藍染め
藍染めとは
植物の藍を染料として用いた染物。ネイビーブルーやインディゴブルーに染まる。
色が褪せにくいという優れた特徴を持つ。奈良時からの歴史があり、海外では「Japan Blue」と呼ばれ、藍色を指して「Hirosige Blue」（浮世絵師の歌川広重の絵に見られる青）と呼ばれることもある。江戸時代から四国の徳島県で盛んに行われ、現在でも徳島県の藍染めは全国的に有名だ。染め方による色が豊富で「藍48色」といわれるほどである。また、抗菌性や止血作用、防虫作用もある。
Aizome
Aizome is a blue dye that is made from plants. It imparts a navy blue or indigo colour.
It has the advantage of being fade-resistant. It has a long history, beginning in the Nara period. Abroad, it has been called 'Japan Blue' or 'Hiroshige Blue', (referring to blue often seen in the Ukiyo-e artist Hiroshige Utagawa's woodblock prints). It has been used extensively in Tokushima prefecture in Shikoku, and the region is famous across Japan for its Aizome even today. The rich variety of shades which can be produced through different dyeing techniques have come to be called 'The 48 shades of blue', and it is also been used as an anti-bacterial agent, to stop bleeding, and to repel insects.
奈良
奈良は日本という国の発祥地。この間を奈良時代という。
シルクロードの終着点として国際色豊かな天平文化が花開いた。国宝建造物数は日本で最多。
町中にたくさんの野生の鹿がいる、世界でも珍しい町。鹿は神様のお使いとして大切にされている。
奈良県内には、法隆寺（世界遺産）など、見るべき寺や古い史跡も多い。
古い街並みが美しいエリア「ならまち」には、ぬいぐるみの赤い猿がたくさんぶら下がっている。
これは自分の身代りになってくれるお守り。
ならまちには、カフェやバーなども多くて楽しめる。
Nara is the birthplace of Japan's civilization, and for this reason, there is an era known as the 'Nara Period'. As the final destination of the Silk Road, a colourful international culture flourished here in the regin of Emperor Tempyou. Many historical treasures were made at this time. Nara was unusal in that wild deer were allowed to roam the streets. They were though of as messengers of the gods, and highly prized.
There are many must-see examples of historic architecture in Nara prefecture, such as Horyuji Temple (a world heritage site).
Around the picturesque strees of old Nara, or 'Naramachi' you will see many soft toy red monkeys. These are considered to be a protective charm.
There are also many bars and cafes to enjoy around the Naramachi area.
富士山
日本を象徴する、神のような山。
静岡県と山梨県またがる活火山。
富士山の優美な風貌は、日本国内のみならず日本国外でも日本の象徴として広く知られている。古来より霊峰と呼ばれた。江戸時代後期の1800年までは女人禁制であった。
富士山の表情は、見る場所・角度・季節・時間によって様々に変化し、赤富士、逆さ富士などいくつかの姿がある。一般的な富士登山の期間は、山開きの7月1日から8月下旬まで。
東京都内からも、西に向いた高層ビルや高台からは、晴れた日には富士山が望める。
Mount Fuji
Mt. Fuji is a national symbol of Japan, and is somtimes thought of as a god.
It is an active volcano which straddles the prefectural borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi.
The strikingly beautiful image of Mt. Fuji is known the world over as a national symbol of Japan. Since ancient times, it has been revered as a sacred peak. Until the latter part of the Edo period in 1800, it was forbidden for women to tread on Mt. Fuji.
The appearnce of Mt. Fuji changes according to location, viewing angle, season and time of day. Sometimes it appears red, sometimes a totally different colour. The climbing season for Mt. Fuji usually starts on the first of July and lasts until late August.
Mt. Fuji can be seen even in metropolitan Tokyo, from tall west-facing buildings and high places.
農家民宿
オーストラリアなどのファームステイのように、日本の本当の農家に泊まって、
農村の普段の暮らしを体験する宿泊。日本全国にあるが、長野県や奈良県で盛ん。
豊かな自然や故郷の原風景が残されている農山村で、
農作業の体験や、農産物の調理・加工体験を楽しむことができる。
その地域でとれた、旬の新鮮な食材や郷土料理を味わうことができる。
宿によっては自炊も可能。大勢で泊まることもでき、家族でも楽しめる。
祭りや史跡を訪ねることで、その地域の歴史や文化にふれることができる。
Rural Minshuku (lodging in a private house)
Like 'farmstays' in Australia, it is possible to get a taste of life in a rural village by staying at private dwelling. Many people offer this service across Japan, but they are especially common in Nagano and Nara.
