今日だけ勉強しました。明日たかと日本語を勉強します。良いです。

Today I only studied. Tomorrow I will study Japanese with Taka. That will be good.

That sums up the day. I noticed the quarter was moving along alittle faster than I thought. Got alittle lost in the warm autumn days of Kyoto. Got some more drawings to put on my other site, will get them uploaded tomorrow. I worked on my paper alot today figured out more of the structure and where to put some photos and my poetry into it. Studied my new vocab some more, and I think I have it down pretty good. Need to find another book to read. I'm gonna try to get to E-green books and see what they have. I have run out of books to read. Practiced my shakuhachi pieces this morning by the river. Umm... I guess thats it. Not too exciting today. Wednesday I plan to do a super hike, gonna take probably 8 hours or so. Should be fun and painful. I'll get some pictures and have a story to tell.

Today was Halloween in Japan appernetly. I had fogotten about this holiday completely until I started my walk to find some various temples and shrines today. As I was walking down Kitayama dori I noticed it was abit more busy than usual. At first I attributied this to it being Sunday. Then I began to realize that many of the younger kids were dressed up in costumes. At the end of the botanical gardens near Kitayama eki I saw a whole area setup with pumpkins and kids and music. I began to smile to myself thinking how odd it is to have such a seemingly unimportant American holiday celebrated in Japan. Although it seemed to be mainly quarentined to busy shopping areas it even included children trick or treating at the shops along the way. Soon I reached the end of the hub-bub and continued on my way to the edge of the city. This is something I won't soon forget purely because of the strange feeling it gave me. I'm not quite sure what it was, but I felt quite odd walking through this celebration. Anyway tomorrow is another day and I have places to explore. My frontier spirit is burning (hehe) and I must continue to explore this land.

Today I pretty much just went to my sensei's concert. That was quite nice. Besides that just the normal stuff, practice shakuhachi, write abit and so forth.
Chris

今日たかと美術館にいった。小さいでもよかった。Olivieの自転車を借りた。後でたかと日本語を勉強した。後は本を読んで、尺八を練習して、少しい書いて、絵を書いた。明日先生のコンサートに行く。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃ後でね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Today I went with Taka to a art museum. It was small but good. I borrowed Olivie's bike. Later I studied Japanese with Taka. Besides that I read my book, practiced shakuhachi, wrote alittle and drew a picture. Tomorrow I will go to my sensei's concert.
Later,
Chris

Hopefully Taka can come to the concert with me, but she might be called for a job interview. I guess I'll just have to see. Hmm... I think I will go back into the past and revive an old memory of Japan for me.

Learning to play in public.

One thing I began to understand here in Japan is that it is crowded. I need to practice my shakuhachi playing, but where? My room is very small and I don't want to bother my follow tenants. Even though they say it is fine I still feel obligated to play elsewhere. The only options left to me were to travel about 45min one direction to play at the edge of town in the forest, or to play along the banks of the Kamogawa with the multitude of joggers, dog walkers and folks going for a stroll. The first spot I selected made me rather nervous. I don't really like to play in front of people unless I can perform the piece correctly. I was literally about 2 feet from the path so any person passing by would have a front row seat to my playing. I quickly decided against this spot and moved down the river aways to another area with a bit more space to play more openly. This second spot seemed ideal and such it was, but my choice of timing was at the end of many people's day. When I would arrive many people were just out to walk their dogs or coming home from work or any other assortment of activities. This is where I first developed my ability to play without feeling awkward in public. Well not as awkward that is. After playing at this time of day for awhile I started to move back my starting time, slowly at first then drastically. I went from 5 to 4 to 3:45 then to 10 in the morning. With this last transition I found the perfect time to play. During this time on the weekdays most people are at work so my audience was less. This was the perfect blend of public and private playing for me. I could test out and practice the notes I was not satisfied with and when people came across my path I could play the parts I better knew. The gap between people coming within listening distance was longer and let me play more at peace. Although not comfortable playing in public I can now have people listen without immediatly stopping and feeling uncomfortable. I have even had people stop and watch and I continue to play on. For me this is an advancement in my playing, giving me more confidence.

