Category: Japan

Tomoko’s mother Keiko made me a hand made card the other day.  It is a traditional samurai helmet.  This is made from very small pieces of paper glued together.  I don’t have the finger dexterity to do this fine of detail.  Very impressive.  Thanks so much!

Although my father passed away several years ago, I still celebrate his birthday along with my mother’s.

They both were born in August, Dad in 1944, Mom in 1945.

Here is a picture of them together, celebrated their anniversary dinner in 2016.

And here is my family celebrating Mom’s birthday (a bit early) this year!

Wishing her many more years of happiness and health from Boulder City, NV 🙂

My mother has been very crafty all her life.  She had several beautiful Kimonos which were stained in few places at the hem, and could not wear them any longer.

She decided to give those beautiful fabric another life, by making cushion covers!  It is very delicate silky fabric, with beautiful patterns.

They make the house bright and welcoming!

When I opened the postal package, the distinct sent of Kimono fabric brought me back to my home I grew up.  I loved the times when my mother occasionally brought out kimonos and opened up the special paper covering of each layers of them, which gives out the whiff of scent, hard to describe, yet noble and elegant.

I will always be thankful for my mother’s kindness and her wisdom in many facet of life.

My mother in Japan had a little trip to Kyoto, and enjoyed walking under the nice Cherry Blossoms Trees along the river.

Around this time, my hometown of Ashiya-city and surrounding regions are in peak season of Sakura (Cherry Blossoms), and it is customary to have leisure outings at many famous viewing spots.

The third picture was taken by one of my hometown friends in Ashiya.  Those black and white buildings are actually Condominiums, I remember the time when I was still in grade school, that my Dad took us to see the model rooms when they started to sell.  It was designed by Japanese-American Architect, Minoru Yamasaki, who designed the famous twin towers (World Trade Center) in New York.

Oh I miss Japanese Sakura so much, and I say that every single year in Spring time.