Thinking About Paper

Today I have been thinking about paper: specifically Japanese paper. Mino city in Gifu prefecture is well known for Japanese paper. My hobby is Japanese calligraphy, so I am interested in paper.

One time, I went to Mino to learn about paper. We visited a center where we could make our own paper. I really enjoyed it. I laid designs and a wire mesh over my paper and showered it with water. After it dried, it looked almost like lace.

Someday I hope to go again.

Have you ever made paper? Did you enjoy it?

Up Another Half Level

My hobby is Japanese calligraphy. Every month I practice writing with a brush and submit the best works to be judged. In July and December we write our works on very large paper.

Usually I do much better on the large works. This July, my work was good enough to advance to the next level. Really it is just a half level. Now I am pre-level 3. Level 8 is the top level. My goal is to reach level 5. I hope I can do it.

If I reach level three I will receive a license to teach high school students.

Do you have a hobby? Is it Japanese calligraphy?

Salmon Salad

Today I ate lunch with a new teacher. It is always fun to meet the new teachers because they have fresh eyes for Japan. They see things in a different way from teachers who have been in Japan for many years.

We went to my favorite restaurant and ordered the lunch special. It is always very delicious. The owner also gave us a salad with salmon to welcome the new teacher.

Later I went to calligraphy class to practice writing. It was a good day.

Back to the Brush

My main hobby is Japanese calligraphy. I love practicing writing with the brush; however, I have missed many classes lately. In April and May, I only went to class one time.

When the new school year started in April, I got very busy. Also, I was house-hunting and moving. Now things are settling down.

Saturday, I caught the train to Tsu and practiced calligraphy. It felt very good. Only two other students came to class, so it was quiet and I could concentrate.

Commuter

My move to Ise is now complete. It was very difficult. My apartment is on the fourth floor and there is no elevator. My legs got very tired climbing up and down the stairs.

I threw away a lot of furniture and other items. I still have a lot of things I don’t need. Some things I will try to sell. Some things I will try to give away. Some things I will throw away.

Because I have many hobbies, I have a lot of things. Calligraphy, Photography, Cycling, Japanese, English, Games, Computers, Videos, Music, Cooking, …

Back to School

Summer break has ended. Second term is starting today. I will leave the house in a few minutes and head to school. Probably we will have an assembly today to welcome everyone back. I want the students to talk about what they did during summer vacation, but I expect they will be very shy.

Yesterday I climbed a mountain near my home called Kyou ga Mine. I bought three large rice balls and two bottles of tea before hiking to the summit. I also brought a book to read and my Bible to study. My pack was a little heavy. The weather was beautiful and I could see a long way. I stayed at the top for about six hours enjoying the fresh air and cool breeze.

Just by chance, I met a friend at the top of the mountain. I also made a new friend. He likes to read ancient Japanese documents.

Tea by the River

On the fifth, when I was in Ise, I drank green tea at a shop called Isuzuchaya. The tea was rich, the Japanese sweet was beautiful and tasty, and the view was beautiful.

Outside of the room, there was a pine tree which was beautifully pruned. There was also a rock garden in the yard. The rock garden was very simple and tasteful. The building was very traditional in layout and design.

Beautiful works of Japanese calligraphy were hung on the walls.

I felt very refreshed after relaxing there.

Another Visitor

My friend who works for Nintendo of America will come to visit in March. She has never visited Asia before, so we plan to do many traditional things.

We will visit sites with old temples and shrines; and places with old houses. Hopefully we can find some festivals with long history. We might go to see ancient crafts as well, like paper making and calligraphy.

Hopefully we can see some plum blossoms. I think the cold weather will delay the flowers long enough. Also, I will take her to eat many kinds of interesting Japanese foods.

On March 20th we will travel to Osaka to see the sumo tournament. I enjoy watching sumo on TV, but this will be my first time to see it live. We are going with some friends who are expert fans.

I am very excited because this will only be the third time that someone has come to visit me. My friend will write a guest article on my blog and will help teach some of my classes.

Making Paper

Bright and early yesterday I met my friend and rode to Mino City by train. There was a train museum and many old buildings. We both made Japanese paper while we were there. My paper has a design with bamboo, dragonflies and leaves.

A nice couple drove us to their home in Inuyama. We enjoyed handmade green tea and looked at traditional artwork. The husband was a Japanese teacher at a high school. He spoke English very well.

Later we stopped in Nagoya for dinner before coming home. We were out for about 19 hours!

Becoming a Teacher

Today I ordered my Elementary Level Calligraphy Teacher License (日本習字・初等師範免許状). I am very excited that I finally reached this level, but I still have a long way to meet my goals.

Tomorrow I will go to Mino City in Gifu Prefecture to see how traditional Japanese paper is made.