Christmas Holiday in New York

Traditions for New York

I will do my best this Christmas season to bring some images of the holiday here in New York. As I sit here, I wonder what I can show Yokohama and even Hawaii that is special about Traditions here in New York. Maybe Traditions don't have to be special...then again if we did lost them....then that might make them special again?

Well here is the first one from me...each year I make a little trip to the wood lot behind my home and collect the pine bows. I bring them home and attempt a Christmas wreath for the front entry to the house...this is the results for this year. The next job is the tree....but first a bit of rest. Oyasuminasai

Question for New York (^^)

What are your Christmas and New Year traditions we can share with Yokohama and Hawaii Dojos?
In Hawaii, due to its multicultural make-up, various Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Philippine, Korea traditions are incorporated into New Year festivities, especially in the food. (^^) Great buffets!

It may seem strange but in Japan.......the following two are inseparable for Christmas.

Strawberry Shortcake (^^)

Yup! A barrel of Colonel's finest!

Why? I have no idea! I recall that on Christmas Eve, all the Daddies would pick up a Cake to take home.
In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday so everyone works the Eve and Christmas Day. As long as I can remember (from 1950's when I was a kid) the strawberry shortcake was a given for Xmas. A really big treat back then! If you can imagine a country that was rebuilding from a devastating war, a simple cake was a super treat for the kids. 
I do not know when KFC got into the act. It is now synonymous with Christmas. I would venture to speculate that perhaps the inability to roast a Turkey or bake a ham may have something to do with it.
American size ovens are still are rarity in average Japanese homes.
Yokohama, can you explain this phenomena for us? (^^)

New York Shinsa Today....

Mechanicville Dojo Kyu Shinsa December 11 2010.

Kyu Shinsa today for five Mechanicville Kesshin-kai students. I am hoping to save some short videos of the day. I also have some stills of the video does not make it though on the blog. This part of Shinsa was under the direction of Sensei Pat Martone. Today we had one member from each of our kyu ranks up to San Kyu. I wish I had the video running durning my Ido Kihon section of the test....I used much of Ookoshi, Sempai's Ido that you sent me in the DVD. By the way Roushiichi, you are becoming a expert with the video editing. I think that DVD will be a treasure for Sempai and his family back in Yokohama. Great work!!!

I also enjoyed Kumura Dojo's 2010 New Letter. I like you Roushiichi, am so fortunate to continue my karate journey. Arigato Gozaimasu to you Roushiichi for our wisdom, friendship, understand, and constant challenges to better myself on this way. To Shihandai William for my Nihongo Lessons. To Take, Sensei thank you to my introduction to AAU Karate, and a new understanding of kata. Mahalo to all. Seems Yachi, Sensei has been promoted in and out of karate. Congratulations on the Sales Woman of the Year, and your Hachi Kyu from Lowe Shihan's dojo. I also thank you for modeling kihon and oyo for my in all the DVD's. Mele Kalikimaka to you all!!

The second video is from the keri Ido today, I enjoy watching and looking for areas that I and the students of Mechanicville can improve on, so comments are welcomed.

Ido kihon II

I am not sure that the longer kata video will post. I missed the opening to Pinan sono ichi today, but I am sure you will be able to fill in the previous movements. I note of interest, we do not use migi tettsui kome kami. I have never seen any other dojo, use Shuto as we do here. I just got off the phone with my, Sensei Dan Sisto and we were taking about change to kata. We may be getting a group to review all the change and variation that have made their way into kata. It has not been lost on me the discussions we had on the kanji of kata, maybe its just a but more malleable "shape or form that cuts our earth" in New York (^^). Time will tell here in New York. I will close now Jen and I would like to tree decorate tonight. I have to be honest Roushiiichi, the woman of bootcamp took it out of me today ( I think, I twisted wrong, my right rib cage is very sore....I know I should be more careful.....I still learning about "old".

