Himeji Castle's Colorful 3D Projection Mapping This video was created by “beaphoto1” and introduces Himeji Castle's 3D projection mapping event- "HAKUA." This event was held in May 2015. The national treasure Himeji castle, located in Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, was designated as Japan's first World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1993, along with Horyu-ji Temple in Nara. Nicknamed "Shirasagi Castle" (白鷺城, lit "White Heron Castle") for its graceful appearance that resembles a white heron spreading its wings, it has been selected as one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan. Photo：Himeji Castle post-restoration In October 2009, the restoration and repair of the castle's main tower began, which included repainting the plaster and replacing damaged tiles. Himeji castle regained its brilliance and re-opened in March 2015. The light show, "HAKUA," was held to celebrate the reopening of Himeji Castle as the part of the 66th Himeji Castle Festival. In the 11 minute video, you can watch the entire projection mapping show from beginning to end. Enjoy the beautiful 3D projection mapping that lights up the famous white castle. It's amazing how different the castle looks with all of the colorful lighting. The 3D Projection Mapping of Himeji Castle Source :YouTube screenshot The projection mapping event at Himeji castle actually has a story to go with it. Prologue. (0:51) The title and the outline of the story beautifully appears on the white castle. Chapter 1. Prologue -Birth- (1:59) The highlight of this chapter is the construction of Himeji Castle. You can see the construction at 3:10, where the castle is being built as the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves grow around it gradually. As more levels are added to Himeji castle, you can feel the flow of time through the cherry blossoms, red leaves, and snow that signify the changing of the seasons. Chapter 2. Tradition -Legend- (4:56) This chapter shows the birth of Kanbei Kuroda, who later became the lord of Himeji Castle. He aimed to rule the world. Chapter 3. Brilliance -From Tradition to Modernity- (6:15) This chapter shows the pictures of Himeji Castle drawn by 731 elementary school students in Himeji City. 100 of them have been selected and animated. Chapter 4. Conclusion -Finish- (8:11) White herons dance gracefully on Himeji Castle and a grand fireworks display brings the story to a close. This article is only a brief overview of the castle. Be sure to watch the video and enjoy the 3D projection mapping! It's so beautiful watching time pass in the blink of an eye. The history of this projection mapping is surprisingly old, and it is said to have been started in the 1960s. It became more well-know when they had a projection mapping show at the Marunouchi side of Tokyo Station in 2012. Tourist Spots at Himeji Castle Photo：Himeji Castle Cherry Blossoms Himeji Castle, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, is also popular for cherry blossom viewing. Lots of people visit Himeji park to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. When all the cherry blossoms are in full bloom surrounding and contrasting the white Himeji castle, it's an absolutely amazing scene. Be sure to bring you camera and get some Instagram pictures! The World Heritage Himeji Castle Marathon is held every February and is also a popular event. There are several cafes and restaurants near Himeji castle as well. Check out the reviews on yelp and look for a restaurant you want to visit. There are also many parking spots around Himeji castle if you'd rather drive. Access is about a 16-minute walk from Himeji Station off the JR Kishin Line, JR Bantan Line, and JR Sanyo Main Line. The admission fee is 1,050 yen (~$10 USD) for adults and 360 yen children (as of October 2019). Please be aware that Himeji castle may be very crowded depending on the season and time. Summary of Himeji Castle's 3D Projection Mapping What'd you think of the Himeji Castle 3D projection mapping video? It's not possible to fully convey the beauty of the actual event through words, so be sure to check out the video if you still haven't yet! Himeji castle’s 3D projection mapping event in 2015 was a one-time event, but another projection mapping event, "The 25th Anniversary of the World Heritage Registration of Himeji Castle "CASTLE OF LIGHT - Garden of Light at" was held here and was also very popular. Of course, there is more to see at Himeji castle besides the events. Lately, goshuin (the honorable red seal)has become popular among young people in recent years, and some castles have a similar "Goshouin" (castle seal) to commemorate your visit to the castle. If the video of the heron spreading its wings over Himeji Castle has intrigued you, be sure to put it on your itinerary! You might even get to meet the official character “Shiromaru Hime.” ◆Infomation about Himeji Castle Facility◆ 【Address】68 Honmachi Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012 【Access】16 minutes walk from “Himeji Station” on JR Kishin Line, JR Bantan Line, and JR Sanyo Main Line. 