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From one end of the archipelago to the other, festivals fill the calendar of summer-time Japan. Originally observances of the indigenous Shinto faith, matsuri evolved through the ages to include certain seasonal rites of Chinese Buddhist origin as well. These ancient celebrations continue to hold an honored and beloved place in contemporary Japanese life.



The Shinto deities are called kami, divine forces of the unseen world. In a mutually beneficial relationship, gods serve the people and the people serve the gods, giving them their due at the proper time and place and in ancient, prescribed ways. Matsuri are the culmination of this worship, providing people opportunities to offer the gods their prayers, gifts, reverence, and joy.

When Slovenian photographer Gorazd Vilhar first arrived in Japan in 1985, he was immediately attracted to the visual power of matsuri. Having grown up in a family of artists and steeped himself academically in art history, Vilhar is passionate about color, form, and detail. In fact, it is his boundless fascination with the aesthetic richness and iconic symbolism in traditional Japanese culture that has compelled him to remain here through the years.

Vilhar was delighted to discover that the genial atmosphere of festivals offers a welcome opportunity for closer contact with the customarily reserved Japanese. Perhaps emboldened by the celebratory spirit, communal goodwill, and some sanctified sake too, people suddenly become more sociable, less restrained. Matsuri are not secret rites for true believers or initiates only, but celebrations for all who care to attend.

All over Japan summer sets the stage for annual traditions of spectacle and ceremony. This season's matsuri (festivals) beseech the gods to stave off illness and insect scourges, ensure a bountiful harvest, and provide safe passage for spirits of ancestors returning home.

The Japanese celebrate this joyous supplication with dazzling decorations, float-filled processions, glowing paper lanterns, bursts of fireworks, music and drumbeat, costumes and sometimes carnival atmosphere. Join Kateigaho International on a pictorial tour of 15 summer spectaculars.

Foreign visitors are unquestionably welcome, and their sincere interest in the proceedings is appreciated and enjoyed.

Though many countries have festival customs, Vilhar believes Japan's exceed them all. Not only are they far more numerous and varied here, but the ancient practices are also extremely well preserved. Considerable attention is devoted to the ritual attire and accouterments. The finest materials and workmanship are essential. Details receive painstaking care and enormous investments of money and time, clearly reflecting Japan's affluence and renowned dedication to quality.

The matsuri is many things to the Japanese people: an opportunity for communion with their gods and ancestral spirits; an avowal of their common past reaching far back into mythical times; a celebration of nature and renewal with the cycle of the seasons; and, not least of all, an excuse for exuberant merrymaking with family and neighbors, thereby reaffirming communal bonds and providing welcome relief from the work and routine of daily life. In the past, when life was difficult for most, well-being seemed wholly at the mercy of the kami. Yet even today, the sense of protection and security they offer helps explain their appeal.

For visitors to Japan, festivals can offer a window into traditional culture, providing unforgettable moments and memories. With their roots in the distant past, matsuri embody the continuum of form and heritage upon which Japan was built and provide considerable insight into a society striving to hold on to its identity in a fast-changing world.
KIE (Kateigaho International Edition) brings you the unique culture, art, and lifestyle of Japan. With over 50 years of experience in portraying the spirit of Japan, Kateigaho launched its English edition four years ago. It is now subscribed in over 50 countries around the world. Topics cover all aspects of Japanese art, such as crafts, cuisine, fashion and architecture in Japan that are drawing worldwide attention today. Stories are compiled by Japanese journalists with expertise in art and culture.

When we come upon a quiet image or an empty space, we often characterize it as Zen-like. But what, exactly, is Zen? We may turn to texts that bear the name Zen, but only a vague image emerges. However fully we exercise our intellect, however deeply we ponder, we cannot reach the heart of the matter.
Why is this so? It is because Zen is a matter of experience. It is because Zen is a religion, a quest for an understanding, a quest that lives in Zen meditation. We cannot unlock the heart of Zen on these pages. But we hope you can feel the form and beauty of Zen in the images and words. We seek to introduce—not that which is Zen-like—but the highest expressions of Zen itself in meditation, food, architecture, gardens, and thought.

Japan boasts countless ryokan (traditional inns), but truly luxurious places that provide perfect relaxation are limited in number. When Benjamin Warner, an architect and resident of Japan for more than 20 years, wanted to introduce a friend, Ian Birtles, to the ryokan experience, he chose Sharatei in Hakone, one of the most exclusive choices. Both basked in the meticulous care offered there. The reaction from Birtles: "This is the ultimate luxury. I can't wait to come back and share this with my wife!"
Let's find out what adds up to ultimate luxury.

Two-thirds of Japan is forested, but throughout the archipelago, from the subarctic to the subtropical zones, virgin forest accounts for only 1 percent of the trees. One could say that the basis of Japan's culture and spirituality lies in these forests. The deep woods—sacred places into which men did not lightly tread—evoked reverence and stirred the imagination. As if it were embedded in our DNA, awe of sacred trees still dwells in the hearts of modern Japanese.


Walk around Tokyo and you will notice the kanji character for "moon" in many shops. Step inside and you will see its image or character adorning random book jackets. Calendars show the daily waxing and waning moon, and products made with wood carved or water drawn during the full moon seem quite popular.
Japanese have long been captivated by this celestial fixture, and it has inspired countless poems and works of art.
Since man first walked on the moon, its rank in romantic notions seems to have waned, and paying homage to it is less common.
Now, however, in 2003, respect for the moon is spreading anew. Perhaps the desire to live in sync with the rhythms of nature, as symbolized by the waxing and waning of the moon, is in resurgence. Indeed, this seems to be a worldwide trend. In this spirit we present "moonlit Japan."


