Hamamatsu Castle

Sunday I used the first of my Seishun Ju Hachi Kippu tickets.  I caught the first train at 6:21 am to Hamamatsu.  

The Hamamatsu Castle was about a 25 minute walk from the station in Hamamatsu and you can see it on the hill as you approach the castle grounds.  

In Japan, there are many local police stations, called Koban, and there was one at the entrance of the castle grounds.

This castle is a reconstruction of the original castle that was built about 1532.

Most of the outside signage contains English explanations, but the indoor signs have only the title, or no English. There are a variety of interesting displays inside the castle.

On the top floor, you can walk outside.  There is a wire covering all around so you can't fall off.

There is a tiny room in the basement with this picture and a well.

After seeing the inside, I walked around the castle grounds.

After this visit, I walked back to the train station and headed to Inuyama. 

(If you are interested in Japanese Castles, check out my Castle Page to see the castles I've visited.)

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 33

I had a busy weekend and I didn't have time to finish stitching this block and I'm afraid next weekend will be more of the same.  As soon as I get my pictures sorted, I'll tell you where I went and what I did.

Week 33 of the temperature quilt
December 10-16 

54, 59, 50, 48, 50, 46, 55

Sarah at Sarah Did It!  is hosting a link up on Wednesdays for those making a temperature hexagon quilt.  Check it out and think about joining in.  You can start at any time.  

This is my temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black

2017 Kanji of the Year

Every year the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation conducts a nationwide survey to choose the Kanji of the year.  This year 北 (north) received the most votes because of the numerous missile launches from North Korea and the heavy rain that took the lives in the northern part of Kyushu, as well as the potato shortage in Hokkaido and the baseball star Shohei Ohtani who played for the Hokkaido team Nippon Ham Fighters. 

Seihan Mori, the head priest at Kiyomizu Buddhist temple in Kyoto drew the character on a huge piece of washi (Japanese paper).  

Last year's kanji of the year (2016) was 金  which means "gold". 

In 2015, the kanji of the year was 安, which means safety or peace.

In 2014, the kanji of the year was 税, which means “tax”.

In 2013, the kanji of the year was 輪, which means “ring” or “circle.”

Too Much Lost Stuff

In the US, if I lost something outside my home, I didn't expect I would get it back. There's a saying every child learns - "Finders keepers, losers weepers".  Not so in Japan.  If you drop something or leave something behind, it will often be right where you left it, or it will be turned in to the koban (police station).  People are very honest about things that do not belong to them.

Recently, the police have become overwhelmed with all of the things turned in.  According to the National Police Agency, the number of things turned in to the police jumped from 12.72 million in 2007, to 27.96 million in 2016.  In 2007, the previous Lost Property Act was replaced by a new law with the same name, allowing police to dispose of lost items after three months rather than the previous six months.   This is based on the fact that most people claim items within three months. In addition, cheap items like umbrellas could be sold off if no one claimed them in two weeks.  

Ted left his iPhone on the bus in Sapporo and it was turned in.  He was able to retrieve it the same day.  I forgot my panda hat on the bus in Sapporo and was very worried about getting it back, but it too was turned in to the bus station office and I got it back the same day.  

What is the situation where you live?  Is it the finders keepers rule or do you get it back, like in Japan?

Maneki-neko Pouch

The Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) is a common Japanese lucky charm.  The figurine depicts a cat beckoning with an upright paw, although to westerners it appears to be waving.  In Japan, you gesture come here with palm (or paw) down.  

I made this little phone pouch as a gift.  It has tombo (dragonfly) lining fabric. I hope it is lucky for the recipient.

Stitch Group Christmas Party

First, another Kogin finish!  Isn't this a gorgeous bag? 

I was having such a good time stitching, I forgot to take many pictures during the stitching time. 

After stitching, we had delicious home made pizza and Christmas cake.  

These are the only snowmen we'll see in our town.