Illumination in Osaka, Over the shining Water

2012 is going to close the curtain and New Year's holidays are coming around soon. At this time of the year, illumination events are held all over Japan.

I would like to introduce the popular illumination events held in Osaka since 2003.

In Nakanoshima which is the downtown business area in Osaka, the lighting displays under the theme "Over the Shining Water" are shown until Dec. 25.

The most spectacular feature in the lighting events is the multi-colored 3D projection.  The images are projected on the face of Neo-Renaissance style Osaka City Central Public Hall.

A Merry Christmas to You!

Osaka City Central Public Hall

Midosuji Street which is the primary main street in central Osaka, running north-south, has sparkled with the stardust illumination. You can enjoy it until Jan. 20, 2013. The stretch of stardust is 1.9 km, the longest of its kind in Japan.

A tiny moon over the street decorated with stardust

Icho （銀杏　Ginkgo trees) are planted along Midosuji Street. In autumn, the street becomes famous autumn leave viewing spot.

 

Thank you very much for visiting our site always.

May a new year be the best year for all of you and people all over the world!!!

Tea Ceremony in Splendorous Autumn

There is a Japanese expression "錦秋　Kinshuu" which means the autumn decorated with beautiful  foliage like brocade.

Ginkgoes and maples are singing a song in praise of autumn! 

On 18th November, We had a tea ceremony in Daijo-in Garden.  We were very glad so many wonderful guests joined us!  If you are interested in our tea ceremony, read "Tea Ceremony".

Daijo-in Garden

This time we prepared two types of Japanese  sweets. They are formed into shapes that reflect the splendor and glory of autumn. "Kinshuu - Brocade Autumn" is  represented by these lovely Japanese confectioneries.

"Maple" with Japanese green tea

"Ginkgo"

We enjoyed tea ceremony with the guests,  exchanging merry conversation.

The next gathering of tea ceremony is held on December 1st, from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the tea room in Daijo-in Garden. The fee is 500 yen.

Our tea gathering has always homey atmosphere.  We are waiting for you!!

英語、日本語をつかっての家庭的なお茶会です。どなたでもご参加いただけます。英語に興味のある方、日本の文化を英語で勉強中の方も、どうぞお気軽におこしください。

Lovely Tour in Kyoto

The other day we took a small trip to the eastern area (東山） of Kyoto. It was a beautiful autumn day.

A panoramic view from Awata Shrine on a small hill.

This is Sho-ren-in Temple ( literally means "Blue Lotus Temple"). Because of the close relationship with Imperial family, this temple has been known as Awata Palace.

In front of the temple, there are huge camphor trees. 

They look like guardians to protect this lovely temple.

As the temple name shows, Fusuma ( sliding doors) 

are decorated with stylized lotus flowers.

Its famous gardens are shrouded in refined and elegant atmosphere.

Soft green reflects in the polished wooden floor .

Through bamboo screens, scenery looks different.

Gyoja-bashi Bridge over River Shirakawa.  Gyoja means "a priest in ascetic practice".

The stone bridge is narrow enough for one person to pass.

 

 Gyoja in their 1000 days religious practice cross this bridge. That' s why this bridge is called "Gyoja-bashi Bridge". The mellow willows add even more profound taste to the river and the bridge.

Sin-monzen Street is lined with lovey antiques shops.

Can you guess what they are? All of them are charms made of roof tiles 

which are put on the entrance of a roof tile shop.

Tea Ceremony

We have held a tea ceremony occasionally. Anybody can join it.

 The other day, we had the tea ceremony in Daijo-in Teien Garden, a fabulous Japanese garden, with wonderful guests.

In a pond, there is a 100-year-old crape myrtle.

Sit down as you like and enjoy Japanese green tea
after having a sweet.

She is whipping the powdered  tea
with a split bamboo whisk to  create fine foams.
The tea ceremony is part of Japanese culture.

Let's share a wonderful moment of "One Time, One Meeting". 

We show you how to drink a tea and tell the interesting stories about tea ceremony.

It was hot. So we used a glass tea bowl
to produce the cooler feeling.

Fallen petals of crape myrtle flowers,
transience of seasons, transience of life

Enjoy the view and tea with us.

The next tea ceremony is held on 23rd October in this garden.
The fee is 500 yen.

BA・SA・RA, the end of summer

Every year at the end of August, two-day Basara Dancing Festival is held in Nara. This year 42 groups joined. It is not a dancing contest. The participants keep dancing, dancing, dancing and dancing. Long summer in Nara is gone with the end of the festival.

According to a calender, autumn started yesterday, September 1st. During daytime it is still hot. But at night, a hint of autumn in the air can be detected here and there - cool breezes, chirping grasshoppers or crickets under a beautiful moon.

Ceremony of Cleaning Great Buddha

Once a year, Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple takes a bath on August 7th.
About 150 priests, worshipers and volunteers clad in white gather to clean the Great Buddha and collect at least 10 buckets of dust.

You might think "Is this A Voyage to Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels"??

This is a good chance to see in person how huge the Buddha is! The Great Buddha is the largest bronze Buddhist statue in the world. Originally Buddha statue was cast in 752.

Enjoy Sunset in February Hall!

February Hall of Todai-ji Temple, which dates back to 752, is a popular sunset viewing spot. The hall stands on the hill overlooking Nara City and Ikoma mountains.

The hall is open all day long.

At night, all the lanterns are lit
 and the atmosphere gets subtle and profound.