tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61820689464651812002024-02-08T22:51:04.292+09:00my kyoto blog: kyoto tales京都物語A blog about studying and living in Kyoto. 京都の留学や生活。S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-7080537903170551632012-12-28T17:27:00.000+09:002013-08-10T17:49:31.633+09:00Writing nengajo<div style="text-align: justify;">
During the days leading up to 2013, it was a mad rush to write New Year greeting cards known as nengajo. There were many people I wanted to thank and the nengajo was a good way to express my gratitude to the friends and loved ones who had treated me kindly the past year.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfbqY6EAoRA/UgXvMcIenBI/AAAAAAAABHw/ELuE0b27bWM/s1600/DSC_1536-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfbqY6EAoRA/UgXvMcIenBI/AAAAAAAABHw/ELuE0b27bWM/s400/DSC_1536-horz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the malls, bookstores or convenience stores, you could find nengajo with various cute designs. The nengajo from these places tend to be pricier. For example, at Izumiya, a departmental store near my place, a set of 5 cost 598 Yen. As I was looking for nengajo which incorporated symbols of Kyoto, I bought most of my nengajo from the Japan Post. The Japan Post sold nengajo at 50 or 55 Yen per piece. The nengajo usually comes with postage included in the cost so you do not have to pay additional on postage stamps.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rKVuzXkBU0/UgXvFEy8m0I/AAAAAAAABHo/VIA-DeV4O7o/s1600/DSC05673-vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1rKVuzXkBU0/UgXvFEy8m0I/AAAAAAAABHo/VIA-DeV4O7o/s400/DSC05673-vert.jpg" width="265" /></a>I found some simple nengajo from the Japan Post which were only embellished with a small illustration of the Shimogamo Shrine (a World Heritage Site in Kyoto) on the bottom right corner. The white space allowed me to add words and designs of my own. Since designing your nengajo is quite a common practice in Japan, I also bought a calligraphy pen, cute ink stamps and stickers to decorate my nengajo. You could buy all these at affordable prices from the 100 Yen shop. Alternatively, if you have spare cash, you could check out LOFT.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are many online resources on <a href="http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa120900a.htm">how to write nengajo using the right phrases</a> as well as <a href="http://www.jadij.com/2011/12/new-years-cards-all-about-nengajo.html">how to write the addresses in the correct format</a>. The Japan Post had a <a href="http://yubin-nenga.jp/index.html">special page</a> dedicated to such information as well in the days leading up to the New Year. I found it really useful and I recall it came with an English version. The page also contained various designs of nengajo which you could download if you did not want to buy them off the shelf. There was a page with the dates by which you had to post your nengajo if you wanted them delivered by the first day of the New Year. Yes, in Japan, it is a custom to send your nengajo so that it arrives exactly on the first day of the New Year. Right now, the page is closed but do check back towards the end of the year to see what kind of resources are available.<br />
<br />
It was a good feeling writing the nengajo to express my thanks to all those who had helped me in 2012. It was an even better feeling to receive nengajo on New Year's Day. If you are in Japan around the end of the year, try writing and sending out nengajo to your family and friends to make their day!</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-67802737033268128212012-12-27T16:54:00.000+09:002013-07-07T19:33:19.084+09:00Winter light-up at Arashiyama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In Kyoto, there are various light-up events throughout the seasons that you can look forward to. One of these is the winter light-up at Arashiyama known as the <a href="http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/arashiyama/">Kyoto Hanatouro</a> (京都花灯路). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The light-up in Kyoto is part of a series of light-up events in winter in the Kansai region which include the <a href="http://www.kobe-luminarie.jp/">Kobe Luminarie</a> and the <a href="http://www.hikari-renaissance.com/">Osaka Hikari-Renaissance</a>. These events often attract large crowds. I heard from friends who visited the Kobe Luminarie that it was so crowded that photography became an unpleasant experience. Some did not even recommend these events due to the crowds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
While I could not speak for the events in Kobe and Osaka since I had not visited the events, the winter light-up in Kyoto was a pleasant experience for me in spite of the crowds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On one cold winter evening, I set out to Arashiyama with three neighbours armed with our cameras and equipment ready to capture the beauty of nature seen at night and further accentuated by the use of artificial lights.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHvvqVuP0r0/UdkTcWgFG5I/AAAAAAAABFw/SKlht4sQ0Vo/s1600/DSC05659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHvvqVuP0r0/UdkTcWgFG5I/AAAAAAAABFw/SKlht4sQ0Vo/s320/DSC05659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My friends were armed with professional camera equipment including tripods to capture a sharper night scene. I only had my basic Sony Cybershot digital camera but it worked well enough for my own expectations. Upon arrival, we headed for the Togetsukyo bridge to capture a photo of the scene often seen in publicity posters about the light-up. Many photography enthusiasts already had their tripods and cameras poised for the scene. We chose an empty spot and fired our cameras away.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U18-H1t8X2c/UdkTlcLdqUI/AAAAAAAABF4/D-_UoP3UedE/s1600/DSC05584a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U18-H1t8X2c/UdkTlcLdqUI/AAAAAAAABF4/D-_UoP3UedE/s320/DSC05584a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was a very cold night and I was shivering. My photos turned out to be unclear as my hand shook so much as I was photographing the scenery. Nevertheless, it was adequate just being able to take in the beautifully lit night scene in Arashiyama.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was a scene I had never known. While I had gone to Arashiyama several times in the day and love the place for the beautiful natural scenery, it is a place I would not have liked to go to when dusk falls. I had imagined it would be dark and the looming mountains would not look friendly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I heard about the winter light-up, I was really curious. And I was not disappointed by what I saw. There was something very peaceful about the scenery bathed under various shades of blue lights. There were many people walking along the river with us, taking in the scenery. There was no jostling nor rowdiness. People were just walking, strolling. I was not the least affected by the crowds. I guess it was because I felt that everyone was entitled to see such a pretty sight. And we didn't get to see nature like this on normal days. As the Chinese saying goes, it is better to enjoy an experience with people than enjoying it alone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro0NWbqjvHo/UdkTrT8Xu6I/AAAAAAAABGA/dHOvYY88rNk/s1600/DSC05588a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro0NWbqjvHo/UdkTrT8Xu6I/AAAAAAAABGA/dHOvYY88rNk/s320/DSC05588a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zysT6Sm92GQ/UdkT_UWw5NI/AAAAAAAABGU/q4SVd9R4dgU/s1600/DSC05604a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zysT6Sm92GQ/UdkT_UWw5NI/AAAAAAAABGU/q4SVd9R4dgU/s320/DSC05604a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61xk9m6wv8k/UdkT9Qb0dcI/AAAAAAAABGM/_H43N79ACqw/s1600/DSC05601a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61xk9m6wv8k/UdkT9Qb0dcI/AAAAAAAABGM/_H43N79ACqw/s320/DSC05601a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight of the evening for me was the Bamboo Grove. My neighbours and I spent a while here as we wanted to photograph the Bamboo Grove without the crowds. It was a long wait as we stood at the side of the path, waiting for the crowds to clear. Amazing photographs were captured by my neighbours with the use of tripods adjusted at various angles. Here are a couple of photographs I took which did not do much justice to what I actually saw. I edited my photos by adjusting the lighting a little to bring them closer to reality.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8AdgnE2_2dU/UdkWEwFQ6nI/AAAAAAAABGs/i8Qzo4JG3PE/s1600/DSC05655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8AdgnE2_2dU/UdkWEwFQ6nI/AAAAAAAABGs/i8Qzo4JG3PE/s320/DSC05655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uF-lf_aEnVg/UdkVMphQNII/AAAAAAAABGg/IvcLVA11UzM/s1600/DSC05651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uF-lf_aEnVg/UdkVMphQNII/AAAAAAAABGg/IvcLVA11UzM/s320/DSC05651.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Japanese are punctual people and the organisers turned off the lights right on the time the event was to end - 8.30pm. We managed to capture the photos that we wanted.<br />
<br />
If you are going to be in Kyoto in December, remember to mark down the dates for the light-up events and check them out. There is also a light-up event in the Higashiyama area. Do click on the link here for details - <a href="http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/index.html">http://www.hanatouro.jp/e/index.html</a>.S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-51786494476478865452012-12-25T19:33:00.005+09:002012-12-25T19:36:59.061+09:00Hatsuyuki in Kyoto On 10 December 2012, Kyoto city saw its first snow of the season, or hatsuyuki (初雪).<br />
<br />
I was late for class that morning and was hurriedly putting on my shoes outside my room when I saw the white specks being blown my way. My first thoughts were, "Had someone just given his or her futon a good beating outside? That was alot of dust!"<br />
<br />
As I looked closer, I saw the white stuff turn to water as they touched the ground. And then I realised. A little slow I had to admit but then again, it was my first encounter with snow in Japan.I had experienced snow in Korea but it was heavy snow then, not the same as what I saw that day outside my mansion so it took me a while before realisation struck.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImMCrDY3zE4/UNl2wmwaVLI/AAAAAAAABEM/UyZQq6odnEc/s1600/DSC_1552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ImMCrDY3zE4/UNl2wmwaVLI/AAAAAAAABEM/UyZQq6odnEc/s400/DSC_1552.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and I didn't have my camera with me. With my mobile phone, I snapped a quick photo outside Hirano Shrine which was along the way before I made a dash for school. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I was 5 minutes late for the class. It was the sensei who was very particular about punctuality but that morning, he said he would forgive me on account of the weather and also since I had been a good student up till then. It is always helpful to own a good track record, ahem.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After class, my Facebook newsfeed was full of people giving their account of the snow and uploading the photos they had taken. I wished I had taken better photos. In my inbox, I received messages from neighbours on whether it would be timely to check out Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also well-known for the winter image of its snow-capped roof. In the news, as expected, hatsuyuki in Kyoto was reported with accompanying images of Kinkakuji in the background and interviews of tourists who were there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
