 Last additions - Higashi-Omi 東近江市 |
We were then invited to sign our names on the kite paper.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
The pasted pieces are laid to dry.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
They joined two sheets of kite paper together. This marked the first step in making the kite. The finished kite paper will consist of a few hundred washi paper sheets pasted together.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
Higashi-Omi mayor Nakamura Koichi explains the design. "Kyosei" 共生 means to co-exist (i.e. man and nature) or to live together harmoniously. 中村功一市長Jul 09, 2007
|
|
They used a wide brush to apply paste to the edges of a piece of kite paper.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
The mayor and one of the kite design artists wear a sash and pose for a picture before proceeding with the Noritsuke Ceremony.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
Twenty-six design entries were submitted this year. There was no top winner, so the final design was based on the three best designs. This design features the kanji "Yorokobu" or joyfulness. 今回のテーマは「いのち」Jul 09, 2007
|
|
The top kanji is "yorokobu" (joyfulness) which can also be read as "ki." The pair of hawks 鷹 can be read as "yo." And the bottom kanji is "sei" (living). It's "Kyosei."Jul 09, 2007
|
|
They introduced the three best designs. 最優秀作品はなく、３点の優秀賞作品を参考に保存会が決めた。Jul 09, 2007
|
|
The new kite design was then announced. Called Han-jimon (判じもん), the design expresses a certain theme using word play with a pair of animals and one or two kanji characters. 八日市大凧は３年に一度図柄を変える。Jul 09, 2007
|
|
During July-Aug. 2007, I helped to make the Yokaichi giant kite at the annex of the Yokaichi Giant Kite Museum.where the giant kite is made. Every three years, the giant kite, flown every May in Higashi-Omi, is replaced by a new kite bearing a new design.The new kite was made during July-Aug. 2007, taking about 30 days. The kite is made by volunteers from the public under the instruction of the Yokaichi Giant Kite Preservation Society. For the first time, I helped make this giant kite which was first flown successsfully on May 25, 2008 at the annual kite festival.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
Entrance to the annex and a sign indicating the day's event or work. Today, July 7, 2007, was the Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony. 八日市大凧まつり のりつけ式Jul 09, 2007
|
|
Before announcing the final kite design, they announced the three best (but not winning) design entries. The public was invited to submit kite designs based on the theme of "Life" or inochi.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
July 7, 2007: The making of the giant kite started with Noritsuke Pasting Ceremony where the new design was announced and dignitaries pasted together the first pieces of the kite paper.Jul 09, 2007
|
|
Pit for offering white stonesJun 04, 2007
|
|
Walk around this post and another 50 meters away 100 times to eliminate your troubles.Jun 04, 2007
|
|
White stones (which you can buy) written with your wishes or prayers.Jun 04, 2007
|
|
View from Tarobogu.Jun 04, 2007
|
|
Wedded Rock sacred ropeJun 04, 2007
|
|
Of course, the Wedded Rocks is also good for married couples to maintain a good and happy marriage. Meoto-iwa 夫婦岩Jun 04, 2007
|
|
Haiden ceremony hall 拝殿Jun 04, 2007
|
|
Tarobo-gu is a shrine complex on a small mountain, featuring grand views of Yokaichi and a pair of Wedded Rocks. It is 1.1 km from Tarobogu-mae Station on the Ohmi Railway Line. The shrine's real name is Aga Jinja 阿賀神社. [url=http://goo.gl/mapMap of Tarobo-gu. You can drive up halfway up the mountain (called Mitsukuriyama 箕作山) which is 350 meters high. If you don't have a car, climb over 700 steps to reach the shrine's main hall.Jun 04, 2007
|
|
Entrance to the shrine.Jun 04, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Medium-size kites entered in a kite-flying contest.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Carrying out bamboo. Many people left the festival after the kite crash.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Jun 03, 2007
|
|
As I predicted again, they started disassembling the kite so they could roll (crumple) it up and carry it out. The kite was not flown again for this festival. It was to be its final flight since it will be replaced next year.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
A closer look at the accident scene. The kite suffered significant damage, and it took about 20 days to repair.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
No way would this guy be able to pull the kite out of this one...Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Stack of cut bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
The kite strings were too tangled in the bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
How he wished that he could just pull the strings to drag the kite out.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
A small clearing was made around the kite.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Members of the giant kite preservation society look on as the disappointing and heartbreaking situation is assessed.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
As I expected, they soon started cutting down the bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Hanging on to the strings...Jun 03, 2007
|
|
"So how does it look?" "It looks pretty bad, boss."Jun 03, 2007
|
|
All we could see were the kite strings.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
This was the 2nd time in three years for the giant kite to meet a major accident. In 2005, the kite broke in half in the sky and crashed into a crowd of people below.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
The sign says "Arigato gozaimasu" (Thank you). I guess the bamboo was hungry for a giant kite.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
The giant kite was swallowed whole by the bamboo trees. No one was hurt. Also see my YouTube video here. 大凧が竹やぶに落下Jun 03, 2007
|
|
At slightly past noon with medium-force winds, the giant kite is launched. The kite immediately went straight up. The giant kite is 13 meters high and 12 meters wide, and weighs 700 kg.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
May 27, 2007 was a bad day for giant kite flying in Yokaichi, as the giant kite crashes head-first into a bamboo grove on its first and last flight during the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Then it suddenly dove straight down and crashed head-first into the bamboo grove. Ironically, the blue banner on the left says, "Ganbatte" (Do your best).Jun 03, 2007
|
|
It flew very high, up to about 150 meters, then veered to the right, over our heads.Jun 03, 2007
|
|
Inside Yokaichi Library. Giant kite with the words for "Knowledge" is written.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
