FAREWELL LETTER 14th June 2016

The INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s ASSOCIATION in AKITA

FAREWELL LETTER

 

Again, how the days, months and years pass so quickly, already May 2016 has passed.

The cherry blossom has been and gone once more heralding much warmer, temperate days ahead, here in Akita.  The climate here is so pleasing, especially through summer, where in Tokyo, it is so hot and humid.

 

The IWA has been very dormant for a year.  There hasn’t been much interest in it over the months and one of the main factors for this situation is that everyone leads very active and busy lives and it has been very difficult to arrange dates and venues, which suit everyone.

 

At this point, I feel it is my responsibility to now announce that by early July 2017, I shall have returned to England to take up residence.  My husband will continue in his present post here in Akita.

 

During my 8/9 years stay in Akita, I must say that it has been the happiest time of my connection with Japan, over the years.

 

IWA members have all enjoyed happy days together (please check iwaakita.blogspot.com for past events) and learnt many things about a wide spectrum of subjects from a varied bank of speakers and outings.

 

The IWA has been run ‘on a shoe string’ and has endeavoured to not escalate unnecessary costs for members and guests.  IWA was started in 2008/9.

 

IWA was very proud to have contributed a donation to the Great Earthquake/tsumani of 2011, which now brings me to the topic of the IWA Bank Account…

 

The IWA Bank account is with Akita Bank and I have made a decision to close the account, along with another member.  Several IWA members and Mrs M have agreed to this decision.  The balance in the account stands at Yen3,366 only.  The decision was also made to donate this money to The Red Cross in Akita.  This was carried out on Tuesday 14^th June, 2016.

Copies of these documents will be posted on this blog.  

 

I do hope that this suites everyone’s agreement.

I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all IWA members and guests and international friends for all co-operation and valued friendship shared over the years.

The IWA blog will remain active for reference and also for, from time to time, reports from my home town, Louth, Lincolnshire, England in order to share information of IWA in Louth.

I hope this blog will nurture an international spirit and exchange of information.

To all members and friends of the IWA Akita, I wish you good health and happiness and once again, THANK YOU and GOOD BYE!       Jennifer Ichikawa

 

32nd Meeting for the International Women’s Association on Saturday 16th May 2015.

I must apologize for my tardiness in not writing this report of the day’s activities sooner but I’m sure we have all been there…been very busy and one thing leads to another and all of a sudden another week has passed!  Anyway, so here goes, right now!

Five members joined the day and all went according to plan.  The weather was kind and not too hot.  Mr & Mrs Kawaii were their usual selves and welcomed us and made us feel comfortable for the day’s events. 

We walked for quite a way into the countryside noticing, in particular, the birds’ songs.  We were able to pick them out.  The mountain vegetables (sansei) were in abundance and we were very excited to collect them.  Along the way, one or two fields were being planted with rice and it was lovely to watch.  The frogs were also croaking quite loudly!  During the walk we had time to renew friendships and exchange information regarding the countryside and of course Mr Kawaii, being an expert, made everything significant.

On returning Mrs Kawaii had prepared a wonderful feast of sansai tempura and smoked IWANO fish, plus, which was really appreciated by me, a dish of mashed potatoes with pineapple – so deliciously refreshing and a first for me!

We were going to do some wood carving however conversation over the lunch was so interesting we all lost track of time.

Before the close of the day we were each presented with an OZEN tray, which as mentioned before, was handed down to Mr Kawii by ancestors and which were made by Sasaki Shirobei, from Miyata, during the Taisho era (1912-19).  The OZEN trays were in excellent condition and we were all so happy to receive such a beautiful antique. 

We all thanked our hosts, taking photos of the group, which Mr & Mrs Kawaii treasure around the house.  We were also able to take home some of the delicious food to add to our picked sansai.  I can honestly say that yet ANOTHER great day was held for IWA at JIZAIYA.

We would like to extend IWA’s many thanks to JIZAIYA and we will hopefully be able to join again next year.

Please enjoy the JIZAIYA photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

32nd Meeting of IWA Saturday 16th May at JIZAIYA

32^nd Meeting of IWA will take place at one of our best loved places in Akita…JIZAIYA.

Please make an important date in your diary for Saturday 16^th May, meeting at Mr Donuts, Aeon Mall, Goshono by 9.15 a.m. or meeting directly at JIZAIYA by 9.45a.m.

