 Last additions - Koka 甲賀市 |
Those people in the Heian Period sure knew how to make distinguished people look distinguished.Apr 01, 2009
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Apr 01, 2009
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Apr 01, 2009
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These four men are Kyoto (Heiankyo) government officials called Kyoshiki Kannin (京職官人).Apr 01, 2009
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They first introduced all the people in the Saio Princess Procession.Apr 01, 2009
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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.Behind is the Torimono-toneri (執物舎人) holding an umbrella is a ceremony attendant to the emperor and Imperial family.Apr 01, 2009
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The first (and last) character in the procession is the Kacho, an archer and the head of security. 火長Apr 01, 2009
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Entrance to the gym. (If it rains, the ceremony/festival will be held in this gymnasium.)Apr 01, 2009
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Posing for a photo.Apr 01, 2009
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Kacho archer. (They didn't have guns yet.)Apr 01, 2009
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The Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession left the gymnasium at around 1:30 pm.Apr 01, 2009
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Placard holders called Waranbe (童部).Apr 01, 2009
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Inside the gym for the Departure ceremony. The Saio princess arrives through the back door.Apr 01, 2009
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Group picture. About 80 people participated in the procession.Apr 01, 2009
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A dance by the Warawame child attendants. Apr 01, 2009
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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.Apr 01, 2009
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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) handymApr 01, 2009
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Mayor of Koka gives a speech. (Tsuchiyama is in the city of Koka.)Apr 01, 2009
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Festival committee chairman gives a speech.Apr 01, 2009
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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.Apr 01, 2009
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Apr 01, 2009
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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Apr 01, 2009
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At Yume no Ogawa park, the Saio princess performed the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony in Tsuchiyama, Shiga. 禊ぎ式Apr 01, 2009
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Following the Saio are more Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.Apr 01, 2009
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This festival reenacts the Tsuchiyama leg of the Saio Princess Procession. It started at Ono Elementary School and proceeded to the site of Tarumi Tongu, one of the five temporary palaces for the Saio.Apr 01, 2009
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Apr 01, 2009
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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.Apr 01, 2009
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Myobu and Nyoju court ladies and the Hakucho guide in white.Apr 01, 2009
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The Saio procession heads for the gymnasium for another ceremony.Apr 01, 2009
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The Saio procession was one of the largest of its kind at the time, with up to 500 people.Apr 01, 2009
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For about 660 years from the 7th century, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines. Each time there was a new emperor, a new Saio princess would be appointed to serve at Ise.Apr 01, 2009
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Route taken by the Saio princess from Kyoto to Saiku Palace, near Ise Grand Shrines. The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Shiga at Seta (Otsu), Kafuka (Koka), and Tarumi before going to Mie at Suzuka and Ichishi. The Saio princess stayed at a different palace each night, and three of them were in Shiga. The temporary palace for the Saio princess was called Tongu (頓宮). Only the Tarumi Tongu's former location is known today. Apr 01, 2009
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Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession あいの土山斎王群行Apr 01, 2009
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The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture from the 7th to 14th centuries.This Ai-no-Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession was started in 1998.Apr 01, 2009
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The festival started at 11:30 am with the Saio princess carried on a palanquin arriving at a small park called Yume no Ogawa next to Ono Elementary School. Apr 01, 2009
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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.Apr 01, 2009
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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.Apr 01, 2009
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Apr 01, 2009
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After the Misosugi purification ceremony, they formed a procession again and headed for the Ono Elementary School gymnasium.Apr 01, 2009
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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).Apr 01, 2009
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Taiko drummersApr 01, 2009
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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Apr 01, 2009
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She and her entourage arrived to perform the Misogi-shiki purification ceremony. 禊ぎ式 MAPApr 01, 2009
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The Saio princess wears a juni-hitoe (12-layer) robe reserved only for Imperial family members. For this festival in 2009, the Saio princess is portrayed by 20-year-old Chiaki Koyama (神山千明) from Shigaraki, Koka. Apr 01, 2009
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The new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to the Saiku palace near Ise Grand Shrines. It took 5 nights and 6 days. From 886 to 1264 (378 years), one stop along the way was Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama.Apr 01, 2009
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Held on the last Sunday in March, the Tsuchiyama Saio Princess Procession reenacts the Tsuchiyama segment of the Saio Gunko procession when a new Saio princess traveled from Kyoto to Ise to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture. The Saio princess was an unmarried, young Imperial princess, often the Emperor's daughter or sister, who was appointed (by divination) to be the High Priestess of Ise Grand Shrines from the 7th to 14th centuries. For about 660 years, over 60 Saio princesses served at Ise Grand Shrines.
