May 03

Girls rule in Japan!

Today, March 3, is known as “hina matsuri” (hina doll festival) or momo-no-sekku (peach flower festival) in Japan.  Although not a national holiday, it’s an important celebration for girls, wishing them happiness and healthy growth.

Hina matsuri’s origin dates back to ancient Chinese purification rituals for getting rid of bad luck.  During the Heian period in Japan, people let straw or paper dolls float down the river or the ocean as their substitutes which take bad luck away from them.  This tradition remains today in some regions in Japan as “nagashi-bina (floating hina dolls). This purification ritual was unified with aristocratic girls’ playing with dolls and hina matsuri was established during the Edo period.

It’s common for families of girls in Japan to have a set of hina dolls wearing ancient kimono and to display them at home beginning in early or mid-February through March 3.  The Empress and Emperor doll are set on the top shelf.  Then, sannin-kanjo dolls (three court women), gonin bayashi dolls (five court musicians), and more dolls are displayed on the shelves below.  Hina-arare rice crackers and hishi-mochi cakes are commonly placed in the display.  Many different types of hina dolls have been created around Japan.  In some regions, hina dolls are hung from the ceiling call tsurushi-bina.

During my time living and working in Japan, I did private tutoring for a young girl, going to her home every week.  I knew about Girl’s Day and had seen displays of hina dolls but nothing prepared me for her personal display of dolls amassed over her lifetime of 13 years!  At the end of the lesson, she led me to her special room, slid back the shoji screens, and there, in divine girl pride, she presented her grouping.  There must have been over 50 dolls on display with shelving to the ceiling.  Beautiful.

A Room Full of Hina Dolls!!

 

Mar 13

Finally……extreme makeover complete

Maybe you’ve noticed?  I’ve not been around for awhile but now I’m back….catching up on a few posts that have been waiting patiently in draft limbo:

Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable’s SERENDIPITY 2012 , THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON, began Friday, February 24th with a lovely dinner at UBC Golf Club.  Serendipity’s theme, ASIAN THEMES FOR YOUNG CANADIAN READERS, piqued my interest.  I signed up immediately, thrilled to see that my “kamishibai” inspiration, author Allen Say, would be one of the featured speakers.  Imagine my excitement when I was directed to sit at his table!  Allen is a humble, gracious man whose early years in Japan parallel those of my husband, Takeshi.  We had much to share.  His wife, Miki-san, was delightful, all the while suffering from laryngitis, courtesy of Allen! Read the rest of this entry »

Nov 17

Shichi-go-san celebrated November 15th in Japan

Takeshi, age 5, at his Shichi-go-san Celebration, Nagoya, Japan

Shichi-go-san is a festival celebrated by Japanese parents on the fifteenth of November, to mark the growth of their children as they turn three, five and seven years of age.  In my book, Fly Catcher Boy, Sumiko is celebrating her special day at the Shrine!  Kenji praises how “kawaii” (cute) she is as the families celebrate.

Shichi-go-san literally means “seven, five and three”. These ages are considered critical in a child’s life.  Particularly, at the age of seven, a young girl celebrates wearing her first obi, while at the age of five a young boy celebrates wearing his first hakama pants in public.  The age of three marks the first time whereby both boys and girls are allowed to let their hair grow.

The festival is said to have started in the Heian period (794-1185) where the nobles celebrated the growth of their children on a lucky day in November. The festival was subsequently set on the fifteenth of that month during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa was said to be celebrating the growth of his son, Tokumatsu, on that day.

By the Edo period (1603-1868), this practice spread to commoners, who began visiting shrines to have prayers offered by priests. The shichi-go-san custom followed today evolved in the Meiji era (1868-1912). November 15 was chosen for this celebration because it was considered one of the most auspicious days of the year in the Japanese almanac. Since the day is not a national holiday, most families pay their shichi-go-san respects on the weekend just before or after the day.

Today, parents celebrate shichi-go-san as their boys turn three and five years of age, and as their girls turn three and seven. The boys don on haori jackets and hakama trousers, while the girls would wear a special ceremonial kimono when making their shichi-go-san visit. In recent years though, an increasing number of children are wearing Western-style suits and dresses.

Following the visit to the shrine, parents buy chitose-ame (“thousand years” candy) for their children. The candy is shaped like a stick and comes in a bag that carries illustrations of cranes and turtles – two animals that traditionally symbolise longevity in Japan. The candy and the bag are both expressions of parents’ wish that their children lead long and prosperous lives.

Sep 26

My new Fan; meet “J”…

My first official fan, "J"!

