場所：静岡県伊東市

夏の夜に海岸付近を自転車で駆け回ってました。
街は、祭りで賑わっていました。
胸の鼓動の高まりに呼応するかのように、夜空に花火が咲き乱れました。

場所: 静岡県伊豆市
賑やかな声と囃子の音色、屋台の香りに導かれ、辿り着いた場所は「夏祭り」
夏の夜の暑さは心地よいものだ。

[English／日本語]
The Olympics have finally arrived in Japan. Although the atmosphere is quieter than usual because of the Corona disaster, the people of Japan are excited by the heated competition every day. In this article, I would like to introduce the unique "event" culture of Japan.

Normally quiet people turn into different people! Traditional Festivals
In Japan, festivals are held all over the country in the summer. Festivals are popular events among foreign tourists, but it is often said that foreigners who see the festivities see something completely different from the usual Japanese. At Japanese festivals, people walk around the city lifting a small house of God called a "mikoshi" with many other people. The people walking with the mikoshi keep shouting loudly and sometimes collide with other mikoshi, to the point where it looks violent. Men, who normally wear suits, participate in the festival in only their underwear, almost naked. Also, perhaps because Japanese people feel more relaxed on festival days than usual, their manners become more lax and many people get into fights. A similar phenomenon is "Halloween". In the last decade, the number of people enjoying Halloween events has increased in Japan, but the bad manners have been in the news every year. It is said that Japanese people are usually very stressed. Festivals may be an outlet for that stress. Let's be careful when we participate!

Valentine's Day: The Chocolate Wars
In your country, who do you give Valentine's Day gifts to and what do you give them? If you ask our students the same question, they will answer, "I send a bouquet of flowers to a woman on Valentine's Day. This is not the case in Japan. In Japan, it is different. In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day for women to give chocolates to men. Therefore, from the end of January, department stores start to sell high-end chocolates. Men get nervous and restless on the morning of February 14th. Do you think men who get lots of chocolates are happy? Actually, I can't say I'm happy. What's more, there is a day on March 14 called "White Day" when you have to return the gifts you received on Valentine's Day. It is implicitly understood that on White Day, you should prepare a gift that is three times the price of the chocolate you received on Valentine's Day. Do you still want to receive chocolates?

Who do you spend Christmas with?
In your country, Christmas is an event to spend with whom? In Japan, it is popular as an event to spend with your lover. Also, Japanese people eat fried chicken instead of turkey on Christmas. And most of the people who celebrate Christmas are Buddhists. Christmas in Japan must be full of discomfort for foreigners. Then, on December 26, all the Christmas atmosphere in the city disappears, and all at once it becomes New Year's mode.

“Obon" to welcome the dead
In the middle of August, there is a day called "Obon" to welcome the dead. During Obon, families wash the graves and welcome the spirits of their ancestors into their homes. There is a mysterious doll that is made at that time. One is a "horse doll" with chopsticks attached to a cucumber, and the other is a "cow doll" with chopsticks attached to an eggplant. It is said that the spirits of the dead ride these "horses" back to their homes and "cows" back to the land of the dead. In some areas, lamps called lanterns are floated down the river to mourn the dead. The scenery is sad but beautiful. In your country, what do you do during Obon?

Have you learned anything new about events in Japan? In our school, we have seasonal events and activities. Learning about Japanese events is also a way to learn about the Japanese spirit. Please try to participate in them.

