Kenta Ebara

On July 1, I attended Kenta Ebara's concert at Dress Tokyo Cafe in Akihabara. Since Rodney attended Kenta's previous concert a couple of months ago, he offered to stay home with Markus. Kenta's father, Ebara-san, who is Rodney's mentor and manager at Honda, along with friend Meiri-san, accompanied me to the concert.

A singer and songwriter from Tokyo, Kenta's music influences stem from all genres of music from rock and country to pop. He is inspired by many famous artists like Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder, to name only a few. The love of music seems to run in the Ebara family. Kenta's father, Ebara-san used to play the guitar. He now plays the dulcimer and sings in a group called The Front Porch Players. We attended their show at the Minori Dulcimer and Autoharp Festival on May 25, in Ibaraki.

Before the show we had time to spare so we walked to Yodobashi, which is a massive electronics store in the center of Akihabara - a.ka. "Electric City". Like most department stores in Tokyo, the top floor was sectioned off with several restaurants. We had delicious Japanese cuisine for dinner at the Kaikyo.

Apparently, Kenta was suffering from a cough and cold the previous night, but I would've never guessed. Kenta had a great performance!











Here is a short video of one of my favourite of Kenta's songs called "Asu-iro", ("The Color of Tomorrow"). The song is about sharing true feelings to someone you really love.

All of Kenta's lyrics are in Japanese. During his songs, I could pick up bits and pieces of the words, however it was nice to have Meiri-san there to translate the meanings behind each song.

Enjoy...

Let's get cultural - Japanese Style!

On Father's Day, June 17th, we celebrated with a day of Japanese culture with the Hippo Family Club of Tokyo.

Markus was being a great helper while I tried my hand at ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Say "CHIZU!"

In short, the Hippo Family Club is a nonprofit organization at which both children and adults acquire several languages simultaneously by learning songs, listening to tapes, playing games and participating in home stay exchanges.

Noako Niimi-san, a Hippo Family Club director for the Itabashi area, approached me last February in our apartment lobby when she overheard me speaking English and realized that I was a gaikokujin (foreigner). After learning more about the Hippo Club, I agreed to participate as a volunteer in some activities. My first experience was a presentation about Canada to a group of pre-teen students at an elementary school in Shimo-Akatsuka. The students seemed eager to learn about western culture and also to hear the English. There was a line-up of other presenters speaking about countries of their origin. Prior to the presentation, I was able to speak to some students who wished to express some of their English speaking abilities. Markus accompanied me to the presentation dressed in Canada-themed clothing. Unfortunately my little mascot was getting over a cough, so he wasn't in the greatest of moods. At the least, he was able to sit through my 10 minute presentation. To the left is a visual made up of photos relevant to Canada, which I put together for my presentation.

Since then, I have attended several of their meetings assisting in English language acquisition. Recently two members of the Hippo Family Club went abroad for a month-long home stay in the USA. I acquainted the two teenage boys about American traditions and offered some English assistance. They were very eager and excited about their home stay. One boy went to Oregon, the other to Utah.

Here is my first attempt at Japanese calligraphy.

One of the volunteers derived my name using Kanji characters. I then tried my best at copying it onto fine stationary paper. The bristles of the ink brush are very soft. Each stroke of the brush requires control and fluidity. I look forward to taking further calligraphy lessons next month.

The finished product...not too bad for the first time.

Japanese tea ceremony, often referred to as Chanoyu

This ritural requires a set of disciplines, which may take years to master. At a formal tea ceremony, usually powdered green tea is prepared by a skilled practioner and is served to a small group of individuals who are expected to know proper gestures and phrases.

The Hippo Family Club event on Father's Day was well-received. Many of whom participated were foreigners on home stay programs in Tokyo, associated with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). We met folks from India, Pakistan and Portugal, and of course made new Japanese friends. This day was a great opportunity to actively join in the festivities of experiencing the Japanese culture. Activities included the art of ikebana (flower arranging), Japanese calligraphy, origami (paper folding), traditional Japanese tea ceremony and yukata (women's summer garment) dressing. It was interesting to hear from our fellow foreigners of their home stay experiences in Japan.

The yellow obi of my yukata was being adjusted and tied into a bow. This is the most difficult part of dressing into the costume.

Origami of a crane

In the photo to the right, the ladies are outfitting me in a silk uchikake (oo-chee-kah-ke). This is a traditional wedding kimono overcoat, originated in the Edo period.

During a wedding reception, the gorgeous silk brocade is worn over a shiro-maku - a white kimono worn during the wedding ceremony.
We had such a nice time at the event learning more about the Japanese culture. Niimi-san has been truly kind to involve our family in the events and get-togethers associated with her organization.

