Making okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes, Sister Breksa's favorite). Hiroshima style.

Baptism

The gentleman siting next to Sister Breksa was baptized and this photo was taken on that happy occation.  The tall gentleman sitting in the front row, with his hands on a book was also recently baptized.

There is a gentleman in the back row, right side who is wearing a mask.  That is part of Japanese culture.  When you are ill you cover your nose and mouth to avoid spreading germs.  Also note that the gentleman who was baptized has flowers and and gifts, this is also part of Japanese culture: gift giving.

Japan: Rice

http://lifesciencephdadventures.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/china-round-grain-rice-rr201.jpg

Rice is Japan's most important crop, and has been cultivated across the country for over 2000 years. It is the primary staple food of the Japanese diet and of such fundamental importance to the Japanese culture that it was once used as currency, and the word for cooked rice (gohan) has become synonymous with the general meaning of "meal".

Rice Manners

	Pick up your rice bowl with your hand while eating from it.
	It is considered polite to finish every grain of rice that you have been served.
	It is not common to pour soy sauce directly over rice.
	Do not leave your chopsticks standing up vertically in your rice. This is done at funerals.

     

Rice fields

Rice fields are a common sight in the Japanese countryside and an image of nostalgia for many people. The fields start as flooded patties in the early summer and turn into seas of green and gold waves as the rice grows and matures through the season. The crop of rice is then usually harvested in the fall, although some southern regions may plant more than one crop per year.

Text: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2043.html

Japan: しょど SHODO (CALLIGRAPHY)

Shodo is a form of calligraphy or artistic writing of the Japanese language.  For any particular piece of paper, the calligrapher has but one chance to create with the brush – brush strokes cannot be corrected and even a lack of confidence will show up in the work.

Calligraphy is offered as an art class in Japanese high schools and there are calligraphy departments at universities. There are master and reknown calligraphers.  

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http://nisekoalpineaccommodation.com/niseko/cultural-activities/cultural-activities-2/japanese-calligraphy/