Decorations for coming new-year

Christmas holiday has passed quickly. New year holiday, that is one of the most important events through the year for Japanese. Unlike western people, Japanese put more importance on new-year event rather than Christmas.

1.Kadomatsu

The first two photos are Kadomatsu, which is talisman against evil. Kadomatsu is usually set at gate of huge buildings or entrance of mansion. It is said that Kadomatsu protects houses or buildings from evils entering and welcomes only luck or happiness. Robust bamboos are set at center and pine leaves surround bamboo. Both bamboo and pine tree are assumed auspicious plants. Due to its strength, vitality and vigor power, bamboo is considered as the symbol of good fortune. For evergreen needle-leaved tree, pine is considered as the ever-lasting prosperity. 
The orange at the center is the seasonal fruit. Orange color attaches the cheerful looks and attracts the audiences.

2. A pair of Kadomatsu

3. New-year decoration

Not only Kadomatsu, but other figurine is 

also decorated at entrance of buildings. 

Third photo includes various figurines

representing the prosperity, wealth and

happiness. 

This decoration is put at the entrance of 

commercial facility. The combination of 

red and white colors show the celebration 

and happiness, bales of rice means bountiful harvests in coming new-year.  

The fourth photo is small decoration put on the entrance of common citizen’s houses. The straw rope is a miniature of a sacred straw rope decorated at entrance of shrines, that protects house from evils entering to house. Colorful strings put on straw ropes represent the happiness and celebrations.

4. Decorations for common houses

Setting these auspicious decorations, Japanese ready to welcome luck and happiness of coming new-year 2015.

Are you interested in unique Japanese culture?
If so, please enjoy our  free walking tours!

by A.C

Christmas time has come !!

Christmas time has just come around the corner. What is your plan for Christmas this year? In Japan, gorgeous illumination are decorated everywhere in town.

Those colorful and brilliant lights cheer people up  as well as remind us that it is ending of this year. 

Even Shintoism is the dominant religion, most Japanese feel joy for Christmas. Appreciating gorgeous illumination, eating delicious Christmas cake and giving Christmas present to family etc., are just formality of Japanese-style Christmas. 

After enjoying Japanese-style Christmas time, Japanese start preparing New Years ceremony.

Are you interested in unique Japanese culture? if so, please enjoy our  free walking tours!

by A.C

Universal Design Conference 2014 in Koto City

Fukushima prefecture’s exhibition booth

The 5th International Conference for Universal Design in Fukushima & Tokyo 2014 was held on 11-13 November hosted by International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) and co-hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Fukushima Prefecture and Koto City. 

The conference theme was “Glocalized Development for Universal Design—Towards Tokyo 2020. Universal Design in Fukushima & Tokyo 2014 was held on 11-13 November hosted by international Association for Universal Design (IAUD) and co-hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Fukushima Prefecture and Koto City. 

The conference theme was “Glocalized Development for Universal Design—Towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games—“

Along with the symposium including keynote lectures, UD-related activities were introduced at exhibition booths by  government agencies, municipal governments, companies such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Fujitsu etc. at Tokyo International Exchange Center, Koto city.

Staffs from Fukushima prefectural government and

 KEV at Fukushima prefecture’s booth

Kibitan, Yuru-chara (an anime-style cartoon mascot)
 for Fukushima prefecture

KEV helped Fukushima prefecture’s booth as an interpreter. By working together with staffs from Fukushima, KEV members could learn a lot about the disasters and present situations in Fukushima prefecture caused by the big earthquake on March 11^th, 2011. It is expected that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games will create a lot of great things. Throughout this process we would be happy to do anything we can especially in Koto City and increase KEV’s activities in the future.

