navigating nihon
| An ancient Shinto theory says...
|
10.14.2004 |
...that Japan is a miniature version of the entire world!!!
Apparently so! I was at my weekly language exchange at Toshie's place tonight and we had quite the interesting discussion. I was asking about 100 questions about Shinto and Buddhism and I can't quite remember how we got on this topic...
So if you happen to have a map of Japan, humor me and go and get it. Ok, first look at Hokkaido in the north - that is apparently North America and Mexico - complete with the 5 Great Lakes. Koji didn't know where Niagara Falls was though.... The small pennisula near Tokyo is India, with Mt. Fuji representing Everest! Western Honshu is Europe. Shikoku is Australia - which actually is similar (kinda) in shape. Kyushu is Africa - with Aso-san being Kilimanjaro! I asked about South America....it is the small island between Shikoku and Osaka. Hummm. An interesting theory, if not a little ethnocentric. It has been around for quite a while and is found in old Shinto texts. There doesn't appear to be a name for it though.
Tomorrow is the Aki Matsuri here in Mikame - the Autumn Festival. It is a time to celebrate the harvest - like a Japanese Thanksgiving. There will be various Shrines carried around town and lots of dancing deer - more about them later. This is my favourite festival and I'm sad that this will be the last one for me :'( At this festival there are numerous parties throughout town - different families open up their home to everyone! There is always loads of a great food and fun times! I'll upload some pics afterwards! 楽しみだよ！
Tomorrow night I am heading up to Kobe for the Terry Fox Run with 4 other JETs. A great chance to get out of Ehime. I'm looking forward to the run, it's only 5 km - which I am happy to report I can actually run. Shock, gasp, horror! After that we're heading to Osaka (only about an hour away by train) for a fun night in the big city!
Lotsa love and I hope that you're all well!
emma found her way @ 10:30 p.m.
Apparently so! I was at my weekly language exchange at Toshie's place tonight and we had quite the interesting discussion. I was asking about 100 questions about Shinto and Buddhism and I can't quite remember how we got on this topic...
So if you happen to have a map of Japan, humor me and go and get it. Ok, first look at Hokkaido in the north - that is apparently North America and Mexico - complete with the 5 Great Lakes. Koji didn't know where Niagara Falls was though.... The small pennisula near Tokyo is India, with Mt. Fuji representing Everest! Western Honshu is Europe. Shikoku is Australia - which actually is similar (kinda) in shape. Kyushu is Africa - with Aso-san being Kilimanjaro! I asked about South America....it is the small island between Shikoku and Osaka. Hummm. An interesting theory, if not a little ethnocentric. It has been around for quite a while and is found in old Shinto texts. There doesn't appear to be a name for it though.
Tomorrow is the Aki Matsuri here in Mikame - the Autumn Festival. It is a time to celebrate the harvest - like a Japanese Thanksgiving. There will be various Shrines carried around town and lots of dancing deer - more about them later. This is my favourite festival and I'm sad that this will be the last one for me :'( At this festival there are numerous parties throughout town - different families open up their home to everyone! There is always loads of a great food and fun times! I'll upload some pics afterwards! 楽しみだよ！
Tomorrow night I am heading up to Kobe for the Terry Fox Run with 4 other JETs. A great chance to get out of Ehime. I'm looking forward to the run, it's only 5 km - which I am happy to report I can actually run. Shock, gasp, horror! After that we're heading to Osaka (only about an hour away by train) for a fun night in the big city!
Lotsa love and I hope that you're all well!
emma found her way @ 10:30 p.m.
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