title: Hokuriku Tales vol.3

Summary

A book of five stories about Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama with useful data vol.3

Bigan-Joju amulets and Chikara-Mamori amuletsunderstood to have been built as the guardian deity of the Kuzuryu River. Theenshrined deity is believed to possess the power to expel evil and to endowstrength and wisdom. The Chikara-Mamori amulet is quite popular among youngand old who are seeking strength, including determination, the opportunity to fallin love, a positive attitude and creative talent to expand their imagination. We, asladies living in the new century, need to be powerful as well as beautiful; we didnot have any second thoughts in receiving Chikara-Mamori for ourselves. TheBigan-Joju prayer service is also available for those who are interested in beauty,health and good luck. It is indeed hard for a girl to skip this stop-over. Thespecial prayer service includes a gift called a Chikara Power Bracelet. There areplenty of reasons for girls to pay a visit to this shrine and power spot.Keya Kurotatsu Shrine 8-1, Keya 3-chome, Fukui, Fukui TEL: 0776-36-7800“Let’s make some handcrafts”Unique glassware [Toyama Glass Studio]Keya Kurotatsu Shrine is a favoritepower spot for ladies wishing for“power.”At Glass Cafe Clie, cold refreshmentsand sweets are served in glasswaremade by artists076-471-7299 (10:00 ? 17:00, noregular holidays)At the Toyama Glass Studio, visitors six and older can enjoy the experience ofmaking a piece of glass art of their own.The Toyama Glass Studio is attached to the Toyama City Institute of GlassArt, Japan’s first public academic institution dedicated to glass art. The studio isalso open to visitors who are interested in trying to create their own glass art. Itis unique in that your instructor is a teacher or student of the Institute. In otherwords, they are an established or prospective professional glass artist. With theirhelp, you can make your own piece of glass art, which naturally is the only oneof its kind in the world. There is a special art production session for everyseason, so a second-time visitor will never be disappointed.You decide what you want to make, including deciding the design and thecolor. The artist/instructor gave us thoughtful advice and helped us throughoutthe entire process of heating, rotating and blowing.After your work, why not enjoy a short break at Glass Cafe Clie located in thecomplex. Our recommendation is a cold drink and sweets, because they areserved in glasses, glass cups and glass plates made by artists associated with thestudio. You will hardly be able to wait until your precious piece is finished and inyour hands.Toyama Glass Studio 152 Furusawa, Toyama, Toyama TEL: 076-436-3322 (trial production)Create your own piece by advanced booking. Blown glass course: 2,600 ? 3,300 yen, paper weight:1,500 ? 2,000 yen. Special prices for groups of ten or more.There are special trial productioncourses according to the season.The spacious and bright new studio opened in October 2012 welcomes visitors for trial art production.40 Hokuriku Tales vol.3