To Know Japan Life

When you want to know about Japan, it will be useful for you to read The Japan Times Online.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Green Young Leaves

Green young leaves (Wakaba) are sprouting in few days. It is so beautiful and I feel spring and I like seeing these trees.
April is the month to start new life in Japan. Freshmen enroll in school and recruits enter a company. When I see the green young leaves, I think they are like these young people. There is future and hope.

I heard an interview of a famous doctor who ninety-six years old, Shigeaki Hinohara. He examines his patients in hospital now and he looks very young. He writes a lot of books to live healthier. An interviewer asked him the secret of his longevity. He said that no matter how old we were, to start something new was very important and to meet and talk to young people is one of the secret. I remember that Giorgio Armani said like that.
People become older, we usually go around with friends of same ages. Also we are unwilling to start something new. We sometimes use excuse “ I’m old to start. So it is no use to learn something or start something.” I noticed that the curiosity for new thing is essential to spend our fruitful time.
I try to absorb new world like green young leaves. Recently I start to learn Yoga. It seems good for me. April is good season to start something new.

Ayu and Hicky - 2 Big Utahime (Diva)

What are these words?
If you are Japanese J-pop fan, you will know them. They are nickname of two Japanese female vocals and they are very popular among especially young ages.
Almost their songs were on hit charts. Two of them is called “Utahime” (We sometimes call female singer Utahime (Diva). Uta means song and Hime means princess in Japanese.) and are usually compared. Young popular female and male singers in the past could be idles if they were beautiful face or cute in Japan no matter they couldn't sing well. The talent as a singer was not important. The situation is changed. Almost J-pop singers are talented and these songs have originality.
New female singers debut now. However, Ayu and Hicky’s popularity is special .
Ayu, Ayumi Hamasaki is always a fashion leader among Japanese young girls. They are interested in her fashion and makeup. They want to be Ayu and copy her style. She is like a pretty doll has big eyes. Her performance on the stage is always gorgeous. She is like a princess. A lot of fans enthused her recent concert tour. She composed lyrics and her fans will sympathize her lyrics. http://avexnet.or.jp/ayu/en/
Hicky, Hikaru Utada debuted at 15 years old and her first album was million hit in Japan. She composes lyrics and music. Since she was born in New York, she is bilingual in Japanese and English. She have released an album in USA. Her mother was a famous Enka singer. Almost singles and albums became No.1. Some her songs are theme song for TV dramas or commercial songs. She releases new album now and sold well. One of songs in the album "Prisoner of love" is theme song of new TV drama in this spring. It will become No.1 hit. http://www.emimusic.jp/hikki/release/index_e.htm
Her songs are my taste personally. I have some her albums. I think her Japanese lyrics are very unique. http://www.emimusic.jp/hikki/news/news_e.php

Which singers are your taste , Ayu or Hicky ?

Tsubaki - 椿

Tsubaki (Camellia) is one of Japanese typical spring flower. We can see Tsubaki at suburb very well. It is very beautiful flower.

When the flower withers, the petals don't fall down. A whole flower falls down on the ground.

Tsubaki Abura (Oil) is very famous and it is like olive. The oil is extracted from the seeds. It is good for hair. I sometimes use Tsubaki Abura and my hair glosses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia

Cleaning up Everest

Japanese alpinist Ken Noguchi tries to climb and clean up Everest, the highest mountain in the world, in April. He was the youngest alpinist who succeeded in climbing Everest in the world. He is well known as Japanese adventurer in Japan. He has climbed to pick up the rubbish of the Everest and Mt.Fuji several times after his achievement.
I have heard his speech about his experiences as an adventurer in a big hall. And I have read his books. He is so attractive guy. He knew big amount of the various nation’s rubbish that left, especially a lot of Japanese rubbish were thrown away after his climbing. He was shocked about decline of Japanese moral and felt shamed. And he decided to pick up. The quantity was several tons each climbing for cleaning. His activity is continuing now.
Since these activities are big projects, he needs other support to pick up. A lot of Nepalese assistants and other supporters help him. And it is perilous project every time.
To conquer high mountains is great challenge and an honor for adventurers. Only the achievement is always prominent in the news, but he unveils the fact of the other side. A lot of Japanese could know the situation of nature.
I hope he and his companies come back without any accidents.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Noguchi

Full of Sakura

Sakura tree in front of Ginza subway station in Tokyo.

Pale pink Somei yoshino in Kyoto. Somei yoshino is a breed of typical Sakura.

Pink Sakura in Kyoto. (probably Somei yoshino)

Yozakura in Kyoto

This type of Sakura is weeping cherry blossom (Shidare Zakura).

I went to Kyoto, one of an ancient and historical city (Koto) , last week. I like Kyoto and I have been to Kyoto several times until now. Many tourists, including foreigners, visit there. A lot of temples, shrines and tourists attractions are there. Also we can enjoy special foods of Kyoto, too. (Tofu, tsukemono like pickles, vegetables, Yatsuhashi, Uji green tea, etc.)

You will be surprised at the big and modern Kyoto station, when you go to Kyoto by train. I think it is mismatch for the historical place. However, I’m always excited when I arrive at the station.

Spring is the tourist season because of Sakura. About half of Sakura flowers bloomed in Kyoto. (Almost flowers bloomed in Tokyo now.) I took some photos for Kyoto and Sakura at Saturday night. Attached are the pictures of “Yozakura”. “Yozakura” means Sakura that we see at night. Famous places of Sakura are lit up. It is very fantastic scene. These photos were taken at Shirakawa and Shinbasi street near the Gion, is famous area as Maiko, Japanese Geisha. There is a little stream and so elegant place.

Please enjoy the pictures.