Mei-Shun’s mother enjoyed making ohagi with her granddaughter for this ohigan (=an equinoctial week). Her loved husband asked his young bride to do it during their honeymoon in 1965. It served therefore the 100th celebration for the couple. Congratulations, dearest daddy and mommy.
Disturbing Rash
StandardThey suddenly assaulted Mei-Shun’s palms. Shockingly ugly and incredibly itchy — it was Shin who saved her from panicking. He drove her to see a doctor in charge of holiday treatment yesterday, taking half an hour. At a glance, Dr. Y diagnosed that it was a symptom of dyshidrosis, prescribing steroidal ointment and an internal antipruritic medicine for a week. Oh, such a disturbance to see horses … it seems that Mei-Shun perspired too much within gloves on them.
Japanese Culture@holiday
StandardWe had a 5-day holiday called “Silver Week” from 19th to today this year. It includes Respect for the Elderly Day, which has been celebrated on the third Monday of September due to our Happy Monday System while Autumnal Equinox Day on Wednesday. Such arrangement makes Tuesday a national holiday to make us even happier. And many of us hope to have this consecutive holidays every year along with “Golden Week” in May.
Horse Hiking
StandardBeginners normally practice within a circle set in the sand ground of the club. It is exciting and enjoyable enough, yet sometimes we feel like going out of here into surrounding woods. And today, this little dream has come true. Putting on her new protective vest, Mei-Shun made an excursion on a horse named Zui-Setsu (随雪 in Chinese character maybe, meaning ever-snowing).
Surprise Gift
StandardThank you so much, Professor S. She kindly sent Mei-Shun a delicacy of handmade again. Truly amazing is her technique and sense of beauty to employ such cute rose-shaped crystal beads. And this jade rose represents her warm regards. That must be why it just fits on the little cup behind Mei-Shun’s collarbone.
Necessary Costume
Standard… for horseback riding includes a helmet, a vest, slim pants called culottes, boots and gloves. Mei-Shun ordered all (thanks a million, Shin), has not yet received any except for a pair of culottes. She is so much looking forward to seeing them soon. On the other hand, Japanese dance requires at least one cotton yukata, made with a texture on which a pattern of school where a dancer belongs to is dyed. Kikunoe Ryu has chosen this one, a pair of chrysanthemum profiles bound in calyx.
Southern Hemisphere
StandardProfessor M, one of Mei-Shun’s most respected friends while a co-student of Master Mei-Shu, visited Republic of South Africa. It is his first experience to reach the southernmost country of the African Continent. They say water whirls anticlockwise there — is it true?
Sweet Girl
StandardTuning Please
StandardIntroductory Lesson
StandardThanks, Maroo. He is very handsome and kind, a white pony, 20 years old, played a role of Mei-Shun’s partner yesterday. Our club let us prepare for riding; we have to brush his/her body, clean inside horseshoes, put cushions on the back, etc., before lessons. Nice idea it seems — we agree with them. Soft pats and gentle talking during preparation would help our wordless conversation.





