Name paper

We have a tradition to write child's name on Japanese paper with a writing brush and put it on a household Shinto shelf or alcove which is called Tokonoma (special space for decoration in Japanese room).

I asked my grandfather in Kagoshima (Meiko's father) because he used to be a teacher of Japanese writing.
He was willing to take that role and send back the paper with Simon's name soon.

He said 'Sorry I couldn't write it well because I'm too old'.
But of cause we are very happy that my grampa at 92 years old could make it for us.

Mysterious thing was that he practiced writing name on the envelop which we sent to him for return with our address and stamps. Besides, he turn it around afterwards and write our address and put stamps again (recycling paper).


志門の命名書を鹿児島のおじいちゃんに頼んだところ、喜んで引き受けてくれ、すぐに速達で返送してくれました。
おじいちゃんは「年のせいでうまくかけなかった、ごめんね」と言っていましたが、92歳のじいちゃんが書いてくれたことに感謝しつつ、床の間に飾っています。

しかしひとつ不可解なことは、送った返信用封筒（切手付き）を習字の練習に使ってしまい、それを裏返して（セロテープでべたべたに留めて）封筒を作り、新たに切手を貼って送付してきたこと。。。謎です（笑）




Trial on the envelop





Envelop
He also write draft but VIP became YTP.
VIPがYTPに･･･惜しい！





Name paper
We will send one to Betty og Ib.

志(shi) means wish, ambition, kindness
門(mon) means gate (gate imply turning points such as entrance to school etc.)

We hope he will go through many gates in his life, with great wish, ambition and kindness.