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Kenrokuen

adekun — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 07:37:22 +0000

Kasumigaike Pond

Across from the castle, Kenrokuen, for me was all the more appealing. Quite at odds to how I felt in Kyoto at Ryōan-ji; vivid colours (even under the bleak sky), countless trees and water features. Perhaps the sky made a good contrast for the gold and deep red leaves.
The park offers a good opportunity to see a technique called yukitsuri. Trees in need of protection the heavy snow, are supported with a conical array of rope. Some are given further help with bamboo struts.

Kasumigaike Pond, west facing

Kenrokuen

The garden was Kenrokuen in 1882. Lord of Shirakawa Domain in Oshu, Matsudaira Sadanobu was asked to name it by the 12th Lord Narinaga. It is thought that he got the name from Rakuyo Meinki, a classical Chinese book about the famous gardens of Luoyang. Literally, it means “garden with six sublimities”, and these are spaciousness, seclusion, artifice, antiquity, water-courses and panoramas.

Quote: Kanazawa Castle Park & Kenrokuen Garden Management Office

Autumnal hanami

Autumnal colours

There was even a cherry tree in bloom. My only disappointment was that we had to hurry through.

Kanazawa Castle

adekun — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:57:59 +0000

Hashizumemon

Kanazawa Castle seems a lot less like a castle without a keep; more so as it sits in such large grounds. After numerous fires and rebuilds, only a few structures remain. The brochure said they were restored recently using traditional construction methods. However, the inside of the watchtowers and interconnecting warehouse looked as if they fell victim to one of the popular “house reform” television programmes. What was impressive was the diamond shaped pillars in one of the watchtowers. The joints are incredibility complex. They must have been a real test for the craftsmen.

Exploded joint

Another exploded joint

Takoage

adekun — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:01:17 +0000

The plume from the paper factory provides a reliable indication of wind direction and force.

Throughout the year many kite flying events are held across the country. The festival has a long history dating back to the Eiroku era. Perhaps now, the gatherings, kites and armies of happi clad flyers are not as big as they used to be (see Takoage Gassen). Still, it is a fun activity to watch or participate in.
Yonago City usually hosts an uncompetitive competition early November. This year it was very hot with a temperamental wind. As a result, the largest set of kites did not get takeoff clearance.

Train kite

There were plenty of other diversions. Curry rice for an agreeable ￥100 and a Jacuzzi sized nabe of nabe. Despite being surpised at the size of the smaller kites, the biggest attraction for me was what translated as “train kite”. I’d never seen one as long; four colours, each of fifty small kites linked to the main line a metre apart.

Sudachi

adekun — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:24:12 +0000

Sudachi

Whilst uncommon overseas, here, sudachi is a cheaper alternative to the lime. It is quite similar in taste and smell, perhaps stronger. They are smaller than my impression of a lime. When in season, usual fayre get a dressing, as do chūhais.

Supermarkets prices equate to:

One imported lime = three imported lemons
Three imported lemons = six sudachi

36th Gaina Matsuri

adekun — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:39:36 +0000

Manto

The city summer festival was held over the past weekend. Unsurprisingly, it was humid. There was quite a breeze at times and several spills during the lantern balancing.

Perhaps a more controlled descent in the last video. Most of this team’s lanterns were out from numerous droppings. The crowd usually got clobbered. Apparently, they weigh 50 kg.

World Sand Festival

adekun — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:43:01 +0000

Back in March on the television, there were a few foreign sand sculptors being interviewed over at the eastern side of Tottori prefecture. They were competing against each other, a deadline, and the unexpected rain. From the Tottori Sand Dunes, the centre is a short shuttle bus ride down the road.

Damon Farmer: Gulliver & the Lilliputians

Zhang Wei Kong: The God of mercy

Karen Fralich: Ogo Pogo

There’s more info and photo’s on the Sultans of Sand website.

Kōsa

adekun — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:57:56 +0000

Presently, the yellow dust clouds that blow over from the Gobi Desert are visible and making headlines. Despite blue skies and temperatures in the low twenties, Mount Daisen has been totally obscured. Here the unwelcome phenomenon is called kōsa (黄砂). Cars and windows soon become filthy. It has got to be what comes with it and for why that is of most concern.

