Image search results - "ibi" - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Image search results - "ibi"

The biggest taiko drum festival in the Kanto region is held annually in April. Various taiko drum troupes perform for two full days on various outdoor stages in Narita, including the main stage in front of the Narita-san temple.

Tekomai

About Genova　ジェノバの紹介Genova (or Genoa) is a port city on the west coast of Italy. It is the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. For 2004, it was designated as the European City of Culture. From Milan, it takes about 90 min. to reach Genova.

ジェノバは、イタリアの北の西海岸にある港街です。コロンブスの出身地でもあります。ミラノから電車で約1.5時間かかります。

Tokushima Awa Odori dancer

Otsu Exhibition, Nov. 21 - Dec. 4, 2005 at Shiga Kaikan, Otsu, Shiga. Right across from the Shiga Prefectural Office. 滋賀会館For this exhibition, I created my own photographic rendition of the places and scenes mentioned in the song and also photographed all the stone monuments dedicated to the song. I used Photoshop to composite images and to alter the colors into a dreamy condition as the song suggests. I also translated the lyrics into English.

The exhibition was held at Shiga Kaikan, right across from the Shiga Prefectural Office. Shiga Kaikan has two spaces for exhibitions, and I used the smaller space called Bunka Salon Gallery.

Map: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/map.html
Address: Kyomachi 3-4-22, Otsu, Shiga Pref.
Phone: 077-525-9995
〒520-0044　大津市京町三丁目 4-22
Web site: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/

Float pullers at Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri

Title: Lake Biwa Rowing Song - In Pictures and in English Bunka Salon Gallery (also a coffee shop) inside Shiga Kaikan. 「琵琶湖周航の歌」〜写真と英語に〜The title was "Lake Biwa Boating Song - In Pictures and in English." I later changed the song title to "Lake Biwa Rowing Song."

Shiga Kaikan has two spaces for exhibitions, and I used the smaller space called Bunka Salon Gallery.

One entire wall and half of another wall were available for exhibitions free of charge.

My first and very small exhibition to introduce "Lake Biwa Rowing Song" in English. The English lyrics were still unfinished, so only an English translation was presented.I showed three images per verse (6 verses total), plus caption sheets and artist's message, boating map, and composer's biography on the other wall.

All the pictures were printed on A4 inkjet paper. Very low budget exhibition, but it caught the interest of one newspaper reporter. I later changed the song title to "Lake Biwa Rowing Song."

Exhibition Date & Time: Nov. 21 to Dec. 4, 2005, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, closed Mon.

Map: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/map.html
Address: Kyomachi 3-4-22, Otsu, Shiga Pref.
Phone: 077-525-9995
〒520-0044　大津市京町三丁目 4-22
Web site: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/

Prayers to the Kanamara-bune mikoshi かなまら舟神輿Before the portable shrine is taken out to be paraded around town, the god of the shrine must be transferred to it. This is what the head priest is doing.

For each verse (total 6 verses), I showed three photos and a caption sheet with my non-singable English translation of the verse.「琵琶湖周航の歌」をイメージ写真付きで英訳された作詞と英文説明で紹介する写真展です。歌に登場する各地の写真や６番まですべての歌碑も英語で紹介。外国人も知って欲しい名曲です。英語の勉強にも！

2005年11月21日(月)〜12月4日(日)　9：30〜17：00
滋賀県大津市　滋賀会館　文化サロンギャラリー　入場無料
〒520-0044　大津市京町三丁目 4-22
Tel: 077-525-9995
HP: http://www.shiga-bunshin.or.jp/shigakaikan/

アクセス：
ＪＲ大津駅びわ湖口（北口）から徒歩5分
京阪浜大津駅からバス7分
名神大津インターからバス5分
京阪島ノ関駅から徒歩3分

1971年に加藤登紀子の大ヒットになったこの「琵琶湖周航の歌」は、昨年までに僕は聞いたことない。昨年の春に長野県諏訪市の御柱祭りを見に行ったときに岡谷市に泊まって近くの諏訪湖で散歩すると歌の作詞家である小口太郎（岡谷出身）の銅像があって「琵琶湖周航の歌」が紹介されて非常に興味深いものと思った。

