Amakusa and Christianity
Feb 9, 2010
and onsen
(hot springs) are the most important factors when deciding where to travel. This weekend, I made a short trip to Amakusa, a chain of islands off the west coast of Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. Here are some photos taken from my hotel. It made me feel relaxed
.
Amakusa is known for the historical, “Amakusa-Shimabara Rebellion” 
between the shogunate troops and the rebel troops of Christians and peasants, which began in 1637. 
It was Shiro Amakusa
who led the rebel army.
You can see that his statue has a cross in his hand.
, but I will show you two things that are worth introducing, using the photos in the museum pamphlet.
This is Amakusa Shiro's Holy Banner. There’s a Holy Grail at the center with two praying angels. There are blood spots remaining and traces of flechettes, which prove how blistering the battle was. It is designated as a national important cultural asset.
Another one I would like to show you
is how the Christians continued to believe the religion underground.
This is the Kakushi Jujibotoke(hidden-cross Buddha image).
It looks like a seated Buddha but if you detach the upper part and lift up the axle, a small cross appears. It was only in 1873 when the Anti-Christian Edicts were abandoned.
, constructed on a hill, played a central role in the reemergence of the religion. A statue of Virgin Mary stands there like the holy spring at Lourdes.
Sakitsu Catholic Church is located in a little fishing
village.
Near Sakitsu Church is the statue of Saint Mary facing the sea. It is said that she is praying for the safety of the fishermen.
Too much studying
? Sorry
.
Then why not enjoy this big Takoyaki, or octopus
dumpling? 
Octopus is Amakusa’s famous local product.
I wish we can show you all the little corners of Japan
in our future blogs.Isabelle
My private onsen experience
Feb 8, 2010
Dear Frenz,
(Click photos to enlarge)
Long time no see. Today, I would like to share my special hot spring (onsen) experience with you. Did you know that there is a “Hot Spring Law” (Onsen ho) in Japan? A hot spring can only be called an onsen when it reaches certain standards regarding temperature and mineral composition. Onsen is often used to treat chronic rheumatism, external injuries, and rehabilitation. 
Enough with the difficult stuff. “Tsuki no Usagi” (Literally, ‘Rabbit in the Moon’), the onsen inn I went to, is located in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture. I stayed there two nights. As I introduced in a previous blog, Izu is famous for its hot springs, fresh seafood, and beautiful nature.
There is a beautiful bamboo grove. They have 8 cottages that have their own private open-air bath facing the ocean. Don’t you think it’s luxurious? I can go in and take a bath outside whenever I like,
24 hours! 
You can probably see a sake bottle and small wooden barrel floating in the water. It’s a popular custom in Japan to drink sake while enjoying your onsen bath. It's called yuami-sake. I guess it can be translated as "Bath & Sake". But be careful not to drink and stay in the hot water too much, because you’ll overheat yourself! In Japanese, we call such a person a yudedako (boiled octopus) because your face becomes very very red. 
During my stay, I saw a squirrel family. A son, mom, and dad. The son in my picture chose the backyard of my cottage to eat his breakfast and snacks. Everyday, he would come and sit on top of the fence in the same spot and nibble on kinkan (kumqwuat), a fruit in our yard.
When I woke up early and felt really sleepy, I plunged into the bath and became wide awake. Taking a bath makes me hungry! So it helps me get ready for my big breakfast!! I usually don’t eat this much. But after an onsen bath, I get really hungry. Doesn’t this view take your breath away? It sure woke me up!
For dinner... well, I can talk forever about dinner, so I’ll introduce just the highlights of my fabulous feast! The photo on the left shows a sashimi dish on the top, and toubanyaki (vegetables and seafood grilled on a ceramic plate) on the bottom.
The turban shells turned out great! 
The bit salty and bitter flavor was a perfect match with cold sake! Yes, I drank sake AGAIN, like always...
This funny picture is the “head” of a kinmedai (literally: golden-eye sea bream). Check out my past blog for more information on kinmedai.
(My previous blog)
Since it was lightly fried, the bones and other parts were very crunchy and tasty. Eating lots of calcium will make my bones stronger!! Don’t you think I did a good job of eating it clean? I used to be a very messy fish eater, but when it comes to my favorite, kinmedai, I can eat like an artist!
