Walk home from school

This walk home from school was different than most afternoons. Usually, Roo is chatty and singing or commenting the entire distance. On this day, he was quiet and contemplative. I had stopped to take a photo of a newly constructed home, and he continued walking at a leisurely pace. In these photos, when I see him on his own in the distance, I can’t help but thinking he’s growing up too fast!

Maiko san & Family

I first met Maiko when she was a teenager living with my Aunt & Uncle in New Ulm, MN. We connected shortly after I arrived in Japan. I learned she was living near Tokyo and has a small son, too. This weekend we traveled to her and her husband’s home near Narita in Chiba Prefecture. We had a wonderful afternoon together beginning with a lunch of delicious Japanese food, a trip to Boso Village which contains a reproduction of a typical commercial street during the Edo period, and ended with a stop at the Museum of Aeronautical Science. Roo enjoyed chasing Gaku's papa. Ryan and I were happy to get away from the city and breath fresh air on a sunny crisp afternoon.

The family pet, Mari chan.

Costume girls strolling the commercial street at Boso Village.

Pottery Shop

Gakushi and Roo grinding cinnamon.

A vendor preparing dango, a japanese dumpling made with rice flour. The variety we sampled was mitarashi dango, covered with a sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and starch.

Roo was thrilled to sit in a real fighter jet at the aero museum.

Eucalyptus Oil

I’ve learned it works wonders for removing stains from leather. A week or so ago when Roo came home from preschool I failed to notice the black stuff tucked in the folds of his cargo pants on his bum. I made his after school snack and placed it on the dining room table. Since he’s constantly on the move, he bounced around from chair to chair while consuming his snack and playing with toys at the table. After he was done, I noticed that three of the four light tan leather rented chairs contained dark black streaks. Since I believe children should get their hands dirty, I’ve never been one to fret over dirt, paint, glitter, glue, clay, water, mud, and what have you. We changed pants and I got out my trusty enviro friendly cleaners and cloth. Then, I panicked! The black stuff only smeared and darkness remained as the gunk seeped deeper into the pores of the leather. Calmly, I called the school to inquire about what this could be and how to remove it. They explained that on the roof top playground the black double sided tape that keeps equipment in place does indeed stain. Two of the teachers from down under recommended eucalyptus oil.. So, a week goes by and on my next trip to the spa I purchased a small bottle. Skeptically I gave it a go. Voilà, it came out completely!

Basic Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths & Nirvana

Explained in class as the Truth of 1.) Suffering 2.) Cause 3.) Extinction, and 4.) the Path. The Shakyamuni Buddha was motivated by a desire to understand human suffering. The doctrine of the four noble truths is meant to meet this motivation. They offer a way of living. Suffering is not skirted, but confronted. The cause of the suffering, a desire for something, identified. The suffering is annihilated by an adjustment of mental attitude. And finally, the path to rightly thought and behavior is established to extinguish suffering for good. There is a parable comparing these truths to the foot print of an elephant. Footprints from many other animals can fit in the one print of an elephant. Such are the four noble truths. All other teachings “fit” within.

We also had a side discussion on nirvana. A word that has infiltrated western speak. During the discussion I realized my mind didn’t have an accurate understanding of the concept. I equated the concept of nirvana with the concept of heaven. And, the unavoidable association with Kurt Cobain, grunge, and flannel. In Mahayana Buddhism, there are two types of nirvana. The teacher explained, one is written with the kanji characters meaning “without residue” and another written with the characters meaning “with residue”. Simply put, the residue is the physical world, including our bodies. It is somewhat fair to equate the "without residue" to heavenly bliss. What I found interesting about the other, "with residue", is the belief that nirvana, or a quiescence, is believed achievable in life. An ideal state of mankind living in harmony, peace, and quietude. What a lovely thought!

Anpanman Museum

Would a child’s experience living in Japan be complete without a trip to the Anpanman Museum? I think not! Especially one who is as committed to his daily five o clock television program viewing as Roo. His class was off school today for parent teacher meetings. After our conference with his teachers followed by lunch at La Boheme, we took a 45 minute train ride to Yokahama in search of all things Anpanman. Two glitches of whizzing by our stop at Shin-Takashima (apparently we were on the express) did not deter us. We persevered and made it to our desired destination! Click below to enjoy the slideshow:

Anpanman Museum

For an in depth explanation of Anpanman, visit this website.

Espresso Machine

When my upstairs neighbor left Japan and returned to her home country of Germany, of course she took her espresso machine with her. Our occasional lattes in the afternoon were enough to feed my habit and help me resist the temptation to purchase another contraption to clutter my counter. Seriously, do I need another 100volt piece of equipment? The answer… YES. I regret not watching Tina more closely. I’m even using her coffee that was part of a pantry collection she couldn’t pack and still, mine aren’t tasting as fine. I’ve concluded it must take practice. Or as Ryan rationalized, “Europeans just know how to make coffee. They’re into that sort of thing.”

