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Jet Lag and Trained Monkeys
I think we still have a little jet leg. Here’s what happened today. First, my dear friend Barbara told me in a very kind way that yesterday was Monday, not Tuesday as I had reported in my blog. Thank you Barb. Then later today after Ken and I entertained two representatives from a…
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Plane is Leaving!!
Well Kids, It’s Monday evening here in Tokyo. The bags are packed. The refrigerator is clean. The wash is done and we are headed home tomorrow. Yesterday the whole Kono clan including Ken’s brother and sister and their children and grandchildren and Ken, Yumiko and I traveled to Haramachi to say hello and good…
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The Fishermen – Part Two
A few weeks ago I wrote about my dilemma with the fishermen in Arisugawa Park. They were upset with me because I had taken a few pictures of them without asking permission. I felt terrible about it and at the recommendation of Ken and friends, I made a 2010 picture calendar on my computer…
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Our Last Wednesday
Yesterday was another incredibly full day – our last Wednesday in Japan. It began with a trip to Musashi-Kosugi where my photographer friend Katsuko Nakamata lives. She invited Yumiko and me to come to her house for the day. She wanted to photograph both of us in full kimono. We took the train in…
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We Are Back
It’s late Monday night. Yumiko and I had a TRULY wonderful time in Takayama and Kyoto. I will be back with a fresh brain tomorrow (not likely) but at least some fun stories to tell. In the meantime here’s a picture of us in Kyoto at one place where “Memoirs of a Geisha” was filmed…
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Last Day of School
Friday was Graduation and the last day of school at Nishimachi. Eleven 9th graders graduated and each gave a speech in both Japanese and English to a gymnasium full of proud parents. The girls wore kimonos and the boys wore haori hakamas. Each one was so articulate and funny and poignant. Yumiko played in…
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The Graduation Dance
It was pouring rain (again) at 6:30 last night when Yumiko left to go to the graduation dance. She looked beautiful – even if I do have “parental stupidity” as my brother in-law says. She wore her new dress and a pretty silk shaw. Her hair was up with a thin gold necklace around…
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Yumiko and the Caterpillar
Tonight is the big graduation dance at Yumiko’s school. She’s never been to a dance before, so everybody is a little nervous. We went shopping and found a beautiful long green sleeveless dress with a halter top and a pretty ruffle at the bottom. She will wear her first pair of high heeled shoes…
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Portrait Class: Yumiko and Ken
Last night I begged Ken and Yumiko to pose for me for my portrait class. My homework is due tomorrow and I am still too shy to ask anybody to pose. Yumiko was happy to comply. Ken, on the other hand, was not as thrilled. Here’s what I got.
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Portrait in the Rain
It rained all day today. The weatherman says there is a typhoon brewing out in the Pacific Ocean. Although we could have taken the train, Yumiko and I braved the torrential rain and slogged our way to school. I veered off and took a million not-so-hot photographs in wet Arisugawa Park. Nothing great to…