Anaguma or Tanuki
2008-05-05 17:17:00 ????A few days ago we posted a video of what we thought was a tanuki in Shimane Prefecture. One alert reader pointed out the error of our ways and correctly identified the creature as the much rarer anaguma (a badger).Here is an image of a stuffed tanuki taken at the excellent Ibaraki Nature Museum in Moriya.Apologies for any confusion caused.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsJapanese For Busy PeopleTagsJapan tanuki anaguma
Sesshu in Masuda
2008-04-30 13:07:00 ??Went down to Masuda (Shimane Prefecture) last weekend to photograph a couple of Sesshu's gardens in the spring.After Hokusai, Sesshu is probably the Japanese artist most well-known outside of Japan.Sesshu was born in Bitchu province, present-day Okayama Prefecture in 1420. As a youth he became a Zen monk at a local temple, and as a young man he moved to Kyoto and studied under the greatest painter of the time, Shubun.In his middle-age he moved to what is now Yamaguchi Prefecture, and made an important visit to China in 1468-9. He was based at his studio in Yamaguchi in his later life, but also spent some time in nearby Masuda, Shimane Prefecture. He died in 1506, though historians are undecided exactly where. Masuda claims he died there, and has built a memorial museum next to his reputed tomb.Known mostly for his monochromatic ink paintings, Sesshu was also a garden designer, and what is considered one of his best remains at Iko-Ji temple, where he was head priest for a while. T...
Tanuki
2008-04-29 04:45:00 ?There was a tanuki rooting around in my backyard this afternoon. Don't usually see them during the day as they are mainly nocturnal, which is why they are seen so often as road kill.Tanuki are omnivorous, and this one was rooting out bugs or worms. They are quite gentle creatures, rarely aggressive to humans, and this one let me get within a meter of it before it scuttled away.Tanuki are often erroneously referred to as badgers or raccoons, but they are not related to either of those species, being a member of the canid family, so, closely related to dogs and foxes. They are the only member of the canid family to hibernate during the coldest part of winter.As with almost every creature that lives in Japan, tanuki were commonly eaten in earlier times, though rarely nowadays. They are still hunted for their skins, and are raised for such in China.There are a lot of stories and folklore connected with tanuki in Japan, and it has a reputation as a kind of trickster character though a ...
Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
2008-04-14 02:05:00 ?????????????Opened in 2007, this new 9,000 square meter museum, located next to the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, is well worth a visit.With the explosion of archeological work done in Japan in the last 50 years, our understanding of ancient Japan has grown tremendously, and the scale and importance of the ancient civilization centered on the Izumo area has begun to be understood. The museum showcases some of the major finds in the Izumo area of recent years.There are galleries for temporary exhibitions, an exhibition including animated movies suitable for kids on Izumo's ancient myths, a gallery on daily life in Izumo from ancient times to the present that includes materials relating to Lafcadio Hearn, well-landscaped grounds that include replicas of Haniwa, but the heart of the museum is the permanent collection divided into several sections.There is a section on the grand shrine of Izumo taisha. In the tenth century a visiting monk from Kyoto wrote in his journal that the shrine a...
Matsue - Shimane Prefecture
2008-03-04 01:15:00 Over the weekend i was lucky enough to attend a Traditional Japanese Wedding in Matsue, Izumo Province, in the Chugoku Region of the Shimane Prefecture …. now that’s a mouthful. It was a short and sharp visit, flying down Saturday morning and back again Sunday. With pretty much the whole weekend being consumed by the wedding, ...
Ichibata Yakushi Temple
2008-02-27 06:48:00 ????, ???Last weekend we took a trip up into the mountains to visit Ichibata Yakushi Temple in Shimane Prefecture. Heavy snowfall deterred all the other tourists, so we had the place to ourselves.Many temples and shrines in Japan become associated with particular benefits, Tenmangu shrines for success with exams, shrines and temples for blessings for cars, Izumo Taisha shrines for finding marriage partners, etc.Ichibata Yakushi Temple, perched on a mountaintop in Shimane Prefecture is the equivalent of a Japanese "Lourdes" for those with any kind of eye complaint, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims making their way there everyyear.The temple was founded in 894, and was built around a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing.A local fisherman found the sculpture of Yakushi washed up on a local beach. The current along the Shimane coast comes from Korea, so this is the probable source of the statue.He took it home and prayed fervently in front of it, and many m...