I know many authors who have huge followings; authors who have been at this writing biz for a few…or many years.  I write for kids.  I had three of my own so I should have some idea what makes them tick…not that this qualifies me for anything really!

Recently I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with family I haven’t seen in, well, 50 years or so?!  It just doesn’t sound real when I say that but it’s the “truff”.

I sent off a book to “J”, the youngest member of my extended family.  Apparently, he likes it.  One could say he’s hooked on Fly Catcher Boy; it’s the only book he demands before bed. 

Since “J” is my first declared fan I thought I’d honour him by giving him a big public Hi-Five.  So “J”, throw up your right hand and feel my hand hitting yours while shouting loudly HI FIVE to my new, big boy fan.  Remember “J”…today’s reader is tomorrow’s leader.  So keep on reading….

Sep 22

Fly Catcher Boy travels to Japan….and ends up in a museum!

Being married to a Japanese national has some definite perks when it comes to sourcing out marketing opportunities in Japan. Takeshi has found a variety of great locations there, intent on introducing Fly Catcher Boy, my bi-lingual English/Japanese book for children, to millions of kids in his homeland.

The OSHIMA MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOKS, located in Toyama-ken, is a 2 hr. drive from where we lived in Nagoya.  OSHIMA has a multitude of folk tales and legends; it even gets a mention in the classic Japanese storybook, the “kojiki” (Recorded of Ancient Matters), whose ‘Legend of Tottori’ comes from Oshima City’s Tottori area. Based on the keyword “picture books”, they embarked on a project to promote the culture of picture books, with a goal “to make beautiful dreams for our people”.

The Oshima Museum opened in 1994 and today the project has come to life!  With the themes of feel, make, and tell, the Museum has great plans for many events,  such as:  international exhibitions of original picture books, domestic hand-made picture book competitions, workshops, and a variety of other events.

Of course I sent off a signed copy dedicated to the Museum and just received a lovely reply of thanks from Tanaka-sama of the Ehon-Bunka Promotion Foundation. Saturday is English language storytelling at the Museum;  Fly Catcher Boy is scheduled to be read next month!Writers/illustrators: check out the English website if you’re interested.

 www.city.imizu.toyama..jp/contents./english/index.html

Sep 05

Retreat…..

Paula D'Arcy...our last day

Oxford defines retreat as  “a period of seclusion for prayer and meditation.”  Bethlehem Retreat Centre in Nanaimo added a “place of shelter or seclusion” to the mix giving me a weekend I won’t soon forget. Read the rest of this entry »

Sep 02

Powell Street Festival finishes with a bash-o

Under the storytelling tree

Vancouver’s 35th annual Powell Street Festival brought out the crowds…and the sun!   PSF is about ‘all things Japanese’, from entertainment to food to crafts, and so much more. Read the rest of this entry »

Aug 18

HAVE BOOK, WILL TRAVEL

I love it when this happens!  One morning you find an email in your inbox.  You almost delete it because you don’t recognize the sender…..but, what the heck, it’s a slow morning so you take a chance.  Lo! it’s a “we’re interested in your book” email from University of Colorado, Boulder, the Program For Teaching East Asia.  I sent a copy to the chair and this announcement just came out in their newsletter:
New Children’s Literature in the TEA Resource CenterFly Catcher Boy, by Rebecca Kool. A boy named Kenji befriends a cat, and together they have adventures around their Japanese town. The author donated a copy of this new book to the TEA Japan Resource Center. With text that includes Japanese words and expressions, Fly Catcher Boy is a resource for Japanese language and cultural studies

Aug 03

On…and off… the road in B.C.

Mine? I wish. Perfect road warriorette vehicle.

I love nothing more than a road trip, preferably on my own, with enough freedom to take back roads, explore, sit on a porch and talk to the townfolk.  So, on July 21st I set off from White Rock, destination: Kettle Valley area. Purpose?  TBA later on; however, I wanted to share Part 1 of the journey.    Read the rest of this entry »

Jul 24

Recalling day camp

 

On July 13th Camp Alex day campers gathered outside to enjoy Fly Catcher Boy presented “kamishibai-style”.

Counsellors and eight campers, age 5 +, proved to be our best audience yet! During an intimate, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants presentation, yours truly was prepared for almost anything. Girls stroked my ceramic cat, boys tossed my inflatable globe about, and everyone, including the big kids, gave full attention to the storyteller and the story. Each child chose a character colouring page and dove in. Everyone took turns trying to pick up plastic flies with chopsticks. The boy who won also got the overall prize for first to comment on the author’s unusual earrings…a small fork and spoon.  One never knows when utensils might be needed.   A good time was had by all.

Day Campers Colouring Page Fest

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