Amidst the beautiful natural scenery and the homely atmosphere of a rural village, it is possible to try your hand at farm work, cooking traditional foods and making traditional handicrafts.
You may also have the chance to sample fresh seasonal local produce, cooked in a traditional and homely way.
Depending on the location, it may be possible to self-cater, but in most cases, you will enjoy a meal with the family.
By visting local festivals and historic locations, you can also get a feel for the region's culture and place in history.
鎌倉時代から江戸時代にかけて、大名や領主に仕えて、スパイのような役割をした者や団体
黒の服を着て、さまざまな道具を使ってアクロバットのような動きですばやく逃げたり、
屋根や塀に乗ったりする
歌舞伎や浮世絵にも描かれ、アニメの主人公にもなっている
1853年、アメリカから黒船が来た時、江戸幕府は忍者を使ってこの船を監視した
これが日本の最後の忍者の仕事となった。黒船が来たことで、江戸時代が終わった
『奥の細道』の作者で俳句で有名な松尾芭蕉や、
浮世絵師の葛飾北斎も忍者だったという伝説がある
From the Kamakura period to the Edo period, There were organisations and individuals who worked as spies for feudal lords. They were black clad, used a variety of specialised tools, as well as acrobatic skills to scale walls and escape over roof tops.
They have also been the subject of traditonal Japanese Kabuki theatre and woodblock prints, as well as frequently appearing as heroes in Anime shows.
In 1853, The Edo government dispatched ninjas to the survey the famous 'Black Ships' that had arrived from America.
This was to be the last official task for the ninjas of Japan. The arrival of the Black Ships heralded the end of the Edo period.
Some legends have it that Haiku poet Matsuo Basho (author of 'The Narrow Road to the Interior') and Ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai were ninja.
日本料理
日本料理とは
日本の食材を用い、日本の国土、風土の中で独自に発達した料理をいう。和食、日本食とも呼ばれる。海外では、寿司、刺身、天ぷらが良く知られている。
日本では弥生時代から稲作が盛んだった。やがて中国から仏教とともに茶の文化が入り、精進料理も発達した。日本は海と山の自然に恵まれ、新鮮さを大切にする独自の食文化が次第に形成された。江戸時代には町人文化から生まれた屋台の料理、寿司やソバや天ぷらなどが発達した。京都、大阪、東京には伝統的な日本料理を食べられる料亭も多くある。
Japanese Cuisine
To speak of Japanese cuisine, is to speak of cuisine that developed on Japanese soil and within the Japanese millieu, as well as as using Japanese ingredients. It is also called 'Washoku' or 'Nihonshoku' in Japanese. Abroad, dishes such as Sushi, Sashimi, and Tempura are widely known.
Rice agriculture has been extensive in Japan since the Yayoi era. When Buddhism and tea culture arrived from China, a vegetarian food culture known as 'Shoujinryouri' as developed. Thanks to Japan's abundance of sea and mountain, a unique food culture which greatly values freshness emerged. Later, foods such as Sushi, Soba, and Tempura grew out of the urban culture of the Edo period. In Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo, you can find many quality establishments in which you may sample the traditional foods of Japan.
米などの穀物、野菜、豆類、野菜、魚介類や海藻、鳥類の肉が使われ、乳製品はほとんど用いられない。特に海産物と大豆加工食品の利用の多彩さが特徴。低脂肪、高塩分であるとされる。他のアジア料理に比べ、スパイス類の使用が少ない。新鮮な食材や良質な水に恵まれているため、素材の味を最大限に活かした味付けが尊重される。
うま味を豊富に含んだダシ（カツオ節や昆布）や醤油、味噌などの大豆発酵調味料が用いられる。
夏にハモ、秋にはサンマやマツタケ、春にタケノコなどが代表的な季節の食材である。
Grains such as rice are consumed alongside vegetables, soyabeans, seafood, seaweeds and poultry, but dairy products are seldom used. A particularly notable feature of Japanese cuisine is the abundance of seafood and and soyabean products. It may be thought of as low-fat, high-salt diet. Compare to other asian cuisines, the use of spices is rare.
