Japan Video Topics 2009/09
Mount Fuji in Winter (3'59")
Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest and most famous mountain, towers above a scenic region of lakes and highlands that is just 1 1/2 hours drive from Tokyo. In summer, people come from all over to scale this beautiful peak, but the scenery around its base attracts visitors all year round. Winter attractions include views of the snow covered summit reflected in the lakes, horseback trekking through snow-covered woods, illuminated ice caves and spectacular lakeside fireworks events.
Yusan-bako Picnic Boxes (2'50")
The yusan bako picnic box is a traditional handicraft product from Tokushima, where, from the 17th century until recently, there was a unique local custom for all the local children to go on a Spring picnic outing where no adults were allowed. Parents showed trust in their children's independence by sending them off alone on this picnic, proudly carrying food prepared by their mothers in these finely decorated 3-tiered picnic boxes. The special picnic no longer exists, but yusan bako are still a popular Tokushima souvenir.
Yusan-bako Picnic Boxes (2'50")
Light, easy to work and surprisingly strong, cardboard is one of the most common kinds of packaging material. Computer design has now taken the simple cardboard container to a new level, making it possible to produce both the box and the shaped protective liners to secure the contents out of a single cut and folded sheet of cardboard. Today's designers are also being inspired by the strength and easy workability of this material to create a surprisingly diverse range of products, from furniture to toys and playground equipment.
Kariwano's Giant Tug-of-war (4'33")
For 500 years, Kariwano in Akita has held a famous festival that pits the town's two neighborhoods against each other in a spectacular tug of war where chanting teams haul on a massive straw rope that's 72 cm thick, weighs 20 tons, and stretches a full 120 m when laid out. The O-Tsunahiki festival is a religious ritual that begins with special rites at the town's Shinto shrine, and tradition has it that a win by the young men of the upper part of town means better prices for rice, while a win for the lower part means a fine harvest.
|