Today I just had my lesson and practiced by the river, read, wrote, etc.. I think I might go back in time alittle bit to my first experience on the subway.......

Riding the subway and my first shakuhaci lesson.

The day was of my first shakuhachi lesson. I woke up at my usual 6pm and waited patiently until it was about 12 before I ventured out the door. The day was bright and sunny and a toasy 88 degrees. I looked at my map and figured out the relative location of Kitaoji eki. Not too far from my home, about a 15 minute walk I'd guess. I began to walk towards the Kamogawa, my usual starting point for any trip going north or south. I carried with me my shakuhachi and my crumpled map. I knew my exit point from the river would be halfway between the bridges on either side of the Kyoto botanical gardens, so I looked for the usual bird sculptures marking the ends of the garden grounds. I reached that point in my journey and veered off to the right back onto the crowded roads of Kyoto. I walked into the streets not quite sure where I was going from there. I knew the station was somewhere in that vicinity. I found what looked to be the correct road going to the station but quickly turned to the right as it seemed to be going in the wrong direction. I angled back towards the north and spotted the station at last. Kitaoji eki is part of a large complex of stores and a bus depot going this way and that. Luckily one of the subway entrances was at the side of this maze so I did not have to enter. I began my descent down the long stairway leading to the underground world of the subway. I found the ticket machine off to the right from where I finished the first set of stairs. I looked at the complex looking machine and up at the large map of names on the wall for all the stops and how much it cost from where I was to each of them. I searched for Kujo and it read 280yen . So I deposited 280yen into the machine and a button reading the same became highlighted so I pressed it and out popped a ticket. Next I walked to gated area in which the ticket it passed though. Put in one end it pops out the other and make sure to grab it on the way through, you'll need it to exit at the other end. I walked through and down another set of stairs to the subway platform. Not sure which side to wait on I asked a fellow which one went to Kujo and he pointed me in the right direction. I waited for a little while for the subway car to saunter up to the platfrom and boarded it at last. The ride from Kitaoji to Kujo was as easy as can be. Even though I could understand the announcement fine with my limited Japanese it was also broadcast in English. My destination was one past Kyoto eki which is number K12 and Kitaoji my starting point was K04. The trip lasted only about 10-15 or so altogether. I exited at the other end, put my ticket in the machine and walked out into a part of the city I had yet to explore. I had once walked as far as Kyoto eki and that took nie on 2 1/2 hours one way. This new means of transportation although a bit spendy was well worth it. Once I was back on the streets of Kyoto I needed to find where my sensei lived. I had recieved an e-mail from him that morning telling me to come to a certain bus stop near his home. I began to walk down the road toward that specified spot, well I thought I was walking toward that spot. Turns out I was walking south not west. I figured it out once I had reached Jujo the next subway station. I looked at my map and sighed. I turned back and walked to Kujo once again. This time I chose the correct direction and walked until I reached the bus stop. I found a phone with the help of an older woman passing by. I gave Kurahashi sensei a call and luckily a student had not shown up so I could come and take my first lesson right then. I had kinda showed up randomly not knowing when I would get there or if he was even doing lessons that day. Thankfully my luck pulled through and I got in. He walked over to meet me at the bus stop and he guided me to his home. As we walked in I met his lovely wife who plays koto. We talked for abit and headed upstairs to begin my studies. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to learn he picked out a piece based on my experience, Kumoijishi. We played and I learned, then suddenly time was up. He even gave me my first lesson on the house. We talked alittle bit more and then it was time for me to depart. I headed back to the subway station and did the same as on the way there. The subway turned out to be the simplest of transportation devices here in Japan. If you pick the right time of day to travel it is not crowded and easy going, but if you choose rush-hour to ride the subway then be prepared to be a bit crammed.

