The Nara city galley of photography

Mission the Irie Taikicni Memorial Nara City Museum of Photography (researched 27 Mar 2014)

 

 

 

 

 Following The Shinyakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014) I visited the gallery of photography to see whhat`s there.

 

 

 Unfortunately, I found it that place is not very friendly for those who love budget travel to cruise around because they prohibit eating and drinking own food in the premises.

 

 Due to unexpected fact that eating and drinking are prohibited, I couldn`t actualy carry out every part mission (I was starvinng) How ever, I found few things about the galley in the beginning of the task this is what I saw.

 

 First of all, the gallery was built to exhibit the works of IRIE Taikichi who was a master photographer took enormous pictures of Nara`s genuine and historical scenery. The gallery keeps near 80,000 photos of IRIE`s collection on film.

 

 

 

 2nd, the building was desighned by KUROKAWA Kisho to harmonise with epic surroundings.As a result, the building was constructed to be a low rised architecture.

 

 However, I found the beauty of modern desined architecture such as sophisticated balance of water and light, glass and steel.Also, the dynamic stracture from the basement through to the ground ponnd is spectacuular.

 

 

3rd, a few special exhibitions are held in a year.

 

 

4th, there is a little inhospitable café on the 1st floor.

 Over all

 The gallery has the car park (pay)  located 50m South of  the place

 

 Fees

 No cost up to one hour. ￥300 be charged on every excess one hour. (￥900 at maximum)

 

 

 Admission

￥500 for general. ￥200 for student. No cost on a person with a disability certificate.

 

 Open hours

 9 30-1700 (they let you in tilll 1630)

 

 Closed on Mondays (closed on Tuesdays in case of Monday is public holiday)

 

 How to get there

 

 City circulor bus from JR, Kintetsu Nara station. Getting off at Wari-ishi 破石, walk towards the East for 10min. It`s located the West from The Shinyakushiji Temple.

 

 

It's accessible all the way at the gallery. The elevator and the priority toilet are installed. The hire wheel chairs are available at the entrance.

 

 

Conclusion

I would recommend you to have your day to visit the gallery combining The Shinyakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014) The day would have you an epic experience in Nara.  

 

The Shin-yakushiji Temple

Mission The Shin-yakushiji Temple (researched 05 Mar 2014)

 

 

 

Even among the local people, The Shin-yakushiji Temple is often confused with The Yakushiji Temple because The Shin-yakushiji (新薬師寺) literally means the new yakushiji temple. However, the actual The Shin-Yakushiji Temple doesn't mean that the temple is newer but the temple is differently warshiped to The Yakushiji Temple.

 

However, I visited The Shin-yakushiji Temple to research What's there. Today, I'll let you know what I found at the temple through this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first of all, the temple was built in 747 to prey for the recoverly of the ill emperor Shomu. The temple has been worshiped widely since then.

 

 

 

2, the main hall (本堂）buit in the 8th century (Nara period) this is what you pay for at the

themple.The national treasure building accommodates all those statures which you want to watch. In the earlier days, the hall was a school for those who worship the temple.

(No photos are permitted at the hall)

 

3, the seating stature of Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来) the healing Buddha was made in the 8th century (Nara period). The temple is dedicated for the stature. Now, the wooden stature is registered as a national treasure.

 

4, the standing statures of Juni-Shinsho (十二神将) (8th century, national treasure) the clay made 12 statures are generals of "yasha"(spirit of the Indian mythology). Those 12 statures are guarding Yakushi Nyorai and the people who worship the temple.

However, each stature represents one of 12 oriental zodiac signs . I suppose that it will be a good fun to see which stature stands for your oriental zodiac. Ask 'em which is which.

 

5, the pond is hidden next to the main hall. 

 

 

 

6, stone images of Buddha

 

 

 

 

 

7, the campanile (the Kamakura period 10-11th century, Important Cultural Property)

 

 

 

8, the South gate (the Kamakura period 10 11th century, ICP) functions as the main gate of the temple.

 

 

The Buddhist services (縁日法要) are held every 8th of a month.

The Shunie festival (修二会) is held on the 8th Apr

The Shushoe festival (修正会) is held on the 8th Jan

 

Over all

The Shin-yakushiji Temple is a hidden place, has a nice and peaceful atmosphere as well as the greatest treasures such as those statures.

 

 

However, the temple is not very much accessible, difficult to find.

