First week of Classes and Kyoto

Hello dear viewers

Let me get the first week of classes out of the way first.  We had a lot of trouble finishing up paperwork, such as getting my bike registered and getting into the swing of things, but classes have gone well.

My spoken Japanese class is eerily similar to how it was taught in the states by the absolutely fantastic Yumika Araki.  My new teacher, Yamauchi sensee, is just as creative and excitable as she was and makes class fun, through his energy, a few gimmicks, like today where he pretended to "accidentally" have a phone call with his wife just to segway into our next area of study.  It will require more work than any other class, but, them's the breaks.

Sumi-E is the one class that worries me.  my teacher is nice, intelligent, and confidant that I can become a decent Sumi-E painter by the end of the semester, but I tend to over think my works and they appear sloppy instead of smooth.  I have time to improve, but these are my most tedious classes, sheerly because I worry the most about them.

Shinto is an interesting course, though our teacher seems a bit too laid back.  She seems intelligent, but never wants to use the full 90 minutes we have.  Still, there's plenty to learn and we got a basic overview in the first week, including taboos, fertility idols, festivals, and the core essence of how Shinto is not a religion with a set creed, doctrine, rules, etc.  It's a very approachable religion in that aspect.

Anime Method and Meaning is a course that confuses me.  Our teacher is intelligent, if a bit awkward, but really, the class is just watching animated films and discussing their meanings.  Probably the reason it confuses me is our first film, Angel's Egg, is an auter art anime film, that has about four minutes of dialogue during it's eighty minute run time.  It'll probably be less confusing as time goes on, but for now, it is a little weird.

For those of you also not in the know, I went to Kyoto last Sunday.  I have pictures BUT, I will wait to post them, as I'm still sifting through the lot.  I will have them for you all by Saturday or Sunday.

Kyoto is my kind of town.  It wears its rustic Japanese flavor on its sleeve, in the open, for all to see.  I could actually live there and enjoy it, as there is so much traditional art and architecture and flavor.  I saw dozens of people in Kimono's or even colorful costumes.  I saw Geishas and Maikos, geishas in training.  It was like stepping into the wondrous world of dreams I'd heard so much about.  When you see the photos, you'll know.  But, let's stick to the facts.

I started with a group of friends at the train.  We irritated each other a fair deal on the trip and I got lost a few times, but on the whole it was an enjoyable experience.  That's all I'll say about my companions, for various reasons.  Anyway, the train is...well, fast and cheap, but a bit tiresome, as most of us had to stand.  Felt like I was back in Ecuador for a bit.

We started off in Kyoto at the temple of Kennin-ji, I believe, something to that extent.  It was a great zen temple, beautifully built from top to bottom with an intricate number of supports and amazing little alcoves for expression in rock gardens.  The most impressive thing by far was the main hall, where a huge number of Buddhist relics were housed.  The room's roof had a huge painting of twin dragons in it.  It was fantastic.

Ironically, the best part of my day in Kyoto was finding the smallest Ukiyo-e painting museum in the world right outside the temple.  The printer makes both reproductions and does his own work, by using different printing plates to add varying levels of color to pieces of paper.  He showed us how he made these for free and even gave us some good luck charms.  I bought several prints and we had a great time, with photos and everything.

Next, we had a trip through the shops leading up to Kyo Mizu(that's an abbreviation, I cannot remember the full title.)  Along these shops are where I got lost, as there is so much to see and some beautiful souveniers to find and buy.  I got a monogrammed cloth, which I will probably use as a wall scroll, a gourd reminiscent of the ancient Japanese tale of a sealed paradise withing a gourd, a lucky tag from the temple, and some great items from a store that specialized in Studio Ghibli items.  I spent SOOOOOO much money here and can't wait to go back.  My friends spent a fair bit as well, one even going so far as to buy a pair of $40 metal kabuki fans that were just amazing to behold.

Next was the temple, which was a lot of walking, plenty of gongs and things to bang and pray to, beautiful art work, incense, atmosphere and one of the best views I've seen in all of Japan, with a perfect view of Kyoto from above.  There were some rustic niceties as well, such as a tea house for weary pilgrim, cleansing fountains to purify the hands and body, and shrines from all over, including a Shinto dog shrine, Buddhist Jizo shrines, and plenty of others in between.

We had planned on seeing more, but by 5pm we were all dead on our feet, so we headed back to Hirakata city.  I felt like I'd just done a whole convention weekend in a single day.  I got off the train and had a nice meal at a local restaurant, which was a bit spicy but still good.  I should try eating out more often.  Maybe on Saturdays.  For those curious, yes, I did take my black coat with me to Kyoto.  It was a long, hot day, and though I was tired, dehydrated and exhausting, I didn't collapse or falter, so no worries.

Now, we start the routine weeks, with regular classes and some projects down the line.  I hope I can keep myself together in it all.  I did manage to get some writing done this weekend, along with a little exploring(I found two hobby shops, two arcades, and an American Cafe run by Japanese who don't speak English.  It was...weird.)

Anyway, that's all I can muster for now.  I'm tired as the class days wear on me...and I'm tying to cook more for my dorm mates, even though it's really more expensive than I'd like.

Like I said, photos of Kyoto will be forthcoming, so be patient.  Until then, I bid you adieu, dear viewers and hope that you get a chance to see the same beauty of Kyoto that I saw and captured in my photos.  Something to look forward to in the coming week.  If anyone wants to know more about my exploration, just leave a comment and I'll get to it next time, along with the photos.