「日本的事象英文説明30選」
第１次筆記試験・第２次口述試験対策の資料としてご利用ください。
1.Kumano kodo
“Kodo" literally means “the old road”. It is a pilgrimage route to Kumano Sanzan or the three major grand shrines of the Kumano region. It was designated as a world cultural heritage site in 2004. It is located on the Kii mountain range which extends over the three prefectures of Mie, Nara, and Wakayama. The area is considered to be a special place where gods have dwelled since the times of ancient Japanese mythology. Buddhism, which came from China to Japan, also gave special importance to this region, likening the Kii Mountain Range to the sacred lands of Buddha and rendering it as a stage for the practice of ascetic Buddhism to attain Buddha’s power. Since then the pilgrimage routes have attracted many people from not only Japan but also from overseas. It has significantly influenced the development and interchange of religions and cultures in Japan.
2. The Dragon route
The Dragon Route is a new tourist route cutting through Aichi, Gifu, Toyama, and Ishikawa from south to north across the Chubu region, a region located in central Japan.
It was named the Dragon Route as the shape of the area looks like a rising dragon with the Noto Peninsula acting as its head.
The countless attractive features of this area include a wide range of traditional and historical cultures, beautiful natural landscapes, an abundance of delicacies from land and sea as well as hot springs
3. Horyuji temple
Horyuji Temple is located in the northern part of Nara Prefecture and it is the oldest wooden structure in the world. Founded in 607 as a center for Buddhism in Japan, Horyuji Temple is one of Japan's most significant gems for the historic architecture, art, and religion. It was from here that Buddhism blossomed and spread throughout the country.
4. Tokaido gojyusantsugi
“Tokaido gojyusantsugi” refers to 53 towns along the old 'Tokaido Road,' which was the major road running through the Tokaido region from Edo or Tokyo to Kyoto
In the early 17th century Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate gave the order to build and improve existing roads so that he and his army could more quickly access Kyoto where the imperial court was located.
One of the most famous Ukiyoe artists named Utagawa Hiroshige depicted these 53 towns in his art
5. The National Museum of Western Art
The National Museum of Western art in Ueno Park is the only structure in Japan designed by the Swiss architect Le Corbusier. It was designated as a World cultural heritage site this year. It is said he advocated the “Five Points of a New style of Architecture” which are pilotis, roof gardens, open floor plans, horizontal windows, and free façade design. Furthermore he is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern architecture.
In the park, there are also such facilities as the zoological garden where a great panda can be seen, a traditional Japanese landscape garden and a five story pagoda built in the early 17th century. Ueno Park is also famous for many cherry trees and is considered to be one of Japan’s best 100 locations for cherry blossom viewing.
（Monnet Manet Renoir Rodin）
6. GLOVER GARDEN
Glover garden in Nagasaki, located in the southern island of Kyushu, is famous for having the oldest western style wooden house in Japan. In 1859, six years after Commodore Perry entered port at Uraga, the port of Nagasaki was opened along with Yokohama and Hakodate. Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who came to Nagasaki from Scotland, built his home here in 1863. He built Japan’s first railway, helped the shipbuilding industry and his arms importing operations greatly impacted the course of the Meiji restoration.
The western style house in Glover garden is one of the world cultural heritage sites of Japan’s Industrial Revolution.
It is a lovely spot to stroll around and offers a breathtaking view of Nagasaki harbour.
7. Fushimi-inari Taisha
Fushimi-inari Taisya or Fushimi-inari Taisya shrine is very famous for its seemingly endless arcades of red torii gates which spread across a heavily forested mountain. It is one of the most impressive and memorable sights in all of Kyoto. Fushimi-inari was originally built in dedication to the deity of rice and sake in the 8th century and now to the prosperity of business.
It is the head shrine for some 40000 inari shrines in Japan.
As you explore, you will come across hundreds of stone foxes which are considered the messengers of a Deity. One of the places that you shouldn’t miss visiting is “omokaru-ishi “which literally means “heavy or light stone “. When you lift the stone and find it to be lighter than you expected, it is believed your wish will come true. The place is well known for being the sight of a mysterious power.
8. Koyasan
Koyasan is a plateau in the northern Wakayama-Prefecture which is covered with thick forest. The founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, Kukai established a religious community here in 816C.E. Koyasan is now a thriving centre of Japanese Buddhism with more than 110 temples and 10 million members. Many people say Koyasan is one of Japan’s most rewarding destination not only for its beautiful nature, but also as an opportunity to stay in temple lodgings to get a glimpse of the long-held traditions of Japanese religious life.
(Followers of Shingon believe that Kukai is not dead and that he is meditating in his tomb, awaiting the arrival of Miroku, the future Buddha. When Miroku returns, it is thought that only Kukai will be able to interpret his heavenly message for humanity.)