3-Day Weekend

We had a full three-day weekend with a variety of activity.

A trip to the train station in the taxi.

Tsubasa's fifth birthday party.
Oishii cake!

Lunch at Jonathan's with ice cream for dessert.

A school friend of Roo's and her parents came over for dinner. The Daddy knows how to box!

Posing next to Optimus Prime on a shopping errand to Shibuya.

Book Reviews: Blood Hollow & Iron Lake

by William Kent Krueger. For a change of pace I read these crime novels, written by a Minnesotan. They take place in the Minnesota iron range. The complexity of small town life where families of European immigrants and Native Americans collide in cultural conflict is thread throughout. The change the four seasons bring to the Northwoods is clearly described and often a factor in the turn of events. The references to the green, white, and red wrappers of Pearson’s Nut Goodies and IGA grocery bought back feelings of home. (Last summer I carried to Japan from MN a stack of Nut Goodies…) I enjoyed both stories and will put the rest of his novels on my “wish list”. The characters are sketched fully and the town vividly drawn. The pace doesn’t slow, and the “who done it?” remains a mystery until the end.

Sakura

The splendor of the Sakura season (cherry blossoms) is almost to Tokyo. This is a photo from yesterday of tree branches that reach over our balcony. This website tracks the sakura bloom in Japan. The weekend is expected to be beautiful. Having witnessed the brilliance last year, I have a better understanding and appreciation for the anticipation the bloom brings to this metropolis full of concrete. The Sakura theme is everywhere, in foods, desserts, songs, tea, pottery, cutlery, Hello Kitty, Anpanman, hankies, and hairpieces. I imagine it’s one of nature’s most grand efforts in welcoming spring!

Translation
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last!

CWAJ Print Show Preparation

This morning I ventured out to the industrial neighborhood of Shinonome in Kouto-ku to help unwrap print artwork in the Yamanote warehouse. Artists from all over Japan submit their work for potential entry in the annual CWAJ Print Show scheduled in the fall. I have not attended a prior show, but can already sense that it will be an interesting affair. The print show began in the mid 50’s and has evolved to become an esteemed exhibition, in Japan and beyond, of contemporary work. The story doesn’t end with the culmination of the exhibit. Generously, portions of the money raised from this event help to fund educational endeavors for woman from all over the world through the CWAJ Scholarship Program. So, hopefully in October, we’ll acquire some artwork to dress up our plain apartment walls and feel good that we‘re supporting a worthy cause.

Monday Morning

Here are the guys heading off to work and school. They are pushing the bike up the incline adjacent to our garage exit. It’ll be a short week because Friday is a holiday. Roo LOVES to ride his bike with Daddy to school. And, a morning presence at the school helps Ryan stay connected. Today should be 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny.

Ikebana Exhibit

Yesterday I went to Ueno to see an Ikebana Exhibit at the Matsuzakaya Department Store. The flowers were amazing and the exhibits creative. It seems there is so much you can do with this art form. Thank you to my ikebana teacher Seiko san for the ticket!

Auditory bombardment….

is the technique the speech pathologist will employ to help Roo improve his intelligibility. Now that the tonsils and adenoids are out, it’s time to focus. The earlier the intervention, the better. Ryan & I understand about 99% of what he says. Others don’t. He uses his relatively large vocabulary correctly, but phonologically substitutes sounds. He can make the sounds expected of his age. The sounds just don‘t come out in the correct spot. In other words, he’s learned to say things wrong and needs to re learn the rules. A therapist will come to our home once a week. Twice each day, with his undivided attention, I will spend one minute reading a list of words that contain a common sound in either the initial, medial, or final position. For example, soup, toast, juice. With the therapist he will attempt the sounds. With me, he’ll only listen. For the length of one week, we’ll focus vehemently on one sound. This is auditory bombardment. Fortunately, he is very good at paying attention and can concentrate well. And he has a healthy amount of confidence. The expectation is that a few months will make a world of difference.

Basic Buddhism: Void and the Seal of the Three Laws

Tuesday I visited the IBC for my second lesson in Basic Buddhism. Void and the Seal of the Three Laws was the topic of discussion. We didn’t make it all the way through the three laws, but we did talk about void in some depth. Over 2,500 years ago while in deep meditation, the Shakyamuni Budda discovered the truth of “void” or the “source which can manifest all functions”. In recent history, scientists armed with modern equipment would witness this “void” or “source” and define it as reactions attributed to the movement of protons, neutrons, electrons or anti matter. The significance of this in Buddhism is because it provides an explanation that everything is non-born, imperishable, non-increasing, nor non-decreasing. In other words, there is neither birth nor death. Everything IS. As my study continues, I suspect this principle will resurface and be the key for unlocking many questions.
After the discussion, I joined the ladies for lunch and a tour of the Great Sacred Hall. Enshrined within is a magnificent statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha.

