Category: Traditional Culture

Ragtag Taga

We go deep into the mountains to explore a wind cave and then visit one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.

Honke Tsuruki Soba

What comes to mind when you think of Shiga Prefecture’s specialty products? Probably funazushi or fermented crucian carp, but there is also eel, Omi beef, and…soba noodles or ramen’s healthier cousin as I like to think of it. If you plan on traveling to Japan, you should know that there are three food noodle staples:…

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Omi Jingu Shrine

Happy 2020 Everyone! We hope to make this year our most active yet on this blog! 皆さん明けましておめでとうございます！2020年もよろしくお願いします！今年こそこのブログでもっと活動できるように頑張りたいです！ We’re starting off the year the way many Japanese people do, at a shrine! In particular, Omi Jingu Shrine, one of the most prominent shrines in Otsu. 今年の最初の投稿は、日本人がよく年明けに神社でする初詣！今回は、大津の有名な近江神宮に行ってきました。 Omi Jingu Shrine was constructed in 1940 and is dedicated…

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The Modern Eight Views of Omi 7: Autumn Moon at Ishiyama　現代の近江八景7：石山秋月

Author’s note: This is the seventh installment in a series about the Eight Views of Omi. (Read part six here) Please enjoy and follow along as we deconstruct the modern-day landscape of Shiga and examine its vibrant history and culture. Thank you for reading! – Maddie 著者メモ: 近江八景にかかるシリーズの第七稿です。（第六稿はここです） 現代の滋賀県の景色を解体したり、豊かな歴史と文化を調べたりしているので、楽しんで読み進めてください！ご読了ありがとうございます。 – マディ The days were hot now…

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The Modern Eight Views of Omi 6: Wild Geese Returning Home at Katata　現代の近江八景6：堅田落雁

Author’s note: This is the sixth installment in a series about the Eight Views of Omi. (Read part five here) Please enjoy and follow along as we deconstruct the modern-day landscape of Shiga and examine its vibrant history and culture. Thank you for reading! – Maddie 著者メモ: 近江八景にかかるシリーズの第六稿です。（第五稿はここです） 現代の滋賀県の景色を解体したり、豊かな歴史と文化を調べたりしているので、楽しんで読み進めてください！ご読了ありがとうございます。 – マディ About a thirty minute walk…

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The Modern Eight Views of Omi 4: Evening Bell at Miidera　現代の近江八景4：三井晩鐘

Author’s note: This is the fourth installment in a series about the Eight Views of Omi. (Read part three here) Please enjoy and follow along as we deconstruct the modern-day landscape of Shiga and examine its vibrant history and culture. Thank you for reading! – Maddie 著者メモ: 近江八景にかかるシリーズの第四稿です。（第三稿はここです） 現代の滋賀県の景色を解体したり、豊かな歴史と文化を調べたりしているので、楽しんで読み進めてください！ご読了ありがとうございます。 – マディ   [Toda] dedicated the hanging…

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Folktale: The Extermination of the Giant Centipede　昔話：大ムカデ退治

Over my two years living in Shiga, I’ve heard this folktale told in many different ways. The English below is a translation of the Japanese version published at Fuku Musume. 滋賀県に住んでいた２年間、この昔話の色んなバージョンを聞かせてもらいました。下の英語は「福娘」というサイトに投稿された日本語バージョンの英訳です。 – Maddie　マディより   Once upon a time, in the land of Omi (present-day Shiga), there was a master archer named Tawara Toda (translator’s note:…

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The Modern Eight Views of Omi 3: Evening Glow at Seta　現代の近江八景3：勢多夕照

Author’s note: This is the third installment in a series about the Eight Views of Omi. (Read part two here) Please enjoy and follow along as we deconstruct the modern-day landscape of Shiga and examine its vibrant history and culture. Thank you for reading! – Maddie 著者メモ: 近江八景にかかるシリーズの第三稿です。（第二稿はここです） 現代の滋賀県の景色を解体したり、豊かな歴史と文化を調べたりしているので、楽しんで読み進めてください！ご読了ありがとうございます。 – マディ   A flicker of light….

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