The Kabuki Theater in Tokyo

All the guide books have Kabuki in them. It is esoteric theater that hasn't changed in hundreds of years and is spoken in obscure dialect by an all male cast.

When I first got here it was definitely on my list of things to do. The fact is, I only know one Japanese person who has ever been: Hatta-san's wife. Actually Hatta-san volunteered her to take me, and I am sure she would, but after two years I'm almost feel Japanese enough that it seems silly for me to go. I mean, I don't want to act like a tourist or anything.

I went in my favorite "kaitenzushi" restaurant in Shinbashi today and it was pretty crowded at the counter. There was another "gaijin" (foreigner) there and the waitress, who knows I am a regular, led me away to a better seat at the back so I wouldn't have to sit by him. This pleased me to no end and I made sure to speak Japanese to the waitress as we went by him so there would be no doubt why I was getting special treatment.

Pretty silly, huh? Actually, I don't get mistaken for being Japanese very often :-). Take care and enjoy doing whatever silly thing you are doing...

Shibuya at Night

OK - here is Shibuya at night again for those who like these pictures. This is the crossing on the west side of Shibuya station. Click on the picture to enlarge it, look carefully at the street, and you can see it is completely crowded with people crossing. This is really one of the coolest things about Tokyo - millions of people day and night in a bright, crazy, but safe setting.

See the Starbucks Coffee on the second level? You can't get away from them. There are two on the block where I live. Come see me though and I'll have a cup of coffee with you maybe here. It looks like a good place to watch the crowd.

I was out looking for a Japanese teapot today but still haven't found just the right one after two years. I got pretty close to buying one today but then I couldn't find cups I liked with it. I think I will be able to find the one I want if I just keep looking a few more months.

V = 6484

The 37th All Combined Nishiki Goi Show -1-

Remember last year's koi show? Here are a few pictures from this year. They really are amazing fish. There were some very unusual ones this year but I didn't get too many really good pictures. The lighting isn't good for pictures - there is a lot of glare.

Feel free to cast a vote for your favorite fish again if you like.

At the top in this photograph are three Taisho Sanke with a Kohaku at the bottom.

The second photograph shows a very nice Tancho Kohaku with a Koromo. Of the fish on this page the Koromo is probably my favorite.

At the bottom is another Taisho Sanke. This one was huge - over 80 cm long and very impressive.

The 37th All Combined Nishiki Goi Show -2-

The 37th All Combined Nishiki Goi Show -3-

Snow in Tokyo

It is pretty here when it snows. It is an infrequent event - maybe a snow like this once a year. Today's snow was wet and since it was just above freezing not sticking that well.

This view is of the famous Zojoji Temple down from my apartment. You can see the base of Tokyo Tower in the background at right.

V=6386

Megan's Purse

This week's picture is Kanako-san showing the purse she made for Megan's Christmas present. Megan is a purse collector and this one is the only one like it in the world. It is made from an embroidered obi (sash to a kimono). I found the obi in a shop that specializes in kimono, and has a number of old ones which is where this one came from.

Kanako-san is a secretary in the office who was trained as a weaver of cloth but is working as a secretary until she makes it in fashion. Anyway, she is a good seamstress too and I saw some purses she had made and asked if she could make one from the obi. She agreed and just finished this one.

I must give myself some credit, but it is pretty clear who has the talent. Also, she is cute and keeps asking about David from the picture in my office. Megan, I hope you enjoy it... Dad

My Boring Life in Japan

OK, no interesting pictures or stories today. Friday I worked late so I wouldn't have to work over the weekend. Saturday was very cold and rainy. I did nothing but the laundry and straighten up the apartment. Oh yeah, I also messed up my iPod library and had to start all over on the song ratings. iPods are cool aren't they? Today was a nice day and I could see Fuji clearly first thing. I went out and bought some coat hangers, gloves, and groceries. It doesn't get much more exciting than that.

But, I've been doing very well on my New Year's Resolutions. Number 1 was to start exercising regularly again and I give my self an A+. Number 2 was to quit being so uptight about everything at work - in other words not to worry about things I can't change. I give myself a B on that so far.

I can't blame anyone but myself for doing nothing this last weekend. Next week is the annual Tokyo Koi Show so I plan to go to that. Hope you are getting out regardless of what the weather is like...

shin nen akemashite omedetou gozaimasu

Today's title means Happy New Years and is what is said when you first meet someone after the day. You say "yoi otoshi wo" before New Years. The New Year is getting a bit old but since I haven't written I thought I should start out with this.

Actually, today is seijin no hi - Coming of Age Day. As I've explained before, this is a day to celebrate young people turning 20. Since David is now 20, we should offer congratulations to him so "omedetou gozaimasu".

Have a great New Year...

V = 6303