英語で紹介したいなと思ってこの歌の英語版とイメージ写真をやっと完成しました。そしていつかこの歌を英語で歌ってもらいたい。歌詞を英語にすることはあまり難しくないが、それを歌のメロディに合わせることが大変。まだそこまで完成していない。もっと時間が必要。できあがったら、勿論また発表します。

この文化サロンは、サロン形の喫茶店になっている。

Shinjuku Eisa Matsuri, Tokyo

Verse 1 photos (Otsu)

Verse 2 photos (Omi-Maiko)

Verse 3 photos (Imazu)

Verse 4 photos (Chikubushima)

Verse 5 photos (Hikone)

Palazzo Ducale, site of the Japan art exhibition in 2005 (Giappone - L'Arte del mutamento). (展覧会の会場)From April to Aug. 2005, a huge Japanese art exhibition was held at this former palace. It exhibited ukiyoe, posters, textiles, and photographs. The photo exhibition, curated by Rossella Menegazzo and myself (Philbert Ono), showed images of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb aftermath.

2005年４月〜8月にイタリアのジェノバ市で日本の美術展覧会が開催され、浮世絵、着物、アートポスターと写真が展示されました。写真展は、60周年のため広島・長崎原爆関係の写真が紹介されました。会場は、立派なドゥカーレ宮殿でした。

Verse 6 photos (Chomeiji)

On the adjacent wall, I showed a map of the rowing route, artist's message in English and Japanese, and an English biography of Taro Oguchi, the songwriter.

Tokushima Awa Odori dancer

Close-up of sign above the entrance to Palazzo Ducale

Imazu Exhibition, May 16 - June 25, 2006 at Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan, Takashima, Shiga. Photo exhibition poster.

Court ladies called uneme. Their kimono have a blue wave design. 釆女釆女

Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan song museum, in Imazu, Shiga 琵琶湖周航の歌資料館

Title: Lake Biwa Rowing Song - In Pictures and in English 「琵琶湖周航の歌」写真と英語に. Entrance to exhibition room in the song museum, Imazu.

Tokushima Awa Odori dancer

Exhibition room on the 2nd floor of the Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan song museum.

Crowd gathers

Exhibition introduction

Verse 6 song monument photos (Chomeiji)

Verse 6 photos (Chomeiji)

White Heron Dance is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa. The dance was revived in 1968 in Asakusa to mark the Meiji Period Centennial. It has been performed annually on Nov. 3 ever since. 白鷺の舞

Verse 5 song monument photos (Hikone)

Setsubun bean throwing at Takahata Fudoson temple, Hino, Tokyo

Inside the Palazzo DucaleAs soon as you enter, this is what you see. The lower left is the entrance to the bookstore, and the stairs go up to the textile and ukiyoe exhibition.

Verse 5 photos (Hikone)

Verse 4 song monument photos (Chikubushima)

Verse 4 photos (Chikubushima)

Verse 3 song monument photos (Imazu)

Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe. They were all girls and super good!大江戸助六太鼓

Verse 3 photos (Imazu)

Oedo Sukeroku Taiko troupe

Verse 2 song monument photos (Omi-Maiko)

Verse 2 photos (Omi-Maiko)

Verse 1 song monument photos (Otsu)

Verse 1 photos (Otsu)

Nene, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's wife

Photos of the song monument and Taro Oguchi statue in Okaya, Nagano, his hometown.

Museum shop entrance and tanabata display.This was taken on July 9, 2005 which is close to Tanabata.

Shrine maiden and Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa三社大権現祭礼　船渡御

Tomioka Hachiman tekomai geisha

Entrance to Hiroshima-Nagasaki photo exhibition　広島・長崎原爆写真展の入口

Nagahama Exhibition, July 1 - Aug. 10, 2006 at Biwa Library, Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture. Exhibition poster.

