Kento’s first camp
Written by: adekun on 14 October, 2008 3:33 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
Fixing the tent
The three of us, along with my sister-in-law went camping over on the Shimane peninsula. Instead of bringing smaller tents, we hired a spacious six man tent. I guess all along the coastline it can get pretty windy. The afternoon we arrived was no exception. One of the many jobs I was tasked with was erecting the tent with a set of Japanese instructions. The two pregnant females looked on while Kento ran off with the mallet and the flysheet turned into a parasail.
With darkness soon approaching, the next challenge was to turn an assortment of mismatched foods into an agreeable dinner, in a gale. I pictured myself being on the set of Ready Steady Cook. (continue reading…)
Sports Day
Written by: adekun on 30 September, 2008 7:59 am - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »
Imbuing a few more ounces of gambarimasu
Not to be confused with Sports Day, a public holiday in October, schools have been hosting their sports day throughout September. The districts are already divided into communities with a leader to manage the many differing day to day aspects. These communities within the catchment area form the teams and people of all ages compete, regardless of their own ties to the school. (continue reading…)
Ethnically homogeneous
Written by: adekun on 28 September, 2008 3:54 pm - Filed under: blog — 4 Comments »
It has been just four days since Taro Aso and his new cabinet have taken up the chalice. The new PM welcomed the USS George Washington, whilst the masses of protesters were welcomed by riot police. The newly appointed Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has already overstepped the mark and has stepped down.
In addition to stating “Japanese do not like foreigners” and that the country is “ethnically homogeneous”; the former minister for education described the Japan Teachers Union “as a cancer for Japan’s education system” and vowed to destroy the group. (continue reading…)
Taro Aso to be Japan’s latest PM
Written by: adekun on 22 September, 2008 3:37 pm - Filed under: blog — 6 Comments »
As expected the LDP have chosen ultra right wing/conservative/nationalist Taro Aso to lead them. He achieved two/thirds of the vote. Famous for his “one nation, one civilization, one language, one culture and one race.” speech and love of Manga, he is certain to become the next Prime Minister.
Why does the ruling party get to choose the Premier and not the public? It’s not just a one off in this case. (continue reading…)
Mount Daisen: Beech Forest
Written by: adekun on 16 September, 2008 11:45 pm - Filed under: tottori — 3 Comments »
Descending into the beech forest
Emboldened by last week’s adventure, I set off with the intention of following the popular route to Misen Peak (弥山). From the other end of Motodani dam, the Gyojadani course (行者谷コース) immediately begins to rise. At first, there’s a little weaving through forest. Thereafter, the path climbs up a ridge. Meeting another path, it continues up the adjoining ridge, passing a hut (六合目) at stage six. The condition of my boots deteriorated as quickly as the mist had appeared. (continue reading…)
Mount Daisen: Utopia and Sankohou
Written by: adekun on 10 September, 2008 9:14 am - Filed under: tottori — 2 Comments »
Yesterday, I was fortunate to go walking with experienced Tsutomu around Mount Daisen (大山). He celebrated his sixtieth birthday this year and has recently retired.
Tsutomu amongst the nettles
We followed the usual course past Daisen-ji (a Buddhist temple) and Ōgamiyama Jinja (a Shinto shrine) to the Motodani dam. From there we took a steep, overgrown route toward Sankohou (三鈷峰). It was very much a clamber over moss covered rock, decaying logs, disguised deep under leaves.
There was some uncertainty in view of what lay before us. After some progress the nettles became less thick. I passed a discarded bottle of Pocari Sweat and an empty 35mm film canister. It was all the more unfortunate to see the matching top several paces ahead. Joining a path, Mount Sankohou was soon visible. Undulating and curling around were soon closing upon Utopia (ユートピア) lodge. (continue reading…)
Girls day out in Sakaiminato
Written by: adekun on 13 August, 2008 9:32 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »
Since the girls outnumber the boys I thought the title fitting. They were in charge too. Along with most of the Yoshihara and Gion families, we took the train to Sakaiminato. Both carriages were full of tourists with their cameras, no doubt from neighbouring prefectures. Perhaps a majority were those returning from the big cities to visit their families during the obon (お盆) holiday. It was hot, 36 °C and super-humid. As the girls turned yet a darker shade of brown, I turned a brighter shade of lobster. We managed a circuit of most of the statues before a lunch of onigiri and kakigori.
Outside a train decorated with GeGeGe no Kitaro characters, Sakaiminato (境港).
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WF: wow! YUM!!! Yakimo - is it? Something/someone ate ALL my peanuts from the ground. :(
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