hina matsuri (doll festival)
Originally uploaded by renfield.
A Japanese tradition: put out the dolls in hope for happy and healthy daughters.
hina matsuri (doll festival)
hina matsuri (doll festival)
Originally uploaded by renfield.
big norm, little tonchan
big norm, little tonchan
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Big day out for Tonchan! First went to the US Embassy to get a passport, then did the rounds at work meeting everyone. She mostly spent her time in the office asleep, being passed around like a ragdoll.
Big Norm gave her a taste of life 2 meters above ground, but she wasn't really paying attention.
Power to the People!
Power to the People!
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Raise yo' fist to show yo' solidarity against The Man! Disrupt The Dominant Paradigm! Clean diapers! More milk! Longer naps!
stereo crying
stereo crying
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Yuika came over to have lunch and hang out. She and Tonchan demonstrated their synchronized crying abilities by screaming in stereo.
tonchan tsuba
tonchan tsuba
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Yamazaki-sensei sent Tonchan this beautiful tsuba of flower petals and hearts. This will have to go on her first sword, as soon as she's big enough to start cutting!
gasshuku
Headed down to Tokyo Bay coast of Chiba for our annual gasshuku "stay and play." Met the gang at Tokyo Station and to the train for about 1.5 hours to Iwai Station, a nothing little town on the Chiba coast. During the summer the place is packed with sun and sea seeking tourists, but on a cold, rainy February day it's as dead as you can imagine. Some tried to get lunch at one of the two restaurants by the station, but the rest of us bought bento in Tokyo so we walked down to yado and ate.
Denjirokan is a traditional minshuku. Cheap, old and kinda rundown. The kind of place used by student groups and the like. We numbered 40 so they just gave us run of the main building; two floors of a series of interconnected tatami rooms, piles of futon, and bathrooms at the end of each floor. Communal bath (boys and girls separate, each seats about 5 at a time) was across the driveway, by the dog house. Communal dining room seats about 80.
Staying in the other building was a school karate team who used the small gym to train. We got the larger town gym down the road.
After checking in we piled into the minivan and went to the gym to train for a couple of hours, then back to Denjiro for a quick bath and change before dinner. As this was a beach town, the fish and seafood was fresh and delicious and we stuffed ourselves silly. I was pretty tired and had my own room (one of the benefits of being a sensei) so I went to bed early, but from the noise of things they carried on well into the morning.
At 5:30 am I stomped around the building waking everyone up to do some zazen. Nearly everyone came down and trudged through the dark rainy morning to the freezing cold small gym for a couple of short sittings before breakfast. Then we went back to the big gym and trained for a couple more hours before calling it a day at noon.
We mainly did kumitachi, with me teaching the beginners group and trying to plow through as many kata as possible in two days. I think everyone had fun and there was minimal damage done.
We had a good hour before our train arrived so again we piled into the only two restaurants in town. The old grandma running the small pub snack was flabbergasted when we arrived and we just asked her to make whatever she could, so she produced some rice pilaf and curry bowls and we took matters into our own hands, helping ourselves to all the bottled beer.
By the time we made it back to Tokyo the sky was beginning to clear.
Denjirokan is a traditional minshuku. Cheap, old and kinda rundown. The kind of place used by student groups and the like. We numbered 40 so they just gave us run of the main building; two floors of a series of interconnected tatami rooms, piles of futon, and bathrooms at the end of each floor. Communal bath (boys and girls separate, each seats about 5 at a time) was across the driveway, by the dog house. Communal dining room seats about 80.
Staying in the other building was a school karate team who used the small gym to train. We got the larger town gym down the road.
After checking in we piled into the minivan and went to the gym to train for a couple of hours, then back to Denjiro for a quick bath and change before dinner. As this was a beach town, the fish and seafood was fresh and delicious and we stuffed ourselves silly. I was pretty tired and had my own room (one of the benefits of being a sensei) so I went to bed early, but from the noise of things they carried on well into the morning.
