Let me introduce myself. My name is Kaori Miyamoto. I was born in Utas City, Kagawa Prefecture ,Japan on May 28,1985.
I am a first year student at Kagawa Junior College. My major is Nutrition.
My hobbies are listening to music, reading to music books, and using my mobile phone.
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My home page address is http://www.geocities.co.jp/CollegeLife-Labo/4001/2004/403044.html
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Visiting or living in Shikoku is something special, for this island has always been the spiritual sanctuary of the Japanese people. No other place in Japan 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 circuit 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 usyally left the island with a lighter heart, hmore enlightened, and in many cases in improved health. Though today the island is quite accessible and traveling around it can be very easy, some of the eighty-eight temples still remain very hard to reach. This pilgrimage circling the island is nationally known as O-Shikoku-san, shiowing that ''Dear old Shikoku Polgrimage" 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-kaiSea,the Pacific Ocean, the green mountains that crown alarge part of the island, cosy little toensand middle-sized cities that fringe the coasts. Its climate is mild; 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 to enjoy 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 unique attractions such as the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Kompira worship and the Dogo Onsen Hot Spring spa have always drawn a large number of people from the capitals and other parts of the main island of Honshu and 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 carfully 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. Anew type of attraction in Shikoku is the fruit of modern technology that the waves of development have finslly brought here in the 1980's and 90's - the colossal bridges connecting Shikoku with the main island, pleasure resorts, theme parks, museums, skyline drives and relatively inexpensive golf courses. So the charm of Shikoku can rightly be called an exquisite coexistence 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 the 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 outto be
Takamatsu is the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, which has traditionally been called the gatway to Shikoku, with the whole land of the prefecture jutting out into the Seto Inland Sea like a porch.
JR Takamatsu astaition 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 terminal to Tokushima, matuyama and Kochi City. Takamatsu Chikko just opposiote JR Station is the terminal of Kotoden trams to and from Kotohira, the seat of `Kotobpira-san'.
The New Takamatsu Airport handles non-stop flights to and from Seoul, Korea.
Another place in Takamatsu apprupriate 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 50 great historical figures closely associated with Shikoku or native to Shikoku.
Takamatsu became the capital in 1587 with the advent of Lord Ikoma 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 Matsudsira lords,governing Takamatsu Province with a fief of 120,000 koku.
One ninth of the former castle ground is preserved as Tamamo Koen Park iacross the street from JR Takamatsu Station. the donjon is gone, but two of the 15 turrets and Mizute Gomon Gate from the 17 th century (Important Cultural Properties) survied the air raid in 1945. Amission: 100 yen.
Traditionally the porpular sightseeing spots in Takamatsu are Ritaurin 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, a National 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 local warlord, and then to Lord Ikoma. When it was transferred to the Matsudairas, they spent five generations developing it into a larger stroll-type garden for their villa. Sessonal charms and blossoms such as ume (Japanese plum blossoms) in February,camellias in March, cherry blossoms in April,wisteria and azaleas 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 yen.
Bus: 30 minutes' ride from Chikko to the terminal (Kotoden Bus for Yashima-sanjo or Yashima Hilltop).
Tram + Cable: 30 minutes' ride from ride from Chikko to Yashima(Shido-sen Lin) + 5 minutes' cable-car ride.
Yashim, a pine-wooded tableland 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 Inland Sea, features Yashima-ji (No.84) , an aquarium and observatories all linked by forest promenades.
One of the observatories, Dankorei, commands a view of the inlet fringed with memorials to the Gempei Yasha Battle ( the second last battle in Gempei War fought between the two rival clans, the Minomotos and the Tairas).
Once a British poet, Edmund Blunden, visited Yashima and wrote a poem that was eagraved on a stone here at Dankorei observatory:
Like a long roof, men say, and will they say, this hill of warrior ghosts surmounts the plain...
In 794 Kyoto became the capital of Japan and it enjoyed peace for about 350 years (811 -1155)- the longest 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 nwe era dominated by martial emotions. Two martinal clans - the Minamoto and Taira clans -began to acquire greater and greater influence in politics through fighting against each othr 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 Imperial Family, inviting animosity from the reigning Emperors, the Ex-Emperors, po\werful priests, warriors and lords, to say nothing of the Minamotos in exile.
In 1181 the patriarch of the clan Taira no Kiyomori died just when the Tairas faced more battles against the Minamotos, who were gradually conosolidating their power.