Since Japan is blessed with good quality water and fresh ingredients, flavours which reflect the quality of the basic ingredients are highly prized.
Umami-rich ingredients such as Dashi (a stock made from dried bonito and Konbu), as well as fermented Soy-based products such as shoyu and miso are often used.
Season ingredients are also popular- in Summer, conger eel, in Autumn, mackrel pike and matsutake mushrooms, and in Summer, Bamboo shoots.
日本の祭り
ダイナミックに、日本の伝統行事が体験できる。
祭りは、日本人が「何を大切にしてきたか」がわかる、貴重なチャンスです。
日本の伝統的なファーストフードも食べられ、にぎやかで楽しい時間が過ごせます。
神をむかえて、神と人のつながりを深める宗教行事。日本各地で年間を通し、無数に行われている。
京都の八坂神社で毎年7月1日～29日まで行われる。
7月17日（前の祭り）、7月24日（後の祭り）がピークで、神輿をかついだり、太鼓や笛の演奏でにぎわう。
Festivals in Japan
Festivals are an opportunity to experience Japan's dynamic traditional culture.
Festivals are a good chance to find out about all about the values and beliefs of Japanese people.
You can have a great time trying traditional Japanese 'fast food' and absorbing the bustling atmosphere.
Festivals are religious ceremonies which aim to strengthen the bonds between humans and the gods. A great many festivals are held in every region of Japan throughout the year.
Festivals are held at Kyoto's Yasaka shrine from the first of July until the 29th.
The 'Pre-festival' on the 17th and the 'Post-festival' on the 24th are the high-ponts of the festivities, and the city will throng with the sound of Taiko drums and flutes as the portable mikoshi shrine is carried throught the streets.
大阪市 天神祭り
7月24日、25日に行われ、船から神聖な鉾を流したり、神輿を川に渡す。
東京 浅草の浅草神社の夏祭り。
毎年、5月の第3日曜を最終とする3日間に行わる。盛大な祭りで、田楽舞や、芸者の行列が見られる。
青森市、弘前市で盛大に行われる祭り。無病息災を祈って行われる。芸術的な灯籠（とうろう）をかついで、町じゅうを練り歩くので、見るだけでも楽しい祭り。
長崎市 長崎くんち
長崎市の諏訪大社で10月7日から3日間、開催される。オランダ船などのひきものや華麗なパレードでにぎわう。
Osaka: Tenjin Festival
On the 24th and 25th of July, the sacred spear will be carried from the boat and the portable mikoshi shrine will cross the river.
Tokyo: Summer Festival at Asakusa Shrine
This festival is held every year on the three days leading up to the last Sunday in May, and is held to pray for good health. The procession of hand-crafted lamp-bearers winds its way around the town, so it's a very enjoyable spectacle.
Nagasaki: Nagasaki Kunchi
This three day festival is held at Nagasaki's Suwa shrine from the 7th of September. Highlights include a parade and stringed instruments made to look like dutch boats.
日光
江戸時代の将軍をまつった華麗な神社と、美しい火山。
日本のバロック建築と雄大な自然を一度に楽しむ。
栃木県の北西部にある市で、美しい景勝地。自然と歴史的な建物の融合が楽しめる。
・日光東照宮
1616年に死去した江戸幕府の初代将軍・徳川家康を神格化してまつる神社。
派手できらびやかな建物や彫刻は、日本のバロックのようで必見
中禅寺湖
（湖畔にはベルギーやフランス大使館別荘があり、昔から外国人に愛されたリゾート地）
華厳の滝（日本三大名瀑のひとつ。豪快で美しい、冬は凍り、青く見える）
Nikko
At Nikko there is a scenic volcano, and also an exquisite shrine complex built to honour the Shogun of the Edo period.
Here, you can enjoy both the 'baroque' architecturel style of old Japan and the majesty of nature.
In this town in the north of Tochigi prefecture, you can experience historic architecture set against a natural backdrop.
-Nikko Toshogu
This shrine was built for the death of the founding Shogun of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu, with the purpose of deifying him.
The guady and florid style of architecture and sculpture has been viewed by some as 'baroque' Japanese architecture.
Chuzenjiko lake
(The private residences of the French and Belgian ambassadors are located on this lake shore, and this resort has long since been favoured by foreign tourists.)
Kegon Waterfall (Considered to be one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan. It is grandly beautiful, and in winter it freezes, turning a blue colour.)
