Nejyo Castle Ruins & Historic Plaza

We found it this time, as opposed to this time! So glad Michael was with us. Directions, GPS Coordinates, and admission info below.  Combine this with a trip to Hachinohe City Museum (they share a parking lot).

This is the restored castle of Lord Moroyuki Nanbu, built in 1334.   Read a bit more below.

Sorry for the glare - didn't use flash but the lights were something in the room

"The remains of 354 raised-floor structures ad 82 sunken-floor structures were found, as well as gates, board fences, and pole fences. However, reconstruction focused on the style and methods employed during the 16th generation because the remains of the inner compound were found in good condition. The reconstruction work started in April 1985, centered on the stables, workshops, smith, storerooms and barn within the inner compound.

The displays inside the buildings are set up to give an image of daily life at that time based on Nanbu family documents and relics found at the site."

This was GREAT...we left with a better understanding of life in Ancient Japan and during the Samurai/Shogun era. Some of us also have dreams of building a Japanese style home in America...in the future. LOL

On the way to the castle reconstruction we stopped at this building. I wanted to grab some photos of the thatched roof for my brother Will, owner of a roofing business.

Yes, he DID hit his head on the beam and yes, I DID ask him to do it again for the camera. Love having him on these adventures with us.

This is a great model of the area....note the wide open spaces for picnics. Plan ahead if the weather is nice. Unfortunately, I didn't plan ahead. 

In addition to enriching our history studies of Japan, many got lots of PT too in the form of SQUATS!  This is not the element of architecture which we want to recreate in our future home.

Pretty sure the lighting is authentic to the period

Stacia wasn't sure what all the groaning was about

Look at the wide open spaces and LIGHT

Times:
09:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed MONDAYS (Except the first Monday of each month and public holidays, if holidays fall on Monday, closed on Tuesday)
*Sometimes the museum is closed on the last day of each month for cleaning. Please call ahead.

 0178-41-1726  

Admission: 
Single - Adults - Y250; highschool Y150; Elementary/Jr High  Y 50
Combine for castle ruins - Adults Y400; High school Y240; Elementary/Jr High - Y80
Group rates for groups of 20 or more

GPS Coordinates: N 40*30.469’ E141*27.886’

Directions: 
Take Momishi Toll Road from Misawa to Hachinohe (or take route 45 out of Misawa). Requires 2 toll passes each way.

Turn right onto route 45 if you've taken the toll road.

Take the FISHING WHARF exit as you enter town

At the traffic light at the bottom of the hill, turn right under the overpass

Follow the road past the fish market, over the train tracks and over the bridge to route 104

Turn left on to route 104 at the traffic light.

Proceed down route 104 to the first traffic light.  Turn left.

Museum entrance  is on the left about 10 yards down the road.

Enter the parking lot and proceed left around the hedge row to the back parking lot.

*Note it is 5 min by car from the Hachinohe Interchange of the Hachinhohe Expressway.

Public Transportation: 
Take Nanbu Bus (red and white) or City bus (blue, grey and white) from JR Hachinohe Station. Get off the bus at the Nejo bus stop (15 minute ride). 


Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Hachinohe City Museum

I have been researching field trips which fit in with our year's study on Japan. We have completed our study on the Jomon Period. We visited the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins (in the winter) and we  plan on going back in nicer weather....but I thought I'd be doing this trip solo....and I have made several trips to that SIDE of Japan in the past month. I looked for something closer and was AMAZED to find the rich opportunities from this time period in Hachinohe - only 30 -40 minutes from our door.   I planned to visit Hachinohe-shi- Jomon Gakushu-kan Museum (Korekawa Arachaelological Museum).  I was praying it would be nice....During the research I found references to the Nejyo Castle Ruins and the adjacent Hachinohe City Museum. It appeared they were on the way to Koregawa and so I planned for us to visit all four in one day. TOO MUCH FOR OUR FAMILY. We visited this site and called it good.  Directions, GPS coordinates and admission info at the end of this post. Combine this trip with a visit to the Nejyo Castle Ruins and Historic Plaza. 

We are currently studying the Shogun/Samurai period. Any ideas on field trips are welcome. 

You can read about our prior blundering adventure when I attempted to find this solo. I realize NOW  the directions  were clear if you KNEW where the fish market is, but not clear if you are NEW TO JAPAN.....we drove right to it today and I added the exit to take off route 45 to help others who are new.

The Hachinohe City Museum is divided into four display areas.

The Archaeological Display focuses on the Jomon period and showcases discoveries dug from this very site in 1978-early 80's.  There are weapons, lots of pottery, burial sites, combs, tools, jewelry....can you imagine seeing (and touching) something which was around before the times of Jesus? Amazing.