PUFFY is a duo that has torn up Japan's pop-music scene and is now finding fame in America as a pair of animation characters. They appear here in summer-night styles unique to Tokyo. In vintage kimono and chic accessories they can enjoy both the nightlife and the cool evening breezes. We bring you the looks of PUFFY-style summer and a special interview with Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura


From its post-war life as the place to buy electric goods, Akihabara (often abbreviated to its pet name, Akiba) has constantly moved with the times. It became Tokyo's commercial center for consumer electronics in the '80s, and through the following decade it morphed into an area specializing in computers and software. From the late '90s to the present day, it has become the world capital of otaku culture—the realm of obsessive fans immersed in some aspect of Japanese pop culture.
Last year brought more significant change. The opening of the Tsukuba Express("TX") rail line connected Akihabara with the city of Tsukuba, a major research hub and a fast-developing bedroom community. Business complexes with striking contemporary architecture have sprung up around the station. As these towers cast long shadows over the otaku town of small shops stacked in old multi-tenant buildings, one cannot help sensing the beckoning of a new era.
Anime, comics, games, "maids," and more...this is a place without peer around the world. It is the world of the otaku actualized. We invite you to visit the Capital of Hobbies.

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To many Westerners, one of the hardest things to understand about the Japanese is their voracious appetite for manga or comics (though the recent launch of an English version of Shonen Jump manga in the US was hugely succesful). In particular, the fact that middle-aged men can sit with their heads buried in comic books on rush-hour trains without any sense of embarrassment. While in the West mainstream comics are almost entirely for children, in Japan there many types of manga and some of them are very definitely NOT suitable for children. Graphic violence and sex (but with restrictions on the visibilty of actual organs) have been commonplace in manga for years. A law introduced to curb child pornography (most of the world's supply being from Japan) for some reason excluded manga - probably something to do with it being a ¥500-billion-a-year industry.





Manga come in two main forms: weekly, twice-monthly and monthly magazine style manga and paperback books, usually in a series. These series often spin off from the magazines and in turn are made into TV shows or movies. For some examples, see the sections on Animated movies and TV cartoons.

Shonen Magazine
One of the pioneers of the fat shukan manga (weeklies), along with Shonen Sunday, Shonen Magazine debuted in 1959 and is still one of the most popular boy's manga (shonen means young boy). With over 200 pages and a cover price of 230 yen, it seems like pretty good value. All the stories use kana (phonic) characters next to the kanji (Chinese characters), which makes them readable for the younger or less literate Japanese and useful for students of the language. As well as the manga stories and advertisements, the magazine has full-color photo spreads of a couple of teenage bimbos, usually in bikinis and with a contact address for fan-mail. The October 27th, 1999 issue (right) includes the mangas GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka), which has been made into a TV drama and a movie, and Psychometora EIJI, made into a TV psycho-drama starring heartthrob Matsuoka Masahiro. Other subjects include soccer, fishing and sushi, while with some of the manga it's hard to tell what exactly they're about.

The magazine is published by Kodansha, who also publish a variety of other magazines in six categories: General/Men; Women; Children; Literature/Arts; Comics for Men; Comics for Women.

Shukan Shonen Jump
Launched in 1968, Jump tried to do things differently from the start. In order to compete with the already successful Shonen Magazine and Shonen Sunday, Jump concentrated on hiring and hanging onto talented but as yet undiscovered cartoonists and keeping a close eye on what its readers wanted, through surveys and polls. This approach helped Jump become by far the biggest manga in Japan with sales as high as six million copies a week. Its most successful series have been spun off to create TV cartoons, movies and video games including Dragonball Z and Dragon Quest which have been hugely popular both in Japan and abroad. Other huge domestic hits include Kinnikuman (Muscle Man) and Slam Dunk, which capitalized on the NBA craze of the early and mid-90's.

The publisher of the manga, Shueisha has dozens of other publications, including Ultra Jump, Business Jump, Young Jump, Monthly Jump etc and women's manga like Margaret, Young You and Ribbon and magazines such as the Japanese editions of Cosmopolitan and Playboy.

Mobile phones

Japan is a leader in mobile phone technology and usage with about 75% of the population owning one. Mobile phones are everywhere, and they are constantly getting new features such as internet browsers, games, cameras, televisions, electronic wallets/train passes, gps/navigation and music players.

The biggest mobile phone companies in Japan are NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (formerly Vodafone, and before that J-phone). Docomo is the most popular company with about 50 million subscribers. Au is next with about 30 million subscribers, while Softbank has about 15 million subscribers.


Due to different technologies, mobile phones from your home country may not work in Japan. Most importantly, there is no GSM network, so GSM phones do not work. There are two things that are required for your telephone to work:

Compatibility with the Japanese mobile phone network - The only foreign phones that work in Japan are some 3G models, however the number of compatible phones is increasing. Contact your service provider for details concerning your particular phone.

International roaming plan or rental SIM card - With an international roaming plan (from your home service provider) you use your own phone and number, but are charged international roaming rates which tend to be expensive. Alternatively, with a rental SIM card (from a Japanese provider) you use your own phone with a Japanese phone number and lower rates.
Do Japanese phones work outside of Japan?

The majority of Japanese phones will not work overseas due to network differences; however, there are phones available that can operate on 3G and GSM networks (only in certain countries) with the appropriate international roaming plans, although while overseas some of their advanced functions will likely not work.

Generally speaking it is not possible to use a Japanese phone with a foreign service provider because most do not use SIM cards and the few that do are locked and are difficult (if not impossible) to unlock. Also, Japanese phones are designed at a hardware and software level to work with only a particular service provider. As a result they are not interchangeable even between Japanese service providers.




