2005-11-16 10:13![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snapdragon76
snapdragon76Well, I was finally able to get off my lazy butt and fix up those images I had wanted to post for some time. They're nothing spectacular, just pictures I took of stuff that I received from Japan. Since I know there are several Japan-aphiles on my FL, I figured I'd post them.
So here goes:
Some of the coins I got. I think I figured out the correct exchange equivalent, but I'm not 100% sure...
The manga phone book I got.
One of the color pages inside.
One of the actual series. I don't know which one it is, though...
And I was able to sit down and read my latest copy of 'Shojo Beat.' And I'm going to take this opportunity to gush over the latest chapter of 'Kaze Hikaru" since I squeed a bit over it. I'll cut it so I can spare those of you who'd rather not know:
First, we see Sei flashbacking to a time when she remembers seeing her brother with a pretty young Geisha. She remembers feeling slightly jealous. She didn't really understand at the time. She wakes up to find the rest of the group staring at her as she sleeps. She's a bit pissed off at this since she still has trust issues with most men, especially considering what almost happened to her last time. She finds the majority of them to be fairly disgusting (which many of them are). So she goes to do her morning routine and comes across Okita. She thinks to herself that he represents the ideal man that she wants to try to emulate (giggles). He hands her a piece of paper with the image of a man that the group is on the lookout for. He was spotted near one of the residences and one of the local townspeople was killed as they attempted to apprehend him. He explains that he wishes most of the radicals that find their way in Kyoto would limit themselves to killing only samurai. Sei expresses her confusion at this and Okita then tells her that it's what part of being a samurai is... killing each other when neccessary.
Sei again exibits her disgust at the behavior at most of the men and wonders if her ideal of a bushi is just that... an ideal. So she vows to herself that she will live up to that ideal, even if she's the only one. Serizawa comes across her as she makes this vow to herself and tells her he remembers what it was like to be 15 once himself. Then he tells her it's time for them to go on a special patrol. Okita stops him, however and says that Sei has to stay and help look for the rouge fugitive from before. Serizawa then explains where they were actually going... the the Nishishin House. Okita then declairs that he and Sei will tag along, but first removing their uniform coats. Sei is confused at this until Okita explains that Nishishin House is better known as Shimabara... or a brothel. Needless to say, it takes her by complete surprise. One of the others then asks if that's where the girl Okita sees works and he says it was. This is what really throws Sei for a loop. She simply stares after him, stunned. Serizawa goes to Okita and tells him he can change girls every once in awhile but Okita tells him he'd rather not. Sei begins to hear her heart pound, and she's still confused as to why.
Serizawa then goes on to explain that he'll have the owner pick someone out for Sei, beings that it's "his" first time. Sei is still rooted to the spot. Okita comes up to her and whispers that when it was "time" to complain of sickness and to ask for him and he'd think of an excuse so she'd not blow her cover. Sei then slaps him. Fighting back tears, she yells at a stunned Okita that he's as bad as the rest. She then runs off, thinking that he'd be different from the rest of them (giggles again). She then thinks back to that time with her brother and the Geisha. Unfortunately, in her state of mind, she's not watching where she's going and bumps into someone. It's a woman. After offering apologies, she notices the woman looks familiar. Without thinking, she blurts out the name of the Geisha her brother used to see. The woman answers to it. Turns out, she's the very same Geisha. Sei covers her mouth as to not to say anything else in order to give herself away. Serizawa comes up and apologizes on Sei's behalf saying she's nervous being at a brothel for the first time. The woman then gives the name she's currently going under, Akesato, and expresses the hope that perhaps they'd see each other sometime in the future. Meanwhile, Sei is thinking to herself why exactly her brother's lover was here at Shimabara of all places. Serizawa then says that he hopes he'd end up with Akesato. Sei, without thinking, asks that he not do that. When asked why, she tries to come up with a reason, but can't exactly tell them that the woman had been her brother's lover. Serizawa simply takes it as Sei is interested herself. Before she can stop him, Serizawa goes off to make the arrangements.
Later on, inside the brothel, Akesato (or Satono as Sei knew her), reintroduces herself. Sei is extremely embarassed and tense. Akesato tries to ease Sei's nerves, to no avail. Another of the courtesans then makes the comment that Sei'd look really cute as a girl (little does she know). Okita than tries to change the subject, saying it's a sensitive subject with Sei. Sei then realizes that the courtesan who spoke was the one "with" Okita. She gets flushed and has to look away while fighting back tears, which does not go unnoticed by Akesato. Akesato then asks if they could retire, much to the surprise of Sei. Serizawa urges her on, to which she relents due to the fact she couldn't bear being there with Okita and his girl (giggles some more).
