The Great University

We visited Harvard University, the greatest University in America, when we traveled to the East Coast. I was really looking forward to visiting there. First of all, we saw the statue of John Harvard. It was so great, but it was not like John Harvard. Many visitors took pictures touching its foot because if you touch the foot, you will be smart. Next, we saw the library. The library is the second largest library in America. It contains about 17 million items. Some items were contributed by John Harvard. Then, we saw the stadium. The stadium was so wide. Football games take place in the stadium. It was emblematic of the Ivy League. I was so impressed by such a great university.

Evolutionary Film

The history of Japanese film is short, but it is very evolutionary. To begin with, Japanese film was first seen in 1896. The first film was a period play which described a feudal world. Period play typifies the Japanese films of any age. Next, Japanese films have reality. In the old days, there is no idea of realism in the Oriental film. Directors searched Western films for how to make realistic descriptions a lot, so many people speak well of Japanese film, especially horror films. Then, recent Japanese films use a lot of computer graphics in both documentary and animation. The computer graphics make the film more real. For example, Pokemon, a Japanese popular animation movie, uses a lot of computer graphics for the background and description of water, so they look like the part of documentary. Films owe their success to the development of computer technology. The evolution of Japanese film is awesome.

Church in America

spokaneknoxpc.org

I went to church with my ensemble classmates on Novemver 20th to perform a Thanksgiving event and experience church in America. At first, we sang two songs, "Let there be peace" and "One small voice". I had a solo part in "Let there be peace". I was nervous but I enjoyed singing and a girl in the audience smiled at me after singing. Then, I learned about "communion". One of the people told me it's an event when people remember and worship Jesus. They drank wine and ate a piece of bread. They said the wine represents Jesus's blood and the bread also represents Jesus body. Third, I ate Thanksgiving food in the basement. I don't know who make them. I ate turkey, pumpkin pie, potatoes and so on with people who came to the church. I like pumpkin pie. Therefore, I had a great time there.

Cool Japanese Traditional Clothing

kimonokosugi.blog55.fc2.com

I want you to know about Japanese traditional clothing because there are many traditional clothes in Japan and these are cool and important. At first, many people wear yukata, an unlined cotton kimono that is Japanese traditional dress, when we go to the festival in the summer. It is so cute and comfortable because it is hot and humid in the summer. I have happily worn it in the festival. And then, all girls wear the furisode, a long- sleeved kimono. It is so cute, but it is expensive, so people not only buy it but also rent it. I will wear the furisode that my older sister worn. At last, everyone wears happi, which is like a coat, but it is made of cotton. I have a good memory concerning this clothing. We wear it in the festival in the autumn. Men and boys carry a portable shrine, and then women and girls go to the men and boys’ aid. It was fun and exciting. I was able to talk to many people there and ate a lot of delicious food, so I like this festival the best. In conclusion, we have a lot of traditional clothing and wear it during each event, so we have a lot of memories attached this clothing. Japanese traditional clothing is important for us.

Research Notes
Jane Bingham, COSTUME AROUND THE WORLD ~ JAPAN ~, CHELSEA CLUB HOUSE, 2008

Enjoyable Quincy Market

Quincy Market is a wonderful place for both locals and tourists who come to eat or shop. First the market's atmosphere was lively and crowded with people. I saw the performance in the main square. It seemed to be plesant because the people around the performers were joining in. Second there were all kinds of restaurants so that I couldn't decide what to eat. I ate a small and expensive lobster roll inside the market, but it tasted sweet and delicious. Third I bought a Havard sweater as my souvenir and found a unique souvenir, a stuffed lobster which had a big arm. I had a great time sightseeing and eating in Quincy Market.

The Special Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery is well-known as the most beautiful and vast graveyard around the world. First, when we enter this place, we see a lot of green and white graves. The people who died by World War I and World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War lie beneath the ground. Second, there is one more impotant thing in Arlington. The 35th president, John・F・Kennedy, is buried there. When we went there, he is buried next to his family (his wife, his daughter and his son.) I felt this grave was more special than other graves. Near his grave, the eternal flame was burning, like it was protecting him. Third, the guards who work there patrol around the graveyard. They do a change every 30 minutes in the summer and once an hour in the winter. It is their duty to bring safety there, confirming that no one puts out the flame. Finally, before we left Arlington, I prayed for them and I said, "Rest in Peace," in my heart. I recommend you to go to Arlington National Cemetery.

