Post#4: Traveling in Kyoto and Tottori

Kyoto was capital of Japan. Every year there comes a myriad of foreigners to visit this place. In Kyoto, people can easily to see a lot of ancient buildings such as temples, palace and castle. These buildings all have a historical story of Japan. This is the reason that tourists are looking forward to go to Kyoto to see those beautiful building. Tottori is located in western side of Japan. The western part of Japan also called San' in Region. Natural landscape, seafood and pears are most famous thing in Tottori. However, only a few tourists go to Tottori for traveling since there is the country side of Japan, and traveling books or programs rarely introduce this place. Those two places are located in western side of Honsu, and they are the special place which are worthy to take a adventure.

The most popular historic place in Kyoto is Kiyomizudera. It is subsumed in UNESCO World Heritage site and National treasure. Kiyomizudera is a old temple which is built in A.D. 778, and it is located at Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. The temple is built nearby high hills. When tourists walks approach to the handrail and look over the view. They can discover that this temple is built in an amazing place which is hard to support a huge building like it. Kiyomizudera was found in Heian period. Kiyomizu also means clear and pure water. A Japanese equivalent said that “to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu”, this is really famous expression of Kiyomizudera, and it means “to take the plunge” in English. If people came to Kiyomizudera, they usually bought a lucky bell as a present to give their friends or family. The lucky bell is popular items of Kiyomizudera since it is looks like a ball is filled with many “sakura” (cheery blossom). It is sort of omamori which means protective and blessing charm in Japanese.

In higashi-ku region, there are not only Kiyomizudera can go to visit, but also a lot of places can go. This little area is called Kiyomizu. A temple is near by Kiyomizudera which is Jiju temple. It is really famous tourism spot too. Jiju temple is popular since a lot of girl come here to pray for good love fortune. There are two rocks which are love fortune rocks. They are separated above ten meters. It said that if a person closed his or her eyes and walked toward another rock, his or her wish will come true. In below of Kiyomizudera, there is a little street named Sannenzaka. An abundant of special stores are located in this area. The street make people feel like walk through “time tunnel” and go back to Meiji period of Japan. They sell a lot of traditional food and accessories. For example, mocha ice-cream would be the highest recommended food to eat. Especially it's really hot and humid in summer time, and it tastes really good and icy. This tiny road is wonderful after visiting Kiyomizudera that people can have a meal or stay in dessert place to take a break.

There are at least three way can go to Tottori from Kyoto or Osaka. First, a lot of people choose to take train to go to Tottori. It takes more than five hours and about 18,000 Japanese yen for a round-trip. This is the most generous way. Second, the fastest way is taking Sinkansen. Shikansen is high speed rail in Japan, but it cost higher price than other ways. It takes only three hours to go to destination. However, it costs about 20,000 Japanese yen for a round trip. On the other hand, there is a special way can go Tottori without taking high price and long time. That is high speed bus. Even though it might hard to find information in the English or other languages, but price and service is better than other ways. In addition, most of domestic Japanese choose this method to go to Tottori. It takes only four hour duration, and the price is lower than 10,000 Japanese yen for a round-trip. However, tourists need to order extremely early before taking the bus. They will ask for tourists to provide their personal information. This is totally different from train and Shikansen, but the most convenient way to go to Tottori.

Traveling in Tottori will feel relax and enjoy this place easily since this is the country side of Japan. According to wikipedia, “It is the least populous prefecture in Japan.“ Therefore, Tottori is not as prosperous or noisy as some big cities. The most popular place in Tottori is Minatoyama Park. When Spring come to visit Tottori, the Cherry Blossom tree's flower will bloom at the time. Japanese people usually go “hanami” (means flower viewing) when cherry blossom bloom. There is a river called Kamo River in Minatoyama Park. Moreover, Minago jou is also near by Minatoyama Park. Minago jou was the castle that built for the seignior to live before. This castel built in Edo period. Therefore, it is not really ancient building. Minago jou is the most important historical building of Tottori.

