The Tale of Genji

I found two interesting WEB SITEs, one is titled "The Tale of Genji" and the other is titled "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'".
In "The Tale of Genji", you will be able to understand "The Genji World". And in "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'", you will be able to understand an atmosphere of "Genji World" by many pictures.

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji Monogatari) is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century, around the peak of the Heian Period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first romance novel, or the first novel to still be considered a classic. This issue is a matter of debate.

2008 year is 1000th anniversary for "The Tale of Genji".
Since last year, many seminars have been holded in many places in Japan. I have attended "Special Talk by Ms. Nobuko Takagi and Ms. Shion Mizuhara regarding 'The Tale of Genji'", which was held 20th Oct., 2007 at Kyoto.
I hope you will visit and enjoy "The Tale of Genji" and "The Picture Scroll of The 'Tale of Genji'".
Anyway I quote herewith a part of "The Tale of Genji".
Please enjoy it.

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This site aims to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of The Tale of Genji - the 11th Century Japanese classic written by a Heian court lady known as Murasaki Shikibu. It also serves as a kind of travel guide to the world of Genji.

Iwashimizu Hachiman-gu Shrine, tutelary shrine of the Minamoto (Genji) clan.
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By T.S. on 13th Jul., 2008

"Gion Matsuri" Festival Mood in Kyoto

Next week Kyoto will be filled with "Gion Matsuri" Festival mood. I will quote here with News dated 5th Jul., 2008 regarding "Gion Matsuri" presented by Kyoto Shinbun.

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Slightly Nervous Chigo Dances "Taihei-no-mai"
Gion Festival: "Kippu-iri" of Naginata Hoko Float
2008.7.5. "Kippu-iri," or the opening Shinto rite of the Gion Festival, for Naginata Hoko float, which will lead the "Yamahoko" float procession, was held on July 5 at Shijo-dori Karasuma Higashi-iru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto. This year's "Chigo," or sacred child, Kazuki Okazawa gave a public performance of the "Taihei-no-mai" dance, which he will perform on the float during the parade.

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For your information, list up here with "YAMA-HOKO MAP" in English.
If you have a plan to visit Kyoto next week and enjoy "Gion Matsuri", it will be useful for you to check Kyoto Shinbun in English version.
Regarding YAMA-HOKO MAP in English, you will be able to find it in Kyoto Shinbun WEB SITE.
By T.S. on 12th Jul., 2008

Another Three Secrets of "Ryoanji Rock Garden"

I introduced one Secret of "Ryoanji Rock Garden" in this Blog.
But if you check English HP of "Ryoanji Temple", you will be able to find another three Secrets.

The way how to check it is as follows;
a) To access to English HP of "Ryoanji Temple"
b) To click the letter of "石", this Japanese Letter means "Stone" and/or Rock
By the English Explanation of the corner, you might know the meaning of "Rock Garden".
c) To click "CARVING"
By the English Explanation of the corner, you might know one of the Secrets regarding "PUZZLING CARVING".
d) To click "DESIGN"
By the Explanation of the corner, you might know the meaning of "PUZZLING DESIGN".
e) To click "PERSPECTIVE"
Regarding this point, I already introduced in this Blog.
f) To click "EARTHEN WALL"
By the Explanation, you might know the meaning of "PUZZLING EARTHEN WALL".

Anyway if you would like to know further more about "Ryoanji Temple", I would like to suggest you to visit HP of Ryoanji Temple and check English Site of it.

By T. S. on 11th Jul., 2008

The Secret of Ryoanji Garden

The Garden of the photo below is very famous, named "石庭" of "Ryoanji (龍安寺) Temple". "石庭" means a "Sand and Rock Garden".


The Secret of the Garden is as follows;
(a) Size
The area of the Garden is only 250 square meters (25m x 10m). However the Garden looks very big for its size.

(b) An optical illusion
The Garden has been built by making full use of "an opticla illusion" of humanbeing.

(c) The wall of the right back side of the photo
Regarding the height of the wall, the right side looks like higher than that of the left side.
This is true and not an optical illusion.

And this mechanizm is one of the reason why the Garden looks big for its size.
If you are interested in "龍安寺の石庭の秘密/A secret of ZEN Garden(Ryoanji)", you are able to check it by the video provided by YouTube.

In the video, please note that the comment is explained in Japanese and not in English.

By T.S. on 10th Jul., 2008

龍安寺(Ryoanji Temple)

"Ryoanji (龍安寺)" is located in northwest Kyoto, belonging to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism, and the temple is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Regarding "Ryoanji", we are able to check it by WIKIPEDIA.


