Japanory

The Birthday Party

Sunday 14^th October 2007

Well, the day of The Birthday Party has arrived!

We spent yesterday afternoon and this morning putting the decorations are up – and they looked very feeble to be frank. The room was a lot bigger that we recalled when making the decorations. Ah well, hopefully the kids will be occupied enough not to notice. A friend has agreed to do the catering for us, so that's a huge weight off my mind. We bought an enormous birthday cake from Costco. (Rhiannon's actual birthday was on 12^th so she had a home baked one then).

We pop out for lunch then return to greet the screaming  hoards. Before they arrive, Rhiannon insists on dressing up as a mermaid and being face-painted before anyone else arrives. It was a bit of a rush job in the cramped bathroom there but the newly 6 year old was happy with it. No competitions will ever be won with my face-painting skills though. But the kids love it!

I set up my face-painting table next to the music system and am prepared with my mandatory bottle of champagne. After all, it's my 24 hours of hard labour that gave Rhiannon her birthday so I deserve a treat too. I figure I will probably spend about an hour painting faces then go and help out and enjoy the rest of the entertainment. I could not have been more wrong.

The children begin to arrive. Most of the parents drop them and scarper as soon as possible – understandable! But a couple of dear friends stayed and helped out. Little did I know that if it wasn't for Deb and Peggy the party would have been a total disaster.

Why? Well, it seemed that ALL the children wanted very complex face-painting, and it all had to be done NOW. I think there were about 30 kids there. I didn't get to move from my station for pretty much the entire 3 or 4 hours the party went on for. The boys weren't too tricky – they all wanted Spiderman or Batman, but the girls were more discerning and wanted fancy patterns. Not only that, it turned out they popped off to the bathroom after a while, washed it off and came back for another "look". Meanwhile, my champagne was going down very nicely indeed… and this also meant my face-painting skills and care went down proportionately. Some of the later Batmen looked more like racoons. And let's not mention the state of my drunken attempts of Spiderman… carnage!

Tim was a total star, organising all the children into the different activities. His painting of Ariel for "Pin the Shell Necklace on the Mermaid" was a huge hit – apart from the fact that many of the little ones couldn't quite reach high enough on the board so it became "Pin the Shell on Ariel's Boob or Belly Button" for them instead! Deb and Peggy ensured that the kids were fed and watered, taken to the bathroom when required and generally held it all together while I remained rooted to my seat surrounded by a demanding crowd, while getting steadily legless on my bottle of champers. Then someone produced another bottle of champagne and the face painting deteriorated even more dramatically.

I don't remember much after that…

Something that I DO remember however, is the rudeness of one particular mother. You may recall that someone didn't RSVP? Well, she turned up – with not just one child, but the invited child's younger sibling too.

Tongue loosened by the excess of alcohol, I remarked I wasn't expecting her or her TWO children as she hadn't replied to the invitation.

Her response? "Oh, I never bother to RSVP in case something better comes up" !!!!!

I was dumbstruck (for a change) and mindful of young ears listening in, kept my counsel (also for a change). I just said "Oh, well. Erm... there aren't enough party bags for your two, sorry".

Again, the utter rudeness of her response astounded me "That's OK, we don't need any of that sort of crap anyway". <Insert many swear words here>

I would have loved to have had words with her, AND to ensure her children didn't receive "crap" in the form of party bags, but Rhiannon ended up giving the bags out at the end of the party so the two children received them and two children with nice parents had to go without. A slightly sour end to an apparently fabulous party.

What a shame I missed most of it. But I will never, ever offer to face paint at a party ever again. Four solid hours in a chair… oh, my aching back. And a pounding head from the champagne and noise.

Next year we will have a SMALL party. And I will only invite POLITE people.

Apart from Work, Work, Work…

October 2007

Although I am incredibly busy with work, I do manage to make time to attend a couple of classes. Not language training, sadly – this requires too many hours for me to commit to.

Of course I continue with my Ikebana. I've got the bit between my teeth now and am really enjoying myself. Finally, I can make flowers look pretty in the vase!

Also, I went to a Cloisonné enamelling class which was rather fun and left me with a very amateur pendant and a small, rather attractive but ultimately useless pill box; and a yearning to get my own kiln!

