Farewells in Yokkaichi

Hachioji Festival

Bye Bye Little Red Car

Crazy Karaoke

Leaving Kirara

It was very sad to say to goodbye to the teachers and students who made Wednesdays so special.

Kana, Watanabe sensei and Ai with J-pop stars

class 1

class 2

Takashi

Yumi, Kondo, Kitty and me

Golden Buddha Park

Kappa

Kannon

Tsuki no niwa lunch set

pumpkin croquettes

black sesame pudding

we will miss shibori

BBQ Party

Fiona's student Ryota invited us to a family BBQ at their house in outer, rural Yokkaichi. We were fed enormous amounts of grilled seafood, veggies, too much alcohol and many sweets. The evening concluded with hand-held fireworks in post-typhoon high winds.

Sumo in Nagoya

For a final dose of J-action, we went back to the once-a-year Nagoya Grand Basho sumo tournament. This year we shared a box with Fern and Junko, and squished our four bodies into an impossibly small space for around 6 hours for a great view. As it was the first day of the tournament, there was much pomp and ceremony. In the final bout, the reigning yokozuna Asashoryu (朝青龍) was defeated by an upstart. The crowd ignored repeated warnings not to toss their floor cushions into the air, and so the day ended fittingly in a shower of purple plush projectiles.

Asashoryu waits for his match

top ranked Asashoryu lost his match by being forced to step out of the ring

Farewells

More farewells have been underway - final parties with both Sam's and Fiona's private classes.

Recent Weekends

The last month has seen a spate of farewell drinks, dinners, karaoke, enkais, you name it. Here are some highlights, carefully selected to embarrass the maximum number of people.

Lolly and Sean, unreasonably happy about something.

Sam, Marina, Sean and Lauren, hiding out on the limited express. Nothing says "party!" like avoiding fares while drinking yuzu chuuhai.

Pam and Fiona, meccha J.

Lindsay, Julia, Katie, Lolly, John.

happy birthday Fran - Sam was excited, really.

view over Nagoya

Flickr

Fiona has posted new holgas here

Redbubble

Some exciting changes have been made at redbubble. Prints can now be sent any where in the world and you can now have Fiona's pics printed on gift cards. Fiona will be posting new pics over the coming weeks so check out her page here.

Su-koi!

In Kyoto for our final visit (sniff), we saw a Takigi Noh performance by firelight at Heian-Jingu, popped into some last temples and gardens, had a lovely dinner with Lolly, and filled up on matcha ice cream.

In Gion on our final day, we (completely by accident) stumbled across the once-a-year releasing of sacred carp into the rivers and canals of the geisha district. Buddhist priests blessed everybody and said a bunch of prayers, then two specially chosen maiko-san released the first carp of the year. Passers-by, ourselves included, could take a bucket and release some of the two thousand baby carp into the water. So, long after we've left Japan, our baby carp should be thriving in Gion, flitting by the geisha at night-time and basking beneath the momiji in the canal. Carp are, after all, revered for their longevity. A fitting touch for a poetic visit.