2016年2月5日金曜日

Matsushima and Zuiganji Temple

松島と瑞巌寺

Matsushima

On March 11, 2011, we experienced the most disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s modern history.  The Tohoku earthquake and the subsequent tsunami and crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant caused enormous damage in the municipalities located along coastal areas of northeastern Japan. Although Matsushima suffered from the aftermath of the disaster, tsunami damage was relatively minimal thanks to the islands surrounding and shielding the bay.



松島は宮城県の松島湾内外にある大小260余りの諸島のことで日本三景の1つに数えられています。瑞巌寺は伊達正宗公の菩提寺で伊達家歴代の位牌が安置されており愛姫(めごひめ)の墓もあります。



Matsushima Bay
松島湾
Matsushima Bay
Google map


I visited Matsushima by the sightseeing cruiser from Marine Gate shiogama, Hon-Shiogama St. 
本塩釜駅で降り、マリンゲート塩釜から松島行のフェリーに乗る

Marine Gate shiogama
Marine Gate shiogama

Google map
Hon-Shiogama St.
本塩釜駅

Google map
Marine Gate shiogama
観光船乗り場

sightseeing cruiser
観光船

Matsushima Bay
松島湾
Black-tailed gulls fly around the ship
船の周りをウミネコが飛ぶ
Matsushima Bay

Black-tailed Gull
ウミネコ
Black-tailed Gull

Matsushima Bay formed by more than 260 motley kinds of islands
islands
islands



The most beautiful view in all Japan

Matsushima that has been written in Waka(Japanese poetry) since ancient times is well known as the place to dazzle sophisticated individuals every years to come. Matsuo Basho, a poet, once wrote in his famous work "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" extolled Matsushima Bay formed by more than 260 motley kinds of islands having different shapes and sizes. Matsushima as it has been called one of the most representative places in Japan that can offer the view with many beautiful islands truly brings the splendid and exhilarating time with each seasons come.
Source http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kankou/en/sightseeing/Sightseeing/Matsushima/Matsushima.htm


Matsuo Basho
松尾芭蕉
Matsuo Basho


Islands of Matsushima Bay
Islands

Islands

Islands

Islands

Matsushima

Islands



Zuiganji Temple
瑞巌寺


Zuiganji Temple was built by Lord Date Masamune. The main hall was built in the traditional study room style of architecture known as shoinzukuri. The roof of its magnificent, single-story main structure is tiled in the hongawarabuki style in which round and square tiles are laid down alternately. Many parts of the temple have been designated as national treasures or important cultural properties. The main hall, priests' quarters and corridors are designated national treasures.

Zuiganji Temple

About Zuiganji Temple



Google map


Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple

伊達正宗公の位牌
Ihai ; Buddhist mortuary tablet of Lord Date Masamune.
Zuiganji Temple

The standing statue of Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu
Zuiganji Temple
The Art Museum adjacent to Zuiganji Temple houses a number of cultural properties relating to the temple and Date family. The Japanese screens on display, with their colorful paintings, are designated important national cultural properties.

Lord Date Masamune
伊達正宗
Date Masamune

Yotokuin's Mausoleum (Hogeden)
This is a mausoleum of Megohime, wife of Date masamune.
陽徳院御霊屋(寶華殿)
伊達正宗公の妻 愛姫(めごひめ)の墓
Yotokuin's Mausoleum (Hogeden)



Shinkansen
Shinkansen

Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Oyster
Oyster
Oyster

Sushi
Sushi

Kani no Miso Shiru ; Miso Soup with Crab
カニの味噌汁
Kani no Miso Shiru ; Miso Soup with Crab

Gyutan Yaki ; Grilled Beef Tongue
牛タン焼き
Gyutan Yaki ; Grilled Beef Tongue

HotateyakiGrilled Scallop
ホタテ焼き
Hotateyaki ; Grilled Scallop

KakigoriShaved Ice
かき氷
Kakigori ; Shaved Ice

Matcha ; Matcha Green Tea(Lt), 
Zunda Mochi ; Edamame Rice Cake(Rt)
抹茶(Lt)&ずんだ餅(Rt)
 Matcha ; Matcha Green Tea(Lt), Zunda Mochi ; Edamame Rice Cake(Rt)



 About 5 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the nuclear power plant accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Miyagi prefecture is just next to Fukushima prefecture, people in Miyagi have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in Miyagi have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Miyagi. So people in Miyagi are living without any concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.




公衆衛生ネットワーク
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan

2016年1月27日水曜日

Kohfukuji Temple


Kohfukuji Temple
興福寺

Originally founded in the 7th century. 2010 marks the 1300 anniversary of the foundation of this temple. The five-story pagoda, a symbol of Nara City, was reconstructed about 500 years ago (1426) after it had burned down five times. A lot of national treasures and cultural treasures are exhibited at the temple's museum, Kokuhokan.

