Well, in case anyone's wondering what I look like, having spent over a year in Taguchi - there you have it. I now wear aprons when I do housework.
Actually, this is my only apron. I got it as a thank you gift for giving a speech. My mom thought this was ironic - "Tell us what you think, then get back to the kitchen." What makes it funnier was that I actually had been thinking aout getting an apron.
You're never going to believe this. Even though I now wear aprons - my apartment is not much cleaner. It's true.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Mark in Nara with his New Friends
I swear, he makes pals where ever he goes. This bunch proved to be particularly rowdy.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Cousin Jonathan in Asakusa
A few weeks later, we met my cousin, who was in Tokyo on business. He had been to the fish market that morning (having been inspired Anthony Bourdain's book), and he and his coworkers managed to tough it out until dusk without a nap - but then they went to their hotel and we didn't see them again.
Tsukiji, 5:30 a.m.
Possibly one of the coolest things I have done in Japan is go to the fish market in Tokyo. We got up at quarter to 5, and took a cab to the already bustling market. We were worried we weren't going to be able to find the tuna auction, but I found the signs that said no entry, and entered. We were early! People were walking around with flashlights and picks to examine the giant tuna.
The auctioneers speak a language that doesn't even resemble Japanese, and the bidders use strange hand signals. The older auctioneers don't have voices left, and just sort of growl out bubbly sounds. Then they take a cigarette break next to the No Smoking sign.
The auctioneers speak a language that doesn't even resemble Japanese, and the bidders use strange hand signals. The older auctioneers don't have voices left, and just sort of growl out bubbly sounds. Then they take a cigarette break next to the No Smoking sign.
Success!
The next stop was a hidden bamboo forest. I had read about it in a Japanese travel magazine, but it wasn't clear how to get there. We parked in the parking lot of a pachinko parlor, thinking we'd get directions, when I noticed a tiny wooden sign with the name of the forest on it. We followed the path behind the parking lot, and found the forest.
We also found this shovel! A SNORT! Apparently, during my under-5 years, I was going to be a construction worker when I grow up. I think I've arrived...
We also found this shovel! A SNORT! Apparently, during my under-5 years, I was going to be a construction worker when I grow up. I think I've arrived...
The Demon Castle
After Ise Jingu (Japan's most hallowed shrine), and after the flat tire, we headed down the Mie coast without a clear goal. We followed signs to the "Demon Castle," which turned out to be strange (and scalable!) rock formations.
Road trip superhero
My tire was a total disaster... Mark changed it in about 5 minutes. Unfortunately, no one had compatible tires for more than 60 kilometers around - and in the wrong direction.
Anyway, what's a road trip without car troubles anyway?
Anyway, what's a road trip without car troubles anyway?
Next year in Japan...
My mom left soon before Passover, so my apartment was still passably clean. I held a seder for 13 people (plus Yuki who came by when it was winding down). I'm not sure which was more amazing - that I cooked a really good meal for that many people, or that they all fit into my apartment.
I used a trilingual Hagadah (English, Japanese, Hebrew), and wrote up a very simple version of the Passover story in English. Mary and Ben (front right and left) helped with the cooking, including grating wasabi I'd picked up at Dai-Oh.
I told everyone not to bring anything, or to bring fruit and grape juice, but that didn't work so well. We ended up with grape Fanta, and Honda-san accidentally brought bean sandwiches (I wasn't going to say anything, but Mrs. Ito had already spilled the...erm...beans).
It was really good fun. 2006 will be same time, same place - be there.
I used a trilingual Hagadah (English, Japanese, Hebrew), and wrote up a very simple version of the Passover story in English. Mary and Ben (front right and left) helped with the cooking, including grating wasabi I'd picked up at Dai-Oh.
I told everyone not to bring anything, or to bring fruit and grape juice, but that didn't work so well. We ended up with grape Fanta, and Honda-san accidentally brought bean sandwiches (I wasn't going to say anything, but Mrs. Ito had already spilled the...erm...beans).
It was really good fun. 2006 will be same time, same place - be there.
Giant Wasabi
We then headed up north to Nagano, where it was still pretty chilly. We visited Dai-Oh wasabi farm, which is supposed to be the biggest in the country. The farm is set up for tourists to stroll around the grounds, and it really is peacefull. There are sculptures everywhere - this is my mom with a big wasabi (yes, that's what it looks like before it's grated up...)
Good girls go to heaven, Ru and I go to Hell
Back in March, my mom visited and treated me to a trip down to Kyushu. We had an amazing time onsenning in Kurokawa (I'm ready to go back), climbing around active volcanoes, and then, visiting the various "Hells" - hot springs too hot to bath in, bubbling up in all sorts of colors because of mineral deposits. This is at the Umi Jigoku (Ocean Hell).
Friday, February 18, 2005
Not the guy I want to meet in a dark alley...
One of my students preparing for kodomo kabuki (children's kabuki) backstage. I was impressed with the make up job they'd put on him. He got costumed and wigged shortly after this photo was taken.
The Aftermath
I wasn't ready to take my makeup off right away. I knew the mistake I was making - cold cream was readily available backstage. But I thought it looked cool.
Well, it's hard to get kabuki make up off. For one thing, my eyebrows were puttied before they were painted over. I used toothpaste to get the putty out, which was surprisingly effective, but still annoying. The white stuff- I thought it would never come off. And it wasn't just on my face. Do you want to know how much of my body was covered? I'm not telling...
Actually, it's not that exciting, but I will leave it as a secret. Notice my feet and hands though, in the other picture.
Well, it's hard to get kabuki make up off. For one thing, my eyebrows were puttied before they were painted over. I used toothpaste to get the putty out, which was surprisingly effective, but still annoying. The white stuff- I thought it would never come off. And it wasn't just on my face. Do you want to know how much of my body was covered? I'm not telling...
Actually, it's not that exciting, but I will leave it as a secret. Notice my feet and hands though, in the other picture.
Damine Kannon Kabuki Festival!
One of the reasons I haven't posted in ages is that I've been rehearsing for the kabuki festival. It's finally over. I'll write about it all soon, but for now, some pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)