The journey took 5 nights and 6 days, and passed through Otsu and Tsuchiyama in Shiga Prefecture. Tarumi Tongu in Tsuchiyama was one of the five palaces where the Saio lodged along the way.
Take the "Aikuru" bus from Kibukawa Station (JR Kusatsu Line and Ohmi Railways). After about 30 min., get off at Ono Higashi-guchi (大野東口) and walk to Ono Primary School.Apr 01, 2009
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Honolulu Advertiser newspaper from Hawaii featuring a photo of a ninja from Koka who performed at Ala Moana Shopping Center in 1990.Feb 16, 2009
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Ninja dollsFeb 16, 2009
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This entire ceiling was designed to fall down on any assailant in this room.Feb 16, 2009
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Ninja costumes for sale. 10,000 yen for adult costume, and 7,000 yen for children's size.Feb 16, 2009
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Swinging down a rope.Feb 16, 2009
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Other activities.Feb 16, 2009
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Going through the trap door.Feb 16, 2009
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Trap door behind a scroll with the kanji "shinobi" (stealth).Feb 16, 2009
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Hearth with a escape hatch at the bottom. A tour guide shows you the gimmicks of the house.Feb 16, 2009
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Little ninja at target practice.Feb 16, 2009
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For 500 yen, you can rent a ninja costume of various colors.Feb 16, 2009
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A short bus ride takes you to Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, opened in June 1990. Open from 9 am to 5 pm, closed on Mon. (open if a national holiday and closed on Tue.). This is Shigaraki's main attraction and home of Shigaraki-yaki pottery.Jan 09, 2009
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The memorial is a short walk from Shigarakigushi Station.Jan 09, 2009
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Memorial for SafetyJan 09, 2009
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Free shuttle bus to move between the ceramic park, pottery fair, and train station.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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This pottery shop also offers pottery classes.Jan 09, 2009
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Ceramic seatsJan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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More outdoor ceramic art. This is outside the Institute of Ceramic Studies where invited artists in residence create and do research and workshops and lectures are held.Jan 09, 2009
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Vending machine trash bin with tanuki design at Shigarakigushi Station.Jan 09, 2009
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There are stone markers indicating where various buildings were.Jan 09, 2009
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JR trains no longer run to Shigaraki directly.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Another theory says that this is the ruins of Kokaji temple. 甲賀寺Jan 09, 2009
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Inside a large pottery shop.Jan 09, 2009
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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.Jan 09, 2009
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Art work on a vending machine.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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At the parking lot is this Tanuki-kan store full of tanuki.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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If you go to Shigaraki by car, you will see large pottery shops along the road catching your eye with giant tanuki and small tanuki armies.Jan 09, 2009
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Inside Tanuki-kan store.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Stone foundation for a pillar.Jan 09, 2009
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The Shigaraki Kogen Railway between Kibukawa and Shigaraki Stations is a single railway.Jan 09, 2009
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Shigarakigushi Station on the Shigaraki Kogen Railway Line. This is where you get off to see the Shigaraki-no-miya Palace Ruins or the train accident memorial. 紫香楽宮跡駅Jan 09, 2009
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"Noborigama" kilnJan 09, 2009
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Ruins of a gate. Only the stone foundations are left. No original buildings stand.Jan 09, 2009
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Another place to visit in Shigaraki. Jan 09, 2009
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Resembling a pair of praying hands, the train accident memorial is right next to the railway track.Jan 09, 2009
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Kyoto-based Emperor Shomu first built a Detached Palace in Shigaraki in 742. This became the the Shigaraki-no-miya Palace.Jan 09, 2009
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Stone plaque with the names of the 42 fatalities, including five employees of Shiga Kogen (Highland) Railways (SKR).Jan 09, 2009
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Giant tanuki dressed as a Yokozuna grand champion sumo wrestler.Jan 09, 2009
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A warehouse converted into a pottery fair.Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki-no-miya Palace ruins. National Historic Site MAPJan 09, 2009
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The accident was due to a train signal mixup and human error.Jan 09, 2009
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The Ceramic Art Market in Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park has ceramics artists having their own booth to sell their wares.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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A small shrine stands as a memorial.Jan 09, 2009
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Noborigama sloping kiln 登り窯Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Tanuki mascot walked around the site.Jan 09, 2009
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"Anagama" kiln.Jan 09, 2009
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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.The 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.Jan 09, 2009
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Greenery at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.Jan 09, 2009