JR Kisuki Line
2008-02-13 16:06:00 ???Japanese Rural rail lines. Part 1 JR Kisuki LineFor getting from A to B quickly and conveniently, Japan's Shinkansen and Express rail networks are second to none, albeit at a hefty price, but for those who actually enjoy traveling, for those who feel that the journey is at least as important as the destination, Japan's rural rail lines have much to offer.The trains travel at slow speed, allowing you the pleasure of taking in some wonderful scenery, and your fellow passengers are more likely to engage in conversation with you than on the commuter trains. The intimacy extends even further, as the trains literally pass through people's back yards, again affording glimpses of life quite different to that of the cities.Most of the rural lines are single track, and usually single carriage trains, and the downside is that they don't run very often, but with some judicious planning it's possible to spend days, or weeks, leisurely criss-crossing a less visited Japan in comfort.One su...
More Japanese Manhole Covers
2008-01-27 13:19:00 ???????We can't get enough of Japanese manhole covers. As committed drainspotters we hope to bring you a steady diet of Japanese manhole covers throughout the year.The following Japanese manhole covers were shot in Shimane Prefecture in the south west of Honshu.See more Japanese manhole coversYahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsJapanese For Busy PeopleTagsJapan Shimane manhole manhole cover drain
Snowy sunrise on the Gonokawa River
2008-01-19 04:24:00 ???The Gonokawa River is the longest river in the Chugoku region at over 190km in length. The beautiful river flows through the prefectures of Shimane and Hiroshima and is nicknamed "Chugoku Taro".Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsJapanese For Busy PeopleTagsJapan Shimane Gonokawa River Chugoku
Aquas Aquarium Hamada
2007-12-24 12:42:00 ????Aquas, located in the city of Hamada, is the largest aquarium in Western Honshu (JR Hashi station). Built in 2000, the aquarium houses over 10,000 animals and fishes from over 400 species, including many Flying Fishes (the Prefectural fish of Shimane).The main attraction is a show of performing Beluga whales.There is also Aquas Land, a huge playground/amusement park for the kids. Entrance 1,500 yen, 500 yen for kids. Free parking and free audio guide in English.AquasKudai-cho, Hamada, Shimane, 687-0004Tel: 0855 28 3900Hours: 9am-5pm (till 6pm from July 20-August 31)Aquas is closed Tuesdays.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu
Raccoon dogs overrunning island off Shimane Prefecture
2007-12-24 00:00:00 CHIBU, Shimane -- After being introduced 66 years ago, an island here is now being overrun by raccoon dogs, with the population of the creatures nearly triple that of the human residents.The number of raccoon dogs, or tanuki, on Chiburi Island, one of the Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture, has swelled to about 2,000, nearly three times the human population of 709. The creatures are reportedly causing problems for residents by damaging agricultural produce."As soon as I s ...
Nima Sand Museum
2007-12-15 10:33:00 ???????????How long does it take for 1 ton of sand to fall through an aperture 0.85mm wide?Exactly one year!At least according to what is believed to be the largest hourglass-sandtimer in the world, located in the Nima Sand Museum in Nima, Shimane.Every December 31st at midnight the huge timer, measuring 5 metres in height with a diameter of 1 meter, is ceremonially turned over to begin marking time for the next year.Opened in 1991, the Sand Museum was built because the local mayor thought that the sand at a nearby beach, Kotogahama, which squeaked and "sang" when walked on, was worthy of being a tourist attraction. Other than the giant sandtimer, the museum has a handful of artworks that utilize sand, but like many attractions in Japan, the architecture is far more interesting that what is housed inside.The Sand Museum is built into the side of the hill, and is topped by 6 glass and steel pyramids, the largest of which houses the Sandtimer.The Sand Museum was never a great draw, an...
