Bitchu-Takahashi Castle and Gion Corner

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle and Gion Corner
6-16-2012 11:19:30 AM

Saturday, June 16th

Chris and I woke up and took our little walk to the subway station from Chisun Hotel in Hiroshima. We were headed to Bitchu-Takahashi Castle. It was a rainy looking day. By the time we got to Bitchu-Takahashi, it had started to sprinkle, but I had my umbrella. We reserved a “taxi-bus,” which is basically a shared taxi, and rode up the winding roads as far as the taxi could take us. We then hiked the rest of the way up the tall mountain to the castle. As we were hiking, it began to rain a bit harder, but it did feel nice and gave everything a foggy appearance. When we got to the top of the mountain, we passed the gates for the castle and paid our admission. The castle was very small, so it did not take us much time to look around, but when we were in the castle it began to pour. I had my umbrella, but it is hard to cover two people with one umbrella, so Chris took the run and cover method. When we got back to the gates, the man who sold us our tickets that we could go around the corner into the office and get another umbrella. For free. Apparently, when people left behind umbrellas, they kept them and gave them to people when it was raining as a nice gesture. It was very helpful.

After we made it out of the rain, we went back to Kyoto for a special show. They only have performances on the weekends, and one was at 6PM and one was at 8PM. The show is held at Gion Corner, and while it is very touristy (which Chris and I try to stay away from), we thought this would be the best introduction to Japanese theatre. We both love going to the Opera here in Shreveport, and have attended ballets and musicals, so we thought we were prepared, but the performances were so different than anything in Europe or America. We got to see a tea ceremony ritual, a flower arrangement, a Kyo-mai dance (performed by two Maikos, who are apprentice geisha), a Koto Zither being played, Gagaku Court music with a traditional male dancer, Kyogen Theatre (which is like a comic theater), and a Bunraku Puppet Theatre (which is played with elaborate puppets).

After the performance, we decided to go have the most elaborate dessert we could find, then make our way back to Hiroshima.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

The foggy view from the castle grounds.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

More fog and mountains.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

Part of the path leading to the small castle.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

Another path. The walls are very tall.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

The roof- looking down into the courtyard on a rainy day.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

The top room of the castle. There is a small shrine in the back of the room.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

Part of the bottom floor where they could cook. The pit is for the fire and they would hang pots and kettles over the flames.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

A map and description of the castle. I will let you read it for yourself.

Bitchu-Takahashi Castle

The stamp from this castle. At many historical sites and museums in Japan, they offer free stamps to travelers. I think this is to prove that you have been some where. Chris and I got a few for fun.

Gion Corner

The curtain for the show.

Gion Corner

The tea ceremony.

Gion Corner

Two women playing the koto. “The koto is an ancient Japanese six-stringed zither traditionally played with ivory plectrums worn on the fingers, producing wonderful harmonies.”

Gion Corner

Getting ready to arrange a plant in a traditional Japanese style.

Gion Corner

Putting the plants in the vase.

Gion Corner

Putting the vase in a nice spot.

Gion Corner

“Gagaku is the name for indigenous Japanese music and dance performed at the imperial court, shrines and temples.” The man in the orange dances while the musicians play.

Gion Corner

Close-up of the musicians.

Gion Corner

Kyogen Theatre is a comical play that is sometimes used as an intermission for longer, more serious plays.

Gion Corner

“Originating in Kyoto, kyo-mai is an elegant and dazzling dance performed by maiko dancers in beautifully ornate dress.” Our dance was the dance of the seasons where the maiko would dance as spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Gion Corner

Close up of the dancing Maiko.

Gion Corner

Both Maiko together.

Gion Corner

Bunraku, Japan’s traditional puppet theatre, has very elaborate puppets. They are controlled by two-to-three skilled puppeteers and can convey deep emotions through their actions.