Bean's Throwing Day

Today is 'Setsubun' the dividing day between seasons in the ancient calendar. You can read all about it at a different blog:
http://worldkigodatabase.blogspot.com/2006/07/setsubun-festival-february-3.html

Basically, you throw roasted soy beans and shout 'Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi'. (Out with the devil/demon and in with good fortune.) Then you get to eat as many beans as you are years old. I got a mask from the supermarket, but it looks more like a cat than a demon!

Another tradition that seems to be more modern is eating really big sushi rolls. Check them out in the picture!

Spring is here? (Oops, it's gone again)

I've been really busy the past few days, so I felt really happy when the weather started to get warmer. In fact, this morning was so warm, the air was so fresh and clear, and the view of Mt. Tsukuba was so nice, that I was in a great mood by the time I got to work :)

And yesterday had another hint of spring - in the morning I heard "Ken, ken, ken", the harsh cries of a male pheasant. (The other sound they make is kind of like "took took took"!) I don't know why, but the male near my house always cries in a group of 3 notes! And I don't know if it is the male or female or both that go "took" but they do it for quite a long time. Pheasant conversation perhaps???

They are quite shy birds and while I hear them, I rarely glimpse them. But yesterday I saw one right across from my house - it seemed to be looking for worms or something near a bamboo grove, and quickly darted into the undergrowth when I approached. I am not sure what it was because it wasn't an adult male, nor an adult female. My guess is it was one of the 3 babies that were around last year and that it is a juvenile male.

The father bird is really beautiful (I saw him once last spring) but the mother is a boring brown color. Sorry, I'm not good at birdwatching (I don't like waiting around, nor lurking in bushes waiting for birds to appear) so I couldn't get my own picture. This picture is one I found from the Internet. And the link will let you listen to the cries of a male bird. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/qpon/b/tori/kiji/kiji_wav.htm

Anyway, after this nice burst of spring, it has suddenly become colder and now this evening is back to winter. Ah, I guess I'll have to wait another month or two for really nice days.

Latin Folk Music

Last night there was a Latin folk music performance at G-Clef cafe near my house. The music was from various Latin countries and the musicians had several different instruments. In the pictures you can see:

Kena flutes
Panpipe
Charango (5 stringed lute)
Classic guitar
Latin drum, with fur instead of skin

On Feb 19th there is going to be another Latin folk concert by a different group. I saw them last time they were at G-clef and thought it was one of the best musical performances I have ever seen. The music was so passionate and vibrant that I have been waiting for a chance to re-experience it. Unfortunately, I am going to be away that weekend, but I REALLY recommend that you go. There are only 5 tickets left (900 for admission and one drink) so hurry!