However, it was not time yet to visit Kinkakuji for its beautiful winter scene because the snow did not accumulate. Melting was quick. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As I was looking through the photos taken by school mates of the snowing scene that day, I think the best pictures of the snow were those taken by my neighbour. And with his permission, I am happy to share the photos on this blog.</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yMyulKgWg/UNl2qsh-IxI/AAAAAAAABEE/88opZFJV17s/s1600/598576_4089465399180_176036236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56yMyulKgWg/UNl2qsh-IxI/AAAAAAAABEE/88opZFJV17s/s400/598576_4089465399180_176036236_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School grounds. Photo credit: Mr Riyadh Ahadi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtRvNlie5Fc/UNl2oAjQ2ZI/AAAAAAAABD8/XLDJRtPFRpk/s1600/3874_4143281384546_2054877543_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtRvNlie5Fc/UNl2oAjQ2ZI/AAAAAAAABD8/XLDJRtPFRpk/s320/3874_4143281384546_2054877543_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School grounds. Photo credit: Mr Riyadh Ahadi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On 24 December, it snowed again in Kyoto, slightly after noon. Just as I was getting ready to get out of the study room to take photos with my camera, it stopped. <br />
<br />
There was no White Christmas afterall.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas everyone!S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-117457849397730852012-12-14T19:09:00.000+09:002012-12-14T19:09:50.766+09:00Planning for move-out - Selling furnitureThe time has come to think about moving out of my mansion. I have been seeking out websites where I could put up ads about the furniture that I am planning to sell. I have a bed, a foldable table and a chair that comes with it to sell, and a bicycle and some other household items to give away. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8yiYxlKZ0U/UMr4vtve8hI/AAAAAAAABCo/yFbv-N9ppls/s1600/Bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8yiYxlKZ0U/UMr4vtve8hI/AAAAAAAABCo/yFbv-N9ppls/s320/Bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatami bed for sale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phr2Jjr-tHM/UMr4uARPW6I/AAAAAAAABCg/oUmAsgPbnoM/s1600/Bed+with+futon+set+(with+free+green+foldable+chair+and+brown+cushion).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Phr2Jjr-tHM/UMr4uARPW6I/AAAAAAAABCg/oUmAsgPbnoM/s320/Bed+with+futon+set+(with+free+green+foldable+chair+and+brown+cushion).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free items to give away - Green foldable chair, cushion, futon set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyVuJ5N7Wa0/UMr4xtwjePI/AAAAAAAABCw/ZvFRGPjIXbs/s1600/Foldable+table+and+chair+set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MyVuJ5N7Wa0/UMr4xtwjePI/AAAAAAAABCw/ZvFRGPjIXbs/s320/Foldable+table+and+chair+set.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foldable table and chair set for sale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgNbh_7RNaw/UMr40Hp1AuI/AAAAAAAABC4/GEldLV7cCQ4/s1600/Bicycle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sgNbh_7RNaw/UMr40Hp1AuI/AAAAAAAABC4/GEldLV7cCQ4/s320/Bicycle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free bicycle to give away with any purchase.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiLLsvSWuUo/UMr5DtCUkeI/AAAAAAAABDA/2ES4WBzKVOk/s1600/DSC_0772-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xiLLsvSWuUo/UMr5DtCUkeI/AAAAAAAABDA/2ES4WBzKVOk/s320/DSC_0772-horz.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free electric iron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Considering that my course ends in February 2013, 2 months just before the start of a new semester, it may be very difficult to work on furniture transactions if the new students who are potential buyers won't be in Kyoto until spring. <br />
<br />
In any case, if you know anyone coming to Kyoto to study and may be keen to purchase second-hand furniture items before February 2013, please help to point them to <a href="http://kyoto.locanto.jp/ID_147783441/Bed-foldable-table-chair-for-sale-and-a-bicycle-to-give.html">this ad</a>. Thank you.<br />
<br />
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-59593764774162085862012-12-06T20:15:00.002+09:002012-12-06T20:16:44.371+09:00Momiji through my Lens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From around mid November, visitors from abroad and other parts of Japan started to flock to Kyoto for maple leaves viewing or momiji-gari. Kyoto is well-known for its momiji. I have heard that it is because we have alot of rain throughout the year that we could have these manificent autumn foliage to boast about. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
For about half a month in November, I was closely monitoring the <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/koyo12/">Autumn Colour Report for Kyoto</a> on an English site and another <a href="http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/kp/koto/momiji/">report</a> on a Japanese site. The rain, exams and school projects had prevented me from going on a momiji-gari spree like some of my school mates. But the beautiful colours at school were a source of severe distraction and I found myself being drawn away from school work to make some concrete plans for my own momiji-gari operation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zGQ4WwWCXg/UMBoGhBUNcI/AAAAAAAAA-o/16P1t6fZHh8/s1600/DSC_1519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1zGQ4WwWCXg/UMBoGhBUNcI/AAAAAAAAA-o/16P1t6fZHh8/s400/DSC_1519.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful colours on school campus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Reading the reports was very helpful as they triggered off a sense of urgency and forced me to reset my priorities, something a serious student such as me would otherwise be reluctant to do. By that time, and what with seeing the amount of fallen leaves in the neighbourhood, I could hardly focus on my JLPT exam anyway. And so with the limited free time that I had, I went about researching on a good place where I could be sure to see splendid colours. And hopefully without the crowds getting in the way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My teacher told us that some of the popular maples viewing temples such as Tofukuji, Eikando and Kiyomizudera would see huge crowds throughout the day during the momiji-gari season. She said there were even people who worked part-time as "queuers" to queue on behalf of visitors because the wait to get tickets into popular maple viewing temple spots could be pretty long.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8umrACA_120/UMBmM3n2wFI/AAAAAAAAA-U/6jh_Fn3_Ng0/s1600/DSC05386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8umrACA_120/UMBmM3n2wFI/AAAAAAAAA-U/6jh_Fn3_Ng0/s400/DSC05386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arashiyama on 29 Nov.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As I didn't have so much time to spare, I crossed out the popular spots mentioned above (although I learnt later from friends who went to these places that the queues were not that bad). Eventually, I decided that I should just head for Arashiyama since I had been there three years ago as a tourist but missed the autumn foliage at that time as it was still early then. To beat the crowds, I set off early one weekday morning with my neighbour and reached Arashiyama by about 8am.</div>
<br />
Along the way, we saw many maple trees but the leaves were in decline. The colours were turning a dull red and many leaves were spotted and in no good condition for photographs. I was alittle disappointed that I might be too late this time but I was wrong. As we strolled along the Katsura River, we came across some great colours on leaves that were at various stages of colouring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zK0OizMgo08/UMBmRM7yH8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/9a-s2qLO4kQ/s1600/DSC05391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zK0OizMgo08/UMBmRM7yH8I/AAAAAAAAA-c/9a-s2qLO4kQ/s400/DSC05391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB5PsCsrgLo/UMA685MHTPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/ZXP10ruKfxA/s1600/DSC05393a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB5PsCsrgLo/UMA685MHTPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/ZXP10ruKfxA/s400/DSC05393a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQHYYZPoQOA/UMBtSVD1EKI/AAAAAAAAA_M/T3WXdMeBhB8/s1600/DSC05396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQHYYZPoQOA/UMBtSVD1EKI/AAAAAAAAA_M/T3WXdMeBhB8/s400/DSC05396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0A-1rwwzaH0/UMBtj9raPhI/AAAAAAAAA_c/q-uUUbWXEHk/s1600/DSC05405a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0A-1rwwzaH0/UMBtj9raPhI/AAAAAAAAA_c/q-uUUbWXEHk/s400/DSC05405a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And then we turned into a nearby park and were greeted by many momiji trees in manificent gold and orange, although there were as many trees which had already shed many of their leaves. The sky was just getting less cloudy at that time and seeing the blue in the sky lifted my spirits as we had been getting too much of grey skies and rain during those past few weeks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjncXVOCy2Q/UMBvuWMR28I/AAAAAAAAA_4/5_XELaXk3ik/s1600/DSC05422a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjncXVOCy2Q/UMBvuWMR28I/AAAAAAAAA_4/5_XELaXk3ik/s400/DSC05422a.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDFfo2xhAo/UMBvz8of2VI/AAAAAAAABAE/TKY7i6Pvcas/s1600/DSC05425a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zCDFfo2xhAo/UMBvz8of2VI/AAAAAAAABAE/TKY7i6Pvcas/s400/DSC05425a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiMb4IG2RJQ/UMBvrrh6pnI/AAAAAAAAA_w/d5wZNBEVRss/s1600/DSC05411a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiMb4IG2RJQ/UMBvrrh6pnI/AAAAAAAAA_w/d5wZNBEVRss/s400/DSC05411a.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
