3 Years in Sendai 15 - Kiyoshi Yamashita

Not too far from our home, The Dia Palace Verde up the hill towards the Sendai Hosho or Radio and TV stations was also where the Yasoen or Natural Garden is located ans a lttle further walk you come to a Family Burial Grounds of the Date Masamune Family clan.. No one was allowed into the fenced grounds however i decided that it was not going to stop me frome getting into the grounds and  see for myself and I ended with a few of sketches  of what i discovered. I climbed over the fence while it was still dark just before the sun rose and sat waiting till it was light.  

This cemetery was located at another location and this where the present graves were located. I sat for a few hours doing my work and reflecting what it must have been like to have been born raised and die as a common Japanese around here in the Tohoku region.and the City of Sendai. The grave markers were unique in that they had no resemblance of mush symbols but just normal shapes and sizes of stones and  granite slabs. But what was moving was the serenity and the purity of the site like most grave site are anywhere in the world. I like to visit the final resting places of the people who I visit., it helps me to be at one  and closer to their ancestry; it is like visiting their market.

Partly inspired by Hokusai's manner of capturing anything and every thing within sight and those out of sight, I sketched and apint as much as i could every i went. It became an attraction for all those who walked by  s they stopped to comment and gawk at what i was doing. As I did  not understand much of what was being said, i just smiled and nodded my head like the Japanese do in response to praises. : Domo! Domo! " was my favorite come back. I could have been more aware by adding the time and places that I did these sketches, it would have helped mt today. 

The Japanese appreciate their parks much more than most nation on earth and they have an occasion for every season which allows for them to be at the parks along with all their families and friends. In spring as all over the country the Sakura and the plum flowers bloon the scene was always heavenly. Drinking green tea and sake they sat in groups all over the park chatting and reciting Haikus like in the old days.

On one of my visits to a Museum in Sendai I spotted this Shogun suit of Armor and it was said to have belonged to  the Shogun  known as the 'One eyed Dragon' Date masamune, Lord of the Tohoku Region at one time in  history. The unique thing about this suit was that the facial mask had two sides like front and back to it and it looked awesomely fierce. One can imgine how frightening it nust been to behold when it was being worn in the times of war.

 Kiyoshi Yamashita
I was invited to the Exhibition at at the Mitsukoshi Department Store  where the works of of japan's most favorite artist was displayed. Yamashita Kiyoshi was most loved by the children who watched his life series on Television and the fact the he was handicapped  made him an icon.
Kiyoshi Yamashita was born in Tokyo on 1922 March 10 (his birth name wasSeiji Obashi).
He suffered an illness as a young child that stunted his mental growth and he was diagnosed as mentally handicapped (some people now believe he was autistic). Kiyoshi Yamashita was born in Tokyo on 1922 March 10 (his birth name wasSeiji Obashi). Failling to be accepted in the millitary Mr. Yamashita decided to roam the country as a vagabond and lived on his artistic talents. To learn more about the artist read-  'Now &Then" Blog, March 19th. entry.

His art style is mosaic. He cuts pieces of colorful paper and glues them to a canvas to create a beautiful scene.
An amazing fact is that he would remember a scene that he saw and recreate it on his canvas later. He was able to memorize all the details that he saw…which is why many people believe he was autistic (the disease that Dustin Hoffman’s character had in the movie “Rain Man“). His life story was as colorful as his works which depicted mostly the everyday life events of the people which had great appeal to young adults and children. I liked this guy as soon as i learned of his life as a vagabond artist.

From this watercolor of my daughter i till this day can remember the feel and smell of the cloths she had on after all those years, today.

3 Years in Sendai - 14 - Yamadera

 In The Zen Tradition; This was where the Big Boys Played.
YAMADERA!
When I arrived at the top og the steps leading into the main courtyard of the temple I felt like i was back in time when the wandering monks and Samurais used to visit these sites in order to attain some form of peace and tranquility, Yamadera was the ultimate retreat for the wayward souls like Matsuo Basho in his time. For me it was arriving in Mecca ( my final destination, Insha' Allah!). The awesomeness and serene presence of the place humbles one to the knees, like you are ready to make obeisance to  the Kami No Dera the Mountain Gods inhabiting the area.

1. "Yama-dera is about a twenty minute train ride northeast of Yamagata City, in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan at the foot of the steep hill Hōshū-yama. The temple is a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site". Wikipedia

It was drizzling rain when i was strolling along the mountain paths of Yamadera and this added to its pristine freshness as the air was pure and the colors were fresh although these pictures does not do justice as they are about 19 years old to date. But these old pictures still evoke the melancholy I felt in my heart as i scanned the mountain sides filled with pine and small meditation holes in the walls, some with mats and some without. where monks most probably sat in meditation away from the main crowd. This was ZEN! in manifestation. I could have opted to live here if i had the chance to but my life had its own course yet to be fulfilled, then was not the time..