いよいよ日本でオリンピックが開催されました。コロナ禍での開催のため、例年より静かな雰囲気ではありますが、連日の熱戦に国民も興奮しています。今回は日本の独特な「イベント」文化について紹介します。

普段はおとなしい人が豹変！伝統的なお祭り
日本では夏になると各地でお祭りが催されます。お祭りは外国人観光客にも人気のあるイベントですが、お祭りの様子を見た外国人からは普段の日本人とは全然違う様子が見られるとよく言われています。日本のお祭りでは「神輿」といわれる小さな神様の家を大勢の人と持ち上げながら街を歩くことがあります。神輿を持って歩く人達は大きな声で叫び続けたり、ときには他の神輿とぶつかりあったりなど、乱暴に見えるほどです。普段はスーツを着ている男性も、下着だけになり、ほとんど裸の状態で参加します。また、お祭りの日の日本人はいつもより気持ちが解放されるからか、マナーがいい加減になったり、喧嘩をする人も多くなったりします。これと同じような現象が「ハロウィン」です。ここ10年で日本にもハロウィンのイベントを楽しむ人が増えましたが、そのマナーの悪さが毎年ニュースになっています。普段ストレスが多い日本人。お祭りはそのストレスのはけ口になっているのかもしれません。参加をするときは気を付けましょう！

バレンタイン チョコレート商戦
みなさんの国ではバレンタインは誰にどんなものをプレゼントしますか。本校の学生に聞くと「バレンタインは女性に花束を送ります。」という答えが返ってきます。日本は違います。日本のバレンタインは女性が男性にチョコレートを贈る日です。その為、1月の終わりごろから、デパートでは高級なチョコレート商戦が始まります。男性は2月14日の朝はそわそわして落ち着かなくなります。チョコレートをたくさんもらった男性は幸せだと思いますか？実はそうでもありません。なんと、3月14日は「ホワイトデー」というバレンタインでもらったプレゼントをお返ししなければいけない日があるのです。そのホワイトデーにはバレンタインでもらったチョコレートの3倍の値段のプレゼントを用意するのが暗黙の了解になっています。みなさんはそれでもチョコレートをもらいたいですか。

クリスマスは誰と過ごす？
みなさんの国ではクリスマスは誰と過ごすイベントですか？日本では「恋人と過ごすイベント」として人気があります。また、日本人はクリスマスのターキーではなくフライドチキンを食べます。そしてクリスマスを祝っている人達のほとんどは仏教徒です。日本のクリスマスは外国人にとっては違和感でいっぱいでしょう。そして、12月26日は街中のクリスマスの雰囲気はすべて消えて、一気にお正月モードになります。

死者を迎える「お盆」
8月の中旬に「お盆」という死者を迎える日があります。お盆は家族でお墓を洗い、家に祖先の霊を迎えます。その時につくる不思議な人形があります。きゅうりに箸をさした「馬の人形」とナスに箸をさした「牛の人形」です。死者の霊はこの「馬」に乗って家に帰り、「牛」に乗って死者の国へ帰ると言われています。また、灯篭というランプを川に流し、死者を弔う地域もあります。その景色は悲しくも美しいです。みなさんの国では「お盆」にどんなことをしますか？

日本のイベントについて新しく知ったことはありますか？本校では季節にあった行事活動を行っています。日本のイベントを知ることは日本人の心を知ることでもあります。ぜひ参加してみてくださいね。

川越氷川神社の縁むすび風鈴
結婚式の思い出の場所

来年は平穏無事に
山鉾巡行が執り行われますように。
@祗園祭

名古屋港の夏の花火大会での写真です。

川越氷川神社の縁むすび風鈴

江戸三大祭の一つ「富岡八幡宮 例大祭」です。
早くコロナ禍が終わり、再び町の活気が溢れる暑い「江戸の夏」を体験したいです。

It's interesting how Japan has so many blue lakes. It's such a strange phenomenon. I'm not sure if the color in all of them is due to the same phenomenon, but the one in Biei is supposedly colored blue because of aluminum and other minerals that scatter sunlight in just the right way. I have a feeling this one isn't the same because the one in Biei was formed only after a dam was made, but I'm interested to learn what exactly causes it here. I actually hadn't heard of this blue lake before but Aomori has some really nice scenery so it's not too surprising. Also Shirakami-Sanchi is a UNESCO heritage site for a reason I suppose lol. I'd like to go see this and the Nebuta Festival in Aomori as that's supposed to be really awesome as well. Maybe it's possible to see them during the same visit?

