Hirosaki Castle April 29 2010

April 29 2010: Actually, the above photo was taken earlier in the week. Nice weather prompted us out for an evening walk. Shane and Andi walked, I strolled along getting distracted by every little thing. The glimmery things in the field are rows of mini greenhouses. Crops have been planted, but this being the North, there is always a chance for heavy frost or snow. Things are covered nicely to protect them. The moon was quiet full, but looks good enough to good.

Oh, there's the snow. No, we are on our way to Hirosaki Castle (we did this on the 29th), located in, oddly enough, Hirosaki. We opted to take the mountain/volcano passes instead of the toll road. One of our goals is to never have to pay a toll while in Japan. Probably added a half hour to our journey, but oh well. 3 hours is 3 hours.

We had to go over the Hokkado Mountains Range. Which, if you have a map of Japan, we went on Route 103. If I understand my map we went of Mt. Ishikurayama. We probably had a peek at Mt. Odake, which is the tallest, but it was a tad foggy/cloudy and didn't see it. There was snow however.

The first picture (above this one) I thought, "oh how nice, a little left over snow".

Then we turned a few hairpins, and got this above. We thought that was impressive. It was taller than the truck.

A bend or two later and it was WELL above the truck. About 10 feet high! Talk about a wall of snow. Did I mention there were a lot of hairpin turns? If you look in the picture above you can make out a mirror on an orange pole. These are quiet handy to see what is on the other side of the turn.....better prepare you for the large tour bus coming down the other way! There were a lot of tour buses, and a lot of turns.

Oh, then from the backseat is "Mom, I don't feel so good....." Poor child. I too suffer from backseat car sickness....no way was I going to give up my front seat! Got her repositioned over to the middle so that she could see out the front window, rolled down her back window, and a supply of hard candy, and garbage bags and good to go. No, she didn't need the garbage bags, which is good, there really wasn't anyplace to pull over.

Above: A view of some mountain peak, I think. At the peak of our travels, none of us thought to write down the elevation. After doing some research....Mt Odake, which is right in the same area is 1585 m, and is the tallest. So, I'm assuming we were a little below that, though Andi would probably say we were as high as the airplanes. 1585 m is equivalent to 5200 feet.

Below: Finally a scenic turnout. Though it was raining/snowing at this point...so didn't stop long for ooohhhh's and aaahhhhh's. I was the only one to get out. And, no mom, I did not go running around and trigger an asthma attack.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakk%C5%8Dda_Mountains

At long last we arrived at our destination. And we actually did make it to the intended sightseeing object this time. Hirosaki has quite the variety of architecture. This is the bank building on our way to the castle. In real life it looked a little more green. But it was a cloudy day....

Lots more traffic so we know we are headed in the right direction. By this point we had already found a place to park the car and walk a few blocks up. According to my "let's be a tourist" information it would get more crowded the closer to the castle we got. The walk wasn't bad at all, except for the fact that we all REALLY needed to go to the bathroom. (never mind on our way back to the car I realized we walked right past a restroom facility) But we made it to the visitor center and all the wonderful modern convinces they had to offer. Being a visitor center, we of course had to go to the museum as well, before going out to the castle.

Really, I have no idea what these are, other than very interesting and fun to look at.

Andi loved the little dolls below the best.

I liked the mini masks.

Above: A Neputa Float. This is a giant papermache structure that they use at parades.

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/indepth/history/traditionalevents/a40_fes_nebuta.html

It is really tall. Andi has seen them in pictures before, and some smaller ones, but this is the biggest by far.

All sides of the float are decorated. At this point Shane pointed out a character on the float that we hadn't seen before....and as we went through the day, we saw more of it. Look closely below the lady, in the border is a red swastika. (very small, it's there you'll see it)

Below: A picture of the float taken from above.

Also from above, just a different angle.

All right, enough of the museum. On to the Castle.