At 5:30 am I stomped around the building waking everyone up to do some zazen. Nearly everyone came down and trudged through the dark rainy morning to the freezing cold small gym for a couple of short sittings before breakfast. Then we went back to the big gym and trained for a couple more hours before calling it a day at noon.
We mainly did kumitachi, with me teaching the beginners group and trying to plow through as many kata as possible in two days. I think everyone had fun and there was minimal damage done.
We had a good hour before our train arrived so again we piled into the only two restaurants in town. The old grandma running the small pub snack was flabbergasted when we arrived and we just asked her to make whatever she could, so she produced some rice pilaf and curry bowls and we took matters into our own hands, helping ourselves to all the bottled beer.
By the time we made it back to Tokyo the sky was beginning to clear.
drunj 2: electric bugaloo
Last year I got my drunj on, and once again bonus season was upon us, so it was time for my yearly beveragination.
We started tamely enough, with Yebisu pints and greasy chicken & chips at Finn McCool's. After a couple hours we migrated to the big Sapporo Beer Hall in Ginza for some liter-sized double-pints and basic beer hall debauchery.
When they closed that down and kicked us out we headed to Hiroo and took over Smash Hits for some karaoke goodness. I apparently did well enough with AC/DC's Big Balls and everyone's old favorite Sweet Home Alabama, but after the 3rd Tequila shot I passed out in the back row.
I didn't have my jacket and had many icecubes in my shirt, but somehow I walked down the street, got a taxi, and made it home.
Made it into work today about 1:30 and had a couple of painful meetings before begging off for home.
We started tamely enough, with Yebisu pints and greasy chicken & chips at Finn McCool's. After a couple hours we migrated to the big Sapporo Beer Hall in Ginza for some liter-sized double-pints and basic beer hall debauchery.
When they closed that down and kicked us out we headed to Hiroo and took over Smash Hits for some karaoke goodness. I apparently did well enough with AC/DC's Big Balls and everyone's old favorite Sweet Home Alabama, but after the 3rd Tequila shot I passed out in the back row.
I didn't have my jacket and had many icecubes in my shirt, but somehow I walked down the street, got a taxi, and made it home.
Made it into work today about 1:30 and had a couple of painful meetings before begging off for home.
line?
Mama loves this: the little walkway in front of my house has a white line painted on the side of the road. For what purpose, I have no idea. And for whatever reason, it mysteriously curves out and stops...right before the manhole cover. Did the line painter just miss? Run out of energy? Or is there some unknown purpose yet to be discovered?
kimono tonchan
P1000419.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Got the old kimono from Grandma's closet and was under orders to get photos of Tonchan wearing said kimono. It's just a wee bit too big, you think?
bjorn again
More beautiful weather, so we dropped Tonchan into the Bjorn and took a stroll up to Azabujyuban and Roppongi Hills. At Tsutaya we ran into Conan and his parentals, so we headed up to slide park and I rode the roller slide a bunch of times with Tonchan totally and completely asleep.
potato pancakes
potato pancakes
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Chiepon came over for dinner and at her request mama made potato pancakes, which we ate with the traditional Japanese dishes of grilled salmon in miso and tofu-spinach shiroai.
da bjorn
Debut of da Baby Bjorn. Loverly weather so wrapped up Tonchan in purple, pulled on the watermelon hat, dropped her in da Bjorn, and off we went to the healthy yummy breadstore in Ebisu. It being the day before Constitution Day, the rightists were out in full effect. Interesting way of showing one's love for one's country: blaring rightist music, disobeying traffic signals, marching in full riot gear including masks and hard hats, insulting the police and one's fellow countrymen at 150 decibels. Yup, patriots, the lots of them.
blue & white
Mama and I strolled up to Blue & White and as luck would have it they were doing a small showing of cool sashiko AND the owner Amy Katoh was there. Mama's been trying to catch up with her for weeks, so it was good that they got to chat. We bought some cool stuff for mama to use in upcoming projects, and headed up to Roppongi Hills for lunch and more shopping.
woikin
Dude, what is up with this year? Working like a madman since day one. Leaving the office between 9 and 10 every night this week it seems. Big Boss in town next week, and with the 3-day weekend we had to get everything ready by Friday evening. It's better than being bored and under-utilized at work, I guess.
