Good-bye Sakura, Hello Fuji!

Well the time for Cherry blossoms here is at an end. Actually it ended about a week and a half ago, the recent spats of rain we have been getting knocked most of the petals off the trees. The next part of the odyssey is the "fresh and green" look of the new leaves on the trees. While I will always be a slight cynic and wonder at people's propensity for creating drama, I will also in a larger part of my heart take pleasure in the Japanese way of thinking. Never is there a dull moment in the turning of the seasons. If the plum blossoms are gone we are looking forward to the cherry blossoms, if the cherry blossoms are in bloom we go to hanami, when all the flowering is over we appreciate the fresh green leaves on the trees. And I have to admit that it is true for me as well, being here has brought me back to my younger days when things like this meant so much more.

The current flower in bloom here is Wisteria. I have never before thought of
Wisteria as being outside Victorian novels, or on Southern verandas. But, here it has become more important. The name of my town is 藤井寺ーFujiidera. The first character means Wisteria, and the full meaning is probably Wisteria (town, community) Temple. Osaka is not famous for wisteria, but there is a lot of it around here to be enjoyed. There is a good sized arbor near our cafeteria (食堂) and when it is in full bloom in the spring it is very pretty.

As for me, I have several irons in the fire. I am currently studying for the Level 2 Japanese Proficiency Exam. Granted it takes place in December, but there is so much to learn. I am also continuing nicely with my shamisen lessons. I learned a new technique yesterday that will cure my errant plucking hand. I am meeting new people and making contacts who will help me learn some (easy) Japanese cooking, and I am very excited about that. I am staying in Japan for Golden Week this year, as England used up all my leave time and flights were too expensive when I was off. Currently a movie and wine night is in the works and will be held at my house, thus I have been cleaning.