Last weekend’s field trip to Minga Village organic farm on the shores of Lake Biwa was a great success and a welcome break from the rigors of academic study. Blessed by beautiful autumn weather and  sublime light, we spent much of the first day forming human ‘log chains’ beside the lake, helping to load wood the family uses to heat their water. The rewards of our efforts were enjoyed that evening by some of the students in their big three people bath! On Sunday, our hosts first drove us to their fields and gave us a vegetable tour; introducing some of the 15-20 varieties they are growing and supplying to customers throughout Kansai through their veggie box delivery service. We then wound our way up to a mountain village where Shoei and Kino, the founders of Minga Village, also own a traditional thatched house which they are fixing up for their shared vision of bringing physically and mentally challenged people and others together to work and play in natural surroundings. Our work there was to cut tall fronds of pampas grass in a field left uncultivated for this purpose, and tie them up into bundles. These are then used by the community to stack around their houses to absorb dampness from melting snow and thus keep their houses dry and free from mold. Truly invigorating and fun traditional work!

Monday afternoon’s East Asian Studies class on Shiatsu, from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure- a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan, will provide students with the basics of a technique that is guaranteed to diminish some of the stiffness and aches they may be experiencing from lengthy periods of studying for the Japanese final on Wednesday. Please see the Calendar for location details.

Do remember that Wednesday will be the last chance to visit the nearby monthly Kitano Tenmangu Shrine market which offers both a great photo opportunity as well as wide and unique assortment of Japanese goods perfect for taking back as souvenirs and gifts. Don’t forget to bargain!