At about 9.30am, we headed for Jojakoji Temple without a map and after asking many people along the way, we found it about 40 minutes later. We had made the mistake of crossing the Togetsukyo Bridge but there was really no need to as the temple was on the side of the Bamboo Grove. By the time we arrived, tourists were already there in bus loads. Nevertheless, it was still possible to get some good pictures with some patience. The admission fee was 400 Yen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0iHC8mGe9s/UMBzBufHXbI/AAAAAAAABAs/plsyRoCfbcM/s1600/DSC05471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0iHC8mGe9s/UMBzBufHXbI/AAAAAAAABAs/plsyRoCfbcM/s400/DSC05471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I thought the colours at that time had not reached their peak yet but they were splendid enough for me and my aim that morning was met. We spent about an hour and a half there and left the temple at about noon. After that visit, I continued to monitor the reports because I was toying with the idea of visiting the temple again after my exam on 2 Dec. However, by that day, the leaves were falling fast and the season had ended in that area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3bCfyNmWt0/UMB2Rh0ZRGI/AAAAAAAABA8/0yij6zGAaJI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U3bCfyNmWt0/UMB2Rh0ZRGI/AAAAAAAABA8/0yij6zGAaJI/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfbAyXS_Igk/UMB0md4n6JI/AAAAAAAABA0/HyW7wAcFFIA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfbAyXS_Igk/UMB0md4n6JI/AAAAAAAABA0/HyW7wAcFFIA/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd-CZDvhvdo/UMB5G-ijslI/AAAAAAAABBk/wEJql5Kb51U/s1600/DSC05526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd-CZDvhvdo/UMB5G-ijslI/AAAAAAAABBk/wEJql5Kb51U/s400/DSC05526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZJ0QhPNflM/UMBu6jKTVdI/AAAAAAAAA_o/CTgb04xJunc/s1600/DSC05423a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZJ0QhPNflM/UMBu6jKTVdI/AAAAAAAAA_o/CTgb04xJunc/s400/DSC05423a.JPG" width="400" /></a>\</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After leaving Jojakoji, it was a mad rush to get back as I had class at 1pm that day. Needless to say, there was no time for lunch but there was always time for ice-cream. The cheapest soft at Arashiyama could be found at a little shop close to the Bamboo Grove. Only 180 Yen. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPZQ_T3pRdI/UMB5MUQuMDI/AAAAAAAABBs/JlE95AFAJlw/s1600/DSC05451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPZQ_T3pRdI/UMB5MUQuMDI/AAAAAAAABBs/JlE95AFAJlw/s320/DSC05451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
As autumn comes to a close, winter will bring with it a whole new experience. In some places in the Kansai region, it has already been snowing. I sure am looking forward to receiving snow in Kyoto!S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-71684982049036340322012-12-04T17:54:00.001+09:002012-12-06T17:54:42.762+09:00The exam day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj-3p3dKK7A/UL2zEnphPBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/iZWV03CoFZs/s1600/DSC_1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj-3p3dKK7A/UL2zEnphPBI/AAAAAAAAA8U/iZWV03CoFZs/s320/DSC_1492.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyoto University was the exam venue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The much anticipated JLPT exam took place on 2 Dec. I had been looking forward to taking the N2 exam to assess my Japanese proficiency level but now, I am not sure I am looking forward to the result. <br />
<br />
While I had planned to begin my exam preparation a month before, there was simply too much distraction and too little discipline. I ended up cramming five days before the exam, while at the same time monitoring the colours of the maple leaves.<br />
<br />
Lesson learnt - one shouldn't be taking exams in autumn, especially not in a place like Kyoto. One should just focus on maple leaves viewing instead.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtrT8ZLH6gA/UL2znTnGR9I/AAAAAAAAA8c/sMInWIWe7uc/s1600/DSC_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtrT8ZLH6gA/UL2znTnGR9I/AAAAAAAAA8c/sMInWIWe7uc/s400/DSC_1505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Kyoto University's Yoshida Campus on 2 Dec. Waiting around. An hour before exam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The exam was difficult, to my horror. I had not expected it to be easy but I had thought I should be able to handle it. In any case, the exam gave me strong grounds to believe that I no longer have the focus to sit through a 160 minute exam. I lost concentration after a while in the never-ending pages of reading comprehension passages.<br />
<br />
Then there was the listening exam which had to happen after the mad rush through the section on reading. By that time, my attention span was shortened drastically by the death of too many brain cells caused by the reading overdose. I spaced out for a while and lost the thread of many conversations. Those must be the sure signs of age. I have a feeling that this trip shall mark the end of my full-time studying.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsrxODAtq9o/UL21fudnkII/AAAAAAAAA8o/Erao5zOwN8Q/s1600/DSC_1497-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsrxODAtq9o/UL21fudnkII/AAAAAAAAA8o/Erao5zOwN8Q/s400/DSC_1497-horz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful view outside the lecture hall where I took the exam. <br />
The maple leaves were mostly gone. The coniferous-like trees looked splendid though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a happier note, I did not miss the maple leaves because of the exam. My classmates had been chiding me for "wasting my time" on the maple leaves. They had planned to go momiji hunting only after the exams. But the trees were shedding alot of leaves by that time. <br />
<br />
I remember a friend from Singapore once said to me before I came to Kyoto, "You are not going there just to study right? You are also there to play right?" At that time, I thought, well no, I am coming here to study, not to play! <br />
<br />
But now, I think the truth is out. <br />
<br />
P/S: Next post shall be a momiji feature.S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-73022224000162112152012-12-03T22:00:00.000+09:002012-12-04T18:16:39.916+09:00Latest favourite - Japanese Persimmons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My landlady gave me six huge Japanese persimmons last week and they changed my life ever since. After the kiwi, they are now my second favourite fruit to eat with my yogurt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Persimmons are in season in autumn and you can see them everywhere in the supermarkets. One persimmon costs about 80 Yen. Apart from the round persimmons, there are the squarish ones too which are equally delicious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Japanese persimmons are really crunchy and so sweet that I promise you they will bring you nothing but happiness as you eat them.</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy1ChwkoWvU/UL27twgPnRI/AAAAAAAAA9M/sVYik6Jdd3U/s1600/DSC_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cy1ChwkoWvU/UL27twgPnRI/AAAAAAAAA9M/sVYik6Jdd3U/s400/DSC_1516.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-80897744581130628142012-12-03T20:34:00.003+09:002012-12-04T18:14:58.439+09:00The Season of Arts, Culture and School FestivalsBefore I came to Japan, my perspective of autumn, an unknown season in my home country, only brings to mind the activity of momiji-gari or maple leaves viewing. While momiji-gari is pretty much one of the main attractions of autumn across Japan (like sakura viewing in spring), this activity does not take place till the later part of the season.<br />
<br />
In fact, many weeks before it was even time to get close to nature for momiji-gari, Kyoto was bustling with activities of a different significance. And I found myself being kept really busy because of them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*** </div>
<br />
<em>文化の秋. The Autumn of Culture.</em> I first came to learn about this phrase from my Japanese sensei. One autumn day, he started the class asking us if we knew the words associated with the season. Culture turned out to be one of the words. Yes, autumn is synonymous with culture in Japan and the season is the time in which arts and culture are being celebrated. <br />
<br />
From September till early November, there was the annual <a href="http://www.k-af.com/">Kyoto Art Festival</a>. The publicity banners for this event in the downtown streets were so small that they were easy to miss. It was only from the event guide I picked up at the <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/">Kyoto City International Foundation (KCIF)</a> that I learnt about the festival. While there were arts and cultural performances which required an admission fee, there were also those which were open to the public for free, such as the illumination shows at the Kyoto National Museum, and the traditional music performances at Heian Shrine in late October.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVsLvVYNJkM/ULxuuuPhjWI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Rfc1JZTMG6U/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVsLvVYNJkM/ULxuuuPhjWI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/Rfc1JZTMG6U/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illumination show at Kyoto National Museum from 26 - 28 Oct.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kUgRxxlt6Q/ULxuv_jzr5I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/iGD9l5zOgBU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kUgRxxlt6Q/ULxuv_jzr5I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/iGD9l5zOgBU/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light-up and traditional music performance at Heian Shrine on 26 Oct.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of Kyoto's three major festivals known as the Festival of the Ages or Jidai Matsuri was also held in October. It happened on a Monday, a school day. As I planned not to miss it no matter what, I actually skipped lunch and rushed to the Heian Shrine to catch the parade right after class. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_EiJkIe3uI/ULxyLzLsLTI/AAAAAAAAA58/EA5nlXHH05Q/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C_EiJkIe3uI/ULxyLzLsLTI/AAAAAAAAA58/EA5nlXHH05Q/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jidai Matsuri on 22 Oct.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we went into November, it was another month of activities. 3 Nov was a national holiday in Japan known as "Culture Day". Japan celebrates arts and tradition on this day. About a month before the holiday, my neighbour shared with me the news that the KCIF was recruiting volunteers to help out at its annual <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/HP/jigyo/tabunka/jp/openday/2012/hokoku.html">Open Day event</a> which coincided with Culture Day. We signed up and spent that saturday volunteering, a meaningful day spent interacting with the locals. My role was to photograph the performances and as I have grown to enjoy photography, it was pretty rewarding. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t70B0NpKxhY/ULx9I2Oe_5I/AAAAAAAAA6g/Vl7hxUuW9_4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t70B0NpKxhY/ULx9I2Oe_5I/AAAAAAAAA6g/Vl7hxUuW9_4/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Open Day 2012 organised by Kyoto City International Foundation on 3 Nov.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the event, there were international cuisines being sold, Nihongo cafes (where international residents in Kyoto could learn Japanese from locals), flea markets, performances put up by both the locals and international residents, and informative booths etc. I was really impressed by the efforts of KCIF in promoting international exchange and integration of international residents in Kyoto. As international as Singapore is, I have the feeling that we are still behind in this area.<br />
