Monday Morning Star Count - 72

I made seven more hexagon flowers this week, for a total of 72.

A Sewing Machine Made for Children

 

I saw this on the Japan Today website - Fuwamoko Hug Craft Sewing Machine by Ax Yamazaki.  It is designed especially for children and comes with sewing patterns for children too. The machine is battery-powered and is so simple children ages six and older can easily start sewing. It costs 8,778 yen and will be available starting in October. 

When I was a child, I made many Barbie doll items by hand sewing them. I wonder if having a little machine like this would have changed anything about how I like to sew and stitch now.  I had an Easy Bake Oven as a child and now I never cook. With that line of thinking, maybe it is best that I didn't have this cute little machine as a child!

End of Summer One Thread a Week Challenge

Today is the Autumn Equinox, the end of summer, and the end of my summer challenge that began on June 14th.  So, was it worth it?  Yes!  Here are the projects that I was able to finish the stitching on.  I still need to finish finish half of them, but I'm pleased to have the stitching finished. 

The Apple Pin Cushion 

SnowDays 

The House 

Blackwork Sampler 

Buttons and Cross Stitch

The Virgin Queen's Pocket - Betsy Morgan.  

Mt. Fuji Pouch

Mini Nine Patch Quilt 

Quiltwork - Ruth Dilts

Gift Ribbons

Crazy Quilt Ornament

Beaded Nutcracker

Gingham Drawn Thread - Original

Here are the projects that I was able to make significant progress and will continue working on.  

The Scarf 

Dogwood Afghan 

Paisley Purse - Deborah Forney  

Sneek Sampler 

Hardanger Sampler - Linda Driskell

Drawn Thread on Gingham - Second piece

Autumnal Equinox Day - 秋分の日, Shūbun no Hi

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Japan - Autumnal Equinox Day. It can occur on either September 22nd or 23rd.  This year it is the 23rd.  It became a national holiday in 1948.  In 1947 and before it was the date of a Shinto religious holiday. It was changed as part of the separation of religion and state in Japan's post war constitution. 

It might be a good day to get out and look at the fall leaves.

Japan Wants More Foreign Workers

Japan has a serious shortage of workers in farming and other areas in rural areas where the population is declining. A recent survey by Kyodo News revealed 86% of municipalities want to increase foreign labor to deal with these shortages. The survey, that covered all 47 prefectures in Japan, reported local government heads were strongly concened that their communities are at risk of disappearing or somewhat afraid the communities are at risk of disappearing. Also revealed in this survey was that 30% of the respondents felt it necessary to promote bringing in foreign workers and 56% considered it somewhat necessary, with only 8% believing it to be unnecessary or somewhat unnecessary. 

The main areas with worker shortages include medical and nursing care services, agriculture, and the manufacturing industry. Other shortages of workers include taxi drivers and truck drivers.

A population forecast in April that was conducted by a research institute estimated foreign nationals will be about 10% of the population in 2070, up from around 2% in 2020. In addition, The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicts Japan's total population will decline by 30% to 87 million in 2070, with people 65 or older accounting for nearly 40%. 

As much as I love Japan, I do think it is a difficult place for a non-Japanese person to move to. The language differences are the biggest reason, but other reasons include getting a visa and the fact that a foreigner is always different. In many other countries including the US, you cannot tell nationality by just looking at the person. In Japan, absolutely no one would look at me and mistakenly think I was Japanese. Once, I was stopped by police because I didn't look Japanese. I have been fortunate to make many friends who help me when I need it, but I would guess not all foreigners feel this way. I hope that people from other places will come to Japan and feel as welcome as I do.

Work In Progress Wednesday - Summer One Thread a Week Challenge

 I continue to make progress with my one thread a week challenge.

Scarf - I made one new paisley and stitched the outline in chain stitch with hot pink thread. I also stitched the pink feather stitch where the scissors are pointing.

Dogwood afghan - I added more green to the leaves.

Paisley purse - I added two more dorset buttons and some beads.

Sneek Sampler - page 7 of 12 is completed.

Hardanger Sampler - Linda Driskell One thread where the scissors are pointing.

Drawn Thread Gingham - One edge line.

Progress is good.

KitKat's 50th Anniversary's New Release In Japan

 

While KitKat did not originate in Japan, it has become very "Japanese". It was first introduced in Japan in 1973 and became a good luck token due to how it is pronounced in Japanese.  Kitto Katsu sounds like "you will surely win", a type of encouragement.  The many flavors and types of KitKat also make it the perfect sourvenir. 

