Last weekend, they had a wedding fair at the Hotel where I am staying. The bride dress was beautiful and the wedding kimono was gorgeous. I learned a little bit about weddings in Japan.
The Groom and his parents pay for the wedding. The groom pays a bride price. Riu, one of my friends here, is getting married shortly. They paid 1,000,000 yen, the equivalent of $10,000.00, for the bride price. Their family is better off than most, so they could pay that much.
The Bride must have a traditional Kimono for the wedding, and then she usually changes into a western style wedding dress for the rest of the wedding parties. The traditional kimono is very expensive, so often they rent it. It costs 10,000 yen to rent a kimono. I have been told that a kimono costs 1,000,000 yen. That means the bride would pay $1,000 to rent, and $10,000. to buy!
If you are invited to attend a wedding, you are expected to pay at least $300.00. Most presents are at least $400.00. If you are the boss of either the bride or groom, you are expected to give at least $500.00. However, as a gift for coming to the wedding, you will recieve a box of cakes,in a wrapping that is also part of the gift because it is so lovely, and a very nice gift, like a place setting of china. The gift that is given to each person who attends the wedding is usually around $50.00.
I think it would be cheaper to elope to the United States!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Shrine
This is where I stopped taking photos of the shrine. At the top of the steps I felt that I was too close to the shrine to take photos. It would have been disrespectful to those who prayed there.
As you reach the top of the stairs, there is a place where you drop a coin, usually about 15 yen (cents) Then you move closer to the shrine and pray.
There is a place where you can buy charms and fortunes. I did my 'close the eyes and feel a tug' thing,and twice I picked up marriage charms. I thought it was interesting, because Riu, Taka and I were discussing weddings on our way up the mountain. Riu is getting married and we talked about the differences in the weddings in the states and in Japan.
As you reach the top of the stairs, there is a place where you drop a coin, usually about 15 yen (cents) Then you move closer to the shrine and pray.
There is a place where you can buy charms and fortunes. I did my 'close the eyes and feel a tug' thing,and twice I picked up marriage charms. I thought it was interesting, because Riu, Taka and I were discussing weddings on our way up the mountain. Riu is getting married and we talked about the differences in the weddings in the states and in Japan.
Requiem
There is a very large stone that always has a cup of saki, and a rice bowl in front of it. The idea I got from the explanation I recieved is that this symbolizes those who died away from their native land, and who couldn't be recovered. I might have it wrong.
I also forgot to mention the two warriors that guard the shrine. They are very old, and formal. I forgot to take photos of them, because they are in a box and are securely fastened. I think they were carved out stone. They are at least 1000 years old. I don't know if this was their origianl site or not, but it makes sense to me that it would be.
I also forgot to mention the two warriors that guard the shrine. They are very old, and formal. I forgot to take photos of them, because they are in a box and are securely fastened. I think they were carved out stone. They are at least 1000 years old. I don't know if this was their origianl site or not, but it makes sense to me that it would be.
Frogs
After you pass the bridge, yew tree and guard dogs, you will find a lovely little pond with Frogs in it. Frogs are well respected, and symbolize a wish for good health and lucky travel. The good health comes from the frog oil on the critters back.
In Ancient times, Sumari warriors did not use a shield,ever. So when they were injured, they would use the oil they could get from touching a frog as an antibiotic. They would put the oil on the wound and it would stop the bleeding and kill germs.
AT Mount Tsukuba Shrine, the frogs are blessed, and the little frog statues they have at the pond are supposed to bless the frogs, and keep them abundant.
In Ancient times, Sumari warriors did not use a shield,ever. So when they were injured, they would use the oil they could get from touching a frog as an antibiotic. They would put the oil on the wound and it would stop the bleeding and kill germs.
AT Mount Tsukuba Shrine, the frogs are blessed, and the little frog statues they have at the pond are supposed to bless the frogs, and keep them abundant.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Finally got to do some sight-seeing
HI
Today I went to Mount Tsukuba. This is a mountain shrine. As I understand it, usually shrines have a large building to house the God's Spirit, but with Mount Tsukuba there is no Gods' building because the spirits are housed in the mountain.