<br />
On the Sunday following Culture Day, I cycled to the Kyoto Imperial Palace which was open to the public for free from 31 Oct to 4 Nov. I was surprised to find free parking area. There was a huge crowd but it was a nice stroll on the palace grounds nonetheless. The leaves of some of the trees were just turning brown and the scenery was great. The highlight of that visit was being able to watch Kemari, a ball game played by the court nobles of ancient Kyoto during the Heian Period. I heard about this game from one of our Japanese classes which covered a little on the history of Kyoto. It was a nice surprise to be able to see it played on palace grounds, like in the ancient days.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1zqQh-iOAys/ULyCbKuGzLI/AAAAAAAAA7M/RDpB7x_954I/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1zqQh-iOAys/ULyCbKuGzLI/AAAAAAAAA7M/RDpB7x_954I/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyoto Imperial Palace opens to the public for free on some days in autumn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A week after all the arts and cultural events, it was the much anticipated school festival. November is usually the month in which universities across Japan organise their annual school festivals. Some of these festivals could be star-studded events with celebrities invited for performances and concerts. At my school, the highlight of the event was the talkshow by a pair of comedians and a model. <br />
<br />
The school festival lasted two days with stage performances by the various clubs and circles in school, flea markets with students selling items ranging from clothes to shoes to handicrafts, as well as food stalls ran by students. In order to attract "customers" to the stalls, many students were in various costumes ranging from Pokemon to Power Rangers. Just seeking out these characters and taking photographs of and with them was good fun.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oMUg0oYXpk/ULyJwiyxasI/AAAAAAAAA7w/5iIp-ZxjGFM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oMUg0oYXpk/ULyJwiyxasI/AAAAAAAAA7w/5iIp-ZxjGFM/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the school festival which lasted 2 days - 10 and 11 Nov.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Autumn seemed to pass really fast with all the activities. Of all the seasons so far, I am probably happiest in autumn. But the season also brings with it a sense of melancholy. Perhaps it is because the leaves are falling, and at the back of my mind, I know that this adventure is coming to an end.S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-79391679744158886272012-11-10T20:33:00.003+09:002012-11-10T20:40:39.813+09:00Do not litter in "Beautification Enforcement Areas"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On Monday, I was lost in the southern part of Kyoto city for a while. I was on a bus heading south, which was supposed to bring me to the new office of the organisation where I had been volunteering. Or so I thought. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I stay in the north ward and the new office is located in the south. It never occurred to me that I would have to take the bus on the other side of the road to go further north first before I could get to the south. So I took the bus heading directly south instead. Turned out to be the wrong bus. Anyway, that's Kyoto's amazing bus routes for you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As I was lost in the streets, I came across a sign in a place which is a little off the usual tourist tracks. <em>In Beautification Enforcement Areas, you will be fined up to 30 000 Yen for littering regardless of your nationality or status.</em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The way some of my new friends here asked me whether it is true that you get fined for littering in Singapore, I have somehow been made to imagine that my country is the only place in the world which impose fines for littering. So I was a little surprised at seeing that sign in Kyoto city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Looking at the sign on a Kyoto street, I couldn't help but wonder where the "Beautification Enforcement Areas" in Kyoto are, and the rationale behind the regulation...Why should there be a difference between areas? Why should some areas be more "beautified" than others?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoNJwbhmTbc/UJ4xzoHc05I/AAAAAAAAA4c/30kKJPp0e0w/s1600/DSC_1469-horz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoNJwbhmTbc/UJ4xzoHc05I/AAAAAAAAA4c/30kKJPp0e0w/s400/DSC_1469-horz.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-20053214871442407302012-11-10T19:40:00.001+09:002012-11-10T19:40:13.347+09:00Poster series: Who are the messages targeting?<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first poster states "Molesters will not be let off!". When I first saw this poster which was pasted onto the wall at a Kyoto subway station, I wondered how the drawings of the angry-looking school girls could have any deterrent effect on molesters. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rsGARHtGpc/UJ4m5ioNM2I/AAAAAAAAA34/ish4hGedMt4/s1600/DSC_0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3rsGARHtGpc/UJ4m5ioNM2I/AAAAAAAAA34/ish4hGedMt4/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
More recently, I saw another poster pasted outside a shop in the middle of a residential area near my university. This time, the message stated on the poster is "Bullying is a crime! Absolutely shall not be let off!" The drawing of a gentle-looking lady who seems to be gesturing "no, no" with her hand again made me wonder how a poster like this could deter bullying.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9QfCoNdopE/UJ4mx1VB67I/AAAAAAAAA3w/Kg34kSnoIho/s1600/DSC_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9QfCoNdopE/UJ4mx1VB67I/AAAAAAAAA3w/Kg34kSnoIho/s400/DSC_1452.JPG" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Just as I was thinking that whoever designed these posters had absolute disregard of whether the messages are being diluted or not with the use of the drawings, it suddenly occurred to me that I got the target audience wrong. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The posters are probably not targeting the perpetrators at all, but the victims! They are appealing to the victims to come forward and seek help, many of whom are probably junior high students. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
From that perspective then, are the posters effective? What do you think?</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-65048935217715057902012-11-02T19:07:00.000+09:002012-11-02T19:07:23.194+09:00Instant ramen stations <div style="text-align: justify;">
Last semester, in one of the speaking classes, a classmate talked about the top most common food prepared by students in his dormitory. It was instant ramen, or cup noodles. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR-wr22_-rY/UJOTJh8IHkI/AAAAAAAAA3M/3WDaycbtsiw/s1600/DSC_1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR-wr22_-rY/UJOTJh8IHkI/AAAAAAAAA3M/3WDaycbtsiw/s200/DSC_1411.JPG" width="200" /></a>For the busy student, the convenience offered by instant ramen is irresistible. And I can empathise. I too got started on instant ramen when I first came to this city, and we all know how the wide variety of flavours they have here and the packaging can be really enticing. Fortunately, it never became a habit because I discovered the fun of cooking with Kyoto vegetables.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At school, there are many students to whom instant ramen is part and parcel of the busy school life. During lunch time, tables with hot water dispensers lined with students preparing their cup noodles are a common sight. Definitely not something our Health Promotion Board will approve of. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The instant ramen stations were a little of a shock to me at first. As convenient as instant ramen is, I really don't think it should be encouraged like this. I guess the onus is on the students to exercise moderation and I do hope they do.</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-30307445629940322542012-11-02T18:30:00.000+09:002012-11-02T19:11:09.232+09:00Putting out the garbage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I first came to Kyoto, how to deal with the garbage was an issue which the school's orientation programme covered with some detail. I recall the course coordinator telling us to follow the rules in handling our garbage if we want to enjoy good relations with our landlord and neighbours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In Kyoto city, there are garbage bags with "Kyoto City" printed on them that residents have to buy to discard their garbage in. There are basically two types of garbage bags - yellow ones for combustibles and transparent ones for recyclables. There are <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/HP/guide/newlife/en/shinkyo.html">various sources of information</a> online on how to dispose garbage but it is always good to ask the landlord or neighbour for details as there may be slight differences depending on where you stay. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In my case for example, my landlady lines the garbage bins at my mansion with the designated plastic bags so I don't have to buy them. We can just transfer our garbage from home directly into the bins. As we have a "centralised" garbage disposal system at my mansion in which my landlady will clear the garbage bins and put out the garbage for collection, we don't have to be concerned with garbage collection dates either.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Typically, on the morning of garbage collection, properly tied garbage bags placed along the streets at designated collection points are a common sight. The garbage collection trucks will collect these bags from the streets.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPpPB5Bsdyo/UJOF4-ia0wI/AAAAAAAAA2k/3tJ5Xixf5MI/s1600/DSC_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPpPB5Bsdyo/UJOF4-ia0wI/AAAAAAAAA2k/3tJ5Xixf5MI/s640/DSC_0801.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A garbage collection point along a street. The yellow plate hung on the railing <br />