9. Shurijo castle
Shurijo castle was originally built in the 14th century as the administration centre and royal residence of the Ryukyu kingdom until the 19th century. Ryukyu flourished by trading with China and far eastern countries. In the early 19th century, Satsuma-han or Satsuma- domain, what is currently Kagoshima prefecture in the southern island of Kyushu, occupied Shurijo. It then became the vassal country of Japan. In the mid-19th century
After the Meiji restoration, the government of Japan expelled the King and his family and It officially became Japan’s Okinawa prefecture. Shurijo was designated as a World heritage site in 2000. The original capital of Okinawa was all destroyed in WW2, but the castle and surrounding structures were rebuilt in 1992
10. Yakushima
Yakushima is one of the most rewarding places in Japan’s southwest islands. It was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993.Yakusugi or the Yakushima cedar tree, a symbol of the island, is world famous as its age is estimated to be no younger than 2200 years. Although it takes about 10 hours for a round trip on foot from the nearest bus station, it is worth visiting. Yakushima has several hot springs from beautifully desolate seaside pools to hotel facilities. The seaside hot springs are mixed gendered baths where swimsuits are not allowed.
11. Himeji castle
Himeji-jo is Japan’s most magnificent castle. It is one of only a handful of original castles remaining in the country. Its nickname Shirasagi-jo, white egret castle, comes from its white plaster exterior. There is a five-story main keep surrounded by three smaller ones. The entire structure is surrounded by moats and defensive walls. The original castle was built in 1580 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who unified all of Japan. The castle was recently renovated and was closed for 5 years. Now is a prime time to visit. You can visit Himeji via the Shinkansen. It takes only 40 minutes from Osaka. The city is flat and comfortable for walking.
12. Eihei-ji Temple
In the mid-13th century, the great Zen master Dogen, founder of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism established Eiheiji, ”the Temple of Eternal Peace” in a forest outside Fukui. Fukui Prefecture is located about 300km northwest of Tokyo.
Even now, as many as 200 monks always have training hard in the temple. It covers about 100,000 square meters and has a quiet atmosphere. The area is surrounded by old cedar trees which are said to be 700 years old.
You can attend a one or three night religious program at the temple if you wish. But the monk’s training schedule has to be followed. Prayers start at 3:50 in the morning followed by cleaning, meditation, and ritual meals in which not a grain of rice may be left behind. It is a good experience for understanding Zen Buddhism.
13. Tojinbo
Tojinbo located in Fukui Prefecture is a magnificent scenic spot for its series of rugged steep cliffs, which are as high as 25 meters. Over the years, the cliffs have been eroded by the rough waves of the Sea of Japan. A legend says that an evil priest was cast off the cliff by angry villagers and monks in the late 12th century. The sea surged for 49 days thereafter as a demonstration of the priest’s fury from beyond his watery grave created its shape.
14. Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji or “The Golden Pavilion” is one of the best known sights in Kyoto. The main hall which is covered in brilliant gold leaf is truly spectacular. The original structure was built in the late 14th century as a retreat for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. His son converted it to a temple after his father’s death. In 1950 a young monk consummated his obsession with the temple by burning it to the ground. The monk’s story was fictionalized in Mishima Yukio’s “The Golden pavilion”. Later In 1955 a full reconstruction was completed.
15. Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji or The Silver Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s premier sites because of its beautiful sand garden and elegant structures. The temple was constructed in the late 15th century as a retreat for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. While the name of Ginkaku-ji literally means the temple of Silver Pavilion, the Shogun’s ambition to cover the Pavilion with silver leaf was never actually realized. After Yoshimasa’s death, it was converted to a temple. Walkways lead through the gardens where one can see cones of sand, which are said to be symbolic of a mountain and a lake.
The building, Togu-dou, contains within it, a tea ceremony room, which is thought to have become the prototype for all future tea ceremony rooms. Behind the building is a fresh-water stream where Yoshimasa collected water for his tea.
16. Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is perhaps the most popular temple in Kyoto. The temple's large deck extends over the side of a mountain and is supported by 13-meter-high wooden columns. From the deck, one can appreciate the fine view facing west over the city of Kyoto. This is a popular place to watch the sunset. The Japanese expression "to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu" is equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge".
Many people come to the temple to drink water from the falling streams by collecting it in tin cups. The water is said to have therapeutic properties, and drinking from the three different streams is said to promote health, longevity, and success in studies.
There is also a shrine, Jishu-jinja on the grounds, and praying there is said to help one succeed in finding an appropriate love match. People desiring a romantic partner can be seen walking between two prominent stones with their eyes closed. If one makes the journey alone, it is taken as a sign that the person will find love.
17. Enryaku-ji
Enryaku-ji Temple is said to be one of the main spiritual centers of Japanese culture.
It is located in Shiga Prefecture north east of Kyoto.
