Japanese Tradition: Fireworks in Summer 日本的夏天

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Summer starts after the rainy season(Monsoon梅雨) in Japan.  Summer in Japan is usually humid, hot, and uncomfortable.  People endure by hearing nice and cool sounds of  "Edo Furin(江戸風鈴)" the Japanese glass wind chime, or watching fire flies(蛍). Big fire works, festivals(祭り), and "Obon(お盆)"--- are probably the best things in summer.  


Celebrating "Obon" (or Bon Festival) is one of the most important Japanese tradition.  It was originally a Buddhist ceremony in which people welcome back the sprits of ancestors and also loved ones who passed away.  


Firework Festivals (花火大会) started in 18th century during Edo Era (江戸時代).  It was for comforting the souls of the dead(鎮魂).  Japanese fire works are beautiful and magnificent which also comfort people who watch them. 




Hawaiian Relaxation Qigong and Taichi Class

Martial Arts for Health

Health is essential to happiness

Happy New Year! 　

2014甲午  is a year of the horse.  

Wishing everyone healthy and prosperous year 2014.

They are the violent scary demons called Namahage.  They come down from the mountain to visit every home to scare bad people.  They will bring good fortune and prosper.  It's a ritual in Oga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture(Northern area of Japan with heavy snow in the winter) on New Year's Eve.  

Health and well-being is important to our lives.  Exercise is essential to the health.  In this video, Namahages are training the Chinese martial art called Bagua 八卦掌 (Eight Trigram Fists) for health.  The famous Baguazhang masters lived healthy long life.  The training may help maintain the health to become active seniors. 

More story is on YouTube.