Latest news with #Daruma
IOL News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Scotts Maphuma receives support from Makhadzi, Oskido, and Black Coffee following his public apology
Rising star Scotts Maphuma with music industry legend Oskido at his restaraunt Daruma. Oskido met with the young star who has been experiencing public scrutiny. Image: Intagram/scotts_maphuma Following his public apology, rising amapiano artist Scotts Maphuma has been shown support from renowned names in the industry such as singer Makhadzi and DJs and music producers Oskido and Black Coffee. Multi-award-winning Makhadzi on X shared that she felt like apologizing on Scotts Maphuma's behalf. The 'Number 1' hitmaker explained that she realised the musician was excited and forgot people who streamed his music including her. 'I am his fan but I was disappointed. I am glad he came back to his senses. We love him,' said Makhadzi. At some point i felt like apologising on skot maphoma behalf cz i realised he was just exited and forgot people who streamed his music including me . Iam his fan bit i was disappointed. Iam glad he came back tohis senses. We love him ♥️. the truth is we are nothing without… — Makhadzi (@MakhadziSA) May 7, 2025 The 2025 Metro FM Music Awards Artist of the Year got candid and said that without her fans, she would be nothing and recalled how she owed the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and how fans were beside her. 'The truth is we are nothing without you guys. I remember owing SARS 6M and I had nothing through your support I managed to make peace with the government. We are nothing without you guys. I know when you love a person you mean it.' Scotts Maphuma, whose real name is Mpho Lenora, found himself under public scrutiny after expressing his frustration over the constant scrutiny from the public. He even went as far as to say that South Africa could cancel him, and maybe he would be free. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ got candid and said that without her fans, she would be nothing and recalled how she owed the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and fans were beside her. 'The truth is we are nothing without you guys. I remember owing SARS 6M and I had nothing through your support I managed to make peace with the government. We are nothing without you guys. I know when you love a person you mean it.' Scotts Maphuma, whose real name is Mpho Lenora, found himself under public scrutiny after expressing his frustration over the constant scrutiny from the public. He even went as far as to say that South Africa could cancel him, and maybe he would be free. want to take a moment to sincerely apologize to all my supporters. I've let some of you down, and I take full responsibility. Growth comes with owning your mistakes and I'm committed to doing better, for myself and for you. Thank you for still believing in me. — Real Scotts Maphuma (@RealScotts_M) May 7, 2025 The 'Sahyi'Moto' hitmaker took to his X and penned an apology to his supporters. 'Want to take a moment to sincerely apologize to all my supporters. 'I've let some of you down, and I take full responsibility. Growth comes with owning your mistakes and I'm committed to doing better, for myself and for you. Thank you for still believing in me.' Metro FM Music Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient, musician and DJ Oskido spent some time with the young talent at his restaurant, Daruma, in Waterfall. Taking to Instagram, Oskido gave insight into their link-up, 'Always room to listen, reflect and grow. Proud of the young king exciting steps ahead.' Grammy award-winning musician and DJ, Black Coffee on X, simply wrote, Scotts Maphuma's name and a praying emoji, which many are taking as a sign of support. Scotts Maphuma🙏🏿 — Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) May 7, 2025 IOL Entertainment
CNN
19-04-2025
- CNN
The world's first motel opened 100 years ago, but now only ruins remain
This week in travel news: the original 'motor hotel' sits abandoned, the world's busiest airports are ranked, and how to move abroad without messing it up. Hotels and guesthouses have existed for centuries. But the motel was born in 1925 when an architect named Arthur Heineman came up with the idea for a 'motor hotel,' shortened to 'motel.' The concept was simple but effective: Now that more and more people had cars and were going on road trips, they needed places where they could stop and stay the night along the way. Thus Heineman paired low-cost rooms with small garages where guests could safely park their cars — all for $1.25 a night. The Milestone Mo-Tel was located in San Luis Obispo, California, which CNN Travel named one of the best towns to visit in America last year. It's located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and rooms at the motel had modern-for-the-time conveniences like hot showers and indoor carpeting. The design was inspired by the nearby Spanish mission. The original Milestone Mo-Tel, later called the Motel Inn, closed in 1991 and has been abandoned, but Heineman's idea still lives on 100 years later. Prev Next Ahead of the big summer travel season, Airports Council International (ACI) World released its annual roundup of the world's busiest airports based on the number of people served. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been in the No. 1 spot for 26 of the last 27 years, with 2020 (when the pandemic threw the travel industry for a loop) being the only exception. Dallas, Denver, Dubai and Delhi also landed in the top 10. Check out the full list for more. But flying is about more than just lists and rankings. Australian airline Qantas is bringing back a version of its famous 'Kangaroo route,' which traveled from Sydney to London with some fun layovers along the way. The new itinerary lasts 14 days, with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Kolkata, Colombo, Cairo, Toulouse and Rome. It includes all meals, hotels, transfers and tours, which include perks like a private walkthrough at the Vatican Museums. The cost? A cool 49,950 Australian dollars (about $32,000) per person. Souvenirs can remind us of previous trips and help re-create the inspiring feeling of seeing the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Besides being cute, some souvenirs have deep meaning. In Japan, one of the most popular gifts is a Daruma. These round red dolls are ubiquitous at temples around the country, but they actually serve a very special purpose: People who buy Darumas are supposed to set a goal for themselves, paint one of the doll's eyes, and then only fill in the second when the goal is achieved. Over in the United States, an unexpected place has become a souvenir hot spot: the Trader Joe's grocery store chain. Although shoppers can get the usual fresh produce, the brand known as TJ's has become 'the Disneyland of American grocery stores,' with travelers from around the world heading here for branded tote bags and Instagrammable treats. One of the most popular products is the 'everything but the bagel' seasoning blend, but be careful — South Korea has banned the item because of the presence of poppy seeds. Overdid it while shopping on vacation and worried you won't be able to fit all your purchases in your suitcase? Our friends at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have rounded up the best luggage organizers. When California resident Keith Richardson started thinking about where he wanted to move, he had some interesting requirements — his new home had to be near the sea and not near a Starbucks or McDonald's. Richardson found his dream house in the small town of Nardò, Italy, where he plans to spend as much time as possible post-retirement. He's one of many Americans who are considering relocating to Europe for a different kind of life. If the whole process seems overwhelming, these relocation experts have some advice for you. UNESCO's latest Global Geopark is in … North Korea. Mount Paektu is where Kim Jong Il said he was born. The White Lotus season 3 is over. But you can still visit all the filming locations in Thailand. Two strangers met at the Eiffel Tower and fell in love. No, not a romcom — this is real life. Tuvalu is one of the world's least-visited countries. And as of last week it has its first ATMs.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Daruma dolls are one of Japan's most popular souvenirs. But where do they come from?
At Katsuo-ji Temple, Daruma dolls watch from every corner. They peer between tree branches, cluster around altars, and dot winding pathways, flashes of bright red among the hillside forest. The iconic Japanese dolls range from a couple of inches to several feet in height, and there are thousands of them at the 1,300-year-old temple, located about an hour from downtown Osaka in Minoh National Park. According to the temple, Katsuo-ji became known as the 'Daruma temple' about 100 years ago, around the same time the site began selling the dolls — a lucky talisman in Japan and a symbol of determination and ambition, which have also become one of the country's most recognizable and popular souvenirs. Katsuo-ji has long been associated with success and victory for over a thousand years, with many emperors and shoguns visiting the temple for blessings. Today, it's frequented by locals before exams or important business meetings. Marco Fasano, an Italian tour guide living in Japan and founder of Tanuki Stories, has visited Katsuo-ji several times — including for good luck before taking his Japanese Language Proficiency Test. 'There is a whole process that you need to do when you buy the Daruma,' explains Fasano, who first discovered the temple while researching places for his tour itineraries. 