Hello everyone.
The summer heat has finally subsided, and the mornings and evenings have become cooler and more comfortable, haven't they?
However, with the early spread of influenza this autumn, it's easy to catch a cold during the change of seasons, so please take good care of yourselves.
Now, the "Asuka-Fujiwara Archaeological Sites" have officially been registered as a World Heritage site, and the excitement among us Nara residents just won't fade!
Asuka Village in Nara, the heart of this area, is buzzing with excitement right now!
By the way, did you know that the actual murals of the Kitora Tomb are being displayed to the public?
Even though it is open to the public, you can't just go see it whenever you like; it is by advance lottery held only a few times a year, and each time you could only see one or two of the astronomical charts and Four Guardians (Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise).
This spring, the "Astronomical Chart" was specially displayed, and the "White Tiger" was shown in the summer.
And amazingly! This autumn, we were presented with a very rare and luxurious opportunity where the "Azure Dragon," "Vermilion Bird," and "Black Tortoise"—excluding the White Tiger that was recently on display—are all being shown simultaneously!!!
Thinking that I don't know when such a precious opportunity will come around again, I applied with great enthusiasm! All the way through my third choice!
……However! Due to the joy of the World Heritage registration, there was a flood of applications, and unfortunately, I was not selected this time... I’ve heard there are many of you in the same boat as me.
Usually, there is a second round of applications, but because it was so popular this time, there was only the initial lottery and no additional applications.
It is truly a pity, but at the same time, I am filled with happiness knowing that so many people are interested in the Kitora Tomb!
If there are any fellow companions who had disappointing results like me, let's keep our hopes up for the next opportunity! The Four Guardians are not going anywhere. Let's look forward to the day we can meet them.
And to those who were selected, congratulations! Please fully enjoy your special time with the real Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise!
Even if you didn't win the lottery, please don't give up by thinking, "I didn't get in, so there's no point in going there..."
The "Kitora Tomb Mural Experience Center: Shijin no Yakata (Hall of the Four Guardians)," which is adjacent to the Kitora Tomb, does not require advance reservations and, what's more, admission is free.
At the Shijin no Yakata, there are life-sized, faithfully recreated replicas of the murals. A huge attraction is that there are no time limits like when viewing the real murals, allowing you to observe them in detail to your heart's content.
If you learn all about the structure inside the tomb and the stories behind the murals, I'm sure your experience will be even more profound when you eventually go to see the real thing!
After fully enjoying the "Shijin no Yakata," please be sure to stop by the museum shop inside. There are many wonderful original goods featuring motifs of the Four Guardians and the astronomical chart on display!
And actually…… our "NARAMAKIi" is also available at this shop. In the store, they are packaged in a World Heritage registration commemorative package. The embroidery designs feature the "Astronomical Chart" and "Four Guardians" motifs unique to the Kitora Tomb, so please look for them if you visit the area!
While outings from autumn to winter allow you to feel the pleasant autumn breeze, your body can easily become chilled from the feet up while you are walking around.
That is exactly when our super-thin belly warmer, the "NARAMAKI Very Thin Belly Warmer," comes in handy!
Despite being thin enough that you can't even tell you're wearing it under your clothes, it gently warms your midsection and protects you from the cold. It’s a truly useful item to have for this season when you might think, "Is it getting a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings?"
Gently warm your body from the core, and please fully enjoy outings in the coming season of nice weather, which you couldn't do in the summer.
Thank you for reading to the end.
