Bamboo Samurai left Kumatori Town. Bamboo Samurai left his bamboo bicycles in the city, so they are separated for a while.

Total distance traveled by bamboo bicycle: 9,640 km

Awaken

 A. I have just inflated the tires of a bamboo bike2 that has been lying dormant in the attic of my parents' house for a long time. Although there is rust in some parts, the bamboo frame, gears, rims, brakes, pedals, and saddle are still the same as they were 12years ago. This morning, the bamboo bike2 rode about 10 km past the nostalgic scenery of rice fields, dams, and onion huts in Kumatori Town, Sennan County, Osaka Prefecture. 12 years later, the pedals of the bamboo bike 2 started moving again!

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　@Eiraku dam, Kumatori, Osaka,Japan

B.  In the afternoon, the bamboo bike2 attempted a 30 km round trip hill climb. The front 3 and rear 7 gears worked smoothly.

                                    @Uchida, Wakayama

The local community was holding a "Danjiri Festival (wooden cart-pulling)," and I and bamboo bike2  enjoyed the lively and vigorous festival for the first time in a long time, surrounded by the music of drums, flutes, and gongs.  P.S. flutes are made from bamboo.

                                      @Kumatori, Osaka

Today's mileage: 40 km, total distance 9,640 km (since 2010)

Sincerely regards, Bamboo bike with Bamboo Samurai, Takashi

At the last of 2 years efforts.

Luckily this March 26th, I earned another Maser degree of Management Engineering from the Department of business management, Graduate school of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University.
This was 2 years efforts, 2013-2014.
With continuing the business life, it was sometimes hard, however I got good experience, knowledge, connection thru this University life.
http://www.bdm.waseda.ac.jp/index.html

Bamboo Organ

Do you know "Bamboo Organ"?
In Asia, I have a friend who lives in Indonesia. I heard this music instrument from him and he showed me 1 photo.

Beautiful

He told me it is popular.
I know, "Shakuhachi" from buddhistic music, and "Shou", "Hichiriki", "Dragon-flute" from Gagaku(Ancient court music) in Japan. I have not heard bamboo organ from buddhistic music or Gagaku.

You can heard Gagaku music in Youtube.  Search
Also you can hear good organ music in a concert this May below.

Please enjoy bamboo music.

Bamboo Samurai

Bamboo in historical Dumpling

Drop in to the one of the oldest restaurant in Shenyang.. to eat bamboo in dumpling..

Bamboo visited here with his friends.. restaurant located on the main street.. lots of people there...no bamboo there..   No problem.. in dumpling there may be some bamboo I believed..

saw the menu.. bamboo founded appropriate one.. chosen, and ate.. so nice.. thanks, China.

 ..ate much, beee was good, so that bamboo can travel in China..
in the future, bamboo bike in the Great China.. aspire..
thanks my friends, thanks good foods!

Many thanks and kind rgds, Takashi    Aug, in Shenyang.

Bamboo Samurai hike on the great wall

Bamboo Samurai hike on the great wall in China..visited Qinhuangdao, is a port city and prefecture-level city in northeastern Hebei province, People's Republic of China. It is about 300 km (190 mi) east of Beijing, on the Bohai Sea, the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea. Here is the historical place regarding Qing Dynasty 1644-1912.

On the wall, some steep steps, and beautiful continuous landscape, green pond fish swimming, nostalgic broken bricks, ancient hole to shoot the enemy in the tower...feel nostalgia.
...feel how labor power pour into such kind of  gigantic construction.. Great wall.. great China..

searched around for the bamboo...  not there.. sad...

Many thanks and kind rgds, Bamboo Samurai, Aug 24th, 2014

Bamboo shoot in Shenyang

Bamboo shoot on the rotating dining table in Shenyang, China.. shoot was soft to eat by boiling and tastes a little bit salty.. very nice to me... think bamboo is much familiar in China.

Many thanks and kind rgrd, Bamboo Samurai

Strength in the weak - one meeting may change your life -

Bamboo joins in a class held in Waseda university in Tokyo and met valuable person,
whose name is Toru Shiraishi. Toru Shiraishi is a member of the Diet of the Lower House in Japan.
Also he is an alumnus of Waseda university.
He talked lots of wonderful stories and gave us inspiration, aspiration.
Bamboo believes he is one of the great politicians who has bottomless humanity.
In his lesson, he gave us a wonderful word, paradoxical but deep suggestion...
"Strength in the weak".
Also he told us, "please assure the instance when the weak changes into the strength in your life in the future"
Great words to me. Through his lesson I felt strong emotion and am feeling that he knows well the strength in the weak actually and he has deep humanity.

