Yuzen-zome and Kiyomizudera with the Aviation Club!

So did you know that Kansai Gaidai has an aviation club? Neither did I. Nonetheless, it didn't stop me from taking part in their school-approved field trip!

Today I went on a trip with the Aviation Club to do some yuzen-zome and visit Kiyomizudera yet again. But why the Aviation Club and what’s yuzen-zome, you ask.

To be perfectly honest: I have no clue. I vaguely remember looking up yuzen-zome painting techniques while researching a haori (Japanese traditional coat) for a paper for one of my museum studies class, but I found a complete yuzen-zome experience when I went to do it for real.

We went to a shop called “Mayu” that specializes in yuzen-zome and letting tourists (and interested people) try it as well.  Mayu is actually Japanese for the silkworm cocoon that is used to create silk. Since yuzen-zome is usually done on silk, it is an apt name.

Why the Aviation Club? They were looking for people to go with, I saw the poster, and applied.

We met at ten and then headed off to Kyoto!

First we stopped by a restaurant where we had some sort of traditional Japanese lunch—lots of small amounts of pickled things, you see, in addition to rice and miso soup. It was delicious.

Sesame spinach and tofu

Then we trekked off to Mayu to do yuzen-zome. It was a pretty cute shop and it smelled like ink and paint everywhere. We were allowed to choose our own design, and I chose one of bunnies frolicking.

Here was one I could do

Here's another variation

The yuzen-zome I learned about was a dying technique using rice paste—this is a stenciling technique of a sort. So here is me stenciling:

 

The master of the shop stopped by to watch a work for a bit and I got a big shock--he was the first Japanese person I've met who knows where Wisconsin is! I was very impressed when he was "Wisconsin-state, that's near Chicago, isn't it (badly translated from Japanese)?" I was O___________O Yes, yes it is. 

And here is the final product!

And then they wrapped it up for me!

After doing yuzen-zome, we went to Kiyomizudera (清水寺) which means “Pure Water Temple.”

We went to the Ghibli Shop (of course), where I got my coveted t-shirt as well as a few friends.

I also met (a.k.a. photographed) some maiko (apprentice geisha), 

 

got treated to taiyaki, 

 

and was subjected to a monstrosity they called a cream puff--made. of. custard. O__________________O

It was sakura flavor, though. Not much of a cherry taste--just sweet with a hint of cinnamon

And we had a lot of fun getting up the mountain!

The Girls

The Guys

I lent someone my camera and then discovered this! :D

An omamori (protection amulet of a sort) for happiness

 I was holding off on buying omamori, but I saw these and just had to!

An omamori for good luck--it's got a little bell in it that rings constantly. This is because the sound of a bell is supposed to bring good fortune (that's why there are always bells at temples and shrines)

The last time I went to Kiyomizudera, I didn’t have a chance to drink from the spring which started all the hype, but this time I did! Kinda blurry, but lookit me!

 

Hopefully luck will come in this new year!

And it actually might. I shook an omikujji and got the best fortune there is!

 

Transportation in Japan - Part One: Cars

Cars in Japan are crazy. As you who have been following me since the beginning should know, I was terrified by Okaasan Prime's driving. It was all I could do to keep my fingers from digging into the upholstery. And this wasn't just because of Okaasan Prime's driving--the roads are super narrow here and the corners are super tight. Bikes pay attention to no man and zoom around everywhere; not to mention the pedestrians! Sitting shotgun is almost as much as a heart attack as sitting in the driver's seat must be!

But Sarah, you gently say, surely someone of your dramatic status (you drama queen, you) must be exaggerating? It can't possibly be that bad.

I submit to you doubters, Exhibit A: Mirrors.

The streets are so narrow that they place large posts with curved mirrors on the top so you can see who's coming around the corner, because you can't see otherwise.

Still not convinced? Exhibit B: Stop lines

The stop lines are a full ten feet or so from the crosswalk--this is so that when large things (such as buses) make a turn, they don't accidentally crash into a close car and cause unseemly carnage.

And now the piece de résistance, Exhibit C: Video footage.

That, right there, is a two lane street with “sidewalks” on both sides. Never mind the chatter--Okaasan Prime and I were talking about what my friends and I were planning to do. What you hear is the sound of my incompetence--I couldn't understand what she was asking at the time. :(

And now about cars (written actually quite a while ago, but I wanted a major big post on cars):

Cars are different in Japan, at least compared to America. For one thing, they’re way more compact, and look kinda squished next to the cars I see in America. Another thing is that their side mirrors fold inward when the car is parked. This makes for more parking spaces, I think? Anyway, I think it’s pretty nifty! Also, the drivers are INSANE. But that’s okay, everyone else is too. I live in constant fear of getting smushed be it by car, bicycle, moped, or pedestrian. XD Also, when Okaasan Prime drives, she wears these long black gloves. It’s all very 1930sish.

One interesting thing about parking in Japan that I’ve noticed is that they park with the front end of the car pointing out. In America, we usually park with the trunk to the front, so if we have groceries we can put them in the trunk, etc. We also just drive into our garages; in Japan they back into them. I believe this is to compensate for the absolute lack of a driveway.

Also, for gas stops (at least the ones Okaasan Prime goes to), it’s like we’re still in the fifties! There’s people who fill up your gas for you, wash the car as you wait, and even take your credit card to the machine so you don’t have to get out (I’m a little wary of the last one, but I think that’ s just my paranoia kicking in)!

As I’ve said before the streets are very narrow here (especially for two-lane streets!) and sometimes it feels like there’s no sidewalks at all! To compensate for the very sharp turns, in Japan they have these curved mirrors that are at almost every intersection, so you can see the traffic coming. Again, isn’t it nifty!

And the stop signs are triangles. I think that was one of the biggest shocks. My friendly octagon was replaced by a triangle. Scary, man, scary.

 And the highways are pretty weird as well. They have walls around them. When I asked Okaasan Prime why, she told me it was for people's privacy. 

I'm not even joking!