"Want some cheese?"
"Wait"
My ramblings and musings on life. Me, just being me.
Shisa are everywhere here in Okinawa. They are sometimes called lion dogs. They are protectors of homes and businesses. They usually come in pairs; one has its mouth open and one has its mouth closed. The one with its mouth open is said to be scaring away evil spirits with its mighty roar and the one with its mouth closed is keeping good spirits in. The shisa is said to have come from China. Here is a link to more information about the history of shisa.
There is a street here in Naha that is known for its pottery. It's called Tsuboya Yachimun Street. This area of Naha has been the center of pottery making since the 1500s.
I saw an article in a base magazine about a shisa-making class. I was intrigued right away. I genuinely love the look of shisa and the idea of them protecting your home. I knew it would be a fun way to comemerate our tour here in Okinawa. I immediately reserved us a class. We chose Veteran's Day since Cody an the kids would be off of work and school. It was easy to book online through the Dojo's website. They were very communicative, sending an email with instructions. We were told to go to Ikutouen store first and they would give us a map to the studio/dojo.
Anytime I can, I do what we call a dry run before going someplace we haven't been before. We did a dry run out to the area on the Sunday prior to Veteran's Day. They were having a festival and there were lots and lots of people and booths. We drove carefully down the oneway brick road and located the shop and a pay parking lot. On the day of, we were set. We drove easily down the tiny street since there was no festival. We pulled into the parking lot and figured out how to use it. These parking lots have yellow metal plates in the middle of them. You back into the spot and within a few minutes the plate rises up under the car, preventing you from leaving. When you return to leave, you pay the parking fee at the machine. The metal plate lowers and you have four minutes to leave. It was easy enough.
We waited until 10am when the shop opened to walk over and ask about the dojo. I showed the lady the email and she handed us a laminated map. It seemed to be straight forward. Leave the shop turning right, walk down to where there is a do not enter sign, turn right up that street and it appeared that we needed to go down the second road to the left.
Halfway up the hill we encountered a musical truck. It was a trash pickup truck. Here is a video of the sound it made. I didn't get a video of the actual truck.
We continued up the hill and turned down what we thought was the correct pathway. It was not. We walked back and went up further. Then we went back to again where we thought we were supposed to go. I entered the street name Tsuboya into Googlemaps and followed it around much further than we knew it would be but we doubled back and managed to stumble up to the correct location...20 minutes late. I felt horrible. I despise being late. They were incredibly gracious when we arrived and promptly got us started with the process.
We each chose a color of glaze we would like to have on our final product. Three of us chose red and one chose black. We paid for our class, they do take credit card, and we were led to a table that was set up for us. The dojo is open sided so there was a nice breeze everyone in a while. There was another group of 4 that were making a hanging shisa. We were making standing shisa. The instructor is fluent n both Japanese and English as she went easily between our groups, giving instructions. We were given three balls of red Okinawan clay. She flawlessly showed us how to construct our shisa. There was jazzy calming music playing in the background and it was a very pleasant vibe in the studio.
Afterwards we took a few photos outside the dojo and headed back to the car pleased with ourselves. On our walk back we realized our mistake on the way up. The trash truck had obstructed our view of a small sign that pointed down the path. I believe it would have instructed us to go that way had we saw it. The map is a bit off as you should take the first path not the second OR we just misunderstood what a path is on the map. The map was in Japanese and had pictures but we still were not able to figure it out. Either way we made it back to our car and were very happy with our adventure.
Now we wait 2 1/2 months for the shisa to be completed. I believe they let them air dry for a very long time before firing them. I will share them when we get them back.
I would highly recommend the shisa making experience!
Tsuboya Pottery Yachimun Dojo
1 22 33 Tsuboya, Naha 902 0065
Booking contact: webform@ikutouen.com
https://yachimundojo.com/
Twinkle Pumpkin |
I never imagined buying a spatula would make me happy but here we are. I'm happy with a spatula.
Some people call them egg turners or flippers but I call them spatulas.
To make it even more confusing I also call these spatulas as well.
But anyway, back to this marvelous Big Mama Spatula. She's 15 inches!
Last week I started searching for something made in the USA and found this Big Mama. It's made in the USA out of hardwood. It is perfect. It is large. It is firm and strong. It is wooden. It is made in the UDS. It requires a bit of upkeep but so worth it for me to have a sturdy utensil to flip burgers and whathaveyou. It needs to be washed by hand and occasionally oiled.
