Japan Festivals in May.

1-2 May Yotaka Matsuri Fukuno, Toyama Prefecture

Night festival of colourful floats consisting of giant, decorative paper lanterns. At around midnight, the lanterns begin to be paraded around town with local men hanging from them who start battles whenever other floats come close.

 

1-10 May Nozaka Mairi Daito City, Osaka Prefecture

Thousands gather on the approach to Nozaka Kannon Temple to enjoy puppet plays, storytelling and a range of other classical arts and festival amusements.

1-5 May Fujiwara Festival

Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture

The main event is a period dress parade on the 3rd recreating the arrival of Minamoto Yoshitsune and his entourage when he came to Hiraizumi in northern Japan to seek the protection of Fujiwara Hidehira.

 

 

30th Anniversary Delegation to Koshigaya

23rd October to 27th October 2014

Applications are now sought from members to travel to Koshigaya for the celebrations to be held in Japan.

Application forms are available from the Secretary.

 

 JAPANESE CASTLES

Japanese castles were frequently constructed in strategic locations to protect important transport routes such as bridges, rivers or ports. Other Japanese castles were built to dominate a landscape and provide a final point of defence. Many Japanese castles were the basis for the development of cities, while others were located in difficult to reach mountain tops. Most Japanese castle featured
one or more moats, plus one or more sets of outer walls, then a raised platform where the inner castle buildings were protected by a series of large stone walls, turrents and donjon or tower. Japanese castles really came of age in the 14th century, reaching their peak in 17th century and by the late 19th century most were being disassembled as part of the Meiji Restoration.

Himeji Castle is the best example of a Japanese castle as it has never been destroyed or even damaged in war. Himeji Castle was completed in 1609, but a fort existed on the site as early as 1333.Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the "Himeji-jo" listing. Himeji Castle is a flatland style Japanese castle, located in Himeji Hyogo Prefecture.
In 1333 Norimura Akamatsu, the ruler of Harima District, built a fort where the Himeji Castle now stands. ln 1346 his son, Sadanori further expanded the fort.
In the 16th century the fort was removed and a three story castle was built in its place by Hideyoshi Hasiba. This is the basic structure that is seen today. In 1601 Terumasa Ikeda started digging three moats around the castle building and completed the whole castle complex as it is in 1609. The outer moat is just north of where J.R. Himeji train station is today. After the Ikedas, Tadamasa Honda added some buildings in West Bailey. The Main Tower with the smaller towers and corridors connecting these towers have been registered as national treasures. The Cosmetic Tower, 27 'yagura', 15 gates, and 1,000 meter long earthen walls have been registered as important cultural treasures. A part of the middle moat, and the whole inner moat retained as they were In the feudal times. The area inside the middle moat has been registered as a special historical site. It is difficult in the pictures to really project how steep and imposing the structure is. The Himeji Castle is currently undergoing renovations in traditional style, and therefore parts of the complex are closed to visitors until March 2015.

 

 

 

 

	Calendar
	May 2014 Wednesday 14th	General Meeting
	June 2014   Monday 2nd     Wednesday 11th	Visit by members of the Rotary Club of Koshigaya to their Sister Club the Rotary Club of Campbelltown   General Meeting
	July 2014 Wednesday 9th   Thursday 24th	General Meeting   Arrival of Junior High School Delegation from Koshigaya
	August 2014 Sunday 3rd Wednesday 13th	Departure of Junior High School Delegation General Meeting
	September 2014 Wednesday 10th	General Meeting
	October 2014   Wednesday 8th Thursday 23rd Sunday 26th Monday 27th Thursday 30th	General Meeting 30th Anniversary Delegation to Koshigaya Koshigaya Citizen's Festival Depart Koshigaya 30th Anniversary Delegation from Koshigaya
	November 2014 Saturday 1st Monday 3rd Wednesday 12th	Fishers Ghost Festival Parade Departure of 30th Anniversary Delegation General Meeting
	December 2014 Wednesday 10th	General Meeting - Christmas Meeting