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Furusato Matsuri

2009-05-20T21:37:00.026+07:00

Furusato Matsuri adalah sebuah perayaan tentang kecintaan pada tanah air (furusato). Berkisah tentang Penyerbuan Toyotomi Hideyoshi ke daerah Wani (Mikawa Machi lama) untuk mempersatukan Jepang.
Wani Kata (orang-orang Wani) yang jumlahnya tidak terlalu banyak, berjuang untuk mempertahankan daerahnya. Pusat perlawanannya/pimpinannya tinggal di Tanaka Jo (Benteng Tanaka) didaerah Wani, Mikawa Machi.
Pertempuran dilakukan dengan menggunakan senapan locok, dilanjutkan dengan pertarungan pedang antar samurai yang bertempur.
Pada tahun 2001 saya berkesempatan untuk mengikuti perayaan tersebut yang dimeriahkan dengan pementasan drama tentang pertempuran tersebut.
Walaupun orang Wani kalah dan hancur, akan tetapi kisah keberanian mereka masih terkenang dan berkesan sampai sekarang.
Keberanian untuk mempertahankan tanah tumpah darahnya adalah satu sifat kepahlawanan yang sejati.

2001' Furusato Matsuri
Hampir tidak terbayang oleh saya, bahwa saya bisa ikut dalam pementasan drama untuk perayaan Fususato Matsuri.
Dimulai dari sebuah undangan dari Yakuba (Pemerintah Daerah Mikawa), bahwa saya diikutsertakan dalam pementasan drama pada kegiatan Furusato Matsuri tanggal 11 Februari 2001.
Oleh Otoosan (panggilan untuk Ayah angkat saya), saya diberi penjelasan tentang surat yang datang tersebut (maklum, tulisannya pakai huruf kanji semua) bahwa saya harus mengikuti beberapa rapat/pertemuan persiapan untuk kegiatan tersebut dan saya diberitahu juga, bahwa saya orang asing pertama yang pernah ikut pada kegiatan tersebut.
Dengan keterbatasan bahasa, saya berusaha belajar untuk menggunakan sandal jerami, baju perang, dan gerakan yang akan dilakukan. Yang menarik adalah saat diajari mengayunkan katana (pedang samurai) dan menembak senapan locok. Jumlah orang tiap regu adalah dua puluh orang, terdiri dari 19 pria dan 1 wanita. Semua terdiri dari usia yang berbeda, dan diambil dari bagian wilayah Mikawa Machi yang berbeda pula (perwakilan daerah). Akhirnya, saya yang serba canggung, memutuskan untuk menjadi orang pertama yang mati dari WANI KATA. Menurut teman-teman saya, cara mati saya sangat meyakinkan dan langsung disorot oleh kamera TV lokal. Durasi acara adalah 45 menit, setelah selesai acara dilakukan foto bersama semua pemain masing-masing pihak. Sebuah pengalaman yang tidak terlupakan.

Barisan Sebelum Berperang

In Action, ready for battle

Bidik dan Tembak !!!!

Serbuuuuuu !!!

Yaaa, mati deh !!!

