Samurai

 Samurai is one of the Japanese cultures as you know. But, the history of samurai is concerned with Kyoto. Samurai has long sword, and wears Kimono.

"Samurai" is a relatively new word that emerged in the 16th century. It had been pronounced "Saburai" during the Muromachi period. (It is verb "saburau" in origin) The begining of samurai was in Heian period. Until manor was made, the court had the all of land in Japan. But since Taika revolution has took palce, the rule was made that court rent farmland for people. Then, people began to increase their land in competition with other. For these reasons, in this period, there were many people who conflict for border. So people began to arm to defend their farmland. This is the beginning of the samurai. In end of Heian period, samurai began to have a power comparale to the court. The Genji and Heishi was particularly influential in these.(Genzi and Heishi are group of samurai) First, Taira Kiyomori who was in group of Heishi has got highest position ”seiitaisyougun" for the first time as asamurai. So, During this time, Heishi had wielded power, but Yoshitune Minamoto and Yoritomo minamoto member of Genzi destroys Heishi immediately, so Genzi became the highest power in the end.(the war in which Genzi destroys heishi is called battle of dan no ura, is known as good battle.) But soon after this, Genji disappear in the infighting, so both of Genzi and Heishi disappear. However Taira and Genji, had perished in, it is needless to say they affected samurai after this era. 
   
 After this, quiet period is followed  for a while, but in Sengoku which is followed this quiet period, many war had took place.One of the most famous samurai in this period was Nobunaga oda.

  Oda Nobunaga hold on innovations in the area of organization and war tactics, developed commerce and industry. The most famous feat Nobunaga did would be using the gun for the first time in the war. It takes some time to launch first gun in those days. And, to shot every time, user had to repack the next bullet from the tip of the gun each time. So, people think that gun is not so useful as it costs much money. But Nobunaga devised a revolutionary tactics that divided gun crews into three rows, each rows attack different time. Using this tactic, Nobunaga finally became one of the extremely famous samurai. After sengoku period end, because samurai declined, samurai return to the court the power again. (It is called taiseihoukan) In this time,court prohibited to possess the sword by low. This is the end of the samurai. 

 Samurai culture is still very popular. In japan Rekizyo (That of women who love the brave samurai) appear because current man is so week... Of course, samurai who dress Japanese original costume, and battle desperately every time is loved not only Japanese man but also all over the world people. You can say that It is great culture in Kyoto.

 

 cite  http://kb6400.blog38.fc2.com/blog-entry-508.html

         http://www.geocities.co.jp/CollegeLife/3776/bushido.html

Maiko

 This week, I want write about maiko It is culture began in Kyoto. Maiko is a Japanese traditional appearance.A maiko's hairstyle is called nihongami (hairstyle between showa era to kohun era) There is kanzashi and flower on maiko's hair. (kanzashi is one of the Japanese hair accessory) Maikos wear kimono which is called tekomnai with the train trailing on the floor. They wear darari-no-obi (the special obi for maiko) over the train. It is about five meters long and it hangs from their waist to their ankles. Also they make up their teeth black. It is called ohaguro. (Oh my God!!) This is pectureof maiko. 

  I'm Japanese but I don't think this make-up is beautiful... . This idea is probably not only mine. Then, why maiko is so popular?

 There was a cafe sailing tea and Japanese sweets for people who taking a trip and making a pilgrimage to the shrines and temples (This cafe was called tyaya in those days). In this cafe, form of dishes change gradually, sailing alcohol and food, as a result, salesladies began to dancing, singing and playing the shamisen.(The shamisen or samisen is a Japanese musical instrument) It is beginning of maiko. Currently To become maiko is so difficult,   Maiko needs to  overcome a lot of training and class society. In addition, later becoming maiko, maiko must spend a lot of schedule. In the morning, maiko take lessons to polish their performances. At night, they go out to work. They are usually given the opportunity to eat at high-class Japanese-style restaurants or stay in Japanese-style hotels. They perform dances, songs, play the shamisen, and serve visitors with sake. Recently, their jobs have expanded to include visiting nursing institutions or hospitals. Some maiko are also dispatched overseas. (In Wikipedia) 