Should you like one for yourself here's a link. (Disclaimer. I receive a small commission when you purchase through my link at no additional cost to you).
I have always wanted to participate in a trunk or treat, and this year we had the opportunity to join in the fun. We participated in the Autumn Fun with the command.
I'm a sucker for a theme. I decided to go with the "Witch's Tea Party". I set the table and it was glorious. Our costumes were fabulous. I gave each child that came through a tea cup with two pieces of candy and a little squeaky toy. We got a few votes but did not win however we had a very good time. I loved it. I hope to be able to do many more in the future especially if we happen to live out in the country.
I used many items I already had as well as purchased some items specifically for this theme. I had the silver tray I used in the middle. It was given to me by my husband's grandma, she got it as a wedding gift. It needs a good polishing so it looked great on the table. I ordered the tea kettle from Amazon.
I had the tablecloth but ordered the spiderweb table runner. It came with bats and several other spooky linens. I am obsessed with the tea plates and cups. I found them at a thrift store. I am always looking for different kinds. I put glittered water in the cups to look like tea. I used edible glitter. I also bought crystal teaspoon sets because I'm extra. I picked up silver rectangle serving trays from Daiso.
It's hard to see in the picture but I also had a small apothecary and cauldron in the trunk.
I had more things I wanted to put out. A sign for broom parking, and an invitation to the tea party but it was very windy. That's why my hat is pulled down on my head.
Do you decorate for Halloween? Some years I decorate a lot and some years I decorate a little. I left a lot of our Halloween Decorations in storage for this tour. I brought my big storage container of costumes though. I keep all the costume pieces from year to year that can be used again. You never know when a costume will be needed.
I like to decorate our tv stand for each season or Holiday. For Halloween this year I simply used these bug twinkle lights. I cannot even remember where I got them from, I've had them for so long. I also placed a black and silver pumpkin to the side. I made that pumpkin a couple of years ago from a Dollar Tree pumpkin and some fabric. I would share a photo but the boxes with the items for our truck-or-treat are all in front of the tv stand; so it's a mess.
I have also enjoyed changing out the tablecloths for the season. This one is a lovely rusty color with leaves. I've had it for a few years. I also have had these placemats for so many years that I really have no idea where I got them from. I like to use them throughout the fall. The shiny leaves table runner I bought at the Exchange on Kadena Air Force Base a few weeks ago. I overheard a little girl exclaim, "Oh Mommy! They are so pretty!" When I saw what she was talking about I couldn't resist. It almost blends in with the leaves on the tablecloth. I know my table has a lot of orange colors going on, but I love it. I have a clear vinyl table cover on here as well. I use this to keep from having to wash the linens every day because we are messy. I bought it from Amazon. Here is the link if you would like one too. *(Disclaimer. I receive a small commission when you purchase through my link with no additional cost to you).
Placemats, tablecloth and copper metallic table runner |
I have this lovely Welcome sign that has cute little changeouts for each season. I believe got this one from Lakeside Collections several years ago. They don't seem to have them any longer but this one is similar.
Welcome sign |
While we're on the interchangeable signs, I also have the napkin holder with the magnetic icon to change out also from Lakeside. They still have this one. My pepper shaker broke (we move a lot y'all) plus we prefer freshly ground pepper anyway.
Salt and Pepper shaker on the table |
I have this fun pumpkin that lights up and talks but the kids keep turning it off because they find it annoying. I picked him up on clearance last year at the Exchange after Halloween. I have him sitting on a plant stand in the window by the front door.
Outside I have this fun inflatable doggy! This is his first year with us. I bought him on sale last year after Halloween. I think it's supposed to be a dachshund but we say it's a basset hound like our Mr. Shelby Cornbread. He looks to be leaning in my photos, however, it is so windy here that he tilts to one side. It came with strings to tie him down but I did not use them. We did use the stakes to hold him down though. We just love him. Here's a link to him if you want one too. *(Disclaimer. I receive a small commission when you purchase through my link with no additional cost to you).
In the daylight |
In the dark |
I have other lights that I could put out but I'm going to be completely honest, sometimes it's difficult for me to get the motivation up to put stuff like that out. I'll probably line them up on the ground for trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
So that's it. That's the extent of my decorating for Halloween 2022.