How to Wear a Japanese Kimono & Tie a Flat Obi

I finally got the chance to wear a Japanese kimono last week! It was so much fun! Thank goodness for YouTube though or else I never would have figured out how to wear it or tie that long flat band around my waist (which I later learned is called an obi). I also learned that the kimono I was able to borrow from a friend was called a yukata, which is a summer kimono made of cotton.

And here it is:

I had tied the bow tightly, but at the end of our program when this picture was taken it had already loosened. Oh well, I'm still proud of it considering it was the first time I learned how to do it. Now I will share to you the videos that helped me. First, let's learn how to put on the yukata kimono:



And now let's learn how to tie a flat obi to complete the attire:



Now that wasn't so hard, was it? :)

I'm Back

Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. A lot has happened since then. For starters, I've cleared Pimsleur's Japanese I and am now on lesson 10 of Pimsleur's Japanese II, the intermediate course. I can already understand a bit when I watch anime and J-Dorama. Yay! :D

I got infected with the Rock Musical Bleach fever and watched all of the shows including the backstage/DVD specials that haven't been subbed in English yet. I wrote about Rock Musical Bleach here and here. I love the original cast especially Isaka Tatsuya, Moriyama Eiji, Hayashi Shuji, Ohkuchi Kengo, Nagayama Takashi, Tsuchiya Yuichi, and Kitamura Eiki.

I watched a J-Dorama called "Asuko March" yesterday and got a really nice surprise when I saw Isaka Tatsuya in it. He was only out for a brief moment though.

Yesterday, while on our way to watch Transformers 3: The Dark of the Moon at Ayala Center Cebu, I saw a poster for a Japanese Film Festival. I wasn't able to inquire about it, and the poster didn't give out any information about the movies being shown at all, but it seemed like old ones. I snapped a photo:

































Sore dake de. :)

8.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan Today

It's so depressing. Japan was hit by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake a few hours ago, and tsunamis have been flooding some cities in Japan as a result. I watched some live video coverage on YouTube and could tell that a lot of people were doing the same since a lot of comments would pop up simultaneously every second or two. But I was saddened by the unexpected barrage of "hate" comments people were leaving on the videos so I stopped watching.

I sincerely offer my heartfelt well-wishes to the people of Japan. Stay strong. This too shall pass.

Secrets of Zen - Japanese Chill Out Vol. 1

Secrets of Zen

Japanese Chill Out Vol. 1

Track List:

1. Miyagi - Kyoto Garden
2. Yoshi-San - Saru
3. Dakini Mandarava - The Flow
4. Shamindra - Stilling Of The Waters
5. Gifuto-Chekku - Yasui
6. Miyagi - Jange Sekiang Morning
7. Sato - Koritsu
8. Mandrave & Miyagi - Asian Lights
9. Tiger Tanaka - Aki
10. Dakini Mandarava - Ching (Sexual Energy)
11. Shamindra - Breath Of Life
12. Miyagi - Mantra Rhythm
13. Ringo Orenji - Mikan
14. Booby Tamari - Tokyo Silence

Listen to some samples:

Moon: Living Abroad in Japan

Today I bought myself a copy of the book Moon: Living Abroad in Japan by Ruthy Kanagy. I had first seen this book at Fully Booked last week and was about to buy it at Php958, but then I decided to check out other bookstores first. I am so glad that I did, because I found it at National Bookstore priced at Php785... and with a 50% discount because they're on sale! So I spent only Php392.50 instead of Php958. I'm so happy! I can't wait to get started on reading it.

"Engaging, honest, and packed with information... the Moon Living Abroad series provides well-rounded insight into the country and its culture, and then gives you the real scoop on how to make the best move." - Transitions Abroad