Zander obviously dreams of being a Samurai Warrior

Michael and I commented on how rare it is for such things to be sitting out - no glass cases - etc. Obviously the Japanese have much more restraint and respect for relics than the average American museum goer.....the kids did amazing at not touching. I touched something before remembering where I was. 

Stacia was captivated by the jewelry and wondered if we could make some

 The people in this area seemed to have practiced "double burials." They would bury the dead and then, years later, dig up the remains and entomb them in pots, stored together in family groups.

This dish pattern hasn't changed much in thousands of years. 

The Historical Display covers the birth of the Hachinohe Government in the Edo period (17th Century). It shows the history of Hachinohe as a Castle Town and introduces the influence of the Meiji period as well. Lot's of fun Samurai weapons and armor to see in this room.

This map was OLD - I believe from the 16th century? Anyway, it fascinated Zander. 

Beautiful Swords

Samurai Saddle and Stirrups

 This area was known for it's horse breeding....this drawing reminds me of the Tanesashi Coastal Area.

The Folklore Display was my personal favorite. It shows life for those in this area from early times to about 1950's. It covers their homes, farming, fishing, and faith. This room gave me several ideas of antique items I'd like to find before we move in ::gasp:: nine months.

I have a wooden box like this sitting on my dresser. I purchased it at the "Dirty Obi Shop" in Towada.... Now I know how it  was originally used.

Soy beans

 We haven't been able to buy brown rice on the economy. I've been told it simply isn't "Japanese Rice." Today I learned, earlier in Japan's history, the very poor would eat "unpolished rice" and save polished rice for special celebrations. I also learned until the mid 1950's the poor would mix millet with rice for every day use....which sounds like a good idea to me.

A winnowing basket...I'd like to find one...I can see so many ways to display it at home.....

And look - DENIM Kimonos. This proves jeans are international and have been around a long, long time. ::snort::

Coal Iron 

Rice Steamer 

I have one of these tea pots 

WHAT would the tube be for? It isn't hollow. 

I'd love to find one of these....Guess what it is?

 It was used to carry rice out to the fields

Straw Cradle

The final display room is the Folk Story/ Song Display. This would be great fun if you knew Japanese. It was fun to sit down, press the buttons and guess what you were being told from the photos. Our younger two matched the stories I've been reading to them with the displays. ::grin::

Note: This was a GREAT museum and with the castle ruins  next to it it makes for a full day.  They had MANY English signs and placards which made this a fantastic learning experience for us. Much better than the museums we've visited and had no clue what we were seeing.  The staff was friendly and helpful. I do have some English Brochures they gave me if you'd be interested in one.  I recommend, in nice weather, you plan ahead and bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. Many were doing so.

English Tour Guides are available if you call a week in advance! This would make a great group field trip - with enough adults to make sure children aren't touching artifacts.

Times:
09:00 - 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed MONDAYS (Except the first Monday of each month and public holidays?)
*Sometimes the museum is closed on the last day of each month for cleaning. Please call ahead.

0178-44-8111     Homepage 

Admission: 
Single - Adults - Y250; highschool Y150; Elementary/Jr High  Y 50
Combine for castle ruins - Adults Y400; High school Y240; Elementary/Jr High - Y80
Group rates for groups of 20 or more

GPS Coordinates: N 40*30.469’ E141*27.886’

Directions: 
Take Momishi Toll Road from Misawa to Hachinohe (or take route 45 out of Misawa). Requires 2 toll passes each way.

Turn right onto route 45 if you've taken the toll road.

Take the FISHING WHARF exit as you enter town

At the traffic light at the bottom of the hill, turn right under the overpass

Follow the road past the fish market, over the train tracks and over the bridge to route 104

Turn left on to route 104 at the traffic light.

Proceed down route 104 to the first traffic light.  Turn left.

Museum entrance  is on the left about 10 yards down the road.

Enter the parking lot and proceed left around the hedge row to the back parking lot.

*Note it is 5 min by car from the Hachinohe Interchange of the Hachinhohe Expressway.

Public Transportation: 
Take Nanbu Bus from JR Hachinohe Station going via the Shiho Center, getting off at the Nejo bus stop (15 minute ride).

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fantastic FRIDAY!

The missing days of blog post are easily summed up this way:  "We continued to push hard with school and  life's obligations so we can enjoy Friday Field trips (which I'll blog about next)." 

