Tohoku

Tohoku Region (東北地方

The Tohoku region is Part on Honshu (the largest island of Japan)

Tohoku is located in the northeastern part of the island

There are six prefectures in the Tohoku Region (Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata)

Tohoku is seen as a remote and has a mountainous scenery but the climate can be harsh

This region is not as industrialized as others and is seen as the “granary” of Japan

nBecause the climate is harsh the weather usually allows for one crop per year

nTourism has become a major industry in the Tohoku region

The City of Sendai
Center of the Tohoku Region

nSendai is the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture and the location of many central government branch offices, making it "the capital city of the Tohoku region”

nMinistry of Economy Trade and Industry:
Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry

Ministry of Justice:
Sendai Legal Affairs Bureau,
Sendai Regional Immigration Bureau

Foreign missions:
Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Sendai,
Australian Consulate in Sendai
Honorary, Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany,
Honorary Consulate of New Zealand,
Korea Tourism Organization Sendai Branch,
Italian Trade Commission Sendai

nSendai is approximately 96 minutes from Tokyo station making business exchange between Sendai and other regions possible

Hirosaki

nHirosaki was once the political and cultural capital of the Tsugary Region during the Edo Period

nHirosaki’s main attraction is the Hirosaki Castle

nHirosaki Park is one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom spots with over 2,600 cherry blossom trees

Matsushima Bay

nMatsushima bay is known for it’s beautiful scenery and it is said to be one of most beautiful sceneries in Japan

nZuiganji, a small city in Matsushima, houses one of the most important Zen temples in the Tohoku region

nMatsushima is dotted with over 200 islets, two of the islands are open for public viewing, Oshima and Fukuurajima

Hiraizumi

nHiraizumi is a town located in Nishiiwai District, Iwate, Japan,

nThe city was considered a cultural capital of northern Japan during the Heian era.

nHiraizumi’s golden age lasted for 100 years and it is now more of a historical site as many of the buildings were destroyed but the land holds many stories of the Fujiwara Clan.

アイヌ

nEthnic group native to 北海度、 本州、and other parts of 日本, especially 東北

nApproximately 150,000 アイヌ today

¡Exact number not known

¡アイヌ are often subject to racism and hide their ethnicity

アイヌ Origins

nアイヌ are believed to be decended from ancient people in central and east asia

¡Are thought to be closely related to other native people, e.g.琉球民族

nViewed as “noble savages” by 日本人

¡Often used to justify “acquisition” of アイヌ lands by the 日本人

アイヌ Culture

nアイヌ language is similar to 日本語

¡Differences in syntax, phonology, vocab

¡Probably due to interaction between アイヌ and 日本人

nClothing consists of plant fibers or animal skin

¡Tattoos and piercings were common for both genders

アイヌ Culture, Cont

nCuisine makes heavy use of wild game

¡Bear, fox, badger, horse, fish, etc

¡Also makes use of wild vegetables, herbs and roots

nUnlike 日本人、 アイヌ never ate raw fish or flesh – always roasted or boiled

nMen used chopsticks, women used wooden spoons

nHousing consisted of reed thatched huts, at most 6m sq.

アイヌ Culture, Cont.

nアイヌ were animists traditionally

¡Animism: belief that everything has an internal spirit

¡Offerings of rice beer, prayer and willow sticks were made by the village chief

¡Some アイヌ are members of the Russian Orthodox Church

アイヌ　Legacy

nアイヌ were officially recognized by 日本 as an indigenous minority in March ’97

¡アイヌ　are protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Politica Rights as of 1979

¡Many societies exist to further the アイヌ political cause

Sendai

Major City: Sendai

Founded by famous samurai Date Masumune in 17th Century

Tohoku Electric Power Co.

Sendai City Tree and Flower

Japanese Zelkova Japanese Clover

Sendai Castle

Also known as Aoba Castle

Near Mt. Aoba

Construction ordered in 1600

Home of Date Masamune and his family

1000 Buddha's

Shogi: Japanese Chess

Similar to western style chess

Developed in the 6th Century

Chu- shogi

Dai- shogi

“Iemoto”

Sendai Tanabata Matsuri

Japanese Star Festival

Held on the 7th of July

tanabata means “seven evenings”

Tanabata Matsuri Ornaments

Tonzaku: for good handwriting

and studies

Kamigoromo: for good sewing, wards off accidents and bad health

Kuzukago: for cleanliness and

unwastefulness

Orizuru: for family safety, health and long life

Festival Decoration/ Ornaments

Streamers: Strings Orihime uses

to weave

Kinchaku: for good business

Toami: for good fishing and

harvest

Orihime and Hikoboshi

The Sendai Festival celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair)

Lovers separated by a river of stars.

The Summer Triangle