 Image search results - "usa" |
Letter of Thanks from PhilI really enjoyed my first trip to Finland during September 4-18, 2005 (Sept. 8-17 in Kuusamo) and savored every hour. The people in Kuusamo were all so nice and it was a great pleasure to meet and see the work of many talented and dedicated photographers from Europe.
They have definitely piqued my interest and opened my eyes to the nature and wildlife in northern Europe and the Arctic region. I've also become much more keenly aware of the seriousness of global warming. People in Finland have told me how the climate has become noticeably warmer over the decades. Such countries near the polar regions are the first to feel and see the detrimental effects of global warming. I really hope we can someday reverse the trend.
I want to thank the people who made my sponsored trip and participation in Kuusamo Nature Photo 2005 possible and very enjoyable. After months of email correspondence with the festival staff, it was great to finally meet all of them face to face. It makes a big difference when you know the face and person behind the name.
I know they worked very hard to pull off a very successful nature photo festival. For all the email correspondence, coordination, and making all the arrangements, I especially want to thank the following:
Lassi Rautiainen, Kuusamo Nature Photo Director
Pekka Pirhonen, Kuusamo Culture Department Manager
Seija Väisänen
Hannele Pappila
Town of Kuusamo
Corporate sponsors
I also want to personally thank the following people:
Pirkko Väätäinen, my interpreter who interpreted my three slide shows into Finnish.
Hannu Hautala and wife Irma, for having us over at his home/office. Despite his fame, Hannu is a very down-to-earth and warm-hearted man. It was a great pleasure to meet him, to see his collection of Japanese photo books, and hearing about his two trips to Japan.
Barbara, for videotaping my slide shows with my video camera and taking some great snapshots of me enjoying myself in Kuusamo. And also for providing transportation to/from the airport.
Tõnu Ling, for taking snapshots of me in Kuusamo and being my first friend in Kuusamo (we met on the plane to Kuusamo).
Koillis sanomat newspaper and reporter Tuomo Pirttimaa for interviewing me in an article they published.
Again, I have to thank Lassi for everything. He was the one who took care of all the details even during our nature trips. Lending sleeping bags, carrying hot drinks in heavy thermos bottles, driving us all over the place, answering all our questions, taking pictures of us, and making sure everyone had an enjoyable time. He turned out to be quite humorous. I can highly recommend him to anyone who needs a very knowledgeable local guide to watch or photograph wildlife in Finland.
See his Web site: Articmedia
Finally, I want to thank all the people and photographers I met at Kuusamo for their pleasant company and friendship. Remember that you have a friend in Japan. If you ever come and visit, let me know.
Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this permanent online gallery of Finland photos explained in both English and Japanese.
Philbert Ono
Tokyo, Japan
P.S. In case you don't know, "kiitos" means thank you in Finnish.
|
|
Sadly, the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri no longer held. It used to be held annually on Nov. 3 (Culture Day) in Asakusa, Tokyo.the Tokyo Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Historical Periods) is a parade tracing the history of Tokyo with over 1,600 people dressed in the respective period's costume. This is the lead float playing music. It took about an hour for the parade to reach Kaminarimon Gate.
Lead Float: Edo festival music played by children. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai
先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
|
|
Sign for boat going to the islands (no longer in service)
|
|
The Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri Festival is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a post town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. Numerous events and activities are held such as flea markets, street & stage performances, and Japanese danThis was the first time I saw hula dancing in Shiga. Surprised to see hula dancing (Kusatsu Station plaza).
|
|
On the Sunday before the second Monday of Jan., 33 hectares of a hill called Wakakusa-yama (seen in the distance here) next to Nara Park is burned at night.The burning hill looks more spectacular from afar, but we went up close.
|
|
Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena as seen from Ryogoku Station
|
|
This page is a complete English guide to all the groups that appear in the parade. The parade assembles behind Sensoji Temple and starts at 1:30 pm from Nitenmon gate. The procession then goes down Umamichi-dori street, passes by Matsuya Department Store.先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
|
|
Rabbit Island
|
|
|
|
Wakakusa-yama hill in JanuaryWakakusa-yama hill actually has three hills. We see only the first one here.