This mountain temple site was ancient by contrast to most of the temples in and around japan and it was home to many great Buddhist masters who passed through this area of Yamagata prefecture.  A poem I read in one of Alan watss writings came to mind, "I asked the boy where his master had gone." He pointed at the mountains and said, "My master has gone into the mountains herb gathering, clouds hidden, whereabouts unknown.!"

There is no doubt the life must have been very hard for those who had had the opportunity to live and do their practice here especially in getting food and so on and one cannot imagine what it must be like in winter.
Yamadera is easily accessible from Sendai city In 1 hour via JR Senzan line. This line is covered under the JR east pass and not very frequent. In Japanese, Yama means mountain, dera means temple. Put them together and you will have 
mountain temple. The temples were located up in the mountain, with pockets of small caves containing images of Buddha carved into the craggy surface. As usual with most of the great temples in Japan, the approach is never easy, about 1100 steps up. So wear sturdy and comfy footgear.
From a Review of the Site.

The mastery of carpentry and working with stone structures amazes me about the Japanese. They excel in constructing that which is endurable through the worse of weather and time and yet kept in tune with nature and its surrounding beauty, everything is in sync man and nature complementing one another. In the Distance i could hear the 'Han' being hit for the afternoon prayer and perhaps Zazen meditation of maybe it was chow time, or  Orioki time. The sound of wood hitting precisely on wood crakcs like a pistol shot echoing through the hills and mountains. Imagine this some two or three hundred years ago!

The site itself is an amazement to behold  making one wonder how it must have been to erect such a building overlooking into the chasm below, it must have taken a whole lot of guts and ingenuity.  As I stood looking sraight out at the mist covered mountains i felt melacholic and might have even shed a tear or two!

 I raise my hat to the Japanese when it comes to taking care of their natural environment.

O Basho Sama! You were one lucky Dude! You saw this place way back when, when there were no coffee machines available even up here.

3 Years in Sendai - 13 - How it all happened.

It has been almost 20 years now that my family has left  Sendai, Japan and relocated along the east Coast of the Malay Peninsular in the state of Terengganu. My wife Nancy, god rest her soul, passed away in 2008 in  a nursing home in Waterloo, Illinois where she succumbed to her illness of what the doctors there declared as Alzheimer's or in her case 'Rapid dementia'. it was through her employment as an ESl teacher at the University of Berkley that we were able to make our move from San Francisco to Sendai, Japan. Through a program set up by a private company called 'Pacific Reach', my wife was hired to teach in japan and the whole family was paid for to move to the country. It was a blessing in my life as San Francisco was becoming too expensive for me and my family to survive and we needed a change as a family unit as my wife and were headed for the bottomless pit of despair and there was not too many that we could turn to for real help. On looking back I have to say that Allah was looking in on us especially over my two children whose fate was hanging on a limb as our marriage was headed for the rocks.

The sketchbook that i bought and took with me to Japan

The move itself was not too much hassle as we had many help from friends who chipped in every which way they could to help make things easier and for this i am forever indebted to all our family friends in San Frnacisco including the Berberis family of George and Rosemary Berberis from San Jose, the Roethe Family of Peter, Tomi, Kai and Eli who lived across the street from where we were on 2nd, Avenue and Balboa. Then there were Davind and Diane Carlson and their son Tarik, Jack, Yuri, Jesse and Christie Hallock who were always there to make sure the kids had what they needed.There were also friends who were former members of the Zen center in SF.where my late wife and I were married. As a matter of fact we had a grand send off party given by the Roethe family at their home. I was moved by the presence of so many well wishers that i felt sad leaving behind so many of my extended family and friends who mattered in our family lives in SF.But it was time for the change and everyone felt that for us and wished us all the best in our future as a family unit. Thus happened my second Hijrah or migrational change in life and environment, the first was leaving Malaysia with my first wife and son ( The Pilot in Dubai) to Green Bay, Wisconsin sometime in 1973-4.

