Umeyo-san gave me three old hand-made fans that she used to dance with when she was a girl. They're very delicate and really special. I was so surprised when she gave them to me! It really moved me. Such a gesture is truly characteristic of many Japanese people: a spirit of almost selfless generosity, wanting to offer a gift or hospitality as well as wanting to aid you in better understanding or feeling more comfortable as part of Japanese culture and traditions. It's part of the basic fiber of the Japanese people and it is making my experiences in this culture very precious to me.