Category Archive

Even in Happiness there is Sadness or suffering. That would be the Buddhist outlook. Meaning all good things must end, Within light the is dark. one could go lots of ways with this. It is unfortunate that the little bit of badness with the flow on the 4th day was not the extent of the negative flow, but more on that later…

For now day 4. We had been looking forward to a sailing day on Monday. A short hop over to Benica for lunch and an easy sail back.

However there were two glitches in that plan. 1. Low tide, was keeping us in the slip until later in the PM. We did not have that much time to just set thing adrift so to speak. #2 was there was no wind! I without wind, sailboat is just another boat. We had already been on one all afternoon in Monterey and they were taking the ferry tomorrow. Not much difference in the board sense. So not much point taking out s/v Zen with no Wind.

So figuring to make the best of things, we drove over to Benica for lunch and a stroll around town.

Looking…

looking,…

then Thai Food…

ooshiiiiii!

Afterward we did the next best thing to going out and floating in one spot, we went back to the Marina and

Raised the family flag …

had wine and chatted there in the cockpit of the boat.

We enjoyed the day from where we were and what we had. The Kobe Crew had practicing throwing up the “Zen” sign so were just a bit disappointed,

but they were able to do it for the shots,

so no waste.

After a couple of hours or there-a-bout, we call it a day. They are off to a NBA game in Oaktown ( Oakland).

It would be several hours later before they could eat. With that in Mind we stopped at an All American Food Shop called the Hot Dog Stand . They would get the traditional faire for going to a Sport Game, Burgers N Fries, Hot Dogs and Milk Shake. Pig out!!!… I got the veggie burger. One of the reasons we stopped at this place was because it had “Air Fries”, not the deep fried usual stuff. These were made with hot air, and tasted great without the oil. That was broken…and the company was out of business!

All this great American Pig Out Food was cooked up by a sweet older couple from Korea who own the place.

So as bad goes, not having wind, and stuck in a slip until higher water, no “air fries” was mild…

Unlike the ugly…

I did not tie that flow in with the Zen Sense running in the background feeling a disturbance in the force…

Day 3,

Things are going along well. Everything has worked out and in the case of the last night even better. It is Sunday, we are off to Sonoma County for wine tasting. As we had such a late night on Sat, we sleep in a bit on Sunday then were off to the North.

We headed out on a familar route for me. I use it everyday to get to work. We had to drive almost right by my office so I took a small detour and showed the Crew the office house built in the early 19oo’s . It is am impressive house , total different than what they would see in Japan.

Next stop a winery. We did two wineries that day. The first we had drinks, more like sips, which was perfect ad it was free. I did not take pictures there, but for one of lil sis & hubby. Our next stop had more visual quality so I got some shots.

Also one of were Lady Z & I sat for our first picture together, just dating. It was kind of an anniversary return for us.

We all went into the shop for snack & spreads samples. However as the drinks sample cost 5.00 we passed. We’ll I passed , and they all felt so afterwards I spoke up…so they said.

 

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After strolling around the grounds for a while, it took off for Olde Town Sonoma. Time for some shopping. They hit a few stores. We had ice cream, then looked around some more. Finally a suitable prize was selected and we were off.

From here it was a drive out further into the countryside . We made a stop at my big Sis’s house for shakes and bows before heading back home for Pizza & drinks.

The next day, Day 2 , Sat. We set off early in the a.m. for a Drive down the coast to Monterey, via Santa Cruz. The time for the day was perfect. It turned into my favorite of the visit. We arrived at our first way point on time, however I was concerned about time, if I was on track. After some inquiring locally about my ETA, I felt more relaxed somewhat. The other problem is Lady Z is now getting car sick.

We stopped for a break and some breakfast for me, as they ate at home before leaving but there was nothing for me. We also picked up some hand warmers for sister. After all that, plus Loo breaks we were off again. Our next stop on the journey is a small town called Davenport. Sorry, no pictures I was focused. There at one time there was a interesting little gift shop which was now remodeled to enlarge the restaurant. That was my planned rest point and time check. We were on course and on time, with a little help from no traffic and speeding … a bit.

