11/12/08: Day 13 in Japan Part II - Kamakura

The next destination was Kamakura. All the walking worked up our appetite, and there is one place to go: Kayagiya.
大仏様の次は鎌倉見学。結構歩いたので、腹が空いてきた。エネルギー回復のランチには茅木屋に行くしかない。

Kayagiya specializes in eel dishes. The combination of fatty eel with their secret sauce cannot be surpassed.
茅木屋は鰻の専門店。脂が乗った鰻の蒲焼きと秘伝のタレの組み合わせがたまらない。

The lunch set includes clear soup and Japanese pickles.
うな丼セットはお吸い物と漬物込み。

Kamakura came into prominence in 1192 AD, becoming the first capital of the East under the reign of Genji clan. The giant Torii gate welcomes visitor to the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
鎌倉は源頼朝により建久3年に幕府がおかれた。鶴岡八幡宮の足元には巨大な鳥居が。

Beyond the Torii is the highly arched Taiko-Bashi, or "Drum Bridge."
太鼓橋。

The sign for the Shrine incorporates pigeons.
本宮のサインには鳩の姿が。

The main hall.
本宮。

Right at the base of the Shrine are couple of ponds, collectively named Genpei Pond. Genpei signifies ruling Genji Clan and rival Heiké Clan. In the vicinity of the Genji Pond is series of flags dedicated to goddess Benzaiten.
源平池の旗上弁財天社近辺に飾られている旗。

On this particular day, there were series of display of chrysanthemums. This one was absolutely brilliant.
今日は偶々菊の祭が行われていた。

Side view of Taiko-Bashi, connecting Genji Pond and Heiké Pond.
源氏池と平家池を跨ぐ太鼓橋。

Interior of a saké shop near the vicinity of the Shrine. Because of the dinner plans and not enough space in my luggage, I had to pass on saké purchase.
八幡宮近辺の酒屋。夜は外食するし、荷物も多すぎたので、酒は買わなかった。

Even though I just had lunch, I had to have Kamakura croquette. This particular one is made from purple potato.
おやつは最近注目されている鎌倉のコロッケ。選んだのは綾紫。

Yum!
うめ~!

Maybe I shouldn't have eaten so close to dinner time...
夕飯直前に食べなかった方が良かったかも...

11/12/08: Day 13 in Japan Part I - Home Sweet Home

Today is my last full day in Japan, and as usual, a busy schedule awaits. First on the itinerary was Gokurakuji, my home town.
日本旅行もついに最終日。今日も凝縮な一日が待っていた。先ず向かったのが、故郷の極楽寺。

I met up with my friend Yuka. Here we are in front of the Gokurakuji station.
今日もユカさんに付き合ってもらった。江ノ電の極楽寺駅前。

Once arriving, we headed to the house where I grew up. It's hard to believe that this house has been built for over 30 years now.
駅から、旧篠崎家へ向かった。この家が建ってから30年以上過ぎたとは信じられない。

Our grandparent's property, however, looks quite different.
おじいちゃんが住んでいた土地は随分違う様子。

Our home is located on a mountainside. Here is the view of Zaimokuji beach from the mountain top.
極楽寺近辺は山が多い。これは近所の山から見る材木座海岸。

Next to Gokurakuji is town of Hase, home to the Great Buddha.
極楽寺の隣は大仏さんで有名な長谷。

Getting closer...
見えてきた...

The familiar sight of home sweet home.
大仏さんを見ると、ホーム・スイート・ホーム。

11/11/08: Day 12 in Japan Part II - Tsukushi No Ko

Tonight marks the return to Izakaya
that was recommended by Sakurai-san of Dassai. I tried to go earlier, but a lost in translation moment resulted in missed connections.
今晩は獺祭の桜井さんがお勧めした居酒屋へ向かった。実は、以前に伺ったけど、連絡ミスで断れた。

I had no such issues this time around. Tsukushi No Ko specializes in saké, and does not carry shochu, beer, or wine. Impressively, most of the selections are nama.
今晩は問題なく入れた。「つくしくしのこ」では日本酒専門店なので、焼酎、ビール、ワインなどは無い。しかも、セレクションのほとんどが生酒。

The place is small, seating about 2 dozen customers per session. On the wall are selecions of saké, with similar font as found on bottles.
「つくしのこ」は比較的に小さな居酒屋。壁には酒メニューがボトルのラベルと同じスタイルで
飾られている。


This is what you get when you order a beer - Dassai sparkling saké.
「つくしのこ」でビールを頼めば、獺祭の発泡にごりが現れた。


Having a toast with my friend Yuka, who I know from New York.
今晩はNYからの知り合いのユカさんと乾杯。


Incidentally, Dassai Sparkling was featured in Manga comic.
ちなみに、獺祭の発泡にごり酒は漫画でもフィーチャーされていた。


The food at Tsukushi No Ko can be best described as taste of home, cooked courtesy of the mother of the store manager. We ordered these great dishes:
「つくしくしのこ」の料理はおふくろの味。店長のお母さんが一品づつ丁寧に作ってくれる。今晩の注文は遠慮しなかった：









These 9 dishes and sakés to match set each of us back mere $58 each. Unheard of in NY...
9品と酒の飲み放題で、一人￥6,000。NYではありえない...


Here I am with the manager. I will certainly be back the next time I am in town!
店長のとおるさんと記念写真。また伺いますので、よろしく!

11/11/08: Day 12 in Japan Part I - Family Crest

After a quick but fun visit to Shichiken, I am headed back to Tokyo for the last leg of the trip. My agenda today is to meet up with my uncle and aunt who happen to be in the town for lunch.
七賢の訪問はあっという間でした。今日は早朝から東京へ向かい、日本に尋ねている家族とランチで合流する予定。いよいよ、この旅の最終段階が近づいてきた...

The people in the first picture are my uncle (your eyes haven't betrayed you, he is Caucasian), and my aunt (Japanese.) When I visited their apartment, they showed my a picture of my great-great-grandfather. I was particularly interested in the designs etched on both sides of his chest, which is our family crest.
写真には叔父のグレッグ(日本人ではありません)と叔母のテルコさん(日本人)。彼らのマンションに訪ねたら、家族の先祖の珍しい写真が飾られていた。私が注目したのは和服の胸に飾られている家紋。

I find Japanese Family crest to be a fascinating traditions, carrying significant meanings. Our family crest symbolizes toughness from a certain type of weed plant, and the fact we belong to a samurai class.
家紋は伝統的なシンボルであり、意味も深い。篠崎家の家紋は「丸に剣片喰」と呼ばれ、雑草の粘り強さと武家の意味が示されている。

Of course, the most respected family crest belongs to the house of the Emperor, modeled after chrysanthemum.
勿論、日本の代表的な家紋は天皇家。

These are the crests for the lieutenants of Shinsengumi.
新撰組局長と組長の家紋。

This is a crest commonly seen in temples, called "Mitsu Domoe."
よく神社などで見られる三つ巴。

The family crests can still be found in many traditional buildings. Of course, it is a common sight in breweries. More I visit the breweries, the more I feel attached to the history of Japan.
家紋は伝統的な建物に飾られる。色々な蔵でも見られるので、歴史を感じる。