Emperor. This movement was led by Kagoshima, formerly called Satsuma. And one of the leaders was Sigh-go Takamori.
  6. It was a success. He was considered the top contributor to creating a new government.
  7. However, the new government centered on the Imperial Family abolished all the systems related to the samn-lie. No samn-lie class, no katana, no castles… Like, “From now on, you are ordinary people.”
  8. The samn-lies who assisted the new government became deeply dissatisfied. So, here and there, they started rebellions.
  9. And the biggest and the last rebellion occurred in Satsuma, Kagoshima. The leader was Sigh-go Takamori. He had to fight against the government that he had helped to build.
  10. But Satsuma lost this civil war. He is commonly believed to have taken responsibility by committing hara-kiri. In short, he changed Japan greatly. And he died for his homeland. That is why he is respected here as a great hero.
  11. His unique appearance, with a big body, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, was endearing, never strict like that of an ordinary samn-lie.
  12. Thus, he became a friendly mascot here. Today, you will see Mr. Sigh-go’s face over and over again.
西郷どんがマスコットダウンロード

Why was the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki? TOP

  1. Nagasaki has long been a good natural port. Also, it once functioned as a great trading port and as a gateway through which foreign cultures entered Japan.
  2. From the 19th century, Japan started to modernize and westernize rapidly.
  3. In Nagasaki, several shipbuilding docks were built, and the city developed as an important industrial town.
  4. However, this shipbuilding industry was one of the reasons why the atomic bomb was dropped here.
  5. During World War II, these docks built military ships.
  6. Three days after an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, a bomber carrying another atomic bomb flew to Japan.
  7. The first target was not Nagasaki, but Kokura, which had Japan’s largest arsenal.
  8. But it was covered with clouds.
  9. At that time, there was no precision radar-guidance system, so the pilots had to check the target with their own eyes.
  10. Then, the bomber flew to the second target, that is, Nagasaki.
  11. Nagasaki was also covered with clouds, but there was a gap in the clouds through which the pilots could see the ground.
  12. That is the Woo-rakami area, which we are heading to. It is a bit away from the port.
  13. The Woo-rakami area happened to be the center of Christianity and home to the biggest Christian community in Japan.
  14. We are visiting the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. And you will see some Christian elements there.
長崎導入ガイドダウンロード

Why do people visit this Da-zigh-fu shrine? TOP

  1. About 1,100 years ago, the center of Japan was Kyoto, where the Ten-know, or Emperor, and aristocrats conducted politics.
  2. At that time, there was a very intelligent man named Sugawara no Michiza-nez.
  3. He was a great scholar, and even though he was from a lower class of aristocrats, due to his talent and efforts, he was promoted to the second-highest ministerial position.
  4. But there were many political rivals who were jealous of his promotion. Some of them framed him for a false plot to depose the current Ten-know. Though he was innocent, he was punished with expulsion from Kyoto to a remote place, Da-zigh-fu
  5. He was expelled to Da-zigh-fu, and in deep despair, he died here.
  6. Later, after his death, strange things happened one after another in Kyoto.
  7. His former political rivals died one by one. And eventually, lightning struck the imperial palace and caused a great fire.
  8. People in Kyoto thought that these things had been caused by the angry spirit of Sugawara no Michiza-nez. To appease this spirit, they built an altar and worshiped him there.
  9. This was the beginning of Tenjin worship. Tenjin originally meant “the god of thunder.”
  10. He was very intelligent, and then, Sugawara no Michiza-nez became the god of learning.
  11. This faith spread throughout the country, and now there are about 12,000 Tenjin shrines. One of the most important Tenjin shrines is Da-zigh-fu Tenmangu, built in the place where he died.
  12. Many students who are going to take entrance examinations visit this shrine to pray for success in their examinations.
菅原道真ダウンロード