Renting is the most economical way for the average traveler to get a phone, and typically requires a picture ID and a credit card. Many companies have kiosks at the airports, while other companies will mail a phone to your hotel or to your home. You can return the phones at the airport or through the mail depending on the company.

The fees for rental phones vary and usually consist of the rental fee (typically 250-1000 yen per day) plus a usage fee (typically 70-200 yen per minute domestic outgoing, incoming calls are free). All of the companies at the airports have same day rentals, while some companies offer discounts for advanced reservations.

Prepaid Phones

Due to past criminal abuse of prepaid phones, phone sellers must now verify the identity and place of residence of their buyers. Typical proof can be in the form of a Japanese driver's license, a Japanese Passport, or an alien registration card. Some stores will accept foreign passports along with a hotel address as verification.

Prepaid phones start around 5000 yen. Credit, which is used for outgoing calls, email, internet, etc. depending on what features your phone supports, must be purchased in advance. With most companies, incoming calls are free and outgoing calling rates are comparable to those of rental phones.

Credit can be bought at cell phone stores and convenience stores and is typically valid for two months. Phone numbers remain active as long as you have valid credit in your account, but will expire after four months to a year without use.

Subscription Plans

With subscription plans you pay for your usage at the end of a monthly billing cycle as opposed to prepaid phones where you buy your usage before you use it. The phones themselves can be free although that typically requires a 2 year contract.

All the latest and most advanced phones are available with subscription plans and the selection of handsets is huge. Subscription plans are only available to residents and require an alien registration card and a Japanese bank account..

Shichi-go-san is a festival celebrated by parents on the fifteenth of November in Japan, to mark the growth of their children as they turn three, five and seven years of age.

Shichi-go-san literally means “seven, five and three”. These ages are considered critical in a child’s life. Particularly, at the age of seven, a young girl celebrates wearing her first obi, while at the age of five a young boy celebrates wearing his first hakama pants in public. The age of three marks the first time whereby both boys and girls are allowed to let their hair grow.

The festival is said to have started in the Heian period (794-1185) where the nobles celebrated the growth of their children on a lucky day in November. The festival was subsequently set on the fifteenth of that month during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa was said to be celebrating the growth of his son, Tokumatsu, on that day.

By the Edo period (1603-1868), this practice spread to commoners, who began visiting shrines to have prayers offered by priests. The shichi-go-san custom followed today evolved in the Meiji era (1868-1912). November 15 was chosen for this celebration because it was considered one of the most auspicious days of the year in the Japanese almanac. Since the day is not a national holiday, most families pay their shichi-go-san respects on the weekend just before or after the day.

Today, parents celebrate shichi-go-san as their boys turn three and five years of age, and as their girls turn three and seven. The boys don on haori jackets and hakama trousers, while the girls would wear a special ceremonial kimono when making their shichi-go-san visit. In recent years though, an increasing number of children are wearing Western-style suits and dresses.

Following the visit to the shrine, parents buy chitose-ame (“thousand years” candy) for their children. The candy is shaped like a stick and comes in a bag that carries illustrations of cranes and turtles - two animals that traditionally symbolise longevity in Japan. The candy and the bag are both expressions of parents' wish that their children lead long and prosperous lives.

第5回　「辞書"力"」は辞書の見出しとして登録できるか？

　やや下火になってきたものの、依然として「○○力」という、接尾語的に「力」を付け加えたことばをよく見かける。先日の衆議院選挙でも、ある政党が「責任力」という語を使っていた。確かに「力」を付けると、何となく主体的、積極的な面をアピールするという効果はあるのかもしれない。しかし、「責任」と「力」という組み合わせに対する違和感は、最後まで無くならなかった。“力”を入れないと責任は果たせないということだったのだろうか、なんて思ったりもしたものだ。

　「○○力」ということばが広まったのは、10年ほど前に刊行された赤瀬川原平氏の『老人力』以降のことのようだが、昔から「○○力」ということばがなかったわけではない。

　『日国』にも「○力」「○○力」ということばは数多く登録されている。ちなみに、「ジャパンナレッジ」の『日本国語大辞典』の個別検索で、

　検索語：「力」／範囲：見出し／条件：後方一致

　ＡＮＤ

　検索語：「りょく」／範囲：見出し／　条件：部分一致

で検索してみると　513件の「○力」「○○力」が見つかる。物理学用語も多数含まれているのだが、それはそれでけっこう面白い。


イラスト／アオイマチコ

　たとえば、これは筆者個人の語感かもしれないが、「勉強力」などという語は、「責任力」並みとは言わないまでも、組み合わせがちょっと不自然に感じられる語のひとつである。２つある用例がどちらも日本人が西欧の学問を必死になって「勉強」した明治期の用例（『花柳春話』『舞姫』）だというところが象徴的である。もちろんこの語は現在も教育の現場や書名などでよく見かける語だが、「勉強」自体に努力して困難に立ち向かうといった意味があるので、屋上屋を架した語のような気がしてならない。筆者自身に「勉強・力」がないのでそう思うだけなのかもしれないが。

　『日国』には載っていないのだが、やはり教育の現場や書名などで「辞書力」ということばをしばしば目にする。この語が使われるのはもっぱら外国語の辞典に対してであるところも興味深いのだが、「辞書力」っていったいどのような意味なのだろうか。「辞書」が本来持っている力？　それは、語彙数のこと？　それとも語釈のわかりやすさ？　詳しさ？　それなら『日国』は手前味噌ながら多少は自信がある。辞書が世の中に及ぼす影響力？　まったく無いとは言えないが、でもそれほど自慢できるものではなさそうだ。辞書を早く引く能力？　まさかそんなことはないであろう。この語で表現しようとしている内容はもちろんわかっているのだが、ついよけいなことを言ってみたくなる。

　辞書は言語現象の後追いしかできないので、「力」語が文学作品や評論、新聞記事などに多く登場していると確認できれば、見出し語として登録せざるを得なくなる。しかし、「力」語の氾濫を見るに付け、できればそのような語を追いかけることに“力”を注ぎたくはないと思うのである。

Elsewhere on the site is a guide on how to ride the shinkansen.



