The Big Sleep in Japan Part 2

The main reason of this visit was seeing my almost 98-year-old grandma. Nothing is wrong with her yet but it is inevitable for her to be getting frail.

今回の帰省の一番の理由は、もうすぐ98歳になる祖母に会うことだった。どこが悪いというわけではないが、衰えていくのは仕方がない。

The 7^th memorial of the death of my favorite film director Kihachi Okamoto was during my visit. So I went to Ikebukuro to see his films and immensely enjoyed them. I decided to visit his grave near my parents’ place. And near the same cemetery, I found a "cat street" on the way to the Toshiro Mifune’s grave. In no time, two friendly cats with attitude showed up.
私の一番好きな映画監督である岡本喜八の七回忌も、帰省と重なった。池袋で喜八特集を見て大いに楽しんだ後、実家の近くにある彼の墓参りをした。同じ墓地にある三船敏郎の墓に行く途中、いかにも猫道な狭い路地を通った。すぐに二匹が現れ、親しみと好奇心、威厳を同時に示した。

More incidents made me think about life and death: my grandma’s mind occasionally experiencing a fine line between the past and present, the 100th anniversary of Taro Okamoto’s birth, my aunt giving me the watch of her recently late daughter (my cousin), etc...   Although these experiences are not exactly happy, I wasn’t depressed either. Somehow, I accepted that life is a part of death and vice-versa.
祖母が時折、過去と現在の微妙な線上にいることや、岡本太郎の生誕100周年、最近亡くなった従姉の形見分けなど、生と死を考えさせる出来事が続いた。うれしいことではないが、落ち込みもしなかった。生は死の一部で、死は生の一部であることを受け入れられるようになってきたのかもしれない。

Later my mom and I went to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.

I was very jealous of the little kids who were able to get on the Neko (cat) Bus from "My Neighbor Totoro".

母とジブリ美術館へ。ネコバスに乗れる小さな子供たちがうらやましい！！

 
Then we went to a Neko Cafe near the museum. A Neko Cafe is one of the new trends in Japan; a cafe with several free roaming (or sleeping) cats, and customers pet and play with them. I had been a little worried that it could’ve been abusive for the cats. As far as I saw, cats are masters here like anywhere else.
美術館近くの猫カフェへ。動物虐待を心配していたが、私の見た限りでは、猫たちは他の場所と同じように自由で、人間を従えていた。

The Big Sleep in Japan Part1（日本語版）

私は、3月6日まで日本にいた。6年ぶりの里帰りで、とても楽しい時を過ごしただけに、地震と津波の知らせに激しく落ち込んだ。この旅行記を、日本の素晴らしい日常と、それを取り戻そうとしている勇気ある日本人に捧げます。

 

渋谷で大学時代の友人に会う。世界的に有名なスクランブル交差点は、狭い国で多くの人がいきいきとうごめいている日本を象徴する存在だ。どっちに行こうかな？

 

川崎市の岡本太郎美術館を母と訪れたら、偶然にも彼の100歳の誕生日だった。川崎は岡本太郎の、そして私の故郷でもある。前衛芸術が郊外の優しい森に囲まれて良い感じ。

 

築地で大きなマグロをつかまえ、誇らしげなシェフ。

 

日本を旅する大きな魅力の一つは温泉だ。友人と湯河原の旅館に行って、2つの露天風呂に入り、部屋でくつろぎながら、地元の食材を使ったごちそうを食べた。しばらくぶりの友達とゆっくり話すのに最高の方法！

The Big Sleep in Japan Part 1

I was in Japan less than a week before the Earthquake and Tsunami hit there.

It was the first visit in 6 years and I had a great time.

So, I was devastated when I heard the news.

I dedicate this entry to wonderful everyday life in Japan and such brave people trying to restore it.

 I went to  Shibuya to see my college friends. This is the world famous street crossing. Japan is a small country with lots of people and vibrant energy . Which way to go?

At Taro Okamoto Museum in Kawasaki city. Okamoto is a Japanese master avant-garde painter/sculptor. Kawasaki is his hometown as well as mine. My mom and I visited on the very day of his100th anniversary of  birth without knowing it! It was nice to see avant-garde arts surrounded by a gentle suberbian nature.

Chef caught a big tuna at Tsukiji Fish Market and he is so proud!!

One of the greatest pleasure of traveling Japan is visiting Onsen (Hot Springs) . Another friend and I went to Yugawara onsen near Tokyo. The ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn) we stayed had two outdoor hot springs and lots of delicacies using local ingredients, served in our own room. This is the best way to talk to a long-time-no-see good friend!!

Help Friends in Japan

Donate to the Japan Earthquake Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund.

Hina Matsuri

Today (3/3) is Girls' Day or Doll Festival in Japan.
Families with young daughters display Hina Dolls (like above in human figures) to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls.
Feel free to use below for coloring (click to enlarge).