Friday, June 13, 2014

Sueyoshi Park & Shrine

Sueyoshi Forest is located in the heart of Naha city and yet you can drive right past it and not even notice that it is there.  Which is a shame really.

O and I went there to wander the forest and see the Sueyoshi Shrine.  I had heard about it on Map It Okinawa and was eager to go.  I think the amount of walking he mentioned was down-played... he said be prepared to do a lot of walking.  That's it.  What he meant was this is a HUGE park in the city and be prepared to do TONS of walking.

It's a beautiful park though.  A river runs straight through the middle of it and you can see some pretty nice waterfalls.  O is currently obsess with snails and we were able to see some huge ones on the bottom of the overgrown flaura.  There were lots of birds flitting about as well.  And O's favorite discovery were the "shiny bugs", you know, those bugs that have exoskeletons that are like opal colors.  Well, even if you don't, they were really neat.

O and I stuck to the main walking trail.  This means we didn't get off of the winding flat route once.  No stair diversions, no side routes, nothing.  Just the path that, if it weren't made of uneven rocks, I would say was the handicap accessible path.


Even still, by the time we crossed through the forest (all parking lots are a ways away from the shrine... I think we parked at the one farthest away), we were ready for a snack and a rest.  Luckily, there was a playground and a bathroom to be found just below our chosen route.

The playground structure is completely made of wood but was in very good condition.  I was worried about splinters at first but was pleasantly surprised to find it a minimal concern.  It is obviously geared towards older children, but O (3) was doing pretty well on it.

After a little R&R, we went back up the hill to this nice monument.  I'll have to do a little research to find out what it's for.  But I really like the detail.  This basically marks the end of the winding flat trail.  Just after it is a set of stairs that leads you into the wildlife protection area.  It's unsure footing and greenery all the way to the shrine from there.

Luckily for us, they had recently swept through and cleared the paths to the shrine.  Even still, a nice Japanese man we talked to said he saw 2 mongooses while he was there and to make sure not to let O near any of the rock crevices because of the chance a habu was hiding in there.  We didn't see anything ourselves.

He also kindly escorted us up the hill as he had gotten lost himself several times trying to find the shrine and was tired.  I had O on my back, so he didn't want the same thing to happen to us.  Really, this was so thoughtful of him I can't express how grateful I was for this gesture.

Anyways, you make a right at the top of the stairs and continue straight until you find a white obelisk.  Make a left here and you'll see stones for the Sueyoshi Shrine.  Continue straight up, up, up until you see a shrine like structure on the right.  This building is where you buy shrine items.  It and the shrine were closed, but you can walk around.  The shrine itself is just past here.

Do NOT go through the stone tunnel.  If you look up, you'll see the shrine.  Take the stairs to the right of the tunnel and follow the steps up to the main shrine.

We climbed up to the shrine itself instead of stopping at the collection box.  The view from there was well worth the climb just to take it in.

We really enjoyed sitting there eating some bread and just looking out over the forest and past the city in the background.  A nice breeze coming over the hill also took the edge off the heat of the day.

By this point, it was nap time and we were still far away from the car.  Going back was much quicker since we were going down the rugged terrain and then I carried O up the winding path.  Still, juice and Anpanman cookies were a much appreciated treat at our arrival to the car.

Overall, we were hot, sweaty, sticky and tired at the end, but the beauty and peace of the morning was well worth it.  I hope you are able to visit this park sometime.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Japanese New Year - Nengajo (New Year Cards)

Features of Nengajo:

1.  Duty -

Japan has various customs where you give something to someone because it is your social duty.  Nengajo is on of these.  Basically, you should send nengajo to everyone you know.  Many people are more selective of who they send nengajo too.  However, if you receive a card from someone, you are expected to return the favor (known as a giri card).

2.  Design -

Many nengajo feature the animal from the upcoming year's zodiac.  It is believed that the years represented by the animals affect the characters of people. 