Lute Plaza, which includes Biwa Library in Nagahama, Shiga. 20-min. bus ride from Nagahama Station.

Biwa Library びわ図書館

Title: Lake Biwa Rowing Song - Sing in English! 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語で歌おう！ Entrance to Biwa Library.

Photo exhibition in Biwa Library, Nagahama, Shiga Pref.

Photo exhibition in Biwa Library

Photo exhibition panels at Biwa Library

Photo exhibition panels

Photo exhibition panels at Biwa Library

Hiroshima photos　広島原爆写真

The photos displayed were almost the same as the Imazu exhibition.

Hiroshima panorama photos by Shigeo HayashiThe exhibition room was divided in half by this panel. The right side was for Hiroshima, and the left side for Nagasaki.

Omi-Hachiman One-Day Exhibition, Oct. 29, 2006 at Shima Kominkan Public Hall, Omi-Hachiman, Shiga. 島公民館文化祭

Opening ceremony for the Culture Festival (Bunka-sai) at this public hall near Chomeiji temple in Omi-Hachiman.

Genroku Flower-Viewing Dance 元禄花見踊り

Entrance to my photo exhibition in Shima Kominkan Public Hall during their day-long Bunka-sai Culture Festival.

Title: Lake Biwa Rowing Song in English 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版

Center exhibition panel with song location images

Two panels on left wall

Two panels on right wall

Introduction to the song and newspaper articles

Explanation of English lyrics for the six verses.

Photos of song monuments.

Video monitor showing Hiroshima

Photos of Kyoto University Rowing Club's Lake Biwa rowing trip, including a picture of them posing with the Chomeiji song monument.

Oiran Dochu Procession. This picture was taken next to the Sensoji Temple behind which the parade starts. Before, one oiran courtesan rode in a rickshaw. 花の吉原おいらん道中花の吉原おいらん道中

Oiran Dochu Procession 花の吉原おいらん道中

Oiran Dochu Procession. The two little girls are called kamuro.

Sadako and her origami cranesBased on a story of a girl named Sadako who was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. She was told that if she folded 1,000 paper origami cranes, she would be granted a wish. But she died at age 12 even after folding over 1,000 paper cranes.

Okaya One-Day Exhibition, Mar. 4, 2007 at Canora Hall, Okaya, Nagano.

Title: Lake Biwa Rowing Song in English 「琵琶湖周航の歌」英語版

Exhibition during the Okaya International Exchange Association's 15th anniversary festival.

My photo exhibition with two panels showing photos of places mentioned in the song and song monuments.

Left panel.

She walks in a very slow and stylized way, her feet taking figure-8 steps. She needs the man's shoulder to steady herself.

Right panel.

Below the photos were explanation of the song and English lyrics.

Some English explanations also provided.

Yokaichi Exhibition, May 9-27, 2007 at Yokaichi Public Library, HigashiOmi, Shiga. Photo exhibition poster.

Yokaichi Public Library, near Yokaichi Station. 東近江市　八日市図書館

2nd floor gallery in Yokaichi Public Library. This floor is also like a coffee shop.

Nagasaki photos by Yosuke Yamahata　山端庸介が原爆投下翌日の写真を撮ったYosuke Yamahata was an Imperial Army photographer who was ordered to go to Nagasaki to photograph the after effects of the atomic bomb. He and two others, a writer and an artist, arrived in Nagasaki the morning after the bomb was dropped. Yamahata went on to capture over 100 extraordinary images of the devastation, people who survived, people helping the wounded, and the inevitable corpses.

山端庸介（1917−66）は陸軍報道カメラマンとして原爆投下翌日の長崎に入り，100枚以上の非常に貴重な歴史的の写真を撮った。長崎原爆資料館にも大きく展示されている。

First panel explaining Verses 1 and 2, Yokaichi Public Library 2nd floor gallery

Second panel explaining Verses 3 and 4.

