view from the bridge of everyone at the fireworks festival

Japan summer nights

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August 9th 2006
Wednesday 8/9/06 Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve updated, but I have been pretty busy and haven’t had much chance to write. Last Tuesday I moved in with a new host family, the Yamashitas, who are extremely kind and wonderful people. The family consists of a mother, Akemi-san, father, Masatoshi-san, and 18 yr. old daughter, Erika-chan. The own some kind of clothing manufacturing company ... read more

Asia » Japan » Gifu

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In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more