tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691Sun, 01 Sep 2024 08:55:36 +0000http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)Blogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5566188195334254146Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:38:00 +00002009-12-24T16:33:33.277+09:00We went to the states recently to see our families and wish them well for the holidays. It was a bit premature, but I have to work on Christmas day and the subsequent days so we did our "thang" early. It was strange being back in the states but comforting at the same time. Driving was still the biggest scare, but what we were really unprepared for was the bitter cold that faced us in Kansas http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/12/ni-hon-for-holidays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-7031801012899632900Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:41:00 +00002009-12-03T13:40:55.200+09:00We went to Hong Kong for our Anniversary back in October. It was amazing! Great food, dim sum (we ate duck tongue!) There is still a lot of British influence, despite the city now belonging to the PRC. Everyone spoke English, so it was very easy for us to get by. It was without a doubt, the most international city I have ever visited. We had a running game of "guess the nationality", trying to http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/12/hong-kong.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-1098446609311245806Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:46:00 +00002009-11-13T08:06:28.400+09:00After we attended the tea gathering our friends Etsuko-san and Nakano-san took us around the Asakusa market area. We had been there before, but it was nice since we were armed this time with Japanese guides. The market is a jaunty array of every type of vendor imaginable; food, clothing, pet clothing, swords, and yes, much of it is simply junk, but it is is fun to get lost in the fray. We wenthttp://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/11/kim-oh-no.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-6860909749604413864Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:57:00 +00002009-11-10T10:15:46.270+09:00This past October we were invited to Asakusa (our favorite borough of Tokyo) for a tea ceremony. We actually went to what is called a tea gathering (chakai, 茶会); since it was not as intimate and there were hundreds of people. The invitation was extended to us as a thank you for escorting one of Nakano-san's friends (Rui) on base for pizza. Not sure sure how they are equivalent gestures, but I http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/11/tea-for-two-hundred.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5856564184964715860Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:12:00 +00002009-10-20T13:56:48.361+09:00The port of Yokohama is actually much older than 150 years, but this past summer the city celebrated its 150th year as an international port. Those of you who have followed our story from the beginning may remember us mentioning U.S. Naval Officer Matthew Perry (brother to more popular Oliver Hazard Perry) making arrangements with Japan to open up to U.S. trade. The trade began in the port of http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/10/yokohama-turns-150-to-rest-of-world.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-1773629307995213769Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:21:00 +00002009-10-01T03:06:01.006+09:00We went to Tokyo for the September Sumo tournament this past weekend. It was our first expereince going to see this spectacle live and boy was it fantastic. We have all seen sumo pictures and possibly even a match on TV. These do the real thing no justice. We were lucky enough to get tickets to the last day of the fifteen day tournament. The last day is supposedly the best because of the http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/09/sumo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-8560698962861551316Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:13:00 +00002009-09-28T15:41:58.676+09:00Back in July I went to a chanbara show in Tokyo. It was put on by a group of five professionals who are without a doubt the premier action sword performers in the world. They take what I have been doing in KENGEKITAI and raise it to unimaginably extreme heights. They are called KAMUI (pronounced KAH-MOO-EE), and there leader is a man named Tetsuro Shimaguchi (picture shown). He was the masterhttp://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/09/kamui.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-9012232759616523508Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:42:00 +00002009-09-17T08:19:34.479+09:00A quick note to let everyone know, KENGEKITAI will be performing again on 20 September. Photos from the event to come, but the big news is the new website. I did all of the art, design and programming for the site so please check it out. www.kengekitai.comIt is my first attempt at a website, I will streamline it as I learn more; your feedback is welcome.http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/09/blue-eyed-samurai.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-2143624675631642665Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:22:00 +00002009-09-12T01:42:25.845+09:00There is a Manga cartoon called My Darling is a Gaijin, that tells the tail of a marriage between a Japanese woman and an American Man and cultural hurdles they experience. It is so popular it is played on the trains that have small video screens above the doors. A Japanese woman wrote the cartoon based on her own real situation being married to an American. The story is now being produced http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/09/extra-extra.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-8539775433731463013Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:56:00 +00002009-08-08T20:13:11.127+09:00This movie is opening here in Japan today. We wrote about this story back in May when we saw the statue of the famous dog at Shibuya Station.When I first heard about the movie I thought it was really strange that the story had been relocated to Rhode Island (RI has a commuter rail now? Wow, I have been gone a long time!) and starred Richard Gere-what? But the Japanese people we've talked to don'thttp://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/08/hachi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5793542380910469442Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:36:00 +00002009-08-08T14:44:39.989+09:00Razzleberry is a new frozen yogurt chain in Tokyo. They've been marketing pretty heavily, especially to women. All of the toppings are named after gems, and as this youtube post says, the sizes are "cute, sexy,or glamorous" It's just like Pinkberry in the states, but more Japanese, more kawaii. Dave and I went to the one in Shibuya last week and we still can't get this damn song out of our heads.http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/08/razzleberry-tastes-so-nice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-7903761459990268634Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:26:00 +00002009-08-08T13:08:31.947+09:00Here are a few pictures of David's Kengekitai performance at the Dobuita Street Festival on July 19th.Tough Guy:Unfair Fight (come on Dave, give her a break, this girl is half your size!):Action Shot:The Samurai Jig:Off With His Head:The giant hamburger backdrop kind of takes away from the drama a bit. Yokosuka is known for its "Navy Burger", I guess just because of the US Navy being here. I am http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/08/dobuita-street-festival-pics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-8395489664228005149Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:57:00 +00002009-08-03T14:55:30.329+09:00July 19th was the Dobuita Street Festival here in Yokosuka. Dobuita is one block away from the navy base in an area called "the Honch". This is a strange area, and what typifies all the old stereotypes of sailors and the navy. There are Irish bars, taco stands, army navy shops and places that sell "hip hop wear". There are dubious massage parlors and countless chu-hai bars. The area is thick withhttp://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/08/old-and-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5561426280866547780Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:41:00 +00002009-08-03T15:06:23.921+09:00A few weeks ago we went to Odaiba-a manmade island in the middle of Tokyo Bay. It was originally constructed in the 1800's as a part of a battery of islands meant to keep out American and European fleets. Now it's basically a playground for Tokyo.There are several museums including the science museum which had a Terminator exhibit. The Japanese love Arnold Schwarzenegger. They call him http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/08/odaiba.