TsukuBlog
Teshirogi`s O-Washi Jinja (手代木の大鷲神社)- Its Tachibana（立花) Fireworks Festival and its Mysterious Straw Snake (大蛇)
15 September, 2010
By Avi Landau
The curious straw snake which can always be seen hanging atop the torii gate at Teshirogi`s O-Washi Shrine in Tsukuba
Thanks to their excellent public elementary and junior-high schools, as well as their convenient location, the Teshirogi and Matsushiro districts have long been among THE most sought after addresses for families thinking of building a home in Tsukuba. The abundant government housing established there more than 20 years ago, also means that this part of the city has a fair share of researchers and professors ( both Japanese and foreign) who work at Tsukuba`s national institutes and universities. Thus, one of the oldest enclaves for new residents(shin-ju-min), those who have moved to Tsukuba from other parts of Japan or from abroad, can be found in this part of the city, a
TsukuBlog
Ending the Year With Buckwheat Noodles- A Deeper Look at Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)- again
31 December, 2020
There was a one hour wait to get these TOSHIKOSHI SOBA noodles last year – but it was WELL worth it!
By Avi Landau
After sunset on December 31st, families all across Japan will be sitting down to eat buckwheat noodles, which for the occasion are called TOSHIKOSHI SOBA ( literally, passing-from-one-year-to-the-next-soba).
This custom became widespread among the merchant class sometime during the Edo Period ( 1600-1868) . It was obviously a convenient FAST FOOD for the busiest time of the year, and this might be a major reason why this custom has remained so universal in Japan ( though there are some regions where other Toshikoshi dishes are eaten, and I might add that buckwheat allergies are not rare, and obviously families with sufferers would opt for something else).
TsukuBlog
A Local Perspective on Life in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Ringing Out the Old Year, Ringing In The New- Joya no Kane (除夜の鐘) – Japan`s New Year Bells (again)
31 December, 2020
The bell at Hannya-Ji (just off the Tsuchiura-Gakuen Road) dated 1275 was designated a National Treasure during the war years to save it from being melted down to make ammo. After the war it was demoted to an Important Cultural Property.
By Avi Landau
When it comes to praying for health, safety and prosperity, the Japanese do not put all their chips on one hand in terms of religious tradition. This is most evident and interesting in the week or ten day period beginning with Christmas Eve, on which many (non-Christian) Japanese attend midnight masses, or other church services, or pray for family well-being, success and spiritual growth at a family Christmas dinner.
TsukuBlog
A Local Perspective on Life in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
To Start the New Year-The Seven Gods of Good Fortune (七福神)- in Treasure Ships, under your pillow, or as part of a mini pilgrimage: SHICHIFUKUJIN MEGURI
30 December, 2020
A sheet of paper with an image of a TAKARA BUNE ( treasure ship) carrying the SHICHIFUKUJIN ( 7 Gods of Good Fortune), which should be put under your pillow to ensure an auspicious FIRST DREAM ( HATSU YUME) of the year- the kanji character on the sail reads BAKU, a mythological Chinese beast which will EAT UP any BAD DREAMS you might have.
An E-ma votive tablet (for writing your wishes on) at a shrine in Ueno Park
TsukuBlog
A Local Perspective on Life in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
A New Year`s Card Game- Hyakunin Isshu Karuta (百人一首かるた) is a Gateway to the Sublime World of Classical Japanese Poetry
28 December, 2020
By Avi Landau
The special dishes and decorations, the visits to shrines or temples, the family gatherings, the greetings, even the pre-holiday cleanings, make O-Shogatsu ( the Japanese New Year Celebration) fascinating for me. They reveal how the Japanese make a clean break with the past and then make a fresh, new start- with wishes for the health, prosperity and happiness of the family, the community and the nation, manifesting itself in the amassing of ENGI-MONO (縁起物)- objects, words, colors, etc., which are believed to have a POSITIVE impact on the world. In addition, there are also objects, words, colors etc., which are compiled to keep all forms of misfortune away.