shows the collection date for different types of garbage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As garbage disposal in my case is almost as routine as how it has been in Singapore, it has never really occurred to me to write about garbage collection until I came across this particular sight downtown, at the busy Shijo Kawaramachi shopping street (see picture below).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnSBt0zJ8_A/UJOA0vYMd6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/r5_CeJdTJCs/s1600/DSC_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnSBt0zJ8_A/UJOA0vYMd6I/AAAAAAAAA2A/r5_CeJdTJCs/s400/DSC_1408.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McDonald's garbage piled up in front of the restaurant at the Shijo Kawaramachi<br />
shopping street.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was alittle taken aback by the sight as I thought the garbage affected the look and feel of this bustling shopping street popular with locals and tourists. It also led me to wonder why garbage trucks have to collect garbage from the main street and not from the back street. I guess it probably boils down to efficiency, that it may be quicker to collect the garbage from the main street than to ply through back streets. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In any case, I do think the bags of garbage piled up in front of shops in a shopping street look really out of place...</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-21864402482542868732012-10-25T19:07:00.002+09:002012-10-25T19:19:14.235+09:00Cosmos in Kameoka: In the trail of autumn flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Kameoka city is about 30 minutes away from Kyoto city by the Japan Railway rapid train. It is located in the Tamba region of Kyoto prefecture, a region hailed as the "roof" of the prefecture due to its mountain ranges. A quiet city with a flourishing agricultural industry, Kameoka is worlds apart from Kyoto city. The train ride brings you through valleys and rivers and it is a good place to go for nature lovers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Some months ago, I read about the <a href="http://www.kameoka.info/feature/cosmos/">Tamba-Kameoka Yume Cosmos Park</a> in the city where 8 million cosmos would bloom in autumn. The pictures I saw of the flowers were beautiful and I found myself looking forward to that day in autumn in which I would stroll through the fields of cosmos. And on 20 Oct, in spite of the loads of homework from school, I found time to make the trip to the city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7P0AgPS5Go/UIj7sQ3S7oI/AAAAAAAAA0A/rc47T8lyY9M/s1600/DSC03091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7P0AgPS5Go/UIj7sQ3S7oI/AAAAAAAAA0A/rc47T8lyY9M/s400/DSC03091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Upon arrival at the JR Kameoka station, I took the Keihan Kyoto Kotsuu Bus no. 40 (from Bus-stand number 3) at the bus terminal in front of the train station. Unlike the Kyoto city bus in which there is a flat rate of 220 Yen as long as you are travelling within the city, the Keihan Kyoto Kotsuu Bus fare is calculated according to the distance travelled. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you board the bus, you need to collect the ticket from the ticket machine near the door of the bus. There is a number printed on the ticket. To know how much to pay when you alight, you need to pay attention to the fare display in front of the bus (see picture in the extreme left of the photo collage below). If you look under the number display that corresponds to your ticket number, you will see the fare indicated in red numbers. As my ticket number states "1", I looked under the display under "1". I paid 250 Yen for the trip from the JR Kameoka station to the Kameoka Undo Koen where I alighted.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFN5Y5k8UhA/UIj-oSA8nHI/AAAAAAAAA0o/aKwvUFsd-mM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VFN5Y5k8UhA/UIj-oSA8nHI/AAAAAAAAA0o/aKwvUFsd-mM/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Kameoka Undo Koen bus-stop where I alighted is just across the road from the cosmos park. Once I alighted, I could see the fields of flowers before me. There were people photographing the flowers from outside the park. Entry to the park required an admission fee of 600 Yen. There was a discount coupon for weekday use only which could be downloaded from the website and you could save 100 Yen with it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBmDh5Nhn-I/UIj-tz6wXgI/AAAAAAAAA0w/qYapk-bKIRk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBmDh5Nhn-I/UIj-tz6wXgI/AAAAAAAAA0w/qYapk-bKIRk/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since I came all the way and spent about an hour travelling just to get to the park, I was determined to enter the park. Although it was a Saturday, there were not as many people as I had thought. It could also be because I went around lunch-time. It had been raining quite often that week and I was glad that the day was blessed with great weather. The sun was at its strongest but it also meant that I could get pretty good photographs.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRI12WnxXdw/UIkCe3cGn-I/AAAAAAAAA1U/Ng29LsxTJZs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YRI12WnxXdw/UIkCe3cGn-I/AAAAAAAAA1U/Ng29LsxTJZs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4rDpx9QAQ/UIkCvaIlYEI/AAAAAAAAA1c/Wo2KIoN9tAc/s1600/DSC03210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4rDpx9QAQ/UIkCvaIlYEI/AAAAAAAAA1c/Wo2KIoN9tAc/s400/DSC03210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The flowers started to bloom around the end of September and the flower viewing event was originally scheduled to end in end October. However, it has been extended to 4 November. When I went there, I could see that there were still many flowering buds so I guessed there were still many "late-bloomers". When I left the park and Kameoka, I had the feeling that there is more to discover in this city. I will definitely find time to visit Kameoka again.</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-89468616003964621782012-10-23T13:59:00.003+09:002012-10-23T14:09:04.999+09:00A night at the "evacuation shelter"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"An earthquake has just hit Kyoto. Houses have been destroyed and the public transport network has been disrupted. You have been evacuated to the Kyoto International Community House which is one of the evacuation shelters in Kyoto..." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That was the scenario of the Overnight Evacuation Shelter Training Programme conducted by the <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/">Kyoto City International Foundation (KCIF)</a> from 13 to 14 Oct 2012. My neighbour and I had signed up for this programme so as to better understand how to respond in the event of an earthquake. On 13 Oct 2012 at 4pm, we gathered at the Kyoto International Community House with the essential items that we would need for our stay at the "evacuation shelter". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1i7Ei3gyB-w/UIUsEcVOv1I/AAAAAAAAAy0/9uU5Tai9bBo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1i7Ei3gyB-w/UIUsEcVOv1I/AAAAAAAAAy0/9uU5Tai9bBo/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "evacuees" gathered at the Kyoto International Community House.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The programme started with the division of participants into three groups according to the language spoken. The Japanese participants formed a group, the Chinese participants formed another group, while the English-speaking participants formed the third group. The programme was conducted in Japanese but the Chinese group and the English-speaking group each had an attached interpreter who would interpret for us the information conveyed by the programme organisers and trainers.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ylSSsCqpw/UIUsHGOyJsI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Xsq41bVft1c/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7ylSSsCqpw/UIUsHGOyJsI/AAAAAAAAAy8/Xsq41bVft1c/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants of the training program were given some hands-on practice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After the group division, the training which was conducted by the Fire Department began. There were three components of the training, namely how to protect yourself during an earthquake, how to perform a heart massage and use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and how to use a fire extinguisher. The first aid-related training and the fire extinguisher training were useful and similar to what I had learnt before in Singapore.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The earthquake simulation truck was of particular interest to me as it allowed participants to experience the various magnitudes of an earthquake. I went on the truck with 3 other participants, one of whom was one elderly ojiisan, and we got to experience magnitudes 1 to 5. After that, the Fire Department officers requested the elderly ojiisan to alight from the truck while the rest of us stayed on the truck to experience magnitude 7. It was pretty horrifying and we had to quickly dive under the table and held on to the legs of the table so that we would not be flung off the truck. At the end of the "quake", I felt like my bones were given a hell of a shake and I really hope I won't ever have to go through a real earthquake of that magnitude in my life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnSF5gkMQ2A/UIUuJWR-pAI/AAAAAAAAAzE/pS93rhcp9vM/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnSF5gkMQ2A/UIUuJWR-pAI/AAAAAAAAAzE/pS93rhcp9vM/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queuing up for dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the training, we gathered for dinner at around 6.30pm. The dinner was provided by KCIF and everyone queued in an orderly manner for the food. We were each given a pack of alpha rice (i.e. cooked instant rice), an onigiri and a bottle of tea. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I asked one of the facilitators if we would indeed be eating the same food in a real emergency and was told that it was not so. In fact, evacuees shouldn't expect food and help to be available for at least three days because the government would need time to respond and send aid. He also shared with me that in an evacuation shelter, even if food was provided, there probably would not be enough to go around. Instead of one onigiri for each person, we could expect five persons to share one onigiri. The learning point therefore was to prepare for yourself at least <em>three days</em> worth of food and water as well as any other basic necessities needed in the event of a major emergency such as an earthquake.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0U8sqB-27Y/UIUuPifPGgI/AAAAAAAAAzM/VfEg6w2e02k/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0U8sqB-27Y/UIUuPifPGgI/AAAAAAAAAzM/VfEg6w2e02k/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Close up of the alpha rice which I ate. <br />