It is a 45 minute hike straight up the side of the mountain. However, because most people can't hike up the mountain, they have built a shrine about half way up the mountain, and a cable car to go to the top. I didn't hike it, and I certainly didn't take the cable. I was content with going to the lower shrine, and walking up to the cable car stop. I am scared of heights, as you well know. However, I have challenged Taka and Riu that the next time I come, if the weather is good, we will hike it to the top. So we are all going into training.
Okay, at the shrine, as you go through the gateway, you bow to show respect, then you walk on the sides of the path, because the Path is built for the Gods' to walk. Mount Tsukuba has a shrine to the Mother and Father Goddess.
There is a place to wash your hands and your mouth before you go to the shrine to pray. I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I forgot. You walk past the Guardian Dogs and by a Bridge that is 400 years old. You can only walk across the Bridge if you are there on April 1, November 1, and one other date that I can't remember.
If you look at the photo of the Bridge, you will see a hemp rope across the front of it, along with pieces of White paper that look like little lightning bolts. These are to show one of two things, either this is something very sacred, as in the altar to wash your hands and mouth, or very special, as in a very old bridge.
The shrine at the top of Mount Tsukuba is over 1000 years old. The red bridge is twice as old as our Declaration of Independence. However, there is a tree a this shrine that is older than the Pilgrims, and older than the colonization of North America. The Priests at Mount Tsukuba have a record of this tree being there since 1200 a.d. Actually they brought there from somewhere else, and planted it. It is a form of cedar that I didn't recognize. I think it might be a YEW tree.
Today I went to Mount Tsukuba. This is a mountain shrine. As I understand it, usually shrines have a large building to house the God's Spirit, but with Mount Tsukuba there is no Gods' building because the spirits are housed in the mountain.
It is a 45 minute hike straight up the side of the mountain. However, because most people can't hike up the mountain, they have built a shrine about half way up the mountain, and a cable car to go to the top. I didn't hike it, and I certainly didn't take the cable. I was content with going to the lower shrine, and walking up to the cable car stop. I am scared of heights, as you well know. However, I have challenged Taka and Riu that the next time I come, if the weather is good, we will hike it to the top. So we are all going into training.
Okay, at the shrine, as you go through the gateway, you bow to show respect, then you walk on the sides of the path, because the Path is built for the Gods' to walk. Mount Tsukuba has a shrine to the Mother and Father Goddess.
There is a place to wash your hands and your mouth before you go to the shrine to pray. I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I forgot. You walk past the Guardian Dogs and by a Bridge that is 400 years old. You can only walk across the Bridge if you are there on April 1, November 1, and one other date that I can't remember.
If you look at the photo of the Bridge, you will see a hemp rope across the front of it, along with pieces of White paper that look like little lightning bolts. These are to show one of two things, either this is something very sacred, as in the altar to wash your hands and mouth, or very special, as in a very old bridge.
The shrine at the top of Mount Tsukuba is over 1000 years old. The red bridge is twice as old as our Declaration of Independence. However, there is a tree a this shrine that is older than the Pilgrims, and older than the colonization of North America. The Priests at Mount Tsukuba have a record of this tree being there since 1200 a.d. Actually they brought there from somewhere else, and planted it. It is a form of cedar that I didn't recognize. I think it might be a YEW tree.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A Great Honor
I recieved a very nice surprise today. The Buddhist Priest at the temple where I am teaching, invited me into the shrine today to show me the beautiful statue of Buddha and the decorations around it. He explained the significance of everything around it. It was so beautiful, and such an honor for me, since the shrine isn't open for visitors, just for praying.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
My morning!
At 9:00 a.m. a car picks me up to take me to the Buddist temple where I am teaching my seminar. This doesn't look like a Traditional Temple, but the outside looks more like the geneology library in Salt Lake. It is too far for me to figure out how to get there. I would take an hour and get hopelessly lost. It is really probably a twenty minute walk, but you know me.
We only have 11 students this time, but that is a good number. I can and will work with each and every one of them before we are through.
