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Tag: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

CategoriesExperience

The Secret of Gassho-style Villages: Do You Know the Relationship Between “Johana” and “Gokayama,” Both Highly Praised by UNESCO?

By ninjakotan

The Secret of Gassho-style Villages: Do You Know the Relationship Between “Johana” and “Gokayama,” Both Highly Praised by UNESCO? Recently, I covered the Johana Hikiyama Festival, but today, I will post about Gokayama, which I visited during that time. Both “Johana” and “Gokayama” Praised by UNESCO The Johana Hikiyama Festival is elegant, but the silk products supported Johana’s wealth. The raw silk, the material for these silk products, was produced by sericulture in Gokayama. In this way, Johana and Gokayama had a deep relationship. The distance between the two areas is about 14 km, roughly a 20-minute drive by car. Gokayama is part of the World Heritage site “Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama,” the Johana Hikiyama Festival is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Understandably, both are highly appreciated worldwide. The name “Gassho-zukuri” (Gassho-style) comes from the shape of the triangular roofs that resemble hands pressed together in prayer (gassho), and the log frame structure called “gassho.” The steeply sloped roofs were also designed to help shed heavy snowfall. The Legend of the Heike Refugees in Gokayama It is said that the Heike refugees originally settled in Gokayama. In 1183, Kiso Yoshinaka (Minamoto no Yoshinaka) fought against Tairaread moreThe Secret of Gassho-style Villages: Do You Know the Relationship Between “Johana” and “Gokayama,” Both Highly Praised by UNESCO?

CategoriesExperience

Noh Experience for Beginners in Tokyo—Delving into the Charm of Noh and Kyogen

By ninjakotan

Noh Experience for Beginners in Tokyo—Delving into the Charm of Noh and Kyogen     About Noh and Kyogen, Together Known as Nohgaku Nohgaku, Japan’s prestigious traditional stage art, comprises two elements: Noh and Kyogen. Having been continuously performed for over 650 years since the Muromachi period, it has enjoyed the patronage of samurai and feudal lords. Noh is a mystical musical drama, while Kyogen depicts people’s everyday lives with humor. Both forms were cherished by historical figures such as Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and today, they are registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, receiving high acclaim both domestically and internationally.   What is Noh Noh is a highly refined form of Japanese traditional theater, performed with song (utai) and instrumental music (hayashi). Noh plays often draw from classical literature and is characterized by using Noh masks to depict otherworldly realms. Characters include not only humans but also gods, demons, spirits, and mythical beings whose interactions with the human world are central to the plot. Performers use highly stylized movements to convey the narrative, employing masks and costumes to leave a lasting impression on the audience. The Noh stage, unique in its construction, appears simple but is laden withread moreNoh Experience for Beginners in Tokyo—Delving into the Charm of Noh and Kyogen

CategoriesExperience

Did You Know about the Johana Hikiyama Festival? Experience It in Kagurazaka!

By ninjakotan

Did You Know about the Johana Hikiyama Festival? Experience It in Kagurazaka!     The Johana Hikiyama Festival and the History of Johana Town I participated in the Johana Hikiyama Festival and will share about the festival, the history of Johana, and its connection to Kagurazaka. The Johana Hikiyama Festival is a historic festival held every May 5th in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. It is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a traditional cultural event whose style has remained largely unchanged since the Edo period, it captivates local residents and many tourists. One of the festival’s highlights is the evening transformation into a lantern parade, offering a different atmosphere from the daytime. The mikoshi (portable shrine) procession to the festival floats dates back to 1724, making this year 2024 a significant 300-year milestone. The history of Johana Town itself is ancient, with significant settlements known to exist since the Jomon period, serving as a vital living area since ancient times. The town saw significant development as a temple town with the relocation of Zentokuji Temple in 1573. Zentokuji Temple is currently a branch temple of Higashi Honganji in Johana.  The area around Zentokuji was particularly famous for silkread moreDid You Know about the Johana Hikiyama Festival? Experience It in Kagurazaka!

