tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28718358482280804642024-03-05T14:15:08.103+09:00Cosmos Blogcosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-36946652384095496922014-12-17T15:43:00.000+09:002014-12-22T22:47:07.318+09:00What One Likes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">At this time of
the year, I am always saying “ I can’t believe it’s already the end of year" </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Christmas is just
around the corner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Well, Santa may
not be scheduled to come to little Sho (my grandson, 1 year and 9 months old)
this year, instead, my husband and I invited his family to <a href="http://aws-s.com/english/index.php">Adventure World</a> at Shirahama at the end of November.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">As is always the
case with training animals, I hear the knack of training a dolphin is to reward
it with food for every successful performance. However, the first step is to
build a trusting relationship by taking good care of them. Dolphins are said to
be naturally smart and playful. A trainer says she just waits for them to get
interested in doing something and encourages them to do more and further. Eventually they try to reward her patience and tender loving care with their good performance. Pleasure becomes mutual. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">I don't know how long it has taken but their wonderful art of collaboration was amazingly fun and moving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century;">Dolphines are moving around with a trainer on their heads affectionately and proudly.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">A young white bear
was playing with a ball jumping in and out of water, making a splash.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A penguine was just like Sho</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">A giant panda</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> was nonchalantly
munching bamboo leaves in a leisurely manner. That reminded me when my family
went to see a giant panda at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo some decades ago. Two giant
pandas were given from China to commemorate restoration of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>diplomatic
relations with Japan in 1972. They died in around ten years, however, at that time
there was another one. It was still the center of attraction and all we
remembered was a large crowd with the attendants urging us visitors to move
forward without stopping. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">This time visitors
were few and we enjoyed watching them in our own time. Soon after that I knew
twin cubs were born here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">My cat Coo is very
curious about Sho’s plaything. While Sho is at my house, Coo usually keeps his distance from him and peeps at
him playing with those things in the nook. “When cat’s away”, Coo will play. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">After Sho is gone,
the world is Coo’s oyster. Who knows when Coo will be a performing cat; counting the
number or spotting colors.. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Best wishes for happy holidays and a happy new year, dear friends!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-82472027026402211552014-10-18T19:37:00.000+09:002014-11-09T09:33:13.532+09:00A Small Fishermen's Town<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">The third trip with my sisters and
brothers-in-law was to Tomonoura (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">鞆の浦</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">) in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>This quiet peaceful inland seascape explains
itself. Tomonoura, situated at a bay facing the Seto Inland Sea, is part of
Seto Inland Sea National Park; the first national park in Japan, <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvqoZTJYaV74wbqFa05w1aiuigT8nkhyGMk062WLx6jDX0CENh5jxp_9PLyxj-E-32nnE3lAxz9i6UJCbhaNOZN_jWa50ci22iBXVIL7igU1A2cg3WIeaNuG66fKogdyEXuuFNmFdClDu/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvqoZTJYaV74wbqFa05w1aiuigT8nkhyGMk062WLx6jDX0CENh5jxp_9PLyxj-E-32nnE3lAxz9i6UJCbhaNOZN_jWa50ci22iBXVIL7igU1A2cg3WIeaNuG66fKogdyEXuuFNmFdClDu/s1600/048.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The big island in the middle left is Sensuijima Island</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">The circular shaped historic harbor also makes Tomonoura famous. It has retained harbor facilities since Edo Period (1600-1867) such as
a lighthouse, old fashioned stair-like pier.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Century;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCkyT2SFV2tdWgC2g2GXi0C2HZ0lafgwA5G84uK_0v7g8r9v_JDYykMi0WV8OUL0cLjFt45Z0ko7yOzLqYlRhERx2Zsk8Gg-MiCJlSp_kRBZY2926gsyu3aq5xz04RdT8ZJAc11jOnIdS/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCkyT2SFV2tdWgC2g2GXi0C2HZ0lafgwA5G84uK_0v7g8r9v_JDYykMi0WV8OUL0cLjFt45Z0ko7yOzLqYlRhERx2Zsk8Gg-MiCJlSp_kRBZY2926gsyu3aq5xz04RdT8ZJAc11jOnIdS/s1600/041.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">As a hub port, it was thriving. Geographically
the current changes around there, so it was called the port “waiting for the tide
has changed” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUucCye7X3FJFyKwmHW8okzg3xys_U3VkMINLZJoOQRJ3EpUu4-xN2k5pjiXd92lZ_snXqBenaCb-3XBtNdRp7T6LGNvd98NkmCQD49D0EC6kmkMbLNo7TDpZS72II_6C8bluJ0kWksvt/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUucCye7X3FJFyKwmHW8okzg3xys_U3VkMINLZJoOQRJ3EpUu4-xN2k5pjiXd92lZ_snXqBenaCb-3XBtNdRp7T6LGNvd98NkmCQD49D0EC6kmkMbLNo7TDpZS72II_6C8bluJ0kWksvt/s1600/049.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">At water front with lots of fishing
boats. You can see an iconic lighthouse at the bay in the far right of the
picture. The port is now mostly used for fisheries. Red sea bream (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">真鯛</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">) fishing is famous. They served excellent dishes at the hotel we
stayed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkcKTpJrqOn_VoQ1i3Rm66nl_fw0w3JNshBl8FApmNFaczLtUJ5VhkxfQjKUa0_ARPtrN0rdanhW8gbaxHF5vsR-8PqpW6yw-u5FavY58BxbBfBMr_X5RlwjRrLB0YdzxcI9YG-RfmbCS/s1600/038+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkcKTpJrqOn_VoQ1i3Rm66nl_fw0w3JNshBl8FApmNFaczLtUJ5VhkxfQjKUa0_ARPtrN0rdanhW8gbaxHF5vsR-8PqpW6yw-u5FavY58BxbBfBMr_X5RlwjRrLB0YdzxcI9YG-RfmbCS/s1600/038+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfIvG8pMSrOWuCFuAIYK5Qn8iMzSmnMLm_iGRpRtAFw755v2KqxvYt6S3wOhBKaBI_PZwJuf3TYTpUyRkzQn9XtrUYNecFPCTFcWArtzX2CnwiKKkAcKr-0vi_xPhUtEmDdG_NPocPXca/s1600/%E5%B8%B8%E5%A4%9C%E7%87%88.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfIvG8pMSrOWuCFuAIYK5Qn8iMzSmnMLm_iGRpRtAFw755v2KqxvYt6S3wOhBKaBI_PZwJuf3TYTpUyRkzQn9XtrUYNecFPCTFcWArtzX2CnwiKKkAcKr-0vi_xPhUtEmDdG_NPocPXca/s1600/%E5%B8%B8%E5%A4%9C%E7%87%88.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">light house</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">A well-known animated movie producer Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli was also fascinated and inspired by this place and stayed here for two months, developing the idea for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo">“Ponyo”</a> </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(崖の上のポニョ)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNDmOh5_YlkE9tPc_IQCkV_mo_IidvGegM6zgnhs6CjMLhGYWa4Ih7zz-V64e56RRUCKtfJZt8Aj927U48jMZIRu2iUqsyDz7TBgJZudSRuMWe1ezCIHQ28FyMS2WrRI7EEm47H9xo8zA/s1600/037+(800x501).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNDmOh5_YlkE9tPc_IQCkV_mo_IidvGegM6zgnhs6CjMLhGYWa4Ih7zz-V64e56RRUCKtfJZt8Aj927U48jMZIRu2iUqsyDz7TBgJZudSRuMWe1ezCIHQ28FyMS2WrRI7EEm47H9xo8zA/s1600/037+(800x501).jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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at a lounge at the hotel we stayed</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">This ferry boat is modeled after
Irohamaru that was a merchant ship Sakamoto Ryoma (1836-1867) got a lease on to carry supplies
from Nagasaki to Osaka.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKosfe-iLaRapkiPoyHLDTKBsdl0zDvVaoXCR_nLxRWfcawTO6vWfAHsfMDOJmxBP8BnqwUZRDkJFzTkcf-7beL59xGzHLsyZtxxjWxziYLPZecakpYkB3UgHQwaswITdJNofy3SqZbCSC/s1600/051+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKosfe-iLaRapkiPoyHLDTKBsdl0zDvVaoXCR_nLxRWfcawTO6vWfAHsfMDOJmxBP8BnqwUZRDkJFzTkcf-7beL59xGzHLsyZtxxjWxziYLPZecakpYkB3UgHQwaswITdJNofy3SqZbCSC/s1600/051+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">However, the collision off Tomonoura wrecked
and sank it along with its shipment in 1869. The wreckage was discovered by the
volunteer group here more than 100 years later and are exhibited at Irohamaru
Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">This renewed ferry gets you to Sensuijima
Island</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(仙酔島</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">; the island beautiful enough to
mesmerize even legendary mountain hermit</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">in
five minutes. I’d <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like to visit it again
to lose myself in that ancient nature. </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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A crab (forefront) holding a small sardine crawls up from the sea. <br />
I wonder where it carries the catch.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Taichoro (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">対潮楼</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">), adajacent to Fukuzenji Temple, was used as a</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> guest house during Edo Period. Then </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Korean emissary admired the
view from here and called it the most beautiful scenery of all Japan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Century;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1D3S8IZrmEAgvxzhRJQolFA6OvwG6K33RX2gRseEIMtJEDEYzykdKXAL97mrzc08rdbJY8WQ8mH9zGCo7EEqyt95GLXnk32fE1ISi2SuiUzi8KeG7QFvcbJebAuP_cBvL42cHlvp7UyK/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1D3S8IZrmEAgvxzhRJQolFA6OvwG6K33RX2gRseEIMtJEDEYzykdKXAL97mrzc08rdbJY8WQ8mH9zGCo7EEqyt95GLXnk32fE1ISi2SuiUzi8KeG7QFvcbJebAuP_cBvL42cHlvp7UyK/s1600/013.JPG" height="406" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Recently Tomonoura has attracted a lot of
attention with a campaign to save the symbolic view of harbor from being
spoiled by the prefectural government plan to build a bridge there. The District
Court issued an injunction to suspend the plan. I hope other alternative plan to
revitalize the region will be successful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Century;">Haru-no-umi (<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">春の海</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> the sea in spring) was </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">composed by Michio Miyagi(1894-1956) from his memory of Tomonoura he saw as a child before he lost his sight at the age 8. </span></span></span></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">It was his father's home village.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">This trip was to celebrate my
sister’s publishing her first tanka poems and to celebrate brother-in-law’s birthday as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vX5YM-ydn3JWJogv8M4-2j8P46BG4J-TsS3c4Sckbuik4cGI7BkNOUoPGojmXLnXUb68sBisgQcJY8e3IYLBKlT4e1HjKAgLeML7bxkdc9bUaHLMOQvf0pZ0mMYiKhVhW6U-dFD9F6O-/s1600/%E5%8D%8A%E9%80%8F%E6%98%8E%E3%81%AE%E3%82%AB%E3%83%97%E3%82%BB%E3%83%AB+(640x469).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vX5YM-ydn3JWJogv8M4-2j8P46BG4J-TsS3c4Sckbuik4cGI7BkNOUoPGojmXLnXUb68sBisgQcJY8e3IYLBKlT4e1HjKAgLeML7bxkdc9bUaHLMOQvf0pZ0mMYiKhVhW6U-dFD9F6O-/s1600/%E5%8D%8A%E9%80%8F%E6%98%8E%E3%81%AE%E3%82%AB%E3%83%97%E3%82%BB%E3%83%AB+(640x469).jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">The title "半透明のカプセル”(Translucent Capsule) is taken
from her poem; <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">父と母の 共に在りし日 やはらかき 半透明のカプセルに包む</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">( I'd wrap in a soft translucent capsule/ the days when Father and Mother
were alive )<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">This capsule contains lots of her precious history that I
could open and take out anytime I'd like to. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Century;">The memory of this trip will be stored in my own capsule in my heart.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o1NXdoEOQBbJNmqwkm2MiK2g69goKIjkB7cO3JDrBGNlq9ySXiIZ1W53gENCfTKHzaXnrO-osdRXgBtf4Bm-E2qVU7Wh1POgSEaX1kh5_kTMoJ_pRO4DwLWHNzXEv3EsXVqCLvaWsFnL/s1600/hiroshima.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o1NXdoEOQBbJNmqwkm2MiK2g69goKIjkB7cO3JDrBGNlq9ySXiIZ1W53gENCfTKHzaXnrO-osdRXgBtf4Bm-E2qVU7Wh1POgSEaX1kh5_kTMoJ_pRO4DwLWHNzXEv3EsXVqCLvaWsFnL/s1600/hiroshima.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the map of Hiroshima<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-53757994215633639962014-08-29T21:52:00.000+09:002014-10-14T20:56:03.774+09:00Summer Retreat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was hot or rainy this summer
here. To escape from summer heat and above all to enjoy family reunion, my husband
planned to take a trip to our favorite destination; Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span id="goog_1722692750"></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tateyama_Kurobe_Alpine_Route">Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route</a> <span id="goog_1256191813"></span><span id="goog_1722692751"></span>is a very
popular tourist attraction. I had wanted to go there.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">The thing I was worried was how the weather
would be during the trip because it had been very unstable in most part of the
country. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we left the hotel for the highland in
the early morning because the weather forecast said it was likely to rain in
the afternoon, we saw thick mists covering the mountain ranges. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather makes or breaks the pleasure of Alpine
views. Poor visibility due to a bad weather could spoil this holiday…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, Lady Luck was with us. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">When we came out of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kurobe Dam station(1470 meter above sea
level) after a 16-minute trolly bus ride through the tunnel followed by climbing
up 200 stairs, to my joy, a clear grand view came into my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu6QTVYcGiX1LNfh4YBk69EmB6A77KdLFl7D03j6AaE4ePZ68H-tQGrx5C9ty5icknsnAAPI_ppr1mVgH2NviTL7kynuTnhs0hdbDUVMaGyRxpiM4rarbjXyeBzt74EOnxswAXIQX5Dy2/s1600/068+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu6QTVYcGiX1LNfh4YBk69EmB6A77KdLFl7D03j6AaE4ePZ68H-tQGrx5C9ty5icknsnAAPI_ppr1mVgH2NviTL7kynuTnhs0hdbDUVMaGyRxpiM4rarbjXyeBzt74EOnxswAXIQX5Dy2/s1600/068+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurobe Lake</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurobe_Dam">Kurobe Dam</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(1450m) discharges more than 10 tons
of water per second from the gate every day from late June to mid October. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1gCpOI_hc9E4RFWgPL0Nzy9De1MiwAr4upDBz7P0xlwEmXo70j8hrxK2iVwHB6qlVVsPqUOhodc0V2eFO2BG44nUFELUcsNwMzvW1tNJCxmS4F_pvOwVqTouiNLEWbpiJr3Fo1rJ55Oo/s1600/061+(800x529).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1gCpOI_hc9E4RFWgPL0Nzy9De1MiwAr4upDBz7P0xlwEmXo70j8hrxK2iVwHB6qlVVsPqUOhodc0V2eFO2BG44nUFELUcsNwMzvW1tNJCxmS4F_pvOwVqTouiNLEWbpiJr3Fo1rJ55Oo/s1600/061+(800x529).jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">After a while, sunshine in the morning made a rainbow over clouds of spray. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb2tw9aVSkfnsshPd-NswX4ffOepD6rrBNvkbvRO6vttL1xkFzSka36yN1xZAyShZYg07V6qXo8vA1bog9j9_lE3xqrv26Su9n0_fCuDqg-LQPheCpwRv1RUKc48oK2tJyWVTo1_V3p3L/s1600/%E8%99%B9%EF%BC%92.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb2tw9aVSkfnsshPd-NswX4ffOepD6rrBNvkbvRO6vttL1xkFzSka36yN1xZAyShZYg07V6qXo8vA1bog9j9_lE3xqrv26Su9n0_fCuDqg-LQPheCpwRv1RUKc48oK2tJyWVTo1_V3p3L/s1600/%E8%99%B9%EF%BC%92.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">We walked over the dam to Kurobeko(黒部湖)station to take a cable car to kurobedaira(黒部平)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCIEtmqQgmFUbWMVWcR4NzQNQLv__42hhmwvina5myjrkE2yZPqPtgeINGS6UkD37GdLiaZsjz82ze0ZgSUXURLarhx7oSuzaM6oxUh2PaZCeceg_JlEtDq15PEtcXA_WVTVDkZ9XiA_v/s1600/072+(800x482).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCIEtmqQgmFUbWMVWcR4NzQNQLv__42hhmwvina5myjrkE2yZPqPtgeINGS6UkD37GdLiaZsjz82ze0ZgSUXURLarhx7oSuzaM6oxUh2PaZCeceg_JlEtDq15PEtcXA_WVTVDkZ9XiA_v/s1600/072+(800x482).jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">Mount. Tateyama Range (3015m), a part of
Northern Japan Alps, with mists rising up was clearly seen from there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">It seems ages since my family took a trip altogether last time. This time a 17-month-old Sho joined. It made his grandpa all the happier. Sho is his pride and joy!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXDtb6inN158K5Qu_4ncygkXIwkWlwlgdYrZQ9eZJGvQqb8jGR9OcJJUWOK-AV8fpqM-gxKkEZtCZNaLyTdqblqg46QPaWV14nZHs8KCTegBlzOJUjvfHszfiCrBr0cgz8M2Lrj3pq4A7/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXDtb6inN158K5Qu_4ncygkXIwkWlwlgdYrZQ9eZJGvQqb8jGR9OcJJUWOK-AV8fpqM-gxKkEZtCZNaLyTdqblqg46QPaWV14nZHs8KCTegBlzOJUjvfHszfiCrBr0cgz8M2Lrj3pq4A7/s1600/087.JPG" height="400" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the obsevation deck at Kurobe Dam</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Can you see a square framed grayish structure in the mid right of this picture?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha5ZvxoSh3L2K0YzwR6B_mC5q8rIp_5TalT5WXG74dUZtXjlvw6jSEO9JwmjZoXQ5e7rQy_n-gCiI_yT3I9qUV-0ZM64t2LDNg-gLk5m7Jj5xlmM1Uu4XgaRTrfjgNtQRUeMzNthtdFbs/s1600/082+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha5ZvxoSh3L2K0YzwR6B_mC5q8rIp_5TalT5WXG74dUZtXjlvw6jSEO9JwmjZoXQ5e7rQy_n-gCiI_yT3I9qUV-0ZM64t2LDNg-gLk5m7Jj5xlmM1Uu4XgaRTrfjgNtQRUeMzNthtdFbs/s1600/082+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">That is Daikanbo(</span><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">大観峰<span lang="EN-US"> 2316m) station on the side of the Tateyamas, where a ropeway carries
us tourists up to. The 1.7km long ropeway connecting Kurobedaira (</span>黒部平<span lang="EN-US">1828m) station with Daikanbo station has no single support towers between
the two to protect surrounding mountain scenery.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0semEAIfsA7hJLU-GSyObkr5LopJr7uV5ITuCt14PuqLCBAXtbP6VXxy_5ne0U5k6mF5TIncVgxhDhe4Nb2Q9-v-F_8mAp8IDggSpHGEVuqwRxXOtqgbpdJarlWqEqtIWDSs2_eq1YD2/s1600/141+(800x604).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0semEAIfsA7hJLU-GSyObkr5LopJr7uV5ITuCt14PuqLCBAXtbP6VXxy_5ne0U5k6mF5TIncVgxhDhe4Nb2Q9-v-F_8mAp8IDggSpHGEVuqwRxXOtqgbpdJarlWqEqtIWDSs2_eq1YD2/s1600/141+(800x604).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This photo was taken on the way back </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxFhPHmmc7haekKZh0-01PdQkLRfAismhXErsm-4ln5M1UFneMc2-U9B6bw6L06qqimYcNaeRpQuVwzyUuivqWhIRDVC99CurLMQSLqhKnH76fe99FF2uFAqik9ft_cVBggCJVCuWkt9-/s1600/136+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxFhPHmmc7haekKZh0-01PdQkLRfAismhXErsm-4ln5M1UFneMc2-U9B6bw6L06qqimYcNaeRpQuVwzyUuivqWhIRDVC99CurLMQSLqhKnH76fe99FF2uFAqik9ft_cVBggCJVCuWkt9-/s1600/136+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurobe Lake seen from higher observation deck</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">At Daikanbo we again changed from a ropeway to a
trolly bus running through the tunnel crossing just below the Tateyamas to the
other side of it. That was our destination: Murodo(</span><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">室堂<span lang="EN-US">2450m), the highest point of the route. This whole route directly connects Nagano Prefecture with neighboring Toyama Prefecture, however, we left our car at the hotel so we had to return from there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The scenery before us was beyond my wildest
dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mikuriga-ike Pond;
caldera lake<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mikuri means “the kitchen for the deity”.