Time here is interesting. I have left my compture on UTAH time, but as I write this, it is 9:27 a.m. on Monday, March 23 and 6:28 pm on Sunday, March 22nd. It feels really strange to send you an email today and have you get it yesterday!
We only have 11 students this time, but that is a good number. I can and will work with each and every one of them before we are through.
Time here is interesting. I have left my compture on UTAH time, but as I write this, it is 9:27 a.m. on Monday, March 23 and 6:28 pm on Sunday, March 22nd. It feels really strange to send you an email today and have you get it yesterday!
Breakfast and hotel gardens
The hotel has traditional Japanese Gardens planted around the windows. It creates a look of being in the forest, but you are in the middle of town. The garden in the photo at the right is maybe a yard deep, but that is a generous estimate. I will take more photos later.
When you go down to breakfast, you give the Person a coupon that shows you are a guest of the hotel. Breakfast is served buffet style. The food is very good, and choices are vegetables, eggs, (my favorite is the soft boiled eggs in sweetened soy sauce.) fish, bacon, sausage links, and salad. They have soup at every meal. I usually choose water and Tomato Juice to drink but they have milk and orange juice as well.
Most people choose to sit facing the window so that they can look out at the garden. There is very soft classical music playing, and very little talking. I think I have heard two conversations. One on the first day, and one yesterday. It makes dining a very pleasant experience. The music isn't blaring at you and the people are not shouting to be heard over the music. It creates a very peaceful start to the day.
When you go down to breakfast, you give the Person a coupon that shows you are a guest of the hotel. Breakfast is served buffet style. The food is very good, and choices are vegetables, eggs, (my favorite is the soft boiled eggs in sweetened soy sauce.) fish, bacon, sausage links, and salad. They have soup at every meal. I usually choose water and Tomato Juice to drink but they have milk and orange juice as well.
Most people choose to sit facing the window so that they can look out at the garden. There is very soft classical music playing, and very little talking. I think I have heard two conversations. One on the first day, and one yesterday. It makes dining a very pleasant experience. The music isn't blaring at you and the people are not shouting to be heard over the music. It creates a very peaceful start to the day.
I'm here in Japan
Hi,
Sorry to be a little late in blogging, but for the past three days, I have been too tired to think! I am here in Japan, staying in the Hotel Grand Shinome in Tsukuba, the Science City. The rooms are very small, but comfortable. I step UP into the bathroom. I am on the top floor of the hotel.
The first night I was here, we went out to eat Sushi. It was very good. Mr.Kanzaki called it a Sushi Bar, but it was more like a Denny's restaraunt that specialized in Sushi.
Sorry to be a little late in blogging, but for the past three days, I have been too tired to think! I am here in Japan, staying in the Hotel Grand Shinome in Tsukuba, the Science City. The rooms are very small, but comfortable. I step UP into the bathroom. I am on the top floor of the hotel.
The first night I was here, we went out to eat Sushi. It was very good. Mr.Kanzaki called it a Sushi Bar, but it was more like a Denny's restaraunt that specialized in Sushi.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Getting Ready!
HI!
Gentlman Jack, or Queenie is sitting by me, trying eat my braid every time I move my head. I wish I knew if this was a male or female cat, and to whom he/she belongs. If I figure out how to get photos on the computer I will stick a photo up here.
Wish me luck!
Gentlman Jack, or Queenie is sitting by me, trying eat my braid every time I move my head. I wish I knew if this was a male or female cat, and to whom he/she belongs. If I figure out how to get photos on the computer I will stick a photo up here.
Wish me luck!
Getting Ready for Japan!
Hi There!
Part of getting ready to go to Japan is creating this blog so that I can keep an online journal/scrapbook of my trip. I just hope I can figure it out and make it as nice as my daughters-in-law have made theirs! They are so creative.
I have figured out how to put photos on my laptop, or at least I can get the photos into the USB port, just can't figure out how to get them onto the computer! The user manual is almost useless. I wish they would pay more attention to the way they write these things! As soon as I figure it out, I will put on some photos of before and after.
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