Going to See Cherry Blossoms（Hanami 2）

Going to see cherry blossoms had a lot of other fun. Many people with families brought Obento(お弁当) seat under cherry blossoms trees, enjoy the food. Also many people brought their pets walking around and more are playing around. I want to mention that many older people are playing traditional Japanese tops, which added a lot of joyment to us.































He is doing juggle with 5 oranges.





















Playing traditional Japanese tops.















A decroated car selling baked sweet potatos.

Going to See Cherry Blossoms（Hanami 1）

Over 10 years ago, in a Japanese listening class, a cherry blossoms conversion held at a park was showing from the video. I didn't understand most of coversations, However, "How wonderful..." spoke by a Japanese woman wearing the tradition Japan dress (着物）left a deep impression to me.

I was wondering why Japanese really like cherry blossoms so much.

The first time went to Hanami(花見) was at Sumida River park in Tokyo. It was beautiful. The second time went just two weeks later, the cherry flowers dropped like snowing. The third time is all gone, left a inch flowers on the ground. The beautity of the cherry blossoms and the shortness of the cherry blossoms caught the heart of the Japanese, I think.

Today we went to Hanami. The Kumamoto castle surrounded by the cherry blossoms is
more splendid than Hanami just in a park.

Kumamoto is earliest cherry blooming city in Japan this year. The weather is wonderful and we had a pleasant day.

Friends Transcontinental Duo

Today, we went to friends transcontineetal duo concert. The main music were from Russin and Gypsies. It was very warm and great concert. We enjoyed it very much.

The programe is written in Japanese, English and Russin.
















Handmade vase from a friend.

Japan's Largest Ston Staircase

This is the largest stone staircase in Japan. There are 3333 steps which run continuously up a hillside in Misato-machi - leading to a Shaka-In （釈迦院）temple at the top, which has over 1200 years history. From top, there is a great views of the surrounding countryside.

The staircase is located at Kumamoto prefecture Shimomashiki-Gun central town Izumi-Mura, Misato-machi. The altitude is a little over 2km, it was finished in 1988. All the stones were provided world wide, starting from Japan, then China, Korea, India, Brazil. The altitude is about 2km.









































Many people and companies donated for building the ston staircase.

















03/20/2008 is the day of the vernal equinox(春分の日). It is a holiday in Japan. We the whole family went for the challenge.




































You can climb the steps anytime, but in mid November a special festival is held. Participants have to estimate their arrival time at the summit (watches not allowed!) - and there are some great prizes on offer for the best guesses - return tickets to Osaka and Kyoto etc. The fun starts at 8.30am - and lasts until 2pm. Fancy dress is encouraged.

Paper Cutting

Today, the school project for hand craft （図工）was paper cutting. I saw a lot of paper cutting pictures online, however when I actually have it on hands, specially from my son who is only a elementary school kid. I really is amazed.

In Japan, the hand craft cause is one of the subjects for all kids from 1st grade to 6th grade. It includes drawing, making things, neating, sewing, paper cutting, paper folding and so on. The students use their imagination to create a lot of cool things that even the adults may not be able to. I think this is one of the strong points in Japanese education system.

Skyhouse -- A refreshing example of a house which seems to float above its two small supporting hills.














Have to find out what this is?
















Water gate -- A proposal for a house to control the flow of a river. It was designed by the French architect Ledoux(1736-1806), and demostrated a very progressive idea, even though it occurred during the reign of Louis 16.















University of Tokyo Clock Tower

The White Day

March 14 is the day the men return the chocolate to the women, one month after Valentine's Day. In Japan we called "The White Day".

I am working at the development which the men are 10 times more than girls. However, with the company many-year traditions, we bought chocolate to all the men on Valentine's Day. In return, we received a big amount high quality chocolate in White Day.

Happy White Day to all!

GODIVA -- very popular and high quality chocolate.









Very testy white chocolate cookies.













White Day 2008, sweet candies.

Hinamatsuri in Japanese Families

The doll festival has been a Japanese tradition for more than 1000 years. Families who have girls display hina-dolls around March 3rd, and will put all the dolls back to the boxes usually not later than March 10th.

During the Hinamatsuri, my friend had chance to visit a Japanese family, who has 3 girls. The family was displaying a big set of Hina-dolls in their Tatami(畳) room to wish their daughters health and happiness (Seven Tier of Steps).

The dolls are not the everyday play dolls, a heritage of the household, handed down, many of them, from generation to generation. The grand parents love to buy new sets of dolls for a grand girl baby born as a gift.

A set of Hina-dolls usually consists of at least 15 dolls, all in the ancient costumes. The dolls most highly valued are the Dairi-sama, which represent the Emperor and Empress in resplendent court costumes of silk. They are attended by their two ministers, three kanjo (court ladies), and five court musicians. All are displayed on a tier of steps(usually five) from 3 to 6 ft. long and covered with bright red cloth.

A Balloom Giraff

A big and long diraff made by my son. Compare to the rat, it is much taller.

Chinese Water Art "Four Seasons"

My mom has many telnet on handicraft and art. Here, I introduce her last year Chinese Watercolor Art "Four Seasons". She never had special training on paintings, however her hand painting all are our family's precious. She had the four pieces done during her illness days, because she wanted to give me as 2007 new year's gift at the time I went back to visit her. The painting was done by my mom and the writing was done by my dad.

Spring


















Summer

















Fall


















Winter