Beach Frown, Victoria, B.C. (2009) At Shigeru's, Kumatori, Japan (2005) At Wickaninnish, Ucluelet, B.C. (2014) At Ninja Mura in Mie, Japan (2005) Christmas, Victoria, B.C. (2012) Pre-Wedding Photos at Royal Roads Japanese Garden, Victoria (2004) Hatsumode at Ikuta Jinja, Kobe, Japan (2005) Sunset, Victoria B.C., (2009) No Limits Conference - Port Hardy, B.C. (2008) New Years, Victoria, B.C. (2012) Nabe Party, Victoria, B.C. (2009) Fujii Wedding, Osaka, Japan (2006) KaToRiShiA, Osaka, Japan (2011) At Grandpa's, Victoria, B.C. (2012) Royal Kids Reunion, Osaka, Japan (2011) The Toast, Victoria, B.C. (2012) Danjiri Matsuri, Kishiwada, Japan (2011)
 

Craig "hachiroku" Mercer

About Craig "hachiroku" Mercer

Posts by Craig Mercer:

Jul 8 2006

New Books on/from Japan Reviews Added

I have just recently added a couple of new book reviews to the Book Review area.

The first one is “The Japan Journals” by which is a collection of journal entries by Donald Richie (longtime resident of Tokyo, film critic and write) spanning from 1947 to 2004.

The second book is “The Japan We Never Knew” by David Suzuki and Keibo Oiwa. This book covers the pilgrimage of David and Keibo to the side of Japan few people know about; the environmentalists, the artists, the Okinawans, the Ainu, the Burakumin, The Koreans. The Japan We Never Knew is an excellent book that I am sure you will enjoy too!

By • Books on Japan •

Jul 7 2006

Survival Japanese – Hiragana


There are five vowels in the Japanese language (similar to English). The sounds are::

  • "a" that sounds like AH as in Father
  • "i" that sounds like EE as in Week
  • "u" that sounds like OO as in Google
  • "e" that sounds like AY as in Day
  • "o" that sounds like OH as in Nose

When words have two vowels together each vowel should be pronounced by itself, such as in the word "いえ" (which means house）it is pronounced "ee-ay". When two of the same vowels are together then you hold the sound longer. For example in the word "いいえ" (which means no) the "ee" sound is held longer, where as in the word"いえ" both sounds have the same length.

More

By • Survival Japanese •

Jul 1 2006

Happy Canada Day 2006

Well it is July 1st here in Osaka, it won't be July 1st back in Canada for a few hours yet, but hey….HAPPY CANADA DAY anyway eh!?!

Canadian Flag

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

By • News •

Jun 6 2006

Isaiah Joshua Fyfe joins the Fyfe family

We want to wish a big congratulations to our cousin Andrea and her husband Josh on the arrival of their first child, a wonderful baby boy named Isaiah Joshua. Aunti Linda said Isaiah was born at 12:46pm PDT weighing in at 2790 grams (6 lbs 14 ozs). Andrea is doing great and the whole family is just ecstatic.

We wish them all well and can’t to see some pictures of beautiful little Isaiah. Welcome to the family.

Update 2006-JUL-06
These pictures are fresh in from Cousin Kristen of Cousin Andrea and handsome little baby Isaiah. Sure is a cutie. Congrats again Andrea and Josh.

Andrea and Isaiah

Andrea and Isaiah

By • Friends & Family •

Jun 1 2006

The Japan Journals by Donald Richie (edited by Leza Lowitz)

The Japan JournalsDonald Richie has been in Japan forever…well actually since the US occupation after the Pacific War (WWII). He has literally “been there and done that”. Donald is a preeminent authority on Japanese films, prolific author and “Gaikokujin at Large” in Japan.

The Japan Journals comprise his thoughts (diary) over the last 57 years or so and anyone who has spent anytime in Japan should enjoy most parts of this book.Read more…

By • Books on Japan •

May 10 2006

I Wouldn’t Want Anybody to Know: Native English Teaching in Japan by Eva P. Bueno & Terry Caesar

This coffee table book is a collection of essays from many “Native English Teachers” living and working in Japan.

The book contains accounts of English Teaching from both the University and Language (Ekaiwa or English Conversation) School levels.Read more…

By • Books on Japan •

Apr 30 2006

Brian Hotovy got MARRIED

Brian and Maria (Click for a larger image)Well the boy done went and got himself hitched to a BEAUTIFUL girl from Slovakia (in case some of you didn’t know Brian’s Dad is originally from Slovakia). We got word a couple days ago from Brian that he and Maria were married in Slovakia (I have included his email below). Way to go guys. I know everyone in Canada will look forward to meeting and seeing you in the fall. Of course for Kana, Grace Yuki and I it may be a bit longer yet before we can visit with you two.

