When the Weekend Swings Japanese

For us, most weekends are a mix of Japanese and American culture. Almost all Saturdays, from here until the foreseeable end of time, are given over to Japanese School in San Francisco. For Mimi now, and for the other kids when their number is called, it's not a question of attending; it's a given. A few weekends ago we were greeted with carp flags.

After Japanese School, and perhaps tackling some Japanese homework, we tend to shift back to more western-focused pursuits. For Kuri, that means German cars.

And perhaps we'll go out for brunch on Sunday, and just happen to come across a space museum.

This past weekend, however, swung way to the Japanese side, though, at first, we weren't sure it would. Saturday began with Sumie taking Mimi down to SF for Japanese School. She was going to sit in on the class and then listen to a talk from the teacher afterwards. In the afternoon, we were planning to attend a memorial for some elderly friends of Sumie's family who had sadly passed away.

I had thought Sumie would be coming back after meeting with the teacher to help me corral the kids and get them ready for the service, but the meeting went long, which meant I was on my own. I would have to get the kids prepped and drive them down to the city. I dressed up Kuri as best I could...

...and then got Mariko set.

After that, it was time for me to get ready. Unfortunately, this is a bit challenging with a one year old and a three year old on the loose. Kuri's new fascination with photography, and the ease of operating an iPhone, led him to capturing just how stealthily Mariko can sneak over to play with the toilet water.

He also managed to capture the results when Papa finds that his little girl is, once again, trying to destroy the potty.

Despite the child chasing, I made it to SF in time to meet with Sumie and Mimi. We then drove down to Mountain View, hit up a few Japanese grocery stores, and then made it over to the memorial. It was held in a gorgeous Japanese Buddhist temple, but I saw very little of it as the one year old and the three year old weren't too enthralled with chanting and speeches.

We attended the reception afterwards and were able to talk with Kenji, Sumie's brother's good friend and the grandson of the couple we were celebrating. Sumie's sister and her daughter Nana also made it out and, despite multiple kids, we were able to get a picture (of sorts).

One big development was that Kenji's little girl, who is also three, seemed to have a little crush on Kuri. Like most boys, he wasn't quite sure how to handle it.

On Sunday, Mimi, Kuri, and I headed out for Cars and Coffee and then, upon our return, we thought we'd continue our Western Sunday with brunch. We planned a trip to a restaurant in Sebastopol and then to a funky bakery near Tomales Bay - Wild Flour Bread. I had no idea our Japanese adventures would continue.

The restaurant we went to, The Gravenstein Grill, was fantastic. Mimi and Kuri insisted on climbing the stone lions outside.

The weather was gorgeous, so we were able to eat outside on the patio. Mimi attempted to teach Mari how to do Junken (rock, paper, scissors).

Mari quickly gave up, however, and just focused on looking cute.

Kuri, however, became obsessed with the game. There was just one problem: he couldn't form the scissors with his hand. Poor guy. After some help from Papa, he finally got it. He was still excited about it a few days later. "Look Papa! Ni! ("two" in Japanese) he'll yell, holding up his right hand in a peace sign proudly.

At brunch, our waiter told us that there was a Japanese festival (a matsuri) happening just up the road in Santa Rosa. We were pretty shocked. When we first moved to Marin, Sumie in particular was very worried that there wouldn't be much of a Japanese presence. And while there's definitely a dearth of Asian stores and Japanese restaurants up here, we've found that there's a rather vibrant Japanese community up here north of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The matsuri was small, but had some great performances by local Japanese dance and drum troupes. Mimi and Kuri both got shaved ice. 

And Mimi, here in the middle of the pic in the sun her father had to hide from, recognized a boy from her Japanese class. 

After the matsuri, we hit the bakery, drove down past Tomales Bay, and returned home for a little rest and relaxation. Mimi and Kuri decided to organize Kuri's cars. 

And I, after getting the kids ready for bed, finally had a chance to look in the mirror to review the damage of the day. Perhaps it's hard to see from this pic, but there was a massive snot stain across my shirt. Of course, I had no idea how long it had been there. Ah, life with kids.

Looking back over this past weekend, I'm still amazed at just how many opportunities my kids, who are all Japanese as well as American citizens, have to take part in Japanese culture. We do make a bit of a sacrifice to live here, but when the kids can experience both of their cultures so readily, it's well worth it!

Sand, Sun, and Sakura - Santa Cruz and the SF Cherry Blossom Festival

I do not tan.  It is a sad but irrefutable fact.  Unlike my lovely wife, whose skin simply grows deeper and richer in color from a day in the sun, I have only two skin tones: pasty white or lobstery red.  This hadn't been much of an issue, though, living on the east coast.  Sure, I'd get the occasional red nose from an open sunroof or trucker's arm from a sunny drive up the Taconic Parkway, but nothing major.  As such, I'd forgotten just how fierce, and unforgiving, the California sun can be.  Well, at least until I found myself frying to a crisp on the beach in Santa Cruz.

Our Saturday started innocently enough.  We wanted to get out of the house, but didn't know where to go, so we packed a few essentials for toddler travel (stroller, diapers, change of clothes, snacks, and Valium), and made our way west to Ocean Beach and then took US 1 south.  Before we knew it, the toddler was asleep.  Knowing our bundle of joy will wake, without fail, as soon as the car stopped, we just kept moving.  It's a good thing we got that diesel Jetta with the great gas mileage because by the time Mimi started coming round we were already in Santa Cruz.

Sumie had never been to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, so we braved the abysmal traffic and parked in a grass overflow lot right below the log ride.  The temperature difference was astounding.  Between the heat and humidity Santa Cruz felt like NYC in July.  That's Northern California, though.  Drive more than an hour and chances are you'll need a change of clothes.

Mimi was still a bit young for the majority of the Boardwalk rides (I can't wait to take her on the Giant Dipper sometime soon), but we thought we'd give the carousel a shot.  Santa Cruz's carousel is famous for still having brass rings, which are fed through a chute for riders on the outer horses.  Shortly after plucking a ring you can throw it at a giant clown which goes off in a satisfying, flashing wail if you manage to hit the mouth.  Or, if you're feeling nostalgic, you can pocket the ring, as I did when I was a kid.  Either way, the carousel is a great piece of vintage Americana that still retains some of the good old danger of historic midway rides.  And Mimi, seeing all the brightly colored horses spinning to the whirly-gig music, was excited to give it a go.

Sumie perched Mimi on an inside horse; better to keep a hold of her that way.  Mimi was all smiles....

...at least until the massive contraption started spinning.  

Within 2 revolutions the rest of the riders were having a great time, but Mimi, our brave little toddler, was screaming her head off.  That's our girl.  

From the carousel we made our way to the end of the boardwalk, where we found a nice cafe with outdoor seating.  My neck and nose were already starting to feel a bit "red and raw," but Sumie insisted.  And then, knowing Mimi loves the water, we headed to the beach.  

I took Mimi down to the waves where she frolicked happily and I looked like an unprepared and dorky tourist with my rolled-up jeans.  Wading finished, we headed back to Sumie and the beach blanket.  There, having already played the aimless tourist, I impersonated a beached whale with sunglasses. 

Sumie, of course, looked beautiful as ever.  Mimi was overjoyed to spend some quality time with her Mama, as you can see.  

As we left Santa Cruz, me already unable to turn my head due to neck burn, we marveled at the traffic coming into town on 17.  At least 5 miles of massive, bumper-to-bumper snarl.  Once again, getting out early paid off.

The next day, Sunday, was a busy one.  The Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival was concluding that day with a parade in Japantown and Sumie had been asked to give a speech at a brunch recognizing outstanding Japanese seniors.  As such, we woke up early and suited up.  Mimi woke thinking she'd go as Moses. 

Sumie was representing her hospital at the senior awards breakfast, which has sponsored the event for the past 4 years.  We found it a bit of an odd request - I have a feeling someone in PR noticed her name in the list of new physicians and tagged her for it - but a welcome one.  This year, 15 or so Japanese American veterans were recognized for their service during and after World War II.  Despite their age, each one, without exception, refused assistance when ascending to the stage to receive their rewards.  After all those years the determination, the pride, and the will to be independent was still there.  In short, it was inspiring.

Sumie's speech, as well as the entire brunch, went well.  We would've had pictures if Mimi hadn't decided to scream anytime someone took the stage.   By 11:00 the brunch was over and Sumie and I were free to explore the Cherry Blossom Festival with Mimi.

I absolutely love Japanese festivals, or "matsuris."  They're something uniquely Japanese.  Part county fair, part neighborhood block party, and part Oktoberfest, there's no better way of getting in some games, community spirit, beer, and great food.  Apparently, the entire Iwasaki clan here on the west coast missed matsuris as well, so by 1:00 or so we'd been joined by Sumie's brother and sister, their spouses, and all the cousins. 

We lined up at various vendors for food - good, but not like in Japan - and then found a comfy curb to share it with the kids.  Here's Mimi with Sumie's brother's kids, Shuhei and Asuka.  Kae, Sumie's sister, was still looking for parking. 

Shuhei and Asuka came dressed in festival clothes.  They were ready to party! 

But the mood soon changed.  I think Mimi told Shuhei and Asuka a really bad joke.  I'm not quite sure how she did it, but that's definitely what it looks like. 

Before too long Kae arrived with her husband Ed and their three kids.  Ed and I stood in line for takoyaki.  These are savory Japanese donut holes with a bit of octopus in the middle.  Odd sounding, yes, but also delicious.  You can see the line below.  It took us half an hour, but we got 'em.  

I'm sorry to say that these takoyaki were nothing like what I'd experienced in Japan.  Everyone still seemed to love them, but they just didn't cut the mustard.  I want to have my own both next year and, even though I'm a gaijin (foreigner), show them what real takoyaki tastes like.

We were able to catch the tail end of the parade.  Here's a look at the last shrine going by the Peace Pagoda, complete with semi-naked Japanese men.  No matsuri would be complete without them.  

Mimi was intrigued.  When I asked her what she saw, she replied, "Oshiri."  That's the Japanese word for butt. 

It was a packed, but fantastic weekend.  I'd been thinking we'd just take it easy, but I'm so glad that we went out and made the most of it.  The only thing I would've changed is our wardrobe for the Cherry Blossom festival.  From 8:30am to 3:00pm Sumie was navigating the matsuri in heels and I in a grey Burberry suit.  I stuck out so severely that a vendor tried to force me into getting my face painted just for the irony.   And I would've done it, too...if I didn't like that suit so much!