The 29th is generally a holiday in Japan. Showa no Hi (that's not 'hi', it's 'he'), the Emperor's birthday from the Showa Period. Apparently he had a love for nature and greenery so was renamed to Midori no Hi (Green Day), and the holiday was moved to May 4 a couple of years ago. My calender still marks the 29th of April as the holiday, and it seems to be an early start to what the Japanese call "Golden Week" the following week. (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2282.html) (my this quiet the education this week isn't it?)

Anyway, the day had been rainy and cloudy, but the rain had stopped by the time we arrived. Crowds were at a minimum (just the way I love it). A few vendors were out with the all important food.

Below: Shane and Andi. You know, you get one to smile right and the other goofs off....oh well, love it! At least she isn't green and queasy anymore.

Below: One of the reflecting pools. It was a nice surprise to see this many cherry blossoms out. We weren't expecting any, as they hadn't started here in Misawa yet. But they were well on their way...an extra bonus, blossoms, and rain holding off!

The castle gate.

I had to do a double take when I looked at the below picture. I didn't remember her dressing up at any point....ah, a wood cutout....fit her perfectly!

Trying to get over this bridge was a hastle. This is the first good view of the castle (well, no, of course you don't see it, I was busy) Getting over the bridge was an obstacle course of everybody taking pictures, so I did what came naturally, and took pictures of them.

Below: The castle. From down here it looks like it could be big.....

And maybe from here. But you know, it's really not that big. Of course it is smaller than the original....ready, here comes another link http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3700.html

(Thank goodness I'm not talking, my mouth would be quiet dry by now, and thank goodness for links, or my fingers would be tired)

Below: At the top of the castle was this fellow. I don't know why he didn't land properly.

We took a VERY rushed tour of the inside. (lots of people, and boy did they keep that line MOVING). No flash photography inside, so pics not as good...but that looks like a very sharp sword!

Ahhh....here it is again, the swastika. We also saw it in the formal garden and various other places. Now you are going to get a history lesson....provided, of course, by a link...

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

Didn't know all that did you??? I'll have to say I learned a lot this week.

Below: "oh look, the sandwich game!" That's what Andi calls the game Othello (because it looks like Oreo cookies.) Anyway, a little history (yee gads another link?!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversi the article leads to it being introduced in England....I don't know how old this board was...perhaps just from the 1900's. Some things get lost in translation.

For the house builders in the family, a picture of the inside structure work of the castle.

I just like the look. I think that must be what I look like some mornings getting out of bed.

A view from the third floor.

A layout of what it would have looked like many moons ago.

Below: A pretty bridge.

Below: A view of Mt. Takadateyama (I think....that's the best I can figure from my map, there are several in the area though, I could be completely wrong)

Above: There was a little band playing in the park....at the bottom of the blog is a brief snippet of their music.

Above: The castle.

Below: I noticed lots of odd foot apparel today. Only got one good photo....really I need to pay more attention. For the life of me I just can't figure out why you would want to wear 2 inch heels in the mud and rain and lots of walking. Though these weren't spikes....at least they were wedges.

Over in the formal gardens. I think this was by far our favorite place. NO people, and Andi had a great time roaming about by herself (out of sight of her parents) looking for fairies and other magical creatures. Below is an ivy elephant.

Andi, below, off on her own.

At long last we decided it was time to head back. We trekked our way back to the car, and passed this bar (below). We didn't go in. Would've like to, but still had some mountains to get back over, and it was a school night.

At one of the intersections, while waiting for the light, this fellow rode up on his bike. Thank goodness my camera is equipped with a movable viewing lens...that way I wasn't to obvious about taking the picture.

Below: Back into the mountains we headed. At last light came across this large waterfall. No traffic behind us, so were able to do a "Japanese stop" (the process of just stopping on the road, no matter where you are to talk on the phone, look at a map, or whatever other business you have to attend to....still getting used to that)

That concludes this weeks journey. It occured to me last night as I was loading pictures....in another era, not long ago, you would have to wait 'til we came home and subject you to hours of slides.....ah the good ol' days. Though now you can do it all at your leisure and take breaks when you want.

oh, and incase you were wondering.....it was just a one "discussion" trip....no arguements, and as usual it was about what road we could possibly be on, and "how did we do that?"

