Another Bird on its Back

I found this graphic at the zoo as part of a bird display. I initially thought it related to some dire disappearing habitat situation, but it actually indicates the length of the bird.

Chicken on a Chain

Most Japanese restaurants have perfectly made models of the food they serve on display in the window or set outside. Masashi and I were in a really nice building in Akihabara and we found this model chicken on a chain. I guess they have a problem with people taking them. Too bad, it really detracts from the presentation.

Don't Feed the Monkeys

I like the ice pack on the monkey's head.

An Interesting Weekend

I had an interesting weekend that included cherry blossoms, a parasite museum and a Giant Japanese Salamander. More later, pictures here.

Portrait of a School

cataloguing different kinds of tape (grade 4)

clock (grade 4)

Emergency exit button (grade 5)

Umbrellas

kindergartner's photo of blue

Today is the end of my first week of working with the students of the YMCA Tokyo International School. So far the project is going pretty much as planned, although Mr. Ed (the art teacher) and myself are constantly making adjustments. The basic concept presented to the students was that we are going to try to create a portrait of their school by looking at all of the little mundane things that make up the physical contents of the building. Each child is to document, through drawing or painting, four instances of a specific physical object found in the school, (it's a long list, it includes things like; umbrellas, tape dispensers, pencils, buttons, plants, faucets, chairs, etc.). The assignments were decided upon by group discussion with each class. The project will culminate with each student gluing their four best drawings or paintings, of their assigned subject on a 25x25cm board. All of the boards will be hung together somewhere in the school. I think the results will be pretty interesting. The very small children, kindergarten and 1st grade, are too young to handle the drawing so we gave them cameras and had them shoot a specific shape or color. The results can be very abstract.

Some Recent Purchases

A panda in a bowl of soup

Cross section of a cow

A gendered block of tofu

Ball of string samurai

I am not an aficionado or collector of Japanese toys, but I do like them a lot. I have been buying the small charms that people attach to their cell phones. The best stuff comes in capsules from small vending machines, the price ranges from $1 to $3 dollars and you never get the one you are hoping for. I plan on bringing a sack of these home.

Tokyo / Second Half of First Day