Nice to be appreciated, though I worry about the gap between my actual ability and the expectations folks have for me. Nothing better than an impossible challenge to keep one on one's toes!
Nice to be appreciated, though I worry about the gap between my actual ability and the expectations folks have for me. Nothing better than an impossible challenge to keep one on one's toes!
jyuban date
Took Tonchan up to Jyuban for a wee date. We strollered up to the watch place next to Starbucks and I got the strap on my watch swapped, then we rolled down to Miri's and had a turkey sandwich before heading home. A bit windy, but we was all bundled up and warm, so no problems.
4 generations
P1000394.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Took Tonchan up to Ibaraki to see great grandma Sakayori. She had a stroke last year and has been in rehabilitation. We took the subway up to the Tsukuba Express, took a little feeding break at the station, and then went to see grandma and great grandma.
jew food revisited
Mama made some old-time favorites for dinner: noodle kugel (with raisins!) and meatloaf. Quality.
jen again
DINNER
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Jen's back for a night after her Sake tour. She and Mama cooked and went shopping all over the place. I worked late, came home, and ate.
amandana
Amandana makes all kinds of cool stuff. And their English web site is spot on:
Absolutely. And of course, be warned that no matter how good the remote control is:
Loyalty of people with competency
We want our users to have fun using our product precisely because it is just a simple calculator.
Comfortable moments for your daily life.
Absolutely. And of course, be warned that no matter how good the remote control is:
powa to da pepul!
powa to da pepul!
Originally uploaded by renfield.
We gotta take da fight to da man! Raise ya fist and shout "We ain't gonna take it! Powa to da pepul!"
stroller debut
Put Tonchan in the Combi (thanks Mona!) and took her down to the dry cleaners. It was a warm and sunny morning, with a bit of wind. She mostly slept.
tonchan arm
I'm only getting to the dojo once a week to teach on Tuesdays, but I'm getting a different kind of workout taking care of Tonchan. Lots of forearm strength training, stance balance, and of course the never-ending trials of patience and finding calm in the storm of stinky diapers and gimme-milk-now! screaming.
Most other stresses in life pale in comparison.
Most other stresses in life pale in comparison.
snork
m_snorkel2
Originally uploaded by renfield.
My dad snorkeling in the waters of Hawaii...or some other old dude in a wetsuit. Can't really tell, honestly.
m & a
M & A came over to play with Tonchan. We goofed off and then had dinner at David's Deli. Thanks for the stroller!
the ladies
敬子ママ
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Keichan and Chiepon came over to see Tonchan, so with Mama, Jenchan, and P, I was the lone Y chromosome.
Chiepon came with armloads of food so we pigged out, and Tonchan slept like a log for hours before eating, then getting a bath.
crowded
Big turnout for class, plus four people watching class, so we were a bit squeezed for space. Managed to go through some kata and basics, started with the "hands and feet" theme but managed to devolve into "if you wanna fix your feet, try adjusting your hands" because it's all connected.
We ran through shin, yu, and enyo trying to understand how it's all the same basic moves whilst trying to avoid killing each other. 10 on the floor plus four by the door is too many people in the dojo at once!
We ran through shin, yu, and enyo trying to understand how it's all the same basic moves whilst trying to avoid killing each other. 10 on the floor plus four by the door is too many people in the dojo at once!
seafood
Mama's in Kyoto, and we had a box of frozen seafood sent from Momo's mom, so we feasted on amaebi and unagi and ikura. Mamechishiki for ya: ikura is a Japanese word that comes from the Russian word for roe.
Wow.
Wow.
krispy kreme
How many Krispy Kremes are too many?
Three. Three is too many.
However, if you are going to eat three, make sure to heat them in the microwave for 20 seconds at 700 watts.
And now excuse me will I bounce off the walls for the next 12 hours.