 

How to get there

Getting there by city circular bus (out circular) from JR Nara station and Kintetsu Nara station. Getting off a bus at the bus stop Wari ishi (破石町),15min walk to the temple.

A small free car park is located in front of the South gate as well as the reception where you are allowed to pay admission.

 

 

 

Cost　

¥600 per adult

 A disabled person Can get it free with your disability certificate.

 

Address  1352 Takabatake, Nara city 630-8301

PH 0742-22-3736

FAX 0742-26-1517

URL    http://www.k5.dion.ne.jp/~shinyaku/index.html

 

Conclusion

Thanks for the intensive rehabilitation that I had in the previous weeks, I could leave my wheel chair at the South gate to walk all the way with a good assistance of my friend.

 

 

However, it is gravely and has a few steps (South gate, main hall).

 

 

Also, the Western type toilet with hand rails is available, located behind the  campanile. A good leaflet (has English guidance) is given at the reception.

 

Tips

I advise you to vist the Nara city photography-gallery

The gallery is a modern designed building by Japan's master architect Kisho Kurokawa, accommodates the works of Taikichi Irie.

How ever, the contrast of modern architecture and ancient architecture of The Shi-yakusiji Temple is very much worth visiting.

PH 0742-22-9811 FAX 0742-22-9722 URL http://www1.kcn.ne.jp/~naracmp/index.html (I'll let you know about the gallery on this blog very soon.)

 

(All the photos were taken by C)

Takeda Shika-senbei Co

Mission, Takeda shika-senbei Co(researched Feb 27th 2014)

 

 Shika-senbei=special cracker to feed the deer

 

 

 

 Have you ever fed the deer shika-senbei at the Nara Park?

 

 Today, I'll let you know a bit about "shika-senbei" and "Takeda Co"

 .

First of all, the Takeda Co is one of five shika-sendei makers in Nara city, even in all over the world.The Takeda Co is the only manufacture who allows you to see the production line. In 1917, The Kasugataishiya Shrine gave the Takeda Co a permission to produce "shika-senbei to supply.

 

2, The Takeda Co has its workplace in an old town house called "machi-ya".

 

 

 

As you can see the photo, the place is a typical old town house in Nara.

I suppose Visiting Takeda Co would be a good opportunity to experience the real "machi-ya".

 

 

 

However, "machi-ya" serves as both workplace and residence for local tradesman. Machi-ya still has notable characteristics even today.

A, the narrow, long and rectangular structure.

B, the main corridor in the building functions as the only access to the workplace and storage which are located at back.

C, "naka-niwa (inner garden) let in the light and the nature from out side.

D, "kemuri-nuki (smoke duct), the elevated roof serves as an escape duct for smoke emitted from the kitchen.

E, "akari-tori (skylight), to ventilate the ground floor, allows air to circulate as well as the sun light to enter.

 

Back in the old days, the land taxes were assessed on the width of what it appears on the road side. Due to the taxation system, long and narrow structured machi-ya was built.

 

 

 

3, the enormous shika-senbei are produced in a busy day (Spring and Autumn) 10000-15000 shika-senbei are made in a day.

60% of what they produce is supplied to the agents at the Nara Park.

The rest is supplied to the zoos in other prefectures.

 

4, the ingredients of shika-senbei.

A, water

B, flour

C, bran

 

 

As you see the above list, shika-senbei is edible. Actually, I bit one it was alright.

 

5, at the Nara Park, shika-senbei is sold in a ten bunch that tied with a peace of paper made of soy bean and potato powder to make sure to be safe for the deer in case of being eaten by mistake. Cost you ¥150 for a bunch

 

.

However, those shika-senbei at Nara Park must be sealed by the Nara Deer Preservation Society to sale.

 

Over all

Shika-senbei is very much well known across the nation. Now it's a representing thing of Nara.

 

 

After exploring the Nara Park and feeding the deer, it's a very good idea to see how shika-senbei is produced in a classic "machi-ya".

 

 

 

Bookings are essential to visit the Takeda Co. A small car park is available to

your request.

Address 2476-2 Nara-zaka Nara city Nara 630-8104

Ph & Fax 0742-22-4853

Web site is not available.

 

 

 

Conclusion

I would recommend all the wheel chair users to have a good solid assistant to vist the Takeda Co and any machi-ya. In general, old machi-ya has poor accessbility for the wheel chairs.

 

 

 

 

How to cook stylin' sukiyaki.

