Tokyo Tower
It's hard to believe that I took this photo less than three weeks ago. I won't bore you with the details of why it's taken me so long to get back to business here but it may have involved punch-drunk jet lag, a record setting blizzard from which I literally needed to tunnel out (while M was out of town), *we're moving again*, hundreds of photos to edit on an aging, slow computer, dealing with a kitchen ceiling leak from heavy snow accumulation on a high, north-facing roof, *we're moving again*, shopping for a new computer (still to be determined), a lovely overnight family visit and oh, *we're moving again*.
So.
Once Molly convinced me to come to Tokyo again in January, my plans fell into place along the lines of my previous two January visits...several out-and-about days with Molly, some quiet, on-my-own days while she worked and, of course, a couple of days at the Tokyo Quilt Festival. This was all turned on its head...in a good way!...when my brother decided to join me for the first part of my trip. Plans quickly changed from relaxed puttering around the city to 'how much of the Japan experience can we cram in to one week for someone who's never been to Asia?' It was a whirlwind, to put it mildly.
Odd street concert in Ginza
We shopped in Ginza, watched the famed Shibuya crossing from a second-story Starbucks, dined on Japanese delicacies in Roppongi, viewed Tokyo from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices, trekked in to Meiji Shrine with so many Japanese new year's visitors, watched an Elvis-styled dance group perform at Yoyogi Park, browsed shops in Harajuku and relaxed at a kitschy, Old Japan themed onsen...and that was just the first two days!
Oedo-Onsen Monogatari
Molly took off a day from work and joined us in our first experience with sumo wrestling as the Tokyo tournament coincided with our visit.
This must be the station!
Banners heralding tournament sumo stars line the entrance.
Sumo was one of those things that I hadn't ever given much thought to until my brother suggested looking into it before our trip. Now I would highly recommend it as a fun cultural experience if a tournament coincides with a visit to Japan. (And, if they are still being held. Last week, Japan was rocked by a sumo scandal and has suspended the spring tournament in Osaka while investigations proceed.)
We arrived early, thinking we would watch some lower ranked matches and then set off for other destinations, but after watching and learning a bit more about it, we decided to leave mid-morning and return for the featured matches, later in the afternoon.
After several hours touring Asakusa and Kappa Bashi (home of the famous plastic Japanese menu foods), we returned to Kokugikan Arena for the featured matches. Things were hopping! These young wrestlers weren't even among the elite group, yet you can see they're pretty hefty.
The featured matches begin with a parade of the star wrestlers from the senior division and individual introductions to the crowd.
It's easy to tell from the cheers who are the most popular.
Once the intros are completed, it's on to the bouts. We rented headsets and listened to English play-by-plays enhanced with history and personal tidbits about the wrestlers.
Ritual posturing
A match in progress
Between matches, the universal, requisite *commercials*!
We ended up at a fabulous restaurant on the top floor of Daimaru in Ginza that Molly proclaimed the best sushi she's had since coming to Japan. A delicious end to a full day, followed by several more very full days of sightseeing and adventure (Tsukiji Fish Market at 5:30 am! Kamakura! Karaoke!) before my brother's visit ended.
The day after he left, Molly & I were on the train to the quilt festival, which I know you're all anxious to hear about. It will take another post or two to share the highlights and some observations but it won't take me as long to return next time. In the meantime, I have about half of my festival quilt photos posted in my new Flickr album and will continue to add to it as I edit the rest of my photos. Check back regularly as I hope to update it daily until it's complete. You know, between the mover's appointment and the realtors' interviews and the painters and the...I did mention that we're moving again, right?
*sigh*
Pardon my french, but Holy CRAP! I nearly fell out of my seat when I read that first bit! Stopped reading and had to comment. I hope it's some place that you are excited about and has great fabric stores. Holy Moley, Jan. I feel for you. Uh oh. I hope this doesn't mean I'm moving again too....
Going to read rest of your post now.
Posted by: KT | February 08, 2011 at 06:26 PM
*You're moving again*????
Posted by: Kay | February 08, 2011 at 06:30 PM
Well what does one say to that? Good luck. I will understand if you start keeping your items in milk crates.
Posted by: Meredith | February 08, 2011 at 08:22 PM
...that is BRUTAL!! You havent even been there long enough to really enjoy all the wallpaper removal, new paint and landscaping!!
My sincerest sympathies!! How many more years to "retirement" anyway??lol!
Posted by: Schnoobie(susan atwell) | February 08, 2011 at 08:25 PM
I can remember praying that your last house would sell--doesn't seem like it was that long ago. I hope and pray that it is someplace that you would love to live!!
Posted by: Omajean | February 08, 2011 at 08:59 PM
With all you did on your trip, no wonder it's taking a while to get back to "normal." Looks like it was fun though. And wow, moving again? I think you move more than me these days.
