Let me introduce myself. My name is Megumi Taniguti. I was born in Takamatu City,Kagawa Prefecture,Japan on August 13,1984.
I am a first year student at Kagawa Junior College.
My major is Nutrition.
My hobbies are window shopping,listening to music,and eat .
My home page address is
Textbook
Links
Vsiting or living in Shikoku is something special, for this island has always been the spiritual sanctuary of the Japanese people. Noother place in Japane has been visited by so many generations of people from all over the country.
They have often spent more than 60 days walking along the whole ciruit of the eighty-eight temples that compose the longest, oldest and most popular pilgrimage in Japan.
Even those who have arrived here in weariness of life, in unhappiness or weak health, have usually left the island with a lighter heart, more enlightened, and in many cases in improved health.
Though today the island is puite accessible and traveling around it can be very easy, some of the eighty-eight teples still remain very hard to reach.
This pilgrimage circling the island is nationally known as O-Sikoku-san, showing that ''Dear old Shikoku Pilgrimage'' is synonymous with this island and provides sanctuary to the soul of Japan. The scenes along the Shikoku Pilgrimage correspond well to what Shikoku offers -the Seto Inland Sea , the Uwa-kai Sea, the Pacifig Ocean, the green mountains that crown a large part of the island, cosy little towns and middle-sized cities that fringe the coasts.
Its climate is mild; the seas are bountiful; the land is fertile. Naturally local people have been content with their blessed island, even if it has remained underdeveloped since the 8th century. Until then the northern coast of Shikoku was among the first areas toenjoy civilization in Japan, as proved by so many archaeological findings.
Remote as it was for many centuries, however, Shikoku did not stand aloof but observed movements on the Inland Sea as an artery of Japan's cultural , political and economic development. On the other hand, Shikoku's unipue attractions such as the Shikoku Pilgrimade, Komopira worship and the Dogo Onsen HotSpring spa have always drawn a large number of people from the capitals and other parts of the main island of Honshu and other parts of the main island of Honshu nad neighboring Kyushu.
Naturally those visitors brought something new with them each time, just as refugees and exiles from the capitals added color to the island's history. They were welcomed and sometimes the culture they brought here was carefully preserved or developed even long after being forgotten in its homeland - language, festivals, arts and techniques. These cultural assets now peculiar to Shikoku have added another dimension rewarding travelers to this island.
A new type of attraction iv Shikoku is the fruit of modern technology that the waves of development have finally brought here in the 1980's and 90's - the colossal bridges connecting Shikoku with the main island, pleasure resorts, museums, skyline drives and relatively inexistence of tradition and modernity, nature and art.
Last but not least is a spiritual climate of Shikoku that has produced people like the father of Shikoku Pilgrimage, who is often credited as a father of Japanese culture, the man who aired the idea, of the Seto Ohashi Bridge, and two young men who turned out to be most instrumental in carrying out the modernization of Japan, opening Japanfs door to the world as an independent nation. They were all rare cosmopolitans in Japanese, history. They must have been something inspiring on this island.
We hope this guidebook will
help you enjoy Shikoku, and Japan herself seen through Shikoku, finding but
great island. Bon voyage!
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture,which has traditionally been called the gateway to Shikoku,with the whole land of the prefecture jutting out into the Seto lnland Sea like a porch.
JR Takamatsu Station next to Takamatsu Harbor is the terminal of the Kotoku Line for Tokushima Pref., the Yosan Line for Ehime Pref.and the Dosan Line for Kochi Pref ., while serving as the bus termatsu Chikko just opposite JR Station is the terminal of Kotoden trams to and from Kotohira, the seat of 'Kompira-san.'
The New Takamatsu Airport handles non-stop flights to and from Seoul, Korea.
Another place in Takamatsu appropriate as a gateway to Shikoku is the Takamatsu Heike Monogatari Historical Museum that features not only the famous historical literature called Heike Monogatari but also about 50great historical figures closely associated with Shikoku or native to Shikoku.