Photo: The Great Sacred Hall (Daiseido) in Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo.

Photo: Three bodhisattvas representing compassion, practice, and wisdom.

Photo: Shakyamuni Buddha inside the Great Sacred Hall.

Flowers

This is the new arrangement that greeted me today when I walked out of our apartment. It's beautiful and fragrant.

Restaurant Chez Tomo

Saturday night we dined at a lovely French restaurant near our home that we’ve past many times by foot, taxi or bus. It's tucked charmingly behind a white awning on the ground floor of a residential building. Chez Tomo opened in Tokyo in 2002 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2008. What peaked my interest was an article in KIE magazine summarizing “organic vegetables from a farm in Yamanashi prefecture are turned into exquisite dishes”. I enjoy a chance to eat local. A tray of vegetable bites is presented to each diner. For all those that remember Ryan’s selective eating habits, particularly in the category of vegetables, I’m proud to say he ate the entire assortment. And enjoyed it! It included eggplant, asparagus, cauliflower, squash, spinach, broccoli, cucumber, fiddle leaf, mushroom, red pepper, radish, turnip, peas, lotus root, beet, potato, and tomato. Wine by the glass inflates the bill, but the course menu is quite the bargain considering the delicious and unique food as well as top notch service. We’ll return!

Flu bug bites Big Bugs

Roo’s been home from school the last couple of days because of a fever. The all school health alert read , “the cases have been restricted to one class, the Big Bugs, where a number of the kids have become ill”. Yep, Roo’s a Big Bug. Apparently this widespread strain of influenza is quite virulent and even after the symptom of high fever ceases for a day, the following day it resurfaces. Therefore, we’ve been advised to stay home for at least five days. My tasks toggle between that of snuggler, masseuse, and boredom buster. It’s days like these where I dig into my supply of yet to be opened books, toys, dvds and kits. Yesterday we experimented with a contraption abbreviated as R.O.M.P., random oscillating magnetic pendulum. The magnetism was mesmerizing and the activity calming. Reasonably priced entertainment from Home Science Tools.

Trying out the "tornado"

This is the first ikebana arrangement I’ve done where I pick out the combination of flowers on my own at the flower shop. I was eager to try an alternative technique. Since beginning, I’ve always used a round or rectangle plate with small metal spikes, called a kenzan, to hold the stems in place. Instead I used a coil contraption, the katakana on the box reads “tornado”, to create a web like structure inside the vase.

The yellow specimen is a type of shrub called mimosa. It’s popular this time of year. I’ve read it represents the opening of many suns. A warm thought on these cool sleety days.

Our Matador

Tuesday the children in Roo's class performed for their eager parents. This past month they have been studying Spain and festivals. Dressed in his black matador costume, Roo joyfully sang "hola, como estas?" and danced with the maracas.

The singing matador.

The tough matador.

The matador next to the bull.

A map of Spain.

Hina Matsuri

Today, the third day of the third month, is Hina Matsuri or Doll’s festival. For the past few weeks in homes with daughters, an elaborately tiered display of hina ningyo, or Japanese dolls, adorns the living space. The origin of the festival coincides with the coming of spring and the agrarian belief that now is the time to prepare the earth for planting. Originally paper dolls, believed to hold evil spirits within, were sent afloat down the cold river. Today, it seems more about the dolls and daughters. After families gather to view the doll display, they are returned to storage with the strict edict that if the process of putting the dolls away is not completed promptly, the daughter will tragically never marry. This morning I stopped at the grocery store to buy shrimp for dinner. The woman replenishing the case was singing a song in celebration of the day. Similar in resonance to this:

Akari o tsukemasho bonbori ni

Ohana o agemasho momo no hana

Gonin bayashi no fue taiko

Kyou ha (wa) tanoshii hinamatsuri

Odairisama to ohinasama

Futari narande sumashigao

Oyome ni irashita nee-sama ni

Yoku nita kanjyo no shiroikao

Kin no byoubu ni utsuruhi o

Kasuka ni yu suru haru no kaze

Sukoshi shirozake mesareta ka

Akai okao no udaijin

Kimono o kikaete obi shimete

Kyou ha (wa) watashi mo haresugata

Haru no yayoi no kono yoki hi

Nani yori ureshii hinamatsuri