Shodai ware Kumamoto

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. Kumamoto Folk Art - 熊本県　.
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Shodai yaki 小代焼 Shodai ware

quote

- Shodai Ware
When 細川忠利 Hosokawa Tadatoshi moved from the fief of Buzen to take control of the fief of Higo in 1632, two master potters were appointed.
One of these was 源七 Genshichi, the first of a long line of potters of the Hinkoji family, and the other was 八左衛門 Hachizaemon, the first of successive generations of potters from the Katsuragi family. It was the appointment of these two men that is said to have marked the beginnings of the making of Shodai Yaki.
Much later on in 1836 and under a directive from the local clan, Senoue Rinemon, an official of the Shogunate, built the Senoue kiln as part of a program promoting industry in the area. The skills and techniques associated with the production of Shodai Yaki have been handed down over the years and it is the Noda, Chikashige and Joshima families, which have inherited them and still use them to this day.
Made from a local iron rich clay,
a particular feature of this ware is its bold and yet simple character. By modifying the blend of glazes and by utilizing the changes which take place at different firing temperatures, delicate control is exercised over the production of colors for the blue, yellow and white Shodai Yaki. In addition, the dribbled, extravagant patterns and the depth of color of the glazes harmonize with the forms of the pieces, to produce this sense of bold simplicity.
- Feature
Shodai Yaki features simple and robust touch made from Shodai clay, which contains abundant iron. Proportion of glaze and firing temperature creates their subtle colorings varying from blue, yellow to white. The patterns created by dynamic glazing makes the unique harmony with its shape.
source : kougeihin.jp/en...

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- quote -

- Ceramics
Kumamoto’s modern ceramics industry began about 400 years ago.
When the Hosokawa family moved to Higo Province (now Kumamoto) in 1632, potters also settled in the area and built kilns. Koda ware from Yatsushiro and Shodai ware from Arao and Tamana developed under the patronage of the Higo Domain, primarily producing ceramics used in traditional tea ceremony. In addition to these, there was Matsubase ware from Uki, Oda ware from Uto (Higo Domain’s only porcelain ware), and Mizunodaira, Takahama, and Maruo wares from Amakusa.
- Shodai Ware
Shodai ware originated about 400 years ago in northern Kumamoto. It became an official pottery kiln of the Higo Domain in the Edo Period and made ceramic cups used in traditional tea ceremony as well as various wares used ineveryday life.
Shodai clay has high iron content and is full of pebbles. Straw and wood ash is used in the glaze to create a simple yet dynamic style.
- Amakusa Ceramics
n the Amakusa region, porcelain ware is made using the region’s abundant porcelain stone (of which Amakusa is the top producer in the country), and earthenware is made using local clay deposits.
The production of porcelain ware in the region started 340 years ago, while the production of earthenware started 250 years ago. White porcelain pieces with a translucent quality as well as unique earthenware pieces are made in abundance.
- Koda Ware / Kōda ware 高田焼 Kōda-yaki - photo above
Koda ware first started being made in Yatsushiro City in 1632 during the early Edo Period. The designs are made not by painting, but rather by embedding white kaolin into the motifs carved into the clay.
The pottery is fired after applying a transparent glaze, and turns a slight teal color due to the iron content in the clay.
- source : kumamoto-kougeikan.jp... -


The Hirayama Kiln Site 平山窯跡




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. Reference : Kumamoto Shodai Ware .

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kites from Kyushu

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Kites from Kyushu　九州の凧　



西九州伊万里凧あげ大会 - Great Kite Meeting in Imari, Kyushu


. tako　凧 Kites of Japan - Introduction .

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- ABC - List of kites from the Prefectures

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. . . . . . . . . . Fukuoka Folk Art - 福岡県

Kitakyushu, Kita Kyushu 北九州 　

Kitakyushu is famous for its various types of kites which have to resist the strong winds of the season.


- source : www.asahi-net.or.jp


- quote -
Kyushu kite makers prepare for year of the dragon
A couple in Kita-Kyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, plan to make 600 kites decorated with images of dragons ahead of the start of 2012, the year of the dragon in the oriental zodiac.
Yoshihiro and Hideko Takeuchi's Kite House Magoji in Kita-Kyushu's Tobata Ward will supply the kites to folk-craft stores across Japan and tourist attractions around the city.


