Japanese language and day full of art

In past few weeks, not much has been happening. My usual life is just going to school and wondering about the language and its magical mysteries. It is such a complicated language.  There are rules in the grammar, but every single day, there is an exception. And I am not joking; every rule has at least one exception. The language is quite flexible, so one teacher says one thing, and then other teacher says another. And both are correct. So it is very confusing language to learn.

Plus it is first language I learned where there is a past form of adjectives. Of course there are two types of adjectives (to make it more complicated) and they both have different way of changing into past form as well as negative form. And of course verbs, magical verbs, and particles, lovely particles, but I am not going into that.

So basically I have to drill a lot. Which takes me most of my free time afternoon.

Therefore I don’t go much out.

     But last weekend we went with Mitsuyo to Tokyo, to see one exhibition with paintings. In the advert, it said, that it is exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh. So I was very excited about it. At the end we found out that they had only one painting from Van Gogh. So we laughed. Cause we expected a bit more. Most of the paintings there were from Seiji Togo, who is famous Japanese painter. I liked his paintings. Very clean colors and also nice tone and shades. The figure of woman in his paintings is so gentle.

To my surprise one of his sketches was a woman from Czechoslovakia from 1970. The rest of paintings have been Togo’s collection of other painters. Because he studied in France, he met many artists and probably bought some paintings too. So there was quite a lot of French painters and also one Picasso and Daubigny.

Of course the main thing was Van Gogh. But only one picture. It was replica of the 4^th version of his Sunflowers (Tournesolos), 1888. And on left side of this painting there was one Cezanne, the Apples and napkin, 1879 and on right side was Gauguin’s painting, Lane at Alchamps, Arles 1988, which was my favorite. Such a nice colors of autumn, leaves falling on the ground. Beautiful and emotional.

   After this exhibition we had a nice lunch in Italian restaurant and after that we went to another exhibition with underwater photographs. Really amazing photos from all around the world by David Doubilet. His photos are definitely worth of seeing.

After that we had lovely cake and cup of coffee and then we went to a big bookstore. Finally I found some books in English. I bought one book with drawings from M. C. Escher. He is one of my most favorite artists.

Well and then we went home. It was a nice day out full of art.

        And of course back to school and drilling the verb forms.

        Last month we wanted to go to SOPP (big peace ceremony), at Fuji Sanctuary, but Mitsuyo had a cold, so we stayed at home. So it will be the next big one I hope we will go to in July. In the last ceremony at Fuji Sanctuary, Masami Saionji said, that there will be another disaster coming to Japan. She asked all people to pray for the World Peace as much as possible. So if you can spare few thoughts for it that would be nice. Thank you.

     May Peace Prevail on Earth.

    

Golden Week holidays

Golden Week is a national holiday. It is something that everyone should experience. It was first time in my life when I saw whole nation on holidays at the same time. Everywhere we went, were hundreds or thousands of people. Even at midnight or early morning, we were sitting in the night bus traveling to Osaka. And even it was night bus, all the motorways were completely full and also blocked, because of many accidents, just incredible. We came to Osaka 5 hours later, then expected just because of the traffic. Amazing.

     In Osaka we met with my very good friend Aki and his girlfriend Jenny. From Osaka we went to a small village called Tenkawa (Milky Way), which is in Nara prefecture. We rented there a log house for 3 days. On the way we visited one shrine. It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dedicated to Gods of Water. At the entrance, there was a peace pole planted, waiting for us. What a nice welcome. The person in charge of the shrine, invited us to altar, where we could pray silently and then he gave us two bananas from the altar as a present from God. He was a lovely man. Then he spoke to us, but I couldn’t understand a word, so I just closed my eyes and sat there. Such a nice feeling everywhere. What a lovely place.

     Our log house was just next to a river. It was beautiful and magical place. Surrounded by forests and hills, the birds of prey flying above our heads and many fish in the water, swimming against the current. Magical place. We could hear the sound of water all the time.

 

     First day we arrived quite late, so we went only to a spa (it is a heaven for Japanese people, to visit a spa), but I must say, that Golden Week is really an interesting experience, cause we had to wait 40 minutes to get in. It was so crowded. I was amazed. And after the lovely crowded spa, which was out in the open air, so we could see and hear the rain falling, we had a nice barbecue, few beers and wine. And of course lot of fun.

 

     Second day we went for a hike along nice waterfalls, not far away from our log house. It was nice hike. On the way we met also a snake and little altar along the path. Then we visited one shrine in the village and after that we went to another spa place, which was busy but at least we didn’t have to wait. We also tried local fish baked on fire in front of us. In the evening we had another barbecue (Japanese style and desert in American style). Yummy yummy.