|
|
Crowd outside the Kokugikan await their favorite wrestlers.
|
|
From Matsuya Department Store, the procession turns right into Kaminarimon-dori street which passes in front of the famous, giant red lantern called Kaminarimon Gate. Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
|
|
Rabbits
|
|
The Kusatsu-juku Honjin is decorated with curtains. MAP
|
|
Dry grass ready to burn...
|
|
Crowd enters the Kokugikan for Musashimaru's retirement ceremony on Oct. 2, 2004.
|
|
Lead float with Edo festival music played by children. The names of the children playing are written on the red lanterns hanging above. Kodomo Edo-bayashi yatai 先導 子供江戸囃子屋台
|
|
Feeding a rabbit
|
|
Shukuba Odori dance in the shopping arcade.Held 11:00 - 12:00
|
|
Volunteer firemenThe hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.
|
|
Passing out programs
|
|
Tokyo Jidai Matsuri Banner and Tekomai geisha. From top to bottom, the banner reads, "Tokyo Jidai Matsuri." It marks the official and real start of the festival parade. The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. 東京時代祭本旗The first Tokyo Jidai Matsuri was held in 1989. Slight changes in the festival have been made since. Instead of two oiran courtesans, there is only one now. And at the end of the parade, the Asakusa Revue of showgirls used to be the anchor. But they are now gone.
東京時代祭本旗、手古舞
|
|
Bird's eye view of Asakusa with Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and Nakamise arcade.
|
|
Rabbit Island
|
|
Start of Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu Procession 草津時代行列
|
|
Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
|
|
Musashimaru at the entrance
|
|
Tekomai geisha existed since the Edo Period. They served as side entertainment at festivals. They only sing traditional chant-like songs called kiyari originally sung by lumberers hauling wood. 手古舞These tekomai did not sing, so they might not be real. When they sing, they hold a fan to their mouth.
手古舞
|
|
Green roofed Nakamise path to Sensoji temple in Asakusa.
|
|
View from Rabbit Island
|
|
Kusatsu Shukuba Matsuri is held on April 29 to celebrate Kusatsu's history as a stage town on the Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads. The main highlight is this Kusatsu Jidai Gyoretsu procession from 11:45 am to 2 pm. This is the Tokaido Road.
|
|
Bamboo torches and bamboo broomsThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire. The bamboo brooms are used to spread the fire or extinguish it. The brooms burn up by the end of the festival.
|
|
Musashimaru greets the crowd
|
|
Tekomai geisha costume is partially masculine with trousers instead of skirts. Their right shoulder is "exposed" showing a flower design. They carry a red paper lantern imprinted with their names and use their right hand to drag a wand."Asakusa" is written on her lantern. 手古舞
|
|
Kaminarimon Gate (big red lantern) and intersection in Asakusa.
|
|
Boat to Rabbit and Monkey islands (no longer in service)
|
|
Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref. 大奥夢道中
|
|
Bamboo torchesThe bamboo torches is filled with kerosene and plugged with cotton cloth. They are used to set the hill afire.
|
|
Hawaii's last sumo wrestler shakes hands.If he were married, his wife would be beside him.
|
|
Tekomai geisha
|
|
Nakamise
|
|
Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.
|
|
The deer have no idea what danger they are in...
|
|
Musashimaru right after I shook his hand.
|
|
Magistrate Procession 奉行
|
|
Tokyo Skytree
|
|
|
Water bagsThe third item the volunteer firemen carry are water bags. The water bag is filled with water weighing 20 kg or so. A nozzle is also attached. It is used to extinguish the fire.
|
|
Signboard for retirement ceremony at entrance.It reads "Musashimaru, Intai Danpatsu Hiroo Ozumo" which means "Musashimaru Topknot-Cutting and Retirement Sumo Exhibition."
|
|
Kusatsu-juku was the fifty-second station on the Tokaido Road (following Ishibe-juku) and the sixty-eighth station (following Moriyama-juku) on the Nakasendo Road. During the Edo Period, Kusatsu was an important post town at the crossroads of both roads.The roof is shaped like a Honjin lodge, with a gate. 草津駅
|
|
Musa-juku was the sixty-sixth of the sixty-nine stations or shukuba post towns on the Nakasendo Road. It is the seventh Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Echigawa-juku in Aisho). MAPMusa was one of ten Nakasendo stations in Shiga. There is very little left. Near Ohmi Railways Musa Station, a short ride from Omi-Hachiman.
|
|
30-min. delay from Helsinki to Kuusamo... 出発30分の遅れKuusamo, the site of the annual Kuusamo Nature Photo festival I was invited to, is in northeastern Finland near the Russian border (see map). After spending a few days in Helsinki, I took this plane to Kuusamo taking about 70 min. Finnair flies from Helsinki to Kuusamo usually once a day. By car, it's about 800 km.