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"Noborigama" sloping kiln 登り窯Jan 09, 2009
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When I visited in mid-Oct., the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park was holding the Ceramic Art Market. Notice the tents for the ceramic artists selling their works.Jan 09, 2009
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Side entrances of noborigama kiln. 登り窯Jan 09, 2009
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ConfectionJan 09, 2009
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Inside the kiln. This one was open and empty, but some were closed and you could feel the warmth on the door.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park is called Togei no Mori in Japanese. It is operated by Shiga Prefecture. Free admission. 陶芸の森 MAPJan 09, 2009
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"Anagama" kiln diagram and explanation in Japanese and English.Jan 09, 2009
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Pottery kilns require large amounts of wood.Jan 09, 2009
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"Noborigama" kiln explanation in Japanese and English. 登り窯Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park is in a large park-like area with various pottery facilities such as this Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館Jan 09, 2009
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Inside the Exhibition Hall of Industrial Ceramics. 産業展示館Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Azaleas would be beautiful in early May.Jan 09, 2009
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At the top of the hill is the Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art called Togeikan. 陶芸館Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Inside a side entrance of a noborigama kiln. 登り窯Jan 09, 2009
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Koka City Hall, Shigaraki BranchJan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park also has pottery kilns. Here's one "Anagama" cave kiln. Jan 09, 2009
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Steps going up the hill at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. Good exercise.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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This frog will supposedly have your money "returned."Jan 09, 2009
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The tanuki have different faces and doing different things, even karaoke. Didn't see any looking like a photographer though.Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起).Shigaraki tanuki is said to bear Eight Lucky Omens (八相縁起). 1. The hat is protection from unexpected disasters. 2. The smiling face is for affability, 3. The large eyes is for seeing the situation and making correct and considerate decisions, 4. The large belly is for being calm as well as bold, 5. A sake flask in the left hand for innate virtue, 6. An unpaid bill in the left hand symbolizes trust, 7. Large gonads between the legs which is the money bag for prosperity, and 8. A thick tail for reliability and stability no matter what.Jan 09, 2009
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Tanuki faces. This one is probably the most typical in the modern age.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Lemme outta here...Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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BowlsJan 09, 2009
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Frog is "Kaeru" which means to "return." A popular ornament at house entrances (exits) and gardens.Jan 09, 2009
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Bargains to be found.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Mail boxJan 09, 2009
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VasesJan 09, 2009
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Pottery vendorJan 09, 2009
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Sports tanukiJan 09, 2009
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PigJan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Prices are quite reasonable. They sell pottery for any type of budget.Jan 09, 2009
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Owls tooJan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Toki (Pottery) Matsuri bannerJan 09, 2009
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Giant tanuki at Shigaraki Station. Wish they removed that pay phone.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Station 信楽駅Jan 09, 2009
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A great time to visit Shigaraki is during the Shigaraki Pottery Festival (信楽陶器まつり) and Ceramic Art Market in mid-Oct. Bridge to the Shigaraki Pottery Fair in mid-Oct.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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On the Shigaraki Kogen Railway Line, get off at Shigaraki Station at the end of the line. 信楽駅Jan 09, 2009
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Numerous Shigaraki pottery vendors display and sell their wares. MAPJan 09, 2009
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Shigaraki Kogen Railways Shigaraki Station. You can take a bus to reach Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in 5 min., or walk for 20 min. 信楽駅Jan 09, 2009
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One of Japan's renown and historical centers for pottery, Shigaraki's heart is the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.Jan 09, 2009
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Along the way, you will see pottery shops with tanuki dolls to catch your attention.Jan 09, 2009
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Welcome to Shigaraki. On special days such as pottery fairs, just follow the crowd from the train station.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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The bridge obviously has ceramic materials.Jan 09, 2009
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Similar to the beckoning cat, the Shigaraki tanuki is a common good luck charm placed at the entrance of homes and shops. Tanuki of all sizes for sale year round.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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If you like the tanuki raccoon dog, this is the place to be.Jan 09, 2009
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This is one of two pottery fair sites during the Shigaraki Pottery Festival.Jan 09, 2009
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Jan 09, 2009
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"Ai no Tsuchiyama" is a phrase you will see most often. But no one knows for sure what it means. There are numerous theories. "Ai" could mean "in-between," "love," "koi fish," or "soon"...Photo of a display panel at the Tsuchiyama Tokaido Tenmakan Museum.
