Antho or Whatever 🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺🇯🇵

Aussie J>E translator in Kobe. Gay & buff (apparently) + married! Tea ceremony, kanji & language nerd! Queer. Pronouns: he/him/girlfriend. Trans rights are human rights.

Public Key

npub12wj53slhyn4zz63y3a0mcr54j4vw3agp3sq96dxu42sexxk3xk8qjywmz3

NIP-05 Address

anthoderv_at_famichiki.jp@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs98f2gc0mjf63pdgjg7haup62e2k8g75qccqzaxnw24gvnrtgntrsprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntucy5th

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub12wj53slhyn4zz63y3a0mcr54j4vw3agp3sq96dxu42sexxk3xk8qjywmz3

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Last Notes

2026-03-24 11:00:44 UTC

Perhaps the first time I've used "frolicking" in a translation.

2026-03-19 23:51:18 UTC

Update on the microwave versus the Wi-Fi:
Seems that using the microwave on lower wattage settings does not cause the temporary Wi-Fi outages, so we guess the one-touch microwave function is a mega-wattage death beam.
In a side, we also discovered that food seems "nicer" when cooked on lower wattages.
#WinWin

2026-03-15 04:10:33 UTC

Bought some Japanese black tea for the first time to try.
Watch this space.

2026-03-14 09:03:45 UTC

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I found it hard to believe at the time but they had no reason to lie

2026-03-14 08:47:45 UTC

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When I walked the Kumano Kodo at one stop they showed me a photo taken from there they swore was Mt Fuji

2026-03-11 09:17:31 UTC

Had fun making udon noodles in Osaka at irikosky.com with @npub1kyd…jltj
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/209/781/375/337/631/original/331dde61e0708da5.jpg
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/209/781/523/836/978/original/2ba8ec41a982bf52.jpg

2026-03-07 00:49:45 UTC

Great day sightseeing in Hon Tatsuno and Himeji but the undeniable highlight was a visit to the world's shortest bridge.
Thanks for an unforgettable day @npub1kyd…jltj
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/185/135/456/993/180/original/4867145bdfc0b1a7.jpg

2026-02-19 23:17:12 UTC

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Basically my take. I think I've had it many moons ago and plenty of raw milk cheese in France.
I had to DuckDuck "Miracle Mineral Solution"...omg - human stupid runs so deep...

2026-02-19 21:53:59 UTC

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I had some raw milk advocates on a tour last year. The wife admitted she'd almost died from drinking it once in South America but apparently in NY it's the best thing you can possibly drink or something.

2026-02-19 13:35:54 UTC

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big mistake

2026-02-16 22:35:27 UTC

Saw my first dream in Korean last night, which is pretty wild considering I've only had 5 classes 😂

2026-02-13 10:48:01 UTC

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Slightly older:
The world's first science fiction music festival (Aug 1979)!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0mjvMT7-8&list=PLvhtFJLy0g8vblqUkopHxDVAxJxd-WzSo

2026-02-13 10:45:14 UTC

Is this the earliest OMD?
OMD - Live at The Electric Ballroom London - 7 December 1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl5-_R71a_o

2026-02-12 13:07:15 UTC

Today I did the Way of Tea thing in Kyoto, visiting Futura Oribe Museum and then the Raku Museum.
If you're interested in viewing treasures of the Tea world, I highly recommend them.
Quite niche but you know me.

2026-02-12 07:40:26 UTC

Exhibition of Ainu handicrafts (indigenous people of Hokkaido Japan) at the Museum of Kyoto.
Once visited an exhibition in Tokyo.
This looks great. Hope I can get along.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/116/056/508/000/776/180/original/ba71f570a96bbe31.jpg

2026-02-09 01:44:28 UTC

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oh thanks. I've downloaded the instructions now so I'll know better next time.

2026-02-09 01:34:17 UTC

Pipes have thawed!
We have hot water!

2026-02-09 00:27:32 UTC

To add to it all, our hot water heater is frozen.

