2011年1月 のアーカイブ

Zen priests of Daijoji Temple do Kanshugyo, winter ascetic practices.

2011年1月31日 月曜日

encounter

I encountered Zen priests from Daijyoji Temple doing Kanshugyo, winter ascetic practices

zenasceticpractices

In the falling snow, Zen priests visit each household for donation.

walkingpriest

Zen priests are walking in heavy snow.

sutrachant

Zen priests put on Waraji, straw sandals and chant sutra.

priestinsnow

Snow is falling on the back of the Zen priests.

One of old-established Sake breweries in Kanazawa

2011年1月28日 金曜日

fukumitsuyasakeshop

Fukumitsuya Sake Brewery has run a business since 1625.

yamadanishiki

Sake rice, Yamadanishiki harvested in Hyogo Prefecture.

50percentmilling

A grain of rice is polished 50 percent for Junmai-Daiginjo Sake. 

sacredstrawrope

Shimenawa, sacred straw rope is decorated in front of Sakagura, rice wine cellar. Making Sake is regarded as a sacred event in Japan.

onehundredyearwater

Hyakunensui, one hundred years old water, taken from 150 meter deep underground, which is rich in minerals is used for sake brewing. 

winecellarforsake

A sugidama, symbol of sake brewery is decorated.  The needles of Japanese cedar come from O0-miwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture, where the guardian deity of the human life including brewing  sake is enshrined. A new sugidama ball is made and decorated every November to show that new sake is brewed.

shubomaking

Making Shubo, yeast starter

 shubointank

Yeast cells are developing in a tank.

moromimaking

Moromi making

moromitank

Steamed rice, koji, water and shubo are mixed togeter.

temperaturecontrol 

Temperatures are controled low.

bottomoftank

Moromi tanks shape round at bottom to get smooth mixtute.

pressmachine

Press machine is used to separate Moromi into clear sake and sake lees.

sakelees

Sake Kasu, white sake lees are nutritious ingredients,which are rich in protein and minerals.

Sprinklers installed on roads to thaw snow

2011年1月20日 木曜日

Sprinklerinrest

Sprinklers are installed on  roads to thaw snow and ice.

sprinklerinrest2

Each sprinkler has 4 small holes to spout water.

workingsprinkler

Sprinklers are in operation.

waterspurtingsprinkler

Water is spurting from sprinkler

carandsprinkler

Cars are running in spurting water from sprinklers at an intersection.

intersection 

Spurting water at an intersection.

pedestriancrossing

A pedestrian crossing is cleared by sprinklers.

trackview 

Sprinklers wash a switch of tracks for not stuck on snow.

switchoftrack

A switch sprinkled by water.

bird

A bird perches on a branch.

Ono Karakuri “Mechanical Device” Memorial Museum

2011年1月15日 土曜日

teaservingdoll

Explanation of the tea serving mechanical doll

teaservingdoll2

When you pick up a tea cup, the doll waits until you return the cup.

returningdoll

The doll returns to an original position with carrying the empty cup.

backflipdoll

Acrobatic backflip doll

backflipdoll2

The doll goes down the stairs.

welcomingdoll

Welcoming mechanical doll

exhibitionroom

Entrance of exhibition room

electricitymachine

Primitive electricity device

tricktoyroom

Children’s play room displaying many trick toys

Old-established Sake Brewery in Kanazawa

2011年1月14日 金曜日

facade

A front view of YachiyaShuzo Sake Brewery

sakebusinessroom

Sake business room with two adjustable pot hooks over the hearth

One is for cooking and the other is for warming sake to serve for customers.

highceiling

High ceiling suported by big beams, and a window to ventilate smoke and to take the light inside of the room

leaningpillar

One of the pillars is installed leaning toward outside intentionally, which resembles in bowing to customers.It shows the sake brewery’s wishes to invite more customers.

varietyofsake

Variety of Sake is produced by YachiyaShuzo Brewery.

ricesteaming

A big pot for rice steaming

kojimaking

Keep off Koji making room

sakemash

Sake mash sits about 20 days.

mixingstick

Mixing Sticks for sake mash “Moromi”

pressingmachine

A pressing machine to get clear sake

Snow blancqueted Kenrokuen Landscape Garden

2011年1月10日 月曜日

calmshowyhisagoikepond

Calm white snowy Hisago-ike pond gives serein and quiet atmosphere to visitors.

lonelyfountaininshow

The lonely fountain is spurting out water surrounded with a pile of snow like a lonely dancer dancing alone.

picturesquekotojistonelantern

Kasumiga-ike pond is reflecting Horai-jima island, where a legendary wizard is supposed to live enjoying immortality.  Kotoji stone lantern shoulders white snow.

pineandkotojiinsnow

Karasakino-matsu pine is supported with straw ropes from heavy snow.

snowshovellingwork

Garden laborers shovel show from the path.

uchihasiteiteahiuseandsparklingsnow

Clouds move away and the sun shines.  Snows on tall trees sparkle. A beautiful scene is beyond the expression of words. Some says ” Wow” ,which must be an appropriate word.  Uchihashi-tei tea house protrudes into Kasumiga-ike pond.

yukitsuristrawropes

Straw ropes are spread over crawling pine look like unfolding umbrellas.

wideview

A wide view is thrown into your sight.