This day (Sept. 8, 2005), we stood in line at the gate, gave our boarding passes, and boarded a bus that would take us to the plane, a Boeing MD-82.
After standing and waiting for some minutes in the bus, they announced that they had to change one of the tires of the plane, so the flight would be delayed by 30 min. We all went back into the terminal building and waited. Of course, no one complained. We would rather fly in a safe plane. I wonder why they waited until the last minute to inspect the tires? Shouldn't they have inspected the tires the day before??
It's hard to see in this photo, but the left-most rear tire was indeed replaced. It looked new (shiny black) compared to the tire next to it.
ネイチャーフォトの写真まつりの開催地クーサモは、フィンランドの北東にある。ヘルシンキからクーサモへ毎日一便（約７０分）が飛んでいるが、この日、飛行機を乗るところになんと左のタイヤの交換が必要という知らがあってターミナルビルへ戻されて３０分を待った。勿論、安全が第一で誰も文句を言わなかった。この写真で見づらいが、確かに一番左のタイヤが新品だった（艶があった）。
|
|
A magistrate (bugyo) in Edo could be a regional governor or government minister.
|
|
Tokyo Skytree
|
|
|
The 25th Asakusa Yabusame horseback archery was held on April 21, 2007 at Sumida Park.
|
|
Way to Mogusaen Garden
|
|
Bon fire site
|
|
Musashigawa stablemaster (former Yokozuna Mienoumi) in the entrance hallInside the entrance hallway, there was a long table on the left side with ribbons which served as name tags for distinguished guests. Musashigawa is the name of Musashimaru's sumo stable.
|
|
Magistrate Procession 奉行
|
|
|
|
Parallel to Sumida River, the archery course is straight and narrow, stretching from the Tobu Line bridge to Kototoi Bridge.
|
|
Decorating the path to Mogusaen Garden
|
|
Deer on the hill
|
|
Entrance hall is clogged up by a side show of hula.
|
|
Magistrate Procession. Bowing to Asakusa Temple.
|
|
|
The course has three targets which the archers will shoot arrows at.
|
|
Long uphill slope will keep you panting until the garden entrance.
|
|
Volunteer firement gather before going up the hill.The hill set alight by 300 volunteer firemen from all over Nara and prefectural workers who climb up the hill.
|
|
Musashigawa Stable wrestlers greet visitorsIncludes Miyabiyama and Musoyama.
|
|
Year 628: Two fishermen brothers find a golden Kannon buddha statue in Sumida River. The two fishermen were Hinokuma no Hamanari and Takenari. A wealthy landowner named Hajinomatsuchi heard about the statue and told the brothers about its religious value.He then built a small temple for the statue and the brothers converted to Buddhism. The temple eventually became today's Sensoji Temple (also called Asakusa Kannon Temple). Because of the temple, Asakusa developed and prospered and the two brothers and landlord are considered to be the founders of Asakusa.
Next to Sensoji Temple is Asakusa Shrine dedicated to these three men now deified. Asakusa Shrine holds the annual Sanja Matsuri in May, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals. Three portable shrines dedicated to these three men are carried around the streets of Asakusa. "Sanja" means three shrines or gods.