Japanese kites decorated with images of dragons at the Kite House Magoji in Kita-Kyushu's Tobata Ward

Yoshihiro, the 68-year-old second-generation owner of the business, makes the frames while his wife Hideko, 63, paints the images. They receive orders from across Japan every year.
- source : Cool Japan Guide





magojidako, Magoji-dako 孫次凧 Magoji kite
The most common themes are the semi cicada, fugu pufferfish, Kappa water goblin and the uso bullfinch.
They were first made by Magoji san 孫次さん, and the production is now with his grandson, 義博 Magoji Yoshihiro.

孫次凧・製作者：Takeuchi Yoshihiro 竹内義博：北九州市戸畑区新地1-6-4


Kappa Kite　かっぱたこ
- source : www.acros.or.jp/r_culture



. usokae 鷽替えexchanging bullfinches .


- KAPPA - 河童 / 合羽　/ かっぱ /　カッパ - ABC-Index -


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Chikuzen bunbun-dako 筑前ブンブン凧 humming kite from Chikuzen

Made in the town of 直方 Nogata. They are rectangular, with paintings of famous people, like Kabuki actors and show kumadori 隅取り make-up. ブンブン凧 bunbundako



The first maker, Ishii Nihei 石井仁平 , improved the kites from the Suruga province (now Shizuoka prefecture), and the production is now in the hands of the third generation.
When the kite rises in the sky, it makes a humming sound, called "bunbun" in Japanese. The kites are made of fresh green bamboo and Japanese paper and come in many different sizes, from the size of a tobacco box to more than one meter. They can withstand very strong wind, making their special sounds as they dance in the storm. Some are painted with faces of famous Kabuki actors, others with traditional graphic motives.
福岡県直方市頓野2016-2


. Papermachee dolls and toys from Nogata 直方張子 .


Echizen bunbun tako 越前ブンブン凧 from Kita-Kyushu

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Hakata semi dako 博多せみ凧 kite like a cicada from Hakata
and
福岡県北九州市戸畑のセミ凧土鈴
Kita Kyushu Tobata Cicada Kite



semidako as motive for a clay bell　土鈴

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doojintako 道人凧 kites with Chinese motives

The name is the local dialect for toojin tako 唐人凧（とうじんたこ）.
They were first made by Magoji 孫次どうじん凧, with the top of dragon 龍道人凧 and the bottom of a tiger.
Now they are also made by Ikuno Yasuyuki 生野保幸 in his free time.
生野保幸：北九州市八幡西区木屋瀬3-6

tatsu doojindako 龍道人凧 kites with dragon motives
red flames are blowing from the mouth of a dragon


- quote -
小倉どうじん凧 Ogura Dojindako
from Ogura ward 北九州市小倉南区城野 in Kitakyushu.










小倉どうじん凧の起源は「小笠原（玲）文書」178「源忠直公年賦二」寛永十五年戌寅、「公43歳(1638年)」島原の乱に出陣する武将に、小倉藩の典医花房道順正信が島原地方で見てきた凧に、龍が波をけって空に昇る姿に雷と太鼓を描き加えて、戦勝祈願として武将に送ったのが始まりと伝えられている。
- source : www.kitakyushu-museum.jp



.Toojin tako, tojindako 上総唐人凧 Tojin kite with Chinese faces .
- Introduction -

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Yanagawadako 柳川凧 kites from Yanagawa town

made by Sakata Nobuyoshi 坂田信義, who also runs a restaurant.
He uses pure washi paper and bamboo and has seven different patterns (men).
- from left to right -


- source : www.asahi-net.or.jp

megaeshi men 目返し面 moving eyes
is the most typical one, with large eyes and moving pupils. When the kite swings in the sky, it is easy to follow the pupils, which are fixed in a special manner and can look kind of upside-down.

komori men 子守面 babysitting faces
They are much smaller that the mekaeshi faces and have bamboo stick of abuot 1 meter.
They are also called ororondako おろろん凧.
ororon is the local dialect to pacify a baby. In former times when mothers carried the babies on their back, they would stick the bamboo with the child so it has something to watch.

karagasa toojin から笠唐人 kite with Chinese motives
This is a very special kite incorporating various motives.
karagasa, karakasa から傘・denden daiko でんでん太鼓・mukai-tai 向い鯛・sensu 扇子・ sakedokkuri, tokkuri 酒徳利.
The umbrella, a twist drum, two auspicious sea breams facing each other, a folding fan and a sake flask.
These are all auspicious motives and this kite is flown on special auspicious days.
One explanation:
These symbols remind of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism 八吉祥文.

mukadedako 　むかで凧 kite like a centipede
Up to 20 kites are linked together in a long row (rendako 連凧 "kite train", stringed kites).

