ランドセル "Randoseru"

Almost elementary school students walk to school and carry on their Japanese special school bag, Randoseru ランドセル. It's like backpack. Randoseru for boys is black and it for girls is red. Randoseru is sturdy and used for six years.

I used it for six years when I was elementary school students. I was six years old when I carry on first time. Since it is made of leather or artificial leather, it was very heavy and big for a little girl. However, I was glad to have randoseru. And it is so useful and economical. We don't need to change new randoseru for six years.

I like to see children who walk to school and shoulder their randoseru in the morning. I remember my childhood when I see randoseru. Randoseru is a symbol for elementary school students for our happy school days for Japanese.

Natsukashii Love Song

I heard my favorite love song on the radio today. It is a famous love song "Missing". It was a song about twenty years ago. However, it is a beautiful ballad. Toshinobu Kubota is a J-POP singer and I like his songs. I had forgotten the song "Missing" until I heard it today. I thought "Natsukashii" 懐かしい in Japanese. It is very difficult to explain my feeling. This song carries me back to my good memories twenty years ago. Also I felt again this was beautiful song.

When you hear some old songs, you will feel sentimental or "Natsukashii". I introduce my Natsukashii love songs.

"Missing" and "La la la love song" by Toshinobu Kubota

* "La la la love song" is his super hit song in 1996.

"Love Love Love" by Dreams Come True

"Love Love Love" English version

* "Dreams Come True" ドリームズ　カム　トゥルー is famous J-Pop group and "Love Love Love" is a super hit song in 1995. We usually call this group "Dorikamu" ドリカム as an abbreviation.

Goma 護摩 (Homa) in Fukagawa Fudouson 深川不動尊

Narita 成田 is place in Chiba prefecture next to Tokyo and there is a international airport, Narita airport. This airport is very far from downtown in Tokyo. It takes about half an hour by train.

Narita is famous for location of a big temple, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple　成田山新勝寺. A lot of people visit this temple at new year.
I visited Fukagawa fudouson 深川不動尊, a branch temple of Naritasan shinshoji temple, this year. Fukagawa fudouson located at Monzen-nakacho 門前仲町 in east Tokyo.
I like to see a ritual, Goma 護摩. Some Buddhist monks who wear clear colorful robe, Kesa 袈裟 pray for peace in front of fire. And sound and rhythm of Japanese drum 和太鼓 is so powerful.
I felt as if I can get rid of my bad feeling.

If you have a chance to visit Narita or monzen-nakacho, seeing Goma ritual will good experience for you to feel Buddhism.

Ryomaden -大河ドラマ-

A lot of TV drama are made in a year. Taiga Drama 大河ドラマ is one of popular programs in Japan. It is broadcasted by NHK, national public broadcasting organization. This series has been on air for one year. One story is 45 minutes in every Sunday night at 8:00 PM. Almost Japanese stay home and can watch it. A historical hero or heroine in the drama becomes popular. Also an actor or actress who plays hero or heroine becomes remarkable person in the year.
I enjoy it every year.

The title of taiga drama in this year is "Ryomaden" 龍馬伝” A historical hero is Ryoma Sakamoto 坂本龍馬 and he is one of favorite historical persons for Japanese people. He was a samurai of the Tosa clan (土佐藩) in the last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Bakumatsu (幕末） period, and assassinated when he was 33 years old. He wanted to change Japan and made every effort to change Japan all his life.
The actor who plays Ryoma is Masaharu Fukuyama　福山雅治. He is a singer and very popular among Japanese women.
Sakamoto Ryoma and Masaharu Fukuyama will be hero this year in Japan.

His new song Hatukoi (First Love) はつ恋 is good song.

はつ恋 by Masaharu Fukuyama

A Happy New year in 2010

A Happy New Year !

Today is so beautiful sky in Tokyo.

This is the Year of Tiger (寅 or 虎) in Chinese astrology (干支　Eto). We call it "Tradoshi" 寅年.

We eat special and traditional food, Osechi, in New year and go to shrine or temple. Going shrine or temple is Hatsumoude (初詣). We receive and read some New years card, Nengajo (年賀状) from our friends.

2010 is the year of Winter Olimpic game and Soccer World Cup in South Africa. I'm looking forward to see these big sports events.

I'm so happy that I can spend relaxing time in this new year.

I wish you have a great time this year 2010.