檜前浜成（ひのくまのはまなり）・竹成（たけなり）の兄弟の網に一体の小さなご仏像がかかりました。
東京のあけぼの 浅草観音示現
|
|
|
|
Raised dirt along the archery course.
|
|
Entrance to Mogusaen Garden
|
|
Volunteeer firemen and staff hike up the hills.
|
|
In the entrance hall, hula and Hawaiian music direct from Hawaii
|
|
|
|
First, the horses, archers, and attendants parade along the entire course.
|
|
Steps to garden
|
|
Sacred torch arrives at the foot of the hill.The sacred torch is lit at Kasuga Taisha Shrine and brought to Nogami Shrine in a torch procession. It is a small shrine at the foot of the hill.
|
|
The retirement ceremony had a lot of Hawaiian touches. This was only the beginning.Hula dancers and live Hawaiian band from Hawaii.
|
|
|
Wooden targets
|
|
JR Kusatsu Station in spring.
|
|
|
|
Ceremony at Nogami Shrine
|
|
Konishiki also sings. (His company arranged the entertainment.)
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞
|
|
|
Archer
|
|
JR Kusatsu Station iwith azaleas.
|
|
The crowd
|
|
Musashigawa Stable wrestler wearing Aloha-print yukataFlowery pattern (plumeria) with "Musashimaru" imprinted.
|
|
According to legend, three days after the golden Kannon statue was found, a golden dragon descended from heaven and danced. The mountain name of the temple is Kinryu-zan, meaning Golden Dragon Mountain. (Most temples have a mountain name.)
|
|
|
Yabusame archer
|
|
Shoren'an which is now a restaurant. 松連庵
|
|
Fireworks
|
|
Musashimaru souvenirs at the Kokugikan's souvenir shop
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance was first performed in 1958 to commemorate the reconstruction of Sensoji's main worship hall. 浅草のよろこび 金龍の舞
|
|
|
|
|
Plum tree and Shoren'an
|
|
The sacred torch is brought.
|
|
Musashimaru merchandise
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance. No smoke or fire came out of the mouth. The dragon is 15 meters long, weighing about 80 kg. It has a bamboo frame, covered with cloth. Eight men use poles to manipulate the golden dragon.
|
|
|
|
One of the few plum trees in bloom in early Feb.
|
|
|
|
Musashimaru doll
|
|
JR Kusatsu Station
|
|
Site of Musa-juku's Honjin, the town's exclusive lodging for VIPs to stopover or rest. Only the gate remains.
|
|
Landing in Kuusamo in northeast Finland slightly below the Arctic Circle. I was invited to their 10th Kuusamo Nature Photo festival in September 9-17, 2005 to give slide shows of Japanese photographers. クーサモの上空Lakes everywhere. In fact, about 14% of Kuusamo's land area is covered by lakes (about 166 of them), and 60% is covered by forests. Lakes and forests breed a lot of nature and wildlife. Hence, Kuusamo is one of Finland's prime areas for bird-watching and wildlife safaris. The population is over 18,000, but they receive about 1 million visitors a year for the nature and skiing.
With so much water and trees all around, I think Finland is a very pacifying country. Most people feel at peace whenever they see water or trees. Finland will probably become a popular tourist destination when more people discover it. A great place to kick back and relax.
See Kuusamo on map: Virtual Finland map
Web site: kuusamo.fi
クーサモの14%が湖で６割が森林。こんな水と木の多いところは、やはり癒してくれる環境である。言うまでもなく自然いっぱいの地域。野鳥や野生動物を観察できる最高の地域。
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance
|
|
Probably the highest ranking lady.
|
|
|
Plum blossoms
|
|
|
Giant painted pictures of Musashimaru decorating the arena inside. Each one commemorates a tournament victory.These giant pictures are actually black-and-white photographs taken in a photo studio and printed on large paper. Then it is hand-painted in color by a woman who has been doing it for years.
|
|
Bicycling road on the "Sazanami Kaido" lakeshore road going south.
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance
|
|
Kusatsu Shukuba Festival, Shiga Pref.
|
|
Deer skin
|
|
|
|
|
The ceremony opens with taiko drum beating on the sumo ring.
|
|
View of Lake Biwa from the lakeshore road.