Mission, how to cook sukiyaki すき焼き (researched 19 Jan 2014)

It's freezing tonight in Japan. OKey, I'll let you know how to cook sukiyaki "すき焼き”. I guess, you would have heard the word before.

However, the word sukiyaki is not only the tilte of popular song but the name of Japanese dish that is the best for this time of a year.

 In fact, the song "sukiyaki" was originally titled "ueomuitearukou" literally  means "let's walk as looking up way", sung by Kyu Sakamoto who died in a plane crash in 1985. Sakamoto was one of legendary singers of all time in the nation.

 However, I'll focus on the food aspect of sukiyaki to tell you how to cook it to  eat it in style.

ingredients

1, vegetables  bukchoi (Chinese cabbage)

                     leek

                     kikuna (if possible)

 

2, grilled tofu (if possible. Actually, any tofu is OK)

 

3, beef (thinly sliced)

 

4, chicken (optional)

 

5, udon noodles (optional)

6, egg

 

7, seasonings  soy sauce

                      mirin (sweet rice wine ) (if possible)

                      sake (rice wine)

                      sugar (substitute for mirin)

                      kelp stock (convenience product) (if possible)

 

Preparations

1, make "warishita" broth with the above seasonings.

The ratio of the broth is as below

 soy sauce 1:mirin (sweet rice wine) 0,5: rice sake(rice wine) 1 

 

   

2, chop all the vegetables, tofu, chicken and beef into a bite size.

 

3, put what ever you've prepared into a shallow pot

 

 

 

Cooking

1, heat the pot with full of ingredients into boiling

 

 

To eat

Raw egg is generally used as dipping sauce. (do you remember the movie "Rocky"? "Come on, you can do it champ!!!")

 

 

Over all

A big thing about sukiyaki is that it is cooked on the dining table as the people eat. There fore, preparations are all about it.

 

Conclusion

Sukiyaki is popularly eaten during the winter. The people are usually going bananas having it with rice wine or beer. However enjoying sukiyaki on lovely "kotatsu" keeps you warm the rest of winter.

 

 

Tips

Beer can be used as adding water in case the pot dries out, beer gets it a few more kicks. (I'd recommend you kids this to boost the party.)   

 

 

 

"一番桜 " the beer Ichiban zakura

Mission, the 2014 special spring beer "Asahi Orion Ichiban zakura".

 

The spring on the way, (hopefully) the Okinawan beer breweries "Orion" selling their special spring beer on the 28th of January.

 

I know, some of you would have already had good beers in the warm South East Asia during the winter break. Actually, the Ichiban zakura is as good.

 

Okinawa (where the beer is from) is located far South of the Japanese archipelago, the place is known as the Island of endless summer. Personally I've never been there, but I hear the place has lots to try, would like to go there one day.

 

However, Ichiban zakura "一番桜" literally means The first cherry blossoms to bloom. They say, the beer is totally brewed of malt, has rich and flowerily aroma, is easy to drink.

 

 

 

Ichiban zakura is sold in cans which printed the lovely pink cheery blossoms in contrast to the blue sky. The cans are epic enough to celebrate the coming spring.

 

Japan's one of major 4 beer breweries "Asahi" is selling Orion beers in the main 4 Islands. So that, you will find the beer at your nearest convenience stores.

 

Finally, Ichiban zakura "一番桜" will be sold in 350ml can (bottles will be sold  in the Okinawan area), costs you around ¥2?0.  

Hamaya "破魔矢" the good souvenir from Japan.

Mission Hamaya "破魔矢" ( written 10 Jan 2014)

 

Have you found a souvenir from Japan yet?

 

I`d like to let you know "hamaya" as your souvenir to your family or friends from Japan.

 

 

Hamaya "破魔矢" literally means that an arrow to break the evil.

 

 

 

As you see the above pics a wooden plate called ema "絵馬" is hanging down the arrow.

Ema ”絵馬”litelally means a drawn horse. However, long ago, only the rich people could bedicate the horses to the shrines. While, it's impossible for the general public to organize the horses today. Therefore, they started the new system that is dedicating a wooden plate called ema ”絵馬” instead of a horse to dedicate to a shrine.

 

 

 

Traditionally, a sign of 12 oriental zodiac of the year is painted on ema "絵馬". It's year of the horse in 2014.

 

Speaking of the oriental zodiac, I remenber the movie "Year of the dragon".

