Days to Remember
Yesterday was Astro Boy's birthday. Astro Boy, or Atom, as he is known in Japan was the creation of manga (comic book) artist Osamu Tezuka. The flying boy-robot made his debut in comic books in 1952 and was seen in the 60s in cartoon form on Japanese TV. Astro boy's popularity is on the rise again: a new TV series has just begun running on Fuji TV. The story line in the original manga maintains that Astro Boy was created on April 7, 2003. There was a parade in Tokyo over the weekend to commemorate the event.
Today is Buddha's birthday, celebrated as Hana Matsuri or Flower Festival. Buddhist temples all over Japan are holding ceremonies in honor of Buddha. We attended one last year. We witnessed an outdoor service that featured mesmerizing chanting and music performed by monks at Zojoji. After the service, devotees lined up in front of a small statue of Buddha placed on a platform under a flower-covered awning. Each person took a turn ladling sweet tea over the statue, a symbol of purification. The tea is made from hydrangea leaves.
Today is also my and Brad's eighth anniversary. Brad had planned to take the day off so we could take a day trip from Tokyo. Our destination would have been Nikko Edo Mura, a Samurai theme park. But Brad had to work, so now we'll celebrate with dinner at Blue Sky, a wonderful Chinese restaurant that revolves atop the New Otani Hotel giving a panoramic view of Tokyo.
Yesterday was Astro Boy's birthday. Astro Boy, or Atom, as he is known in Japan was the creation of manga (comic book) artist Osamu Tezuka. The flying boy-robot made his debut in comic books in 1952 and was seen in the 60s in cartoon form on Japanese TV. Astro boy's popularity is on the rise again: a new TV series has just begun running on Fuji TV. The story line in the original manga maintains that Astro Boy was created on April 7, 2003. There was a parade in Tokyo over the weekend to commemorate the event.
Today is Buddha's birthday, celebrated as Hana Matsuri or Flower Festival. Buddhist temples all over Japan are holding ceremonies in honor of Buddha. We attended one last year. We witnessed an outdoor service that featured mesmerizing chanting and music performed by monks at Zojoji. After the service, devotees lined up in front of a small statue of Buddha placed on a platform under a flower-covered awning. Each person took a turn ladling sweet tea over the statue, a symbol of purification. The tea is made from hydrangea leaves.
Today is also my and Brad's eighth anniversary. Brad had planned to take the day off so we could take a day trip from Tokyo. Our destination would have been Nikko Edo Mura, a Samurai theme park. But Brad had to work, so now we'll celebrate with dinner at Blue Sky, a wonderful Chinese restaurant that revolves atop the New Otani Hotel giving a panoramic view of Tokyo.
posted by lenora at 1:42 AM
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