AY Honors/Kanzashi/Answer Key

2004-09-29T01:02:03Z

195.92.67.208: Kanzashi Japanese hair ornaments

=Kanzashi=

'''Kanzashi''' are hair ornaments used in traditional [[Japan|Japanese]] hairstyles. Kanzashi first appeared when women abandoned the tradional ''taregami'' hairstyle where the hair was kept straight and long, and adopted coiffured ''nihongami'' hairstyles. Kanzashi came into wide use during the Edo period when artisans began to produce more finely crafted products. Some believe they may also have been used for defence in an emergency. Nowadays kanzashi are most often worn by brides and professional kimono wearers such as [[geisha]], [[tayu]] and [[yujo]] or adepts in [[Japanese tea ceremony]] and [[ikebana]]. However, there is currently a revival among young Japanese women who wish to add an elegant touch to their business suit.

Kanzashi are fabricated from a wide range of materials such as lacquered wood, gold and silver plated metal, tortoiseshell and silk, and recently plastic also. In fact, early bakelite kanzashi are extremely collectible.

There are many varieties of kanzashi and many styles of wearing them. The way in which a geisha wears her kanzashi indicates her status immediately to an informed audience; according to the type and location of the kanzashi. Apprentice maiko usually wear more numerous and elaborate kanzashi than older geisha and progress through several hairstyles where the kanzashi must be worn in a fixed pattern. Types of kanzashi include: [[Bira bira flutter kanzashi]], [[Ougi princess kanzashi]], [[Kushi kanzashi]], [[Kogai kanzashi]], [[Obi dome kanzashi]] and [[Hana flower kanzashi]].

== ==

==Related topics==
* [[Geisha]]
* [[Liza Dalby]]
* [[Kimono]]
* [[Japanese tea ceremony]]
* [[Ikebana]]
* [[Jokyu]]
* [[Saburuko]]
* [[Shirabyoshi]]
* [[Tayu]]
* [[Yujo]]

== External links ==

''Geisha hairstyles featuring kanzashi'':

* Graham-Diaz, Naomi, "''[http://www.immortalgeisha.com/ig/hairstyles_maiko.cfm Immortal Geisha]''".
* Hanamachi.de, "''[http://www.hanamachi.de/html/body_frisur.html Frisur]''".

[[de:Kanzashi]]

[[Category: Japanese language]]

AY Honors/Skiing - Cross Country/Answer Key

2003-09-16T18:51:39Z

195.92.67.208: Detail and links added

'''Cross-country skiing''' (commonly abbreviated '''X-country skiing'''; also '''Nordic skiing''') An adventure and fitness activity as well as a competitive [[sport]] popular in many countries with large snowfields. As an adventure activity, it may be viewed as "[[bushwalking]] on skis".

==Equipment==
The [[ski]]s are long and thin to distribute the weight of the skier. Like downhill skiers, they carry two [[pole]]s, usually made of [[aluminium]], [[GRP|fibreglass]] or some other light material, with a spike at the end to provide a fixed pivot when the pole penetrates through to a hard surface, and a [[plastic]] ring both to provide maximum impetus from thick snow where that does not occur and to ensure the pole only goes to its designed embedding depth, so as to optimise the angle of arm force.

==Techniques==
There are three main techniques used. Special equipment is available to suit each.

===Classical Technique===
To move when on level ground or uphill whilst using the classical style, cross-country skiers slide one ski forward and reach with the arm on the same side to implant the pole in the snow in front of them, then pull on the pole to accelerate themselves along. They then lift the pole out of the snow and repeat the process with the other side of the body, hopefully maintaining momentum and achieving a smooth, energy-saving rhythm. The skis either have a ''fish-scale'' underside, or [[ski wax]] is applied to the central section in the centre of the ski, so that when the skier kicks the ski into the snow it grips, allowing the skier to move forward

The classical style is often performed on prepared trails (pistes) that have pairs of parallel grooves cut into the snow, one for each ski.

When reaching a downhill slope, they are able to coast down in a similar manner to [[downhill skiing]], or may use Telemark technique - see below.

===Skating Technique===
Skating involves the skier pushing outward with the [[ski]] angled, so that the inner edge of the ski is driven against the snow, much like an [[ice skating|ice skater]]. Skis tend to be shorter than those used in classical technique, and poles longer. There are various combinations of ski and pole movements to suit the terrain and conditions. The tehcnique is only suitable for use on prepared trails (pistes) or those with firm, smooth snow.

===Telemark Technique===
The Telemark technique is particularly suited to [[backcountry skiing]] (off piste cross-country skiing). While it is firstly a technique, for those with dedicated equipment it is effectively a separate branch of skiing - see [[Telemark skiing]] for details.

==History==
Cross-country skiing has been practised in [[Scandinavia]]n countries since prehistoric times, and also possibly by native Americans for similar lengths of time. It has been used by polar explorers as a means of transport, and all Scandinavian [[army|armies]] train their [[infantry]] on skis for winter operations.

==Competitition Events==
Today, there are several types of cross-country competitive events, involving [[racing|race]]s of various types and lengths, as well as the [[biathalon]], involving a combination of cross-country skiing and [[rifle]] shooting.

==As an Adventurous Activity==
As an adventure activity, skiiers tackle trails of various lengths and difficulties. Some skiiers stay out for extended periods using [[tent]]s and equipment similar to bushwalkers, others take relatively short trips from ski resorts, or use huts provided along some trails.

==See also==
*[[Skiing|Skiing and Skiing Topics]]
*[[Ski touring]]

Pathfinder Wiki - User contributions [en]

AY Honors/Kanzashi/Answer Key

AY Honors/Skiing - Cross Country/Answer Key