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance
|
|
|
|
Setting up the wooden target.
|
|
|
The sacred torch lights the bonfire at around 6 pm.You can also see three lanterns for Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple. This is a joint festival between these three temples and shrine.
|
|
Sumo exhibition matches with lower division Makushita wrestlers.A retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
|
|
Lake Biwa shore. Lots of picnicking space.
|
|
Golden Dragon Dance musicians
|
|
Bull's eye. This is the third and last target along the course. It is quite difficult to hit all three targets, especially the last one.
|
|
|
|
Centerpiece plum tree but too early for flowers. 寿昌梅
|
|
|
Makushita sumo matchLower-division wrestlers wear black belts, while the upper division wrestlers wear white belts (during practice) or colored belts during official matches.
|
|
Fishing too
|
|
Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan 在原業平 東下り
|
|
|
The horseback archer raises his bow and arrow high in the air as he nears the target.
|
|
Shoren'an and picnic tables
|
|
|
Juryo Division dohyo-iri ring-entering ceremony
|
|
Bridge to Yabase
|
|
Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan在原業平 東下り
|
|
|
|
View of the city
|
|
Other torches are thrown in.
|
|
Juryo sumo match
|
|
Bridge to Yabase
|
|
Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) comes to east Japan. He was a Japanese waka poet and aristocrat. He was one of six waka poets referred in the preface in kana to Kokinshu by Ki no Tsurayuki. A woman portrays him. 在原業平 東下り
|
|
|
|
Arrow in mid-air. Asakusa Yabusame.
|
|
View of the city
|
|
|
Hairdressing demonstration
|
|
Yabase lakeshore park 矢橋帰帆島
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Boats Returning to Yabase from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.
|
|
Hiroshige's woodblock print of Boats Returning to Yabase from his "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi) series.
|
|
在原業平 東下り
|
|
Edo Period Buddhist nun
|
|
Dead on!
|
|
|
|
|
Sumo match with kidsA retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
|
|
Otsu Prince Hotel right across the lake.
|
|
在原業平 東下り
|
|
|
|
The archers return to the starting point.
|
|
Wakayama Bokusui Song Monument 若山牧水歌碑
|
|
Bon fire burns
|
|
A retirement ceremony for an important sumo wrestler includes a variety of activities besides the actual ceremony of cutting away the topknot. It involves almost the entire Japan Sumo Association, and most wrestlers in the top three divisions (Makushita, Juryo, and Makunouchi) also appear in exhibition matches.
|
|
River mouth
|
|
Forces of Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199), the founder and the 1st shogun of the Kamakura Period, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. He is said to have prayed at Asakusa Temple for victory over the Taira Clan to become shogun. 源頼朝 隅田川陣営源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
|
|
|
Children's procession 子供奴道中
|
|
Basho haiku monument 芭蕉天神
|
|
|
|
River and cycling path
|
|
Kusatsu town map. Kusatsu basically developed along the old Nakasendo and Tokaido Roads as they intersected before going on to Kyoto, Shiga's neighboring prefecture.
|
|
Musa's Honjin
|
|
Kuusamo Airport クーサモ空港. クーサモはヘルシンキから飛行機で70分で行ける北東の自然いっぱいの町。2005年9月にクーサモのネィチャーフォトの祭りへ招待されてスライドショーをあげた。The airport is close to town, taking about 10 min. by car.
市街まで車で１０分。
|
|
Minamoto no Yoritomo (Hatakeyama Shigetada). His prayers for victory were answered. 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営 (畠山重忠)
|
|
Daimyo Gyoretsu (Feudal Lord) procession 大名行列
|
|
|
Lookout point 清涼台
|
|
The hill behind also starts to burn.
|
|
The kids gradually get bigger.
|
|
Minamoto no Yoritomo 源 頼朝 隅田川陣営
|
|
|
|
|
Lookout point 清涼台
|
|
|
Ozeki Musoyama is defeated.
|
|
Hojo Masako (1156-1225), wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, worships at Asakusa Temple. As the wife of the first shogun and mother of the second and third shoguns, she was a powerful lady. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝
|
|
|
|
Lookout point
|
|
|
|
Yobidashi wearing Aloha-print garb
|
|
Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple. 北条政子 浅草寺参拝
|
|
|
This is the second target at the center of the archery course. This is where the biggest crowd was.
|
|
View from lookout point
|
|
Burn baby burn...The fire is put out by 9 pm. Unless you're near the fire, it can get very cold, so dress warmly for this festival.
