I'm gonna finish this blog!
Tokugawa Art Museum
徳川美術館/Tokugawa Bijustukan
4/22-Today's trip was pretty interesting. It was hard to take pictures, I had to "sneak" them. I feel a little bad about it, but I'm never going to go to that place again, so its ok. I mean I'm not selling these images, so it's all good. The art was really neat and interesting. The museum also had a zen garden you could see. Unfortunately I didn't because there wasn't enough time left.
The museum!!!!! Ta-da!
Museum entrance
Ya that's me with a REAL samurai sword.
This is a game the ladies used to play back in the Edo period. Match the shells, its like a memory game.
HERP DERP DRAGON AND LION
Ink Paintings
Tale of Genji Replica. For those of you who don't know, The Tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese Literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian Period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel.
Dinner! Ramen!!! This is different from the other kinds I've had, its somewhat creamy, and its really good!
Ohgiya!
From Left to Right: Sara, Chris, Me, Mickey
Sasami cheese
Deep fried veggies
Parinko cheese, cheese filled wantons...SOO GOOD
ipod pics courtesy of Mickey!!
Campus and Classes
One of the many parking lots for bikes.
Weird Statue on the way up to campus...lovely right?
Welcome to NUFS!
Atrium, one of the many cafeterias.
Travel Classroom, but I didn't take this class, the teacher was boring....
Classmates for my language class. Left to Right: Jackson, James, Katie. Communications Plaza Classroom.
K Building Classroom. Its always too hot or too cold
Economics Classroom, ya didn't take this one either.....
I-House and My Room
Welcome to I-House, the international dorm, a 5 min. walk from campus!
The Genkan, aka: Lobby
Shoe Lockers
Upstairs Kitchen. There are 4 total, but this is the main one I use.
Tetami Room. And yes it has one of those heated tables in there!
The door to my room!
Ta-DAAAA! My room! Cute, yes!!!?
Oh and my ever growing purikura collection
Last Hanami
Today Rebecca, Cauvin, Mickey, and I went to do Hanami one last time. The Sakura blossoms are falling so fast its crazy! It was about a 20 minuets walk from Proxy, and it was worth it! The river was crystal clear and the flowers were everywhere! The petals were blowing in the wind and it was so peaceful. The sun was gorgeous. We had a picnic and everything!
After our little lunch, I was determined to play in the river. So I rolled up my jeans and jumped right in!! Cauvin and Rebecca soon followed my amazing lead. The rocks started to hurt so I must remember flip flops next time! The water was freezing, but felt good at the same time. So good thing I didn’t fall on my butt, or I would be SOL.
After some fun exploring, it was time to pack up, head back, and get to work on homework.
Me and Mickey!!! <3
More Kaimono!!!
4/15-
Went shopping in good old Osu today. I finally got to see the Temple during the day. IT IS GORGEOUS!
We walked by and you could hear the monks chanting. We went inside and there was a giant shrine with lots of figurines and statues. The monks were burning incense and banging on big gong like drums. I bought a prayer board. Outside the shrine it was really crowded. On a random side note there was a pigeon man. He was playing with the pigeons…and they were landing on him and standing on his shoulders, arms, and head. It was something.
PIGEON MAN!
Anyways... on my amazing shopping trip this time, I finally bought some shoes!!!! YES!!! SHOES!!!!
We also stopped by the one shrine in the middle of the shopping center. This time I went down the stairs and saw the actual shrine. It was made completely from stone. It was really odd because it was really cool there, even though outside it was pretty warm.
When we came out we also saw another path that led to another temple, It was hidden behind a bunch of stores, but its architecture was similar to the type that is used on old castles. So I left not exactly sure what it was. Me and the group also discovered another shrine that we hadn’t seen before. It had the red tori and everything. Another popular thing that goes on at the shrines is they put bibs on all the statues. There were dog statues with bibs, it was interesting to say the least.
One of the manikins in the shops....BEAR HEAD!