His website:
http://www.shiraishi.gr.jp/index.html

Thanks.
Bamboo Samurai, May 26th, 2013

Recollection -bamboo city in Kyoto-

Nagaokakyo-is an old city which has refined and long history of bamboo. If you have an opportunity to visit Kyoto, I recommend to visit this historical and calm city, where you can touch some  kind people and sophisticated bamboo crafts, history of bamboo, and can eat tasty bamboo shoots!
http://www.city.nagaokakyo.kyoto.jp
http://www.city.nagaokakyo.kyoto.jp/contents/01040122.html

Rgds, Takashi, Bamboo Samurai, 2012 Dec 16th 

6/3 Great news here!

Hi, everyone.
Great news here!
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E4%B8%AD%E5%AD%A6%E5%8F%97%E9%A8%93%E7%AE%97%E6%95%B0%E3%83%BB%E6%9D%B1%E5%A4%A7%E5%8D%92%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E5%AE%B6%E5%BA%AD%E6%95%99%E5%B8%AB%E3%81%8C%E3%82%84%E3%81%95%E3%81%97%E3%81%8F%E6%95%99%E3%81%88%E3%82%8B%E3%80%8C%E5%89%B2%E5%90%88%E3%80%8D%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BD%E3%81%AE%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BD%EF%BC%88%E4%BB%AE%EF%BC%89-YELL-books-%E5%B0%8F%E6%9D%89%E6%8B%93%E4%B9%9F/dp/4753930475/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307086598&sr=1-1
One of my friends has just published his own book for the first time! The happiest day for me. Please join us in wishing his great success and extending your support to help him succeed in his life! Does the book made form bamboo? Oh I don't know...But wish! Tyo Cool!

Regards, Takashi 2011/June 3 in Japan time, Yokohama.

3/12 Earthquake

3/12 Fine day, 0miles, Komae, Tokyo

The number of vistims, Earthquake and Tsunami is gradually increased. 200 over now..Also the scene of damaged place by Tsunami is so terrible. And many aftershocks still continue.  
Bamboo Samurai donated US $10 to fund-raising project to help them on Facebook, Help Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Victims", http://www.causes.com/campaigns/154523
Takashi 2011/3/12 @Komae, Tokyo

3/11 Earthquake

3/11 Fine day, 0mile, Keio University

There was an earthquake in Japan around 3p.m. magnitude 8.8. At that time I studied in a classroom of University. When I rushed/ escaped out from university, the bridge trembled and almost was destroyed. All trains around Tokyo did not work, so I walked toward home, took about 4 hours. I was tired. I just called my family, friends, they are all fine. But terrible situation there are in Japan, particularly north east of Japan, Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima.  
Takashi 2011/3/11

3/11 Cafe Restaurant HACHIKUYA ~カフェレストラン淡竹屋~

3/11 Fine day, 0mile, Keio University, Kanagawa

I introduce an unique restaurant in Shizuoka, Japan today.
The name is "Cafe Restaurant HACHIKUYA ", have already new-opened on January 21,2011!

In this restaurant there are many bamboo products; bamboo charcoal, bamboo chair, bamboo floor, bamboo powder..etc. You can see, touch, feel those bamboo!
And there are some bamboo foods; bamboo sausage, bamboo cookie, etc. Also you can eat some vegetables and foods brought up by bamboo powders as a fertilizer, as a feed. You can eat, taste those bamboo!
You must be relaxed in this cafe restaurant with tyo many bamboo!
,feel good with bamboo atmosphere!

If you have time, you can check "Cafe Restaurant HACHIKUYA" information by these websites as follows,
http://www2.bbweb-arena.com/hachiku3/NEWhachikuya/
http://hachikuya.hamazo.tv/

P.S. Bamboo Samurai visited HACHIKUYA last summer, 2010 with bamboo bike. I and bamboo bike stayed one night there. We were helped so much by them. Thanks.

Takashi 2011/3/11@Keio University, Kanagawa

Airing on TV (Cycloimage, CycloChannel)

3/11 Fine day, 0mile, Keio University, Kanagawa

Update Bamboo Samurai's video on CycloChannel website!