Kibo-no-Kakehashi

「第5回国際ユニヴァーサルデザイン会議 2014 in 福島＆東京」が、2014年11月11日から13日まで、江東区の東京国際交流館で開催されました（東京会場）。主催は（財）国際ユニヴァーサルデザイン協議会（IAUD）、共催は東京都、福島県、江東区。会議テーマは、「ユニヴァーサルデザインのグローカル展開 〜東京2020オリンピック・パラリンピックへ向けて〜」。

東京会場では、シンポジウムや基調講演と共に、官公庁、自治体、企業が展示ブースを設け、ユニヴェーサルデザイン関連の活動を紹介しました。江東区英語ボランティアガイド協会（KEV）も通訳として、福島県の展示ブースのお手伝いをしました。お手伝いを通して、東日本大震災の時の様子や福島の現状について、福島県庁の職員の方たちから直接お話を聞けたのは大きな収穫でした。東京2020オリンピック・パラリンピックには大きな期待が寄せられています。私たちも特に江東区内でのオリンピック関連でのお手伝いはもちろん、今後もKEVの活動の場を広げていきたいと思っています。　

These chopsticks called Kibo-no-Kakehashi, “ a bridge to the future” ( “hashi”  in Japanese is a homophone for “chopsticks” and “bridge”) 

“These are chopsticks made from timbers produced from thinning cedars in Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture, which were extensively affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Part of sales will be donated to disaster-affected areas.”

by N.T and Y.N

Local Exquisite Masterpieces

   

 1) Japanese candles

 Japanese  Candle’s history goes back to the 14^th C., the Muromachi era.

It is made of wax extracted from the seeds　of lacquer tree or wax tree (sumac), which required so much labor and courses of manufacturing, resulting Japanese candle to be the luxury for the rich exclusively. 

In the 17^th C., Edo era, it came into general use together with the spread of lump shade, candle stand and lanterns, making its price reasonable for the common people.

Thanks to the opening of the country to the other countries than Holland and Quin in 1858, candles made of paraffin wax which is practical in use and reasonable at price spread into the daily life of the people, making the Japanese candle leave the main hall. 

Photographs here are Japanese candles with　beautiful paintings; they were popular during　the Edo era in the deeply snowed region of Japan. 
They were dedicated to the Shinto household alter　instead of the fresh flowers.  The aged believed that　the painted flowers will be delivered to their late family members by burning the candles.

They are beautiful work of art, but are scarcely seen now due to the lack of wax tree and traditional artisans. 

Last 2 photographs are Japanese candles made of honey comb wax and paraffin.

 

2) Edo Kiriko Cut Glass

    Edo Kiriko with its intricate patterns is truly work of art.  The techniques of Edo Kiriko which originated from the British cut glass have been handed down through generations. 

It is said that the Edo Kiriko started in 1834 when a glass whole seller, Kyubei Kagaya imitated British cut glass and applied engraving to the surface of glass by emery powder. 

Edo Kiriko developed mainly along the Arakawa River where the ships carrying silica sand, the law material for the glass from Fukushima, the mining area of silica at that time, cruised along to the downtown Edo. 

The glass undergoes a rough grind with a coarse diamond wheel first, then on to the shaving of patterns (3^rd grade grinding), smoothing with a grindstone, and then finally polishing for miraculous radiance. 

Want to learn more about unique culture of Japan? Join our free walking tours!

Wrote/photos by K.K

N.B. : The products mentioned in above 1) and 2) are available at shops in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo.
For further queries, please write to: koto.guide@gmail.com

Children in kimono visit shrines for 7-5-3

Aoi, 7, and Haruto, 5, visited Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine
 with their parents and grand mother.

 You may have seen children dressed in colorful kimono, Japanese traditional clothing, recently. Perhaps that's for 7-5-3 (shichi-go-san) .

7-5-3 is a ceremony to pray for children's health and happiness. 7 year old girls, 5 year old boys and 3 year old boys and girls visit local shrines with their parents around November 15. Most children wear beautiful kimono on this day.

This custom is said to have originated in Heian Period more than a thousand years ago, to celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood. When mortality rate of children was very high, this was especially important.

