DECEMBER 29
Slept in, did laundry, cleaned my room, you know, the
usual time-killing and relatively non-productive things that people do when
they are waiting to go somewhere.
My plans didn’t start until the evening. I met Akane
and Jon down in Okazaki, then we back-tracked to Shin Anjo to eat Indian curry
with two of Jon’s friends, Jessica and Zi. When I first met Jessica she greeted
me with such energy and forwardness that I was a little taken aback. I’m not
going to lie; the thought that ran in my head was ‘Whoa, she sure is American.’
I’m American, too, but it’s been so long since I’ve met someone as bold in
their introduction. Zi was more of the subdued British type, and he is also a
Muslim. Only the second one I have met so far and shared a meal with in Japan.
The curry was of course delicious. There was no
all-you-can-eat naan deal included with the dinner set, so I only ate the one
piece. After curry, we joined Jessica at her favorite little bar. It was
expensive, but that was expected of a high class bar. The chef that made the
food there was amazing. Even a simple chicken wing was succulent, and the
adzuki bean dessert was mouthwatering.
During my talk with Jessica, I came to realize that I
am a duck. More appropriately, I am a duckling, just hatched, and still fresh
and new to this world. There’s a lot I haven’t experienced, and I should
continue to be open, rather than ignorant, in all factors of life.
DECEMBER 30
Last night I stayed over at Akane’s house again. This
time it was because we were going to make mocha,
a Japanese rice cake! Making mochi before the New Year is one of the
Japanese traditions. From the early morning, rice is hammered in a large bowl
until it becomes like stretchy, chewy dough that is used in many desserts. My
favorite of which is of course daifuku, which is mochi wrapped
around adzuki beans.
At the New Year party last year, back in Toledo, I did
have a chance to hammer mochi. Today, I honestly expected to take more
part in the making, but the house was soon full of Akane’s relatives. The men
took turns amongst themselves to hammer the mochi, but we all got a few
good swings in. After every batch of mochi was made we would roll it out
in the kitchen over some rice flour and make up dough balls. During this whole
time we were all also fed mochi with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and adzuki, and also mochi with soy sauce and
wrapped in nori, dried seaweed. Jon, Jessica and I were the only foreigners
there, so we had to try every new snack they brought out. By the time dinner
rolled around we were all stuffed and ready for a nap.
Though, it wasn’t a party, the mochi gathering
was a great get together for the family. It was only one part of their extended
family, which is what I would consider a family visit, but everyone was really
jolly and relaxed. This was the calm, laid-back holiday spirit that was lacking
in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Even though I’ve only visited Okazaki
a few times, it’s really growing on me, more so than Toyohashi. They are very
near in size, and they both are somewhere between a small city and a
countryside. I would have liked to spend more time there and relax, but I had
to come back to Nagoya. Tomorrow it’s off to Toyohashi~
DECEMBER 31
It felt so great to sleep in today. I wanted to stay
home and be lazy all day, but like I said, it’s off to Toyohashi. Even though
it would take twice as long, I decided to ride the local train. It was almost
an hour and a half long trip, but it was nice to sit there and stare out the
window, just listening to music and daydreaming.
I arrived in Toyohashi in the late afternoon. Ai, who
I went to the Big Bang Concert with, and her father picked me up at the station
and drove me to their home. The house was bigger than I expected; not only
that, but it was spotless. I hardly wanted to touch or do anything because I
didn’t want to disturb the order. As it were, I was going to spend the New
Year’s with them, so I needed to get comfortable. They were more than warm and
welcoming. Once the dog got used to me, and I figured out my way around the
house I was able to settle down too.
During and after dinner we watched Downtown’s “No
Laughing: Earth Defenders” Special program. It was the first time I’ve even
seen it on TV as it was broadcast. The program itself was a good 6 hours long,
including commercials. As it was ending, the program was interrupted for the
New Year countdown. We couldn’t hear the local temple from our house, but at Buddhist
Temples all across the country people were gathering for the final countdown.
The priest would ring the bell 108 times to symbolize the 108 human sins and
desires, and to literally ring in the New Year. It’s called joyanokane. Once the bell is rung the
108th time, people celebrate and eat soba, buckwheat noodles.
It’s now the year of the Horse. I can’t wait to see
what new things will happen this year; there are still so many things I have
planned, and so many more unplanned things I hope to encounter.
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu. Kotoshi mo yoroshiku.
(Horse sculpture at Inuyama Castle)
JANUARY 1
The year 2014 started out in the warmth of a fluffy
futon. Had it been any other day, I would have laid there for hours. However, it
was not just any other day, nor was it under my control. This New Year’s
holiday isn’t simply a time to kick back. No, it’s a time to enjoy doing things
with the family. With that, we were all up and out of the house by 9am to go on
a little road-trip.
Our first stop was a small shrine a few blocks away.
