National Treasure of Japan: Chokyuji

Today’s topic is about one of the national treasure in Japan, Chokyuji.
Chokyuji exists in Nara city, Tomio area. I think many foreigners tend to visit Toudaiji, which is in the center of Nara city. In this topic, I would like to try to say that there are some precious places where are not so famous for people, even for native Japanese.







Last week, I visited the grave of my grandmother as what I do regularly. I noticed that the temple “Chokyuji” which I saw every time is one of the national treasures in Japan. That is…the grave of my grandmother is in the area of Chokyuji. According to my mother, my grandmother used to work at Chokyuji. (not as priest) From that relationship, the grave is in the area.









Here is a brief summary of Chokyuji.
The belief is “Shingonrissyu”
There are several histories of its foundation, so that I picked up one of them.
According to its homepage, Tenmu Tennou ordered to found it concerning for the Mayumi Takeyumi’s death.

In the last picture, you can see the water and cups. When people visit and enter the area of temple, they should wash their hands. This traditional initiation is often said as "Okiyome". Please be careful, there are no information around that water, so that I saw some foreign visitors drink that water few years ago. Don't do it if you visit those kinds of places.
You should use cups around there and take water from pouring instrument (in this picture, it is the typical Japanese tool made by wood). Then, you wash your hands and enjoy the Japanese temple.



Chokyuji official homepage
http://www1.kcn.ne.jp/~yakusiin/index.html

Minority in Japan, Osaka Korean people

Today’s topic is about a minority group in Japan, especially Korean town in Osaka. Osaka has one of the biggest Korean towns in Ikuno area, Turuhashi. Historically, Korean people are discriminated against by Japanese. This bias affects to the issues of marriage and recruiting, so that many Korean people suffered from their jobs and money. After the world war 2, Turuhashi area was called Yamiiti, which was a place for illegal market. At that time in that area, you could buy anything, even handguns. Many Koreans who were typically poor gathered that area and did their jobs. Some Korean people seeking the jobs did anything even illegal thing. That’s why some old Japanese who experienced that time still have negative image to Korean people. Actually, it is said that 70% of Japanese mafia member is Korean people whose family are historically discriminated against. This is because they have difficulties with recruiting.




I introduced the backgrounds of Turuhashi area. Now I refer to current state of Turuhashi and new trend of those community. Firstly, Korean people are now living in Imazato area which is next to Turuhashi area. Because the Turuhashi station is very convenient for people to move throughout Osaka, that area has become expensive to live in. Therefore, most Korean people moved to Imazato area where is easily to live. If you get off the Imazato station of Kintetu line and walk 5 minutes toward any directions, you will see the Korean signboards and hear Korean words rather than Japanese. They live in there, and go to Turuhashi to work. There are many Yakiniku restaurants and Korean restaurants. I used to work at one of them in Turuhashi. Of course the owner is Korean Japanese.
If you want to experience this aspect of Japan, I really suggest you to visit Turuhashi.

pic1 claims "Don't write anything about discrimination"
pic2 is Korean shops which mainly deal with KIMCHI
pic3 is Yakiniku reataurants road in front of the station


link... an organization of Turuhashi market.
http://www.tsurushin.com/