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Photo gallery: Memories of Japan (2009)
2009 Contents
- December (Season's Greetings - Winter -)
- November (No.15)
- October (Season's Greetings - Autumn -)
- September (No.14)
- August (Season's Greetings - Summer -)
- July (No.13)
- June (Season's Greetings - Appreciating Japan's rainy season -)
- May (No.12)
- April (Season's Greetings - Spring -)
- March (No.11)
- February (Season's Greetings - The Start of Spring -)
- January (No.10)
Past Issues
As we head into winter I see red berries begin to fill the trees.
Entranced by their gem-like appearance, I sought to learn more about these trees, and realized that they actually come in a wide variety, including Nandina, Luster Leaf Holly and Round Leaf Holly to name just a few.
Nandina is pronounced Nanten in Japanese, which is the same pronunciation as a separate word made up of different Kanji which literally refer to a shift in fortunes (a change for the better) and because of this, this tree is often used as a New Year’s decoration for luck.
Those of you who have studied in Japan in the past may have seen this decoration somewhere before.
While we usually end up staying indoors over the winter, going outside for a walk and feeling the bitter cold air really helps to sharpen the senses.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy Japan’s winter scenery, where vibrant colors burst out in the cold.
Mr.
Ryan Morrison
(U.S.A.): Studying at University of Tokyo
Left: At Mt.Takao
Right: At Kinkakuji Temple with his mother
Ms. Yi Ying (China): Studying at Kyushu University
Left: At Uchimizu festival
Right: With host family and her parents
Standing on the platform waiting for my train, I glanced up at the night sky, and saw a full moon above me. It reminded me of the heavenly glimmer of the harvest moon I had gazed at with friends as we stood atop the Great Wall of China a long time before.
In Japan, China, and South Korea, there is a custom held on August 15th of the lunar calendar where people make offerings of Japanese silver grass, dumplings and sake and watch the full moon. It may be that the moon has been the window of the soul from ancient times, with the sense of kindness, solemnity and loneliness that it evokes in the viewer.
Each country has its own diverse customs and lore connected with the moon. How does the moon reflect back on your town tonight? How is your inner self reflected in the moon?
I hope you will take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of Japan during these long autumn nights.
Ms. Munkhbat Enkhee (Mongolia): Studied at Hiroshima University
Left: Taue (Rice Planting) Experience at Hiroshima
Right: At Kinkakuji Temple
Ms. Myint Myint Aye (Myanmar): Studied at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Left: With her host family at the graduation ceremony
Dr. Hasbullah Nawir (Indonesia): Studied at University of Tokyo
Left: With his research adviser at the welcome party
Right: At the Haneda Airport with members of Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory
Ms.OhnmarKyaw (Myanmar): Studied at Chiba University
Left: Hina matsuri (the girl's festival)
Right: At a bowling alley with her International Friends
Ms.Hernandez Perez Carmen Fabiola (Mexico): Studied at University
Left: With her family in front of The Hiroshima Dome
Right: Mexican Culture Presentation in Ryukai Junior High School in Okazaki
The rainy season has passed, and we have entered the time of year when sunshine hits the skin with a prickling sensation.
At home, I have tried sprinkling the ground with water and hanging a furin wind chime by the window. These classic tricks are supposed to help you think it is cool. But actually, it is not that easy to keep from sweating.
Searching for coolness, I went camping in Niigata prefecture the other day. In contrast to the scorching heat of Tokyo, autumn flowering plants were already peeping out upon the mountains. I pressed the shutter, feeling a certain melancholy about the brief mountain summer.
Insect collecting, watermelon splitting, snow cones, fireworks… Summer is filled with the delights that I have enjoyed since childhood.
Please enjoy Japan's seasonal views highlighted by the summer heat.
Ms. Kissani Ridma Perera (Sri Lanka): Studied at Kyushu University
Left: At Nakagawa summer camp with the family
Right: Kimono ceremony with Nihongo Professor
Ms. Qu xiaoli (China): Studied at Nagoya University
Left: The party for finishing her Japanese course
Right: At Miyazaki elementary school
Ms. Tri Winarni Agustini (Indonesia): Studied at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Left: With her family
Right: With other international students
It had been a while since I took a walk in the neighborhood park. Leaves have replaced the cherry blossoms that were in full bloom in April. The trees are now dazzling with green foliage.
In Japan's rainy season, or tsuyu, it is cloudy or raining on many days, and the humidity is not all that comfortable. This kind of weather makes me feel a bit gloomy. After all, how many of us prefer the rain to sunshine?
But considering that this is an important season to store water for farming and other uses during the summer, we should be thankful for the showers. If it weren't for this brief wet streak, dams could dry up in regions of Japan with low rainfall year-round, like along the coasts of the Seto Inland Sea.
Summer is just around the corner. Until then, let's welcome the rain!
I hope you enjoy these photographs of the beauty and bounties of Japan's rainy season.
Dr. Mohammad AI-Mamun (Bangladesh): Studied at Iwate University
Left: Dean Award (The United Graduate school of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University)
Right: Japanese Society of Animal Science Outstanding Young Scientist Award
Ms. Yousra Ashraf (Egypt): Studied at Konan University
Left: Under the cherry trees
Right: With other international students
Ms. Huang Min Li (China): Studied at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Osaka Kyoiku University
As a Teacher Training Student
Mr. Xue Hao (China): After Studied at Hokuriku University, Studying at Waseda University
Left: Odaiba Kaihinkoen
Right: Cherry trees of along the Kanda river
Dr. Nasima Akhter (Bangladesh): Studied at Kanazawa University
Left: Her family, dressed in kimono at a tea ceremony
Right: Year ending party, with her supervisor (left)
Ms. Rosario Rivera Buery ( Philipppines): Studied at Okayama University
Left: In graduation day, Right: At the department
Dr. Sharmin Hossain (Bangladesh): Studied at Kanazawa University
With family under the cherry blossoms
Ms. Grace Kyaw (Myanmar): Studied at Chiba University
Left: With other international students (second from the left)
Dr. M. Khabir Uddin (Bangladesh): Studied at The University of Shiga Prefecture
Left: Stayed as the reseacher of Follow-up Research Fellowship (front)
Mr. Kishor Pandey (Nepal): Studied at Nagasaki University
Left: With the President of Nagasaki University in graduation day ,
Right: At Shuri castle in Okinawa (Educational tour from Nagasaki University)
Dr. Ram Chandra Bhusal (Nepal): Studied at Ehime University
Left: With Japanese professors during the International Symposium in Kathmandu (third from the left),
Right: Presenting a paper in Dhaka
Ms. Enkhchimeg Chinbat (Mongol): Studied at Kanazawa University
Left: At Kakuma campus in Kanazawa city (left), Right: At kimono-wearing class (right in the middle row, in a red Kimono)
Mr. Ibrahim Ibrahim (Egypt): Studied at Shizuoka University
Left: Enjoying Japanese characters (the first right), Right: With supervisor and other students
