Ever since my family moved to a house in the suburb when I was six, my father was an ardent gardener. Every day, whenever he got the time, he would go out in our small family garden to water the plants, pluck the weeds and take care of the hedges. Since my mother was not […]
Intuitive Gardening Scandal 2: a conifer that was misunderstood Read More »
In this memory, I am five years old. There are many festivals in the neighbourhood of our community of tiny half-dilapidated apartments since this is one of the older part of town. The local shop owners in the area organize a number of different festivals in summer to entertain the residents. Many of them take
I was waiting for my perfect day to unfoldThe kind where I wake up to the sound of birdsFeeling light and fresh and restedFollowed by my morning practice and A peaceful breakfast in the kitchenThen I jump into my workEnergized and readyLike I’ve been waiting for that moment my entire life InsteadWhen I woke upBirds
In this memory, I am five years old. One evening, my parents tell me that we are going to the community’s annual night festival that is happening just a short walk away from our tiny half-dilapidated apartment, on the premise of the nearby shinto shrine. After dinner, the four of us all walk to the
The Night Festival Read More »
Several summers ago, during my visit to Japan, my family went to a local hot spring not far from my parents’ home. This was a place where we used to regularly visit for a quick relaxation since when I was young. It was no fancy place. Though they had a good collection of baths including
When the boy really wanted it Read More »
I am five years old in this memory. Recently, my father is reading “The Hobbit” for my bedside story. It is the thickest book he has ever read me. I admire the beauty of this book all the time – its beautiful blue cover, the fresh fragrance of the smooth paper inside, and the bookmark
MessThat’s what it feels likeYour life at the moment Problem after problemEven thoughYou’re already tired Drama after dramaEven thoughYou’ve asked for none of them Tired of tryingTired of fixingTired of everything You cannot do it anymoreYou cryThis is too much to bear ButHold on a secondI have a question Have you ever got stuckIn a
In this memory, I am four years old. My little brother turns one in the month of June, and my mother prepares a special meal and a cake for his birthday. Though she is not into baking like some of my friends’ mothers, she has a few cakes she can bake well, and she bakes
Strawberry Shortcake Read More »
I actually do not recall how old I am in this memory. Twelve or thirteen. One early summer, my family and relatives go on our annual overnight retreat at one of the hot spring resorts in the Kanto region of Japan. The first day is always a blast. Starting with a long bath in the
Morning Bath and a Philosophical Moment Read More »
I am four years old in this memory. One day, my mother tells me that one of my close playmates and her family are going to somewhere called America. “America?” I repeat blankly. I have heard of America before. In the English program for kids that I watch every day on TV. But it has