Akesato then asks Sei if perhaps she'd been taken to the brothel against her will. She goes on to explain that, while she's never had one herself, there are customers who come in rather reluctant and at the urging of their comrades. Sei then explains she's not intersted in girls. She then apologizes for being such a poor customer. Akesato simply tells her that, despite her profession, it's rather nice to not have to do anything once in awhile. Sei then asks why Akesato is in this particular profession, since she used to be a Geisha. Akesato then asks how Sei could possibly had known that. Before Sei can say anything, Akesato susses out her true identity. Akesato then asks why Sei's dressed as a man. Sei then wonders if Akesato knew about what happened to Sei's brother and father. Akesato said she did. Sei then goes on to explain that is what her purpose for masquerading as a man was, to avenge them. Akesato seemed surprised that a doctor's daughter would be consorting with those types of men alone. Sei then says she's been able to keep her secret and explains that Okita is the only one who knows and has been helping her keep it. Akesato than asks if Okita was the one seen with the other courtesan. Sei gets flustered and turns away saying he does what he likes anyway. Akesato tells Sei that's that is what Kohana (the other courtesan) likes best about him. Sei gets flushed again and says she really doesn't want to hear anymore. It is then that Akesato realizes something. "You love Okita-san, don't you?" This revelation surprises Sei.
Akesato goes on to explain that earlier, she noticed that Sei acted a little strange... like she was about to cry and she couldn't understand why at that time. Now, she realizes it was Sei being jealous of Kohana (major giggling). Sei denies it (while blushing the entire time). Akesato then tells her not to deny the feelings that she has. She then goes on to explain how someone had asked for her hand in marriage, but she turned them down, thinking she was unworthy. But if she had know what little time he had left, she'd have done so and been happy in that short period they would've had together. Sei then realizes Akesato is speaking of her brother. Akesato then apologizes to Sei saying that despite the fact that Sei wasn't speaking to him because of their relationship, she could help but still wish to continue to be by his side. Then she said she felt that perhaps she was being punished when her father became ill and could no longer support him on the salary of a Geisha, so she had to resort to selling herself. She couldn't bear doing it on the streets where she was known, so she moved to Kyoto. She never imagined she'd ever run into Sei again. Touched, Sei then apologizes to Akesato, saying she was indeed jealous of the relationship she had with her brother because she knew a side of him that Sei never could. She had thought that he cared for Akesato more than her and she felt resentment because of it. Akesato offers Sei a comforting hand and tells her that she also felt jealousy due to the close bond that Sei and her brother had and continues to explain that the resentment Sei had felt toward Akesato she now feels for Kohana.
Suddenly a man bursts through the room, being chased by Okita. He asks that Sei stop him before he gets away. She pulls out the futon cover from under him, causing him to fall. Okita then uses it to bind him. Sei asks if this was the man they were searching for, to which Okita then explains he was. The brothel was close to where they'd lost him before, so he figured this is where he'd try to take refuge. Sei then realizes that's why they were made to remove their uniforms. Okita then says he was glad he took it upon himself to check up on Sei, much to her surprise. Akesato then whispers in Sei's ear, that the type of customer she was speaking of before (the ones who are more reluctant), that Okita was like that. Sei decides to keep to herself that nothing happened between her and Akesato, despite the fact that the others (save for Okita) think so. And somehow, I think Sei's secret is safe with Akesato.
Woooow! That took me longer to write up that I thought it would. I do believe this series is going to be complied and released in graphic novel form in January. Imma gonna buy me a copy.
Speaking of which, I made another icon. This one I'm pretty pleased with. I did a different technique and I'm pretty proud of the result:
Cute, eh?
Well, I better stop before my hands fall off at the wrists. I have to try and catch up with my tape of 'Veronica Mars' and 'Everwood' before tonight.
So here goes:
Some of the coins I got. I think I figured out the correct exchange equivalent, but I'm not 100% sure...
The manga phone book I got.
One of the color pages inside.
One of the actual series. I don't know which one it is, though...
And I was able to sit down and read my latest copy of 'Shojo Beat.' And I'm going to take this opportunity to gush over the latest chapter of 'Kaze Hikaru" since I squeed a bit over it. I'll cut it so I can spare those of you who'd rather not know:
First, we see Sei flashbacking to a time when she remembers seeing her brother with a pretty young Geisha. She remembers feeling slightly jealous. She didn't really understand at the time. She wakes up to find the rest of the group staring at her as she sleeps. She's a bit pissed off at this since she still has trust issues with most men, especially considering what almost happened to her last time. She finds the majority of them to be fairly disgusting (which many of them are). So she goes to do her morning routine and comes across Okita. She thinks to herself that he represents the ideal man that she wants to try to emulate (giggles). He hands her a piece of paper with the image of a man that the group is on the lookout for. He was spotted near one of the residences and one of the local townspeople was killed as they attempted to apprehend him. He explains that he wishes most of the radicals that find their way in Kyoto would limit themselves to killing only samurai. Sei expresses her confusion at this and Okita then tells her that it's what part of being a samurai is... killing each other when neccessary.