They say the dishes for an offering to the deity of Mount.Tateyama were
made here by using this water.</span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As you can see from the picture, t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">his place offers accommodation facilities such as Japan's highest situated hotel or lodges or camp grounds.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2vFa15QTanEI2EydHzpSA1PstipTMyl_bxK2Sn3UHgORX61VDzxgNDgriRL-k0JPOi6ANG4nKBpJJE8TYrsKpBDkWUV9GQZsMyQhk14wjkOcO1Pcz-yK7362rtG1DTQ07CVeGc-W58tH/s1600/105+(800x528).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2vFa15QTanEI2EydHzpSA1PstipTMyl_bxK2Sn3UHgORX61VDzxgNDgriRL-k0JPOi6ANG4nKBpJJE8TYrsKpBDkWUV9GQZsMyQhk14wjkOcO1Pcz-yK7362rtG1DTQ07CVeGc-W58tH/s1600/105+(800x528).jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a variety of hiking trails leading to the summit of the mountain(3015m).
You can enjoy leisure walk as well. With little Sho with us, we took one hour walk
around the Mikurigaike Pond. A patch of snow still remains.<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span></span>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;">I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"> recognized a volcanic activity by a sulfurous
odor in the air near Hell Valley </span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(地獄谷)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zqh18ChgckwYH4qKbmTNn03pVleMIpiR6fA7wNW2dCE6PHOkxn-pBtVe_P6VvE0hhc0WhxAaMhe-LDnjJ35Kczb-BQnGSf669yMnrCbeiK0EdkejDpB9LA-w0Y9ok2gel4AD7KFiiGLS/s1600/112+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zqh18ChgckwYH4qKbmTNn03pVleMIpiR6fA7wNW2dCE6PHOkxn-pBtVe_P6VvE0hhc0WhxAaMhe-LDnjJ35Kczb-BQnGSf669yMnrCbeiK0EdkejDpB9LA-w0Y9ok2gel4AD7KFiiGLS/s1600/112+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through telephoto lens, hikers looked like
a procession of ants on the ridge line.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPHrxDM4IlSg0WpsPluSZRY51bvKfNJ1rW1ZWbWDKAs_9LEomI98NuaSIHgSWoY4myjGszeuDU2p8PyYay1Xg_m0HtIX3MsbDXUcAXV-NxZrA2mR3Qe7wkeJR4mJskeiA7P9DjVu9Bcv/s1600/127+(800x543)%2B-%2B%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZSPHrxDM4IlSg0WpsPluSZRY51bvKfNJ1rW1ZWbWDKAs_9LEomI98NuaSIHgSWoY4myjGszeuDU2p8PyYay1Xg_m0HtIX3MsbDXUcAXV-NxZrA2mR3Qe7wkeJR4mJskeiA7P9DjVu9Bcv/s1600/127+(800x543)%2B-%2B%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" height="400" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Here's looking at you, kid"</span> </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a perfect day. Among others, I was
happy to share the joy with my family</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQVzaT_kQ0r1CH1r_rRbCILCB0JHPEof-DNbe92wdIwDJRMTuL-t2mKf49F6UZrB-lil-KxPRDnKltyhO2TTlb-w8yQIp69AtYlih26NcdTkdC4_OLGdW76vplcnRbBTsyHcQq2uBLRxa/s1600/250px-Map_of_Japan_with_highlight_on_20_Nagano_prefecture_svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQVzaT_kQ0r1CH1r_rRbCILCB0JHPEof-DNbe92wdIwDJRMTuL-t2mKf49F6UZrB-lil-KxPRDnKltyhO2TTlb-w8yQIp69AtYlih26NcdTkdC4_OLGdW76vplcnRbBTsyHcQq2uBLRxa/s1600/250px-Map_of_Japan_with_highlight_on_20_Nagano_prefecture_svg.png" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nagano Prefecture via Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-1113977946991943832014-08-17T23:49:00.001+09:002014-10-08T07:40:13.860+09:00A Fascinating Midsummer Night in Nara<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><a href="http://www.toukae.jp/tokae_e/index.html">Nara Toka-e</a> (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">奈良燈花会</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">; the candle festival) is an annual event held
at Nara Park for ten days from August 5<sup>th</sup> to 14<sup>th</sup>. 20,000
candles at several venues gently adorn an ancient capital of Japan 1300 years
ago. They are lit up by volunteers one by one to pray for people’s happiness by
candlelight. .<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">After going to the
concert, my husband and I strolled around the Nara Park </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">to enjoy Tokae. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック; font-size: large;">
</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Candlelights set on the green grass and around the pond
were suitable to surroundings, making a soothing, peaceful ambience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLZtX3ICx4a3pPYGEl5sMWczcqBjzE33tkMFbItoc7VlOE0ikeM1jEyq5eUVCUIBQWnS6q_-X593MP7UGQx5ZCtwUMkCcvawJjOKIH3r_5RSPMt8axlSZ5d-o-7VmirVbtLupJ6H8qgki/s1600/019+(800x527).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLZtX3ICx4a3pPYGEl5sMWczcqBjzE33tkMFbItoc7VlOE0ikeM1jEyq5eUVCUIBQWnS6q_-X593MP7UGQx5ZCtwUMkCcvawJjOKIH3r_5RSPMt8axlSZ5d-o-7VmirVbtLupJ6H8qgki/s1600/019+(800x527).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down at Sarusawa-ike Pond </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Candles were lined
along the bridge leading to the pavilion. The reflection in the water turned
the pond to a heavenly place. Can you see some people paddling ? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZP8PuGwGlQPz-JrUWzFoxCR07Qw7REAccjQ2KDhgTATO3NKsC61ZcXJXS1xIOHCdio5H7nNBJQCF5vrkozbNSXDR2qOgNSSCGjh99Ppj8Qn4iFjMaGCz1WL1H0VvNDMFJKMhVA2jUonp/s1600/002+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC+(800x511).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZP8PuGwGlQPz-JrUWzFoxCR07Qw7REAccjQ2KDhgTATO3NKsC61ZcXJXS1xIOHCdio5H7nNBJQCF5vrkozbNSXDR2qOgNSSCGjh99Ppj8Qn4iFjMaGCz1WL1H0VvNDMFJKMhVA2jUonp/s1600/002+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC+(800x511).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ukimido pavilion with a hexagonal cypress bark roof over Sagiike Pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Let light stream
forth into the minds of men.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0mm 0mm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Let light descend
on earth (</span><span style="font-size: small;">from The Great Invocation)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-85783282393458894702014-04-15T22:57:00.000+09:002014-10-13T13:58:14.301+09:00Last Sakura at Yoshino<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Well Sakura, cherry
blossoms, are giving way to fresh leaves around here now but to conclude this
year's Sakura groupie I went to Mt.Yoshino, Nara. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In season, they started
blooming from lower areas called Shimo-senbon, then moving up to Naka-senbon (
middle areas) and to Kami-senbon (upper ones) , finally up to the inner areas
called Oku-senbon. Senbon means 1000 trees, so totally there should be 4000 but
actually there is said to be around 30,000 now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M1OjyeWk8vHACNClrdPD_ViBhNMxzje9S6WCQ22yDn0D0of01VxrIU3i4xq-bmCcHf76uTYZm3KvvCYYFXPb9_RaOKWb63pdGosnxdlB8_r0MaGTuFqFGOsa4Mk-4ZcAMdD15GpAxX1M/s1600/023+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M1OjyeWk8vHACNClrdPD_ViBhNMxzje9S6WCQ22yDn0D0of01VxrIU3i4xq-bmCcHf76uTYZm3KvvCYYFXPb9_RaOKWb63pdGosnxdlB8_r0MaGTuFqFGOsa4Mk-4ZcAMdD15GpAxX1M/s1600/023+(800x530).jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
seen from Hanayagura (花矢倉)at Kami-senbon</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
cherry tree legend at Mt.Yoshino started when </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/En_no_Gy%C5%8Dja"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">En-no-Ozunu</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, a founder of Shugendō religion, engraved
the image of </span><a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%B5%E7%8E%8B%E6%A8%A9%E7%8F%BE"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Zaōgongen</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, a kind of deity, on a cherry tree when he attained
enlightenment after a 1000 day- ascetic- training in the mountain in the latter
half of 7<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Since
then worshippers have offered and planted cherry trees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many
of Sakura here are Shiroyama-zakura or Oriental Cherry. The flowers bloom at
the same time as a bit reddish new leaves appear so you can tell from Somei-yoshino,
whose flowers bloom first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI_vFQypROG-Yljwq9w0WPsmtyaLxrloK0tOn5K4Rxdj4wKyBNbkdW9d6ZyrhMBxqTBY1WVuZIgT2TiGCA_cjDScN-7QhNge686KphL3DFXPCQy5c_r7XedNSXJQx6k40SOZ6fPXX5DKk/s1600/DSC_0191+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTI_vFQypROG-Yljwq9w0WPsmtyaLxrloK0tOn5K4Rxdj4wKyBNbkdW9d6ZyrhMBxqTBY1WVuZIgT2TiGCA_cjDScN-7QhNge686KphL3DFXPCQy5c_r7XedNSXJQx6k40SOZ6fPXX5DKk/s1600/DSC_0191+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I have been here several
times in spring, in summer and in autumn. There are so many historical figures
related to this place but I’d like to say a bit about two of them today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First,
</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshitsune"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Minamoto-no-Yoshitsune</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">. Last year when I visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshimizu_Shrine">Yoshimizu Shrine</a>, I saw these
kimonos related to Shizuka-Gozen, Yoshitsune’s lover, on display. This was the
place where they hid themselves from a party of pursuers. She danced the last
dance for Yoshitsune on their painful parting here (1185), then he left her and
continued running away.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJcWQINKnAJQbKfLmAv-KfJWVqlPok9HlgztF6kA6ktww6oXZ3zPQDfPOWlAU44lOqlgMBgr7giAtmY5Hddg5Wm_U7Y5RfNXhtQRiVsE7ftxZ5TQYVdWW8t7hgMRNpsB4uPE-q7wJdCue/s1600/DSC_0223+%2528654x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJcWQINKnAJQbKfLmAv-KfJWVqlPok9HlgztF6kA6ktww6oXZ3zPQDfPOWlAU44lOqlgMBgr7giAtmY5Hddg5Wm_U7Y5RfNXhtQRiVsE7ftxZ5TQYVdWW8t7hgMRNpsB4uPE-q7wJdCue/s1600/DSC_0223+%2528654x800%2529.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjazQzzfogP3zYuksFMRfhi5mW-OiOgxm295_JMmrVm7LhPzN95ohOVv9bgdit0x-DX7Qvkfuen0He9UYEOBBizxYSbAmz3sHAfKCOOco0blFt873Uy58xgoiQkB0PEgrWHfHKmbfB0wWB/s1600/DSC_0222+%2528800x652%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjazQzzfogP3zYuksFMRfhi5mW-OiOgxm295_JMmrVm7LhPzN95ohOVv9bgdit0x-DX7Qvkfuen0He9UYEOBBizxYSbAmz3sHAfKCOOco0blFt873Uy58xgoiQkB0PEgrWHfHKmbfB0wWB/s1600/DSC_0222+%2528800x652%2529.jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS 明朝;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS 明朝;"></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5AONGO_BJmxatAedCC_J2NgyGtzbxk8Uhpfi_T_M0ZtBZjW2q8bnd3wm-CTf7Ub1pZqc8GhmPKaUgGmdLjPHB504rBPGzD-chevbwI6gIb4NqUnCk3JwD8GXfNkfS4208v5gIKItw6Ze/s1600/20100912212621+%2528187x450%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5AONGO_BJmxatAedCC_J2NgyGtzbxk8Uhpfi_T_M0ZtBZjW2q8bnd3wm-CTf7Ub1pZqc8GhmPKaUgGmdLjPHB504rBPGzD-chevbwI6gIb4NqUnCk3JwD8GXfNkfS4208v5gIKItw6Ze/s1600/20100912212621+%2528187x450%2529.jpg" height="320" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shizuka-Gozen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcojwo11Xk4-tRg4KDDG5D-2rCkRvVsS3chtiaQJrg43h5JT0I-jIRkaAk2VZI3joWs1hDcpZBImXMaEcAg96asdzyOv1Z_hFEbmNSOSRoBfl8jym_uqfyZPfqKkDjCLOwDnA_oDb6fSNP/s1600/yoshitune+(343x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcojwo11Xk4-tRg4KDDG5D-2rCkRvVsS3chtiaQJrg43h5JT0I-jIRkaAk2VZI3joWs1hDcpZBImXMaEcAg96asdzyOv1Z_hFEbmNSOSRoBfl8jym_uqfyZPfqKkDjCLOwDnA_oDb6fSNP/s1600/yoshitune+(343x640).jpg" height="320" width="171" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoshitsune"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yoshitsune</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (1159-1189) was expelled by his brother, Yoritomo and ended up
killing himself at the age of 31. With this tragic life and death despite his great
accomplishment in the battle against the Taira clan, he has been favored by many
Japanese who sympathized his misfortune and unfulfilled potentiality. "Hangan-biiki"
came from him that means to sympathize and support the weaker side who has
enough ability. As is often the case with the popular personalities in the
history, there are many other stories about him, however, this mentality has been
familiar to many Japanese people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Secondly, speaking of Sakura of Yoshino, we can’t forget the well-
known poet, </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saigy%C5%8D_H%C5%8Dshi"><span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">Saigyo</span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">(1118-1190) . He
was once an Imperial Palace Guard (</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">北面の武士)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">for the retired Emperor, which was assigned to young warriors who
were excellent both in literary and military arts and good looking as well.