We had planned to visit a couple of museums in Hachinohe....the main motivation being I was tired of long drives where I was responsible for getting us home. ::snort::  Michael surprised us by actually TAKING his CTO (day off) this week...and he's not preaching this week so will have Saturday free too...surprise blessings.  It was fun having him with us and this insured we did NOT get lost and made it home in time for dinner with Jim, Marvie and children. ::snort:: 

We went to two of the three sites I'd thought to visit....we were overwhelmed. Very nice experience - I have no clue why so many tell you to go to Aomori when such rich cultural experiences are just up the road in Hachinohe! 

Michael wanted to stop at "our beach" - Momoishi Community Coastal Area  - and we had just enough time to make it happen.  We were surprised to find they are building something BIG. This made me a bit sad as the project will probably take up the remaining of our time here and we do love walking on this beach. We'll just move up the beach - there is a lot of it. LOL 

There were some good waves today - compliments of typhoon whosit - Arielle wished she'd had her boogie board. 

Floats look a bit like this in the surf.....

This was a big light-bulb... Michael found several. 

I put all on notice our light-bulb collection is COMPLETE! 

We had just enough time for me to attempt to frost my cake....it had a melt down and if you are aware of our family's morbid sense of humor you can guess the name it was given....

We had a wonderful time with Jim, Marvie and Children. Marvie is an AMAZING cook - though Jim did admit they don't eat like this EVERY night. We had salad, homemade french onion soup (mine without croutons or cheese), beef for all of them (and SALMON for me - my first meat in over 2 months), fantastic green beans, mashed potatoes and my desserts.

The kids all had a good time playing games - by the end of the night all six playing Guesstures - but I took these photos earlier. We'll do this again and maybe the adults will catch up on talking enough to join the kids.

Producing a News Show....

I tried two vegan desserts....the kids must have ate this one and I guess it was o.k. Chocolate Chip Blondies - or Hummus Blondies if you prefer. No eggs, butter or milk.

I used a cake recipe with applesauce, egg replacer and almond milk in place of oil, eggs, and milk.  The cake did NOT rise...so I made two and put them together....it was moist and dense - more like the Japanese desserts than the typical American cake. I liked it....half of it was eaten....the frosting was NOT vegan.  I DID bake with chocolate this week. I found it isn't all that great tasting any longer. It no longer masters me. . . but I won't be eating it for a few weeks.

Marvie is from the Manila area. It is always fun to compare notes on the Philippines. Marvie is a Registered Nurse and last night we had fun reminiscing about old Filipino Home Remedies. They'll be flying to the Philippines this fall, I'm more than a tad bit jealous. They agree with Michael I should not take the kids alone and go south to the areas I remember.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Texas Tech Lubbock Race

What's a  mom living in Japan supposed to do when her children are competing in TX????  Totally love FB...and because I'm UP AGAIN (this new dosage of synthroid may  not work)...and because we want to have these photos captured somewhere other than FB....here are some race photos of Jamin running for Angelo State on Sept 15, 2012 at Texas Tech Lubbock, TX. Jamin is #24.

No one seems to trust other's time clocks... ::grin:: 

  

I think an elbow would help here, Jamin. 

 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Macaroni NOT Cheese (Engine 2)

Combined Ginger's technique and Engine 2's ingredients for a yummy "NOT CHEESE SAUCE". I plan to make Ginger's Alfredo sauce when the raw cashews arrive. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 C Raw Cashews (used roasted - Ginger also called for 2 T raw pine nuts)

1/3 C of Lemon Juice

1 1/3 C Water

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

4 cloves of Garlic

4 oz jar of Roasted Red Peppers (thus the cheese color)

3 T Nutritional Yeast

1 tsp Garlic Powder (opt)

1 tsp Onion Powder

16 ounces of whole grain pasta, cooked. 

DIRECTIONS:

Saute onion with a little water or veggie broth. 

In my blender I combined onions, cashews, lemon juice, water and salt. 

Added red peppers, nutritional yeast, garlic and onion powder. Blend until smooth. Resist the urge to eat it by the spoonful. 

Engine 2 Technique - Preheat oven (doesn't say how hot). Toss pasta and sauce. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. 

Ginger's Technique - I cooked it on LOW for 7 minutes (stirring all the time). I added veggies to my pasta and all was done at the same time. I spooned a bit of sauce over veggies and pasta.

I used Ginger's Technique as I KNEW I wanted sauce left for Vegetable Calzone and  I also KNEW I wouldn't eat 16 ounces of pasta by myself before it went bad. LOL 

Click the recipe tab for more yummy eats. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Guess Who Is Flying...

on 30 October? Someone who has been reliving the experience of flying through a typhoon alone two years ago....someone who flies on "sacred monies" and so ALWAYS books the cheapest airline she can find....