2026-01-30 14:17:23 UTC

Any suggestions for very short English language stories or essays for adult early intermediate learners?
All my ideas are too last century with archaic language (A. A. Milne etc)

2026-01-29 00:27:45 UTC

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I used to shavebonito and make dashi from scratch at home. People thought I was crazy...too much effort - but it tastes so much better!
Might need to invest in a shaving box again...

2026-01-28 10:30:12 UTC

If anyone knows a dashi restaurant in Japan HMU

2026-01-28 10:26:12 UTC

So think I'm gonna get deep into Japanese dashi

2026-01-26 12:51:59 UTC

Had to Google brandavino

2026-01-20 13:05:03 UTC

This point, where it's everything by subscription, time to pull out your CDs, books, playing cards and knitting needles.
Fvnk all that shite.

2026-01-17 09:26:31 UTC

Self promotion but my husband teaches Japanese online and he's like nobody else.

2026-01-15 11:56:49 UTC

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wow. Do u wanna move in?
I cud use ur expertise... Thank you

2026-01-15 11:55:11 UTC

Listening to 100 Motown Classics.
Every little bit hurts.

2026-01-15 11:49:15 UTC

I think we worked out the microwave causes the wifi to drop out.
Thought ls?

2026-01-12 23:02:45 UTC

Watched Muriel's Wedding with Masato last week for a home movie night. Great fun. I'd never watched it properly myself either.
Think we'll do an "Aussie movie marathon" for the next few weeks before we visit the fam Down Under in Radelaide.
Recommendations welcome. The camper, funnier, more moving, iconic, ironic, the better.

2026-01-03 04:27:27 UTC

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Effort 💯
Achievement unlocked 🔓

2025-12-26 01:51:13 UTC

French terms of endearment for lovers are the perfect way to call someone a flea and sound sexy:
https://www.frenchlearner.com/french-word-of-the-day/french-terms-of-endearment/

2025-12-25 01:42:59 UTC

JR Tokai shinkansen TV commercials from 1988-1992, then revived in 2000.
All featured the "it girl" of the moment, set to the tune of Christmas Eve by Yamashita Tatsuro.
JR東海 Xmas Express CM 1988年～1992年 & 2000年
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqocw6y1z6I

2025-12-24 02:25:41 UTC

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Haven't heard this - but I love it.

2025-12-24 01:23:28 UTC

Saddens me that the metaphors "Stuck on repeat" and "Like a broken record" are meaningless to most younger folk today.

2025-12-20 01:37:28 UTC

Infusing mirin with yuzu and spices to have as "o-toso" (some folk call it "miki") when the family comes at New Year.
(This is pure drinkable mirin, most mirin is for cooking)
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/749/310/917/763/368/original/fd6005ca2139068e.jpg

2025-12-18 13:59:33 UTC

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Could be life changing

2025-12-18 13:56:55 UTC

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Two weeks in Europe (better yet at 4) with minimal English usage. Same for me in French, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, Thai.

2025-12-18 10:47:49 UTC

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Listened to this today, not at all what I was expecting.
Pleasant listening - thank you!
Seemed there was some Western influence? It was a style I was totally unfamiliar with!

2025-12-18 03:13:31 UTC

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Oh wow - thanks so much!
I'll give it a listen after lunch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2025-12-18 02:29:33 UTC

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Wow - for the moment I'm just listening to everything, and don't have much idea of preference...loving it all, fast and slow. I like the vocal music too.
I'll keep you posted!
Suggestions always very welcome!

2025-12-18 01:57:56 UTC

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(Starts checking flights to India for 2026)

2025-12-18 01:52:16 UTC

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I know (knew) nothing about the difference between Northern and Southern Indian classical music, but found a good explainer here:
https://www.ghimindia.com/hindustani-vs-carnatic-music-differences/

2025-12-18 01:48:49 UTC

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Since some deep & meaningful messages with my buddy (above), I've switched to listening to Indian classical music all day while working and it's hitting the right buttons in my brain.
The event above is Northern classical music, but I'm listening to a mixture of Northern and Southern.

2025-12-16 22:59:38 UTC

Which sounds more normal to you:

2025-12-16 10:41:11 UTC

Indian classical music event of a friend of mine in Shibuya, Sat 10 Jan 2026
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSC_FVhEfrk/
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/728/816/446/471/166/original/0faab45db983a97a.png

2025-12-16 03:10:22 UTC

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OMG, blue curry looks amazing - take one for the team?