今日何をしましたか。杉の森の画を書きまして、尺八を練習して、歩いてで賀茂川の北の方に行きまして、たかと日本語を勉強しました。今このｂlogを書いています。今食べたい。
じゃ後で、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

What did I do today? I drew a picture of a cedar forest, practiced shakuhachi, went on foot north up the Kamogawa and studied Japanese with Taka. Now I'm writing with blog. Now I want to eat.
Later,
Chris

今晩は、
　きょうべつにしません。たかと話しまして、日本語を勉強して、本を読んで、尺八を練習しました。また絵を描きました。たかは明日日本語をおしえます。楽しいです。麗人ですよ。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃ後で、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I did nothing in particular. I spoke with Taka, studied Japanese, read a book, and practiced my shakuhachi. I also drew a picture. Tomorrow Taka is going to teach me Japanese. It will be fun. She is beautiful.
Later,
Chris

Today was a beautiful day and an interesting one to boot. I woke up this morning ready to hike the long stretch to the top of Hieizan. I got out and about around 10 o' clock in the morning, ready to work up a good sweat. Of course before I can really start the day I must practice shakuhachi by the river. I stayed down there until about 11 getting the happy and bewildered faces of those seeing someone play shakuhachi and that someone being gaijin. I returned my flute and notation to my room and set out. My journey to Hieizan began down a road whose path I cross so much, yet nary a time have I ventured down it to the east. Kitayama dori is a major road in the north of Kyoto; it lends itself the width of this ancient city. As expected this road was uneventful and much like its better half to the west. I reached the end of kono dori and headed into the back streets of east Kyoto. I wound my way along a small river, through some small neighborhoods and found a man checking his mail. At this time I was in truth rather lost as to finding the trail head. I thought I should have seen it already, but found nothing instead. I asked the man in my broken Japanese where the path to Hieizan lay. Alas it was but a few hundred more feet from where I was. He kindly took me to the starting point and made sure I understood what he said."Wakarimasu ka?", to which I replied, "umm, I think so." All in all I made it to the foot of the mountain from my sensei's helpful insturctions. I remember him saying,"You go to here and then if you find the trail it is a good hike." Hehe I found it and began my ascent. The first thing I noticed about Japanese trails is that they are often paved for part of the way up into the forest. This is quite odd compared to my homeland trails. I worked my way up the ever increasingly steeper trail. By the time I ran into the first group of fellow hikers I was sweating bucket loads. I said konnichiwa and waving at my sweaty self, atsui. As I progressed the trail began to become quite steep. I couldn't keep up the same quick pace I had maintained for the first hour or so. I began to run across more and more hikers as I went up the mountain side. I marched along more and more getting varied bursts of energy to speed up only to slow down again. Near the top I ran into some American fellows who said hello so I asked, is the top right up there? The one fellow said, oh no your only half way there. I thought to myself, ah crap only half way there and I've been hiking uphill for two hours. After that encounter I walked for only 10 more minutes before I reached the top. Now that I recall that mans answer I see that he drove almost all the way to the top. You can actually drive all the way to the top as there is a road, but I don't have a car and I wanted to do that hike so anyway.. You'll never guess what is at the summit of Hieizan; A french impressionist garden gallery! I was very much surprised by this, but I had to pay the fee and see what this was. Kind of a strange thing to see after a 2 hour hike through the forest. I really ended up enjoying the garden/open air museum quite a bit. As an artist I knew all of the painters represented there, Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Renior, Van Gogh (not really impressionist, more post impressionist, but whatever) and various other excellent artists. None of the painters where actual originals, but I loved to look at each piece just the same. This with the garden designed by French gardeners created another world in a place I least expected it. After wandering around for awhile I decided to head back home as I wanted to get back before it got dark. The return trip was uneventful. I returned home at around 4:40 or so. My feet were sore, but it is good for me yeah? I ate some dinner and met up with Taka. We talked for awhile about Japanese and we watched our resident master chef Olivie cook up some dinner for himself, all the while he is feeding us vegetables of all sorts. After that me and Taka went back to her room and she taught me more Japanese and we talked and talked until it became tomorrow. How I love to spend time with her.. She is a very good teacher, and as I've said many times before as lovley as the day is young (and the day has just begun). Well now it is quite late or early which ever way you take it. Oyasumi and have many a good dream. z z z