We shall enjoy a walk into the countryside with Mr Kawaii, leaving at 10 a.m., to pick Mountain Vegetables (sansai).  Returning at 12 noon, to enjoy the culinary expertise of Mrs Kawaii for many delicious dishes, which I am SURE YOU WILL ALL ENJOY, including smoked IWANO fish.

Not only shall we all enjoy the countryside experience but from 1.30 p.m. we shall be taught how to carve on wood and have the opportunity to take home our carvings plus picked sansai and also each a lovely lacquered OZEN Japanese table, on which our lunch will be served. (Size 33 cm x H 14 cm)

These antique OZEN treasures were made in the earlyTaishyo period (1912-26) by Sasaki Shirobei, who was a rich farmer of the day in Miyata.  Mr & Mrs Kawaii inherited these OZEN from ancestors. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to buy such precious artifacts.

The fee for the day, including the walk, talk, carving, lunch, drinks, ozen and the wonderful experience of the day is:  Lunch Y2,500, Ozen Y2,500 total Y5,000.  Students: Lunch Y1,500.

Things to bring with you for the day:

1.  A towel

2.  Gloves to help you pick the mountain vegetables

3.  In case of rain, an umbrella

4.  A carving knife, which you can find at Aeon Mall

5.  Wrapping to take home the OZEN.

The outing will finish at 3 p.m.

Please let’s all enjoy this unique and wonderful hospitality with Mr & Mrs Kawaii yet again.

I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all again very soon.

Please reply to Mrs Jennifer Ichikawa, email: akitawaves@cap.ocn.ne.jp   ASAP.

 

 

Christmas jokes in 2014

Here are a few little Christmas jokes to cheer you all up!  Best wishes to you all.

1.   Q.  What kind of motorbike does Santa ride?

           A.  A Holly Davidson

2.   Q.  Who is Santa’s favourite singer?

           A.  Elf-is Presley!

3.   Q.  What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?

           A.  The Elf a Bet!

4.   Q.  Why did the turkey join the band?

           A.  Because it had the drum sticks.

5.   Q.  What did the stamp say to the Christmas card?

           A.  Stick with me and we’ll go places.

6.   Q.  Who doesn’t eat on Christmas day?

           A.  The turkey…it’s already STUFFED!

7.   Q.  What do you call an obnoxious Reindeer?

           A.  RUDE-dolf!

8.   Q.  Why doesn’t the Christmas tree stand up?

           A.  Because it doesn’t have legs.

9.   Q.  What nationality is Santa?

           A.  North Polish.

10.  Q.  What do you call a can wearing a Christmas hat?

           A.  A-Merry-Can!

11.  Q.  What kind of bird can write?

           A.  A PENguin.

12.  Q.  What kind of ball doesn’t bounce?
           A.  A Snowball.

13.  Q.  Why do birds fly south for winter?

           A.  It’s too far to walk.

31st IWA in Akita meeting My lovely, Soulful Italy by Ms.Tsuchida

On Friday the 14^th November, 2014 the International Women’s Association in Akita enjoyed the 31^st meeting in Goshono.  12 attended a talk by Ms. Makiko Tsuchida on ‘My lovely, Soulful Italy’.  Ms. Tsuchida’s talk traced her encounter with Rome, Italy, where she was for 15 years, working as one of the Japanese/Italian, museum and gallery guides. Ms. Tsuchida explained that when she was very young she would never have thought that her life would have taken her to Italy.  We are all never sure of our destinies.

During her talk, using power point through the computer and television, we learnt so much about Italian food, historical events and customs.  Her talk was well received and appreciated and we also learnt some every day, useful Italian phrases.

 

Ms. Tsuchida is now teaching in Akita at the Iyataka Culture School, the Fonte Culture School and also takes private lessons.   Once or twice a year Ms. Tsuchida is also taking small group tours over to Italy.  These tours enjoy time for savoring all the wonderful things of Italy.

After the talk we all enjoyed a potluck supper which was prepared by all the attendants, during which time we all had time to talk to Ms. Tsuchida and exchange information and friendship.

A vote of thanks was given and a small fee presented. 

The meeting was closed with the agreement of re-writing the Constitution of the IWA in Akita which will be posted on the IWA blog soon.

May we thank everyone for all the support for the evening’s success.  We look forward to meeting again in the New Year when we shall enjoy a New Year party.  Details to be decided later and posted on the blog.

May I take this opportunity to wish the IWA in Akita a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2015!