Day 7 - Walking Tour of Kanazawa

I had a private guide for the day. 

We started at the Omicho Market. It is a massive (mostly) fish market. All indoors. Apparently, it has become more for tourists, but locals who want to shop there, have to choose their time wisely. There are also fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers. There’s even a clothes store (can you imagine how they would smell???).

Omicho Market

From there, we went to the Castle Park & then to the Kenrokeun Garden - we were so fortunate to be able to have a lunch set overlooking the old garden. (No squid!) We ate kneeling on tatami mats at a low table...yes, parts went numb. But I didn’t realize this until it was time to get up. The view was mesmerizing.

Lunch view at Kenrokeum Garden

We spent time in the samurai district & visited a house of a samurai - still owned by his descendents. There was to be a concert played there...while we waited, we were treated to an informal tea ceremony. This spot was off the beaten track - my guide acted as interpreter. Our hostess was wonderful & very cheery...with a wonderful sense of humour. Earlier, the tea ceremony had been explained to me. 

A hostess would invite friends for tea. Before this, lots of planning takes place. Make the garden just so; select special cups for the tea; Hang an interesting print on the wall; make a simple arrangement of flowers (no more than 3). It is important that the guest notice and comment on all these things. The ceremony takes place while on ones knees. Our hostess zips back & forth from the kitchen on her knees. Not crawling...but pulling herself forwards. I couldn’t help noticing she was wearing stockings/tights. I wondered how she managed not to get runs...this was relayed to our hostess...but not until the end...after we had asked about the tea cups, flowers and wall hanging. This woman was delightful!

After tea, we were treated to a concert of an ichigenkin (15 string instrument) & chicusen (large bamboo “flute”). I did not expect to enjoy the music. But I did. Afterwards, we went up to thank the the woman who played the strings (a older man played the “flute”). She offered to show me how to play. Complete with putting the picks on my fingers. 

Ichigenkin & its musician

I will not be giving up my day job.

Our last stop before heading back to the hotel, was a visit to the Geisha district. I’m still not completely sure what a Geisha is...other than a respected entertainer of men. Who put on shows in a building called a “tea house”...and work for madames.

Nope. Don’t truly understand...I think I do...but then I don’t. And no, I didn’t ask.

Mysterious objects in the middle of the street

Bonus marks for anyone who can guess what these are for. They run down the middle of the streets. Clue: They only are used in the winter (if required).