Week of April 19th and Retro

April 24 2010: Ok, ok, I know, I missed a week. I'll lay the blame on Shane. He's taking 3 college courses at the moment. I have been turned into a research assistant. I'm tired....I don't know how he is doing it. Of course at the moment he is sawing logs out in the living room after putting in a full 12 hours of watch.
Not that there is a lot to do. The above is from last weekend. Wet and gray. Like the whole week has been. Ah well, it's spring time. Soon wet and gray will give way to wet and green.

Did go to one of the farmers markets. I love the local strawberries. So neatly arranged in their container, and cleaned to a shine, and just at the peak of ripeness. Perfect with blueberries and whipped cream! Thank goodness for greenhouses! That's how we get locally grown strawberries at this time of year. Well worth it, about 250 Yen (around $2.50) at the market. On base, same container, same grower is a little over $3. I like the farmers market. When your done, there are vendors that are serving freshly cooked food as well. My friend, Jenell, and I refer to it as "food on a stick" it covers everything, and, obviously, it's portable.

Out behind our housing area fields are being plowed and prepped for carrots and whatever else. Rice will come later.

Below: One of the locals out tending his burn barrel.

Not real sure what the ladies are digging up. The tractor goes through first and plows. They follow behind and are digging up some kind of root that has been laying underground all winter. They are dressed in ample clothing as one: it was cold out and rainy (did I mention it's been a wet, cold and gray week) plus to protect their skin from whatever bugs, and suns rays that might be lurking.

Below: A newly plowed field. Not one of the fields behind our housing. Over in another neighborhood. We went for a walk, and actually remembered the camera. Of course, it was cold and gray and.....can you guess it? YES! it was rainy! (no, I'm not tired of the rain at all. Actually I do enjoy it, but I like a little sun now and then. Should be better this week, sun, then rain)

So this walk, Shane, Andi and I saw some different houses....all ranges, from the more traditional (above)...

to the more modern (below).....

to stand alone apartments (I guess) (below) There were about 6-8 of these little houses on this lot. They looked as small in real life as they do in the picture. I wonder what they look like on the inside.

As always, weird signs seem to have a way of finding me, or me of them (not sure which or witch). Now, not sure if the above is an actual store. We came out of a side road and saw it a little ways down the street. Will have to find it again on another day and investigate. Though from our view point it didn't look open.

Below: Not real sure what the sign should say....."sb" perhaps "somebody"? (I had a different theory on "sb" but the 'o' was missing....put it together in the right order.....I'll wait......got it? ok, but Japanese people are to polite, so I don't think it's that)

And amidst the rain and gloom, spring has sprung! Little flowers are popping up. I love to see what has come out every day. Does make the drizzly days worth while.....that's why I really don't mind the rain.

Now we move on to something a little different. Something a little retro. Since my mom is in Northern California to visit family....and I know there is a family gathering going on this weekend, I thought I would put up some old photos from years LONG past for the benefit of those folks, and of course for everyone else's amusement!

Family reunion out at Bear River. Nope, my mom is not in that one (we missed a lot of these when I was growing up....the one I do remember I can't find a photo of) Not sure what year this is, not on the photo....feel free to fill me in.


Below: My Grandmother and my sisters and myself. Must have been around 1974 since I am missing my two front teeth.

Below: Cousin Lorna! Holding me and that's Tova next to her. Oh, by the way, if you need perspective on how long ago.....I'm 40 now, and I'm sure Lorna must still be around the 20 year mark. I won't tell you Tova's age....though she is 5 years older than me (oops)

Below: My mother will kill me for this. But I didn't want her left out of the retro fun. She's the one in the purple sweater (we'll just go with that) Don't know the year, as it's not listed on the photo, but must be the 1980's.

Below: And one more. I didn't want May to be left out. That's May on the left (3years) with Tova and Cousin Eric. 1969 at Grandmother's Piegon Point house.

To the clan gathering this weekend. Take pictures and send them on! And yes, someday you too might find yourself in a "retro look back".....depends on how many more slow weeks I have!