Third panel explaining Verses 5 and 6.

Fourth panel showing all the song monuments in Shiga and Okaya, Nagano.

Fifth and final panel showing photos of our song-related activities.

2nd Imazu Exhibition, May 30 - July 1, 2007 at Biwako Shuko no Uta Shiryokan, Takashima, Shiga. This was the second time to have an exhibition here. Photo exhibition poster.

One half of the exhibition. It is similar to the exhibition held here a year before, but many new photos have been added. They include photos of the Kyoto Univ. Rowing Club and our activities in the past year.

1st panel explaining about the exhibition and English song. This exhibition coincides with the June 16, 2007 release of our Lake Biwa Rowing Song CD.

2nd panel showing Verse 1 (Otsu)

Dance maidens

3rd panel showing Verse 2 (Omatsu or Omi-Maiko)

Nagasaki photos by Yosuke Yamahata.　写っている人物の当時の状況が詳しく語っています。In 1995, NHK, Japan's leadning TV station, successfully identified some of the survivors pictured in Yamahata's photographs. They even interviewed some of them who were still living. They aired a special TV program and published a book about the extraordinary stories of the survivors.

Those stories have been summarized into Italian for the photo captions in this exhibition.

写っている人物の当時の状況が詳しく語っています。10年前にNHKの取材班が山端庸介の原爆写真に写っている人物の名前とか所在を調べてまだ生きている何人かとインタービューが成功。それが、テレビ番組と本「ＮＨＫスペシャル　長崎　よみがえる原爆写真」になって大変感動しました。（テレビ番組も昨年８月に再放送された。）

そのNHK Special番組と本を参考してこの新しい写真集の写真説明文を書きました。イタリア語になっていますが、それぞれの写真を今まで外国語で詳しく説明されたことないのです。被爆者の感動的の話しをもっと海外にも伝いたいのです。

4th panel showing Verse 3 (Imazu)

5th panel showing Verse 4 (Chikubushima)

6th panel showing Verse 5 (Hikone)

7th panel showing Verse 6 (Chomeiji)

8th panel showing song monuments for Verses 1-3

9th panel showing song monuments for Verses 4-6

10th panel showing Oguchi Taro song monument and his grave and house in Okaya, Nagano.

11th panel showing photos of our song-related activities. Our first public performance, appearance on NHK Nodo Jiman, CD recording, etc.

12th panel showing photos of our song-related activities.

13th panel showing photos of Kyoto University Rowing Club rowing around Lake Biwa in Aug. 2006.

Nagasaki photos by Yosuke Yamahata

Last panel showing news articles and Web pages and people singing the song.

Maibara Exhibition, July 19 - Aug. 3, 2007 at Lucci Plaza, Maibara, Shiga. Near Omi-Nagaoka Station. Photo exhibition poster.

Eight exhibition panels in the spacious lobby.

1st panel for Verse 1 and explanation about the exhibition and English song.

2nd panel showing Verse 2 (Omatsu or Omi-Maiko)

3rd panel showing Verse 3 (Imazu)

5th panel showing Verse 4 (Chikubushima)

5th panel showing Verse 5 (Hikone)

6th panel showing Verse 6 (Chomeiji)

Nagasaki photos by Yosuke Yamahata

Awa Odori Dance, Yamato, KanagawaAwa Odori dancers are characterized by their straw hats, a thin kimono called the yukata, and geta clogs. Their heels don't touch the ground, so they dance on their toes. They hop along while shaking their hands above their heads. Since the dance is performed in the summer, often the yukata gets soaked with perspiration.

7th panel showing photos of our song-related activities. Our first public performance, appearance on NHK Nodo Jiman, CD recording, etc. Also newspaper articles.

8th panel showing more newspaper articles, and guest book messages.

Exhibition title even on the rear side of the exhibition panels.