  As I write "class society", Maiko respect the conventions and rules. For example there is also "rule" in dance which is Inoue flow, shinozuki flow and Wakabayashi flow. In Inoue flow, maiko try to portray the rich image using simple moving. So maiko use only upper body in this dance. On the other hand, in Shinozaki flow, maiko dance using exaggerated, histrionic expressions. Also, in wakayanagi flow dance is characterized by a lot of hand gestures and movement of good. 　  This way, there are a lot of flows take only in the dance, maiko must dance depending on the time and situation. There is also a rule that ichigensanokotowari.(If you are a beginner you cannot enter the shop) It is intended to avoid the problem by creating a system that can not enter without introduction. This is a very unusual system in Japan, Customer is also required to protect the rule.

 Then, let's go back to the question "why the maiko is so popular?" I think the Japanese people feel a sense of value from the difficulty of becoming a maiko and hard convention.
Japanese cherish the rules. So Japanese respect Maiko who are living in strict rule, and think maiko is holy exist. Think so, you would say maiko is one of the proud culture in Kyoto culture
 

cite http://www.beauty-co.jp/point_program/detail/?exchange_id=EXI028&course=C20&area=&pointmin=&pointmax=&sort=&page= 

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiko

Matsuri

 Matsuri means Japanese festival. In 1441, it began to hold on to thanks God. When Matsuri hold on, some events is took place. First, as people shoulder mikoshi which is the box to carry the God, step on over the temple.

 Second, people play Japanese music (It is called bayashi or kagura). And sisimai which doll of lion dance on that music.  

 It is picture of miko. It is said that miko serves on God. Miko does work of temple in matsuri. 

 Matsuri takes place many places all over the Japan. Matsuri takes place not only to thank god, but also to enjoy. There are many booths in many places, so people come to life. I also have enjoyed matsuri as a Japanese. Matsuri was so interesting that I satisfied that people had celebrated rich harvest in matsuri. Then, in Kyoto which has many temples, what does maturi took place? 

  Jidai matsuri is one of the matsuri takes place in Kyoto. Jidai matsuri began to because of  memory of building the heianjingu 1868. It takes place October 22, with mikoshi. In this case, mikoshi carries the ghost of emperor Kanmu and kome. The characteristic of jidai matsuri is disguise. People make raw and, each raw people dress up as each era people.

The work of disguise is covered by around college student in common. (University of Kyoto, doushisha ritsumeikan etc)  And, the content of disguise is decided by the university. Jidai matsuri is so interesting because it is one example people and Kyoto culture are connected by matsuri.

 Gion matsuri, In Wikipedia in English:

This festival originated as part of a purification ritual to appease the gods thought to cause fire, floods and earthquakes. In 869, the people were suffering from plague and pestilence which was attributed to the rampaging deity Gozu Tennō. Emperor Seiwa ordered that the people pray to the god of the Yasaka Shrine, Susanoo-no-mikoto. Sixty-six stylized and decorated halberds, one for each province in old Japan, were prepared and erected at Shinsen-en, a garden, along with the portable shrines from Yasaka Shrine.
　
But, the main event of gion matsuri is yamabokozyunko. This event has stopped sometimes but it resumes each time. In this event people draw big and beauty mikoshi and walk the city.

 Aoi masturi began to pray god for rich harvest 567. In 567, Kyoto was in lean year. So people had begun Aoi matsuri and, there were good crop next year. The main event of aoi matsuri is saio dai. The saio dai is a woman who is chosen from the relative of the Emperor to sacrifice herself to shrine. The role of the saio dai is nowadays played by an unmarried woman in Kyoto .She is  dressed in the traditional style of the clothes.

 Matsuri I am introducing is called Kyoto Sandai matsuri and, it is famous for scale, tradition and characteristic to many people. Matsuri was born in Kyoto and, needless to say, it is one of the representative culture of Kyoto.



cite http://www2.wbs.ne.jp/~gionsai/saitenn.htm
      http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8D%85%E5%AD%90%E8%88%9E
      http://rekishi-roman.jp/mikosi-jiten/page-72.html
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gion_Matsuri

Famous buildings

 In last week I wrote about famous buildings in the past. So, this week I think that write about current famous buildings. As I wrote about, Japanese culture and technology have concentrated on Kyoto. It means current technology of architecture in Kyoto is one of the highest technologies in Japan. 