Chinese Zodiac (animals and their characteristics):
  • Rat - an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality, adaptable, clever and adorable, personable and materialistic, thoughtful, sensible, judiciously and curious, timid, lack concentration and stability, timid, obstinate and selfish
  • Ox - persistent, simple, honest, and straightforward, industrious, patient, and cautious, do things steadily, tender-hearted, obstinate and poor at communication
  • Tiger - brave, cruel, forceful and terrifying, tolerant, staunch, valiant, and respected, intelligent, faithful and virtuous, short-tempered, over confident and traitorous
  • Rabbit - tender and lovely, gentle, sensitive, compassionate, amiable, modest and merciful, and have strong memory, soft-spoken and welcoming, homebody and hospitable, amorous and not determined, soft in appearance and stubborn inside
  • Dragon -  token of authority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and capacity, lively, intellectual, energetic and excitable, magnanimous, romantic and sensitive about their reputation, ambitious, arrogant and impatient, over- confident, eccentric, tactless, fiery, intolerant and unrealistic
  • Snake - malevolence, cattiness and mystery, good tempered, skilled at communicating, sympathetic, determined, intense and passionate, perceptive, jealous and suspicious, courteous   but headstrong
  • Horse - energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able, clever, kind to others, cheerful, perceptive, talented, earthy but stubborn, impatient and hot blooded, independent
  • Sheep - gentle and calm, delicate and precious, tender, polite, filial, clever, and kind-hearted, wise and compassionate, worriers who are shy, pessimistic, moody, indecisive, over-sensitive, week-willed and puzzled about life
  • Monkey - clever, lively, flexible, quick-witted and versatile, self-assured, sociable and innovative, with competent practical ability, jealous, suspicious, cunning, selfish and arrogant, tend to look down upon others, impatient and mouthy
  • Rooster - fidelity and punctuality, deep thinkers considered to be honest, bright, communicative, ambitious, capable and warm-hearted, eccentric and have difficulty relating with others, critical, positive but selfish, caustic and too outspoken, narrow-minded and vain, refuse suggestions but would like to lecture others, arrogant
  • Dog - understanding and obedient, faithful, courageous, dexterous, smart and warm-hearted, straightforward, stubborn, cold emotionally, irritable and anxious
  • Pig - laziness and clumsiness, honest and frank, chivalrous and gallant, tolerant and optimistic,  kind and light hearted, loyal, hot-tempered and impulsive
Photos are also common along with common phrases and greetings.

3.  Phrases -

Phrases and Greetings are commonly used on nengajo and can be paired up with design elements as well.  The phrase or greeting you use should be adjusted to reflect the recipient and the level of respect you wish to convey.

Conventional nengajō greetings include:
  • kotoshi mo yoroshiku o-negai-shimasu (今年もよろしくお願いします) (I hope for your favour again in the coming year)
  • (shinnen) akemashite o-medetō-gozaimasu ((新年)あけましておめでとうございます) (Happiness to you on the dawn [of a New Year])
  • kinga shinnen (謹賀新年) (Happy New Year)
  • gashō (賀正) (to celebrate January)
  • shoshun/hatsuharu (初春) (literally "early spring", in the traditional lunar calendar a year begins in early spring)
  • geishun (迎春) (to welcome spring)
For more on writing greetings and expressions visit Writing New Year's Cards.

4.  Lottery -

Store bought cards come with a lottery number on each and every card allowing the recipient to participate in a national lottery.  Prizes vary and winning numbers are announced in mid-January.

5.  Restrictions -

If someone has died in your family that year, you send "Mourning Postcards" earlier in the year to let everyone know that they should not send nengajo out of respect for the deceased.

Sending Nengajo

Addressing and personal messages are usually written by hand or painted with an ink brush to offer the individual a chance to show off their Japanese calligraphy (書道 shodō).

Cards purchased at a stationary store or the post office have pre-paid postage within Japan.  When sending nengajo abroad, fill them out like this.  The post office guarantees delivery of nengajo on 1 January if post-marked by 25 December.

To find out more about Japan and it's customs, consider visiting the Zooming Japan Blog.  It is full of in-depth information about sites and customs.  I got the majority of my info on nengajo from them.  :D