Another "class" I went on was a field trip to an antique Imari porcelain shop. Well, I say "shop" but after meeting the group at Shibuya station (a miracle in itself!) several changes of Metro followed by a bus journey and a long walk, we ended up climbing a couple of flights of stairs in an anonymous tower block to a room containing a fine selection of small items.

The other members of the small group were all American and snapped up some interesting (to them) cups. They were made for the export market and if you held the cup to the light, the gently carved face of a geisha shone through the translucent china. They were marked "Made in Occupied Japan". Ouch!

The others pretty much swept the shelves clear, grabbing everything they could – especially the most expensive stuff. But for relatively little outlay, I managed to snag a nice little cup with paintings of Susuki - Japanese pampas grass - which is a favourite theme of mine, a nice rice bowl with circular emblems and a dinky little plate with unusual markings.

I am pleased with my little collection and even more so when the owner of the shop told the leader that out of all the buys, mine were the best and classiest choices.

Me smug? Yeah, a little bit!

Rhiannon’s Busy Life

As well as me being extremely busy with work, Rhiannon's school and social life requires a diary of its own!

The school is very well set up with extra-curricular activities, which we are both very grateful for and appreciate. Aikido is continuing on Mondays and Saturdays – she loves it! Then gymnastics at stupid o'clock on Friday mornings. A short – 8 week – course on "jewellery making" on Wednesdays, which is really only threading beads onto elastic. Rainbows on Thursdays and now she's started learning the violin too! She'd been going on and on about taking violin lessons since we arrived here (many of her peers have been learning from toddlerhood – remember, this is Japan…). So eventually we gave in. The racket is appalling…

Now, please, I don't want you to think I'm one of those ultra-pushy mums. I've never insisted she does all these classes; they are all her own choice and would do more if a) there was time and b) I allowed her. Besides, as they are available at the school I don't have to put myself out to ferry her anywhere, so it's all fine as far as I'm concerned!

Where (and when) I grew up there were absolutely no opportunities for me to try any of these activities: I did ballet for many years until I grew too tall (and discovered the teacher didn't allow en pointe work). Then I was forced to do piano lessons which I loathed with a passion. I can play the recorder though – very useful… not! And that was it until I discovered athletics when I got to comprehensive school. But that's another story.

However, I do think that all these are a bit too much as it doesn't allow her much time for playdates, which I think is pretty vital for an only child. So we will see how it goes after this term has finished.

Amongst all this we do manage to fit in a couple of sleepovers for her and what is becoming the regular weekend birthday party of one or other of her friends.

Not long until her big do too! Tim and I are still beavering away creating decorations for the hall.

Freelance Writing Work

October 2007

In between all the day to day life of school runs and getting used to living in Tokyo, I have been offered more freelance writing work. This is for the same people I write the Tokyo Tales articles for, as well as the garden articles by "Rose Henfrey", and a couple of quarter page "fillers".

Each month two extra pieces are required. These are  classified as "Time of Year" and a "General Article". So for each month I have to find a subject to write about relating to that month – not quite as easy as it sounds. For example, October would probably be Halloween, November – Guy Fawkes, something Christmassy for December and so on.  That's OK for this year, but what about next year? I need to write these about 2 or 3 months ahead of the relevant month. Lots and lots of research required – unpaid research – I only get paid for the final article.

The "General" article is a little easier to plan as, in theory, it could be about anything. However, as I used to run one of the local, community magazines that these articles are to go in, I know that a carefully chosen article can attract much needed advertisers. Therefore, it makes sense to write an article each month that the clients can include in their magazine to entice advertisers from a certain field. I write about things like tree surgeons, history of driving and the Highway Code (to attract driving schools) and alternative therapy articles, amongst many, many other things!

As well as the monthly article writing, I also receive all the other content required for the site: articles from other writers, puzzles and quizzes. All of which need to be proofed, edited where necessary, formatted for instant inclusion into the magazines, relevant photos sourced and finally create the various different types of files required by the users. After all this has been done I then start uploading them onto the site. The web-mastering of the version of the site at this point was very clunky and tedious. It required me to upload each file one by one - four files for each subject, write the code number on a scrap of paper, then put the code numbers on site in the relevant categories.

