Christmas is coming

Now town is illuminated for Christmas.
and you can found many many Christmas trees here and there.
I found beautiful scenery.

Most Japanese think Christmas as a celebration of Christianity.
On the other hand, many Japanese are technically Buddhist.
But most people are far from religious.
So we don't care about what Christmas is.

In Japan, Christmas day is not a holiday.
In fact, 23th Dec is public holiday because it's The Emperor's Birthday.
But these illuminations are not for Emperor, definitely.

We just like some of the happy ideas associated with Christmas like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, cake, music, presents and so on.

Here is west-Umeda area in Osaka city.

A big glittering Christmas tree is set up.

Candle Night @ OSAKA

An art event called "Candle Night " was held in Chayamachi area, Osaka city.
http://www.candle-night.org/en/?

Originally "Candle Night" is a movement to propose to turn off the light and use candle for 2hrs on the evening of summer and winter solstices.

Do something special . . .
Read a book with your child by candlelight.
Enjoy a quiet dinner with a special person.
This night can mean many things for many people.
A time to save energy, to think about peace,
to think about people in distant lands
who share our planet.


Original idea was a movement began in Canada.
In 2001, Canadian citizens held a voluntary blackout to protest the U.S. Bush Administration's energy policy to build one new nuclear power plant each month.


The event held in Osaka aimed at promoting this movement.
Candle art created by artists, students studying art, citizens were exhibited.


Around this area, there are some malls, restaurants, and business buildings.
Some of them cooperated with the event and turn of their illumination.



This is Tsutenkaku!
(I introduced in previous post :D )

Tea ceremony

Last Sunday, I went to Kyoto with my friends.
One of my friends took us a tea salon.

There we could experience Japanese tea ceremony.
I'd never tried it.

In the tea ceremony, tea is made by putting powdered tea leaves(Maccha) into a cup and then adding hot water.
It is then stirred till foamy with a tea whisk and drunk.
That was all I know about tea ceremony before this class.

However, tea ceremony has long history and unique philosophy.
And we could lean part of them.

It was very impressive experience!

Surprisingly, the teacher of the tea was from Canada.
He is more familiar with Japanese culture than average Japanese.

The shop is "Ran-Hotei".
(http://www.15-1a.com/eng/index.htm)
You'll can enjoy Japanese style tea time.


In the class, I won a game and got a gift!
Nice cup!

This is tea bowl used in the tea ceremony.
But I don't have any chance to try tea ceremony at home.
So I'll use it as soup bowl or for other uses :D

Floating duck

This is floating duck traveling all over the world
created by Dutch artist Florentign Hofman.

The duck knows that there are no political borders in the world.

He stayed in Osaka in September.
These photos are that I took at the time.

He has strong message.
...Meanwhile, he is so cute and funny!

He was traveling to India.
And he will come back to Osaka in this month!
From Dec 12th to 25th, he stays here.

I'm looking forward to see him!


http://www.florentijnhofman.nl/dev/index.php