'You need to think of something that you want to accomplish, write the wish on it, paint one eye, purify the Daruma with some incense, then take it with you.' Unlike other lucky talismans or rituals, Daruma dolls are not simply about making a wish and hoping it comes true, says Fasano. 'Every time you look at your Daruma, you need to remember that wish and ask yourself, 'What am I going to do today to achieve that goal?' It's about reminding you that you need to work on it.' The second eye is only filled in once the goal is achieved — at which point, the Daruma doll can be returned to the temple. 'When you go there and you see that all these people had their wish granted, it's proof that you can do something about your wish as well,' says Fasano. Round and red with scowling expressions, the dolls represent the Bodhidharma (or, 'Daruma' in Japanese), the fifth-century monk who founded Zen Buddhism. Followers believe that the monk meditated for so long that he lost his limbs, illustrated by the doll's rounded shape, which is weighted at the base so it will always stand back up when knocked over. 'It became a symbol of perseverance,' says Fasano. 'According to Zen Buddhism, the answers are already inside you. It's not something that comes suddenly as a gift, but it's something that you need to work on diligently and find in yourself.' In another legend, the monk was said to have cut off his eyelids to avoid falling asleep during his meditation, one explanation for the doll's wide-eyed stare. Darumas are rich with auspicious imagery, from the lucky red color to the thick eyebrows and beard, which represent cranes and turtles, two animals associated with good luck and longevity in Japan. Katsuo-ji isn't the only 'Daruma temple' in Japan. In nearby Kyoto, Hōrin-ji 'Darumadera' Temple boasts a collection of around 8,000 Darumas, many of which are housed in a specially built hall funded by the temple's worshippers. While the dolls can be found all over Japan, around 80% of Daruma dolls are made in Takasaki, a town in Gunma prefecture in the Kanto region, where the traditional papier-mache craft can be traced back around 200 years. Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple says it started selling the dolls about 220 years ago, and holds an annual 'Daruma Market.' According to the temple, visitors began placing dolls around the grounds about 100 years ago. Katsuo-ji offers visitors two different types of Darumas: the Kachi-Daruma, the classic doll known as 'the winning Daruma' which is used to set a specific goal; or the Daruma-Mikuji, known as 'the fortune-telling Daruma,' which are only found at Katsuo-ji. Instead of drawing eyes on the fortune-telling Daruma, visitors ask a question before selecting a doll. Like a fortune cookie, each Daruma-Mijuki contains a tiny scroll of unique written advice that is intended to guide you toward your goal. 'Many visitors take photos and videos of the Daruma-Mikuji placed freely by worshippers throughout the temple grounds, and the Kachi-Daruma enshrined on the offering shelves,' says Yusuke Yamada, a spokesperson for Katsuo-ji Temple, adding that the temple is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience for many visitors. In 2024, Japan saw a record 36.8 million overseas visitors, a 15% increase from pre-pandemic levels. And while Osaka is the second most popular prefecture for overnight stays, Katsuo-ji is rarely on the itinerary: the temple welcomes between 800,000 to 1 million visitors annually, around 70–80% of whom are from overseas, says Yamada. (By comparison, Asakusa Senso-Ji Temple in Tokyo draws 30 million worshippers annually.) 'Japanese visitors tend to come for the autumn leaves and during the New Year, while overseas visitors come throughout the year,' Yamada adds. Fasano, who has been based in Osaka since 2023, believes the city is hugely underrated. 'People tend to think that in Osaka, there is nothing to do. It's a city that deserves much more attention,' he says, adding that tourists often don't budget enough time to visit places like Katsuo-ji, which can take a half day to get to and visit. To bring in more visitors, Katsuo-ji came up with a creative way to encourage tourists to engage with the Daruma dolls. In May last year, the temple introduced a 'stamp rally': visitors visit six check-in points around the temple grounds in sequence, collecting stamps to create a single image. The 'stamp rally,' like the Darumas, reflects the process of goal achieving: making a deliberate plan and taking it one step at a time, says Fasano. He hopes that the temple will gain more recognition, and inspire more visitors to explore the region. 'If you want to buy the Daruma, rather than buying it in a random shop, getting the Daruma from Katsuo-ji gives a sense that is more powerful,' he adds.
CNN
08-04-2025
- CNN
Daruma dolls are one of Japan's most popular souvenirs. But where do they come from?
At Katsuo-ji Temple, Daruma dolls watch from every corner. They peer between tree branches, cluster around altars, and dot winding pathways, flashes of bright red among the hillside forest. The iconic Japanese dolls range from a couple of inches to several feet in height, and there are thousands of them at the 1,300-year-old temple, located about an hour from downtown Osaka in Minoh National Park. According to the temple, Katsuo-ji became known as the 'Daruma temple' about 100 years ago, around the same time the site began selling the dolls — a lucky talisman in Japan and a symbol of determination and ambition, which have also become one of the country's most recognizable and popular souvenirs. Katsuo-ji has long been associated with success and victory for over a thousand years, with many emperors and shoguns visiting the temple for blessings. Today, it's frequented by locals before exams or important business meetings. Marco Fasano, an Italian tour guide living in Japan and founder of Tanuki Stories, has visited Katsuo-ji several times — including for good luck before taking his Japanese Language Proficiency Test. 'There is a whole process that you need to do when you buy the Daruma,' explains Fasano, who first discovered the temple while researching places for his tour itineraries. 'You need to think of something that you want to accomplish, write the wish on it, paint one eye, purify the Daruma with some incense, then take it with you.' Unlike other lucky talismans or rituals, Daruma dolls are not simply about making a wish and hoping it comes true, says Fasano. 'Every time you look at your Daruma, you need to remember that wish and ask yourself, 'What am I going to do today to achieve that goal?' It's about reminding you that you need to work on it.' The second eye is only filled in once the goal is achieved — at which point, the Daruma doll can be returned to the temple. 'When you go there and you see that all these people had their wish granted, it's proof that you can do something about your wish as well,' says Fasano. Round and red with scowling expressions, the dolls represent the Bodhidharma (or, 'Daruma' in Japanese), the fifth-century monk who founded Zen Buddhism. Followers believe that the monk meditated for so long that he lost his limbs, illustrated by the doll's rounded shape, which is weighted at the base so it will always stand back up when knocked over. 'It became a symbol of perseverance,' says Fasano. 'According to Zen Buddhism, the answers are already inside you. It's not something that comes suddenly as a gift, but it's something that you need to work on diligently and find in yourself.' In another legend, the monk was said to have cut off his eyelids to avoid falling asleep during his meditation, one explanation for the doll's wide-eyed stare. Darumas are rich with auspicious imagery, from the lucky red color to the thick eyebrows and beard, which represent cranes and turtles, two animals associated with good luck and longevity in Japan. Katsuo-ji isn't the only 'Daruma temple' in Japan. In nearby Kyoto, Hōrin-ji 'Darumadera' Temple boasts a collection of around 8,000 Darumas, many of which are housed in a specially built hall funded by the temple's worshippers. While the dolls can be found all over Japan, around 80% of Daruma dolls are made in Takasaki, a town in Gunma prefecture in the Kanto region, where the traditional papier-mache craft can be traced back around 200 years. Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple says it started selling the dolls about 220 years ago, and holds an annual 'Daruma Market.' According to the temple, visitors began placing dolls around the grounds about 100 years ago. Katsuo-ji offers visitors two different types of Darumas: the Kachi-Daruma, the classic doll known as 'the winning Daruma' which is used to set a specific goal; or the Daruma-Mikuji, known as 'the fortune-telling Daruma,' which are only found at Katsuo-ji. Instead of drawing eyes on the fortune-telling Daruma, visitors ask a question before selecting a doll. Like a fortune cookie, each Daruma-Mijuki contains a tiny scroll of unique written advice that is intended to guide you toward your goal. 'Many visitors take photos and videos of the Daruma-Mikuji placed freely by worshippers throughout the temple grounds, and the Kachi-Daruma enshrined on the offering shelves,' says Yusuke Yamada, a spokesperson for Katsuo-ji Temple, adding that the temple is a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience for many visitors. In 2024, Japan saw a record 36.8 million overseas visitors, a 15% increase from pre-pandemic levels. And while Osaka is the second most popular prefecture for overnight stays, Katsuo-ji is rarely on the itinerary: the temple welcomes between 800,000 to 1 million visitors annually, around 70–80% of whom are from overseas, says Yamada. (By comparison, Asakusa Senso-Ji Temple in Tokyo draws 30 million worshippers annually.) 'Japanese visitors tend to come for the autumn leaves and during the New Year, while overseas visitors come throughout the year,' Yamada adds. Fasano, who has been based in Osaka since 2023, believes the city is hugely underrated. 'People tend to think that in Osaka, there is nothing to do. It's a city that deserves much more attention,' he says, adding that tourists often don't budget enough time to visit places like Katsuo-ji, which can take a half day to get to and visit. To bring in more visitors, Katsuo-ji came up with a creative way to encourage tourists to engage with the Daruma dolls. In May last year, the temple introduced a 'stamp rally': visitors visit six check-in points around the temple grounds in sequence, collecting stamps to create a single image. The 'stamp rally,' like the Darumas, reflects the process of goal achieving: making a deliberate plan and taking it one step at a time, says Fasano. He hopes that the temple will gain more recognition, and inspire more visitors to explore the region. 'If you want to buy the Daruma, rather than buying it in a random shop, getting the Daruma from Katsuo-ji gives a sense that is more powerful,' he adds.
