Category Archives: This & That

Small Successes in My Ikebana Studies in Tokyo 1

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

4—[8] Simplified arrangement Japanese winterberry (Illix serrata) in a red vase with two throats The objective of the arrangement is to manipulate the material by cutting, bending and removing unnecessary parts until nothing more can be removed. The ultimate aim … Continue reading →

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Ikebana Progress

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

It’s almost possible to forget that I am in Tokyo—glorious autumnal Tokyo—to study ikebana. Classes ended for an extended period between the 20th and 29th of October due to a major exhibition at month’s end. Given that amount of time … Continue reading →

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Finding Dinner

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Though I often choose to enjoy my large meal at lunch (because a large meal mid-day is about half the price for the same standard of food and service), every day, no matter where I am, I face the question … Continue reading →

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Rias Kammerchor Berlin in Tokyo

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

During my recent two-week recess from classes, extensive travels followed by technical difficulties with WiFi connection and balky computer performance, I continued to enjoy the pleasures of Tokyo’s various wards. In early November as part of a five-concert tour of … Continue reading →

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Akita: The True North of Japan

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Sometimes an idea calls me. When it does, I like to say yes.  The day after visiting Atami I used my JR East Rail Pass to visit Akita City. It is home to the Akita Museum of Fine Art: Hirano … Continue reading →

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Update: MOA Museum of Art in Atami

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Apologies, folks. An unedited photo slipped into the blog post full-sized and messed up the subscriber’s version. Click here to read the post from the website.

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The MOA Museum of Art in Atami

Posted on November 10, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

When I bought the Shinkansen tickets to visit my friend in Yonezawa, the ticket agent informed me that it would be cheaper to buy a JR East Rail Pass. A pass would allow me five unlimited trips in a seven-day … Continue reading →

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A Weekend in Yonezawa, Yamagata

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Cloud streaks caught the setting sun and bathed the valley in soft light as I disembarked from the Shinkansen at Yonezawa Station on a late October Friday afternoon. The crisp air was faintly redolent with smoke–like incense–as farmers had burned … Continue reading →

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A Period of Technical Difficulties

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

It has been a while. Longer than I’d hoped. After an eventful weekend in the Japanese countryside followed by jaunts to distant areas of Japan and several hours on trains to write about the adventures, the computer got balky. Photos … Continue reading →

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Halloween Karaoke Party

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

What do you dress as when you’ve unexpectedly been invited to a Halloween karaoke party and you don’t want to spend big bucks on a costume? I’d bought a cheap wig in Tokyo but left it behind as it was … Continue reading →

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