In 1183the 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
hire 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 with the child 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 ghosts
of 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 between 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 ashs were buried at Temple 81. In 1184 the court elevated
him to Shinto deity to placate his ghost. (See p.50)
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-89) : By bringing about victory in
the civil war, Yoshitsune had greatly helped Minamoto no Yoshitsune,
his elder brothe, who in 1192 was to establish the first Shogunate
at Kamakura. But Yoshitsune 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 proportion in Kabuki, Noh and Joruri 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 jumped 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 invitingone 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. "the let it be shot down by someone," said Yoshitsune. Soon a young nan 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. Wat would he do? Would he succeed?
Yoichi rode the water as far as he could. But it was still about 70 m to the target. He close 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 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 fell.
83 minutes' walk after leaving the bus at Toshogu-mae.(Kotuden Bus: Yashima- sanjofgToshogu-maefg Chikko)
83 minutes'walk from the cable-car station.
This is an open-air museum land out at the foot of Yashima Plateau. About 20 old rural building from various parts of Shikoku have been reassembled here, including a Farmers' Kabuki Theater, peasant's 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 Nishi Iyayama-son, too.
3 minutes' walk from Nihon Tabako-mae Bus Stop after 10 minutes' ride from JR takamtsu.(Kotoden Bus:AsahimachiLine)
30 minutes' walk from JR takamatsu Station.
Japan's largest wax doll museum. The first floor is dedicated to the 41 dolls of celebrity who have been closely associated with Shikoku. The one of Kobo Daishi in his nyujo has its own dorneras a special exhibition.
The other dolls include:
- Sakamoto Ryom
- Nakaoka Shintaro
- Nakahama Manjiro
- Wenceslau de Moraes
- Inokuma Genichiro
- Takahama Kyoshi
- Ninomiya Chuhachi
- Setouchi Jakucho
- Makino Tomitaro
- Yasuoka Shotaro
- Kagawa Toyohiko
- Yokoyama Ryuichi
- Terada Torahiko
- Abe Yoshihige
- Nambara Shigeru
- Masaoka Shiki
- Kotoku Shusui
- Nakae Chomin
- Kikuchi Kan
- Manabe Hirosi
- Yoshida Shigeru
- Itagaki Taisuke
The second floor exhibits about 300 dolls portaying the 17 scenes from the Heike Monogatari or The Tale of Tairas. The Saga, composed of a large number of revealing episodes, was and still is an inexhaustible 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 blind 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 13 th 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:1200yen (high school students: 800yen Children 600yen )
Yoshida Shigeru (1878-1967), Prime Minister from 1946 to 1954, is credited with giving Japan direct-ion 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 accommodates a motor expressway of four lanes, and the lower contains Japan Railway 's system for a dual track ordinary line at present 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 (1849-1891), a Kagawa native, who at that time was constructing the first Shikoku Roads to link all the prefectures on the islsnd. In 1889 Jinnojo disclosed his dream in a congratulatory speech he made as a member of the Prefectural Parliament at the opening ceremony of the first railroad in Shikoku between Marugame and Kotohira. Exactly a century later, the bridge came 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 million 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:
I'll tell you, dear, don't laugh at me, a hundred years from now, I'll be seeing you flying to and from the moon in a space ship. Its port, let me tell you, dear, will be that mountaintop over there !
One of the best points to view the Bridge is Yoshima Islsnd, a central pier of the Bridge. It also serves as a sightseeing outpost for the Shikoku and Inland 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 rotaing tower 132 m tall at the Seto Ohashi Memorial Park at the foot of the Bridge in Sakaide. The Memorial Hallprovides all kinds of information on the Bridge and its construction, while the park itself applies modern art to stone and water .
The Gold Tower near JR Utazu Station
ofers a marvelous view, too. The 144 m tower made of half-mirror
glass is the tallest of its kind in Japan, housing the Sky Lounge,
restaurants, stores and a World Toilet Museum. Open daily. Admission
to the tower:800 yen/1000yen
(Toilet Museum included).
(1,000yen-1,500yen)
The three-storied donjon on top of a green hill crowns the city of Marugame. When a Marugame Province of 53,000 koku was formed in 1641, an old castle was reconstructed and the castle seen today dates back to 1660, one of the few genuine Edo Period castles remaining in japan.
The Castle Park, 15 minutes' walk from JR Marugame, is surrounded by moats, featuring the donjon, a couple of main gates (all Important Cultural Properties) and wall from the 17 th century. The 4-level 60 m ramparts, the tallest and among the most beautiful in Japan, also contribute of the castle.
Banshouen Garden built in 1688 as a villa for the Lord of the Province is 10 minutes' drive from downtown Mrugame. One of the galleries there houses Chinese cermic ware and a collection of Iranian earthenware and glassware dating back to 2500 B.C. Open daily.Admission to the Garden & Galleries:1000 yen (Students:600yen, Children:400yen)
