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  • BronzeJapanResenär

    Samurai District

    31 december 2016, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the 12th century to their abolition in the 1870s. They were the well-paid retainers of the daimyo (the great feudal landholders). They had high prestige and special privileges such as wearing two swords. They cultivated the bushido codes of martial virtues, indifference to pain, and unflinching loyalty, engaging in many local battles. During the peaceful Edo era (1603 to 1868) they became the stewards and chamberlains of the daimyo estates, gaining managerial experience and education. In the 1870s they were 5% of the population. The Meiji Revolution ended their feudal roles and they moved into professional and entrepreneurial roles. Their memory and weaponry remain prominent in Japanese popular culture.

    The philosophies of Buddhism and Zen, and to a lesser extent Confucianism and Shinto, influenced the samurai culture. Zen meditation became an important teaching, because it offered a process to calm one's mind. The Buddhist concept of reincarnation and rebirth led samurai to abandon torture and needless killing, while some samurai even gave up violence altogether and became Buddhist monks after coming to believe that their killings were fruitless.
    Some were killed as they came to terms with these conclusions in the battlefield. The most defining role that Confucianism played in samurai philosophy was to stress the importance of the lord-retainer relationship—the loyalty that a samurai was required to show his lord.

    Literature on the subject of bushido such as Hagakure ("Hidden in Leaves") by Yamamoto Tsunetomo and Gorin no Sho ("Book of the Five Rings") by Miyamoto Musashi, both written in the Edo period (1603–1868), contributed to the development of bushidō and Zen philosophy.

    The philosophies of Buddhism and Zen, and to a lesser extent Confucianism and Shinto, are attributed to the development of the samurai culture. According to Robert Sharf, "The notion that Zen is somehow related to Japanese culture in general, and bushidō in particular, is familiar to Western students of Zen through the writings of D. T. Suzuki, no doubt the single most important figure in the spread of Zen in the West."

    In an account of Japan sent to Father Ignatius Loyola at Rome, drawn from the statements of Anger (Han-Siro's western name), Xavier describes the importance of honor to the Japanese (Letter preserved at College of Coimbra):

    In the first place, the nation with which we have had to do here surpasses in goodness any of the nations lately discovered. I really think that among barbarous nations there can be none that has more natural goodness than the Japanese. They are of a kindly disposition, not at all given to cheating, wonderfully desirous of honour and rank. Honour with them is placed above everything else. There are a great many poor among them, but poverty is not a disgrace to any one. There is one thing among them of which I hardly know whether it is practised anywhere among Christians. The nobles, however poor they may be, receive the same honour from the rest as if they were rich.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeJapanResenär

    Kanazawa Castle

    31 december 2016, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Kanazawa Castle (金沢城, Kanazawa-jō) is a large, partially-restored castle in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It is located adjacent to the celebrated Kenroku-en Garden, which once formed the castle's private outer garden. It was the headquarters of Kaga Domain, ruled by the Maeda clan for 14 generations from the Sengoku period until the coming of the Meiji Restoration in 1871.

    Although the Maeda clan were the most powerful daimyō in Japan after the ruling Tokugawa clan in terms of kokudaka, their position was not unassailable. Kanazawa Castle is located at the center of a castle town, which in itself consisted of numerous features which added to the overall defensive situation. The castle is built on the highest ground between the Sai and Asano rivers. A system of moats and canals surround the castle for extra protection. Maeda Toshinaga, the second daimyō of Kaga Domain, built a system of inner moats that total over 3,000 meters in length, and another system of outer moats was added between 1600 and 1614. To supply drinking water, a series of canals, built from 1583-1630, connected to the moat system. In total, the system was nearly 15 kilometers long.

    For further protection, the castle grounds were split into nine enclosures divided with earthen ramparts, stone walls and fortified gates, surrounding the main bailey where the Maeda clan had their residence. Buildings relating to the government of Kaga Domain were mostly in the Second Bailey (Ni-no-maru) In many Japanese castle towns, Buddhist temples were deliberately placed in locations selected to reinforce weak points in castle defenses. Kanazawa was no exception: temples were strategically grouped in areas some distance from the castle, most likely as retreat havens.

