Bon-Odori 盆踊り

I have been looking forward to attend this Bon-odori for the entire summer simply because I really really wanted to wear a yukata! Afterall, who can resist the beautiful cotton kimono in such spectrum of wonderful colors and springy patterns? You will instantly feel cheerful and youthful once you put it on, no wonder it is referred to as 'happi coat'!

Hehe, this is my very first yukata in my favourite pink cherry blossoms :) Thanks to my Japanese relative who helped me to tie my obi to a bow. How did the obi look, cloudnine? Hubby also wore his 'manly' yukata and he just loved it! We had never wore any costumes in our boring Canadian lives, not even in Halloween. The good thing about Japan is you can pretty much wear anything (well, as long as you cover yourself), nobody really stares or cares.

Bon is a time to honour Japanese ancestors and Odori means dance. Bon-odori is a memorial festival to appreciate what the ancestors have brought upon them. This is the set-up of a Bon dance, pretty impressive, eh?


Some young Taiko drummers started off the event ....

Then all kinds of festival dancers and lion dances too in very elaborate costumes. A pretty big production, I'd say. My Japanese relative told me this event is more for show, 'tailored made for TV Asahi' :)


Even the musicians came in big groups with old Japanese instruments

After dark, performers began dancing to happy folk songs in concentric circle around the Yagura.

Only the children were invited to join in. I was hoping to dance too, guess they didn't want me to ruin the beautiful sight :(

It was a real spectacle to not only witness such wonderful quality production of a major festival event, but also to experience the spirit of Bon-Odori like Japanese people (hehe, that is if I don't open my mouth and start talking :)

I learn that there is a deeper meaning to Bon-Odori : Obon is also a time of self-reflection - the joy one feels is not from the happiness of getting what one desires, but the joy of being shown the truth - the joy of awareness.


Obon reminds people to love and care for their parents. It also encourages the practice of selfless giving (dana) not only to family and friends, but to all beings. Now, I can't help but think about HRH and our dear BYJ family, miss him so much!

Matsuri 祭

Matsuri (祭) means festivals and in Japan, there are always some festivals going on celebrating religions, ancestors or local customs. This weekend we attended one of Tokyo’s most popular matsuri in Azabu Juban (麻布十番納涼まつり).


It is basically like a carnival with food and game stalls lining up the streets and thousands of young people showed up to party. Hehe, I guess the young Japanese don’t just work hard, they play hard too.

Girls in yukata walking to the matsuri

Children playing the Taiko drums in front of a shrine

More street performance - a mix of modern and traditional

Now, are you ready for the parade of Japanese street-style food?

Fish on a stick, anyone? Or squid, octopus or any sea creatures?

The famous and healthy okonomiyaki (vegetables, egg, seafood pancake) from Osaka

Another of my favourite Osaka snack – takoyaki (octopus ball)

Can you believe it? I spotted this! This is deep fried spiral potato, the Korean vendors claimed it’s the latest popular snack in Seoul?? People are using BYJ’s image for everything! Interesting enough, this stall also boasted the longest lineup of purely women :)


Across the street, a toppoki stall. No BYJ pictures, no customers, simple business logic!

Ah, I’m thirsty! No problem, there’re ice cold beer, wine and shaved ice, you can mix your own flavours

Pretty cotton candy

OK, now that tummy is happy. Game time! Very popular ‘Goldfish scooping’ using a paper net! Remember this was featured in the US reality show ‘Amazing Race’?

Hehe sorry, don’t know what this is but love the colours and the kid is enjoying it.

Hohoho, this ojiisan is no HRH but soooooo cute oh!

Next .... Bon-odori

Hanabi 花火

It’s a lazy Sunday night but the sound of summer festival is still ringing in the air. The heat in Tokyo can be very unbearable during summer, it doesn’t help with the humidity, crowds, noises and pollution as the toppings. Yet every time when I leave Tokyo, I miss the city so much and can’t wait to return. Starting from the Cherry Blossoms in April ushering in the Spring, Tokyo has a whole series of Festivals that complement the summer season.