Takamatsu became the capital in 1587 with the advent of Lord Ikama I as governor of Sanuki Province.The castle he built on the harbor was succeeded by 4 generations of his descendants,and then by 11 generations of Matsudaika lords, governing Takamatsu Province with a fief of 120,000 koku.
One night of the former castle ground is preserved as Tamamo Koen Park across the street from JR Takamatsu Station. The donjon is gone, but two of the 15 turrets and Mizute Gomon Gate from the 17th century (Important Cultural Properties) survived the air raid in 1945. Admission:100.
Traditionally the popular sightseeing spots in takamatsu are Ritsurin Koen Park near downtown and Yashima Plateau overlooking the city and the Inland Sea. They are accessible by bus or tram, with terminals at Takamatsu Chikko just opposite JR Station.
30 minutes ' walk from JR Takamatsu Station.
The busy street in front of JR Takamatsu is the main street of downtown Takamatsu, and leads to the main gate to Ritsurin Koen Park, aNational Special Scenic Spot. This spacious garden laid out with shapely mounds, cool ponds and about 160 varieties of trees and flowers provides a classic example of a Japanese garden or even a Chinese Taoist paradise fit for meditation.
Originally it belonged to a local warlord, and then to Lord Ikoma. When it was transferred to the Matsudairas, they spent five generation developing it into a larger stroll-type garden for their villa. Seasonal charms of flowers and blossoms such as ume(Japanese plum blossoms) in February, camellias in March, cherry blossoms in April, wisteria and azaleas in May, Irises and water leaves in June, giant lotuses in August, and Japanese bush clover in September, and brilliant maple leaves in November add to the pleasure of strolling.
Kikugetsu-tei, one of the pond-side teahouses, was originally one of the Matsudairas'formal buildings. The museum just inside the main gate houses a variety of mostly local handicrafts. There is a zoo, too, inside the gate.
Open daily. Admission to the park: About 300.
Bus: 30 minutes' ride from Chikko to the terminal(Kotoden Bus for Yashima-sanjo or Yashima Hilltop).
Tram + Cable: 30 minutes' tram ride from Chikko to Yashima(Shido-sen Line) + 5 minutes' cable-car ride.
Yashima, a pine-wooded tablrand to the northeast of downtown Takamatsu,is one of the world's rare lava mesas, about 290 m high, 3 km wide, jutting 5 km out into the sea.
The hilltop, overlooking the archipelago of the lnland Sea, features Yashima-ji (No.84) 1, an aquarium 2 and observatories, Dankorei 3, commands a view of the inlet fringed with memorials to the Gempei Yashima Battle (the second last battle in Gempei War fought between the two rival clans, the Minamotos and the Tairas).
Once a British poet, Edmund Blunden, visited Yashima and wrote a poem that was engraved on a stone here at Dankorei observatory:
In 794 Kyoto become the capital of Japan and it enjoyed peace for about 350 years (811 - 1155) - thelongest peace Japan has ever attained in her history.
The last 30 years of this period, however, were far from peaceful. In 1156 the first battle took place in the capital, thus opening up a new era dominated by martial emotions. Two martial clans - the Minamoto and Taira clans - began to acquire greater and Taira clans - began to acquire greater and greater influence in politice through fighting against each other in the name of " the Emperor " or "the Ex - Emperor ".
In 1159 , the tairas succeeded temporarily in staving off the Minamotos. The 20 years that followed saw the Tairas rise to increasingly control the Inperiai Family , inviting animosity from the reigning Emperors , the Ex - Emperors , powerful priests , warriors and lords , to say nothing of the Minamotos in exile.
In 1181 the patriarch of the clean Taira no Kiyomori died just when the Tairas faced moer battles against the Minamotos , who where gradually consolidating their power.
In 1183 the tairas were driven from the Capital along with the 6 - year - old Emperor Antoku and his mother , who was kiyomori 's daughter. They wandered far in search of supporters , while fighting losing battles.