However, he became a Buddhist monk, for reasons unknown, at age 23. He
travelled a lot, making soul-searching journeys and one of his favorite places
was Yoshino. He loved Sakura very much and wrote many poems about them.</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Pゴシック"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd3zpAa57_EXGmAzTKZ4JUwXgAVC2k5X0tzYBgX6M2_Np5tl0lr_eQkDSTesEd6rtnSIwphQljfMq_532ts7hQ0c1W9zDnjuvgdK4aMvBdrpPIU_LXHfUKeTgI5xGmDrfO3xE_5ilisIO/s1600/030+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd3zpAa57_EXGmAzTKZ4JUwXgAVC2k5X0tzYBgX6M2_Np5tl0lr_eQkDSTesEd6rtnSIwphQljfMq_532ts7hQ0c1W9zDnjuvgdK4aMvBdrpPIU_LXHfUKeTgI5xGmDrfO3xE_5ilisIO/s1600/030+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNBspyUhUdyLpwTj_VFuC0r1evOid8TfdvbvEz7DjzOpYHqUz11jmxOGFIAy402ox9j-uEQzpB8XvBgxIE_-HJe4Cl2F1QaK4ddbxBIyad_uCw2iVjQ2xzpJeWDYE-lRRD623IfEdglze/s1600/029+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNBspyUhUdyLpwTj_VFuC0r1evOid8TfdvbvEz7DjzOpYHqUz11jmxOGFIAy402ox9j-uEQzpB8XvBgxIE_-HJe4Cl2F1QaK4ddbxBIyad_uCw2iVjQ2xzpJeWDYE-lRRD623IfEdglze/s1600/029+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">吉野山 こぞのしをりの道かへて まだ見ぬかたの 花をたづねむ<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“I’ll forget the
trail I marked out on Mount Yoshino last year, so go searching for blossoms in
directions I’ve never been before” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>( translated by Watson Burton)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP6hSbwQDqtRdiZ5Dp_GsbRhDSknnoOIRVTuf2WsoLA6EvBypWB7Q_0hodG1i-0QrWCw3rNYVHxJqJZbefcadzKMYdtutU0BO6KpvHeTMvW0KMp8cGRUkjei3uA-Id-6fkbs2CmpLbrWg/s1600/052+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP6hSbwQDqtRdiZ5Dp_GsbRhDSknnoOIRVTuf2WsoLA6EvBypWB7Q_0hodG1i-0QrWCw3rNYVHxJqJZbefcadzKMYdtutU0BO6KpvHeTMvW0KMp8cGRUkjei3uA-Id-6fkbs2CmpLbrWg/s1600/052+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before Saigyo’s
time, Sakura blossoms in the mountain were objects to be admired in their
imagination and written in the poem but Saigyo is said to be the first to go and
see in the mountain and appreciate Sakura at first hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">願わくは花の下にて春死なむ そのきさらぎの望月のころ<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“Let me die in
spring under the blossoming trees, let it be around that full moon of Kisaragi
month” (translated by Watson Burton)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">This “Kisaragi”means
February but in the new calendar it is around the end of March; Gautama Buddha
was supposed to have died on Kisaragi 15. Though this poem wrote many years
before Saigyo’s death, the fact he actually passed away just as he wished and
yet just one day later than Buddha’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>surprised
and amazed people in those days.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqCb4SR4DxKkAGl2tOY15xTKFHIWM2IXTNc6rduJaqCsmC_I0VlyHhczbxjgPf6nbwIzgiK_S8R9LuIJwfsxYMTEQtdQ0bA6TRIwT-5d_usi2a2eOJBz_u-m8Wc-kOG7sndIEPGFnZzH5/s1600/064+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqCb4SR4DxKkAGl2tOY15xTKFHIWM2IXTNc6rduJaqCsmC_I0VlyHhczbxjgPf6nbwIzgiK_S8R9LuIJwfsxYMTEQtdQ0bA6TRIwT-5d_usi2a2eOJBz_u-m8Wc-kOG7sndIEPGFnZzH5/s1600/064+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">仏には桜の花をたてまつれわが後の世を人とぶらはば</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Please offer
Sakura flowers if there would be someone mourn for me”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xvqNbLL22h5RPzFrBO1oVMip53oSKxLd-MX78FGHVPng0PDHN8MvLEAt_EyCSPzLGZ3g7nzY3g9EEAvxHlhyphenhyphenhSmR5R28vSrgkX3GGYJaqOeUzDYcyrVW_t52U4UURBOGlXMsxsrQGEMz/s1600/072+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xvqNbLL22h5RPzFrBO1oVMip53oSKxLd-MX78FGHVPng0PDHN8MvLEAt_EyCSPzLGZ3g7nzY3g9EEAvxHlhyphenhyphenhSmR5R28vSrgkX3GGYJaqOeUzDYcyrVW_t52U4UURBOGlXMsxsrQGEMz/s1600/072+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroldEESQu6POBRPPBXD_3l8xwlQQb9rU4_3qTsOU34WCokuLS5wqBYAmfawsv3oB0yro7tzofbIDHYAaMW2UTFZJbfa1qBGO-qlU6QCXPdsE1KOKGEwTnSj9PW9NZzuwaZl8ZfhE06Atr/s1600/DSC_0518+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroldEESQu6POBRPPBXD_3l8xwlQQb9rU4_3qTsOU34WCokuLS5wqBYAmfawsv3oB0yro7tzofbIDHYAaMW2UTFZJbfa1qBGO-qlU6QCXPdsE1KOKGEwTnSj9PW9NZzuwaZl8ZfhE06Atr/s1600/DSC_0518+(800x530).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken last May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a humble cottage
where he is believed to have stayed for a while<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;">at Okusenbon, where it is
enclosed with forest. There are high summits and ridges and eroded V-shaped
valleys leading to Kumano, Wakayama, so called Ōmine-okugake Route (大峯奥駆道)</span></span></span><br />
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p>; one of pilgrimage routes as well as Shugendo practitioners training route.</o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><o:p>Yoshitsune's another hideout was 20 minutes' walk down from here. </o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sakura trees at Okusenbon are
not many, besides, I heard they were not blooming yet, so I didn’t visit it this
time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine how he would see and
admire Sakura.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmVnXXTMb5PHB4dFeS3mHZg6LdOtu1_jNTwMQEa21cU655c1M-GujZPOKeRr6GOwRjWNQ5767y5eNMoImCTLYK_Fu_WlRhLLlF5zSeCPbIedieRXixF3_RAT06q77ESJojWwRqFOoYVLj/s1600/031+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmVnXXTMb5PHB4dFeS3mHZg6LdOtu1_jNTwMQEa21cU655c1M-GujZPOKeRr6GOwRjWNQ5767y5eNMoImCTLYK_Fu_WlRhLLlF5zSeCPbIedieRXixF3_RAT06q77ESJojWwRqFOoYVLj/s1600/031+(1024x678).jpg" height="423" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sakura here are truly gentle and lovely.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the way back, I saw this
cloud. Looks like a dragon?</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoQ5KceHO4iAGUR3vL1f4LUGVF_I53uVuc-BJKcgnUSF0CepTvbGEuMJiCZ6vSo4e5Qn_P5nOT5BEPswt7vIIFQzuJrE04_nWHE8sVVPI455NkYI0vybPBvSNyhHlHbM-X_h7ZXfWCsEr/s1600/DSC_0330+(800x462).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoQ5KceHO4iAGUR3vL1f4LUGVF_I53uVuc-BJKcgnUSF0CepTvbGEuMJiCZ6vSo4e5Qn_P5nOT5BEPswt7vIIFQzuJrE04_nWHE8sVVPI455NkYI0vybPBvSNyhHlHbM-X_h7ZXfWCsEr/s1600/DSC_0330+(800x462).jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-47030436933202668612014-03-25T23:11:00.000+09:002014-03-29T14:26:11.805+09:00I Am In The Pink<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Tsukigase Bairin (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">月ケ瀬梅林、</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Japanese apricot or Ume forest) in Nara is now in full bloom. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwM4zN43yAkctbEbfGfh0ZaEA91whVkGqdXBiwIrpCv7T2f0BB3fjcFY2oAel5rnI2Pp3UuE1KCFVFtoFkDgMnoyjBuFa3Wd7hgQny5TG_hD-zuzubNSCt3SSn7Llrdh9KNxnXjZO9qZ9/s1600/066+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwM4zN43yAkctbEbfGfh0ZaEA91whVkGqdXBiwIrpCv7T2f0BB3fjcFY2oAel5rnI2Pp3UuE1KCFVFtoFkDgMnoyjBuFa3Wd7hgQny5TG_hD-zuzubNSCt3SSn7Llrdh9KNxnXjZO9qZ9/s1600/066+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nabari River ( around here it’s called Satsuki River) formed V-shaped valley. With the construction of the dam, mountain streams were buried underwater, still the river and Ume trees sloping down to it make a scenic view!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpGQEGdTft3FxmtjE5nMU_A53AN991MMS4SwIup2WxJKeQeFcUibAJbIRMggXoyzXVFIqV_jJ8WN83A7nan2SsLKhgXy773YsIoYPTaYQmXsMgwT_AxlFVgFlUr64qQtZA9zOlWEZT_95/s1600/021+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpGQEGdTft3FxmtjE5nMU_A53AN991MMS4SwIup2WxJKeQeFcUibAJbIRMggXoyzXVFIqV_jJ8WN83A7nan2SsLKhgXy773YsIoYPTaYQmXsMgwT_AxlFVgFlUr64qQtZA9zOlWEZT_95/s1600/021+(800x530).jpg" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">This Bairin has a long
history and was designated as one of the Scenic Beauty Spots in 1922. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljD_msvQj54L8dNll_aRYnQR1vVROEB_G6T7M3WCO8UcXfd5ltPLw4HdAYmes3Hbu2SUrgvi59vcNYLoqNbUdPSWi1z_TDMM7WQn3AguGqUqs0b_-s37-rMgMA1sV1-xosNVa3wz8m8Br/s1600/028+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljD_msvQj54L8dNll_aRYnQR1vVROEB_G6T7M3WCO8UcXfd5ltPLw4HdAYmes3Hbu2SUrgvi59vcNYLoqNbUdPSWi1z_TDMM7WQn3AguGqUqs0b_-s37-rMgMA1sV1-xosNVa3wz8m8Br/s1600/028+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the time of prime
in Edo Period (1603-1867), there were supposed to be 100,000 ume trees there for producing smoked ume called Ubai (鳥梅), which were used as dyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftBpS9HA6IEZ3v7E_XFInlHOzofpWxp3rtsr7Leem0Hv4prGNyEEnaQxOG7z8b892NrIuiPJ5uW08gxn-Lt0ZNpt0P3yY7ga4Co93hDiK4t4ImXonjbIFz4p8ruz7Rhl8gGsMD6WeTAtT/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftBpS9HA6IEZ3v7E_XFInlHOzofpWxp3rtsr7Leem0Hv4prGNyEEnaQxOG7z8b892NrIuiPJ5uW08gxn-Lt0ZNpt0P3yY7ga4Co93hDiK4t4ImXonjbIFz4p8ruz7Rhl8gGsMD6WeTAtT/s1600/053.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BRyIFfqI6gUBAa25yPWVvUIg21pWqCvKNVcVmGjLUG2B_8v2W-rlXXb-_kyHYXDYZ3GHYOhYNuTf1UCZl5sYrxf0BfHm7gLhTSGhs4U5npBMrqK3fstdRLCPrT_qcm0l_EyuaKlX2OC1/s1600/047+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BRyIFfqI6gUBAa25yPWVvUIg21pWqCvKNVcVmGjLUG2B_8v2W-rlXXb-_kyHYXDYZ3GHYOhYNuTf1UCZl5sYrxf0BfHm7gLhTSGhs4U5npBMrqK3fstdRLCPrT_qcm0l_EyuaKlX2OC1/s1600/047+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">However, with the
synthetic dyes becoming available, demand of ubai dropped sharply. The village shifted its production from ubai
to edible ume. Currently only one house has held that tradition.</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b7XADDfV59m7eeYrOvp7W3TPYBLRP2Z7zq3OFVc0Yv9t_xgeYM5aOveHjd_Ynxmkx4ztZ2-WJwOVXqVyrNGELP9qWevX1yxPkqVkMkwG2JQg32jmNx-d_AYPgJT05WCzk0_VcPpJiW1l/s1600/081+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ume trees lining along the river</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">The fountain in the river shoots high at a certain time. I hear it is illuminated at night during ume festival.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL6PHFuga3PozxnVjzx5XRMhaMDYG92MEOanlv8chtzQ34_-Fesy9MiXsQop11oxD1y8PxGqdISZ-X3xMrczjsmUwKZ1HeM-MkNS595iBDW7C-rsBnqiekgbT2OuWobi2raRt-N3enVzm/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL6PHFuga3PozxnVjzx5XRMhaMDYG92MEOanlv8chtzQ34_-Fesy9MiXsQop11oxD1y8PxGqdISZ-X3xMrczjsmUwKZ1HeM-MkNS595iBDW7C-rsBnqiekgbT2OuWobi2raRt-N3enVzm/s1600/086.JPG" height="409" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have visited it
several times before but I have never been lucky enough to see such a full
bloom like this. When I opened the door of our car, the air filled with
sweet scent of blossoms came into it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">I knew about plum
pox virus from <a href="http://rurousha.blogspot.jp/2014/03/plum-pox-virus-attacks-tokyos-trees.html">Rurousha’s blog</a>; it has spread to 10 prefectures nationwide with
some famous ume blossom spots and the only way to manage the disease is to
destroy all infected trees. I am worried about the spots here but so far no
virus has been reported.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Co_NPHSnAnH1WFfYWw9t__f_qp1TJn7liL0rM6jC93jDXtpj59OtjdW7dMxnpHmZJs3JcJsHC6akfufZId05waqUDnSIKc_KG9_GhSWOpl6tCq6sAm1uuaNEl7T4ybydvG2D3P_iZo-O/s1600/059+(640x424).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Co_NPHSnAnH1WFfYWw9t__f_qp1TJn7liL0rM6jC93jDXtpj59OtjdW7dMxnpHmZJs3JcJsHC6akfufZId05waqUDnSIKc_KG9_GhSWOpl6tCq6sAm1uuaNEl7T4ybydvG2D3P_iZo-O/s1600/059+(640x424).jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック; font-size: large;">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sho seemed to be curious
and enjoying the touch of the field for the first time.</span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is expected to be warmer this week. The cherry-blossom front is starting to go up from southern part of this country. I am "in the pink" for the time being.</span></span></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-63682412090284278262014-03-05T17:28:00.001+09:002014-03-20T08:22:29.350+09:00March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">I like March. It’s not February anymore and
not April yet. The temperature is still unstable; some day is spring-like warm
and some day winter-like cold. However, I think there is something exciting and hopeful about March. I was born in March.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Last week in February, my husband invited me to go for a
