 Most viewed - Koka 甲賀市 |
This is a unique court lady called the Uneme (釆女) chosen from an aristocratic family and who was in charge of food and drink. She wears a special wardrobe. She is played by Emi Oe (大江絵巳) from Kyoto.134 views
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About Tarumi Tongu. (垂水頓宮) Tongu means temporary palace. There were five of them for the Saio princess between Kyoto and the Saiku palace in Ise.134 views
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National Historic Site of Tarumi Tongu. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), a total of 31 Saio princesses lodged at Tarumi Tongu. 垂水頓宮 134 viewsIn 1935, the Japanese government sent a team of scholars to Tarumi and they found solid evidence of the Tarumi Tongu beg located here. Remains of the palace's earthen walls and wells were found in this area. In 1944, this area designated as a National Historic Site.
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Inside the Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館133 views
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Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.133 views
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Steps going up the hill at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. Good exercise.132 views
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This pottery shop also offers pottery classes.132 views
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Before embarking on the journey from Kyoto to Saiku in Mie Prefecture near Ise Grand Shrine where she was to serve as High Priestess, the Saio would undergo a three-year purification period in Kyoto.132 views
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The Saio princess was an unmarried family member of the emperor, often the daughter. Chosen by divination, she was sometimes very young, like age 8. The palanquin bearers are called Yocho (輿丁) who were chosen from the best gentlemen. 斎王132 views
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Tarumi Tongu is a well-forested area amid tea fields. After Tarumi Tongu, the Saio princess crossed over the Suzuka mountains and stayed at the Suzuka (鈴鹿) Tongu and Ichishi (壱志) Tongu in Mie Prefecture.132 views
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Uneme takes the tea bowl back. This ended the festival at around 4 pm. I really enjoyed this festival. It was worth the long trip to come here.132 views
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Another place to visit in Shigaraki. 131 views
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Saio princess on a pedestal. The woman in the green kimono behind her was always with her, helping her with her kimono as she moved about.131 views
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Greenery at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.130 views
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After the Misosugi purification ceremony, they formed a procession again and headed for the Ono Elementary School gymnasium.130 views
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The woman in purple is a court lady called the Myobu (命婦), an assistant who tends to the immediate needs of the Saio princess.130 views
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Shigaraki Fire Festival in late July in Koka, Shiga Prefecture.130 views
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Azaleas would be beautiful in early May.129 views
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They wear Heian Period costumes. Although Tsuchiyama's Saio festival is not as big as Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri or Meiwa's Saio Matsuri in Mie, it is still very colorful and enjoyable.129 views
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A pair of court ladies called the Nyoju (女嬬) who serve in the inner palace (後宮) and takes care of the Saio princess' daily living.129 viewsBehind is the Torimono-toneri (執物舎人) holding an umbrella is a ceremony attendant to the emperor and Imperial family.
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On the north side, the waiting room has this large painting. The shadow areas is where you can stand and pose for a picture.128 views
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A small shrine stands as a memorial.127 views
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Another theory says that this is the ruins of Kokaji temple. 甲賀寺127 views
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Only the location of the Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama is known today. The exact locations of the other Tongu palaces are unknown, but two others were in Shiga, called the Seta (勢多) and Kafuka (鹿深) Tongu.127 views
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Racks and racks of Shigaraki tanuki or racoon dogs.127 views
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Mail box126 views
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Frog is "Kaeru" which means to "return." A popular ornament at house entrances (exits) and gardens.126 views
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At Yume no Ogawa park, there is a small stream where the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 夢の小川126 views
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Shigaraki taiko drummers' main competitor for attention was the smartphone (or maybe Pokemon Go).126 views
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And rivers. It's a pleasant drive. It's also part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park.125 views
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This frog will supposedly have your money "returned."125 views
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Entrance to Miho Museum which has an excellent collection of art from most parts of the world. Photography is not allowed inside the museum. MAP125 views
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The three girls are called Warawame (童女). They are daughters of the Imperial family or nobility and are learning the customs of the Imperial Court while living in the Imperial Palace. Played by girls from Koka.124 views
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This is the Naishi (内侍), a court lady who served in the palace of the empress (中宮). During the Saio procession, she is at the service of the Saio princess. 124 views
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Kyoto's Aoi Matsuri Festival held in May is also a reenactment of this Saio princess procession called Saio Gunko (斎王群行).123 views
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Small taiko player, Tenjin-machi123 views
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The Saio procession was one of the largest of its kind at the time, with up to 500 people.122 views
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Bonkei of Tsuchiyama-juku. Notice the straight wires used to depict falling rain. 土山宿の盆景121 views
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On the morning of May 14, 1991, a Shigaraki Kogen Railway train bound for Kibukawa collided head on with a special JR West train traveling from Kyoto to Shigaraki.121 viewsThe accident occurred May 14, 1991, when an SKR train collided head-on with a JR West train in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, leaving 42 people, including five SKR employees, dead and 614 injured.