Part1
https://www.cycloch.net/main.html#/movie/view/5502

Part2
https://www.cycloch.net/main.html#/movie/view/5503

Takashi 2011/3/11@Hiyoshi, Keio University

2/27 late but fun!

2/27, Fine day, @Komae, 0miles

It is fine day today at Tokyo. Today TV in house is wrong, so my aunt and I and Chibi(dog) can not watch TV both on Today and tomorrow....
I have spent writing thesis of business school all day. I am late that other students, but I enjoy writing thesis with remembering journey in Japan, United States, have already written 677 pages of thesis...,  with listening music of Leona Lewis! British singer, one of my favorite pop singers, with eating Bentoh! (photo) If it is possible, I want this thesis, or diary of journey with bamboo bike to be a book.

Takashi 2011/2/27 @Komae

2/17 join in a conference ~Bamboo Cafe in Kyoto~

2/17 Rain, 0mile, Imadegawa, Kyoto

Bamboo bike stayed at my aunt's house in Tokyo, I visited Doshisya University of Imadegawa, Kyoto on 17 Feb, today to join a conference related to bamboo, "Bamboo Cafe in Kyoto". It was rainy day, a little cold. I arrived at Kyoto after 6 month abstinence. Bamboo Cafe was founded 3 years ago, is a platform to discuss about overpopulated bamboo forests in Japan with some organizations, experts. Today's conference was held between 3p.m. and 9p.m.

I talked about my journey with bamboo bike in a conference. This experience was good for me and bamboo bike. And there was an important suggestion about safety problem of durability about bamboo bike.

In that conference I drank hot tea, ate curry. That tea smelled very sweet, like an apple.

In a latter half of conference there was a lecture about traditional Japanese design related in life style using bamboo. I understood that design was complicated work related to old art works, life style, Japanese old poem, craftsmanship, finance. Professor said that design was called in Italy as a work by King or God.  Cool.  And furthermore I heard 2 interesting stories. One was related to situation, another was image. In Japanese traditional design works every creatures head to left  from right, means move towards left side. And head light of Toyota Lexus was inspired by eyes of Japanese old Buddhist statue, "Niou-san". Niou-san is powerful statue and very known in Japan. I have known those things for the first time. Cool.    Takashi 2011/2/17 @Imadegawa, Kyoto

2/11 Mahogany bike

2/11 Snow day, 0mile, Shin-Kiba, Tokyo

Today it snowed in Tokyo, it was beautiful to see snow on the roof of houses, cars. It was very cold and saw my breath occurred white from my mouth. Because I caught a cold today, a little more I felt colder, maybe.. Also today is a holiday, National Foundation Day".
Today I was invited by my friend, Fred to meet Sano who made mahogany bikes, his company "Sanomagic".
In Japan trip with bamboo bike last August I got kind e-mail from him, he was the first bamboosero's bamboo bike rider in Japan. I am the second, also I met a gentleman in Hiroshima who was the third bamboo bike rider in Japan. Strange bamboo band~~! Isn't it?~~

I saw 3 mahogany bikes, awesome beautiful! This mahogany bike was displayed at Euro bike.
Sano makes these bikes by his own hands, originally he makes wooden boats. And Fred brought his own bamboo bike, which was made from bamboo in Kyoto, Japan, so he put his bamboo bike side by mahogany bikes. 4 natural material bikes there were, cool~.

He was so kind that I got a chance to ride on a mahogany bike, weighed very light, felt as if I were flying while riding, easy to pedal.
Sano told us about the spirits of craftsmanship, his passion to make products, competitiveness of Japan, his theory to make mahogany bike. I felt strong emotion to listen his story.
I got great experiences today, Thank you Sano san, Fred!

Takashi 2011/2/11 @Shin-Kiba

2/10 busy in re-writing thesis

2/10, Fine day, 0mile, Komae-city

In Tokyo, fine days has been continued these days, I also have spent busy days in re-writing thesis. I completed summary of thesis, and now writing contents of thesis. The theme of my thesis is "Public relations and Analysis of business model of Bamboo Samurai, a social enterprise solves neglected bamboo forests. - carrying out and analysis of extreme event, cross Japan and United States with bamboo bike- "

 
I sleep in a room of my school, I may have to bring a sleeping bag into this room~-~..

