Land Of The Rising Son

Once upon a time, important enlightenment penetrated this malleable mind at the most delicious yakitori shops in all of Japan. This out-of-the-way, hole-in-the-wall was run by the dishevelled master~ and his somewhat rustic wife. This kind of special place was truly representative of the Japan one encountered often back in the early days, but these kinds of atmospheric shop, alas, are now slowly fading away. The kitchen floor was like a traditional style Japanese farm house—earthen. Not only was his electrical octopus maxed out, it was also smothered in grease—a wonder the place didn't burn down. Often the guests coming in later were those who carried out business outside traditional hours. One of the boys plopped himself right down beside this Occxie and started to chit-chat about this and that. Always amicable for conversation, one could not help but notice this individual was missing both his pinkies and a ring finger. Nonetheless, there was never reason to inquire as to his line of work while engaging him with mediocre Japanese language skills. The protocol here is to adhere to the age-old adage: Do not judge a book by its cover. All guest, no matter what class or status, were there united in a common purpose—to consume the masterfully cooked Toricho chicken-on-a-skewer—among many other types of home-style cooking in the Japanese country kitchen. Toricho holds a very special place in the heart of this country-boy who came from a very far away and conceptually remote world. This was a very favourite place to go to in the wee hours of one's youth, and two dearly departed friends, in particular were an important part of that particular period. The closing time of this joint? When the last customer left. Often in tandem with the crowing of the roosters and the distant sound of newspaper deliverymen making rounds at the crack of dawn on the standard Honda Cub 50. When asked what the secret was to his delicious chicken he said: "Cook the parts that aren't." This stuck as a metaphor for things one starts but never finishes. Half baked one could say. This comes into much more clear focus as the week and month really start to whisk by as the days of one's life upon earthly paradise dwindle away one-by-one—mostly unnoticed—until the final decline. It is folly to believe all whims of youth should come to fruition, but the niggling in the heart and the voice whispering in the ear for years can not be silenced—not up until the final door—marked EXIT. One has had a few of these uncooked items on the metaphorical plate for eons, and now the forward motion and inspiration to "cook the parts that aren't" are palpable—again in the immortal words of the Toricho master: "Cook the parts that aren't." The secret of the Toricho chicken-on-a-skewer was never revealed as the heavy smoking and mostly drunk Toricho master passed away early (50ish), and the shop close many moons ago today. He passed his life in service to the hungry and thirsty of our community without giving a thought to his lot one way or another, for his destine was to be the Toricho master, and thus it was so. Life passes by in the blink of an eye, so one must finish the unfinished masterpieces of one own life, before it's too late, and to "cook the parts that aren't." ​

Japan is the last stop before exiting the atmosphere of mother earth to reside as a god—one foot in this material world—the other in Nirvana. Remember, Nirvana is a Buddhist term embodying the transcendent state. In Nirvana, there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self—a place where Gods hang out. Keep in mind, in indigenous Japanese mythology (Shinto), all who pass from the material to spiritual world become a God to be venerated by the descendants of the clan. The tenet in this pragmatic Shinto wisdom indicates the newly departed as embodying their worldly personality traits in the land of the dead. Also, keep in mind—the emperor of Japan is a descendent and current representative of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. This fundamentally puts the currently living Japanese emperor (Naruhito) in the same status as the idol of Christian worship, as well as the other plethora of Gods and their images worshiped by the faithful throughout the globe. Moreover, the Japanese exhibit breathtaking flexibility with the notion of all becoming god upon death and the memory of the departed will truly be a reflection of the life lived—good and bad—with the full spectrum in between—and the lives they touched are the molecular imprints lasting for eternity So, why does one consider Japan to be the last stop on earthly paradise before the final departure into the Infinite Source, also referred to as Oneness? First and foremost, the Japanese people themselves and the society created over millennia. Many people have asked over the decades—why remain in Japan? The stable and peaceful society the Japanese have built after the severe growing pains of industrialization remains the exemplarily model for all societies to follow with a key element of Japanese society embodied within the word chitsujo (秩序). There is no direct concept in the Anglophone world as the notion of has developed over the millennia of Japanese community evolution. Roughly translated as "order," chitsujo is commonly used when referring to a harmonious society with social order. Emphatically, social order is one of the sacred tenet immortalized in the original Japanese constitution written in the Asuka period (CE 604) by Shotoku Taishi. Chitsujo is also an integral component of the core Japanese system of Form☀︎Order☀︎Process. This has lead Japan to the peaceful and prosperous nation of today, which can be held up as a model society to be emulated and commended for overcoming insurmountable obstacles—including the unprecedented nuclear cataclysm event perpetrated by the Anglo-American empire upon countless innocent Japanese civilians. Viewing the outside world from the comfort of rural Japan, it seems that more now than ever, so many other countries could use a health dose of chitsujo to alleviate the suffering of the general population. Everyday is the right day to do one's individual part creating chitsujo in one's own neighbourhood and larger community— living in this world the way it has been constructed—while creating a world for those who will inherit the earth.