drive to Shirahama in Wakayama, a three-hour-drive from my house.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Spring comes earlier there and the paper said “ume”;
the Japanese apricot, trees were in full bloom at<a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%97%E9%83%A8%E6%A2%85%E6%9E%97"> Minabe apricot trees farm field
(</a></span></span><a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%97%E9%83%A8%E6%A2%85%E6%9E%97"><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">南部梅林</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></a><br />
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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">First I wanted to see the ocean at this Senjyōjiki</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(千畳敷;</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">1000-mat-spreading</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">It is
a widely spreading sandstone formation sloping into the Pacific Ocean. It has
been formed by erosion taking place through surging ocean since time
immemorial. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s4IjR6xQDWk0iD7JZsbVtBlrj4nhTp80VFcLzEkAQLiAcYPNKuaxW0yEBzMYTyllAhzyD_RTz6eamGTnAZHk133ggxK976TIYo_ac03-phVzTW0uqVMwYcTahgtAgSeoxuC3SbyqJKCd/s1600/064+%25281280x848%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s4IjR6xQDWk0iD7JZsbVtBlrj4nhTp80VFcLzEkAQLiAcYPNKuaxW0yEBzMYTyllAhzyD_RTz6eamGTnAZHk133ggxK976TIYo_ac03-phVzTW0uqVMwYcTahgtAgSeoxuC3SbyqJKCd/s1600/064+%25281280x848%2529.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> It looks like huge remains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONNhFKU9IG1vZOhJkJWk1nIW5tOJQi2mPPj4PqWV9UfI4FLe0t1hniJff_BGsC5hgAvL3cAEQeB1559KKcGOEoa966TmiPXEEIVMUEs1WK6avAZhxtLfFhNn12kwGn3_P-asLXgnfWet_/s1600/069+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONNhFKU9IG1vZOhJkJWk1nIW5tOJQi2mPPj4PqWV9UfI4FLe0t1hniJff_BGsC5hgAvL3cAEQeB1559KKcGOEoa966TmiPXEEIVMUEs1WK6avAZhxtLfFhNn12kwGn3_P-asLXgnfWet_/s1600/069+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Sandstones are
soft enough to make it easy to carve so there are lots of scribbles on it by
thoughtless visitors (not visible in this picture, though).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgTpA2wSSHoVrTk5uW2G0HZGcduteJsrgILI4CGteidgpDV-9_rV0sXbiWSvsPKits92MgV4XyyfCy4WA5Y1RIBcSBtCcCePaC-JJrYFE5z0lNC54Aa8jPcs_BgoGanxCstCIqTUy5Kpn/s1600/045+(1280x848)+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgTpA2wSSHoVrTk5uW2G0HZGcduteJsrgILI4CGteidgpDV-9_rV0sXbiWSvsPKits92MgV4XyyfCy4WA5Y1RIBcSBtCcCePaC-JJrYFE5z0lNC54Aa8jPcs_BgoGanxCstCIqTUy5Kpn/s1600/045+(1280x848)+(1024x678).jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Merciless and destructive sometimes, still so powerful
and merciful and benevolent</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">the ocean is.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MDQvARqxcn5GbDA3_w27T6Cq_6eoQdDYRQP_rDg-1DJNlCAEZWOoODkXqAKFtzFY5NMzKYpfFI1aY4MG089WStk-neJTtF6TiRZuidIjjYazGrfExvaq2RmAUMJ8GUcNHwLUFY2jyTjm/s1600/008+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MDQvARqxcn5GbDA3_w27T6Cq_6eoQdDYRQP_rDg-1DJNlCAEZWOoODkXqAKFtzFY5NMzKYpfFI1aY4MG089WStk-neJTtF6TiRZuidIjjYazGrfExvaq2RmAUMJ8GUcNHwLUFY2jyTjm/s1600/008+(1024x678).jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">Then we headed for ume viewing. I had noticed
many ume trees flowering here and there on entering Wakayama. Seen from afar, it
looked like translucent veils were hanging all over, but taken a closer look
they were lovely snow-white. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ354MskG3M_GP_BT3AGmym7Tag6jYVo3D12jVgHlMk6S0-Xi1dAE_1KaEH5RYLtW0mUzjgwQTcUk91qWquRzN3qS6NzyddvqZ79-S1WdayK1VTd4cndCwF7nlsoOduusqVE0F4F8n1lw/s1600/071+(1024x678).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ354MskG3M_GP_BT3AGmym7Tag6jYVo3D12jVgHlMk6S0-Xi1dAE_1KaEH5RYLtW0mUzjgwQTcUk91qWquRzN3qS6NzyddvqZ79-S1WdayK1VTd4cndCwF7nlsoOduusqVE0F4F8n1lw/s1600/071+(1024x678).jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8lsGdE0ivrwWhyphenhyphenZf0PtGSIi5KCRgyBwVu-BPk6n7Z8kNo6luJcRwvPEqa0CSpDKcgLSpMqPZw0lytf-un5j2VNwnTPw9D0vy36tqRMeHBv4iduaQiJ1BXGFU1K2FT5QWriW7CFbLIn1M/s1600/086+(1024x784).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8lsGdE0ivrwWhyphenhyphenZf0PtGSIi5KCRgyBwVu-BPk6n7Z8kNo6luJcRwvPEqa0CSpDKcgLSpMqPZw0lytf-un5j2VNwnTPw9D0vy36tqRMeHBv4iduaQiJ1BXGFU1K2FT5QWriW7CFbLIn1M/s1600/086+(1024x784).jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as busy as a bee!<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXamU47bwp_vBrGg65m0UPEUfCMBxK-J4mUlGClYEoqbOlAyPVPmU4zdpDngXTAdxFsxIuEwYQGGhsPM2Cc_mQMdB6cpaNo3eIAERv3B20JmxSyjLHk8tPTrG4_eqTxB_U5pio04nge2nG/s1600/%E6%A2%85.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXamU47bwp_vBrGg65m0UPEUfCMBxK-J4mUlGClYEoqbOlAyPVPmU4zdpDngXTAdxFsxIuEwYQGGhsPM2Cc_mQMdB6cpaNo3eIAERv3B20JmxSyjLHk8tPTrG4_eqTxB_U5pio04nge2nG/s1600/%E6%A2%85.png" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">They have been cultivated for a harvest, whose origin dates back to Meiji Era (1868-1912). Wakayama now produces 60% of gross ume production in Japan, whose products are famous
for their top quality called Nankou-ume (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">南高梅</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">).</span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ttHpGRMNiRsV03lGNdZ4Vk7-dESR6hp2fbA6BRxa1BgXTNSxohYII0YYgOilNVlFgdqjRTGsP5Fk_dmty5P-87Py8nVDQ1uHaWJkBQn8pQk05NaSuVNcazXB4AJnuA46wbUMtUMUqIwT/s1600/%E6%A2%85%E5%B9%B2%E3%81%97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ttHpGRMNiRsV03lGNdZ4Vk7-dESR6hp2fbA6BRxa1BgXTNSxohYII0YYgOilNVlFgdqjRTGsP5Fk_dmty5P-87Py8nVDQ1uHaWJkBQn8pQk05NaSuVNcazXB4AJnuA46wbUMtUMUqIwT/s1600/%E6%A2%85%E5%B9%B2%E3%81%97.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">T</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">he fruit is mainly made into “Umeboshi”;
pickled ume, </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">and used as a preserved food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Century;">I like umeboshi low in salt, it's healthy and tasty.
A rice ball with it buried inside is very simple but helpful especialy in such a
case of emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQyHbZcKZTwpHFGe0PqVg_Vti6q0fxg_NH1LWLArSJe22bCbD8Br3-Q7U-78pOkh6pz7YG04wdy6e5TkYQcRBsFFXAmSazqwocLTjqqmIAZ7Z9j3ZhRH5i44V33cjafU-uNDi40qRz91Q/s1600/095+%2528848x1280%2529+%2528530x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQyHbZcKZTwpHFGe0PqVg_Vti6q0fxg_NH1LWLArSJe22bCbD8Br3-Q7U-78pOkh6pz7YG04wdy6e5TkYQcRBsFFXAmSazqwocLTjqqmIAZ7Z9j3ZhRH5i44V33cjafU-uNDi40qRz91Q/s1600/095+%2528848x1280%2529+%2528530x800%2529.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">weeping ume tree planted on the sidewalk</td></tr>
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Coming March 11th marks the third anniversary since the great East Japan Earthquake. We tend to be off guard for a disaster with the passage of time. Many people in the heavily stricken region in Fukushima are still struggling. March is also the time to remember and share the feeling and brace myself again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJcqF_vkvlATDnf4BoWtuhkUdP1mP2_kuPxeqYQha7tlxbIDz5FFuwuhjhkuU9GZehakczxFR_8bgxkiMeb2ea96jmGFRhfqbyoE-podXEiqkNdOdp7zhOVhyyJUn_VIRhUWH1HwNdObH/s1600/%E5%92%8C%E6%AD%8C%E5%B1%B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJcqF_vkvlATDnf4BoWtuhkUdP1mP2_kuPxeqYQha7tlxbIDz5FFuwuhjhkuU9GZehakczxFR_8bgxkiMeb2ea96jmGFRhfqbyoE-podXEiqkNdOdp7zhOVhyyJUn_VIRhUWH1HwNdObH/s1600/%E5%92%8C%E6%AD%8C%E5%B1%B1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wakayama</td></tr>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-31141819976203601722013-11-09T07:57:00.000+09:002013-11-19T22:39:32.476+09:00A Trip to Oirase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day before yesterday was the
first day of winter by the old calendar, still we have relatively warm days. Autumn tints are getting beautiful around my neighborhood. I am wondering how autumn colors
are now at <span id="goog_363631786"></span></span><a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo13/131030.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Oirase Stream<span id="goog_363631787"></span></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">(</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">奥入瀬渓流</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">)…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oirase Stream was
always on my place-to-go list and my dream came true last month at last.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBVG0cGghMuBd9VAZObobSLMfa8TC8WziTEdgyqFXDWaYqOuCSweMozBhUy8n6aumY0iZBkdaRWmLYk2wgeKqTrXY03y9c4o6Omq0FpopKYZM4TldyRNc2rHNQcLxriAXWPxhgPabsqvf/s1600/DSC_0862+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBVG0cGghMuBd9VAZObobSLMfa8TC8WziTEdgyqFXDWaYqOuCSweMozBhUy8n6aumY0iZBkdaRWmLYk2wgeKqTrXY03y9c4o6Omq0FpopKYZM4TldyRNc2rHNQcLxriAXWPxhgPabsqvf/s640/DSC_0862+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">The stream flows
from Lake Towada; the large caldera lake situated in the northern part of Tōhoku
region. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7b0mu8QXUcyWFjtD9kyfD3_EBcBk0i4Yd-v4TUWgvYN-bWt320WB_0vJYtbgcw5hp-mKLQx3CuGzhLMIyR_wn8S-9KOIqrmgRtCWv3H_8aG-2diWwPbJ0yvexVS-1A9bUOmdMo2JZYC6/s1600/DSC_0949+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7b0mu8QXUcyWFjtD9kyfD3_EBcBk0i4Yd-v4TUWgvYN-bWt320WB_0vJYtbgcw5hp-mKLQx3CuGzhLMIyR_wn8S-9KOIqrmgRtCWv3H_8aG-2diWwPbJ0yvexVS-1A9bUOmdMo2JZYC6/s400/DSC_0949+(800x530).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Towada</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">The upper passage of
the stream draining this lake is famous for scenic sights as long as 14km long with over a dozen
waterfalls cascading down into the stream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">This is Choushi
Ōtaki (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">銚子大滝、</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Great Sake or Japanese wine Bottle Fall) situated upper most part of the stream. It was spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some sake lover might have associated the
fall with the mouth of sake bottle, from which sake pours forth out of the
bottle; the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">orangish red seed of
Komayumi (</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">小真弓</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">; euonymus alatus) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its vivid
color among unfledged autumn leaves drew my attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wet fallen leaves
under my rain boots on the trail were easy on my knees and eyes. Hotel lent us
all necessary outfits from rainboots, umbrellas to raincoats. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I prefer fair day but rain is not
that bad. Leaves and trees looked glossy and lustrous because of rain. Changing
colors was just beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stream turns rapid
currents, dashing against rocks and swirls and then it flows in a steady
continuous stream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rich water continuously
flowing has brought and nurtured new growths on the fallen trees or even on the
rocks and has formed what they are now after many years..<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">A l</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">ounge at the
hotel with a big fireplace made by Taro Okamoto<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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L</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">eaves outside
should be ablaze with autumn colors by now<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Century;">at night</span><br />
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</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">This trip was
something special for us three sisters and our spouses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;">
</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">We came up with
this plan to get relaxed and appreciate what we had done to help each other to
take care of our aged parents. Each spouse’s cooperation was a great help.
