2020.1.31

It was fine today.

Last day of January 2020. One twelfth of the year passed so quickly.

What did you do?

There is something I do on the last day of the month. It is to make a photo album of 20 pictures.

You can order the album through your smartphone. It only costs less than $3 just for shipping charge.

By making this I look back what I did during a month.

What I did during January are visited many shrines and temples including seven lucky gods and the tour to Isosaki shrine and Oiwa shrine in Ibaraki and attended some new year's parties. 

I had chances to wear kimono three times.

I published the 9th ebook which marked No.1 in Japan, the Netherlands, and Brazil.

It was a good start of the year.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2020.1.30

It was fine and beautiful.

Free promotion of my 9th ebook finished.  I confirmed No. 1 in Japan and the Netherlands for three sections and in Brazil. 

In USA, UK, Germany, Spain and Italia it was also ranked in. Two people wrote review.

Thank you for reading.

2020.1.29

It was cloudy in the morning, but became fine and it was rather warm.

Cherry blossoms called Kawazu zakura started blooming gradually. These  cherry blossoms are bright pink and stay blooming long like about a month which is quite different from Somei yoshino which blooms from late March to early April.

There is the 18th Cherry Blossoms Festival from February 5 to March 8 between Misakiguchi and Miurakaigan. On February 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 night light up will start too. There are about 1000 trees in 1 km, and every year about 300,000 people visit.

2020.1.28

It was a cold rainy day. It was expected to snow but did not so much.

Usually when it rains, I eat at the dining hall of the building but today when I went there after 1 pm, most of the menu were sold out and there was almost anything left because many people had the same idea, staying inside not to get wet.

So I went to the convenience store usual.

I heard that since last year the revenue of movies made the highest records because of two animation: Tenki no ko (天気の子) and Ana to yuki no joo (アナと雪の女王 No.2).

I feel like hoing to see.

2020.1.27

It was cloudy and very cold. It may snow tonight.

It seems there was an entrance examination for the university near my office. There were so many students from the station to the school. I was surprised to see the sign of waiting room for accompanied person. For those who came from far away from house parents may have come together.

There was a meeting in the evening. When we have a meeting each person brings their own laptop and shares the data by desktop screen which is very new for me. But it is good to make a document together while meeting.

2020.1.26

It was a rainy day.

In the morning I attended a seminar about yamatoeki(大和易). Yamato is the old name of Japan, and also it is the name of the place located in Nara prefecture. It is a kind of study of statistics from birthdate and the alignment of the sun, moon, earth, and other planets. There are five elements, Tree, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element has positive and negative sides. I belong to the Fire positive group which is like the Sun. It was very interesting.

In the afternoon I attended a reporting session. There were nearly 400 people. Since I arrived just before the meeting there was no chair available and many people had to stand. I sat on the floor.

After that we went to have a group meeting and registered the new system. It must be wonderful to use it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2020.1.25

Happy New Year!!

Today is the new year day of the lunar calendar and the new moon and ichiryu manbaibi(一粒万倍日) which is the day one grain becomes 10,000 times. That means today is a good day to start something.

I started the free promotion of my 9th ebook.

I hope many people enjoy learning about Japan.

It was fine.

I got up early to attend a bus tour from Shinjuku at 7:30 am. 

Destinations were three shrines in Ibaraki. They are Oarai Isosaki Jinja (大洗磯前神社), Sakatsura Isosaki Jinja (酒列磯前神社) and Oiwa Jinja(御岩神社). All were good. The red stamps called goshuin (御朱印) were January limited version, weekend special version, and two shrines combined version respectively.

I ate seafood bowl which you can make the original by choosing the ingredients you like for lunch.

We came back to Shinjuku before schedule.

It was a nice tour.

2020.1 24

It was cloudy.

There is only a half year left before the Tokyo Olympic 2020 games open. 

Yesterday there was an announcenent of the official uniform for the opening ceremony. It is white and red. 

When the last Tokyo Olympic was held in 1964, the uniform for the opening ceremony was also red and white. Top red and bottom white.

This time top white and bottom red because of the summer season. White top makes us feel cooler.

These colors remind us of our national flag which is called hinomaru (日の丸), literally round of the sun.

Unfortunately I could not get any tickets for the games, but hopefully I can see something.

2020.1.23

It was a rainy day.

When it rains, I eat lunch at the dining room of the building. I chose the chilli fried checken bowl and miso soup for yen500.

I overworked today. 