秋田県「能代の花火」。昨年に続き今年も開催中止が決定しました。全国で花火大会の開催が延期・中止・規模を見直しての開催になっていることと思います。みんなが笑顔で夜空を見上げる事ができる時期が、早く訪れますように。

What an incredible photo, the coloring of the floats goes perfectly with the sunset and the clouds. What an awesome looking festival. I've never heard about Murakami Taisai, but it looks like it's about 400 years old now and some of the floats created 200 years ago are still used even today. I've never actually visited Niigata but it looks like a fun place. Just inconveniently placed I guess lol. Seeing cool photos like this though really makes me want to visit. This festival is in early July as well, so not too far off. Might be cool to visit and get some of the festival food I've been missing out on. Can always make yakisoba at home but it just never really hits the same as some made at a yatai!

織田信長が天下布武を発した岐阜城に沿って流れる長良川夜の宴。
この踊り舟は、岐阜長良川鵜飼が始まる前座として、夏から秋の週末に納涼の舞を演じます。
昨年は、残念ながら新型コロナウィルスの影響で、踊り子さんはフェイスシールドを装着して踊りました。
早くコロナ禍が終わり、何時もの長良川の夏の賑わいへと戻って欲しいです。

青森県十和田市で、桜が開花する頃に女性騎手だけで行われる流鏑馬大会です。
艶やかな和装姿の女性騎手は、弓を持ち、日本在来血統を継ぐ馬に載り、砂塵を揚げながら素早く駆けて三つの的を射貫きます。本来、流鏑馬は、神事として男子のみが行う行事ですが、21世紀の現代に相応しく、男女の性の差を廃止し、古から伝わる日本古来の武道・馬術の伝統を取り入れそれを後世に伝へ、艶やかな和装撫子が魅せる世界は、この土地へ訪れ観る価値あります。

【第4回「COOL JAPAN VIDEOS」フォトコンテスト-日本の春】で1000応募作で受賞6作品に選ばれ佳作受賞しました。【春ヲ射る】

青森県十和田市で、桜が開花する頃に女性騎手だけで行われる流鏑馬大会です。昨年度は、新型コロナウィルスの影響で中止と成りましたが、今年はコロナ対策を講じて開催しました。本州北端に桜前線が到達するのは、大体4月中半過ぎ。艶やかな和装姿の撫子が繰り広げる流鏑馬大会は、桜前線と共にこの地に春到来を告げます。

青森県十和田市で、桜が開花する頃に女性騎手だけで行われる流鏑馬大会です。
艶やかな和装姿の女性騎手は、弓を持ち、日本在来血統を継ぐ馬に載ると、砂塵を揚げながら駆けて素早く三つの的を射貫きます。今年の大会は、桜散る情緒ある大会でした。

青森県十和田市で、桜が開花する頃に女性騎手だけで行われる流鏑馬大会です。昨年度は、新型コロナウィルスの影響で中止と成りましたが、今年はコロナ対策を講じて開催しました。本州北端に桜前線が到達するのは、大体4月中半過ぎ。艶やかな和装姿の撫子が繰り広げる流鏑馬大会は、桜前線と共にこの地に春到来を告げます。

照明に照らし出された弘前城と、日本一の誉れ桜の競演が見事に調和していました。桜祭りを企画してくれた弘前市民に、感謝！感謝！。

桜祭りでライトアップされた、青森県弘前公園の内濠の桜並木です。堀に映った桜並木が見事でした。

Aghhh! I wish I got to get out and see some beautiful illuminations this winter but with everything happening in the world it wasn't exactly possible. Really wanted to check out the one in Hibiya but next year will have to do. I know a lot of events were canceled this winter as well but things can hopefully start opening up again as vaccines start rolling out around the country. Slow process for now, but hopefully it starts to speed up soon. I'd like to visit some flower parks this spring, I know there are a few that have illuminations as well and my girlfriend would love to visit them and see the cherry blossoms and wisteria, so if everything goes well hopefully we'll get the chance. That and I'm seriously missing going out to festivals, so hopefully we can get some of those soon!

