 from the train station |
From "My Travelogue Manga of Japan (Sans Drawings)," by K. Avila, Sequential Tart, May 2006, 2 April 2006 entry: "I'm feeling a little frayed around the edges. I arrive at Shimabara Castle after taking an expensive train ride to get there (a guide book might have helped at this point). The JR pass could not be used. The castle is linked to the famous Shimabara Rebellion, an unsuccessful 1637 uprising of mostly Christian peasants [lead by Amakusa Shirō]." Welcome to Shimabara City. http://www.city.shimabara.lg.jp/english/index.html Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), Unzen/Shimabara. There's a popular hot springs resort near Shimabara. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/nagasaki/unzen_shimabara.html |
 manhole cover in Beppu (city where I stayed before Shimabara) |
 Statue at Shimabara Station of a mother carrying a baby on her back. (blurry photo) |
 creative bulletin at the train station |
 carp swimming in freshwater city stream |
 storefront with Girls' Day doll set |
 Shimabara Castle |
 castle entrance |
 samurai armor next to the ticket window |
 Amakusa Shirō, leader of the Shimabara Rebellion |
 Amakusa Shirō |
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| Children's Kendō Tournament: There was a tournament on the castle grounds on the day I visited. | |||
 view from castle roof looking down at the kendō tournament |
 fencing tournament with bamboo swords |
 The referee stands by on the right. |
 Who will be the victor? |
 Each team acknowledges their opponents. |
 The girls are up next. |
 The teams acknowledge each other. |
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