Japanese Plum Blossoms and Pre-Spring Impressions

Last week was the first spring wind. Those who have lived in Japan know the seasons here are marked off by wind, rain and blossoms. With each change comes a change in temperatures and temperments. Wind and rain are...
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Carpe Deum - Children's Day, or Boy's Day in Japan

Today is Children's Day (Kodomi no Hi) in Japan. Originally, it was "Boy's Day" but the name was changed to "Children's Day" in 1948. Note the significance of the date. I imagine it was changed because there was no...
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Japanese Children at School and Play

Tomorrow's the big day when my daughter REALLY starts preschool. Above are pictures of children at my daughter's preschool from Friday's entrance ceremony. I shot all of these outside on the playground afterwards. If you like these, you can...
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Japanese Cherry Blossom Photos & Nyuenshiki

Tomorrow is my daughter's "nyuenshiki" -- that is, her entrance ceremony for "yochien" (Japanese preschool). We're really excited! It's hard to explain the feeling that you get when your kids are getting older. She's changed so much in the...
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Plumb Blossoms and Jizou

Plumb Blossoms"> I shot the plumb blossom (plumb=ume) this afternoon in a grove of trees just outside my house. The row of Jizou shot was taken in front of a Buddhist temple near where I meet my Japanese tutor....
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