Monkeys
2007-12-07 07:46:00 ?So..., I was sitting quietly at my desk when I was disturbed by a noise on the roof above me, so I popped my head out the door just in time to see a big male monkey jump off my roof with a persimmon in his hand and bound off into the woods. From the other noises and movements in the trees I could see that the whole troop of about 20 monkeys were paying us a visit, or rather were engaging in a raid not only on my persimmon trees, but also the gardens, where daikons are a favored choice.The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) are common and widespread throughout Japan, and its estimated that there may be as many 150,000, having enjoyed a population explosion from about 15,000, 60 years ago. I grabbed my camera and went outside and was lucky enough to get some shots thanks to my trusty zoom lens. I?ve spent many an enjoyable hour sitting looking out of my window and watching the monkeys behaviour,? the moms with their babies on their backs, the adolescents, not yet frightened of man and...
Izumo Taisha
2007-12-01 11:36:00 ????Izumo Taisha, also known as Izumo Oyashiro, is said to be the oldest shrine in Japan having existed on its present site for 1500 years.The current buildings date from 1744 and the main building (honden) is also the largest shrine structure in the country.One of the shrine's presiding kami (gods) is Okuninushi, the deity of marriage and visitors here often come to pray for luck in finding a partner.Outside the main hall of worship are massive straw ropes - shimenawa - good fortune falls on those who can toss a coin that lodges in the cut ends of the ropes.Izumo Taisha is 8km outside Izumo city in Shimane Prefecture and can be reached by train to Izumo Taishamae on the Ichibata Line. The tourist office (Tel: 0853 2100) is just outside the main torii gate to the shrine on your left. Izumo city can be reached by overnight bus from Tokyo and Nagoya and by overnight train from Tokyo Station (the Sunrise Izumo).Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Servic...
Mountain Whale (Yamanokujira)
2007-11-22 13:21:00 ???Just had a delicious meal of locally-caught Mountain Whale ribs!The mountain whales were raiding the village gardens more heavily than usual recently, I lost all my sweet potatoes, half my pumpkins, and half my taro, and most of my neighbors suffered too. All up and down the river I've noticed a lot more garden fences going up recently.My neighbor set a trap at the place at the bottom of the mountain where they come out of the forest to raid the gardens, and over the past month 4 have been caught. We don?t have a hunter in our village anymore, but one from a nearby village comes over, and, wearing his official hat and armband dispatches the beast with one shot.Afterwards the tail is cut off and taken to the local town hall where a bounty is paid. In our town its 3,000yen (30 USD), but in other towns its more. The mountain whales are classed as a pest because of all the damage they do to gardens, hence the bounty.I?ve met plenty of town and city-dwelling Japanese who have never e...
Wedding at Izumo Taisha.
2007-11-20 07:30:00 ????????On a brief visit to Izumo Taisha last weekend I caught one of the many weddings that take place there.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi CoatsTagsJapan Shimane Wedding Izumo Shrine
Kaze no Kuni Shimane
2007-11-17 12:18:00 ???Kazenokuni in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture is a new, upmarket resort spa set in wonderful, wooded countryside.The Kazenokuni resort, which opened in 1997, includes spacious grounds and play areas for children, indoor tennis courts, an orchid garden, handicraft studio, outdoor onsen baths with sauna as well as a Noh stage and even an indoor gate-ball ground.Accommodation is either in 15 hotel-style guest rooms or separate, wooden cottages. The staff run shuttle buses to Gotsu Station to pick up guests and the area makes for a relaxing base to discover the charms of Shimane.As with nearby Mizunokuni, the local food served in the restaurant was superb.AccessKazenokuni2696, Nagatani, Sakurae-cho, Oochi-gun, Shimane, 699-4431Tel: 0855-92-0001Fax: 0855-92-0003kazenokuni.jpFrom Gotsu take National Highway 261 to Kawado and then follow the signs on route 41. Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsTokyo Serviced ApartmentsBudget accommodation in JapanHappi Co...
Kaki (persimmon)
2007-11-14 03:53:00 ?Originally from China, kaki (Diospyros kaki) are common throughout southern and western Japan, and at this time of the year with the leaves fallen off the trees the orange fruit are very conspicuous.Ama-gaki (???) are the spherically-shaped fruits and can be enjoyed straight from the tree, but shibu-gaki (??), the more oval-shaped fruit are too astringent to be eaten until they have been peeled, and hung in the sun to dry, when they become sweet like dried figs. In this form they are known as hoshi-gaki (???) and are a popular gift. Monkeys are particularly fond of kaki, and the two trees in my yard are constantly raided in the late summer and early fall.Yahoo Japan Auction ServiceBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Shimane persimmon kaki
Hinomisaki Jinja, Shimane.
