Category Archives: This & That

Happy New Year from Tokyo: Welcome 2018

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Today I picked up my order of Osechi-ryori, boxes of celebratory New Year’s foods. These are freighted with auspicious symbolism and beautifully packaged inside boxes called jūbako.

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Reviewing My Progress in Sogetsu Ikebana

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Levels one and two of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana are devoted to basics, basics, basics. Everything depends on the basics. One set of branches with one set of flowers and variations of three primary lines (Shin, Soe and Hikae) … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on Food & Love on Christmas Day

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Christmas, in my view, is more intimate than other occasions on the calendar. At least it is in the Pacific Northwest where I have experienced the majority of my Christmas celebrations. Inside the home trees, lights, fires and candles glow. … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve in Yokohama and Tokyo

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Last weekend I hopped the train to Yokohama—about an hour out of Tokyo—to join friends for the Christmas Market in a former warehouse district now  converted to event and boutique space. On Christmas Eve Sunday I’d been invited back for … Continue reading →

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Getting into the Spirit

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Twenty-two minutes before the Solstice sunset I was seated on the 41st floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku with a glass of champagne. Looking west through semi-sheer blinds diffusing the view, a large orange ball hung over the … Continue reading →

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Sogetsu Level One Book One Complete!

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

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

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

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

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

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

Posted on December 9, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

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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O Tannenbaum O Christmas Tree

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

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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