Pinan Sono Ichi

Sphagetti anyone?? (^^)

I just had to share this scene from one of my favorite movies, "Tanpopo" directed by Itami Juzo


Here's the link if embedding fails..... (**;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z__PZq_aiQU
Now lets see how to eat Ramen (Chinese noodles)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XyoAZFREnY

Now my favorite scene. This reminds me of the countless functions I attended during my career in Japan. (^^)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcMaZLiqVpI
I sort of wonder if we teach karate the same way.....Gahahaha
Have a wonderful day!

おせち料理 Osechi Ryori

Osechi Ryori

Did you know that in the "old days" there was no cooking done during the first three days of New Years?
So many housewives were busy at the end of the year cooking up Osechi Ryori in preparation for New Year. Of  course now you can order it at the local 7-11. (^^)
The ingredients used in Osechi actually have meaning. A quick run down follows.

Sato Imo (taro): fertility as many baby taros grom from one seed potato

Renkon (Lotus roots): hole in the root = ability to see the future

Gobo (burdock): as it grows straight in the soil = steadfastness

Ebi (lobster/prawm/shrimp): the bent back like the eldery = long life

Kohaku namasu (pickled white radish and carrots in strips) : festive red/white gift wrappings

Kuro Mame (black beans) : a wish to work in good health

Kazunoko (Herring roe) : fertility and prosperity

Tazukuri (Fried Sardine) : Wish for rich harvest as sardines were used as fertilizer

Kohaku Kamaboko (red/white fish paste cake) : red/white = auspicious colors

Datemaki ( rolled fish paste omelet): wish to improve knowledge and culture. Date also means flamboyant.
                                                       Maki = scroll

Kuri Kinton (chestnuts in sweet potatoe paste) : prosperity from the golden color of the dish

Konbu Maki (kelp rolls) : to be happy Konbu = kobu as in Yorokobu (to be happy)

Takenoko (Banboo shoots) : endurance and flexibility

Tai (Red Sanpper) ; fish used for all auspicious celebrations.

I sure miss the smell of cooking at the end of the year! Of course, I snuck a few bites while grandna wasn't looking! (^^)  Now if folks would stop going to MMA fights in New Year Eve and spend qaulity timw with family at home!

Tradtionally the Ameyoko in Ueno is packed with folks buying the ingredients for Osechi. The Ameyoko
(short for American Alley) was originally a blackmarket area for US goods illegally obtained from Occupation Forces right after World War Two. It then developed into a shoppong area for very cheap goods ranging form food to clothes. The National Museum of Art is close by as well as Ueno Park which is aslo famous for Cherry Blossom Viewing in the Spring. Lots of sake and shiochu flows throughout the day!
The local police is kept quite busy as well. (^^)

Entrance to Ameyko

Shopping fo goodies!

What kind of New Year traditions do you have in New York?

More entertainment from Japan for a lazy weekend!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IymzIP6eOo4

Some one please translate........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHCmZt1ZwBY

Only in Japan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SzQF5oBCmw

You can feel the spirit and energy from these ladies.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNU02ySnSVQ
 
My current  favorite song. Just joking (^^)  The real version follows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVC6Xc2va8s

A lot better I think (^^)

Enjoy your Sunday!

Karate and Music

Please enjoy some modern music played with traditional Japanese instruments.
Kumite with such BGM would cetainly be fun!
Just in case the embedding was a no go here's the link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83pvYlCsWxg
Lyrico, the drummer has a solid Zenkutsu and Shikodachi! 基本だね！
I can imagine how much Kihon these two had to master to produce such great music!

Tsugaru Shamisen

Taiko (Japanese drums)

Karate has no borders, it is shared with the same spirit throughout the world.  I feel that music is the same. Music has no borders, it shares the same spirit. If we could all have the same spirit and feeling of mutual happiness and joy from each other the world would be a better place.
Please enjoy Celtic musicv played by a group of lovely Chinese ladies with traditional Chinese musical instruments.  Yes, I admit, my eyes focused first before my ears! (^^)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8K7wKyYVHc

Another beautiful day in Hawaii. Listening to the music has energized me for the day. Looking  forward to my Pokemons this afternoon. Fufu, A different kind of music. Jita Kyoei, I get a lot from my Pokemons!
**For any first time reader, Pokemon refers to my kids in the karate class! (^^)** All sorts of characters!