 

    

     The next day we had to leave the log house. So after tiding, on our way back to Osaka, we went to Yoshino, very old village in the hills, with few shrines and one temple. It is also very famous place for cherry blossom viewing. Great hike again. On the top of the hill, there was another very old shrine dedicated to God of Water. It looks like it was the main theme of our trip, water from the beginning till the end. After tsunami, the best place to be and pray. Mission accomplished.

 

 

The temple in the village was founded by man called Enno Gyoja. I was told that it was a previous life of Masahisa Goi, founder of The World Peace Prayer Society. So I was happy to be there.

     Then after our hike we returned to Osaka and had great dinner. Osaka is famous for its cuisine. We went to Okonomiyaki restaurant. Delicious. We could bake it in front of us on a hot plate. Good fun.

     At the weekend, the last days of the Golden Week holidays, we went with Mitsuyo to Tokyo, to help with one Flag ceremony. It was very nice ceremony. I enjoyed it. It was like being back at Allanton. I actually ended up even singing on the stage at the finale. No idea how I got there…. Situations like this will probably happen more often then I thought. I need to learn the language very soon.

 Flag ceremony practice

     All in all, it was very nice week. Greetings from Japan to all of you and of course, May Peace Prevail on Earth.

Cooking, food, people and memories

     I have to say, that sometimes I miss the European foods. So I decided to prepare some dishes while I wait for Mitsuyo for dinner. I must say, here in this flat, we don't have a normal European style oven. Just little machines of much smaller size, that are called "oven". So it was a bit of experiment.
     And I also discovered how food is connected with our memories and people. Amazing. I never thought or realized about that.
    
     I tried my first scones... that was disaster.. cause I put too much baking powder, and it was just too bitter. But then next day I tried again, and those were lovely scones. It reminded me of one family in Dumfries and Kenny. We used to work for them with Kenny, and the lady of the house, always prepared some freshly baked scones for us with lots of cups of tea. We loved it. And I am sure that Kenny enjoys it even now, cause he has few jobs to do for them. Please say hallo to them from me. Thank you.

     After baking scones, I was thinking about something else, so I remembered Rosa's pizza. Yummy yummy..... Then I remembered Pombo family, and Maria's pizza too.... hmmmmmm.... impossible to resist the calling of my taste buds and stomach..... It had to be pizza, first time as well....
     I tried to do the thin pizza, like Rosita (as I call Rosa) makes, but as I mentioned before, the oven here is very small, so it would be too complicated and too long process. I had to go for normal thicker pizza. But before baking, I had to do shopping... which is a challenge on its own. So of course I came back home without half of the stuff needed for making my pizza...
     Luckily the Internet is a magical place and I found a recipe without yeast for the pizza dough and also I managed to improvise with the sauce and topping.
     So at the end the pizza was finished just on time for dinner.
     Mitsuyo happy, Stano happy. Life is good....

     Yesterday, I decided to make Okonomiyaki, a Japanese classic and one of my favorite dishes. This is not European food, but I was introduced to it at Allanton, in Scotland. It reminded me of many people I prepared this food for, or people who prepared it for me, people from all around the world. Nice memories..... happy stomachs, happy faces, happy people, happy world...
     I was very surprised, because Mitsuyo said, that it was her favorite Okonomiyaki ever, and she is Japanese. Mitsuyo happy, Stano happy. Life is good....

     Another one we made together with Mitsuyo is called gyoza, it was first time I made it. Originally Chinese dish, but very popular in Japan. It reminded me of Uma san, he loves it with some sake. We talked with Mitsuyo a lot about you Uma san while eating it. Yummy yummy....    And I must say, I love the Japanese plum wine, which is on the table instead of sake. Hmmmmmm
Mitsuyo happy, Stano happy. Life is good.....

    Of course we made more foods here. As I mentioned before, lot of fish and rice and soups and salads and tofu etc.... But this ones are those, that made me realize about the connection between food and people and our memories. Magical life.
     I wish you all well...
     May Peace Prevail on Earth

First days at school

     So finally my school started. The campus is quite big. I cycle there and it takes about 20 minutes. It is quite modern place, but it should be, it is Institute of Technology.

Kanagawa Institute of Technology campus

     Of course, I am in the elementary level. We are only a small group, which is great, cause the speed is quite fast. I have 3 class mates. Two of them are Chinese and one is from Iran. Every time I look at the boy from Iran, I have to smile. He reminds me of Ron, a friend from Iran, who passed away about a year and half ago.
     I am the oldest one in the group, they are 21 or 22. But I like it. We have lot of fun. Especially the two Chinese boys, Hon-san and Oo-san. They are quite funny.

     The teachers are interesting. We go through the beginnings in a fast pace. Every day we have different teacher who is with us from beginning to the end of the teaching day. It is interesting to experience the Japanese way of education. Valuable experience.
     Our classes are actually only in the morning... from 9:30 to 13:00. Which is enough. Teachers speak all the time in Japanese, so we have to listen very carefully.