It keeps me VERY busy, often long into the night as many of the articles arrived just before the boss's deadline. But I enjoy it.

I try not to let it interfere with learning about my new home town though, but I'm so busy that I no longer have time to learn Japanese.

Shopping – Antiques and Japanese Screens

2^nd October – 3^rd October 2007

After our regular Tuesday coffee morning we all take a trip in Peggy's large car to a shop she's found called Yamamoto Antiques. This is not just a shop; this is an emporium of wondrous items from true antique tansus to modern replicas via second hand relatively modern chairs, clocks, coffee tables and beautiful porcelain hibachi. Items are piled on top of each other from floor to ceiling and sometimes it's hard to actually find a way through this large store. I can highly recommend a visit! One of the stranger items I discovered in this maze-like shop was an old British telephone – one of the dial ones just like we used to have in the "olden days".

On this occasion I didn't purchase anything but I went back on another occasion with Tim and we bought a small modern tansu which ended up being commandeered for Rhiannon's extensive art materials.

Then on Wednesday, Peggy and I make a trip to a very special shop on Omotesando, Fuji Tori. I was on a mission. For many years I have wanted to own a screen. And Fuji Tori sells screens – amongst many other beautiful Japanese items. I love this shop. One of the reasons we made our regular coffee mornings on a Tuesday was that Fuji Tori is not open on Tuesdays therefore saving me a weekly spending spree!

As I have visited this shop many times, the owner, Naohiro Kurihara, treats me as a valued customer and seems to admire my appreciation of Japanese art. He flatters me, telling me I have "black eyes" meaning I see the art as a Japanese person, not a gaijin. It's a fantastic ploy to encourage sales! He writes a column in one of the English language papers here and showed me some of them, including a picture of how Omotesando used to look – no shops!

Here is an excerpt from an article written about him:

Mr. Naohiro Kurihara is the proprietor of Fuji-Torii, a Japanese artworks and antiques shop located next to Kiddy Land, Omotesando. The shop was established in 1949, some 60 years ago. He has long watched the changes taking place in Omotesando. We interviewed him.

Before World War II, my father had a store in Ginza. After the war, he moved and started his business here. Harajuku was originally a "temple town" in front of the shrine. But the town burned to the ground during the war.

The area of Yoyogi Park, the south side of Meiji Shrine, was once a parade ground for the Japanese Imperial Army. After the war, the place was requisitioned by the occupation GHQ, and they built the Washington Heights housing area for the Occupation forces. Each residence was for a high-ranking officer and it had a broad lawn and a nice house, and this brought many customers to our store, so we often visited the place by delivery truck. I was only a child at that time.

Kiddy Land, next to us, was a foreign bookstore, but the store also started to carry quite sophisticated toys as foreign customers had often asked them if they dealt with toys, which they wanted to buy for their children. The place where the GAP store is now located used to be Central Apartments. There were many restaurants such as Italian, steak house, Chinese, Philippine. These restaurants also catered to Americans living in Washington Heights.

In 1964, when the Tokyo Olympics were held, the Washington Heights site was returned to Japan. Later, the media started reporting about small apparel makers in the area. Gradually, Harajuku began to draw attention as the city's latest fashion center. Beams, one of the well-known apparel makers, was there at that time. Takeshita-dori Street used to have many shops carrying reasonably-priced clothes for import and export. Years ago shops owned by TV "talents" were popular. Harajuku is a popular tourist spot for school trips from all over Japan. In the 1990s, after the so-called "bubble economy" burst, the number of shops managed by foreign-affiliated companies began to increase. "Ura-Hara" ? the small alleys that comprise "backstreet Harajuku" ? attracts fashion-conscious young people these days. Harajuku has been continually and dramatically changing for the past 60 years. Maybe, only our shop still exists among those shops which were open 60 years ago.

In the winter of 1971, I remember we enjoyed skiing the next day after a big snowfall. I guess people hearing this today would think it was unbelievable.

Omotesando in the early 1970's

Omotesando today

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my head, I have an idea of the type of screen I want – something gold with possibly bamboo on it. I love bamboo. I don't want people or scenery.