Next week I will visit Doshisha University in Kyoto and will do presentation about my journey in United States with bamboo bike there.   Takashi 2010/2/10 @Komae-city

1/26 A front-page of newspaper

1/26 Fine day, 0mile, Komae-city

("Japanese bicyclist arrives in Brooklyn", Mountain Democrat Newspaper, Dec 31, 2010)

Tyo happy! I reaceived a newspaper from Placerville, California tonight. I and bamboo bike appeared on a front-page of that newspaper with New Year celebration 2011! At Placerville I home-stayed at a house of "cool lady" 's with Ben and bamboo bikes. At that wonderful night she played "Orinoco Flow" with piano for us. Also we drank some beers,"Coors light" together and took great rest with talking and spent one of the happiest time.

("Japanese bicyclist arrives in Brooklyn", Mountain Democrat Newspaper, Dec 31, 2010)

An additional story about us there is now. On January 24, 2011, when I appeared on Japanese radio, "Flowers", I asked the director of that radio program to play "Orinoco Flow"as a good memory in United States. He was so kind and excited that he played "Orinoco Flow" on that radio program. Cool. thanks.

("Japanese bicyclist arrives in Brooklyn", a front-page of Mountain Democrat Newspaper, Dec 31 , 2010)

("Japanese bicyclist arrives in Brooklyn", A-14 of Mountain Democrat Newspaper, Dec 31, 2010)

Takashi 2011/1/26 @Komae-city

1/24 appear on Japanese radio, "Flowers"

1/24 Fine day, 0mile, Hanzoumon

("Tokyo FM building", Japan FM networks, Flowers)

There has been no rained these days in Tokyo..
On January 24, I appeared on Japanese radio program, "Flowers", via Japan FM networks, which locates near Hanzoumon sta., Tokyo. I talked to Eiko Matsumoto, D.J., a famous singer, about my activity with bamboo bike. Her voice is tyo clear, transparent, pretty, beautiful, if you have time, please listen her songs, one of her beautiful songs, "Squall", tyo good!. On that radio, we talked about, "what is bamboo bike?", "how was homestay in United States?", "What is donation project?"..etc. I was tyo happy to talk these things, because of promotion of bamboo bike, bamboo, kind people, friends met in United States, donation project. Also thank you so much, Eiko Matsumoto-san, staffs of "Flowers".
My donation project, is "Bamboo Samurai for Glide Church", plans to donate 4 bamboo plants and 20-25 bamboo dining bowls and plates to church in San Francisco, please join us, also please donate, thanks, keep going. Takashi 2011/1/24 @Hanzoumon

1/22 special meeting with Ashoka Japan, a request from another Japanese radio program

1/22 Fine day, 10miles, Komae-city

("JR Ebisu station, Tokyo")

On January 17, I was invited to the debuts press interview of Ashoka Japan, there I handed out presentation data of Bamboo Samurai's activity to the staff of Ashoka Japan. Ashoka is a fund which invests to individuals who contribute to solve social problem in the world. Cool. This special meeting also wonderful experience were tyo happy and very proudful for me and bamboo bike, hoping from their contacts in the future, Bamboo Samurai will keep going, keep going. Thank you so much for everyone who have been supporting me and bamboo bike, keep going with friends.

("Bill Drayton, debuts press interview of Ashoka Japan")

After that meeting I met Ben strong at Ebisu, Japan, Ebisu is a famous place for beer brewing in Japan, "Ebisu beer" is one of the most famous beer in Japan. Ben, who is a staff of VIA, traveled with bamboo bike together in California, so kind that he taught me English, how to cook, how to camp in the beginning of our journey, also sent me his bamboo bike after accident(my first bamboo bike was broken at that accident). I enjoyed eating Vietnam foods with him and his friends in Ebisu. Thank you Ben.
Yesterday, 1/21 I got an application of Ph.D of mechanical engineering of Doshisha University, have to prepare for the entrance exam held on Feb 18, to make bamboo bike by myself.

