Hi, mom!
Today we visited an exhibition of Japanese art not far away from our house. The excursion was very interesting, now I would like to visit Japan, to learn its culture better, because I like this exhibition very much! Perhaps sometime I will go there...
Our excursion has begun with survey of armor. I understand that many kinds of armors exist! On a photo you can see Hon-iyozane dou or Nuinobe dou. These are armors with improved design (in comparison with older variants), from the big plates and a small lacing. It is lamellar armor and consists of hundreds of small rectangular iron, leather, or bronze plates (scales or lamellae) which are pierced in various locations and laced together into horizontal rows to the proper length needed to construct a particular armor item. It is rather cheap variant of armor, but very solid and convenient. 
Later we have seen Bisjamonten – the deity most known and esteemed in Japan. He is one of Shitenno – «Four kings», keepers of four parts of the world. Among four deities – he is the leader, the others are his vassals. He is known as the god of War, the patron of people who is engaged in military arts, and also – as god of healing, who possessing force to protect emperors from deadly illnesses and to expel of demons of a plague. In the left hand he holds a treasury in the form of a pagoda. It collects and protects treasures, and also distributes it to worthy persons.
The following hall has been devoted kimonos. The guide has explained to me, that kimonos are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves. Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial), and secured by a sash called an obi, which is tied at the back. Do you know, that today, kimonos are most often worn by women, and on special occasions. A few older women and even fewer men still wear the kimono on a daily basis. Men wear the kimono most often at weddings, tea ceremonies, and other very special or very formal occasions. Professional sumo wrestlers are often seen in the kimono because they are required to wear traditional Japanese dress whenever appearing in public.
One more hall has been filled by toys. You know, that Japanese dolls were initially created not for game, but for magic? They said that with them it is possible to ask mysterious forces to help people and bring good luck in hunting, good harvest, to provide a victory over the enemy, to relieve of harm and illnesses. There was an interesting custom of protection of fields from insects in May. Such dolls representing soldiers had protective function and were pledge of the future harvest. Interesting, this soldier would not like to be a toy-voyager? 
Near cafe there is a small hall where lessons on Budzinkan Budo were conducted. It is school of military arts and principles (ways) of Japan, created Hatsumi Masaaki (1931). Budzinkan - literally from Japanese language - a temple of the divine soldier - is a classical martial art. A main objective of its followers is to lead healthy life, without causing harm to a society, developing an interconnection between the Nature and Mankind through practice of military arts and principles. And, of course, it is remarkable possibility to interest somebody! This high and lean person, the teacher, easily consulted with the strong and brawny pupil! What girl won't like it?
And at last we came into a local little shop. Certainly, we have bought nothing, but have admired beautiful small lamps. I want the same one in my room as a night lamp, so cosy! 