The Tokaido Shinkansen, connecting Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, was inaugurated in 1964 as the first shinkansen line and the world's first high speed train service. At that time the trains already ran at about 200 km/h. Nowadays they reach speeds of 300 km/h.

The extension of the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station in Fukuoka was completed by 1975.

The trains operating on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen are of the following three categories:

Nozomi: Nozomi trains stop only at the most important stations, and reach Osaka from Tokyo in about two and a half hours. The nozomi is one of the very few trains on the JR network that cannot be used with the Japan Rail Pass.

Hikari: Hikari trains stop a little bit more frequently than nozomi trains, and need roughly three hours to reach Osaka from Tokyo. On the Sanyo Shinkansen, the Hikari trains are known as "Hikari Railstar".

Kodama: The slowest category. Kodama trains stop at all stations.
Kyushu Shinkansen
The southern half of the Kyushu Shinkansen, connecting Yatsushiro with Kagoshima, was inaugurated in March 2004. The northern half from Yatsushiro to Hakata is scheduled to be completed by 2010. The trains operating on the Kyushu Shinkansen are called Tsubame.

Northern Shinkansen

The first north bound lines, the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka and the Joetsu Shinkansen to Niigata, were completed in 1982.

Since then, the following further lines have been put into service: the Yamagata Shinkansen from Fukushima to Shinjo, the Akita Shinkansen from Morioka to Akita, the Nagano Shinkansen from Takasaki to Nagano and the extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen from Morioka to Hachinohe.

Currently under construction are the further extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen to Aomori, as well as the extension of the Nagano Shinkansen to Kanazawa.

The trains operating on the north bound lines are of the following categories:

Hayate (Tohoku Shinkansen): The fastest train category on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Hayate trains run all the way from Tokyo to Hachinohe and stop only at major stations. All seats are reserved. Between Tokyo and Morioka, Hayate trains are coupled with a Komachi train.

Yamabiko (Tohoku Shinkansen): The second fastest train category on the Tohoku Shinkansen, running as far as Morioka. Yamabiko trains stop more frequently than Hayate trains.

Nasuno (Tohoku Shinkansen): The slowest train category on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Nasuno trains run only as far as Koriyama (one stop before Fukushima) and stop at all stations.

Komachi (Akita Shinkansen): This is the only train category on the Akita Shinkansen. Komachi run between Tokyo and Akita. All seats are reserved. Between Tokyo and Morioka, Komachi trains are coupled with a Hayate train.

Tsubasa (Yamagata Shinkansen): This is the only train category on the Yamagata Shinkansen. Tsubasa run between Tokyo, Yamagata and Shinjo. Between Tokyo and Fukushima, some Tsubasa trains are coupled with a Yamabiko train.

Toki (Joetsu Shinkansen): This is the faster of two categories on the Joetsu Shinkansen, running all the way from Tokyo to Niigata.

Tanigawa (Joetsu Shinkansen): This is the slower of two categories on the Joetsu Shinkansen. Tanigawa run only as far as Echigo-Yuzawa and stop more frequently than the Toki trains.

Asama (Nagano Shinkansen): This is the only train category on the Nagano Shinkansen. Asama run between Tokyo and Nagano.

Softbank cellphone to turn into ‘robot’ buddy
TECHNOLOGY For those who feel a bit lonely just talking on the phone, Softbank Mobile Corp. is offering a cellphone that turns into a robot buddy ready to chat.

Gov’t to push high-tech ways to reduce CO2
TECHNOLOGY The government and business groups are set to jointly promote the use of 21 revolutionary new technologies, such as an advanced form of solar-power generation and underground storage of carbon dioxide emissions, as part of a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, government sources said Saturday.

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TOKYO —Emperor Akihito, marking the 20th anniversary of his coronation Thursday, says he is concerned young people are forgetting their history.

Akihito said Japan must not forget its past — and especially the turbulent years his father, the late Emperor Hirohito, was on the throne — if it is to learn from its mistakes.

“What worries me most is that the history of the past will gradually be forgotten,” the 75-year-old monarch said at a brief news conference before Thursday’s anniversary. He said it was regrettable Hirohito will be remembered by history for World War II and Japan’s military advances into Asia prior to its defeat in 1945.

“The reign of my father began at a very difficult time,” he said, noting that Japan invaded Manchuria six years after Hirohito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne. “There are many lessons that we can learn from the 60-some years of his reign.”

“He viscerally knew the importance of peace,” Akihito said.

Japan has often been criticized by its neighbors — who bore the brunt of Japanese colonialism — for whitewashing the country’s role in World War II in its school textbooks. Although Akihito has visited China, he has yet to travel to South Korea, largely because of lingering animosities over the war.

Until Japan’s surrender, Hirohito was officially considered a living god and loyalty to the throne was used to rally the nation behind the war, though historians generally agree that it was more often the generals, admirals and politicians who made the major decisions that set the country’s disastrous course.

Over the past 20 years, Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko, 75, have grown quietly into their roles as ceremonial symbols of the nation, a definition of the Japanese monarchs imposed by U.S. military leaders during the Japanese occupation.

