Kyūdō (弓道) "way of the bow"

For years Finley has been dreaming of shooting a bow.  Satomi, one of Mark's students, made this dream come true today when she invited us to a practice with the University of Hyogo Kyudo team.

Fin practicing kyudo with captain of the team looking on

A family shot

Nevin taking aim

Kyudo with love from Japan

Kyudo is practiced in many different schools, some of which descend from military shooting and others that descend from ceremonial or contemplative practice. Some emphasize aesthetics and others efficiency. Contemplative schools teach the form as a meditation in action. In certain schools, to shoot correctly will result inevitably in hitting the desired target. For this a phrase seisha hicchū, "true shooting, certain hitting", is used.

Naoshima

Our most enjoyable adventure thus far was a 3-day visit to Naoshima.  Located on the Seto Inland Sea, the island is renowned for its assortment of contemporary art galleries and exhibits--most impressive and famous are the Benesse House and the Chichu art museums.  To get there we rode the Shinkansen--the "bullet train"--from Kobe to Okayama.  We picked up a local train to Uno and a ferry to Naoshima.

The bullet train arriving in Kobe

The ferry ride reminded us of the San Juan Islands.

First thing we did when we got there was rent bikes and check in to our little Ryokan (a type of traditional Japanese Inn that originated in the Edo Period--1603-1868--when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways.  Here we are on our way to the inn:

So good to be on bikes again!

Our innkeeper gardening under her umbrella

The Benesse House on the Seto Inland Sea

Art is everywhere on Naoshima.  On the back side of a pond we saw "Slag Buddha 88" by Tsuyoshi Ozawa.  The work is based on historical Buddhist figures who were part of the 88 temples pilgrimage route on the island.

On the road leading to the Chichu underground museum, Fin enjoyed a garden facsimile of the Giverny setting for Monet's "Water Lillies" series (some of which are housed at Chichu).  Below is the "Pumpkin Sculpture" by Yagoi Kusama--one of the more famous examples of public art on the island. 

The beaches were magical and peaceful.  We found lots of shells and sea life.

A beached jellyfish

   

We found peaceful temples

Nice playgrounds

A nest of swallows

a little romance

and a beautiful sunset the night before we left Naoshima

Back in Kobe playing legos with our wonderful friends Yuki and Haru

Intrepid hikers

Fin and Nev on top of Mt. Rokko with Kobe in the background

The Constant Gardener

Laura on the back porch of our Kobe apartment growing lettuce, basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, even melons.

Kyoto

We timed our visit to Kyoto so we could see the Todji Temple Flea Market (the 21st of every month).  Yummy food.  Interesting things for sale.  A beautiful setting Temple setting to stroll around in.  As we approached the market we saw a rickshaw driver taking a break.

A crane fishing in a pond at the market

Saki barrels at a near by temple

Octapus at at the market 

Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), the Zen Temple of the Silver Pavilion 

A carp in the canal to Fin's left

Finley strolling on the "Walk of the Philosophers"

Nevin at dinner in Kyoto's Geisha District

Kobe Matsuri

Matsuri (祭^?) is the Japanese word for festival or holiday.  During Golden Week we attended two festivals.  In  Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple or city.  Here's a taste of the the Kobe Matsuri.

A wave from the Samba float

Drummers

Clowns and boy scouts

Even Darth Vader showed up! 

Tanjoubi Omedetou, Nevin

Nevin wearing a birthday gift from our dear friend Yamada-san
--9 years old, June 2, 2011

Flowers and Rice

Recently we were invited to a Farmer's Market and field of flowers.  The flowers will be turned under after blooming to prepare the soil for the rice fields.  The fields will then be flooded with water and the rice planted.  Next week we have been invited to plant rice in the same field.  But first, here are pictures of the field of flowers and friends.

Finley in a typical moment with one of his Japanese friends

Some locals enjoying the spring sunshine

We also were invited to make bookmarks with pressed flowers.  Here's Laura and Fin "over the shoulder" hard at work and some bookmarks we made:

         

School in Japan

Notes on going to school in Japan:

1.  we've been practicing how to write Kanji: の本がお買得 (we love Japan). 

2.  math is harder in Japan, like multiplying decimals.  

3.  we made tea in Home Economics.

4.  in gym class we've been learning how to ride a unicycle (here we are practicing in at the apartment-- that's Yukie riding with Nevin):

Every day we walk to school with our friends (and neighbors) Yukie, Yuu, and Aki.  Athletic suits are very popular in Kobe so of course we wanted to get our own...