I have joined the committee of St David’s Society Japan and we finally held our event one month and one day late. Of course Covid was the reason for the delay, but we added another day to avoid April 1st just in case people thought we were joking. It made me reflect on the St David’s events that I have attended …. just 3 and none in Wales! A posh ball in Hong Kong with Jiffy as guest, a daytime…
Sadly, the sakura season has almost come to an end. Almost constant rain these last few days has stripped so much blossom off the trees. And sadly, the weather hasn’t been good enough for much Hanami (picnics under the blossoming cherry trees.) The wonderful show is over, but we can look forward to a show of tulips, azaleas, wisteria, peonies nd much more throughout the year. I have included a few photos from various sakura walks that I have been…
The Post Office is definitely my bete noir, although the staff are generally very pleasant. With my utter lack of Japanese language and their lack of English, we have some interesting run-ins. The most recent involved me posting two parcels and Japan Post cancelling all parcel post to the UK and Europe the following day. Fair enough. But it took four visits and 21 days before the parcels were returned. On one visit a staff member suggested phoning me to…
I love the build up to the Sakura period. People emerge to seek early blossom – plum blossom starts in late January and then there are the early cherry blossom varieties, Kanzakura, Kawazuzakura, Kanhizakura and many more (and no, I don’t see the differences) until we reach the main flowering period. In 2022, this is between mid March to early May, depending on the location in Japan. There are sites offering information on predicted dates in all areas of Japan,…
I thought I’d better write about this now … quickly before Spring has properly sprung. The Japanese use traditional techniques for protecting plants over winter months. Ropes attached to tall bamboo poles create a cover to prevent branches of the trees breaking from the weight of snow. This is shimoyoke, braided straw covers, to protect plants from warmer climates from frost. Komomaki is a traditional method of eradicating pests in trees; pests gather in the warm straw which is then…
Who knew there was such a thing … ? Each plant has it’s own straw cover for protection; but they require a careful schedule of pruning and nipping of buds so they are grown only buy experienced and dedicated gardeners. We went to see the Winter Peony Garden in Ueno, next to the Toshogu Shrine. As well as the plants there were so many pots of fresh peonies around … and a peony inspired ladies toilet sign! Ueno Park A…
Refections Not my reflections but those in large plate windows on a sunny New Years Day Saying Sorry One apologising for an elevator under repair, and the other one in a ladies restroom. Winter ready It was a Dome-y sort of day Parking Isn’t it fascinating that someone has thought it was worthwhile putting in this infrastructure for just two parking bays! Snowing in Tokyo Wow … this is the first time I have seen snow in Tokyo! I know…
Making friends Tokyo Dome City Masks Koi Show The first time I have come across a Fish Show! Unfortunately judging was taking place so we couldn’t see the exhibits. Raffles I had agreed to run a raffle at a Christmas event put on by a British expats group. No problem. Except it was … I couldn’t find raffle / cloakroom tickets. I started off in cheapie shops but a customer at one of the stores suggested I tried stationers. Armed…
I feel as if I have landed somewhere new …. I have met more people during these last two weeks than I managed in a year. The first in-person meeting with some but I have also met very many new people. I am hoping that I will manage to build friendships that will help me through any future lockdowns. Everyone continues to wear masks whenever outside their homes, but restaurants and cafes are now fully open Thankfully Covid cases have…
Interesting Seating I think I’d find it odd to sit on salmon cutlets! Rainwear When you haven’t unpacked all those cartons in the corner of the lounge – Model shoot I did ask permission! More manhole covers … in Tokyo! Strange signs in Ginza (indoors) but at least the lions are rule followers Fabulous shaped leaves Fashion in Japan 1945 – 2020 I thought the sign was especially for me … I sneaked back to find that it was held…