Temple in Japan

That's another card which I've got from Japan.

On the eastern side of the Itsukushima Shrine is the 27.6-meter tall Goju-no-to, a five-story pagoda that stands next to the Senjokaku (literally "hall of 1,000 tatami mats"). It is said that this pagoda was built in 1407. Its architectural style is a skillful combination of Japanese and Chinese features. Its warped cypress-bark roofing is Chinese style while the wooden door at the entrance is Japanese. Although visitors cannot go inside the pagoda, they still can enjoy the richly-colored Buddhist drawings on its walls and the magnificent gold decorative paintings on the upper part of its pillar. Although an ordinary five-story pagoda usually has a central pillar from its base all the way to the top, this one is made in an extremely rare style because its pillar stops at the second level.

Both this pagoda and the next-door Senjokaku have been designated as important cultural assets. Indeed, its elegantly curved roof and vivid vermilion color create a beautiful silhouette that stands out strikingly among the other features of the cityscape (from)

Maiko

I received this postcard from Shiho.

Maiko it is a term which describe a geisha – apprentice from Kioto.

Maiko originated from women who served green tea and Dango (Japanese dumpling made from rice flour) to people who visited the Kitano Tenman-gū or Yasaka Shrine (these are the two of the famous shrines in Kyoto) at teahouses in the temple town about 300 years ago. At first, women served only green tea and dango, but they gradually started to perform songs and dances for the visitors.

Maiko is the young girl, who are preparing to being geisha through learning by observation. Maiko are usually aged 15 to 20 years old and become geiko after learning how to dance (a kind of Japanese traditional dance), play the shamisen, and learning Kyō-kotoba (dialect of Kyoto), regardless of their origins.

Maiko’s kimono is more colorful. Arms are huge and they are touching ground. Also she wears high boots buskin okobo and loosely called dissolved obi belt.

Maiko’s hairstyle is called nihon-gami (Japanese traditional hairstyle from Edo period.) They arrange their hairstyle with their own hair. Maiko put kanzashi (Japanese traditional hair accessories) on their hair with seasonal flowers. The hairstyle changes by the years of experience they have.

Their jobs consist of performing songs, dances, and playing the shamisen (three-stringed Japanese instrument) for visitors at a feast.

Kegon Falls

This postcard came to me from Japan.

Kegon Fallus are located at Lake Chūzenji - (source of the Oshiri River) in Nikkō National Park in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The falls were formed when the Daiya River was rerouted by lava flows. About twelve smaller waterfalls are situated behind and to the sides of Kegon Falls, leaking through the many cracks between the mountain and the lava flows.

There are 48 waterfalls in Nikko, but Kegon waterfall is the most famous among these. The water falls from 97 meters high and you will enjoy natural beauty around the fall. Nachi waterfall in Wakayama prefecture, Fukuroda waterfall in Ibaragi prefecture and Kegon waterfall in Nikko are known as the finest three waterfalls of Japan. The name of the Kegon was derived from a part of Buddhist sutra. By the way, names of Nehan waterfall and Hannya waterfall also were derived from the Buddhist sutra.

In the autumn, the traffic on the road from Nikko to Chūzenji can sometimes slow to a crawl as visitors come to see the fall colors.

The Kegon Falls are infamous for suicides, especially among Japanese youth.

Storm Mountain - Arashiyama

This time I will show you my postcards which I found in the envelop with the letter which came to me from Japan.

Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto (Japan). It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.

Hozu River - Shooting the Rapids

The Hozu River is a part of Katsura River in Kyoto Prefecture. The river begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town northwest of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama section of western Kyoto before changing its name to Katsura River.

The Hozu River is considered scenic, and is known primarily for its association with Hozugawa Kudari, literally “down the Hozu river”, a sightseeing whitewater boat that goes downstream from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Hozugawa Kudari is especially popular in the fall, when the Japanese Maple leaves change colors, and in the Spring, when the sakura, or Japanese cherry tree, blooms. The trip usually takes about two hours.

The Togetsukyō - bridge in Autumn

The Togetsukyō is a bridge across the river. The river shown in the photograph changes names on either side of this bridge. West of the bridge it is the Hozu River and east of the bridge it is the Katsura River. It is the symbol of Arashiyama area, the beautiful sight of this bridge has been taken up by many a poet. In days of antiquity, boating here was an eloquent pastime for the aristocracy.