Now in 1185 , Minamoto no Yoshitsune attacked the remaining Tairas here at yashima , then at Dan - no - ura in the westernmost corner of the inland Sea , where the proud Taira finally fell , the noblewomen casting themselves into the sea wish the chid Emperor Antoku.
Thus the age of ancient nobility yielded to the age of Shoguns ( 1185 - 1867 ).
Yashima - ji Temple treasures in its museum a folding screen depicting the Gempei no kassen Battles. (See p.42) The bell in the belfry , cast in Kyoto in 1223 , was dedicated here for the repose of the defeated Tairas. But no one can strike the bell , as there is no hammer. They say, "Strike the bell, and invoke the ghostsof the Tairas."
On the last weekend in March the Gempei Yashima Festival is held, whose highlight is the Warriors' Pageant.
It was an insurrection caused by the discord be - tween Emperor Goshirakawa (1127-92) and Ex- Emperor Sutoku (1119-64). Sutoku was defeated and banished to Sanuki (Kagawa Pref.) to die a miserable death 8 years later. His ashes were buried at Temple 81. In 1184 the court elevated his to Shinto deity to placate his ghost. (See p.50)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-89): By bringing about victory in the cixil war , Yoshitsune had greatly helped Minamoto no Yoritomo , his elder brother, who in 1192 was to establish the first Shogunate at Kamakura. But Yoshithune had to spend the rest of his life escaping Yoritomo, until four years later he killed himself. His tragic life and death was so appealing to Japanese sentiment that he has taken on heroic proportio in Kabuki, Noh andJoruri plays, based on what is called Yoshitsune Literature.
Very few Japanese visit Yashima without being reminded of an episode shown in the picture above:
It was on the afternoon of February 19, 1185, that Minamoto no Yoshitsune mounted another surprise attack against the Tairas at the then Yashima Island. Frightened by the imagined immensity of enemy forces, the Tairas juped into their boats and sailed off . A fierce battle lasted for hours.
Now the sun was setting. Both sides began to retreat , when a fair vessel parted from the Taira legions and stopped about 80 m from the beach. Then a beautiful lady appeared from the cabin, produced a pole with a bright red fan on its top and beckoned to the puzzled warriors on the shore.
"what does she mean?"said Yoshitsune.
"Perhaps she is inviting one of us to shoot the fan.
Or she may be inviting you to come out onto the front line for her archers," said his attendant.
"Then let it be shot down by someone," said Yoshitsune.
Soon a young man called Nasu no Yoichi appeared on horseback with bow and arrow in his hands. The north wind was strong . The boat was tossing up and down. The fan painted with the golden sun at its center was fluttering on the pole.
All the Tairas in the boats and all the Minamotos on the shore were watching
Yoichi. What would he do? Would he succeed?
Yoichi rode into the water as far as he could. But it was still about 70 m to the target. He closed his eyes and prayed. Then the wind fell for a moment. He shot. The arrow pierced through a little above the rivet. The fan, flying up a moment or two, came floating down, glittering in the setting sun. There was great applause from both sides.
Then a man in armor appeared in the same boat. He began to dance an elegant dance an elegant dance perhaps in genuine appreciation of Yoichi's archery. Then yoichi got another order and shot down the dancing man, too. Some said, "Good shot!" But others said,"Not fair."
The Tairas were silent this time. Was it a precursor of their demise? Two months later, the Tairas finally feel.
3 minutes' walk after leaving the bus at Toshogu-mae.(Kotoden Bus:Yashima-sanjo~Toshogu-mae ~ Chikko)
3 minites' wark from the cable-car station.
This is an open-air museum laod out at the foot of Yashima Plateau. About 20 old rural buildings from various parts of Shikoku have been reassembled here, including a Farmers' Kabuki Theater,peasants' houses, a sugar mill, a shed for steaming mulberry bark to make paper, and workshops for making soy sauce and so on. There is a reprica of Kazura-bashi from Nisho lyayama-son, too.
