Photos From My Day

I was greeted by new flowers in our building lobby this morning. 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.

Day trip to Kamakura

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!

Looking at ants on the trail through a magnifying glass.

We climbed over many tree roots on the trail.

The torii gate at the entrance of the Zeniarai Benzaiten Shrine.

The entrance to the cave that contains the natural spring water.

Roo washing yen coins.

Mother's Day

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!

Ryan came home with beautiful flowers and my favorite dessert, orange flavored mochi creams. Oishii!

Book Review: The Street of A Thousand Blossoms

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.

A Sweet Lolita

Today I made a quick trip to Harajuku for a fringe trim at the hair salon and as I was exiting the station, I couldn't resist pausing for a moment to ask this Lolita if I could take her photo. I must admit, this look isn't as shocking as when I first arrived in Tokyo, but still, it catches my eye!

Inari-zushi

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!

Sleeping in Public

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.