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Category Archives: This & That
Christmas Eve in Yokohama and Tokyo
Last weekend I hopped the train to Yokohama—about an hour out of Tokyo—to join friends for the Christmas Market in a former warehouse district now converted to event and boutique space. On Christmas Eve Sunday I’d been invited back for … Continue reading
Getting into the Spirit
Twenty-two minutes before the Solstice sunset I was seated on the 41st floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku with a glass of champagne. Looking west through semi-sheer blinds diffusing the view, a large orange ball hung over the … Continue reading
Sogetsu Level One Book One Complete!
Check! I have now completed Level One of Book One in my Sogetsu Ikebana course. I started the first two lessons of Level Two on Tuesday, and will persist in my attempt to complete Level Two before leaving Japan.
Posted in Japan, Travel & Culture, This & That
Tagged Completed Level One Sogetsu Ikebana
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Touring Asakusa in Kimono with Friends
Two friends from Toyohashi (near Nagoya) visited me on the weekend. They wanted to have lunch, then dress in rented kimonos to wander around Asakusa and visit Sensoji Temple. After that, they wanted to view the illuminations at Skytree Town.
Posted in Japan, Travel & Culture, Reviews, This & That
Tagged cultural appropriation, Touring Asakusa in Kimono
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Finishing up with Autumn
Winter is settling into Tokyo. But not that many days ago Jingugaien, the ginkgo avenue with its four rows of 146 trees on both sides of the street, was a splendid sight.
Posted in Japan, Travel & Culture, This & That
Tagged Autumn in Tokyo, Jingugaien, Koyo, Takaosan, Tokyo's Ginkgo Avenue
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Different Folks Different Strokes
Friends traveled into Tokyo from Toyohashi to visit me yesterday. I met them at Gaienmae Station near my apartment as they wanted to see where I was living. That done, we were about to depart when I remembered my gloves. … Continue reading
O Tannenbaum O Christmas Tree
O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum / Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree / You give me so much pleasure!
Posted in Japan, Travel & Culture, This & That
Tagged My Tokyo Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree, O Tannenbaum
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A Great Week in Tokyo
I had one Sogetsu Ikebana class on Monday morning and the rest of the week off. A nice change of pace. I liked being an observer rather than the creator. I spent the time taking in art exhibits, city views … Continue reading
New Variations: Old Rules Do Not Apply
This week I had but one class at the Sogetsu School as the rest of the week was devoted to teacher workshops on the new Book 5 curriculum. With the basic forms and various slanted styles behind me, I began … Continue reading
Finding a Teapot and a Tree
Bingo! She scores! Banzai! I now have a white ceramic teapot with a strainer. (Finally, I can soothe my soul by making a cuppa during those moments such consolation is needed.) Six bucks. Plus a paring knife and a couple … Continue reading