Linking Maine and Japan

Greetings from Tokyo!
Tomorrow is my last full day in Japan! Time has gone by so fast. We spent today in meetings discussing Japanese education and learning about Art Education here. I learned a few fun paper projects I will share when I get home. After meetings, I went out to dinner with a few teachers to Ginza, a ritzy shopping area that includes a 4 story art supply store (Itoya). It is a little bit like Times Square, Rodeo Drive, and 5th Avenue all rolled into one. Lots of designer clothing stores (such as Chanel). Very high tech, very glitzy. Also saw a store devoted to Hello Kitty. Wally met some Hello Kitties dressed in Kimonos.
I took one photo of tall buildings lit with advertisements, many in English. Can you notice the old fashioned Big Ben type clock in the upper right, then a digital clock on the upper left? Wally also saw a Halloween display, much of it in English.

Yesterday, Wally met a Calligraphy Master and a boy in a school uniform. Thought you might like to see those pictures, too. I have lots of packing to arrange, so I’d better sign off. Tomorrow we hear presentations from each of the 10 groups of teachers about their city and prefecture visits.

Happy October 31st. When I come home, remind me to share my host family’s telling of the “Rabbit on the Moon.”

See you soon.