In Japan, it has a myriad of historical and special place that people looking forward to go. Every spot has their own stories and background that is interesting to know and go there look around. When people walk into the building, they always feel amazing that everything is so gorgeous that they will never forget. That is also the most charismatic and inspired part of Japan. 

Post#3: Traveling in Kyoto and Tottori

That was my first time to go to Japan. I decided to go to Kyoto and Tottori which are in western side of Japan. After I booked flight ticket from website, I started to do research and made my own traveling schedule. I had research data for three months. I tried to understand culture, history, special places and transportation. That was an interesting experience that I have never had. I could have a trip that is totally decide and make plan of my desire. A dreamy and fabulous trip I wanted to have for a long time. Therefore, everything place that I go should have a purpose to visit and understand their characteristics. In summer 2009, I made a dream of traveling Kyoto and Tottori come true.

Kyoto and Tottori are the main cities that I wanted to go. The reason that I want to go to Kyoto is that it was capital in the past, so it would help me understand a part of history of Japan. I also want to see those beautiful and ancient temples, and I heard that Kyoto is a place provides a lot of traditional Japanese food. On the other hand, Tottori is the place that only few foreigners know and visit there. However it is my favorite place in Japan when I saw the introduction since I was middle high. Even it was really hard to go to Tottori for a foreigner like me, I still have strong hope to visit there.

● Kiyomizudera

 

The first day that I arrived at Kyoto, I felt that I walked in to an exactly different world. Those traditional temple and edifices around me were fantastic. Since I research information for a long time, I saw the pictures again and again. At the meanwhile, everything became real and appears in front of me. I felt that was the most impact experience in my life. The first step that I visited was Kiyomizudera. Which was famous temple in Kyoto since it is UNESCO World Heritage. This building is national treasure. It was built nearby hills. When I walked approach to the handrail, I looked down the crag. That was most amazing view that I will never forget. I bought a lucky bell for myself as a present. It would reminder me the memory that I visit this wonderful place.

● Sannenzaka and tourists

 

When I left Kiyomizudera, there was a little street named Sannenzaka (三年坂) which is a traditional Japanese style street. Every store at there was ancient but let people feel they walk through “Time tunnel” and come back to the past. It was an extremely hot and humid summer, so I bought a mocha ice-cream. The ice-cream tastes delicious, it has strong tea smell and icy. If I could, I really want to go back to the time that I ate the ice-cream. That was one of the finest memories in my life.

 

After I went to Kyoto, it time to go to Tottori. I took high speed bus to go there since train in Japan costs too much. As a student, I cannot pay as much as price likes that. Originally, I though there is no way except train could take me go to Tottori. However, when I felt depressed and wanted to give up, my Japanese friend told me I can took high speed bus. That was the cheapest and fastest method. After three hours driving, finally, I arrived at the place that I had dreamed to go for a long long time. Tottori is sort of in country side of Japan. I saw mountain and river after I got off the bus. There was a harbor in Tottori. Therefore, seafood in Tottori is famous and delicious. I went to Minatoyama Park at first. It was really beautiful park which is surrounding by mountains and Kamo River. The residents told me if I came in spring, the cherry blossom would bloom that people could see the whole park are filled with lovely pink flowers. I took a walk and spent some time to see this park carefully. It was like what I see from the Internet pictures. I discovered Kamo River was in a secretly place of Minatoyama Park. The river looks so peaceful. The clear blue color let me feel relax and energetic. At the time, I though the nature is most beautiful thing in the world. I also made a wish that I can come here to visit in spring next time. I want to see those cheery blossom trees blooming and bring my friends come with me that we can share the joy.

● Kamo River in Minatoyama Park

● Minatoyama Park

 

This trip made my dream come true. Every moment and memory are precious things in my life and I won't forget it forever. I hope next time I can stay for longer time and deeply feel the culture in the country. I want to visit those places again. I am convinced that when I go back to there, the fantastic and beautiful memories will come out again. Then, I can have new memories with people who are surrounding me at the time.

Post#2: Tenacious and Brave Spirit : Taiwanese Movie Seediq Bale in Venice Film Festival

● Poster of Seediq Bale. 

