Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 12

I chose a yae-zakura, a late-blooming type, and I swear one of the blossoms is sticking its tongue out at me!

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 11

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 10

So so close!

Sakura Watch - Day 9

It's rainy and cold and miserable out, but the branch is just about to turn into a mass of pink!

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 8

The branch waited for me! :D

Pink buds juuuust waiting to burst!

Tuesday Then & Now - Ueno Buddha

Here's another photo from the Nagasaki University's Metadatabase of Japanese Old Photographs... FINALLY not Nikko Toshogu!

In Ueno Park there is a plaque about the great Buddha that once stood there, with the Buddha's face mounted in stone.

March 2008

But it wasn't always just a face. Muzu-chan explains why very well, but this is what it used to look like:

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 5

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 4

There is pink! There is pink!

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 3

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 2

This year's chosen branch is still full of tightly closed buds, but a nearby tree is already at full bloom!

Sakura Watch 2013 - Day 1

When I posted the sakura photo on Saturday I didn't think actual sakura were anywhere nearby, but with the Tokyo Meteorological Office giving official word that sakura season was upon us, well...

The sakura near me are still mostly buds, but here is day one!

Tuesday Then & Now - Inner Shrine

Here's another set of photos from the Nagasaki University's Metadatabase of Japanese Old Photographs. Having followed the cedar-lined road, and entered Nikko Toshogu, gone through the Yomeimon, and up the stairs, you reach the inner shrine, with Tokugawa Ieyasu's grave.

Late 19th century to early 20th century:

January 2013:

Almost here...!

Tuesday Then & Now - Stairway

Here's another set of photos from the Nagasaki University's Metadatabase of Japanese Old Photographs. Having followed the cedar-lined road, and entered Nikko Toshogu, gone through the Yomeimon, you pass under the famous sleeping cat (and dodge lots of eager photo takers) and start to climb...


Late 19th century to early 20th century:

November 2007:

(A really really bad picture, but it gives you an idea of how insanely
crowded Nikko Toshogu can get in peak fall foliage season!)

Lunchtime Stroll

I'm still feeling rather overwhelmed by everything, so yesterday I took myself out for lunch. I went to the adorable little cafe near work and had a relaxing meal - even ordering the daily mini-dessert!

On my walk to the cafe I took a number of pictures - just quick simple snaps with my phone. I then spent most of my lunch playing around with photo apps and ended up with the following...

They're hardly great art or even anything special, but I returned to work after lunch with a smile on my face and a spring in my step - two things that have been rather missing lately.

TILT

I've finally finished off a translation contract that has been taking up all my free time and have yet to get back onto track... But as I'm trying to shake off the blahs there are a few things brightening my day:
- U's new glasses (he desperately needed new glasses and I convinced him to go with a pair that I picked out and they look really good on the man!)
- the results of having spent more than half the weekend organizing U's wardrobe so that he knows where things are and they aren't stuffed in wherever they'll fit!
- "adult sweetness" green tea kitkats
- rhubarb cream cheese stuffed French toast and Sunday brunches!
- warm sunny days with the promise of spring

What are you loving this Thursday?

Tuesday Then & Now - Karamon

Here's another set of photos from the Nagasaki University's Metadatabase of Japanese Old Photographs. Having followed the cedar-lined road, and entered Nikko Toshogu, and gone through the Yomeimon, the next gate you see is the Karamon.

Late 19th century to early 20th century:

January 2013: