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This is where I studied Japanese -- the University of Washington. I took my family there today and, perfect timing, the cherry blossoms in the Quad were in full bloom. The classical buildings, the rich green lawn, the quaint brick pathways all make for a beautiful setting for the sakura trees, which were imported from Japan. There are probably settings in Japan as beautiful, but Hanami (flower viewing) is so much nicer here. In Japan, people put out hideous blue plastic sheets and hold loud drunken parties complete with obnoxious karaoke. It's called "hana yori dango" (more the party than the blossoms). Here you can actually enjoy the blossoms!
ここは私が日本語を習った所です：ワシントン大学です。桜がちょうど満開でした。そして、日本の花見と違って、目に激しいブルーシートが無い！

(First Report From My Trip Home to Seattle)
Patchwork quilting is popular in Japan as a way for people to create something original. Here in the original home of creating, America, quilts using Japanese kimono fabric and other traditional Japanese materials is gaining in popularity. My mother is an avid quilter, and enjoys collecting Japanese fabric and making quilts such as this one, 'Maru'. We have a couple of my Mom's wall hangings at Kamesei Ryokan, including one Hawaiian style quilt of some turtles (Kamesei's 'kame') hanging in front of the baths.
（シアトルの里帰りの第一リポート）
久しぶりに親の家に行ったら、母親がいま作っているキルトを見せてくれました。何と日本風！アメリカのキルトの世界の中で日本風な生地（着物など）がはやっているようです。亀清にも母親の作品が飾ってあります。お風呂の前に、ハワイイ風の亀（亀清の看板動物）の作品です。
Click here for Kamesei Ryokan website亀清旅館のHPはこちら

Kamesei Ryokan was proud to host a series of talks by Debito Arudo. This morning's was sponsored by the Chikuma Int'l Cultural Exchange Assoc. Approximately 20 people attended and heard about how Japan's population is becoming more international, and some of the dynamics that are resulting. On one hand, foreigners are increasingly contributing to Japan's society and economy, bringing desired effects to offset Japan's aging and shrinking population. On the other hand, foreigners are often villified in society.
In my own personal case, on one hand I am often complimented by people in town for working so hard to carry on the ryokan tradition here at Kamesei and my efforts to 'enliven' the town. On the other hand, there was a time I was refused an apartment here in Nagano simply because I was a foreigner. Of course similar prejudice happens in all countries, but here in Japan there are no laws against it. Yes, illegalizing discrimination doesn't make it go away, but that's of little comfort to someone who has been refused a basic human right like shelter.
After the talk, someone from Chikuma City Hall inquired about getting Debito-san back to give a talk to the city employees. I'm happy Kamesei was able to play a role in producing such positive results!
千曲国際交流協会の提供で、亀清旅館のロビーにArudo Debitoさんの講演が行いました。主の内容は日本の人口減少・高齢化問題に対して、外国人の増加が重要なのに、外国人は沢山の壁に当っている。自分の場合、亀清の若旦那として戸倉上山田温泉の仲間として受け入れて頂いているので色んな面で「町興し」に参加しています。しかし、以前は私が長野でアパートを借りるのに断れた事がある。もちろん、全世界に外国人差別があるけど日本の場合はそれに対する法律が無い。法律を作っても差別は消えないけれども、「衣食住」の「住」も断る事を許す事は？！？！
ところで、講演の後に市役所の方が今度、Debitoさんに千曲市役所のこの有利な講演をして欲しいと言い出した。亀清旅館が役に立てて、良かったと思います。