From late July onwards, there are large scale fireworks display running for consecutive weekends till late August. The fireworks - Hanabi (花火大会) is a big attraction for young people and families. Girls wear their colourful and fashionable yukata (cotton kimono) with beautiful hairdo, and have wonderful parties with their friends.

Last month we went to the Hanabi at Sumida River (隅田川), these were the fireworks vessels but the public could only view it BEHIND the buildings, not along the river banks?!


We were surprised that people were already picnicking on the streets!

I was certainly not going to hang out under a bridge!
With no place to sit nor stand, we had no choice but to leave early :(

This time in August, the venue was much nicer at Edogawa (江戸川), it was an open parkland with unobstructed view of the fireworks :)

Again girls in pretty yukata @@

Now, the main attractions ....




Hehe, talk about fireworks, are you enjoying the amazing fireworks at the Olympic closing ceremony in Beijing now? You think our handsome boy is also glueing in front of the TV now?

More Regie's Art

Hi Hi ..... Have you waken up from your wonderful dream with HRH yet? Still savoring every single word in his letter and drowning in his gentleness? or are you busily composing a wishlist of Korean attractions for our prince? Yesterday was indeed an eventful day, eh?

Since my 'innocent' suggestion for HRH's own home is sooooo being mistaken by my 'chinggu' as an evil scheme to gain access into HRH's palace, then I have to come up with an alternate plan to demonstrate my innocence. Hmmmm ........ I got it! Remember Yong Joon said we can even suggest 'a small table in a shabby country restaurant'? Easy enough, how about buying a small shabby restaurant in a remote countryside, take a picture and send it to HRH, then I'll just sit there day and night waiting for him to knock on my door. Hahaha, isn't that a brilliant idea? Ouch! Don't smack me, I'm just daydreaming. First, can't afford it; second, can't cook; and most important, HRH is smart enough to tell :)

I'd like to post 2 of Regie's drawings :

I remember the princess mentioned that she thought this picture has a Bohemian feel. I like how Regie has used 'spring' colour to give it a refreshing feel.

This is what Regie wrote how she felt during this drawing (hope she doesn't mind me posting it) :

"I tried new things, by drawing it using color pencils. I got inspired by your article (july2nd, fairyII), when I see the colors of HRH shirt and the picture you put next to it, the fairy in yellow rose.It's so fresh. So I decide to try it."

I think this is the picture that she was referring to. Thanks Regie, I am so touched.

Next drawing :

I post the actual picture not for comparison purpose, but to highlight the details in her drawing. Notice the thin strands and highlight on Yong Joon's hair, hope you enjoy!


Thank you so much Regie for sending me your beautiful creation :)

YJ's post - BOF English

Hi Hi ..... read from bb that KOB has posted the BOF English version of HRH's letter. Want to keep this precious copy as a record, thanks princess. After all, this is history in the making, HRH doesn't post on KOB every other day, you know :)


Mr Bae Yong Joon’s message

BOF 2008-08-19

Hello everybody. I hope that you have been doing well.

Even though the weather was unpleasant today, I thought that the cool breeze was refreshing. The cold rain and wind also seemed to suggest a change of seasons. I realized that time had passed very quickly and a sense of urgency began to take over. You see, while resting I had made a mental note of all the things I wanted to do. And so I now write this letter to you.

First, I would like to apologize for causing you to worry about me. My surgery was a success and there were no complications. After spending a few days in the hospital, I am now recovering from the operation. My recovery has been progressing very quickly and I am now able to sit in front of my computer and write this letter to you. I promise that I will never cause you to worry like this again, and I am very grateful for your support. I hope that you will always take care of your health.

Among the things that I would like to do, there is one idea that I would like to share with you now.