Right: Bottled water handed out by KCIF. The water could be stored for five years.<br />
Good to buy some alpha rice and bottled water to store at home in case of an emergency.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the dinner, we were divided into small groups to play a game called "Crossroads". It was a very interesting game which gave me food for thought. We were first given scenarios to which we had to answer "Yes" or "No". We then had to explain our answers to the group. There was no right or wrong answer but just a game to understand the reasons behind the many decisions that would have to be made in a major disaster. Below were some of the scenarios which we went through. What would your answers be?</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
The government has issued an advisory at 1am to evacuate from your house due to the dangers of a flood. There is a storm outside. You are living with your family which comprises your spouse, your aged mother and two very young children. Will you evacuate immediately?</div>
</li>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<li>You have to evacuate immediately to an evacuation shelter. You have a pet dog with you. Will you bring the dog along?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIuTz0-ZcoY/UIUvp5_yQ-I/AAAAAAAAAzU/8TMFeq3RWTU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIuTz0-ZcoY/UIUvp5_yQ-I/AAAAAAAAAzU/8TMFeq3RWTU/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing the game called "Crossroads". </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After the game, it was time for bed at 10pm. Each participant was given a sleeping bag as a present which could be used that night but I brought my own though. It was not possible to sleep well in those circumstances and I found myself staring at the ceiling till 6am. While the whole experience was simulated, I now understand how terrible it must have been for those living in an evacuation shelter for extended periods of time after the Tohoku disaster.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbktlu_FzGM/UIUyVzZ-1yI/AAAAAAAAAzc/CPn8HBroNy8/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bbktlu_FzGM/UIUyVzZ-1yI/AAAAAAAAAzc/CPn8HBroNy8/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debriefing exercise where some of our concerns and queries were raised and addressed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On 14 Oct, we had to wake up at 6am and joined everyone for the morning exercise which the Japanese called "Rajio taisou" (radio exercise in English). There were simple exercise instructions issued from a radio and everyone just followed accordingly. After that, we had breakfast (two onigiri each and tea). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The activity after breakfast was a debriefing exercise in which we got into our groups and shared our concerns and queries from the training programme. Each group then had to present the points discussed to everyone. After that, an government official who was present addressed all the points. It was a very informative session. I really appreciated the efforts put in by the KCIF to ensure that we leave the programme with as much learning points as possible.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I raised many questions during the debriefing session and my facilitator had an interesting answer for me. He said that in a disaster, many people would be asking many questions and seeking help and support. There would be very few people who would be able to provide the answers and solutions. Hence, instead of only asking the questions, we should try to see how we could provide the support needed. It was a simple comment but it made me realise how important it would be to offer a helping hand in times of emergency.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I learnt that Kyoto prepares itself for two disaster scenarios namely, that of an earthquake and that of a flood. The evacuation shelters for an earthquake and a flood are different and there is a map of these shelters available at the ward office. In times of a disaster, we should head to the community assembly area first where we would be advised accordingly on the next steps. Basically, you only go to an evacuation shelter if your residence is destroyed. We will be able to obtain information about the community assembly area for disasters from the ward office too. The organisers also emphasised many times the importance of getting to know your neighbours if you are an international resident new to Japan. In times of emergencies, you may need your neighbours' help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
KCIF organises many informative sessions such as this for international residents so it is good to check its website for such activities and training programmes - <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/">http://www.kcif.or.jp/</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-33074488614094173372012-10-19T20:31:00.000+09:002012-10-19T20:32:11.588+09:00"Radio Silence"The first time I learnt about this term was during my days managing an international event when I didn't respond to some work-related emails and my colleague used the term on me jokingly. I am not sure if there is a term more suitable for the context of the internet but in any case, I like this term and shall use it here.<br />
<br />
As my next-door neighbour has moved out, I am left with no internet access unless I stay in the library for extended periods of time, like today. It's 8.30pm by the way and my dinner is waiting for me at home. I still have a list of topics I wanted to write on and it looks like I won't be able to finish them soon. And it is likely that there will be no update for a while on this blog because of the school workload (like that 2000-word mini thesis). That is the "radio silence" I am referring to ^^<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, I shall endeavour to break the silence once every two weeks, at least.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-35985259247308261812012-10-19T20:07:00.001+09:002012-10-19T20:07:25.438+09:00Murphy's Law and the dinner event <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The day before my next-door neighbour moved out, I prepared a humble dinner for her. In spite of the ready-made sauces (thanks to my friends in Singapore who sent them), it took me two full hours to get the food ready. And as with all events, we know that things do not always go the way we plan. It's been a while since I experienced Murphy's Law.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHkxOVZjF-0/UIEbe56ST8I/AAAAAAAAAyI/qFEL37ue94E/s1600/DSCF1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CHkxOVZjF-0/UIEbe56ST8I/AAAAAAAAAyI/qFEL37ue94E/s320/DSCF1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Despite my planning in advance and getting all the ingredients the night before, I forgot to thaw the meat before I left for my class that morning. I realised it only after I got home in the late afternoon and immediately went off to the supermarket again to get fresh meat. The trip to the supermarkets left me a little disoriented and it took me a while to gather my wits back to work on the next issue - how to optimise the two pots and few bowls that I had with me in my pitiful kitchen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ukc6bNhWIg/UIEbZ1DyVPI/AAAAAAAAAyA/OKDXn-gpKOk/s1600/DSC_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ukc6bNhWIg/UIEbZ1DyVPI/AAAAAAAAAyA/OKDXn-gpKOk/s320/DSC_1478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The whole meal preparation process turned out to be a mad rush to get the starter (Prawn noodles) and main course (Singapore curry) ready. I was fortunate that another neighbour whom I had also invited helped to cook the rice. And as the time drew near for the Guest-of-Honour to arrive, I still had dessert left to do. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was planning to make corn starch pudding with Azuki beans. The Azuki beans were already cooked the night before to save time. But there was still not enough time in the end. But my other neighbour saved the day again when she brought dessert with her, along with the rice she had cooked, to my pleasant surprise - milk pudding and Japanese chestnut wagashi.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzN7zSxBl6Q/UIEbiMdCoHI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/0sQ9QLBO6jE/s1600/DSCF1883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzN7zSxBl6Q/UIEbiMdCoHI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/0sQ9QLBO6jE/s320/DSCF1883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although it was a drab evening that brought heavy rain and chilly winds, the mood at my place was a celebratory one. My next-door neighbour had found a job here. I think the best feeling in life is when you know your hard work paid off. We were really happy for her.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was with a great sense of satisfaction that I received the words "Gochisousama deshita" * from my guests at the end of the meal. As I wrapped up the event for the day, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy that we would all be going our separate ways soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On a lighter note, I am excited that I will soon be able to eat the original prawn noodles and Singapore curry in a hawker centre. I can imagine me recounting my Kyoto experiences and talking about the amazing people I have met here, with the people waiting for me in Singapore ^^</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>An expression used to express appreciation for the food after eating. "Gochisou" literally means "a feast".</em></div>