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There are stone markers indicating where various buildings were.121 views
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The Saio procession heads for the gymnasium for another ceremony.121 views
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Another Myobu, followed by a man in white who is the Hakucho (白丁), a guide and guard of the court ladies. 121 views
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Sotoen has a very large number of Shigaraki pottery pieces outside in park-like tract. All for sale. Shigaraki ware is known for its weather-resistance, so they are suited for gardens and outdoor use.121 views
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The accident was due to a train signal mixup and human error.120 views
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Taiko drummers120 views
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Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.120 views
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The woman on the right is the Onna Betto (or Nyo-betto) (女別当) who was the supervisor of the court ladies at special occasions such as the Saio procession. The lady behind her is another Nyoju court lady. And in the end is the Zoshiki (雑色) handym119 views
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The Saio princess arrives at Tarumi Tongu.119 views
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They also have owls. This one has a camera.119 views
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Pig118 views
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Forty-two people died, and over 600 were injured. The JR West train was packed with people heading to Shigaraki for the World Ceramic Festival. The front cars of the two trains formed an upside-down V.118 views
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Following the Saio are more Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.118 views
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The Saio gets out of her palanquin.118 views
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Closing remarks. For more info about the festival, call 0748-66-1602 (in Japanese). Note that if it rains, everything is held inside the Ono Elementary School Gymnasium.118 views
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Again they danced the Dochu-mai. Same one as at the last stop.118 views
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The Saio receives the tea.118 views
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By late afternoon on April 19, the festival eve, one hikiyama float arrived at Minakuchi Shrine. This is the Oike-machi hikiyama.118 views
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Unlike the floats used in Kyoto's famous Gion Matsuri, Minakuchi's hikiyama floats are not disassembled. They are stored in their constructed state. Koka, Shiga.118 views
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Shigaraki has a good number of pottery centers and Sotoen (宗陶苑) is major one. I visited for the first time in Aug. 2012. It covers a large ceramic park-like area.118 views
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Steps along the side of the noborigama kiln.118 views
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Here's our block of Shigaraki clay.118 views
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Ruins of a gate. Only the stone foundations are left. No original buildings stand.117 views
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Ono Elementary School Gymnasium and a few food stalls outside. A nice festival program was also on sale for 200 yen. 大野小学校117 views
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Festival committee chairman gives a speech.117 views
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Posing for a photo.117 views
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In the background is a stone monument marking the area as the site of the Tarumi Tongu palace.117 views
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The Shigaraki Kogen Railway between Kibukawa and Shigaraki Stations is a single railway.116 views
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Stone foundation for a pillar.116 views
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Inside the gym for the Departure ceremony. The Saio princess arrives through the back door.116 views
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The first (and last) character in the procession is the Kacho, an archer and the head of security. 火長116 views
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The Saio sits and waits for her bowl of green tea.116 views
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A talk about Shigaraki ware at Sotoen.116 views
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Kacho archer. (They didn't have guns yet.)115 views
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Entrance to the gym. (If it rains, the ceremony/festival will be held in this gymnasium.)115 views
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These four men are Kyoto (Heiankyo) government officials called Kyoshiki Kannin (京職官人).115 views
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Tsuchiyama is famous for tea. We saw a number of tea fields along the procession route.115 views
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Bell player115 views
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Yuya-machi115 views
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Bento lunch at Sotoen.115 views
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The gagaku musicians were from the Shiga Gagaku-kai troupe. 114 views
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These four are the Beiju (陪従) gagaku (ancient court music) musicians who played for Imperial visits and the Saio procession. (During the festival, they never played anything and there was a separate gagaku troupe.)114 views
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The tea is given to the Uneme (釆女) attendant in charge of food.114 views
