Takeda Shingen is one of the most famous SAMURAI in the Sengoku era.
His father was conqueror of the land of Kai(current Yamanashi prefecture), and Shingen was his the oldest son.
His father gave more affection to his youngest son than Shingen.
The father intended to appoint a younger brother of Shingen as his successor.
Therefore Shingen expelled his father, and he himself became the conqueror of Kai.
After that, he became a famous daimyou in high political ability and strategic skill.
Particularly, cavalry of Takeda's army was famous, and they were considered the strongest army in Sengoku era.
Shingen was called "Kai no tora"(The tiger of Kai) and was feared by other people.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
KAMAKURA
Winter in Japan, people create "Kamakura" with snow.
It's the snow dome which hardened and made snow.
Japanese eat something in there or make an altar.
It's not only a sacred rite, but also means of child's play.
You could see this "KAMAKURA" in the land which snow often.
If you are interested in "KAMAKURA", you could see that in this site.
Although the text of this homepage is written in Japanese, you could see some photographs of "KAMAKURA".
It's the snow dome which hardened and made snow.
Japanese eat something in there or make an altar.
It's not only a sacred rite, but also means of child's play.
You could see this "KAMAKURA" in the land which snow often.
If you are interested in "KAMAKURA", you could see that in this site.
Although the text of this homepage is written in Japanese, you could see some photographs of "KAMAKURA".
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Edo-Tokyo museum
If you are interested in SAMURAI, you would go to the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku, Tokyo.
In there, you could see the diorama which is reproduced past Japan.
The museum is divided into two area.
That is, it is Edo area and the Tokyo area.
In Edo area, you could see the piece of life of SUMURAI.
And in Tokyo area, you could see the Japanese people's life which is after the SAMURAIs disappeared.
Thus, Edo-Tokyo Museum is very important institution to know the life of Japanese people.
Moreover, you could meet sumo wrestlers in Ryogoku.
In there, you could see the diorama which is reproduced past Japan.
The museum is divided into two area.
That is, it is Edo area and the Tokyo area.
In Edo area, you could see the piece of life of SUMURAI.
And in Tokyo area, you could see the Japanese people's life which is after the SAMURAIs disappeared.
Thus, Edo-Tokyo Museum is very important institution to know the life of Japanese people.
Moreover, you could meet sumo wrestlers in Ryogoku.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Mouri Motonari
Mouri Motonari was a SAMURAI in the Sengoku era.
He was one of the most resourceful daimyou in the Chuugoku region.
He was originally a powerless daimyou(feudal lord), but he attacked neighboring enemies with his matchless ingenuity.
Then, he became a conquerer of Chuugoku region at last.
There is Motonari's famous lesson to his three sons.
He advised them to work together for the prosperity of the Mouri clan in this lesson.
One day, he summoned them, and handed one arrow for each.
He said, "Break the arrow.".
They broke the arrow easily.
Then, he handed three arrows for each, and he said, "Break the arrows.".
However they couldn't break the arrows this time.
Motonari said, "You can break one arrow easily, but can't break three arrows. You must help each other like these arrows.".
Since then, three sons helped each other until they died.
This episode is very famous even now and called "Mouri no sanbon no ya(Three arrows of Mouri)".
He was one of the most resourceful daimyou in the Chuugoku region.
He was originally a powerless daimyou(feudal lord), but he attacked neighboring enemies with his matchless ingenuity.
Then, he became a conquerer of Chuugoku region at last.
There is Motonari's famous lesson to his three sons.
He advised them to work together for the prosperity of the Mouri clan in this lesson.
One day, he summoned them, and handed one arrow for each.
He said, "Break the arrow.".
They broke the arrow easily.
Then, he handed three arrows for each, and he said, "Break the arrows.".
However they couldn't break the arrows this time.
Motonari said, "You can break one arrow easily, but can't break three arrows. You must help each other like these arrows.".
Since then, three sons helped each other until they died.
This episode is very famous even now and called "Mouri no sanbon no ya(Three arrows of Mouri)".
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Kanji of the year
In Japan, at the end of each year, "Kanji of the year" is decided. It chooses the Kanji which is reflecting the social trend most in the year.
In 2011, it was decided in "Kizuna(絆)".
"Kizuna" means "bond" in Japan.
The year of 2011 is a year which many disasters occured and Japanese people had recognized again of the importance of bonds with surrounding people such as the family, the sweetheart, and the friend.
For that reason, the Kanji would have been chosen probably.
I hope that "Kanji of the year" in 2012 will be more cheerful and happy character than ever before.
In 2011, it was decided in "Kizuna(絆)".
"Kizuna" means "bond" in Japan.
The year of 2011 is a year which many disasters occured and Japanese people had recognized again of the importance of bonds with surrounding people such as the family, the sweetheart, and the friend.
For that reason, the Kanji would have been chosen probably.
I hope that "Kanji of the year" in 2012 will be more cheerful and happy character than ever before.
Monday, January 2, 2012
When Chonmage was disappeared?
"Chonmage" is the hairstyle of Japanese SAMURAI.
Many SAMURAIs tied topknot in Sengoku and Edo era.
And It was called "Chonmage" in Japan.
"Chonmage" disappeared with SAMURAI in Meiji era.(It's probably 1860~70s.)
You can see no "Chonmage" in Japan now except for dramas or anime.
But you can see the hairstyle similar to "Chonmage" even now.
It's the hairstyle of Sumo wrestlers.
That isn't strictly same hairstyle, but it closely resembles at some points.
If you want to meet sumo wrestlers, you should go to Ryogoku in Tokyo.
There is the Ryogoku Kokugikan which is their holy place in there.
I have previously worked there, I have seen them several times.
Many SAMURAIs tied topknot in Sengoku and Edo era.
And It was called "Chonmage" in Japan.
"Chonmage" disappeared with SAMURAI in Meiji era.(It's probably 1860~70s.)
You can see no "Chonmage" in Japan now except for dramas or anime.
But you can see the hairstyle similar to "Chonmage" even now.
It's the hairstyle of Sumo wrestlers.
That isn't strictly same hairstyle, but it closely resembles at some points.
If you want to meet sumo wrestlers, you should go to Ryogoku in Tokyo.
There is the Ryogoku Kokugikan which is their holy place in there.
I have previously worked there, I have seen them several times.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Akita prefecture
Akita prefecture is my hometown.
It's located in the Tohoku district in Japan.
It's not as popular the city as a Tokyo or Osaka.
But There are beautiful landscape and good old customs in Akita.
That's neighborly relations which were forgotten in the big city.
If you visit Japan, I want you to consider going to Akita.
Winter of Akita is much cold with deep snow, but Summer is cool climate.
Moreover, although there is a legend of "namahage" in Akita, I'll introduce it with another entry.
It's located in the Tohoku district in Japan.
It's not as popular the city as a Tokyo or Osaka.
But There are beautiful landscape and good old customs in Akita.
That's neighborly relations which were forgotten in the big city.
If you visit Japan, I want you to consider going to Akita.
Winter of Akita is much cold with deep snow, but Summer is cool climate.
Moreover, although there is a legend of "namahage" in Akita, I'll introduce it with another entry.
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