Entire lyrics of Suzuka Mago-uta song in Japanese:
○坂は照る照る 鈴鹿は曇る あいの土山 雨が降る
○馬がもの言うた 鈴鹿の坂で お参宮上﨟（おさん女郎）なら 乗しょと言うた
○坂の下では 大竹小竹 宿がとりたや 小竹屋に
○手綱片手の 浮雲ぐらし 馬の鼻唄 通り雨
○与作思えば 照る日も曇る 関の小万の 涙雨
○関の小万が 亀山通い 月に雪駄が 二十五足
○関の小万の 米かす音は 一里聞こえて 二里ひびく
○馬は戻（い）んだに お主は見えぬ 関の小万が とめたやら
○昔恋しい 鈴鹿を越えりゃ 関の小万の 声がする
○お伊勢七度 おたがわ八度 関の地蔵は 月参り
Jun 06, 2008
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Poster for the annual Suzuka Mago-uta Song Contest held in Tsuchiyama in June. The picture shows a pack-horse puller (mago) going over Suzuka Pass. The song also mentions Seki-juku in Mie Prefecture where they have a song museum.Over 100 contestants sing the same pack-horse puller's song all day long at the Ai no Tsuchiyama Bunka Hall.Jun 06, 2008
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This is Shinagawa-juku in Tokyo, the site of the Honjin. On the left is a pine tree from Tsuchiyama.Jun 02, 2008
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Kamoshika-so Onsen lodge, offering hot spring waters next to a scenic river. Phone: (0748) 69-0344Jun 02, 2008
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Diamond Shiga's hot spring. Special thanks for Uno Yoshinobu for driving me around for my first trip to Tsuchiyama.Jun 02, 2008
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Pine tree from Tsuchiyama at the site of Shinagawa-juku's Honjin in Tokyo.Jun 02, 2008
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Driving on Ozuchi Dam 青土ダムJun 02, 2008
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Diamond Shiga's golf course.Jun 02, 2008
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And rivers. It's a pleasant drive. It's also part of the Suzuka Quasi-National Park.Jun 02, 2008
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Diamond Shiga, a luxury hotel with a golf course.Jun 02, 2008
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"Traverse Road" is painted on the fence.Jun 02, 2008
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Tsuchiyama is next to the Suzuka mountains with lots of greenery.Jun 02, 2008
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Ozuchi DamJun 02, 2008
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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Jun 02, 2008
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Stalls where they sell souvenirs during festivals.Jun 02, 2008
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Tsuchiyama Folk History Museum (Rekishi Minzoku Shiryokan) 甲賀市土山歴史民俗資料館Jun 02, 2008
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Inside Tsuchiyama Folk History Museum, mannequins depicting the Kenketo Odori Dance.Jun 02, 2008
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Statue of travelers at Tsuchiyama Folk History MuseumJun 02, 2008
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According to one legend, Shogun Sakanoue Tamuramaro was requested to eliminate mountain bandits robbing travelers on Suzuka Pass. After doing so, he shot an arrow from the top of the Suzuka mountain. The arrow landed here, where bamboo then sprouted.Jun 02, 2008
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Traverse Road, named after Traverse City in Michigan, USA, Tsuchiyama's sister city.Jun 02, 2008
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Traverse Road has cherry trees. Cherries are a major product of Traverse City.Jun 02, 2008
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Ai-no-Oka Bunka Hall where the annual Mago-uta song contest is held.Jun 02, 2008
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Yaku-otoshi Taiko Bridge from where you can "drop" your bad luck below. First buy good luck beans (fuku-mame) from the shrine. Make a wish before dropping the number of beans matching your age into the river below the bridge.Jun 02, 2008
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Jun 02, 2008
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Sacred treeJun 02, 2008
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Way to Tamura Shrine's Honden Main Hall. Stone lanterns are donated by parishioners.Jun 02, 2008
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The entire Haiden Hall is hoisted up. The foundation pillars were being replaced.Jun 02, 2008
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Soliciting donations for renovating shrine buildings. Total cost: 200 million yen. To mark the shrine's 1200th anniversary in 2012, they hope to complete large-scale renovations by then.Jun 02, 2008
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Tamuramaro told the people to worship the spot where the arrow landed, and that's how Tamura Shrine was established, according one local legend. There's no sign explaining this bamboo though.Jun 02, 2008
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Tamura Shrine is in lush woods. Shrine office on left. 田村神社Jun 02, 2008
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Tamura Shrine torii gate. The shrine is in northern Tsuchiyama-juku and dedicated to Shogun Sakaue Tamuramaro (758-811) who was famous for subjugating Ezo/Emishi rebels in the northeast Tohoku region.Jun 02, 2008
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Tamura Shrine Honden Main Hall. It is now known as the shrine to ward off bad luck and for transportation safety. You can often see a car being blessed by a shrine priest.Jun 02, 2008
