Shiga Prefecture Publishes Cultural Information Guide “COOL SHIGA” -Life and Prayer with Water-

2021/3/31 15:00

OTSU, Japan, Mar. 31, 2021 /Kyodo JBN/ --

Shiga Prefecture Publishes Cultural Information Guide

“COOL SHIGA” -Life and Prayer with Water-

Shiga Prefecture has published cultural information guide “COOL SHIGA” to convey the various attractions of Shiga's culture to foreigners visiting this western Japan region in the future. It introduces articles that can be viewed from the following URL from March 30.

https://en.biwako-visitors.jp/pamphlet/

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202103292922-O12-w41PTI1f

Spiritual “torii” gateway, floating on Lake Biwa, to Shirahige Shrine in Takashima: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI3fl_8X1XPZkl.jpg

Shiga Prefecture is located just northeast of Kyoto, at the center of Japan’s main island. It is home to Japan’s largest lake, Biwako (Lake Biwa), and to communities of unique culture and traditions that developed over time in harmony with nature that sustains local cuisine, industry, and lifestyle.

Okishima, among the world’s rare freshwater islands, still inhabited by a community of residents: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI4fl_XL00Bh7a.jpg

Mt. Ibuki in Maibara: Worshipped since long ago as a sacred mountain and home of water deities:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI5fl_xCgjz1fT.jpg

A Shinto ritual, Yatsugasaki-shinji, of Hyozu-taisha Shrine in Yasu takes place annually in December: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI6fl_06yh9O5O.jpg

An annual Buddhist ritual, Isaki-no-Saotobi, in Omihachiman is a unique ceremony with a history believed to date back nearly 1,000 years: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI7fl_2D701S4w.jpg

Sustainable Living Blessed by Pure Water

This “satoyama” environment of life in harmony with nature offers a tranquil atmosphere and scenic views of traditional village life. Clear channels of spring water flow through the town in a system designed for sustainable balance with the local ecosystem that has lasted for centuries. The waterways also connect to each house with a “kabata,” or a river-edge basin, for everyday household use which is fed by spring water and overflows back into the channels. The water keeps a steady year-round temperature of about 13C. Residents use kabata for cooking, doing dishes, and cooling farm vegetables.

Cooling vegetables in a household “kabata” (river-edge basin): https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI8fl_SiOpJ4Sz.jpg

Waterways fed by mountain water, and shared by the community: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI9fl_IfDBf8Ez.jpg

People believe the deity of water resides in kabata. So the New Year begins by gathering freshwater from the kabata, offering it at their family altar, and then making the New Year’s “ozoni” dish, a soup with “mochi” rice cake and vegetables. The outer portion of kabata connects to the water channels shared by all households. So everyone is careful to keep the water clean for each other, especially for those who are further downstream. The mutual trust and care between residents help to ensure a pure sustainable ecosystem.

Art Brut, expression driven solely by internal impulse

Essentially meaning “raw art” in French, the term Art Brut is used to describe an artform that relies on expression driven solely by internal impulse, without regard for expectations or convention. Shiga has continually been at the forefront of support for Art Brut artists and activities, with many local works being created in places such as social welfare facilities.

Art Brut: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202103292922/_prw_PI13fl_31P63bJx.jpg

Map: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202103292922-O11-indi6g58

Source: Shiga Prefectural Government

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