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Minakuchi Jonan Station on the Omi Railway Line. The library, museum, Minakuchi Castle, and Minakuchi Shrine are near this station.114 views
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Another person got more creative. We were going to see the result in Sept.114 views
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The last person in the procession is the Kacho guard.113 views
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Saio princess and child attendants.113 views
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The Saio princess makes her way to her place. I wondered why the others didn't bow to her as she passed by.113 views
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Saio goes back to her palanquin.113 views
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The Uneme takes the bowl of tea to the Saio.113 views
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Sotoen's main attraction is this noborigama or sloping kiln. Japan's oldest noborigama. The bottom chamber is the furnace where they burn wood. 登り窯113 views
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The instructor showed how to smooth the top edge with a wet cloth.113 views
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The Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession left the gymnasium at around 1:30 pm.112 views
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Afterward, the Saio goes back into her palanquin.112 views
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Saio passing by tea field.112 views
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Photo op at Sotoen. They got almost everything you can imagine. The giant tanuki is priced as much as 700,000 yen.112 views
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A talk about Shigaraki ware at Sotoen.112 views
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The Saio princess in her palanquin. Notice that the palanquin's screens on all four sides are rolled up.111 views
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Then gives it to the attendant.111 views
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The tea bowl is brought to the tea master.111 views
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Smaller tanuki cost a few thousand yen.111 views
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"Noborigama" kiln explanation in Japanese111 views
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They actually carried her to the wheeled cart.110 views
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There were surprisingly few spectators.110 views
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They carry her to the wheeled cart. Modern men are too weak to carry such a heavy palanquin.110 views
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The first Saio watches a dance performance.110 views
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The Saio then went on the stage. This was the festival's final ceremony called Otsukishiki (Arrival Ceremony) at the Tarumi Tongu site. お着き式110 views
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Hikiyama Festival Plaza in front of Minakuchi Jonan Station.110 views
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Rental bicycles at Aburahi Station's waiting room. The round windows have a ninja shuriken throwing knife design.110 views
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Tanuki for sale at Sotoen, Shigaraki.110 views
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Another highlight of Sotoen was a pottery lesson for beginners. They have a huge pottery classroom.110 views
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First, an instructor demonstrated the basics of pottery making with a block of clay. Easy enough for anyone to make a simple bowl or cup.110 views
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Pottery everywhere at Sotoen.110 views
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Large tanuki.110 views
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Mayor of Koka gives a speech. (Tsuchiyama is in the city of Koka.)109 views
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Group picture. About 80 people participated in the procession.109 views
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Bearer of a sign saying, "Saio."109 views
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A nice performance area for a dance performance.109 views
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The tea master makes the tea.109 views
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They first introduced all the people in the Saio Princess Procession.108 views
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They danced to recorded music.108 views
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The first break was at the Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.（市場区民広場）108 views
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A noborigama chamber. The chambers get larger toward the top of the noborigama kiln. 登り窯108 views
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"Noborigama" kiln explanation in Japanese. It takes 40-50 days to fill the kiln, and 7-10 days to fire. 登り窯108 views
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The top of the noborigama kiln.108 views
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The Saio princess was poised as always, despite the winds and sun and the heavy costume.107 views
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The procession arrived at about 2 pm.107 views
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Sotoen gift shop.107 views
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Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.106 views
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Overview of the heart of Sotoen.106 views
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Crayon no Shinchan.106 views
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Saio procession through the town. I was surprised to see so few spectators even though this was really a gorgeous procession.105 views
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Marker for the site of the former Tarumi Tongu palace.105 views
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Another stop was made at the Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) in front of Chianji (Chianzenji) Temple (地安禅寺).105 views
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Route to the Tarumi Tongu palace site.105 views
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Saio makes her way to her place.105 views
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Inside Tarumi Tongu. Today, it is just a small forested area with a monument. The names and dates of all 31 Saio princesses who stayed in Tarumi Tongu are known today.105 views
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The Saio Gunko procession proceeds through tea fields on the way to Tarumi Tongu.105 views
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Each of the hikiyama floats are named after their respective neighborhoods.105 views
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Kenketo Odori poster. The word "kenketo" is written in katakana, but the kanji is written as 献鶏頭 which is not accurate in meaning. It was just made up. No one is sure what kenketo means in Japanese.105 views
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The heat from the furnace at the bottom chamber rises and seeps into all the chambers. 登り窯105 views
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After maybe 20-30 min., my little bowl.105 views
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Ichiba Kumin Hiroba square.（市場区民広場）104 views
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Back of the archer.104 views
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The Dochumai was performed. 道中舞104 views
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Saio and tea plants.104 views
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Festival waste material.104 views
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Jizo statues 104 views
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They even can make Shigaraki figurines based your likeness if you give them photos of your face.104 views
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Ozuchi Dam103 views
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Frogs are another auspicious pottery piece. Sotoen Web site: shigarakiyaki.co.jp103 views
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The backdrop was quite dramatic with the temple gate.102 viewsChianji belongs to the Obaku-shu Chinese Zen sect. It also has a connection to the Imperial family.
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They gathered at Maeno Community West Hiroba Square (前野集会所西広場) at about 2:40 pm.102 viewsPanorama shot.
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Placard bearers102 views
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Rakuyaji temple office where you pay the 500 yen admission fee to enter the main Hondo hall (open 9:00 am - 5 pm, till 4 pm in winter). Pilgrims can also get the temple's autograph and seal in their pilgrimage book.102 views
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Saio arrives at Maeno.101 views
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Coming through an avenue of pine trees on the old Tokaido Road. The procession is led by a patrol car with a speaker blaring out a Saio song.100 views
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Tsuchiyama-juku was the forty-ninth of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido Road, following Sakanoshita-juku in Mie. This section of the old Tokaido is lined with pine trees. Matsu-namiki 松並木98 views
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Bonkei of Minakuchi-juku, also in Koka, follows Tsuchiyama-juku. It shows a few women drying gourd shavings. Mr. Mikami donated the entire bonkei collection to Tsuchiyama in 1992. He did not make any bonkei for the Nakasendo. He died in 1998.98 views
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Display case showing medicines made by pharmaceutical companies in Koka.96 views
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Tsuchiyama is next to the Suzuka mountains with lots of greenery.95 views
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This is the hill where the Minakuchi-Okayama Castle was originally built in 1585 by Nakamura Kazuuji 中村一氏, a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It fell into ruin after the Battle of Sekigahara where the castle lord lost.95 views
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I declined to follow them all day long since their performance is repetitive. I spent the rest of the time renting a bicycle and Aburahi Station and saw other sights in the area.95 views
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The Honjin was the town's most exclusive lodge reserved for daimyo lords, government officials, and even Emperor Meiji. Each post town on the Tokaido had a Honjin.94 views
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Bonkei for Tsuchiyama-juku. Complemented by a few other smaller bonkei showing a traveling procession.93 views
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Stone monument for the Mountain Goddess in Ozuchi. She is said to be ugly, and can get jealous and angry if a woman comes to worship her. So only men worship her. Fertility rites are also performed here. 山の神93 views
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Oike-machi hikiyama float at Minakuchi Shrine during the Minakuchi Matsuri Yomiya (festival eve). 大池町93 views
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Back at Minakuchi Shrine, the festival continues with Minakuchi-bayashi music performed by Tenjin-machi.93 views
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The next time the Aburahi Matsuri with yakko-furi procession will be held will be in 2021.93 views
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About the Reiki sacred tree. 霊木93 views
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