2007-10-23 08:17:00 Hinomisaki Jinja, Hinomisaki, near Izumo in Shimane Prefecture was built by in its present form by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1664. Complete renovations and a brand new coat of paint have brought it back to its original glory.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu
Mizunokuni Shimane Prefecture
2007-10-20 06:52:00 ??? ????The Mizunokuni Museum 104° is a new water-theme museum near Kawado in Shimane.Set in a beautiful hillside location, the museum offers a series of contemporary art installations centered on the concept of water. Artists featured include Atsuo Okamoto, Masaaki Nishi and Kenzo Tabe.Listen to sounds generated through water.One of the most interesting installations is a sound gallery where various sounds are produced using water. Mizunokuni also offers an echo dome, a video and light show and just past the entrance a quirky exhibition dedicated to local filmmaker Matsubayashi Shue, who produced a number of war blockbusters in the 1960s including "I Bombed Pearl Harbor," starring Toshiro Mifune. The director also churned out a series of light 1960s' comedies including something odd about romance at the All Japan Gateball Championships. Not to be missed.Mizunokuni Museum 104° is virtually deserted during the week but gets busy at weekends. Lunch in the museum's restaurant is high...
Japanese praying mantis in Shimane
2007-10-16 16:59:00 ?????Japan has two main species and nine sub-species of praying mantis known commonly in Japanese as the kamakiri, but variously, also, as the tohroh, imojiri, or iibomushiri. Kamakiri literally means ?sickle cut,? referring to the front legs, that to the ancient Japanese obviously more resembled someone working in the garden than piously praying.Like most Japanese wildlife, it is rarely seen in the cities, but abounds in the countryside. This specimen of a praying mantis was recently photographed in Shimane prefecture, at the westernmost tip of the main island of Honshu.True to its reputation as a predator, it fearlessly attacked the camera moments after this shot was taken, and proceeded to clamber over the camera, up the photographer?s arm and onto his head!The praying mantis, along with stag beetles and other large creepy crawlies, is a favorite with Japanese boys, who collect them mainly in the summer.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKH...
Autumn Festivals
2007-10-09 08:42:00 ????With most of the rice harvested, rural villages now hold their harvest matsuri. In the Iwami area of Shimane, this involves all-night performances of Iwami Kagura. Village communities, young and old, gather to enjoy the music and spectacle and occasionally a glass or two of sake.AccessKawado is on the JR Sanko from Gotsu to Miyoshi.Book a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Tokyo Kyoto Nagoya Kyushu
By: Soccerphile Blog
Japanese Manhole Covers III
2007-09-19 14:45:00 ???????Here is our latest collection of Japanese manhole covers, which often represent in their design the main attractions of their localities. Japanese manhole covers are a unique form of street art and well worth keeping your eyes to the ground for.If you have a manhole cover shot and wish to show it on this blog please contact us if you'd like us to display it.Manhole Covers in JapanMore Manhole Covers - Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Shimane, HiroshimaCosa Stai Cercando?: Tombini (letteralmente!)TagsJapan Kyoto Shimane Manhole Hiroshima DrainsBook a hotel in Japan with BookingsJapanese FictionJapan Book Shop Amazon UKHappi CoatsTagsJapan Toyokawa Kakunodate Manhole Sendai Drains
By: Soccerphile Blog
Iwami Ginzan
2007-06-28 17:17:00 ????Iwami Ginzan, "Iwami Silver Mountain", in Shimane Prefecture, southern Honshu, has been added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.© OjisanjakeIn its heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Iwami Ginzan mines were producing around one third of all the silver in the world. Iwami Ginzan was home to a quarter of a million people, either working in the mines, or supporting the mines.Work in the narrow shafts of the mines was brutal so lifespans for the miners were extremely short; to service the need for the frequent funerals there were almost 200 temples in the area.Also included are old roads to the Shimane coast and the three traditional port towns of Okidomari, Tomogaura and Yunotsu, from where the silver was loaded on to boats for shipping.Interestingly, Iwami Ginzan's proposal to be accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was initially turned down by the UNESCO sub-committee about a month ago, but has today been accepted by the full committee meeting in Auc... |
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