Visiting to Tokyo -1-

It is the last day of January.
This month we went to Tokyo often, including New Year's holiday.

My elder daughter T was selected one of seven young budding artists (in a field) and hold  a group exhibition with them in Tokyo.

 

 

They hold a talk show, but I couldn't attend it.

Anyway Yuki and I went there, luckily during the exhibition Yuki had a chance to visit Tokyo on business trip, so on the day I also went there together. (It means, I only paid my bullet train fee.)

It is not a business show, it is just a chance to show their works backed by  an art organization. So the place fee, delivery cost were not needed for them to pay.

 

We had a quick visit, and quick lunch in Tokyo.

 

This time I had wanted to take my mother or my mother in-law, however we couldn't organize the schedule.

 

The place was in Tokyo, however it seemed to be difficult to take them there by some trains and bus.
By car? or by tax? ---  it is too expensive.
If she wins a nationwide prize, we'll take there even by car or by tax.

KIMONO --- how should I do?

 

KIMONO; Japanese traditional clothes.

Anyway I have some (or many).

My own kimono are three. One is Furisode for my 20th-year celebration. Actually it was used for both of my daughter. and now it is kept. Another one is Irotomesode for traditional parties where I have to attend as an adult. (It means, after women get married we wear Irotomesode instead of Furisode.) The other one is Houmongi  for a little bit traditional party, it is used a few times when my daughters were born, and attended my friends' wedding party.

All of three were handmade of my grand mother.

 

To tell the truth, my mother can't wear KIMONO by her self. However when she used to use Kimono, her aunt lived next to us, so she helped her to wear it. She spent her all live in KIMONO.

My grand mother also spent most of her life in KIMONO.

 

So when I was young  I learnt how to wear KIMONO by myself at a special school. To tell the truth I got a license to teach how to wear Kimono and to let someone wear Kimono --- though I forgot most of all. What I can do now is just to manage to wear Kimono by my self.

When I went to a special school to learn how to Kimono, usually there students bought some Kimono. However I didn't do that. Because I got a permission to use my grand mother's or my grand aunt's Kimonos. and at that time they were worthy Kimonos than students bought.

 

After graduation from the school, my grand mother made more two kimono with fine fabric called TSUMUGI.

Because I wore Kimono, so I got some invitation to attend Japanese tea ceremonies through my grand mother and my grand aunt, even though I didn't know the way about Japanese tea ceremonies. I was young so that it was OK just to sit there wearing KIMONO. So my grand mother made two for me.

And these two kimono are used many, because I had more opportunities to attend such Japanese traditional party, since I came here. Because my family was registered as a host family.

 

Oh, my own kimono are five.

And now I also keep more Kimono which were for my grand mother and my grand aunt.

 

Well, well, but now ---.

I seldom wear Kimono.

This summer to celebrate for the growth of Ah-chan of three year I wore a kimono of mine.

 

As I told you, now I'm discarding some things and lesson our belongings.

So I decided that anyway I'll wear all my komono this year.

 

Nowadays some young woman try wearing KIMONO in town.

It's OK.

However Kimono has a dress code.

So for "some people" who know about KIMONO, their style are strange. However it is OK because they are "young".

And the "some people" means the elder including me.

So when I wear kimono in improper way, probably some people notice and find me strange.

I don't like it.

So I reviewed my Kimono and try to make suitable combinations, on each kimono.

 

It means --- I "bought" some used OBI and OBIJIME at a used shop.

 

Well, well, though I decided to wear my kimono, in my closet, there are two "men's" Kimono which were for Yuki's father. What should I do?? Where and when do I dress him in them?

 

We had much snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had much snow this Monday. Now it is normal.

We (Yuki and I) shoveled snow , it means we have shovels. They are seldom used, however keeping them is necessary.

Our neighbors did it too, and all of them said "in 10 years, who will do it ? All of us will be too old to do it except you (which mean Yuki and I)"  in 10 years most of neighbors are in their 80's, and we are before in nearly 70's.

 

Anyway I didn't go out anywhere on the Monday. so I baked pumpkin pudding.