Peggy and I take a seat, accept the offer of green tea and watch while screens are displayed in front of us. Screens of all sizes and colours soon surround us but still nothing shouts "take ME home". Incredible paintings of branches of plum or cherry blossom stretch across the panels; the bamboo doesn't seem quite right somehow and gaudy flower carts don't appeal to me at all. The gold seems too… gold, too over-the-top, too bright. We are there for a good couple of hours looking, discussing and dismissing. The screens are all hand-painted by professional artists so each one is different.

Then, ever patient, the assistant brought out one I had specifically said I didn't want – scenery. Instantly I fell in love. The gold is a soft colour – not as garish as some of the others. The painting is exquisite, subtle yet strong and compelling. I feel I can look at it for hours. This information is copied from a similar screen on the Fuji Tori website:

"A four-panel folding screen made of multi-layered Washi paper pasted onto a wooden frame.  The background is finished with square gold leaves put on to the Washi, over which beautiful silk is stretched. Tranquillity is expressed in this waterside landscape depicting a pagoda and pine trees, painted in Sumi-ink and light coloured paint.Borders of silk brocade and a black lacquered frame tone up the entire work.  The artist's signature is on the bottom right." The artist is a woman called Sazanami Suzuki.

Entirely happy, I bought it. It was packed in a wooden box with special hangers if I want to hang it on the wall, and then gift-wrapped as is normal here in Japan.

I have enjoyed gazing at the beautifully peaceful scene every day since. The perfect choice!

Quick Round up to Finish September 2007

Oh lord, I am NEVER going to get this blog finished am I? Ah well, I can but try my best.

 

Tim and I start making decorations for Rhiannon's party. This involves trips to the fabulous Tokyu Hands to buy huge pieces of cardboard to cut out fish and other undersea creatures. An international supermarket called National Azabu has an upper floor selling all kinds of decorations so I invest in several miles of sea-coloured streamers, many packets of balloons and a series of party bag fillers.

Out of the blue, Tim arrived home one day with a 6 foot long inflatable Orca. As you do! We will suspend this from the ceiling of the hall.

We plan a set of activities with the intention of rotating groups of kids around the room. Pin the necklace on Ariel, face-painting, decorating mini-buckets, food, dancing and so on. I create a playlist on my Zen MP3 player and make sure the thing works with the PA system. It does. Goodo!

Everything seems to be going well in this respect. Apart from some people not RSVP-ing. This does irritate me – apart from manners, we need to have their details for the security guards on the gate to the area where the party will be held. I also need to know how many goody bags to make, so I email everyone who hasn't replied thus far and get all but one to reply – most are coming, which is fabulous! I have to assume the person that didn't respond won't be coming.

I have a hair appointment for a recolour. This takes AGES! But well worthwhile. My hair is extremely strong and resists bleach so it takes several attempts to get it light enough to take the cerise colour. But I'm very happy with the result… after four hours!

Rhiannon has joined Rainbows, but it really doesn't suit her at all. In general she just doesn't "get it" and I can't see her staying long, but we were in the waiting list for ages so we'll continue for now. There are a couple of girls who steal from her which required a nice chat to all concerned. This parenting lark is bloody hard work sometimes.

Friday mornings are a slog to get Rhiannon to gymnastics at 7.45 am, but the team who run it are absolutely fantastic and I can recommend them to anyone in Tokyo – it's ICan Gymnastics – run by the extremely charismatic and capable Mr Lee. Sadly the school has no gym equipment so all the kids can do is learn to tumble, which is good in itself, but not worth getting up at silly o'clock for. We look into getting her into other clubs with more equipment.

Saturday is a run-around with Aikido in the morning and a kid's party in the afternoon. While Tim and I have coffee in Starbuck I manage to not put the top on the coffee cup properly after putting in my 16 bags of sugar… a litre of hot coffee all over me. And I'm wearing cream trousers. Lovely.

I'm writing a Tokyo Tales article about something that I decided would be good with a photo of Maneki Neko - the "Beckoning Cat" so arranged these teeny ornaments for a photo that I don't actually recall using! They are about 1.5cm high.

 

And here is a gratuitous photo of a somewhat larger Raymi!