Fourteen months later than Mother’s passing away, those taking care days were
put an end with an unexpected death of Father in February this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These past five years were the time we reunited and
strengthened the bond of sisterhood and brothers-in-law hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How I was grateful that I had sisters and
brothers-in-law as well to share the difficult times with. Now we realize it is
the greatest asset our parents left us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-11877703199345607452013-10-07T00:43:00.001+09:002014-11-19T20:20:33.053+09:00A Deity of Rice Fields<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Ta no Kami</em> (a deity
of rice paddies) brought a good harvest this year as usual. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8VqXjpvl2W-MMTyG06hd66IgKtVWl3rJzsH4v16NsbSoIt_3aXp4NX-7hNPmdVnS6Mhi0JMs7Y7yhBujB5LAsSskhKj7Xo6Yw2-rs4ySWcegy_uQBIoV2l-ULdo8S0qsi0Hv2rKVCpSH/s1600/DSC_0211+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8VqXjpvl2W-MMTyG06hd66IgKtVWl3rJzsH4v16NsbSoIt_3aXp4NX-7hNPmdVnS6Mhi0JMs7Y7yhBujB5LAsSskhKj7Xo6Yw2-rs4ySWcegy_uQBIoV2l-ULdo8S0qsi0Hv2rKVCpSH/s640/DSC_0211+(800x530).jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning mist seen from Amakashi-no-Oka at Asuka, Nara</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">Here at Inabuchi, Asuka in Nara, Higanbana (red spider lilies or Lycoris radiate) and Kakashi (scarecrow) festival has become a popular annual local event. It is usually held around the Autumn Equinox Day in September.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXvaFSuAJ4L675XhH87wfD82LivedRIWDfuN1C647bB-xQJuY6Dmcq4Sj2myk2TSsKkZkd8c1EK4KOsIKXF6TpTZNOMYdhPsz1o-hdBJF1jMp3nDf_m36HSF08c4mEfs9j4iSf9k4BcUU/s1600/DSC_0748+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXvaFSuAJ4L675XhH87wfD82LivedRIWDfuN1C647bB-xQJuY6Dmcq4Sj2myk2TSsKkZkd8c1EK4KOsIKXF6TpTZNOMYdhPsz1o-hdBJF1jMp3nDf_m36HSF08c4mEfs9j4iSf9k4BcUU/s640/DSC_0748+(800x530).jpg" height="401" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These beautiful terraced paddy fields are well known.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">Red spider lilies
(Lycoris radiate) or <em>Higanbana</em> are blooming in flame, so florid in a cluster and
yet so delicate when seen closer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj5Nm-qNJOcXeXAtQ6aE7XXL22RFZtkc1onLcF5h-v6IlCFAwiiskSePKx7z8WGWe4b2H1ecoaes_RyxhNhc5pV2gfIncOx3G4EH3cqNl4-01De4vrV8qTOwLBWAfXG0aJOLCsKAjkiad/s1600/DSC_0752+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj5Nm-qNJOcXeXAtQ6aE7XXL22RFZtkc1onLcF5h-v6IlCFAwiiskSePKx7z8WGWe4b2H1ecoaes_RyxhNhc5pV2gfIncOx3G4EH3cqNl4-01De4vrV8qTOwLBWAfXG0aJOLCsKAjkiad/s640/DSC_0752+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">Kakashi is a variation of <em>Ta no Kami</em> since it is expected to observe and protect rice paddies
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">f</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">rom animals and birds. In Kojiki, the ancient record of matters compiled in 712, Kakashi appeared
as a deity of knowledge and agriculture who was not able to walk but knew everything
about the world. It used to be one leg but nowadays it has come in all forms
and sizes. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">Kakashi contest is held every year. Some are artistic, resourceful, heartwarming, some funny and playful.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcU8GiS-JFJDTJ-e8FcBpHYaglQcSC30xmnOeECHwZU7AzrJm_UXLn85dS6MHAkk0fkvjtMByK0VY344ggCf3ZyHnrYaecW9hezwW77Y2WgIKLawFRl-wv3YbQkFUJU8wMKQyL23tGA5d/s1600/DSC_0779+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcU8GiS-JFJDTJ-e8FcBpHYaglQcSC30xmnOeECHwZU7AzrJm_UXLn85dS6MHAkk0fkvjtMByK0VY344ggCf3ZyHnrYaecW9hezwW77Y2WgIKLawFRl-wv3YbQkFUJU8wMKQyL23tGA5d/s400/DSC_0779+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI0ash5abCM80lZyJyimoGd_W-u9_mII4qc4m42sXylMgz0gXowlJulHnBxjPzc9eH45LWRRLN-CTa6jemBhdB3_k3rxvJNpEdsdPVCVIRoAV7pOZ3TdOlEqMKlrWAp2-wILR1vIoyvSY/s1600/DSC_0792+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI0ash5abCM80lZyJyimoGd_W-u9_mII4qc4m42sXylMgz0gXowlJulHnBxjPzc9eH45LWRRLN-CTa6jemBhdB3_k3rxvJNpEdsdPVCVIRoAV7pOZ3TdOlEqMKlrWAp2-wILR1vIoyvSY/s320/DSC_0792+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHtGp8SpcgNB4N1cQiKwvEkza7EigIdz9EpRi_SgAvIVn5b-n_ITNWyJTq5h94MRpNSBga00hAO08n8c-6ZW1zuquonwDvliHUdTiLyFKEeIjmFMTrd1DEnRT-vxbcU8gtUMm_vGZaW5D/s1600/DSC_0768+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHtGp8SpcgNB4N1cQiKwvEkza7EigIdz9EpRi_SgAvIVn5b-n_ITNWyJTq5h94MRpNSBga00hAO08n8c-6ZW1zuquonwDvliHUdTiLyFKEeIjmFMTrd1DEnRT-vxbcU8gtUMm_vGZaW5D/s400/DSC_0768+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this one reminds me of my good old days</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZOYQprdkdzq1CzcRgH1LGpyGkkQb9QIzLGwJznFr_39Fd6vMSVLBEWy2E8qQ8sXreiOLrB5PPqimL99ATORbeSYvHY0uszHj73DyWvQDScTwGtPi2X3bP-vb6djIbstf7cKByAcOO1z-/s1600/DSC_0766+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZOYQprdkdzq1CzcRgH1LGpyGkkQb9QIzLGwJznFr_39Fd6vMSVLBEWy2E8qQ8sXreiOLrB5PPqimL99ATORbeSYvHY0uszHj73DyWvQDScTwGtPi2X3bP-vb6djIbstf7cKByAcOO1z-/s640/DSC_0766+(800x530).jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">This one offering dancing to thank <em>Ta no Kami</em> for a good harvest was selected the best winner at the contest this year by visitors' popularity votes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdm633QxMs0a_As9GdYkJMzF-MAMSW_A8Ll8gaGmnl18mnP_Mzy2Bs6FTZa7JNPljcLPAAJwhX7y0QUvLQSbs6MV0xvl6lZtiO3k3BdzlIishP3dwuPTiE20S-RxWL2f0N4oxw1A1Ip-v/s1600/DSC_0799+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdm633QxMs0a_As9GdYkJMzF-MAMSW_A8Ll8gaGmnl18mnP_Mzy2Bs6FTZa7JNPljcLPAAJwhX7y0QUvLQSbs6MV0xvl6lZtiO3k3BdzlIishP3dwuPTiE20S-RxWL2f0N4oxw1A1Ip-v/s640/DSC_0799+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">My mother-in-law passed away the other day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">May Ta no Kami, a gentle wind, the sky, hills, clouds, flowers embrace the soul with your beneficient smiles, who always gave her unconditional love to her three sons, eight grand-children, ten great-grandchildren and who loved and respected the earth to produce blessing! </span></span></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-42364369592605873532013-09-04T14:22:00.000+09:002013-10-08T21:23:29.715+09:00A Sea of Blue Flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Some might frown
to hear Hotei-aoi (common water hyacinth) is spreading all over the pond or
lake but here in the fallow rice fields around the historic site of Moto-yakushiji
temple (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 11pt;">本薬師寺跡</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">), a massive thin shade of purplish blue is flowering . </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCSURLX_1lmpENSSPS625i5KUwV-5Z4b85H6Q5rt2XIS_VMlu5ORNCYlOKrhZCYGGu4MSbBc1BHqe936_fnDwlaynV4WsLcPKtR4wUoYuc3I26tp0pLoJaBjMYMwo-1O7ePsyTbgbCdNx/s1600/DSC_0701+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCSURLX_1lmpENSSPS625i5KUwV-5Z4b85H6Q5rt2XIS_VMlu5ORNCYlOKrhZCYGGu4MSbBc1BHqe936_fnDwlaynV4WsLcPKtR4wUoYuc3I26tp0pLoJaBjMYMwo-1O7ePsyTbgbCdNx/s640/DSC_0701+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pointed hill is Unebiyama (畝傍山)</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">The local people started planting its seedling 18 years ago, since then at this
time of year, this place has attracted many people with their camera in their
hands.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHSp6MdTOZlE00E27qXDiOy3VRp5ekt3X92yVDuunyiuhb0Pu85_ALHwINz7guyZmkuaQ_Ei0BWVz32oBfU6pArE9LpsKRjZWo9f4LHOVje_SzBedBLHuK-kb5jW5gRZGr4uH-7aSon1c/s1600/DSC_0654+(800x530)+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHSp6MdTOZlE00E27qXDiOy3VRp5ekt3X92yVDuunyiuhb0Pu85_ALHwINz7guyZmkuaQ_Ei0BWVz32oBfU6pArE9LpsKRjZWo9f4LHOVje_SzBedBLHuK-kb5jW5gRZGr4uH-7aSon1c/s640/DSC_0654+(800x530)+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J4o3z5ZDYzvzvlAPAq6Br27QWO7Ul5UEssFdyGR48KR0l5R3tBXw5cPAjglcPhkLRuHJrJAaDoOADjsehxBRwOip9_Rbs2wndAdOLYpp6ECzySRcRmIRq4LMRm3yK3k95wsGwc7VFUJY/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8J4o3z5ZDYzvzvlAPAq6Br27QWO7Ul5UEssFdyGR48KR0l5R3tBXw5cPAjglcPhkLRuHJrJAaDoOADjsehxBRwOip9_Rbs2wndAdOLYpp6ECzySRcRmIRq4LMRm3yK3k95wsGwc7VFUJY/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from wikipedia</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">The name was taken
after Hotei; Chinese Budai, known as a laughing Buddha (one of the Seven
Lucky Gods here), for a rounded inflated petiole of the aquatic plant (sponge) functioning
as a buoy is associated with a big stomach of Hotei.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Recently local
elementary school children joined volunteers in planting about 14,000 seedlings
in early July. The plants usually amount to 400,000 from August to October. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpUhYOBcl307AogkxXa1pBge0b4UOGnJLpfdusjHOAoTlm-e6So9o91Tm1BWRkfoJCsnvqpbMFFxcucJ0W0U9LwNl_xML1y7Q1iI7u1nb7rwqIX0i28BCc4VQpmrkr5Fb8CH9VAWrh1Uw/s1600/DSC_0651+(800x530)+(800x530)+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpUhYOBcl307AogkxXa1pBge0b4UOGnJLpfdusjHOAoTlm-e6So9o91Tm1BWRkfoJCsnvqpbMFFxcucJ0W0U9LwNl_xML1y7Q1iI7u1nb7rwqIX0i28BCc4VQpmrkr5Fb8CH9VAWrh1Uw/s640/DSC_0651+(800x530)+(800x530)+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">However, its
vigorous propagation causes a serious problem in some parts of the world; suffocating
the lake, diminishing the fish supply, damaging the local fishery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Disgracefully, they
are called blue devil and considered to be one of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eichhornia_crassipes">100 world’s worst invasive alien species.</a> They are on the black list here as well, however, with a careful
treatment, an appropriate place to grow, they are also giving people pleasure.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Only one of six
petals has a unique beautiful pattern. It seems to me a purple flame or a
mandorla holding a light. . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAKIGQHFy1mfLSLDNjPAXfxDRBjwDVbjREfDGK27CG5bUNL5bW5Gs2ztC-VDDQhetoVxe5I0tBfKzNBChDXpl_I3rqKwX2pOAnePg2IU-xL3bADvmUP-UgKduwvoMGao4eggDWPWk9PnY/s1600/DSC_0675+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAKIGQHFy1mfLSLDNjPAXfxDRBjwDVbjREfDGK27CG5bUNL5bW5Gs2ztC-VDDQhetoVxe5I0tBfKzNBChDXpl_I3rqKwX2pOAnePg2IU-xL3bADvmUP-UgKduwvoMGao4eggDWPWk9PnY/s400/DSC_0675+(800x530).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp7Cut2A5M9lovEszN5C31GnWqobHqWKXJ8BwXbAqUXAVRy9otjY0T5-VsXoQDR0NmwwXe8rO9q2ow3xUDRmVrKOa1iV6Y0iOryIczTni5gUTuKyxE4xf_ecprlQzOH4-DqgCKZZaauCW/s1600/DSC_0672+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRp7Cut2A5M9lovEszN5C31GnWqobHqWKXJ8BwXbAqUXAVRy9otjY0T5-VsXoQDR0NmwwXe8rO9q2ow3xUDRmVrKOa1iV6Y0iOryIczTni5gUTuKyxE4xf_ecprlQzOH4-DqgCKZZaauCW/s400/DSC_0672+(800x530).jpg" width="377" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">In a baby buggy
sat a small spaniel, well-mannered while its mom was absorbed in taking
pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_3cXQpJVNsUmvkkDOnm1s4JucS0VX1lSQr2Bsyd4A5Zkd6B1WVWkXLXa0XwWFClm5wvJ4dlrwjlwjgCdGy35by7c7A2XgaCUEtZNwse52LIlTYGc8Ie3lwkrwAAIxhtjokmgJtZjLISg/s1600/DSC_0695+(424x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_3cXQpJVNsUmvkkDOnm1s4JucS0VX1lSQr2Bsyd4A5Zkd6B1WVWkXLXa0XwWFClm5wvJ4dlrwjlwjgCdGy35by7c7A2XgaCUEtZNwse52LIlTYGc8Ie3lwkrwAAIxhtjokmgJtZjLISg/s400/DSC_0695+(424x640).jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> A sign of harvest
season. I feel autumn is on the way..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhtgSBHGASSSeLbxS6uCKMWIGeFEQ2zFHQwUAGyUsCTjl_D38fLY7rok2ANu4UZLDwdfbD5ABFG08WH5wELC4a4XQdS7hxSBYKplV5kvwhyDTZSv-1cq2nsJQBXbUJitPUPg_1SiMLgdK/s1600/DSC_0685+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhtgSBHGASSSeLbxS6uCKMWIGeFEQ2zFHQwUAGyUsCTjl_D38fLY7rok2ANu4UZLDwdfbD5ABFG08WH5wELC4a4XQdS7hxSBYKplV5kvwhyDTZSv-1cq2nsJQBXbUJitPUPg_1SiMLgdK/s400/DSC_0685+(800x530).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNHZr6yVeufH6nCJrHqCBL4Gtxrx5UszITjwcSb9AhBVX-2VLUROWa-n-WE4dDlt6K-pFx6WpIlohMfXMp4Nx37zGlQu0RDHentOeUXzXNNrZ9AAHZobw01dBZvN5TG1mn46Uw6yuOatJ/s1600/DSC_0692+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNHZr6yVeufH6nCJrHqCBL4Gtxrx5UszITjwcSb9AhBVX-2VLUROWa-n-WE4dDlt6K-pFx6WpIlohMfXMp4Nx37zGlQu0RDHentOeUXzXNNrZ9AAHZobw01dBZvN5TG1mn46Uw6yuOatJ/s640/DSC_0692+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-3042460129939263372013-07-15T17:32:00.001+09:002013-11-10T18:30:41.826+09:00A Stroll Around the Remains of an Ancient Palace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sweltering heat
waves put an end to rainy season earlier than usual a week ago.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Somehow I brought
up enough courage to go for a walk for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0PPinjY1gIaOQPEMlUEer3D92goxBuCVlYAqZH8kqz2wVepPazEJKX83tdd_zpvPV44fpaIIDQw_e0Ct_wFlaOX2liCIPGnt2llpx1OBxM_tPAmne1I2xqxVbmMZmymP6ISK7Cf8gknR/s1600/DSC_0520+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0PPinjY1gIaOQPEMlUEer3D92goxBuCVlYAqZH8kqz2wVepPazEJKX83tdd_zpvPV44fpaIIDQw_e0Ct_wFlaOX2liCIPGnt2llpx1OBxM_tPAmne1I2xqxVbmMZmymP6ISK7Cf8gknR/s640/DSC_0520+(800x530).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">I rambled on the
north side of Nara Heijyo-kyo Palace remains. The remains and the surrounding area
were designated as World Heritage Site in 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">The first
Daigokuden (</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">第一次大極殿</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">), center building, was restored for the commemorative
events of the 1,300<sup>th<span style="font-family: MS 明朝, serif;"> </span></sup></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">anniversary of Nara Heijyo-kyo Capital
three years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKVIpOqqiMhTkRfdVTFwH4E0dI97mvmMgWvFM92JLV1lStQOexy9E8xo3rIuqaPy0nqHF1OkOteiOqkdK0dPzQ0-zeET0bv7AdYjMTWbV5wn1Vre8BhKKp_SIwopPzZoC9oPxLgQbkW6_/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKVIpOqqiMhTkRfdVTFwH4E0dI97mvmMgWvFM92JLV1lStQOexy9E8xo3rIuqaPy0nqHF1OkOteiOqkdK0dPzQ0-zeET0bv7AdYjMTWbV5wn1Vre8BhKKp_SIwopPzZoC9oPxLgQbkW6_/s640/DSC_0530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Imperial domicile
corridors (trace of the pillars ) are shown by boxwood(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">柘植</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">) in the back courtyard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Leaving them on
your right, you find this big pond called Mizukami Pond.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLI-iJuZlvTVD5tQPuDnMOwV558vEJwfEGvAd3v0ufCMrWh1HuilTDUj1Rx9CGxWA2L51m6szuD2ll69c1Bycu-vJ7geU4stX8MfNM9TCZvU1zPoQSHAiZbXw6I-GJlS1soisjuxkPazx/s1600/DSC_0531+(1024x678)+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLI-iJuZlvTVD5tQPuDnMOwV558vEJwfEGvAd3v0ufCMrWh1HuilTDUj1Rx9CGxWA2L51m6szuD2ll69c1Bycu-vJ7geU4stX8MfNM9TCZvU1zPoQSHAiZbXw6I-GJlS1soisjuxkPazx/s640/DSC_0531+(1024x678)+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Too hot was that day to stroll but it gave
me clear and calm and peaceful feeling, an occasional blowing wind made ripples
on the water and blurred the clouds. Several grey ducks were seen to be
coasting along. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This place is
known as a migratory birds’ paradise. Especially from fall to winter, various
wild birds are seen to come here to pass the winter.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VkVPvnjYhsfj46wzwpWEfdu1iTJ206OUp_J1Ohm51K99OAnhvkeC5PaHl9zQYxXi9E4OTC63xFSBdic4ENQ4Yaesb6dh7uslzC4Qtv5tHJWaZyGoEhMdVIxC7SwKzYJTrzgCClVB5Hm5/s1600/20121224_torijijou_20_1+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VkVPvnjYhsfj46wzwpWEfdu1iTJ206OUp_J1Ohm51K99OAnhvkeC5PaHl9zQYxXi9E4OTC63xFSBdic4ENQ4Yaesb6dh7uslzC4Qtv5tHJWaZyGoEhMdVIxC7SwKzYJTrzgCClVB5Hm5/s400/20121224_torijijou_20_1+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture taken by<a href="http://www.ac.auone-net.jp/~nara-koe/news273.html"> Shozo Yona</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Last winter,
however, a pitiful shot taken by a local photographer appeared in the local
newspaper and drew attention. He noticed a grey duck making a noise and struggling.