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Dengan Pendeta

Dua Samurai Wanita

With Family

Midori Sho' American Teacher

Mikawa Machi

2009-05-20T20:24:00.015+07:00

Mikawa machi (三加和町) adalah sebuah kota yang terletak di Tamana Gun / 玉名郡 (setingkat kabupaten), Kumamoto Ken / 熊本県 (setingkat propinsi), Pulau Kyushu, Jepang. Pada tanggal 1 Maret 2006, kota ini bergabung dengan Kikusui Machi membentuk sebuah kota baru yang bernama Nagomi Machi dan tidak ada lagi sebagai sebuah kota.
Pada tahun 2003, kota ini diperkirakan memiliki populasi dari 5.533 dan densitas dari 91,48 orang per km ². Total wilayahnya adalah 60,48 km ².
Sedangkan untuk Nagomi Machi , kota ini memiliki perkiraan populasi dari 12.000 dan densitas dari sekitar 120 orang per km ². Total wilayah 98,75 km ².
Untuk kesempatan ini, yang akan kami bicarakan secara khusus adalah daerah Mikawa Machi lama, dan daerah Nagomi secara umum.
Pada tahun 2001, Mikawa Machi memiliki 3 buah sekolah dasar, dan 1 buah sekolah menengah pertama. Adapun yang akan banyak kami ceriterakan disini adalah daerah Itakusu.
Itakusu merupakan daerah pusat pemerintahan di Mikawa Machi, didaerah ini terdapat yakuba (kantor pemerintahan), kantor pos, Sekolah Dasar Midori dan sekolah menengah pertama. Berupa sebuah daerah lembah yang datar diantara bukit-bukit yang mengelilingi Mikawa Machi. Dibelah oleh sebuah sungai kecil yang dipergunakan untuk pengairan lahan pertanian disekitarnya.
Bukitnya berupa hutan pinus dan bambu. Pada saat-saat tertentu, berburu rebung bambu merupakan suatu keasyikan tersendiri
Kota ini mempunyai beberapa perayaan perta rakyat (MATSURI) yang dihubungkan dengan musim dan sejarah kota. Yang paling berkesan adalah perayaan FURUSATO MATSURI, yang berkisah tentang peristiwa penyerangan Toyotomi Hideyosi ke daerah WANI (nama tempat di Mikawa) yang akhirnya dimenangkan oleh Hideyoshi.
Perayaan MATSURI lainnya biasanya menyambut musim panas (NATSU MATSURI), ulang tahun kota (berupa perlombaan antar wilayah dan lainnya.
Yang amat mengesankan adalah keramahan penduduknya, yang mengingatkan pada keramahan penduduk Inonesia di daerah pedesaan. Sopan santunnya, tata pergaulannya dan semua sendi kehidupannya sehari-hari.
Semoga keramahan itu tidak berubah oleh waktu.

MOUNT FUJI

2009-04-15T20:26:00.003+07:00

Mount Fuji also called, as Fujiyama is the most poplar and undisputedly the number one landmark of Japan. It is located on the Southern Honshu Island and is the highest mountain in Japan, rising to 12,388 feet (3,776 m) near the Pacific coast in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken, 100 km west of Tokyo, with the apex broken by a cone-shaped crater 610 m (2000 ft) in diameter. Mount Fujiis relatively a young volcano and has attained its present shape about 5000 years ago and was a result of a series of volcanic activities by the Ashitakayama/Ko-Mitake (Small Mitake), Ko-Fuji (Old Fuji) and Shin-Fuji (New Fuji) volcanoes. The Ko-Mitake volcano is dormant since 100 thousand years ago. The Ko-Fuji volcano, which formed the base of the current, Mount Fuji was active between 100 thousand and 10 thousand years ago. Shin-Fuji volcano which is responsible for the mountain’s current shape started to erupt about 10 thousand years ago and erupted repeatedly for over 100 times during a period of about 10 thousand years. Mount Fuji last erupted on November 24, 1707 and has been sleeping since then, but still the geologists regard it as an active volcano.

‘The Holy Mountain’, is what Mount Fuji is called as and its name of Ainu origin implies “everlasting life.” Thousands of pilgrims visit the mountain from all parts of Japan and there are a number of shrines and temples are on its slopes. The major attraction of the mountain is certainly the various views it provides that change along with seasons and even as the time flows during a day. During winter, it is a flawless volcanic cone with its snow-capped tops, so winters and early spring are the best seasons to to catch the best view of this picture-perfect mountain. Five lakes surround the northern side of Mount Fuji, namely: Lake Motosuko, Lake Shojinko, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Yamanako, and Lake Subarshiri, which are frequently visited by tourists. These lakes provide a good view of Mount Fuji alongside different water sports.