法相宗の大本山として知られる奈良の興福寺。五重塔で有名ですが国宝館に展示されている阿修羅像はもっと有名です。興福寺を訪れたら国宝館も忘れずに見学しましょう。

Kohfukuji Temple
興福寺
Kohfukuji Temple
About Kohfukuji Temple

Google map
https://goo.gl/maps/LkyPHpK6ALL2

National Treasures
The Eastern Golden Hall (Lt), The Five Storied Pagoda (Rt)
国宝 東金堂、五重塔
The Eastern Golden Hall (Lt), The Five Storied Pagoda (Rt)


 We can see the various statues, paintings, books, craftworks and historical documents at the National Treasures Museum, Kokuhokan. 

国宝館もお見逃しなく
The standing Asura
阿修羅像
The standing Asura


Shinkansen
Shinkansen



Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Chagayu ; tea flavoured rice gruel
茶粥
Chagayu ; tea flavoured rice gruel

Ekiben ; Box lunch sold on a train or at a station
駅弁
Ekiben ; Box lunch sold on a train or at a station

Chawan-mushi ; Japanese steamed egg custard 
茶碗蒸し 
Chawan-mushi ; Japanese steamed egg custard

Sushi
寿司
Sushi

Asari no Miso Shiru ; Miso Soup with Asari Clams
あさりの味噌汁
Asari no Miso Shiru ; Miso Soup with Asari Clams


 About 5 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the nuclear power plant accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Nara Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Nara Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the nuclear power plant accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.


Public Health Network in Japan
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan

2016年1月22日金曜日

Nagoya Castle


Nagoya Castle
名古屋城

 Nagoya Castle was constructed on the orders of Ieyasu TOKUGAWA in order to secure an important position on the Tokaido road and to ward off attacks from the direction of Osaka. Construction was completed in 1612, and the castle is typical of those built on flatlands. Until the Meiji Restoration, Nagoya Castle flourished as the castle in which the Owari lineage of the Tokugawa family, the foremost of the family’s three lineages, resided.
 In May 1945, during the air raids on Nagoya in the Second World War, most of the buildings including the main and small donjons, and the Hommaru Palace, were burned down. Fortunately, however, three corner towers, three gates, and most of the paintings on the sliding doors and walls in the Hommaru Palace survived the fire, and have been handed down as Important Cultural Assets.
source http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.html



名古屋城は徳川家康が天下統一の最後の布石として築いた城です。天守閣の南側には近世城郭御殿の最高傑作と言われた本丸御殿がありました。しかし1945年の空襲で焼失し、現在の名古屋城は戦後再建されたものです。


English leaflet (PDF:2.4MB)
http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/pdf/eigo.pdf

Google map
http://goo.gl/maps/HzDZz

These pictures were taken on September, 2015.

Nagoya Castle
There are golden dolphins (Kinshachi) on the roof.
名古屋城
Nagoya Castle

Kinshachi ; golden dolphins
金鯱
Kinshachi ; golden dolphins

Main Gate
正門
Main Gate
Nagoya Castle

Kimono
着物
kimono

Nagoya Castle
Nagoya Castle

Wonderful view from the castle
view from the castle

There is a museum inside the castle.
Guns
Guns

Helmet
Helmet

Helmet
Helmet

Palanquin
Palanquin

Katana ; sword
Katana ; sword

Kinshachigolden dolphins
金鯱
Kinshachi
The best-known items associated with the Nagoya Castle are the golden dolphins, or kinshachi. It is said that the first dolphins (shachi) to adorn the main ridge of castle roofs, added when the basic construction of the castle was completed, appeared in the Muromachi Era (1334-1400) as symbol of the feudal lord’s authority.
Although Nagoya’s golden dolphins shared the fate of the dungeon, being consumed by flames in the Second World War, they reappeared along with a rebuilt dungeon, in 1959, to the delight of the people of Nagoya.


Hommaru Palace
名古屋城本丸御殿
Hommaru Palace
Hommaru Palace
Hommaru Palace
 The Nagoya Castle donjon was rebuilt in 1959 as part of post-war rehabilitation efforts but hopes for the reconstruction of the Hommaru Palace are yet to be realized. Edo period documents and a number of photographs and measured drawings of the Hommaru Palace remain to this day, making it a distinct possibility to faithfully bring the former palace back to life. Restoration work began in January 2009, and Genkan, the entrance hall and Omote Shoin, the main hall opened to public viewing in 2013. The restoration project is progressing in 3 stages. Taimenjo, the Reception Hall will be completed in 2016. Completion of the entire project is scheduled for 2018.


Shinkansen
新幹線
Shinkansen


Japanese foods are good and safe.
Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Kishimen ; noodles made in flat strips
きしめん
Kishimen ; noodles made in flat strips

Miso katsu ; Pork Cutlet with Miso Sauce
みそかつ
Miso katsu ; Pork Cutlet with Miso Sauce



 About 5 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the nuclear power plant accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Nagoya is very far away from Fukushima, people in Nagoya have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in Nagoya have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Nagoya. So people in Nagoya are living without any concern about the nuclear power plant accident.
 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.




Public Health Network in Japan
公衆衛生ネットワーク
Public Health Network in Japan