</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-29231250579793347382012-10-19T17:34:00.003+09:002012-10-25T19:19:44.417+09:00The surprise on a rainy morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Sunflowers blooming in October! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have been rather worried about the plants because the weather has been terrible. We got only abit of sun and it has been drizzling for the past few days. But under my landlady's care, it looks like the flowers are blooming prettily. </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My landlady said she kept some of the seeds I gave her for next year and she wanted to see if the plants will grow taller and the flowers bigger in summer as compared to autumn. Hmm, I won't be able to see the flowers next summer...</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cn9_gI74lhw/UIEQcLJ2-dI/AAAAAAAAAw8/xTFBCnlXnBA/s1600/himawari+in+oct12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cn9_gI74lhw/UIEQcLJ2-dI/AAAAAAAAAw8/xTFBCnlXnBA/s400/himawari+in+oct12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-18628653663095672772012-10-13T11:50:00.000+09:002012-10-13T11:53:33.842+09:00The few seconds of tremors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wXLlbAo0haM/UHjUcwdwrUI/AAAAAAAAAwc/zo3bjKJUji4/s1600/Earthquake+info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wXLlbAo0haM/UHjUcwdwrUI/AAAAAAAAAwc/zo3bjKJUji4/s400/Earthquake+info.jpg" width="400" /></a>About 20 minutes ago, I experienced my first earthquake. It lasted only a matter of seconds (maybe three seconds). After the tremors ended, I checked the NTV news website on my laptop which was running on battery. The website showed that the earthquake was a weak one.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Coincidentally, I was scheduled to go for an overnight evacuation training programme later in the afternoon and I was just finished with packing my sleeping bag and clothes when the quake took place.<br />
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The programme this afternoon will cover what to do in the event of an earthquake. I wonder if the programme was deliberately timed to coincide with the earthquake or perhaps, vice versa?</div>
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-6586798475094523262012-10-12T22:07:00.002+09:002012-10-12T22:07:24.931+09:00Portrait of a Ninja<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
A few days ago, a classmate who often sat next to me in one of my classes made an interesting comment. "You are like a ninja! You disappear from the class when the lesson ends and then reappear again just before the next one starts!?" <br />
<br />
While I was amused to be likened to a ninja just for my ability to move around quickly between class intervals, the comments also got me curious about ninjas. Coincidentally, one of my Japanese teachers, though not a ninja, lives in Shiga Prefecture where one of the two major clans of ninjas was based in the old days. So from my Japanese teacher, I learnt a little more about ninjas.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<strong>What did ninjas do?</strong><br />
<br />
Ninjas first appeared in the Kamakura period (1192 - 1333) and operated until the close of the Edo period (1603 - 1868). In general terms, they were employed by feudal lords to gather intelligence about enemies, spread rumours and carry out assassinations.<br />
<br />
<strong>Two major clans near Kyoto</strong><br />
<br />
Two major clans of ninjas operated during those days, namely, the Iga clan and the Koga clan. The Iga clan was known for their exceptional military art and individual assignments while the Koga clan excelled in intelligence gathering and group operations. The historical ninja bases were <em>not far from Kyoto</em>. The Iga clan was based in Mie Prefecture south of Kyoto, while the Koga clan was based in Shiga Prefecture east of Kyoto. <br />
<br />
<strong>Popular myths</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMSZKVrqODM/UHfUT9XOB3I/AAAAAAAAAv8/OmPyzfI-4fI/s1600/DSC_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FMSZKVrqODM/UHfUT9XOB3I/AAAAAAAAAv8/OmPyzfI-4fI/s400/DSC_1346.JPG" width="400" /></a>When we talk about ninjas, the usual images that come to mind are agile masked Japanese men who scaled walls, flew over roofs, threw darts and disappeared in a puff of smoke. So how accurate are these popular depictions of ninjas? An interesting article in one of my Japanese textbooks debunked some of the popular myths about ninjas.<br />
<br />
<strong>What were the darts for?</strong><br />
<br />
Many of us might have strong impressions of ninjas fighting off their enemies with darts. However, rather than saying that ninjas engaged in open combat in that way, it was probably more accurate to say that the rule of thumb for ninjas was to first find a way to escape. Darts were used more as a distraction so as to give them more time to escape the situation rather than as weapons. <br />
<br />
<strong>Ninja skills and psywar</strong><br />
<br />
Ninjas were not just good at martial arts. There were also two other types of skills important to ninja training. The first type was skills related to conversations while the second type was related to causing confusion to the enemies. These skills were very much like psychological warfare, and involved influencing the emotions and manipulating the minds of people to obtain information. They could be considered as secret agents as well as terrorists.<br />
<br />
<strong>Ninja fashion</strong><br />
<br />
And finally, just a little trivia about ninja fashion. When they had to go about their assignments, ninjas usually wore a disguise, pretending to be travellers or merchants, and even as women. Quite different from the popular image of black clothes and masks that we often see in the media. <br />
<br />
<strong>Ninjas in Kyoto?</strong><br />
<br />
While ninjas are typically associated with Shiga and Mie which boast a few ninja attractions such as the <a href="http://en.biwako-visitors.jp/attractions/index.php?act=dtl&id=32&PHPSESSID=a3bfc66db7b419935141279c4cae4a1a">ninja training village</a> in Shiga as well as the <a href="http://iganinja.jp/en/">museum</a> and the <a href="http://tourismmiejapan.com/topics/train.html">ninja-themed trains</a> in Mie, there is a place in Kyoto that is pretty popular with ninja fans as well as tourists. It is the <a href="http://www.ninja-kyoto.com/index.html">ninja restaurant in Shijo</a>.<br />
<br />
I am sorry if you thought this post is about my encounter with a ninja. I wish I could find the time to visit all these ninja-related places. With the amount of homework to deal with daily, even the skills of a ninja wouldn't be any helpful I think.</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-60444445333475508802012-10-07T23:42:00.002+09:002012-10-08T00:47:45.368+09:00A student's discipline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I find Japanese university students extremely disciplined when it comes to time management. In addition to school work, they also seem to spend alot of time on circle activities (basically clubs with a specific area of interest e.g. sports, dance, etc), as well as part-time jobs. The Japanese students seem to have their time-table worked out really well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htvD2hKekG8/UHGJPaI8vjI/AAAAAAAAAuU/uymqClQfKX0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htvD2hKekG8/UHGJPaI8vjI/AAAAAAAAAuU/uymqClQfKX0/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clockwise from top: 1.Various circles putting up poster boards to recruit members.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">2. A common sight at the beginning of a semester is that of students standing in groups promoting their circles/clubs </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by yelling at the top of their voices to students passing by. They usually yell about upcoming activities of their circles or clubs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">3. Some circles or clubs show that action speak louder than words - dancers performing during lunch time.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have also met some extremely proactive and diligent students at school who would look for organisations to volunteer their time and at the same time gain some insights and experience from helping out at these organisations. It is common to hear of students being volunteers or interns at some organisation outside school. They don't get paid but they are happy doing what they are doing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
However, unlike the Japanese students with their colourful life, my time is still mostly spent on school work since I do not have a part-time job. Although I volunteer at an organisation which I learnt about through the <a href="http://www.kcif.or.jp/ryusite/index.html">Kyoto City International Foundation's website for students</a>, it is not too often. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In fact, there is so much homework that after school, the only thing I do apart from the usual household chores and volunteer work, is my assignments. I would have loved to read some short stories, go out and find some inspiration for my blog posts or watch a movie online during my free time. But I find myself working on grammar exercises, writing essays, preparing presentation scripts or memorising vocabulary most of the time. So I guess this is what an <em>intensive</em> language programme is all about.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7fJBQKBNDA/UHF2ukok_VI/AAAAAAAAAt0/kNtKEJqIyvE/s1600/DSC_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7fJBQKBNDA/UHF2ukok_VI/AAAAAAAAAt0/kNtKEJqIyvE/s400/DSC_1343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">There is so much homework I don't know where to start most of the time.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While there were times I felt like I should not be spending so much time on school work and end up missing out on the interesting activities outside school, my rational mind always took over and reminded me that I am here to study the language afterall. So I had better be disciplined and work on those assignments. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking of which, I still have the "How to create an impression when you first introduce yourself" assignment for Speaking class, and the "How to introduce yourself and your boss in the most polite language" assignment for Business Japanese, which I have yet to do... And oh, there is also the reading comprehension questions related to the story of a woman prone to falling down staircases, and the cross-cultural communication assignments...</div>
<br />
Hmm, exactly what did I do during the weekend? <br />
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-5708566387838999772012-10-05T21:43:00.003+09:002012-10-05T21:43:52.323+09:00JINS spectacles and a popular pair of eyes<div style="text-align: justify;">
I recently came to know that JINS, which specialises in spectacles, has a new TV commercial. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I bought a cheap pair of <a href="http://www.kyoto-tales.blogspot.jp/2012/08/the-search-for-new-spectacles_1.html">spectacles from JINS</a> a few months ago and mentioned that I wasn't sure if they sell Made in Japan spectacles. This new commercial begins with the huge colourful words, "Made in Japan", thus clarifying my doubt.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What also attracted my attention to the commercial was that it actually featured the eyes (!) of Sakurai Sho, a member of my favourite and very popular Jpop group, Arashi.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