“Maria and I are pleased to announce that on April 22, 2006 we were married in Trnava, Slovakia.

The day was perfect and the weather cooperated – 26 degrees and sunny.
80 people were in attendance and got to experience a combination of Canadian
and Slovak traditions. We look forward to returning to Canada this summer and
celebrating our marriage everyone. A reception will take place in Victoria in
late summer, or early fall. ”

The Newlyweds,
Brian and Maria Hotovy
We wish you both all the BEST in your new married life together. KANPAI!

By • Friends & Family •

Apr 12 2006

Costco in Kansai (Amagasaki)

Costco LogoCostco is another good place to get foreign foods and other stuff in Kansai. It is located in Amagasaki which is about 15 minutes away from Osaka (Umeda) on the JR Hanshin Line (between Kobe and Osaka).

Costco is good for some things, like buying in bulk, but if you are looking for just a few items it may not be worth the effort.

Where Costco shines is in the goods! If you are looking for items other than food, then Costco will be the place to look and as always the prices will be quite reasonable.

http://www.costco.com/WarehouseLocatorDetailsView?langId=-1&storeId=10301&catalogId=10701&warehouseNumber=861&BeginAddress=Osaka%2C%20Japan&numOfWarehousesToReturn=5&location=Osaka%2C%20Japan&callingPage=WarehouseLocatorView

By • Osaka (大阪) • • Tags: ,

Mar 22 2006

Congratulations Team Japan on winning the World Baseball Classic

Team Japan Celebrating

Congratulations Team Japan on winning the first World Baseball Classic.
Way to go Japan!

By • News •

Mar 22 2006

Survival Japanese – Directions in Romaji, Kana and Kanji

More

By • Survival Japanese •

Mar 21 2006

Survival Japanese – Colours in Romaji, Kana and Kanji

More

By • Survival Japanese •

Jan 21 2006

Guestbook (archive)

WebWe had a guestbook on the original version of the website (from 2005-2006) but it became such a problem with spam that we retired it in 2007. However we retained the posts that friends and family had left and we proudly archive them here.
 
Gerard De Vignat on October 10th, 2006 from Belgium
My deepest sympathies on the demise of your grandmother. I am sure that she is sitting with god looking down and taking care of you and your family.
Gerard.

Nicolas and Denise Braam on September 30th, 2006 from Victoria BC Canada
Hey Craig and Kana! Just checked out all the updates to your website. Great to see the new pictures. Looks like you guy’s are really having a lot of fun there. It reminds me how much we need to get over there and visit!
Cheers,
Nick
More

By • News •

Jan 1 2006

Kirk’s Kendo Practice

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My older brother Kirk came to visit (Dec.29 2005 to Jan.08 2006) soon after Grace Yuki was born . While he was here, Shigeru Komamonoya (the older Japanese fellow whom I met one day on the JR Train and has been a good friend to Kana and I ever since) was able to arrange for Kirk to attend a New Years Eve/Day Kendo Practice at Osaka Taiiku Daigaku (Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences). The really cool thing is that one of Kirk’s Senseis from the UVIC Kendo Club (Hayashi Daisuke) went to Osaka Taiiku Daigaku and knows all the Seneis there. Although there is only one picture of him, Morioka Sensei is a good friend of Hayashi Sensei, in fact, they went to Jr.High together!Read more…

By • Adventures in Kansai (Videos) • • Tags: , ,

Dec 28 2005

The birth of Grace Yuki Mercer

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Grace Yuki Mercer was born on December 22nd, 2005 at 10:17AM weighing 2900 grams. This video is a compilation of the first three days of Grace Yuki’s life as seen by us (her parents). We hope you enjoy our greatest Christmas gift of all!

2005年12月22日、AM10：17、私達夫婦の間に赤ちゃんが産まれました！2,900グラムの元気な女の子。 初めての出産にもかかわらず、病院到着後2時間足らずという超スピード＆安産でした。
More

By • Adventures in Kansai (Videos) • • Tags:

Dec 27 2005

Kana and baby Grace Yuki come home

Kana and Grace came home from the hospital today.

Merry Christmas
Craig, Kana and Yuki fresh home from the hospital

We have been just overwhelmed by all of your emails to both regular and cell phone addresses, as well as all of your encouragement on the friends page. In addition we have really cherished being able to visit with some of you via Skype and MSN Messenger. Thank You Very Much.

I posted a few of the photos from the past few days to the Photo Gallery (retired 2012 as the photos are on Facebook)…so enjoy.

