Mizuhiki – Adorning Life
Mizuhiki is an ancient Japanese art of knot-tying. This intricate craft has evolved over the centuries and is now cherished in modern Japan as both a holiday gift and a decorative element.
Feel the Zen in an Onsen
In earlier times in Japan, Onsen or hot springs used to be a sacred place where people went to cure their injuries and diseases. In the Edo Period (1600 – 1868), the patients started to stay for weeks or more at hot spring areas to be cured–it was the start of the inns that exist today.
"Ikaho Onsen Hanei no Zu" (Picture of Thriving Ikaho Hot Spring) by Chikanobu Yoshu (1868 – 1912) depicts a resort bath in what is today Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. Chikanobu, a woodblock artist famous for pictures of beautiful women, presents a scene of ladies bathing in cascading hot water, while others cool off in the mountain air. It makes the place tempting, as it was produced as an advertisement for inns in the hot spring town of Ikaho.
Along the years, onsen resorts have become a sort of entertainment in Japan, a holiday destination included in many sightseeing tours. It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is known as the world No.1 hot spring country. There are currently 2983 onsen towns, and as many as 27297 hot spring locations spread all over the country. Different minerals found in volcanic areas, provide different health benefits, including relaxing effects on the body and mind.
Onsen baths come in many varieties, indoors and outdoors, gender separated and mixed, developed and undeveloped. Many onsen baths belong to a ryokan (traditional inns), while others are public bath houses. (featured, Gora Kadan Ryokan, located in Hakone, Kanagawa).
Takaragawa Onsen, Minakami, Gunma
Historically, it is uncertain when Takaragawa became a hot spot. However, evidence of ancient people of Jomon (c.14,000–300 BCE) proves it has been used from those ages. Hot springs must have been an important place for ancient people, as their remains and ruins were located near them. It probably was difficult to heat the water and nearly impossible to make your entire body warm without immersing in an onsen.
Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture. The name Jigokudani, meaning “Hell’s Valley”, is due to the steam and boiling water that bubbles out of small crevices in the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold and hostile forests. It is famous for its large population of wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as snow monkeys. They go to the valley during the winter, and forage elsewhere in the park during warmer months. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm waters of the hot springs, and return to the forests in the evenings.
The traditional way of cooking onsen tamago is to place eggs into rope nets and leave them in an onsen, with water that is approximately 70 °C (158 °F) for 30 to 40 minutes. After cooking, the shell is cracked open and the egg is served in seasoned fish stock for breakfast, or with a light sauce made with mirin (rice wine), fish stock and soy sauce.
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