It is
still cold, but signs of spring are seen here and there. Sunshine hours are
getting longer and the sunlight is getting brighter.
I
visited Nihon Minka-en, or an open-air museum of Japan’s traditional houses, in
Ikuta Ryokuchi (green zone) in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
About 30
houses are there. Most of them were built in the Edo, Meiji and Taisho era
(more than 80 years ago) in Tohoku (northern Japan), Hokuriku (Sea of Japan
coastal area), Kanto (around Tokyo) and other areas in Japan. They have been
moved from original places to the museum.
There
are several gassho-zukuri houses. They are from Gifu-Toyama boarder area, where
they have heavy snow. The houses have steep roofs so that the snow easily drops
from the house. The roof is made with straws.
Most houses
have fireplaces inside. People took meals and had communications around the
fireplaces.
There spreads
woods outside the park. They include a wood of Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood).
People enjoyed walks with their dogs.
They also
have a museum of Taro Okamoto (1911-96), a famous modern artist who was born in
Kawasaki City. His impressive works were displayed.
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