Show Me Japan: 1.17.1995

The 24th floor of Kobe City Hall is a great place to get a bird's eye view of the entire city center, especially in the evening. Kobe City Hall is located on Flower Road, just south of JR Sannomiya Station and the observation floor is free to visit. Next to Kobe City Hall is Higashi Yuenchi Park, which features a permanent earthquake memorial monument dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. This photograph was taken on January 17, 2011, which marked the 16th anniversary of the quake, and the date is actually made of thousands of candles.

Photograph is my entry for this weeks Show-Me-Japan (Vol.1 Issue 10).

Lighting Candles

Sannomiya earthquake memorial 1.17.2011.

Sannomiya 1.17.95 Memorial

Perhaps the largest of the earthquake memorials in Kobe is located in Sannomiya. Candles are placed in cut bamboo segments and organized to form a large 1.17.1995.

Nagata 1.17.95 Memorial

Monday, January 17, 2011, marks the 16th year since the 1995 earthquake that devastated Kobe. The quake struck at 5:46am and lasted for approximately 20 seconds, and when it was done Kobe was left in ruins and many lost their lives. Bells are sounded just before 5:46, issuing silence over the many earthquake memorial gathering spots throughout Kobe. Candles are set in honor of the lives lost and hardships some still face since that day 16 years ago.

Nagata, was one of the areas hardest hit by the quake and this is one of the memorials held in the area. The atmosphere of the events vary, some are somber and others more celebratory; some play music and sing songs, while others share stories or stand in silence. In the dark, windy, and bitter cold morning I am reminded how grand my humble but warm apartment - with its running water, electricity, and shelter - really is, and how difficult the uprooted lives of those who survived must have been.

Show Me Japan: Akashi-jō

Because Himeji castle is currently under restoration, and is consequently not very picturesque, I visited Akashi castle (jō) as an alternate. I am glad that I did, this is a quite and relatively empty area in the evening, with a atmosphere rich in history. However, if you visit in the winter as I did, bundle up as it is quite cold.

This castle was constructed by Ogasawara Tadazane in one year, which was a relatively short amount of time for such a project. The speedy progress of construction was aided by a law issued in 1615 that limited one castle per clan. Meaning that Akashi castle is partially constructed from materials, and in some cases whole sections, of previous castles in the area. Akashi castle was built on order from the Tokugawa shogunate, for its strategic value in watching over the western lords.

Pictured is the Tatsumi Turret (巽櫓) with the constellation of Orion "the hunter" poised above it. In Japanese the phrase Yowatashi Boshi, or passing the night stars, is applied to prominent star groups which appear in the East at sunset and set with the dawning sun. Orion is certainly one of the most noticeable Yowatashi Boshi; most especially the three belt stars or Mitsu Boshi.

Photograph is my entry for this weeks Show-Me-Japan (Vol.1 Issue 9).

Show Me Japan: Minatogawa

A row of vermilion-colored torii on the grounds of Minatogawa jinja, act as an entrance point - which also marks the sacred area of the shrine from the outer world - to this small but enchanting shrine. Alight only by the lanterns hanging from the celling giving the interior a luminous vermilion hue.

Photograph is my entry for this weeks Show-Me-Japan (Vol.1 Issue 8).

Minatogawa Shrine 湊川神社

Early evening inside the main hall, Honden, of the Minatogawa jinja. A private ceremony, possibly for shogatsu, is being held for these four apparently important gentlemen. Two priests, including the head priest, and two maidens are in attendance and many rites and dances are preformed. In this image the maiden at the center of the Hoden is captured mid-twirl while preforming one such dance.

Minatogawa, in Kobe, is a Shinto shrine located near the city center. It is dedicated to Kusunoki Masashige, a general who fought for Emperor Go-Daigo during a period in Japanese history filled with political upheaval. He obeyed a strategically absurd command from Go-Daigo to meet a superior force at Minatogawa. The decision meant certain death for Kusunoki Masashige, his brother, and hundreds of his men. He committed ritual suicide (seppuku) and was said to utter these famous last words, "I wish I had seven lives to give for my country" - securing him as a symbol of loyalty to the emperor.

These same words would be drilled into every student’s head over the next half century, and ultimately Shichisei Hokoku became an often used expression during WWII, especially by kamikaze pilots.

Show Me Japan: Nankinmachi 南京町

Buddhist monk slowly traversing the few blocks of Nankinmachi (Kobe's Chinatown), offering prayers to each storefront as he passes.

Photograph is my entry for this weeks Show-Me-Japan (Vol.1 Issue 7).

Electric Lights on Strings

Trees alight in Osaka.

German Christmas Market in Osaka

Visited the German Christmas Market in Osaka which is held under the Umeda Sky Building and offers an atmosphere of German-esque Christmas. The event was rather enjoyable, but crowded, and includes a 27-meter-tall Christmas tree decorated with about 100,000 lights that is surrounded by many quaint antique wooden shacks selling traditional handicrafts and various Christmas ornaments. Also on hand is a 110-year-old merry-go-round brought from Germany (pictured here in action), a manger with life-size figures, and fellow dressed in an elaborate German santa suit (Heilige Nikolaus). He might have been the real santa, I just didn't ask. The food was also enjoyable, warm Glühwein (a traditional composition of spices and red wine served hot) beer on tap, Lebkuchen (German gingerbread), sausage, roast ham, Tropfkrapfen (German donuts), and pretzels added to the festive atmosphere.

27-Meter Christmas Tree

Tree from the German Christmas Market in Osaka, a stage was erected next to the tree that hosted live music, carols, and even an abbreviated production of the Nutcracker Suite (pictured). The event is organized, in part, by the German Consulate General of Osaka-Kobe.

Happy Holidays

Holiday lights in Sannomiya 三ノ宮, hope everyone has a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.

Tokyo Waterway

One of the many waterways that are woven into metro Tokyo, this one is located near Akihabara 秋葉原.

Gundam In Action

As mentioned earlier, this is the Gundam in action.

Gundam Close-Up

Gundam is ready for its close-up.

Kobe Luminarie Reflection

Another view of the front entrance to the first section of the Kobe Luminarie, this time in color and reflected in the side of a retail building. Hope you are not bored of the Luminarie yet, I did go overboard with taking photographs at this festival.

Kobe Luminarie Cables

This is the view from inside the "castle of light" that might give you an idea of how many cables are used to secure this grand structure.

Castle of Light

This is the central element in the Kobe Luminarie, which is like a castle of light, that the first section empties out into. The bottom of the photograph captured the screens of some of the thousands of cell phone cameras that everyone in Japan has, and uses on a regular basis - especially when special lights are involved.

The Crowds at the Kobe Luminarie

This is the view as you exit the first section of the Kobe Luminarie and look back at where you just came from. This photo might give you an idea of what the crowds are like at the peak of the evening.

Inside the Kobe Luminarie

This is the view as you start to make your way down the main street where the Kobe Luminarie is erected. I have been watching over the last few weeks as the skillful crews set up these whitewashed wooden structures, that have all the lights attached to them. They look rather heavy and special metal poles are located along the street (year-round) that a tangle of mooring cables are attached, securing the Luminarie from winds.