This past year, I’ve purchased two pieces of Ikkanbari art. Both items were crafted by British Artist Lisa George, who is a former Mum at Roo’s preschool. This traditional craft is an ancient method of applying layers of unryushi washi (Japanese hand made paper) to bamboo items using rice starch as glue and coating with varnish. It was originally a way to give extended life to broken bamboo household items. An ancient form of recycle and reuse. Torn paper is painstakingly glued to the bamboo and finished with coats of varnish, yielding a distinctly unique piece. The best feature is that the items are durable enough to use for daily needs, a fruit bowl, a bread basket or a handbag. If you’re interested, check out George’s papergluebamboo website or her store on etsy. 
Here the guys are, ready to walk to preschool and work in the rain. Grandpa left to return to America today. Roo confidently exclaimed "see you in a couple months". 
Roo is five years old! Or as he likes to respond in Japanese, "go sai". Something about the Japanese response is more fun to say. Maybe it's the "go" for "five" that is also in the "Go Speedracer" song. 
got a little sticky,
opened presents, 
which included a space station, 
and baddy (short for bad guys) aliens, 
and had dinner with friends. 
Going to bed tonight, Roo commented, "it was the best birthday ever!". However, there was a sad moment. We bid farewell to very good friends, Jennifer, Arny and Ariana. Wednesday they leave Japan for the USA. As Ariana was leaving, Roo understood the reality of what our "see you later" meant and started crying. Since our arrival in Japan, he and Ariana have played together often. They were one of the first families we got to know. And, I'll miss Jennifer. Conversations on the phone, spontaneous play times at the park, and various "girls out" happenings. And Ryan will miss good conversation with Arny. Thank goodness for Internet video and Vonage telephone.
I’m reading this book titled, Call Me Okaasan by Suzanne Kamata. It is an anthology of essays written my mothers who are raising their children in a multicultural environment. One of the essays in the book is written by a British mother who met her Iranian spouse while they both were living in Japan. They immigrated to Australia but returned to Japan when their son was young. He is attending Japanese primary school. From speaking with other foreign mothers, I’ve learned I am not the only one shocked by the young age at which Japanese children travel alone on the train or bus or by walk to get to their school. In her essay, this British Mother explains her struggles to come to terms with the school’s expectation that her six year old son walk unattended to school. Most likely with a friend and most definitely not with a parent. Mothers accompany their preschool age children and during this period they are learning the route and safety rules. But once they start primary school (age 6) they make their own way. It’s almost a rite of passage for the six year old and is considered important to build a sense of responsibility and independence. It helps that Japan is safe, security guards may be posted on well traveled routes, and the broader community takes a role in helping to police and ensure harmony. A Japanese mother explained this community role to me by giving an example. You’re encouraged to take your dog for a walk during the time children are en route so you can help keep watch over young commuters. 
Roo's Grandpa (Ryan's dad) arrived last night from the USA, Minnesota. Roo was anxious all day asking many times about when Grandpa would arrive at the apartment. Adding to his excitement was the box of birthday presents Grandma had sent ahead. When the box was delivered, I had explained that he could open the presents once Grandpa arrived. He took it literally, interpreting arrived as the moment Grandpa stepped in the apartment. He's a very happy boy this morning, surrounded by new toys and Grandpa. 
In a city this size you see all sorts of transportation contraptions. This 3 wheel bike with the two wheels in front struck me as funny. I took this picture from the taxi as we were at a stand still on a side street because of congested traffic. 
Sunday we took a day trip out of Tokyo to the town of Kamakura. During the 12th century, Kamakura was the capital of Japan. During this period, the influx of Zen Buddhism from China took root. In Kamakura, there are numerous Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines, in fact, too numerous for an almost 5 year old to tolerate. Hence, our goals were modest and the main mission for the day was to see the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) and trek the 2.2km Daibutsu hiking course. The Buddha was magnificent, the trail refreshingly secluded in green trees, the sky blue, and the temperature perfect. At times, the trail required some rigor and when I suggested to Roo that he could sit down and have a rest he rebuked my offer by commenting “If I sit still people will think I’m a Buddha”. Later at the restaurant, where Ryan and I enjoyed a tonkastu (fried pork cutlet) lunch and Roo a home packed bento, I asked Roo to explain his favorite part of the trail. He said “I got to walk in the big chunks of mud”. We made a quick stop at the Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine, where a tunnel in a rock leads to a natural spring in a cave. Here, money is washed in the hope that it will be doubled. Later, after a quick view of the beach and a treat at Baskin Robbins, we headed home. It was a good day!
The entrance to the cave that contains the natural spring water.
This drawing says “ Mum, I (slit=kiss or luv) You”. The person is suppose to be me. Roo explained that my arms are on top and out because this is what I look like when I’m reaching out to hug him. I was relieved to see he drew me with a smile instead of a grumpy face because he’s certainly aware that mommy gets grumpy some of the time. He also drew a dot to dot for me and explained that he connected the dots because I wouldn’t know where to start. Melt my heart! 
by Gail Tsukiyama. I bought this book in the United States last summer and waited to read until the cherry blossoms were on display in Tokyo. The story is about the lives of two boys, who live in the Yanaka neighborhood of Tokyo, and their extended family. It spans three decades including pre and post war. One of the main characters aspires to become an artisan of masks, created from cyprus wood, for the Noh Theatre and the other main character aspires to become a grand champion sumo wrestler. To be honest, prior to reading this book I had very little interest in these two ancient Japanese traditions, Noh and Sumo. Now, I can’t wait to find the opportunity to experience both. It’s a good reminder to not judge too quickly. At first glance, Sumo and Noh look a little “odd”. Especially the large nearly naked men slamming into one another. Now with some explanation, my minds moved from “odd” to “intriguing”. The book was good, full of emotion, but a little long. Nonetheless, informative enough to make me want to learn more. 
Except for a brief obsession with avocado subs in collage, I’ve never been a cold sandwich person. A warm sandwich such as a reuben or a turkey melt, I like. However, I’ve discovered I enjoy the Japanese “sandwich like” food called Inari-zushi, or sushi pillows which is eaten at room temperature or cool. In the basic form, Inari-zushi is soy simmered fried tofu pockets stuffed with rice that has been flavored with vinegar, salt, & sugar. In her book Washoku, Elizabeth Andoh explains that the name of the dish is linked to the Inari shrine in Kyoto which is associated with foxes. In Japanese folktales, foxes are fond of fried tofu. And, the fried tofu’s golden brown color resembles a fox. I like to add toasted sesame and pickled pink ginger to the rice. Yummy! 
I wonder when I’ll get used to seeing this? People, situated uncomfortably, sleeping in public. It’s just not something you see often in the United States, unless it’s sun bathers on the beach or the homeless. In Tokyo, the sleep deprived salary men or the weary commuters catch some shut eye whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. I can’t help but take a second look and chuckle a little. Others go about their business as if no one was sleeping nearby. I guess it helps that you don’t have to worry much about your bag of valuables getting lifted. 