Unicorn Gundam in Tokyo

Life-size Unicorn Gundam (19.7 meters – 64 feet) replaced the older model Gundam in Odaiba in 2017. Visitors can watch it transform into Destroy Mode several times a day.

Tayu Oiran in Kyoto

Tayu Oiran in Kyoto at a Doll Ceremony

 

Japanese Craft Beer&History – Yanaka Beer

Join some Jvloggers enjoying Japanese craft beer at the Yanaka Beer Hall in Nippori while discussing the traditional Yanaka area of Tokyo and Japanese history. First beer is Yanaka Beer.

 

Second Beer – Yanaka Dry and the story of how Tokyo came out

Third Beer – Yanaka Golden and Ota Dokan the first builder of Edo Castle

Fourth Beer – Yanaka Bitter and the 47 Ronin Temple in Yanaka

Japanese Bowing Deer of Nara

In the old Japanese capital of Nara, deer have been living there free from being turned into burgers for over a thousand years. They live relatively comfortable fed by hordes of photo-snapping tourists. Supposedly close contact with people have given them human characteristics. If you bow to them, the deer will bow back.

Outdoor Sumo at Yasukuni Shrine

In April, sumo gets back to its roots at Yasukuni Shrine with an outdoor event. In olden times, sumo was generally held outdoors at shrines and temples or before gathered assemblies of august groups such as the shogun, daimyo (feudal lord), even the Emperor.

Hono Ozumo is a special ceremonial sumo event held at a shrine such as Yasukuni Shrine. Lower rank wrestlers (maku-shita) and top rank wrestlers (maku-uchi) compete. Even the yokozuna the highest rank in sumo compete at Hono Ozumo. If there is more than one yokozuna, they will compete against each other. Sumo can have several yokozuna at the same time but it is relatively rare to have more than two. Usually to see a yokozuna match between two yokozuna is a rare treat. Only on the last day of a tournament can one see this and it’s very difficult to get tickets for that day.

This year was a chance to see such a yokozuna match, the first in four years as Yokozuna Asashoryu retired in February of 2010. Hakuho has been the only yokozuna until September of 2012 when Harumafuji was promoted. This was their first yokozuna match at Yasukuni.

For more pics – click here. 

 

 

Samurai Girls Do Battle!!!

Samurai Girls fight with spear and sword at a Shinsengumi Festival in Tokyo. Shinsengumi were a special police force in Kyoto who kept the peace for the Shogun at a bloody price in the 1860s.

Sumo – Hakuho vs Harumafuji at Outdoor Sumo Event at Yasukuni Shrine

Every April, Yasukuni Shrine holds a honozumo which is a ceremonial sumo event at a shrine. It’s free and open to the first 6000 people. This is one of the few chances to catch a yokozuna match where the top ranked wrestlers compete. Usually this only happens on the last day of a tournament which is often sold out.

This year (2013) newly promoted yokozuna Harumafuji faced off against the reigning yokozuna Hakuho for their first yokozuna match at Yasukuni Shrine. I was rather surprised by the results.

Samurai Warlord’s Kyoto Cherry Blossom Festival – Taiko Hanami Gyoretsu

Spring is the time of cherry blossoms in Japan and Japanese love their hanami. Hanami is cherry blossom viewing parties where people gather under the sakura blossoms and make merry.

One of the grandest hanami events ever held was over 400 years ago at Daigo Temple in Kyoto. The host of this hanami was the most powerful man in Japan at the time, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and this gala event could be see as the culmination of an extraordinary life which began in a farmer’s hut. Toyotomi was the medieval Japan’s ultimate rags-to-riches story.

Toyotomi was born to a poor farmer/foot soldier during a time of anarchy known as the Sengoku Period or Warring States when Japan was torn apart by feuding warlords.

He joined the services of Oda Nobunaga an innovative warlord who began unifying the land. After Oda’s death, Toyotomi continued this work and by 1590 succeeded in uniting all the warring factions in the country.

Toyotomi became the strongest leader in Japan but he could not claim the title of Shogun due to his low origins. He was given the title of Kampaku by the Imperial Court. Kampaku was officially an advisor to an adult emperor but it was only formality. Toyotomi ruled the country like the Kampaku advisors and regents had centuries ago. In 1591, he “retired” and took the title of Taiko which is a retired Kampaku. In reality, he remained fully in control. In fact the very next year, Toyotomi launched a massive military expedition against Korea in a grandiose scheme to conqueror Korea and Japan.

Despite or perhaps because of his simple beginnings, Toyotomi liked to live it up. He liked pomp and ceremony, fancy attire, and lavish parties. His cherry blossom party at Daigoji was one of his most sumptuous. At his side was his young son and heir, Hideyori along with his wife and mistresses. It was to be his last great outing though as he would passed away 5 months later leaving the future of his heir in doubt.

For more photos

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Samurai Battle Festival – Battle of Sekigahara Festival

In the small town of Sekigahara a festival is put on to commemorate one of the most decisive battles in Japanese history – the Battle of Sekigahara. In 1600, two massive armies converge on Sekigahara and fought a great battle. The winner, Tokugawa Ieyasu went on to become shogun and started a new era known as the Edo Period named after his capital which is today Tokyo.

The main star at the festival is not either of the two opposing leaders suprisingly but Otani Yoshitsugu, a warlord suffering from leprosy who fought for the Western Army against Tokugawa. He’s the tragic hero of the tale of Sekigahara. It’s his forces which get attacked from the rear by a turncoat by the name Kobayakawa Hideaki.

Overall it’s a small re-enactment for such a pivotal piece of history but they do a good job with the drama.

For more info and photos 

Japanese St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Harajuku, Tokyo

In Tokyo’s Harajuku area, they throw a parade to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It’s been going on for sometime and has grown over the years. Marching bands, bagpipers, dancers, Irish settlers, dancing Guinness cans, and samurai(?) all make their appearance. It’s good fun!