("Chibi")

Yesterday I also received a request to live appearance of Japanese radio program, wow! The program is "Flowers", via Japanese FM networks, by DJ Eiko Matsumoto, a famous singer. On that radio I will talk about some stories that I and bamboo bike were helped, supported by many people whom we met in the journey of United States. "Flowers" will set to some radio stations in Japan from Monday to Thursday 13:30-16:45, each frequency you can check via this site, Bamboo Samurai will set to air on 1/24 15:20-15:40, if you have time, please listen, stay tune, thanks.  Takashi 2011/1/22 @Komae-city, Tokyo

1/16 from a classroom of University KEIO

1/16 Fine day, 0miles, @Keio University, Hiyoshi

("Chochin" Bamboo in Japan, Nancy Moore Bess)

Now I stay in a classroom of Keio University, my school. Yesterday, I finished doing presentation of University, that presentation reported about bamboo products, bamboo in Japan and journey with bamboo bike. In that happy presentation there were some laughter, serious suggestions. After presentation my professor said to me, "exciting presentation". Now I feel a sense of relief. And Bamboo Samurai was aired to Japanese radio, INTERFM 76.1, "Concerned Generation" yesterday, listened with my aunt at home, I felt tyo happy. The next airing will set to next Saturday 16:30-17:00 via INTERFM 76.1, "Concerned Generation. Tomorrow a prayer-for-debuts  press interview of "Ashoka Japan" will be held, Bamboo Samurai is very glad to be invited to that event, may get chance to talk Bill Drayton, CEO of Ashoka, so now I prepare another presentation to them in a classroom of Keio University. These 2 photos "tyo-chin" and "new species of insect found in Papua New Guinea", I used in my presentation of University yesterday.

("New species from New Guinea", cosmiclog on msnbc.com)

Bamboo Samurai next Airing to radio, 2011/1/22 16:30-17:00 via INTERFM 76.1
(!st airing will repeat on 1/19 23:00-23:30 via INTERFM76.1)
Takashi 2011/1/16 @KEIO University

1/13 prepare for presentation of thesis

1/13 Fine day, 10miles @Komae city

(Airing on Japanese TV", Cycloimage, Cyclochannel)

There are 2 latest information of Bamboo Samurai, as follows.

1."Airing on radio", on January 15, 16:30-17:00, via "Concerned Generation" of INTERFM 76.1 in Japan,
Bamboo Samurai will appear on the radio next time, if you have time, get interested in this activity, please listen, thanks.

2."Bamboo Samurai for Glide Memorial Church", on facebook causes,
17members have already joined into this projetct, also $50 has been already donated, thanks.

Bamboo Samurai continues fund-raising via this project on facebook and plans to donate some bamboo product to Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, if you get interested in this project, please join us, donate to this project, help me to promote this project.
This project is to raise awareness of Eco friendly living. Bamboo Samurai plans to donate some bamboo plants and bamboo dining bowls and plates. Bamboo plants will be planted inside that Glide church and bamboo dining bowls and plates will be used in the kitchen of that Glide church.

("Hanukkah party")

For these days I spend busy days to prepare for presentation of thesis held in Keio University on January 15. In spite of that days, I enjoyed riding on bamboo bike2 around Komae-city, enjoyed reading some books, novels/poems of Edgar Poe, novels of Seityo Matsumoto, Koji Suzuki. The time with bamboo bike2, also reading those novels/poems provide me concentration and peace time, have finished these novels/poems as follows these days.

・A Descent into the Maelstrom by Edgar Poe
・William Wilson by Edgar Poe
・The Gold Bag by Edgar Poe
・The Fall of the House of Usher, some poems by Edgar Poe
・Point and Line by Seityo Matsumoto
・Howl of Steel by Koji Suzuki
Takashi 2011/1/13 @Komae city, Tokyo

1/11 watched my documentary aired on TV in Japan

1/11 Fine day, 10miles, Komae-city

("Airing on Japanese TV", Cycloimage, Cyclochannel)

I watched documentary film aired on BS-TBS, "Ginrin no Kaze" on January 10, 23:30-24:00 with my aunt. That film was tyo cool, in that film there were many scenery in Japan, United States, Golconda, New York, also in Kentucky. I felt nostalgia for United States, Golconda, many many cities which I visited with bamboo bike again. I felt gratitude for everyone whom we met in United States, also in Japan again. Thank you so much, my friends! And I got power from this film. Also I should say thank you so much for Hiro who produced this film. Hiro was so earnest that did such this tyo great work. Hiro is a good cameraman, editor,also journalist, I think. Thank you so much, Hiro! After talking to Hiro, and his company, I will/want to post this film on this blog.

