Thursday, December 29, 2005
Back online
We’ve been silent for the last two weeks because we were traveling. It is not always easy to take care of a blog from a hotel room without Internet. We’ll try to do better next time.
We spent a quick 12 days in France, between Paris, Marseilles, Nice, Cannes, and again Paris.
We shared our time between friends, family and visits.
Busy, busy, busy. 
We’re now back in Tokyo and will start working on the preparation of the Shogatsu food — the end of the year traditional food set.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Kimono Party
Madame Suzuki, Akiko's mother, has been waiting for some 25 years for this day†-- her daughter has finally asked her for help to wear a Kimono. So, it is with great pleasure that she sent a few items to our place and accepted to come over to show Akiko how to do. Two large boxes arrived a few days ago. Well, she mentioned a few items, but we found FIVE kimonos, FIVE Obi, a couple of coats, SIX pairs of shoes, and all kind of other accessories (to be seen on the pictures.) In addition, Madame Suzuki also sent another large box yesterday (making sure that it'll arrive this morning!) with more stuff. And she brought yet another kimono and more items with her!
Our friends G, K and M-C, arrived as planned around 11 am to witness this happening. Madame Suzuki arrived a few minutes later. The Kimono Party began.
All these items have been stored in "kiri no tansu" (Japanese Kimono closet) for the last 25 years or so. This dark kimono (Oshima Tsumuri) was purchased for Akiko at this time, and has never been worn.
I’m ready!
Akiko is starting this session by undressing and wearing some specific underwear.
Over these, Akiko puts on an under-kimono with a fake collar (Han Eri) as seen below. Both are put into position by a first string or belt.
You can see Akiko here with the second layer being maintained in position by the string tighten by her mother.
The Kimono is then placed over this.
After being placed around the waist, the kimono length is adjusted at the bottom to make sure it is straight. The bottom of the tissue line should reach just above the line of Achille's heel. No more, no less.
Madame Suzuki then adjusts the middle section of the kimono, by folding the tissue over the belly.
The upper part is then adjusted to be straight, without opening.
A series of belts is then placed over the belly to maintain everything in position.
Adjusting the whole thing, using a couple of more belts. Then a long one -- going around the belly two or three times (also called mini-obi) is placed to fix the whole structure.
Yet, another belt / obi is then placed on top of all this to enable a good positioning of the actual obi.
The Obi 
The Obi, a long piece of tissue, from 20 to 30 cm wide, is then placed around the series of belts. The back of this obi is positioned around a little cushion (Obi Age) and made into a knot.
This is probably the most difficult part of the whole session. There are a number of different ways to proceed to fix and position the obi. Akiko’s mother does this by herself in a few minutes. It took her much longer to do it for Akiko.
The Obi is secured with the Obi Dome (in green in the photos). You can also see the Obi Age (in red at the top of the obi), tissu that contains the little cushion that is used to heighten the back of the obi and give it its shape.
Et voila !
(This is the third time in my life that I see Akiko in Kimomo. The first time was when she turned 20 (Seiijin Shiki ceremony ̢۠coming of age), the second time was when we got married, and now.)
Many thanks to Akiko’s mother for her help!
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Chilly Sunday
Upon Julien’s request, we went to Yoyogi park by bicycle. It’s a 4.5 km ride from home and it took us about 20 minutes. He loves the park because there is a nice cycling course.
Also, there are so many trees in the park and we enjoyed the beautiful autumn colors. Now, the leaves are falling on the ground and are covering it. 
We played Frisbee. . .
And we played with paper planes. . .
We met this fellow who is an paper airplane amateur. He gave us a quick aerodynamic theory lesson. His plane really flew very well.
At the end, he gave this wonder homemade plane (made with used postcards) to Julien and promise to teach Julien how to make such plane the next time they meet.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Today's fishing!
It was a beautiful and warm day, and Julien and I went to do some fishing. Not in the mountain, nor the sea, but very near from home, in a fishing center.
Actually this fishing center is next to our local train station and I used to see so many people fishing while waiting for the train, even on week days. Well, not everybody works hard, even in Japan.
The last time, Julien got 6 huge carps so he was expecting to get even more this time. There is also a little pond for goldfish, and even small kids can enjoy themselves. Julien got his first pet “Mimi” here.
There are three carp ponds and one is dedicated for kids and ladies. I guess there are more carps in the pond and they are quite hungry (and therefore easy to catch).
Even with the big sign, we see quite a few men fishing in this pond — go figure!
In the goldfish pond, you actually get the goldfish you pick up, but here, we only get points instead of the actual carps (the first time, I was thinking about some carp dishes for dinner while we were fishing, but…)
When you’re done fishing, you carry all the fish you captured and the attendants weight them. You get one point for each kg, and for 6 points you get a free fishing session (4 points for the kids).
One of the kids in front of us got a beautiful red carp.
Us, nothing yet…
We started to fish at 15:50, and now it’s getting dark,
Nothing yet….
It’s getting cold and here is Julien . . . unhappy.
Today’s results, no carp…
Well, now is the time to go home… empty handed.
(Akiko’s Report)
Friday, December 09, 2005
"Forget-the-year Party" - Bonenkai
In Japan, the end of the year gives us not one, but two reasons to party together with friends and colleagues. One party to forget about the ending year, the Bonenkai, and another one, to celebrate the new coming year, Shinnenkai.
We had our little Bonenkai party in Tachikawa where the company is located. Goto san picked up a nice restaurant where we gathered in a private room. 
Happy new year to all!
The various courses, with unlimited drinks!
