JAPAN MANIA: May 2014

Monday 19 May 2014

HOKKAIDO, A LAND OF NATURAL TREASURE

Hokkaido Map

Biei is a small town surrounded by a picturesque landscape of gently rolling hills and vast fields. A pleasant way to enjoy the charm of Biei is by cycling or driving through the hills and visiting some of the flowerfields and famous trees along the way.

Flower Field in Biei on the Spring Season

Biei Panorama on Winter Season

The Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events, attracts a growing number of visitors from Japan and abroad every year. Every winter, about two million people come to Sapporo to see a large number of splendid snow and ice sculptures. For seven days in February, Sapporo is turned into a winter dreamland of crystal-like ice and white snow.

Snow Festival During Day

Snow Festival During Night

Tsukiji Fish Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and was a major attraction for foreign visitors.

Inner market area

Outside market area

Monday 12 May 2014

JAPANESE ORIGIN MARTIAL ARTS

1. Judo (literally means 'the gentle ways')

The three basic categories of techniques practiced in Judo are throwing, grappling and striking, and the art of falling. In sparring practices and contests, participants are only allowed to use a set of approved techniques that excludes striking techniques to avoid injuries. Strikes are only used when executing a sequence of pre-arranged movements (kata).

2. Karate (literally means 'the way of empty hand')

Two basic kinds of traditional karate performances are 'Kata' (One fighter or a group performs their skills in front of judges. Precision, technique, and posture are the criteria) and 'Kumite' (A sparing match between two karate fighters. Kumite matches can end after a fixed time period, or after the successful performance of an especially damaging techniques).

3. Kendo (literally means 'the way of sword')

Kendo continued to be the symbol of the samurai into the 19th century. The participants in modern kendo are well protected and use bamboo swords. As in all the Japanese martial arts, the training of one's mind is essential.

4. Kyudo (literally means 'the way of bow')

Kyudo is the martial art of Japan archery. Bows has been used for many centuries in Japan both as weapons of warfare and as hunting tools. It is relatively popular recreational activity. It is practiced in Kyudojo, special facilities found in schools and culture centers.

4. Aikido (literally means ‘the way of the harmony spirit’)

Aikido techniques allow one to overpower their opponent without much strength and without injury to either party. It was created in Japan in first half of 20^th century.

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5. Sumo (Japanese wrestling)

Sumo is a Japanese style wrestling and Japan’s national sport. Wrestlers who first exit the ring or touch the ground with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet will losses. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training.

6. Samurai (Japanese warrior)

The samurai were the warriors of premodern Japan. They later made up the ruling military class and became the highest ranking social caste of the Edo Period(1603-1867). Their main weapon and symbol was the sword.

Relative peace prevailed during the roughly 250 years of the Edo Period. As a result, the importance of martial skills declined, and many samurai became bureaucrats, teachers or artists. Japan's feudal era eventually came to an end in 1868, and the samurai class was abolished a few years afterwards.