Surprise, Surprise

First, the massive Chev. Then, the 'Pegasus' van. Finally, the biggest surprise: a mint condition Auto Rickshaw (which does not operate as a taxi, lacking the required green number plate).

The Yen's Weakness

Japanese media are reporting that the yen has hit a 37-year low against the US dollar, falling to 160.4, a level not seen since Japan's so-called Bubble Era. This is great for: exporters and international tourists. But I can tell you that it's not brilliant for those who live in resource-poor Japan and rely on imports: foodstuffs and energy, to name just two. Not to mention the cost of trips overseas (for someone like me) to visit family and friends.

The Daily Special, University Cafeteria

Pork sautee, miso, gyoza... 500 yen.

Artistic License in Hiroshige

Not included in the brief clip from the NHK program on Hiroshige is the final work in the series, Sanjo Ohashi. Showing such iconic and representative Kyoto sights as Kiyomizu Temple, the 5-storey pagoda at Yasaka, and Higashiyama, the print also includes sacred Mt. Hiei, which is not, in fact, in its correct location. (The mountain has, in a manner of speaking, come to Hiroshige.) The print is here.

NHK History Detective: Ukiyoe Master Hiroshige

National broadcaster NHK airs a program on Wednesday evenings called 歴史探偵, or 'History Detective'. Yesterday evening's theme was Edo Era artist Hiroshige, master of ukiyoe. His best-known series, which depicts 53 scenes from the post towns along the old Tokai Road linking Edo and Kyoto, contains striking examples of artistic license, as this clip reveals. Registration required to watch the full episode. (Including the start at Nihonbashi and finish, Sanjo Ohashi, the full series runs to 55 prints.) For the complete series, see here .

License Required to 'Operate' Motorized Suitcases

Police in Osaka have referred to prosecutors the case of a Chinese exchange student cited with unlawful operation of a motorized suitcase (top speed 13 km/h). The woman, who denies the allegation, claims she was unaware of the licensure requirement.

Revisiting the Past

I recently rode to Kamo to revisit places I grew quite fond of when lived there years ago. Videos are here: https://youtube.com/@japanbybike-vc2qj?si=cPH3BizkG4dPdfrW

Japanese Reader: Excursion

The Japanese school year begins in April, and primary school readers contain frequent seasonal references, as in さくら (cherry blossoms) in the previous post. えんそく, outing or field trip, is the subject of the current entry. It's a bright morning. Morning sun. We'll go together. First graders. Let's sing. We're happy. Smiles all around, an outing. Let's draw. Tasty snacks. Atop the hill. A path through the woods. A breeze is blowing. The new leaves are fluttering. The rays of the sun also gleam and flicker. Rendered into English, the lyrical, singsong Japanese becomes choppy, graceless.

Japanese Reader, 1968

I have an old Japanese primer dating to 1967. I'll be sharing photos and comments about the textbook in posts to follow. Primary School Japanese Language First Year First Term Friends Cherry (blossoms) Cherry (blossoms) Atop the hill Little birds Little birds, Blue sky.

Road to Nowhere: A Cycling Video

The following video (more to come) is from a recent 100 km ride into the mountains of Shibata City, Niigata. It is emblematic of the decline of rural Japan particularly, where population decline is most acute.

Festival Procession

I was at my neighborhood park on a recent afternoon when festival music announced the approach of a procession, as seen in this video.

Vintage Cars

The last car, however, appears older, probably 50s.

Good weather brings out the aficionados of classic cars, these American makes from the 60s and 70s, I'd guess.

Shrine Offering: 供え物

Clearly a feast day or festival is to be celebrated for the deity enshrined here. Offerings include sake, apples, bananas, daikon, and konbu. Such votive offerings are called sonaemono。

Fantastic Lunch: Nagoya

Some time ago I happened to be in Nagoya and stumbled upon the Nagono Community Center. The facility, located in a repurposed elementary school, comprises apartments, a public space and playground, and a cafe. As it was after 1 pm and I hadn't eaten since

breakfast, I decided to check out the latter, housed in the old school kitchen. Fresh, seasonal ingredients, great service and atmosphere, really outstanding. Nagono Community Center 052-565-0714 https://g.co/kgs/S4zRCnF

Vacancy, A Showa Throwback

Korakuji, combination hotel/ game center: 3,300 yen/night for ensuite facilities, 1,540 for unlimited use of the bath. Does anyone stay here? Evidently they do..

Scenery from a Recent Cycle Trip

Carp Streamers and a Foot Spa

Tsukioka Spa,the foot bath Carp streamers, or koi nobori, representing the wishes of parents for healthy, strong, and persevering children (for the koi swims upstream to spawn), Children's Day being celebrated on May 5

Jizo Statues

Some nice statues of Buddhist deity Jizo-sama. My particular favorite is the lone Jizo with the sedge hat, or 笠地蔵. For more on the Buddhist deity, see here.

Shogun Cedar and Byodo Temple

The 将軍杉 is the largest cryptomeria in Japan. Circumference, 19 meters and some change; height, 40 meters; age, estimated to be 1400 years old. Nearby is a lovely old temple, Byodoji Yakushido (平等寺薬師堂). Location: Iwayasan, Aga Town, Niigata.

Monkeys

I encountered a troop of monkeys during a recent cycling trip into the mountains of northern Niigata.