Here is the backstory with regard to my above posted photos if anyone is interested.
Hidden at the base of a forested mountain, the Shinto Kirishima Shrine, located over an hour distant from the Kyushu city of Kagoshima, has been described as the Nikko of Western Japan. (Nikko located over two hours distant from Tokyo is home of Japan's most decorated shrine, the Toshogu Shrine and both shrines are located in National Forests.)
The below photographs chronicle our arrival in Kagoshima earlier this year and views of the active volcano Sakurajima both as seen from the port and enroute to Kirishima Shrine. The shrine itself dates back to at least 540 AD although it was relocated to its present location in 1715 due to repeated fires from volcanoes having burned the original as it continued to be rebuilt. The shrine itself is most sacred to the Japanese as enshrining Ninigi-no-Mikito who per Japanese mythology was the grandson of the Sun Goddess who came down to earth and married a mortal princess with their progeny including a great grandson Jimmu who was the first Emperor of Japan. The original location of the shrine was at the base of Mount Takachiho-no-Mine, the mountain on whose summit Emperor Jimmu's Great Grandfather came down from heaven and planted a sword or spear into the ground.
Interestingly, at the not too far distant present location of the Kirishima Shrine there stands an image on a sacred pine tree's branch that some claim is a representation of Ninigi-no Mikito replicating his descent to earth. The tree itself, as well as the image, is pictured below and is at least 800 years old. It is also claimed that this particular tree is the ancestor of all pine trees in Southern Kyushu.
Also evident in the below photos taken at Kirishima Shrine is the large Tori Gate at the base of the walkway to the shrine which is the Tori Gate most heralded in Western Japan. Along the walkway is located a cleansing with water location and near to it a boulder that is the boulder referenced in Japan's National Anthem "Kimigayo" as pebbles that grow into boulders. The boulder is Sazare-ishi.
Photos from earlier this year taken in Kagoshima Japan at Kirishima Onsen's Sulfur Valley, site of Japan's First Honeymoon. National Hero Samurai Ryoma Sakamoto and his bride Oryo came here in 1866 for the heaing powers of the hot spring waters after he was injured as a loyalist of the Emperor in the Teradaya Incident. He credited the healing powers of the Kirishima hot spring waters for his speedy return to health.
Kirishima Onsen is a group of volcanic sourced hot springs scattered along the hillside of Mount Kirishima where as evident in the below photos one can witness the volcanic steam as it vents from the ground in the Onsen's Sulfur Valley.
Today the largest and most impressive Onsen bathhouse is located at Kirishima Hotel and Cedar Garden as pictured below. It is uniquely arranged to allow for both segregated and combined male and female bathing in its milky waters that are so deep one can bathe modestly standing up.
Another legendary Samurai honored in Kagoshima is Saigo Takamori known today as "The Last Samurai." His towering statue can be seen from the roadway as captured by my camera in one of the last pictures below. Some ten plus years after the Teradaya Incident he fought in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 after which his life ended in Kagoshima where his soldiers had their last stand there.
As a footnote to my immediately prior Kagoshima related photo posting with regard to the boulder that came from a pebble as described in Japan's National Anthem - it is notable that the anthem is not only one of the oldest (having come from a Wake poem written before 1185), but is the world's shortest National Anthem. Here are its words translated into English:
"May your reign continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the tiny pebbles grow into massive boulders lush with moss."
Again, here are boulders covered with moss as seen along the pathway to Kirishima Shrine which reportedly inspired the lyrics for Japan's National Anthem.
That should be Wako Poem, not Wake Poem. (No thanks to spellcheck. )
As a footnote to my immediately prior Kagoshima related photo posting with regard to the boulder that came from a pebble as described in Japan's National Anthem - it is notable that the anthem is not only one of the oldest (having come from a Wake poem written before 1185), but is the world's shortest National Anthem. Here are its words translated into English:
"May your reign continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the tiny pebbles grow into massive boulders lush with moss."