I’m sure many of you living overseas feel uncomfortable bathing naked in a public bath with people you don’t know. I’m one of them. But recently, there are so many hot spring inns that have private baths. So if you come to Japan, try it out! I guarantee you’ll be addicted to it.
One more thing.
All my photos were taken with my new Canon EOS 7D digital camera.
Cameraman Lily hard at work.
Luv always,
Lily
P.S.
Lily performing Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight".
Eating Ehomaki on the day of Setsubun
Feb 5, 2010
. I actually wrote briefly about it in my last blog, so please check for more detail.
Lily said she ordered tuna roll. I wonder if good fortune will come to her with only one ingredient......
Why do we eat Ehomaki on the day of Setsubun?
Don't even wonder why he is wearing his googles.
He said he needs to eat at home again with his family. But I wonder if eating 2 Ehomaki will bring him more fortune.
Sea Hares and My Haiku
Feb 4, 2010
Hi, friends!
Do you know "Sea Hares" ?
We call them "AMEFURASHI" or "UMIUSHI".
Strictly speaking, AMEFURASHI and UMIUSHI seem to be different kinds of creatures.
I used to play on a seashore when I was a kid.
When I found an AMEFURASHI (or an UMIUSHI), people around me always said "this is AMEFURASHI but another name is UMIUSHI. You have to remember both names".
This is the reason why I still can't tell the difference between them.
I can find these AMEFURASHI-like, UMIUSHI-like creatures when I scuba dive.
They move slowly at the bottom of the sea.
Touching them, I can feel the smooth surface.
Sometimes they spit out a purple liquid when they sense danger.
*My scuba diving friend, Mr. Imai took these pictures.
I don't think they have many fans because some of them don't look so attractive.
But I like them because they are humorous.
One day when I was launching under water with my diving gear, I saw two Sea Hares, big and small, on a sea weeds.
They were swinging back and forth, giving their bodies to the tide.
They looked like they were having a nap in the spring water.
So I made a Haiku with this scene...
アメフラシ 春藻に親子 寄り添ひて (*in Japanese characters)
Amefurashi Harumo ni Oyako Yorisoite
Sea Hares,
Father and son on a sea weed
Together in the spring water!
Clarence
Snow in Tokyo， Spring in the Boso
Feb 2, 2010
The snow continued through the night into the next morning, softly blanketing the whole area in a beautiful touch of powdery white.
What could be more magical than watching the neighborhood turn into a winter wonderland in just a matter of a few hours?The next morning, we awoke to see the flower bulbs my son had planted, barely poking their heads out of the snow.
Yes, it is unquestionably winter here in Tokyo. Spring is still a couple of months away...
However, take a look at these photos. They were taken during our trip to the Minamiboso area, just a week before the snow hit Tokyo.
Under a cloudless blue sky, 80,000 stocks of poppies in orange, yellow, pink and white literally carpeted the vast 40,000 tsubo or 33 acre meadow. It was only a 2 hour drive away from Tokyo. 
You can take the poppies home at a cost of 130 yen for each bunch of 10. With a pair of rented scissors, my son was eagerly cutting the flowers of his choice.
The smaller ones were freely running about the endless rows of flowers, flowers, flowers.
Aside from the poppies, stocks were ready to be picked as well. The stocks were 130 yen each.
Our jackets were left in the car and we didn't even think of wearing them.
We also enjoyed a stroll along the seashore. The rocky reef was home to many marine creatures.
The Boso peninsula is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Tokyo Bay to the west and is well known for its oceanic climate.
It was such a clear day that we could see Mt. Fuji far in the distance, about 130 km (approx 84 miles) away.
I even found sazae or turban shells in the water…but could they be real!? This was a marine preserve area so I didn’t dare pick them up.
Seems like there were lots of people who share the same philosophy..."It’s a shame to stay indoors on such a beautiful day! "
Today's weather forecast suggests there may be partial snow again in the Kanto area. It seem like we are going to be experiencing a very cold week. Take care!
Wishing you all the very best,
Anna<< Newer Posts 1
Brought to you by your friends at Fuji Television, Japan's No.1 broadcaster located in Daiba, Tokyo. Learn the latest Japanese culture, lifestyle,entertainment, trends, and more, through their eyes.
(Male, 50s)
(Male, 50s)
(Female, 40s)
(Female, 40s)
(Female, 30s)
(Female, 30s)
(Female, 30s)
Use QR-code-enabled Japanese cell phones to access our mobile blog site.