Three. Three is too many.
However, if you are going to eat three, make sure to heat them in the microwave for 20 seconds at 700 watts.
And now excuse me will I bounce off the walls for the next 12 hours.
suitengu and sushi
稲荷寿司
Originally uploaded by piroko_kuroda.
Went to Ningyocho Station, walked down Ameyokocho shopping street, drank some amazake and bought some tofu products, then bought some sushi at the original inarizushi place. Finally we hit Suitengu Shrine and gave back all the Safe Birth stuff we got when P was pregnant, and got a bunch more stuff, then bought some sukiyaki korokke, came home and pigged outl
tonchan mamechishiki
Mame = bean and chishiki = knowledge. Mamechishiki is "beans o' knowledge", aka useless trivia/facts. So here's some mamechishiki about Tonchan:
- She loves the sound of running water. She could be crying and screaming and turning bright red, but hold her next to a running faucet and she goes quiet and mesmerized.
- Her favorite place is between the washer and dryer when they're both running; warm, repetitively noisy, and the sound of running water abounds (see #1).
- She cannot sleep unless her hands are up near her head.
- She's been alive for over five weeks and since she was born her feet have never stopped moving.
- Warm bath good.
- Warm socks bad (see #4.)
first official practice of 2007
Assembled the whole dojo at the Tokyo Budokan (not the Nippon Budokan in Kudanshita, but the Tokyo Budokan in Ayase) and had the Shinnenkeikokai -- First Official Practice of 2007.
After some words from Gosoke, we ran through the basics and then split up by rank and trained for a couple hours. I have the 4th/5th dans so we worked on all the niggling little details; feet, knees, hips, hands, elbows, shoulders...using the upper and lower body together as one unit, focusing on the enemy and reacting to him...lots to work on this year!
After some words from Gosoke, we ran through the basics and then split up by rank and trained for a couple hours. I have the 4th/5th dans so we worked on all the niggling little details; feet, knees, hips, hands, elbows, shoulders...using the upper and lower body together as one unit, focusing on the enemy and reacting to him...lots to work on this year!
back in the dojo
First practice of the year, and my first practice in what must be over a month. My left ankle still feels a bit wonky since I did something to it a couple of days ago (not sure what) but other than that it was nice to get back swinging.
Took plenty of time today to warm up and work on basics slowly. Focused on, as always, keeping some semblance of balance and coordination between the upper and lower halves of the body. Always tough, because it's so easy to step quickly with the feet, but the arms can't move the sword as quickly, and it ends up being a whip-like motion with the feet and legs planting and then the upper body swinging forward and the arms snapping. Strong, but no good against someone who's also trying to kill you. As has been stressed from day one: if you step you are in range to hit and therefore in range to be hit. If you step into range, your sword best be buried in the other guy's head. If it's not, and it's still somewhere above your head, then his sword will surely be buried in your head.
So we worked on basics 1 and 2, then did the first kata shin for the rest of the time. Gotta love the word kata. It means shape or form, referring to the pattern of movements, but not the same as odori, a set pattern of movements i.e. a dance. Kata is concerned with transmitting some essence of the art through the repetition of certain physical strategies. The desired end result is some level of proficiency in using the techniques to achieve given goals: kill him before he kills you, evade and counter before he has time to mount a second attack, etc. Interestingly, the end result can be achieved, superficially (and wrongly) by ignoring the exactness of the kata itself.
For example it's easy to cut a straw target: any adult can swing a sword like a bat and chop straw in two. But to do so without using unnecessary arm strength, driving from the hips effortlessly requires serious practice.
Before the end can be achieved, the kata must be obeyed. Since it is impossible for a beginner to understand a kata, he must first take it on faith that the kata is correct, even though he is unable to do it correctly. So the beginner makes every effort to simply copy what he sees, to make his kata look correct. First get the moves in their proper order; left foot, right hand, etc. Then attempt to make them look right; lean this far, sword angled just so, hand and foot timed like this. Ironically, it is only by first striving to make the kata look good that one can begin to understand the essence of the kata; correct action forces the desired result -- it is not possible to do the wrong thing when the kata is done correctly, and it is not possible to make the kata look correct without doing it correctly.