Today, children's mortality rate is very low, but the number of children keeps declining in Japan. On the other hand, the number of elderly people keeps increasing.

That means many grandparents have only a few grandchildren. Therefore, they are eager to spend a lot for them. 7-5-3 is one of the best chances. They are happy to buy expensive kimono for them.

To attract these families, many photo studios offer dressing up and making up services for this day, not only for children, but also for their mothers and even grandmothers.

Want to learn more about unique culture of Japan? Join our free walking tours!

(Seiko)

The exhibition of National Treasures of Japan at Ueno

The leaves of a big tulip tree are started to turn yellow. In Ueno the best season for art has begun.

The poster of exhibition

Tamamushi shrine- a cabinet, decorated with the feathers of the jewel beetles. Made in753.

The exhibition is from October 15 to December 7 2014.

The exhibition -National Treasures of Japan- is being held in Tokyo National museum.

More than hundred valuable treasures are here. For example, A rolled book-Nihon shoki, A painting by Tohaku on the folding screens, A Standing Zenzai doji by Kaikei.  

by K.K

Koto City Festival at Kiba Park on 18th and 19th October 2014

The entrance of Koto City Festival

It said, "KEV walking tour.
Answer the quiz to win the award !!"

    This is a board to introduce our activity.

　　

On 18th and 19th October, Koto City Festival were held at Kiba park. Due to fine autumn weather, many people come and enjoy the festival.

KEV booth was crowded with people who enjoyed the quiz.

KEV booth was crowded with people who enjoyed the quiz

These are award for quiz winner. The erasers in shape of turtle, and yellow ballpoint pens.

At main stage, music amateur band will start singing and dancing.

Koto City Festival is a good opportunity to communicate with people and other volunteer activity members. KEV introduced our daily volunteer activity by photos or pictures posted on big board.
We also introduced English quiz related to Koto sightseeing spots. Many people enjoyed our quiz and got special awards. Awards are erasers, ballpoint pens or color pencils.
Not only kids but also adults enjoyed our quiz!!

by A.C.

Kakuryu, the 71st Sumo Grand Champion's name inscription ceremony

Sign to notice Kakuryu's name inscription ceremony

Here is Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, where Kakuryu's name inscription ceremony was held.

Kakuryu, 71st Sumo Grand Champion (Yokozuna)

Yokozuna Kakuryu

Kakuryu's name is engraved at far left on Yokozuna monument.

October 7, 2014

Today, Kakuryu, the 71st Sumo Grand Champion attended the name inscription ceremony held at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.  Kakuryu attended the shinto ritual in the main hall and the name inscription ceremony in front of the Monument of Grand Champions, on which his name was newly engraved.  

Although the ring entering ceremony was cancelled due to prevention of dengue fever infections, the audience rejoiced when Kakuryu appeared after the ceremony and waved at them.

by K.S.

ASIMO at Miraikan

ASIMO (the humanoid robot) is working as a science communicator of Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation). Awesome! His complex physical movement and soothing sign language with a song: ♪ Today, the sky is beautiful.........Let's fulfill our cherished dreams. ♪

For further information. ↓

http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/

(YokoN)

Sumo grand champion’s ring-entering ceremony will be held at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine

On October 7, Kakuryu, the 71th Yokozuna sumo grand champion will attend a ceremony at Tomioka Hachimangu shrine, Koto city: His name will be added to a huge stone monument, on which successive grand champions’ names are engraved.

The schedule of ceremony conducted in the traditional Japanese way will be as follows;

Shinto rituals in the main hall at 10:30am

Name inscription ceremony in front of the stone monument at 11:00am

Ring-entering ceremony by Kakuryu accompanied by a referee and two sumo wrestlers, on the approach to the main hall at 11:30am.