I once mentioned that I would like to create a book that introduces Korea to the reader. I admit that part of the reason behind my book idea is my love for taking pictures. However, for a while now I have also wanted to exhibit the beauty of Korea.

I understand that many of you in Asia began to show interest in Korea at the time you began to support me. Some of you even visited Korea. However, I have wished for some time that your travel destinations included more sites which are not related to drama filming locations.

I wished that there was some way to say the following to you and other tourists who were able to experience some of the greatness of Korea but who then had no choice but to leave the country due to a lack of relevant information:

“Even for Korean citizens who have lived in Korea their whole lives, exposure to Korea’s natural landscape, culture, and history is a moving experience. Please capture the beauty of Korea with your camera. This is where I was born and where I grew up. This is the beauty of Korea which was shown in the dramas and movies I appeared in.”

This made me think about picking up my camera and starting a journey myself. Then I got the idea of making a book which would share the beauty of Korea through my photographs of the country.

I started to think about places which I would recommend to tourists. But I could only think about famous places and the few sites that I have personally visited. And I know that there are many wonderful places which I have either not visited or do not know about. To make matters worse, I could not find any satisfactory and helpful sources of information. Then I realized that I could try asking you for help! I was wondering what you thought about making the book together with me.

What do you think? Please give me your thoughts.

Please tell me about the various places you have visited in Korea. Any information, whether in the form of a letter or photograph, would be greatly appreciated. Even an old traditional restaurant in the countryside or a sunset you witnessed while stretching outside of your car would be suitable for the book. I would even like to hear about the fun episodes that occurred while you were here in Korea. I would also like to hear from those of you who live in Korea and who have had the opportunity to experience the true value of our country during your journeys.

Perhaps you are curious about Korea and you haven’t actually visited the country. That is good for the book too. Please tell me which aspects of Korea you would like to know more about, which places you would like to visit, what types of food you would like to eat …

I will use all of my efforts to focus on the creation of this book after listening to all of your ideas. I hope that the book will cause people who are interested in Korea to want to stay in Korea for a long time.

My camera, notebook, and pen are now ready to start the project. As soon as I hear from you, I will pack my bags. For now, please send your emails to webmaster@byj.co.kr. Later, I will try to set up another method of receiving your ideas.

It feels good to finally write down what I have been thinking about for the past few weeks. I now will wait with great anticipation for your input. I will carefully study everything you send.

Please remain healthy and happy.

Love,
Bae Yong Joon

August 19, 2008

HRH posted in KOB!

Hi Hi .... what a glorious day! We all woke up finding a letter waiting for us written by the prince himself! Yes yes, he posted in KOB early this morning at 3:21am Seoul time while we are taking our beauty sleep. Thanks tomato-san for alerting us and suehan-nim for translating this so quickly, kamsumphamnida :)

Hello, Family. This is Bae Yong Joon.

Today’s weather isn’t so good, but there was a refreshing breeze for us all. On the other hand, I am thinking that there will be a change in the weather with the rain showers and wind that have come. The rate that time is flying by makes me feel like I’m in a rush to get everything done. Because there is so much I have planned in my head while I have been taking breaks. That is why I am taking the time to first write to you all and send this letter to the Family.

First of all, I am sorry to have made you all worry. The surgery went well without any problems. After getting good results from staying in the hospital for a couple of days, I am already recovering quickly enough to be in front of the computer to write this letter to you all. I would like to give thanks to all of you for your support, and promise to not make you all worry like this again in the future. You must all stay healthy and well, too.

Out of all the things that I hope to do in the future, there is one idea that I would like to discuss with all of you.

A while ago, I mentioned that I wanted to write a book to introduce Korea. Do you all remember that? Although I love photographs, I have also had this desire to present the beauty(s) of Korea for a long time.

Therefore, from the love and support from the Asian family, I have seen the interest many families have shown about Korea. And everyone has made visits to the country, too. At some point I started to regret that you have to come and visit the shooting site, which due to little information were limited to see only that part of Korea.
And even from those it was not enough for you to see all of Korea during your trip, making you have to come back again later. I wanted to catch the attention of you all and tourists, by revealing the charm of the country that is Korea. And this is what I want to say.

