September 2013

 

 One Saturday a group of seniors visited Mt. Fuji.  Lots of people try to climb Mt. Fuji.  We weren't able to go to the top because it takes 2 days.  When we got to the mountain, it was enclosed in a cloud so it was difficult to see much.

 We started at "Station 5" where the buses stop.  At that level there were lots of trees. 

 Here we are at Station 7--  2700 meters altitude.  We were soaking wet from the moisture in the air.

The air cleared up for a short time and we were able to see the mountainside.

 The trail is volcanic rock and zigzags up the mountainside.

 Now we could see the mountain slope.  Many hikers had good rain gear.

We met many climbers climbing up the mountain.  Most of them will spend a night in huts along the way.

                                               View of the mountain from station 5.

 

 

 A special day--our friend was baptized!!

 For more than 25 years the church has participated with another church in making onigiri for the homeless.  Onigiri are pressed rice or rice balls, sometimes with something in the middle.  These onigiri have a pickled plum in the middle.  Onigiri are eaten like sandwiches.

Obon season is ending.  Obon is a time when the spirits of their ancestors are close to them.  At the end of Obon, there are many festivals.  Here we saw a group of people from Okinawa doing a dance with drums.    Each area of the country has different costumes and dances.

 

 After that came the Omikoshi—much like the ark of the covenant—which is supposed to contain relics. They carry this when the Gods move from one location to another. It was carried by a large group of people who were very merry (I am sure with a little help from sake). 

 We saw a group from Aomori bring a large “float” that was hand carried down the street. On top of it were what appeared to be inflatable Buddhist-god-type figures.

 Here is another group with their Omikoshi.

 An Omikoshi.

 

We visited the Meguro Gajoen (banquet and wedding place).  Seven rooms of the original, all wood, building and a staircase of 100 stairs still exists.  A nice hotel with banquet facilities has been built around it.  During this time the old portion of the building is open and a famous Japanese flower designer has made many flower arrangements in the rooms.  The rooms are beautiful with art work and wood carvings.  The flower arrangements were all different but sometimes filled the whole room.  We could not take pictures inside, but here are some pictures at the entrance.

 The white (usually) orchids are a common sight here in Tokyo. 

 

 This Sister has been seeking to know more about Jesus Christ.  When she heard about the Book of Mormon being "another testament of Christ" she wanted one.  She is very excited about the new things she is learning and happy to be able to be baptized. 

 Our traveling companions and mental health advisors finished their mission and are going home....

Church employees had a picnic and brought their families.  We had a good time.   

Clair catching a water balloon.

The temple missionaries invited us to go to a fruit farm.  It was interesting to see how the trees have been trained to grow horizontally and for a canopy so that all the fruit is easy to reach. 

They grew kiwis, grapes, and Asian pears.

 

 The pears are individually wrapped while on the trees to protect them.  The grapes are also wrapped in paper bags.

 We could eat all the fruit we wanted while at the farm (for a fee) but also bought some to take home. We cooked Yakisoba (a dish with fried pork and cabbage and other vegetables and noodles, cooked outdoors on a grill).  It is delicious.

 

We have a children's English conversation class.  These three children are attending.  They came with their mothers to our house for dinner one night.  The missionaries also came and translated and gave a short message.  The children are very fun.

The Moms and the Missionaries