Kimonos on Monday — My daughter Sakura is finally an ADULT!

Kimonos on Monday — Sakura-tan is an ADULT!

My lovely daughter* Sakura Miyawaki has had her “Coming of Age Day” on January 8, 2018. (Japan is 12 hours ahead of my time zone.) This means that the mega-talented and incredibly adorable twenty-year old is accepting the responsibilities of being an adult.

The Shinto ceremony was held at Kanda shrine in Tokyo.

According to the AKB Daily website (article linked here), a total of forty members of the AKB48 family participated in this year’s event. This is the largest number of participants in the group’s history.

This large number of participants is not surprising, as there has been a significant amount of expansion of the AKB Family in recent years.

Sakura with the other HKT48 members who have turned twenty this year.  Oh I can remember when this group was only knee high to a June bug.

I will try to post more COA day photos/links from the AKB groups as they become available. Also, you can see more of the lovely Miss Miyawaki on her Twitter page linked here.

Look at those sleeves — at first I thought Sakura’s kimono was a tie-dye.

My friends over at 48 Talk also mention the event in their podcast yesterday. I highly recommend their video blog for AKB fans!

*Starlight:  You probably figured out that Sakura-tan is NOT REALLY my daughter …

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Kimonos on Someday … Haruka Kodama on her “Coming of Age Day” January 9, 2017.

Oh … she turned 20 this past year. Will Harrupi just keep getting more and more beautiful every year?

It was “Coming of Age Day” in Japan on  Monday, January 9th. Several members of the AKB48 family were in attendance at Kanda Myojin shrine. I would like to share photos of all of them, but have been too busy to make blog posts. I thought I would at least share a few photos of one of my favorite HKT48 members — Haruka Kodama. “Harrupi” looks happy, and she STUNS as per usual in her blue and floral pattern furisode. The hairpins were homemade by the delicious young idol herself.

Holy Happy Homemade Hawkstown Harrupi Hairpins!!!

I am still in the process of collecting images from Google, Tumblr, and various websites which have covered the event. Several other of my favorites also were at the event. I will need to find photos of the glorious face of Nao Furuhata, the intimidating Jurina Matsui (who colored her famous jet-black hair for the event!), and that peppy little Ririka Sotou … just to name a few.

“… same to you buddy!”

Of course I could not be there to give a shout to my favorite young idols.  The day was cold wet and nasty …

… kind of like what it is like at my employer’s … but I digress. I will try to find and post some more photos and photographer’s photo links of the big day — as long as I don’t get hit with a frying pan.

You know how “arty farty” professional photographers can get …

This link from Tokyo Girls Update should hold you for awhile.

Starlight: Happy Harrupi Hawkstown Haruka was born on September 19, 1996. Oddly, the same day I bought these stretch pants I am now wearing…

If you want to see more of Kodama-san, please view my Pinterest page for her linked here.

Denny’s vow of celibacy

You got that right Haruppi! Too much thinking can cause yourself a lot of stress!

Something has been bothering me lately. I feel that I should not write any more blog posts, because I need to dedicate more time to writing and publication in my professional life. My job “processing agricultural chemical orders” has not been going very well. I have not been making the kind of accomplishments that I really need to make. I didn’t keep up with technology. I get poor reviews. I am not in line for raises.

Yes, that is how I felt, Miss Kodama … like a big “F” -ing hat.

A couple of months ago, I told myself that I would not spend any more time on social media until I made a major accomplishment at work. Either complete a major project …  publish an industry article …  or actually help one of my colleagues. Well, I stopped posting (only two posts in two months), but I STILL did not get anything done at work. All I accomplished was that I was just making myself very unhappy because I could not write about topics I like … animes I have seen, Pokémon nicknames, kimono styles, or JPop music I love.

Well, I’m just happy that you are happy Haruka.

I really hated not writing on WP because when the Pokémon Go mobile game launched, my Pokémon Nicknames posts started getting hundreds of views every day! I would really like to create more posts. (Note: My “Pokémon Nicknames” is often not really about Pokemon nicknames. It is often just a jumping off point for some other rant on popular culture or my old man stories. The Sunflora example linked here.)

It is frustrating because I have the OPPOSITE problem of writers block. I have many ideas for blog posts, but I feel guilty if I use my time to write them. I feel that I should not waste time on pop culture and entertainment social media … when I know I should be developing myself professionally.

Ideas for writing about pop culture keep popping up, just like you Haruka!