    The castle's distinctive, whitish roof tiles are made of lead. The reason for that is not only that they are fireproof, but legend says that also that in times of siege, the tiles could be melted down and cast into bullets.

    Main features:

    The castle's main features are as follows:

    Hishi Yagura - watchtower, three stories. Height of roof: 17.34 m above stone wall; total floor area: 255.35 m². This tower is built at a slight angle to the rest of the structures, which results in diamond-shaped internal pillars and hard-to-build connections within its complex web of internal pillars and beams.

    Interior (Gojukken Nagaya), reconstructed 2001.
    Gojikken Nagaya - long, hall-like, multi-sided turret normally used as a warehouse, two stories. Height of roof: 9.35 to 10.08 m above stone wall; total floor area: 1,384.95 m².
    Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura - watchtower and command post, three stories. Height of roof: 14.69 m above stone wall; total floor area: 253.93 m².
    Hashizume-ichi-no-mon Gate - entrance gate.
    Tsuru-no-maru Dobei - double earthen wall. Height of roof: 2.91 m above stone wall.
    Ishikawa-mon Gate - entrance gate with two distinctive styles of stonework. It has been designated an Important National Cultural Asset by the government. This gate faces one of the entrances of Kenrokuen park.
    The castle sits within extensive grounds, currently organized as large, well-kept lawns and informal wooded areas, with various large walls, gates, and outbuildings.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeJapanResenär

    Kanazawa (cont’d)

    31 december 2016, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    More shots of my beautiful wife and our first impressions of Kanazawa.

    The area around Kanazawa was part of ancient Kaga Province. The name "Kanazawa" (金沢, 金澤), which literally means "marsh of gold", is said to derive from the legend of the peasant Imohori Togoro (literally "Togoro Potato-digger"), who was digging for potatoes when flakes of gold washed up. The well in the grounds of Kenroku-en known as 'Kinjo Reitaku' (金城麗澤) to acknowledge these roots. The area where Kanazawa is was originally known as Ishiura, whose name is preserved at the Ishiura Shrine near the Kenrokuen.Läs mer

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  • BronzeJapanResenär

    Kenroku-en Garden

    31 december 2016, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    First experience of Japanese gardens and layout design.
    Very impressive with everything neatly manicured and in its place!
    Notice the rope lines descending from the treetops...that is to ensure that in the winter when the branches are laden with snow that the weight of the snow does not snap the boughs of the trees.
    This park sat adjacent to the Kanasawa palace and so we walked through the park and directly into the palace surrounds.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeJapanResenär

    Kanazawa Precinct

    30 december 2016, Japan ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    Getting accustomed to the Japanese way of life...

    Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 January 2018, the city had an estimated population of 466,029 in 203,271 households, and a population density of 990 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city was 468.64 square kilometres (180.94 sq mi).Läs mer

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  • BronzeCanadaResenär

    Banff

    9 juli 2015, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Banff is simply a beautiful location in any season and must be captivating in winter as it is a major ski resort with a worldwide reputation.
    Here is some information on Banff…Banff was the first municipality to incorporate within a Canadian national park. The town is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership.

    Banff is a resort town and one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. Known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs, it is a destination for outdoor sports and hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing. Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort are nearby ski resorts within the national park.

    The Banff townsite was developed near the railway station as a service centre for tourists visiting the park. Services, such as St George-in-the-Pines church, were constructed through the late 19th century. It was administered by the Government of Canada's national parks system until 1990 when the Town of Banff became the only incorporated municipality within a Canadian national park.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeCanadaResenär

    Banff

    9 juli 2015, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Visiting a world renown ski resort in the summer could be seen as an anti climax yet Banff was very surprising and still very beautiful in the summer months when we visited.
    We stayed at the Banff Springs Hotel and the hotel was opened in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, as one of the earliest of Canada's grand railway hotels. The original 1888 five-storey wooden hotel was designed by Bruce Price and was able to accommodate 280 guests. As the hotel grew, the original structure became the North Wing, which was eventually destroyed by fire in April 1926.