“Even to those of us who have lived in Korea, the culture, history and beauty of the country have embraced and surprised us. Please use your camera to capture the beauty of every little place. This is the Korea that I was born and grew up in. It is the Korea that I have been trying to reveal through my drama and movie shootings.” Is what I am trying to say.

And that made me think how it would be if I were the first to pick up my camera and travel around the country, introducing a book filled with pictures that at least communicate some of the beauty that Korea has to offer.

But this isn’t where my thoughts and worries stop. While thinking about the route(s) of my travels would lead me, I only know of the few, famous places that I have been before. There must be places that are just as beautiful that I simply have not heard of yet… And I haven’t been able to look for help in any other useful places.
But then, the Family is what came to my thoughts! I realized that we could make this book together, not with my own efforts.

What do you think? Are there any places you can tell me about?

Please let me know of all the places that you all have traveled throughout Korea. Writing, pictures, any information you can give me is fine. Even a small table in a shabby, country restaurant will be accepted too. Mountains you do not know the names of that you have seen in the background while parking your car in the sunset are also good. Exciting stories at a famous getaway is great, too. Those who have lived their entire lives in Korea, an encounter you’ve had that made you realize your appreciation for the country is good, too.
You have anything that you want to know about Korea? That is great, too. Tell me where in Korea you’re curious about, where you want to go and visit, what you want to try and eat… whatever your heart desires to ask.

I will try my best to create a good book using all the things that you all have to contribute to me.
I hope that everyone who reads this book and is interested in Korea including our families abroad would like to stay for a longer time in Korea.

My pen and pad and camera are ready. I will start my travels as soon as I receive all of your stories. For now, email your letters to webmaster@byj.co.kr. Soon, I will create a place where I can store, and listen to, all the stories you send me.

I feel much lighter now that I have expressed the thoughts that I have had for the past few weeks to you all. Now, I will just wait excitedly for all your stories. I will definitely be studying hard.

Please always stay well and healthy.

I love you all.

At the dawn of August 19th, 2008

Sincerely,

Bae Yong Joon

P.S.
I got a small scare when the post didn’t show up all at once.
I forgot there was a limit on the length of the posting.
I hope it doesn’t make your reading difficult.


Don't you love the way HRH writes? He is such a big star, but his letter is so warm and his thoughts flow so smoothly, I feel as if I am reading a family letter. Wow, he is actually asking for our input into his photograph album. He really wants to create something that his family likes. What a considerate and modest person, I am so touched! Hehe here is my humble suggestion of your routes :

1. Take a walk to the biggest mirror in your home.

2. Hold up your super powerful camera and aim directly at your beautiful face, click!

3. Next, focus individually on those shiny healthy hair, dreamy eyes, perfect nose, sexy lips, muscular chest, manicured nails, long lean legs, click click click click click!

4. Then, move onto to your bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, balcony and give us an idea of how you live. Hehe, don't bother tidying it up first, I doubt that you are a messy person :)

5. There, your tour is finished and we have one beautiful photo album and very happy satisfied family :) shhhhh ...... don't tell him, otherwise he'll never ask for any fans' opinions anymore.

Yong Joon ssi, please take care of your health before embarking on your roadtrip around Korea. I look forwwad to your wonderful work!

Regie's Art

Hi Hi ...... How's everyone? I'm back! Yes, luckily with all the arms and legs intact. Thank you my dear sisters for your well wishes, I really appreciate it. Australia is so beautiful with clear blue sky and fresh clean air, people are just wonderful and friendly. I can't wait to write my trip journal, but then of course I still haven't finished my Seoul trip yet :( It hurts to learn that HRH had actually undergone a surgery on his shoulder, but I am also relieved to know that he's doing fine now, and is out and about already :)

Upon my return, I find a wonderful surprise from our talented Regie. She is generous enough to share her creative works with us again. I am going to savor them and post the first 2 here :) Please enjoy ......