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Deck below the bridge. During the Tamura Matsuri Festival (Bad Luck Expulsion Festival), the shrine's biggest festival during Feb. 17-19, this deck is piled with dropped offerings.Jun 02, 2008
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Tsuchiyama is also famous for tea production which started here way back in 1356 by a temple priest at Jomyoji temple. Tsuchiyama boasts Shiga's largest tea cultivation area (300 hectares) and production volume.Jun 02, 2008
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Painting on bridge wallJun 02, 2008
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Jun 02, 2008
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The Haiden Hall was undergoing repairs to the foundation when I visited in May 2008.Jun 02, 2008
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Stone lantern in TonguJun 02, 2008
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Tsuchiyama tea fields in the Tongu area. Koka city produces 80% of the green tea produced in Shiga.Jun 02, 2008
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Matsuo-zaka Slope has this Suzuka Mago (Pack horse) Song Monument. The 10-verse song was sung by pullers of pack horses traveling over Suzuka Pass. It made the phrase "Ai no Tsuchiyama" famous. 鈴鹿馬子唄The first verse reads, "The slope shines, the Suzuka mountains are cloudy. Rain falls on Ai no Tsuchiyama."
The mago horse puller made his living by lending his horse to carry luggage or people. He would sing this song while ringing a bell. The song was very slow and drawn out, with many syllables sung for a few seconds. It was to match the pace of the horse. It has a series of 7 and 5 syllables. The song is one of Japan's most noted pack horse songs and kept alive by a song preservation society and annual song contest in Tsuchiyama.
「坂は照る照る 鈴鹿は曇る あいの土山 雨が降る」Jun 02, 2008
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They are replacing the foundation and foot of the columns.Jun 02, 2008
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Tea leavesJun 02, 2008
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Tongu is the site where the Saio princess lodged on her way to worship from Kyoto to Ise Grand Shrines in Mie Prefecture.Jun 02, 2008
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Stone garden at the Tsuchiyama Tokaido MuseumJun 02, 2008
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All the dolls have different faces. Some of them are even smiling. They are probably happy to have arrived in Tsuchiyama. They must be tired after climbing the Suzuka mountains.Jun 02, 2008
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Tokaido Road at Matsuo-zaka Slope. Travelers from Kyoto might have stood here gazing at the difficult Suzuka Mountains ahead. "It's sunny here, but cloudy at Suzuka. In-between, it's raining in Tsuchiyama." The origin of Suzuka Mago-uta?Jun 02, 2008
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Tsuchiyama-juku town officials greet the daimyo procession as they arrive. They will lodge at Tsuchiyama.Jun 02, 2008
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The daimyo himself travels in a palanquin. These processions helped to develop the towns and roads to and from Edo. It also helped to spread Edo culture to the provinces.Jun 02, 2008
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Diorama of daimyo gyoretsu procession. The daimyo procession is reenacted at some festivals in Japan, such as the Kusatsu Shukuba Festival in Shiga.Jun 02, 2008
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The dolls were special ordered from Kyoto.Jun 02, 2008
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Traveling between their fiefs and Edo was a great expense. It was one way to keep any daimyo from getting rich enough to finance a rebellion. When they traveled to and from the capital, they lodged at post station towns like Tsuchiyama.Jun 02, 2008
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Sankin Kotai: During the Edo Period, all the daimyo lords were required to work alternately between their own fiefs and the capital of Edo (Tokyo). One year at home, and the next year in Edo. Thus, the daimyo had to travel to and from Edo periodically.Jun 02, 2008
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In the same room, you can wear these traveler's costumes and take a picture.Jun 02, 2008
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Inside the Daimyo Procession Hall are about 100 dolls depicting a daimyo procession called the Daimyo Gyoretsu. 大名行列Jun 02, 2008
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Next to the Tokaido Tenmakan Museum's main building is the Daimyo Procession Hall which used to be a storehouse.Jun 02, 2008
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Bonkei of Kusatsu-juku in Kusatsu, Shiga. It was Mr. Mikami's wish to have as many people as possible to see his magnificent collection. Wish there were a bonkei collection for the NakasendoJun 02, 2008
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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.Jun 02, 2008