Sei again exibits her disgust at the behavior at most of the men and wonders if her ideal of a bushi is just that... an ideal. So she vows to herself that she will live up to that ideal, even if she's the only one. Serizawa comes across her as she makes this vow to herself and tells her he remembers what it was like to be 15 once himself. Then he tells her it's time for them to go on a special patrol. Okita stops him, however and says that Sei has to stay and help look for the rouge fugitive from before. Serizawa then explains where they were actually going... the the Nishishin House. Okita then declairs that he and Sei will tag along, but first removing their uniform coats. Sei is confused at this until Okita explains that Nishishin House is better known as Shimabara... or a brothel. Needless to say, it takes her by complete surprise. One of the others then asks if that's where the girl Okita sees works and he says it was. This is what really throws Sei for a loop. She simply stares after him, stunned. Serizawa goes to Okita and tells him he can change girls every once in awhile but Okita tells him he'd rather not. Sei begins to hear her heart pound, and she's still confused as to why.
Serizawa then goes on to explain that he'll have the owner pick someone out for Sei, beings that it's "his" first time. Sei is still rooted to the spot. Okita comes up to her and whispers that when it was "time" to complain of sickness and to ask for him and he'd think of an excuse so she'd not blow her cover. Sei then slaps him. Fighting back tears, she yells at a stunned Okita that he's as bad as the rest. She then runs off, thinking that he'd be different from the rest of them (giggles again). She then thinks back to that time with her brother and the Geisha. Unfortunately, in her state of mind, she's not watching where she's going and bumps into someone. It's a woman. After offering apologies, she notices the woman looks familiar. Without thinking, she blurts out the name of the Geisha her brother used to see. The woman answers to it. Turns out, she's the very same Geisha. Sei covers her mouth as to not to say anything else in order to give herself away. Serizawa comes up and apologizes on Sei's behalf saying she's nervous being at a brothel for the first time. The woman then gives the name she's currently going under, Akesato, and expresses the hope that perhaps they'd see each other sometime in the future. Meanwhile, Sei is thinking to herself why exactly her brother's lover was here at Shimabara of all places. Serizawa then says that he hopes he'd end up with Akesato. Sei, without thinking, asks that he not do that. When asked why, she tries to come up with a reason, but can't exactly tell them that the woman had been her brother's lover. Serizawa simply takes it as Sei is interested herself. Before she can stop him, Serizawa goes off to make the arrangements.
Later on, inside the brothel, Akesato (or Satono as Sei knew her), reintroduces herself. Sei is extremely embarassed and tense. Akesato tries to ease Sei's nerves, to no avail. Another of the courtesans then makes the comment that Sei'd look really cute as a girl (little does she know). Okita than tries to change the subject, saying it's a sensitive subject with Sei. Sei then realizes that the courtesan who spoke was the one "with" Okita. She gets flushed and has to look away while fighting back tears, which does not go unnoticed by Akesato. Akesato then asks if they could retire, much to the surprise of Sei. Serizawa urges her on, to which she relents due to the fact she couldn't bear being there with Okita and his girl (giggles some more).
Akesato then asks Sei if perhaps she'd been taken to the brothel against her will. She goes on to explain that, while she's never had one herself, there are customers who come in rather reluctant and at the urging of their comrades. Sei then explains she's not intersted in girls. She then apologizes for being such a poor customer. Akesato simply tells her that, despite her profession, it's rather nice to not have to do anything once in awhile. Sei then asks why Akesato is in this particular profession, since she used to be a Geisha. Akesato then asks how Sei could possibly had known that. Before Sei can say anything, Akesato susses out her true identity. Akesato then asks why Sei's dressed as a man. Sei then wonders if Akesato knew about what happened to Sei's brother and father. Akesato said she did. Sei then goes on to explain that is what her purpose for masquerading as a man was, to avenge them. Akesato seemed surprised that a doctor's daughter would be consorting with those types of men alone. Sei then says she's been able to keep her secret and explains that Okita is the only one who knows and has been helping her keep it. Akesato than asks if Okita was the one seen with the other courtesan. Sei gets flustered and turns away saying he does what he likes anyway. Akesato tells Sei that's that is what Kohana (the other courtesan) likes best about him. Sei gets flushed again and says she really doesn't want to hear anymore. It is then that Akesato realizes something. "You love Okita-san, don't you?" This revelation surprises Sei.