  Have you seen the movie before?  However, The movie featurs Micky  Rourke  as the Eliot Ness style commited detective who battles to bust the Chinese mafia in New York. The movie is one of Rourke's premier movies.

 Speaking of Micky Rourke, I've watched one of Rourke's recent movies titled "The wrestler".However, the movie was pretty good, the movie is about the Charles Bukowski like useless, half alcoholic, old professional wrestler Randy "the lamb"Robinson. In the movie, Robinson's exhausted personality equals Mickey Rourke him self.

Also, the movie shows you some "bad ass" tricks on the ring as well as nasty steroid injections. In short, the movie breaks through your image to Rourke. Must watch.

However, Mickey Rourke was popular back in the early 90's in Japan, he was on a TV commercial advertising whiskey and stuff. Rourke even got on the boxing ring to fight in the nation. In fact, the fight was just joking got criticized badly by the people who love the sport.

Due to the dodgy fight, Rourke gradually lost his popularity to be despaired in the far East.

 

Conclusion

Actually, what I want to tell you through this blog is about "hamaya" not about Rourke. As you see, hamaya looks cool as well as it functions as a lucky charm. I would say "this is pretty much it."

 

 

(a friend of mine bought me the hamaya at The Kasugataishya Shrine. Cost her ¥1500.)

  

How to grill mochi in style.

Mission, grilling mochi 餅 "rice cake" (researched 01 Jan 2014)

 

A Happy New Year!! Every one.!!

 

By the way, have you heard "mochi" before?

 

 

 

"mochi" is rice cake that is popularly eaten during "oshiogatsu" the initial 3 days of January in the nation.

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Now, mochi is individually packed to sell at grocers. 

 

Generally, mochi is grilled to be eaten. Today, I'll tell you how to grill mochi at home.

 

The first all, a wire grid (a metal mesh) is essential to grill mochi successfully also a gas cooker is another thing to grill it in style. 

 

 

 

Grilling

1, preheat a metal mesh well.

 

 

 

2, adjust heat at the minimum.

 

3, put mochi on the metal mesh to heat one side for 3-4 minutes

 

 

 

4, heat one side to the other. Be better to turn it over very often in the grilling process.

 

5, generally, mochi pumps up by it self when it`s cooked.

 

6, remove it from the heat.

 

Over all

The grilling process takes 5-6minutes.

Some people dip grilled mochi into sugared soy sauce just after grilling. Then, wrap it with a nori seat (dry sea weed seat) to bite it.

 

Conclusion

My wife cooked some soba noodles for lunch. As a result, the soba was topped with my grilled mochi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips

The slitly golden blown colour is what you aiming at grilling. Don't let the surface be burnt. 

 

 

What's on New Year in Japan.

How is it going?  Are you enjoying New Year`s Eve??

 

 Today, I`ll let you foreigners know few things about Japan`s New Year. (written 31 Dec)

 

 1, oshogatsu お正月, this is how we call the enitial 3 days of January. Traditionally, people are allowed to be indulged during the 3 days. Oshogatsu is family orientated, equals to Christmas in Western coutries.

 

 2, New Year`s special greeting, `akemashite-omedetogozaimas`あけましておめでとうございます=`A happy New Year` in English.

 

 3, osechi-ryori  おせち料理 (New Year`s special dishes),  according to old tradition, the people cook the special meal at home to feed the families during the 3days.

 

 4, nengajo 年賀状  New Year`s greetig card, this is what we exchange to greet who we know such as frieds and colleages for the coming year. Equals to Christmas card in Western coutries.

 

 5, hatsumode 初詣=The fist visit to a temple or a shrine for praying (see The Isagawajinjya Shrine researched 25 Dec)

 

Over all

Even in "oshogatsu", the major supermarkets are open plus the convenience stores are available. You can get supplied what ever you want. I'd say "No Worries".

 

Conclusion

I guess, the above list would tell you pretty much enough about our "oshogatsu. You just ask me, if you want to know more about it. However, the only way to celebrate "osogatsu" is that "get relaxed" and "stay warm" while it's very good to hang out for "hatsumode". I hope you watch tonight's boxing fights on TV (researched 22 Dec). See ya!

 

Get ready for New Year's Eve in Nara.

Mission, New Year`s Eve (written 28 Dec 2013)

We`ve just got a couplle of days left to New Year's Eve. Today, I`ll let you know what happens in the season.

 

 A part from boxing fights (written 22 Dec), we have a series of things towards New Year.

