Heart Shikoku

Heart Shikoku

Far from the bustle of Tokyo, Shikoku Island offers wisdom traditions and hospitality unique to Japan, text by Don George, pictures taken from Google, executive summary by darmansjah

I sat on the steps of a 300 year old wooden house in the Iya Valley, Japan, as he watched the verdant expanse of mountains packed cedar trees. Morning mist coiled creeping valley. There was no other than the house. The only sound that caught the sense of hearing is the rest of the rain early this morning dripping of twigs and a roof made of straw. Vague smell of charcoal hearth rest overnight. The atmosphere is depicted here is like a monastery in the 17th century.

"Incredible, is not it?" Chirps Paul Cato, expats and manager of this village-style inn. "Quite often when waking in the morning, I was amazed at the era of when."

We are located at Chiiori, house owned Alex Kerr, an American writer's. In the 1970's, while still a student in Tokyo, he explored the Iya Valley and found this house that makes it fall in love. He bought it as an effort to preserve the tradition.

Iya Valley being in the cluster of mountains of Shikoku, the smallest island of the four main islands of Japan, is flanked on the west side of the island of Kyushu and Honshu main island, separated the Seto Inland Sea in the north and the Pacific Ocean on the south side.

MY LOVE TO Shikoku also in the 1970's, when visited with a lover, Kuniko. We are a long way from the campus in Tokyo to meet his family who live on this island. This trip opened my eyes about Japan that I never knew: Rural farming and fishing villages, places of worship and temples in the mountains by the sea, coral beaches and forested valley, tradition and hospitality unique to Japan. Thirty-two years later, I returned with Kuniko to celebrate the anniversary to commemorate the 28th as well as a special place that ever existed. Kuniko while mingle with his family at home, I did a solo trip tracing the winding path to find the other side of Japan.

Kuniko hometown, Johen, it is wonderful. Located on the southwest side of Shikoku and inhabited by about 9000 people. Shikoku tooi Inaka still considered rural, even though the main island. There are many well-known destinations and Kochi Matsuyama palace relics of the 17th century, the park Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu, and spa Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama. For most Japanese people, Shikoku implies mystery, although access to this island already qualified, with the construction of three bridges linking Shikoku with Honshu (first opened in 1988). As for foreigners who rarely visit remote areas, Shikoku scratch the deeper sense of mystery.

Kuniko parents house flanked by ditches and streams. When I tried to turn on the narrow road, the car rear wheel slipping ditch. That was the beginning of my meeting with the prospective in-laws. I asked for his help to move the car out of the ditch. Mother Kuniko. Obaachan recalled the incident 32 years later, when the whole family gathered on the porch celebrate cheerful September. "Don-san, stay away from the ditch," he called in Japanese made ​​me spontaneously shifted.

I marvel of Cape Ashizuri at the southern tip island. Last night, I asked the parents and two sisters Kuniko where the heart of Shikoku. Kuniko's eldest brother, Nobuhisa, proposed Cape Ashizuri, the same place he showed on my first visit. "Make sure that taking this path," he said, tracing a graffiti with chopsticks. "For me, it is a great way to see what we refer to as aoi Shikoku kuni: 'blue city Shikoku.' Blue sky, blue mountains, fields blue, blue sea." Rice blue? He realized the confusion on my face. "In Japan, first, aoi means blue and blue-green."

After several hours of driving across a row of green trees, I stopped in a village where there are about two dozen wooden houses. Summer air still felt.

"Wow!" Said grandmother behind the bakery counter. "Foreign guests!" He was about 1.5 meters tall and dressed in traditional regional dress blue shorts and Kasuri (made ​​with patterned fabric dye techniques) are white. Her tanned and full of wrinkles seemed happy.

I asked him if he was born and raised in the village. "Oh, yes, I was born and lived here all my life." He counted on his fingers. "Seven decade."

Ever think of staying anywhere else?

"Oh, no!" She retorted quickly. "Why would I live anywhere else?"

What about the young people, I asked, do they stay here? "Ah, young man," he sighed, "they do not think much can be done here, so they went to Nagoya or Kobe. They prefer to live in the city. But I love living here: peaceful and close to nature. I have no reason to leave this place. "

When I handed the coin to pay for the coffee cans, she refused. "I am honored that the arrival of foreign guests," he said. "Thank you for visiting Shikoku. Have a nice trip! "

Arriving at the tip of Cape Ashizuri, standing right where Kuniko, Nobuhisa, and I've stood 32 years ago. I stared at the white lighthouse, coastal cliffs, cedar trees covered mountains. I called Kuniko and preach this beautiful panorama. Over the years, images of this place is embedded in my heart and mind-offering the widest charm of authenticity, peace, purity, and a panorama that will never be found in any urban area in Japan.

