EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

Four kinds of Buddha statues

Statues of Buddha don’t have same appearances. There are mainly classified into four kinds. Nyorai 如来 Nyorai is enlightened Buddha. The hair is kinky perm, both hands make sign. The cloth is very simple. Famous are Daibutsu 大仏 in Nara and Kamakura.   Bosats,菩薩Bodhisatvaa Bosats, Bodhisatvaa having very merciful face is training Buddha to achieve enlightenment. Bosats, Bodhisatvaa puts on a crown, wears accessories and hold something on hand. Bosats, Bodhisatvaa are said to refrain from being enlightened Nyorai to help humankinds.   Jizo Bosatsu is one of Bosatsu who helps the unborn baby or dead children. The parents put the read bib or hat on Jizo Bosatsu. Also Jizo […]

Art & Museum

Netsuke

Netsuke Netsuke 根付 is a toggle invented in Edo period to serve a practical function. “Ne” means root and “tsuke” means attach. Traditional kimono着物had no pockets, so men needed a place to store their belongings, such as seals and medicines. Their solution was to place such belongings in a container and hang it by cords from the obi 帯sashes. Netsuke 根付 was drilled to take cord and made smooth not to break off or catch on the kimono着物 and later developed into the fashionable and lovely one carved from bamboo, ivory or wood, sometimes nuts. Inro, Container The containers were called Inro 印籠 and beautifully crafted boxes. To prevent the […]

Temple style public bath
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Temple style Public Bath

Temple ?! No! This is not a temple, but a public bath, Sento. This temple style Sento can be rarely seen nowadays, except in animation scene of “Sen to Chihiro” English titled “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki. But here in temple style public bath called Atami-yu in Kagurazaka area, you can actually enjoy bathing. People have enjoyed public bath Sento as a communication place with neighbors since Edo period. Public bath is must place to experience Japan. You may see temple style public bath “SCAI THE BATHHOUSE” in old town, Yanaka but now used for gallery. Edo- Tokyo open air architectural museum exhibits Temple style public bath called Kodakara-yu meaning […]

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Matsuri sushi

Matsuri sushi roll is a traditional food in Chiba, Boso area(south Chiba).In old days Matsuri sushi was served by the master of village to the villagers when they gathered.　Later the women started to make, so Matsuri sushi became more fashionable.   In the festival and auspicious occasions such as New year’s days, Doll’s days and Birth days Matsuri (meaning festival) sushi have been served among the relatives, neighborhoods and friends. Traditionally designed like flower and butterfly, now cute and trendy sushi are invented like Halloween pumpkin, X’mas trees and Anpan man!   The main ingredients are colorful vinegar rice and sea weed nori and sometimes eggs and pickled green vegetables. […]