CategoriesExperience

Experiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (4): “Saishiki”

By ninjakotan

Experiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (4): “Saishiki”     Experience Key Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques At the Kigumi Museum, visitors can explore not only “Kigumi” but also other traditional Japanese architectural techniques. Most of these techniques are registered under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage category, “Traditional skills, techniques, and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan.” Let’s delve into the traditional Japanese architectural techniques displayed at the Kigumi Museum.   What is Saishiki? In traditional Japanese architecture, beauty is not only structural but also decorative, often enhanced through colors. One such decorative technique is known as “Saishiki.” This blog will explain the history and techniques of Saishiki, as well as its importance in the modern era.   History of Saishiki Saishiki, a method of decoration, was introduced to Japan from China along with the arrival of Buddhism. During the Heian period (794-1185 AD), it evolved into a uniquely Japanese technique and flourished mainly in temple and shrine architecture. Especially during the Muromachi (1336-1573 AD) and Momoyama (1573-1603 AD) periods, lavish decorations were applied using lacquer, enhancing their grandeur.   Techniques of Saishiki Saishiki involves various techniques, typically including the following steps: Base Preparation: Wood is thoroughlyread moreExperiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (4): “Saishiki”

CategoriesExperience

Experiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (3): “Urushi Lacquering”

By ninjakotan

Experiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (3): “Urushi Lacquering” Experience Key Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques At the Kigumi Museum, visitors can explore not only “Kigumi” but also other traditional Japanese architectural techniques. Most of these techniques are registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage under the category of “Traditional skills, techniques, and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan.” Let’s delve into the traditional Japanese architectural techniques exhibited at the Kigumi Museum. What is Urushi Lacquering? Urushi lacquering is a traditional Japanese painting technique used on structures such as temples and shrines, offering beauty and durability. Urushi, the lacquer used, is derived from the sap of the lacquer tree and is considered a high-quality paint material. This article introduces the basic techniques and the allure of Urushi lacquering. History and Characteristics of Urushi Lacquering Urushi lacquering has developed in Japan over thousands of years. It is primarily used to protect and decorate wood surfaces. Natural components in the lacquer form a strong protective coating when hardened, safeguarding the wood from water and pests and maintaining its beauty over long periods. The Process of Urushi Lacquering The process of Urushi lacquering is complex and requires advanced skills. Here areread moreExperiencing Traditional Japanese Architectural Techniques (3): “Urushi Lacquering”

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CategoriesItinerary Ideas itinerary in Japan Others

Create an itinerary to tourist destinations by JNTO No.1

By ninjakotan

Create an itinerary to tourist destinations recommended by JNTO   No.1 The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)’s wonderful Japanese guidebook “100 EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN” does not include “traffic information” for public transportation. In order to make a better itinerary for overseas travelers, we will post traffic information for arriving at the tourist spots listed in “100 EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN” from Tokyo Station and Osaka Station by 12:00 noon. For tours that start before noon, we will post an example of traffic information in time for the tour to start. Traffic information, travel time, and fares are based on Google map and Yahoo route information. Please contact us if your desired arrival time is different or if you have traffic information from places other than Tokyo Station and Osaka Station. TRADITION OUTDOORS CUISINE CITIES NATURE ART RELAXATION   Table of contents for TRADITION 1. An enticing evening with authentic geiko awaits (Ishikawa Prefecture) 2. Train with a true mountain mystic in Yamagata (Yamagata Prefecture) 3. Dance like no-one’s watching in historic Tokushima (Tokushima Prefecture) 4. Watch sacred dance and feel yourself whisked away to bygone times (Hiroshima Prefecture) 5. Learn lost arts at the ancestral home of the ninja! (Mie Prefecture) 6. Experience oneread moreCreate an itinerary to tourist destinations by JNTO No.1