【Entrance fee】1,050 yen for an adult, 360 yen for a child (As of November 2019) 【Hours】9 am to 4 pm 【Closures】December 29th to 30th 【Parking】Available 【Telephone No.】079-285-1146

An Introduction to "Kakejiku" This video titled “Kakejiku-Making of a Japanese Hanging Scroll “ produced by “Niko Kitsakis” features how to make a kakejiku by Koseido Kamon Hyoguten. Koseido Kamon Hyoguten in Takarazuka city (宝塚市：Takarazuka-shi ), Hyogo (兵庫県: Hyogo prefecture) was established in 1912. Hideyuki Kamon is the fourth hyogushi (mounter) of this store. Hyogu refers to scrolls, hanging scrolls, folding screens, fusuma (sliding doors), panels, frames, and picture books made by stretching cloth and paper. Hideyuki Kamon, a first class mounting technician, is involved in various works including the making of kakejiku, frames, folding screens, partitions, and the repairing of shoji or old calligraphic works. This video focuses on the making of kakejiku (a very rare sight), as well as the names of the scrolls. Please enjoy the video of this ancient Japanese craft. The Origin and Culture of Kakejiku Photo：Kakejiku People enjoy having kakejiku displayed in their living room. Kakejiku is also called Kakehaba or Yukakake. The art originated in China and came to Japan along with Buddhism over 1000 years ago, before the Heian Period. Its style was established through the cultures of Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_period In this video, Hideyuki Kamon talks about the history of Kakejiku from the Kamakura, Edo period to now. There are various types of kakejiku such as Kakemono or Kakeji and Buddhist sutra, ink painting or calligraphy, as well as modern illustrations are drawn in a kakejiku. Kakehaba is counted as “Hito-haba, Futa-haba”. Hideyuki Kamon, the Mounter Who Keeps Pushing Himself Source :YouTube screenshot Hideyuki Kamon says Kakejiku is very deep and he is always finding new ways to challenge himself. According to the interview with him, he discovers new things every day and works hard to refine his new discoveries. How to Make Kakejiku Source :YouTube screenshot You can see how kakejiku are made in the footage from 6:14. Kakejiku is made of washi (traditional Japanese handmade paper), cloth and wooden sticks. A Kakejiku consists of components such as Honshi, Futai, Ichimonji, Chumawashi, Hashira and Hasso. The top and bottom parts of a kakejiku are called "Ten" and "Chi," respectively. The mounter’s techniques are necessary to decorate the washi. You can see a Honshi being sharpened by Ichimonji in the footage from 6:37. A kakejiku is completed through these various steps. Get a Beautiful Kakejiku and Feel Traditional Japanese Culture in Your Own Home! Prices for historical works or ones made by famous artists could end up costing you a lot of money. On the other hand, you can buy kakejiku online at sites like Amazon or Rakuten. If you are interested in ink painting or calligraphy or want to incorporate some Japanese culture into your life, we recommend getting a handmade kakejiku. It's important to focus on not only design, size, and characteristics of the kakejiku, but also on a preservation or storing method for the works before purchasing them. Summary of Kakejiku Kakejiku is a high quality, traditional Japanese craft. Please watch the impressive skills of this kakejiku artisan to learn how to make beautiful kakejiku. Enter the world of kakejiku that you didn’t even know existed. 【Official Website】Koseido Kamon Hyoguten in Takarazuka- A shop to first class mounters https://kouseidou.jp/

