Risshun (The Start of Spring)
Although we are still in the middle of Winter, the days are getting longer, which I feel is a very promising sign! As you probably know, the Japanese people are...
Japanese Culture
Japanese tea culture and Buddhism
Kinomi Dokyo is a traditional annual event, when hundreds of Buddhist monks from temples all over Japan were invited to the Imperial Court to recite sutras (religious texts) for three...
Oseibo – Winter presents
I don’t respond well to the cold weather, so wherever I go at the moment I take a blanket and a cup of tea with me! Last week we held...
A Banquet of Chrysanthemums
It is now getting quite chilly, and on my balcony the Japanese maple is turning red. Japanese people, as you know, are very enthusiastic about Sakura (the cherry blossom) in...
Harvest moon
As it is getting quite chilly in the evenings, I’m already starting to wear my autumn clothes. This is quite opposite to my Japanese family and friends, who are complaining...
Ohanami and Bento Box
Ever since the 18th century, Japanese people have travelled out to many parks and gardens, taking with them bento boxes, so that they can eat under the cherry blossom; something...