 

1, intesive house cleaning (大掃除 ousoji),"Iguess you would have already hered this". Tradisionaly, people have to clean up what they own before New Year. However, my dad was a keen cleaning man. Every year when it comes to the season, he got me into "ousoji"to clean whatever at house.

 

2, the premier TV programs on New Year`s Eve, the men and the women singing competition on NHK is traditionally what they watch.

 

3, New Year's Eve Buckwheat noodles 年越しそば (toshikoshisoba), the people pray for longevity and health by eating long thin noodles for the coming year.

However, various types toshikoshisoba is sold at the supermarkets across the nation. You can cook a bowl of toshikoshisoba on your own, more over you are allowed to top your bowl of soba with whatever you like.

I actually recommend you tempra prawn and grilled mochi (rice cake)

 

 

 

4, New Year's Eve temple bell 除夜の鐘 (jyoyanokane), this is what you want to do at the night of 31st of December. The gigantic bell at a temple is rung for 108 times to celebrate the passing year and the coming year.

 

Here is the list of temples whare you can ring New Year's temple bell in Nara pref (referred My town Nara 21, Dec issue) 

 

 1, The Todaiji Temple 東大寺 address 406-1 Zoshi,Nara city 奈良市雑司町406-1. ph 0742-22-5511.

 

 2, The Kofukuji Temple 興福寺 address 48 Noborioji, Nara city 奈良市登大路町４８. ph 0742-22-7755.

 

 3, The Yakushiji Temple 薬師寺 address 457 Nishinokyo, Nara city  奈良市西ノ       京町457. ph 0742-33-6001.

 

 4, The  Toshodaiji Temple 唐招提寺 address 13-46 Gojo, Nara city 奈良市五条町 13-46 ph 0742-33-7900.

 

 5, The Saidaiji Temple 西大寺 address 1-1-5 Saidaijishiba, Nara city 奈良市西大寺芝町1-1-5 ph 0742-45-4700.

 

6, The Hannyaji Temple 般若寺 address 221 Hannyaji, Nara city 奈良市般若寺町 221 ph 0742-22-6287.

 

7, The Obitokedera Temple 帯解寺 address 734 Imaichi, Nara city 奈良市今市町 734 ph 0742-61-3861.

 

8, The Ryozanji Temple 霊山寺 address 3879 Naka, Nara city 奈良市中町3879 ph 0742-45-0081.

 

9, The Shoryakuji Temple 正暦寺 address 157 Bodaizan, Nara city 奈良市菩提山町 157 ph 0742-62-9569.

 

10, The Ensoji Temple 円成寺 address 1273 Ninnikusen, Nara city 奈良市忍辱山町 1273 ph 0742-930353

 

11, The Chokyuji Temple 長弓寺 address 4442 Kami, Ikoma city 生駒市上町4442 ph 0743-78-3071

 

12, The Matsuodera Temple 松尾寺 address 683 Yamada, Yamatokoriyama 大和郡山市山田町 683 ph 0743-53-5023

 

13, The Shigisan Chogosonshiji Temple 信貴山 長護孫子寺 address Shigisan, Heguri, Ikoma gun 生駒郡平群町信貴山 ph 0745-72-2277

 

14, The Chogakuji Temple 長岳寺 address 508 Yanagimoto Tenri city 天理市柳本508 ph 0743-66-1051

 

15, The Abemonjyuin Temple 安倍文殊院 address Abeyama Sakurai city 桜井市阿部山 ph 0744-43-0002

 

16, The Muroji Temple 室生寺 address 78 Muro Uda city 宇陀市室生78                  ph 0745-93-2003

 

17, The okadera Temple 岡寺 address 806 Oka Asuka village Takaichi gun 高市郡明日香村岡 806 ph 0744-54-2007

 

Over all, You have to go to the temples (not the shrines) to ring the bell.

There is a log hanging down from the ceiling to ring the bell at a bell hall. Watch how they do to ring it and do it alike. The sound of rung bell is believed to cleans evil out of you.

However, each temple has their limitation and safety regulation to ring it.

And you must get there by 10 to 11pm to get lined up.

 

Conclusion

It's freezing cold at night of 31st of December. There fore, you can experience Japan's true tradition and culture. It's very special to hang out for listning to "jyoyanakane"to be rung.I just say to you guys to remember watching boxing bouts on TV (researched 22 Dec). Take it easy.