2025-12-14 09:50:47 UTC

Oh look, just found the remaining negroni made for me by @npub1kyd…jltj 💕

2025-12-12 04:43:09 UTC

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We really need to go to India 🍛🇮🇳🪷

2025-12-12 02:22:44 UTC

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Wow!!!!!
Looks amazing!
Bon apetite!!!!
Just looked it up: first time I've heard of black gram or urad beans.

2025-12-11 12:03:31 UTC

To Look At You by Inxs is probably the best Aussie song ever

2025-12-09 01:56:11 UTC

TiL:
生前葬
A funeral performed for someone while they are alive; living funeral.
Is this a thing?
Does the individual concerned get to attend?
Do they lie in state?
So many questions.

2025-12-06 06:02:13 UTC

Somebody’s seen a lot more Kabuki than i.
"The latest drama about a Donald Trump peace plan has gone nowhere, though everyone seems obliged to watch it, like some bad Kabuki show featuring the standard characters delivering all the lines you know that they are going to deliver, in the best traditions of theatre, rather than the best interests of a settlement."
(Australian ABC news)
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/671/095/523/729/623/original/cf0a8c29e7b80df4.png

2025-12-04 12:27:49 UTC

Folk who think their country's the only country.
FFS mention where your post refers to

2025-12-04 09:38:48 UTC

Any recommended reading about tea ceremony in English?
I've read The Book Of Tea by Okakura.
I read a fair amount in Japanese but interested to read something in English.
:bongo_cat:

2025-12-02 04:26:16 UTC

@npub1kyd…jltj Hey Das!
Hope you're keeping well.
We finished the mezcal on the weekend with a friend. So good! Then I guided a family from Mexico yesterday and it was a talking point. Thank you!
Was thinking of you yesterday when Masato boiled perfect eggs, but maybe that's covered in the Kitchen Physics course... :fingerguns:
Take it easy!

2025-12-02 04:08:01 UTC

Gunma has a problem with girth control.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/648/000/254/813/829/original/c7e07f860ca58921.jpg

2025-11-29 06:42:12 UTC

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This is the only track i know. I should educate myself better.
Love Space Talk by Asha Puthli, but her performance is wild (different track):
https://youtu.be/-Yy7BzlORuk?si=2JZjEb5o_DgmdnI1

2025-11-28 01:04:06 UTC

Kobe Architecture Festival is on this Sunday 30 Nov (who knew?) and this year's focus is on my hood: Shioya, Tarumi & Maiko with a couple of buildings I've been eager to see inside. Passport costs 2,000 yen.
:fingerguns:
https://kobe2025.kenchikusai.jp/
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/624/624/060/507/353/original/337fc189bba943a1.png

2025-11-27 10:06:01 UTC

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And further proof, Nazia Hassan - Boom Boom
FFW to 1:50 mark as if the entire song isn't proof enough
https://youtu.be/jlGK3SDRu2o

2025-11-27 09:52:39 UTC

For those wondering about the connection between Usha Uthup and Donna Summer, pls FFW to the 2:55 mark
https://youtu.be/MINo9f1hpz8?si=2oD1_sQjWYSAdDJP

2025-11-24 03:27:33 UTC

AI lies or it doesn't:
Friend from tea ceremony recounted a trcky tea-related historical question which she thought "I could look it up but maybe I'll just ask AI" and the answer was total BS. She complained to me "It told me a complete lie" and I explained, based mainly on stories I see on Mastodon, that this is common and is poisoning our information sources ("I could write and publish a book about tea ceremony history in a day") and encourged her to share her story as a warning to others.

2025-11-18 12:51:12 UTC

Our local butcher is called Best Meet.
So confuse.

2025-11-14 10:15:51 UTC

You're officially invited over to mine for tea.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/547/522/680/063/342/original/85e8ff6299204a97.jpg

2025-11-13 00:45:12 UTC

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I never really ate them until i moved to Japan and got nostalgic for something from home, even then i couldn't say I loved them.
But hey, try anything once!
Some of the new flavours (especially dark choc) are worth having one, and sharing the rest of the pack!
First spotted in Kaldi but even Aeon supermarket had them last time i bothered to check.