A Fabulous Institute

In the Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian Institute has many wonderful museums. I went to the Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History on the East Coast Trip. At first, at the entrances, which have big doors and steps, our bags were checked by a guard and there is a security station. It was crowded by a lot of people. Then, human evolution was the most interesting in the Museum of Natural History. I was interested in dinosaurs' bones, too. Later, at the Air and Space Museum, I saw the history of planes and a plane which is the model in 'Night at the Museum.' I saw a plane with an explanation of the female navigator, Amelia Earhart. She appeared in the movie so I was glad to see it. In this way, there are a lot of enjoyable displays at the Smithsonian Institute.

What is Ikebana?

neibert.com

Ikebana is wonderful Japanese flower arrangement. There are some rules and steps. At first, height. The tallest height is called “shin”, the medium height is called “soe”, and the shortest height is called “tai”. Then, there are three terms, formal, semi-formal, and informal. For example, informal is like our casual clothes. Finally, to arrange, you should cut materials the correct lengths and put them in a vase or pierce them on a “kenzan”, a tool to hold plants straight up. And the arrangement is beautiful. When I experienced Ikebana, it was the most difficult to arrange it beautifully. These are basic of Ikebana.

Next, I will tell you about a lot of styles of Ikebana and my experience. Now, there are six big parts styles and I’ll explain three of them; Rikka, Heika-nageire, and Chabana. Rikka is the formal style, classic arrangement and relates to Buddhist philosophy. Heika-nageire is that we can use the flowers of any season and we can arrange them, but not using the kenzan. Chabana is shown in the tokonoma, the tea ceremony room. I experienced Heika-nageire style with my mother and her friends when I was a child. It was difficult for me to cut correct lengths but it was so fun. Now, I have learned a lot of new styles from a book, so I want to try these styles.

At last, I will talk about my most interesting Ikebana styles. First, Seika style. We can see this style of arrangement in the tokonoma, or tea room. We should look at this style of arrangement from the front. If we see another side, it’s not comfortable and this is classic style. Then, the formal kenzan moribana style uses a shallow dark blue ceramic bowl and the kenzan is put in the center. The concept is shin, soe, and tai, or basically tall, medium and short. Finally, suiban or the water platter arrangement style. Flowers are simply put in a shallow platter filled with water. We use rosemary which is like a wonderful dining table. These are my interests and the wonderful art of Japanese flower arrangement.

ResearchNotes

Shozo Sato, Asian Arts & Crafts for Creative Kids: Ikebana, Tuttle, 2008

Advanced and Conservative Tokyo



tokyo-cruise.com





Tokyo, the Japanese capital city, is developing very fast but it keeps the tradition. I'm interested in the modern Tokyo. At first, Roppongi city is one of the most advanced cities in the Tokyo area. There are many high-quality shops and high-rise buildings. In the past, it was said that you bought the clothes at Aoyama's (another city's name) boutiques and showed off your clothes at nightclubs in Roppongi. Roppongi and Aoyama are the good collaboration. Second, Ryogoku is a conservative city that is well known because of the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium.This is one of the city's proudest buildings. The area has been "sumo" (Japanese wrestling) for over three hundread years. Finally, I think the tradition should be kept for future generations because sumo is only in this place. Third, when I was in Tokyo, I felt excited because Tokyo is the center of Japan and I hardly go to Tokyo. Tokyo is important to Japanese life. If Tokyo didn't develop, Japan wouldn't develop. Tokyo is both new and old.