 Kyoto tower is 131 meters high. It is the highest building in Kyoto. Kyoto tower is designed by Mamoru Yamada(architect) and Ryo Tanahashi(scholar). They said that Kyoto tower was built to describe lighthouse. (But there was sea in Kyoto). There is mascot in Kyoto tower. She name is Tawawa. Common man designed this character. Because the relax mood of this character had become popular, this character adopted mascot of Kyoto tower. In my opinion, she looks very uneducated, so I don't like her. But, in Japan, The character likes this is now called Yurukyara, is loved by young Japanese people.                 　   

 In the next, I introduce the inside of the Kyoto tower. First floor, There is meitengai which is group of restaurants. Business hours is 10:00-20:00 and, holiday is 12/31,1/1.( until 2013/3/31)
This restaurants is mainly Japanese one, so you can enjoy Japanese food in here. The third basement, There is spa. Business hour is 7:00-20:30, and holiday is nothing.  

 At last, in Kyoto tower, there is observatory. To do not destroy the good old mood of Kyoto, people are banned to build the high buildings in measure. However Kyoto tower case is exception, Kyoto tower became the highest building, so this observatory is only the place where people can look over Kyoto. 

 As I wrote,Kyoto tower support Kyoto culture to be known all over the world. So you can say Kyoto tower is one of the famous buildings at present.

 In the next, the famous buildings at present I want to introduce is kinkakuji. Why kinnkakuji? you may say this word. But kinkakuji is also current building because is rebuilt 1955. As I said in my blog, monk set fire to kinkakuji 1950 and, kinkakuji burned down. It became a major case represents the 20 century because The symbol of Japanese beauty destroyed by monk who should love the kinkakuji. Cause of case became topic in many people. In the original statement by investigation, criminal said "resistance to society" and  "I wanted to create a scandal". But Mishima Yukio who is writer said "because unfortunate upbringing, he was longing for beauty of kinkakuji and, feel a great anticipathy toward it". In other hand, Tsutomu Mizukami who is also writer said  "because he felt contradiction of role of Buddhism and temple". Like this, many people worried about kinkakuji, but perfect reconstruction is so difficult. Therefor, kinkakuji has repaired sometimes and, in the newest repair, between October 1987 to February 1986, kinkakuji has repaired by \ 700 million.

 As I wrote, in Japan, many people think Kyoto culture should be protected. And of course Kyoto culture contains buildings at present. I wish I will write about many aspect of Kyoto culture next next and next week.



cite http://www.kyoto-tower.co.jp/kyototower/floor/meiten.html

       http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E3%82%BF%E3%83%AF%  E3%83%BC

        http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%91%E9%96%A3%E5%AF%BA%E6%94%BE%E7%81%AB%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6

Famous temples

 I think one of the most popular culture in Kyoto is temple. There are seventeen world heritages in Kyoto and, temples occupy most of it. As I mentioned before, Kyoto was the centerpiece of Japan in various eras. So people created  devoted, elegance and, unique temple in Kyoto.  What is the attraction of the temple that made ​​our ancestors with pride?
In Wikipedia: The site of Kinkaku-ji was originally a villa called Kitayama-dai, belonging to a powerful statesman, Saionji Kintsune.Kinkaku-ji's history dates to 1397, when the villa was purchased from the Saionjis by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and transformed into the Kinkaku-ji complex. When Yoshimitsu died, the building was converted into a Zen temple by his son, according to his wishes. And then, It was called officially rokuonji.

  Almost of Japanese students go to Kyoto in school trip and, have seen kinkakuji in direct. I also have seen it in high school. It is so beautiful that it almost liked a art. In addition there is an appeal to the Kinkakuji, however. It is the so-called spice show more beautiful the kinkakuji. Rikusyunomatsu is the pine Yoshimitu Ashikaga planted to the ground himself, to form ship. pine facing in the direct of west. It is from the idea of ​​moving into the paradise in the West this ship.

 

 And, the guardian's house built on Island in the center of pond. (It is called anmintaku )

 It was tearoom. It is called sekkatei. Uncommonly southern trees have been used as a tea ceremony

 Beauty of kinkakuji is remarkable, so it was used in tourism company's commercia 1994. Song in commercial is my favorite things the song of musical

 But current kinkakuji have been rebuilt because of arson attack. However rebuilt kinkakuji was ｃleverly rebuilt, it sounds shame.