The Origin of the Hell Tour TOP

  1. Cue-shoe is an area where volcanic activities are very active.
  2. These activities have formed various kinds of geologically unique features.
  3. One of the best examples is here in Beppu.
  4. In older times, it was just a place where hot springs and steam gushed out here and there, and barren land with no plants spread over the area.
  5. There were also some weird and scary sights such as a red pond, a blue pond, a geyser, and a hot mud pond.
  6. People in the past called such places with hot steam and barren land “hell,” because they looked just like pictures of hell depicted in Buddhism.
  7. In the early 20th century, a man of creative ideas appeared in Beppu. He was Aboo-raya Kumahachi.
  8. He came up with the idea that the “hell” places people hated should be changed into “unique sightseeing spots found only in Beppu.”
  9. He thought such rare features as a red pond, a blue pond, a geyser, and a hot mud pond could be good attractions.
  10. Thus, the Hell Tour was a big success, and it made Beppu a very popular tourist spot.
  11. Aboo-raya Kumahachi also started Japan’s first sightseeing bus tour with female tour guides. Female bus guides are common now. He is called the “Father of Beppu Tourism.”
  12. Also, the bus tour used the humorous slogan, “If you go to hell here while you are alive, you won’t go to hell when you die.” This attracted more people to Beppu.
  13. So, hell is not a scary place in Beppu, but an enjoyable place worth visiting.
別府地獄めぐりダウンロード

The Process of the Formation on the Aso Caldera TOP

  1. Cue-shoe is an area where volcanic activity is very active. This activity has formed various kinds of geologically unique features. One of the best examples is here in Aso.
  2. This geological feature consists of mountains in the center surrounded by outer ridges. Just imagine a frying pan with a rice bowl placed upside down in the center. The area surrounded by the outer ridges is geologically called a “caldera.” This means “big pot” in Portuguese.
  3. About 60,000 years ago, a huge volcanic eruption occurred in this area. A vast amount of magma erupted and formed a large volcano and a vast pyroclastic-flow plateau.
  4. Eventually, when the eruption ended and the magma chamber became empty, a huge hollow space was formed underground.
  5. Then, the whole surface, having lost its underground support, sank into the hollow space. The edge of the sunken ground became the present outer rim.
  6. Later, volcanic activity started again in the center of the caldera and formed a group of mountains with several peaks. One of the peaks, Nakadakeh, is still active and gives off smoke.
  7. This caldera is about 18 kilometers from east to west and about 25 kilometers from north to south. About 50,000 people live inside the caldera. Aso is one of the largest inhabited calderas in the world.
カルデラダウンロード

Hakata Ramen TOP

  1. Among Japanese cuisine, ramen is especially popular all over the world. It originated in China, and in the 19th century, it was introduced to Yokohama Chinatown. Later, in the early 20th century, a restaurant in Tokyo adapted it to Japanese tastes and started serving it. This is the beginning of ramen culture in Japan.
  2. After this, ramen spread all over the country, and it developed uniquely in each region.
  3. Fukuoka, often called Hack-ah-ta, is one of those places. Hakata is one of the major ramen towns in Japan, along with Sapporo and Tokyo. I’ll show you some features of Hakata ramen.
  4. Feature 1: The soup is milky white. It is made from pork bones by simmering them for a long time. It’s called “tonkotsu soup.” The word “tonkotsu” is becoming familiar to ramen fans around the world.
  5. Feature 2: The noodles are very thin. Thin noodles cook faster. Hack-ah-ta people are likely to be impatient, so the noodles have to be thin. This is the common explanation for why the noodles are so thin.
  6. Feature 3: You can choose your noodle firmness: soft, regular, or firm. You can order the firmness to your liking. You are always asked this at ramen shops in Fukuoka.
  7. Feature 4: When you finish eating the noodles and have some soup left, you can order another helping of noodles. This is called “kah-eh-dama.”
  8. Feature 5: The toppings are simple, basically consisting of slices of roast pork (chashu), green onions, and kikura-gay mushrooms. In some restaurants, half a boiled egg or boiled bean sprouts are added.
  9. Feature 6: On the table, pickled red ginger, ground sesame seeds, spicy takana pickles, and grated garlic are provided. They are free of charge.
  10. There are about 370 ramen restaurants in Fukuoka City. Some are expanding their businesses overseas. Itchy-ran and Ippudo, both of which originated in Fukuoka, are very famous around the world.
  11. When you ask Fukuoka people what their favorite ramen shops are, they give you different answers. Thus, ramen is part of the culture deeply rooted in the lives of Fukuoka people.
博多ラーメンダウンロード