I went to the big pond koen with Olivie and Sybill. We walked the perimeter of the pnd and sat and talked for awhile. It was a good little excursion. Tomorrow I plan on climbing Mt. Hiei. ashita hieizan ni noborimasu. I created a poem for Taka and gave her a drawing to show my thanks for the beautiful dinner she created for me.
This was my attempt at poetry:
Kyoto Life

Raven-haired beauty,
Sitting under the sparkling electic lights,
Plum wine and pure conversation,
a cool autumn breeze.

I was depicting the place we often sit and talk sipping on plum wine with the christmas lights that are hanging there always. The pure conversation was a reference to the literati of Japan. I will cook for her next week with help from the resident chef Olivie. I got some notes to study from Taka from the first lesson she gave me for Japanese. Gotta get cracking on my drawings, only have two so far this week. Well I'm gonna do some more studying. Bye for now.

I had an excellent day yesterday. I made sure to see off Tim on his new adventure in the morning. After that I went down to do my laundry and me and Taka talked for a long time and had some coffee. That helped after the night before. Me and Taka had stayed up until 2:30 in the morning drinking plum wine and talking of everything. Anyway, after that we made plans to go to the river so she could help me with my Japanese. We went at 1 and stayed until about 5:30 or so. She is so easy to talk to, very good company, and more lovely than the autumn leaves. She invited me to a home cooked vegetarian meal which of course I could not refuse, nor wanted to. Dinner was not until later in the evening, so I went to study in my room. Over the course of the day I manage to complete two sketches and finish off a book. When dinner time arrived one other person came to join us. Taka presented us with the most beautiful and delicious meal I have had since I have been here. We sat and talked about music, life and so forth. The evening drew to a close and we each went our seperate ways, sleepy time had arrived and I awaited the next day.

Today was a good day. I talked to Taka and she will help me learn more Japanese. She is studying to teach Japanese language, so I thought it would be good experience for her and for me. In the afternoon I practice my shakuhachi by the river for about 45 minutes before I went to my lesson. I'm now learning Kumoijishi, kurokami, rokudan no shirabe and yachiyojishi. Quite the workload, but well worth it. It is Tims last night at Yurakuso so we (Taka, Olivie, Tim, Me)had some drinks and later went to a resturant. Not much vegetarian options, actually none, but good to kick it with friends. Well tomorrow is another day, must do some more drawings.

Yesterday I got to see my sensei in concert for the first time. I didn't forget to post last night, just got back late from the concert and was sleepy. He played tsuru no sugomori the most difficult koten honkyoku piece. I'm used to hearing him play, but his performance was more than just the sound. Dressed in traditional clothing with light radiating about him he played a most beautiful rendition of tsuru no sugomori. The sound of the shakuhachi with the movements of the player made the story come to life. I could see the cranes, hear them and was completely under the spell of this enchanting piece. Besides his performance there were a number of other excellent performances. The first group was high school girls, about 15 koto players and one lovely and excellent shakuhachi player. My sensei told me about her before I went, so I made sure to take extra notice of her. He said,"She is an excellent shakuhachi player and pretty too." He was indeed right. They were divided into three sections, each playing certain parts. Altogether it was fantastically beautiful. The shakuhachi player's movements made the piece even more enjoyable. She spilled forth a confidence and enjoyment in her playing that left me smiling and truly happy. Altogether there were six different groups of performers. One interesting thing that happened was after the concert, I met one of Kurahashi's other students from the states and he knew me from the shakuhachi forum on the internet, a small world afterall. I also got to meet several other students of my sensei. Through and through an entirely enjoyable evening of classical entertainment.
Chris

