In order to attempt to take my mind off the baby (really and truly impossible) the past few days, I booked myself into many activities just to keep busy (it didn't work). Unfortunately, today I made no plans. So, rather than sit here and hyperventilate, I will tell you about some of the things I've been doing to pass the time.
Thursday - Kita Kamakura
Home of the Kamakura Old Pottery Museum.
Here is the entrance to the museum, housed in a beautiful old farm house that was taken apart out in the countryside somewhere and moved here years ago.
The sign above the door says something to the effect of "you will not get old if you walk through these doors". This led to a discussion about how the Japanese have been interested in anti-aging for thousands of years and how rich people would go though extraordinary means to stay young. Sounds familiar doesn't it??
Here we got a comprehensive history lesson on Japanese pottery, which was originally used for religious purposes. The talk was given by the most engaging man - his sense of humor was evident even through the translation.
We all wanted to take him home.
After a quick lunch, we went to the home and studio of potter Hashimoto Seibin.
He showed us how he works and explained the different techniques he uses. He then invited us into his home for tea. It was so relaxing I forgot about the time and had to rush back to the city to meet Husband-san for a trip out to Jed's school, where we got to meet his teachers and see our own budding artist's work.
Friday - Started a new Japanese class where I learned many useful phrases, how women are thought of as less than most everyone else and how that is reflected in the language and how to avoid buying the really salty raw salmon here. Actually, there was an entire page on the various types of salmon - there are four: no salt, slightly salt, moderately salt and very salt. After buying the very salted by mistake(who knew??) which resulted in Jed probably never even looking at salmon again since he was not really fond of it in the first place, this lesson was particularly valuable.
Then headed out to Tachikawa, home to one of the most diverse group of artists. They all work out of the former warehouses of the US Army. We were taught all about Japanese print making by Oshio Sae, a young artist who combines two different printing techniques in her latest work. She showed us how she does it.
We then went to visit some of the other artists and then stopped at the workshop of Ichiro Yamakami, a young furniture maker. His friend, Hino Iketani makes the most delicious desserts and served us outside on the tables and benches made by Ichiro.
These artists were so generous with their time.
Saturday - Akasaka
For a Japanese cooking class. Got completely lost because my mind was somewhere else (mmm, I wonder where??), I asked a policeman and he pointed - ok, so I followed his finger and seemed more lost, so I hailed a cab and pointed to my Tokyo City Atlas and he got me to where I was going, only 20 minutes late. We made udon noodles from scratch, swordfish in Teriaki sauce and watched the chef make spinach in sesame sauce.
We then sat around eating everything we made.
Latr, the three of us went out for pizza at "La Boheme", a local restaurant where the waiters yell out in unison for no apparant reason. The caesar salad was great (finally!!!) and so was the pizza.
Sunday - Harajuku
We met Debra at "Good Honest Grub" a restaurant owned by a Canadian, where Debra's husband Mark does magic on Sundays. He did a couple of tricks that amazed everyone - one of which he changed a 1000 yen bill into a 5000 yen bill. Everyone decided we really wanted to learn that one!!
This is Maya signaling the waiter for more french toast!!!
I'm done now. It is ten minutes to five. Only six hours to go!!!!
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