Hakata and Fukuoka TOP

  1. Fukuoka City, roughly speaking, can be divided into two areas. The Nakagawa River runs through the center of the city, dividing it into the two areas. The west side is the Fukuoka area, and the east side is the Hack-ah-ta area. The main station where the Shinkansen stops is located in the Hack-ah-ta area, so it is called “Hack-ah-ta Station.” On the other hand, the city also has Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, which is on a private railway line in the Fukuoka area.
  2. Actually, Hack-ah-ta originally referred only to a relatively small area that thrived as a trading port.
  3. Hakata is close to the Asian continent and the Korean Peninsula, so it thrived on international trade and produced many wealthy merchants. In short, Hakata was a merchant town. Even today, the Hack-ah-ta Gion Yamakasa Festival represents the vibrant culture of this merchant town.
  4. On the other hand, in the 17th century, Kuroda Nagamasa, a feudal lord, built a castle and named the surrounding area Fukuoka. So, Fukuoka was a samurai town. After that, the city developed through competition between the merchant town of Hakata and the samurai town of Fukuoka.
  5. When the municipal system started in the 19th century, these two areas were ordered to be united into one city. Then, there was a heated dispute over which name should be adopted for the city. Eventually, Fukuoka won by only one vote in a city council vote.
  6. Even so, the name “Hack-ah-ta” is often used to refer to the city. It is commonly thought that Hack-ah-ta is another name for Fukuoka. Good examples include Hack-ah-ta ramen, Hack-ah-ta dolls, and Hack-ah-ta textiles. Actually, Hack-ah-ta Station is not located in the old central area of Hack-ah-ta. The word “Hack-ah-ta” has connotations of tradition and refinement.
  7. So, something interesting often happens. When many people in the Fukuoka area are asked where they are from, they answer, “Hack-ah-ta.” Besides, the same thing sometimes happens with people living elsewhere in Fukuoka Prefecture, outside the city.

How Great Kumamoto Castle Is TOP

  1. Kumamoto Castle is often considered one of Japan’s Three Famous Castles. Car-toe Kiyomasa spent about seven years building it, beginning in 1601. The castle keep, painted black, with Chidori Gables (triangular gables) and Kara Gables (curved gables), shows its magnificent and beautiful appearance.
  2. Car-toe Kiyomasa, who was known as a master of castle building, devised many methods to make the castle impregnable.
  3. The most notable defensive feature was its stone walls. They were designed so that the lower part is gentle and the upper part becomes almost vertical. The walls are called “Musha-Gaeshi” (Warrior-Repelling Walls) because even nimble ninjas could not climb them and would eventually fall backward.
  4. Each step of the stairways inside the castle keep and the turrets was designed to have a different height and depth, making it difficult for enemies to climb by disturbing their speed and rhythm.
  5. In preparation for a siege, dried taro stems were woven into the tatami mats in the castle keep as emergency food. Besides, it is said that dried sliced gourds and red beans were also sealed in the walls.
  6. Inside the castle, about 120 wells were dug in preparation for long battles. Besides, many ginkgo trees were planted. They provided food and also helped prevent fires. Because of these many ginkgo trees, the castle is often called “Ginkgo Castle.”
  7. Actually, this castle became a fierce battlefield during the Satsuma Rebellion in the 19th century. The castle never fell. Legend has it that Sigh-go Takamori, the leader of the Satsuma forces, said, “We were defeated not by the government forces but by Lord Car-toe Kiyomasa.”
  8. In 2016, huge earthquakes hit Kumamoto. The castle keep and stone walls were heavily damaged. Many people in Kumamoto made great efforts to restore the castle, and in 2021 the castle keep was completely restored. Now it has become a symbol of Kumamoto’s recovery.
  9. Still, large-scale restoration work, such as the dismantling and reconstruction of the Uto Turret and the rebuilding of damaged stone walls, is still underway. It is said that the entire restoration project will be completed around 2052.
熊本城ダウンロード

Differences in the Sense of Religion TOP

  1. I am often asked what religion I believe in. But actually, this question is rather hard for Japanese people to answer.
  2. Many people might answer, “I don’t believe in any religion,” but we often visit Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, so that answer doesn’t seem right.
  3. This difference is caused by a slight difference in the definition of the word “religion” between the West and Japan.
  4. In the West, religion is often considered a faith in which people believe in a particular god and make its teachings the standard for their lives. So, normally, people believe in one religion.
  5. In Japan, religion is not about believing in one faith. We respect gods, ancestors, and nature. We pray on every important occasion in our lives and highly value traditional annual events.
  6. If I may put it simply, it might go like this: In the West, religion is a guideline for living, while in Japan, religion is a way of living.
  7. So, our lives are naturally rooted in the customs of Shinto and Buddhism.
  8. Moreover, our lives are also somewhat influenced by Confucianism and Taoism. Recently, some elements of Christianity have been adopted. We often have weddings in a Christian style and enjoy Halloween.
  9. Now, if I answer the question I mentioned at the beginning, this is my answer:
  10. “In the West, religion is often about believing in one faith. In Japan, we follow a bit of the two major religions, Shinto and Buddhism.”