It does not help, that I genuinely despise my work. I try to look on the humorous side when possible. I don’t like the field, and I can’t understand why any young person would ever want to go into it. Why stay?  Oh yeah, it is easy — and I have pretty good job security.  (On a bad day, I can just close my office door, put on a Hanako Oku concert DVD, listen to headphones and be instantly transported.)  I know I could not find another job that pays as well for someone my age.  … but it is like living a lie. If I could write my blogs for a living … I sure would.

Oh… you were so sweet. Your suggestions for “tropical fertilization” were a nice gesture, Kodama-san.

You kids should have seen me in my younger days though. All full of piss and vinegar  — writing articles in the industry …  traveling to conferences … educating the young interns. (Cut to scene of young Denny in business suit – jingling his pocket change: “I’ve got you’re your fertilizer right here”. I was cashing in, moving up, blazing new trails … and … and all … “put it on my tab.” Now I’m deadwood.

Yes, I appreciate your ability to “handle old wood” Haruppi, but I need to do this for my own good.

I need to rededicate myself to professional life – and that means no blogging. I need to redeem myself.

Allways contemplating in lonely solitude. I know the feeling Haruppi.

I will still check in with some of my blogging friends once in a while. It is also frustrating not being able to read all of YOUR posts. Just today, I was scrolling down through all of these WP articles I would like to read and comment on, but I feel like I would be letting my family down if I use up time when I should be chasing a raise.

Sorry Haruka, I can’t see the entire message … but I would still not be able to ANYTHING you out — until I get some real work done!

I am going to take a solemn vow. I am not going to post anything on WordPress until I actually make an accomplishment in my professional life.

I will still check in on your posts and make comments, but I will post no new articles. I can’t live without MorningBerryz48 idols blog, and I depend on The Otaku Judge to advise me on which anime to choose. I should be a better role model for young Matthew. All of you who routinely read and “like” my posts …. I will see you down there at the “likes” area … and I will be checking in. The next time you see Pokemon nicknames, Kimonos on Monday, or a list of risqué jokes about Japanese idols, that means that I have turned it around.

It does inspire me that you will wait for me Miss Kodama.

Starlight: Eight years of this Ronin life.

 

Happy Birthday Sakura!

Japan is 12 hours ahead of me, so I want to be the first in my time zone to wish my daughter Sakura Miyawaki, a HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY!

SOMEONE sure had a big growth spurt this year! What happened to that bony, monkey-eared little elf? It seems like only yesterday I was fixing her bicycle and bandaging her skinned knees.

“Sakura, you may be 18 now, but if you are going to live in my house — you are going to have to follow my rules …”

(Denny’s reverie ends)… Aye — I would be a great father for this other-worldly talented young Idol — not that she needs my help, or could be improved upon.

Sakura makes shopping for greens so much more enjoyable!

What she adds to HKT48 is one thing, but she is also a good role model, and is a person of good moral character*. I have noticed (even with the delays via starlight), that she has matured in height and stability this past year. Sakura-tan is easily one of my favorite idols. She is a great team player in HKT48, but I would also love to see more solo singing from her.

Enough Fan-boying you say? Please enjoy this Sakura-Slide-Sequence. Click on the first one to start the show in full-size.

Happy Birthday Sakura!

Starlight: Sakura Miyawaki, born March 19th, 1998, turns 18 years old today.

(Denny sits down, takes off cap, sighs:) Whew …

Guess who is hiding in the cake!

See more Sakura on my Pinterest board for her linked here.

*as opposed to American celebrities her age, who will remain nameless.

 

Good GIF Charlie Brown! These are my favorite members of the AKB48 Family!

Good Grief … I miss the girls. That being said, I still want to share another 16-member “dream team” of my favorite idols. Of course I am going to make lame jokes in the captions. Some of my references are decades old. If you can think of better captions, I look forward to your comments.

Now that Minami Takahasi is about to graduate, there are new additions, and some shake-ups in my lineup. Also, this time, I want to share some moving pictures … Enjoy! .. and please comment — I get lonely fan-boying all by myself.

# Sixteen: Haruka Shimazaki – AKB48

Cooking Challenges? Paruru says that there is NO KIND OF MEAT that she cannot handle!

# Fifteen: Mako Kojima – AKB48

Ha! Young Kojima-san still cannot beat me in “Mario Kart”.  HA!!! I hit her with a green shell, just as she was about to cross the finish line!

# Fourteen: Kei Jonishi – NMB48

Denny: Oh, no! … Don’t say that routine AGAIN Kei …

Kei: “Jonshi??? Well, my name is Kei Keicchi Jonishi … you can call me RAY,  you can call me KEI, you can call me KEICCHI, you can call me K-CHI, you can call me J-SHI, you can call me SUNNY, you can call me KJ … but yas doesn’t have to call me Jonshi.”