Whoa! Now those are some fireworks! Holy crud, this is insane. I don't think I've ever seen fireworks this bright and colorful and I've been to the Omagari Fireworks Festival before! Didn't know that Mie had such amazing fireworks. All of the good fireworks festivals are so far away from Tokyo 😂. Just more reason to explore other areas of Japan though I suppose. Apparently this is the Kihoku Lantern Festival too so I'd get to see some beautiful lanterns on the water as well. Hopefully I can get out some this summer, been cooped up indoors for way too long at this point, and I'm starting to miss the fresh nippon breeze 😂. Hopefully spring comes somewhat early this year so I can see some cherry blossoms and drink some plum wine while barbecuing lol!

艶のある日

京都にて

Ahhhh! I've got to see Soma Nomaoi. It looks cooler and cooler the more I hear about it. Sending signals with a conch is super cool. It sounds like something that you'd hear about in a myth or folklore, but the fact that this was actually used is really interesting. A bit of a tangent, but it's awesome seeing all of the different helmet styles used in Japan. It's not exactly something unique to Japan, but Japan definitely has some of the coolest looking styles. This one kind of reminds me of traditional Japanese lacquerware and I like how it's very sleek and practical. Hopefully I'll be able to check this out this year. I want to visit Fukushima anyways so it'd be great if I could get it all to line up!

Awesome photo. I've heard of Soma-Nomaoi before. I really want to check it out actually and see all the horse races and stuff. I guess they do drills that were used by the military back in the day which would be really cool to watch as well. I'm a huge fan of horseback archery and archery in general so if they have that that'd be awesome as well. I didn't know there were portable shrines as well. I'd have to read up more on the festival but it definitely looks interesting. I have a friend over in Fukushima Prefecture so if I could get out there and meet them when this is happening it'd be awesome. Hopefully corona has settled down by July, but if not then I guess there's always next year. I'll have to eat some tasty festival food somewhere else I guess 😂

Ahhh I love watching these kinds of videos. Getting to see food truck/food stall vendors make food is just so organic. It's nice since I'm not able to travel much these days as well not that anybody is really. I've never had gohei mochi, let alone heard of it before, but it reminds me of Akita's Kiritanpo. I think the last food truck item I got was ツブ, snail I guess? I didn't even know that until now lol. My girlfriend loved it, I was a bigger fan of the bacon that went with it. Really hoping I can visit another food stall again soon though as I really miss the yakisoba that they make. The yakisoba from the convenience store is alright, but it doesn't really hold a candle to the food stalls 😂. Just gonna have to keep waiting until it's okay to travel again though. Until then I'm gonna keep watching videos to stay sane lol!

浜のコンテストでした！
優勝出来ませんでしたが凄い楽しかったです！
味噌六大太鼓が打ててとても気持ちよかったです！！

日本には沢山の火縄銃があります。

しかし、その土地ごとに銃の形が違うので色々な博物館、演武団体を見るのも面白いです。

銃には細かな模様や象嵌が入っているのもあり、美術品としても美しい物があります。

福島県相馬地方で7月に開催される相馬野馬追。
騎馬武者の勇ましさと神事の静かさがあります。

福島県相馬地方で7月に開催される相馬野馬追。
騎馬武者の勇ましさと神事の静かさがあります。

火縄銃には2箇所に火薬を入れます。
玉を飛ばす用の発射用火薬。
発射用火薬に点火させる口薬。

この写真は火縄の火が火皿の口薬に点火した瞬間です。

火縄銃の練習風景。
海外では大砲と呼ばれる口径の銃を侍は手に持って撃っていた。