gate decoration of Matsuyama Castle

A kadomatsu (literally "gate pine") is a traditional Japanese decoration of the New Year placed in pairs in front of homes to welcome ancestral spirits or kami of the harvest. They are considered temporary housing for kami and placed in front of this Castle, too.
Designs for kadomatsu are typically made of pine, bamboo, and sometimes ume tree sprigs which represent longevity, prosperity and steadfastness, respectively.
The fundamental function of the New Year ceremonies is to honor and receive the deity, who will then bring a bountiful harvest for farmers and bestow the ancestors' blessing on everyone. Click here for a bigger photo.
Happy New Year!

Matsuyama Castle

This castle was originally built by Kato Yoshiaki in 1603. The current Castle Tower (tenshu) was built between 1820 and 1854. The castle survived the Meiji restoration, but parts of it were destroyed by bombing during World War II. Since 1966, the city of Matsuyama has been working to restore the castle.

Dōgo Onsen

Dōgo Onsen in Matsuyama is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history over 1,000 years. Main building of the bath was designated as important cultural properties of Japan.
It is known to be the favorite retreat of writer Natsume Soseki(1867–1916).
In Soseki's loosely autobiographical novel Btochan, the main character frequently visits the springs.

tangerine Christmas tree, from Matsuyama

belated, but i found a Christmas tree with tangerines in Matsuyama, southern Japan. Matsuyama produces a lot of tangerines.

Christmas tree, origami

It takes some time, but why not give it a shot?

products from white rabbit Japan

white rabbit Japan offers fun products as well as language learning kits.

Kanji of the Year 2013

the annual Kanji of the Year award, sponsored by the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society.
The results were announced on December 12 at Kiyomizu-dera temple (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Kyoto.
　 The winning kanji for the year, receiving a total of 9,518 votes, was 輪 (rin; wa). The character means “ring” and is used in the word for the Olympic Games, 五輪 (gorin)—literally, “five rings.”
This choice was made mainly because Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. But other reasons were cited as well, including the hope that the “circle of support” for the recovery of areas impacted by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami will expand.

Osaka Castle, 3D illuminated

What do you say to 3D projection mapping on the screen of the tower of Osaka Castle .
a show of “light” is available: 2013/12/14 - 2014/2/16
5:30pm - 10:30pm(Special day 11:00pm） *Last admission 10:00pm
Adult 1,600yen Child(4 years to elementary school) 950yen

Hyakusaiji, early winter

The temple was founded by Prince Shotoku in respect for and named after a kingdom in southwestern Korea 4-7 century. Korean peninsular back then was a source of civilization along with China.
the principal image of the temple is eleven headed deity.

Eigenji, early winter temple

at Eigenji　temple, it was a little late for autumn colored leaves.

haiku at zoo

6
While lions are dead asleep
a wolf is howling.
A high rise soars above them, shining.

at zoo on Sunday

the wind rises

The wind rises , last film by MIYAZAKI Hayao, will be on early next year.
There are people who actually build up ’Mowe’, a flying device from ‘Nausicaa’ and flew in it.

TAKEUCHI Seiho exhibition

Takeuchi Seiho is regarded as master of the prewar Kyoto circle of painters.

Doraemon launched in North America

The electronic edition of manga “ Doraemon ” is now available in English in North America for the first time starting Nov. 23. Shogakukan Inc., publisher of the series about a robotic cat from the future who can pull anything from his pocket, will start deliveries to readers in through the Amazon.com’s electronic bookstore. Each monthly delivery, priced at $2.99 (301 yen), will contain three episodes.
140 million copies of official editions of the series have been published in 17 countries. But the manga has not arrived in the huge U.S. market, suspecting that “Nobita’s passive attitude--he always relies on Doraemon--would not appeal to the U.S. readers,” . But senior Fujiko Pro Co. official Yoshihiko Shinoda said the time had come to change its cautious stance on advancing into the United States.

Miku, descend to a virtual city

Beppu City, in Kyusyu, the south end of Japan TRANS CITY Feat Hatsune Miku
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Beppu City- Exhibition and goods(limited editions included) in special dome theater.
Date: Nov 15th - Jan 15th
Veunue:B-CON Plaza in Beppu,
Entry fee: Free

lotus roots, 'renkon'

I heard lotus roots are good for your throat and vocal. They are common vegi in Japan. You peel and slice it and stew or fry it. I grate and squeeze them and drink a juice of it. Tastes a bit sweet.

Manga to get same-day global release

major publishing firm Kodansha Ltd. will make new manga installments digitally available in English worldwide. In collaboration with Crunchyroll , the simultaneous release project will use the site’s platform to release new installments for 12 popular Kodansha series, including the smash-hit “Attack on Titan”, “Fairy Tail” and “Space Brothers”.
The service will be made available in a total of about 170 countries. A monthly subscription will cost $4.99. In return, subscribers will have access to new installments in the 12 series concurrently with their Japan release in such Kodansha publications as Weekly Shonen Magazine and Weekly Morning, without a long wait after their Japan release.

creator of Anpanman died

Takashi Yanase, creator of “Anpanman,” died at 94.
Suffering from severe food shortage during and after the ww2, lead him to an image of hero who brings foods to starving people.
Often criticized as ‘it is cruel to let people eat anpanman’s face’, he used to reply ‘no problem, because it is made of bread’ jokingly. He also stated that true justice is not something cool, and you often sacrifice yourself for that. There is a deep philosophy behind the comic books.
There are five anpanman museums in Japan.

nekomimi, warm clothing

you can bundle up in this product(left), or the one on the right
the clothing have insulation, washable, with hood, nekomimi(cat ears) and tail. comes in 6 patterns.

'La Maison en Petits Cubes'

La Maison en Petits Cubes is an animated film for by KATO Kunio.

Steve Jobs in manga

belated again.

Manga version of ‘Steve Jobs’ in available on iTunes, since August 2013. as the guardian said.

New album by Yuming

She sings Nausicaa song.

flying with a character from 'JOJO'

January 2013, the Gucci store in JR Kyoto Isetan put up a shopwindow featuring a life-size figure of Rohan Kishibe illustrated by JOJO's creator Hirohiko Araki;
a collaboration between the Italian clothing brand, and the fashion magazine Spur.

a morning drama 'amachan' is nearing the end

'Morning dramas' are serial dramas broadcasted by NHK. Two dramas are aired a year, first one from april through September and second one from October through march. The storyline goes on, typically as a female heroine goes through challenges while working to achieve her dreams.
This term, they run 'Amachan', which has been so successful, that has won over a number of avid viewers men and women, young and old, becoming a massive social phenomenon. The heroine stays in Tohoku(near Fukushima) as a diver for shells in training and moves later on to Tokyo to pursue another dream. The line ‘je je je’ to express exclamation from the local dialect has caught off as a buzzword.
It impressed us, depicting the mega earthquake hit Tohoku area on March 11 2011 in the drama.

hibiscus

hibiscus is not seen in mainland Japan, based on my observation.

Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2013

Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2013 was held on september 7-8 at Miyakomesse.
Space brothers, Sengoku Basara, Attack on Titan, and Magical girl Madoka,,,

menko, a card game

Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2013 was held on september 7-8 at Miyakomesse.
Space brothers, Sengoku Basara, Attack on Titan, and Magical girl Madoka,,,