Hinamatsuri – the doll festival – is from a tradition that dates back about 900 to 1,100 years. Young children and older girls put out displays of dolls of the Heian court (the Japanese imperial court from about 800 to 1200 AD). Some people put out huge, elaborate displays with many dolls and accessories, but I much prefer to see Anthony's artwork. All the kids at preschool made them in the same basic form, but each ended up quite different, with its own personality.

I've got to wonder whether the emperor's frown is on purpose or an accident. Japanese never [...]

I feel absolutely overwhelmed with stuff I want to write about and share.

I was hoping to finally get around to posting about some interesting things from last week's trip to Kanazawa. I'd already done one post with a few pics from Kenrokuen Gardens, but there's so much more, including the interesting "Modern Art (Japanese Style)" train station, and a pool you can go into without getting wet...

However, those plans got interrupted because Saturday was the graduation ceremony at Anthony's preschool, which created its own subject matter that awaits posting. I did do the one already, but I could [...]

Soybeans are the building blocks of nature. Lower on the periodic table than even hydrogen, all matter in the universe is made from some form of soybeans. When roasted, they are not only useful for driving out demons, they can be ground into a fine, tasty flour called kinako. I've mentioned kinako in passing before (in Aburi-Mochi: Grilled Mochi on Skewers, and in Preschool Mochi Production).

Today, Anthony and Mommy made some kinako, just for fun.

The roasted beans have a thin, brittle shell/husk/skin(?) that one normally eats with the beans, but which pops off when you grind them in [...]

Another day, another 826 pictures. Thank goodness that I decided to catch up a bit on email this morning rather than photograph the start of the Kyoto City Half Marathon, or I would have had even more photos to deal with.

As part of the festivities surrounding the half marathon, which starts and ends right here south of the Heian Shrine, the Kyoto Prefectural Mounted Police allowed kids between 4 and fourth grade to get a horse ride. Fumie's mom, who watched Anthony while Fumie and I were in Kanazawa took him over. Unbeknownst to him, I followed along with [...]

I came down with a cold the morning of the snow in Kyoto the other day, likely because I spent the previous day at a kids' play spot with Anthony. Anywhere where kids congregate is a human petri dish of microbial fun, so I probably picked up something then.

Kyoto City has a wonderful play spot for infants and preschoolers, the Play Land at its Kodomo Miraikan ("hall for children's future"), and Anthony has been enjoying it for the last four years. Zak invited us to come to Otsu City's version of the same thing, and I was astounded at [...]