“サトリの森” ～ Forever

In Japan, the four seasons are very distinct. Each season offers us the beauty of nature. As for me, spring is my favourite. During winter, I can't wait for spring to come. Then spring comes along. I already start waiting the return of spring when it's gone. Why do I love it so much? It may be because I am so excited about touching of spring through flowers and fresh greenery in the air. And I feel earth is full of food. Indian lettuce, Horsetail, Dandelions, Itadoris (or Japanese knot weed), Mugwort and so on. But after all, I can tell you how much I feel I am lucky to have been born as Japanese when I have a Ohanami party or flower viewing party under the splendid cherry blossoms. (near our house) I found that Japanese sit on the plastic sheets, but foreigners sit on the grass directly.(I sat on the grass, though :-)) My first Ohanami this year (cherry blossom viewing) was with my dog friends. We went to the Showa Kinen Park, which is near my house. ...

Last time, I mentioned that Cherry tree blossom in Tokyo usually around the 25th of March, didn't I? But the official announcement of blooming day was the 21st. When I took Satori out for a walk near my mother's house, yes, I found the cherry blossom upon the pond. But I couldn't find cherry blossoms near our house. It might be because of my mother's house is closer to the centre of Tokyo. I live out in a suburb. So I am sure the temperature is a bit different. Of course, my house area must be 2 degrees lower than the city. 　 Near my house A few days ago, I visited a friend of mine, Nacchan's('chan' means suffix of noun. For example, it is used when you affectionately call somebody or something.) house to see her baby girl. Her name is Sachika, aka Sacchin. She was born on New Year's day in 2009. So she is almost three months old. When Nacchan was pregnant, I advised her to eat fruit a lot. Because I heard that eating fruit would make a wise chi...

While I idled away my time, many flowers have started to bloom one by one. Especially it is rather warm as this month, so people said that Sakura, which is Japanese cherry blossoms are early in blooming this year. There are many kinds of Sakura trees in Japan. But the flowering day of Somei-Yoshino cherry tree is the day that most Japanese people look forward to. This tree is made for admiration around the end of 19 century. When you go to an entrance ceremony or a company orientation, you would feel be welcomed by the Sakura trees. Or you might be busily engaged in holding space of the cherry blossom viewing for your friends or the older members of your company or your school. In the night, you also go to the blossom viewing with your boyfriend. In weekend, famous places of the sakura viewing in Japan are crowded with families. I don't think that it is exaggeration even if I say that people in Japan grow up with the cherry trees. The flowering day this year in Tokyo will be arou...

I am in charge of setting up an annual family gathering this year. My clan, Yanagisawa family(my father's side of family), holds a party once in a year. A party of 2008 "Hanabishi-kai" is the title of our gathering. "Hanabishi" came from the crest of Yanagisawa family. This is the crest which is called 'Yanagisawa-Yotsubishi'. So far, the two of the old members used to organize the party every year. But they announced that they would like to be sidelined as they got old last year. So every member is going to take turns at arranging the party each year. Then Kuninobu, my second cousin, and I are going to do it. Usually the party is held at a banquet hall. But this time, we plan to go out and visit some sites of ancestral importance. One of them is the historical temple called "Erin-ji", which our ancestors lie at rest. This temple is located at Enzan in Yamanashi Prefecture, where is about 120km from Tokyo. The front ga...

As I mentioned yesterday, it was Satolela papa's birthday. He went to Disneyland under one of the school activities. Our first idea was to meet at Disneyland after all students were dismissed. (you will see when you read my March 3rd blog) Instead of Disneyland, we were going our for dinner. He said that he would like to eat Gyoza, or jiao-zi , and veggies. So I tried to find a restaurant which should offer nice food and have a good reputation around our house. There are many Chinese restaurants in Tachikawa, but it was difficult to decide which is a good restaurant for Gyoza because I have never thought about it. A restaurant I found on the Internet was very near to Tachikawa station. So Richie and I got together at the station. When I checked the reviews of the restaurant, somehow one of the comments sat on my mind. It said, "it is a Chinese restaurant of the appearance to let you remind of Showa Era retro. " Anyway I took him there. When I saw the re...

March 3rd is the Japanese Dolls or Girls festival, Hina matsuri. Families who have a girl or girls display the kind of elaborate dolls of the emperor and empress, and attendants as you can see below. But nowadays because Japan has a tough economy and, especially in Tokyo, the people live in the small house, families rarely set up the set of dolls at home. You maybe be able to see them at the department stores in Japan. AND....... Yes! It is also his Birthday today. Happy Birthday, Honey!!! But he has gone to Tokyo Disney Land without ME ! (tears...) No,no.....just joking. He went to Disneyland because of a sort of the school excise like a "studying outdoors." I don't know what they are going to study at the Disneyland. We were going to meet there after all students were dismissed. So we could have spent a great day together if the weather forecast didn't predict snow tonight. In Tokyo, trains are main means of transportation. In the morn...

One of our dogs, Leila, a Chinese Crested Dog, often looks different because of her fur. She is very unique. Questions! "Who do I look like?" OK! I will let you know the answers below. Picture No.1 is an alpaca (as reference) In Japan, the alpaca who is called Kurare is the most famous alpaca. This species became very popular these days as a healing animal because of their character and figure. Picture No.2 is a Gremlin (as reference) or Gizmo? (as reference) Picture No.3 is an Old English Sheep Dog. (as reference) Picture No.4 is a Lochen. (as reference) Picture No.5 is a Westy. (as reference) So how many answers did you get correct? All of them? Good job!!! written by Arwen