A trip to North Korea costs around $5,000. The rumour is that upon entering the country you are taken on a high-security level tour that has been specifically built for this purpose where you will see specially designed roads, grand buildings and civillian actors who will tell you how glorious living under Kim Jong-Il`s rule is.
At dinner last night a friend of mine told us about his interest in potemkin villages, the concept of which apparantly started in Russia hundreds of years ago to appease the King when he visited various locations. To avoid execution, local shop owners would create lavish exteriors for their businesses to distract the king from their obvious poverty, but these exteriors were completely flat (2D).
This whole idea struck the same chord with me as America`s Disney Land.
One of these potemkin villages, referred to as "Propaganda Village" (see link below) exists close to the DMZ, the militarized border between North and South Korea and we will be able to see it when we visit next weekend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gijeong-dong
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Setsubun Festival
Today, February 3rd, is the official boundary between the winter and spring. The word "setsubun" literally means "the division of the seasons" and to celebrate this Japanese people will take part in "mamemaki", or, "bean-throwing". It is customary for children and adults to throw roasted soy beans in, out and around the house while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" Which translates to, "Devils out! Happiness in!" It is also traditional to eat as many soy beans as one`s age (I carefully counted 21 this morning, and have just realised I`ll have to go home and sadly eat one more) and also makizushi - long uncut rolls of sushi.
In households with small children, a relative will usually don a grotesque `oni` or `demon` mask and try to scare them, until he is forced away by a torrent of soybeans. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Pink_oni_Noh_mask.jpg)
Bean-throwing and other rituals are usually performed in most shrines and temples around Japan during Setsubun day, so tonight I will cycle around Amagi and hopefully take some pictures of the oni. I am looking forward to a sushi dinner and the coming of spring.
Tuna and teriyaki makisushi, and 22 soybeans.
In households with small children, a relative will usually don a grotesque `oni` or `demon` mask and try to scare them, until he is forced away by a torrent of soybeans. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Pink_oni_Noh_mask.jpg)
Bean-throwing and other rituals are usually performed in most shrines and temples around Japan during Setsubun day, so tonight I will cycle around Amagi and hopefully take some pictures of the oni. I am looking forward to a sushi dinner and the coming of spring.
Tuna and teriyaki makisushi, and 22 soybeans.
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