My life consists of small spaces. I don't get too far from anywhere. Every morning I stand at the crosswalk. What can be at the crosswalk that is different from any other morning? It seems that I always find something.
The Japanese sweet shop is taking advantage of the cold weather and has put out persimmons to dry. Persimmons do best in dry, icy air and all over northern Japan the farmers hang strings and strings of persimmons that have been peeled. In about a month these will be soft and sweet and ready to eat.
Another shot just in front of the school (next to the persimmons). On this day the school was having a marathon. This is an annual event (every elementary school that I have ever heard of has a marathon but maybe that is only in the countryside. I would suppose Tokyo kids can't do marathons). For a month or so the kids practice running laps and sometimes I have found children and parents running around the rice fields on the weekend training for the big day. For all that I have a feeling that most kids don't like this event. The kids run by class, shorter distances for the younger classes. Parents will attend to cheer the kids on.
The white lines there are written in powdered chalk and they extend around the school grounds, out into the neighborhood area and around more rice fields. Even though the teachers stand at the corners, they don't want any kids to get lost! And right at the school gate someone had written "FIGHT!" as a last push for the goal.*****
Yes, in yesterday's picture Tetsu was wearing a hand made vest. That has also been a tradition that got started in our early years of marriage. Knit Tetsu a sweater or vest every Christmas. Beware of traditions! You can't stop even if you want to!
Here we are again when Takumi was one year old. Same park. We were spending more time at the play area! And yes, that year's sweater that Tetsu was wearing was another off of Tanya's needles.
A lot of words for a wordless Wednesday!
9 comments:
I love reading your blog - and one of the reasons is what you share about life in Japan. Thank you!
That is such a lovely family photo!
Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season.
I'm afraid I have a confession to make ...I have become addicted ... to the Taniwa blog. First thing I go to when I open the computer.
You know you are doing a cultural deed sharing your life and giving us a peek into what life is like in a (for me)far away country. So glad you are here on the net.
Persimmons..Those long shaped ones are very puckery and sweeten as they dry.
Marathon..if a full distance the kids may not all love it.
Traditions.. I hear are an accident that has been allowed to happen more than once. Beware!
I remember as a child my mother would bring home from a "magic place" a small wild persimmon, with more seeds than fruit and always sweet. She would make a cookie from the fruit. After I was on my own I purchased the large persimmons and was very disappointed because they were nasty;( and now I know why. Can these large persimmons age in an area that does not freeze or get frosty?
I love your BLOG.
Thank you.
Mary NW Houston TX USA
I have never had a persimmon! Don't they look pretty all lined up like that. I have a feeling Japan doesn't have a childhood obesity problem at all....try doing that marathon here, lol. Another lovely family photo, you guys look like models in a magazine!
I'm glad you aren't wordless. I love reading what you write.
The sweater tradition is wonderful. The one in the image from many years ago is beautiful - it has quite a Scandinavian look to it. ;)
Hugs,
Lois
I'll second the opinion that I'm glad that you aren't wordless. You give me a chance to see what life is like in a different country. thanks for sharing.
cindy
I don't think I could do a wordless post either, but then again I am glad it isn't wordless, so we get to hear about what all that fruit is doing on strings! That family picture is just so sweet! I really liked the arrows too. It's always good to have directions so you don't get lost. Also good that schools do physical activities like marathons.
I love your family photos. Tanya, you still look the SAME!
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