 

It was a very cold day, so baking made the room very warm.

 

Next day, snow were accumulated, but three neighbors came to join "laughter yoga". They walked here -- because they are neighbors.

Because of heavy snow, they were "free" all the day, so the meeting (or chatting) was longer than usual with this pudding and snacks.

 

Next morning I served the rest of "snacks" (doughnuts) and the pudding.

 

Season word 0125 cold yellowtail

Are "cold yellow tail" familiar with you?
They are one of my favorite fish in winter.
My mother was born on the fringe of Kyoto, it is Maizuru, which is facing the sea.
So every winter her mother or her brother used to send a whole of yellow tail to us and she used to "dismantle" ( I know it is an exaggerated expression) . And she used to cook lots of things.
Now she doesn't. And I can't clean such a big fish. So her brother tried to sent a whole fish after her mother (my grand mother) passed away, we had to deny.

BURIDAIKON ( a kind of yellow tail stew)  naturally (I) think of the word,  JYU-JYU-JYU-JYU-JYU
BURI marinated in Miso paste, I learnt how to cook from my mother, I didn't tell how to cook it to my daughters.
BURI Sashimi, we used to appreciate to the kindness to my uncle, though we seldom meet

I found this site, however, it is a little bit different our usual teriyaki-sauce.

frozen shoulder which is called "fifty-year-old sholder"

Monday has come. It is very cold, and according to the weather report it will be going to snow this evening.
Well, have you had frozen shoulder? If you are under 50, probably you might not. And if you are over 50, you must have had it at least once. So it is called "fifty-year-old shoulder" in Japanese.
Well, actually I'm suffering it.
Since I was in my 40's, I've been suffered from stiff neck or stiff shoulders.
And in the early last December, suddenly I felt stiff in the back of my neck, and sick.
So I went to a clinic to get massage. Then it changed to the pain of my left shoulder, and it moved to the top of my left hands, and it moved the back  --- and --- now my left shoulder hurts.

The pain moves often, so it is called "fifty-year-old shoulder".

Because of this coldness, I tend to slouch forward. Because of this coldness, I tend to not do exercise less than usual. So my muscle gets stiff, and I use my muscle unevenly. It seems to cause such pain.

The payment of the clinic is covered half by our insurance, and the rest is paid by myself. It is a good excuse for me to get good massage for 30 minutes.
And at the clinic the therapist try to fix my distortion (Does it make sense?)

Anyway for a while, I need to go there while I do indoor exercise at gym.
And --- I'll take acupuncture therapy in appreciation for my ????.

In good meaning, I enjoy going to a clinic or taking therapy against my pain.

What do you think of it? 0119

"Violence on TV and the Internet should be censored"

I agree that violence on TV and the Internet should be censored.
I know  our freedom of expressions should be maintained, however, watching the current situation some things needed to be avoid our world to become more full of violence.

There are two reasons.
The first is following that.
Fortunately we don't see real violence in front of us, directly. So kids learn "violence" from a fiction world through TV or the Internet. And the programs tend to beyond the real violence. So some kids are aspired from TV and want to eager do real things without any fear or pain.
It is very dangerous, non-real violence might lead to worse real violence and climes.

The other reason is following that.
Some people say, as I mentioned at first, our expression freedoms should be maintained. It is right.
However, many people get lots of information easily compared with 10 years ago. Of course parents try to avoid such programs from kids, but unfortunately, many parents can't keep up with the latest information. So it is difficult to seek parents responsibility.
I don't say that all programs with violence on TV or the Internet should be banned. However such programs should be censored by the authorities.

season word "burning of New Year's decorations"

 

"Burning of New Year's decorations" called "donto-yaki" is one of our traditional cultures.

How do your "discard" your Christmas tree if you get a real tree?

 

We usually take our New Year's decorations to shrines, and there they are burnt with pray.

 

Dontoyaki, wish of none illness and incidents, sublime smoke

 

Dontoyaki, expensive winter wreath has gone, with my hesitation

 

This year I decorated a winter "wreath" instead of a traditional Japanese decoration, it was still all right to be kept, however, I decided to take it Dontoyaki, instead of discarding before spring.