Posted by: Kristin L | February 08, 2011 at 09:10 PM
Your pictures from your trip to Japan are so interesting!! I'm sorry to hear that you are moving again. It's just one thing after another in your life. I hope your new destination is a great place!
Posted by: janet | February 08, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Ok, I'm sitting here cracking up for several reasons. (You're Moving Again!) Who would have thought we'd see Sumo Wrestlers on a quilting blog??? That's too funny! (You're Moving Again!!) I can't wait to hear about the quilt show. (You're Moving Again!!!) It sounds like you have a ton of stuff to do -- I wish I were your neighbor, so I could help you. (OHMYGOSH -- I can't believe You're Moving Again!!!!)
Posted by: Thimbleanna | February 08, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Thanks for the lovely Sumo post and the tantalizing views of Japan..and oh dear!Best wishes with the 'adventure'. Maybe there won't be any 'downstairs' floods in the new place and I hope there are MANY other positive things about the shift after the inevitable trauma of a move!
Posted by: Kathy | February 09, 2011 at 04:08 AM
Thank you for taking us on the adventure with you. I have also just moved and hope to stay put for a while this time. Good luck with everything.
Posted by: Yelena | February 09, 2011 at 06:15 AM
What an adventure! And your trip to Japan looked like fun too. ;-b Oh my, Jan, oh my!
Posted by: amy | February 09, 2011 at 07:44 AM
well I am happy for you that your moving again and I hope it is home again!
looking forward to seeing the additional pictures,
oh my the wrestlers , that must have been some show!
LOL!
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | February 09, 2011 at 07:57 AM
All I can think of is "oh no"...I can't even imagine what I'd do, I've been in the same place for 24 years...oh the junk in this place! I know you have done that part...but still, this must a huge ordeal, and so close again! Hope it's somewhere GREAT!!...enjoyed the mini tour of Japan, what a beautiful place that must be...
Posted by: Redsoxgal | February 09, 2011 at 08:36 AM
What a whirlwind your trip must have been? So many interesting sights, sounds, and tastes!
The Sumo wrestlers are interesting. I'm glad I don't have to feed them. ;)
I feel bad for you with the moving, leaky roof, computer shopping, and being snowed in. I hope your move goes smoothly, and you're able to settle in and stay.
Posted by: Ann Champion | February 09, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Thanks for posting. I love your Flikr group photos and have been inspired by many of them. It's always fun to do a little armchair traveling!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 09, 2011 at 11:56 AM
you've almost got me convinced I'd need to go see a Sumo Match. almost. great photos and I'm so glad you had a chance to have fun without worries of house and home. ugh. moving. sigh. my heart aches for you going through all that again. good luck.
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | February 09, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Oh Jan, I hope the next move goes more smoothly than the last! And that it is somewhere free of snow!
Posted by: Anita | February 09, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Well! My goodness, you've got a full plate. I hope all goes well with the moving. We are hoping to move this year, though will stay in town, so it's not as big a move, but still there's the realtors and houses not selling and all that. The one thing I really crave is a total clean out. When we used to move every year or two, it was so nice to have a good purge each time. Take care and make sure you get your rest in between all the stuff you have to take care of!
Posted by: Kristin | February 10, 2011 at 02:30 AM
Wow! What a trip to Japan! I can't believe you crammed in so much fun sightseeing AND two days at the quilt show too! And after the intense year you had last year, and the weather and all *you are moving!!??!!* Where to? Maybe you can come to Seattle - we get some rain here, but for the most part it's pretty mild. When will you get time to quilt?
Posted by: Pam | February 10, 2011 at 11:32 PM
The photos on Flickr are marvelous! Thank you so much for sharing. And Happy Valentine's Day to you.
Barb (melting and flash freezing) in Ottawa
Posted by: Barb R | February 14, 2011 at 03:22 PM
I hope that move is mostly a good thing.
; )
Posted by: Vicki | February 15, 2011 at 03:35 PM
Thank you for posting the pictures of the Tokyo Quilt Festival. The quilts are so inspirational!. I hope you don't mind that I linked to your Flickr Set on my new(ish) blog. (if you do mind, let me know and I will take it down - unsure of bloggy etiquette and I do not mean to offend!)
Posted by: Patty | February 16, 2011 at 06:07 PM
I must go to Japan.
(moving? so soon? wow. good luck... are you moving far?)
I'm off to see the quilt photos...
:)
Posted by: Monica | February 17, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Funny! I went there for the tokyo dome show and went the first day for this sumo show , from France !.
Perhaps we met!
i hope i will come there once again ...
Claire
Posted by: Bricolos du lundi | May 21, 2012 at 04:59 PM