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| It's the year of the monkey and so far it's off to a great start. I spent New Year's with Kouhei's family and wore my first kimono (a gift from Kouhei's mother)! |
| School Life Coming Soon... |
| Trip to Wakayama Forest, Beaches, Temple Stay, Gardens and Former Residence of the Japanese Royal Family. (Lots of Great Japanese Art) |
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| Happy New Year, 2004!! |
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| Kouhei's family is Tenrikyo--a small Japanese religion--and they live in a temple overseen by his brother. On the left are photos of the altar in his family's home. Services are held twice a day at sunrise and sunset (with generous allowances for sleeping in!). |
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| New Year's With the Sumihara Family, The young women of the family wore kimono for visits to the homes of various relatives. From left: Kouhei, Rae, sisters (Chitose and Nunome), mother (Junko), and brother (Youhei) |
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| Extended Family at grandfather's temple (yes, he lives in a temple, too!). |