I saw an old abacus in a Tokyo museum recently. Part of an exhibit of a traditional wooden sandal shop, I would not have even noticed it if the Japanese friend I was with had not pointed it out to me. She also told me that the only after school... Continue reading

I am sorting through a lot of things acquired over many years. Doing this has made me think about loss and memories. I have always held onto objects longer than I needed to because they remind me of a long gone person or time in my life. Japanese artist, Chiharu... Continue reading

Earth day is coming up on April 22nd! To celebrate, let's look at how origami, the ancient art of Japanese paper folding, tells the story of the Florida Everglades. FLorigami. See the link at the bottom of the post. The Everglades are a natural region of tropical wetlands in the... Continue reading

The cherry blossoms are blooming in Washington D.C. The beautiful weather beckoned scores of visitors to come out and enjoy these marvelous gifts from Japan to the United States. I went to the Tidal Basin to see them during the peak bloom period, estimated to be April 11-14. The wind... Continue reading

As a student in Japan, I did not have a lot of extra money. I admired woodblock prints, silk kimonos, and hand crafted pottery but never expected to own anything that pretty. Then, I moved into an apartment and discovered the beauty of everyday household items. The apartment had two... Continue reading

How does a virtual look at a museum’s Japanese collections stack up against a visit to the real thing? Can it bring me closer to Japan? In an actual visit to a museum in Japan last summer, an exhibit of a traditional living room evoked heartfelt memories of my life... Continue reading

The Freer Gallery of Art in Washington DC looks like this. Now, it also looks like this. Open Freer and Sackler Galleries I have mixed feelings about museums and the internet. Nothing compares to an actual museum visit. On my trip to Tokyo, I went to one that reproduced a... Continue reading

Coaster from the Blue Note I spent the most elegant and poignant night of my trip at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Tokyo. The interior had gleaming mahogany bars and cabinets with frosted panes of glass. Cushy leather booths encircled the room. A few of them were occupied by... Continue reading

If I only had an hour to experience Tokyo, I would throw on a pair of running shoes and go to the track around the Imperial Palace. Those five kilometers gave me a great preview of the city. I was never alone on the track. It seemed like there were... Continue reading

Our thoughts today are with the people of Japan and the families of the hostages. Continue reading

The entrance to the path I learn a city first through my feet. Tulsa in the morning is like running in a church. Latrobe, Pa feels like family dinners and the camaraderie of rolling rock beer. The French Quarter in New Orleans thrums jazz and indulgence all the way up... Continue reading

I’ve found unexpected US/Japan links when I travel around the country. Cab drivers have become my trusted advisors. When we first pulled into the parking lot of the Ro Ho En Garden, built by the City of Himeji, Japan for Phoenix as part of the sister cities program, you couldn’t... Continue reading

Mochi Ice Cream for the Holidays When I lived in another country, sometimes I longed for a taste of home. I usually satisfied that desire with food, evoking an illusion of the familiar. Interesting things happen with food when home is in two places. When I went to Japan, I... Continue reading

At the Temple of the Golden Pavilion Everyone who falls in love with Japan shares a secret. We all remember the exact moment when the thunderbolt struck. Mine came after reading a book. In college I struggled three times a week with “The Humanities of the Japanese Novel,” a general... Continue reading

A long time ago I ate, breathed, and slept Japanese studies. Having another lens to view the world made it pop like a 3D movie. Even getting up in the morning to think that way was huge fun. At some point though, it drifted away from me. I can’t tell... Continue reading