I honestly don't remember this lesson (it's from awhile ago). This week just enjoy the before and after. Maybe you can find the differences and the potential lesson in the arrangement. Looking at my first attempt again, the big green leaf really bothers me now. It's too tall. I really taking pictures of arrangments from … Continue reading Ikenobo Arrangement #6
What is Yukari, you ask? It's Eucalyptus! Though probably not the kind you are thinking of (ie Koala food). So then, what kind of eucalyptus am I talking about? Well, that is a difficult question. There are over 700 species of eucalyptus in the world and the majority of them are found in Australia. Only … Continue reading The Smell of Yukari: Arrangement #3
Ahh arrangement #2. This was my second week of lessons and the first time I would be alone with my new teacher. Well not totally alone. I was wasn't the only student studying under her. Sometimes, there are women there taking lessons or finishing up when I arrive. Time is very flexible. I arrive after … Continue reading Weekly Ikenobo: Arrangemnet #2
Food and alcohol are undeniably an important part of Karatsu Kunchi. Locals open their houses to family, neighbors, friends, and even strangers to come and spend a little time eating and drinking. Most of the women and some of the men in the family will work tirelessly to prepare a variety and large quantities of food. … Continue reading Karatsu Kunchi: Feasting and House-hopping
Check out my pictures from Karatsu Kunchi 2017. The first slideshow is from the first night. Sorry if some of the quality is bad, all of these photos were taken with my iPhone. Day 2: The Sand Pull and too many people. And finally, a couple videos I took during the first two days of … Continue reading Karatsu Kunchi 2017 Album
Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long for the rain to come. In the week after my first trip to the Ouchi Hydrangea Festival, it rained. By Friday, the rain had stopped and I dashed over to Ouchi after work to enjoy the refreshed flowers in the evening light. Along the way, I picked up … Continue reading After the Rain – Ouchi Ajisai Matsuri
I apologize for the lack of posts this month. I caught a bad bug earlier this month and was out of commission for about a week and then I had to play catch up at work. On top of that, we are preparing for the arrival of our new JET ALTs in Saga! It's an … Continue reading Ochi Ajisai Matsuri 2017
After the Sakura finish blooming in early March, you don't have to wait long for another famous flower to bloom. Early May (AKA Golden Week), is the best time to see blooming Wisteria. Since I was traveling a lot during Golden Week I was able to see various places from Karatsu to Kyoto covered in … Continue reading Wisteria Hysteria: Golden Week
Last week I posted about the Karatsu Hanami on Kagamiyama. This post is all the other Sakura pictures I took during the season - and by that I mean one or two weeks. Cherry Blossom season is very special to Japan. Sakura or cherry blossoms are the unofficial national flower, it welcomes spring, … Continue reading Zo Many Zakura
One of the best things about living in Japan is being able to experience Hanami 花見 or cherry blossom viewing. Newspapers print when and where the sakura will be in full bloom. It's important to plan ahead especially if you want to travel, and many local venues with fill up quickly with viewing parties if the … Continue reading Sakura in the Fog