His other motives are
「えび尻（角凧にえびの尻尾のような尾がついている）」「奴さん」「とんび」「義経」




八吉祥財神宝幔彩壇 Ashtamangala. "eight Tibetan symbolic attributes"


source :　plaza.rakuten.co.jp/ajiatoan

The eight symbols are
法螺 Conch、法輪 Wheel、宝傘 Parasol、宝蓋 Victory Banner、蓮華 Lotus、宝瓶 Urn、金魚 Fish、吉祥紐 Knot

Ashtamangala - with explanations of these symbols
- source : wikipedia

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目返し面

more photos from Yanagawa town 水郷柳川
- source : cooljapanx.web.fc2.com - Hatada

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. . . . . . . . . . Nagasaki Folk Art 長崎県

Fukue town 福江市 - Goto Retto 五島列島 Goto island chain



baramondako, baramon tako バラモン凧 kite
Gotoo Baramon 五島バラモン凧 Goto Baramon kite

This type of kite has a long history at the Goto islands.
baramon in the local dialect means to be active and lively.
The paintings are of samurai in armour, facing a devil.
The main producer of these kites is 野原権太郎 Nohara Kentaro.





hinodezuru, hinode tsuru, hinodetsuru 日出鶴 kite in the morning sun with a crane
and
kite with a tsubaki camellia pattern
The crane as a symbol for long life and the sun of Japan - both auspicious symbols for the New Year kite flying.



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Hirado town 平戸　

Most kites are called yoochoo ようちょう Yocho.


oniyoozu 鬼洋蝶 kite with a demon face
oniyôcho, oniyoochoo

. Oni 鬼　Demon Amulets .

There is even a shochu shnaps with this label.




. - hyoozu no kami, Hyōzu 兵主神 Hyozu no Kami
- Deity of Wind and Weapons - .
. hyoosube, hyōsube 兵主部 / ひょうすべ Hyosube . from Saga, Kyushu



. kintoki yoochoo 金時凧　/ 金時ようちょう　kite with Kintoki .

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Ikinoshima, Iki no Shima 壱岐島 Iki Island


ondako 鬼凧 "demon kite"

Related to the Demon Legend of Iki Island.



Iki is full of legends associated with oni devils, from the Devil's Footprint in Makizaki Park and Tatsunoshima Island to the Devil's Tomb Cavern. The traditional craft of ondako makes a kite depicting a particular heroic battle.
The warriorDaijin Yuriwaka beheads an oni, who dies sinking his teeth into Yuriwaka's helmet.
source : ikishi.sakura.ne.jp

Yuriwaka Daijin 百合若大臣


Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Yuriwaka Daijin is a character in kōwakami, a form of musical dance-drama (similar to nō) that was popular in the late sixteenth century. His name may be translated as Young Lord Lily, and lilies decorate the series title border. After fighting in the war against the Mongols in the thirteenth century, Yuriwaka is stranded on an island and is unable to return home for years. When he comes home at last, he has been gone so long, and is so changed by his experiences, that no one recognizes him. His wife believes that he is still alive but is unaware of his return, and she is threatened by the villain Beppu because she has refused to marry him.

In the climactic scene shown here, Yuriwaka demonstrates his identity by stringing and drawing the great bow that only he, a renowned archer, is strong enough to use. He kills Beppu and its happily reunited with his faithful wife.
The inset landscape is framed with bowstrings, another reference to this episode.

