Drum Festival in Matsue, Japan

 The construction of Matsue Castle began in 1607, under the local lord Horio Yoshiharu. In this year 2007, the local government celebrates four hundred year anniversary of the beginning of the construction of Matsue Castle. Those are pictures of Dou Gyoretsu drum festival commemorating the anniversary. In the very last picture, you can find a Haiku or Japanese poetry. It says, "にこにこと　笑うあなたが　好きだから" My translation of this Haiku follows. "Your twinkling smile / makes me love you / this much." I like this Haiku very much. Do you?

'Water City', Matsue

I was able to spend a wonderful autumn vacation in Shimane prefecture for the first time in 25 years. I met my family members, visited historic places and autumn festivals. I've uploaded pictures I took in Matsue city during my trip, from Oct. 17 to Oct. 23. In the picture follows, a construction workers' boat and a pleasure boat in which several travelers are on board are cruising slowly on the castle moat.

About an hour pleasure boat trip takes you around Matsue Castle. As you float along the canal, you can see beautiful sights of Matsue Castle, old Samurai Residence and pine tree Streets. You will also travel under 16 famous bridges that span the castle moat. Matsue Castle is nicknamed the "plover castle", it is one of the few remaining medieval castles remaining in their original wooden form, and not a modern reconstruction in concrete. Most Japanese castles have been damaged or destroyed by war, earthquakes, or other causes. Since a large part of their construction was wooden, fire was a major hazard. Matsue castle was built after the last great war of feudal Japan, so it never saw a battle. The construction of Matsue Castle began in 1607 and finished in 1611, under the local lord Horio Yoshiharu. In this year 2007, the local government celebrates four hundred year anniversary of the beginning of the construction of Matsue Castle. Next weekend, I'll upload pictures of Dou Gyoretsu drum festival commemorating the anniversary.