As KitKat celebrates its 50th anniversary in Japan, the chocolate candy underwent a renewal of sorts to make it the best KitKat ever. It took three years and 100 prototypes, as well as the taste preferences of today's consumers.  The result is a higher percentage of cacao and an improved crisper wafer. The all new KitKat mini bars went on sale in Japan on Friday September 1st. Additional information can be found on the KitKat website. 

Monday Morning Star Count - 65

I completed eight more hexagon flowers for a total of 65.

I need to cut more fabric.  This is a great way to use small fabric pieces.

Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi, 敬老の日)

 

Tomorrow is the national holiday in Japan that celebrates elders and their contributions to society. It became a national holiday in 1966 and until 2003 was observed on September 15th. Now it is part of the Happy Monday System, taking place on the third Monday in September. 

Japan and Palau are the only countries in the world which have national holidays dedicated to the elderly. Currently, Japan has the largest percentage of people over 100 years old of any country. 

Do you do something to celebrate the elderly in your life? (Or do you consider yourself elderly and celebrate yourself?)

2023 Fall Leaves Forecast for Japan

As everyone in Japan likes to say - Japan has four seasons. We like to celebrate each of them.

The first peak fall leaves forecast was released last week.  This forecast may change slightly as we get closer to November, but this gives people an idea on when to schedule their autumn viewing trips. When is the best time to see the fall colors where you live?

Friday Finish - Two Little Snowman Ornaments

Small ornaments for a small tree.

Crime in Japan - Man Threatens Employee and Tries to Steal a Coke

 A 73 year old man in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture was arrested for allegedly threatening an employee at a pachinko parlor with a knife and attempting to steal a Coke. (Pachinko is a kind of legal gambling in Japan). The man left without harming the employee or getting the drink.  Police identified the man with security camera footage.  When the police found and arrested the man, he told them he doesn't remember anything. 

Recently, there was another strange incident where a woman tried to steal ice cream treats. What strange crimes!

Work In Progress Wednesday - Summer One Thread a Week Challenge

I continue with my challenge and am very pleased with my progress. 

SnowDays -  the stitching is finished!  I will take this off the list and think about how to finish finish it.

Scarf - I stitched one thread of blue where the scissors are pointing.

Dogwood afghan - I stitched a little more on the fourth square.

Paisley purse - I finished the beads around the scallops of the large paisley and attached a dorset button to the small paisley. I have some other decorations ready to attach.

Sneek Sampler - I stitched the motif that the scissors are pointing to.

Hardanger Sampler - Linda Driskell I stitched more of the flowers where the scissors are pointing.

Drawn Thread Gingham - I finished the original runner and posted about it on Sunday. Here is where I am with the stitch group piece. The chicken scratch is finished and I am working on the drawn thread.

I'm pleased with the progress this week.

UFO Sightings in Rural Japan

A statue resembling an alien stands at the bottom of stairs in the Iinomachi district of Fukushima.  Photo: KYODO

Iinomachi in Fukushima is known for its UFO sightings, and promotes itself as the alien home in an attempt to revitalize the local economy. Events are held and UFO paraphernalia displayed to try to build a new future by drawing tourists who are interested in the extraterrestial. A municipal government official promotes the "romantic"viewpoint of extraterrestrial life. 

So, I want to know what this UFO business in Fukushima is all about. People who live there tell of repeated sightings of unknown luminous flying objects, going back forty years, near the conical shaped 462 meter high Mt. Senganmori. Locals speculate that the mountain is an ancient pyramid due to its shape and the large rock formation in the surrounding area. 

In 1992, the UFO Fureaikan Museum opened on the mountain to display books, photos, and other alien and UFO items.  Some were donated by the late UFO researcher Kinichi Arai.  About 30,00 visitors annually come to the museum. Tourists to the area are greeted with UFO shaped streetlights, bus stops, flags, and and alien statue. Last year the UFO festival was held for the first time, to mark the museum's 30th anniversary. Two years ago on June 24th (World UFO Day), the International UFO Lab, which collects and disseminates UFO sighting reports to members around the world, was established in Iinomachi. You can become a member by paying a 10,000 yen annual membership fee. 

While I think it is possible that there is life outside of what we know on earth, I won't believe it is so without some personal verification. Even if I did believe, I wouldn't pay 10,000 yen a year to become a member. I might be interested in visiting the town if I were in the area anyway, but I wouldn't go there for the purpose of visiting the museum.  What do you think?  Are you a believer?