The Origin of Origami Cranes TOP

  1. You see a lot of bunches of origami hanging here. The origami is crane birds. Now, do you know how many cranes one bunch has? The answer is one thousand.
  2. I would like to explain to you why bunches of one thousand cranes are hanging in the Peace Park (the Atomic Bomb Museum).
  3. Cranes have long been auspicious birds which are said to live one thousand years. This number one thousand are connected with auspiciousness, and one thousand cranes became a symbol of praying for eternal life. Especially, it became a custom to present one thousand cranes to people in hospital.
  4. Here was a girl named Sasaki Sadako, who was in hospital for leukemia caused by the exposition to the Atomic Bomb dropped in Hiroshima. To believe in the effect of one thousand cranes, she kept folding one thousand cranes, but unfortunately, she passed away.
  5. Her classmates got shocked by her death, but they didn’t want to waste her earnest hope and decided to begin fundraisings to build a statue of ‘a victim girl of the atomic bomb.’
  6. At the completion of the statue, the story of a girl folding one thousand cranes spread all over the world. Then, one thousand cranes became a symbol of peace. Thus, a bunch of one thousand crane origami developed from a praying for longevity, through a praying for disease recovery, to a praying for world peace. 
  7. Nowadays, many school bring one bunch here as an activity for peace study. The tags on the bunches show the names of school and community. Nagasaki and Hiroshima are essential places for peace study. 
  8. By the way, origami folding is well known as a traditional Japanese child play. A crane is one the most famous origami, and many Japanese people have folded it at least once. However, this work is not for beginners, and it is a bit difficult.

Amano Iwato Legend TOP

  1. The heaven called Takah-magah-harah was peacefully ruled by the Sun Goddess, Ah-mah-teh-rah-soo.
  2. She had a younger brother named Soo-sah-noh-oh.He came up there and went on a rampage.
  3. She ordered him to stop, but he never obeyed her. So, she was so angry that she couldn’t stand it any more.
  4. She decided to hide herself in a cave and shut the door tightly.
  5. She never came out of it, and the door couldn’t be opened from the outside.
  6. The Sun Goddess was hiding, so there was no sunshine in the world. Every evil thing happened here and there. It became chaos.
  7. To solve this situation, all the gods came together to talk. They came up with a good idea. It was to have a big party in front of the door.
  8. Before it started, the strongest god named Tah-jee-kah-rah-oh stood by the door. If the door opened even a little, he would hold it and open the door.
  9. Also, the dance goddess named Ah-menoh-woo-zoo-meh came to entertain all the gods.
  10. All the gods cheered loudly to make enough noise to let the Sun Goddess know that something fun was going on.
  11. The Sun Goddess wondered what was going on outside. She decided to open the door to peek.
  12. When the door opened a little, the gods held a mirror at the opening. The mirror reflected a beautiful face, which was the Sun Goddess’s face. But she thought it was another woman, and that this woman was as beautiful as she was.
  13. She was shocked and stood motionless. At that moment, the strong god Tah-jee-kah-ra-oh held the door and opened it.
  14. He pulled her out of the cave.
  15. And light returned to the world.
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Some Notable Features on Buddhism TOP