The Gateway

Today I found what I was looking for. I started out my journey going to a place I'd been before. As I started my walk I noticed the giant boat symbol on a hill. I'd been wanting to climb up to that, so I headed in that direction. I waded my way through the concrete jungle to the edge of town, and saw to my delight the giant fire boat on the hillside. I thought to myself,'this will be a good little hike'. I climbed up the very steep hill under the beating heat of the sun. From the top of the hill I could see the vast sprawl of Kyoto. I looked behind me to find yet another path continuing into the forest. This was the gateway I'd been waiting for. As I entered the forest, the sun's heat found itself in the tops of the trees and let me be at last. I began to walk down this trail going to nowhere, leading to nothing, but alas I found the path I needed to walk. I quickly noticed the giant spiders common in the forests around Kyoto and picked up a stick to act as my anti-spiderweb device. I sauntered along at an easy pace for the next 2-3 hours walking deeper into the mountains of Japan. Breathing the beautiful forest air, seeing the sun beams break through the dense trees, the green of life everywhere. I didn't even care where I was going. During that time I came across a shinto shrine of old origins, for pilgrims wandering the forest paths. I stopped to ponder its significance for the people of the hills then moved on. Eventually I came to the end of the trail I had chosen. I came out on top of kyoumi pass and of all things found a vending machine and got something to drink. There were two houses in that area and I found someone to talk to. I asked where I was and he helped to figure out my location using the map I had brought. It was a good chance to practice my Japanese, although he did know some English too. I began my walk down the mountain road back to Kyoto. At the edge of town I bumped into several temples one of them being Koetsuji, the family temple of the famous artisan Koetsu. That was indeed a treat and excellent ending to the hike. Although I still had to walk another hour or so to get home, the hike was officially over at Koetsuji. When I finally arrived home my day was spent, I left in the morning and returned in the evening. A good day indeed.

今晩は、
　　私は今日みつ子とTimと銀閣寺に行きました。私たちはバスで行きました。楽しかったです。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today Me, Mitsuko and Tim went to Ginkakuji. We went by bus. It was fun.
Later,
Chris

Sorry not a whole lot to say today. We went there and then to the martial arts complex which was pretty cool. Tim is into Kendo. We walked around for awhile then took the bus home again. Mitsuko (quite lovely) grew up in Kenya and came here to study global environmental conditions at Kyoto university for her masters degree. Tim is here to Teach English and is from Canada. The other people I've gotten to know here are interesting too. Oliviah (or whoever you spell that, French name) is from France and is studying food anthropology. He moved from farm to farm in Rural Japan studying the way food is cultivated and distributed in Japan. He showed us some of his food concepts. He creates gatherings to bring people together and break social barriers. Such as teachers and students. He is the one who setup our dinner get together here at Yurakuso. I like his ideas and concepts recorded in film. Another person I've met here is Taka (very lovely also)who is actually from Japan. She has lived in Isreal for a number of years importing textiles from Japan, but moved back right when the major fighting started again there. She is currently studying to teach Japanese. David actually just moved out, but is from California and is studying Judo here and just got a job so he can stay. Lastly is Sibyll (something like that) who just moved in the night we had the dinner. She is from Switzerland. Not sure what she is doing, can't quite remember. I'm going to hang out with her tomorrow somemore so I've figure it out. Well that is all for now.

