History and Cultural Heritage of Izena Island from the Ryukyu Kingdom Era Vol. 2 “King Sho En’s Garden” — The Story of How a Farmer Became King of Ryukyu At 24, Matsugane (the future King Sho En) leaves the island. Pointing toward Okinawa Island, he holds an eeku (the local word for an oar) in his right hand. A bronze statue imagining his stance from that time stands there. Matsugane was driven away from the island because of a misunderstanding with the locals. Taking his wife at the time and his young brother, he crossed the sea in a small boat and reached the Ginama area in Kunigami, the northern part of Okinawa Island. He lived there for a while with his brother and wife and was cared for by local people, but after some time he set off for Shuri with his brother. He became a retainer of Prince Eiso, who was the younger brother of King Sho Kinpuku, the fifth king of the First Sho dynasty of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Around then he began using the name Kanamaru. Bright and hardworking from the start, Kanamaru soon gained recognition for his talents. Prince Eiso strongly recommended Kanamaru to King Sho Kinpuku, and in 1447 Sho En began his career as a servant with the low-ranking post called akadachi. Here Kanamaru demonstrated his abilities and rose through the ranks until he wore the yellow headband that signified high official status. In 1454, when Prince Eiso acceded as King Sho Taikyu, Kanamaru gained further favor and was appointed jitō (local lord) of the Nishihara magiri (district) in 1454. Five years later, at age 45, he assumed responsibility for the kingdom’s finances and foreign affairs, putting him on the verge of the Sanshikan, a ministerial post equivalent to a modern cabinet minister. However, fate shifted with the death of King Sho Taikyu. The seventh king, Sho Toku, proved a tyrant and plunged the country into sorrow. Kanamaru pleaded with him, but the king would not listen, so Kanamaru resigned and withdrew to his estate in Uchima. After King Sho Toku’s death, a coup by royal officials removed the crown prince, ending the First Sho dynasty. The officials then recommended Kanamaru as the next king. Convinced, he accepted and at age 54 became the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom under the Second Sho dynasty, known as King Sho En. Bronze sculpture by Mutsu Naka (Naka Mutsumi), a Japanese板版画 artist Kurayoshi Takara, Professor Emeritus, University of the Ryukyus *Both are notable figures from Izena Island.* *Matsugane (Machigani)* — the name used by Sho En during his youth on Izena Island. *Kanamaru* — the name Sho En used after leaving the island. *Sho En* — the name he took when he became king.

History and Cultural Heritage of Izanami Island during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era Vol. 1 “Mihoso Place: Birthplace of King Sho En” This is the site of the former residence where the man who would become King Sho En of the First Sho Dynasty—known locally as Nishinumachigani (North Matsukane)—was born in 1415 in the village of Moromi, Izena Village. Three kuba (screw pine) trees, three fukugi (Garcinia) trees, and three stones stand within the grounds. One of those three stones is said to contain his umbilical cord buried within it. This site was constructed while Sho Shin—his son and the third king—was on the throne. Right next to this mihoso house is a well called Shiohira Gaa (Sunjagaa). In Okinawan dialect, gaa means well. The well believed to have been used as the newborn bath for Matsukane, later King Sho En, when he was born in 1415 remains as it was at that time. Because these places mark the site of the house where a future Ryukyu king was born, they are regarded as sacred and stand among Izanami Island’s most important places of worship.

Mitakiji Temple, Hiroshima Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Mitakiji Temple 👈 One photo 📸 of the Taho Pagoda wrapped in autumn leaves from Mitaki Temple This low angle was 😊 quite good

The bell of the hour dyed in the magic hour This is located in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture 　　　　　　　　　　　"The Bell of Time" It is the most famous tourist spot in Saitama. It is full of people all year round, and the bell of the hour has become a symbol. Tangled up 📸 with Starbucks during magic hour Location: Kawagoe City, Saitama

Yutoku Inari Shrine, Saga Wind Chime Festival

Poppy field in the sky in Saitama This is located in Saitama Prefecture 　　　　　　　"Poppy Field in the Sky" Around May every year, 12 million poppies bloom at an altitude of 500 meters. Since it is on a mountain, it seems 😆 to be blooming in the sky Location: Saitama

The Big Buddha surrounded by cherry blossoms is also wonderful, but the Big Buddha surrounded by maples is also a Buddha. Takatori Town, Nara Prefecture Tsubohanji Temple

🏒The 12th Women’s Japan Ice Hockey League 2023–24 SMILE JAPAN LEAGUE Takes Place🏒 From Thursday, November 23 to Saturday, November 25, the second phase of the Women’s Japan Ice Hockey League was held at the nepia Ice Arena in Tomakomai City!🏒 Both teams played fiercely without giving an inch, producing an intense match that fired up the fans as well!😆✨ If you have never watched an ice hockey game, we highly recommend you give it a try!!🙌 Tomakomai City is also home to a professional ice hockey team called Red Eagles Hokkaido!!🦅 They are currently competing in the Asia League Ice Hockey 2023–2024 regular season, so if you have the chance or are interested, please search for Red Eagles Hokkaido!!💻🖱

Students from our school participated in an exchange meeting at an elementary school in Hachioji City. It was a very fulfilling day playing and studying togetherHachioji 😊 City is a city full of international student volunteers. Why don't you learn Japanese together in Hachioji?

