A GLIMPSE OF AOMORI PREFECTURE
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Here is a collection of photo galleries of some of the places I have seen in Aomori Prefecture. I am so happy I was able to travel here. It is a magical place!
Aomori prefecture is located on Japan's main island of Honshu. It is the northernmost prefecture. We visted three different cities/towns during our stay here. The first was Hirosaki City, which lies just southwest of Aomori's capitol city of Aomori City. We visted Aomori city soon next and spent most of our time here. At the end of our stay we spent our final day in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in Asamushi.
Like Tokyo, Aomori has four seasons, however it is considerably cooler in Aomori. This was a blessing during the summer as it was also a lot less humid and less rainy than in Tokyo. Additionally, we did not have the torrential rain that is common in June in most of Japan. In the winter Aomori is a popular vacation spot for its skiing.
The name "Aomori" means literally "blue/green forest". Aoi is the Japanese word for blue, though in the past it was also used to describe all things green. Today it is also used to describe some green things as well, even though modern Japanese uses the word "midori" to describe most green things. The word "mori" means forest.
Aomori (green forest) is an apt name for this lovely region. Surrounding Aomori are beautiful hills and the stunning Hakkoda mountain range. These mountains are snow covered much of the year and this pure snow also provides some of the best water in the world, for which Aomori is famous. We were lucky enough to get a bottle of Aomori's famous mountain water from the Mayor and they also provided free bottles of Aomori water in the hotel. |
Neputa Floats are typically fan-shaped like this one. |
Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri
Hirosaki Neputa Slideshow
Summer in Aomori prefecture is a wonderful thing as this is when the Hirosaki Neputa Festival takes place. This should not be confused with the larger Aomori Nebuta Festival. Many people often confuse the two as they look and sound the same to the uneducated ear.
The Hirosaki Neputa festival takes place from August 1st to August 7th. Large floats are paraded down the street by the people of Hirosaki. An average of 60 floats are seen during this parade. One difference between Neputa and Nebuta are the type of floats that are used. The Neputa festival is characterized by fan-shaped floats with two-dimensional paintings of war and peace, such as the one depicted to the left. The Nebuta festival, however, usually represent three-dimensional depictions of animals and people.
I was not able to attend the Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, however, during our first day in Hirosaki we were able to visit the Hirosaki Neputa no Yakata Museum, where we learned a great deal about the Neputa festival. Additionally, I was able to take great pictures of some of the Neputa floats. |
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Can you see the difference between this float and the Neputa float? |
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
Hirosaki Nebuta Slideshow
The Aomori Nebuta Festival takes place from August 2nd to August 7th. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the festival myself, however, I do have some photos of some of the floats that are stored around Aomori. I felt it important to include a section on the Nebuta Festival to help eliminate the confusion between the Aomori Nebuta and the Hirosaki Neputa. I wish I had been able to visit a museum in Aomori about the Neputa as I was able to do in Hirosaki.
Another large difference between the Hirosaki Neputa and the Aomori Nebuta is the tone of the celebration. The Aomori Nebuta Festival is said to be a very joyous happy celebration, whereas the Hirosaki Neputa Festival is said to have a much more somber and sadder overtone. Both are reported to be spectacular to behold. I can only imagine, as I was overwhelmed by seeing the floats alone.
We were lucky enough to visit a Nebuta "float factory", where we got to view floats being built. I have included photos from this trip. The process is amazing!! |
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Hirosaki Castle in June |
Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki City Park
Hirosaki Castle Slideshow
Hirosaki Castle was built in 1611. Today it is a popular tourist destination, especially in the spring with the sakura (cherry blossoms) blooming around it. The surrounding park is also a popular destination in the spring during the sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival).
The castle boasts three stories, though it originally had five before it was struck by lightening and burned down. When we went inside we were able to climb to higher levels on a VERY steep ladder. Not for the faint of heart!
Surrounding the castle is Hirosaki City Park. My slideshow includes pictures of the park, castle and of some of the museum pieces within the castle. |
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Michiyoshi Sato playing Shamisen |
Shamisen
Shamisen Slideshow with Video
While we were in Hirosaki we got the pleasure of visiting a display of Tsugaru-Shamisen "Sangendo". We got to view historical information describing the history of the shamisen and we were treated to a wonderful demonstration.
Later in Hirosaki several of us went out to view a wonderful Shamisen performance that included the stylings of one of the people who gave us the earlier demonstration. I was hooked on shamisen!
Once we went to the ryokan in Asamushi several of us went out for another shamisen performance and we enjoyed it greatly! My slideshow will show some of the historical items displayed at Sangendo as well as pictures from the performances. I have also included some small video snippets that Allison took at the Hirosaki shamisen performance. |
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Aomori Contemporary Art Centre |
Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC)
Aomori Contemporary Art Centre Slideshow
The Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) is unique for many reasons. The first of which is that much of the artwork is on display within nature, rather than the cold sterile confines of a traditional gallery. I have never seen anything like it in the United States.
The Aomori Contemporary Art Centre also features an incredible program called the "Artist in Residence" (AIR) program. This program features not only local artists but international artists as well. This is much more than a display of artwork. In addition to an exhibition the Artist in Residence program invites artists local and worldwide to live in Aomori and work together to produce contemporary art. This allows people to experience the artistic creative process first hand.
While I was in Aomori I was able to visit the Artist-In-Residence-Program for Spring 2007.
The pieces we were able to view include work by the following international artist:
Aigars BIKŠE (Latvia)
Camille GOUJON (France)
KOYAMADA Toru (Japan)
Paramodel (Japan) |
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Indigo Dyed Cloth |
Aomori Indigo Dyeing Atelier
Aomori Indigo Dyeing Atelier Slideshow
Every JFMF group got to visit an industry site at their respective town. We were taken to visit an indigo dyeing studio.
Indigo dye "Aijiru" is known for its distinctive blue color. The dye is derived from plants, and this studio not only makes indigo products, but grows its own plants. Today many places use artificial dyes. I am not sure if the dye we used was 100% natural dye or if there was an artificial component.
We not only learned about how to create beautiful indigo dyed cotton, but we got to try it ourselves! It was a wonderful experience. |
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Art Hanging from the Ceiling in the Entrace of the Museum |
Aomori Museum of Art (AMOA)
Aomori Museum of Art Slideshow
The Aomori Museum of Art is a four story museum that features some beautiful art work on the bottom two floors, with a theater, restaurants, giftshops and more filling the top two floors.
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the gallery, aside from those included in my slideshow so I cannot show you everything the museum has to offer.
I was fortunate enough to visit the museum a second time, where I was able to participate in a lovely summer festival with my host family. |
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Large Pillar-Supported Structure at the Sannai-Maruyama Site |
Sannai-Maruyama - Jomon Historical Site
Sannai-Maruyama Slideshow
The Jomon people are an indigenous people of Japan and comprised the oldest recorded culture in Japan. Evidence of their culture can be traced back at least 12,000 years, perhaps even longer! A very large Jomon settlement that goes back somewhre between 4,000 and 5,500 years ago existed on the current Sannai-Maruyama site. There were over 550 pit-dwellings in this area.
The Sannai-Maruyama site houses amazing artificats of this ancient people as well as stunning recreations of the homes of these ancient people. |
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