Do you know "Tsubaki"?
Japanese Camellia (Tsubaki) known as Tea Ceremony's flower. It flowers during late winter and early spring in Japan.
Japanese: "あしひきの 八つ峰の椿 つらつらに 見とも飽かめや 植ゑてける君"
English: "Ashihikino yatsuwonotsubaki tsuratsurani mitomoakameya uyetekerukimi"
It means "I'm never tired of seeing camellias which were planted by you"written by Otomo no Yakamochi (Japanese poet in the Nara period). The poem from Manyoshu (one of the oldest Japanese poetry collections which still exists).
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/xkd3zk
This shrine is one of the five major Shinto shrines in Tokyo.
Do you know the difference of the Temple and the Shinto shrine?? Temples are places to worship Buddha, and shrines are places to worship Shinto gods.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/yKTY0F
We enjoyed "Kawari Musubi" (exceptional obi-musubi) today!
Do you like KIMONO??
Have a nice week!!!
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/x92yDP
Japanese Sweet rice balls covered with Red bean paste.
Typically we eat this traditional sweet during higan periods in Spring and Autumn. Traditionally, it called "Bota-mochi" in Spring. and in Autumn we call it "Ohagi".
Bota-mochi is named after the peony called "Botan" in Japanese, which blooms during Spring.
Ohagi is named after the bush clover called "Hagi" in Japanese, which blooms during Autumn.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/wQnWgF
The flower color of Pink is called "Momoiro (Japanese traditional color)", "Pink or Peach" is different from "Peach blossom color".... especially around KIMONO, Japanese traditional colors are used well. In those days, Peach blossom flowers were actually used in dyeing.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/zXxudO
"Minamoto clan (源)" and "Taira clan (平)", are not equal to the mere family names, Oda clan, Tokugawa clan...
The Minamoto clan is a family whose surname is Minamoto. "Taira" and "Minamoto" are not family name, they're surname.
"The Minamoto clan, which refers to a clan who carries Minamoto as surname".
That's why the full name should be write by inserting "no" in between his surname "Minamoto" and his personal name "Yoritomo", to indicate his belonging. and also Taira "no" Kiyomori.
Many families of the Minamoto clan used the Minamoto surname and were collectively referred to as GENJI (the Minamoto clan).
Only 4 of Tokugawa Ieyasu's 11 officially recognized male heirs were allowed to take the name "TOKUGAWA", Yorinobu, Hidetada, Yoshinao, Yorifusa.
"Tanaka (田中)" is the real surname of Sen no Rikyu (千利休).
Historically, family name and surname had different meanings in Japan. Today in Japan, the surname is called "Myoji (as family name)", and the given name is called "name (as first name)". (except the Japanese Imperial Family.)
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/xGpR9l
Question (http://on.fb.me/yC4kNX) on facebook.
You're right! "Taira no Kiyomori" was the great leader of Taira clan.
The Gempei War (1180-1185) was a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans in Heian period Japan. Taira clan is finally completely destroyed in 1185, in the great sea battle of Dannoura.
JAPAN changes Japanese history chronological table, the year when the Kamakura period began. The most generally accepted theory determines the year of the beginning of the Kamakura period as "1185", the year when Minamoto clan destroyed the Taira clan.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/yR3tzK
As you know SAMURAI Miyamoto Musashi was the most famous swordsman in Japanese History.
He wrote the Go rin no sho (The Book of Five Rings),
"Earth (地)"
"Water(水)"
"Fire(火)"
"Wind(風)"
"Void(空)"
Japanese Calligraphy inspired on Buddhism and Zen.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/xSsBtO
Yesterday's question on facebook (http://on.fb.me/zbmfKK) You Loved SAMURAI Miyamoto Musashi!!
Ni Ten Ichi Ryu (二天一流)??
no.....
As you know he wrote the Gorin no sho "Book of Five Rings" at the end of his life. The text is divided into five sections, CHI (地): earth, MIZU/SUI (水): water, HI/KA (火): fire, KAZE/FU (風): wind and ....??? Do you know last one?
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/xlkuTu
Today, on the afternoon of February 19, 1185, "Minamoto clan" surprise attack against the "Taira clan" at the then Yashima island.
Who is this?
He is the great leader of the "Taira clan" (the Taira clan was a major Japanese clan of SAMURAI). "The Gempei War" (conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the Heian period of JAPAN) began in 1180 when Emperor Takakura abdicated. and the next year, 1181, he(the leader of the Taira clan) died... After his death, the Taira and Minamoto clans fought a deciding war for supremacy, which lasted from 1180 to 1185.
To be continued.....
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/yC4kNX
"Kawasaki Daishi" is a Buddhist Temple located in Kawasaki City, JAPAN. More than 880 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Sutoku, there lived a SAMURAI named Hirama Kanenori. Due to a false accusation he was exiled from his birthplace, Owari, and after having wandered through many provinces, he finally settled in Kawasaki. and he was deeply devoted to the teachings of Buddhism.. In 1128, Buddhist priest Sonken and Kanenori began constructing a temple, which was the start of the present day "Kawasaki Daishi", Grand Head Temple of the Chisan Sect of the Shingon Buddhism.
Leave a Comment: http://on.fb.me/AtQ2U2
