Kanmon Straits – Shimonoseki

Article posted on Friday, December, 23rd, 2011 at 10:15 am

This video has had its run on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, Youtube, but I thought it may be a good idea to post it here as well. It comes from my visit to Shimonoseki a few months back. The post, Route 3 and other tales of endurance, tells of that trip in some detail. Be sure to follow the link if you are after a slightly longish read.

The topics that I touch on (ever so briefly) are, the Battle of Dan-no-Ura (壇ノ浦の戦い), Miyamoto Musashi / Sasaki Kojiro’s duel on Ganryū island (巌流島の決闘) & the Chōshu cannon (長州砲).

Kappa manhole cover

Article posted on Saturday, December, 10th, 2011 at 8:06 am

There are Japanese towns who take branding very seriously, and if I may say, way before it was considered cool. These towns, whose number I imagine would be quite significant, take their チャーム・ポイント (unique/special feature) and infuse it with every other aspect of the town that they possibly can. Hey, why not?

For some towns it’s bamboo crafts, for others it’s traditional (Japanese) paper, or lanterns, or tea, or any and every other food or craft you could possibly name. For Tanushumaru in Fukuoka Pref, it’s the mischievous Kappa.

Pictured top-right, is Tanushimaru’s train station. Surrounding the station, and indeed all over town, are images and small, stone statues of Kappa. Below, in a place no-one will find, I found a monhole-cover, on a wall.

Oka castle – An Autumn walkthrough

Article posted on Sunday, December, 4th, 2011 at 12:58 pm

The weather forecast looked very promising, and to be fair, it probably was a cloudless day. There was something in the air though, something in addition to my sense of anticipation.

I’d been to Oka castle twice before. Once at dusk and the next with a large group of people. On both occasions I wasn’t able to fully explore the castle, and this day turned out to be no different.

Large areas of the castle were being repaired which made access to the western side of the mountaintop site difficult. And, with exception of some nice splashes of vivid red, it was all a bit drab. It’s okay though. It’s not like there won’t be a next time.

The mountain-top mystery sound

Article posted on Wednesday, November, 9th, 2011 at 10:05 pm

For anyone who starts to watch the following video, I’m almost certain your attention will be held for its entire duration! I concede, it is rather short at 17 seconds long, but let me assure you, it is that good.

So, I shot this video on my half-day trip to Koishiwara is Fukuoka Pref. The castle I visited that day was Chikuzen Matsuo castle. Anyway, click play already!

Kumamoto Castle – Outside looking in

Article posted on Thursday, October, 13th, 2011 at 8:23 pm

Well, aren’t I just all over the place? My last four posts put me all over Kyushu & even onto Japan’s main island of Honshu. Suffice to say, I’m not posting things as they happen.

The following video of Kumamoto Castle has actually been sitting my computer since early February (2011), and you should be able to pick up on the fact that it is fricken’ cold! I put off posting it because I wasn’t sure if it had any value. I mean, I didn’t even enter the castle grounds proper, it’s just me walking around the outside.

Anyway, tell me what you think.

Shimonoseki City

Article posted on Sunday, October, 2nd, 2011 at 8:54 pm

Shimonoseki City I did a lot of driving in August. The destination of one of those drives was Shimonoseki, Honshū’s most-western city. It is a fascinating place, rich in history (Dan no Ura) but carries itself like a seaside resort town. Btw, there've been some changes to the map. You can now watch videos within the map (Shimonoseki). Or, you could just watch the two Shimonoseki videos below.
Kushizaki Jin’ya Kind of an odd place Kushizaki Jin’ya. Check out the video (& castle profile page) and tell me what you think. I’d love to get a second opinion.	Katsuyama Palace Katsuyama Palace is a fantastic place to visit, it’s well hidden though. I had to ask for directions & I was 100 metres away! The ruins have a very unique feel about them.