We made it to Monterey with about a hour to kill before our planned whale watching trip. The Kobe Crew had never done it before and were REALLY Looking forward to it. Lady Z and I did it before , but on a bigger boat. We were hoping this would be better since we could get closer to the whales when possible. We took a lunch break after checking in with the boat people. There were 4 of us…

Once we all loaded on the boat , which was a small group, we took off for open water. I was a bit concerned about getting sick. Not so much from the sea motion , which added to it, but the fumes of the diesel motor and the motion. It was only about 30 min out from shore when we had our first sightings.

It was near the end of the season, so it was unsure if we would have any sighting. We were lucky and had several.

Sort of spread out into small groupings. But we did spot some a couple fairly near. I got one photo I liked, I would have liked to have done better. It is nice though to have been given one.

I have another shot that is fairly good, lil sis has the same shot on her camera. That was weird seeing that.

The trip lasted about 3 hours. I was ready for it to end , I had gotten at least one good shot, and I was fighting not getting sick. So far I was just ok. I was floating on the edge of going down hill… but still under control. It was a fast, chilly ride outside the cabin on the way back to port. Fast and Chilly but, helping to me to center. Calming my center, when there was the turmoil of the elements and man made power on the other side.

Next on our plan after WW is to visit our friends the “Tokyo Delgation” . We were all going to hook up for dinner. We headed over to their home for the meeting and a drink. We were very please to find brother in law could find his peeble Beach golf something , via our friend. Great timeing as well as they had 30 minutes to make the store, which was near. perfect!! Brother- in-law is all smiles now…

We band up and head out for dinner, we are now SIX. We go by this small family owned Italian place. It is full but we wait just a short time while a table is cleared up and prepared. We drop by Cost Plus for a quick look around. To kill the wait time. Dinner was excellent. Not really heavy but good flavor and fresh tasting.

After dinner whilst waiting for a couple of deserts a call comes in from a friend of the TD’s . She is another Japanese connection from Osaka and her husband. We agree to met up at the lounge at the Hotel and check out this Jazz band. It was only a short drive over, we are now 8. The Kobe Crew, The Tokyo Delegation, The Osaka Connection, and the Zen Clan.

The band was excellent we hung out with wine and chatted for awhile, before we got the hint it was time to leave.

A whale of a day…

With a title this you know it has to be epic…

The big event for us this year, which we have been waiting on for some 4 years, was; the visit from the Kobe Crew. Lady Z’s sister and husband finally made it here from Kobe Japan. We all have been excited about this for weeks on end. They have tried to make it over several times but something unpleasant always came up. We all were delighted fro them ot make it. I was intent on doing whatever was needed to have their needs taken care of for the visit. I needed to repay in a small way the kindness they showed when I came to Japan the first time to visit them. When I fell ill they helped and the many times of help since then with the family affairs in Japan and other visits.

Mother had made the trip now it was their turn. There was some family drama a couple of weeks before they arrived. We were concerned events would again require a postponement…

However this time they made it! They were under a very short time schedule so we had a lot of things to fit in a just a few days, less than a week to be exact. This was going to be a rush…

I picked them up at the S.F. Airport having borrowed my cousin’s SUV for the visit. That was a REAL blessing, thanks cuz. ANywHoo we head from the airport to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.

note* there are more pictures of all on another of my sites. If you can access on. The Photo album is here:

http://zenkazi.multiply.com/photos

A most excellent and beautiful energy spot. All the flowers, and the water a delight for the eyes and spirit.

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Or next stop which I had planned out was the Palace of Fine Arts, built in 1915 I believe for the Pan-Pacific Faire

or Expo I have been there several times now but it is always an visual event.

They are slowly renovating inside the dome. I must see that when it’s done. Hopefully before we go to Japan…

Next stop, this is a great path I worked out. Seeing much stuff all on the way home in a smooth round about road.

I was quite pleased with myself at the route. Anyway I degress with my ego

The Golden Gate Bridge. It is a amazing sight when it is partly covered with fog. I wanted to get a shot of that. There was major fog in the morning, however now it is returned to it source.

We can however enjoy the clear sky and the great northern Ca weather . We gather views from many sides to savor the visual meal spread before us.

That is followed by the desert of finally arriving home for a rest, a meal and some wine.

