(英語の後に日本語が続きます。) Joetsu’s history is dominated by the exploits of 16th century daimyo, Uesugi Kensin, during the period of the “Warring States”. The 16th century is far enough behind us to be able to ignore the terrible wars fought in those days but it is harder to ignore Joetsu’s role in the second world war, or …
GANGI-DORI of TAKADA
Google identifies Gangi as the most beautiful village in Italy. Wikipedia does a little better and identifies gangi (雁木) as an opening in shogi, named after the covered sidewalks (雁木造) that connect buildings in Japan’s Snow Country. (英語の後に日本が続きます。) Gangi are extended eaves of houses to allow passage sheltered from the snow in winter. During the …
Graffiti art, or is it “street art”?
A proposal to make Joetsu the street art capital of Japan (英語の後に日本語が続きます。) As I have argued in my post of September 23, 2021 (“The image of Joetsu, or the lack thereof …”), Joetsu is a city without image. It is possible to change this. There are ways to do so. First step is to select …
THE GREAT TEMPLES OF MINAMIUONUMA – Untoan
A beautiful weekday in summer. Other than two women who were leaving just when I arrived at Untoan, there was no one around except some young monks cleaning the garden and a lady collecting entrance fees. Untoan, and the other great temples of Minamiuonuma (including for instance Saifuku-ji) are all located within 10 to 15 …
THE TAKADA INTERSECTION of the Hokurikudo and the Hokkoku-kaido
Across the street from a Seven-11 in Takada and around the corner from the Ogawa Kimono Shop is a small shrine and some stone markers. It is the Oiwake intersection of Higashi-hondori. This shrine and the markers are all that reminds us of what historically was an important intersection of major roads in Joetsu. The …
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THE HISTORY OF HISOKA MAEJIMA– and why he should be voted “most notable” person from Joetsu.
At a recent visit to my local post office, all staff, including manager Tanaka, were wearing red T-shirts with an inscription to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Japan postal system. A system that was created shortly after the Meiji restoration (1868), during that remarkable period in which Japan had concluded that it was preferable to …
WHY NOT A 2nd HOME IN JOETSU?
(英語の後に日本語が続きます。) Many people in Japan do not have a clear idea what to expect when hearing the name of Joetsu. The city does not have much of an image and its exact location is a mystery to many. Actually, its location is quite unique. The region Joetsu is the Western part of Niigata prefecture. Joetsu …
The image of Joetsu, or the lack thereof…
(英語の後に日本語が続きます。) From many people in Joetsu who I meet for the first time, as well as from friends and acquaintances in Tokyo, I often receive the same question: “Why Joetsu”? I can give them a fairly rational explanation. The response becomes a little more difficult if the same friends and acquaintances in Tokyo ask the …
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM -If supermarkets sell more diapers for adults than for babies, you know there is a problem.
(英語の後に日本語が続きます。) With the change of the seasons the elections are coming to Japan. The LDP presidency on September 29, the Mayor of Joetsu in October and finally the House of Representatives on October 31, 2021. The season of elections but at the same time the season of electoral promises. Incidentally, “Promises to keep” was the …
YOSHIKAWA HIGH SCHOOL – The cradle of sake brewing in Niigata
Niigata-ken is the prefecture with the largest number of sake breweries and home of the Echigo touji (brew masters) guild. Support for the brewing industry is well organized. Starting at the top, the Sakeology Center of Niigata University, followed by the Niigata Sake Research Institute (managed by the Niigata Sake Brewers Association) and the Niigata …
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JOETSU STORIES 