As early as 1906, the writer, translator, and critic Tsubouchi Shōyō pointed out that the story of Yuriwaka is strikingly similar to the basic plot of Homer's Odyssey, . . .
Further research by various scholars has shown that the Yuriwaka story is not found in older Japanese sources but appeared suddenly in the late sixteenth century, just when Jesuit missionaries were most active in Japan (prior to the banning of Christianity in the 1630s).
Moreover, the name Yuri (Lily) is very unusual for a man, but it could well be a Japanese abbreviation of Ulysses. All in all, it seems extremely likely that this tale was inspired by one of the greatest classics in Western literature and was probably written by a sixteenth-century Japanese who had heard the story of The Odyssey form a visiting European.
Quoted from:
Utagawa Kuniyoshi: The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidō
by Sarah E. Thompson, p. 36.
- source : woodblockprints.org

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Nagasaki hata 長崎ハタ Nagasaki Hata kite



quote
Hata is build at Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu.
It does not look like other Japanese traditional kite in shape. It is believed that this kite is imported from far-east Asian counties,such as China,Thailand and Indonesia.
Nagasaki was the only one harbour when Japan closed to foreign countries during Edo period(1603-1867).
It is fairly certain that Nagasaki Hata fighting kite is a derivation of the Indian Fighter. It bears a close resemblance to the classic Indian Fighter, differing only in the absence of the Indian support fin at the tail, and in having its two leading edges supported by guidline of string, while the Indian version has its leading edges unsupported. Nagasaki Hata is traditionally coloured red, white and blue, in the manner of the Dutch ensign.
This is an exceptionally manoeuvable kite capable of flying at amazing speeds with considerable directional control. Equipped with cutting devices such as porcelain glued to the line below the bridle be means of egg white, rice or other natural adhesives, it is a fearsome opponent in competition.




. byoobu 屏風 Byobu Folding Screens .

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kara kintoki, kara-kintoki から金時　
'Kintoki' is the name of a boy-hero who appears in Japanese old tale.



源頼光と坂田金時 Yorimitsu and Kintoki

. 金太郎 Kintaro "Golden Boy" .
. . . he became a loyal follower of Minamoto no Yorimitsu under the new name Sakata Kintoki 坂田金時 / 坂田公時.


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. . . . . . . . . . Oita Folk Art - 大分県

yokanbee よかんべえ Yakko kite

Yakko kites 奴凧　have been a favorite in the Edo period since more than 230 years.
They are also called Edo kites.
Some famous regions of Oita for these kites are　 Takeda 竹田, Usuki臼杵 and Bungo Takata 豊後高田. yokanbee is the local diaclec for these kites


source :　yonechan kite collection

made by 三郎福助 Saburo Fukusuke





ura yakko tako　裏奴凧　Yakko from the backside from Usuki臼杵
The Lord Inaba had seen similar kites in Edo and had his retainers make them here in Oita. When the kite begins to fly high, it looks like a manservant, slowly vanishing in the clouds. This kite was especially flown at the O-Bon お盆 rituals for the ancestors.


. Yakko Daruma 奴だるま .
yakko 奴
was the name of the lowest social position in the Edo society, the simple workers of a daimyo household.


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. tako　凧 Kites of Japan - Introduction .


- - - #kyushukites #kitesfromkyushu - - - - -
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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


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Kumamon

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Kumamon くまもん　/ くまモン Mascot from Kumamoto 　



quote
Kumamon (くまモン)
is a mascot created by the government of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. He was first created in 2010 for a campaign called Kumamoto Surprise (くまもとサプライズ, Kumamoto Sapuraizu) to draw tourists to the region after the Kyushu Shinkansen line opened.
Kumamon subsequently became nationally popular, and in late 2011 he won a nationwide vote of other mascots, collectively known as yuru-kyara (ゆるキャラ), garnering over 280 thousand votes.
... It is believed that Kumamon's cute appearance and comical movements contribute to his popularity, which was waning before a redesign and his entry into the contest.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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- quote
Barely-a-bear Kumamon could be the next faker to shock Japan
by Amy Chavez

It has been discovered that Kumamon is not really a bear. People first started suspecting the bear was not genuine when it was revealed that he was not from Kumamoto Prefecture and that, in fact, he came from Hiroshima.

Born in March 2010 and employed to help promote tourism to the mountainous Kyushu prefecture, Kumamon has been the most successful character in Japan’s yuru-kyara (soft character) boom.