In the Central Hall (Kompon Chudo) visitors enter a long room. Three of the lanterns in this room are said to have remained alight for over 1200 years.
Enryaku-ji Temple was founded by the priest Saicho In the year 788 at the request of the Emperor Kammu, as a station to guard the newly-founded capital of Heian-kyo (Kyoto) against evil spirits that were thought to approach from the northeast. Enryaku-ji Temple grew to become the headquarters of the Tendai School of Buddhism, and at its peak the complex comprised over 3000 buildings with a population of several thousand monks. Most of the leading monks of Japanese Buddhism studied at Enryaku-ji Temple before founding their own sects. Enryaku-ji Temple is therefore a key site of Japanese religious history.
(The temple was also strongly involved in the nation's politics and had its own army. This proved to be Enryaku-ji's undoing, however, as in 1571 the warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) invaded Enryaku-ji Temple, burning much of it to the ground and leaving few survivors. The temple recovered slowly and is now only a shadow of its former self. Yet it still possesses its aura of power, devotion, and impenetrable mystery.)
18. Ryoan-ji
Ryoan-ji Temple is famous for its traditional rock garden. Here fifteen carefully placed rocks seem to drift in a sea of raked white sand. A viewing platform right above the garden gives visitors an unimpeded view, but no matter what angle you view the garden from, you can never see all fifteen stones at once.
The temple was built in 1450 by Daimyo Hosokawa Katsumoto (1561-1628), but no one knows for certain when the rock garden was made, who designed it, or what the designer's intentions were. So what does the rock garden signify? You can only find out by seeing it for yourself.
19. Nijyo-jo castle
The size and luxuriousness of this castle was intended to be a demonstration of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)'s prestige. Nijo-jo Castle was the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto, who had been ruling Japan for over 260 years from 1603 to 1868. The wide moat, massive stone walls, and elaborate gates are impressive even now. The grounds are large and contain several lovely gardens as well as groves of plum and cherry trees.
Inside the palace are several masterpieces of Japanese art, of which the most notable are the painted screens of the main chamber. In this room the shoguns met the daimyo (high-ranking warlord-administrators) who sought an audience. The screens were painted by artists of the Kano school and employ rich colors and large amounts of gilt to depict flowers, trees, birds and tigers. Another notable feature of the palace is its famous "nightingale floors," which were designed to squeak when stepped on and thus alert guards to any intruders.
20. Shinden-zukuri VS Shoin-zukuri
Shinden-zukuri was the style of architecture used for aristocratic residences in the Heian period. It consisted of three residential buildings, each comprised of just one large room. Folding screens and movable hanging screens were used to divide the room. As warrior lords became more and more influential,
Shoin-zukuri gained popularity and gradually became a standard architectural style.
In contrast to Shinden-Zukuri, the shoin-style divided the building’s interior into large and small rooms by using shoji or sliding screens and fusuma or sliding doors. It became a major housing style for the Samurai class in the Edo period.
Sukiya-zukuri is a residential structure into which the features of Chasitsu, or a tea ceremony room, are incorporated.
21. Byoudou-in hououdo
Located in Kyoto,this temple was built in1053 and is the only original building remaining from tha time.
Its graceful lines and warm colors give the building the appearance of a majestic bird spreading its wings. It is popularly known as the "Phoenix Hall," and when seen with its reflection on the large pond in front, it almost appears to be gliding above the earth. This view is one of the most famous scenes in Japan, and is replicated on back of the 10 yen coin.（Uji-cha)
(Inside, the temple houses a statue of Amida Buddha surrounded by Boddhisattvas in a variety of poses, playing instruments or reading sutras.
Other treasures of Byodo-in can be found in the Hosho-kan Museum, including the original temple bell, door paintings, and twin phoenix roof ornaments. It is said that the person modeled for Hikaru Genji, main character in the tale of Genji had lived here before construction. )
22. Shou-kyoto(little Kyoto)
Many of the towns that still have retained their character from before the Edo period are called Sho-kyoto, meaning little Kyoto and are tourist spots. Kawagoe-city in Saitama Prefecture is one of them.
It takes only 30 minutes by train from central Tokyo. There, the old storehouses and merchant houses are lined up creating a very historical atmosphere. Furthermore Rental of Kimonos are available for both men and women. Take a stroll through the town in a kimono and you'll feel as if you've travelled back in time to ancient Edo. Kawagoe is known for its sweet potato.
You can enjoy various types of potato dishes such as the rare "potato kaiseki", potato soba noodles, potato udon noodles, potato desserts and others.
They regularly hold the Koedo Kawagoe Daichakai, a tea ceremony in which anyone can participate freely without constraints based on clothing or formalities. Kawagoe is a suitable place for a day trip if you long to feel old Japan.