Next airing, On radio in Japan, INTERFM 76.1, "Concerned Generation"

1st: 1/15 16:30-17:00 (repeat 1/19 23:00-23:30)
2nd: 1/22 16:30-17:00 (repeat 1/26 23:00-23:30)

If you have time, interested in, please listen with me and bamboo bike!

("A beautiful painting painted by Wang Mancheng")

Takashi 2011/1/11 @Komae-city

1/10 Airing on TV in Japan

My documentary will set to air today, January 10, via Japanese TV, if you have time, or interested in this activity, please watch this program as follows!

2011 January 10, BS-TBS, 23:30-24:00, "Ginrin no Kaze"

P.S. After airing I will try to post that video up this blog
Takashi 2011/1/10 @Komae

1/8 hand out thesis, took part in radio

1/8 Cloudy day, 0miles, @Komae city

I already moved to Komae city, Tokyo 3 days ago. Also bamboo bike arrived at Tokyo 2 days ago. I handed out thesis for University on January 6, but there are some parts to correct in that thesis, so I have been spending busy days to write thesis, read reference books for this January, February, March. It is cold but does not snow in Tokyo. 2 days ago, on January 6, I took part in a radio program as a guest, "Concerned Generation", on INTER FM 76.1MHz. I talked about my journey with bamboo bike in United States, also about neglected bamboo forests in Japan on that radio program. It was the first experience to visit radio station for me, so it was fun to me. That "talk show" on that radio, will set on air divided into 2 parts, the first will set to air on 1/15 4:30p.m. - 5:00p.m., the second will set to air on 1/22 4:30p.m. to 5:00 p.m., both on INTER FM 76.1MHz. If you have time, please listen!

("In InterFM studio")

("Angel teddy pan", Rira kuma, Mr. doughnut)

On this week also, I have to prepare for presentation of thesis on January 15 in Keio University.

My documentary will set to air, please watch, please listen!
On TV:  1/10 23:30 - 24:00, BS- TBS, "Ginrin no Kaze"
On radio: 1/15 16:30 - 17:00, FM76.1MHz, "Concerned Generation"
              (repeated on 1/19 23:00-23:30, FM76.1MHz, "Concerned Generation")
              1/22 16:30 - 17:00, FM76.1MHz, "Concerned Generation")
              (repeated on 1/26 23:00-23:30, FM76.1MHz, "Concerned Generation"

Takashi, 2011/1/8 @Komae, Tokyo

2011.1.1. Happy New Year!

2011.1.1  Fine day, Osaka, 0miles

Hello,My friends, Happy New Year! (Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu! in Japanese)

I spent this happy time, New year with my family, drink "Sake" at morning, afternoon, also night, ate traditional foods, "Osechi". This year is "rabbit year" in Japan. I took some photos of rabbit in a zoo. Pretty.  Takashi 2011.1.1 @Osaka

12/29 the Winter solstice

12/29, Fine day, Kumatori-town, Osaka, 10miles

I start fund-raising on “facebook causes” to raise awareness Eco friendly life more by providing some bamboo products. I want to donate some bamboo gardens and bamboo bowls and plates to the Glide Memorial Church, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco, visited this March under ESI program which VIA provided, gave me an inspiration to start my journey cross country United States with bamboo bike.

Bamboo garden: I want to purchase 4 bamboo gardens from Bamboo Giant, located in Santa Cruz, visited on Sep 8 2010 with bamboo bike, a partner on this donation project, they will give 25% discount on any and all bamboo gardens which I purchase from them. These bamboo gardens will go on display in “the creative space” of Glide Memorial Church which is a very pleasant small gallery used for glide's members and guest art exhibits. The room has high ceiling (12-15 feet high), and uses lots of recycled and renewable materials, including bamboo flooring.

Bamboo bowls and plates: I want to purchase 20-25 bamboo bowls and plates from any company. These bamboo bowls and plates will be used to provide cooking classes to neighbors in the community about improving diets through cooking healthier meals using local ingredients in "the new demonstration kitchen" of Glide Memorial Church.

On Dec 22, this day is called “Touji” in Japan, the winter solstice, on this day night time is longest in a year (also day time is shortest in a year). And there are some traditions on that day in Japan, some people put some Citrus junos into a bath, and take such bath, also eat pumpkin. I took a bath with 3 Citrus junos, also ate pumpkin. Now in Osaka, my hometown, it is getting colder,   it had already snowed a little twice, not covered the ground. I spend wonderful time with my family.  Takashi 2010/12/29 @Kumatori, Osaka

12/22 Thesis hour, prepare for back to Hometown

12/22 Rain day, Komae city, 10miles

After back to Japan, busy days have been continued in school, reading documents, also writing thesis. This week I passed delayed midterm examination of thesis. Because of bamboo bike-journey for 3 month in United States, I was delayed compared to other classmates as concerns writing thesis. Though I was permitted to postpone to hand out thesis for midterm exam by school, this week I passed midterm exam 2 month later than the other classmates. But I feel good to pass midterm exam this week, also I got many e-mails from my friends whom I met in journey in United States, also who are readers of this blog! Tyo happy, thank you so much, my frineds!
We business students in Keio University, must pass 3 steps of examination, first step is "proposal exam", second step is "midterm exam", and the last step is "accomplish, announcement". My next step is the "last step", due date will be January 6 to accomplish writing (the first) thesis (after January 6, I will be able to add writing till the end of March), and hand out. Furthermore, due date will be January 15 to announce, do presentation to the other classmates and students.
My theme is "Considering of a business model of bamboo bike and verify an effectiveness of bamboo bike for bamboo business in Japan as a marketing tower".  I will write good thesis using many experiences and interviews which many people gave/ inspired me, also many experiences I have had traveled with bamboo bike.

Every early morning since back to Japan, I have gone outside with bamboo bike, enjoyed biking. Recently, I enjoyed climbing a short-uphill three time a day which located in Seijo, Tokyo. This uphill locates near my house, very short(about 170feet long) but it let me remind a uphill in Missouri. So I climb this uphill with enormous power three times in a row. Good feeling, as if I saw the colorful trees in Missouri.

Also recently I like to listen songs of John Mayer. Particularly, I like to listen, "Heartbreak Warfare", "Half of My Heart", and "War of My Life". His voice is in an undertone, keep in low key, so there are little rising and falling of tones, but his voice contains a sense of peace, a sense of grief, a sense of nostalgia, his voice let me feel so. Cool. My recent favorite.

My friend whom I met in Bryce Canyon sent me some photos and e-mail this week, I felt tyo happy because that day when I and he biked together around Bryce Canyon, was one of the most impressive, happiest day of journey, also he taught me how to ride bike. I show some photos, which were taken in Utah, wide-scaled beautiful scenery, great Utah, and I got tanned much...

I bought one book about bamboo to study how bamboo has been introduced to international, the title is "bamboo in japan". There are many photograph in this book, also many bamboo products are introduced attached with photos. Bamboo products which I have not yet known are also introduced, for example, bamboo dolls and chochin(lantern). I felt strong emotion to see photos of beautiful bamboo crafts, bamboo basketry, bamboo garden, bamboo architecture, bamboo umbrella, bamboo lantern, bamboo kite, bamboo doll, bamboo fence, bamboo fishing pole, many many. This book let me remind that I am Japanese, let me feel beauty of bamboo, let me feel Japanese life long long ago(nostalgia), let me feel beauty of Japan, this book inspires me much. (bamboo bike is not yet introduced in this book...will be on the next edition?!)

(bamboo in Japan, Nancy Moore Bess)

About my "Bamboo Donation project", I already contacted some partners to support me.
Also I am constructing "causes" on Facebook, to fund-raise. I plant to donate to Glide Church some bamboo plants inside the church, and 20-25 bamboo diningwares in the kitchen of the chuch which provides cooking classes to neighbors in the community about improving diets through cooking healthier meals using local ingredients.
"Bamboo Doanation project", After accomplishing journey, I am proceeding a project now, I plan to donate some bamboo plants and some bamboo dinningwares to Glide Church in San Francisco in March to raise awareness Eco-friendly life more after fundraising term (Christmas to end of February).

 

(bamboo in Japan, Nancy Moore Bess)

(bamboo in Japan, Nancy Moore Bess)

Tonight I will go back to hometown, Osaka by bus. Bamboo bike2 already shipped to Osaka yesterday. We will stay in Osaka with my parents both during year-end and new year, looking forward to seeing, also we will enjoy biking around in Osaka area. Have a wonderful Christmas, my friends! It rains heavy in Tokyo, this early morning.

P.S. BS-TBS「銀輪の風」2011/1/10 23:30-24:00において、私と竹自転車のドキュメンタリーが放送されます。ぜひ、ご覧下さい

2010/12/22 @Tokyo