So… full steps? 😎
Shot it this summer while out east. Finished the Monticello tour and a speech by TJ impersonator Bill Barker in time to grab a few exterior shots before a storm rolled in. They take that lightning stuff seriously since you’re on top of a mountain. I can post a few interior pics if anyone is interested.
@telephoto1 When I saw your pic, my first thought was "full steps!"
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Yay, it is still Friday and there is still time for the posting of photos taken this Friday day - Just in time for Octoberfest!
By way of preface, here are a few photos taken on prior visits to the Fatherland including one in my ancestral home of Bad Durkheim as we stand in front of the city's iconic symbol. In subsequent photos taken today here in the Northland one can see replicas, although on a smaller scale, of that symbol being erected to provide a welcome to the transported celebration of Octoberfest here:
And for today's photos that chronicle men at work as they set up for Octoberfest in this distant land:
First, the barrels roll off the truck:
Concurrently the tables are brought in and arranged under the tents:
Then the welcoming barrels are hoisted into position:
Mission Accomplished. as the barrels are placed erect as a welcoming entrance to this weekend's upcoming Octoberfest Festivities:
And for those interested in a little history regarding Octoberfest, here is my offered narrative:
First, the "ancient" history: The first Oktoberfest was held over 200 years ago on October 17th of 1810. It had a dual purpose. First, it served as a celebration of a young Bavarian Prince's marriage to his bride. Second, it provided a way for the Citizens of Bavaria to express pride in Bavaria's independence as a new country, having just exited The Holy Roman Empire. That first Octoberfest was centered around a week of playing of games with the most popular being a horse race. The following year the Bavarian Agricultural Association was in charge and they thought a State Fair type of agenda would find favor as they included cattle markets and the demonstration of prize winning animals. The reigns were turned over to The City of Munich in 1819 as the end of the first decade approached.
While beer concessions were first included as a part of Octoberfest in 1835 it wasn't until six decades later in 1895 that the Breweries across Germany began setting up temporary Beer Halls which continue to this day in huge tents erected on the same meadow where the first Octoberfest was held. In homage to the festival's historical origin the meadow is known as Theresienwiese Meadow, named after the Princess whose marriage was first honored there - Princess Therese.
The primary food fare at Octoberfest includes huge pretzels, Brats, and rotisserie roasted chicken. Since only 6 million litres of beer are consumed each year and there are 6 million visitors it is evident that many come for the food and festivity alone as those who do imbibe don't limit themselves to a single litre. Also part of Octoberfest today are Carnival rides with Merry-Go-Rounds and Ferris Wheels as well as traditional German folk dancing. Expect to see the men dressed in their lederhosen and the women wearing dirndls such as the one our being "modeled" in a photo above.
The Octoberfest held in Munich on the Theresienwiese Meadow is the largest Folk Festival in the World. In more modern times the celebration of Octoberfest has expanded to all of Germany as a celebration of German Heritage and as evidenced in my photos below as taken here in the Northland today, it is replicated outside of Germany as well. Octoberfest is celebrated even in Tokyo, Japan.
Now turning to when Octoberfest is held - yes it originally was held primarily in October. As noted above, the first Octoberfest began on October 17h and lasted a week. Today's 16 day Octoberfest festival is mostly held during the month of September with the last day usually being the first Sunday of October. Why? Well, originally September was off the calendar because that was harvest time and Bavaria was traditionally an agricultural region that needed its people to be in the fields to reap the crops rather than out celebrating. However as that transitioned and more people could leave the farms there was a demand for the celebration to move to an earlier date when the weather was typically better with the temperatures more moderate and less rainfall. Thus today, Octoberfest begins this September weekend but at least, in keeping with tradition, its name has not been changed to Septemberfest.
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@JWP said:
The Disney remake of "Thirty Seconds over Toyota".
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
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NMI.
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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While my wife is recovering from a hip replacement, our Granddaughter stopped by to bring some smiles to her Nonna.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
Here is the backstory with regard to my above posted photos if anyone is interested.