An Interesting Event

We have an exciting Event in Japan called Setsubun. I like this event because everyone can enjoy it. At first, on February 3^rd, in an effect to ward off illness and misfortune, Japanese families scatter soybeans inside their house and out of every window and door. Then, a family member wearing an ogre’s mask opens the door and window, and throws soybeans. At that time they shout, “Oni wa soto” which means, “Demons out!” and “Fuku wa uchi” which means, “Fortune in!” After that, everyone eats the same number of soybeans as their age to welcome in health and good fortune. They can eat the soybeans that are inside the house. As an example, when I was an elementary student, I threw and ate soybeans in my school. In the afternoon, my family throws the soybeans all the door and window. Sometimes we throw throw them at one another. It was very exciting and I had a great time.

Research notes
Betty Reynolds, Japanese Celebrations,Tuttle Publishing, 2006

Setsu Broderick, Japanese Traditions, Tuttle Publishing, 2010

My Host Family's Fabulous Travel

I interviewed my host father about their recent travel. My host family is very active so they love travel. At first, they traveled by car to South Dakota in summer vacation. They stayed there for fourteen days. They went there with five people, his mother, her mother, his brother and sister and her sister. My host father said, "We had good conversations with good meals so I had fun." Next, they went to Florida last winter vacation. Florida is warmer than here so they decided to go there and they stayed for fourteen days. They went there by plane. My host father said that when they went there, they enjoyed shopping and sightseeing. After that, they stayed for relaxing in the hotel. Finally, they often travel for vacation. Recently,they went to the national zoo in Alaska. My host mother showed me the zoo's pictures. During homestay, my host parents showed me many pictures to their travel. Their pictures made me happy. They believe family is very important so through travel, they make time for their family. In my mind, my host family is the best!

My Host Family's Time

I interviewed my host family about their good family time and weekends. At first, I asked them about their weekends. They answered that they go to the gym, go cycling, clean their home and garden. They are always active together therefore I think that they get along very nicely. Next, they like Thanksgiving Day. Claudia likes cooking, baking and getting together with their family. Casey likes eating Thanksgiving Day food. And then they also like to go shopping for Black Friday. Finally, I asked them, “Which do you like better, to go out or to stay at home?” They said that it depends on the temperature. If the weather is nice, they like to go out. I also have the same opinion. In conclusion, my host family has a great time on their family time and weekends.

A Wonderful Paper World



https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?q=origami+tsuru&uname=107216312658130256899&psc=G&filter=1&hl=ja#5324233565170100178

Origami, the art of folding paper into different shapes, is a wonderful part of Japanese culture. I like to fold to create something, so I chose this subject. At first, origami is one of the Japanese creative arts and games.Origami paper is a square and origami has a lot of colors, red, yellow and purple. Japanese children start learning how to play origami at a kindergarten or nursery school, so you should start learning origami as soon as you can. Next, origami can be folded to create the animals, flowers and anything. It seems to me, senba-zuru, a hanging of one thousand paper cranes, is typical of origami arts. It is believed that Japanese people pray and a god grants their wishes someday, so they create the senba-zuru with all their hearts. Lastly, I started learning origami when I was three or four years old, then I folded to create shapes every day. But today’s Japanese children hardly ever do origami because they are absorbed in playing the video games and they think origami is dowdy. I recommend to today’s Japanese children to have Japanese culture class for once or twice a week, so they can gain confidence to teach their origami to foreign people. Only a sheet of paper is amazing to foreign people because origami changes to a lot variety of shapes by a person’s hands.


Research Notes
Ann Stalucup, Japanese Origami: Paper Magic, PowkerKids Press, 1999

The Orchard House

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/view?q=Orchard+House&uname=107216312658130256899&psc=G&filter=1&hl=ja#5659760450559581682



The Orchard House is old and simple on the outside, but the interior design is gorgeous and beautiful. First, Louisa May Alcott, who wrote Little Women, lived there with her parents and her one younger sister, May. Amy, in Little Women, was modeled after May. She likes drawing pictures very much. Second, I like their second floor andI especially liked Louisa’s room, which was lager than my room and there had two desks. I also liked her sister’s room on the second floor. Her bed was so cuteand many of her drawings were around her room. Third, I like their furniture. Ithought their parents’ bed was a nice shape and it looked like a sleigh.Someday, if I earn a lot of money, I want to buy the bed like her parents’ bed. I think a lot of visitors come to Orchard House because their interior designwas beautiful and they have remained untouched all these years.