2025-11-12 22:56:45 UTC

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Next challenge, if your child chooses to accept, is making frog cakes, which still exist in my hometown Adelaide (do not contain real frog)
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/539/191/295/482/618/original/324bc8d29c2463cc.jpg

2025-11-12 22:50:16 UTC

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Oh, you can get them pretty easily here in Japan (I think cheaper than in Oz).
Looks like she made an odd number, which is perfect!
Hes look better than the real thing!
These days they come in a host of flavours (some better than others) and occasionally "limited season" flavours.

2025-11-11 06:19:28 UTC

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Welcome back!
:fingerguns:

2025-11-09 10:13:43 UTC

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OMG thanks no thanks

2025-11-05 23:05:33 UTC

ABBA singing in LOTE and Lene Lovich - (I Think We're) Alone Now - Japanese version got me wondering about non-Japanese artists who recorded Japanese versions of their songs and etc.:
https://www.tokyoweekender.com/entertainment/music/overseas-artists-singing-japanese/
:bongo_cat:
https://www.reddit.com/r/japanesemusic/comments/mnjw11/list_of_non_japanese_artist_preforming_mostly_in/
:fingerguns:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/foreign-language-songs-by-original-artists.135078/

2025-11-01 06:58:08 UTC

TiL that the "Theme from M*A*S*H" is a song called "Suicide Is Painless" that was used in the movie (never knew there was a movie) but only the instrumental version was used for the TV series.
The song was sampled by The Art of Noise in "A Time For Fear" (discovered via whosampled.com)

2025-10-23 02:20:29 UTC

Some mind-numbing "minister in charge of" titles in Japan:
https://japan.kantei.go.jp/104/meibo/daijin/index.html

2025-10-19 08:11:30 UTC

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Started looking today. Can't wait to check it out properly

2025-10-14 12:34:26 UTC

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Yeah it's past Venus Bridge. Happy to take you 😉

2025-10-13 09:00:11 UTC

Oh great, now my auntie is sending Japanese political news to me via my mum (which she could send me directly).
I know I don't have a telly (they probably don't), but I really don't need people in Oz keeping me up to date with Japanese politcal news (and in this case inaccurately trying to update me about Japan's new female PM, who of course, is not yet PM).
I should appreciate their interest in my life more i guess.

2025-10-10 13:04:43 UTC

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No. Ikari yama and Shishi-zan. Closer to the city centre

2025-10-10 11:08:00 UTC

Tonight i hiked the mountain above Kobe.
Best view ever.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/349/548/064/896/004/original/f0b96869b854a9b8.jpg

2025-10-04 11:50:11 UTC

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dang not in town butt one day

2025-09-30 08:43:12 UTC

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Wow - thanks!
I always thought "pin set" from English and thought WTF.
I should be more clued in to scientific/medical terminology not coming in from English but old habits die hard.

2025-09-30 08:41:24 UTC

Another mystery solved:
ピンセット
(tweezers; forceps)
from French “pincette”, Dutch “pincet”

2025-09-27 21:27:33 UTC

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I know the song but can't remember it right now.
Suzanne Vaguer, right?

2025-09-25 13:53:02 UTC

Transamerica is still one of the most powerful movies for me about trans life.
The bath scene.
I've had trans friends since my teens and I'm forever thankful.
Amplify the voices of people with different experiences to you.
Stay curious.
Love.

2025-09-24 10:15:04 UTC

What was the most surprising place you visited in Osaka?

2025-09-22 01:59:37 UTC

Saw a great self-care suggestion:
"Get a book from the library (free) or bookstore about some topic you’ve been interested in, but have never taken the time to learn."
What, just to add it to my collection of books about topics I’ve been interested in, but have never taken the time to learn?

2025-09-22 01:36:52 UTC

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In Japan.
I found a couple of Mongolian places. Obviously Japan is not THE best place to eat it, but I'd give it a try!
Next time you are back - I can highly recommend Sheepman in Tokyo. They love their lamb!
There are Ainu restaurants outside of Hokkaido.
Visiting Amami in October, so hopefully another culinary adventure.

2025-09-22 00:33:19 UTC

Contemplating dinner tomorrow for friends visiting briefly before they move back to Japan, therefore an opportunity to not eat Japanese.
Considering Uyghur (btw, Sheepman in Tokyo is awesome), but then thought, hey, being close to Japan, surely there must be decent Mongolian food here?
And i still haven't tried Ainu food.
:deadinside:

2025-09-18 11:31:26 UTC

How are The Bar-Kays not related to The Mar-Keys?
:deadinside:

2025-09-14 01:49:01 UTC

I wonder if there's a cloud app to share with my friends who only recognise chemtrails and UFO clouds ☁️ 🤔

2025-09-12 00:41:00 UTC

Meanwhile, the weight of ocean plastic debris is forecast to exceed the weight of fish in the ocean by 2050.
You are now free to return to regular distractions.

2025-09-11 10:07:19 UTC

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Plus $90 for delivery?
Can think of a few other things i could do with that cash tbh...

2025-09-09 01:47:17 UTC

Just learnt of bin chicken socks and they rock.
Aussies have finally discovered the joy of socks.

2025-09-08 00:05:26 UTC

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Best thread I've read.... 🤔 this morning at least!

2025-09-07 01:04:58 UTC

The Breakfast Club is back at the local cinema (In Australia), 40 years later.
My fave movie as a teen.
Very tempted to go, but I'm sure the cringe factor will be palpable.

2025-09-04 01:36:10 UTC

TiL the first person in the street to put out their garbage bin in Australia is known as the "binfluencer" (since different bins for recyclables, etc. are collected on different days and if you can't be bothered checking online, you just look at what bin your neighbours have put out) :fingerguns:

2025-08-29 01:43:20 UTC

Japan friends (or not): Do you have an emergency/disaster kit and if so, can you share what's in it?
:fingerguns:

2025-08-25 11:20:41 UTC

Now enjoying "Ancient Future" by Christopher Willits & Sakamoto Ryuichi (2012).
Very ambient, short (32 min) album.

2025-08-25 11:16:25 UTC

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Very happy to share if it interests someone.
I struggle sometimes because my experience is mostly in Japanese, though I try to take some basic implements witme when I travel abroad to share the basic experience with family or friends.
My teacher holds "taste of tea ceremony" style mini events every quarter, which i think is cool.

2025-08-25 10:45:21 UTC

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In some ways, I hesitate to share this kind of content, because it might make the hurdle for tea ceremony appear too high, when many people learn on a far more casual basis, and I think that is fine.
My new teacher (from a year ago...finally found a great teacher in Kobe after commuting back to my old group in Odawara for years) is a bit obsessed, and that has inspired (?) me to go deeper.

2025-08-25 09:25:49 UTC

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Forgot to mention, the formal invitation came on long paper 巻紙 (makigami) so naturally i had to write my acceptance letter the same way (first time for everything). I'll need to write a similar style thank you letter in the next couple of days.
https://cdn.famichiki.jp/media_attachments/files/115/088/670/219/434/698/original/2a868f9eaefc9586.jpg

2025-08-25 09:02:58 UTC

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Fast forward to today, after learning tea ceremony for 17 or so years (currently 3 classes a month), I attended the most formal tea ceremony I've been part of to-date (3+ hours, a short one...it's summer) and it occurred to me that it felt like a role-playnig game of sorts and we're all a bit obsessed.
100% can recommend, especially if you're living in Japan. Great way to learn a lot about a lot of culture and etiquette, and good practice focussing, meditative in many ways.
End rant.

2025-08-25 08:59:04 UTC

When i was in primary school, my favourite teacher sometimes talked about her son playing Dungeons & Dragons, and we asked her to bring it to school to play, and she said it didn't work like that, and though we coulnd't understand what that meant, a few of us got intrigued and wound up spending half our free time in high school playing it.
In my last year at high school, I befriended a Japanese exchange student who said he did tea ceremony and we basically had the same exchange.