{"id":1153,"date":"2016-02-13T07:20:47","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T22:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=1153"},"modified":"2016-06-28T12:32:49","modified_gmt":"2016-06-28T03:32:49","slug":"legend-hagoromo-miho-beach-pine-forest-shimizu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/legend-hagoromo-miho-beach-pine-forest-shimizu\/","title":{"rendered":"The Legend of Hagoromo in Miho Beach Pine Forest, Shimizu"},"content":{"rendered":"
This pine forest, the peninsula of Miho and the beach of Matsubara have become a World Cultural Heritage in the company of Mount Fuji in recent times. With all its pine trees (as it’s name indicates)\u00a0is also the home of a very ancient and famous legend all over Japan: The Legend of Hagoromo!<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n If you are not one of the visitors coming in one local bus or a crowded tourist coach take the time to enter the forest past the big shinto torii gate and walk along a wooden path<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The monument marking the entrance of the \u201cPath of the Gods\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Take your time and take a rest if need be<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The whole path is lined with venerable pine trees<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This park of pines\u00a0and its legend was already mentioned in the \u201cWagasode Journal\u201d written in 1899<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Naturally the Legend of Hagoromo is also explained on the same type of traditional Japanese announcement board but I will be able to explain in detail with pictures soon<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n An incredibly shaped pine tree<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Legend of Hagoromo, \u201cHagoromo (\u7fbd\u8863)\u201d means veil or garment. One day a local fisherman discovered a veil hanging on a low branch of a pine tree.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Just as the fisherman was going away with the veil a lady deity appeared and told him it was her veil and to give it back to her.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The fisherman asked for a dance in exchange for her treasure without which she wouldn\u2019t be able to go back to heaven.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Playing on her lute she performed the \u201cDance of the Moon”<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n But after the fisherman returned her veil she disappeared in the sky<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n You will find a Hagoromo Hotel by the entrance of the pine Forest<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Naturally the hotel has a statue commemorating the legend<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n There are also bilingual boards at the entrance of the pine tree forest<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Every year a Traditional Noh Theater play is performed inside the forest to relate Hagoromo’s legend of the Celestial maiden and her veil.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Very good English explanations<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The legend says that the pine tree is 650 years old<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The very pine tree and its low branch<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n More information but only in Japanese<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Matsubara Pine Tree Forest<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Noh play takes place there<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, the park has plenty of shops for food and refreshments – and facilities<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Visitors come from all over Japan<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The pine forest has it own minuscule shrine called \u201cHaguruma\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Many people of course visit the beach<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The beach overlooking Suruga Bay<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n From the beach and during the colder part of the year you can enjoy an incredible view of Mount Fuji<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n But it is still too early for the bathing season<\/p>\n