Calendar of Activities, 2020

    Mar.19 (Thu),   March Luncheon - cancelled

    Mar.20 (Fri),   Kodomo no sono Promotion Party - cancelled

    Apr.04 (Sat),   Hakujyuso Hanami Party from 11:30,Rain or shine

    Apr.18 (Sat),   KDS Spring Party at Yokohama Bank Skate Rink in Higashikanagawa

    Apr.22 (Wed),   the 65th Azalea Tea Party - cancelled

Making Edo Kiriko at Asakusa

    YIWC's October outing was to Sokichi in Asakusa. We enjoyed making our own original glass using the Edo-Kiriko (cut glass) method. It's said Edo Kiriko was founded in 1834 by Kagaya Kyubei, who operated a glassware store in Edo (Tokyo). After studying in Osaka, he returned to Edo and operated a glassware store that made eyeglasses and thermometers. Eventually, cut glass gradually spread throughout Edo.

    Everyone admires the beautiful cut glass we see throughout Japan. Now after making our own glass, we can appreciate the difficulty and precision necessary to achieve those beautiful designs. After our initial cutting practice on the machine, we then chose our own glass shape, a design, drew the design on our glass and then proceeded to cut. It's amazing what we accomplished in a little time.

Reported by Mrs.Doc O'Conner Nemoto

Walking thruogh Ryogoku

    What a fun day we had on our walking tour of Ryogoku area. The mood was set as soon as we stepped off the train at Ryogoku station. Because a sumo tournament was happening, the air on the platform smelled of the sumo rekishi's fragrant hair oil. The smell permeated the station while the lower ranked rekishi passed through.

    Our first stop was the Sumida Hokusai Museum housed in a unique, modern building. The current exhibition of works by Hokusai and his students was about Edo's livelihood - the many ways people made their living during that period. It's a fascinating exhibition to see and don't miss Hokusai's lifesize studio!

    On our way to lunch, we walked by Nishikido and Hakkaku Stables. You knew they were sumo stables because of the mawashi outside drying. We enjoyed a typical sumo lunch at the famous restaurant, Yoshiba. Sitting around a dohyo in the restaurant, we enjoyed chanko nabe with 15 ingredients per person per pot.

    After our filling lunch we strolled through Yokoamicho Park, visiting the Hall of Repose for the 30,000 people who died on that spot after the Great Kanto Earthquake and then later in World War II. We also visited the Reconstruction Memorial Hall. The park is a poignant reminder of past tragedies and another recommended place to visit.

    As time was running out, on our way to Eko-in Temple, we walked through Kyu-Yasuda Park and enjoyed a view overlooking it from the new Sword Museum. Many thanks to the wonderful organizers and participants.

                      Hoping to become rich by scraping a rock for powder at the Eko-in Temple.

    Overlooking Kyu-Yasuda Garden and the Kokugikan sumo hall.