Superficially at first, it is easy to mimic the various poses of the kata, to copy frame by frame. The key is the movement between frames, the timing and balance, the poise and speed moving from one frame to the next. Ultimately the body learns how to move in ways originally thought not possible or at the least impractical. Then begins an understanding of the strategy, the actual art. At this point one can start ignoring the kata in and of itself and focus on the underlying goal and the principals to achievement. Interestingly, this is why many senior practitioners are not too concerned with getting a kata "wrong"; they are perfectly capable of going left instead of right, slow instead of fast, because they understand the essence, the strategy of the art. Gosoke sometimes demonstrates this by starting one kata and then finishing as another. For him, as he says, all the kata are merely one kata, there is only one Mugairyu. As the first line of the poem from which Mugairyu got its name says: "ippo jitsu mugai" -- "There is nothing but the one truth."
Took plenty of time today to warm up and work on basics slowly. Focused on, as always, keeping some semblance of balance and coordination between the upper and lower halves of the body. Always tough, because it's so easy to step quickly with the feet, but the arms can't move the sword as quickly, and it ends up being a whip-like motion with the feet and legs planting and then the upper body swinging forward and the arms snapping. Strong, but no good against someone who's also trying to kill you. As has been stressed from day one: if you step you are in range to hit and therefore in range to be hit. If you step into range, your sword best be buried in the other guy's head. If it's not, and it's still somewhere above your head, then his sword will surely be buried in your head.
So we worked on basics 1 and 2, then did the first kata shin for the rest of the time. Gotta love the word kata. It means shape or form, referring to the pattern of movements, but not the same as odori, a set pattern of movements i.e. a dance. Kata is concerned with transmitting some essence of the art through the repetition of certain physical strategies. The desired end result is some level of proficiency in using the techniques to achieve given goals: kill him before he kills you, evade and counter before he has time to mount a second attack, etc. Interestingly, the end result can be achieved, superficially (and wrongly) by ignoring the exactness of the kata itself.
For example it's easy to cut a straw target: any adult can swing a sword like a bat and chop straw in two. But to do so without using unnecessary arm strength, driving from the hips effortlessly requires serious practice.
Before the end can be achieved, the kata must be obeyed. Since it is impossible for a beginner to understand a kata, he must first take it on faith that the kata is correct, even though he is unable to do it correctly. So the beginner makes every effort to simply copy what he sees, to make his kata look correct. First get the moves in their proper order; left foot, right hand, etc. Then attempt to make them look right; lean this far, sword angled just so, hand and foot timed like this. Ironically, it is only by first striving to make the kata look good that one can begin to understand the essence of the kata; correct action forces the desired result -- it is not possible to do the wrong thing when the kata is done correctly, and it is not possible to make the kata look correct without doing it correctly.
Superficially at first, it is easy to mimic the various poses of the kata, to copy frame by frame. The key is the movement between frames, the timing and balance, the poise and speed moving from one frame to the next. Ultimately the body learns how to move in ways originally thought not possible or at the least impractical. Then begins an understanding of the strategy, the actual art. At this point one can start ignoring the kata in and of itself and focus on the underlying goal and the principals to achievement. Interestingly, this is why many senior practitioners are not too concerned with getting a kata "wrong"; they are perfectly capable of going left instead of right, slow instead of fast, because they understand the essence, the strategy of the art. Gosoke sometimes demonstrates this by starting one kata and then finishing as another. For him, as he says, all the kata are merely one kata, there is only one Mugairyu. As the first line of the poem from which Mugairyu got its name says: "ippo jitsu mugai" -- "There is nothing but the one truth."
p's night off
P went to her annual junior high school reunion so I was in charge of Tonchan. Fed her a couple of bottles, burped her, put her in the sling and she fell asleep immediately. Had dinner, gave her a bath and another bottle, and by then P came home. All in all a tiring but successful evening.