Open daily: 8:30 - 16:30. Admission: 500
On May 5, people includren from Shodoshima lsland from which the Kabuki Theater came here, stage an annual performance of their traditional farmers' kabuki.
3 minutes' walk from Nihon Tabako-mae
Bus Stop after 10 minutes' ride from JR Takamatsu.
(Kotoden Bus: Asahimachi Line)
30 minutes' walk from JR Takamatsu Station.
Japan's largest wax doll museum. The first floor is dedicated to the 41 dolls of historical figures or modern men and women of celebrity who have been closely associated with Shikoku.
The one of Kobo Daishi in his nyujo has its own corner as a special exhibition.
The other dolls include:
The second floor exhibits about 300 dolls portraying the 17 scenes from the Heike Monogatari or The Tale of the Tairas. The Saga, composed of a large number of revealing episodes, was and still is an inexhaustibel source of japanese literature and art. Some of the most famous scenes took place at the foot of Yashima Plateau at the northeastern tip of Takamatsu.
One hi-tech doll seen at the end of the exhibition is what was called biwa hoshi or a bling biwa- playing bard who traveled around chanting The Tale of the Taira Family even before it was written down in the first half of the 13th century. Its opening passage is especially famous for its Buddhist idea of impermanence that goes as follows:
The doll begins to talk and sing the first line of the opening passage when it senses visitors approaching.
Open daily. Admission: 1200
(High school students:800 Children:600)
Yoshida Shigeru (1878-1967), Prime Minister from 1946 to 1954, is credited with giving Japan direction through her most difficult times after the war.
The Kojima-Sakaide Route, popularly known as the Seto Ohashi Bridge, was completed in 1988. It is the world's longest two-tiered bridge system, stretching 13.1 km from Kojima to Sakaide, connecting the 5 islands in between.
The 11 bridges in the system include 3 suspension bridges, 2 twin cable-stayed, 1 truss and 5 viaducts.
The upper level accomodates a motor expressway of four lanes , and the lower contains Japan Railway's system for a dual track ordinary line at presnt and for a dual track superexpress line in the future.
The first person to air the idea of the Seto Ohashi Bridge was Okudo Jinnojo, a Kagawa native, who at that time was constructing the first Shikoku Roads to link all the prefectures on the island. In 1889 Jinnojo discosed his dream in a congratulatory speech he made as a member of the Prefectual Parliament at the opening ceremony of the first railroad in Shikoku between Marugame and Kotohira.
Exactly a century later, the Bridge come into being after decades of planning and ten years of construction, 13 million workers involved (with the loss of 17 lives) , and costing 1,190,000 millon yen.
Surprisingly , jinnojo had also foretold man's traveling to the moon in his favorite drinking song of his own making, which went as follows:
One of the best points to view the Bridge is Yoshima Island, a central pier of the Bridge. It also serves as a sightseeing outpost for the Shikoku and lnland Sea Districts, providing 2 parking areas for those who like to enjoy bridge-viewing, seafood and shopping.
To yoshima: 20 minutes from JR Sakaide by Seto Ohashi Express Bus.
Another is a rotating tower 132 m tall at the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park at the foot of the Bridge in Sakaide . The Memorial Hall provides all kinds of information on the Bridge and its construction, while the park itself applies modern art to stone and water.
Admission to the tower: 800.
Admission to the Hall:510.
To the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park: 10 minutes from JR Sakaide by shutle bus (free of charge).
The Gold Tower near JR Utazu Station offers a marvelous view, too. The 144 m tower made of half-mirror glass is the takkest of its kind in Japane, housing the Sky Lounge, restaurants, stores and a World Toilet Museum.
Open daily. Admission to the tower:800/1000.
To Gold Tower: 8 minutes' walk from Keihan Fisherman' walk from Keihan
Fisherman's Wharf on Yoshima, Memorial Park and Sakaide Port.(1000-1500)
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
