Nobishiro by Maruko

My grand mother has lived 95 years. She didn’t suffer any illness but just went into sleep forever. Till her last day, she went to her farm by walk about 2 km apart and she has been growing her own vegetables and rice. My great grand mother has lived for 104 years. She was my grand mother’s mother-in-law, which means they are not from same genes yet they both lived for long. They were traditional Japanese family and my grand mother had been taking care of her mother-in-law till her last day.

My great grand mother could have lived even longer if she did not break her leg and become bedridden. She was also going to her (their) farm everyday to grow her vegetables. I remember her three meals a day consists of Rice, Miso soup, egg and a glass of milk. I cannot recall what my grandmother was eating everyday but I vividly remember my grandmother carries obon tray with the food for great grand mother (let me call her GGM….) , walk slowly along side the wall from kitchen with wooden floor to tatami mat room, crossing several rooms to GGM’s room.

Other than farming, I tried to recall commonalities in their daily life. One things for sure is chanting sutra in front of Buddhist alter everyday from 4 pm to 5 pm. The Buddhist alter was black and gold. I understand it varies according to the area and also sect. Theirs were very shiny. Turn on the light, put fire on the candle and insects.. then all ready to chant.

.. will write about chanting tomorrow.