On my way back when I was on the train, there happened an accident st Gumyoji, and trains stopped between Yokohama snd Kamioooka. So st Yokohama I had to change to JR Yokosuka Line. First train's destination was Zushi,  therefore I had to wait for the next train. The next train was up to Yokosuka, so I waited at Zushi for the next train for Kurihama. At Kurihama I walked to the Keikyu Kurihama Station. Since there was a long line to enter the platform I missed the train and had to wait for the next train. It took about three hours to come home.

It was a long day.

2020.1.22

It was cloudy.

Today is one of the best two days of this year. Two of good luck days are fellen on today. One is called tenshabi (天赦日), which is the day the heaven forgives everything. The other is ichiryumanbaibi (一粒万倍日), which is the day one grain will become 10,000 times. Therefore it is regarded as the good day for starting something. Did you start anything?

I published my 9th ebook titled "Things Japanese  in September."

I decided to take a course to be a Power Spot Meister.

I started thinking about my summer vacation.

At office we started something new finally.

I hope all of these seeds will grow big.

 

2020.1.21

It was fine.

There is a smoke problem in a certain room in our building. So we measured how bad the air of the room by two machines. It was so easy to measure. It seems it was almost the same condition as the smoking room. I did not know such measuring machines are so popular that many companies ask for rental. I hope the problem will be settled as soon as possible, and everyone can work under the good healthy condition.

At lunch time I went to post office to send a package to UK. I also exchanged the New Year's cards which numbers were hit. I got three fourth prize which was a sheet of two stamps written as fukuju (福寿), which means fortune and happiness. Two of them were from high school classmates. Isn't it so coincidence, is it?

2019.1.20

It was fine.

Today is daikan (大寒), one of nijushisekki(二十四節気), 24 solar terms. Last one was shokan (小寒) on Jan.6 and the next one is risshun (立春) on Feb.4.

Daikan literally means big cold. So this is the coldest season in Japan.

However it was rather warm outside during the daytime.

Australian Open started. It is broadcast midnight here.

2020.1.19

It was fine but became cloudy.

I had a relaxed Sunday.

I went grocery shopping and filling up my car. I felt relieved.

While cooking, electricity was shorted because I used too much things. I could not fix for a while and felt how fortunate to have water, electricity, I mean life lines.  I could fix the breaker later and cook. I am glad.

The second day of Center test was over. They say the new examination system will be introduced from next year.

2020.1.18

It was sleeting and very cold.

Today there was the Center Examination for the university entry. Every year it is bad weather on this day.

In the morning I went to massage which is once a month self body maintenance.

In the afternoon I went to my friend's house to have a potluck party of Expo 92. There were 12 members. We enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking.

We called a couple in Spain and video-talked too for free. What a small world it became!

It was fun.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2020.1.17

It was cloudy.

I took a day off.

I wore kimono by myself and went to Sugita first.

Before getting on the train I happened to see a friend. We went to Hinodecho together after Sugita and attended a luncheon. This is the third time for us to have a New Year's Party at a restaurant of the Iseyama Hills.

There were about 100 people. We enjoyed eating and drinking.

After the party I visited Iseyama Kotai Jingu shrine and Narita-san temple. When I visited the latter, it was just the time of ceremony. I felt lucky.

After that I visited Kimono-style Miya. I got some new year's gifts.

And I went to Shinagawa to attend a seminar.

We learned a lot.

I had dinner with my friends.

It was a nice day getting many things, and meeting many people.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2020.1.16

It was fine.

At lunch time I was going out for shopping as usual. I happened to see two colleagues from the different office in the elevator and I was invited to join for lunch. So we went to a Curry Restaurant. Its name is Mandala. Jimbocho is famous for curry shops, but this is the first time for me to have curry there.  I chose a lunch set of two curry bowls, shrimp curry and chiken masala curry.

It is rare to talk or have lunch with staff from different offices. So it was a nice occasion to know each other.

Since last fall I have attracted to mandala art. Today I happened to wear the Aztec calendar pendant which also looked like Mandala.

In the evening I had a meeting. So I came home late.

There was utakaihajime (歌会始), beginning of poem making meeting, at the Imperial Palace. This is the last event of the New Year celebration. Theme of this year was "hope."

What hope do you have for the year 2020?

2020.1.15

It was cloudy and rainy in the morning but became fine.

Today is my dead father's birthday and I ate sponge cake for breakfast.

