Somebody Made Snowman !

by Kazu

A happy guy made such interesting snowmen on the trees in Maruyama Park, Sapporo. On our way back from Hokkaido Shrine we visited for the purification, we found those snow works on the trees.  

Some snowmen on the trees had already been exhausted and fallen from the trunk of the trees. I love such works that make the people smile in the ordinary living life.  

A pretty snow bear survived in the bright sunshine and warm weather in Sapporo. It may freeze up in the night and stick to the trunk more tightly. I hope its survival for a while.

 

Doll's Festival in Hokkaido Shrine !

by Kazu

These are the sets of dolls for the Doll's Festival donated and displayed in the waiting room for the people who will have the ritual of purification. So aged and expensive dolls were there that were made praying for the sound growth of daughters.

I think the dolls are displayed until the Doll's Festival every year but it must be so tough for the staff of the shrine because even one set of the dolls requires hours of patience to set up. The small items should be put on the dolls so carefully.  

The beautiful dolls can be made by the skilled and seasoned craftsmanship but affected by the shrinking and aging population, the successors of the craftsmanship are also shrinking even in the ancient capital Kyoto and current capital Tokyo.    

 

Purification Ceremony in Hokkaido Shrine !

by Kazu

At the age of 42, 59, 60, 61, we males should have purification service like exorcism in the shrine in Japan. The timing of the purification is different depending on the sex but most of us Japanese believe and receive the service at the cost of five thousand Yen/ ten thousand yen or more.    

The ritual purification should be conducted at the beginning of February, around Setsubun, they said.  "Setsubun" means the day between two seasons. People throw beans to expel evil spirits and bring in good luck.

The waiting room for the people who will purification service in Hokkaido Shrine is very comfortable and many dolls for "Doll's Festival" on March 3 are displayed on the west side of the room. I think the dolls were donated by the families that had daughters.

 

Kushiro Coal Mine !

by Kazu

The stocked coal ash from the boiler of the mine will be crumbled to make the carbonate with the wastewater of the coalmine and carbon dioxide extracted from the exhaust gas of the boiler of the mine. All the miners finished their working hours have to wash up their body in the huge spa at the exit/entrance of the mine.  

After we checked up the system and facilities to extract carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas from the boiler in Kushiro Coal Mine, we headed to the ramen noodle bar in the food court near the train station of Kushiro City. We were so looking for the special oyster ramen noodle soup provided by a stubborn ramen master in the ramen bar. 

 

Carbon Dioxide Should be locked up und the ground !

by Kazu

Above is the ash from the boiler in Kushiro Coalmine that will be mixed with carbon hydrate and wastewater from the coalmine under the seabed. Of course, the ash is the residue of the coal burnt in the boiler of the coalmine company. 

The exhaust gas will split to carbon dioxide and other ingredients in the chemical machine set outside of the factory. The carbon dioxide will be mixed with the wastewater from the coalmine and ash to fill up the gallery of the coalmine from where most of the coal were dug out. 

The carbonate made from the wastewater, coal ash and carbon dioxide extracted from the exhaust gas will crystallized in the mine and support the seabed from the ground. The dug mine can capture and stabilize the carbon dioxide in it. 

 

The Sunshine through the Cloud !

by Kazu

There are some artistic statues on Nusamai Bridge. Many tourists were taking photos of the landscape and the city view turning orange with the rising sun. As the direction of the lighting was different from the one before the evening, the countenances of the city was a little bit different.  

The city was started getting up and automobiles started to appear in the main street of the city. It was very calm but the tourists from overseas started to talk loudly and happily. They seemed to dislike silence.  

The eastern sky was getting brighter and the east side of the buildings were turning orange reflecting the sunlight of rising sun. Surprisingly, I found a hotel shaped like my favorite hotel Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City that had been used as a castle until a century ago. 

 

The Sunrise in Kushiro 2026 !

by Kazu

The lime lights were lit along Kushiro River and the Fishermen's Wharf Kushiro. Withe the red color of the bricks and brick-like wall of the buildings around the wharf, the scenery was getting attractive and fascinating. 

I heard that the City Council have conflicts inside on the design of the new train station building and the civil servants of the city were having tough time to adjust the ideas and benefits. Everybody is seeking for the bright rosy future of the city but the methods and the strategy differ in the municipality, I think.

After refreshed by jogging and hot shower and bathing, we explored a new Japanese bistro in the old bar-hopping area of the city to savor amply the seasonal taste and drinks.