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2011年2月26日土曜日

Ohinasama

 Do you know that in Japan, we use 6 day Buddhist calender? Every six days, we have the luckiest day, "Taian", and worst day "Butsumetsu" etc... Many people choose some important date depend on this Buddhist Calender. 


Today was "Taian", which is the luckiest day. So we chose this day to put out our "Ohinasama dolls". 


March 3rd is the day for the girls called "Hina Matsuri". We display special set of dolls only during this season. The rest of the season, they sleep quietly in the wooden box... 


Actually, in Mogami, where we have lots of snow, we celebrate this "Hina matsuri" on April 3rd instead of March 3rd since March is not yet spring...  But we start displaying these dolls this time of the year. 


Aren't they pretty? It took a whole day for my mother and my sister and I put out all these precious dolls. They are so delicate! Some dolls are more than 150years old. They came from Kyoto through the Mogami river merchandice in Edo period.


Last year, my grand-ma passed away and for that reason we didn't display these dolls... So they saw the light today after sleeping in the dark box for 2 years!


Nice to see you precious dolls! Many houses in the community display dolls and on April 3rd, all the girls in the community visit each house to admire the dolls, (and receive sweets). 


It's just so lovely to see them. 


This weekend, we'll have the snow digging world cup ! Yeah!!!

2011年2月24日木曜日

Sange Sange in Hijiori Onsen

 On Jan.7th, Hijiori Onsen hosted a afmous "Sange Sange"ritual. 


These men in white clothes marched the street with the "Horagai" pipe, wishing for the good year without any trouble. 




 Luca from France, and Greg from Australia joined the event in the blizzard! I happened to meet them in Tokyo, and invited them to Hijiori Onsen :-)


They didn't plan to travel all the way to this remote mountain hot spring. But I think they loved it! It was so much fun to have them!


They helped us pound Mochi. We served mochi for 300 people~!


Later, Greg wrote a beautiful review about Hijiori onsen... Thank You Greg!!


Hi my name is Greg, Japan is an absolutely fabulous culture shock of wondrous things. Food, fashion, temples, gardens and trains.  The whole places moves to a beat like no other.  There is an intricate harmony about how a world marches as one.  A perpetual striving for efficiency that has become culture.  


So many elements of Japanese living tapper to the the one point. Like a well oiled and efficient machine. Which is fascinating to be swept along by it all.  When it comes time to step of the machine the Japanese know how to escape. Two words, gardens, Onsen.  


Hijori is one of places that you about and always wish you discover.  But you'll never find it in a guide book.  It is a place of mystery and authentic Japanese provence.  Like a sanctuary outside of the world of the everyday mainstream. 


 It's a beautiful oasis nestled in the mountains, almost trapped in yesterday.  Sometimes that is exactly what we need - to get far away from all that is familiar and live a little different for while.  To live, in simpler, uncomplicated times - where things are slow, easy and friendly. A place that welcomes you like home.  A place where time stands still and captures you in humble grandeur.  No phones, no TV, just Onsen, lazy days, great hospitality, endless feasts and time to unwind and lose yourself 
  


2011年2月2日水曜日

Snow Digging World Cup in Hijiori Onsen!




Feb.26 (Sat) - Feb.27 (Sun)
Price: 7,000 YEN 
 

“Jimen Dashi”, or snow digging has been a traditional winter sports in Hijiori Hot Spring in Yamagata prefecture. Hijiori is located deep in the mountain, and is known for heavy snow fall and high quality hot spring for Toji*

Hijiori will hold 2nd Snow Digging World Cup which is not really a world cup since we have never had foreign participants! So we’d love to recruit you!


<Rule> One team should be between 2-6 people. Rule is simple. Dig dig dig the snow until you reach the “earth”. Fastest team wins! (If you apply individually, we’ll hook you up with other people!

<<Feb.26, Sat>>
1400                  Meet at West Exit of JR SHINJO Station
1500                  Arrive at Hijiori Onsen. “Ryokan Murai Rokusuke”
1800-                Authentic Hijiori Style Dinner & party  
<<FEb.27, Sun>>
9:30                    Japanese style Breakfast
9:30                   Get ready and leave for Hijiori school ground (15min walk)
1000-1245        Snow Digging World Cup. Gambare!
1300-                 Lunch at a local restaurant *not included in the price
1400                  Sayonara (We’ll take you to JR Shinjo St.)

How to make a reservation
Write to rimiko@gmail.com with -Your Full Name –Nationality
-Mobile number  -E-mail address & “team name” if you have one!


Contact Person: RIMIKO MURAI    Mobile: 080-6009-9835    E-mail: rimiko@gmail.com
Organizer: Mogami International Toji Research Institute in cooperation with: Mogami no Genki Kenkyusho     Planner: Tojisha