Shiga JET Art Show, March 20-23, 2008 at Biwako Bunkakan, Otsu, Shiga. Shiga's JET teachers held an art show and I provided photos for Jamie Thompson, a Shiga JET.

Biwako Bunkakan is the lakeside building that looks like a castle. Used to be an aquarium before it was converted into an art museum. Now closed.

Imazu Jr. High Lake Biwa Rowing Exhibition, July 1-30, 2008 at Imazu Public Library, Takashima, Shiga. I showed mainly photos of Imazu Jr. High's rowing club rowing across Lake Biwa from Nagahama to Imazu.

The exhibition was at the library entrance with a wall and three showcases.

On the wall, I had ten frames containing two A4-size photos each.

Nagasaki photos and origami corner　折り紙コーナーVisitors were encouraged to fold a paper crane.

Awa Odori Dance, Koenji, TokyoIn late August, Koenji in Tokyo holds one of the largest Awa Odori dances outside Tokushima Prefecture. This woman is a different type of Awa dancer. She wears a head band, a happi coat imprinted with the name of her dance troupe, a pair of white shorts, and a pair of white sock-like shoes called tabi.

Also see my photos of the Imazu Jr. High School Rowing Club rowing across Lake Biwa.

Center showcase

The center showcase introduced the Lake Biwa Rowing Song.

Center showcase (right part).

Left showcase

Right showcase

The left showcase introduced the traditional-style, wooden fixed-seat boat used to row across the lake.

Panel for exhibition credits　クレジットRossella Menegazzo and Philbert Ono were co-curators of the photo exhibition.

イタリア側でこの展覧会と図録のコーディネートをしているRossella Menegazzoさんは、ちょっと古い友人です。彼女は素晴らしい頑張りやさん。まだベネチア大学の学生のとき、夏休みに来日して僕と会いたいと言われて都内のピザ屋（彼女のバイト先）で初めて会ってあげた。

「卒業論文のため、日本人の写真家を研究したい！」と言い出してびっくりしたよ。「木村伊兵衛か土門拳、どっちがいいと思う？」と聞かれても答えないよ。（結局、土門拳になった。）しかし、参考書はほとんど日本語で英語の参考書も（僕のHP以外）非常に少ないと指摘した。でも３年後、なんとイタリア語で土門拳の論文が完成された。これは、イタリア国内で史上初の日本人写真家の論文である。ということは、彼女が日本語も勉強して読めるようになったの。凄いでしょう。

で、話しがまだ続く。彼女の草分けの論文のおかげで大学の後輩も二人、三人が日本の写真家の論文を書いたりしているの。その後輩たちにも僕ができる限り参考書など送っています。（向こうは喜ぶね。）でも、その学生さんが日本人の写真家を論文のためにインタービューしようとすると拒否されることがある（例えば奈良原一高）。それを聞くと僕はとても恥ずかしい気持した。一方、森山大道の論文を書いた学生が本人とのインタービューが成功した。彼女がとても喜んでいたそうです。（大道さん、ありがとう。）

Nagasaki exhibition catalog: Yosuke Yamahata-Nagasaki　山端庸介の新しい写真集兼図録This book shows all of Yosuke Yamahata's photos of Nagasaki, including the the 100+ photos of Nagasaki taken on the day after the bomb was dropped. The book includes a photo which has never been published in a book. Many detailed captions about the people identified in the photos are also included. Language is Italian. Order from PhotoGuide Japan's iStore.