Nice…

Japan misc thoughts and doings

Only In Japan, would there be a show on the different types of hamburgers and Hamburger places. With big discussion on the deliciousness on each and the style.
This is a full show on comparing them. Food and eating is BIG deal in Japan. There is a lot of great food here. Much of it not what is served in American restaurants

Public transportation seems expensive. However if you work for a company, they pay for your daily commute, VERY unlike American companies. I will need to figure out something about getting around. I would love to have a Harley here to get around, even though it gets COLD! We did find one train line that has cheap fares to and from where we mostly go

I went out the other evening to met a guy from Black Tokyo.com and have a small interview with him. Lady Z was not up to going, she was pretty burnt out from the day and wanted to rest. She thought it would be good for me to travel on the public transportation alone to try it out. It went off fairly well , I only asked for direction once when changing trains to get home. The interview went well, the young brother brought his girlfriend along , had I known that I would have made Lady Z come. Kamen, from NY, lives in Osaka for some 7 yrs now, teaches English and Spanish and has an advance degree from a University in the states. He is also much into the Martial Arts perhaps he’ll be a future student once I move over. Funny guy and interesting views.

The trains are great in Japan! Everything runs on time and are clean!

I got fussed at by Lady Zen for opening a taxi door. She says one does not do that in Japan. The driver opens the door from inside for the riders, it is bad form to open the door. Who knew??!

You find American music in the most unusually places that do not really match the place. American Jazz played at several places I would have thought would do some traditional Japanese tunes.

Went out fro a walk to the local shopping center toady to meet up with Lady Z. I got to see some of the local area vai foot. Clean streets, clean homes. Nice area. I could live around here if it was closer to the water.

This was our best trip to Japan. I felt honored to met and be advised by not just one master, which is a big deal to happen once, but by three in one week is amazing! The only downer this trip was the COLD.

Well, the other is, we did not get all of our cash converted at the airport, thinking we could do it at the local bank here, WRONG! They not do it on a walk-in basis any more. Most places do not take plastic so our cash flow is a problem.

I feel more comfortable in Japan each visit. There are things would miss about the states, but I can adjust. The weather in Cal would be a BIG one. One thing for sure, I really need to bone up on the language before coming over, that will be more than helpful.

We went out to Dinner with sister and mother tonight. We went to a local place. We had a bunch of small dishes of great food, sake, and some mixed Shochu cocktails.
I have discovered Chu-hi. A drink with Shochu and juice, Mmmm yummy I got some to take home to the states.

I found if I go in the kitchen I can access wifi, sweet!

The area of Osaka we are in has a really nice park(s) and lots of trees around. I would love to see the area in Autumn, the plan 2009 next visit! That will be the last before the move.

Everyone is out doing stuff today but me. I felt like staying in and updating the blog and doing some reading. They will bring me home Sushi tonight. It is kind of nice for my male ego to have three women concerned about my well being here, serving me, I feel like “the Man” heheh
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We are to go out shopping and stuff with sister and okasan. We had lunch together. There were a few ladies at the table while we were ordering. They got a kick out of all the things that were named as Dame (no good) for me, Shrimp, mushrooms, clams, other slimy stuff..

We stopped by the Kyudo supply and pickup a few things for me to take home to the states. As we spoke with the owner we found out the place I went to for Kyudo is famous because of that Sensei. However they are not really open to people just coming in, or is it easy to just walk in and join. Many have complained about that being somewhat closed door. I was lucky to get such a good reception and private lessons for almost free. It was more of an honor than I thought to be treated so well. I will need to send him a gift from the states as a way of thanks.

I wish I had more time, money and transportation, there are still some things and places I would like to go. Like to the Kobe Marina and visit Bill and his new boat. also another American is in town with his wife for her father’s 100 day memorial, we are here for Lady Z’s father 1 yr. memorial. interesting. I did get to speak with the other visiting Californian. He and his wife are planning on moving to Osaka this year just after Oct. He put his boat up for sale. I will make some plans to visit him and his wife before they leave, He sound like a nice guy, I’m sure Lady z and his wife will have lots to talk about as out lives share a similar path.
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Winding down.

Today is our last day, we went to Otosan’s 1yr. memorial ceremony today…
It snowed in the morning. As we had to get up and started early I did not plan to go Tai Chi, which was just as well since I do not think they had it in the snow.