Autumn leaves illuminated by the sunrise This is "Enkoji Temple" in Kyoto Prefecture It is also famous for its cute warabe jizo, but the garden also shines very brightly 🍁 during the autumn foliage season It was after the rain, so it was 😆 nice to see the rain reflected in the autumn leaves Location: Enkoji Temple, Kyoto

Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Sunset Marina It seems that the sunset is famous, but ... Good daytime weather But it was good.

Nagasaki, Isahaya City, Shirakimine Highland Cosmos Field

Sanjuji Garden in Obama Town, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki's best spot for autumn leaves

Sanjuji Garden in Obama Town, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki's best spot for autumn leaves

Under a row of metasequoia trees This is located in Hyogo Prefecture 　　　　　　　　"Harima Central Park" It is also the setting for the movie, and the Metasequoia is especially famous. Every year in late November, it shines 😆 golden like this I'm 💪 glad I was able to take a picture at a time when no one was around Location: Hyogo

The five-storied pagoda dyed bright red　 This is located in Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Prefecture 　　　　　　　　　　"Five-storied pagoda" At this time of year, it is lit up, and the red of the autumn leaves and the red of the five-storied pagoda match, making it worth seeing! Anyway, there are a lot of people, so please be careful 🙇 ♀️ if you go Location: Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

Taking a stroll through a village in Okinawa where the traditional landscape still remains is a lovely idea.

An island where you can see a heart-shaped coral reef ♡

I was very satisfied to see the Hatanagi Suspension Bridge, which is about a 40-minute walk from the Hatanagi Dam in Shizuoka Prefecture, and the spectacular view of the autumn leaves as shown in the photo.

We are currently distributing the winter version of the Clear Red Seal. Please note that the quantity is limited. If you would like to send it by mail, please contact the company office. ☎0154-41-4485 First fruits fee 500 yen Shipping fee 180 yen 〒085-0842 1-3-18 Yonemachi, Kushiro, Hokkaido To Itsukushima Shrine

Hiroshima Hatsukaichi Miyajima Daishoin Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Daishoin @daishoin_temple 👈 #Miyajima #Miyajima sightseeing #miyajima A piece 📸 with the autumn leaves 🍁 of the Great Shrine I took a picture 😊 of a foreigner in a picturesque kimono on the stairs lined with many jizo from above

The Golden Pavilion of Luenji Temple illuminated by the sunrise This one is located in Kyoto Prefecture 　　　　　　　　　"Luenji Kinkaku" Kyoto is a tourist destination all year round. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This time, in conjunction 📸 with autumn leaves It looks like 😆 the best time to see it will continue for another week or so Location: Kyoto

Autumn Danzan Shrine Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture Danzan Shrine 2023/11

"Autumn reflection" Recently I visited enkoji temple in Kyoto to enjoy the vibrant autumn colors. During my visit I saw really beautiful autumn colors and thought if I could take a reflection of this autumn colors then it might look better. Unfortunately there was no such option. So, I used my mobile phone as a mirror to reflect the colors and took the photos on a camera. Although it could be better than this one but since now several people are visiting the temple I could take only two shots. Atleast I am happy with this one. The autumn colors in Enkoji temple is now in full peak and it truely reflect the autumnal beauty of Japan.

"An autumnal mist" During my visit to Daisho-in temple in Miyajima I witnessed this autumn mist along with very cute Jizo statues. The mist, sunlight, autumn colors and Jizo statues makes the atmosphere astonishingly beautiful. It touched my heart and I will remember this particular moments for long time. It was one of my best autumn moments.

Sanjuji Garden in Obama Town, Unzen City, Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki's best spot for autumn leaves

Miyajima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 　 Recommended spots in Hiroshima #Miyajima #miyajima #Itsukushima Shrine One piece 📸 with the reflex of the Great Torii This time I aimed 😊 from the other side

I took a picture at "Entsuin" in autumn. Entsuin Temple is a temple of the Rinzai sect of Myoshinji Temple adjacent to Zuiwaji Temple in Matsushima-cho, Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima, Three Views of Japan, and is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. You can enjoy not only the autumn leaves but also the scenery of the four seasons here, and there is also a kimono rental plan during the season, which is very popular with people from overseas.

Located in the southern part of the Oga Peninsula, "Unozaki Coast" This place is registered as one of the "100 Best Beaches in Japan" and is a superb view spot representing Oga where you can see a superb view like the Salar de Uyuni. This beach is a shallow beach, which is rare in Japan, and it is a beach where families with children can play with peace of mind. In the evening, you can see an even more beautiful view with the brilliance of the setting sun.

This morning Tokachigawa Onsen was lightly covered in snow ⛄ After the warmth from the day before yesterday, the country seems to have plunged into full winter cold. It is sunny now, but please be careful of frozen roads in the mornings and evenings.