Carnations for Haha (Mothers Day)

     My very first Mothers Day in Japan, what a shock to receive a bouquet of.... red carnations. Where I grew up (the Upper West Side of Manhattan) carnations are distributed in green for St Patrick's Day, pink for Easter and various colors in jars at downscale eateries. On occasion a carnation is appropriate on the lapel but this is not the flower commensurate with the effort of labor, childbirth etc. Marking my fourth Haha no Hi (Mothers Day), I stand corrected: Red carnations are both takai (expensive) and the correct flower of the day for Haha (mom). Musume-chan (daughter) presented me with a poodle-shaped artificial red carnation and a pair of fishnet tights. Kawaii! (Adorable!) How thoughtful that shujin provided the ikebana vase perfect for one stem.

     Since musume-chan had to study for IB (international baccalaureate) exams, shujin (hubby) agreed to an outing to Oi Wild Bird Park next to Haneda Airport (the local La Guardia). Binoculars and hats in the backpack, off on the Monorail to Ryutsu Center on this early summer day. A Y 300 ticket gained entry into a well-tended park with three ponds full of heron (ao sagi), egrets (ko sagi), cormorants (kawau) and plovers (ko chidori). Viewing stations included astronomer-strength telescopes allowing visitors to peer into the eyes of the egrets as they swallowed lunch. A birder tapped me on the shoulder to point out a ko same bitaki (flycatcher).

     Hopefully within the Imperial Palace Masako-sama enjoyed the day with her musume-chan, young Aiko who is having issues with third grade. Rumor mongers say that with all his family problems the Crown Prince should cede his position to his younger brother. At Oi Wild Bird Park 8 year old girls wove clover chains with their mothers, and took photos with grandmas under parasols without a care in the world. Was anyone beside the mother of the author thinking about Sumo, A Thinking Fan's Guide to the National Sport?  Certainly, author David Benjamin will understand if the room at the Tokyo American Club is half empty when he comes to speak in 10 days.