 A View of  The City of Sendai from Yasoen Park. Acrylic on canvass. 3ftx 2ft. (sold)

The new chapter in my life began when we arrived at the Koyo Grand Hotel in downtown Sendai after a grueling flight and train rides from LA to Narita, in Tokyo and later by train or the Shinkansen (Bullet train) to the City of Sendai. We were  lodged at the Hotel for three days until our proper home was ready to be occupied and in this we got so much help from my late wife's would be employers whose staff made sure that we had everything we needed and more. I cannot express enough gratitude towards these two gentlemen who were assigned to make things smooth for my family. And thus began our lives in the Great City of Sendai, the City that in 2011 saw the most tragic natural disaster to hit Japan in the form of an earthquake and followed by a mega Tsunami.  
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3 years in Sendai - 12 - Matsushima.

MATSUSHIMA yA!  MATSUSHIMA, yA, MATSUSHIMA! 

Matsushima (松島^?) is a group of islands in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There are some 260 tiny islands (shima) covered in pines (matsu) – hence the name – and is ranked as one of the Three Views of Japan.
The town is only a short distance (thirty minutes) from prefectural capital Sendai and is easily accessible by train. Matsushima-Kaigan Station is near the attractions such as Zuiganji and the harbor. Matsushima Station, on a separate line is on the opposite side of the town

"But as the year approached its end, my wondering spirit violently asserted itself once more. It was as if I was pursued by a supernatural being whose temptation was more than I could resist. I was possessed with the idea of visiting the frontier district of Shirakawa under the foggy sky of the coming spring.. Peace left my heart. My leggings were hurriedly patched, my travelling had its strings renewed, and my shin was treated with moxa burning. Finally giving up my hut to a friend, I started on the Northern trip, my heart filled with the moonlight that would soon greet me at MATSUSHIMA!" - Martsuo Basho

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Matsushima Ya! Matsuhima....Ya Matsushima! - Basho., ( Upon his first sight of the place).. This was my elation too when i first saw matsushima from the train station on top of the low hill, but with all the modern day convenience and garbage I could not express as spontaneous as Basho did, so i did my second best, I sketched it.

 

'The Godaido" a 400 odd years old shrine that the Shogun Date Masamune had moved from it original location somewhere to this small island by the shore and installed it as his family shrine. The small structure to me was the epitome of Japanese carpentry at its best as to how and when it was constructed  which lasted for so long. The young lady in the pisture if it is of any interest is my neice who visited my family in Sendai, she now has five children and lives in Kuwait where her husband works as an engineer.

The seafront of Matsushima is littered with islets some merely small rocks jutting out of the sea and most covered with pine trees and thus where the name Matsu - Pine and shima -island, comes from. One can take a ferry cruise around these islands and get a good sense of how unique the seascape really is. If you ever get a chance to visit Japan, this is one area  you might want to include in your , 'places to see'.

On March 11, 2011, we experienced the most disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan’s modern history.  The Tohoku earthquake and the subsequent tsunami and crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant caused enormous damage in the municipalities located along coastal areas of northeastern Japan. Although Matsushima suffered from the aftermath of the disaster, tsunami damage was relatively minimal thanks to the islands surrounding and shielding the bay. 

3Years in Sendai 11 - -Mukaiyama Yochien (Kindergarten)

The Baharis meeting with the Principal of Mukaiyama Yochien Mr. Kimura in his elegant home. The school adopted the Rudolf Steiner method of teaching preschoolers how to adapt themselves tot eh school environment. They were honed into being very comfortable with others of the peers and how to get along in any given situation. Most of the teachings were in the form of 'Play'.

The school had a small zoo where sheep, rabbits and  peacocks were kept for the children to play around with. The spirit of interactive and interdependent was instilled into the children at a very early stage of their education and each child is taken care of as an individual within a group.

Animals and natural surroundings were very crucial part of the children's education as such  the school arranged for as many excursions and trips away from the school as they could afford to and the parents were fully involved in these extra activities.

All the teachers at the school were very dedicated to what they were doing  sometimes almost to the point of over zealousness.. But it seemed like they were having a time doing their job and the children in turn reciprocated to their ways. Sometimes it seems the teachers too were getting good education in the process as can be seen in the minute detailed presentation of the children's report cards which parents were required to make comments along with every end of the week.

The school had an indoor swimming pool which was a popular time among the students. The manner in which the students were instructed  in how they approached the pool was very enlightening even for me. Each kid was for example washed individually in a tub before he or she was allowed into the pool.

Our two children could not have had a better choice for their preschool education as they were in the best of the best in the city of Sendai as far as I was concern. I realize that they most probably would forget most of what they had experienced here in their early age but i am sure that their minds would keep in store a few of the most pertinent events of their lives here as future lessons in life.

Due to my wife was often not available, I had to be present for most of the Paretns meetings at the scthool. Not being able to understand much of what was being said i spent my time sketching the parents and this  in a way also helps the mothers by not being too concern about my presence or being left out. Off course at the end of every meeting the finished  sketch was the center of attention with a whole lot of giggling and snickering all around.

