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]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274195975.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:26:36 +0900
In Japan , after about 30 days of a baby's birth, they take the baby to a temple. In Kyoto, they write [big] symbol on boys' foreheads and [small] symbol on girls' foreheads in red. [Big] is a wish for the boys to become strong, easygoing men, and [small] is a wish for the girls to become sweet, thoughtful women.

In Kyoto , people never step on threshold sill of the house because the sills are considered as heads of people. Stepping on the sills mean to step on people's heads and it is said that such a person who steps on people's heads can never be successful in life.

Brooms are considered to clean up evils. Therefore it is a good thing to use brooms all the time, but gods are invited to houses during New Years days, so they never clean around that time so they won't clean up gods.

Kyoto has many caterers' shops. That is because it is considered rude to treat guests with their home-made dishes.

On August 16 th , they burn 5 mountains in shapes of characters and pictures to see of the souls of dead. It is said that if you drink something (water etc) which reflects the [big] symbol, you won't get sick.

In Kyoto , it is considered a good manner to leave a bit of the food when you are treated. It is to show the host that you had enough food.

These are some examples of their unique customs. They do not expect foreigners or people from other prefectures to know all these customs and manners. So please do not worry about offending them by not knowing but enjoy learning them!
]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274192989.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:25:36 +0900
Gion Matsuri is a festival for Yasaka shrine. The period from July 15 th to 17 th is the most popular days and many people come to see the festival especially Yamaboko Junko (a parade of floats) but the festival actually goes on for a month starting from July 1 st . It is one of the three great festivals of Japan as well. It is pretty much the hottest time of the year when the festival goes on but it still attracts and amazes people from all over the world.

Jidai Matsuri is a festival to celebrate Kyoto 's birthday. It is held on October 22 nd every year. It started in 1895; the 1,100 th anniversary after the capital was relocated to Kyoto in 794. The history of this festival is not as long compared to other festivals in Japan but it is a big festival. The parade is about 2 kilometers long with about 2,000 people and 70 cows and horses, all dressed in costumes from different period of time.

There are so many other festivals and events in Kyoto all around the year. Please contact us any time to ask questions about them or to find some festivals or events you can go to.
]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274191700.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:24:50 +0900 Kyoto Poetry starts in 905 when a famous poet, Kino Tsurayuki presented the first anthology in Japan to the emperor.

Tea ceremony
Tea was first imported to Japan from China at the beginning of Heian period (794 - 1185) but it was not until the end of Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) when they started tea ceremony. Tea ceremony soon became a trend and was developed in Kyoto .

Flower arrangement
The origin of Japanese flower arrangement is in Kuge which means to offer flowers in front of the Buddhist alter. In Heian period, aristocrats started competing for the beauty of flowers. In 17 th century, flower arrangement spread through regular people.

Noh
Noh is a Japanese lyrical drama. Its origin is in the plays or dramas from China in Nara period (710 - 794) but it prospered in Heian period in Kyoto as well as most of the other traditional cultures.

Kyogen
Kyogen is a comical play prospered in Muromachi period (1338 - 1573). It is often compared with Noh but Noh is usually pessimistic.

Kabuki
This world-wide famous play was started by a woman in Kyoto called Izumo-no-Okuni. For a while, Kabuki played by courtesans was popular but it was banned for the reason of vice control. After this, Kabuki played by men became popular.

Kyomai
Kyomai is the main dancing style which is danced by Maiko or Geiko (Geisha). The founder is Yachiyo Inoue (1767 - 1854). ]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274190721.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:22:31 +0900 ]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274180792.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:10:58 +0900



Horaido is the tea shop in Kyoto Japan since 1803.
We have fine Ujicha which is the green tea made in Kyoto prefecture, and tea utensils in order to make tea delicious.
]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274173638.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:04:45 +0900
In the 1220's it was the comfortable villa of Kintsune Saionji. Yoshimitsu, the 3rd Shogun of Ashikaga, abdicated the throne in 1394. After three years, he began to build Kitayamaden and he made a special effort to make it a breath-taking site. He indulged in his peaceful life in this serene setting. After Yoshimitsu's death, Kitayamaden was made into a Zen temple in accordance with his will. All the buildings of those days came to ruin except Kinkaku. The garden, however, remains as it was in former days and can be enjoyed as it was hundreds of years ago. Kinkaku-ji Temple was inscribed as World Cultural Heritage in 1994.


]]> https://ameblo.jp/dericknakamura/entry-11274166345.html Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:32:33 +0900