2nd floor gallery area.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Yokaichi LibraryJan 29, 2007
|
|
Kite sculptureJan 29, 2007
|
|
Honmachi Shopping Arcade's shuttered doors.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Honmachi Shopping Arcade, now almost devoid of people.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
The Yokaichi Station building was replaced by a new building in 1998. March 1, 1997 was the last day when the old station building was used before it was torn down. Omi Railways issued this commemorative ticket to mark the occasion.The drawing of the station and my photograph look almost exactly the same. The same advertising and billboards are on the building. Even the vending machines on the left are pictured in both.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Old Yokaichi Station. My first picture of Yokaichi, before this old station was torn down in 1997. I had to change trains at Yokaichi Station on the Omi Railway Line and had time to step out and take this picture. 旧八日市駅It was a small station, but the wooden building looked quite charming. There was nothing in front of the station, just a large paved area. A far cry from what it looks like today. Power/telephone lines are also underground, making the streets look clean and attractive. Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Kite decoration on mailbox outside the station.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Large kite in Yokaichi Station.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
View from station window. The area in front of the station is now lined with shops like Heiwado department store.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
A kite hangs inside the airy pyramid roof of the station building.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Station. A modern ferro-concrete building was completed in June 1998 to replace the old wooden building.Jan 29, 2007
|
|
Iki-ikikan-mae bus stop for JR Notogawa Station.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Road to Mt. Kinugasa.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi merchant dollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Inside the bus for Notogawa Station, about 15 min. ride.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Fresh produce grown by local farmers. They don't use pesticides.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Lobby of Iki-ikikanJan 25, 2007
|
|
Senbei crackersJan 25, 2007
|
|
Fire dept.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Souvenir shop inside Iki-ikikan, run by local farmers who sell their goods here. The senbei crackers and cookies are delicious.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Joeiji templeJan 25, 2007
|
|
Oshiro Shrine torii 大城神社Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Iki-ikikan tourist info center. This should be your first stop. Accessible by bus from JR Notogawa Station. 生き活き館Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Joeiji temple 浄栄寺Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Baba-dori street 馬場通りJan 25, 2007
|
|
Anpukuji temple 安福寺Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Merchant MuseumJan 25, 2007
|
|
Sign showing the way to Omi merchant homes.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Flower farmJan 25, 2007
|
|
This is actually the Tenbin no Sato Culture Center. てんびんの里文化学習センターJan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Merchant Museum is on the 3rd floor of this building. 近江商人博物館 MapJan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Merchant MuseumJan 25, 2007
|
|
Scenery along the route to the Omi Merchant Museum 15 min. walk away.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Cable TV notice.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Tokonoma alcoveJan 25, 2007
|
|
More display casesJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
GardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi merchant profilesJan 25, 2007
|
|
Obata dolls 小幡人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Storage areaJan 25, 2007
|
|
KitchenJan 25, 2007
|
|
Swing-down ladder to enter upper floor.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
ShopkeeperJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Shopkeep's deskJan 25, 2007
|
|
SignsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Kitchen areaJan 25, 2007
|
|
Furo bath made of wood.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Tags and certificates.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
SignsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Western-style roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Old photos of Omi merchants carrying their trademark "tenbin" pole.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Record booksJan 25, 2007
|
|
Western-style roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Old photos of Omi merchantsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Statue of Fujii HikoshiroJan 25, 2007
|
|
Spacious garden and Fujii Hikoshiro houseJan 25, 2007
|
|
Spacious garden outside Fujii Hikoshiro houseJan 25, 2007
|
|
Spacious garden outside Fujii Hikoshiro house (in background)Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Pine tree in gardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
Exterior viewJan 25, 2007
|
|
Main guest room 主客間Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Main guest roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Main guest roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Exterior viewJan 25, 2007
|
|
Corridor to rooms and garden.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Guest meeting room 客間Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi merchant displayJan 25, 2007
|
|
Another guest meeting room 客間Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Bust of Fujii HikoshiroJan 25, 2007
|
|
Foyer of house 玄関Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi merchant statue.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Former residence of Omi merchant Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956) (藤井 彦四郎邸). Now a history museum.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to the former residence of Omi merchant Fujii Hikoshiro (1876-1956) (藤井 彦四郎邸)Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Another sign.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi merchant statue.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Gokasho is a rural town.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Bus stop and sign to the Fujii house. Gokasho has good signs showing you the way to the Omi merchant homes.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Old Sprite signJan 25, 2007
|
|
Road in front of the train station.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Stone monument for the local Obata shonin merchants.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station train platform.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