  1. The Red Bib of Jizo: The red bibs worn by Jizo statues are not an official Buddhist rule, but a folk religious custom that developed in Japan. Jizo is believed to protect children and travelers. Parents who lost a child began offering bibs to Jizo with the feeling of dressing their own child and praying for the child’s peaceful rest. The color red has also been believed to protect people from evil and illness, so many Jizo statues wear red bibs.
  2. The Western and Eastern Branches of Jodo Shinshu: Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Buddhism) split into two major branches in 1602. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu divided Honganji Temple into two institutions in order to reduce the political power of the sect. This resulted in the creation of Nishi Honganji (the Honganji branch) and Higashi Honganji (the Otani branch). Both branches inherit the teachings of Shinran, and there is no major difference in their core beliefs. Even today, the main distinctions lie in their temple organizations and administration, and for ordinary followers there is little practical difference in religious doctrine or faith.
  3. One hundred and eight Worldly Desires: There are several explanations for why Buddhism says human beings have 108 worldly desires, or bonno. One of the best-known explanations is this: human beings have six senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind. Each sense can produce three reactions: liking, disliking, or feeling neutral. These are then applied to the three times—past, present, and future—and further divided into pure and impure states. So, 6 × 3 × 3 × 2 = 108. On New Year’s Eve, temple bells in Japan are rung 108 times to symbolically remove these worldly desires and welcome the new year with a purified heart.
  4. The Eight Great Hells: In Buddhism, the Eight Great Hells are the eight main hells into which people are said to fall according to the seriousness of their bad deeds. The heavier the sin, the deeper the level, and the greater the suffering. In order, they are Tokatsu Hell, Kokujou Hell, Shugou Hell, Kyoukan Hell, Daikyoukan Hell, Shounetsu Hell, Daishounetsu Hell, and Abi Hell. Abi Hell, the lowest level, is said to be for those who committed the most serious sins, such as killing a parent or harming the Buddha. These teachings were used to warn people against evil and encourage them to do good deeds.
  5. The Six Realms: In Buddhism, the Six Realms are the six worlds into which living beings are reborn according to their actions, or karma, in previous lives. From the highest to the lowest, they are the Realm of Heaven, the Human Realm, the Realm of Fighting Spirits, the Animal Realm, the Hungry Ghost Realm, and the Hell Realm.
  6. Six Realms: The Realm of Heaven is a happy world, but it is not eternal. The Human Realm is considered the best place to seek enlightenment. The Realm of Fighting Spirits is a world of conflict, the Animal Realm is a world of survival of the fittest, the Hungry Ghost Realm is a world of hunger and thirst, and the Hell Realm is a world of suffering. In Buddhism, the ultimate goal is to be freed from this cycle of rebirth through the Six Realms.
  7. The Triad Form: Buddhist statues are often not displayed alone. A common arrangement is called the “triad form,” in which the main Buddha is placed in the center and two attendant bodhisattvas stand on the left and right. Typical examples include the Shaka Triad, with Shaka Nyorai in the center, Monju Bosatsu, representing wisdom, and Fugen Bosatsu, representing compassion and practice; the Amida Triad, with Amida Nyorai in the center, Kannon Bosatsu, representing compassion, and Seishi Bosatsu, representing wisdom; the Yakushi Triad, with Yakushi Nyorai in the center, Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu on both sides; and the Dainichi Triad, with Dainichi Nyorai in the center and esoteric Buddhist attendants such as Kongoharamitsu Bosatsu and Kongosatta.
  8. The Shaved Head of Buddhist Monks: Buddhist monks shave their heads to show their decision to leave ordinary worldly life and give up attachment to worldly desires. Since ancient times, hair has been seen as a symbol of beauty, social status, and individuality. By shaving it off, monks symbolically let go of attachment to honor, vanity, and personal desire, and devote themselves to Buddhist practice. It also has a practical meaning: a simple appearance helps monks focus on training and religious discipline. However, customs differ depending on the Buddhist sect today, and not all monks necessarily shave their heads.
  9. The Hands of Senju Kannon: Senju Kannon, or the Thousand-Armed Kannon, represents the boundless compassion of Kannon Bodhisattva, who tries to save all people. However, most actual statues do not have exactly one thousand arms. They are often shown with 42 or 40 arms. This is because each arm is believed to have the power to save beings in 25 worlds, so 40 arms × 25 symbolically equals one thousand. In some explanations, the two hands joined in prayer at the center are not counted. Many of the hands also have an eye on the palm, representing Kannon’s compassion: seeing people’s suffering clearly and reaching out to save them.
  10. The Four Heavenly Kings: The Four Heavenly Kings are four guardian deities who protect Buddhism. In temples, they are often placed around the main Buddhist image to guard the four directions. Jikokuten protects the east, Zochoten protects the south, Komokuten protects the west, and Tamonten, also known as Bishamonten, protects the north. Each of them is believed to protect the land and drive away evil spirits and disasters. Their fierce expressions, weapons, and the demons under their feet symbolize the power of Buddhism to overcome evil. In Japan, Tamonten is also widely known as Bishamonten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
  11. Huge Numbers in Buddhism: Buddhism often uses numbers and time spans that are almost beyond human imagination. For example, Miroku Bosatsu, or Maitreya Bodhisattva, is said to appear in this world 5.67 billion years after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, in order to save people in the future. Buddhism also speaks of the “three-thousand great-thousand worlds.” This means that the world taught by one Buddha consists of one billion worlds, calculated as 1,000 × 1,000 × 1,000. There is also a unit of time called a kalpa. One traditional explanation says that if a heavenly maiden touched a huge rock, about 16 kilometers on each side, with her robe once every 100 years, the time it would take for that rock to wear away would be one kalpa. If we try to express one kalpa in numbers, it would be an unimaginably long period of time. By comparison, the present universe is about 13.8 billion years old, while Maitreya is said to appear about 5.67 billion years in the future. These enormous numbers show how Buddhism explains time and space on a cosmic scale.

