Beauty of a Kimono

 The kimono.    

One element of the Japanese Culture, besides sushi and sumo, that most Americans ask me about whenever we return from being stationed here.   

Every element that goes into wearing a kimono produces the masterpiece.   Sure, the individual wearing the kimono may be beautiful, but it is in fact, the kimono that brings out the beauty.   The silk, the colors, the obi wound tightly around the waist that at first glance doesn’t seem to compliment the pattern in the kimono until one steps aside after all pieces have been placed.   

No two kimonos are alike just like there are endless designs of obi.   Thankfully, today I enjoyed a morning with other American ladies as we learned the art of wearing the beautiful kimono. I happened to adore mine.   

The brilliant green made me immediately think of meadows and lush hillsides of Hawai’i.   Seriously, out of all the places we have been blessed to live, the green of Hawai’i will stay with you.   Most adore talking about Sakura.   I do love Sakura but they are so fleeting that my favorite herald of spring in Japan is the Ume, or plum blossom.   It happens to be a very hearty survivor and they stick around and cling to the branches during the fiercest of rain squalls.  

Today, I felt beautiful.   

Was it because of the face reflected back at me as I looked in the mirror?   No...it was the beauty found in the silky smooth green and pink.   It was the color pallet brought together by discerning eyes of my Japanese friends, and is what the elegance and grace of the iconic Kimono.

9 Years

October 2006

October 2015

We are incredibly lucky.  Many never have the opportunity to live abroad once let alone three times...in the same place.  We absolutely hands down love Japan.  Everything about it.  The culture, the food, the people, the language.  It was 9 years ago that I took a picture of my adventure buddy on one of our last visits to see the Daibutsu in Hase, Kamakura.  We thought it would be our last visit.  We weren't overjoyed about the prospect of not returning.  We can't believe that 9 years ago we were gearing up for our pack out and thinking we hoped all that HS had seen in the few short years of preschool-hood would sink into his memory and become part of him.  

Clearly, nine years later and when he saw the big buddha his first exclamation was, "I remember this!" We've had those little verbal nuggets tossed in periodically.  

My heart sings.  

He remembers.

Japan has been woven into the fabric of his soul like a treasured blanket on a cold night.

Shichi Go San {7,5,3}

It is a rite of passage.   

A time honored ritual that bestows blessings upon a child when they are 7, 5, & 3 around November 15th.   Imagine my joy when I discovered that we would be back in Japan at the right age for LD to participate.   I know what you are thinking.   We have been stationed in Japan so many times...why is this so special?    Well, because although HS was born in Japan and we lived here while he was in preschool, the Japanese do not typically have their boys participate except at age 5.   So, HS missed the mark, but LD hit at the right time.   Girls are usually honored at age 3 & 7.   Magic!   LD is 7 so I spent time scouring the shrine sales for the perfect kimono for her.   I thought hard about which shrine I wanted to take her to and ultimately, the choice was clear:   She would be taken to the most important and most visited shrine in Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

 She was absolutely stunning in her kimono.   She was excited, nervous, and over joyed to encounter others who were also at the shrine enjoying the celebration.   Always the lover of the purification, she stopped and washed her hands.   She reflected and looked for koi in the ponds.  We participated in the Shinto ritual that bestowed blessings to drive out the evil spirits that may try to influence or overtake.   She proudly wore her obi (which is custom for girls of age 7 to wear instead of the cord or ribbon).   She devoured her long red and white candy, Chitose Ame, a symbol of long life and longevity given to those celebrating Shichi-Go-San.    

She was absolutely stunning in her kimono.   She was excited, nervous, and over joyed to encounter others who were also at the shrine enjoying the celebration.   We participated in the Shinto ritual that bestowed blessings to drive out the evil spirits that may try to influence or overtake.   She proudly wore her obi (which is custom for girls of age 7 to wear instead of the cord or ribbon).   She devoured her long red and white candy, Chitose Ame, a symbol of long life and longevity given to those celebrating Shichi-Go-San.    

 Before it was time to leave, she stopped to claim her favorite Japanese treat.   A candied strawberry covered in a crunchy red topping and sprinkled with the slightest powdering of sugar.  She also was stopped for more photos.   Her smile, the love of being part of a Japanese tradition, and the lure of a beautiful kimono glimmered in her eyes.   She was the epitome of a blessing bestowed upon us by God. 

Most of all, she took my breath away.   May she always be healthy and live a long, long, time.   May she never forget the sound of her geta as they rapped quietly along the stone and the swish of her silk kimono as it moved rhythmically through the shrine.    

R.B.T

Time certainly marches quickly.  I barely recall what I did this past weekend let alone months ago.    Just for sh*** and giggles I decided to see where in tarnation we were last year at about this time.  

What did I gain from this?  

The knowledge that time definitely is marching on.  With us.  And we are surviving  thriving.  Last year I see now that we were incredibly busy with trying to keep life "normal" as we faced new orders.  We desperately were trying to ensure the kids didn't have any stress as we (HH and I) processed the fact that by the time we were in Nov. 2015, life would be "normal" without HH. 

One thing about our clan.  Random.  

Second thing about our clan.  Busy.  

Third thing about our clan. Together.

HH and HS
Orienteering Hike with the Troop

1st grade Thanksgiving Feast
I love this little turkey!

HS earns Life Scout
I can't help but get teary eyed when I see this photo.

Taking the furry sons to do their last shots and blood draws
for the overseas screening process.   

Making Feet Smile

When tubby toes say "Smile" then that's just what you have to do...

there's no possible way to avoid it.  