We set off early for the ceremony for Dad. We went to the shrine in a part of town I had not been too. The shrine was fairly old and small. The ceiling in the alter room was done by a famous Japanese artist I was told. It was a beautiful array of Phoenixes. The ceremony took an hour. It was not an outstanding ceremony. When I was listening, even though I did not know what was being read/chanted it sounded like the monk was messing up. I find out later that he was, some of the relatives complained about what a poor job he did just reading. We say/kneed through out the hour long ceremony. I was thinking my legs would be good with all the Zazen that I have been doing. However after about 45 min, they starting getting painful. I stuck it out telling myself, Ganbattemas!!

Afterward we went to a hotel for a old style traditional Japanese Kaiseki meal in a very modern hotel. it was all light tasting, but good, along with Sake and beer everyone was in good spirits. The elders who had not seen each other in a while were happily visiting and chatting. It was a good, day although the shadow of it ending soon, loomed over Lady Z and I. Neither of us were ready for this way too short trip to end.

So I believe I could live in Japan, it would take some adjusting of course but I think I’d be ok. I would miss the weather in Cal, the very few friends I have and my Sci Fi shows May I can get some type of internet TV hookup That will give me some feeds. I know it is always nice everywhere one visits and living there is different but I think I’d be ok. I have a pretty good feel for things this time, and we’ll hopefully get another visit in before the move. I am not going in blind and have a few plans so we’ll see.

My biggest concern of course is working , money, it is always money! I will need to focus on bringing my Japanese skills up Then I should be able to get a decent PT gig teaching English which will be our base support. IF Lady Z can get some P/T gig as well we’ll be ok.

We decided on live in an Area between Kobe and Osaka. Easy to get to both places from there.

We met up with a few ladies at the Airport. One of which I had been in touch with on MySpace.com. Since she lived in Osaka I figured i’d contact her. She was looking forward to meeting us and brought along 2 of her friends. They where nice we chatted for a while about their travels, and life in Japan vs the States, over lunch and coffee. Then it was time to head out.

This was a VERY good trip, we Hated to leave, even through COLD, now it is time for back to the real world.

Culture shock!

Service in the states sucks!
We were given the wrong item at the duty free shop in SF. When we went to return in the manager offered nothing in the way of an applogie, even though it was clearly their error not even, sorry for your trouble.
Then when we get to the taxi stand at the Bart station we are pushing and pulling our 4 pieces of luggage and the cab driver just sit there even after we come up to the cab. He just yells out the window, where do you want to go? WTF!! In Japan they are out of the car, doors open, trunk open, asking how they can help. I was pissed, and took another cab. GRRRR Only a short time in Japan an I am already spoiled by good service. I will not even go into the time I came back and the Homeland Security Guards are yelling at people to move along faster, great impression to see when coming to America.

It will most likely be quiet around here for a while. Nothing really planned other than a second visit to the HeartChan (zen) pratice group and a Kyudo class visit in Berkeley next week. I do not except it to be eventful enough to write about.

Time to shift focus to sailing now. I have a couple of traning classes upcoming next month and should be hearing something about teaching for the city of Oakland. There is also a sail boat race in Berekely. I was invited to crew on one one the boats, but that will not work out due to some scheduling conflicts, however I will be there for some pictures on Sunday. So the sailing blog will be seeing some action now.

Next big thing I know of for here is a Kyudo Seminar at Sonoma Mtn Zen center in May. It lasts over several days. It should be interesting. So check in for updates…you never know what the tide will bring in…

Day III- Tea with a Ceramic Master

(click on photos to see larger image)

It is Monday and we are up fairly early for another trip. Sister makes us breakfast. Her and lady Z have a western style breakfast with toast and jam it is there custom, lerned from there mothr who loves western style breakfast. Brother and I have Japanese style breakfast, fish, rice, plum, green tea.
We prepare for a cold day reported by the weather report. We load up the car and head off to the mountains. The destination is Shigaraki. We drive through some unseen parts of Japan for me. Out of the city and up through some mountain roads. Some interesting country views and winding roads. I am told we are stopping at the A World Heritage. This turns out to a Thousand Year old Temple “Byodoin“. Amazing to imagine a place around built a thousand years ago! It’s image is on one of the Japanese currencies. It is an eye full and I take a bunch of pictures. It is lucky that it is Monday otherwise it would have been very crowded. However the whole area would have been enhanced if the flowers were in bloom, which would have also made it a lot more crowed. So it is all a trade off. It was still a incredible place, the lake, the scale, the vibe. Inside off the museum we were shown a video of what was thought to be the original colors and designs. Many of the inside carvings were placed inside behind glass in controlled space and were on display with no photos or drawings allowed. I understood the no photos but not the no drawings. Oh well. It was enough to see them, the memory (hopfully) will stay.

We walk around a bit, including past the headquarters of Shorinryu Kempo ( Shaolin kung fu ) in the Area or Osaka I’m not sure which.
It was closed so could not go inside to check out what the deal was, bummer!

Off to see the ceramics. Another 45min or so puts us in the town, after driving past what I find out later are fields of green tea. The rows cover sides of hills, through most of the areas where there is no tree growth. Rows and rows of tea. It also turns out that this area is know for this special green tea. I could not figure what they were, There was not miles and miles of it like farmland here in the states, but more like little or large home gardens, but almost everywhere around each bend in the road.

We arrive at the town

We head down a few small streets and arrive at a place, a center complex that has ceramics everywhere! Large, small and everything between amazing. We wander a bit and end up a one shop and enter. It turns out it is not the starting place and we are given a map. However since were there we figure to look around a bit. The gentleman who helps us, sits down at a hanging tea kettle and starts talking. Saying he has been to S.F. and a few other places and starts dipping out hot water from this old iron pot over a old style pit fireplace and invites us to sit for tea. He serves us this very complex tasting green tea bitter but flavorful and starts telling us about himself. Turns out he is the Master of the whole complex, Sojyu Ueda Sensei. He was invited to be a judge at a Japan ceramic show. He has been on National TV many times, and is quite famous in Japan ceramic circles. If I had knew we were going to meet with the master I would have prepared some questions. shucks!
They tell him I am doing ceramics and he asks me a few questions about what I make, what type of firing I use and other things. I could not understand hardly anything, it was good the family was there to translate. He did not speak any English, and for some reason, my ears were not working well , so even words that I knew did not register. Duh!
After he asked me did I have any questions, and I finally got it ( duh) I asked,
Q; How long have you been doing this?

A: 75yrs he says. He is now 80 something. He started when he was 15.

Q: Who was your teacher?

A: He learned from his family. Just getting the basics, after that he developed his style, and he made a great of the main display pieces.

Q: What type of wheel do you use?

A: These days and electric wheel. back in the day it was a manual wheel which had to be turned. It seemed like he was saying by hand.
Q: What type of firing do you do, Gas, wood, electric?

A: It is all done with wood.

He went to look for a write up in English for me and found one. We were told were to go to start the walking tour, with instructions not to speak to the workers. So we start on our way.
We walk past the largest wood ground build Kiln in Japan. We were not allowed to take pictures ( I got one before the sign was read, oops), and usually folks were not allowed to watch the loading method they used, but we were granted access even while that was happening. This Kiln was huge and had many loading doors, we walked upstairs past several doors and up several levels, think a two story building oven.

We were told the firing is done for 7 days, before the pieces are done. Following the arrows around the complex which went up and down several buildings where ceramic & clay were handled at various stages of production. After walking for some 30 minutes in and out of multiple buildings, we came to the end of the complex and saw a single smaller hole oven, built of bricks and into the ground. this was not currently being loaded, so I was able to get a picture. Although it turned out not to be a good one.

You will notice in the picture there is this weasel looking creature that there are many statues of. It is the famous badger of the area. Supposedly a creature of good luck . It is shown with a sake bottle and a note book. legend has it it begs for Sake and makes note of who it owns payment to on this book, however it pays with leaves, which it thinks is money.

Time to head home. we stop at a very small noodle shop for something to eat. Inside we say the meal is good, but once in the car, Only Lady Zen says she really enjoyed hers, myself and the others say it was only a so so meal, only average.

A quick trip back to the city and we are home again for the evening another interesting and turns out special encounter with another Master.
How lucky is that!!?

Note : I will be posting more pictures of all this and other stuff , little by littel on my Flickr account if interested:

Zen photo’s