When I checked "Ryoanji" in WEB SITE, I found the Home Page of it. The HP has English Page and Japanese Page.





If you check the English Page, it might be possible for you to approach "The Secret of The Temple".

I have been living in Kyoto in my colledge days, from 1970 to 1974, and have visited "Ryoanji" many times, of course.
In a sense, "Ryoanji" is one of the most favourable spot in Kyoto for me.

Worship Time & Fee
Open
Mar-Nov: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dec-Feb: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fee
Adult: JPY500.00
Children under 15: JPY300.00
Address: 13 Goryonoshita-Machi, Ryoanji, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 6168001, Japan

By T.S. on 8th Jul., 2008

コンチキチン(Kon-Chiki-Chin)

"Kon-Chiki-Chin" is one of the tipical sound of Gion Matsuri, one of the "Big Three Festival" in Kyoto. And we are able to enjoy this "Gion-bayashi" sound in the season of the year.

The News below, reported on 28th Jun., 2008 is quoted from "The Kyoto Shinbun", the media located in Kyoto. If you click the Title, you will be able to check the News.

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Music Brings Feeling of Gion FestivalPractice Begun at Hoka Boko Community Hall

"Nikai-bayashi," or a musical accompaniment practice, started on June 28 at the community hall of "Hoka Boko," one of the floats for the Gion Festival, in Shijo-agaru, Shinmachi-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. The unique "Kon-Chiki-Chin" sound echoed through the neighborhood, bringing with it the feeling of this summer's festival openings.
Nikai-bayashi is a rehearsal performance of the "Gion-bayashi," or the traditional Gion Festival's music, to prepare for the "Yamahoko Junko" procession. Although this will start after "Kippu-iri," a rite which marks the opening of the festival on July 1, Hoka Boko holds rehearsals for two days in June to ensure enough practice.
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By T.S. on 8th Jul., 2008

HOTEL LIST IN KYOTO (No.2)

Hotels List in Kyoto:Karasuma Kyoto Hotel/RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto/New Miyako Hotel/Hyatt Regency Kyoto/Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa/Hotel Fujita Kyoto/Kyoto Kokusai Hotel

Karasuma Kyoto Hotel
Karasuma Shijo sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-371-0111 (within Japan: 075-371-0111)
Fax: +81-75-371-2424 (within Japan: 075-371-2424
http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/karasuma/index_e.html [English]http://www.kyotohotel.co.jp/karasuma/ [Japanese]









RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Horikawa-Shiokoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-341-1121 (within Japan: 075-341-1121)
Fax: +81-75-341-3073 (within Japan: 075-341-3073)
http://www.rihga.com/kyoto/ [English]
http://www.rihga-kyoto.co.jp/ [Japanese]







New Miyako Hotel
Hachijyo-guchi, Kyoto Station, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-661-7111 (within Japan: 075-661-7111)
Fax: +81-75-661-7135 (within Japan: 075-661-7135
http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/english/ [English] http://www.miyakohotels.ne.jp/newmiyako/ [Japanese]


Hyatt Regency Kyoto
Sanjusangendo-mawari, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-541-1234 (within Japan: 075-541-1234)
Fax: +81-75-541-2203 (within Japan: 075-541-2203
http://www.kyoto.regency.hyatt.com/ [English]
http://www.hyattregencykyoto.com/ [Japanese]












Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa
Sanjo-Agaru, Kawaramachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-223-1234 (within Japan: 075-223-1234)
Fax: +81-75-223-1702 (within Japan: 075-223-1702)
http://www.ishinhotels.com/kyoto-royal/en/ [English]
http://www.ishinhotels.com/kyoto-royal/jp/ [Japanese]


Hotel Fujita Kyoto
Kamogawa Nijo-ohashi Tamoto, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-222-1511 (within Japan: 075-222-1511)
Fax: +81-75-222-1515 (within Japan: 075-222-1515)
http://www.fujita-kyoto.com/e/ [English]
http://www.fujita-kyoto.com/ [Japanese]



Kyoto Kokusai Hotel
Horikawa-dori Nijojomae, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tel: +81-75-222-1111 (within Japan: 075-222-1111)
Fax: +81-75-231-9381 (within Japan: 075-231-9381)
http://www.kyoto-kokusai.com/e/ [English]
http://www.kyoto-kokusai.com/ [Japanese]






By T.S. on 29th Jun., 2008