Tachikawa school, Gazen

It is so sad to pass the once flourishing Tachikawa Japanese Language School.  We would trek down from Roosevelt after school, stop for a cherry coke and snacks and hope principal Tachikawa or one of the teachers wouldn't catch us walking and eating on the way to her school.

Graduating class.
Principal Tachikawa Sensei is the white haired lady in the center.

She made us memorize one poem from the Hyakunin Ishu, a collection of 100 waka from the Heian period used as a game.
Meguri aite,
Mishiya soretomo
Wakanu ma ni
Kumogakure ni shi
 Yowa no tsuki kana.

She said that what we memorized then, we would never forget.
I still remember it.  Thank you Tachikawa Sensei!

    This morning before naginata practice, we went to Inspiration Furniture and bought a dresser.  Hopefully we can control some of the clutter in our bedroom…..

     

Big dog.

Cheerful coffee area

       Thanks, Mel, for reminding us about Gazen.  It's been a couple of years since we last visited, and last night, we tried it again and thoroughly enjoyed the food.  

Homemade black
black sesame tofu.

Fried tofu stuffed with
natto and shiitake

Crisp mahimahi and daikon
salad with cashews