Before the Meiji Restoration, Tottori encompassed the old provinces of Hōki and Inaba.
The northern coastline of Tottori faces the Sea of Japan. Its eastern border meets Hyōgo Prefecture. The southern border meets Okayama Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture. The western border meets Shimane Prefecture.
Four cities are located in Tottori Prefecture:
National Parks are established in about 14% of the total land area of the prefecture.
"Ubi jinjū" and "Shitori jinja" are the chief Shinto shrines ("ichinomiya") in the prefecture.
The Mark of Zorro (1920 movie)
The Mark of Zorro is a 1920 silent movie. It stars Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Beery. This "swashbuckler" adventure was the first movie version of "The Mark of Zorro". It was based on the 1919 story "The Curse of Capistrano" by Johnston McCulley. This book introduced the masked hero, Zorro. The screenplay was adapted from the book by Fairbanks (as "Elton Thomas") and Eugene Miller.
The movie was produced by Fairbanks for his own production company, Douglas Fairbanks Pictures Corporation. It was the first movie released through United Artists. This company was formed by Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith. The movie has been remade twice, once in 1940 (starring Tyrone Power) and again in 1974 (starring Frank Langella).
Yamagata Prefecture
The aboriginal people once lived in the area now known as Yamagata.
Yamagata was part of Dewa Province until the Meiji Restoration.
This area was called "Yamagata" for the first time in Heian period. However, different characters were used to write it. The reason why this area was called Yamagata is not clear. In Nanboku-chō period, Yamagata was written in same kanji that it is today.
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the southwest corner of Tōhoku. It faces the Sea of Japan. It borders Niigata Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture on the south, Miyagi Prefecture on the east, and Akita Prefecture on the north.
The Mogami and the Zaou are the two major rivers in the prefecture.
Thirteen cities are located in Yamagata Prefecture:
National parks cover about 17% of the total land area of the prefecture. They include:
"Ōmonoimia jinja" is the main Shinto shrine ("ichinomiya") in the prefecture.
Yamagata is a farming area. It grows the most cherries and pears in the country. Over 70 percent of cherries in Japan are grown in Yamagata. Growing apples is important around the city of Yonezawa. The safflower is a symbol of Yamagata Prefecture. The number of farms growing safflower have steadily decreased since the 18th century. Yonezawa beef is bred in Yonezawa city. It is one of the most famous varieties of beef in Japan. Yonezawa is also known for its soba noodles.
Shogi (chess) pieces are made in the city of Tendo. The pieces are carved from wood.
Hanagasa festival has been held since 1963 and is one of the major festivals in Tohoku region. At the festival, the dancers dance with "Hanagasa" that is a hat decorated with red flowers. Uesugi snow lantern festival is held on the second weekend of February. The candles in more than 300 snow lanterns and 3,000 snow lamps are lit up.
Swashbuckler movie
Swashbuckler movies are movies about rough, manly swordsmen. A swashbuckling hero has high ideals. He rescues damsels in distress. His enemy is usually a dastardly villain. Swashbucklers who combine outstanding courage, swordfighting skill, resourcefulness, chivalry, and a distinctive sense of honor and justice include The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Robin Hood, and Zorro.
Swashbuckler movies are one of the most flamboyant Hollywood genres. These movies are unrealistic. They are often set in the Renaissance, in Arabia, or on pirate ships. Sets are elaborate. Costumes are lavish. Swashbuckler movies attract big audiences. These audiences want to forget their boring everyday lives. They can escape their lives in the adventure, romance, and daring stunts of the swashbuckler movie. Famous actors who portrayed swashbucklers are Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks.
The stories came from romantic costume novels like those written by Alexandre Dumas, père and Rafael Sabatini. Last but not least, thrilling music was an important part of the movie formula. There were three great cycles of swashbuckler films: the Douglas Fairbanks period of 1920-1929, the Errol Flynn period of 1935-1941, and a period in the 1950s that included movies such as "Ivanhoe". The British television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood" made the genre even more popular. The genre has been revived in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series of movies.
Tomboy
A tomboy is a girl who does things which are similar to the gender role of a boy.
They might also wear masculine-type clothes and play games and take part in activities which are often quite physical. This type of thing is usually thought to be done more by boys.
West Point (1928 movie)
West Point is a 1928 silent movie. The story and screenplay were written by Raymond L. Schrock. Titles were written by Joseph Farnham. The movie was directed by Edward Sedgwick. It was produced by Maj. Raymond G. Moses. The movie was shot on location at West Point and vicinity. "Photoplay" gave the movie a nice review, commenting: "Bill Haines' starring vehicle ... treats everything in a humorous vein in the beginning, getting many laughs." The same story was used for "Dress Parade" in 1927 starring William Boyd and Bessie Love. The 1928 movie has been released to DVD.
Brice Wayne (played by Billy Haines) is an arrogant, impudent, and flippant West Point cadet. He realizes that he does not have the proper school spirit. He plays football, but is dismissed from the team shortly before the Army-Navy match. Brice resigns from the Military Academy. He retracts when his friends Tex McNeil (played by William Bakewell) and Betty Channing (played by Joan Crawford) encourage him to stay. Restored to the team, Brice scores the big goal in the game against Navy.
Pope Victor
Pope Victor may mean
There were also two antipopes who chose to be called Victor IV.
William Haines
Charles William "Billy" Haines (January 2, 1900 – December 26, 1973) was an American movie actor and interior designer. He was a popular star of the silent movie era. In 1933, MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer fired the gay actor because he did not want to enter into a marriage of convenience. Haines never returned to movies. Instead, he started a successful interior design business with his lifelong male partner Jimmie Shields.
Haines was born Charles William Haines on January 2, 1900 in Staunton, Virginia. He sang in the choir of Trinity Episcopal Church. He spent much time in the local movie theater. Haines ran away from home at 14 with his boyfriend. They opened a dance hall in Hopewell, Virginia. The Haines family found their son. He returned home to help support his sick father. He found his way to New York City. He joined the gay community in Greenwich Village. He did some modelling. He was discovered by a talent scout who sent him to Hollywood.
Haines played bit parts in silent movies. His first good role was in "Three Wise Fools" in 1923. The critics liked him. MGM began promoting him as a future star. He generally played arrogant young men who are humbled at the end of the movie.
He took a trip to New York in 1926. He met James "Jimmie" Shields, probably as a pick-up on the street. Haines convinced Shields to move to Los Angeles. He promised to get Shields work as an extra. The two were soon living together. They viewed themselves as a committed couple.
In 1933 he was arrested in a YMCA with a sailor he had picked up in Los Angeles. MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer told Haines to choose between a marriage with a woman or Jimmie Shields. Haines chose Shields. They stayed together for almost 50 years. Mayer fired Haines and ended his contract.