April 9 - 11 2010

April 12 2010- It's spring break! So you'd think we would be off on great adventures....well, not really. Minding our budget for when family comes to visit this summer. Andi took a night at a friends house, so Shane and I went out to dinner on Friday. We ate at a little Indian restaurant. Really nice and clean. But since we are also trying to watch our waists, we walked. About a mile each way.
Along the way I finally got to get a picture of my favorite conbini's (a convenience store) sign. Sun-Kus....or as we call it "the happy K". Think about it....it looks like a happy little man.....

Sunday we went to the mall for lunch. Yeah, that was it, just lunch. Andi had a hankering for McDonalds, and Shane and I for something other....so the food court was perfect. After we stopped by swan lake to see what was going on there. Some ducks as usual. Just what kind of duck this is, I have no idea....anyone know? drop me an email if you do.

On the trail around the lake there is some logging going on. Clearing out the dead/diseased trees and replacing them with new. The square log box in the background seems to be some kind of composting piles. We saw many of them with logs and tree debris thrown in. The new trees are supported by their recently fallen comrades.

And a new resting place was also put up using the recently fallen. We were most impressed with the re-purposing of onsite material.

And on our way home....did I find a car for YOU! Come on down and get your used car....it'll fit all your needs! Well, hopefully, it'll fit you!

Onsen!

April 4 2010
It finally happened. Knew it would at some point. Went to an Onsen with a group of friends. Thankfully, two had been before, so they could lead the sheep to slaughter. Actually, it was a wonderful time.
An onsen in the most basic of terms a bath house centered around a hot spring. Here in Japan, well there are a LOT of hot springs. They are very clean, as one must shower thoroughly and rinse before going in.
The water is about where I like my bath water....what I call "weak kneed" - which is where it is hot enough that when you get out, you must lie down on the bed for awhile. Well, now of course there are no beds to lie down at the onsen, so every now and then I had to pop my upper body out of the water for a bit of cool air.
This onsen that we went to is at the Komaki Grand Hotel. It has indoor and outdoor. We went at night, and it was just gorgeous sitting out under the stars. The Japanese sit very quietly. The gaggle of white women tend to chat.
The link shows some pictures of the onsen and gives you an idea of what our view was like. Oddly, I didn't feel that I should bring my camera....I do have limits to where I'll take it, after all.
(the above pictures are taken from the website)

http://www.komaki-onsen.co.jp/iyasu/ukiyu.html

Japan Day 2010

April 3, 2010: We went to Japan Day last year and had a great time. So off we went again. Thinking we would do better at it this year, since we knew what to expect. Somehow we always forget there'll be other people there! It was crowded! Held in a different location in an effort to give more room...we decided it was just more people shoved in. Got a quick look at the bonsai as we entered. Really, a quick look.

Found the mask maker. I never get there to watch them make one. Oh well, the finished product is much more fun anyway.

Oddly, the female demon mask did capture some of what I felt crowded in with so many people. I wish it were warm enough to hold this outside. But it's Misawa, 3rd day of April was only in the 30's.

Not sure what this fellow represents, but he's cute.

There were many booths set up where the Japanese do a quick lesson to introduce us to different aspects of the culture. Here Andi was learning about flower arranging. They have a little pedestal in the water with little spikes, the flower stems are set on them. Of course it is done with precision that I would never be able to master.


Below: Andi with her finished product. Unfortunately we didn't get to bring home the whole stand. We did get to take the flowers home though. They just don't look the same in my Tupperware plastic drinking cup.

There were demonstrations of some traditional instruments. This is the sheet music (above) for the "Koto" a Japanese Harp

Now, of course we must have a definition....."Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from China. Is about 71 inches long and made from Kiri wood. They have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. Players can adjust the string p[itches by moving these bridges before playing and use three finger picks (thumb, indes and middle fingers) to pluck strings. Those strings were made by silk threads back in the day but today most of them are made by polyester. Koto was played by Emperor's family at the palace as their entertainment."


Below: Andi getting a lesson in how to play.

The following videos.....Andi learning to play Koto

and two cuts from the Thunder Drum Music