It got its bill and head stuck in a plastic ring. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">What surprised him more
was that he saw other ducks and swans approaching it and especially a mute swan
seemingly trying to help it get rid of the ring, though it didn't seem to be successful. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">It was the first time, he said, to see a wild bird try to help different species in a difficult
situation. It blew a whistle against human’s carelessness and thoughtlessness. (related article is<a href="http://www.ac.auone-net.jp/~nara-koe/news273.html"> here</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jjEFvQQk-U8IspiEDUah9aic7bVcZLuH4uOmqZJa6yPMygOig0OcvzfdYRvOs_mAsfwosL0CemQaBcp9kwRSYSwbB7vfK6y1VFjKKo6O6KeerPPPLfCxxnaAJbf_nAYjzwrMI183-a5L/s1600/DSC_0540+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jjEFvQQk-U8IspiEDUah9aic7bVcZLuH4uOmqZJa6yPMygOig0OcvzfdYRvOs_mAsfwosL0CemQaBcp9kwRSYSwbB7vfK6y1VFjKKo6O6KeerPPPLfCxxnaAJbf_nAYjzwrMI183-a5L/s400/DSC_0540+(800x530).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">This area is a
part of “history road” established by Nara prefecture around forty years ago. You
can move around by bicycle too. Just near the pond, there lies<a href="http://mahorobanomori.web.fc2.com/tenno-iwanohime.html"> the imperial tomb</a>
attributed to<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Iwa"> Iwanohime-no-mikoto(磐之媛命)</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">She was a consort of Emperor Nintoku(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">仁徳天皇</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">) who was the 16<sup>th</sup> emperor of
Japan in the late 4<sup>th</sup> to early 5<sup>th</sup> century.</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Burial Mound in Sakai, Osaka which is
attributed to him is the biggest key-hole shaped mausoleum of 486m long. I
wondered why his empress has lain so far away from his.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">According to the
old chronicles(Kojiki and Nihonshoki), she was described as a deeply jealous
personality. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">She was constantly annoyed and restless by the amorous emperor. T</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">he news that he let the
mistress in the palace </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">while she was away to procure goods for the banquet, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">who she wouldn’t want him to love, was the last straw. In a fit of jealousy and
anger, she threw away everything she got and never returned to his palace ever after. She must have been strong
and a presence that he couldn’t ignore, so he showed his sincerity toward her by visiting her place for himself to ask for her return but in vain.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">On the other hand,
in Manyo-shu(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">万葉集</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">), the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry, she expressed her
wavering love for her husband;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">君が行き 日長くなりぬ 山たずね 迎へか行かむ 待ちにか待たむ</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Long are days
since you are gone</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Shall I go and see
over mountain paths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Or keep waiting
for you </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Anyway I am glad
she had the freedom to get her own way. Hope the rest of her life was stress free and peaceful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">In early summer, iris
laevigata(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">かきつばた</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">)</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">and water lilies filling the moat are in
full bloom.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I was in the hope to see them but irises were already gone and water lilies
were taking a nap in that broad daylight.</span></div>
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These shots were taken in June</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKoSoXLEptXGgWL7IXx_R89wJH5fBJDXD81hhk178E2HUqCd_JJFCng86pzFVl_jMVnJPQO6aciLSp6q3y6NDTaUEgOJXD3nio5_VGeb8L9gdt5wvmaxnL1zt5PA3-DjzCbEQIiJUOX5x/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKoSoXLEptXGgWL7IXx_R89wJH5fBJDXD81hhk178E2HUqCd_JJFCng86pzFVl_jMVnJPQO6aciLSp6q3y6NDTaUEgOJXD3nio5_VGeb8L9gdt5wvmaxnL1zt5PA3-DjzCbEQIiJUOX5x/s400/DSC_0564.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"> It's hard to recognize but they are nuphar japonica (河骨)</span></div>
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Take good care of yourself, friends. I hope you are having a nice summer season.</div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-57912133637573409562013-05-13T17:45:00.000+09:002014-11-07T08:46:34.439+09:00Radiance in the Newborns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now is the time
everything looks brilliant. I feel the pleasant breeze with fresh</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> leaves and flowers swaying and bowing. Roses in my garden are about to bloom.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it unfurled now</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> What shall I call
thee?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> “I happy am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Joy is my name”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Sweet joy befall
thee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Sweet joy I call
thee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Thou dost smile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> I sing the while<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> Sweet joy befall
thee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> (from Infant Joy
by William Blake, thank you for introducing ,<a href="http://forest-lair.blogspot.jp/2013/04/william-blake.html#comment-form">Ekaterina</a>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">His fresh mom
breastfeeds and holds him in her arms as often and as much as he wants. She
uses cloth diapers to reuse them. To see cloth diapers being hung out brought back good old memories of mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in March</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">My husband and I wanted
to plant a tree in celebration of his birth and came across </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">源平しだれ桃</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">( weeping red and white peach tree). It has
red and white and mixed colored blossoms from one single tree. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Peach flowers for
a boy? Aren't they for girls for a peach festival? Oh, don’t forget there’s a famous fairy tale Momotaro, Peach Boy, who is
courageous enough to go out to wipe out ogres. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Multi colored blossoms are
frivolous? I don’t care. A combination of a red and white color gives a festive
appearance and has been traditionally used in happy, congratulatory occasions such as a form of 饅頭(Japanese sweets) or a curtain whose pattern is vertical red and
white stripe. We are looking forward to seeing this tree growing as he is .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5hVzUeEA3fZwExibL6X-qnXltkyxE_nDjX8TCz09eBAYJ_flqgrYXsqH96zigRftsS7zoXhomxB_aqDhC8l3C25XtIMfhvje8QDvGTTePf4IOlE9wWvnAInL8FtkCmJqqkHL-hkYbXOT/s1600/DSC_0140+(640x424).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5hVzUeEA3fZwExibL6X-qnXltkyxE_nDjX8TCz09eBAYJ_flqgrYXsqH96zigRftsS7zoXhomxB_aqDhC8l3C25XtIMfhvje8QDvGTTePf4IOlE9wWvnAInL8FtkCmJqqkHL-hkYbXOT/s400/DSC_0140+(640x424).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">A newborn infant
is called Aka-chan (Dear Red) here because of their reddish skin, just like these
young leaves of the maple tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Coo enjoys playing outside for a while; nosing around
or chasing flies, ended up falling over flower beds, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">spoiling flowers...</span><br />
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-66701137637648917292013-03-14T00:04:00.000+09:002013-04-23T10:05:24.643+09:00An Island of Modern Arts and Architectures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Last month, my
father passed away. Never did I expect him to be gone so sudden. Old as he was,
he still drove for himself or enjoyed playing Go</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(囲碁)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">or singing a song in karaoke at the
gathering. On the previous day when he was found dead at home by a visiting care taker, I had visited him as usual. There seemed nothing unusual about him. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It was
a heart attack, however, his face was so calm and peaceful. The thing he saw last might
have been my mother’s smile, who had died 14 months before.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I still can’t
believe he is not here anymore but the thought that he is rest in peace with my
mother helps me feel happy for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">And then this
month, my daughter gave birth to a baby boy. I feel life is passed down and
continues. She and a baby will stay at my house for a while after they leave hospital
tomorrow. I’m excited and thankful that a new life brings pleasure and liveliness again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">During this wonder
of life and death spiral, I visited Naoshima, one of small islands in Inland Sea
of Japan. One thing that makes it popular is a combination of quiet, beautiful seascape and modern arts based on the concept
“coexistence of nature, architecture and art” in </span><a href="http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/benessehouse/" style="font-size: 11pt;">Benesse Art Site Naoshima</a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
stayed at<a href="http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/benessehouse-museum/index.html"> </a></span><a href="http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/benessehouse-museum/index.html">Benesse House Museum</a>, <span style="font-size: 11pt;">which is one of four accommodation facilities and the building itself is a
museum designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadao_Ando">Tadao Ando.</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Honestly speaking,
I don't think I have an eye for arts and had wondered why modern arts and architectures in natural island? Besides, I had a preoccupied idea that modern art was something not easy to appreciate. I had expected that at least I would be able to enjoy seascape and seafood in the quiet surroundings. However, unexpectedly this time I came to
like that strange but comfortable feeling I had in a different world far from everyday life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">There are several art museums in the site. Both inside and outside
of the museums, the installation works in space and surroundings with not so many visitors because of off season gave me an opportunity to feel a sense of infinity, profundity and fluidity of nature and face to myself. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a picture of<a href="http://www.benesse-artsite.jp/en/chichu/index.html"> Chichu Art Museum</a> (underground museum so that it won't affect the appearance of the island) from the air by Iwan Baan. Pictures are not allowed inside. I especially was drawn by the works of James Turrell, titled Open Field where he presents light in itself as art.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the site, you can come across various sculptures installed in the open air.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> At Naoshima port, this pumpkin made </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama" style="font-size: 11pt;">Yayoi Kusama</a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> welcomed us visitors.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q4urXJ3dEF-TnXTvdyPsc0Y28FWPb7V6nE5kKNqcDfYAxqz3cbQotllmO8Yb-5ZL72RVGYaX1iKexdm2QZXECzExl0-zTU2PVarOcAv6gIS0X9SX9aGoOcsMmWnd1W6n8QUxzPD4xflt/s1600/DSC_0075+(800x530)+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q4urXJ3dEF-TnXTvdyPsc0Y28FWPb7V6nE5kKNqcDfYAxqz3cbQotllmO8Yb-5ZL72RVGYaX1iKexdm2QZXECzExl0-zTU2PVarOcAv6gIS0X9SX9aGoOcsMmWnd1W6n8QUxzPD4xflt/s320/DSC_0075+(800x530)+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0NxUFwM2XCmEtvwkIRAvwDUEFg8AG-ph7Qy8wvTw1u2XqchG6a3O6NKSdxZjh35Gn2pYGNQSTD_9PfPqzlH5a4CEqI3GvYsYa8giO6t8SNIo6a5_1xYonT9mlkuC7HY5XegF-vAQ_tBM/s1600/DSC_0067+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0NxUFwM2XCmEtvwkIRAvwDUEFg8AG-ph7Qy8wvTw1u2XqchG6a3O6NKSdxZjh35Gn2pYGNQSTD_9PfPqzlH5a4CEqI3GvYsYa8giO6t8SNIo6a5_1xYonT9mlkuC7HY5XegF-vAQ_tBM/s320/DSC_0067+(800x530).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Conversation by Niki de Saint Phalla</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE7rVB9FdUHzTJLXxO5e6jIsiSugNMdM6myTeZrpNfJXg-7BnO0XCR3rB9MYrPkw7lIK6_Ikp1BhNrhJoFTC9O021VPDG_rv97wlJ1qHNIbUjvTzkOlfPQSXwlMWEftkFWlIpmTh8kqah/s1600/DSC_0107+(800x522).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE7rVB9FdUHzTJLXxO5e6jIsiSugNMdM6myTeZrpNfJXg-7BnO0XCR3rB9MYrPkw7lIK6_Ikp1BhNrhJoFTC9O021VPDG_rv97wlJ1qHNIbUjvTzkOlfPQSXwlMWEftkFWlIpmTh8kqah/s320/DSC_0107+(800x522).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art work by me? You can see Great Seto Bridge over there.<br />
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These birds are real.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> Tankers, ferries, fishing boats are coming and going.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It really was a good break for me. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It was far more
interesting and fascinating than I had expected it would be. I came to realize art works are to feel with our own association and imagination. When I found something touching at my heart</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> in them, I was really into them.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Well, I shouldn't forget to say that the hotel meals were exquisitely good.</span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m afraid I don’t
have much time to spend at computer for a while but I’m enjoying visiting
your posts from time to time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-82755133268100764072013-01-22T21:44:00.000+09:002013-04-10T09:10:34.648+09:00Sweetness in Winter Landscape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We just have
passed Daikan ( </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">大寒</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">; literally the coldest day of the year according to the 24 seasonal
divisions of a year in the old lunar calendar) and now </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">we are in the dead of winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In this frigid air,
however, narcissuses are in bloom, all the more beautiful for the colorless landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-09XJoEajPzl4C3RgRnhzwG8Ezm38mOpihgDS4QJcYH4tpVadpBlGA4e0zPr3AhQH6hq99G7M6Aj7Lf14adbH0z5La73TcML4qngs9tU1LCrpWWAF4eKE0wS1f2goIcgjSX6kWSTRAnfT/s1600/DSC_0338+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-09XJoEajPzl4C3RgRnhzwG8Ezm38mOpihgDS4QJcYH4tpVadpBlGA4e0zPr3AhQH6hq99G7M6Aj7Lf14adbH0z5La73TcML4qngs9tU1LCrpWWAF4eKE0wS1f2goIcgjSX6kWSTRAnfT/s400/DSC_0338+(800x530).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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shimmer of hope and joy</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Here at
Nada-kuroiwa</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(灘黒岩水仙郷)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">in Awaji Island, 5 million wild narcissuses are
growing in the southern slope of Mt,Yuzuruha (608m) that cover an area of 7 hectares. They are cascading down the hillside overlooking the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The contrast of
white petals and yellow coronas looks so clear and crisp with green stalk and
leaves standing straight. Like Ume(Japanese apricot) blossoms, they also seem to show resilience
and endurance in the face of hardship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Among visitors, I found an aged woman with a
stick whose back was bent with age trudging up the gradual slope. Her son accompanied
her. I overheard she was 95 years old. At last her son carried her on his back
to the observation platform. How she was grateful to him for bringing her to
that scenic place. She must have been very happy to enjoy lovely flowers and
got energized a lot.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The sea looked like
a shimmered metallic fabric by a soft beams of sun light through clouds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Nushima island (沼島) seen over there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> the fishing boat
gliding across the calm inland sea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Akashi Kaikyo Ōhashi(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">明石海峡大橋</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">); the longest suspension bridge in the world
at 1991 meter, connecting the city of Kobe and Awaji Island</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> on the way back, from inside the car</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">You can enjoy full bloom till the middle of February. Spring is not so far away.</span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-42994629020469187452012-12-24T15:19:00.000+09:002013-01-30T10:49:21.845+09:00The Rhythm of A Heart Beat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Today is Christmas Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How are you spending?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Well the other
day, I got a Christmas present in advance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I love Japanese
drum</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">taiko</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and have long wanted to see<a href="http://www.kodo.or.jp/general/index_en.html"> Kodō</a></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif";"><a href="http://www.kodo.or.jp/general/index_en.html" style="font-size: 12pt;">(鼓童)</a><span style="font-size: small;">;</span>I'd really like you to see this fabulous promotion video to have a glimpse of their performance.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to<a href="http://rurousha.blogspot.jp/2012/10/the-power-of-kodo-live-on-stage.html"> Rurousha's post, </a>I found there would be a performance at Amagasaki, Hyogo prefecture in December and </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;">my dream came true.</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Kodō</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(鼓童)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">means the child of taiko; coined word by
one of the original members of the group and it also means the rhythm of a
heart beating; kodō(</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">鼓動</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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all images are from handouts</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqT98Ssju43may_Iyw-0MwbgFR_tvz0B-qFe00fMx_LHD6FdOnwGAEtwcwtcW4qTB46ioIcJzbPFbS7IgHOZlLfkUKiXuyyDorLD-PHFw82KzMS1GYAmou1UgPGGrsiCkSAZ-9tRRlX1P/s1600/P1000267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqT98Ssju43may_Iyw-0MwbgFR_tvz0B-qFe00fMx_LHD6FdOnwGAEtwcwtcW4qTB46ioIcJzbPFbS7IgHOZlLfkUKiXuyyDorLD-PHFw82KzMS1GYAmou1UgPGGrsiCkSAZ-9tRRlX1P/s400/P1000267.JPG" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Since their debut
at the Berlin Festival in 1981</span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">、</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Kodō has given over 3500 performances in 46
countries, spending a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan, and
a third on Sado Island, home to the group off Japan’s northeast coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the first half stage, I surrendered myself to the swaying and evolving percussive sound produced
from various taiko drums, starting delicate tender sound to a crescendo like a
swell of ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6vrMrxhe68DSIP5E6KaW3fYh926CtEKqCtVBvcehcaQ9qJc3F9qY8s8lkMg_RW9kBabRJs-dxpGBwP7VxOk4KQbTWAtJ6GJNajb47RYBhVJKqERIK_E63uP3wjcwiHmI2PnnhW7qSLdk/s1600/P1000273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6vrMrxhe68DSIP5E6KaW3fYh926CtEKqCtVBvcehcaQ9qJc3F9qY8s8lkMg_RW9kBabRJs-dxpGBwP7VxOk4KQbTWAtJ6GJNajb47RYBhVJKqERIK_E63uP3wjcwiHmI2PnnhW7qSLdk/s640/P1000273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The second half
