Kimono Photos

A couple weeks ago we visited a photo studio to set up Rylee and Avery's professional photo session. We had so much fun selecting the perfect kimonos for the professional pictures. The picture above shows the runner up kimono selection.

Professional picture day has arrived and Rylee was loving every minute of the pampering. Both, Rylee and Avery, had their hair and make-up done.

Rylee's hair and make-up are done and she is already starting to feel like a Japanese princess.

The process in putting the kimono on was quite a detailed ordeal. There are so many layers and folds, it took nearly 20 minutes to get it on.

Rylee did so good standing still and being patient through the process.

The kimono was about 6 feet long, but with all the folding it ended up fitting Rylee perfect.

Rylee has transformed into a Japanese princess and is ready for her photo shoot!

Avery's turn! Mommy forgot to put her in a bottom down shirt, so she go to wear this cute little wrap for her hair and make-up process. Avery's already feeling very special.

Avery also did very good setting still for her hair and make-up!

Avery's kimono was a lot less complicated, it only took about 10 minutes to get on. And thank goodness, not sure how much more setting still she could have handled.

Japanese princess #2, all ready to smile for the camera!

It was a fun day of photos. We are eager to receive the professional picture in a month. The girls really did so good and I think they really enjoyed the experience!

Taditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

Thanks to my painting sensei, Yoko Mohri, I was able to view and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It was Yoko who suggested I see this before I returned to the states. She informed me that this is an important cultural tradition that has continued through generations. Luckily, Yoko has some good friends that meet monthly to practice the special and very tedious process. They were so kind to invite me to view and learn this special skill.

These were the special sweet treats that were served to the guests. Each person was served tea individually. When it was your turn to be the special guest, you took each treat, but could only eat one. This was only one of the many, many rules to the tea ceremony. It is such a specific process it would take much training to perfect the systematic ceremony.

There is a special way to hold the tea bowl and it must be turned twice before drinking. Then only one sip is to be taken. After that you set the bowl back down give thanks for the tea and then consume the rest.

turning the tea bowl

The lady in the purple kimono is performing the tea making process, this takes a good 15 minutes to make just one cup of tea. Like I said, many rules and steps to this traditional skill. The lady in the pick kimono is the tea ceremony sensei.

After viewing three ladies, it was my turn to give it a try. Luckily, the very kind and patient sensei walked me through the detailed process.

After taking my turn making and serving the tea, then I got to be the special guest to receive the tea. Before for receiving the tea you must eat one sweet snack. The green tea is a little bitter and the sweet treat prepares the mouth for better enjoyment of the tea.

I was really glad I was able to participate in this experience. Everyone was so kind and eager to share this special tradition with me. I hope to participate one last time in April before we leave.

Shirakawago - weekend bus tour

Thanks to my Japanese teacher, Mioko, and our good friend, Annie, Chris and I were able to get away for a weekend. We joined Mioko and her husband, Nao, on a weekend bus tour to the Japan Alps and Japan Sea coast.

It was Mioko who booked the trip and helped guide us through the all Japanese tour. And it was Annie who stayed home to take care of our daughters for the weekend. We are so grateful for good friends!!

Chris and I really enjoyed seeing some beautiful sights in Japan without the distraction of children. It was so great to have some quality time together as well!

After an 8 hour bus ride we arrived at Shirakawago. This is a beautiful town located in the Japan Alps, here they have preserved a nearly 300 year old village. The village is still functioning today with families still living in the old thatched roof homes.

Before touring the village we ate a delicious Japanese meal; beef seared on a bed of leaves, tofu, potatoes, cabbage salad, miso soup, and tea.

Nao and Mioko

Shirakawago Village








Most of the homes are very large, 3-4 stories tall. The upper level is typically used for harvesting silk worms.

This barn has a newly thatched roof. The roofs are replaced every 25 years.

We were able to tour the inside of this home, which is nearly 300 years old.

This is the attic or upper level.

A replica of an old silk worm farm.

This is a Buddhist shine in the home.

After hiking the village in the frigid temperatures, we were ready to soak in the osen. This was Chris's first time to experience a Japanese style osen. An osen is a public hot springs bath, in Japan the men and women are separate. This hotel provided a lovely osen that was both indoors and outdoors. This is a photo of Chris and I in our yukatas ready to head to the osen.

Wajima - weekend bus tour

On Sunday, our bus left the hotel at 8:15am and we took an hour drive to Wajima. Wajima is a quaint little town located on the Japan Sea coast. It's known for it's lacquer crafts and popular morning market. Both of which we got to experience. First we took a tour of a lacquer workshop and then strolled down the busy morning market streets.

I really enjoyed watching this cute little girl eat her morning soup.

While strolling the market in Wajima, Chris and I notice two vending machines we had not yet seen in Japan before, one selling vitamins and one selling batteries. Vending machines are everywhere in Japan and they sell a variety of necessities. Chris and I got to thinking......"how many different vending machines have we seen in Japan?" We made a list;

umbrellas

rice

fresh vegetables

eggs

cigarettes

vitamins

batteries

sake and beer

hot and cold beverages (coffee, tea, soda, water, juice, etc.)

soup

ice cream

meals and snacks (tankatsu, french fries, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, etc.)