New family

In Japan, there is a saying "Atusa samusa mo higan made" means after "higan", the summer heat or the winter cold ends and start the next season.

It is so true!! It got much cooler after September 23rd,the autumnal equinox.

During "higan" or "other shore", memorial services take place at temples and people make visits to graves to comfort the sprits of their ancestors.

I went to my hometown and visited my ancestors' grave since I couldn't do that during Obon season.

It was nice to get together with my family and see our big cat still being big...(^^;)

And one of my elder brothers now have a puppy!!

He is soooo cute!!!!

His name is Win, a three month old Welsh Corgi. I love dogs!! I wish I could keep one at my apartment in Tokyo...

Birthday

As Takashi mentioned, my birthday used to be always "Respect for the Aged Day" until 5 years ago but because of the Happy Monday system, it hadn't been a holiday for a while.

Although this year, since the 15th was Monday, I could enjoy a day off on my birthday.

So, I went to see a movie called "Okuribito" which won the top jury prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. It was very good. I don't know how many times my tears rolled down my cheeks...

The film is about an out-of-work cellist who returns to his hometown, Yamagata prefecture, and becomes an undertaker...to be precise, a profession who cleans, dresses, and puts make up on remains. It was interesting enough to learn about that job and rituals. All of the actors are great except Ryoko Hirosue...she seems too young as a wife of the main charactor.

Anyway, if you get a chance, please watch the film!!

Sorry...

I was being lazy and so as my computer! It was on strike for a while...
Now it's back ! Thanks god!

Here are some pictures from the play. I'm glad it received quite nice remarks. Now that it's over, I feel a bit lonely ...as a common saying "The lull after the festival"

Anyway, last night, some of the cast from the play went to a Okonomiyaki restaurant, owned by a family of one of our members. The food there was excellent! We enjoyed it so much.

And after we finished eating, they surprised me with a birthday cake! Yes, my birthday is tomorrow the 15th! It was great birthday eve eve for me!