September Concert at Funabashi

I took this photo on the pedestrian deck that is in front of funabashi station last Sunday.
This event was held for wish to peace.

Stage of the Summer Festival

I took these photos last sunday.
It is a summer festival in my town.
They beat Taiko drum on the high wooden stage.

Paper Lanterns in the Town

"Minato-cho Yatsurugi-shrine Festival" is a traditional summer festival.
( If you have not read my previous post yet, please check it from here )
During the festival, paper lanterns are set at entrance of each houses in the town.

(Note)
These photos were taken on July 17 , 2010.

Tairyo-bata ( Big Catch Flag )

Bay area of funabashi prospered as fisherman town.
And funabashi fishing port still works in deep inside of Tokyo bay.
"Tairyo-bata , 大漁旗" literally means big catch ( fish ) flag.
Today, festival of Yatsurugi shrine started.
Towns near the fishing port join the festival.
Many of those flags were set along river side and on bridges.

Hina Ningyo in a Train Station

I took these photos on the concourse of Minami-funabashi station today.
"Hina Ningyo" means dolls for girl's day ( March 3rd ).
Please check my article of Hina ningyo from here .

Ukiyoe Noren in the 100 Yen Shop

"
Noren, (暖簾)" is a Japanese short curtain.
Those Noren curtains have Ukiyoe design.

By the way, I took this photo in Daiso Giga Funabashi.
It is a big 100 yen shop in central funabashi.
You can see price labels on those Noren curtains.
Those are sold at 1000 yen ( 1050 yen include tax ).
Almost items in the shop are 100 yen.
But, there are items which is over 100 yen.

Yakata-bune

Yakata-bune is a kind of Japanese boat.
You can enjoy Japanese food and drinking under roof of those boats.
Those boats in this photos are cruise Tokyo bay in evening.
And it is popular in summer.

Mikoshi in the Building

I took these photos in funabashi shrine.
Mikoshi is miniature shrine.
You can see two mikoshi in the first photo.
Those are carried in parade of festival.
But usually those are kept in that building.

Shin-ebigawabashi

Shin-ebigawabashi (shin-ebigawa-bridge) is a bridge which is over ebi-river.
There are funny objects on railings of the bridge.
Those objects are dancers with funny masks, and children marching band.

Black and White

Yesterday, I showed you a colourful kiri-e.
But basically, kiri-e is a image of black and white.
This kiri-e was displayed in an exhibition held in central funaqbashi

Kiri-e Exhibition

Today, I dropped by an exhibition of kiri-e.

It was held in central funabashi.

Kiri-e ( 切り絵) literally means cut picture.

Kiri-e is an art work of paper cutting.

Carp Stream in a Kindergarten

Have you ever seen fish sailing in the sky?
We call such carp stream "koi-nobori".
It is for children's day (May 5).

Boy's day dolls in a Supermarket

Those dolls are called "Gogatsu Ningyo".
Those are doll for boy's day(boy's festival).
It is on May 5th.
But boy's day dolls have already been displayed in a supermarket.

Sign of Karaoke Box

Karaoke is a system which we sing a song along to machine.
Karaoke Box is a place we enjoy Karaoke.
The slogan on the banner is "The place you can be hero".

By the way, I have never visit to any Karaoke Box for a long time.
Because I'm a bath room singer,

Manga Cafe

This cafe is actually, manga and internet cafe.

They prepare many manga.

I sometime visit there to rest, when I go to central funabashi to take photos.

But I have never read manga for a long time at the cafe.

Station Ikebana

It is getting warm, we are in early spring.
By the way, this ikebana was displayed in a concourse of railway station.
About Ikebana, Please, check my article Ikebana in the railway station .

This ikebana has very simple composition.
Very small petals which have soft colours get the fresh green colour more beautiful.
I think it is an image of spring.

Hina Ningyo

March 3rd is girl's day in Japan.
We call it "Hinamatsuri" or "Momo no sekku".
It is an event to celebrate in hope of growth of girl in healthy.
On that day families who have girl set dolls called "hina ningyo" in their house.
Those dolls are in court dress of the heian era.
In the photo above, Emperor and Empress are on the top platform.
Three attendant ladies are on the second platform.

Pottery Statue of Tanuki

"Tanuki" means raccoon dog.
I took this photo in　front of a liquor shop.
He wear straw hat and carry a container of liquor.
If you visit Japan, you often see him in　front of some shops such as liquor shops and izakaya.

Coming-of-Age Day

Today is Coming-of-Age Day.
It is a national holiday.( the second monday of January )
Today, "coming-of age ceremony" is held in every city(or town).
It is a ceremony for the people who reached ( or will reach ) 20 years old during current school year.
I took photos above in front of the hall which the ceremony is held.
I think the ceremony is simple, some speeches and some attractions.


Almost ladies who attend to the ceremony wear Furisode.

Furisode discounted

Furisode is a long-sleeved kimono.
It is the most formal kimono for unmarried women on ceremonial occasions.

By the way, the second Monday of January is coming-of-age day (20 years old).
Many of girls who attend the ceremony, wear furisode.
But those girls have already got it in this time.
So, I think they have to discount the furisode.