Spring Break School Work

Here Roo is doing work his teachers sent home. They give homework every week. However, it is suppose to be completely up to the child if they want to do it. The intent is to help instill the idea of doing work from school at home, AND create a positive encouraging attitude towards doing the work. If they want to do it (and some kids ask for more), that's great. If not, no big deal. Most often Roo falls in the "not" category. Lately he's been into numbers and maths and likes to comment "2+2+2+2 makes 8". So, practicing writing his numbers was attractive. (Note: Maths in not a typo. Apparently the British and Australians use the plural.)

He has off school this week for spring break so once again, I'll assume my role of boredom buster. We are hosting visitors from the United States that are here to conduct workshops at Sun & Moon yoga. We're all looking forward to having the activity of company and it should be an interesting week.

Hanamatsuri

Easter Sunday Christians celebrate the renewal of life through the resurrection of Christ. Around the same time of year, April 8, Buddhists celebrate Hanamatsuri, a festival celebrating the birth of Buddha about 2500 years ago. We attended a Hanamatsuri, organized by the International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai. In the ceremony, I participated in the flower and candle offering as one of two representatives from America. People from many countries and faiths were present and all speakers talked of peace, compassion, and living harmoniously in a sometimes difficult world. Roo enjoyed seeing Mommy in a ceremony. Ryan enjoyed the Indian food stall with warm naan. We all loved the taiko drum performances. It was a warm spring day. According to legend, various kinds of flowers and sweet dew rain down from the sky when Shakyamuni Buddha was born in the spring sunshine in the Lumbini Garden (now Nepal). To honor this day, a flower decorated miniature shrine (hanamido) is displayed. Families take turns pouring sweet herb tea (amacha) over the statue of the Infant Buddha. The flowers represent the Lumbini Garden and the sweet tea symbolizes the sweet rain that is said to have come down from the heavens to bathe the body of the newborn baby. The infant Buddha took seven steps, pointed his right hand to the sky and his left hand to the earth and proclaimed “Above and below the heavens, I alone am the World-Honored One.” This is interpreted as a profound view of life, not just for the Shakymuni Buddha, but also each living, precious, irreplaceable person on earth. Unlike many statues of a meditative Buddha who remains seated, the Shakymuni Buddha is most often standing. A posture that reminds that the Buddha is always ready to step forward, anytime, anywhere, and swiftly take actions to aid others. This is the approach to life practicing Buddhists seek for themselves.

The Suginami Daiko drum group performed during the ceremony, and after in the courtyard.

A traditional tea ceremony.

These woman are playing the Koto, the national instrument of Japan. It has13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. Players adjust the string pitches by moving these bridges and use three finger picks to pluck the strings.

Lone Sakura

The blossoms are out in full force. Everywhere there are trees to admire. The sidewalks are littered with delicate pink petals, a subtle reminder that the beauty will eventually subside. The tree pictured below is tucked behind a group of buildings on a path less travelled. We, on the other, take this path frequently. This one feels special. As if it's reserved for our eye's and a few other lucky souls.

Country Lunch

Last week Roo’s class had a “country packed lunch” day. Each child brought from home a bento filled with foods typically eaten in their country of nationality. In addition, each made his or her flag. The children discovered their class represents fourteen countries! While they didn’t get to picnic at the park and instead opted for the school to avoid strong wind gusts, they did parade around the neighborhood carrying their flags. It was tough to determine what food to pack for Roo because 1.) he’s picky, 2.) you can’t send peanut butter to school and 3.) cheese pizza doesn’t travel appetizingly in a lunch box. He ended up bringing a plain butter only sandwich, fries, and applesauce.

Rockabilly Roo

Here is Roo on Sunday in Ueno Park moving and grooving. Notice the rockabilly Elvis look-a -likes in the background.

A Sayonara Sail

Last night we attended a sayonara sail for a family from Roo’s preschool who are relocating to New Zealand. The venue was on an old style boat with tatami seating and paper lanterns. The central theme of the Japanese food was of course sakura with many items presented pink; pink rice, pink vegetables, pink mochi, pink dessert. We ate sashimi and tempura and drank Kirin, a tasty Japanese beer. Despite Ryan’s nudging, I managed to sit on the sidelines for the karaoke. While we knew most of the families because they are from Roo’s school, we did meet some new people, which is always fun.

While this isn’t the exact display of the food from last night, the photo in their advertisement matches with few exceptions.

Noriko Sensei (a teacher from the school) singing a popular Japanese love song from the 60‘s. The actual title is “Ue o muite arukō" (上を向いて歩こ)” means “I will walk looking up”. The song reached chart popularity in the west and was randomly given the title “Sukiyaki” because it’s catchy and easy to pronounce. Sukiyaki is a type of food and has nothing to do with the song.

Rikugien Garden's Weeping Cherry Tree

Tuesday, with a fellow Minnesotan, I visited Rikugien Gardens and was pleasantly surprised at the grandeur of the popular weeping cherry tree. So big is this tree, that a wood structure has been erected underneath to support the far reaching branches and their bounty of blossoms. This garden, with it’s paths for strolling, a hill to provide elevation, and a pond for reflection, exemplifies the famous gardens of the Edo period.