Hidden at the base of a forested mountain, the Shinto Kirishima Shrine, located over an hour distant from the Kyushu city of Kagoshima, has been described as the Nikko of Western Japan. (Nikko located over two hours distant from Tokyo is home of Japan's most decorated shrine, the Toshogu Shrine and both shrines are located in National Forests.)
The below photographs chronicle our arrival in Kagoshima earlier this year and views of the active volcano Sakurajima both as seen from the port and enroute to Kirishima Shrine. The shrine itself dates back to at least 540 AD although it was relocated to its present location in 1715 due to repeated fires from volcanoes having burned the original as it continued to be rebuilt. The shrine itself is most sacred to the Japanese as enshrining Ninigi-no-Mikito who per Japanese mythology was the grandson of the Sun Goddess who came down to earth and married a mortal princess with their progeny including a great grandson Jimmu who was the first Emperor of Japan. The original location of the shrine was at the base of Mount Takachiho-no-Mine, the mountain on whose summit Emperor Jimmu's Great Grandfather came down from heaven and planted a sword or spear into the ground.
Interestingly, at the not too far distant present location of the Kirishima Shrine there stands an image on a sacred pine tree's branch that some claim is a representation of Ninigi-no Mikito replicating his descent to earth. The tree itself, as well as the image, is pictured below and is at least 800 years old. It is also claimed that this particular tree is the ancestor of all pine trees in Southern Kyushu.
Also evident in the below photos taken at Kirishima Shrine is the large Tori Gate at the base of the walkway to the shrine which is the Tori Gate most heralded in Western Japan. Along the walkway is located a cleansing with water location and near to it a boulder that is the boulder referenced in Japan's National Anthem "Kimigayo" as pebbles that grow into boulders. The boulder is Sazare-ishi.
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
For this Friday
Photos from earlier this year taken in Kagoshima Japan at Kirishima Onsen's Sulfur Valley, site of Japan's First Honeymoon. National Hero Samurai Ryoma Sakamoto and his bride Oryo came here in 1866 for the heaing powers of the hot spring waters after he was injured as a loyalist of the Emperor in the Teradaya Incident. He credited the healing powers of the Kirishima hot spring waters for his speedy return to health.
Kirishima Onsen is a group of volcanic sourced hot springs scattered along the hillside of Mount Kirishima where as evident in the below photos one can witness the volcanic steam as it vents from the ground in the Onsen's Sulfur Valley.
Today the largest and most impressive Onsen bathhouse is located at Kirishima Hotel and Cedar Garden as pictured below. It is uniquely arranged to allow for both segregated and combined male and female bathing in its milky waters that are so deep one can bathe modestly standing up.
Another legendary Samurai honored in Kagoshima is Saigo Takamori known today as "The Last Samurai." His towering statue can be seen from the roadway as captured by my camera in one of the last pictures below. Some ten plus years after the Teradaya Incident he fought in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 after which his life ended in Kagoshima where his soldiers had their last stand there.
As a footnote to my immediately prior Kagoshima related photo posting with regard to the boulder that came from a pebble as described in Japan's National Anthem - it is notable that the anthem is not only one of the oldest (having come from a Wake poem written before 1185), but is the world's shortest National Anthem. Here are its words translated into English:
"May your reign continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the tiny pebbles grow into massive boulders lush with moss."
Again, here are boulders covered with moss as seen along the pathway to Kirishima Shrine which reportedly inspired the lyrics for Japan's National Anthem.
Zero lot line 1 br/bath homes for sale
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
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Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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NMI.
Red Lake Montana a few days ago
That should be Wako Poem, not Wake Poem. (No thanks to spellcheck.
)
As a footnote to my immediately prior Kagoshima related photo posting with regard to the boulder that came from a pebble as described in Japan's National Anthem - it is notable that the anthem is not only one of the oldest (having come from a Wake poem written before 1185), but is the world's shortest National Anthem. Here are its words translated into English:
"May your reign continue for a thousand, eight thousand generations,
Until the tiny pebbles grow into massive boulders lush with moss."
