Where Globe-Trotting meets Beach-Combing
After November 1 we study winter-style tea ceremony on tatami. What’s different about this style is that we bring in all our tea instruments, then kneel and ceremonially close the door to the tatami room, blocking out all distractions. Then we come in, take five (auspicious number) steps on the final tatami mat, then arrange…
As the opening strains gave way to the lyrics of the Hallelujah Chorus, King George II of England was so moved by what he heard that he rose to his feet on March 23, 1743. The people around him jumped to their feet as well. Soon, the entire audience had followed their king out of…
I got to say hi to some Awa Odori friends and introduce them to Chris at this year’s JMSDF Mochi-Pounding Party. “Ah! Very handsome!” said one of the guys when I introduced everyone to Chris. The girls giggled and agreed. Everyone was there! It was fun seeing all the Awa Odori folks, especially since none…
Since we moved here we’ve been hearing about the wonders of Japan’s tallest Christmas tree—the center point for Miyagase’s annual Christmas festival. This is most likely our last Christmas in Japan, so a month ago I freaked out and signed myself up for every winter tour I could find. Several friends had the same idea….
A woman is a creatureThat has always been strange.Just when you’re sure of one you findShe’s gone and made a change.Is you is, or is you ain’t my baby?Maybe baby’s found somebody new?Or is my baby still my baby true?Louis Jordan, 1944Izu is or Izu ain’t delicious, O crop of tiny oranges?! I don’t even…
The Chichibu Night Festival is one of the top three! Wait, what?! Absolutely everything we go see in Japan is one of the top three or top five somethings. This is the third time I’ve gotten to a festival and found out it’s one of the top three, always behind two other festivals I’ve never…
Oh sorry, I meant Tokyo’s VOGUE Cafe, not the magazine. VOGUE Cafe perches atop an inverted cone in the National Art Center Tokyo. If architectural curiosities alone aren’t reason enough to to visit, consider this: the cafe pulls inspiration for their dessert sets from their exhibits and the seasons. I enjoyed a pistachio, green tea…