 

 

National Center Test for University Admissions

Last Sunday National Center Test for University Admissions was held.

One of my students took It. 

This kind of system has started since I was a high school student.

When I was in school it was called by a different name, however the system hasn't been changed a lot.

Well, do you know TONKATSU?

This dish is often served before tests for good luck.

Because  the sound of  Katsu (Ton-Katsu) has a meaning of win.

Before the night of the entrance exam, my mother cooked TONKTAKSU , with a straggle

On the early morning of the entrance exam, my father gest up the earliest , as my chauffeur

In some family, Fathers are in charge of taking their son or daughter to the place of the entrance examination by car.

After finishing the entrance exam, all of them are relieved, with a fever

Karaku in January

This Tuesday it was the day of Karaku, it means I played the piano at café Karaku.
It was the first performance for me there in 2018.
This year the master (and owner) of Karaku  got 70 years old. Probably he continue to run his café as long as he possible with his wife.
However both of us thought "three of us got old".

On the day there were three regular audience. So I could play with a relaxing atmosphere.
And it was the first day to perform there, I went out there in Kimono. Of course my partner Ms.U wore Kimono.

We have not so many opportunities to put on Kimono in our daily lives.
So after the performance we dropped by our another familiar café whose owner is a lady and as old as Ms.U.
She knew that we came there in Kimono in January.
There we had OSHIRUKO -- sweet red beans soup, it is a kind of seasonal tradition in January.

herb tinctures

These are herb tinctures I made.
Some of these are used my herbs in the garden, some of these are used my cooking herbs, and the others are bought at a herb shop.

The first step of herbs and me, was cooking curry.
The next step was cooking barbeque sauce.
And little by little I got used to using herbs in my cooking.
And I started to grow some herbs in the garden, like sage and thyme. Coincidently in my garden there is a laurel tree which seed was brought by a wild bird, and grew naturally without our notice.
One day a gardener told me the tree in my garden. Now it grows big.

Next step I try to make herb tea. So I planted lemon grass, and paper mint.

And this year --- I've started to use herbs as a medical way.
So I made some tinctures.

So far sage & thyme herb tincture is used everyday for gargling.

How do you spend the night when all members of your family get together at home?

I told you about Japanese noodle we usually eat at the midnight before New Year.
And I also mentioned KOUHAKU, annual singing contest.

When I was a child, during the new year's vacation, my grandmother (my father's mother) used to came stay with us. And anyway she watched KOUHAKU on TV and waited for New Year. Probably my mother was cooking, my father watched with her, and we (it means including my two younger brothers) were allowed to watch TV if we could be awake and had finished homework.
Thinking back now, I'm not sure she was interested in watching KOUHAKU. However, it was her place in front of the TV at the night.

It is said KOUHAKU can share interests among family beyond the generation gap.
This year I really realized it.
Nowadays not so many people watch KOUKAHKU than 10 years ago.
However its viewing rates exceeded 32%　this year, though until 10 years ago its viewing rate used to exceed 45% every year.

I was asked the other day "you didn't watch KOUHAKU, didn't you?" My answer was "yes". This answer made him surprised.

When my children were babies I didn't watch KOUHAKU. Because I fell asleep with my babies, and my husband used to play the guitar at count down live.
And we went to TOKYO to celebrate New Year early morning. At that time we spent our winter vacation in Tokyo.
Since my father-in-law passed away, our relative union has hold January second.
So my mother came to stay with us on the day before New Year.
It means KOUHAKU was the TV program we could share, and we didn't know how to spend the night together without KOUHAKU. KOUHAKU gave three of adults various topics, and when my daughters grew up, it was the same, KOUHAKU gave three of adults and two young girls various topics.

When my daughters left here, my mother used to come to stay with us. It was the same situation.

Unfortunately, my mother didn't come to stay with us. However either of my daughters or both of my daughters came to stay with us. And --- Yuki and I  watched KOUHAKU, while our daughters were watching another program in their room. However our daughter often came and check KOUHAKU. And usually all of us watched the last singer show and did count down together.

