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The
Oriental Caravan's 2011
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Kumamoto Castle... site of an epic siege during the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877 that effectively lead to the defeat of the Samurai class. The failure of this 'last gasp' attempt to save traditional Japan paved the way for what took its place - the ultimately disastrous militarism and expansionism that was Imperial Japan. |
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| 'Last Samurai' inspiration, the great Saigo Takamori lead the Satsuma rebellion. Despite having fought against the Emperor he is considered a hero among many Japanese, particularly here in his hometown of Kagoshima, where his picture is ubiquitous. Without doubt he embodied the true spirit of bushido 'the way of the warrior'. |
The site of Saigo Takamori's heroic ritual suicide,
seppuku,
at the end of the
Battle of
Shiroyama, Kagoshima. He and 300 or so of his remaining Samurai
fought to the death against an Imperial army of some 30,000
heavily armed, Western-trained troops. |
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| Giant squid, Hagi Museum |
Squidlike shadow of a gunslit, Matsue Castle |
Part of the San In coastline near Hagi |
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| Screenshot from a newsroom in the Tohoku region, broadcasting during an aftershock. | Don't give up, Japan! Don't give up, Tohoku! One of many signs that
sprung up throughout the country exorting people not to despair in the
face of the disaster. This one in Hagi. Ganbatte, Nihon! |
The economic damage of the earthquake has been catastrophic. Throughout Japan students and young people devoted all their spare time to raising money to help the victims. Japan Red Cross Appeal |
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| Shoshazan Engyoji temple, Himeji (location for the shooting of 'the Last Samurai'. | Buddhist deity on the approach to Shoshazan Engyoji temple | Schoolboy dwarfed by Kumamoto Castle's massive outer walls |
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| Section of garden at the Adachi Museum, considered by some to be the most beautiful garden in all Japan | Pine trees at the Adachi Museum | Ornamental bridge in the exquisite gardens of the Imperial Palace, Kyoto |
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| Statue at the Kamikaze Museum in Chiran, commemorating the brave young men who died in the defence of their country at the end of the Second World War. | Cherry blossom, the ephemerality of whose beauty is considered to symbolise the Samurai warrior and the Kamikaze pilots in whose tradition they followed | Manicured pine in the shape of a kamikaze attack plane, Kamikaze Museum, Chiran |
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| Amanohashidate (the Floating Bridge of Heaven) is a pine-clad sandspit considered to be one of Japan's 'top three sights'. The traditional way to view it is through ones legs! | Manga style instructions are always on hand! | Caravaneers enjoying the free samples on offer during the Hitoyoshi shochu distillery tour |
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| Caravaneers at play in Kansai. | Tsunami refugee contact point at Kyoto station | Antique Sony tape recorder! |
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| Pine trees growing in the keep of Hitoyoshi Castle. Saigo Takamori spent time here after his retreat from Kumamoto, residing at Eikokuji 'Ghost' Temple | Moat surrounding the ruins of the beautifully situated Hagi Castle | Four-handed fishing net seen in Hagi, similar to those used on Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan |
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| Avenue flanked by Samurai houses in Chiran, near Kagoshima. After their restoration of Imperial power in 1868 the local Samurai turned their swords into secateurs and began growing tea, some of the best in Japan. | The view from Shiroyama, across Kagoshima, to the still active Sakurajima (Cherry Blossom Island) volcano. The locals on occasion use their umbrellas to protect themselves from the volcano's fine, falling ash. |
Saigo Takamori 1827-1877 |
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| In this small cave in Kagoshima, on the last night before his death at the Battle of Shiroyama, 'Last Samurai' Saigo Takamori, spent the evening drinking sake with the most loyal of his dwindling band of Samurai. | In this small bar in Kagoshima, on the last night of that journey that has come to be known as 'In search of the Last Samurai'... | ...'Last Caravaneer' Phil Colley spent the evening drinking sake with the most loyal of his dwindling band of Caravaneers. There was only one other person in the bar. In our hearts, that night, we found him... |
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That's all, folks! With best wishes for the rest of the Summer, from Phil and all aboard The Oriental Caravan Images of tsunami damage by Mr Kunio Kadowaki |
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| Japan Red Cross Appeal | ||
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JAPAN - Hokkaido: join us for the Sapporo Ice festival and an
unforgettable winter adventure in the snowy lands of the Ainu in Japan’s far
north.
TAIWAN - Swim in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean and enjoy all
the friendliness and culture that this fascinating, unspoilt island has to
offer!
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