I have a few strange quirks. Most are harmless like this one of collecting hashioki (chopstick rests) but only those that are in the shape of a fish and where there is both a "boy" and "girl" fish. I display them on a piece of cloth showing a scene from an Edo era screen with koi on it. Most are ceramic.
There isn't much to write about this week. I have been working instead of engaging in people observation or learning about cultures. However, that didn't stop me from seeing this young man on the train. Look at those shoes. They were even more impressive in real life. At first I thought it was some afflicted person with feet the size of David's on a regular sized body. Then I began to think the guy was wearing clown shoes on purpose - probably for fashion.
Here we are at the party after viewing the cherry blossoms. The title "Bureikou" means putting aside rank. This is important in Japan because during the work day there is a high level of formality and politeness that results in less than direct communication. So, in the evening, it is common to let your hair down and speak a little more directly about work related items.
I didn't do very well on the one about having a TIVO on your television. Do geeks watch television?
When visitors come, they generally like to sit in the massage chair which has a view out this window. Looking out, you can see Tokyo Tower (that one is pretty obvious) and to the right of it is Mt. Fuji. If you look down, you can see the temple. If I am in the way you can't see anything.
People like to go and view the cherry flowers at night too. I tried to get a good picture but this was the best I could do. The trees are getting near peak now. The best guess is that they will peak in the Tokyo area on Tuesday or so. With my standard good timing, I will be in Doha then.
I was out the other day without my camera and took this picture with my cell phone. It is a Pachinko Parlor and the young men lined up outside are waiting to get in early in the morning. When the door opens, they rush inside to get the "best" machine. According to reliable sources, there are professional pachinko players.
I saw this sign at the train station in Kawasaki. It is labeled to the side: Kawori Manabe Working Costumes Collection
And the individual uniforms or "costumes" are: Policewoman, Bar Hostess, Car Mechanic, Carpenter, Kindergarten Teacher, Office Worker, Nurse, Gas Station Attendant, Flight Attendant, Maid, Sushi Chef, Hamburger Shop Girl, Elevator Attendant, White Collar Worker, Bartender, Sightseeing Bus Guide, Secretary, and Fishmonger.
And that is all I know about that.
V=6860
The cherry trees are starting to bloom. This tree is just down the street from my apartment at the bridge that crosses the intersection to the school. It is the first cherry I remember seeing bloom when I first got to Japan. I can't miss it. When I cross the bridge it is just overhead.
A plum blooms in front of the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) at Kamakura. It was cast in 1252 by the sculptors Ono-Goroemon and Tanj-Hisatomo at the request of Miss Idanonotsubone and Priest Joko according to the tribute at the site. In 1498 a tsunami swept away the temple that covered it leaving it in the open air. The buddha weighs about 121 tons and is 13.35 m tall.
A collage showing plum blossoms in Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens, ranging from white through dark pink...
The Todai-ji in Nara houses the Great Buddha. Cast in 752 by a Korean artist, it is made of bronze and weighs 100s of ton. It is the largest bronze image of the Buddha (see picture behind Yebisu) in the world. The building has been rebuilt several times. The current structure dates from 1709 and is only 2/3rds the size of the original. It is still the largest wooden building in the world.
The famous Golden Pavillion (Kinkagoji) in Kyoto is a Buddhist temple that was originally the home of a Shogun. Built around 1400, the original was unfortunately destroyed by arson in 1950. This exact replica is covered in gold leaf and topped by a bronze phoenix just like the original.
I have just returned from a trip to Firenze, Pisa, Paris, and Doha. I think I have published pictures of the last three before so I thought I'd show you something from Firenze (Florence).1 The dome visible over buildings from my hotel window
2 Inside the cathedral looking up at the dome
3 The facade of the cathedral
4 The baptistry with cathedral and dome in back
5 The main entrance
On this trip Ikeda-san bought a $100 bottle of Tuscany wine in a restaurant that I was unable to fully appreciate but thought was very good indeed. Ikeda-san likes wine whereas Hatta-san likes sake. I have decided wine is more likely to give me a headache and I'm leaning towards Hatta-san.
This week my visitors show up and we are going to Kyoto and Nara. There should be more Japanese pictures in the next posting...
V=6703
The Japanese name for the bullet train is shinkansen which means literally "new main rail line" but you may see it translated as super express or more popularly as bullet train. The shinkansen system has been in place now for a number of years and there is an extensive network throughout Japan. In the picture you can see a number of different models that have come out over the years.
Here is my tea pot and cups. I got it on sale just like the sake set and at the same place. The pot is hand made and was pretty expensive. The cups are everyday ware but match it well and are pretty I think. Anyway, I like it. Simple and contemporary but definitely Japanese.
Stuff: I really don't have much stuff here but I bought some more today. I have been looking around for a sake serving set and finally bought this one. I have been looking for a tea set for two years and still haven't bought that but I think I'm getting close now. I like this sake set. It is kind of monchromatic and has nasu (eggplant) on it. A very modern design. It is sitting on my empty kitchen counter.
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.