featured soloists striking group’s hallmark giant taiko. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They beat the
taiko as an innocent child just keeping beating, or an ascetic practitioner accomplishing complete combustion of life. A
forceful and powerful performance by each soloist while stirring himself with
loud encouraging voice, reverberated through marrow of my bones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4iTrSpqtWqSPApvT0w_sc719d4dRVdz-lr5WFplaTJwBODwyVZw-6mfcxwBdZBM9zC5nH5chGUFbsSFZ9gea24KA7b4IhPmPqbI-qa6VJAHPVIBLbjxDq6PJlsOwHO2NPPgP466i3piS/s1600/P1000272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4iTrSpqtWqSPApvT0w_sc719d4dRVdz-lr5WFplaTJwBODwyVZw-6mfcxwBdZBM9zC5nH5chGUFbsSFZ9gea24KA7b4IhPmPqbI-qa6VJAHPVIBLbjxDq6PJlsOwHO2NPPgP466i3piS/s400/P1000272.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The publication of
the group says “the sound of the giant taiko is said to resemble a mother’s
heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled
asleep by its thunderous vibrations”. I’d really like to find out if it’s true
or not but it may partly explain why I am drawn to a Japanese taiko. Thunderous
as it may be heard, the sound of taiko made out of hundreds-year-old wood has
somehow intrinsic warmth and nostalgia as a taiko has been closely related to rituals and
festive activities since old times. I remember the remote sound of one I heard when I was small.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before I knew it,
two hours passed. Their beaming bright smiles on their faces at the curtain call</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">were so impressive. (Thank you,
redrose, for your company that day) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hE9d0oWpWQU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At home, my source
of healing is here.</span></div>
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home sweet home <br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">Thank you for stopping by my blog, dear friends. I've been very happy and thankful to have you here with me.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">I wish all of you wonderful winter holidays and a Happy New Year!</span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-68902479938851173122012-11-26T22:20:00.000+09:002012-12-27T16:45:45.774+09:00Keihanna Commemorative Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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research, arts as well as to promote new industries in 1995. It is located in a
border region between Kyoto, Osaka and Nara prefecture, so it is also called </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">けいはんな</span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 11pt;">学研都市 (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Keihanna Gakken</span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Toshi)</span></div>
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always make me feel like I was driving somewhere in a foreign country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">けいはんな記念公園</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> (Keihanna
Commemorative Park) was also opened to commemorate the establishment then. It is
about 20 minutes’ drive from my house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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park consists of another park </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">called </span><span style="font-family: "MS ゴシック"; font-size: 11pt;">水景園</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> (Suikei-en)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> which features water scenery and natural grove to
explore and wander. I’d be happy if you enjoy seeing some of beauties I introduce
here, though I know you are admiring your gorgeous autumn color yourself now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Through
a framework of metal lattice architecture of a pier of the pedestrian bridge, you can see big granite
rocks and maple trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here larvae of fireflies are raised so if you are lucky
enough, you can see fireflies flying and flickering in late May or early June.</span></div>
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This bridge is called 観月橋 (the moon viewing bridge) and on the harvest moon, there is an event to enjoy the beautiful moon with some music concert.</div>
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a small plot inside Suikei-en, where they grow rice and provide small children with
traditional agricultural experiences to plant and reap rice. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS ゴシック"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When I was small,
the sight where reaped rice was being dried under the sun for some time like this was
quite familiar in my neighborhood. I remember well that a</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> winnowing wind blew off chaffs of rice out of a thresher and made a pile of them in no time. I wonder how many of you know about it.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">I wondered what it
was that looked like floating object in the air at the upper left of the
picture at first. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US">It is a street lamp, maybe or maybe not. <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-62076052223916705112012-11-06T14:58:00.000+09:002012-11-27T14:29:59.454+09:00Autumn Tints in Tenkawa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bright sunlight and cool air at night these days was giving me itchy feet and went out for autumn colors. First place in my mind was Mitarai gorge in Tenkawa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, it was not anywhere near enough to be aflame with red and yellow leaves and yet some of them were brown and dried. Severe lingering summer heat this year might've something to do with it , I wonder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What caught my eyes among others was this cobalt blue stream down below the trail seen through trees.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm afraid these shots did not do it justice. Its blueness was breathtakingly beautiful with </span><span style="font-size: large;">leaves floating on it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the way to the top of Kannonmine (観音峰)、these moss green velvets were gleaming.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUVptVLuCmgRaEmdVMPuTtd_JlkR5QkGKTndtC0hah9KhLfXY_u_sy520pUR7U8GohLzD6GzAo0Cwh9MlIw_BWESuvZCa9pkucZpLrkgDvQnrsd-bAj8BRStLE1LMfn3VEKAlkkSGPrVS/s1600/DSC_0451+(530x800).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUVptVLuCmgRaEmdVMPuTtd_JlkR5QkGKTndtC0hah9KhLfXY_u_sy520pUR7U8GohLzD6GzAo0Cwh9MlIw_BWESuvZCa9pkucZpLrkgDvQnrsd-bAj8BRStLE1LMfn3VEKAlkkSGPrVS/s400/DSC_0451+(530x800).jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">ceaseless water trickling over the rock welling from the underground of temperate forest</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">susuki seeing off the plane drawing white line in the blue sky</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As autumn is getting deeper, it will show us its best before entering its dormancy.</span></div>
cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-74064606595229806552012-10-09T17:07:00.003+09:002012-11-27T14:33:39.178+09:00In Autumn Landscape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Susuki (Japanese
pampas grass or Miscanthus sinensis) is starting to bloom at <a href="http://www.kasugano.com/kankou/autumn/sonikougen.html">曽爾高原</a> (Soni Heights).
Susuki, once called Obana (tail flower) has been popular as one of seven autumn
flowers here. They say “susu” means to thrive upright and “ki” to
burgeon forth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The language of this
flower is “can relate to”; I really felt relaxed and grateful for the landscape
spreading before me. I was impressed with a little girl, supposedly around two or
three years old, toddled her way up to the ridge for herself, holding hands of
her mother, encouraged by her family. What a charming and lovely sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I am sure she is a
potential Yama-girl (mountain lover).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> On the side of the hill, there is a pond called Okame-ike (turtle pond),</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> however, there is no turtle there, it’s a marsh. It just looks like a </span></div>
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This shot was taken from afar in summer last year.</div>
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Soni Heights is easily recognized by its characteristic figure with no trees among mountain ranges.</div>
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You can see a national lodge vaguely in the middle of the shot.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"> pretty flowers around the marsh</span></div>
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アキノキリンソウ(akinokirinso)</div>
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shining and swaying silver ears and blades bathed in morning sunshine</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> Soft lines on the slopes are covered with flannel like clothes.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In the middle of
March every year, they burn those grassfields to promote burgeon of new grass
so in summer this highland is filled with fresh green grass, besides those ashes
are eco-friendly fertilizer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> There is a national lodge on the hillside. The other side of the ridge </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> is coniferous forests so the ridge is lined with trees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">These simple tone of colors can make a lovely spectacular landscape. You can enjoy walking under a </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px;">clear sky seeing the beautiful autumn scene, besides you can enjoy fresh organic food and beer offered by the nearby restaurant.</span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-84812934116558781512012-08-30T21:22:00.000+09:002012-11-27T14:36:23.646+09:00 What Is Singing the Song?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ9DiqeuU2NXUBkDdNpz6LplDdYYDjcgtUHe8CoACOr_HcsUyNWJ9IJe5YecsCJ5Fv2Km2AmqIlCJjns-uDwF-LfM4sIJRB-2VzCsAXBq6VeBRRkyRFvvN8yYnXyeUN6koHDotBNbF74U/s1600/250px-Tanna_japonensis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ9DiqeuU2NXUBkDdNpz6LplDdYYDjcgtUHe8CoACOr_HcsUyNWJ9IJe5YecsCJ5Fv2Km2AmqIlCJjns-uDwF-LfM4sIJRB-2VzCsAXBq6VeBRRkyRFvvN8yYnXyeUN6koHDotBNbF74U/s1600/250px-Tanna_japonensis.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image from Wikipedia</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">During the daytime
I hear cicadas droning on and severe lingering heat is forecast for the week
ahead. However, I feel the sign of autumn among their voices. In the evening I
hear</span><span id="goog_107483335" style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> higurashi </span><span id="goog_107483336" style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(evening cicada, Tanna Japonensis) singing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Actually they
started to appear as early as from June but they can be heard most often when
the temperature drops or when it becomes cloudy around this time of the year
usually in the evening or early morning. Because of this, higurashi is a word
associated with autumn in poetry.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PoJ0PTnzbjU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Speaking of clear,
beautiful voice, I remember when I heard the song with a beautiful resonant
tone in the wooded hills in Tenkawa, Yoshino, where a clear stream ran nearby. I
thought it was a birdsong. To my great surprise, a friend of mine said it was a
frog! A frog?! What came to my mind was the memory of the croak in chorus from
the rice paddy fields as a child. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Anyway, why don't you listen to this first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I was so ignorant but I knew this was a
species of frog called 河鹿蛙 (kajika frog)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">, endemic to Japan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">As you might think, contrary to its
beautiful voice, the appearance is sober and rugged and develops protective
coloration dapple. Its natural habitat is temperate forests and streams. The
beautiful song is courtship display during April to July. However, their
desperate courtship doesn't always pay off because of fewer population of female
ones. It’s not an easy job to find mates for them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">みたらい渓谷</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">(Mitarai gorge) in Tenkawa with several falls, huge
oddly shaped rocks and crystalline water in the stream is my favorite
destination. In autumn this area turns into a breathtaking tints. (<a href="http://cosmosenglishwritingblog.blogspot.jp/2011/11/autumn-feast.html">autumn last year</a>)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It was slightly
raining and the raindrops made tiny splashes on the clear quiet water. It was
really like water fairies were dancing merrily on the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This is a
suspension bridge called </span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">哀伝橋</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> ( sorrow passing bridge). This secluded mountain area in Yoshino was and is a
religious homeplace for Shugendo practitioners but at the same time it was once a refuge for political losers
who attempted a comeback but in vain. It has been steeped in a wealth of history and legends. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Now it has become a
popular place many hikers visit all through the year. At downstream basin, families or people on holidays were having fun in the river though it was a bit cooler to bathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com39 奈良県吉野郡天川村34.2419093 135.855149434.1368993 135.6972209 34.3469193 136.01307789999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-61995933707713650832012-08-02T00:16:00.003+09:002014-05-12T22:51:00.232+09:00Alpine Meadow and Aqua Fairy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">It would be a shame not to enjoy the blessing of nature to make an escape from heat waves we are now in. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: MS Pゴシック;"> </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">At the top of Mt. Ibuki (1337m), the alpine meadow is now the best season for various wild flowers. ( related post is<a href="http://cosmosenglishwritingblog.blogspot.jp/2010/08/flower-field-at-mt-ibuki.html"> here</a>)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRtdLeE_BXk0weccNBz_cBude5FFdOo2yIav3lpuQTlHYC1s2RJK10gjLSTmkAy9woNDdooEt5KKF7tLLzixz_ox3aTIboLVwfI7-k9-quzLKXjF1yc7kPpUbsObi7UcjD_aQBU7KO_Y1/s1600/DSC_0075+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRtdLeE_BXk0weccNBz_cBude5FFdOo2yIav3lpuQTlHYC1s2RJK10gjLSTmkAy9woNDdooEt5KKF7tLLzixz_ox3aTIboLVwfI7-k9-quzLKXjF1yc7kPpUbsObi7UcjD_aQBU7KO_Y1/s400/DSC_0075+(800x530).jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">クガイソウ(kugaisō) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">メタカラコウ(metakarakō)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEtxVEnmDGYgh_X4h2YwclYnpI0NHdRWpRobKv_jcOAdWQhyvB9ossIT3Oh23ZOWK9D7gnrmsSvxmPvMw8W8DpdCxl-dKKnE9cexHXBahlxdVBDzak48jLCCvrEE-14TvhVMPESi1UWXI/s1600/DSC_0132+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEtxVEnmDGYgh_X4h2YwclYnpI0NHdRWpRobKv_jcOAdWQhyvB9ossIT3Oh23ZOWK9D7gnrmsSvxmPvMw8W8DpdCxl-dKKnE9cexHXBahlxdVBDzak48jLCCvrEE-14TvhVMPESi1UWXI/s640/DSC_0132+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ミヤマコアザミ(miyamakoazami) シシウド(shishiudo)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">イブキトラノオ (ibukitoranoo)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Century; font-size: large;">If you are lucky enough, you can see the whole Lake Biwa, the biggest lake in Japan, below from the western slope of the mountain. When I went there, it was a poor visibilty but several photographers were waiting patiently for the fog to disperse.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">メタカラコウ(metakarakō)</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Century;">キバナカワラマツバ、オオバギボウシ</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxz7TkLm-qdsRm0f6gqksXkZ4OrY3kpl5JQR6reGWQUrJkjOqw4mb7J1Qn79zL1m9Au9nJM7ajNROXdR5BY6SUBQZ9kOrSueCAilorTN_AruSE996AT0XQATm54L77qyqlI8QO0X4nUKX/s1600/DSC_0117+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxz7TkLm-qdsRm0f6gqksXkZ4OrY3kpl5JQR6reGWQUrJkjOqw4mb7J1Qn79zL1m9Au9nJM7ajNROXdR5BY6SUBQZ9kOrSueCAilorTN_AruSE996AT0XQATm54L77qyqlI8QO0X4nUKX/s320/DSC_0117+%2528800x530%2529.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">The alpine meadow here has been known as a depository of medicinal herbs since early times. Back to the time of </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">織田信長(</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Oda Nobunaga, 1534~1582</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">, he ordered Portuguese missionary to bring medicinal herbs from Europe and transplant them in the field of Mt. Ibuki. . I happened to see </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">キバナノレンリソウ </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">(kibana-no-renriso, meadow vetchling</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span style="font-size: large;">,which is thought to have come along at that time and to have become native to this place.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The temperature is 8 to 10 degrees lower here. Besides, occasional mists rising from the bottom is a natural air conditioner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Century;"><span lang="EN-US">On the way home from it, </span><span lang="EN-US">I stopped by </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">醒井</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">(Samegai), where it used to flourish as the 61<sup>st</sup> inn town of </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">中山道</span><span style="font-family: Century;"> <span lang="EN-US">(Nakasendo): one of the two routes that connected Edo, the present Tokyo, and Kyoto in Edo period (1603~1867). There still have old houses and streets that remind you of those days, however, what attracts visitors here now is </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">梅花藻(</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">baika-mo; water weed which have tiny little flowers like Japanese apricot flower</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;">.<span style="font-size: large;"> They only grow in a crystal clear stream so you can see them at only limited places in Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDNReg0mjgsGv87unfcmTUAZfLYFoYsi1aHd6lBlqNNLRmCMKvI7ldEkO-I7-jCSF-r6WT7cKIHnL6YHvc6mat9Kxf-6bVCoOt6Q6NKxXSceRPMXe1dO48z1sm7EgK8XfH8hClRRsq70i/s1600/DSC_0176+(800x530).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDNReg0mjgsGv87unfcmTUAZfLYFoYsi1aHd6lBlqNNLRmCMKvI7ldEkO-I7-jCSF-r6WT7cKIHnL6YHvc6mat9Kxf-6bVCoOt6Q6NKxXSceRPMXe1dO48z1sm7EgK8XfH8hClRRsq70i/s640/DSC_0176+(800x530).jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mingled with reflection of potted flowers on the bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was not able to capture the detailed<br />
picture of the flowers under water,<br />
so this image is from <a href="http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%90%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AB%E3%83%A2">here</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">地蔵川(</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">Jizo River</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">where they grow is not a big river and local people use it to cool water melons, tomatoes, or </span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ラムネ(</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;">bottled lemonade</span></span><span style="font-family: "MS 明朝","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family: Century; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Century; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">)</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Century;"> for sale. There are some small bridges over the stream and I found several Sunday painters and photographers enjoying spending their own times leisurely on the bridges. I felt I was in a different time and place in that special district.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Century;"> A dog, while taking a walk, can't resist playing in the river.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">居醒の清水(Isame-no-shimizu) is a water-spring where Jizo River flows from. A legend says it was where 日本武尊 (Yamato Takeru) recovered his health by cooling off in the water after wounded in fighting against the god of Mt. Ibuki. He was said to name the place Isame-no-shimizu.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCqEYgqnqBI">地蔵川の梅花藻</a><br />
