Inaka Monogatari

05/12/2025

Open-air rails, endless views, and a moment that felt like a dream.

01/12/2025

These are rare vintage photographs of the Yasaka Pagoda, capturing Kyoto’s timeless landmark more than 120 years ago.
Known formally as Hōkan-ji Temple (法観寺), the Yasaka Pagoda is one of the oldest surviving structures in Kyoto.

Its origins trace back to 592 CE in the Asuka period, when the temple was said to have been founded with the support of Prince Shōtoku. Although it was destroyed several times by fire throughout history, the five-story pagoda standing today was rebuilt in 1440 under Sh**un Ashikaga Yoshinori, and has remained mostly unchanged for nearly six centuries.

The photos come from the late 1800s to early 1900s, during the Meiji era (1868–1912)—a time when Japan opened its doors to the world after long isolation under the Tokugawa shogunate. Western photography had only been introduced a few decades earlier, and studios in Kyoto and Yokohama began creating hand-tinted prints and early postcards depicting temples, traditional streets, and everyday life.

Surviving photographs like these are extremely rare.
They preserve a Kyoto that existed before electricity, before modern tourism, and long before it grew into the cultural icon we recognize today—offering a quiet, historic glimpse into Meiji-period Japan and the long legacy of one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks.

29/11/2025

24/11/2025

Yesterday we watch a one of recognized by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Yatsushiro myokensai 2025.

Every moment was so fun to watch—pure festival energy!

Yatsushiro Myōkensai (八代妙見祭) is one of Kumamoto’s most famous and oldest traditional festivals, celebrated every November in Yatsushiro City. It is known for its vibrant parade, sacred rituals, and powerful cultural symbolism.

🌟 What It’s About
• The festival honors Myōken, the deity associated with the North Star and the Big Dipper.
• It has been held for over 400 years, making it one of the region’s most important cultural events.
• In 2016, it was recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

🐴 The Highlight: Shinkō Procession

The most iconic part is the Shinkō-sai parade, featuring:
• A sacred horse (Shinme) beautifully decorated
• Performers in samurai-style costumes
• Large, colorful floats
• Traditional taiko drums and music
• Children and adults wearing historical clothing

The sacred horse’s energetic movements—sometimes called the “dancing horse”—are believed to carry divine blessings for the community.

🏮 Atmosphere

Yatsushiro’s streets come alive with:
• Traditional music
• Historic costumes
• Lanterns and festive stalls
• A strong sense of local pride and spiritual energy

✨ What It Represents

Myōkensai celebrates:
• Protection of the city
• Good fortune
• Cultural preservation
• The deep connection between the community and its traditions

2025年、あの熱狂が再び。11月23日（祝）「八代妙見祭」開催！今年もYouTubeで「砥崎の河原」での獅子舞、奴、毛槍、籠、などの時代絵巻と、勇壮な亀蛇や飾り馬の演舞を生配信を行います！お楽しみ下さい！配信開始11:30～....

21/11/2025

🔤 Kanji: 目（め） — Eye

Basic Meaning
• 目（め） = eye
• Also used for:
• 目的地（もくてきち） – destination
• 目標（もくひょう） – goal / target / objective

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🧠 Understanding the Example Sentence

目を縦に見るとこのように見える。

め を たて に みる と この よう に みえる。
➡️ “The eye looks like this when viewed vertically.”

This explains why the kanji 目 looks like an eye from a top or side view — rotated vertically.

📘 QUIZ: Kanji 目（Eye / Goal）

① Vocabulary Meaning – Choose the correct English meaning

1. 目的地（もくてきち）
a) Eyeball
b) Destination
c) Purpose

2. 目標（もくひょう）
a) Objective / Target
b) Eye shape
c) Direction

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② Kanji Reading – Choose the correct reading

3. 目的地
a) もくひょう
b) もくてきち
c) めてきち

4. 目標
a) もくひょう
b) めひょう
c) もくてき

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③ Fill in the Blank

5. 「目」は英語で＿＿＿という意味です。
6. 目標（もくひょう）は “＿＿＿＿” という意味です。

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④ True or False

7. 目的地 means “Objective.”
True / False
8. 目 (め) originally represents the shape of an eye.
True / False

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⑤ Create a sentence

9. Make your own simple Japanese sentence using 目 (め).
Example: 目が大きいです。

21/11/2025

Kanji: 耳（みみ） – Ear

On the card you see:
• 耳（みみ） – Ear
• 耳鼻科（じびか） – Otolaryngology (Ear–Nose–Throat department)
耳 = ear, 鼻 = nose, 科 = department/field

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Example sentence on the card

Japanese

この人は長いイヤリングをつけている。

Reading

このひとは ながい イヤリングを つけている。

Meaning

This person is wearing a long earring.

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Extra simple examples using 耳
• 耳がいたい – My ear hurts.
• 耳をすます – To listen carefully.
• 耳にする – To hear (something), to learn by hearing.

📝 耳（みみ） Mini Quiz

1. What is the meaning of 耳?

a) Eye
b) Ear
c) Hand

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2. Choose the correct reading of 耳鼻科 (ENT department):

a) じびか
b) みみはなか
c) しんびか

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3. Fill in the blank with the correct word:

_____ が いたいです。
“My ear hurts.”

Options:
a) 手（て）
b) 耳（みみ）
c) 足（あし）

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4. True or False:

耳をすます means “to listen carefully.”

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5. Translate to English:

長いイヤリングをつけている。

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20/11/2025

20/11/2025

Happy Thursday stay at 🏡

20/11/2025

🍁 My Autumn Glow 🍁
My autumn is filled with warm colors, soft breezes, and quiet moments that feel like magic. Every falling leaf reminds me to slow down, breathe, and savor the beauty around me.

19/11/2025

HISTORY ❗️❗️❗️

📍Kagoshima,Japan

Sogi First Power Plant (Head Tank & Water Conduit Remains)

How Hydroelectric Power Works:
Water is drawn from upstream, stored in a head tank, and then guided through a water pipe to the power plant where electricity is generated. After passing through the turbine, the water is discharged downstream.

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History of the Sogi First Power Plant

The Sogi First Power Plant was built in 1907 (Meiji 40) about 400 meters downstream from Sogi Falls. Its output was 800 kilowatts, which was one of the largest amounts of generated electrical power in the region at that time.

The extra generated electricity was supplied to the Kawauchi Mine in Kumamoto and to nearby towns and villages.

Later, people realized that even more electricity could be produced further downstream. Therefore, the construction of the Sogi Second Power Plant began.

In 1909 (Meiji 42), the Second Power Plant started operating. In the same year, the First Power Plant was damaged by a flood and was destroyed.

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What Remains Today

All that remains today are the remnants of the stone-built head tank and parts of the old waterway (water conduit), which remind visitors of the history of the area.

17/11/2025

Another collection of memories—little moments stitched together into something unforgettable. Every laugh, step, and snapshot becomes a story we’ll cherish again and again.