He was celebrated as a bear genius, appearing in YouTube videos and dancing for the Emperor and Empress. The phenom used his power of cute to amass a Twitter fan base of 300,000 followers, and his star appeal won him praise, seeing him lauded as Japan’s modern-day state-of-the-art Ursa Major.

The mascot’s barely-a-bear black figure is pear-shaped. He has wide white eyes and fire-engine-red cheeks. His overall figure has been described as “doughy.” Like most yuru-kyara in Japan, people wouldn’t know he was a bear if they hadn’t been told. When every character imaginable has already been imagined, it’s no wonder new icons look nothing like real animals; the idea is to invent new ones.

The mascot’s name was derived from the first kanji of the prefecture name, kuma, which means bear. So endearing is the mammal, you’d expect to find him donning ice skates and touring with a holiday show on ice.
- source : www.japantimes.co.jp - March 2014


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Kumamon Daruma　くまモンだるま
















With varying faces . . .


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- quote -
The 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes (Japanese: 平成28年熊本地震 Heisei 28-nen Kumamoto jishin)
are a series of earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.0 mainshock which struck at 01:25 JST on April 16, 2016 (16:25 UTC on April 15) beneath Kumamoto City
... The two earthquakes killed at least 50 people and injured about 3,000 others in total. Severe damage occurred in Kumamoto and Ōita Prefectures, with numerous structures collapsing and catching fire. More than 44,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to the disaster.
... Kumamoto Castle, another Important Cultural Property sustained damage to its roof and exterior buildings and walls because of the earthquakes and associated aftershocks. Several of the castle's shachihoko ornaments were destroyed, and a large number of kawara tiles also fell from the roof. ...
- - - More in the WIKIPEDIA !



Kumamon is active in promoting the reconstruction of the castle. - 2018




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. . . CLICK here for Photos !

. English Reference .

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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .

. Japan - Shrines and Temples .


. Tohoku after the BIG earthquake March 11, 2011

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Amakusa Clay Dolls

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Amakusa tsuchi ningyoo 天草土人形 / 天草人形
Amakusa Clay Dolls

Amakusa (天草), which means "Heaven's Grass,"
is a series of islands belonging to Japan, off the west coast of Kyushu in Kumamoto prefecture.
Amakusa, along with the neighboring Shimabara Peninsula, became the site of a Christian rebellion in the 17th century.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


The Shimabara Rebellion 島原の乱, Shimabara no ran
was an uprising in southwestern Japan in 1637–1638 during the Edo period. It largely involved peasants, most of them Catholic Christians.
In the wake of the Matsukura clan's construction of a new castle at Shimabara, taxes were drastically raised, which provoked anger from local peasants and lordless samurai.
..... In the wake of the rebellion, the rebel leader Amakusa Shiro was beheaded, and persecution of Christianity became strictly enforced.
Shimabara (島原市, Shimabara-shi) is a city located on the north-eastern tip of the Shimabara Peninsula, in Nagasaki prefecture.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


Amakusa Shirō, Amakusa Shiro 天草四郎
(1621? – April 12, 1638)



also known as Amakusa Shirō Tokisada (天草四郎時貞) was the teenage leader of the Christina Shimabara Rebellion.
Shiro led the defence of Hara Castle and defeated the strongest of the Shogunate attackers in a series of coordinated defensive surges.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !

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Amakusa Clay Dolls



locally called doro ningyoo 天草土（どろ）人形 mud dolls

They are made since 1717, when the ronin Hirota Wahei 広田和平 started a kiln at the access road to temple Tookooji 東向寺 Toko-Ji and began selling simple dolls.

One of the favorite dolls is the


yamanba 山姥（やまんば） old mountain wife, who breastfeeds a baby.
This is said to be a symbol of Mother Mary feeding the baby Christ.

. hahako 母子 / 母と子 mother and child dolls .

Amakusa was known for the large Christian community.

. Yamanba, Yamauba 山姥 and 山姫 Yamahime .


Other motives are

Suzuki Sankoo 鈴木三公 : The Three Suzuki Regents

Ebisu 恵比寿
Fukusuke 福助
Kobo Daishi 弘法大師

天草土人形保存会　会長 :　前田宗儀　
source :　amakusa-honmachi.cliff.jp

. . . CLICK here for Photos !