There the family, mostly the father, paid his respects and asked for help and
guidance in the New Year. I couldn’t sit and wait in the car, so I followed the
family around the shrine. The father also gave me some coins to donate. The
Shrine housed many different gods for everything you can think of: health,
wealth, school, work, children, parents… I tossed the coins into the donation
box and made a little prayer myself. I prayed that this coming year would go
well, and there would be no problems with school, or work, and also that it
would be a peaceful year. It was a lot easier than making up another New Year
resolution.
We also received fortune slips. There’s always a gauge
of luck on the fortunes, and mine showed very little. I guess I’ll be making up
my own luck this year. Those fortunes we tied onto a rack at the shrine and
then left there; supposedly we can’t take them home or they have no meaning. But,
it doesn’t say anything about taking pictures.
More or less, it means as long as I stay positive,
good things will come my way. That conveniently matches my current attitude.
The other ambiguous half refers to health, love, travel, money, etc.
After that, the real road trip
began. In one hour we reached a rest area in Shizuoka Prefecture. There we had
a light snack, and stretched our legs: it seems that Shizuoka is indeed a fan
of eel. It reminded me of the woman I had met on the train a few months ago who
was traveling to Shizuoka to try the squid.
(Eel-shaped éclairs and sweet buns
that look like horses.)
We didn’t buy any eel there, just some crème puffs and
coffee. Another hour later and we were finally nearing our destination. We
could see Mt. Fuji from the car, and to the other side of us, the big blue
ocean. The weather also happened to be perfectly clear. So far our luck was
pretty good.
Our destination was not Mt. Fuji itself, but one of
the many viewing points that surrounded it. There was a large lodge, with shops
for souvenirs and restaurants. Just around the corner there was also a large
open platform that looked out over the land. There we had a full-on view of Mt.
Fuji, stony cold blue with its white crest of snow. We took pictures and
watched as a small puff of cloud passed the mountain. A larger cloud followed
that one, so we were lucky to arrive when we did and see the mountain in its
glory… but it was really far away.
We ate udon for lunch at the cafeteria and then
started our drive back to Toyohashi. The drive was actually longer because we
made another stop at small old shrine in Toyokawa, near the family’s company’s
old factory. The family owns a sweet company which makes all kinds of baked
goods, like cookies and muffins. When I came to their house yesterday I brought
some rusk as my omiyage, but their desserts are far superior. I didn’t
know that I could buy them in the convenient stores, but from now on I will try
to find them. They make a delicious almond cookie, which trumps a dry rusk any
day.
Once we finally returned home, I offered to help
prepare dinner. Turns out that one of the traditional foods that is eaten
during the New Years that are prepared in boxes is called osechi. All the
food was pretty much ready. My contributions were little more than ‘Take this
out of the container and divide on the plates nicely’. I thought that gave me a
little free rein to arrange the various foods in an artistic manner, but simple
is always best.
JANUARY 2
Today was another early day. We weren’t
traveling nearly as far as Shizuoka Prefecture, but it was a little drive back
out to Toyokawa. This time, we were going to visit Toyokawa Inari. I was
expecting another quick visit to the shrine to drop in some coins and pay our
respects. Maybe that would have been the case on any other day, but it wasn’t
going to happen today.
(Toyokawa Inari, outside the main shrine)
First, the shrine was packed. There was nearly no
parking near the shrine, so we had to park a couple blocks away and walk
through a park to reach the shrine grounds. Once we were there, the mass of
people was apparent. Food stalls of all kinds lined the paths that led to the
main shrine, selling everything from candy apples, to senbei (rice
crackers), to chocolate bananas, yakisoba, churros, taiyaki and
more. The line for the main shrine itself wasn’t even a line anymore, it was
literally a wave of people that stretched far beyond the shrine steps and then
wove around to various paths. Because of that, the family moved on to visit small shrines on the grounds.
(Hundreds of fox statues can be found throughout the
shrine grounds.)
We spent the rest of our time their wandering through
the various stands and little shops. Horses were a popular motif for the New
Year. I used to collect horse models when I was younger, so it was a bit
nostalgic for me to look at all the various horse crafts. If I had any use for
them, I might have bought a couple pieces.
Lunch was a light meal in a small tea house, followed
by some senbei and chocolate bananas. The father was on the hunt for
some good custard-filled taiyaki, which we didn’t find until we were
just about to exit the shrine grounds. The taiyaki was warm and sweet,
mine filled with a custard and adzuki bean mix. It was a good end to the day’s
outings, so I thought.
Then, on the way home, we stopped at a cemetery where
some of the family’s relatives were buried. The father lit two small candles
and a few incense before his family’s grave, and then he and the family paid
their respects. I stood there watching silently, suddenly reminded of death’s
presence. Up until now, I have been fortunate enough not to lose anyone close
to me. I said another prayer, hoping that it would still be a long time before
I would have to stand over someone’s grave.