And -- M's husband joined us.
I knew he was not interested in it, and to tell the truth, my husband was also not interested in it.
What more interesting thing was that both of them were interested in another program.
However I was not interested in it.

So, all of four watched KOUHAKU (ah-chan fall asleep), while all of them were checking their smart phones.

 

Japanese noodle

On New Year's eve, we have a custom in Japan.
We eat soba noodle at home or at a noodle shops. At midnight some people go to temples to hear the bell which is hit 108 times, and probably before their going there they eat noodle somewhere, others are at home and watching special TV programs and listen the bell while eating noodle.

So I prepared fresh noodle (It means not dry noodle), and -- we were watching a special TV program.
It was Koukaku Utagassen , which is a kind of annual singing contest by professional singers.

However we ate dinner too much to eat soba noodle at the midnight.

So after Ah-chan went back, we ate it.
Usually the soba-soup has a soy sauce taste, but this noodle is great with miso taste.



And to tell the truth, it is not soba- noodle, this is brown rice noodle, or we call it brown rice pasta.
It is also great with squid ink sauce.
I know that we were not going to eat this noodle at the night of New Year's Eve, but it is OK, we love this dish.

Usual Sunday

It is a usual Sunday. Yuki went to play golf from the early morning.
I got up the late morning ?? I slept until the late morning??. Anyway I got up about past 8:00.
I did SUDOKU, and puzzle on Sunday's newspaper.
And I checked some news in English. On Sunday's newspaper, there are some articles in English for English learners.
Today's news were
N.Korea strategy needed to change tension to stability.
Chinese cooperation eyed on Africa.

Both of them were treated with N.Korea  issue.
I checked the articles in English and Japanese.

In the afternoon I'll attend Toast Master's meeting.

Looking around the rooms, I think there is enough room for me and Yuki.
However while my daughter's family were staying -- our house seemed to be too small for 5 members. I was suffocating.
I'm very surprised at this feeling.
There were four members. And in winter vacation, or in summer vacation there used to be three families,--- my family, Yuki's brother's family and Yuki's parents. There were 10 members in this small house.
At that time, I was used to being surrounding with lots of things. It didn't matter that some cups were left on the table. Some toys were left in the living room. Some magazines were left here and there.

Now - as I tell you, we try to discard 10 things every week and try to live simply.
I understood, to seek simple life, we need to lessen things more. 

This year at Yuki's family party, finally we used paper dishes, cups and chopsticks. There are tons of plates in Yuki's mother's house. However my sister-in-law and I gave up  to wash and tidy them up.
Of course the role of taking some big bags of garbage was our role -- because we went there by car.

My new year's resolution is to keep discarding 10 things a week constantly.

Cooking!

Cooking starts!
Some things are left, I don't waste them, so I ---, first dried--, ginger, Japanese radish, and Yuzu.

 

Next I used a whole bin of unsweetened peanuts butter instead of butter.

I added 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 tea spoon of BP, and two eggs  to it.

And I stirred roughly. Then baked it.

Too simple! but very tasty!

 

 

Then I made usual pre-cooked dishes for this coming week.

I had lots of yam. So I baked yam-scorn without sugar.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
This is a picture of AKITA-KEN.
Why?
This year is the Chinese Years of  the Dog. So I put this photo.
How was your New Year's?

Our new year's break started with Ah-chan and finished with Ah-chan.
Though I don't mind she is an only child or has some sisters or brothers  (to tell the truth it seems to be difficult that she will have some sisters or brothers), only child tends to be ---mature? selfish? talkative? .
And she is treated as one of adults anywhere, so at restaurant, she wants to eat the same dish as ours.

 

The hamburgers are for Yuki, Megu(Ah-chan's mother or our daughter), and Ah-chan.

The thick toast is for me.

Of course it is too much, for her, so she "has to" share hers with Yuki-grand father (not her mother)

 

Anyway we had noisy, exciting and happy days.

 

 

Our usual days have started.