お早うございます、
　　　ごめなさい、又忘れました。新しい友だちと上賀喪神社に射手の競技会を見ました。楽しかったです。日本語とTEFLのクラスを勉強して、Lost Japanを読んで、尺八を練習して、画を書きました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good morning,
Sorry, I forgot again! With my new friends I went to see an archer competition. That was fun. I studied Japanese and my TEFL class, read Lost Japan, practiced shakuhachi, and drew a picture.
Later,
Chris

The archery was quite fun. They rode by really fast on horses and had to shoot targets along the way. I got some pictures, but couldn't get any as they were riding, too crowded. Well thats all for yesterday.

お早う、
　　　ごめなさいみんな。昨日は書きを忘れました。私は日本語を勉強して、尺八を練習して、画を書いて、食べ物を買いました。今晩新い友達を会いました。とても楽しいですよ。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good morning,
I'm sorry everyone. Yesterday I forgot to write. I studied Japanese, practiced shakuhachi, drew a picture and bought food. In the evening I met some new friends. It was very fun.
Later,
Chris

今晩は、
　　私は今日尺八の授業がありました。今雲井獅子と黒髪と六段の調を習っています。難しいでも楽しいですよ。その後私は賀茂川の側に尺八を練習しに行きました。水曜日に私の先生のコンサートに行きます。とても良いですよ。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I had a shakuhachi lesson. Now I'm learning Kumoijishi, kurokami, and rokudan no shirabe. It is diffucult, but fun. After that I went to the kamo river and practiced my shakuhachi. On Wednesday I will go to my sensei's concert. It will be very good.
Later,
Chris

I did study alittle of my kanji and worked on my TEFL class too. Tomorrow I will start a new drawing I think. I will probably wander around some too. I hear there is a cultural fair or something at Kyoto station and a get together here at my apartment place with the other people here at 6. Jya.

今晩は、　　
　　今日はTimさんと奈良に行きました。奈良で大仏を見ました。とてもかっこよかったですよ。また沢山鹿がいました。電車で京都駅から奈良まで三十六分かかりました。電車は千百円いくらでした。沢山写真を撮りました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I went to Nara with Tim. In Nara we saw the big Buddha. It was very cool. There were also lots of deer. By train is took 36min to get from Kyoto station to Nara. As for the train it cost 1100yen. I took lots of pictures.
Later,
Chris

I went to Nara kind of on a whim. I went out for some drinks with Tim a fellow in the same apartment place and he said he was gonna go to Nara. So I said can I tag along. Then I went and found some cool places in Nara. Hiked a 3 mile forest trail which was quite nice. Went to Todaiji, the worlds biggest wooden structure, various shrines and other temples too. A good day of exploring all in all for sure. Came back with some pictures I will centainly turn into paitings. Spent alitle more than I'd like, but got to see some cool stuff, certainly a good trade. Well thats all for today. Got my lesson tomorrow and will have to do some extra studying since I didn't really get any done today.

今晩は、
　　今日は雨が降りました。写真じゃありません、でもとてもきれいな神社を見つけました。またあの神社に写真を撮りに行きます。またと日本語を勉強して、画を書いて、賀茂川の側に尺八を練習しました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today it rained. No pictures, but I found a very beautiful shrine. I will go to that shrine again and take pictures. Besides that I studied Japanese, drew a picture, and practiced shakuhachi near the Kamogawa.
Later,
Chris

That was a good walk today. I went past the nice park I found to see if I could climb that mountain thing. I got real close but was blocked off where I was at. I'll try a different approach next time. The shrine I found is fantastic. All the way at the edge of the city I had it to myself. With the wet of the rain and the atmosphere it was quite a wonderful experience. I did start a drawing, not quite done with it, will put it up tomorrow or the next day. Jya
Chris

A quick note, I had the idea to take photos of little known shrines (to foriegners at least) and make a series of painting when back in the states. Going up little dirt roads, to the edges of town and so forth, all on foot of course. Taking transportation takes the fun out of finding them, probably wouldn't find them that way. I would have not known about any of the little ones without all my wandering. As Tolkien said,"Not all who wander are lost." or something to that effect anyway.

