Hey Sport......

March 28, Wed.
After breakfast at our host homes, we all met at NJHS for a day of Japanese sports. We all participated in Judo-

Followed by Karate-

And Kendo-

Here I am with our host Koji, who's club at NJHS is Kendo.
Next we had a lunch of Soba and saw it made by expert noodle makers.........
After lunch, we went across to the Friendship House for the traditional crafts of the Tea Ceremony, Koto, Japanese calligraphy and Origami.
After the crafts everyone was picked up by their host families.



But Carol and I went off with Kozo to visit a local woodworker. He is a friend of Inoue Mitsuji, who was gracious to give us the contact.




After exchanging cards and gifts, we viewed his beautiful work. This cabinet is faced with all burl wood. I left with a lot of knowledge of Japanese wood along with three bowls and many pieces of Japanese wood for me to work on.
(zelkova, persimmon, cypress, pine and mulberry!!!)

I loved it!!



Since Koji had a teacher meeting in another town this night, Carol and I spent the night with another host family the Yamauchis'.


We spent the first two hours with the neighborhood kids who brought a pot luck over, so they could talk to and listen to native speakers (that be us!!)


It was a great stay in another traditional home.

We were fortunate to stay with Hideho & Kikue Yamauchi. Musically, he plays the wooden flute and she the Koto. They tutor English in their retirement.