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The Three famous Suzuki after the rebellion
Shoosan, Shigenari, Shigetatsu 正三、重成、重辰





Suzuki Shigenari 鈴木重成 (1588 - 1653)
He was the third son of 鈴木重次 the daikan governor of Amakusa on behalf of the Tokugawa Shogun.
He repeatedly asked the shogunate for a reduction of the rice taxation, from 42,000 koku to 21,000 koku. He committed ritual suicide (seppuku) in Edo to achieve this reduction successfully, though there were rumours that he died through disease.

His brother took to Zen Buddhism and became a priest, named Shoosan 正三和尚 and tried to help the poor farmers of the region.
His son, Shigetatsu 重辰 was adopted by Shigenari to become the second official governor of Amakusa.




Now they are all worshipped at shrine
Suzuki Jinja 鈴木神社

Suzuki Shigenari became the deity
Suzuki Myoojin　鈴木明神
and a part of his hair is kept in his grave.

Amakusa Honcho 天草市本町本６７１



source :　flower-k.at.webry.info

Statues of the three Suzuki 鈴木三公像 at the shrine


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Tookooji 東向寺 Temple Toko-Ji



It was built in 1648 after the Shimabara rebellion to appease the people.
To show the power of the Shogunate in Edo, the ceiling was lavishly decorated with flower and bird images.


source :　www.t-island.jp


The 15th priest of this temple, 天中和尚, made efforts to bring potters to the region and supported the potters from Takahama, like
Kato Tamikichi 加藤民吉 (1772 - 1824).



©　More in the Japanese WIKIPEDIA !

Tamikichi worked for a while in Takahama at the kiln of the Ueda family
Ueda Dengoemon 上田伝五右衛門, who had established the kiln in 1762.
Later Tamikichi moved on to Nagasaki, then Arita.
After a few years of study in Kyushu, he returned to Seto.

Kato Tamikichi is revered to our day at the shrine
Kamagami Jinja 窯神神社 in Seto, Aichi.
He is regarded as the "father of porcelain" it Seto.



source :　kougeikan

Tiles of Tamikichi at the museum
Kumamoto Dento Kogei Kan 熊本県伝統工芸館


- Reference : Kato Tamikichi -


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. . . CLICK here for Amakusa Clay Doll Photos !

. Reference .





Click for Amakusa Shiro Dolls .


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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan - KUMAMOTO .


. Takahama yaki 高浜焼 Takahama pottery .


. Shimabara Kaido 島原街道 .