Light Weight Cars TOP

  1. Look outside the window, please. You will find yellow license plates. About 40% of Japanese cars have yellow license plates.
  2. Those are small cars called “kei cars.” In Japanese, “kei” means “light.” Their engine displacement is limited by law to 660cc or less.
  3. Kei cars are easy to drive in Japan, where roads are rather narrow. They are very popular. Naturally, they are also less expensive.
  4. Besides, there are other merits. Car-related taxes are lower, and fuel efficiency is better.
  5. Recently, I have heard that kei trucks are becoming popular, mainly in rural areas of the United States.
  6. There are other colors of license plates: green and black. Both are for commercial vehicles. Green is for regular cars, while black is for kei cars.
  7. As a side note, car owners in Japan can choose their license plate numbers if they wish. The most popular ones are 2525 and 1122. This is a kind of wordplay. 2525 means “smiling,” and 1122 means “a good married couple.” Birthdays, the same numbers, like 8888, or symmetrical arrangements, like 8118, are also popular.
  8. It is enjoyable to guess why drivers have selected their numbers while looking at other cars’ license plates. It is a good distraction during a long drive.
軽自動車ダウンロード

Four Displays You Should See in the Atomic Bomb Museum TOP

  1. Now you are going to enter the museum.
  2. In the museum, we are supposed to be quiet. My voice is very loud, so I can’t give you any guidance here. Actually, I’ve been told off more than once.
  3. But rest assured. The displays here have English explanations. Before you go in, I will tell you the four displays I would definitely like you to see.
  4. First, the Wall Clock. This is one of the symbols of the museum. It stopped at the exact time of the explosion.
  5. Second, the Fat Man. (with gestures of swelling my cheeks and belly) You may wonder what it is, but you’ll find out once you get inside.
  6. Third, the black-and-white photograph called “Shadows on the Wall.”
  7. Finally, this is the one I most want you to see. It is the Twisted Bento Box. Bento means a lunch box. For me, this lunch box is the most heartbreaking exhibit in the museum. It belonged to a schoolgirl.
  8. Let me repeat the four exhibits: the Wall Clock, the Fat Man, Shadows on the Wall, and the Twisted Bento Box. You can take photos inside the museum. Now, I’ll give you your tickets. Let’s go in.

The Battle of Dan-no-Ura TOP

  1. Everyone, this is Dan-no-oora. I’ll show you the map of Japan in ancient times. Back then, the capital of Japan was Kyoto. Dan-no-oora is to the west of Kyoto. Now, this is a peaceful sea, but about 800 years ago, this sea was the scene of a fierce battle, with red banners and white banners mingled.
  2. In 1185, this battle changed the course of Japanese history. It was the final battle between the Taira Clan and the Minamoto Clan, the two major samurai forces, in the Kanmon Strait.
  3. The Taira hoisted red banners, and the Minamoto hoisted white banners.
  4. Even today, because of this battle, the combination of red and white is often used for team competitions.
  5. You might associate this combination of colors with the Wars of the Roses in England in the Middle Ages.
  6. At first, the Red Force, familiar with the tides, was winning, but after the tide changed, the battle turned in favor of the White Force.
  7. The general Minamoto no Yoshitsuneigh, leader of the White Force, jumped from one boat to another, making great contributions to the battle. Moreover, some members of the Red Force betrayed their own side, and the winner was decided.
  8. On the side of the losing Red Force, many people killed themselves by jumping into the sea. The Taira also had the emperor, who was just a young boy. He was held by his grandmother, and they jumped into the sea together. This was the end of the Taira Clan and the beginning of the rule by the Minamoto samurai.
  9. Once, the Taira Clan ruled the country, but their glory eventually came to an end. The Tale of the Heike, a traditional war story based on this battle, has long been told to represent the fleetingness of life, one of the Buddhist ideas. 
源平合戦ダウンロード