Akesato goes on to explain that earlier, she noticed that Sei acted a little strange... like she was about to cry and she couldn't understand why at that time. Now, she realizes it was Sei being jealous of Kohana (major giggling). Sei denies it (while blushing the entire time). Akesato then tells her not to deny the feelings that she has. She then goes on to explain how someone had asked for her hand in marriage, but she turned them down, thinking she was unworthy. But if she had know what little time he had left, she'd have done so and been happy in that short period they would've had together. Sei then realizes Akesato is speaking of her brother. Akesato then apologizes to Sei saying that despite the fact that Sei wasn't speaking to him because of their relationship, she could help but still wish to continue to be by his side. Then she said she felt that perhaps she was being punished when her father became ill and could no longer support him on the salary of a Geisha, so she had to resort to selling herself. She couldn't bear doing it on the streets where she was known, so she moved to Kyoto. She never imagined she'd ever run into Sei again. Touched, Sei then apologizes to Akesato, saying she was indeed jealous of the relationship she had with her brother because she knew a side of him that Sei never could. She had thought that he cared for Akesato more than her and she felt resentment because of it. Akesato offers Sei a comforting hand and tells her that she also felt jealousy due to the close bond that Sei and her brother had and continues to explain that the resentment Sei had felt toward Akesato she now feels for Kohana.
Suddenly a man bursts through the room, being chased by Okita. He asks that Sei stop him before he gets away. She pulls out the futon cover from under him, causing him to fall. Okita then uses it to bind him. Sei asks if this was the man they were searching for, to which Okita then explains he was. The brothel was close to where they'd lost him before, so he figured this is where he'd try to take refuge. Sei then realizes that's why they were made to remove their uniforms. Okita then says he was glad he took it upon himself to check up on Sei, much to her surprise. Akesato then whispers in Sei's ear, that the type of customer she was speaking of before (the ones who are more reluctant), that Okita was like that. Sei decides to keep to herself that nothing happened between her and Akesato, despite the fact that the others (save for Okita) think so. And somehow, I think Sei's secret is safe with Akesato.
Woooow! That took me longer to write up that I thought it would. I do believe this series is going to be complied and released in graphic novel form in January. Imma gonna buy me a copy.
Speaking of which, I made another icon. This one I'm pretty pleased with. I did a different technique and I'm pretty proud of the result:
Cute, eh?
Well, I better stop before my hands fall off at the wrists. I have to try and catch up with my tape of 'Veronica Mars' and 'Everwood' before tonight.
Quote of the day: "The truly happy people are those who have a source of happiness too deep to be seriously disturbed by ordinary troubles." -- Marion K. Rich
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And in terms of Japanese store around here... *rasperries* Forgetit. We have one anime store, but they're kind of expensive and they don't get anything any sooner than the regular bookstores do. Besides, they don't have the phone books.
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But yeah, the reason we have that, is for some odd reason, we have a big Japanese population. Especially in Livonia and Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor, mostly because of UofM, but I don't know why they're all in Livonia too XD
At the Metro Detroit Airport (just south of me), there's two languages on the signs in the McNamara Terminal (the newest, nicest terminal.. i dunno about the others): English and Japanese :3 I was having fun once when we went there cuz I could read the easy katakana stuff like elevator "erebetoru" -giggle-
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I did get a kick out of her Japanese toothpaste tube, though.
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I definitely need to remember this "One World" place. I had no idea such places existed so close to me, wouldn't expect Michigan to actually have something cool xD
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IMO Wizzywigs is kinda worthless now :/ They used to have more stuff I was interested it and not so much anymore.
Do you mind if I friend you? :3
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Maybe I should venture to Michigan again...
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I'm from around the Royal Oak area. And I mostly go to Wizzywigs now for the candy and maybe some small items, like stationary. They charge a lot for their DVDs and I find it's cheaper to get most of their merchandise online.
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^_~
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Very cute stuff! And I agree, "'Kaze Hikaru" is a very cute series. I just got my issue of "Shoujo Beat" last weekend.
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But it sounds like a shojo title.
Wasn't it? I just love to gush over it and esspecially the cute little Sei and Okita moments. I want to get a subscription once I move into a more permanent residence.
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YEEE! I wish Snow would hurry up and give me the rest of her Shoujo beat!
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YES!!! We must squee over Kaze Hikaru together!! It's more fun that way!!
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