Akihito’s primary role is that of a figurehead. He presides over rituals at the palace shrines, gives out awards, meets foreign dignitaries and swears in new cabinets.

His public comments are famously circumspect, avoiding subjects that might have political implications, and off-the-cuff remarks are almost unheard of. The questions he answered at the pre-anniversary news conference were submitted to the palace well in advance, and he had written answers prepared.

Akihito was coronated nearly a year after Hirohito died on Jan 7, 1989 because the country was officially in mourning.

The emperor also said it is necessary to take note of the views of Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino in deciding on the future of the imperial family. ‘‘I think it is important that the views of the crown prince and Prince Akishino, who supports him, are respected’’ concerning the ideal role of the imperial family in the future, Akihito said, adding that the issue of the system of imperial succession should be left to deliberations in the Diet.

‘‘They have both spent a great deal of time with me and supported me throughout these years, and I am sure they have been developing well-considered views on the ideal role of the emperor,’’ he said.

Sharing that view, the empress told the press conference, ‘‘Believing that they will continue to respect and complement one another and that their respective families too will certainly support them with all their heart, I entrust the future of the imperial family to the generations ahead.’‘

The two princes have been able to ‘‘deepen their awareness of their respective responsibilities’’ by spending time with their grandfather Emperor Hirohito and by closely observing their father Emperor Akihito as they grew up, the empress said.

The emperor also touched on some difficulties people in Japan are facing today, telling reporters, ‘‘I am deeply concerned about people’s welfare as Japan today is becoming a rapidly aging society at a time of severe economic conditions.’‘

‘‘I would like to see a society where everyone supports one another,’’ said the emperor, adding it is encouraging to see an increasing number of people caring about the elderly and those in need of nursing and who are making efforts to support them.

‘‘I am delighted to see so many people celebrating this 20th year of the Heisei Era. I am grateful to them and take this opportunity to express my wishes for the peace and security of Japan and the health and happiness of the Japanese people,’’ the emperor said.

On his health and duties, the emperor said, ‘‘There has been a reduction in official duties over the past year and I think that this did indeed have the effect of lessening my burden. However, if my health continues as it is, I should like to continue with the current level of official commitments.’‘

‘‘As for the empress,’’ the emperor said, ‘‘I am very happy to know that her knee is recovering,’’ referring to a ligament injury in her left knee she sustained while playing tennis in February.

The empress said, ‘‘Although I occasionally wish it to heal much faster, I think I must learn from the baseball player Hideki Matsui and wait patiently for it to improve,’’ referring to the New York Yankees hitter, who overcame two knee operations on his way to becoming the latest World Series MVP.

The governmental ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the accession is scheduled to be held at the National Theatre of Japan in Tokyo on Thursday afternoon with the participation of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and other dignitaries from various fields.

The main characteristic of the world heritage sites in Japan is that many of them are supported by the country's diverse natural environment and its climate with four seasons, for which there are few equals in the world. There are also sites such as the Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial), which remind us of the negative legacy that should never be forgotten. Among the sites of historical cultural heritage, there are many buildings influenced by the unique sensitivities of the Japanese people, and in experiencing the precision and the dynamic design, we obtain great insight into the mindset of the Japanese people and the roots of their culture.

Shiretoko
A new heritage site just registered in 2005 The area features an ecological system with few equals in the world.

Places:Shari-cho, Shari-gun / Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido

Shiretoko, a new natural heritage site registered only in July 2005, is considered to be the last pristine wilderness remaining in Japan. Shiretoko is a long narrow peninsula located in northeastern Hokkaido. The volcanic Shiretoko mountain range runs down the center of the peninsula and includes the highest peak of the range, Rausu-dake (1,661 m above sea level) and the active volcano Iouyama. The Sea of Okhotsk lies on the western side of the range and the Nemuro Straits on the eastern side. The coastline cliffs facing the Sea of Okhotsk rise up more than 100 m high, and you can glimpse waterfalls large and small cascading directly into the sea, and colonies of seabirds.

The salmon and trout that breed in the sea off Shiretoko are an important food resource supporting the terrestrial ecosystem with rare birds such as Blakiston's fish owl, Steller's sea eagle and the white-tailed sea eagle, as well as brown bears. The Shiretoko ecosystem is a dramatically clear example of the linkage between marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and it is considered an important wildlife reserve, with unique features unlike any other in the world.

Shiretoko, blessed with mountains, lakes and an abundance of plants and animals, offers many places of interest throughout the seasons. A good example is the Shiretoko Goko or Shiretoko Five Lakes, situated on a lava plateau surrounded by old-growth forest. The five lakes don't have individual names; they are referred to by number from Lake No. 1 to Lake No. 5. If you take a stroll along the walking trail (takes approximately 1 hour), you may see wild animals and will certainly enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.

n the fall, when the mountains are adorned in red and yellow, the hoards of salmon and trout swarming up river to spawn are an incredible sight. In winter, there is also beautiful scenery as the drifting ice changes the Sea of Okhotsk into a white snowfield. There are various nature experience programs available at the site such as night tours for animal watching under wonderful starlit skies, daytime treks for alpine plant spotting while surrounded by birds singing, or nature watching enjoying waterfalls and wild animals while walking along the trail. It is highly recommended to contact Shiretoko Nature Center before departing.



Shirakami-sanchi
The vast primeval beech forest, which is home to a precious population of animals and plants, is just like a forest museum.

