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Rising Sun: November 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_11_01_archive.html
Sheena Ringo in Concert! 椎名林檎アリーナツアー!!! Yesterday evening was one night that I'll never ever forget! I was able to cross an item off my bucket list so to speak. I finally got the chance to see my favourite singer-songwriter, Sheena Ringo in concert! This is Ringo-chan's Arena Tour called "Ringo Expo '14 -Toshi Onna's Counterattack-" * (林檎博'14 -年女の逆襲-), which my wife and I saw at the Saitama Super Arena (埼玉スーパーアリーナ). It was a profound experience. While leaving the stadium I said to my wife, "今死んでも満足だz...
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Rising Sun: Cherry Blossom Splendor. Hanami 2015.
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2015/04/cherry-blossom-splendor-hanami-2015.html
Cherry Blossom Splendor. Hanami 2015. Determined not to lose against this weird weather, I made the most of last weekend, and also set out to make the most of the cherry blossom season before and after work. I put together a collection of photos representing my best 2015 sakura moments, so I hope they convey the sweet splendor of fleeting beauty that is hanami. This first set of photos was taken in Ueno Park and Ueno Shinobazu Pond. I got really lucky when this beautiful ring neck flew in and.
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Rising Sun: August 2013
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2013_08_01_archive.html
七夕まつり | Tanabata Festival. Tanzaku (短冊) which are strips of paper upon which you write a wish in hopes of getting some divine assistance. Kinchaku (巾着) which is a paper purse and in its symbolism will help to encourage prosperity in business. Toami (投網) are nets which bring a bountiful catch and harvest to fishermen and farmers. Kamigoromo (紙衣), or paper kimono. Symbolic of Orihime's weaving, they help to ward off poor health and help to inspire craftsmanship. Me with "Nast Samurai".
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Rising Sun: October 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_10_01_archive.html
Tokyo Drifter: Day Trip to Kamakura. Today's post is finishing up the last leg of last month's visit of my friends from Chicago. Unfortunately due to work responsibilities, my friend Valery needed to return to Chicago before the Phonaut, but I wanted to be sure and make the last day of Phonaut's journey a memorable one. I decided to show him around Kamakura (鎌倉)! Feeling refreshed by the centuries-long meditative peace and tranquillity of Buddha, we headed off to Hase Temple (長谷寺). Might be Germany, Pola...
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Rising Sun: Azalea-colored Ambience. The Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival, 2015
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2015/05/azalea-colored-ambience-nezu-shrine.html
Azalea-colored Ambience. The Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival, 2015. Spring is in full effect in Tokyo, and at this time of year in Bunkyo City the Annual Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine is the main event! This year my wife and I went to see the festival a bit later than usual and as a result had a totally new experience! Three veteran dancers from our local community hula dance club. Want to see some more? Here is a link to the Picasa album. As always, thanks for visiting! Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom).
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Rising Sun: July 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_07_01_archive.html
Shitamachi Tanabata Festival / 下町七夕まつり. Write your wish upon a tanzaku (短冊) and hang it from a bamboo bough! It's time once again for the celestial couple Hikoboshi (彦星) and Orihime (織姫) to be reunited! I'm talking about Tanabata. This year my wife is super busy with work and we won't be able to make it to Sendai for the big celebration. I was still eager to get into the Tanabata spirit, however, so I decided to hang out by myself, and I spent the day at the Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri (下町七夕まつり). As you ...
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Rising Sun: June 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_06_01_archive.html
Music Review - Shiina Ringo Reimports Port Authority / 椎名林檎 逆輸入 〜港湾局〜. 椎名林檎 逆輸入 〜港湾局〜. Shiina Ringo Reimports Port Authority. 1 主演の女 ("Shuen no Onna" / Leading Lady, written for Puffy. 2 渦中の男 ("Kachū no Otoko" / Vortex Boy, written for Tokio. 3 プライベイト (Private, written for Ryōko Hirosue. In huge contrast to the previous track, "Private" brings us to a very playful, happy, pop sound. Even the lyrics are extremely lighthearted and j-pop-like to the point where I had to wonder if she was just toying wit...
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Rising Sun: September 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_09_01_archive.html
Naeba, Ghost Town / 廃墟の町、苗場. In my previous post I talked about the amazing underground music festival, Labyrinth. Being held in the town of Naeba (苗場), in Niigata Prefecture (新潟県), the trip would not have been complete without doing a bit of exploration. What my wife and I found while out walking around, however, is something that neither of us had been prepared for! What we discovered is that Naeba is (no exaggeration) a ghost town! Naeba What an unexpected and fascinating journey! Was invited to take ...
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Rising Sun: May 2014
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2014_05_01_archive.html
Just this morning I posted about Japan's Kit Kat Culture. And then this flyer for a restaurant chain called Napoli Pizza came in the mail this afternoon! What we're looking at here is their "Adults' Dolce Pizza" topped with mangoes and those Toaster Kit Kats I wrote about in my previous post. Actually it sounds kinda good! This is another fine example of how serious we take our Kit Kat Culture here in Japan! Japanese Kit Kat Culture. Where can I buy these? Early this year Nestlé took things to the next l...
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Rising Sun: April 2015
http://www.hi-no-moto.com/2015_04_01_archive.html
Cherry Blossom Splendor. Hanami 2015. Determined not to lose against this weird weather, I made the most of last weekend, and also set out to make the most of the cherry blossom season before and after work. I put together a collection of photos representing my best 2015 sakura moments, so I hope they convey the sweet splendor of fleeting beauty that is hanami. This first set of photos was taken in Ueno Park and Ueno Shinobazu Pond. I got really lucky when this beautiful ring neck flew in and.
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