P's friends couldn't believe that a) she had a baby (we surpised everyone by sending them new year's cards with pictures of Tonchan) and b) she left a one-month old baby with the husband. I guess they're not used to husbands who are even remotely useful when it comes to taking care of kids.
P's friends couldn't believe that a) she had a baby (we surpised everyone by sending them new year's cards with pictures of Tonchan) and b) she left a one-month old baby with the husband. I guess they're not used to husbands who are even remotely useful when it comes to taking care of kids.
rains and trains
Took Mama up to Millie's place to have lunch with her and her parents. We took the subway. Badly. Didn't even realize that Kodenmacho station is not on the Ginza Line, so we ended up taking Nanboku to Ginza to Asakusa to Hibiya. Should have just gotten on the Hibiya Line at Hiroo, so we make a 30 minute ride into a an hour-long slough through the underworld of Tokyo.
After playing with Millie and stuffing ourselves we went to Mitsukoshi to check out the cool traditional crafts sale. Mama got some cool hand-blown glass bead (tombodama) necklaces and I got a hand-carved wooden mu to carry around in my pocket.
And then it was to the basement to load up on grilled fish and chicken balls and black vinegar pork to take home and eat for dinner, but first a fresh squeezed juice to get the blood sugar level back to normal.
After playing with Millie and stuffing ourselves we went to Mitsukoshi to check out the cool traditional crafts sale. Mama got some cool hand-blown glass bead (tombodama) necklaces and I got a hand-carved wooden mu to carry around in my pocket.
And then it was to the basement to load up on grilled fish and chicken balls and black vinegar pork to take home and eat for dinner, but first a fresh squeezed juice to get the blood sugar level back to normal.
1 month checkup
1 month checkup
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Went with Tonchan and P for a checkup. Tonchan is doing well -- gaining lots of weight and her neck is getting strong. Oh yeah, she's also damn cute, thank you.
tonchan hatsumode
Hatsumode = "first shrine visit of the year"
We bundled her up:
Stuffed her in the sling:
(where she promptly fell asleep)
And headed to Hikawa Shrine:
We bundled her up:
Stuffed her in the sling:
(where she promptly fell asleep)
And headed to Hikawa Shrine:
2006
I guess I'm supposed to write something looking back at all the things that happened in 2006, maybe even provide some links back to my favorite or significant posts; you know, like grandpa Kuroda dying and Daisuke, Maya, and Tonchan being born. Friends arriving and friends leaving, eating good food and staying at cool places...
Then again I can also remark that I lost 2 kilos, shrank a quarter centimeter, and shaved my head regularly.
So what's in store for 2007? More sitting (I hope), less training (I suspect), more diapers (I am sure.)
Then again I can also remark that I lost 2 kilos, shrank a quarter centimeter, and shaved my head regularly.
So what's in store for 2007? More sitting (I hope), less training (I suspect), more diapers (I am sure.)
winter?
Been unseasonably warm past couple days, so taking the opportunity to sneak outside (between diaper changes and feedings) and shop for bread, buy/sell used English books, and get my head shaved.
Brain gets a bit toasted sitting inside all day, so it's nice to get out every now and then. Also interesting to see the kinds of people who are out and about during the day. Sitting at work all day I never get a chance to ride the bus and wander about shopping amongst the common folk. Good to mingle with the peasants every now and then; keeps one humble.
Brain gets a bit toasted sitting inside all day, so it's nice to get out every now and then. Also interesting to see the kinds of people who are out and about during the day. Sitting at work all day I never get a chance to ride the bus and wander about shopping amongst the common folk. Good to mingle with the peasants every now and then; keeps one humble.
traditional jewish xmas dinner
traditional jewish xmas dinner
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Sprial ham with honey glaze, potato panckaes with applesauce, carrot soup. Merry Chanukrismas!
little man Kai
The Birth of Our First Baby
Originally uploaded by Cornelius_20D.