今晩は、
　　今日は山の道に行きました。グルフコースと小さい神社を見つけました。幾つかの写真を撮りました。私の漢字を勉強してLOSTJAPANを少し読んで一時間に尺八を練習しました。　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I went to a mountain road. I found a golf course and small shinto shrine. I took several pictures. I studied my kanji, read alittle of Lost Japan and practiced shakuhachi for an hour.
Later,
Chris

My little walk was interesting. I walked up and up and to some more fancy neighborhood. I found a deadend and turned back. I got back down aways to where there was a big pond lake thingy. I saw a small sign almost on the ground pointing to a shinto shrine and decided to go that way. I found on my way up that road a crazy golf course you'd have to see to know why it was kinda cool. Past that alittle bit I found the small shrine. It was nice and had behind it another tiny shrine that looked kinda old and run down. Beautiful spot altogether though. I found it on a map after I got back and that road just keeps going up in to the mountains and then eventually just ends. Well, besides that I just studied my various things.

今晩は、
　　今日は平安神宮と二お寺に行きました。沢山写真をとりました。歩いてで五時間かかりました。また賀茂川の側に尺八を勉強しました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good Evening,
Todya I went to Heian shrine, and two temples. I took lots of pictures. On foot it took 5 hours. I also practiced studied shakuhachi near the kamogawa.
Later,
Chris

That walk was very long. Probably 10-12 miles or more, I kept up a good pace the entire time. I got lost for alittle while when I was looking for those two temples I went to. I walked past them, then past Heian jingu. Found a sign pointing me in the right direction and found Heian jingu. Then the other temples were harder to find. I kinda stumbled upon them. I knew there general vacinity so that helped. I need to try and make some friends here. I only know my sensei and his wife and met one of the other people that live in my apartment complex. I think the language barrier prevents me from making friends as easy. My Japanese is not very complex, so I can only make very small talk. I learned about culture shock before I came here, not sure if it has affected me. I feel pretty much as home here. Still getting used to the city though. Never been a city fan, so I often leave to the outskirts of the city here. I'm currently looking around for a job on Shikoku, that sounds more to my population liking. Anyway, I'll stop blabbing. The end.

今晩は、
　　今日みどろが池に歩きました。みどろが池はきれいな公園ですよ。沢山写真をとりました。明日は平安神宮といろいろお寺に行きたいです。私の十漢字を勉強しました。早いですでも眠いですよ。お休みなさい。　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I walked to midoroga pond. It is a beautiful park. I took lots of pictures. Tomorrow I want to go to Heian shrine and various temples. I studied my 10 kanji. It is early, but I'm tired. Good night.
Until next time,
Chris

I'm glad I checked out that pond I saw on the map. It is part of quite a big park with various trails and nice spots to walk around. I really want to walk to the top of that mountain I keep seeing and it looks like that park is rather close. Next time I'm up that way I'll climb up there. As I said I am tired, and it is only getting on 7.

今晩は、
　　私は今日北に歩きました。かっこいいお寺をみつけました。お寺の他にべつにを見つけませんでした。十新い漢字を勉強しています。雨で尺八を練習しました。新漢字は用、米、近、戸、政、姉、糸、支、草、位です。次はもっと良い文法を習いたいです。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I walked north. I found a cool temple. Besides that I found nothing in particular. I practiced my shakuhachi in the rain. I'm studying 10 new kanji. The new kanji are 用、米、近、戸、政、姉、糸、支、草、位. Next I want to learn better grammar.
Later,
Chris

Yup, that is what I did today. Found some cool places I want to visit on Monday, the weekend is too busy to get good pictures. Tomorrow I will study and probably wander alittle. I might take some pictures, but will definetely on Monday. That's for now.
Bye