Aomori prefecture / Akita prefecture

A range of mountains reaching an altitude of around 1000 m extends east and west over an area of 130,000 ha that straddles the prefectures of Aomori and Akita. The central area (16,971 ha) in these mountains was registered as a natural heritage site in 1993. This is one of the last natural beech forests left in East Asia. One of the main features of the Shirakami-sanchi area is the rough mountainous landscape cut through with deep gorges by its numerous rivers. The area is peppered with valleys and waterfalls including the Mase Valley, Anmon Falls and Daira-kyo Gorge and attracts many anglers and trekkers. It is also home to some of the most unique plants in the world, as well as rare animals including a protected species of dormouse, the black woodpecker, Japanese serow and golden eagle.

The best season to visit this area is in the summer when there is plenty of water in the rivers or in the fall when the mountains turn red with tinted leaves. The fall colors in the valleys viewed from the top of a gigantic bridge are breathtakingly beautiful. The course taking in the Anmon Falls that form a 3-step waterfall (approx. 1 hr. 10 min. one-way hike up a well-tended path) is extremely popular with people who enjoy walking. There are also full-fledged climbing courses to reach mountain summits such as Shirakami-dake and Tengu-dake, so why not try one of these if you are a keen climber. The Shirakami-sanchi Visitor Center, which operates as a tourist information office, also has much to offer. The wildlife and ecosystem of Shirakami-sanchi are presented in 3D models, and the charms of Shirakami-sanchi can be viewed on a huge screen in a 30-min. film shown 5 times a day in the visual experience hall. There is an entry procedure that must be followed before you are allowed into the core part of the Shirakami-sanchi World Heritage Area (on the Aomori prefecture side), so you need to inquire at the Aomori office of the Tohoku Regional Forest Office (Tel: 017-781-2117) http://www.jomon.ne.jp/~eirin001/index.htm. However, there is no need to apply beforehand to enjoy the hike up to the Anmon Falls.

Many beech forests around the world lost much of their ecological diversity due to the formation of continental glaciers some 2 million years ago; however, the beech forests and primeval plant population survive in Japan because continental glaciation did not occur here. Beech trees are extremely resistant to the weight of heavy snow, allowing these trees to survive the huge snowfalls on the Japan Sea side of the islands. There used to be many beech forests in Japan, but because this wood is not particularly useful as lumber, the trees were cut down after World War II and many beech forests were lost. However, this situation threatens the wellbeing of Asiatic black bears and black woodpeckers, and now there is an active conservation movement to preserve primeval beech forests. When visiting Shirakami-sanchi, please follow the rules of good hiking etiquette such as taking all garbage home, visiting the toilet before going to the mountains and not feeding the animals, in order to protect this precious wilderness.



The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Historic villages in an area of heavy snow
celebrating the beauty of the seasons
Gifu prefecture / Toyama prefecture

The remote mountain villages of gassho-style houses in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama on the Hida Highlands were registered as cultural heritage sites in 1995. The scenery of the mountain villages blending in with the nature of each season - fresh green leaves in spring, tinted leaves in autumn, winter snow - and the atmosphere of the villages with traditional houses standing side by side looks just like a fairy tale.

Houses built in the "gassho style" are defined as having a roof in the shape of a triangle, similar to hands folded in prayer. In the multilayer structure, the 3rd and 4th floors are particularly characteristic as they demonstrate the wisdom of the farmers who are able to raise silkworms even in the harsh winters. The area for the silkworms is up in the attic where the heat from the first floor, filled with people and activity, rises up. The roof has an impressive slope of 60° to allow the heavy snow (sometimes as much as 4 meters) to slide off more easily.

The observatory at the site of Ogimachi Castle is a popular spot from which to view "Shirakawa-go Ogimachi village" where 59 houses are clustered. This upland vantage point is perfect for a panoramic view of the Gassho-style village in the verdure of spring, the tinted leaves of autumn or the snows of winter. "Wada House" and "Nagase House" in Ogimachi village are open to the public, offering an opportunity to learn about how people lived long ago. Many tourists visit here specifically to see the water-discharge exercise performed on the last Sunday in October every year.

In Gokayama, we recommend a visit to "Ainokura Village" where 24 houses stand against a background of mountains, and "Suganuma village" with 9 houses including 2 that were built during the Edo era. Well worth a visit are the following houses, designated as important cultural assets of Japan: "Murakami House" where the head of the family relates the history of Gokayama to visitors as they sit around the open hearth, "Haba House" that retains the most well-preserved gassho structure with very little renovation, "Iwase house", which is the largest gassho-style house in Gokayama with 5 floors and an interior constructed of zelkova wood.

Shirakawa Village Ohno-gun Gifu prefecture, Kamitaira Village / Taira Village Nanto City Toyama prefecture


Himeji-jo Castle
A classic example of Japan's beautiful castle architecture
The world of bygone days still lingers
Hyogo prefecture

Because its pure white appearance with white plaster coating looks like a dancing Shirasagi (Egret) with wings spread, this famous castle is also called the "Shirasagi-jo" or "Hakuro-jo". It was spared from damage during the war and from many other disasters and is in a remarkably preserved state compared to other castles. Seventy-four structures within the castle site including a tower and gate are designated as important cultural assets of Japan.

The year of establishment was 1346. Later, the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1589), who ruled over most of Japan, built a full-scale castle wall, which became the base for present-day Himeji-jo. At the start of the Edo period, the castle underwent considerable renovation over a 9-year period to create the magnificent appearance we see today.

If you are confident in the strength of your legs and back to climb up and down, you should take a look around the inside of the castle. Clearly, beauty was not the only priority of those in power throughout the ages. Its complicated structure, particularly the three tall watchtowers connected by columns and winding maze-like passages, functions well as a war fort and conceals a mechanism to halt the invasion of enemies and throw them into confusion. The design is intended to prevent access to the tallest watchtower and castle keep, situated at the heart of the castle, which functions as a center, so beware if you go there without a map, you may get lost!

