Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle is a hirayama-style Japanese castle constructed in 1611.It was also referred to as Takaoka Castle.Hirosaki Castle measures 612 meters east-west and 947 meters north-south. It is unusual in that its Edo period donjon and most of its outline remains intact.

Hirosaki Castle (弘前城, Hirosakijō) was built in 1611 by the Tsugaru Clan. A three-story castle tower, fortified moats, castle gates and some corner turrets (yagura) survive or were reconstructed. The castle is located in Hirosaki Park, a spacious public park of about 0.6 square kilometers.

The castle’s original five-story keep burnt down in 1627 after being struck by lightning. Rebuilt in 1810, the present three-story keep is the only one in the tohoku region that was not rebuilt in the modern era, amongst only a handful in all of Japan.

Hirosaki Park is one of Japan’s best cherry blossom spots. With its abundance of over 2500 trees, cherry blossom tunnels, petal filled moats, numerous pleasant picnic areas, rental rowing boats, many varieties of cherry trees and illuminations in the evenings, it feels like multiple great cherry blossom spots combined into a single one. A festival is held annually from April 23 to May 5, when the blossoms are usually in bloom.

There are a few other sites of interest inside Hirosaki Park, including the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden in the park’s southeast corner and Gokoku Shrine, the aomori branch of yasukuni shrine in the north end of of the park. Most of the city’s other tourist attractions are also located within walking distance of the park.

Hirosaki city holds an annual winter four-day Hirosaki castle snow lantern festival. The festival had attracted 310,000 visitors in 1999 and included 165 standing snow lanterns and 300 mini snow caves.

Source:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3700.html

Judo

Well if you know that japan has a Sake tasting dispensing machine (from last week’s Fact of the Week) but, did you know that there is such a thing called Judo?! You don’t? Well, let’s get right into it.

History

Judo is a martial art that was created as a physical, mental and moral pedagogy in Japan in 1882, by Jigoro Kano. Judo was originally a form of jujitsu. When the era of samurai rule came to an end with the Meiji Restoration of 1868, and Western culture began filtering in into Japanese society. Jujitsu fell into decline. That’s where the founder of judo, Jigoro Kano comes in.

He became an apprentice of Yanosuke Fukuda, a master of the Tenjin Shin’yo school of jujitsu, when he was 17 and worked to become stronger. In May 1882, when he was just 21 years old, he took the best things about each jujitsu style and created a single new school. This was the birth of modern judo.

Judo is Simple and Basic

Many of the techniques of judo originated from arts that were designed to hurt or kills opponents but it was modified so that judo students can practice and apply these techniques safely and without hurting opponents.

Judo simply involves two individuals who, by gripping the judo uniform or judogi, use the forces of balance, power, and movement to attempt to subdue each other, which makes it simple and basic.

Having said that, Judo is very complex and mastery of even the most basic of judo techniques that often take considerable time, effort, and energy, involving rigorous physical and mental training.

One of a few Judo’s techniques

Quick facts!

• As Judo is now known internationally. World Judo Day is on the 28th of October every year, which is Jigoro Kano’s Birthday. Objective? Spread Global Awareness.
• The international governing body for judo is the International Judo Federation (IJF), founded in 1951.
• It is an amazing martial art for physically or visually challenged
• More people practice Judo in France than Japan

Interested in Judo? Fret not! There’s a Judo CCA in Temasek Poly!

Contact: [email protected]

Reference :

http://www.myjudotechniques.com/interesting-facts-about-judo-know-your-sport/

http://www.worldjudoday.com/en/whyWorldJudoDay-52.html

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/judo/judo01.html

http://www.tp.edu.sg/student-life/cocurricular-activities/sports/judo

Sake Heaven

Well if you know that japan has lots of vending machines but, did you know that there is such a thing as a Sake tasting dispensing machine.  This week we will be taking a look at Ponshukan (ポン酒館) aka Sake Heaven in Echigo-Yuzawa station.

As you may know, there are 47 prefectures in Japan, however, you may not know all the prefecture has breweries which is producing sake even the southern island Okinawa. Japan is surrounded by ocean and there are lots of high-mountain in middle of island. The climate of north and south is totally different. Since the taste of sake is strongly affected by the climate and ingredients, there are unique features by each prefecture. 

At Ponshukan has walls on one side lined with Sake dispenser which look close to vending machines.  Just simply use a 500yen coin to exchange 5 token and 1 small sake cup. With this simple step, a huge trouble will come! You have to pick the first taste among these 115 kinds of sake! That’s a tough job for a person who loves every kind of sake. 

Once you have found your favourite sake at the Ponshukan, you may go next door to the sake shop where all 115 varieties are on offer. The shelves are filled with sake bottles up to the ceiling. In the shop you will also find some local foods that go well with the sake.

Not only there’s sake tasting, there will also be sake Onsen. So make your way to the Ponshukan Onsen to round off your Echigo-Yuzawa Station adventure. The hot spring water at this onsen contains sake which will get your circulation going for sure. With a full stomach and a bit tipsy in the head, don’t fall asleep in the hot element or you will miss your train!

References:

https://en.japantravel.com/niigata/ponshukan-sake-heaven-at-echigo-yuzawa-station/655 and YouTube.

 

Fact of the week! By Syahiran

Credits to research team

Prefecture: Kochi

This week, we’ll be looking at Kochi Castle, one of the twelve intact castles in Japan, that is popularly called a National treasure because of its historic and artistic values.

History:

Following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Kōchi Castle was constructed in what was then the province of Tosa. It was built by Yamanouchi Kazutoyo, who took control of the province after the Tokugawa victory. The castle was mainly built using Stone, Earth and wood.

National Treasure:

Kochi castle was called the National treasure because it has historic and artistic values, and classified as “fine arts and crafts”. In order to achieve National treasure status,  Each National Treasure must show outstanding workmanship, a high value for world cultural history, or exceptional value for scholarship.

Visiting:

Kōchi Castle is located in downtown Kochi. The main entrance is directly across from the west entrance obiyamachi shopping area. Visitors are asked to remove their footwear before entering the building, however slippers are provided.

Handicap access is extremely limited, as the approach to the castle involves many steps, and there is no elevator.

The castle grounds are now a public park, and a popular location in spring for Hanami(flower viewing). They contain the Prefectural Library and the Kōchi Literary Museum, in addition to statues of notable scions of the Yamanouchi family.[1]

Fun Fact:

Did you know  that Kochi castle can be seen in the background of the animated film Ocean waves(I can hear the sea) by Studio Ghibli, during the class reunion scene. Ocean waves is a Japanese animated film that falls in the category of Drama and Romance genre. Do check out the movie and find where Kochi castle is!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108432/

http://visitkochijapan.com/things_to_do/nature/cherry_blossoms.html

http://muza-chan.net/japan/index.php/blog/kochi-castle-history