Introducing Kakurin Temple Temple Source :Kakurin Temple Temple Official Twitter Right now, Japan is experiencing an unprecedented amount of inbound tourism. Have you ever wanted to visit a temple in peace and quiet, only to be disappointed by the sheer number of tourists? There's actually a lot of quiet sightseeing spots just a short distance away if you don't mind venturing just a bit further. This video, titled "Kakogawa City PR Video｜Kakurin-ji Temple" (【兵庫県加古川市ＰＲ動画】鶴林寺), created by "Kakogawa Tourism Association" introduces Totasan Kakurin Temple (Kakurinji), located in Kakogawa, east of the Harima area of Hyogo. There are many formal shrines and temples around the area. It is extremely accessible, being just 30 minutes from Kobe (JR Sannomiya Station) and 10 minutes from Himeji on the Special Rapid Express train, making it a hidden tourist attraction and a historic sacred site. The video shows a woman sightseeing at Kakurin Temple Temple. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Kakurin Temple Temple through the video! The History of Kakurin Temple Source :Kakurin Temple Temple Official Twitter Kakurin Temple has a deep connection with Prince Shotoku, who is known for spreading Buddhism in Japan. Eben, a monk from Goryeo, afraid of Buddhist abolitionists, evacuated to Harima. In 585, the young Prince Shotoku, 12 at the time, visited from the and received the teachings of Buddha. This is said to be the beginning of Kakurin Temple. During Kamakura period, (1185-1333) the worship of Prince Shotoku became popular and the temple reached its peak. During Warring States period, (1467-1615), when the country was on the brink of war, Kuroda Kanbei, the lord of Himeji Castle, and his father Mototaka forced to relinquish the castle to Oda Nobunaga to avoid complete annihilation. Kakurin Temple Temple is one of the most representative temples in Kakogawa, with many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The temple is called "Otsurusan" by the locals. In the fall, the trees at the temple turn red and it become a popular place for moon viewing. You can also try zen meditation and sutra-copying, which are shown at 0:55 in the video. It's popular photogenic sightseeing spot among tourists from abroad who are interested in Japanese culture. The Cultural Properties of Kakurin Temple Temple Source :Kakurin Temple Temple Official Twitter There are 45 Cultural Properties at Kakurin Temple Temple, including the main hall and Taishi-do Hall, which are both national treasures. You can see the main hall at 0:27 and Taishi-do Hall from 1:07 in the video. The temple is called "Harima's Horyu-ji" and the Main Hall, Nio-zo and Three-storied Pagoda are truly spectacular. There are many paintings and Buddhist statues stored at the temple, and the most famous one is a standing bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy, "Aitata Kannon." There is a legend that says that when the statue was stolen, the thief hurt his back and screamed "aitata!," and was so surprised that he repented and returned the statue to the temple. There are so many things to see at the temple, such as the Yakushi-sanzon (three deities of the Buddha) that cure diseases, the statue of the Holy Avalokitesvara (the Goddess of Mercy) and the powerful Twelve Divine Generals. These can be seen at 0:40 in the video. The Festival at Kakurin Temple Source :Kakurin Temple Temple Official Twitter The temple is known for its Oni-oi ceremony. This can be seen at 1:30 in the video. After red oni and blue oni get violent in the crowds, they are exorcised by the Buddha. This is an event at Kakurin Temple, that has continued since the Heian period (794-1185). During the Tanabata Festival in July, the temple grounds are opened to the public free of charge from 5pm and strips of paper are hung on bamboo branches to make wishes. Summary of Kakurin Temple Temple Source :Kakogawa Tourism Association Kakurin Temple is a great place to get a closer look at Japanese culture. You can get a sense of history at Kakurin-ji Treasure Museum, which is shown at 1:11 in the video. Also, Kakogawa, where Kakurin Temple is located, is another sightseeing spot where you can experience the "real Japan." The nostalgic station buildings and shopping streets are fun to walk through, and there is also excellent access to Akashi and Himeji. The most famous and the closest sightseeing spot is Himeji Castle, which is shown from 0:02 in the video. Be sure to try the "Katsumeshi," a combination of pork cutlet, rice and cabbage, when you visit Kakogawa. We hope this video gave you a taste of the wonderful, traditional Japanese scenery of Kakurin Temple Temple and made you more interested in Kakogawa City. ◆Kakurin Temple Information◆ 【Address】424 Kakogawacho, Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture 675-0031 【Access】8 minutes by bus or 25 minutes on foot from JR Kakogawa Station 【Hours】9:00～16:30 【Admission fee】Adult 500 yen (as of July 2020) 【Parking】There is a parking lot 【Telephone】079-454-7053 【Official Website】Kakogawa City, Hyogo City Hall Website http://www.city.kakogawa.lg.jp/