Five-story Pagoda TOP

  1. That five-story tower is a five-story pagoda. It is a Buddhist tower built to enshrine the remains of Shakyamuni Buddha, known as busshari in Japanese.
  2. It originated from the stupa, a hemispherical burial mound in ancient India, where the remains of Shakyamuni Buddha were buried.
  3. In ancient India, it was the duty of servants to hold a parasol above high-ranking people to protect them from the strong sunlight. Those who deeply respected Shakyamuni Buddha and wanted to keep him from the heat placed a parasol-like decoration on top of his burial mound.
  4. Later, when Buddhism was introduced to China, the style of the stupa was combined with Chinese multi-story architecture and became a multi-story tower. Then, when Buddhism came to Japan, it developed into the five-story pagoda.
  5. The number “five” represents the Buddhist view of the universe. The five stories represent, from the bottom, earth, water, fire, wind, and sky, the five elements that compose everything in the world.
  6. The inside of the tower is almost hollow. It is not designed for people to enter. The tower itself is an object of worship.
  7. Its structure is really remarkable. Japan is an earthquake-prone country, so it has special structural devices to absorb earthquake vibrations. The most important feature is a tall central pillar, called shinbashira in Japanese, which stands in the center of the hollow space.
  8. Because of this structure, the approximately 1,300-year-old five-story pagoda at Horyuji Temple in Nara has never collapsed. This technology has also been applied to the construction of the Tokyo Skytree.

Ogre’s Washboard TOP

  1. These are wave-like rock formations often seen along the Nichinan Coast.
  2. Seen from a distance, they look like a washboard, so they are called the “Ogre’s Washboard.” Ogres are huge monsters that appear in Japanese legends. A washboard was used for washing clothes before the invention of washing machines.
  3. Please imagine a gigantic ogre washing clothes on such a huge washboard.
  4. About seven million years ago, this place was on the bottom of the ocean. Sand and mud were piled up alternately, forming layers.
  5. Later, these layers were raised diagonally by crustal movements and appeared above the sea surface.
  6. As the waves eroded the layers, the hard layers of sandstone remained, while the soft layers of mudstone were eroded away.
  7. As a result, these rare geological features, with many parallel ridges and grooves, were formed.
鬼の洗濯板ダウンロード

Yunohana, Bath Salts at Myouban Onsen TOP

  1. Yunohana is produced at Myouban Onsen. Yunohana is the traditional Japanese natural bath salts. It is the material crystalized by reacting onsen steam with blue clay at special huts, known in Japanese as ‘’Yunohana hut.”
  2. This production method has been passed down for about 290 years since the Edo period. It has been designated as a national important intangible folk cultural asset.
  3. As for a Yunohana hot, the floor is paved with chestnut- shaped cobblestones, on which regionally specific blue clay is placed all over. Moreover, the hut has the triangular roof thatched with straws so that onsen steam can spread equally inside the whole hut.
  4. When onsen steam containing sulfur is gushed out from the underground through the clay, needle-like crystallized Yunohana is formed on the clay by a chemical reaction.*  
  5. About 30 to 40 days, the craftsmen carefully control the temperature and humidity to make the crystals grow.
  6. Then, they carefully scrape the white crystals covering the floor together and remove the impurities, finalizing them as commercial products. 
  7. When you put some Yunohana into your bathtub, even at home, you can enjoy the aroma of Myouban onsen and feel like you are taking a real onsen bath.
  8.    * Onsen steam containing hydrogen sulfide is oxidized into sulfuric acid, which reacts with iron and aluminum in the blue clay to form Yunohana crystals.

Arita Ware TOP

  1. Arita Ware refers to porcelain produced in and around Arita Town in the western part of Saga Prefecture.
  2. It is characterized by its translucent white porcelain and beautiful designs such as Sometsuke (underglaze blue) and Aka-eh (overglaze red).
  3. Arita Ware is fired at a high temperature of about 1,300°C, so it is hard and durable. Although it is made very thin, it is durable enough for everyday use.
  4. In the early 17th century, a Korean potter, Lee Sampei, discovered porcelain stone, the raw material for making porcelain, in Arita.
  5. During the Edo period, Arita Ware was exported from the nearby port of Imari, so it became known overseas as Imari Ware. It attracted European royalty and aristocrats, becoming world-famous as one of Japan’s representative porcelains.
  6. There are three notable styles of Arita Ware.
  7. Ko-imari Style: A gorgeous and powerful design using indigo blue, red, and gold.
  8. Kaki-eh-mon Style: Delicate and elegant paintings making good use of blank space on a milky-white background.
  9. Nabeshima Style: Dignified and exquisite designs, originally made as offerings to the shogun.
  10. Arita Ware is famous as an art form, but a wide variety of tableware is also produced for everyday use, and it is popular with many people.