|
|
Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)This is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
|
|
Hojo Masako worships at Asakusa Temple
|
|
|
Woman archer misses her target.
|
|
Basho haiku monument 芭蕉句碑
|
|
Comic sumo (shokkiri sumo)This is comedy time with two young wrestlers performing various comical antics (spitting at each other, kicking, and other illegal sumo acts) on the ring.
|
|
Tokyo Jidai Matsuri 三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
|
|
|
The crowd favorite was this high school girl. See the arrow pierce the wooden target.
|
|
Daffodil スイセン
|
|
Tidying up the ring
|
|
White Heron Dance, called Shirasagi no Mai, was revived in 1968 by the Asakusa tourist federation. Originating from the Heian Era, the dance was depicted in a picture scroll owned by the Sensoji Temple. 白鷺の舞It shows the dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation.
The dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.
It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.
白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
|
|
|
|
|
Bare trees
|
|
Musashimaru finally appears for a yokozuna belt demo
|
|
The scroll showed the White Heron Dance being performed for peace when the temple completed a major renovation. 白鷺の舞
It is one of the highlights of the festival. It is also performed on other occasions in Asakusa.
白鷺の舞
三社大権現祭礼 船渡御
|
|
|
|
Local high school girl proudly rides back to the starting point amid applause.
|
|
Yellow plum blossoms
|
|
Musashimaru acknowledges a spectator as he proceeds to the ring.This was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
|
|
This White Heron Dance troupe consists of 3 warriors, 1 baton twirler, 1 feeder, 1 grand-umbrella holder, 8 white herons, 19 musicians and guardian children in traditional costumes of the Heian Period.
|
|
|
Woman archer
|
|
Yellow plum blossoms
|
|
Yokozuna "tsuna" belt demo
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
Map of garden
|
|
They wrap the rope around his waist from the front, or the thickest part of the rope.This was a demonstration on how they tie on the thick, white rope (tsuna) around his waist. The tsuna is the symbol of the yokozuna. It takes several assistants to put it on. They are all wearing white gloves.
|
|
Kusatsu River
|
|
Honjin sign
|
|
Kuusamo Hall 写真まつりのメイン会場、クーサモ・ホールKuusamo has been holding a nature photo festival annually in September since 1996 at this beautiful hall. They invite a good number of nature photographers (mostly from Europe) to give slide shows and exhibitions. The main venue is Kuusamo Hall, pictured here. They also use other venues in Kuusamo town for photo exhibitions.
Normally, the festival is held for four days centering on one weekend. But for their 10th year in 2005, the festival was held during two consecutive weekends during September 9-18. For this special year, they decided to invite people from as many countries as possible (like ten), including Japan for the first time.
In spring 2005, they contacted me for recommendations on Japanese photographers to be invited to the festival. We tried to invite a well-known Japanese photographer (with me as his guide and interpreter), but he had to pull out at the last minute so I ended up being the only person from Japan to participate in Kuusamo. I gave three slide shows held in this hall on Sept. 9, 10, and 11. Fortunately, it worked out very well.
As you can see, they raised the flags of all the countries represented at the photo festival. I was proud to see the Japanese flag and to be representing Japan even though I'm American.
Kuusamo Nature Photo Web site: kuusamo.fi/naturephoto/english.html
Kuusamo Hall Web site: kuusamo.fi/kuusamotalo/eng/
クーサモ ネイチャーフォトまつりのメイン会場であるクーサモ・ホール。この写真まつりに初めて日の丸も上がった。私はアメリカ人なのに、日本も代表できることで嬉しかった。星条旗も上げて欲しかった。クーサモ・ホールの他にも市街にある展示スペースに写真展が開催された。
今年の春にまつりの実行委員長 (Lassi Rautiainen) からメールが来て、「今年は１０年目で、日本人の写真家も招待したいので推薦できる写真家がいないか」と聞かれました。私が一人の有名写真家を推薦したけど、彼が急に都合が悪くなって結局、僕一人で日本の代表として行くことになりました。これも上手くいった。
|
|
White Heron Dance, Shirasagi no Mai. The eight white herons represent four male and four female herons.
|
|
|
|
| 3301 files on 14 page(s) |
1 |
 |
|
|
|
|
