Friday, January 23, 2009
Golf Green Valley
Monday, January 19, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Morning snack
The morning snack is after a night drinking, bar mates had to wait for first train to go home. So we went for a snack in Gotanda. Walked home after that.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Japanese Rappers
Japanese rappers performing in Canal City Hakata [博多].Canal City is the most popular shopping mall in Hakata. It is adjoining Grand Hyatt, where we are staying.
Rap is of course in Japanese,with a smattering of English. Live on MC Hammer! Notice the Yamahage demon (oni) head in the background (brightly lit).
Saturday, January 10, 2009
ヤマハゲ (yamahage) festival in 福岡 (Fukuoka)
Today in 福岡 Fukuoka. The 鬼 (oni) is related to local folklore called yamahage (ヤマハゲ). In some towns, on the night of 15th Jan, people dress up as demons with masks and straw covering their bodies and "attack" homes. The occupants will prepare replica kitchen knives to wait for the demons. The children are taught to behave themselves and await these attacks. This festival is suppposedly to bring luck to the household and children for the new year. Japanese Sake is prepared during this festival as well.
Fukuoka is filled with nostalgia for me. My first experience in Japan back in Nov96.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Va Tout
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
WMD
Monday, January 5, 2009
New stuff for the New Year
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Crowds are back from new year vacation
Friday, January 2, 2009
Nabe dinner for New Year 1Jan
Home made dinner was 鍋物 (nabemono) or hot pot dish. Main ingredients consisted mainly of seafood, Chloe's favourites. Special dish was ズワイガニ (Zuwaigani) or spider crab from 北海度 (Hokkaido).
The dashi or stock used was ちゃんこ鍋 (chanko nabe) or sumo-wresler style soup stock.
Here's Chloe with her fukubukuro from Toys R Us.