In the 1930s, when Taiwan was ruled by Japan, a horrifying rebellion happened in Wushe. This history events is called Wushe Incident. This incident was originated by Seediq people who were a Taiwanese aboriginal people, they felt discontented with Japan government's inequality treatment at the time. This movie, Seediq Bale was adapted from a real historical event, and it brought the story about intense conflicts among two different culture. Wushe Incident was an impact in history of Taiwan. Taiwanese Director Te-Sheng Wei brought this story as a movie to show audience this historical event.

Mouna Rudo was chieftain of Seediq, and he was also the haed of the rebellion and the protagonist of the movie. The film started from the time when Mouna Rudo was a teenager, and they lived in the remote mountain. Originally, there were a place which was held by several tribes. They had traditional living ways like hunting for animals, warring with neighboring clans, head-hunting and tattooing their faces as a sign of initiation into manhood. However, after First Sino Japanese war, Taiwan suddenly was ruled by Japan. Japanese entered into their's lives and domicile. The conflict among these two group of people also appeared at the meanwhile. Japanese established schools, post office and police office in their tribes. They thought those people are”savages”; therefore, they wanted to teach them was is civilization. Some Seediq people also have a Japanese name since they were naturalize as a Japanese. However, Japanese's unequal treatment also resulted conflicts at the time. Losing original culture and dignity, Mouna Rudo and Seebiq men felt malcontent, so it triggered them to plan this rebellion.

In Seediq Bale, Mouna Rudo was a character to mold a hero. He is brave and fearless man. When he saw Japanese's action, he decided to rebel against Japan government. He gathered three hundred warriors to join the rebellion. As a surprise, they planed to set out their attack during the school's sport holiday. Seediq people caused a violent massacre, and it strongly damage Japanese Army. Mouna Rudo and worriers said “a blood sacrifice to our ancestors” as the purpose of their rebellion. They uses spears, machetes and guns as weapons, and they had killed a great deal of Japanese even women and children. Until Japanese generals called for help, and a two cultural “war” had started. The most memorable part in Seediq Bale is fighting scenes. Those fearful fighting scenes make people to deliberate again and again why this two group will conflict and through civilization what people earn from it.

The director of Seediq Bale is Te-Sheng Wei. His most popular Taiwanese movie is Cape no.7 which was released in 2008. He is also the first person who used Wushe Incident as material to film an “original” Taiwanese movie. He knew that Taiwanese aboriginal people have a myriad of historical stories, and through this movie he could showed the part of Taiwanese history. Seebiq people and Japanese's situation might be similar to native American and white people. They all wanted to insist their own culture and territory.

The cast of this movie also make the whole movie looks more complete and inspired. Ching -Taiin Lin was the leading role, Mouna Rudo. He was not professional actor; however, he is aboriginal Taiwanese. Director Te-Sheng Wei used a lot of aboriginal Taiwanese as the important characters in this movie. Their special and unique tattoos, clothing and dancing became the significant symbol of this movie. They also different dialogue in the movie too which is Seediq, Japanese and Taiwanese. Seediq was separated in two parts when it shows in theaters in Taiwan.

Venue: Venice Film Festival (competing), Aug 31, 2011.
Production company: ARS Film Production, Central Motion Picture Corporation


Cast: Lin Ching-Tai, Umin Boya, Ando Masanobu, Kawahara Sabu, Vivian Hsu, Lo Mei-Ling, Landy Wen, Da Ching, Pawan Nawi, Yakau Kuhon, Lee Shih-Chia, Lin Yuan-Jie.


Director: Wei Te-Sheng


Screenwriter: Wei Te-Sheng


Producers: John Woo, Terence Chang, Jimmy Huang


Director of photography: Chin Ting-Chang


Production designer: Taneda Yohei


Music: Ricky Ho


Editors: Chen Po-Wen, Milk Su, Cheung Ka-Fai


Visual Effects: Foo Sing-Choong


Action Choreographers:  Yang Kil-Yong, Shim Jae Won


Sales Agent: Fortissimo Films


156 minutes.

re-writed from : Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale: Venice Film Review

Trailer of Seediq Bale: