Author Archives: marty

Monday, April 02, 2007 Oiwai Celebration We are invited to attend an oiwai (a celebration) for the birth of Rinta, Tadashi’s and Shoko’s new baby boy. This particular “oiwai” is to welcome a new baby and takes place when the … Continue reading →

The Good-boy Haircut We will be in Okinawa another month, but much of that time will be spent on Ishigaki and Irimote Island so I need to do some shopping and take care of a few simple things like getting … Continue reading →

Friday, March 30, 2007 Friday Night in Shintoshin It is Island weather tonight; nearly 80 degrees and my skin, comfortably damp from the humidity, feels hydrated and smooth. The evening is timeless and full of possibilities as we stroll towards … Continue reading →

Thursday, March 29, 2007 Onigiri Rice Balls and Other Tidbits Art has two Japanese lessons this week and on Wednesday after his second lesson, our new friend and tutor, Narumi offers to take us to a special Onigiri shop. Onigiri … Continue reading →

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 Sayonara Kumejima We wake slightly stiff from a night spent sleeping upon futons in a tatami room. There is no buffet breakfast this morning and John asks for change to buy a drink from the ever … Continue reading →

Monday, March 26, 2007 Part Two – Getting Wet in Kumejima Breakfast is included at our resort hotel, so at 9:00 A.M. we enter the dining room. The elaborate buffet is an array of many types of pork and bacon, … Continue reading →

Sunday, March 25, 2007 The Bones of Kumejima- Part One I am writing this on our return ferry trip after spending nearly three days on Kumejima. Two hours ago, by sheer magic, we stumble into a jungle grotto. Sunlight streams … Continue reading →

Thursday, March 22, 2007 Kumejima Get Away The weather is supposed to be perfect this weekend and just this afternoon, I booked a trip to Kumejima Isalnd without Art’s help. We leave on the ferry tomorrow morning at 8:30 A.M. … Continue reading →

 Shunbun No Hi Today is the spring equinox or Shunbun no hi, which literally means the day that divides spring. Tonight we are invited to the Shinzato’s to share in their celebration.