23. Chuson-ji
Chuson-ji is located in Hiraizumi-town which is about 450km north of Tokyo.Many of the buildings found in Hiraizumi including Chuson-ji were designated as the Unesco World Heritage site.
Hiraizumi’s grandeur once rivalled Kyoto.From 1089 to1189,three generations of the Fujiwara clan used their gold mining wealth to create a paradise devoted to the principles of Buddhism.Chuson-ji’s Konjiki-do Hall (Golden Hall) was constructed, with gorgeous gold and silver decorations in the early 12th century.
In the Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple, the three bodies of the FUJIWARA clan are mummified in gold coffins.
24. Onsen
It is said that the only thing that did not ultimately originate in mainland Asia is the bath. Japanese people love bathing, especially in an onsen or” hot spring”. Hot springs give one blissful relaxation and more importantly communal bathing provides opportunities to talk with local people on “hadakanotsukiai” or a very open and friendly basis. Many “ryokan” admit day visitors for their “onsen”. Taking a hot spring bath will definitely be an unforgettable memory of Japan.
25. The Hierarchy of Buddhism
The Hierarchy of Buddhism and how to differentiate categories of statues
In the Buddhist hierarchy, the highest position is referred to as Tathagata. Tathagata is then followed by Bodhisattva, and the Acala and then Deva. The statue of Tathagata, who is said to have attained enlightenment, is in sitting position with finely-curled hair on his head. Bodhisattva, trying to attain enlightment, is standing up and wears necklaces and bracelets.Bodhisattva is said to be a deity of mercy and his face looks merciful.Acala is a deity which acts as sort of a security guard to protect the faithful from wolrdly sins,therefore his face looks angry.Finally Deva acts to protect the spiritual realm of Nirvana from evil.Statues in the face of women or animals are usually Deva.
26. Tokyo Olympics
The next Olympics will be held in Tokyo in 2020. Tokyo last held the Olympics in 1964, when Japan was still in a postwar economic recovery stage. The Olympics impacted in such a way that it became the second largest economy in the world. However, the Japanese economy has been stagnant over the last few decades. I hope the Olympics in 2020 will revitalize the Japanese economy through a lot more overseas tourists travelling to Japan.
27. Shimoda
Shimoda is located in the Izu Peninsula about 100km south west of Tokyo. Shimoda is where the famed Kurofune or Black Ships of US Commodore Perry dropped anchor in the mid 19th century. It holds a pivotal place in Japan’s history as the nation officially opened to the outside world after centuries of its isolation policy. Its views of the rugged coast line and Mt. Fuji are as beautiful as if you are seeing Hokusai’s ukiyo-e print. There is a “Perry road, which is cobbled and leads to Ryosen-ji where Commodore Perry and representatives of the Tokugawa shogunate signed the treaty to open Shimoda.
It is also famous for its hot springs where you can take an outdoor bath while viewing Mt. Fuji, over a cup of hot sake.
28. Owl cafe in Tokyo
Akiba Fukurou is an Owl cafe located in Akihabara. As you step inside the shop, you will be greeted by numerous owls. After learning a bit about the owls and the rules for handling them, you can interact the owls. It is said that owls can heal people’s tired hearts; like therapy. You can’t buy food or coffee but a souvenir photo snapped by the in-house photographer is given as a keepsake. Overseas visitors say that this is really a unique experience.
29. Samurai Kembu Theater in Kyoto
Samurai Kembu Theater is located in Kyoto. Samurai Kembu Theater, a dojo (training gym) of Kembu, offers both Kembu shows and lesson programs for visitors to Kyoto. You can learn about, and practice, some aspects of the etiquette of Samurai with a chance to try on a traditional costume, as well as a show performed by Kembu Masters.
Samurai kembu is a traditional performance which uses a Japanese sword 'katana' and a Japanese fan. The word ‘kembu’ literally means” sword dance.”In feudal ages, samurai danced with their swords and fans to give themselves courage or to achieve mental concentration. In the movie "The Last Samurai" you can see the actor performing Kembu on the day before the battle. (Tom Cruise)
30. Ise-jingu Shrine
Located in Ise peninsula, Ise- jingu, Ise grand shrine is Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine. Its area is roughly the same size as Paris. Ise can be easily reached from Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. The inner shrine is thought to date from the 3rd century and enshrines the goddess, Amaterasu-Omikami. She is considered the ancestral goddess of the imperial family and guardian deity of Japan. Especially in the Edo period, It was a dream of commoners to make a pilgrimage to the Ise-jingu Shrine once in their lives. As many as 8 million people visit the Shrine every year. In the neighborhood of the Shrine, here are some restored historic districts.Oharai-machi, a pedestrian street along the Edo period pilgimage route to the Shrine is packed with many beautifully restored storefronts of shops and restaurants. You can have meals and purchase a great variety of souvenirs in this area.
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