山端庸介（1917−66）は陸軍報道カメラマンとして原爆投下翌日の長崎に入り，100枚以上の非常に貴重な歴史的の写真を撮った。長崎原爆資料館にも大きく展示されている。

過去に山端庸介の写真集が国内外に出版されたことあるけど、撮った写真の一部しか紹介されていませんでした。今回の新しい写真集は、山端庸介の長崎関係の全集の写真集とも言えます。本に出版されたことない写真もあります。1946年に撮った写真もあります。

そしてもう一つの大きな特徴は、説明文。写っている人物の当時の状況が結構詳しく語っています。10年前にNHKの取材班が山端庸介の原爆写真に写っている人物の名前とか所在を調べてまだ生きている何人かとインタービューが成功。それが、テレビ番組と本「ＮＨＫスペシャル　長崎　よみがえる原爆写真」になって大変感動しました。（テレビ番組も昨年８月に再放送された。）

そのNHK Special番組と本を参考してこの新しい写真集の写真説明文を書きました。イタリア語になっていますが、それぞれの写真を今まで外国語で詳しく説明されたことないのです。被爆者の感動的の話しをもっと海外にも伝いたいのです。

The right showcase showed photos of our activities.

Poster exhibition　日本のポスター展In the huge, cavernous basement of the Palazzo Ducale, over 600 artistic Japanese posters were on display.

地下の凄い大きいホールになんと600枚のポスターが展示。

Hanagasa Festival, YamagataDuring early August, northern Japan holds several large-scale summer festivals. One of them is the Hanagasa (Flower Hat) Festival in Yamagata city. Held in the evening, it is a long parade of women dancing while wearing a flowered hat.
See more photos of this festival here.

Poster exhibition

Poster exhibitionA few expo posters. Even those poster designs which were not selected to be the official poster design were included in this exhibition.

Poster exhibition

Poster exhibition catalog: Manifesti D'Artista 1955-2005　ポスター展の図録All 600 posters featured in the exhibition is reprinted in this thick catalog called "Manifesti D'Artista 1955-2005," published by Ideart. Language is Italian. Order from PhotoGuide Japan's iStore.

Folding screen　屏風も

Upstairs to the textile and ukiyoe exhibitions　二階へ二階に織物展と浮世絵展が開催。

Upstairs to the textile and ukiyoe exhibitions　二階へ

Textile exhibition　織物展The textiles were exhibited in the best rooms of the Palazzo Ducale, including the chapel shown here. Beautiful frescoes decorated the walls and ceilings. What a contrast it was between the Japanese kimono and religious motif.

織物は宮殿の一番豪華な多数の部屋に展示された。

Textile exhibition　織物展The textiles included kimono, noren curtains, and stenciled works.

着物、のれんなど展示された。

Textile exhibition catalog: Avvolti Nel Mito　織物展図録The textiles exhibited are shown in this catalog called "Avvolti Nel Mito" (Wrapped in the Myth) published by Ideart. Language is Italian. Order from PhotoGuide Japan's iStore.

Entrance to ukiyoe exhibitionThis is the second floor (in Italy, it's called the first floor). And what we in Japan and the US call the 1st floor is the zero floor in Italy.

Entrance to ukiyoe exhibition　浮世絵展の入口

Ukiyoe exhibition　浮世絵展The ukiyoe collection came from the Chiossone Museum in Genova. The collection was amassed by Genova native and printing expert Edoardo Chiossone (1833-98 who was dispatched to Japan in 1875 to help Japan modernize its printing technologies (for printing money, etc.). During his 23 years in Japan, he acquired thousands of Japanese art works, especially ukiyoe which numbers 4,000 works. He never returned to Italy and died in Japan.

ジェノバ出身の彫刻師エドアルド・キヨッソーネ（1833-98）は、1875年大蔵省紙幣寮（のちの内閣印刷局）の求めに応じて来日。当時、日本の近代化を推進していた明治政府は外国から優れた技術者を「お雇い外国人」として招いており、キヨッソーネもその一人でした。日本近代印刷技術の礎を築きます。

キヨッソーネの日本滞在は24年にわたり、ついに祖国イタリアへ戻ることなく日本で生涯を終えますが、その間に日本美術に触発され約15,000点余りの美術品を収集するに至ります。なかでも浮世絵のコレクションは4,000点におよび、コレクションのなかでも最も充実したジャンルを形成し世界有数の浮世絵コレクションとして知られています。現在はジェノバ市立キヨッソーネ東洋美術館が所蔵されています。

Ukiyoe exhibition

Palazzo Ducale courtyard

Ideart bookstore 図録の出版社であるIdeartの会場内売店（展示期間のみ）At the end of the poster exhibition hall, you enter this bookstore where you can buy all the exhibition catalogs, Japanese books (in Italian), and other neat things. This Ideart (publisher of the exhibition catalogs) bookstore operated only during this exhbition.

Exhibition catalogs　図録Order from PhotoGuide Japan's iStore.

Shiatsu demonstrationThe other courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale had shiatsu demonstrations when we were there in July. During the exhibition, various Japan-related events and demonstrations were held such as taiko drumming and martial arts.

Posters at Genova Fnac Bookstore　市内のFnac本屋でPRThe Fnac Bookstore was generous enough to provide space on their outdoor walls to publicize the exhibition with replicas of the posters and photos.

フランスに本社がある大手本屋さんのFnacのジェノバ店で今回の展覧会をPRするために展覧会関係の巨大ポスターを店の壁に張ってくれました。

Posters at Genova Fnac Bookstore

Posters at Genova Fnac BookstoreShot of bombed Nagasaki above one entrance.

山端庸介の長崎原爆写真も入口の上に。

Ukiyoe at Genova Fnac BookstoreUkiyoe decorates the bookstore facing the main street.

Hana-yakko dancer at Chawan Matsuri, Yogo, Shiga

Fukushima Waraji Matsuri

Entrance to Hibiya Park near the Imperial Palace and Ginze. One of Tokyo's most centrally-located parks. Free admission.

Map of Hibiya Park. It's a medium-size park with different areas with ponds, grassy lawns, benches, outdoor stage and concert amphitheater, and tennis courts

About Hibiya Park in English. Hibiya Park opened in 1903 as Japan's first Western-style (mainly German) park. During the Edo Period, it used to be the Tokyo residence of important daimyos.

Stone wall of a former gate of Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace). There are steps to go to the top of this wall.

Stone wall of castle gate.

Shinji Pond. 心字池

Stone wall and Shinji-ike Pond.

On top of the stone wall are benches overlooking Shinji Pond.

Shinji Pond as seen from atop the castle stone wall.

The first grassy lawn you'll see in Hibiya Park, called Flower Garden No. 1.

But you have to keep off the grass.

Pelican Fountain.

Keep off the grass. This is actually a German-style sunken garden.

There is a flower bed at each of the four corners of the German-style sunken garden.

Nice place to have lunch for nearby office workers.

View of the garden from a bench.

In Nov., a variety of roses bloom in Hibiya Park.

Roses in Hibiya Park, Tokyo.

During most of Nov., the annual Tokyo-to Kanko Kikka Taikai or Chrysanthemum Show is held. An incredible variety of this revered flower is on display. One of Tokyo's best chrysanthemum shows in autumn.

The Chrysanthemum Show was held in this grassy area next to the tennis courts. There were a good number of shacks housing the flowers.

The Tokyo Chrysanthemum Show in Hibiya Park was a competition among world-class growers and breeders. The best flowers receive various award ribbons.

There are numerous varieties of the chrysanthemum and breeders create new species each year. It's like orchid breeders.

The results can be quite spectacular or subtle. Chrysanthemums are called "kiku" in Japanese. The ordinary chrysanthemums sold by your neighborhood flower shop are mainly used for funerals or memorial services.

I was told that most breeders are older folk, in their 60s and 70s. Young people are not taking it up.

The breeders/growers belong to chrysanthemum clubs or associations which participate in competitions like this one.

The shapes, sizes, and colors are so incredibly varied.

Tokyo Chrysanthemum Show in Hibiya Park.

More racks of chrysanthemums.

Bonsai chrysanthemums.

This is the original species of chrysanthemum. The Imperial family crest is also based on this species of chrysanthemum which was introduced to Japan from China.

Two-tone flowers are also quite common and very beautiful.

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