    The present hotel property is made up of several buildings, of which the main hotel consists of a 1914 eleven-storey center tower designed by Walter S. Painter, and a 1927 North Wing and a 1928 South Wing designed by John Orrock which were built on either side of the Center Tower. On 24 June 1988, the hotel buildings were designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. The hotel property is presently managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.

    The Canadian Pacific Railway was instrumental in Banff's early years, building the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, and attracting tourists through extensive advertising. In the early 20th century, roads were built in Banff, at times by war internees from World War I, and through Great Depression-era public works projects. The Icefields Parkway extends from Lake Louise, connecting to Jasper National Park in the north.

    Banff was the first municipality to incorporate within a Canadian national park. The town is a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership.

    Banff is a resort town and one of Canada's most popular tourist destinations. Known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs, it is a destination for outdoor sports and hiking, biking, scrambling and skiing. Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Resort are nearby ski resorts within the national park.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeCanadaResenär

    Capilano Suspension Bridge

    7 juli 2015, Kanada ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple suspension bridge crossing the Capilano River in the District of North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The current bridge is 140 metres (460 ft) long and 70 metres (230 ft) above the river. It is part of a private facility with an admission fee and draws over 1.2 million visitors per year.Läs mer

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  • BronzeCanadaResenär

    The Grouse Grind

    7 juli 2015, Kanada ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    We decided that we would walk the Grouse Grind which is a very physical event…one of the most demanding I have ever done…actually.

    Grouse Mountain gets its name from the sooty grouse commonly found throughout the mountain. It was named in October 1894 by the first hikers to reach its peak, after the sooty (blue) grouse, a game bird of the area.

    Grouse Mountain's first lodge was hand-built by Scandinavians in the 1920s. They hauled planks up what would become the Grouse Grind hiking trail for the venture.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeCanadaResenär

    Dr Sun Yat Sen Memorial Garden

    6 juli 2015, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    First day in Canada and you would swear that we were in China.
    It is actually a Chinese temple in Canada were people would go to meditate.
    We strolled through the tranquil foliage and architecture of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden that perfectly blends together elements both natural and man-made.
    This serene setting was a calming reprieve from the often bustling streets of Vancouver.
    In the centre of the garden we immersed yourself in the bright green hues of this authentic Chinese garden. By tying together lush vegetation, small ponds, and traditional Chinese architecture in a harmonious space, this garden offers a safe haven for you to relax in. We walked around the winding footpaths to explore its asymmetrical arrangement of rocks and plants, and revel in the stunning vistas that overlook its courtyards, emulating the rhythms of nature.    Läs mer

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  • BronzeTasmaniaResenär

    Mona

    12 januari 2015, Australien ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Tasmania’s own MONA gallery which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. David Walsh the owner has created a massive financial boon for the state with the gallery.

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  • BronzeTasmaniaResenär

    Hobart

    11 januari 2015, Australien ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Some of the historical sights of Hobart and Salamanca Place.
    We took a walking tour from Henry Jones hotel around the historical sections of the city with a knowledgeable guide which was included as part of the hotel stay.Läs mer

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  • BronzeTasmaniaResenär

    Visiting the Freycinet Peninsula

    9 januari 2015, Australien ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We arrived at the Freycinet National Park on a very hot day @ 38 degrees celsius which is hot for Tasmania.
    This was an isolated incident and the rest of the time we stayed the weather was amazing.
    This is a very beautiful part of the world including an amazing beach called Wineglass Bay which many tourist ships visit. Very white sand and very blue but cold water 💦 and quite a decent hike to get there as well but certainly worth the effort.    Läs mer

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