My daughter was most at home when she was in school. The school  organizes all kinds of outdoor activities for the children and these activities involves the parents. I tried my best to be present at these events making sure that my chuildren benefit from every moment of it whether it was a positive or a negative experience.

I was aware of the blessings that was showered upon my children at that moment in their lives and because of our willingness to migrate of made the 'Hijrah' as in Islam my Lord opened doors for us to benefit our children.

3Years in Sendai - 10 - SUMO!

And what is Japan without Sumo!
Sumo (相撲 sumō^?) is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring (dohyō) or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally. It is generally considered to be a gendai budō (a modern Japanese martial art), though this definition is misleading as the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from the days when sumo was used in the Shinto religion. Life as a wrestler is highly regimented, with rules laid down by the Sumo Association. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal "sumo training stables", known in Japanese as heya, where all aspects of their daily lives—from meals to their manner of dress—are dictated by strict tradition.

SUMO on scratch board. The technique is very simple as all you do is scratch the black board exposing the white underneath. 

I looked forward to the Sumo  Tournament every year that i was living in Sendai, it was one of my favorite pastime and i got to know my wrestlers during those years. Names like Takeno Hana and Wakeno Hana the two brothers wo lead the pack winning almost major fights and then there were the Samoans and Hawains like Akebono, and Kinoshiki and MUsashi Maru. I often rooted for Akebono who was a huge man but very gentle in nature.

Sumo to me is like a gentleman's pastime sports at the ringside as the sport itself is not overly violent and seemed more like a clash of two big bears while observing some proper decorum while at it. But harmless as it may seem Sumo wrest;ling is no doubt one of the most toughest sport where close contact is concern. The rituals that is involved with the sport is very unique and what makes Sumo a more spiritual kind of sport.

The Japanese in general hold high esteem towards their national pastime of Sumo Wrestling and  it is one of the most expensive sports event to attend.

Again for artist who does life sketching Sumo wrestlers makes very impressive models especially if one can catch them in action.

Some SUMO moves that i copied from a book on the subject.

Yes what would Japan be without SUMO!

3 Years in Sendai-9 - Date Masamune

"Remember these moments!" I always reminded my late wife Nancy to who Japan was probably her number one home instead of the US>  "When the hard times comes along no matter where we will be, just remember these moments." Living in Sendai was a dream come true for her and she was at home. Our apartment was located on the fifth floor of the 'Dia Palace, Yasoen over looking the City of Sendai practically and on clear days one could see all the way to the ocean on one side. 

As for me i took on the roll of a Home maker taking care of the children while my wife works and on my free time when she was home i took to become the travelling artist and decied to follow the foot steps of the famous japanes haiku Master Matsu o Basho. Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉^?, 1644 – 1694), born 松尾 金作, then Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房^?),^[2][3] was the most famous poet of the Edo period inJapan. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then called hokku). Matsuo Bashō's poetry is internationally renowned; and, in Japan, many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites. Although Bashō is justifiably famous in the West for his haiku, he himself believed his best work lay in leading and participating in renku. He is quoted as saying, “Many of my followers can write haiku as well as I can. Where I show who I really am is in linking haiku verses.”^[4]

Bashō was introduced to poetry young, and after integrating himself into the intellectual scene of Edo (modern Tokyo) he quickly became well known throughout Japan. He made a living as a teacher; but then renounced the social, urban life of the literary circles and was inclined to wander throughout the country, heading west, east, and far into the northern wilderness to gain inspiration for his writing. His poems were influenced by his firsthand experience of the world around him, often encapsulating the feeling of a scene in a few simple elements.

Overlooking the Hirose River and the City of Sendai stood a rider sitting on his mount all dressed up in his suit and armor with his long samurai blade by his side. His name was Lord Date Masamune, the Lord of Aoba Castle in Sendai.

Date Masamune (伊達政宗^?, September 5, 1567 – June 27, 1636) was a regional strongman of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyo in the Tōhoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai. An outstanding tactician, he was made all the more iconic for his missing eye, and Date was often called dokuganryū (独眼竜), or the "one-eyed dragon".^[1]

As a legendary warrior and leader, Masamune is a character in a number of Japanese period dramas. 

I stood tall among them only because Most Japanese are short in stature, LOL! The Mukaiyama Kindergarten family picture. My family was privileged to have been accepted into this community.

Taking in the sun and the flowers at the nearby park.of Jido Koen.

A Spring festivity

Reciting Haikus in the Park.