Oni, a Japanese demon.

To mark the "end of winter" altho it really isn't over yet!
Out with the demons, in with good luck.
Throwing beans to chase out demons is a very interesting custom.

This will warm you up in winter.

It's called nabe.

A Japanese fish and meat taste sensation.

David, Connie and I represented the U.S.A. in a Cultural Fair put on by Nishinomiya City.

New found friends from Iran.

Ikebana
Traditional Japanese Flower Arranging

Thai Dancers

Koto
Traditional Japanese Musical Instrument

Boy, did this make me homesick for the Fall Folk Festival back home in Spokane. This event was reminiscent of our first couple of festivals. Small but full of enthusiasm and love.

This is Tamie, my cooking instructor. She is the Mom of two of my ex-students from my first junior high, Hamakoshien. The Osawas are very special people and this "cooking class" was so much fun. This crockery pot sits on the dinner table over a gas burner and more veggies and meat/fish are added as the pot empties. What a great meal and what a wonderful way to spend an evening with a quality family.