Cherry blossoms in my hometown

Cherry trees were ready to bloom when I came back to my hometown Shimane about two weeks ago. They are now almost full bloom.

My most favorite cherry trees are in Shinto shrine near my parents' house.

Rainy Day

It's raining all day in Shimane Prefecture today. I came home two weeks ago from Kyoto and this is the first rain.

No walking for my dog today; he hates to walk in the rain.

Spring Plant "Tsukushi"

These are Tsukushi (horsetails) along the footpath in rice fields of my hometown. Tsukushi is a sign of Spring, and it first sends up pinky-beige shoots, and then green fronds known as "sugina." This edible plant has survived for about 300 million years, it says.

Spring in my hometown Shimane

I'm back in my hometown Shimane. The weather has been really nice for the last few days, and flowers started to bloom in my mother's garden. Spring finally came!

Badges to Overseas

I designed some new badges based on a request from overseas.

And these five types (20 pieces each) were sent out to Canada today. Thank you for helping!

Site Open

I opened up the site Badges to Help Quake Survivors.

Yasaka Shrine

The flower of spring (double-flowered cherry tree?) was in full bloom in Yasaka Shrine of Gion.

I saw several tourists taking pictures under the tree, though the number of tourists in Kyoto decreased remarkably due to the earthquake of March 11th.

There was a Mejiro (white-eye) bird on the branch.

Green tea colored Mejiro bird and pink cherry flowers on a blue sky background... How picturesque!

Badges to Help

Ever since the deadly earthquake hit Northern Japan, I'd been thinking about how I can help the earthquake survivors, besides donating money.

And I got this idea of "badges."

The badges are all in one size of 2.5 cm in diameter and 150 yen each. The full amount is contributed to the Japan Red Cross for the earthquake survivors.

My next job is to find as many places as possible who will support this cause.

I will let you know the outcome on my web page.

Ganbatte Tohoku!
Ganbatte Japan!

Higashiyama's Flower and Lantern Festival Changed to "Light of Prayers"

The Flower and Lantern Festival committee announced that they have cancelled the lantern light-ups on the street this year. Instead, they will hold the "Light of Prayers" and prepare several stands in the Higashiyama district, where they call for donations to help out the quake survivors. (Photo was taken in the Kodaiji Temple Park last night.)

The events, such as the lantern procession by children, are executed and temples are open to the public at night as scheduled. Many venders are also in business in the shrines.

Though Kyoto had no direct impact from the earthquake, everyone is worried about the aftershocks and the troubled Fukushima nuclear power plant. I wish for the speedy recovery. Ganbatte Japan!

News after Japan Quake

The Northern Japan earthquake was truly devastating news.

Things in Kyoto are normal and there has been no impact from the earthquake. Our thoughts are with those people who are suffering from this tragedy.