July 2
Dear Family,
Today I had way too much fun! Akiko-san and Shinsei-san brought me to Ueno, where we went to a ninja house. There are all sorts of trap doors and cool things, and a ninja guided us through the house. We happened to be there at precisely the right time to see them do some ninjutsu and use a katana and other various ninja weapons, and afterwards I got to throw throwing stars! (shuriken). I was not very good at it, but it was really fun anyway. Good thing I didn't kill anybody. Then we ate spam-onigiri (spam, rice and seaweed ball) and traditional ninja cookies called katayaki. They are tough as rocks! Apparently the ninjas let the cookies sit in their mouths for a while and then ate later. Or used them as weapons. jk. As you'll see in a picture it comes with a little hammer for you to break the cookie in to pieces. Anyway, afterward we went to Iga-uenojo (Ueno Castle) and then to a town called Shigaraki. Shigaraki is famous for its pottery--all sorts of china and ceramic things--and its "tanuki". "Tanuki" literally translates to raccoon, but I think you'll see from my pictures that they aren't quite raccoons. Oh, and they're just statues that from some old story traditionally mean "come to our store". Shinsei-san and I were joking that I was going to bring a huge one home and give it to Mom as a present for the garden. They're a little weird looking as you will see. Anyway, there in Shigaraki I bought some pretty, handmade dishes and an ocarina. I bet you're jealous, James! ^_^ Anyway, they were both gorgeous and very green countryside towns. It was a great opportunity and I doubt that I could've gotten there by bus. Today Michiko called, and on July 21st I will meet her at Nagoya station to spend the day! Have a good day!
Today I had way too much fun! Akiko-san and Shinsei-san brought me to Ueno, where we went to a ninja house. There are all sorts of trap doors and cool things, and a ninja guided us through the house. We happened to be there at precisely the right time to see them do some ninjutsu and use a katana and other various ninja weapons, and afterwards I got to throw throwing stars! (shuriken). I was not very good at it, but it was really fun anyway. Good thing I didn't kill anybody. Then we ate spam-onigiri (spam, rice and seaweed ball) and traditional ninja cookies called katayaki. They are tough as rocks! Apparently the ninjas let the cookies sit in their mouths for a while and then ate later. Or used them as weapons. jk. As you'll see in a picture it comes with a little hammer for you to break the cookie in to pieces. Anyway, afterward we went to Iga-uenojo (Ueno Castle) and then to a town called Shigaraki. Shigaraki is famous for its pottery--all sorts of china and ceramic things--and its "tanuki". "Tanuki" literally translates to raccoon, but I think you'll see from my pictures that they aren't quite raccoons. Oh, and they're just statues that from some old story traditionally mean "come to our store". Shinsei-san and I were joking that I was going to bring a huge one home and give it to Mom as a present for the garden. They're a little weird looking as you will see. Anyway, there in Shigaraki I bought some pretty, handmade dishes and an ocarina. I bet you're jealous, James! ^_^ Anyway, they were both gorgeous and very green countryside towns. It was a great opportunity and I doubt that I could've gotten there by bus. Today Michiko called, and on July 21st I will meet her at Nagoya station to spend the day! Have a good day!