DPOTD-3
'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'
CU #3245 B.N.A. #428
Don
My wife’s parents are really into trains. Here they are in their backyard 🌝
Mr_Spud
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
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Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
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Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
1884-O Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63
List of Coins for sale at link (no photos)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RvQQV4TSsEi3U4WW8
So… full steps? 😎
Shot it this summer while out east. Finished the Monticello tour and a speech by TJ impersonator Bill Barker in time to grab a few exterior shots before a storm rolled in. They take that lightning stuff seriously since you’re on top of a mountain. I can post a few interior pics if anyone is interested.
RIP Mom- 1932-2012
@telephoto1 When I saw your pic, my first thought was "full steps!"
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Yay, it is still Friday and there is still time for the posting of photos taken this Friday day - Just in time for Octoberfest!
By way of preface, here are a few photos taken on prior visits to the Fatherland including one in my ancestral home of Bad Durkheim as we stand in front of the city's iconic symbol. In subsequent photos taken today here in the Northland one can see replicas, although on a smaller scale, of that symbol being erected to provide a welcome to the transported celebration of Octoberfest here:
And for today's photos that chronicle men at work as they set up for Octoberfest in this distant land:
First, the barrels roll off the truck:
Concurrently the tables are brought in and arranged under the tents:
Then the welcoming barrels are hoisted into position:
Mission Accomplished. as the barrels are placed erect as a welcoming entrance to this weekend's upcoming Octoberfest Festivities:
And for those interested in a little history regarding Octoberfest, here is my offered narrative:
First, the "ancient" history: The first Oktoberfest was held over 200 years ago on October 17th of 1810. It had a dual purpose. First, it served as a celebration of a young Bavarian Prince's marriage to his bride. Second, it provided a way for the Citizens of Bavaria to express pride in Bavaria's independence as a new country, having just exited The Holy Roman Empire. That first Octoberfest was centered around a week of playing of games with the most popular being a horse race. The following year the Bavarian Agricultural Association was in charge and they thought a State Fair type of agenda would find favor as they included cattle markets and the demonstration of prize winning animals. The reigns were turned over to The City of Munich in 1819 as the end of the first decade approached.
While beer concessions were first included as a part of Octoberfest in 1835 it wasn't until six decades later in 1895 that the Breweries across Germany began setting up temporary Beer Halls which continue to this day in huge tents erected on the same meadow where the first Octoberfest was held. In homage to the festival's historical origin the meadow is known as Theresienwiese Meadow, named after the Princess whose marriage was first honored there - Princess Therese.
The primary food fare at Octoberfest includes huge pretzels, Brats, and rotisserie roasted chicken. Since only 6 million litres of beer are consumed each year and there are 6 million visitors it is evident that many come for the food and festivity alone as those who do imbibe don't limit themselves to a single litre. Also part of Octoberfest today are Carnival rides with Merry-Go-Rounds and Ferris Wheels as well as traditional German folk dancing. Expect to see the men dressed in their lederhosen and the women wearing dirndls such as the one our being "modeled" in a photo above.
The Octoberfest held in Munich on the Theresienwiese Meadow is the largest Folk Festival in the World. In more modern times the celebration of Octoberfest has expanded to all of Germany as a celebration of German Heritage and as evidenced in my photos below as taken here in the Northland today, it is replicated outside of Germany as well. Octoberfest is celebrated even in Tokyo, Japan.
Now turning to when Octoberfest is held - yes it originally was held primarily in October. As noted above, the first Octoberfest began on October 17h and lasted a week. Today's 16 day Octoberfest festival is mostly held during the month of September with the last day usually being the first Sunday of October. Why? Well, originally September was off the calendar because that was harvest time and Bavaria was traditionally an agricultural region that needed its people to be in the fields to reap the crops rather than out celebrating. However as that transitioned and more people could leave the farms there was a demand for the celebration to move to an earlier date when the weather was typically better with the temperatures more moderate and less rainfall. Thus today, Octoberfest begins this September weekend but at least, in keeping with tradition, its name has not been changed to Septemberfest.
Insert witicism here. [ xxx ]
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Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
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I'll bet this steamer would fit on their tracks: