J-culure4"sumou"

http://www.weblio.jp/content/%E7%9B%B8%E6%92%B2

Do you watch Sumoum? I sometimes watch it. It is one of the national sport of Japan. It has been enjoyed by many people for a long time. There are a few rules to play Sumou.

First of all, it needs two players ,a judge and a place formed circle.

They play it in the circle. If a part of body goes out of the circle or touches the ground, you lose.

Secondly, they are not allowed to wear the cloth except special uniform because if they wear something, it might be dangerous or obstacle during game.

I used to play Sumou with my friends or my brother at beach . We lined the circle on the sand. It was very exciting and fun. I experienced that I had to pay attention to the other player because of the width of the circle. It is very narrow. So, It is decided which player win in a moment.

Recently, I often watch the foreign player on TV. For example., Asasyoryu is a good example. He is Mongol ,but he has got many praise in Japan more than Japanese. I am very glad that many foreigners watch or play and feel Japanese culture, but I am anxiety about future of Sumou. Near future, I think most Japanese cannot win the game against foreigner because foreigners seem to be more powerful than Japanese.

J-culture3"castle"

Have you ever seen a real castle, not on paper or on TV? Today I will show you castle.

In the past, a lot of castles was founded to live and to fight. However, most of them was broken by enemies and became fewer as time went on.

At present, lots of people visit them as a sightseeing generally. You can see both outside and inside of them. It is very fun. There is a Hamamatsu castle near my home in Sizuoka. It has been just founded so that Ieyasu Tokugawa ,one of the famous generals, spent a time after he became older. It is just for living, not for fighting. Therefore, it is very small. when I was younger, I often went there to hang out with friends because there are many trees and many wild animals like squirrels. I guess that the reason why most of them are enclosed with many trees is to protect them from invasion of other regions.



This is Himeji castle in Hyogo. I took a photo during school trip. Nice view!!!! It is far larger than Hamamatsu one.

www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp/lifeindex/enjoy/park/parks/hamamatsujou/index.htm

This is Hamamatsu castle. Many people visit it every year.

I heard some people broke something of castle deliberately. I think these historical things are ought to be saved by us forever because we can learn and study the past through them. So, Do not hurt them intentionally.

J-culture2"matsuri"

Matsuri is a Japanese festival. In the past, It was hold to thank god. It was important because people thought food, drink and nature were great blessing from god to them. At present, It is enjoyed as a entertainment by people, including young and adult and has many kinds each regions. Of course, My town,Hamamatsu, has hamamatsu Matsuri, which is hold for 3 days on May.

I took this picture at Matsuri museum in Hamamatsu.

Above a picture is Yatai. People carry it and walk around the town, saying Esso, Esso.

I took this one at Matsuri museum. These are kites which are flown over sand hill at first and second days.

Sand hill. This is so beautiful isn't it?

what special festivals are there in your town?