Corn's kid is born! Little Man Kai has joined us on Dec 22, so now Tonchan's got someone to date in a few more years.
meimei
P1000284.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Parentals Kuroda came by this morning to present Tonchan with the traditional girl's hagoita (decorated fan.) Grandma also wrote out this cool birthday announcement.
gifts for tonchan!
P1000274.JPG
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Tonchan is just scoring big time! From all her friends at work and across Japan and the US, and all her family, she got tons of flowers, a bunch of toys, new clothes, towels, stuffed friends, and this cool stocking from Aunt Linda!
She also really, really doesn't like coming out of the bath and being cold. She cries and screams and is generally pissed off with me for a good hour, until I wrap her up and make her warm and let her suck/chew on my finger for a while...but what really makes her happy is when mom comes and feeds her. Meanwhile I have been soaked and nearly pooped on from bathtime. Just think, in a few short years this bundle of screaming joy will be exclaiming "I don't want you I want MOM!"
Ah, fatherhood. 10 days down...24 years to go...
damn straight
city hall and shibuya
Went with mama to Minato City Hall (Ward Office sounds lame) to register Tonchan's birth and start some paperwork. The federal gov't gives us a fair amount of money for a child's birth, plus Minato will kick in some more, for both the birth and for the mom's medical expenses.
The interesting bit, as always, was how they deal with a foreigner dad. Technically, when we got married P came off of her father's family registery, had her own created, and I am on hers (in the section on the bottom where it says "Pets and other notes" there is the comment "married to a foreigner.")
So to register Tonchan's birth my name as father has to be just like it is on P's family registery, which is basically my maiden name. I am curious as to how the US Embassy will react to that, because I don't actually have anything that shows I am me, with my current name and my maiden name. When I got married and changed my name, I simply went to the US Embassy and said "Got married, took my wife's name" and they updated my passport. When I went back to city hall to renew my registration as a resident alien, they used the name in my passport, no longer my maiden name.
So when I go to the US Embassy with a copy of Tonchan's Japanese birth certificate, it will have dad's name as my maiden name...not quite sure I will use that to prove she's mine! This should be interesting...
After that little adventure in Japanese bureaucracy we had a quick/cheap/easy/filling pork bowl at Yoshinoya and took the train to Shibuya. First showed mama the 5-story fabric store across from 109, and then reminded her how to get to Tokyu Hands, so now she's set for shopping. Finally had a warm and refreshing bevvie at the QFront Starbucks before taking the bus home.
The interesting bit, as always, was how they deal with a foreigner dad. Technically, when we got married P came off of her father's family registery, had her own created, and I am on hers (in the section on the bottom where it says "Pets and other notes" there is the comment "married to a foreigner.")
So to register Tonchan's birth my name as father has to be just like it is on P's family registery, which is basically my maiden name. I am curious as to how the US Embassy will react to that, because I don't actually have anything that shows I am me, with my current name and my maiden name. When I got married and changed my name, I simply went to the US Embassy and said "Got married, took my wife's name" and they updated my passport. When I went back to city hall to renew my registration as a resident alien, they used the name in my passport, no longer my maiden name.
So when I go to the US Embassy with a copy of Tonchan's Japanese birth certificate, it will have dad's name as my maiden name...not quite sure I will use that to prove she's mine! This should be interesting...
After that little adventure in Japanese bureaucracy we had a quick/cheap/easy/filling pork bowl at Yoshinoya and took the train to Shibuya. First showed mama the 5-story fabric store across from 109, and then reminded her how to get to Tokyu Hands, so now she's set for shopping. Finally had a warm and refreshing bevvie at the QFront Starbucks before taking the bus home.
namahage
namahage
Originally uploaded by renfield.
Went to Azabujyuban with mama to do some shopping; laundry basket for Tonchan's stuff, sheets for her crib, etc. For some reason some Namahage drummers from Akita Prefecture were performing. No idea why, but it was pretty cool.
Came home and Tonchan finally fell asleep, so now P is napping, mama is napping on the couch, and Tonchan is napping in the basinette. I am doing the laundry and being a good new papa/husband.
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