In front of Gokasho Station is a map and stone monument. Gokasho is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station building as seen from the train platform.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
You can buy a set of tickets to all four Omi merchant homes and the museum which cheaper than buying a ticket at each place. Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station 近江鉄道五箇所駅Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station, waiting room.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
From the Ohmi Railways' Gokasho Station, you can walk to the Fujii Hikoshiro House (藤井 彦四郎邸), which is also a history museum, and to the modern Ohmi Merchant Museum (近江商人博物館).Ohmi Railways Gokasho Station 近江鉄道五箇所駅Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Namako wallJan 25, 2007
|
|
Garden and former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Garden and pond. This house has a nice garden.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Stone lantern in gardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
View from 2nd floorJan 25, 2007
|
|
WindowJan 25, 2007
|
|
GardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Tokonoma alcove with scroll.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Tokonoma alcove and scrollJan 25, 2007
|
|
Omi Obata Deko dollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
DollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Obata doll museumJan 25, 2007
|
|
StairwayJan 25, 2007
|
|
CorridorJan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
BonsaiJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Stairs to 2nd floor.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Way to the third Omi merchant house.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Inside the home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Old mail box.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
GardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
RickshawsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Former home of Omi merchant Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Statue of Omi merchant peddler carrying his trademark "tenbin" pole.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
External view of houseJan 25, 2007
|
|
Attic and ceilingJan 25, 2007
|
|
GardenJan 25, 2007
|
|
ShowcaseJan 25, 2007
|
|
Attic, mainly for storage.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
External viewJan 25, 2007
|
|
External viewJan 25, 2007
|
|
Shopkeeper's record book.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Shopkeeper's record book.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
BonsaiJan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Bonsai plum treesJan 25, 2007
|
|
Living roomJan 25, 2007
|
|
Shopfront with shopkeeper's desk.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Shopkeeper's desk.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Bonsai plum and pine treesJan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Inside former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Inside former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee. 玄関Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Uhee (1777-1820) (外村 宇兵衛邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Path to next Omi merchant home.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Turn left there.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Changing room next to bath.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Furo bath wirth wooden barrel (heated by firewood)Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Kitchen areaJan 25, 2007
|
|
Kitchen area with dirt floor.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Hinamatsuri dollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls in alcove.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor with Hina festival dollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dollsJan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor room looking toward the balcony.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor with more Hina dolls.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor room with Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
View from 2nd floor balconyJan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor balconyJan 25, 2007
|
|
2nd floor balcony (Watch your head).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Picture of Tonomura Shigeru in the Literature Museum (Bungakukan). 外村 繁文学館Jan 25, 2007
|
|
AtticJan 25, 2007
|
|
Tonomura Shigeru Literature Museum (Bungakukan). Shigeru had a passion for writing, so he entrusted the family business to his younger brother. 外村 繁文学館Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Room with Hina festival dolls and entrance to the Tonomura Shigeru Literature Museum. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Woman's hairdressing room.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Hina festival dolls. 雛祭りの雛人形Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Living room of former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru.Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Entrance to former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁邸). Gokasho is also a National Important Traditional Townscape Preservation District (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁邸). MapTonomura Shigeru (外村 繁), Tonomura Uhee (外村 宇兵衛), and Nakae Jungoro (中江 準五郎)
Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Gokasho is famous for the grand, old homes of wealthy Omi merchants. Three of them are clustered together for us to visit inside. They are the former residences of Tonomura Uhee (外村 宇兵衛), Tonomura Shigeru (外村 繁), and Nakae Jungoro (中江 Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Gokasho was home to many Omi merchants who plied up and down Japan during the Edo Period to sell and trade their wares. They became quite successful selling medicines, lacquerware, sake, etc.Wall of former home of Omi merchant Tonomura Shigeru (1902-1961) (外村 繁邸).Jan 25, 2007
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Hyakusaiji's Main temple hall (hondo). Important Cultural Property.Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Inside hondo, HyakusaijiDec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Hyakusaiji's Niomon Gate with giant straw sandalsDec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
More stepsDec 07, 2005
|
|
Niomon GateDec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Steps to main templeDec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
Hyakusaiji templeDec 07, 2005
|
|
Dec 07, 2005
|
|
View from top. Hazy weather made it difficult to see the scenery.Dec 07, 2005
|
|
| 1122 files on 5 page(s) |
 |
|
4 |
|