     Strangely we don't go to school on Wednesday, instead we have to go on Saturday. Which is not that great for my plans for participating at ceremonies at Fuji Sanctuary. Cause I would have to be there on Saturday for practice. But at least I can go there on Sunday and mix with the crowd. Also I won't be able to do weekend trips to visit friends or some interesting places of Japan, that are bit further. On the other hand, it saves money, which is greatly appreciated by not working student like me. And also having a day off in the middle of the week is quite a nice break too. Sugoooooooi..... So today, Wednesday, is my day off.
     
    

Iiyama kannon

     It is 800 year old Buddhist temple. It is very nice place, especially in this season, because of many cherry trees.
     I went there last week on a bicycle. It is not far away from where I live. Maybe 30 minutes ride. It has a very nice feeling. I liked it. Small, personal and quiet.
    Just want to share some pictures.

 

     Slowly I am reading and discovering about this area. There is quite a few places for hiking. Just behind the temple, there is a path towards the Hakusan hill. A place of many spiritual pilgrimages. There is also quite a few forest parks around and I read about some nice beaches too. Looking forward to visit them. 
.

Easy going days

     In past days, we had quite a few earthquakes. Some stronger then the others, but here in this area they are mostly soft ones. It is quite interesting to experience such a frequency of the Earth shaking.

     Because I am still waiting for the school to start, I had quite a bit of time, to wonder around  Atsugi. I visited few places, but actually there is not much to see here, apart from cherry blossom. Most of interesting areas are bit further from Atsugi. So this week I am planning to visit Iiama Kannon, 800 year old shrine. It is not so far away from where I live. Maybe one hour on bicycle. I will show you pictures later.

     Of course the most important thing here is Sakura blossom. People are outside under the cherry trees, playing games, chatting and having picnic. There is nice path, part of my cycling route to school, which has nice cherry trees too.

     I went for a walk along a river, just where I live. It is such a nice area. Have a look. Nice little gardens, with lot of flowers and vegetables, many many cherry trees and in the river I have seen some nice big fish too.

     And here is a little shrine on our street, I pass it almost every day. It has nice feeling.

   

     And of course, spring time also means one important thing.... planting. So we planted with Mitsuyo some Poppies, Mint, Lemon Balm and Wild Celery. Plus we bought small tomato plant, parsley and French lavender. So this is our little garden paradise at our small balcony.

     Well and other than this, I am discovering new foods, cause most of things here are slightly different. But I must say very very yummy. And the fish here...... wow....
     I am also learning little bit of Japanese, playing on guitar almost every day,
practising classical songs I used to play. I love those tunes. Bach, Mangore, Albeniz, Tarrega.....
And the guitar I play on is so nice. It has such a sweet sound. It was a present from Yoshie.

     Just few days ago I was honored. She asked me if they can play my music on Toru's funeral. I was very happy to hear that. I hope it helped people to calm down their emotions and took Toru to the skies. For those who never heard about Toru, he was a young man who recently committed suicide. He came to one of Allanton's summer flag ceremonies and helped us with preparation. He played there his song May Peace Prevail on Earth, in his special version.... heavy metal style.
He died two days after my arrival. Pity I didn't manage to meet him. At least I could give him wings with my music. Bye bye Toru.

     Life is a miracle. I love it for its beauty, for its mystery. And I am reminded every day, how fragile it is, since I arrived here. Make the most of it guys. This Earth is such a beautiful place. May Peace Prevail on Earth

First day in Atsugi, Japan

     It was a nice day. After breakfast, Mitsuyo took me to a shop nearby, to show me the area but also to buy a new bicycle, cause I wanted one as a main transport while I am here. So I bought one, and it is proper Japanese bike with basket.
 
     What a cool ride we had, throught the city to the central station, where we did some shopping and had a lunch. It is interesting how a bike can make you smile.... It feels really cool.... Love it.

     So here I am, picture is a bit blurred, but at least you can see my new lovley bike. That basket always makes me laugh. When I look at this picture, I can hear Donald singing: "I am turning Japanese, I am turning Japanese, I really thing soooooo...."

     Later on, after we came home, I experienced my first earthquake. I didn't realized it at all, only Mitsuyo said to me... "Stano, it is earthquake." It was very gentle and it made me smile. But I can imagine the power of such a shake in high levels.That would be quite a scarry thing. Pachamama (Mother Earth) is so powerfull.

     And of course, I watched some Japanese Tv programs. Hmmmm...... Well... Strange it is....
Luckily some programs have also other language option, so I can switch it to English. Good good. At least now I can see more information about the Fukushima and the effect on life and economy of Japanese people after the big earthquake and tsunami. May our mission be accomplished.

     It was a good day with nice sunny and warm weather, lovely lady next to me and yummy food.