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What Tokaido Road travelers wore. Their clothing were designed to make it easier to walk. It took a man about 13 days to travel between Edo and Kyoto, and women about 16-18 days.Jun 02, 2008
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Bonkei of Otsu-juku. This was the first one Mr. Mikami made. He liked the picture because it included a mochi shop using a famous spring water which his shop (taken over by his son) also used.Jun 02, 2008
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He skillfully used perspective and made the people on the bridge smaller as they were farther away. Really incredible and meticulous work.Jun 02, 2008
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Bonkei of Ishibe-juku in Koka's neighboring city of Konan. It shows a teahouse which has been reconstructed in Ishibe.Jun 02, 2008
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Bonkei of Tsuchiyama-juku. Notice the straight wires used to depict falling rain. 土山宿の盆景Jun 02, 2008
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Bonkei for Tsuchiyama-juku. Complemented by a few other smaller bonkei showing a traveling procession.Jun 02, 2008
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In the other room on the 2nd floor is a large space, like an attic. It displays ukiyoe prints and miniature scenic sculptures (bonkei) of all the 53 Tokaido post town stations.Jun 02, 2008
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These miniature scenic sculptures are called bonkei (similar to bonsai), created on a plate. He essentially made a 3-D version of each ukiyoe print. It took him 10 years to complete all the 53 Tokaido stations. This one is for Nihonbashi in Tokyo. 盆景Jun 02, 2008
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Hakone bonkei. The elliptical plates are about 50 cm in diameter.Jun 02, 2008
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The miniature bonkei sculptures of each Tokaido Road station is based on the respective ukiyoe print. It's an incredible collection, created by Mikami Shizuo 三上静雄, a mochi confection maker in Otsu. He created them during his retirement years.Jun 02, 2008
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A few videos about Tsuchiyama and the Tokaido can be viewed.Jun 02, 2008
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Together with the kiri-e cut-out pictures are each station's famous edible product.Jun 02, 2008
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Kiri-e and souvenirs of Tsuchiyama-jukuJun 02, 2008
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On the 2nd floor of the Tokaido Tenmakan Museum are two rooms. This one shows kiri-e cut-out pictures of all the Tokaido Road stations.Jun 02, 2008
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Main building of Tokaido Tenmakan Museum. The former farming family's house has been renovated into a museum.Jun 02, 2008
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Inside Tokaido Tenmakan Museum. The first floor has a large display case showing a model of Tsuchiyama-juku.Jun 02, 2008
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Model of Tsuchiyama-juku during the 19th century.Jun 02, 2008
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Inside Tokaido Tenmakan MuseumJun 02, 2008
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A toiya-ba staff person keeps records. He might have assigned luggage to fresh horses, gave work to pack-horse pullers, and received arriving travelers and luggage.Jun 02, 2008
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The Tokaido Tenmakan Museum was the former residence of a farming family who donated the property to Tsuchiyama town. It has a few traditional-style buildings.Jun 02, 2008
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Model of a pack-horse puller called "mago." He made a living renting his horse to carry luggage and people along the old Tokaido Road. They sang songs like the Suzuka Mago-uta while going over the difficult Suzuka Pass. 馬子Jun 02, 2008
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Monument commemorating famed novelist Mori Ogai's visit to Tsuchiyama in 1900 to visit his grandfather's grave in Jomyoji temple. The grave was later moved to Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture.Jun 02, 2008
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Model of a Toiya-ba which was like a travel logistics office and lodging reservations agency. Staffed by one or more people, it handled horses, messengers, luggage, helpers, etc.Jun 02, 2008
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Tokaido Tenmakan Museum. "Tenma" is Japan's old transportation system using horses to transport people and goods. The museum is a complex of four Japanese-style buildings. 東海道伝馬館Jun 02, 2008
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Entrance to Tokaido Tenmakan Museum. Open 9 am - 5 pm, closed Mon. and Tue. and year end and New Year's period. Phone: 0748-66-2770, Web siteJun 02, 2008
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Toiya-taku stone marker. The building next to it is not original and not open to the public.Jun 02, 2008
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