So the rumors about kids modeling in Japan are true. We had known that several modeling agencies from Tokyo came to base, about every six months, to recruit American children for television, commercial and print work. What we didn't realize was that the modeling fair weekend was going to be the week we got here. We went to "see what it was all about" and hit the ground running...we got seven calls in the first week. That was really crazy since I didn't even know how to get to the other side of base! Since then, I have mastered the train and subway systems and have been quite busy with the jobs that Tyler, Sarah and Hannah have gotten so far. Here are a few examples of their work: Hannah did the video spot, Tyler did a "combi mini" catalog, and Sarah did a magazine shoot for "Oceans" and an advertizing deal for "Rubies" Halloween costumes among others...

It has also been interesting to learn how weird and bad the lives of the "real" models is. The Dutch gal who was supposed to be Hannah's "Mom" gave me a behind-the-scenes low-down. Most of the models live together...sometimes eight girls to an apartment. They are only allowed to come to Japan if they are sponsored by a particular agency. The contracts are for six to eight weeks long...only. The girls get their rent provided up-front by the agency, but they have to pay it back when they get a paying job. This gal was twenty and was old. She lives with four girls who are all 15, three from Poland, one from Holland. These girls go out drinking every night and come home at wee hours. I guess there is a bar that lets models in free and provides food vouchers and free drinks. They save up the food vouchers for parties...they will get together and spend their vouchers all at once to have a Birthday or some other celebration. They rarely make enough to go out otherwise. This leaves them prey to obviously unsavory characters, one of whom hangs out at the "model bars" and sells drugs...or gives them out at first. The "Dad" was Russian and looked like he had a rough night. No, my kids will never become "real" models...it is just for fun now!

Fortune Beans

February 3rd, which is one day before Risshun (the first day of spring on the lunar calendar), is called Setsubun ("set soo boon") in Japan. It's not a national holiday, but mame maki (bean throwing) ceremonies are performed on Setsubun. Traditionally, people throw roasted soy beans called fuku mame or fortune beans, shouting 'oni wa so to' (get out demons) and 'fu ku wa uchi' (come in happiness.) It is believed that people will be healthy and happy if they pick up and eat fuku mame the number equal to their ages (for me that was a lot of beans). Yesterday, we visited a local shrine, to get beans to receive good fortune for the year. At our shrine, there were a bunch of older men who were standing up on the shrine platform. At the designated time, every half hour from four to five, they would throw cellophane bags full of candy and beans, loose beans, coins, or small Japanese oranges out at the crowd. (It was very reminiscent of Mardi-gras but without the drinking or the beads!) The crowd was standing with open shopping bags ready to catch what they could. Some older men were walking around feeling sorry for the Gai-jin (foreigners) and bestowed upon us bean bags and coins! They were also serving "Sweet bean soup" or oshiruko which is a traditional Japanese dessert. The "soup" is made of azuki beans (the size of black beans, but red) which are boiled and crushed, served warm with the liquid in a bowl with mochi. Mochi is glutinous rice cake and tastes and looks a bit like potato gnochi...really chewy. Also, I found out how to use a shrine...each shrine is dedicated to a specific God and has a specific function. My friend Jessica and I ran away from the one for pregancy but settled on the one for education and learning. You make a monetary offering, .50 or a dollar, ring the bell, clap twice and then say a prayer. Hopefully I will be able to learn Japanese faster and easier now! Anyway, it was really fun to go and experience this ceremony. Jessica took some pictures so I will post them when I get them!