Life in Japan

…and why my quilting time has lessened of late.

This is definitely not a “poor me” post where I tell you about how I miss sewing, but in contrast it’s an “I’m so blessed” post because my new life in Japan is full of adventures and new friendships.  Really, it’s a “hey, look at all this cool stuff I’ve been doing” post.

That doesn’t mean I don’t rock the quilting t-shirt when I’m out on the town!

I’ve been so fortunate to connect with these, and other, amazing ladies who want to be involved in the “off-base” community.  We get together several times a week to do everything from eat, explore and tutor.

We’re getting good at kneeling on the floor and eating with chopsticks!

One of my major activities here is volunteering to tutor english.  Katie (my friend on the left in the first picture), teaches an english conversation class once a week and so I started tagging along to help out right when we first moved here.  Now that we’re five months in, I’ve started tutoring different groups four days a week. I meet with these three ladies every Monday to help them with their conversational english.  They all have a great handle on the language so we spend time talking about our different cultures and playing word games.  I think I learn as much from them as they do from me! They are so excited about sharing their culture and city with me as well.  Here, Yasuko and I are going cherry picking! SO delicious!!          In addition to my local adventures, I’m spending a lot of time with my nose in a book.  The more I’m part of this culture, the more I want to learn the language.   In exchange for tutoring Yasuko’s children, she grades my homework every week.  It gives me something to work toward and someone to ask questions to.  Not only am I trying to learn to speak Japanese, but I’m also learning how to read and write.  It’s quite the challenge, especially because the Japanese use three alphabets! Starting next month, I’m also taking a formal class so that I can practice speaking.  So I’ve been learning about the culture and the language, but you can’t forget about the food!  I’ve becoming a huge fan of Japanese cuisine, especially ramen, which I hope to learn to make soon.  A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to learn how to make cold soba (a buckwheat noodle) with the most amazing broth.  Kin San, a Japanese restaurant owner invites a few military spouses to his restaurant once a month to feed and teach us how to make a meal in exchange for some american food and english conversation.    Win-win!      Outside of Misawa, we’ve taken a few day trips to see the sights…

Shinto shrines are a huge part of Japanese culture, and are all over the country. Some are bigger than others or have a specialized function.  This shrine, Kabushima, which the americans dub “Seagull Island” is literally covered in the birds! When you walk to the shrine, there are free umbrellas to protect yourself from the inevitable droppings.  Fisherman have come here for 700 years to pray for success. The beaches are gorgeous, and people walk the coast in hopes of finding sea glass and glass floats. Buddhist temples are also common-place. This temple, on MountOsorezan, is considered one of Japan’s three most sacred places.  It’s a beautiful site, with over 1000 years of history and still being used. It’s said that this is where people go to pass into the afterlife since its surrounded by a “hellish” area filled with volcanic ash and reeking of sulfur, and in contrast a beautiful beach and coastline.  Many people come there to pray for their loved one’s safe passage.

My husband and I couldn’t help but think it looked like Mordor!

Festivals, both big and small, are a hallmark of the Japanese summer.  We went to an Azalea festival, at a different shrine earlier in the summer.Aren’t they stunning? Last but not least, one of my favorite things in Japan are the kokeshi dolls. Handmade and hand painted, these dolls are given to friends as a sign of friendship.  Each one is unique, and they range in size and shape.  I’ve started collecting them, and how have 6 in my little family.  Of the four I have pictured here, the two on the outside are the more modern style.  I purchased the middle two at a thrift store, and they are more of a traditional style.   I sent a few of my favorites home to my Mom and Mother-in-law this year.  So cute!

I’m still quilting as much as I can, but I’m saying “yes” to every opportunity to travel and immerse myself in Japan.  I’m taking full advantage of our life in Japan!

I’ll leave you with one quilting picture.  My dad hung the Disco quilt I made for him in his office.  Looks great!