Dekopon

adekun — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:37:49 +0000

A dekopon

We were recently given a couple of boxes of the revered dekopon. The fruit are certainly the most agreeable oranges I’ve ever tasted.

Japanese Christmas cake

adekun — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:21:17 +0000

Japanese Christmas cake

Christmas has come early. After ploughing through a crab dinner, the Christmas cake was served. It was made by a local dairy based around the nearby mountain. This year only difference to a normal cake was the inclusion of a chocolate placard. A cross section would look like:

Cream
Sponge
Cream
Sponge
Cream
Sponge

The sides were coated with white chocolate shavings. A previous Xmas Dinner.

Autumn leaves

adekun — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:27:47 +0000

Wednesday began abruptly, if a little late. Although Kento begins sleeping alongside us, he soon turns 90 degrees (maybe it’s 270°) so he can stick his toes in my ear. After a disturbed night, I was looking forward to lie-in when Tsutomu called. The day was probably the last clear day for a while and a good one to behold autumnal colours.

Beginning of the track and summit

Looking back at the Hiroshima side and car park

Looking over at Shimane and Mount Daisen (far distance)

Once we met up, it was a two hour drive to Mount Agatsuma (吾妻山). The mountain straddles both the prefectures of Shimane and Hiroshima. From the full car-park it to took only twenty minutes to reach the summit. Along the way, a few of the amazed ramblers managed to say hansode? (short sleeves), beyond the usual konnichiwa. I too could be equally amazed as it was 20°C, sunny and everyone was wearing shirts, jumpers and/or coats.

Less trodden return path

The path was surprisingly clear

Off from the campsite

Atop the summit (1239m) it seemed like a WI convention. After lunch the two of us walked back a different route through golden trees and past kumasasa (bear bamboo).

Mount Daisen: Beech Forest

adekun — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:45:24 +0000

Descending into the beech forest

Emboldened by last week’s adventure, I set off with the intention of following the popular route to Misen Peak (弥山). From the other end of Motodani dam, the Gyojadani course (行者谷コース) immediately begins to rise. At first, there’s a little weaving through forest. Thereafter, the path climbs up a ridge. Meeting another path, it continues up the adjoining ridge, passing a hut (六合目) at stage six. The condition of my boots deteriorated as quickly as the mist had appeared. At 1500m, the sole of one one of my boots abruptly decided to part company. Held on with a little remainder at each end and some Micropore tape, I reluctantly turned back. The alternate route through a misty forest brought some consolation. There were hundreds of mushrooms to be seen and I still had my champon noodles.

Mount Daisen: Utopia and Sankohou

adekun — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:14:29 +0000

Yesterday, I was fortunate to go walking with experienced Tsutomu around Mount Daisen (大山). He celebrated his sixtieth birthday this year and has recently retired.

Tsutomu amongst the nettles

We followed the usual course past Daisen-ji (a Buddhist temple) and Ōgamiyama Jinja (a Shinto shrine) to the Motodani dam. From there we took a steep, overgrown route toward Sankohou (三鈷峰). It was very much a clamber over moss covered rock, decaying logs, disguised deep under leaves.
There was some uncertainty in view of what lay before us. After some progress the nettles became less thick. I passed a discarded bottle of Pocari Sweat and an empty 35mm film canister. It was all the more unfortunate to see the matching top several paces ahead. Joining a path, Mount Sankohou was soon visible. Undulating and curling around were soon closing upon Utopia (ユートピア) lodge.

Closing on Mount Sankohou

Mount Kengamine & Daisen

Crow Mountain and Utopia lodge

The weather was fantastic. From the lodge and peak there were good views of Shimane hantō and the Oki islands. After a leisurely lunch of Champon we walked over to Sankohou before heading back.

Nearing the end of the scree

Mount Sankohou and Utopia lodge

Fleeting look back from the car

After a quick trot down the scree in the Motodani valley, we were back at the dam; within half an hour taking off our boots.

adekun's japan blog » japan

Kenrokuen

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