New Otaku Culture

"Otaku” is a generic name of the subculture fan that was born in the 1970’s in Japan. “Otaku” had a negative connotation in the past, however, it has come to be evaluated affirmatively recently. At first, “otaku” had some particular meaning. For example, it has action, the culture, and originality. Otaku not only means “geek”, but also has a lot of other meanings. Next, mostly otaku like anime or comics. The scale of the manga and anime business is big in Japan, it covers a wide array of genres, and doesn’t target just a specific group of readers and the contents aren’t swayed by established concepts. Moreover, in recent years, Japanese comics and anime have grown in popularity all over the world. It probably gives a specific image to foreigners, much different from and it is more than Japanese people’s image. Already “Otaku” are becoming a representative culture of Japan. I think that the Otaku culture is a culture of splendid Japan. “Otaku” doesn’t only mean “geek” because it is a new culture of art, music, fashion and literature.

Research Notes

Patrick W. Galbraith, The Otaku Encyclopedia, Kodansha International

  

The Exciting Quincy Market

Quincy Market, which is a part of the Freedom Trail and is a converted historic building, is the most exciting place on the East Coast Trip. To begin with, the market was extremely crowded. Many shops in the market were so bustling. It was like the atmosphere of Osaka Station. In addition, the market is known for its lobster rolls. They are a feature of Quincy Market, and they cost $15. Lobster rolls were so expensive for lunch, but they were so delicious. Moreover, you may see street performers in front of Quincy Market. Unfortunately, I didn’t see them, but my friend saw acrobatic performers there. I wish I could have seen them, but I was happy only to know they were there. Quincy Market is an attractive spot for me because there are many exciting things and a
fantastic atmosphere.

Freedom Trail

On Wednesday fo our East Coast Trip, we went to the Freedom Trail. We went to many sightseeing places. For example, we went to State House, King’s Chapel and Quincy Market. I liked Old State House and Old North Church. Old State House was very beautiful, because three animal’s statues (an eagle, a lion, and a unicorn) were on house. And many years ago, this house was used by the English before the Revolution. After the war, John Hancock read the Declaration of Independence in house’s balcony. I was very happy, because we saw there.  Now it was a museum. And we went to old north church. It was so beautiful. I have never been to church. So I was very happy. This church is the oldest in Boston. And we could see the statue Paul Revere in front of this church. It was very big and important. And we saw a pipe organ. I wanted to play it. And we listened to about Paul Revere. She spoke very fast, but I studied it, so I almost understood. We had a very special and interesting time. I really wanted to go to there again.

Historic Samurai

Samurai were very important and historic warriors in Japan a long time ago.  Now samurai don’t live in Japan. But almost all Japanese people’s ancestors are Samurai. At first, their origins were during about 1000 to 1900. Their first fighting was the Genpei war, between Genji and Taira were fighting. In 1192 Samurai, Genji reigned over Japan. Nest, their lifestyles were interesting. . When they were fighting they wore Yoroi, like armor. Their hair was Chonmage, the traditional hairstyle for samurai and a hairstyle which is shaved on top with a ponytail in back. I thought it was funny hair. They were always farmers, growing many kinds of vegetables, practicing riding horses or shooting many arrows, and eating rice. Many other people like farmer couldn't eat it. Third, all Japanese people know about 3 famous people, Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Ieyasu Tokugawa. When I was an elementary school student, I studied about them. Nobunaga Oda was very passionate and many Japanese people liked him. Nobunaga Oda wanted to reign over Japan but he was killed by a follower. After that, his follower, Hideyoshi Toyotomi continued it, but when he almost finished, he died. Next, Ieyasu Tokugawa won the Sekigahara war. I like this war, because this war became many TV program. And he made the shogunate in 1603. Moreover, his family had reigned for about 300 years. Japanese history was longer than American history. Samurai made Japanese history, so I liked Japanese history and samurai.

