“サトリの森” ～ Forever

My second cousin, Kuninobu, and I were the planners of the annual family meeting this year. Last year somebody at the party mentioned that it would be nice to visit somewhere nice places where is associated with our ancestors. When we trace back our ancestry, they came from Yamanashi-Prefecture as I mentioned before . One day trip is sometimes a bit hard for old people, so I didn't expect a large number of people to join this tour. But though it was raining on that day, 29 people participated. To begin with , we visited our ancestors family temple, 'Erinji'. We were led to the main room and greeted the highest monk of the temple. Not anybody can get into this room. It looked gorgeous and was peacefully quiet. After we left the room, we visited the graves of our ancestors, Takeda Shingen and Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. To get there, we went through the special corridor. It's called 'Uguisu (Japanese bush warbler) rooka (corridor) ' Because when you wa...

Japanese government made the ETC (electronic toll collection system) discount day on weekends and holidays this year. Whenever you go by car on the express-way, you pay 1,000yen only. Then we decided not go far away by Ikuzo (our car's call name)　in order to avoid a hideous traffic jam. And I also wanted to introduce Satolela papa a nice place I happened to find a few weeks ago. It took 40 min. by car from our house. This is the place called Rokudo-yama park. It is the part of hilly area called Sayama Kyuuryo. Satolela papa grew up in the country side in California. So he loves nature. I tell you! Don't forget children's mind! Be curious! That's keep you young! Not only him but also Satori seemed to be excited a lot. I love nature, too. But Leila...... Of course I believe she enjoyed going strange places with us, but you know, she is not picnic type dog. She was bothered with those dried plants around her feet. Satolela papa called it ...

The most beautiful season with the cherry blossoms was over. Now many other flowers are blooming. I am a kind of busy person these days. Before I knew it, the Golden Week has started in Japan. What is the Golden Week? It is the name of a period of long holidays, which usually lasts for about 10days from the 28th of April through the 7th of May. But this year, I heard that some manufactures asked their employees to take 16 days holiday from the 25th of April through the 10th of May because of protracted recession. It doesn't sound fun, does it? As for Richard, he works for a private junior high school. Sometimes it is hard to work with children this age, but you should thank to have a job anyway. OK! I am going to enjoy myself with my family during the Golden week as other people do. But we won't go out in a crowd. Because we have to concern about swine flu ("pig influenza" in Japanese) . That, and Richard doesn't like crowds ;^) I will let you know what we...

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...