 It is called ginkakuji. It was built by Yoshimasa ashikaga in 1486, likes a brother of kinkakuji. (kin means gold and, gin means silver) Difference between kinkakuji and ginkakuji is that kinkakuji is glamorous and flashy but, ginkakuji takes care of Wabi Sabi. (One of the Japanese aesthetic. It refer to those generally modest and quiet.) These culture is called kitayama culture and higashi yama culture. This difference can be watched in movie.　Ginshadai 　forms nearly square. Height is about 60 cm. The southern portion is greatly curved, beautiful patterns of linear streaks are painted on the upper surface. And there is object in its southern west. It called kougetudai. 

 The reason why white sand is used is to take in light. Depending on the structure of the roof and walls and pillars, Japanese architecture takes light in the side of house.So white sand not only serves light in to the house, but also looks art.



 As I mentioned until now, famous temples in Kyoto applied various tastes and preferences and devices.Even if time passed, its beauty does not decline and, It represents well the goodness of Japanese scrupulosity and characteristic of hard worker. It can be said as a symbol of Japanese culture to the world with pride.
cite  http://www.shokoku-ji.jp/k_about.html

History

　Kyoto is one of the most famous cities in japan. Because it was capital for long time, it had created many Japanese culture. Then, what would thing the history of Kyoto?
 Kyoto was capital during the 794-1867 years. In 794, Kyoto began because relocation of capital to Heian kyo by emperor kanmu. There are several theories why emperor kanmu relocation.(to calm ghost, religious reason, etc) Anyway Kyoto began in this time, and as a city of representative of Japan it became economic, publicity, and big city in japan.

　kamakura period, kamakura shogunate strengthened the rule nationwide, so Kyoto is economic city rather than political city in this period. Kyoto revolted against it. Since Kyoto lost this war(jokyu war),　Kyoto was much oppressed.　Afterword, Takauji Asikaga defeated kamakura shogunate in this time, so Emperor　(godaigo) previously governed. This is called kenmunosinsei. Since then, battle of emperor and shogunate continued, but Fight was calm down in muromati period, Ashikaga clan governed the Japan by the way based in Kyoto. In addition, Kyoto has become very beautiful in this period. yosimitu ashikaga built kinkakuji and, yoshimasa ashikaga built ginkakuji. In surface of artistic culture, sesshu established suibokuga and, motonobu kano developed it. In architecture, people invented new architecture which is called shoindukuri and, it applicated famouse buildings such as kinkakuji ginkakuji etc. In addition, nou kyogen is born in this period. Thus symbol of Kyoto culture (that means symbol of Japanese culture) is made in this period. It's a very big deal. When I think of how long the shogunate was functioning normally, the majority of a country's culture established in hundred years only. It would be quite unprecedented in other countries.

　But, in edo period, Tokugawa shogun had reined as the ruler of Japan and, people has been widly accepted that shognate received the political power from emperor. In end of edo period,   the court is rapidly emerging as an autonomous political force because shogunate did not keep good relations with foreign.Due to this factor, March 1863, Yosinobu Tokugawa returned to the emperor to power. This is called Taiseihokan. This was a major incident that causes mean the end of the Edo Shogunate, Japan to the opening of the country.

　Currently, the Kyoto still has its beautiful cultural symbolism. As a result, Kyoto is now a key point of tourism, a lot of tourists come from Japan and the world. I know that you are in the center of Japanese culture from the fact that Kyoto is still much to be a stage of novels and movies as a symbol of Japanese culture also. As can be seen from the fact that tourists come, the charm of Kyoto have been recognized around the world, a number of world heritage, historic buildings are concentrated in Kyoto.

　In Japan, the current administration is in the nation, the emperor lived in Kyoto, not Tokyo.　But in Kyoto that became the place where was took place many accidents, I think hidden the Japanese thrill and charm. I believe in this blog about unlock its hidden charm, and I want to tell the world the charm of Kyoto and Japan.



cite http://www.kyotokanko.com/t_kinkakuji.html
　　　http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD