Author Archives: Lynda Philippsen

Sogetsu Level One Book One Complete!

Check! I have now completed Level One of Book One in my Sogetsu Ikebana course. I started the first two lessons of Level Two on Tuesday, and will persist in my attempt to complete Level Two before leaving Japan.

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Touring Asakusa in Kimono with Friends

Two friends from Toyohashi (near Nagoya) visited me on the weekend. They wanted to have lunch, then dress in rented kimonos to wander around Asakusa and visit Sensoji Temple. After that, they wanted to view the illuminations at Skytree Town.

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Finishing up with Autumn

Winter is settling into Tokyo. But not that many days ago Jingugaien, the ginkgo avenue with its four rows of 146 trees on both sides of the street, was a splendid sight.

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Different Folks Different Strokes

Friends traveled into Tokyo from Toyohashi to visit me yesterday. I met them at Gaienmae Station near my apartment as they wanted to see where I was living. That done, we were about to depart when I remembered my gloves. … Continue reading

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Tokyo Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier

Last Sunday I attended Tokyo Opera’s Der Rosenkavalier. It’s a tale of the Marschallin Princess Marie Thérèse, an aristocrat in a bittersweet dalliance with young Count Octavian. This, as all things do, must end. The inevitable is the inevitable; however, … Continue reading

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O Tannenbaum O Christmas Tree

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum / Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree / You give me so much pleasure!

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Noshing and Nosing in My Tokyo Neighborhood

It is the most unnatural thing in the world for me to point a phone at something and take a photo. I wasn’t much better when carrying my Canon Elph. So often when sifting through the digital files for an … Continue reading

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A Great Week in Tokyo

I had one Sogetsu Ikebana class on Monday morning and the rest of the week off. A nice change of pace. I liked being an observer rather than the creator. I spent the time taking in art exhibits, city views … Continue reading

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New Variations: Old Rules Do Not Apply

This week I had but one class at the Sogetsu School as the rest of the week was devoted to teacher workshops on the new Book 5 curriculum. With the basic forms and various slanted styles behind me, I began … Continue reading

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Finding a Teapot and a Tree

Bingo! She scores! Banzai! I now have a white ceramic teapot with a strainer. (Finally, I can soothe my soul by making a cuppa during those moments such consolation is needed.) Six bucks. Plus a paring knife and a couple … Continue reading

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