"Yes," said Kuniko, as if he already knew, "that's why I married you. Shi has opened your hearts and minds, and there is no other place in Japan were able to do it. "

I spent the night at the inn that serves a panoramic expanse of rice fields, mountains, and one of the longest sandy beaches in Japan pith. "Welcome to the Lodge Kaiyu" Mistu Ohkada, the innkeeper greeted in English when I entered the lobby. He started the business after working at an inn standard international hotel in Bali. "I enjoy the tranquility here-and of course natural. Do you know about aoi kuni Shikoku? "Yes, I know.

The next day, I hiked up the slopes of the green valleys and steep yes. Looks countryside in the mountains, farmers were plowing a field. Dusk until my arrival in Chiiori, renovated village house into an inn. Kuniko sister, Fumiyaki, insisted I should stay here.

Chiiori have material wood and thatched roofs, like the village described in Japanese books.

"Irasshaimase! Welcome! "Paul Cato, manager of American origin, say hello while sliding doors made ​​of wood inn. The interior of the inn looks airy and beautiful, 12 meters long and six meters wide, polished wooden floors, thick timber, paper lanterns, paper and curtains. Set foot in the doorway like a lodge foot into the past.

"True," said Cato. "Chiiori indeed ancient house is 300 years old. Author Alex Kerr fell in love with architecture and traditional Japanese aesthetics. He restored the house resembles a farmhouse Iya three centuries ago.

"Not only is the architecture: also a way of life. Look it up, "said Cato. On the palate, I see black beams. "First," he explained, "tobacco was the main crop. Due to the humid climate, farmers hang tobacco leaves on the blocks, and dried using smoke fireplace. They are skilled in a different way. "He raised piece of wood on the floor and showed a pile of potatoes stored. "Alex liked the custom of the ancient farmers and tranquility Iya, once defend it. Many volunteers from Japan and foreign countries live here, farming, maintain farmer's house, as well as local farmers to teach traditional techniques. Iya really a piece of classical Japanese. "

One characteristic of modern Chiiori Wi-Fi is extra fast, and I saw an e-mail from Kuniko. "We follow the journey," he wrote. "How is Iya and Chiiori? Fumiyaki say, this is the quietest place in Shikoku.

 
 At dusk, I and Cato cut once boiled turnips, onions, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, and squash from our Chiiori garden to eat  near the fireplace. Afterwards, say lay down on the futon (mattress, bed traditional Japanese) thick under the 300 year old wooden beams and 25-year-old hay. I was typing an e-mail to Kuniko: "Convey my thanks to the recommendation that Fumiaki topnotch. Staying here makes me understand the relationship between nature and man. "

My house, fortress, and around the country Monument Bamboo Curtain

By Ambrose Harto, executive summary by darmansjah

It says "this trellis warped by Japanese soldiers who failed to break through" on a piece of paper in the window Diaolou Park Li, Kaiping, Jiangmen, Guangdong, China.

Only bars that damage Diaolou. Similarly, generic expression of the fort and watchtowers to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants as battered Japanese soldiers in 1941. The period 1937-1945 was a time of the Japan-China War: part of World War II.

Foreign soldiers strong armor Mathari Sunrise failed topple Diaolou built very carefully, rigorously, as well as glamor by merchants Lei Xie Wei period 1926-1936. Rifle butts and bayonets Just imperial army capable bend or scratch the walls and towers.

Li is the merchant who is successful in business migrated to the U.S. with crafts, clothing, medicine, and spices. In the land of Uncle Sam, Li was awarded marry four women and 21 children. The first wife gave birth to nine children, his second wife for not giving the child died at 19 years, the third wife gave birth to 10 children, four wife born and 2 children.

Miss homeland

Many years of life and success in the U.S. failed to remove deep-seated longing to hometowns. That desire yagn push Li back. As a token of love for his home and family, the son of Xie Sheng Pan complex is built residence and 11 acres of gardens period 1926-1936.

Li tower is one of 1,833 Diaolou in the care, supervision, and management of government as well as defined by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. In 7000 dialou Kaiping never built, but many were destroyed by the left and not treated.

In 1950, builders merchants dialou wander back to the U.S. and Canada. That period was the beginning of an era of communist rule China and engorgement of immigration in foreign policy. Since then, Diaolou no longer an advanced home and family fortress. Buildings surviving monument be preserved.

Tower of wealth.

Broadly speaking, Diaolou consists of three kinds. First, the rich building that can be seen from the absence of similar buildings and houses in the vicinity. Second, community building or dwelling people. Third, the control tower which is usually located on the side of the building.

In Li Park complex, the main building is Diaolou four floors, patterned Victorian era with the presence of pillars at the main entrance floor of 1,2, and 3, but the Chinese roof architecture. The walls are made of solid concrete from the UK. Bars, windows, and doors of the tough German steel. The floor is composed of a beautiful marble tiles from Italy.

In Cantonese, concrete called Hoong moe nie (red hair's soil) that refers to Europe. All building materials purchased in Macau or Hong Kong yagn apda the 19th century and the 20th is the center of international trade. Incidentally, Kaiping, Macau, and Hong Kong is relatively not too much because it is in the southwest of China facing the South China Sea.

The inside Diaolou Li decorated luxury furniture of wood and marble, dishes, cups, mugs, and teapots from ceramics and silverware, kitchen utensils from bamboo, wood, and metal, toilet seat, bathtub, chiming wall clock from Germany, paintings painter Europe and China, rows of classic framed family photos, even radio and record player. The building and its contents as menasbihkan Li as the most successful boss in Kaiping.
In addition there are three residence buildings similar newfangled. Two family relatives. One for the tower monitoring and supervisory situations.

When Li and merchants build Diaolou Kaiping origin, political and economic situation in China turbulent and uncertain due to the revolution overthrowing the empire. Wealthy families often become the target of a robbery that build Diaolou a need and necessity as well as the prestige and honor. Castle mighty mini also saves the Li family of looting sedadu Japan during the war.

In 1936, Li successfully completed the construction of the complex which come with, hall, pavilion, bridge, and even a secret tunnel. The river empties into the canal Tanjiang and south china sea, a route of transmission to Kaiping origin migrants worldwide.

The complex was abandoned garden. Li family returned to the U.S. to continue doing business. In 1970, Li died and was buried in the U.S.. To commemorate Li, figure bronze statue placed in front Diaolou a sitting position while holding the fan is still covered.

In 1999, the third wife, Yu Qiong Yao, came and handed Kaiping Li Garden to be managed and maintained by the government for 50 years as a tourist attraction. In 2007, Park Li is included in the world cultural heritage in Kaiping set by Unesco.

In rural Zili, Tangkou, Kaiping, Diaolou built by a highly successful entrepreneur in the restaurant yagn Chichago, USA, 1821-1830, is still very well preserved. Run Fang Wen's four-storey building named Mingshi, including Nine Diaolou and six colonial villas with traditional houses.

Wen residence stands out with a mixture of Asian and European architecture. Concrete walls of the British steel bars from Germany, Italian marble floors and luxurious furnishings Asia-Europe.

A number of steel bars fitted with a padlock as a way to save themselves from attack. On the left and right of the entrance there are two holes box size of 5 cm. hole for a cure to kill rifles are considered hazardous.

Being on the roof Mingshi, be satisfied to see all sides visible Diaolou (Anlu Juan, Longsheng, Quianju, Yinong Yunhua, Zhenan, and Zhuling). Around there is a row of old houses Diaolou population. Until the distance, lay the rice field with yellow rice and embankment where buffalos, children, and farmers across. The beauty of that is encouraging filmmakers in the movie mandarin perpetuate Zili Let The Bullet Fly with the main actor Chow Yun Fat.

Tsunami Warning Hamaguchi

By Raditya Djati, executive summary by darmansjah

Traveling to the village Hiromura in Wakayama, Japan's western coast as well as bringing knowledge and awareness about natural disaster response. Visitors can experience the lives of the fisherfolk. 

Moreover, we can observe the advanced technology in early warning for natural disasters. I observed a hill dam has steel doors that can be closed when the tsunami arrives. To be more friendly to nature, the area along the hillside dams and planted with grass. Once a year to commemorate the spirit of the Japanese tsunami inventor character, Hamaguchi Goryou walking while carrying the torch along the dam.

Hamaguchi Goryou Hiromura born in the village in 1820. He is good at reading the signs of the natural coastal areas. He has saved so many lives when the tsunami hit the region, by getting people fled into the hills. A few moments later, He made a fire of rice bonds, known as Inamura-no-Hi-no-Yakata evacuation routes as a guide for people who are still in the coastal. The term tsunami is known throughout the world, popularized first by National Geographic in 1896 without converting it into English.

The government has made hiromura village as a center of learning of the first tsunami in Japan. Tsunami Educational Center presents historical documents, space simulation, relics spirit of Hamaguchi, three-dimensional theater, the stage of prevention to recovery after the tsunami disaster that is packaged in a traditional Japanese house. Really, it's a humane approach, how visitors brought to the past when she felt the spirit of Hamaguchi save lives and open a discourse of how to deal tsunami. On the ground floor, visitors can enjoy a folklore story teller brought Questioning tsunami, as a part of Japanese society today.