# Thirteen: Haruka Nakagawa – JKT48

If you just got up five minutes earlier, Harugon, you would not be late for practice!!!

# Twelve: Miyuki Watanabe – NMB48

It does not look like it is ANYONE’S secret anymore Milky-chan!

# Eleven: Jurina Matsui – SKE48

Jurina, take it from AL BUNDY: Graduate with a degree. You do not want to wind up selling ladies’ shoes!

# Ten: Yui Yokoyama – AKB48

The last thing TakaMina saw, the moment before she graduated!

# Nine: Haruna Kojima – AKB48

Far be it for me to criticize anyone’s religion KojiHaru … You go ahead and say your nightly prayers the way that you want to.

# Eight: Sayaka Yamamoto – NMB48

Your hair? … No Sayanee, I do not think anyone noticed that your HAIR was slightly out of place.

# Seven: Minami Minegishi – AKB48

No Miichan!!! … Darn it, I am going to SMACK that guy who told Miichan that this was the proper way that American women greet each other at formal U.S. embassy meetings.

# Six: Aika Ota – HKT48

Lovetan — Jim Morrison called, he says NOT to sing it like that if you want to sound “deep”. That is heavy, Love-tan … heavy.

# Five: Mayu Wantanabe – AKB48

… Well Miss Watanabe, as we will be sitting next to each other for more than nine hours on this car drive …  you go right ahead and tell me everything I need to know about Scientology.

# Four: Sakura Miyawaki – HKT48

What went wrong when Sakura-tan auditioned for “The Karate Kid 5” …

# Three: Haruka Kodama – HKT48

Harrupi looked like she COULD NOT BELIEVE IT — when I showed her how “Nestles’ Quick” works!

# Two: Yuki Kashiwagi – NGT48

NO! … What is WRONG with you people? Don’t you know that ground up tororo root is a traditional Japanese food. NO! I was NOT thinking that … I wouldn’t … I like Yukirin, … oh God, NO … I never …

# One: Iwasa Misaki – AKB48!!! … as if you would have any doubt!

Sorry that I got carried away with that confetti snow Wasamin!

Starlight: Four decades of Pop Cultural references!

 

 

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: I could not have a more wonderful daughter than Sakura-tan.

I think that Sakura Miyawaki is the “bestest” daughter than anyone could ever wish for.

This charismatic young Idol has grown to be a multi-talented young lady. Sometimes when she is on stage and does a typical Sakura-pose with a goofy face, I have to wonder if she is really TRYING to be that cute, or is that just the way she is.

Sakura-tan is cute AND wholesome.  I do get a little protective of her sometimes. I know she is popular with all the boys in high school. These magazine covers and photo shoots she does – well, it can make a Dad worry.

Sakura has a good head on her shoulders, though. She apparently can handle the sudden rise to fame. I taught the little lady how to use a firearm … just in case.

I hope you enjoyed this Sakura-Slide-Show.  What is your favorite Sakura moment?

Reality Check: Actually, Sakura’s parents were against her becoming an idol at first. They must have been so worried for her. It was Sakura’s GRANDMOTHER Emiko who encouraged her.

Please see this link for some great English-subbed Sakura history. The images video of her acting in school plays as a little girl are precious and priceless!

http://ukn48.com/ukn48-150603-miyawaki-sakura-musume-wa-idol/

Starlight: My heart is as warm as a thousand Suns after watching that.

See more Miyawaki-san on my Pinterest board for her linked here.

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: More Sakura-tan, her HKT48 friends (…and a “shout out” to all sentient beings who dwell in the Oort Cloud!)

BOTH ears visible !!! … (faints)

… continuing from last week’s post.  Is it even possible to get enough of Sakura Miyawaki?

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Excuse me — would you like a free sample of Sakura-tan today?

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Samples? Now I need an entire Hawks Town meal. Please enjoy Sakura-tan and her HKT friends here in colorful yukata!

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Starlight: If you read last weeks post, where in the universe will the images I shared be seen? … how far have they traveled?

Well, light travels at 299,792,458 meters per second (or about 670,616,629 mph American). Since last week’s post, Sakura in Orange Yukata, the images from my blog traveled about 112.66 billion miles. Or to express it another way 1,212 AU (the average distance from the Earth to the Sun is defined as one AU – or astronomical units). 

Thus, my images of Sakura are now reaching the Oort Cloud which surrounds the outer part of our solar system. (By way of comparison, Pluto is only 40 AU from the Sun.)  I hope my readers in this theoretical boundary of our solar system are enjoying the post!