Onshirin-matsuri

The hot and humid summer passed. In fall, we have local festivals (matsuri) here and there.  Today I went to Onshirin-matsuri.  (What is "Onshirin"?  Onshirin (恩賜林) is a forest site given by the Emperor of Japan.  A hundred years ago, this area was severely damaged by some typhoons and the Emperor decided to give us a part of national forest.  Currently, Onshirin associations are maintain the site.)

Today's festival was held at Onshirin garden in Fujiyoshida city.  This event is for people to become more familiar with wood and forest.  My bosses opened a booth of woodwork. My friend and I enjoyed watching chain-saw curving, trying woodwork, and having some foods (udon, yakisoba, yakitori, okonomiyaki, popcorn, etc).

Kirakira ☆ Kawaguchiko Summer Story

Sorry, I don't understand what this event aimes for. I went there on Sunday afternoon, but few visitors could be seen.

Heritage Music Festival

The 12th Heritage Music Festival took place at Stella Theater in Kawaguchiko town. Being impressed by "Mt. Fuji Charter （富士山憲章）" at the Herb Festival in Kawaguchiko, local musicians have been holding this charity concert since 1999.

I enjoyed not only music but also fusion cuisine! (This is indian curry&rice with fried dumplings)

Opening Ceremony for climbing Mt. Fuji

Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine holds an opening ceremony at 10am of July 1st every year. After this, Sendatsu （先達=practitioners of Fujiko）move to Otsuka-yama（大塚丘）to have another ceremony. Being late to see it, I went to Umagaeshi（馬返し）to see the 3rd ceremony of today.

After a short pray for a small shrine, they sit just before the torii-gate on the entrance of the Old Yoshida trail. Putting a mound of salt on the ground, a man spreads some incense sticks on it and set a bottle of sake and two candles around it. A man ignites the incense. They are chanting a special sutra. A piece of paper is burned on the fire. It soars into the sky. After the long chant, the fire is extinguished. Mixed salt and ashes are wraped in tenugui (Japanese towel). A man presses on our back with this in order. It means 無病息災(sound health).

There were three foreign climbers. They seemed to enjoy this ceremony.

The eve of Mt. Fuji opening (2)

The another ceremony was held at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine where used to be a starting point for climbing Mt. Fuji.

The eve of Mt. Fuji opening (1)

About 160 Fujiko-style behavers gathered at Kanadorii park for the ceremony. They paraded to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine.

Let's walk to Mt. Fuji ! (富士まで歩る講 2010)

I received an email from France about 3 months ago. The sender is interested in Mt. Fuji, especially in climbing Mt. Fuji in traditional style, "Fujiko（富士講）". He studied it in his youth and has long wanted to join it someday.

Originally climbing Mt. Fuji was not a reisure, but a religion. People believed that Mt. Fuji could purify themselves if you climb it. So, many people walked to here from every region. This ceremony called "Fujiko （富士講）". It flourished in Edo era (1603-1868). They say that there were almost 800 groups in its peak, and most of those were in Kanto region.

Fujiyoshida city revived this ceremony. Named "Let's walk to Mt. Fuji (富士まで歩る講）" starts at Nihonbashi in Tokyo and ends at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida. 120km- walk in 4 days! WOW! I told the sender about this event. Then he applied it and was accepted!

The party included Mr. Regnier from France came to my city yesterday. I went to cheer him up. And today, I joined the party for awhile. My walking distance was only 5km or so, but I could enjoy a feeling of Fujiko.

I am very happy to meet Mr. Regnier. And I thank the staff members of "Let's walk to Mt. Fuji" for being welcomed me.

I wish Mr. Regnier and his wife will have a happy Mt. Fuji climbing tomorrow!

Ms. Takiguchi, Mr. Regnier, and me

@ Omuro Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida

Autumn (colored) leaves festival @ Kawaguchiko

I went to Kawaguchiko today to see colored leaves and to listen to a live jazz performance. Many people were there to hang around the maple and cherry trees and enjoy local foods..... The jazz performance was so exciting! Especially, I like the smile of the bassist!

Yabusame at Shikkogo park

I happened to find another Yabusame (Japanese traditional horseback archery) pics & movie. This annual event is held on Apr. 29th at Shikkogo park by the lake Kawaguchi in Katsuyama area.

Yabusame at Omuro sengen shrine

Omuro-sengen-jinja (shrine) 's Yabusame (horseback archery) is different from ordinary one. The horses are not for riding.... they are, sort of, farm horses... The real Yabusame archery ceremony was over when we got there. But we enjoyed watching them.

Yoshida-no-Himatsuri (Yoshida Fire Festival)

Aug.26 is the last day of Mt. Fuji climbing season.... We have a festival called "Yoshida-no-Himatsuri" every year. Honcho-dori (Honcho street) lined with many tall flaming torches, that can be seen even from the top of Mt. Fuji! This torii gate, named "Kana-dorii", used to be a starting point of Mt. Fuji climbing.