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Hikoichi from Kumamoto

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. . minwa 民話　folktales / densetsu 伝説　Japanese Legends . .
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Hikoichi don from Kumamoto 熊本の彦一　 Hikoichi koma (Hiko-Ichi) 彦一独楽 spinning top The various parts of the body can be taken off and used as spinning tops. In no time the tanuki changes into four tops. The dumb-clever farmer Hiko-Ichi　とんち 彦一 is the subject of local legends in the Yatsushiro region. see below . Tanuki 狸　Badger, Racoon Dog　. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 quote A Living Umbrella Once upon a time, Hikoichi opened an umbrella shop. He hung an umbrella under the eaves of the second floor of the store as a signboard. The umbrella opened itself in rainy day and closed in fair weather automatically. The rumor of this mysterious umbrella spread over the country soon. In truth, Hikoichi made a device so as to open and close the umbrella from inside of the house secretly, though. The passersby in front of the store completely didn't know the truth, they admired it and said in unison, "The umbrella is alive!" or "It's a living umbrella!" Fair or foul, the front of the store was filled with visitors. The reputation of "Living umbrella" reached the lord of the castle too. The lord had a hobby of collecting rare things, so he ordered his followers to go and get it for him immediately. They told the lord's order to Hikoichi but he refused the offer. "The umbrella is my family treasure, so however our lord wants to get it, please excuse me but there's no way to hand it over to him." Hearing it the lord wanted to have the "Living umbrella" in his hand more and more. At last, the lord said, " Tell him, I will pay as much as he wants." Finally Hikoichi accepted his offer. The lord was very glad to get it. He put the umbrella in the garden and eagerly looked forward to raining. Several days passed, thick clouds covered all of the sky, making it darker and darker and threatened rain. The lord gathered his followers to the garden and said, " This is the living umbrella and it opens by itself in rainy day and closes in fine weather. Keep watching it!" It began to rain before long, but the umbrella didn't open. No matter how much it rained, the umbrella didn't move at all. The lord began to get angry, and called Hikoichi up to his castle to demand the explanation. "This should be the living umbrella. But it didn't open even in the rain. You have deceived me!" said the lord, but Hikoichi answered, "No kidding! I never deceive you, Your Excellency. When the umbrella was at my house, it was certain alive. Please allow me to have a look at the umbrella in a moment." He made as if he were examining the umbrella and said, "Alas! The umbrella is already dead! He must been starved for food, perhaps he had not got anything to eat here. You should have given him some foods. Oh, my poor fellow! " He cried out. Of course, he just pretended to cry. But the lord was surprised, and he couldn't say a word any more. Only he could join his hands together to pray for the umbrella. source : kumamoto-E.html ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 source :　hikoichi honpo.html もなか　wafer with the tonchi Hikoichi famous at the temple Kotoku-Ji 光徳寺 Hikoichi in Hell with Enma じごくの彦一 彦一がとうとう死にました。さんざん、人や狐をだましたので、じごく行きはきまっていると思い、いまわのきわにお母さんに、じゅうばこ二段にけらんもち、もう一段には、あんこのかわりにわさびを入れたもちを作ってもらい、そのじゅうばこをさげてじごくへ行きました。 「彦一、もうくるだろうと待っとったぞ。」とえんまさまがいいました。 彦一は、「えんまさん、おせわになります。みやげば持ってきました。はよう食べてくだはり。一段めはけらんもち、二段目はずっとうまかけらんもち、三段目は、まあだうまかもんです。こやつは、川の中で食わんと味がでまっせん。」　えんまさまが三段目のじゅうばこを持って川にはいり、一つ口の中に入れたら、「わあっ！」と、泣きだし、あわてふためいてので、彦一は、えんまさまを鬼になわでしばらせて、 「えんまさん、わしにほどようしなっせよ。」といってにっこり笑っていました。 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: quote The Tanuki's Deceit Long ago in a place called Yatsushiro in the province of Higo (now Kumamoto prefecture) there was an interesting fellow named Hikoichi-don. He always enjoyed deceiving people and making fun of them. However, there was a tanuki living on the hill behind this Hikoichi-don's home. It was an interesting tanuki of no less skill than Hikoichi. It enjoyed changing to human form and deceiving people on an almost daily basis. One night when Hikoichi-don went outside, someone called out "Hikoichi-don! Hikoichi-don!" "Who is it?" "I'm the tanuki of the back hill." "What do you want?" "What are you most afraid of? What is it that frightens you most?" "Let me see . . . It's dumplings. Penny dumplings frighten me so much I can hardly stand it." That was Hikoichi-don's answer. The next evening when Hikoichi-don returned home, something was thrown at him through the window. When he looked closely, he saw they were delicious penny dumplings. He recalled his reply to the tanuki, and started yelling, "Help! Help! It's dumplings! I can't stand it!" At the same time he went around the room gathering up the dumplings, and gobbled them down, one after another. After the tanuki had thrown all the dumplings it had, Hikoichi-don said, "My, that was horrible," then made himself some tea and drank it down. The tanuki saw that through the window. He then realized he had been deceived by Hikoichi-don, and became very angry. "What can I do? He's just gotten free dumplings from me." The next day Hikoichi-don went to look at his rice fields. Rocks had been thrown everywhere in them. "Oh, this is great!" he said aloud. "Like they say, 'three years over a rock.' (Ishigoe sannen, see below.) That means this field won't need any fertilizer for the next three years. What a marvel-- I'm really happy! Putting manure on the field would probably ruin it." Hikoichi-don said this happily, and looked very happy. The tanuki was nearby, of course, and heard it all. "I've messed up again," it thought. "I've been fooled by Hikoichi!" That night the field was picked clean of rocks, and horse manure was spread there instead. Needless to say, Hikoichi-don actually was happy when he saw that. This is the saying : Ishigoe sannen　石肥三年. It is usually heard as Ishi no ue nimo sannen, which means even a rock warms up if you sit on it three years, or patience brings good results. Variations include "three years amid the thorns" and "three years in the fire." source : quilt/tanuki.htm Bye bye for now !

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. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


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