Japan Rocked by Earthquakes

It was nearly an hour ago when we felt the tremors from inside our apartment. It was precisely 23:18 JST when Rodney and I were on the internet reading about today's tragic events of the earthquake in Niigata Prefecture measuring 6.8 magnitude, approximately 4 hours northeast of our location, by car. We stopped and watched the movement occuring around us. The light fixtures on the ceilings swayed back and forth. It felt as if it lasted for more than ten seconds. Strongest tremor I've felt since coming to Japan. Markus is still asleep in his bed. Immediately, I powered off our gas (which is what we're supposed to do first). This earthquake stemmed from off the west coast of Kyoto, about 4 hours away from us, in the opposite direction of Niigata. It measured at 6.6 magnitude.

This morning at approx. 10:15 JST, Rodney felt the aftershocks of the earthquake from Niigata, while at work. He described it as strong grinding movements. It was short and fortunately no one was injured at his workplace. At that time, I was busy doing laundry, while Markus played in the tatami room. I did not feel a thing.

It was a different story for us this afternoon while Markus and I napped on the couch. I was awaken by the aftershocks of yet another quake that hit Niigata at 15:37 JST. I didn't think much of it, until I realized the tall leaves of my Sansevieria plants were swaying and I could hear the floors and walls creek. By the time I got up, it subsided. I wasn't taking any chances, I still powered off the gas.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, 17 earthquakes occurred today in Niigata with magnitudes that measured 3.4 magnitude and above on the Richter scale. Several others were accounted for that were smaller in size. Unfortunately today, many homes and villages were destroyed and a reported nine people died, while hundreds injured.

As we've already told our parents who have already phoned, we are fine...just a little 'shaken' up.

Inokashira Koen

Located in the west of Tokyo, Inokashira Koen quickly became part of our list of favourite parks in Tokyo. On June 3rd, when we exited the train station and entered the park, it felt as if we walked right into a dense forest oasis.
Tokyo traffic is everywhere - even in the water!

At first arrival there were only a few people in sight, but after strolling about 50 yards, the path opened up into a large pond in the center and a hub-bub of activities occurring alongside the water. One main purpose of venturing to Inokashira Koen was to give Markus a first chance to experience riding in a rowboat. (It's part of our preparation for our big Obon week vacation to Thailand next month.) Upon research I found there to be many locations in the city of Tokyo that offered these type of water activities. We paid 600 yen to ride a rowboat for an hour...Totemo yasui desu! (Very cheap!)

When we first stepped onto the boat, I could sense Markus felt a bit uneasy. It had to be the feeling of stepping onto unsteady ground. I was afraid of him getting sea or motion sickness. But soon after Rodney started to paddle out, it was smooth sailing from there.

I have to say there was quite a bit of pond traffic with all the other swan paddle boats and rowboats on the water, especially near the entry. Rodney manoeuvered with such finesse to avoid crashing and we managed to reach tranquil waters further away from the chaos.

Markus was overjoyed when he saw a mommy duck with her little ducklings following in a row. He motioned to Rodney saying, "Follow ducks daddy, follow ducks!" But soon after the other boats started to approach them, the duck led her offspring and nestled into the reeds for shelter. It was precious. We also spotted many turtles swimming in the pond. After feeding some ducks with bread and having lunch on the boat, we decided to head back toward the dock.

Delighted by the ducks' company!

Gambarimashou! (Let's do our best!)

Here's Markus putting some muscle into it. This child is so relentless! Believe it or not, he was actually gaining some momentum.

"Mom, I'm so exhausted! I just wanna chill now"

Park Performers

You can't tell by this photo, but the blue bucket with the broom stick is actually a makeshift instrument. Strings were attached to the bucket from the top of the stick. He plucked on the strings like a harp and ta-daa...music was produced. How creative!

This little dog (I think a Pomeranian breed), sat amazingly still for the artist! How funny is that!

Walking across a short bridge to access the temple

Within the park grounds there is a small, yet beautiful temple tucked into the woods toward the back end of the park. From the temple, scenic views of the water fountain in the pond and two wooden bridges could be seen.

Markus and I at the purifying water station near the entrance of the temple.

Where Rodney cleansed, water drizzled down from a dragon's mouth and into the shallow trough.


Here is a close-up of the amazing stone-carved dragon head.

Strolling alongside the temple

Inokashira Koen also has a small zoo called Suisibutsu-en. By the time Markus was through running around in the playground, he was too exhausted to go. We headed into Kichioji district and did some shopping while Markus napped. It was a terrific outing, we'll definitely be back!


Lastly, I thought I'd share some Japanese superstition or Toshi Densetsu, as they call it. I've read an amusing tale associated with boating in this particular pond. In short, the tale - well, actually the curse - goes a little something like this...

When a young couple is seen boating in the Inokashira Koen pond, it is said that they are likely to break-up soon after. They would refer to it as "the beginning of the end" of their relationship. I've been told that it doesn't apply to married folks with children.

...Regardless, no worries here!