Temasek Polytechnic Japanese Cultural Group

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Niigata
Credits to Research Team: Syahiran

Tsunan Yuki Matsuri

I recently played Horizon Zero Dawn and there was this cut-scene that showed some lanterns flying around the sky, it reminded me of the time I watched a documentary from Waku Waku Japan that is similar to this kind of scene.

It is said that Tsunan town is one of the heaviest snowfall places in the world. Tsunan town is located in Nakauonuma-gun, Niigata, and is also famous as a rice granary(rice storehouse for storing rice).

The village of the cold winter, this festival celebrates the coming of warm spring with the end of winter.
The people who live in this area has a way of thinking that “snow” is from an object of fighting to an object of coexistence. This is how the festival was developed and nurtured.

The sky lanterns were used as a means of communication 770 years ago, it became a messenger of the light to send a wish to the sky now. People attending this festival could be wishing for business prosperity, family well being, success for the examinations , or to view and admire the scenery and communicate with friends and families.

The festival is held during the winter season, mainly in the month of march . The date of the festival is on 11 march from 11am to 8.30pm every year.

Take a trip to the Niigata Prefecture in March and witness a breathtaking view of floating lanterns at the Tsunan Yuki Matsuri or the snow festival. The town has one of the heaviest snowfalls in the world. During the festival, as darkness falls everyone makes their way to the ski slopes. The beauty of the gorgeous spectacle is there for all to behold when over 1,000 glowing lanterns are released in the snowy backdrop, amid gasps of amazement from the crowd. The light snowfall looks like glitter in the radiance of the lanterns. Entry to the festival is free and there are a number of food stalls and activities available to keep visitors occupied till it is time for the main event. See the video on the link below to see the festival experience.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=70&v=44uNBVw9RN4

REFERENCE:
http://diversity-finder.net/tourism/tsunan-yuki-matsuri-tsunan-snow-festival
https://enjoyniigata.com/en/detail/page/detail/7940
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/matsuri-mania-in-japan
https://snowcountryblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/tsunan-snow-festival-sky-lanterns/

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Kyoto
Credits to Research Team: Haikal Ryx

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji, the famed “Golden Pavilion,” is a symbol of Kyoto. Formal name, Rokuon-ji was built at the end of the 14th century for the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun during the time. His final will, was to convert the villa into a Zen temple.

The first floor is built in Shiden Style, which is a Japanese architectural style for palatial/aristocratic mansion during the Heian Period. Even though visitors are not allowed to enter the pavilion, they are able to see the statues of the Shaka Buddha and Yoshimitsu from across the pond.

The second floor is built in Bukke-Zukuri (Warrior Style), which placed a number of rooms under one roof or a series of conjoined roofs and was surrounded by a defensive device such as a fence, wall or moat, with guard towers and gates. There is a statue whom is surrounded by the four Heavenly Kings, Kannon Bodhisattva, goddess of mercy and pets which is not viewed by the public.

Finally, the top floor is built in Chinese Zen style, and at the apex, is a golden phoenix.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, Kinkaku-ji is one of the historical temple representing Japan.

Source:
https://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/a-guide-to-japanese-architecture
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3908.html
https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/shritemp/kinkakuji.html
https://www.insidekyoto.com/kinkaku-ji-temple-the-golden-pavilion

Facts Of The Week
Prefecture: Kumamoto
Credits to Research Team: Cyril

Fujisaki-Hachimangu

It is interesting how the horse which is revered as a god in some places like Nikko, in Tochigi, is regarded as a delicacy in Kumamoto. The locals here are so proud of their basashi (horsemeat sashimi) that one cannot consider himself to have visited Kumamoto if he fails to tuck into this dish.

Aside from being savored as a signature dish, horses are also prominently featured in Kumamoto’s largest festival, Fujisaki-hachimangu (also known as Drunken Horse Festival) held in mid-September.

A parade showcasing horses decorated with attention-grabbing and garish stuff, it prominently features the dynamism and energy of Kumamoto City as local residents often pull together to form teams to take charge of a horse and guide it through the streets.

During the actual festival, different groups parade between the Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine and Gokoku Shrine (near Kumamoto Castle.) The parade passes through the main part of the city, and there are thousands of spectators. The horses are decorated and dancers in extravagant uniforms play a big part, as do the musicians. Large drums and other instruments play incessantly in a samba-band style. What with the noise, the colours and the excitement in the air, participants and the crowd are both worked up into a fervour, not to mention to horses, which buck and pull at the ropes which hold them down.

The horse from each team will be pulled along by a group of burly men; this is followed by an energetic leader giving his loudest cheers and rallying his troupe of dancers and drummers to bring the already feverish atmosphere to new heights.

Taking place over several days, there is much preparation needed before the main event. Running up until the big day, groups practice taking the horses out on the street, and the ceremonial drums and bells can be heard at all hours of the day.

Some animal rights activists condemn the festival as being cruel to the horses involved, who are probably frightened by the noise. Whether or not the horses are still made to drink rice wine on the day of the festival (giving it the colloquial name of the ‘Drunken Horse Festival’) I do not know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this practice continues to the present day.

Sometimes, the horses will suddenly quicken their pace and advance towards the crowd, but fret not, for the burly men will keep their horses under control. Also keep a lookout for foals, young horses, that will definitely steal your heart away!

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Festival_of_Fujisaki_Hachimangu_Shrine
https://kumanago.jp/en/events/detail/430000001380.html
https://uncoveringjapan.com/2015/09/09/festival-focus-fujisaki-hachimangu-kumamoto/

Christmas in Japan
Credit to Research Team: Irfan
Prefecture: Whole of Japan

Hello everyone, wishing you a Merry Christmas and may this festival bring abundant joy and happiness in your life! For this Fact of the Week, we will discover Christmas in Japan.

Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan. However, often schools are closed on Christmas Day. The Emperor’s birthday is a national holiday on the 23rd December and there’s also a New Year school break. So the holiday break often starts around the 23rd. But most businesses will treat the 25th as a ‘normal’ working day.

In Japan, it’s still not seen as a religious holiday or celebration as there aren’t many Christians in Japan. Christmas in known as more of a time to spread happiness and Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day, in which couples spend together and exchange presents. In many ways, it resembles Valentine’s Day celebrations in the UK and the USA.

Christmas lights, or “Illumination” as it’s called here, is a huge attraction during the festive season. Theme parks, shops and malls are lavished with pretty lights and themed decorations. The streets of posh areas like Omotesando, Ginza and Roppongi are absolutely stunning during this time of year too, and it’s a great opportunity to take a walk and soak up the atmosphere.

In the early 70s KFC ran a series of ads called “Kentucky for Christmas!” (Kurisumasu ni wa kentakki!) The campaign was so successful at capturing the country’s imagination that Christmas became synonymous with KFC. It’s so popular that people put in their reservations months in advance to avoid the (very) long lines.

Another Christmas tradition is to have scrumptious servings of strawberry shortcake. But if strawberries aren’t your thing, any cake will do, so long as it’s cake.

Hope you enjoy some information about celebrating Christmas in Japan!

References :
https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/japan.shtml
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/japan/articles/how-to-celebrate-christmas-in-japan/
http://wowsabi.co/5-things-christmas-japan-everyone-know/
https://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/christmas-in-japan