The official and the best climbing season of Mount Fuji is from 1^st July to 31^st August every year as the weather is very nice and pleasant. Conquering this sacred mountain by both young and old at their own caliber with a proper plan and equipments is a great achievement in itself. As we go above from the base of the mountain to its apex there are 10 posts in–between. You need not start your climb from the base itself as you can reach the 4^th or the 5^th post by road and from here it takes about 4-5 hours to reach the peak and about 2-3 hours to descend. Huts and lodges are situated all over the mountainside and are quite affordable and provide meals to the climbers and the tourists. But Camping is not allowed on the mountain. There are various routes on offer for climbing Mount Fuji, including: Fujinomiya trail, Gotenba trail, and Subashiri trail.

The splendor of Mount Fuji has been viewed by millions and has been praised and written about by numerous travel writers

LAKE TOWADA AND OIRASE STREAM

2009-04-15T17:08:00.002+07:00

Lake Towada, along with its tributary the Oirase Mountain Stream, is a famous sightseeing spot in the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan and is known for its scenic natural beauty. The beautiful blue lake, flowing river, and surrounding mountains never fail to impress. Visitors enjoy the colorful scenery that changes with the seasons, particularly the crimson foliage of autumn.

Deep Blue Caldera Lake
Situated on the boundary of Akita and Aomori prefectures in the northern part of Japan's main island of Honshu, Lake Towada is a dual-crater lake 46 kilometers in circumference that was formed by the caving in of a volcano mouth formed by a giant eruption. While not the largest lake in Japan, Lake Towada is distinctive for its pictorial beauty; its deep blue waters are beautifully accentuated by the surrounding virgin forest.

In addition to taking in the beauty of the area through a sightseeing cruise on the lake, visitors can enjoy the stunning views from four observation points around the lake. And along the water's edge there is a bronze statue of two maidens by renowned Japanese sculptor Takamura Kotaro.

The portion of the Oirase River known as the Oirase Mountain Stream, which starts from Nenokuchi at the shores of Lake Towada and runs roughly 14 kilometers down to Yakeyama, is a mystical place. Swathed in rich, natural forest, the Oirase Mountain Stream presents a dynamic landscape born from ever-changing water flows.

Visitors can enjoy the diverse scenery as they slowly walk along trails leading through the quiet nature. The trail that runs alongside the stream, also known as Waterfall Road, takes visitors past a number of various-sized waterfalls.

Grayling, the Local Specialty
Lake Towada and the Oirase Mountain Stream have long been popular tourist destinations. The area was declared a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monuments in 1928, designated as the Towada-Hachimantai National Park (formerly Towada National Park) in 1936, and named a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monuments in 1952. Although most people visit during autumn to see the resplendent red and yellow foliage or in late spring to enjoy the lush new foliage, the area's frozen waterfalls in winter also display a solemn beauty.

In an effort to protect and preserve this valuable natural heritage, public and private sector agencies joined forces last year to develop the Oirase Eco-Tourism Project. Various efforts, such as walking events and traffic controls, are carried out under the project.

The area has gained popularity among foreigners in recent years. It was rated sixth by foreign tourists asked which sites they would recommend to other visitors in a Japan National Tourist Organization survey.

The local specialty is grayling, a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family, which can be prepared and eaten in several ways, including as sashimi or grilled with salt. Fresh slices of grayling sashimi are a delicate treat that melts in the mouth. Other dishes, such as those made with mountain vegetables or rainbow trout, are also well known.

There are many hot spring resorts in the area, including Towadakohan Onsen, Towadako Onsenkyo, Tsuta Onsen, and Sarukura Onsen, as well as many traditional ryokan (Japanese-style inns). Each of the hot springs is surrounded by nature. Tsuta Onsen is situated amidst a swath of virgin beech forest, known as Towada Jyukai, which is home to a number of different bird species that can be seen from the surrounding walking trails. Visitors to Lake Towada and the Oirase Mountain Stream can find refreshment for the mind and body, breathing in the fresh mountain air while hiking through lush forest and along the gurgling brook, followed by a relaxing soak in a hot spring amid the splendors of nature's bounty.

HANAMI

2009-04-09T15:15:00.000+07:00

Kali pertama keluar dari rumah otosan, langsung jalan bersama teman ke Kumamoto Castle. Eh gak taunya lagi "HANAMI", yaitu waktu bunga sakura paling indah untuk dilihat (katanya nihon jin)