I think I'm turning Japanese.....

We have just completed a 6 week study of Japan. It was a real immersion process!

We transformed our sun roon into a Japanese Tokonoma. We had mats on the floor, a low table with cushions for seating and a No Shoes policy. In the corner you can see our Origami tree. There are more pictures of that later.

One short trip to Value village, and we came home with

all kinds of Japanese trinkets... A sushi tray, a rice bowl with lid, an embroidered tassel,

a rice wine decanter and a cute

little glass carving of a crane.

It was really such a peaceful room. We ate all our morning and

noon meals in here and I did my Bible study sitting in the sunlight.

One of the tenents of Buddhism, a major Japanese religion is to live in the moment. We found this cool art board called a Buddha board. You paint on it with water and then your picture evaporates. It is yours to enjoy only for a moment.

It was great for learning how to spell our names in Japanese characters and the art of Sumi-e painting. Here is an example of the Sumi-e painting below.

Spending time in the tea room was so special that I am thinking of keeping the low table and

decorations for a while longer.....

Here are the boys and some friends taking a class of Ninjitsu, the art of stealth.

Mason is now in the adult class while Parker, Ethan and Liam are working in the youth classes twice a week.

This is a photo of our crack at Japanese flower arrangement called Ikebana. Each stem represents Heaven, earth and man in unity. I think most of the time each stem would be of a different type of flower , but we are on a budget.

We made these Samurai's with Ethan and Liam and the hand prints to remind us that we are the Holy One's hands on earth. We can see and be a part of miracles every day by loving others.

Origami Samurai warrior hats for my distinguished little bushis (warriors).

Another Ikebana. This one was really neat because the earth and man flowers have turned towards the sun light while the heavens flower stayed pointing straight up.

Stay tuned...more to come.

Blessings,

Lisa