Last weekend,  a feast and kitchen karaoke at Yokoo and Chie san's apartment, my first time in an actual Japanese home.  As you see, there is no wall decor, and precious few knick-knacks of any kind.  Apparently this is fairly typical, although not universal.  Behind the various sliding doors there lived a wealth of gadgetry--sound systems, movie projectors, giant viewing screens...

The lady sitting on her heels is Yokoo's mother, Kitano-san's sister.  I asked her how long she can sit like that.  She held up a finger: "One day." 

Yokoo san is in the food importing business, and after a meal comprised of so many courses I lost count, we were sent home with a giant bag full of salmon, pollock roe, and shrimp.  Also mochi, a  traditional treat made from gelatinous rice pounded into a silky smooth confectionary.