Mankai

Meaning "full bloom".

View from my balcony.

Close-up!

 This weekend was the peak for cherry blossoms - I went to a large park on Sunday that was packed to the gills with people picnicking under the trees. I spent my day there, just chilling and enjoying good food, good friends, and good fun. Here's a link to the FB album.

The small park near my apartment building.

Today, the weather was a little more on the cloudy, chilly side, and it rained a bit just at sundown. However, I spent the day with a friend of mine and his friend who is a hairdresser. Thus, I have a totally cute haircut AND I got to frolic around under the sakura again (not to mention eat lunch at a place called the Monkey Cafe... good stuff!).

After that, I went and got a massage... and not just any kind, either. It was one that balances ki, and it involved acupuncture and kyu, as well. The massage itself was very light, but very professional, and afterwards I found it had about the same effect as a very deep, sports massage would have had. Acupuncture is way different than I thought it would be; for one thing, it is nigh impossible to feel the needle, as it's hair-thin. And I mean nigh-impossible; my skin is ridiculously sensitive, and I honestly would have had no clue what was going on if the woman hadn't told me she was going to be doing acupuncture. Kyu is where they put a small amount of... something sweet-smelling, (I'm not sure if it's incense or what) on various points of your body, and burn it. You feel a warming sensation, but it never got to the point where it was uncomfortable.

Road up to the acupuncturist's studio.

I should mention that this woman was blind. My coworker told me that it is very traditional in Japan for people who are visually challenged to take up massage, acupressure/puncture and such types of therapy as a career path, as they are usually much more adept with their hands and are able to become extremely good at those practices.