(baika-mo at Jizo River)<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=i1Wfe4-XCcQ">伊吹山の花畑</a><br />
(alpine meadow at Mt. Ibuki)<br />
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-60280060981056734762012-07-02T17:14:00.017+09:002013-10-10T08:38:19.786+09:00Mt. Miwa, Passed Down in Myths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">In ancient time, lots of wild lilies whose ancient name was Sai or Saikusa (sasayuri, lilium japonicum) used to be thriving around Sai-river (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">狭井川</span><span lang="EN-US">) at the foot of Mt.Miwa. This is where legendary first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu came across the maiden and fell in love with her. She was a daughter of Ōmononushi who was believed to be a deity residing in Mt. Miwa according to the myth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Saikusa Festival (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">三枝祭</span><span lang="EN-US">) is held on June 17 every year in honor of her at Isagawa shrine (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">率川神社</span><span lang="EN-US">), an auxiliary shrine where she has been dedicated to and Sasayuri grown at her birth place are sent for that ceremony. Due to the change of environment, it has become difficult they grow naturally so most of them have been cultivated there.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nara-np.co.jp/20120618102241.html"> image from Wikipedia</a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> Mt. Miwa seen from Yamanobe-no-michi (last autumn)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Speaking of Ōmiwa shrine</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">(大神神社)</span><span lang="EN-US">or also called Miwa shrine</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">(三輪神社)</span><span lang="EN-US">, my previous post is <a href="http://cosmosenglishwritingblog.blogspot.jp/2011/09/oldest-extant-shinto-shrine-in-japan.html">here</a>, it is a prominent example of mountain worship and ancient snake cult. Snakes were widely revered as a water deity and thunder deity as well in Japanese myths surrounding Mt. Miwa as well as early Shinto in general. Here is a very famous story written in Kojiki, an ancient chronicle, as follows;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Long time ago, there lived a beautiful lady. An unidentified noble man visited her every night and soon she became pregnant. Her parents wondered who he was and advised her to tie a hemp thread with a pin to his clothes. The following morning, the hemp thread was found to go out of the house through the keyhole of the door and all the way to Mt.Miwa and stop in front of the shrine in the mountain. </span>Here it gives a hint that he is a deity and a snake, however, in another two ladies stories, he is described clearly as a snake.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naraliving.com/special/spe_120330.html"><span id="goog_53228595"></span>image from Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway Kojiki says there were only three coils of the thread left on the reel and from this incident, this place has been called Miwa (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">三輪、</span><span lang="EN-US">three rings) ever since.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are three beauties loved by this deity according to the chronicles. The controversial Hashihaka Kofun (old tomb) is said to be one of theirs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sight of snakes makes me creep all over but this weird appearance, regeneration</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">by their molting or their wavy movements or an image of fertility must have inspired people with a sense of awe, something unworldly power.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">There is a scenic view point at the foot of Mt. Miwa called 大</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">美和の杜</span> <span lang="EN-US">(Ōmiwa grove).</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">You can see a breathtaking view of Yamato basin in a westward direction where there once was Fujiwara Palace. I'd like to take a picture of sunset from here again.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"> <span style="font-size: large;">Looking back, you can see the beautiful figure of Mt. Miwa</span> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihruMEQqvoNfwOOfiXBRY4K5OmBwIkIQ1CNJZoPvRvFBp_YhgFYE-IB2ed8WiA6OwELyeaB79phFIT_NjpaZp10PdQgN5JE64pJtoP9XbMohLgcfO1-tFbsgqFLZayBA0PBakKb_qQmPFX/s1600/P1010797+(800x456).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihruMEQqvoNfwOOfiXBRY4K5OmBwIkIQ1CNJZoPvRvFBp_YhgFYE-IB2ed8WiA6OwELyeaB79phFIT_NjpaZp10PdQgN5JE64pJtoP9XbMohLgcfO1-tFbsgqFLZayBA0PBakKb_qQmPFX/s400/P1010797+(800x456).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I saw butterflies fluttering from flowers to flowers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;">In Greek, butterfly is called psyche and inspired by butterfly’s power of transformation, the word also means the soul. I remembered Greek myth,<span id="goog_1739397795"></span><span id="goog_661843319"></span> </span><a href="http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/psyche.html"><span style="font-size: large;">a story of Psyche and Eros.<span id="goog_1739397796"></span> </span></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;">Here in some region, they are also believed to carry souls. I felt as if those butterflies happily invited me to the ancient world.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-49955715341971836162012-05-28T16:31:00.010+09:002014-10-27T18:36:06.925+09:00Driving to the Village Clothed in Verdure<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totsukawa,_Nara">Totsukawa</a> is a village located in Yoshino, southernmost part of Nara. It is the largest village in Japan in terms of land area, which consists of forest (96% of the area) and water.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Driving down passing through mountains and mountains covered with fresh green and along the river all the way for less than three hours, my husband and I reached the bridge, one of Japan’s longest suspension bridges for pedestrians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It was built in 1954, which was 54 m high and 297m long. Local residents in the village donated 200,000</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">~</span><span lang="EN-US">300,000 yen per family to build the bridge for their daily use. It must’ve been quite a sum in those days. They use it daily but it also has become one of visitors attractions there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The warning sign says that we should follow the restriction;“20 persons at most at one time”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Pieces of wooden planks are fixed on the meshed iron wires. In the middle of the bridge it is quite shaky so I hear some couldn't make it to the other end of it. I didn’t feel scared, maybe because I’m used to walking a tightrope !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">However, I was surprised to hear some local people cross it by bike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> Totsukawa or Kumano River under the bridge</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> karasuageha or chinese peacock</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> Totsukawa village </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Then we extended our driving to Tamaki Shrine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It has stood for 1300 years at an altitude of 1000 meters in the mountains surrounded with big cedar trees, one of which is estimated to be 3000 years old. The legendary first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, is said to have stopped here and prayed for victory, on his way to eastward expedition (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">神武東征</span><span lang="EN-US">). He was led by a legendary crow named Yatagarasu (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif;">八咫烏).</span><span lang="EN-US">The whole area was wrapped with solemn and deep stillness when I visited there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"> mountains seen from Mt. Tamaki (1076m)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Here is <span id="goog_1157525551"></span><a href="http://nara.utsukushiki-nippon.jp/contents/06/">Youtube</a> about Tamaki Shrine, narrated by Naomi Kawase</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">, who is a film director, the youngest winner of the best new director at 1997 Canne Films Festival for her first 35 mm film. Her film making mostly has been based on rural region of Nara.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">She says a prayer is not a request for something in return. When you feel the aura that flows in and is generated by the natural world, your prayer may come naturally to your heart.</span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-42996547368582094152012-05-04T16:55:00.016+09:002012-09-24T07:22:50.710+09:00Mount Kōya for Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.murouji.or.jp/index.html">Murōji Temple </a>in Nara lies on the mountainside of Mount.Murō whose conic figure is likened to a bud of lotus flowers. Different from many other temples of that time, women were admitted to it so this temple is known as 女人高野 (nyonin- Kōya)</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">; Mount Kōya for Women. While passing down a various cultural heritage, it also has been showing quiet beauty in harmony with nature in every season.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Especially shakunage (Rhododendron) featuring the precincts at this time of the year has attracted visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">shibazakura;moss phlox, on the bank on the way to the gate</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">According to the extant record kept by the temple, a successful ritual praying to Rūjin ( dragon deity, deity of water), who was supposed to live deep in the mountain stream, for Prince Yamabe ( later to become Emperor Kammu) to cure the disease made a monk of Kōfukuji temple build a temple on this site as the imperial court order. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">It’s quite understandable people believed and revered some mystic power in the place like this surrounded with a deep mountain and clear stream. They have also done a ritual for rain here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> Kondo ( national treasure, early Heian Period )</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Five storied pagoda (national treasure), the smallest kind standing in the open air, remains from 9<sup>th</sup> century, the second oldest to that of Hōryūji Temple. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanazuo (Chinese redbud )</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Its finial form is rare; there’s a pot-like<i> Hobyo</i> instead of <i>Suien</i> and a canopy like an umbrella over it. The right side picture from wikipedia shows the usual style of finial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">The extant record says<i> Rūjin</i> was kept in <i>Hobyo</i> by the monk who was in charge of building the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Passing by the pagoda, you are into the pass leading to </span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 11pt;">奥の院</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">( Okunoin), </span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 11pt;">御影堂</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">(Mieido), dedicated to Kūkai and stilted building called </span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 11pt;">位牌堂</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">(Ihaido).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">You have to climb up around 400 stone steps to reach there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ihaido</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to be more careful in stepping down the stairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hondo ( national treasure)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red gate</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">I was lucky enough to visit here this time; to see the flowers in their prime time and what’s more, I was given an unexpected free gift as the 500<sup>th</sup> visitor during the event, however I don’t know what event and since when, considering the relatively small number. Anyway I was happy to get a delicacy made of fresh local product.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-59963163116321269562012-04-09T20:24:00.005+09:002012-06-12T13:26:16.798+09:00A Miracle Maker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Well actually I’m not talking about Sakura, cherry blossoms, or the "miracle worker", Anne Sullivan here. However, this weeping cherry tree in the garden of the Museum Yamato Bunka-kan (</span><span style="font-family: 'MS 明朝', serif; font-size: 11pt;">大和文華館</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">) in Nara is now so full in bloom, I’d like to show some of the pictures of it I took today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">This tree grew from a cutting taken from a weeping cherry tree in Fukushima -<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miharu_Takizakura"> Miharu Takizakura</a>- 30 years ago. Fortunately the mother cherry tree was not damaged by earthquake and tsunami last year. It is expected to blossom later than its child here. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">I didn’t know the museum was closed today but as luck would have it, a guard let me in just to see the garden. There were none but a couple of people and I had the tree all to myself. This was the first time I saw it; what is better, it was in full bloom! I couldn’t help thinking of its home when I saw it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">Well, where does “miracle maker” come in? I'm glad you asked!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">These days, I have been thinking about subconscious mind. I read some Japanese books which introduce<a href="http://josephmurphy.wwwhubs.com/"> Dr. Joseph Murphy’s</a> (1898-1981) idea of the “Golden Rule”: your life is what you imagine it will be, or what you believe makes you who you are. It’s about how to tap the infinite power of the subconscious mind in daily affairs or in business by showing a lot of examples and practical methods for achieving health, a peaceful state of mind, and a better self. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">For example, any idea that is emotionalized or felt by you, your subconscious mind accepts it as true and tries to realize it. So you should always try to impress upon it positive and desirable ideas. Some of you may already know this “law” but for me it was an eye-opener. A subconscious mind within me. It’d be wonderful to believe that; to believe something great within me makes “miracles”. I believe (secretly) my luck today came from it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span></div></div>cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2871835848228080464.post-17603145822289426172012-02-12T16:32:00.002+09:002013-08-26T10:47:49.317+09:00The Ancient Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">In ancient times, there was a road connecting the ancient capital of Nara with Asuka region along the foot of verdant hills on hills in the east of Nara Basin. It's called Yamanobe-no-michi and thought to be the oldest road in Japan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now you can feel the world of ancient myths and legends found in Kojiki or Nihonshoki; the ancient chronicles, and in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27y%C5%8Dsh%C5%AB">Manyoshu collection of poetry</a>; the anthorogy compiled in 8th Century.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Especially from Isonokami Shrine in Tenri City to Miwa Shrine in Sakurai City, many temples, shrines, remains, huge old tombs are lining along the road which runs in pastoral landscape or through mandarin fields or houses on either side.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mt. Miwa with the smooth gradual ridge line has been worshiped and admired as a sacred mountain since ancient times. It is a symbolic figure of Yamanobe-no-michi.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2grZPWh9N1XPPN5Pui_PqnnigmziXy4Zw4GcICd4KShhQhQ3usM4spq6HHdbdlCMWvar2sjnJ-rWYzIkrtoS6Zu71Qfs7L2tCoEgOXtomHMgnZ-BCmBVhl7A1MMB7uyTXCeaBeUGh_mU/s1600/P1020713+(800x574).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2grZPWh9N1XPPN5Pui_PqnnigmziXy4Zw4GcICd4KShhQhQ3usM4spq6HHdbdlCMWvar2sjnJ-rWYzIkrtoS6Zu71Qfs7L2tCoEgOXtomHMgnZ-BCmBVhl7A1MMB7uyTXCeaBeUGh_mU/s640/P1020713+(800x574).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A stone monument inscribed with a Manyoshu Tanka by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Nukata">Nukata-no-Okimi;</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">三輪山を しかも隠すか 雲だにも 情(こころ)あらなむ 隠そうべしや </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When the capital was relocated from Asuka to Oumi in 667 (now Shiga prefecture), the people concerned were so reluctant to leave the place. She wrote this tanka with a feeling of painful farewell, meaning; "Mt. Miwa began to be lost to my view, oh, clouds, if you have a heart, please don't hide Mt Miwa I've adored.</span>"<br />
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image from Wikipedia</div>
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Hibara Shrine<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> An ancient form of Torii gate made only with two posts and a rope </span><span style="font-size: large;">called "Shimenawa". It is the affiliated shrine of Miwa Shrine and there's </span><span style="font-size: large;">no main building. Once it was dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami before she</span><span style="font-size: large;"> settled at Ise Shrine. So this shrine is called "moto ise"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It is one of few shrines that has a "triple torii" on its ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking back from torii, Mt.Nijyo with two tops like a camel with two bumps comes in sight, which has also been admired and worshiped and often written in Manyo Tanka. The winding road seems to be leading you all the way to that mountain. Around the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox Days, the sun sets exactly between two bumps of that mountain. I can easily imagine how people those days, still now, were awe-inspired and thankful to the nature and gods within nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Though not exactly Mt. Nijyo since equinox is more than a month away, the setting sun was </span><br />
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Idera Pond near Hibara Shrine<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Those mountain ranges from Mt.Nijyo (from right side) to Mt. Katsuragi and Mt. Kongo are in your sight far away all along Yamanobe-no-michi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At this pond stood this stone monument inscribed with a song by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_Takeru">Yamato Takeru</a>, legendary hero. (written by a well-known novelist Yasunari Kawabata)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcWY2LzQCShu4UyD2wGj6toOJSJiW_NuvmyBuQGJWqUUlHDGn2ZSVtRJolSgHiBkQI5wTCSDxrduYKX1nbetHIN8DhyphenhypheniykbhQgenlEXApOwbddpd25SrajoOoQNtJxc2EaX-4xZ971OVC/s1600/P1020727+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcWY2LzQCShu4UyD2wGj6toOJSJiW_NuvmyBuQGJWqUUlHDGn2ZSVtRJolSgHiBkQI5wTCSDxrduYKX1nbetHIN8DhyphenhypheniykbhQgenlEXApOwbddpd25SrajoOoQNtJxc2EaX-4xZ971OVC/s640/P1020727+-+%E3%82%B3%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">大和は 国のまほろば たたなづく 青かき 山ごもれる 大和しうるわし</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the closing days of his life, he must've thought of his native place from afar as a perfect place surrounded by verdant peaceful beautiful mountains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Roubai</i>, Chimonanthus praecox, means winter flower in Greek.</span><span style="font-size: large;">The fragrance of them scented the air. (a week ago in Asuka)</span><br />
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cosmoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18411297580664818094noreply@blogger.com22