Although Hachijojima island is located in the Tokyo metropolitan administrative area, it is a tiny and remote island on the Pacific Ocean. However, it has been developed by people who were confined here a few centuries ago by the authorities of those days whether or not they were guilty. Some of them were so sophisticated and talented that their activities ended up shaping the traditions of the island.
We visited an old folks' dwelling, called Hattori Yashiki, which is now utilized as the museum of the island's traditional arts and crafts. We also enjoyed the island's folk music there performed by Hachijojimaites with a Japanese drum. Look at the fence of the entrance. Without cement, small round stones were beautifully and securely piled up by an artisan's highly accomplished skills. There must have been several huge earthquakes on this island too, but the fence was still intact. Amazing!
The last picture was shot at a tourist attraction, Furusato Village, which showed rebuilt old houses and lifestyles of the Edo period (17~19th century). There were no other tourists and we could see them at our own pace.
(Vocabulary)
dwelling (フォーマル) 住居, 住宅
highly accomplished 高度に熟練した, 非常に優れた
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How far is Hachijojima Island from Tokyo?
Posted by: Peter | Apr 02, 2014 at 06:29 AM