Among the many gates are the remains of gate mechanisms for dropping stones on the enemy if they manage to enter, or gates with an extremely narrow passageway so that not many people could pass at once. Numerous holes to shoot from are made in the castle wall and there are windows from which to drop gigantic stones on the enemy, too. It is very interesting that there is a kitchen in the inner court in case the castle falls under siege or an attempt is made to starve out the occupants. By the way, the thick coating of white plaster on the outer surface is not just there for aesthetic purposes but also for defense, because of its excellent resistance to fire and bullets.

The castle keep rising from the peak of Mt. Hime-yama is built with a total height of 32 m on a stone wall approx. 15 m high, and the view from the top of the keep is spectacular. On a fine day, you can imagine the emotions of a feudal warlord with his ambitions to dominate the whole country. At night, the entire castle is lit up, so a visit after sunset is highly recommended as well.

Himeji City, Hyogo prefecture

Tokyo fashion - Tokyo fashion locations, Tokyo fashion pictures, Tokyo fashion styles, Tokyo fashion shopping and Tokyo fashion updates.

There were some very distinct fashion trends for young women in Tokyo this Spring.
Denim jackets and skirts - Never worn together, but a short denim jacket would be worn over a dress or t-shirt with pants in a wide range of lengths from the very short to full length in either army green or camouflage.
Below the knee length boots were very common, worn with shorts or dresses, but with bare legs. Stocking socks were worn with the boots, more frequently showing than hidden at the top. The styles of boots varied greatly, as I don't think I ever saw any the same.

Many boots were a cowboy style, but with a high pointed heel. Others had patterns on the side or fancy laces. Black was not a common color.


The crowds of Shibuya attracts companies like Sony Ericson
to promote their latest and most fashionable products.




Kimono: Over 55 pages of kimono pictures, kimono style descriptions, kimono history, kimono fashion competitions, places to buy kimonos and articles relating to kimonos.


The kimono is a traditional form of clothing worn by Japanese women and men. There are many different kimono styles. We detail all the different forms of Japanese kimonos here.

Kimono Picture:
Traditional Japanese dancer Michiko Moriguchi appearing in a traditional Japanese kimono at the Japan Festival Melbourne.

The kimono is a very famous traditional Japanese clothing worn by women and men. Here there are many pictures of Japanese women wearing very beautiful kimono.

Uchikake - The wedding kimono
For a young women having a traditional Japanese wedding, they wear the most gorgeous Kimono called Uchikake. Most people rent this kimono, however the rental still costs around A$5000. The white Uchikake (pictured on the left) is just part of the elaborate Japanese wedding ceremony.

If you look carefully you will be able to see how the Uchikake is very long and would touch the ground if it was not held up. Unlike traditional Western wedding dresses, that have train or material that flows along the ground at the back of the dress, the Uchikake is long all the way around. The bride has to be assisted by one of her attendants to walk in this kimono.

Gothic Lolita - Gothic Lolita is a distinctive Japanese fashion style. Gothic Lolita is often seen in places like Harajuku. Gothic Lolita pictures.
Gothic Lolita or "GothLoli" (ゴスロリ, gosurori; sometimes alternatively "Loli-Goth") is a youth fashion among Japanese teenagers and young women. It emphasizes Victorian-style girl's clothing and often aims to imitate the look of Victorian porcelain dolls. Gothloli's name and origin is a combination of lolita fashion—appearing deliberately cute to the point of looking childish—and certain styles found within gothic fashion. The style started as a youth subculture sometime around 1997-98 and became a well-established genre available in various boutiques and some major department stores by around 2001. Some observers consider it a reaction to the "Kogal" aesthetic.

Gothic Lolita is one of the subcategories of the Lolita look. Other categories include "Classic Lolita" (more traditional, light-coloured, also more mature-looking) and "Sweet Lolita" (childish pastel-coloured clothes, lots of lace and ribbons).

Gothic Lolita was influenced and popularised by the imagery of more feminine Visual Kei (or "visual rock") bands. Visual Kei is a Japanese form of rock music defined by bands featuring performers in elaborate costumes but whose musical style varies. Mana, the cross dressing former leader and guitarist of the Visual Kei band Malice Mizer is widely credited for having helped popularise Gothic Lolita. He coined the terms "Elegant Gothic Lolita" (EGL) and "Elegant Gothic Aristocrat" (EGA) to describe the style of his own fashion label Moi-même-Moitié, which was founded in 1999 and quickly established itself as one of the most coveted brands of the Gothic Lolita scene.

Gothic & Lolita Bible
One magazine in particular, the irregularly published Gothic & Lolita Bible, has played an instrumental role in promoting and standardizing the style. The 100+ page magazine includes fashion tips, photos, sewing patterns, catalog descriptions, decorating ideas, and even recipes.

Gothic Lolita - Shopping
Currently the heart of the Gothic Lolita subculture, at least commercially, is the Marui Young department store in Shinjuku, after its predecessor Marui One closed at the end of August 2004. This large youth-fashion oriented department store has 4 floors entirely devoted to Gothloli and related fashions.


The Yukata is a casual light cotton kimono for wearing in summer. Yukatas normally have very brightly coloured designs on them. Today these kimonos are mainly worn to the traditional Bon-Odori and summer festivals. The relative simply design of Yukata means Japanese women can, with some practice, put this kimono on unassisted.

