After I wrote about spring last night, I realized that some current photos were in order. So I snapped a few on my way home from work today. But what does this have to do with girls, flowers and a thirst for blood?
Category Archives: Japan
Spring is in the Air
Here’s my addition to the spate of spring weather reports that have been making the email rounds. First, the short version for those of you with no time. It’s spring here, too—later than last year—and very welcome after a surprisingly cold winter.
Fukuoka Earthquake, March 20
Yesterday was our first earthquake experience since coming to Japan more than a year-and-a-half ago. We were enjoying a lazy Sunday morning—Jarrod and I were playing Yu-Gi-Oh, a Japanese card duelling game. Lia joined us on Jarrod’s futon when the shaking started, since Jarrod’s room had the smallest shelves and was therefore the safest. We huddled together until the shaking stopped, and then waited a bit longer.
The quake shook some books off our shelves but there wasn’t any noticeable damage. The aftershocks, which continued into the evening, were quite disconcerting.
Vive le Chien Libre!
Last Saturday I went out on foot to explore parts of our neighbourhood which I hadn’t seen before, or had only passed through at night. Usually I bike along major roads at relatively high speeds.
The plum trees have started to bloom in Yomiya Park. There were election trucks patrolling and propagandizing. I was reminded of how much strange stuff there is in this country, and that I don’t have to go very far to find it. If anyone wants, I’d be happy to upload some plum photos. Or the Popeye Beauty Salon. Or a video clip of an election campaign truck with its loudspeakers blasting. I also found hope and peace, for a less than 300 yen each. Just ask.
Thermal shock
It all comes back to the weather eventually, doesn’t it?
It’s been cold here lately. I should clarify that. A range of 5-12°C isn’t cold relative to what we were used to in Saskatchewan.
Apartment Numerology
This started out as a rant about how cold it’s been lately. Yes, it is cold enough here for someone from Saskatchewan to be complaining about it. Anyway, my rant morphed into an explanation of Japanese Apartment Numerology. I got rid of the rant and left the numbers. But I’ll post my lovely rant as soon as I’ve finished it.
According to Japanese superstition, four is an unlucky number for housing. Fourth floor, apartment number four, etc. Anyone who’s looked closely at our address will see where this is going. Those who don’t know our address, keep reading. All will become clear.
Shoes
Today’s Japan field report is a fashion mini-report about shoes. I know that some of you are interested in Japanese fashion, and some love shoes. This was originally going to be heavy on photos and light on commentary but I seem to have found a lot to say about a subject I don’t know much about. Even so, those of you not interested in footwear might want to skip this one.
Sinister Hair
Hair salons are really common here. I don’t know if it’s because of the population density or because schools have rules about hair length. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that everyone has the exact same hair—thick, straight and black—and wants to do something with it to make themselves look a little different.
(Dreadful) Snakes
I found these snake figurines one night in a small altar about 10 minutes’ walk from home.
I do not think it means…
…what you think it means. The Japanese love to decorate things with words from foreign languages. They also like to combine foreign words to create new vocabulary. A case in point is the wanpeesu (one piece)—a dress. Many of the shops, buildings, and products here are labelled in a way that makes me wonder if they have any understanding of the chosen language. Here’s a selection of decorative English (and a bit of French) at its best.