Visitors to the shrine can freely watch the ceremony except the part in the main hall. Details are here.↓

http://www.tomiokahachimangu.or.jp/gyoji/saiji/topics/yokozuna.html   

(N.T.) 

Huge stone monument for Yokozuna at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

Harumafuji, Hakuho, Asashoryu, and Musashimaru.
Those Yokozuna names are engraved on stone monument.

The close relationship between sumo and Tomioka Hachimangu shrine dates back to the late 17^thcentury, when the first professional sumo tournament was held there. If you are interested in history of the shrine, there is a perfect free walking tour by KEV. Click here for details. 　

A scarecrow contest in KOTO city

A scarecrow contest is held between Sep. 1st and 15th along the Fukagawa Edo Museum Street, Koto City. This is my favorite . A scarecrow of "Funassy", one of the most popular mascot characters that make people smile and relax.
Please see our twitter page for more funny scarecrow pics. 
by A.M.

Exciting !! Summer festival at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine !

 

 

 

 

 

 

17th August, 2014

Above two  movie show the exciting Mikoshi carrying of summer festival at Tomioka Hachimangu shrine. People carried mikoshi, which is portable shrine and walked through Eitaibashi street. People feel deity in Mikoshi close to themselves.  They carried Mikoshi calling "Washoi washoi", which means good relationship with others.

 

Free tour to enjoy summer festival at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine

 

Summer festival has come around the corner!

Summer festival at Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine is one of the most exciting and famous events in Tokyo.

Before the date of summer festival, we will have a free walking tour to feel peoples enthusiasm and excitement, so please join us!

You may have experience unprecedented happenings, such as wearing Happi and carrying Mikoshi on your shoulder!

Dates & time: Saturday 16th August, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (About 3 hours)

Meeting time and spot: Entrance gate at Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station on Toei Oedo Line (E15) at 2:50 pm on 16th August
 

Reservation: Please mail to us (koto.guide@gmail.com) to inform the number of participants beforehand.
 

If you are Japanese, please bring foreign friends or relatives with you.

We are waiting for your participation! 

Blooming flowers at Kiyosumi Garden

 

Cherry blossom and camellia are blooming at Kiyosumi Garden. Let's enjoy walking in Kiyosumi garden on spring sunny day!

Wasen traditional boat and cherry blossom viewing

Spring officially arrived in Tokyo with cherry blossom season has come.
How about viewing cherry blossom from a Japanese traditional boat, Wasen （和船）, during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Edo-Fukagawa?

You can experience both Wasen (Japanese traditional wooden boat) and Hanami (flower viewing), unique combination of two Japanese traditional cultures.

Wasen cruising is offered by "Wasen Tomo no Kai" (Japanese boat Friendhship Association).

dates & time: Saturdays and Sundays from March 29 to April 20, from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Place: Kurofune-bashi Bridge, 2 minutes' walk from No. 4 exit of Monzen-nakacho Station on Toei Oedo Line (E15) or Tokyo Metro (T12)
Fee: 500 yen
No reservation needed.

Other events of Cherry Blossom Festival of Edo-Fukagawa include shuttle vessels to Nihonbashi, cherry blossom viewing buses, cherry blossom viewing cafes, photo exhibition and lots more!
Most events around Monzen-nakacho Station and Kiyosumi-shirakawa Station (E14/Z11).
Enjoy!

Next tour: February 22, Saturday

This month, we will have the course A tours both in the morning and in the afternoon of February 22, Saturday. You can visit Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple, and have a chance to experience the mysterious ritual of sacred fire. We still have room for more participants. Click here for  detail.

Next tour: January 25, Saturday

Hesitate to go out in freezing weather? How about joining our tour to attend the mysterious ritual of fire in Fukagawa Fudoson Temple to stay warm and wish for a good luck? 
Or you can choose visiting a beautiful Japanese garden for winter birds watching. 
Our next free volunteer-guided walking tours will be held on January 25, Saturday. Click here for  details.