JANUARY 3
Third time is the charm, right? Except, not this time:
there was still no sleeping in, and no chance at a lazy day. This morning started
off with an afternoon movie, a romantic drama that surrounded a girl’s musical
journey as well. I’m not much for romance movies, but I enjoyed it for the most
part. And then, they messed it up. Everyone stayed to sit through the credits
when the movie ended, which was already borderline awkward because the theater
was dead quiet. Then, a short clip plays… an extension of the movie, if you
will, and it just made everything really confusing. Once that was over people
were still quiet as they exited the theater. That silence was so eerie. In the
States, there’s always chatter about something or other going on. I made a few
comments to Ai just to break the silence around me.
Thankfully, once we exited the theater sounds filled
the air again. Children ran about, arcade games were being played, friends
chatted amongst themselves. It only took a few moments to readjust, and by then
we were at the food court for lunch. Now that I think about it, having a movie
theater right next to a department store with a food court is not something you
can see in America. At least, I have never been to one. Basically, as we sat
there munching down on our French Fries, I could eye the department store’s luggage
and contemplate whether or not it was worth a closer look before biting into my
burger.
The ride home was briefly delayed by a stop at
Tsutaya, a rental and book store. I found the Japanese novel versions of Battle
Royale for 600 yen each, but I didn’t buy them because I only had 1000 yen on
hand. Now I know what they look like though, so next time I go to Book-Off I
can search for them.
It so happened that at the same time my family decided
to bombard me on Facebook chat. The four of us were talking in one chat message
as I was looking around the store for Ai and her mom. I had to cut the chat
short because they kept going off on tangents and I couldn’t stand in one place
to try and figure out what they meant.
We returned home for a brief reset, and then it was
back out to meet the extended family for dinner. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and
Grandparents… I was invited along, but somehow I felt like I was intruding on
the family time. Once again, they were all kind and welcoming, and we shared a
lot of talks over the full course meal. The Grandmother also gave me an unexpected
gift, otoshidama, which is usually
something they would only give to their grandchildren. I have received too much
from this family, from every family! One day, I’ll repay them all— I won’t
forget that.
Also, in the back of my mind, I’m starting to worry
about all the food that’s gone in my body these past couple weeks. Not to
mention, I haven’t been dancing at all since the weather got colder. I’m pretty
sure any weight that I’ve lost in the past three months is going to make a
comeback because of this holiday.
That said, my night did not end there…
JANUARY 4
Last night, there was a party going on in Nagoya with
the International Students and some of our closest Japanese upperclassmen. In
fact, one of the previous exchange students from France, who is now working in
Tokyo, stopped by to spend a few days in Nagoya. This party was one of his
celebrations.
I left Toyohashi at about 7pm, so just before nine
o’clock I arrived at Kentaro’s apartment. I thought it would only be for a
couple hours, and then I would go home. Somehow it became 2am, at which time
the group was hungry and ready to move the party. We stopped at a nearby ramen
joint, one of the only places open at that time of night. I only drank water,
as I was still full, and my wallet was mostly empty.
We talked about a lot of things, but most importantly
I found out that Junko finally decided on her job! She had been job hunting so
long that I was honestly overjoyed to hear that she was done. It’s a small
reminder that soon these upperclassmen that I have become so close to will soon
be gone, off working in Tokyo or who knows where. That’s why, despite my
tiredness, I stayed at the party. From there though, the groups split. One set
going to karaoke, and the other, myself included heading home. Junko and
another girl had missed the last train, but were too tired to go to karaoke so
I let them stay in my room for the night. The two of them shared the bed, and I
slept on top of my coat, in my warm Tigger costume, and we may have had the
heat on for a bit as well.
The girls stayed in my room until 10am, and once they
were safely out the door I went back to sleep for a couple hours. I had made
plans to meet a friend later today, so I couldn’t stay in bed. When I woke up,
I made an attempt, mostly out of boredom, to once again fix my tire. This
coming Thursday it seems as though there is going to be a bike check, so I
really need to fix my tire by then.
I had a
simple wrench amongst my “I may need this one day” pile, but the grip was too
small for the bicycle. Then, just as I was contemplating where to go looking
for an adjustable wrench my friend messaged me the “OK”. We went out to the
movies (agian! Haha). The movie tickets were 1800 yen though! I didn’t realize
that yesterday when I went to the movie with Ai that we received such a large
discount (we only paid 1000 yen). On the other hand, drinks and snacks were
cheaper, so it all balanced out in the end. We watched the Conan VS Lupin III
Movie, which was classically enjoyable. We would have watched the Hunger Games
2, but I haven’t seen the first one yet! Then we went out and ate shabu-shabu, thinly sliced beef boiled
in water, for dinner. My new favorite thing is now mixing beef in raw egg and
eating it over rice~
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