2012 ~ Year of the Dragon
All year I had my January Japan trip penciled in as the usual 'girls' visit'...a 10 day or so stay with Molly during the Quilt Festival, a few special outings together and then several of her work days to wander on my own. That all changed in November, when K&H, who now live in Shanghai, decided to come to Japan during their Chinese New Year holiday week. Molly's fiancé, working on assignment in Beijing, also had the holiday week off. At this point, M wasn't about to be left out. It turned into quite the family affair, M & I spending the first few nights with Molly at her cute, little Tokyo place. Then, upon the China contingent's arrival, a move for all of us to a larger apartment which we rented for 5 nights...sort of a delayed holiday, since none of us were together for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Must have shot this during the 5.0 earthquake we experienced one evening.
We've never done anything like this before. Happily, Molly was able to do some internet legwork for us and we booked a wonderful, convenient place close to a major train station on her side of the city. We had the top floor apartment...what a view at night! Of course, I was surreptitiously checking it out as a possible place to stay with friends once Molly eventually leaves Tokyo. (Thumbs up!)
Nothing tastier than a traditional Japanese birthday cake.
Among the six of us, we were going from morning to night...sometimes together, often pairing off in different permutations to meet later as a group for dinner. And what kept me busy? Showing M around Tokyo, visiting Molly's workplace, trekking out to Nezu to a museum dedicated to one of my favorite illustrators, Takehisa Yumeji, celebrating my birthday (my first with both kids since K was in high school) and many late nights of Settlers of Catan marathons. We brought a 5-6 player extension pack with us...yes, we are all addicted. There were a few noteworthy outings which I'll save for another post and, of course, the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival...which I'll start to cover next time. The quilts, the people, the fabric...the experience.
By Fumiko Nakayama
I have started the Flickr album of the 2012 Tokyo show. I know you're anxious to see the quilts but ask that you please bear with me as I get my photos posted over the next week or two. I necessarily crop and color-correct my shots, due mostly to the uneven lighting at the show. Then once the photos are set to upload, have to hunt down each quilt in one of two show catalogs for identification info. A bit time intensive!
So Happy!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so so much.
Posted by: ulla | January 31, 2012 at 02:41 PM
A belated Happy Birthday!
Sounds like you had a great time in Tokyo.
Thank you for all the Quilt Sow photographs.
Posted by: Miriam | January 31, 2012 at 06:07 PM
How Perfect! I'll bet you were in heaven with all the family there -- it sounds like it was perfect. I can't wait to see the quilts. And most importantly, Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 31, 2012 at 08:19 PM
Late Happy Birthday wishes to you! And thank you for so generously sharing your pictures from Tokyo. I have enjoyed a peek, and will make sure to come back... Thank you!
Posted by: Marit | February 01, 2012 at 03:31 AM
fabulous family-filled vacation. woohoo! and that is a spectacular view.
Posted by: Tonya Ricucci | February 01, 2012 at 07:48 AM
What a wonderful trip. As my children begin to scatter on their own, I can appreciate how much this time must mean to you and your husband. Precious.
My daughter's boyfriend will be living in China next year for a semester. He has been learning the language and has hopes to be fluent. He has already interned for the State Dept. and has his sight set on an international career. If my daughter ends up with him, I could be planning trips like yours one day. Yikes!
Posted by: annie | February 01, 2012 at 09:09 AM
Another great show with stunning, imaginative quilts. I'd love to go and see the Tokyo show in person one of these years. In the meantime, thanks for sharing the photos. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Kathy | February 01, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Jan, my first post of the show is up. And you are featuring quite extensively in it. :)
Posted by: Fridah Mwenda | February 01, 2012 at 08:15 PM
I had to smile when I saw that Mola by Fumiko Nakayama. That was the first photograph I took at the show. She was in her "room" and we had a very nice talk. What a delightful and talented teacher!
Posted by: Julie Fukuda | February 03, 2012 at 03:49 AM
A belated happy Birthday! How wonderful that you could all meet and spend some time together. I know you'll treasure the memories.
I always look forward to your pictures from the show. I wondered if the "mood" would be different since the Earthquake?
Thanks SO much for sharing! :)
Posted by: Ann Champion | February 03, 2012 at 03:54 PM
Dear Bemused, thanks for sharing all these great pictures of the show. I have visited once, 6 years ago, and always hanker to go back. This eye candy is the next best thing though, thanks again! Hannah in the Netherlands.
Posted by: Hannah Wellens | March 12, 2012 at 06:20 AM