The cuteness overload with socks in Japan makes LD's heart sing on just about a daily basis.

Today she chose a pair that literally made my heart sing as she paraded downstairs wearing the adorable five-toed socks I bought her at the New Sanno (they have an excellent gift shop...don't forget to stop in and take a look when you are there).

Socks are really interesting here.  

Yes, all the styles available here are a great way to step away from the boring humdrum of solid color socks.  Choosing the right pair of socks to purchase truly becomes a way to express yourself.  However, deep down away from self expression is the real reason socks are cool here.  Culturally, they are practical and extremely necessary.  In a land that takes off shoes more times a day than what we are used to, you don't want to be caught with a bad pair of socks (holy socks must be tossed, not worn.)  Much better to slip your feet out of your shoes and be sporting super cool socks as you leave your shoes at the genkan.

 The fact that they just may make you smile even more...
that's a bonus.

Honor

It was a great honor today to watch as young men from HS's Boy Scout troop, various girl scout troops, and a Cub Scout Pack took the time during their Veteran's Day to place flags at American tombstones and monuments at the Yokohama Foreigners General Cemetery.  It was a beautiful day to reflect on our freedom, blessings, and gratefulness to those who choose to hear the call to serve our country.  

If you haven't already done so...

thank a Veteran.  

You are living the American dream

because of Veterans who won't let your freedoms and dreams be stripped from you.

They do that with honor and without desire for their own gratification.

The Yokohama Foreigners Cemetery is a great place to wander a bit.  It is located along a hill a few blocks from Chinatown and Motomachi shopping street.

Lots of Fall

Ginko Trees
Yokota Air Base, Japan

It's funny sometimes to think about what I treasure.  Those things that really make me happy whenever I need a little pick me up.  Let's face it.  Some days I may need a whole lot of fall to pick me up.  Hands down, I could live outside during the fall just to admire the leaves.

Sometimes, I have a flash forward to my future little old lady self.  I'll be the one dragging HH to all the best leaf peeping spots.  Let's face it.  I already have done that. Thankfully, he goes with it.  Or like this year, he "sails" it.  He's not here but I can still find myself capturing the beauty of fall and ensuring that he gets some good leaf peeping.   Thank goodness for email...with a snap and a whoosh the beauty of fall arrives onto his screen where he sits surrounded by grey.  

Happy fall, y'all!  

Get out and enjoy the leaves before they fall.

Machida Shrine Sale through a Child's Eyes

Machida Tenmangu Shrine becomes a treasure trove of antiquities, obis, kimonos, and everything in between one day each month.  Every tour we've lived here I have enjoyed the hunt for the perfect treasure.  We pile into cars loaded with caffeine seeking gals who are ready to spend the morning away from the house and the chores.  It's that time that gives you an adrenaline rush as you wander the temple grounds chatting and searching for the items that scream, "I've lived overseas and came back with some pretty cool momentos."

This month, instead of a car full of chatty ladies, I did something highly unexpected. 

 I invited the kids to enjoy the treasure hunt.  *gasp*

It's amazing what the hunt became as we wandered the tightly packed temple.  I passed just about all of the kimonos and obis.  Kokeshi?  Who needs 'em.  My eyes were opened to the world of strange locks, pottery shards turned into jewelry, tiny bronze gods, and bins of Ultraman.  

Next time you want a shopping thrill, take the kiddos.  

They'll open your eyes to a whole new world of treasures.

Adventure Note:  Machida Tenmangu Shrine has its shrine sale event the 1st of every month except for certain months (January being one of those months).  It's an easy 1 hour drive from base and fairly inexpensive in tolls.  The vendors are literally packed into the shrine grounds so not stroller friendly. 

10 Lines of Busan

I'm in a daze as I look out the office window today.  What a great time I just spent in Busan, Korea.  A second honeymoon with my love was what we are calling our time there.  Although leaving the kids behind was difficult our time together eased that woe.  We laughed, we talked, we stared at each other, and realized that we are just two crazy love birds.  The coffee chats next to the ocean and sharing time as we strolled through the markets kept us loving our life of adventure and we couldn't be happier.  As the sun set each night over Hauendae Beach we snuggled up and listened to the serenade of the cello and the piano.  Romance and fun filled the time there.  I watched with tears streaming down my face as he got back on the bus to head back to the ship and resume the patrol.  Our port visit was done but the memories of it remain close to my heart.  

Dog Breeds for Me

Zane riding in his favorite spot...as the Navigator

People have stopped me a lot here to ask about Zane.  I get it.  He's a hot mess of fur, dedication, determination, and way too intelligent.  He definitely is not your normal breed to see walking about, but he is definitely what our clan needs.  He's the world's best large lap dog.  He's also the greatest giver of "puppy dog eyes."  At any given time, even if it looks like he is dead to the world and in pure dog sleep, he's not.  He knows exactly where you are.  That's because he is not really a dog...he's like a strip of velcro  attached firmly to his people.  If you come into the house, he'll make you an honorary member of "his people."  Just get ready.  Would I ever have another breed?  I don't think our clan would ever have anything but an Australian Shepherd...but if we were to give another breed a go here's which ones would make the top 5 possible breeds:

5.  German Short-haired Pointer

4.  Akita

3.  Bernese Mountain Dog

2.  Shetland Sheepdog

1.  Australian Shepherd

{Wordless Wednesday} Entangled

Jagalchi Fish Market
 Busan, South Korea

Jagalchi Fish Market
Busan, South Korea

Jagalchi Fish Market
Busan, South Korea

Jagalchi Fish Market
Busan, South Korea

Jagalchi Fish Market
Busan, South Korea