kagami biraki 06

Didn't have time to post about this before we went on vacation, so here it goes ... a few photos of the kagami biraki ceremony held in the ten chi dojo in Sintra a couple of weeks ago.

A. participated in one of the performances (sorry, didn't manage to take any decent photos of that ..) and was surprised when he received his official black belt diploma. And afterwards, a nice japanese dinner on the tatamis ...

"Kagami Biraki, which literally means "Mirror Opening" (also known as the "Rice Cutting Ceremony"), is a traditional Japanese celebration that is held in many traditional martial arts schools (dojos) usually on the second Saturday or Sunday of January so all students will be able to attend. It was an old samurai tradition dating back to the 15th century that was adopted into modern martial arts starting in 1884 when Jigora Kano (the founder of judo) instituted the custom at the Kodokan, his organization's headquarters. " ... more about this here, here and here







 

... off again

this time to the usual place




 

mail day

yesterday was a good mail day ...


.... a cute, cute, surprise fabric from W.
.... the travel edition of the most addictive board game
.... a copy of the first edition of a new knitting zine

and my yarn trade, from tsaiware ... recycled silk and ladder yarn, and fun patterns to try them out


 

hats and more hats

one of these, an ultra simple and easy pattern by Susan Lawrence, and was great for using a bunch of leftovers I had



another one of these, in baby blue Rosários 4 Zelândia yarn, an early b-day gift for my friend S. I added a few double crochet rows to the bottom and a rosette, to make it a bit more feminine ...



and one more dc hat, order from A.


 

still on the subject of sleepy cats ...

.. how come they manage to find the strangest places to nap ?

amélie's favourite place now is on top of the stereo


and sushi likes high places ...


... or just the couch ;-)