Hikawa Jinja Shrine 2 (calcareous breccia)

To the west just 50 meters from the main building of this shrine, there still remains a small pond called "Snake Pond", though it looks artificial now. Your are prohibited to go into the water. In ancient days, there were lots of swamps in this area. People might perform seasonal rituals praying for  good fishing here.

 Green leopard plants open vivid yellow flowers under the winter sunshine.

 You may have seen this straw mat bound on a pine tree. Insects dislike coldness and come under it during the winter. If not, they will make a hole and damage the tree.

Gardeners will take off this before the coming spring. 

 This is another stage for ritual dancing.

A lion sculpture on a pole looks humorous.

 STONES GATHER ROUND AND BECOME A BIG ROCK AFTER SPENDING LONG TIME ?
Rains become calcic water through small lime stones and the water can glue stones together. The long repetition of this process makes a big rock. Ancient people believed small stones came together and changed into a rock.

I wish you a Happy New Year !

Hikawa Jinja Shrine

 This shrine is located near Tokyo. The approach is quite long and tall big trees are planted on the both sides. 

 The main gate is painted red, a divine color.  

 This building is the hall of worship. People clap their hands twice and pray their happiness.

 This building is called "kagura den" where sacred music and dancing are dedicated. The day I visit was the gala day for boys of three and five and girls of three and seven. Parents pray their children's health and happiness.

 All sides are decorated with three patterns, three swirls, a circle and U shaped one. They might have important meanings.  

 Hikawa Jinja has many small shrines. I love this simplicity.

You will see many giant trees in the precincts of shrines in this country. I love this atmosphere.

Autumn the harvest: Persimmon and Buckwheat Noodle 柿子和蕎麥麵

Persimmons have grown bigger and its color has changed from green to orange. After a few weeks they will become more reddish.

This still keeps a square shape.

 Persimmon leaves have turned red brilliantly. 

 From the late October and the early November,  you can enjoy buckwheat noodles (soba) made with new flour just harvested this autumn. The above serving style is called mori-soba. Noodles are put on a bamboo mat. Two spices on a small dish are sliced long green onion and wasabi. A cup of dipping sauce is under the dish.

This noodle is made by hand. A skillful artisan cut each noodle with a large knife. The flour contains fine ground-up husk. Its nutty flavor will give you a good appetite.

Climbing With Sweats 爬山锻炼身体

 Last weekend I climbed Mt. Teruishi, a low mountain 419 meters high. At the beginning, I  went up the stone steps slowly, while my thighs were being complained to my little adventure. These are the steps I went up.

 And these are to be climbed.

You sometimes have to climb a steep slope.

 

I held this root to stabilize my body.

I had a beautiful landscape in exchange for  sweats. The humidity was not high that day, I was able to see far under the blue autumn sky.

 

Most rocks on the top are this kind. I think these are limestones with stratification.

 I found this white stone. The mountain is called "Shining Stone Mt.". I imagine white stones gave old people an impression of shining.

 I found out a mushroom. Do you think this is edible?

 This big one is called "Horse Hoof Rock". The hollow shape in the center looks like it.

Golden-rayed Lilies in a castle ruin

 This kind of lily opens in the mid summer at cool places.

 People in my city established a society to preserve the Koyama castle ruin few years ago. They cut undergrowth and plant lilies every year.

 Members of the society have planted  a lily on mounds one by one. Some of them are senior citizens. It would be not easy for them to keep their balance and do this work on a slope.

 We admire the beauty of nature. On the other hand, it would be important to realize that the natural environment near to our residence has been kept by human efforts every year.

I dropped at an old farmer's house.

The wooden house did not use nails or metal parts to fix pillars and beams.　

"Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters!"

Old style Japanese houses are quite comfortable to stay on intense heat days in summer.

This house is now used as a public hall.

Suwa Akimiya Shrine 諏訪大社秋宮

After visiting Matsumoto Castle, I went to Suwa Akimiya. This is a mysterious place. Suwa shrine consists of four shrines. No one knows when the shrines were established originally. This is the entrance gate "torii". A long stone slope under big conifers welcomes visitors in the silent atmosphere.

Kaguraden is a building to play sacred music and dancing. The architecture is quite similar to that of Izumo taisha in western Japan、800km away from here. A myth recorded in early 8th century says a son of Izumo god escaped from his territory in Izumo and arrived at this area.　

This is a worship hall. Behind this building, there is one big conifer standing for years. The tree is the worship focus. Some rituals of Suwa shrine have kept ancient customs before the age of rice growing 3000 years ago. It is said that four shrines might have been established in the Neolithic era.

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto castle was constructed 400 years ago in Nagano, central Japan.

The frameworks were made of wood. The outer walls were plastered and black painted wood covered the plaster for preservation against the weather. 

This is the main gate called Black Gate restored in 1990.

After the new central government was established in 1868, many castles in Japan became no use and were sold or destroyed. After this beautiful castle was also sold at auction, wealthy citizens in Matsumoto were afraid of its taking down and bought it back. To stop the dilapidation, people in this city established a castle preservation society in 1901 and made big repairs for 12 years. The repairments saved the castle from collapse.

 This is the top structure of the main tower.

 Sunshine comes in from a gable.

 Insides are still kept in good condition.

 The right tower with a red railing was added in a peaceful time for the purpose of moon viewing.

 

In every direction, I enjoyed the variety of the beautiful constructions composed of the main and sub towers.

Wasabi Farm 辣根農場

Do you like Wasabi? When you eat Sushi or Sashimi in a Japanese restaurant, you will see green paste. As for sushi, it is pasted on the rice, under a slice of fresh fish. When you order sashimi, it is put on a small dish.
I visited Wasabi Farm in Nagano, central Japan.

Wasabi grows under the peculiar conditions. The temperature must be between 9 - 16℃. It was reported that roots of wasabi decayed in 3 hours at 20℃. It needs a lot of clear water and does not need any manure or fertilizer.

Originally wasabi grows at a damp area in a forest, does not like much sunshine. All the wasabi fields are covered with black mesh curtains in this season. 

All the workers in the farm would be very busy to keep the fields safe against sudden attacks of a strong wind and rain.

 All the water is supplied by the springs in the farm.

They are cleaning the field with a hoe to remove water weeds. The field must be kept with no soil, just sand and gravel.

I will deeply appreciate the workers growing wasabi when I have sushi or sashimi next time.