I've been pretty sedentary lately, but I went to Fukuoka a couple times and one of the nearby waterfalls despite my lazy mood. Our supervisor also exposed us to some traditional japanese culture. Without further ado ...
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Behind Chris's house is an infrequently visited beach. On a beautiful sunday, we strolled on he rocky out cropping of volcanic rock to watch Chris drop his line in the water to hunt for fish.
Eric explores the landscape.
I believe this place is something close to paradise.
We sat kneeling in seiza watching a group of ladies perform some traditional japanese music. This woman prepared the Shamisen (japanese banjo). It started in pieces and she assembled it for us, putting the three strings in just the right places.
This lady seemed to be the ring leader and demanded I take a photograph of her costume.
The shamisen is difficult to play, the number of people who can play it well dwindles every year. Rather than finger picking the strings, the player uses a paint scraper sort of tool to pluck the strings.
The ring leader entertains.
After the shamisen performance, we were treated to taiko drumming. This is was a scaled down version of the kind of thing you can see at Lafayette's Festival International. Taiko is a mix of drumming and stationary dance. Its quite fun to watch.
They took one shoulder of the happi off, not sure why, but it looked cool.
When they finished they got us to give it a go.
The finishing move, it gets em every time.
Chris and I also got hair cuts from our favorite local barber, Araki-san. A hair cut and a shave will set you back 3500 yen. Its no cheap affair, but the hair cut is good and the shave is amazing. He also seals the deal with a massage.
At the waterfall a couple of young japanese guys summoned the courage to talk to the weird foreigners eating bento lunches on a rock at the top of a waterfall. It was rewarding though as this guy was really interesting.
Tim took this photo and it shows off the shrine in the background. There are a few shrines around the waterfall's top. Most places in Japan with a natural beauty have a shrine or two tucked near them.
From under an overhanging rock, the waterfall is quite impressive. This picture is rubbish though.
Rowan is one of my favorite characters in this whole Japan saga. He's as tenacious as they come and taught himself japanese with a kind of dedication I rarely see.
This WILL be swum in this summer.
So that's been my past couple of weeks. Looking back on the pictures reminds me that it was really fun and not so sedentary.
Tonight I was driving home from Tim's house, cruising along the 251, the main road that tightly hugs the coast and circles the entire peninsula. The night was much to dark to see out into the ocean but its salty scent is ever-present. I looked up at the hangnail moon, it was an orange peel, dimly lighting the hills in an orange glow. I was thinking of my little sister and how much I miss her. She recently emailed me and confessed she's having sort of a rough time. Our friends and peers offer us a mirror of who we are. Right now she doesn't like the image she's getting back from that mirror. I wished that I could show her what she is in my mind. I wanted to tell her that the universe is better with her in it, that she improves where ever she is, just because she's there. I wanted her to see that she is a beautiful, intelligent young woman. I wanted to reveal to her that its rare to meet people who are truly interesting, who after meeting, leave you feeling like you connected to the core goodness of humanity. Its so easy to forget that people can blossom into someone engaging and pure. There is pure joy in the world and she reminds me it springs from within you, it need only be cultivated. I want to tell her people more often than not reflect a distorted picture of who you are.
I wanted to tell her that friends who are honest with themselves, with you and that keep you honest with yourself are worth more than the money you'll make in 10 lifetimes. I wanted to say "I love you" and somehow make her know that I understand her feelings without saying it. I wanted to say that my life is immeasurably fuller for having watched a baby girl grow up into someone I'm proud to call my sister.
8 comments:
I'll second that (thought not as eloquently) -- Anna is awesome. She's definitely one of my favorite people, everything in the world seems better when she's around. Whoever these people are who are making her feel bad, they're gonna get a Texas boot-whoopin' if they don't cut it out. We love that girl!
Thanks uncle jeff, seriously we need to open up a can of whoopass!
I love my sister-in-law-to-be! She is the best!!
Paul, I have been missing your updates & wondering how you are doing. I was wondering if birthdays are a big deal in Japan. I hope you had a good one.
Well I was certainly enjoying the pictures of your excursions, but when I got to the little sister part, I was truly touched. Anna is a wonderful person and you are truly special to share those feelings with her (& us). Take care of yourself, thanks for keeping in touch and know that you are loved.
My brother just happens to be amazingly talented with his words and makes me out to be something spectacular! No, but I really and sincerely appreciate these heartfelt words. No matter how many times he called me "stink face" or "stupid" or just simply "face" when he ran out of energy and/or ideas, I knew he loved me. We get a long, he and I. I love him with equal respect and admiration. And I miss the hell out of him too.
Love, sis
Paul,
I'm still trying to clear my eyes from the tears, tears of joy. So blessed to have 3 beautiful children who love and respect one another. It warms my heart.
Thank you for sharing those great pics of the brightly costumed music making ladies. How fun that you got to join them.
And what gorgeous scenic views.
Miss you somethin awful, Son
Love, MOM
I'll third (and am sure I won't be the last) to toast Anna as a valuable, wonderful human being. I'm not just saying that because she's my niece, but because she's beautiful inside and out. Anna, if you're reading this, so often we only see the outside and judge what we see harshly. Ask your dad to show you a geode some time. It's a rock that's bumpy and brownish-gray on the inside. Most people walk right past them except those who know that beauty lies within. When you crack open a geode and look inside, it's like looking at beauty incarnate. I have one I show my CCE kids and they're amazed. Please, please do not fall into the trap of seeing life only from the outside, starting with yourself. Beauty resonates from you, my dear -- your vivacious laugh, those electric eyes, your dynamite smile and your zest for life. Few people have it. Enjoy it. Know you're blessed and don't accept what you see in the mirror. If geodes only felt what they were on the outside, look at the beauty we'd miss. I love you and am so glad I'm part of your life!!! Kylie needs we strong Hebert women to look up to! -- Love, Aunt Denise
(Oops -- a geode is brownish on the outside. Minus points for this journalism teacher who did not proof read!) -- Aunt Denise
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