I wonder how much JINS air frames cost now that they are endorsed by Sakurai's eyes...<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/A8rNuvKSieU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-87356200843266254222012-10-03T16:23:00.000+09:002012-10-05T21:51:31.079+09:00Introducing the Kamo nasu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Not too long after I finished my lunch in the classroom, my teacher for the afternoon class stepped in to set up the classroom for the lesson. I greeted her and then went about keeping my lunch box. She walked around the class to count the number of chairs and tables and stopped where I was seated.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"Have you had your lunch? Oh, I see you have a lunch box! Did you prepare your own lunch?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"Yes, I did. I had fried Kamo nasu too!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"Kamo nasu!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"Yes, I like nasu very much. I got it at Fresco."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"Wow! Kamo nasu is expensive!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"It was 98 Yen only because there was a sale."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
That's so cheap! Kamo nasu is usually pretty expensive, probably about 250 Yen."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"It is usually around 200 Yen at the supermarkets near my place."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"I think it is cheap because it is autumn."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
"I think so too!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As another teacher walked into the classroom to speak to my teacher, the conversation ended. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
While I don't want my blog to become full of tributes to Kyoto vegetables, I really felt that the Kamo nasu deserves a spot in a blog about Kyoto. If you google it, you will find a list of tempting words associated with this famous eggplant of Kyoto. <em>Tight meat, highly prized, rich taste, creamier, delicate texture, beautifully round. The Representative of Kyo Yasai</em>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The official<a href="http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/preview/28.html"> Kyoto City page</a> has a page dedicated to the Kamo nasu while soysauce maker, Kikkoman, has a section extolling the cancer-fighting properties of Kamo nasu in its page detailing the <a href="http://www.kikkoman.com/foodforum/thejapanesetablebackissues/16.shtml">"Virtues of Kyoto Vegetables"</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I didn't think much about my cooking method when I fried the nasu. I recall frying it with minced meat and soy sauce but read later (a bit too late) that it is most tasty when cooked with miso. How regrettable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here is a picture of the Kamo nasu I bought. The taste of the vegetable is going to be something I shall miss very much when I leave Kyoto.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYmBeGEgjDU/UG02_hJ5rtI/AAAAAAAAAtU/yH-fCvVKzxY/s1600/DSC_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYmBeGEgjDU/UG02_hJ5rtI/AAAAAAAAAtU/yH-fCvVKzxY/s320/DSC_1330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-23112201213621677482012-09-30T23:55:00.000+09:002012-10-01T00:10:43.330+09:00Mid-Autumn Festival on a moonless nightTyphoon No. 17 was last heard heading for Kanto. My friends had planned for a moon viewing party by a nearby river today to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. But the rain and strong winds brought by the typhoon kept everyone indoors. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After hearing the rain and strong winds for most of the day, the silence outside in the night seemed unnatural. When I sensed that all was quiet, I quickly dropped by at the 24-hour supermarket to do my groceries. The streets were quite a mess with fallen leaves and tree branches here and there. Bicycles parked along the streets were knocked over by the winds. Few people were out in the streets. Those whom I saw walked with a sense of urgency, as if the quiet might bring with it another storm.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the supermarket, <em>tsukimi dango</em> was being sold at discounted prices and I bought a packet to try. I had received numerous flyers from supermarkets which featured a range of traditional foods that were being sold for moon viewing (or <em>tsukimi</em> in Japanese)<em>. </em>They made me very curious. Unlike the Chinese who eat mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Japanese have the custom of eating <em>tsukimi dango</em> during their moon viewing gathering. Moon viewing, or <em>tsukimi</em>, was said to have spread from China to Japan during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heian_period">Heian period</a>. In addition to <em>tsukimi dango</em>, another common traditional food in Japan on Mid-Autumn day is taro roots or <a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/od/japanesefoodpicture/ig/Japanese-Vegetables/Satoimo-Picture-.htm">satoimo</a>. These foods along with a vase decorated with susuki grass and autumn flowers are placed on altars as offerings to the moon for abundant harvest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9N1t7XbrMw/UGhav9v8_9I/AAAAAAAAAso/6fC1VR_xaBk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D9N1t7XbrMw/UGhav9v8_9I/AAAAAAAAAso/6fC1VR_xaBk/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My neighbour had also treated me to some of the mooncakes that she had made earlier that evening. They contained meat fillings. I learnt from her that there were many types of mooncakes in China and those containing meat was just one type. It was interesting how a tradition that originated from China was celebrated with different foods in different countries. The aroma of my neighbour's moon cakes still lingered in my apartment. It tasted so good that I am going to try making them one of these days. I don't think we have meat moon cakes in Singapore, do we?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-niVdRMpfvqY/UGhcanCY3YI/AAAAAAAAAsw/AXHq70uz5IA/s1600/DSC03009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-niVdRMpfvqY/UGhcanCY3YI/AAAAAAAAAsw/AXHq70uz5IA/s400/DSC03009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although we had the traditional foods all ready, the moon was not in sight at all. My first Mid-Autumn Festival in Japan and it had to be a moonless night.<br />
<br />
</div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-751433232279187362012-09-30T19:36:00.000+09:002012-10-01T00:16:25.529+09:00Accessing Japanese TV and radio on the internet<div align="justify">
When I first came to Kyoto, I considered for the longest time if I should get a television so that I could watch Japanese TV shows and improve my listening skills. But I didn't want to spend money to dispose of the TV set when I leave so I didn't get one in the end (yes, you need to pay to dispose of electrical appliances such as TV, fridges etc).</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
I also tried to tune my mobile phone to receive radio signals but could only receive the signal of one boring radio station.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Not too long ago, my school mates shared two websites with me where I could access Japanese TV shows and Kyoto radio networks for free. I am sharing them here, if anyone's interested.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<ul>
<li><div align="justify">
<a href="http://www.myniji.tv/">http://www.myniji.tv/</a></div>
</li>
<li><a href="http://radiko.jp/">http://radiko.jp/</a>#<div align="justify">
</div>
</li>
</ul>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6182068946465181200.post-29067087308447645792012-09-28T16:30:00.001+09:002012-09-30T19:18:54.144+09:00Lunch time musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One thing I really dislike about school life here is the lunch time. Lunch time is fixed at 1210-1300h so almost everyone would try to have their meals during this time. Although we have two cafeterias and one small cafe, these are extremely crowded during lunch. There are other options such as the convenience store in school, and the food kiosks set up around school grounds to sell bento sets and convenience foods. However, long queues are a common sight too.</div>
<div style="clear: right; float: right; height: 938px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 584px;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiv9cAE2VKc/UGgHwXij2RI/AAAAAAAAAsA/a_jxKOZ5-VA/s1600/DSC_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tiv9cAE2VKc/UGgHwXij2RI/AAAAAAAAAsA/a_jxKOZ5-VA/s320/DSC_1322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Students queuing to buy food from a food kiosk set up outside the cafeteria.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKK8zf4THq4/UGgIAj7n_zI/AAAAAAAAAsI/8sJmMxErZZk/s1600/DSC_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aKK8zf4THq4/UGgIAj7n_zI/AAAAAAAAAsI/8sJmMxErZZk/s200/DSC_1320.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A simple lunch prepared on the late night of</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">27 Sep </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">for lunch on the following day.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have classes before and after lunch and I really don't like to rush through my meal. From the onset, I made the decision to bring my lunch from home. To my own surprise, I actually managed to keep that up for one whole semester. Last semester, I prepared my lunch in the morning just before going to class and it was often a mad rush. I subsequently learnt from school mates that they would prepare their lunch the night before. So for this semester, I am adopting this new practice.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YV0F3PFD2jY/UGgHlhDM2VI/AAAAAAAAAr4/fVpdTPyIasg/s1600/DSC_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YV0F3PFD2jY/UGgHlhDM2VI/AAAAAAAAAr4/fVpdTPyIasg/s400/DSC_1326.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A quiet lunch in the classroom.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The school recognises the problem of crowding in the cafeterias and classrooms are open for students to use during lunch. Hence, it is a common sight to see students bring their trays of food from the cafeterias to eat in classrooms. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I usually spent lunch time in the classroom as well, away from the crowds. Last semester, I had a few classmates who would do the same and we would chat as we ate during lunch time. This semester, the new classmates seemed to prefer eating among the crowds. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I still sat at my favourite corner of the classroom eating my shoddily prepared lunch, the people who used to share that time with me were not in the seats where they used to be. I wonder if they thought of me back home just as I thought of them while I was eating my lunch.</div>
<br /></div>
S.H. Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03108897618034200239noreply@blogger.com0