January 15 is known as koshogatsu (小正月), literally small New Year or onna shogatsu (女正月), women's New Year. There are events called sagicho (左義長) or dondo yaki(どんど焼き) which burn the new year's decoration depends on the place. There is a custom to eat azuki gayu (小豆粥), red bean porridge.

Before taking a train I visited the nearby shrine as a 15th day's ritual.

There were many things to do at work. The new phone set arrived and we set just before leaving the office because cordless handsets needed to be charged for more than 10 hours. At first we could not set well, and tried to power off and it worked. Reboot is always helpful.

2020.1.14

It was fine.

There was an accident at JR in the morning and there were transferred transpotation services to Keikyu Line. It was so crowded that trains delayed and I arrived at office about one hour late.

On my way back there were still delays.

I dropped at Kurihama to meet friends and had dinner together.

It was a long day.

2020.1.13

It was fine.

Today is a national holiday called seijin no hi (成人の日), Coming-of-Age Day. It used to be on January 15 but it has been changed to the second Monday of January since 2000 because of happy Monday system. In Japan becoming 20 is regarded as adult and we have a ceremony called seijin shiki (成人式). On this day women wear the beautiful kimono called furisode (振袖) long sleeves kimono and some men wear montsuki hakama (紋付き袴), and others wear suits.

A few years ago voting age was lowered to 18 years old. Drinking and smoking are allowed at the age of 20.

Today is the last day of three day weekend. I wrote the draft of the new book.It was a productive nice weekend.

2020.1.12

It was fine in the morning but became rain in the afternoon.

I wore kimono at home and went to Sugita first and went to Yokohama to attend luncheon. There were about 100 participants wearing kimono. It was fun to see the coordination of many kimono fan.

It was supposed to start at 12:00, and we had waited before that but started later than schedule. It finished before 15:00.

I decided to visit the Seven Lucky Gods of Tokai. I started from the closer one. If I had enough time and wear the comfortable shoes, I would have walked through for 4.5 km but since I was wearing kimono, I used some trains.

There was about one hour and a half. Fortunately I could visit all seven lucky gods.

At night I watched a movie "Saki" which is about high school girls' mahjong competition.

2020.1.11

It was fine. 

January 11 is known as Kagami biraki (鏡開き), literally opening mirrors. It is a day to eat kagami mochi (鏡餅), which is a set of two round rice cakes decorated at New Year's Days. I usually eat them as oshiruko(お汁粉), sweet red been soup, and so did tonight.

I went to Hibiya to attend one day semimar about saving and making money.  

They adviced to save 20% of salary and use 20 % of salary to improve yourself such as studying at schools or reading books for the future. 

To know the financial condition, keep every receipt and classify them into 10 items every day and after one month calculate them.  After three months make P/L (Profit and Loss Statement) and B/S (Balnce Sheet). 

There are three ways to increase money. 

1 Save at banks  (Do nothing)

2 Do side business (Work by yourself)

3 Operate (Let money to work.)

Regarding No.3 there are five islands. 

1 Stocks

2 FX

3 Real Estate 

4 Bond 

5 Commodity.

For the first three if you learn the know-how, you will gain money for sure.

What are you interested in most?

Today is the first fullmoon of the year.

2020.1.10

It was fine.

In the afternoon I had a sudden meeting and had to overwork about an hour.

After work I hurried to Otemachi to see my ex- colleagues at an Italian restaurant. Our appointment was 18:30 and they had a happy hour from 17:00 to 19:00. So I missed that part but enjoyed the reunion.

It's been about 10 months since I left there but it seems there were some changes.

There was an accident but the problem was fixed soon. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2020.1.9

It was fine.

After work I went to the monthly meeting.  Today is the first one, so it was the year-beginning meeting. There were about 80 people. It was held at a conference room of walking distance from my office but my job is from 9:30 to 18:15, and the meeting starts at 18:00, so I missed the first part. I am glad to see sone of my friends there.

On our way back we could have dinner, but could not find a proper place to eat and gave up.

To my lucky I could sit after one station or so and did not have to change the one from Shinagawa.

I came home around 11 pm. It was along day.

2020.1.8

It was rainy in the morning but became fine in the afternoon.

Weather forecast said it would be warm like April but it was cold all day long.

At night we can see the beautiful moon.

They say it will be warm tomorrow.

2020.1.7

It was cloudy in the morning and became rain in the afternoon.