Tonight is our first night all at home, and I am sure with less sleep then any of us is used to. Pray for us! 😉

By • Friends & Family •

Dec 25 2005

Grace Yuki Mercer coming home UPDATE

Kana was informed by one of the nurses at Kaizuka Hospital that she got the wrong discharge date. Her and Grace will be coming home on Tuesday, December 27th around 12:00 noon instead of Monday as we originally thought.

Kana is a little impatient about coming home, but I told her that it was quite nice to have all these nurses available to her so she can rest up and be ready for when the real work begins…when the girls get home.

By • Friends & Family •

Dec 25 2005

Grace by U2

I am just finishing off a video of young Grace Yuki Mercer…and in the video I use the song “Grace” by U2 from the “All That You Can't Leave Behind” album. I thought I might post the lyrics here as I think, I am sure you will agree, are quite awesome.

Grace

by U2

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace, it's the name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world
And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma
She travels outside of karma
When she goes to work
You can hear her strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt
What once was friction
What left a mark
No longer stings
Because Grace makes beauty
Out of ugly things

Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

By • Friends & Family •

Dec 22 2005

Grace Yuki Mercer UPDATE

Hello Everyone. I am back from the hospital with some more pictures and some more information on how today unfolded. God is good.

Well you should have known all of this by now but my email list failed me.

Grace Yuki Mercer was born this morning at 10:17AM JST. She weighs 2.9KG or 2900 grams.

Kana started having contractions around 3:30AM, when I got up she was like “Hmm Honey…the baby is coming.” So Chie, Mom, Kana and I piled into Chie’s car and headed to Kaizuka Hospital (about a 15 minute drive away). There she was whisked into the delivery room where I joined her soon after. The Nurses and Doctors said that Kana’s delivery was awesome because it was so short and there were no complications. In fact Kana gave a 100% natural child birth…no drugs or nothing…YOU GO MAMA!

Kana will stay in the hospital until Monday the 26th (so we are postponing Christmas until our BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER can make it home from the hospital). It was tough leaving her there tonight, but she is in good hands as is Grace.

So yeah, apparently my mailing list failed this morning so no one got the emails as it happened. YIKES! I have included a copy of the emails I sent from my cell phone:

7:23AM
Okay everyone, Kana has gone into labour and we are heading to the hospital as we speak. I will be emailing updates from my cell phone to this list as things progress. We appreciate your prayers at this crucial time for the Baby Mercer!

8:07AM JST
We just arrived at Kaizuka Hospital. Kana’s contractions are 5 minutes apart! More to follow…

11:11AM JST
Hey! Grace Yuki Mercer was born at 10:17AM JST weighing in at 2.9KG! Mom and Grace are doing GREAT!

5:42PM JST
Grace hanging out! BY THE WAY you can reply to these emails from my cell phone just keep em short! (this email had the Baby Room [see below] picture attached originally)

Okay well there ya go! I think everyone is up to speed now. If you want to email some wishes to Kana you can to her cell phone (she has it at the hospital)! Below are some pictures for your enjoyment! Click them for larger images.

Mom and Daughter
Daughter Grace with Mom Kana shortly after being born
Grace in the Baby Room with The Gang
Grace hanging out in the Baby Room with “The Gang”
Grace in the Baby Room
Grace sleeping in the Baby Room
Happy Parents
Craig & Kana…the Happy Parents

By • Friends & Family •

Dec 22 2005

Welcome to the family, Grace Yuki Mercer

Grace Yuki Mercer joined the family this morning at 10:17AM JST (Japan Standard Time). She weighs 2.9KG and is just great.

Grace Yuki Mercer
Grace Yuki Mercer

We are just heading back up to Kaizuka Hospital now to see Kana and Grace. I will post some more pictures and video when we get back.

By • Friends & Family •

Dec 21 2005

NEW Mercers website LIVE and other things…

ChristmasMerry Christmas everyone. I know the burning question on everyone's mind is “Did Kana have the baby yet?” The answer is no, not yet, but the Doctor says it should be any day. During the check up at the hospital today the Doc said he figures the baby just likes being in Mom too much.

In other news, the NEW website is live now, as you probably already noticed. This version is a little brighter and a little more organized.

If you haven't done so already, or you want to again, please take a minute to sign the Friends page and wish us some Christmas cheer.

Thanks to everyone who has made this first year in Japan fun and exciting (Yoshio, Shigeru & Akiko, Mr. & Mrs. Sei, Nakamura-san, Brent & Yoshie, the KaToRiShiA, Toni, Daniel, Narelle, Madoka, Eiko and the rest of the folks at Royal Kids International School, Mac & Aya, all the folks at AIM English Studio, Matsumoto-san [my hairdresser], and everyone we forgot to mention…we know who you are!). And of course, to all our friends and family back home, we sure do miss you guys.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

By • News •

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