Research Notes

Arlan Dean, Samurai, Scholastic.

My Dormitory Life

My Dormitory Life

I have a good time and interesting life with my friends in my dormitory. First, I had never lived with my friends for about 4 months. So at first, I was very worried about it, but living with my friends was very interesting and exciting. But sometimes, I was tired it. Second, I’m happy to live with an RA in my group room. Our RA can’t speak Japanese, and she can’t understand Japanese. So we always speak English with her. It is a little difficult. But it is a very good experience. I could have time to speak English without classes. Third, I made a new friend. My roommate is my friend before. But I met other people that I didn’t know well before MFWI.  So I could make new friends. It was very good point and I was very happy. I’m really happy to come to MFWI, because I already have had a good time in MFWI.

Otafuku Brings Hapiness

http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/rakuichikuraya/e...

Do you know about “Otafuku”? Otafuku is the Japanese traditional mask and warmly watching everyone. We can see her on the walls of houses, restaurants, and stores in Japan. Actually Grandma put it on the wall in my house. Otafuku has chubby cheeks, tiny red mouth, and smile. We call mumps “Otafuku disease” because cheeks swell. Otafuku’s face is funny and behind the times rather than beautiful, but we feel happy when we see her. I didn’t know she has meanings although I came from Japan. According to a book about Otafuku, in the very beginning, the dance and laughter of a goddess who was called “Ame no Uzume no Mikoto” solved the problem of masculine force to restore order to the world. The earliest myth about the founding of Japan shows us the power of a woman’s dance and humor. Ame no Uzume no Mikoto means Otafuku. Otafuku, who has mystery and brightness, is the symbol which stands for all women. Today Otafuku is used for festivals and celebrations. I think lots of Japanese people love Otafuku and we willcherish her forever.

Research NotesAMY KATO, Otafuku –Joy of Japan, Tuttle Pub, 2005

The Elegant Tea Ceremony

dramacafe.co.uk

Today, there are many cultures in Japan. The tea
ceremony is a most important traditional Japanese cultural event. It developed to create a calm and wonderful atmosphere. First, the tea ceremony is drinking tea and eating Japanese sweets in a Japanese-style room. Green tea is the most popular tea in Japan, and it is used in the traditional ceremony. However, other varieties of tea are also popular such as Dan cha, Matcha, and Ho-ji cha. People think Dan cha is the oldest type of green tea. This tea and Ho-ji cha came from China. Matcha is made of green tea. Second, The tea ceremony is based on four special" kanji ". (Kanji means a Chinese character.) It consists of "wa, kei, sei, jaku "."Wa" means harmony, "kei" means respect, "sei" means purity, and "jaku" means tranquility. My mother said that the word is
very important for Japanese people. Third, my mother practiced lessons in the tea ceremony for a long time until she got married to my father, so I have done it once. My impression was that it was very boring when I was 12 or 13 years old because the movement is simple and Matcha tastes very bitter. Now, I think that the simple movement is very beautiful. Finally, In my opinion, Tea ceremony lets people become composed. Drinking tea and talking to someone in the Japanese style room while looking around the scene is very tasteful. People can
also enjoy sight. Almost Japanese sweets are designed for many different kind of shapes. For example, There is animals, flowers, and things that it is related to seasons. The Tea ceremony is indispensable for traditional Japanese culture. Japanese people will be proud of the tea ceremony in the future.

Delicious Japanese Food

I will introduce you to some delicious Japanese food. First, Tempura is one of my favorite foods so I want you to know about it. Tempura is deep-fried seafood and vegetable in batter and fritters. The basic recipe was handed down from Portugal to Japan in the sixteen century. Next, we use large prawns, squid, whitefish, satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potatoes), shiso (perillas) and shishito (sweet green peppers) etc. for Tempura. Then, we dip tempura in a clear soup called `tentsuyu’ and eat with the grated daikon (Japanese radish), ginger and salt. Incidentally, we can get cooked Tempura at a supermarket. I sometimes get it when I am hungry but I don’t want to cook. I think Tempura is one of the best foods in Japan because people of all ages and both sexes like it. You should eat Tempura when you come to Japan.

