2010年漢字一文字「暑」
暑
At the end of every year, the Japan Kanji [i.e. Chinese character] Proficiency Certification Society solicits from the public the
kanji that best sums up the past year.
A ceremony takes place at Kyoto’s
Kiyomizu-dera Temple where the selected kanji is publicly put to parchment by the head priest, presently Seihan Mori.
The kanji selected this year was the character for “hot,” pronounced
sho or
atsu.
This character was chosen because of the
record high temperatures experienced in Japan this year.
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Hero FlutesA collection of genuine handmade Japanese flutes used in the ritual and festivals of the Iwami Kagura dance, a dramatic musical ritual that originated in the town of Iwami in Shimane prefecture as an appeasement dance for the Shinto gods.
With its long tradition, simply beauty, and pure tone, let the easy-to-play Iwami Kagura flute bring the magic of ancient Japanese dance music to your own fingers, lips and ears.
麻布警察 写真家
I was in
Roppongi last Friday on my way to Rhythm Rivalry, a very memorable percussion event that was happening at the performance/club space Superdeluxe. (
Tokyo events on now)
Passing the Azabu Police Station near Roppongi Hills I noticed a group of photographers - clearly press photographers - waiting in front of it (sitting on left of sidewalk in above photo). The policeman on duty (standing at right with stick) was unfazed by it, and the photographers were in no hurry but looked like they were there for the long haul.
First I thought it may be something to do with the assault on the famous kabuki actor, Ebizo Ichikawa, that had happened about a week before in the same area on November 25; but I saw the same thing this week too: a group of photographers waiting outside Kojimachi Police Station - placing that in some doubt. (More about
Kojimachi)
I can only presume that either someone newsworthy was in there and they were waiting for him or her to come out, or that they were hanging around in the hope that that would happen.
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松浦史料博物館
The Matsuura Historical Museum (Tel: 0950 22 2236) in
Hirado is located in the former residence of the Matsuura clan, who controlled the strategic island from the 11th-19th century.
This interesting museum displays artefacts and family treasures from the Matsuura clan including samurai arms and armor, calligraphy, documents, globes, Dutch ships' figureheads and a palanquin.
The museum also includes a lovely garden with many fine wooden buildings and a Japanese teahouse. Inside the main building of the museum is a cafe decorated with 17th century western furnishing and ceramics and a shop. The Matsuura Historical Museum is located up the hill behind the harbor in Hirado town and is a short walk from the
grave of William Adams.
Matsuura Historical Museum859-5152
Nagasaki-ken
Hirado-shi
Kagami-cho 12
Tel: 0950 22 2236
Admission: 500 yen
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仁王さん仁和寺
Protecting the massive gate in front of Kyoto's Ninnaji Temple are two
Nio-san.
These are massive guardian statues set in enclosed areas on the right and left of the temple entrance.
The one pictured above is on the right side of the gate.
Ninnaji is a spacious and elegant temple in western Kyoto. It was founded in the early part of the 9th century and was originally the summer home for the emperor.
InformationA short walk from Omuro Station on the Kitano line of the Keifuku Railway.
Buses #10, #26, and #59 all stop at Ninnaji-mae.
33 Ouchi Omuro
Ukyo-ku
Kyoto
075-461-1155
There is a 400 yen entrance fee to the sub-temple on your left as you enter. The rest of the complex is free.
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今週の日本
Japan's Graying Prison Population
New Zealand HeraldJapanese prisons face swelling elderly population
Washington PostJapan targeted on Kyoto climate stance at Cancun Summit
BBCBated breath as Norwegian Wood film opens in Japan
GuardianEbizo's alleged assailant arrested
Japan TimesBombardement de Yonpyong : Washington met Pékin face à ses responsabilités
Le MondeJapón se planta y eleva el tono de la negociación a solo 24 horas del final de la cumbre del clima
El PaisJapanese Atrocities on Nauru during the Pacific War: The murder of Australians, the massacre of lepers and the ethnocide of Nauruans
Japan FocusAthletics fail to reach deal with Japan’s Iwakuma
Yahoo SportsLast Week's NewsStatisticsIn 2009, the percentage of Japanese women whose first child was conceived prior to wedlock was 25.3%. Broken down by age group:
Teenage mothers: 81.5%
Mothers in 20s: 63.6%
Mothers in 30s: 12.1%
Source: Asahi Shinbun
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