Fall and Fashion
Post date: 26-Nov-2009 15:22:18
Fall is an important time of the year in Japan. The leaves are very beautiful and many locals go to various places to enjoy them. We enjoyed our first glimpse of fall at Osaka Castle. It was built in 1583 and then burned down in 1615. It was rebuilt and then struck by lightning in 1665. It was rebuilt again in 1931. It's amazing how many buildings, castles and temples we have visited that have burned down by being struck by lightning. We know it was a castle though because there are still ravens on the grounds today.
We saw various objects in the castle such as armor, a folding screen depicting the summer battle of Osaka, and many writing artifacts.
We went to Umeda subway station so we could catch a short 30 minute train on the JR line to Kobe.
However, first we discovered the Food Park. It's a food court with various types of Japanese food and you eat it standing up at a little island that has a hole in the middle for your bags. We both had a wonderful spicy curry soup for $3.00 Canadian. We need one of these places in downtown Edmonton. Perhaps Colin and I should open up a place when we're back.
After we arrived in Kobe (a rather rich looking city), we walked to Rokko island to visit the Fashion Museum. I have wanted to visit a fashion museum since the start of our trip and I was so happy to finally have the opportunity to see one. I read an article about kawaii (cute) fashion and the fashion museum in Kobe in the Kansai scene magazine. It stated that most Japanese could not talk about their childhoods before WWII. Therefore, there is a desire to be drawn to cute things in the present fashion world. After the war people liked the simple designs of Louis Vutton. As western attitudes, clothes and imperialism swept in, people stopped wearing kimonos and started wearing other clothes to express themselves. The museum had beautiful kimonos on display as well as ghaghara which are gathered skirts that royal families and noble women in India wore. The bigger the skirt the the richer the person.
The one thing I really admire about Japanese culture is the politeness. In the Fashion museum, I saw the signs that stated I was not allowed to take pictures, but I attempted to sneak a few. I was caught and the worker kindly said to me "Suimasen, please don't take pictures." I apologized and said arigato. People are also very polite when they are waiting to get on trains or buses. People stand in a single file line and wait until everyone has gotten off the train before they attempt to get on.
A few other random pictures from the day:
Walking 3 Km to get from Kobe train station to the Fashion Museum
A sign we passed on our walk
There is a huge plastic food culture. Almost every restaurant has plastic food outside. You can also buy cell phone charms of any type of food. Donuts and waffles seem to be the most popular.
You can view our other 115 fall and fashion photos here: