Just a note to let you know I’m still here, though I haven’t been sending out my long, long letters. I’ve been too busy studying for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiancy Test). Next Sunday I’ll be writing the damn thing, down in Hiroshima. Last week I took some example quizzes on the Internet, and the results were NOT heartening. My articles (the equivalent of “to”, “at”, “from”, “my” and “the”, sort of) are okay, but my grammar and vowel endings are a mess. I was looking at the multiple choice answers, going, “Wha…? There’s no difference!” I am reminded of what a lazy student I was in high school and university. I have set up my kotatsu (coffee table/quilt/heater combo) and now I have a toasty little study nest, despite the cold.

Anyway. This is a landmark day. December 1. I have been in Japan for exactly two years. It’s hard to believe. And what a beautiful day, too. I have a beautiful conjunction of the moon with two planets, Jupiter and Venus, hanging outside my window like a lopsided grin. After two weeks of dreadful weather, this weekend was the first time I’ve woken up feeling like it was wasn’t going to rain in five minutes. November weather has been waging a psychological battle against the poor folks of the San’in regain, and it’s a fool who even on the nicest day doesn’t take an umbrella or raincoat with her. (I am not that fool; I’ve learned my lesson). But today, no fear of rain, and I could see mount Daisen from the bridge, snow-peaked now and gleaming pink in the setting sun.

And today on my way home from shigin practice, I saw the “Yaki Imo” van!

A couple of times in last year’s colder months, I was lucky enough to hear the cry of the “Yaki Imo” man. This is a man who drives around in an old truck, crying through his loudspeakers in a singsong voice. He says other things, but the most familiar cry is “Yaki-imo, yaki-imo!” This man is selling hot baked sweet potatoes. I read about this kind of street vendor in a book about food in Japan. A hundred years ago, food vendors travelled everywhere with carts, selling various kinds of food. Now they are less common, and have adapted to more modern methods of travel, but you can still find this one on streets in and around Matsue, and buy a purple-skinned, steaming sweet potato wrapped in foil to warm your hands and belly. Yummy. The van is purple too.

So after this cursed test, I’ll write. It’s been busy, and a lot has happened, so expect some big letters up to and over the New Year’s vacation. Talk to you all soon!