January 7 is known as nanakusa (七草), seven herbs. Since we ate rich delicious foods in the new years we eat porridge with seven herbs to rest our stomach and to wish the good health of the year. 

Until January 7 it is called matsu no uchi (松の内), literally inside of pine, and on this day we clear the new year's decoration including a set of kado matsu (門松), literally gate pine, which is a landmark for year's god to visit home.

2020.1.6

It was fine. 

Today is shokan (小寒), one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), 24 solar terms. The last one was toji ()冬至 on Dec.22 and the next one is daikan (大寒) on January 20.

Shokan literally means small cold. It is also said kan no iri (寒の入り), which means entering coldness. It is the start of coldness.

It will be cold tomorrow.

2020.1.5

It was fine.

I wore kimono at home by myself and went to Kimono-style Miya to have my hair set and got dressed. I met some friends there. I ate sushi lunch with some specially prepared dishes by our kimono teacher there and left earlier for the first visit to Iseyama kotai jingu and Narita-san by myself.

After that I went to Machida to see the Hatsuwarai (初わらい) literally first laugh event with my friend. I was lucky to be presented the ticket.  There were five rakugo, comic story tellings. It was fun.

The main speaker is Katsura Bunshi (桂文枝) who used to be Katsura Sanshi (桂三枝). He has been an MC for 50 years at the popular program titled  "Shinkonsan irasshai (新婚さんいらっしゃい)" literally "Welcome the newly wed couples!"

It's a half century. It is amazing, isn't it?

Today is the last day of 9 days vacation. I enjoyed gathering with friends as well as staying at home.

2020.1.4

It was fine.

Usually January 4 is the start of working in the new year which is called shigoto hajime (仕事始め). But it is Saturday so that most people start from January 6 this year. Today is one of the peak days of returning from abroad.

I watched recorded dramas in the day time and the one at night.

In the afternoon I went to Toyota and got sponge cake and towel of  ne (子), rat, 12 zodiac sign of this year as new year's gift. 

After that I went to a post office in Kurihama where is open in spite of weekend. The postage of postcard abroad is yen 70, in Japan is yen 63. So I needed yen 7 stamps. They only had yen 5 and yen 2 stamps. For envelope it costs yen 110 for Europe and America. I feel they are very cheap.

2020.1.3

It was fine. 

I watched another special drama until morning and went to bed after that. It was the night for the first dream, hatsuyume (初夢). To dream Mt. Fuji, hawk, eggplant are the auspicious but I do not remember what I dreamt.

Today is the second day of Hakone ekiden. It is the 100 years anniversary event from the first race held in 1920. This is the 96th event. Yesterday Aoyama gakuin daigaku (青山学院大学) ran 107.5km by 5 hours 21 minutes 16 seconds with 5 runners which was the new record.

Today Aoyama gakuin daigaku started first and they won the return route too. It took 5 hours 24 minutes 07 seconds. Total time was 10 hours 45 minutes 23 seconds. This is the fifth victory for Aoyama gakuin daigaku after two years. Congratulations!

There were 20 new records this year. One of the reasons seems the shoes. New era for running seems started.

The sunset was very beautiful today again.

I watched the movie "Masquerade Hotel" on TV  which was showing last year at the theaters tonight.

2020.1.2

It was fine.

I stayed at home.

The annual event of January 2 is the first day of Hakone ekiden (箱根駅伝), the Relay Road Race to Hakone by university students.  

Aoyama gakuin daigaku won. There were many new records today.

Congratulations!

I watched many TV prorams today.

2020 1 1

Happy New Year!

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます。)

How are you spending the New Year?

After becoming the new year, I went to the nearby shrine for the first visit of the year. This is called hatsumode (初詣). They offered the red and white good luck rice cakes (kaiun kohaku mochi: 開運紅白餅) and sake called omiki (お神酒).

In the early morning I went to see the first sun rise which is called hatsu hinode (初日の出). It was cloudy and I could not see the rising sun from the sea but I saw the sunshine between clouds which was very beautiful.

After coming home I ate ozoni (お雑煮), rice cake soup which I made with the ones I got at the shrine and osechi ryori (お節料理) which are special dishes for the new years.

The pleasure of the New Year's Day is New Year's cards which is called nengajo (年賀状). They are posted before Christmas. I sent & received some messages from SNS. It is good to communicate with those who have formed my life.

I watched the DVDs of the Kimono Fashion Festival in Nijo castle on September 14  and 15 last year finally.

It was a relaxing nice start of the new year.