Kangaroo & Koala

Hehe, I may not be a world traveller like the princess, but this past year I do get my little fair share of travelling. For a couch potato like me, I don't really know if I should be excited or worried. We will be leaving for Australia tonight to join my sister's family, who is taking a month long tour of 'Kangaroo Land' and 'Home of Lord of the Rings', aka New Zealand.

At first, I was thinking of a relaxing trip lounging around the pool, maybe visiting the Opera House, feed my craving for Chinese food and then lots of shopping of course!


But apparently the young ones and those young-at-heart members in my travelling group have a different idea. They plan to 'find Nemo' under the Great Barrier Reefs, 'hunt for King Kong' deep in the Daintree Rain Forest, 'counting stars' at midnight on the boat deck in Cairns and who knows maybe take a bungee dive off whatever suicide bridge they can find! So out it goes the fancy dress and high heels from my lugguage, it's sweats and aqua shoes this time :( I just hope I still have enough strength to crawl back to Tokyo, HELP!!!!

See you in 2 weeks, take care, my dear sisters!

Japanese Hotelier

Hi Hi .... you all remember this Japanese remake of our HRH's famous Hotelier drama?

Like most sisters, we are really only interested in that few minutes of cameo appearance by HRH. Unfortunately, the Japanese Hotelier wasn't very well received. When my dear chinggu sent this DVD to me recently, I decide to watch it because of its Japanese dialogue with attaching English subtitles. Why? Because everybody's saying the best way to learn a language is to listen to its songs and watch its drama!


Think about it, we didn't even know a single word of Korean before. But after watching all of HRH's dramas over and over again, we did pick up a few words and expressions here and there, right? Believe me, it was so amazing this time when my son and I were watching this Japanese Hotelier, we are able to pick up so many words and sentences! As for the drama itself, quoting my little prince's remarks "It's acceptable" :) Hehe, so thank you so much my dear chinggu for your wonderful gift!

Majide!

Hi hi sisters ...... I am happy that you enjoyed the last post. We sure need some cheering up, do we? It's been so quiet in Baeland as HRH is taking his rest. Since we don't want to disturb him, we might as well keep ourselves entertained, eh?

Hahaha, if you want to have a good loooooong laugh and happen to like Japan too, then this is for you! I just discovered this ABC 'reality' TV show called 'I survived a Japanese game show'. It's basically about 10 American contestants who are brought to Tokyo to compete in a fake Japanese TV game show called 'Majide!' meaning 'You Got to be crazy?!'


If you've watched a typical Japanese game show before, you know how outrageous and wacky their ideas and acts can be. The hosts, participants and audiences will go to any length to make a fool out of themselves. This, together with the obnoxious humour and awkwardness of these Americans in a foriegn culture are a winning combination to make you laugh out of your chair. There are also glimpses of Japanese traditional culture and famous Tokyo attractions, a real treat!


BUT the bonus for us HRH fans is .... remember this show was filmed in Tokyo? So naturally there are images of Yonsama everywhere! ABC has already broadcasted 6 episodes so far and next Tuesday will be the Finale. In the 1st episode, they gathered all contestants in front of Shibuya station, which is the busiest intersection in Japan (probably in the world too!) And there, our HRH's huge Winter Sonata Pachinko billboard was lit up in the background! And then in the 2nd episode, his WS banner was shown again in front of a Pachinko parlour.

Another coincidence was during the 6th episode, the winning team was rewarded to stay at the Presidential suite of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Yes, the same suite I blogged about a few posts earlier that HRH stayed back in 2005! Wow, it was so wonderful to see it again on TV! So, just in case you have nothing special to do this weekend and want a hearty laugh, maybe you'd like to check out this show :)

link : I Survived a Japanese Game Show