The Matsuzaki Shuku

Article posted on Saturday, October, 1st, 2011 at 8:51 am

A slight detour from my trip home from work takes me here, the Matsuzaki Shuku (or is that Juku?) For those who can’t wait for the video explaining what this place is, it was a rest stop for Daimyō & their entourages on their long journeys (& forced visits) to the capital of Edo. This system was known as Sankin kōtai (参勤交代).

This particular rest-stop is located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, so it was used by clans such as the Shimazu, Hosokawa and Tachibana, among others.

Very few signs of the Shuku remain today. Happily, things of interest can still be found if you seek them out.

Below is a building whose interesting styling and white-plaster walls means it get noticed. There was no information board to indicate that it even existed when the Shuku was catering to Daimyō & samurai.

This tin-topped, two-story building is the only inn that remains. It was one of many that once lined the streets.

Hanging onions who are paying for their crime of being yummy.

A seemingly abandoned building. I am intrigued as to what may be found inside. If only the side of the building would open up allowing me to pear within.

Damn! I still can’t quite see inside. I suspect if I take a closer look, someone will call the police.

This was so cool. These two trowel artists were applying the finishing touches to the house’s gable.

One of my final sights before exiting the Shuku.

Thanks you checking this post out everyone. I have been very slack with posting these last couple of months.

Chikuzen Matsuo castle

Article posted on Saturday, August, 20th, 2011 at 6:48 pm

I had a pleasant, little surprise the other day. Myself, the wife & the kids were out shopping. And as we were walking out of one particular shop, I was handed a bag with a book inside. The book was Sengoku no Shiro (戦国の城), and I was pretty damned happy.

Within the book’s pages are detailed articles on more than a dozen castles. And despite Himeji castle being on the book’s cover, most are obscure, mountain castles. One of those obscure, mountain castles is Matsuo castle (which is known in the book as Koishiwara castle), and it just so happens that it’s just a short(-ish) drive away. So, drive away I did.

Before we get to the video, just a word on my speaking proficiency which you’d think would be kind of alright. You’ll have to excuse my verbal trips & blunders. I happened to get myself a little tongue-tied on more than one occasion. Anyway, without further ado.

Moon over the deserted castle

Article posted on Monday, August, 15th, 2011 at 12:33 pm

Such a haunting melody. Kōjō no Tsuki (荒城の月) by Rentarō Taki (滝 廉太郎) may well be a song you’ve heard but never heard of.

The sorrowful tune was completion in 1901, but it’s strong, nostalgic appeal has resulted in it being rearranged, re-interpreted and performed by notable musicians from every corner of the world, and still does.

It is said that Rentarō Taki wrote the instrumental having been inspired by the ruins of Oka Castle. Sadly, Rentarō died just two years later due to having contracted Tuberculosis. He was just 23.

Over 20 years later, lyrics would be added following visits to Sendai & Aizu Wakamatsu castles. I can also assume the lyricist felt it was important to do so.

For your entertainment

As I’ve alluded to, countless versions exist. To save you the trouble, I’ve waded through the Youtube soup, and have fished out the following three versions. The first, an instrumental featuring a flute, is truly beautiful. The second is operatic and features the added lyrics. The final one ROCKS, and is from a promotional video for the game, Gran Turismo 5.

A Tale of Two videos

Article posted on Monday, August, 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm

I find it very odd that it has taken almost a full year for me to post the following two videos. I guess the thought of having to edit them was too much, and so I shelved them. Anyway, both were shot a day after the other during my Summer, 2010 trip through Nagano.

Video 1

The first is of Matsushiro castle. This video I do recommend you check it out, it’s probably one of my better efforts. The castle itself I also recommend you check out, the Jōka machi (old castle town) is one of the best I’ve come across.

Video 2

By the standards set by the first video, the following is a bit token. It would fall into the Well, it’s-better-than-nothing category. The castle is that of Takashima, and while the tower itself is a reconstruction, the grounds have a rustic charm to them that I really appreciate.