Bonfire

Just like Americans put up and decorate a Christmas Tree, Japanese families hang a special New Year's wreath outside of their front door. The wreaths are made of bamboo, ribbon, and other materials. On the second Saturday after the beginning of the New Year, a bonfire is held where everyone brings their wreaths to burn. Large bamboo trees are used to prop up the structure and facilitate the flames. Our original plan did not include being her for one of these, but one of the many good things to Amane's illness delaying our return was enjoying a bonfire.

Minoru was on the crew that helped put the whole foundation together. This field is someone's rice field a few blocks away, and you can see the red fire truck in the back just in case.

I don't know if Hiro quite knew what was going on besides a big fire and some good food. One note on the bonfire. Once the flames get going, the bamboo trees cause these loud pops that are startling if you're not expecting or used to them.

A large area for eating was set out, and we could not wear our shoes on these mats. Sake was served in bamboo cups, and food was shared and by all. As the bonfire grew, small bits of ash and other material floated here and there--unfortunately, part of Chieko's shoes were melted when some flaming bits evidently landed on them.

Amane's Pneumonia Adventure

Our flight home was scheduled for Thursday, January 5th. On Wednesday evening the night before, we took Amane to the emergency room. She had been having a fever on and off for three days, and that afternoon, besides what had become regular coughing, she was lethargic and wheezing.

This is our angel without her usual glowing smile. Amane was in bad shape.

I packed our suitcases hoping we could somehow still get to the airport in the morning, but when Michiyo called at 10 p.m. and said Amane had been diagnosed with pneumonia, all plans changed. Doctors said she would stay in the hospital for 5-6 days. Also, Hiroki had been coughing severely over the same period of days Amane was sick, with occasional fever. So we woke him up and took him in around midnight. Fortunately, they said he just had a bad cold, but he would need to rest. So we cancelled our flights, and settled in to nurse our kids back to health.

Amane was put in an oxygen tent for 2 days. Seeing her like this absolutely broke my heart, but we were very fortunate to have taken her in when we did; who knows what would have happened on a 13-hour flight?

Mommy & Daddy got to spend some time inside the tent. Michiyo continues to be an all-star Mom--she spent every day and night at the hospital, occasionally coming home in the afternoons for short breaks.

Third day, out of the tent, and smiling again!

Amane came home on January 10th. Since the hospital did not allow visitors under age 12, Hiroki did not see his sister for almost a week. They were both excited to see each other!

We ended up re-scheduling our flights Because of some frustrating airline logistics, our return home was set for January 23rd. We get to spend an extra two and half weeks in Kumamoto. We are together and healthy, so even as this is not ideal, we will count our blessings. There are too many examples of families suffering far worse situations than what Amane and us have had to go through. Thank you to all of our supportive and well-wishing family and friends!

Amane tearing paper

If you are not familiar with the structure of the walls and doors inside Japanese homes, they are not made to be strong. One classic Simpsons episode had the family going to Japan, and this image of Homer simply walking THROUGH a paper door (and later walking out of jail in the same way) is hilarious. I tried to get it by itself, but so far I can't. You can view it here.

Anyway, Amane got into the act as well. This type of damage was only a matter of time, and fortunately Michiyo's Mom and Dad just laughed and told us they expected that to happen.

I guess it's an easy fix.

New Years Day in Japan

In Japan, the holiday season is different from America in that New Year's Day dwarfs Christmas Day in both importance and spectacle. Christmas might include Christmas Cake, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and one present if you are a kid. New Year's Day involves a detailed menu of specifically prepared Japanese dishes, a visit to the shrine, and large amounts of money given to the kids in the family. Some of the Christmas Day photos are posted all ready. Here is a taste of our New Year's Day in Kumamoto.

The Big Spread

On the table: bottom left is a plate full of sashimi (raw fish); the yellow bowl is kurikinton (chestnut and sweet potato); the bowl on the right is onishime, which is a mix of konyaku, lotus root, shiitake mushroom, carrot, gobo root, yam, and other fun stuff); the square box had lobster, ikura (raw salmon egg), seaweed rools; the bucket on the top left has daikon (radish) and carrots; and the top left plate features datemaki (baked egg and fish paste). Got all that? We ate this for brunch, and had leftovers for parts of meals in the next three days.

Happy New Year from the Ishizuka's house!

Lots of Japanese people go to a shrine once a year, during the New Year Holiday and pray for health and good fortune in the coming year. We went to Fujisaki Shrine in downtown Kumamoto City, and no one asked what '314' on my t-shirt meant.

Aunt Masae picked up a fantastic Ultraman mask for Hiro; it matched his colorful pajamas and vest perfectly.