Via Google Images

Yep - ME. I've already been praying for this flight...and now I tune in to news clips to hear them say consumers should consider NOT flying with AA until after their bankruptcy proceedings......

You can be sure I'll carefully CHECK THE SEATS as I board.....

Via Google Images

And never fear....I'll be prepared to take whatever measures are needed.....could be handy for pesky fellow-travelers as well.....hmmmm.....

Via Google Images

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Healthy Journey Part 2

Yes, we did school today, the kids were cute today and I could write about a variety of things. However, the thing on my mind is my journey to freedom from food compulsions.

I have been having quite the time finding things to wear lately. I've lost 28 lbs in 7 weeks...today I went through the closet. I debated. I wanted to keep things as it is nice to have clothes you already like when  if you regain  weight. I don't believe keeping clothes will CAUSE you to grow back into them...  I haven't decided what to do with them - but I got all the clothes that are too big for me out of my closet....and I found many things that were too small for me that are fine now. Looking at the big pile of clothes leads to self-doubt and "old sound tracks."

"You won't keep it off." 

"You can't eat like this FOREVER."

But that's just it...if I LIKE having low blood pressure (and I DO), if I like getting off cholesterol meds (and I DO), if I like NOT having migraines (and I DO!); then I have to accept the fact that this HAS TO BE a change for a life...and that is sobering...because this dying to appetites self is HARD . ::snort::  However, as I die in this one area, I find it easier to die to self in other areas. I am thankful to be on this journey.

I was very strict while on the Daniel Fast.  I was fasting. This is a lifestyle. I've eased up a bit and am eating a bit more sugar -  vegan desserts, homemade "Lara Bars".  I'm eating a bit more grains and legumes. I allow myself yeast bread from time to time. I still avoid as much processed foods as possible...and of course....as a family, we still avoid dyes and chemicals.  I'm not losing 4 lbs a week any longer...but 1 - 2 lb a week is still phenomenal for one with Hashimoto's Disease.

In any event...this is truly health-based....and that IS the difference. I will stay on this for  life...because I am determined to be as healthy as possible, for as long as possible, so I can be as effective as possible for the kingdom, as long as possible.  Catch all that? ::snort::  Stacia also motivates me by reminding me I need to stay around long enough to play with her kids when they are preschoolers....by my reckoning that will put me pert near 70.

AND I do like walking in victory over food compulsions. Anything worth accomplishing will take discipline and endurance when the going gets tough.

I can CHOOSE to feel empowered rather than deprived when I make a healthy choice...just like I can choose joy when life sucks.  Attitude is huge! I will not live the rest of my life feeling deprived. I choose to feel empowered, thankful, healthy and victorious. I certainly am happy to say goodbye to defeat.

I discovered two new hits around here......Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Balls.  Totally vegan and packed with protein!

It took a lot of self-control NOT to simply eat it ALL by the spoonful.....

I allowed myself one a day....the kids didn't show quite that much restraint and it didn't take long until ONE OF THEM (pictured below with NAIL POLISH ::hint::) dipped them in "vegan hard shell" - which led to many kudos for the vegan lifestyle. I think they've missed a point somewhere. 

I've been planning to try  Ginger's Vegan Alfredo sauce recipe...I ordered raw cashews to give it a shot...but today I combined her recipe with Engine 2's Macaroni Not Cheese recipe and just used the roasted cashews I had on hand...YUM. I don't eat much pasta, this screamed for broccoli (but I was out) so I grabbed a zucchini and YUMMO.

It was FANTASTIC and cholesterol free, full of only good fats and loaded with PROTEIN...I ate all the zucchini and very little of the pasta....Michael ate it when he got home...he doesn't like Mac and Cheese, but when I told him to TASTE IT, he realized his vegan wife wouldn't have made Mac and CHEESE for herself. He liked it. He DID say it needs veggies. My how quickly we've changed around here. Two of the four kids liked it...and that means this is a vegan meal that will show up again. 

In fact...I plan to make Airlie Center's Vegetable Calzone and use the left over NOT CHEESE sauce (I have 2 C) in place of cheese. I may be nice and make one with meat and cheese for the kids Gherkins.

That's all I have to say on this subject for the day. I really AM making sure the blog doesn't become ALL about my journey to freedom.  

If you have no clue why I'm vegan or what I'm talking about read this post. I may have to say "mostly vegan" as I'm seriously thinking of using honey and possibly listening to the doc and adding fish....still praying about it as I feel so GOOD not eating meat of any sort. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...