Fire Festival (Hitaka Hibuse Festival)

In Japan most houses are made of woods and it has been since the Edo era (1603 - 1867).   Nowadays more and more people live in apartment buildings, however the presence of woods and timber, used for housing and Japanese papers, remains critical to Japanese lifestyle.   Forests in Japan covers about 66% of the whole land, which is the largest ratio among developed countries.

In the history during the 267 years of Edo era there was 96 fire accident that has destroyed 1636 meters length of area and among them three were recorded as the biggest fire ever occured in Japanese history.   The Japanese Emperor at the time recognized the need to improve the mechanism of reducing the number of fire and conducted some study including the introduction of what the Japanese now call Hitaka Hibuse Festival - a celebration to remind people of how fire occurs easily during every change of seasons and that people should be more careful when handling fire.   

The Japanese continue to celebrate this Festival even after over 300 years.   Nowadays the festival is held throughout the nation, with the big ones held in Iwate and Kyoto.   This festival now becomes a major tourist attraction among locals and foreigners. For those travelling in Japan,  you can visit Iwate-ken to witness this festival from April 28-29.

http://www.bunka.pref.iwate.jp/

Magic in Tea Ceremony

Today i went to a typical tea ceremony on a local Spring Festival.   You probably already know that tea ceremony which is very popular in Japan, was actually introduced from China.   The way of conducting tea ceremony was later on perfected by Master Sen-no-Rikkyu based on the spirit of Zen during the 16th century.

Do you know why you have to turn the cup twice (clockwise) before you drink the tea?

* Apparently when the tea master serves your tea, the cup facing you is supposedly to be the best side of the cup, i.e. note that cups used in tea ceremony usually has elaborated design.   This is a way of showing respect towards the guest.   However, the reason why you turn in twice (clockwise) is for you to return the respect towards the tea master, i.e. by showing the best side of the cup towards the tea master.

Do you know why you have to turn the cup once (anti-clocwise) after you finish drinking your tea, just before you place the empty cup on the tatami?

* By turning it once anti-clockwise the best side of the cup should face the person next to you, thus showing respect towards the other guests.

What do you say to the other guests, facing the person next to you, before drinking your tea?

* O-saki ni (excuse me, may i drink this tea before you?) - this is to show politeness towards the other guests who have not had their turns.

Do you know why "quietness", "stillness" and "observation" are the key to enjoy tea ceremony?  * Tea ceremony as the words say, is not just a way of enjoying tea, but a ceremony of a mental discipline for the purpose of achieving peaceful mind - the profound teaching of Zen.　In quietness and stillness you can observe the way of tea making, the sound of water, the movement and enjoy how each season is portrayed differently in ways of presentation, such as in the use of cups, color of kimono, tools used in the ceremony and seasonal Japanese sweets.

Nowadays, tea ceremony is not only known in Japan but internationally such as in the US and Europe.    Some people may consider tea ceremony a rather uptight activity as it involves a lot of procedures and rules.   The truth is it is understandable for beginners not to know some of the rules and the tea master, in most cases, will explain to beginners in details on "what to do" during tea ceremony.     

Finally to lighten up, check out below a Japanese TV program showing a magic performance conducted during a tea ceremony, ... something rare.  Enjoy!

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/82096/666314

Easter Eggs

Happy Easter to those celebrating!  from us, somehow pictured as the easter egg family :-)

Why Easter Eggs?  Easter eggs & baby chicks- Eggs and chicks symbolize new life. Eggs have been a symbol of spring since ancient times. An egg also is a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged when he arose again. The chick, hatching out of the egg, symbolizes new life or re-birth.

The Beauty of Down Under

QUIZ

1. In which country is this island located?

2. Think of size and ratio, how many Japan can fit in this country?

Hint:

... a beautiful place surrounded by sea ...

... some place hot some place tropical ...

Only In Japan?

Would you like to have a taste of a banana that costs 600 Yen "each"?  This banana, branded Penguin Banana, is available only in Japan (currently) and selling reasonably well in Osaka at 600 Yen each.    Someone who has eaten it said that it is not only sweet and rich in taste, however the after taste is not heavy or filling, in fact rather refreshingly fruity.

The taste is special because this banana matured very slowly, which requires twice longer the time needed for an ordinary banana.   It is also specifically grown and nurtured in such a way that you can only collect one or two of such a banana for every single tree.

The fact that this banana is selling quite well at such a price shows 

a new trend of fruit consumption in Japan.    Research also showed that overall banana market in Japan is the least effected by changes in the economy at present.   

I personally find it hard to believe that one 

would spend 600 Yen on a banana instead of a dessert set, say a standard strawberry cream cake with a cup of coffee, which you can get for the same price here ...