The Oooku (or often alternative romaji - Ōoku) is the location of the Edo Castle (江戸城,) reserved as living quarters for the women of the Shogun (将軍).
大奥 --おおおく-- (n) shogun's harem; palace's ladies chambers
大奥様 --おおおくさま-- (n) lady of the house
奥 --おく-- (n) interior; inner part; inside
Oooku was functioning as female quarters since 1607, established by Tokugawa Hidetada (徳川秀忠), and lasted for about 200 years.
What I find much more interesting is Alternative Universe (AU) manga featuring Japan under matriarchy with the males as the residents of the Oooku and a female shogun. A very smart setting and very interesting switch of gender roles. manga by よしながふみ (Yoshinaga Fumi).
My favourite ever double-page spread from this manga:
上様の!
お成り!
上様 --うえさま; うえざま; かみさま-- (n) (1) emperor; shogun; (2) honored person (honoured);
Just so amazingly fabulous! And in 2009 this manga got Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.
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Written by admin on Oct 21st, 2009 | Filed under: Japan: place, movie
Arukihenro --'walking pilgrims'- is how people doing Shikoku Pilgrimage are called. The island of Shikoku (四国) is famous for its 88 temples and hence Shikoku Pilgrimage is the task of visiting all the temples. The pilgrimage is approximately 1,200km long and I guess that's something I'd love to do one day.
歩き遍路
歩き --あるき-- (n) (1) (arch) walk; walking
遍路 --へんろ-- (n) (1) pilgrimage;
四国八十八箇所 --しこくはちじゅうはっかしょ-- (n) 88 temples of Shikoku (holy spots related to Kobo Daishi)
There is documentary with English subtitles about the pilgrimage. I've seen it in my Japanese classes and it reinforced my conviction that I'd love to do it.
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宝塚歌劇団 Takarazuka Kagekidan is a all-female theatrical troupe in the city Takarazuka (宝塚市 ) in Hyougo Prefecture (兵庫県 - ひょうごけん) that makes fabulous performances in the most glamorous style.
歌劇団 --かげきだん -- (n) opera company; opera troup
劇団 --げきだん -- troupe; theatrical company
It's a pure lush!
湖月わたる, Kozuki Watar - a former member of Takarazuke playing male characters (Otokoyaku)
男役 -- おとこやく -- (n) male part or role
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