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-4260840512601566746Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:04:00 +00002009-07-21T14:53:56.239+09:00It has been a while (once again) and it would be great to say it is because we are so busy whisking off to all corners of Japan for more great experiences to bring to our family on the home front, but truth be told we have been a little lazy just trying to stay cool and dry. The rainy season has come to a close (although it is raining all week here) and the summer humidity has kicked in along http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/07/r-r.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-7420296562271756619Sun, 21 Jun 2009 11:42:00 +00002009-06-21T20:45:27.174+09:00Ice cream from our favorite ice cream shop here. On the left is Black Sesame Ice cream with a pretzel garnish. On the right is Salt Ice Cream and Pink Peppercorn. Sounds crazy, but so good!http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/06/yum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-3531371657858381917Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:18:00 +00002009-06-21T20:54:48.179+09:00Okay, continuing from our last post...Ten things we LOVE about Japan1o. Bowing This is a really nice custom. There are times when a handshake would be weird, but a bow is perfect and polite. After a transaction at a store or restaurant, the employee and customer bow to one another. I also find it useful in the car, in place of a wave.9. Coffee and French Bakeries Everyone knows the Japanese love http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/06/japan10-best-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-3934736561444051818Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:19:00 +00002009-06-21T20:55:12.572+09:00Wow, it's been a long time since we last posted. We didn't even get a chance to properly commemerate our 6 month-iversary of coming to Japan! I thought I'd mark the occasion here by posting a little about our impression of this crazy country now that we're six months into this adventure"What we Hate about Japan:10. Taking off your shoes I know it's more hygenic to take your shoes off in the home,http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/06/japan-10-worst-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5646483504942844641Thu, 14 May 2009 05:12:00 +00002009-05-14T21:19:21.497+09:00Sunday we went to hang with the cool kids in Harajuku. This is an area of Tokyo between Shibuya and Shinjuku that is well known for it's unique shopping and street fashion. On Sundays throngs of young Japanese people come to here to hang out and show off.Harajuku is a mecca for those who love clothes. There is everything here from the cheap chic Zara and Muji to Prada, and Chanel on Omotesando http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/05/harajuku.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-2738064835024961352Fri, 08 May 2009 12:08:00 +00002009-05-09T02:55:23.043+09:00That is the meaning of "karaoke", not "bad sound" as I had always thought.(10 sec language lesson: kara is the word for "open", therefore karate is "open hand" martial arts)The Japanese really are as crazy for karaoke as you've always heard. Last week we had our first Japanese karaoke experience and it was nuts. We went with our friends who had picked the spot. We thought we were going to a spa, http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/05/open-orchestra.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-765141561650377998Fri, 08 May 2009 02:26:00 +00002009-05-09T10:31:20.701+09:00We've been busy lately, as usual. We attended the Subamarine Birthday Ball a couple of weeks ago in Tokyo. It was at the New Sanno hotel, which caters to the military in Japan. David was the head of the planning committee for the event, so I think he was a little anxious beforehand, but once the event was underway, he was able to relax and we had a really nice time.On Monday, our Japanese friendshttp://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/05/weve-been-busy-lately-as-usual.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-8199246555689102493Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:12:00 +00002009-04-30T12:42:20.298+09:00I've never actually seen a real cherry blossom tree in bloom before this spring, but I've always loved the motif and what I had seen in photos was beautiful. We named our blog after the cherry blossom and many of you have probably seen the cherry blossom painting that I "commissioned" from David a few years ago.I was so excited to see the blossoms when the season began this year. The trees were http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/04/believe-hype.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-5149378218279435672Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:14:00 +00002009-04-23T10:21:42.631+09:00This year for my "tanjōbi" Jennifer planned a trip to Kyoto, ye olde capital of Japan.  We had seen Memoirs of a Geisha, we studied some of the  traditional Kyoto architecture that defines Japanese style and we thought we pretty much had it figured out and it was time to see the real thing.  Besides, most of our Japanese friends have been telling us, "if you want to see what most consider 'http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/04/goin-to-kyoto-with-koto-on-me-knee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-2622655829723885090Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:55:00 +00002009-04-06T19:44:03.600+09:00Sunday was the 16th annual Yokosuka Navy Base Sakura Festival.  The festival is the once a year opportunity for the Japanese public to come to the base and see the tiny America in their own country and the main attraction is the nuclear powered behemoth parked in the their harbor, the USS George Washington.  I say "their" harbor because Japan officially owns the base and the property, they just http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/04/surprise-ending.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1797238782595932691.post-2322093805015908892Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:16:00 +00002009-04-01T16:47:03.247+09:00These are our neighbors the Tanaka's. They are a great couple, we've had them over for drinks and seven layer dip a couple of times. He works at the Nissan plant up the road, and she stays home with the kids....HA!GOT YOU!These are pictures of me and David! I bet you had no idea. We look so Japanese.Seriously though, we loved doing this. We're going to have the wedding kimono picture framed I http://thecherryblossomspecial.blogspot.com/2009/04/real-japanese-folks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jennifer and David)2