The Production Procedure of Japanese Sake TOP

  1. First, sir-k rice, the raw material for sir-k, is polished. The parts causing unpleasant tastes are removed from the surface of the rice grains, leaving the starchy core.
  2. The polished rice is washed and, after absorbing water, is steamed.
  3. The next procedure is producing Koji, which changes starch into sugar. Koji mold is sprinkled over some of the steamed rice and allowed to grow for about two days. Koji produces enzymes that change starch into sugar.
  4. Then, another portion of the steamed rice has Koji, water, and Kobo (yeast) added to let the yeast multiply. This is called Shubo, the starter culture for fermentation. The yeast changes sugar into alcohol.
  5. To this Shubo, more steamed rice, Koji, and water are added for fermentation to make Moromi. The fermentation proceeds over a period of three weeks to one month. During this process, Koji changes starch into sugar, while the yeast changes the sugar into alcohol. These two reactions take place at the same time.
  6. When the fermentation is over, the Moromi is pressed, separating the sir-k from the sir-k lees. The liquid has the impurities removed, and after being heated, it is stored for aging.
  7. 7 Lastly, the sake is bottled and shipped to the shops.8 Japanese sir-k is a very unique brewed alcoholic beverage. It is made from only rice, water, Koji, and yeast, using the functions of microorganisms.

Shinto Shrine Elements TOP

  1. Torii: Torii is a gate that marks the boundary between the human world (the secular world) and the world of the gods (the sacred world). Many torii gates are painted red. Red is considered a color that wards off evil and disaster. In the past, a red pigment called ‘ni,’ which contains mercury, was used to protect the wood from decay.
  2. Komainu: Komainu is an imaginary sacred animal whose statues are always placed in pairs along the approach to a shrine and in front of the shrine buildings. The worship of lions in the ancient Orient and India was introduced to Japan through China and the Korean Peninsula. Originally, “Komainu” meant “Korean dog” (koma means Korea, and inu means dog).
  3. Shimenawa: Shimenawa is a twisted straw rope that functions as a sacred barrier separating the sacred world from the secular world and preventing impurities from entering. It is made by twisting bundles of fresh rice straw to the left.
  4. Shide: Shide is a white paper streamer in the shape of lightning that marks a sacred place and functions as a barrier to prevent evil from entering. The shape of lightning has been believed since ancient times to have the power to ward off evil and impurity.
  5. Cyozuya: Chozuya is a place where visitors purify their hands and mouth before praying at shrines or temples. In the past, people purified their whole bodies in rivers or the sea, and nowadays, this Misogi (purification) is simplified into an important ritual before entering sacred places.
  6. Omomari: Omamori, or a talisman, is a small bag containing a sacred amulet from a god. It is a lucky charm that you carry with you to receive divine protection, avoid disasters, and have your wishes fulfilled. There are several types of blessings to choose from, including good health, academic success, safe driving, and a good marriage.
  7. Omikuji: Omikuji generally shows you your level of luck. The levels and their order differ from shrine to shrine, but one common order is Daikichi, Kichi, Chukichi, Shokichi, Suekichi, and Kyo (great luck, good luck, middle luck, small luck, end of luck, and bad luck).
  8. Haiden: The Haiden is a worship hall for visitors with a money offering box and a bell, located at the end of the approaching path. It is built in front of the main hall, which is believed to be the place where the god is enthroned.
  9. Ema: An Ema, literally meaning ‘horse picture,’ is a wooden plaque offered to the deity at a shrine or temple with prayers written on it. It originated from the ancient custom of offering a live horse to the deity. Now, instead of a horse, a wooden plaque with a picture of a horse is hung to pray.”
  10. Kan-nushi and Miko: A Kannushi is a Shinto priest who offers prayers to the gods. He leads a ritual and recites sacred words. A Miko is a female assistant to Shinto priests who is in charge of selling omikuji at the amulet counter or receiving guests at the ceremony to offer a Kagura dance.
  11. Honji-Suijyaku Theory: The Honji-Suijaku Theory is an ideology related to the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, which began to spread in the Heian period. It claims that Japanese Shinto deities are disguised forms of Buddhist deities, such as Nyorai and Bodhisattvas. Buddhist deities are Honji (true forms), and Shinto deities are Suijaku (appearing as Shinto deities) to save people
  12. Separation of Shinto and Buddhism/ Anti-Buddhist movement: In 1868, the Meiji government issued an order to separate Shinto shrines from Buddhist temples to proceed with building a nation centering around the Emperor. After this order, anti-Buddhism movements occurred throughout the country, causing huge commotion, including the destruction of temples and statues.

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