The name yukata comes from the word ‘yu’ (bath) and ‘katabira’ (under clothing). In the Heian era (794-1185), court nobles wore linen ‘yukata’ which were draped loosely after taking a bath. The yukata was later also worn by Japanese warriors and by the Edo era (1600-1868), it was widely worn by the public when public bath became a popular recreation in Japan.

Today, the yukata is widely worn as a casual wear in summer, as well as in festivals. Further, the yukata is also widely worn in ‘ryokan’ (traditional Japanese inn). The yukata is loved for its lightweight cotton material. Fabric designs vary from the traditional plain cross hatch pattern to the more colourful designs. A cotton sash is usually worn with the yukata for casual daily or nightly wear. In attending festivals and public occasions, the yukata is worn with a wider belt, which can be simply wrapped around the waist and tucked in at the end. For a more formal appearance, the yukata is worn with an obi belt, along with a matching geta (wooden sandals) and purse to complete the attire.

Japanese girls and young Japanese women both here in Australia and in Japan enjoy the opportunity to dress in their Yukatas. Today there are not as many suitable chances to wear this colourful traditional Japanese outfit.

In Australia many Bon-Odori festivals feature a Yukata competition, which is a little like a traditional beauty pageant. The major difference is the emphasis on adherence to traditional style including hair, make-up, foot ware and disposition

Hello, everybody. I have decided to write a little bit about
what life in Japanese school (well, junior and senior high school)
is like, from the inside. For people reading on rec.arts.anime, I
realize that this subject really has nothing to do with anime, but
since many of the anime have high school kids as characters and show
scenes of school life, I thought you might like to see it. Please
be warned that I have no training in sociology or anything like that
- I am just writing about my own experience.


Perhaps the major difference between Japanese and American
high school (and middle school as well) is that whereas in USA
schools the students change classes, in Japan you stay in one class
all day long (or at least most of the day) and instead the teachers
move around from class to class. So, you are with the same people
all day long. People in your class form a sort of group, and you
can get really close to them. Of course, if you happen not to like
your classmates, you are stuck, for often your class will be more or
less the same people for all 3 years. Just about everyone in my
class had a certain nickname, to be used only by your classmates. I
was Mai-chan (kinda ordinary). Some of the ones we had were
"Mossan" (Kuramoti Keiko) "Yuasa-si" (Yuasa Reiko), and perhaps the
strangest, "Demo-sa". See, this one kid Miyuki would always butt in
on people's conversations with "demosa, demosaaa..." so she came to
be called "Demo-sa". Apparently there were no hard feeling, though.
Anyway... because you don't change classes, you keep your books
right inside your desk. The desks are usually a separate desk and a
chair, and the desk is hollow to put your books inside. There are
lockers in the back of the room, but they don't have locks on them.
It's mostly for you to keep your P.E. stuff in. Seating chart was
always a big deal, because of course everybody wants to sit next to
their closest friend, right? In my experience we would change the
seating chart every couple of months, and this was usually done by
picking numbers out of a box or some such method so no one could
complain that it was unfair. It really was a big thing, though - the
class president would take charge of it and everything.
I suppose I should explain to you how the classes are
divided and such. There are 3 grades of middle school and 3 grades
of high school. Each grade is divided into classes of about 45 to
50 people each, on the basis of ability and also depending on what
classes you are taking. Most of the classes you don't get to choose
for yourself, but there are a few choices like whether to take
Japanese or World history, and they try to keep the people who made
the same choice in the same room, to facilitate the system I
described earlier. Each grade has officers on the student council,
and then each class has officers too. It was the latter I meant
when talking about the seating chart thing. Some of the offices
change every year, others change every quarter (most schools are
on the "sangakkisei"). Each class has a number, always it's the
grade number followed either by a number or a letter to distinguish
the classes. At my middle school we used letters (like 3-A) and at
my high school we used numbers (I was in 2-1). These are read "san
nen A kumi" and "ni nen ni kumi" respectively. Each person in a
class also has a "syusseki bangou" or "attendance number" based on
where your name comes in alphabetical order. I was usually near the
end, because my last name is written in katakana and they would say
that must come after all of the kanji. I thought was kinda rude,
myself. I was 3145 (san nen iti kumi 45 ban). Oops, I just noticed
the example I gave before should be "iti kumi" too. Sorry.
Uniforms... all public schools in Japan wear uniforms, I
think. These come in several basic varieties: for boys, it is
usually the black pants and jacket with gold button down the
front
(oops) and a white shirt inside, or sometimes it is a sort of suit
like thing. For girls, it is a "kon" (a kind of dark blue) or gray
skirt, with either a sailor top or a white shirt and matching vest.
These vary in detail from school to school, and so you can tell what
school people you meet on the street go to. Of course, people try to
alter their uniforms a lot. Depending on who you hang around with,
it was cool to either make your skirt really long or really short.
For tough guys (or those who thought they were) the in thing was to
make the black uniform pants really big, and the jacket long with a
super high collar (at least in my area, anyway). Also people do
stuff like wearing cute socks with pictures on it instead of white
ones, wearing white shirts of a pattern different from the school
one, wearing cool sneakers, etc. etc. Also people put their hair up
in ways you aren't supposed to; they wear bright hair ribbons, and
put all sorts of keychains on their school bags. The more daring
girls might dye their hair, or perm it. I must say that I got away
with perming my hair, because people just assumed it was natural, ha
ha. One girl in my high school class was forced to go to the barber
and have her hair dyed back black after dying it reddish-brown.
Some people also experiment with cosmetics. There is no way Ranma
could get away with wearing that martial arts suit if he went to a
normal school! They would most likely shave his head in the
principal's office (they do in #12, don't they?).
Well, I must go now. I will write more later if anyone
really wants to hear some more. Sorry to ramble on and waste so
much space.