Udon is an inexpensive, but delicious meal. In the first place, Udon, soft and thick noodles, are made from wheat flour. We parboil and immerse it in hot and clear soup, then add some accompaniments like seaweed, abura-age (thin deep-fried sliced tofu), kamaboko (fish-paste loaf) and Tempura (deep-fried seafood and vegetables) etc. in it. In the second place, Udon is one of the most popular foods in Japan because it’s an inexpensive food so almost everyone can eat it. In the third place, Udon is easy to cook for everyone. I cooked it by myself when I was a child because it’s safe for children to cook. In my opinion, Udon will be popular from now on because it’s easy to cook, inexpensive and tasty.

The last food I’ll introduce is Konpeito, traditional sweets, a small sugar candy which has an uneven surface. It is made from sugar, water and flour, in a variety of colors like pink, yellow, blue, green and white. Second, Konpeito was introduced by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century, along with Castella, a cake. The word ‘Konpeito’ is derived from the Portuguese ‘Confeito’ or confection. Finally, I recommend Konpeito to all children because it is cute, colorful and tasty. My mother often gave to me it when I was a child. I felt happy when I ate it so if I have my children, I will give to them it. Now I think you are interested in Japanese food. I hope you come to Japan and eat Japanese food someday!

The Various Kinds of Bento

http://babyxbaby.com/recipe/charaben/0008.php

The bento, Japanese boxed lunch, is marvelous! It is useful for children to eat a balanced diet. When I was a child, my mother made it for me every day. I sometimes make it in Japan since I became a junior high school student. It is interesting but also a little hard for me because I have to think about the balanced diet. Now, there is the cute bento in Japan. Children love to eat character-driven bento boxes, called charaben. For example, they make a kind of animal’s face and colorful bento. I think it is easy for children to eat all their lunch in lunch time.

The Japanese typical bento is like on omelet containing fried rice. Most parents are busy in the morning. To make bento is important for their children. However, parents have to do other housework so they need to make food easily. This bento, which has well-balanced nutrition and needs a short time to make, is the best.

There is the traditional daily bento. The onigiri rice balls are the most popular and famous for bento. Cold rice is formed into balls with a stuffing of something with a strong flavor, such as umeboshi, a dried, salt-pickled Japanese apricot. It is so sour but I like it. Sometimes, the inarizushi, rice with deep-fried slices of tofu, is contained in the bento. I like the inarizushi very much because it is sweet and delicious. My mother occasionally made it for my bento when I was a kindergarten student. I’ll never forget the flavor of my mother’s bento. I want to make such a nice bento for my children in the future. The bento is Japanese culture but I hope to introduce it to people all over the world.

Research Notes

Ikuko Mitsuoka, Kawaii Bento Boxes, Boutique-sha, 2010

The Cool Ninja

ninjapolitical.blogspot.com

I’d like to introduce Ninja, Japanese secret agents in feudal times, the most peculiar people in Japan. I’m from Shiga where the ninja lived. First of all, the ninja used special weapons such as Shuriken, a throwing knife. Shuriken appeared in a number of shapes, weights, and sizes. However, they are used for a single purpose: to impale an enemy from a safe distance. In addition, ninja’s diet is so healthy. For example, they ate tofu, a soft white food made from soya beans, miso, fermented soybean paste, picked plums, vegetables, brown rice, wheat, buck wheat, and potatoes. On the other hand, they didn’t have highly aromatic foods such as garlic, chives, onions and meat because their bodies’ scent was a significant issue for ninja when they had to hide from their enemies. To illustrate my experience, I went to the original ninja house, Koka injutu Yashiki, in my prefecture when I was a child. It’s the only existing ninja house and a good place to feel a ninja’s life. For example, there were a lot of ingenious features to make them escape quickly if needed. Also, I drank Kenpocha, ninja’s health-promoting tea, and threw shuriken there. Ninja are the most mysterious Japanese people who existed and they make me admire their life style.

Research Notes
Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt, Ninja Attack!, Kodansha International, 2010