今日は、　　
　　今日はLOSTJAPANを読みをはじめました。私は日本語とTEFLのクラスを勉強しました。後で尺八を練習します。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good afternoon,
Today I started reading Lost Japan. I studied Japanese and my TEFL class. Later I will practice shakuhachi.
Later,
Chris

I got my books today for my class. I started to read Lost Japan, and so far it is quite good. I wrote out the notation for Kurokami so I have a piece to take with me on my random wanderings. Besides that today was fairly uneventful, just working on my normal class stuff. Tomorrow I'm gonna look to see if there are trails up to some of the other kanji on the hills. They have to get up there somehow. As far as my Japanese studies go, I'm gonna rework it abit. I'll use my kanji book and do new kanji like normal but use the words from there instead. Then I'll be learning the kanji and the words that go with them. Before I was learning seperate words from the kanji and it was alittle harder to take in. This should work better. Well I'm gonna start drawing here in a bit. Bye

Sorry, yesterday I was kinda busy, forgot to write something till this morning. I'll post again later today. Well I had my lesson yesterday and now I'm learning Kurokami. It is a sankyoku piece about a woman who finds her first grey hair and wishes to be young again, but in her older years she finds the loss of desires and gains true happiness. It is refering to Buddhist ideas of non-attachment. My sensei said Japanese Buddhism is slightly different though. In Indian and Chinese perfection is sought, in Japanese it is the same with a but... The woman has true happiness, but misses her younger days. This is my first sankyoku piece. Well I'll write about today after the day has turned to night.
Chris

今晩は、
　　今日は沢山写真を撮りました。私は法然院といろいろ神社と南禅寺に行きました。歩いてで四時間かかりました。今眠いですよ。いつ家に沢山雨が降りにかえりました。川の側に五時に四十五分間に尺八をれんすうしました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I took lots of pictures. I went to Hounen-in, various shrines and Nanzenji. On foot is took me four hours. Now I'm tired. When I was returning home it rained alot. At five I practiced shakuhachi by the river for 45mins.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Later、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Chris

Oh yeah, I walked the philosphers path to get to all of those places. That is a nice walk with lots of little shops along side and almost no traffic, except foot traffic that is. Nanzenji is one of the coolest temples I've been to so far. It is a big complex and has various cool things. I found a trail going along the aquaduct to some fish hachery or something. Then went the other way and found a cool shrine place up in the woods.

今晩は、
　　今日はクラスに二枚を書いて、日本語とTEFLのクラスをべんきょうして、尺八を練習しました。また洗濯しました。とても暑かったですよ。残暑です。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
As for today I drew two pictures for class, studied Japaenese and my TEFL class, and practiced shakuhachi. I also did my laundry. I must say it was very hot today. It is lingering summer heat.
Until next time,
Chris

Besides those things I didn't do a whole lot today. Needed to clean my roomup and do my laundry. Got two drawings finished, my unit 14 for the TEFL class, practiced my flute by the river and all that good stuff. I saw the same fellow who had me perform my shakuhachi for him again. He said konnichiwa and ganbatte, which means keep at it. That is encouraging. Nice fellow. Anyway, that's it for today. Tomorrow I'll get back to my wandering.

今晩は、　　
　　今日が余り（あまり）しませんでした。私は日本語とTEFLのクラスを勉強して、賀茂川の側に尺八を練習して、少し画を書きました。
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　じゃまたね、　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　クリス

Good evening,
Today I didn't do much. I studied Japanese and my TEFL class, practiced my shakuhachi near the Kamogawa,　and did alittle drawing.
Bye for now,
Chris

Thats pretty much it. I did walk downtown to the mokuhanga gallery and got some mokuhanga (woodblock prints). On the way back I decided to take a random route and ended up at some road I don't think would get where I was going, but I found an 'art village'. That place sounds cool so I might go back. I looked them up once I got back here and they do woodblock printing, textile dying, flower arrangments and other traditional Japanese arts. I might go back for a visit when I'm over in that part of the town again.