One of the fundamental societal protocols in Japan is the timeless nugget ringing so very true, especially here in Japan: It isn't what you know, but who you know. Keeping in mind the deeply rooted Japanese social conventions, and up until relatively recently, being really brilliant in Japan was often more of a hindrance than a help. One can not easily shirk away the DNA of Japanese heritage or the rigid hierarchy of the Japanese system, and historically standing out from the crowd, especially in intelligence, was taboo. Unlike Occxie-land, where innovations and inventions are dreamt up by maverick individuals and anointed discoverers, Japanese society could be described as a cohesive beehive where the embedded protocol of Form—Order—Process are adhered to innately as a matter of societal conventions. Valuable skills to navigate the murky, social waters and unspoken conventions of Japan are not based solely upon IQ, but also in the ability to read the air and a distinct understanding one's place in the strict hierarchical society of Japan is imperative for a successful life in Japan. Those who succeed at the highest level of any endeavour in Japan have successfully created a network of trusted individuals, in many cases starting with the original human network which is often created among one's primary or junior high school classmates—dōkyūsei, kōhai, and senpai. One who has created a very powerful extensive network of reciprocal contact is regarded as one who has a wide face—kao ga hiroi. Traditionally all economic and political activity in Japan has been based on personal relations, having and maintaining strong contacts in all of the pertinent areas of business and government, and this ancient system continues to prevail and will do so until the end of time. People with kao ga hiroi know, and are known by a large number of people, and are among the most valuable connection one can have whether within a company or an organization. This also rings true for one's circle of friends and acquaintances, and it is always wise to have a trusted connection with those who have a "wide face." Generally speaking being described as kao ga hiroi is a major compliment. Certainly in Japanese, the concept of face embodies significantly deeper implications than conceptually available to Occxies, who only communicate using Latin based languages—particularly those featuring singular and plural and countable and non-countable nouns. Truly, there are many useful phrases in Japanese embodying the concept of face, and using these handy phrases will allow one to look more skillful and adept in Japanese language proficiency than one's actual level. kao ga kiku "face is effective" In other words "face" takes on the meaning of influence. Therefore, the individual concerned is powerful enough to get things done. kao ga ureteiru "person's face sells well" A companion to kao ga hiro, the figurative meaning is the individual having a wide circle of friends and is popular among them. kao ga tsubureru "lose face" Making someone lose face is one of the most egregious error to make in Japan. Here one can be sure to have made a life long enemy if ever being the catalyst for someone losing face—especially while shaming them in front of a group of peers and colleagues. kao wo tateru "save face or honour." Here the slighted can recover honour and face. In Old Japan, face was restored by the time honoured tradition universally innate to all homo sapiens—an eye for an eye. kao wo kikasu "use one's influence" Use the face to influence the surroundings and make one's own neighbourhood a wonderful place for all. kao wo kashite kudasai "please lend me your face" The Japanese are fundamentally insular people, and any foreigners showing up in Japan without some connection, which can be considered "face," in other words, with no contacts or connections are at a serious disadvantage. It is always advantageous to associate with those who are in a position to lend their face and to "use influence to help." Remember, to get things done properly in Japan, especially those who are coming for the first time and do not have anyone with the power of the kao, it is well advised to take the advice described above and round up someone who has a "face that is effective" (kao ga kiku). As the importance of kao in Japanese society can not be understated, it is imperative to be aware of the gravity of metaphors attached to one's very own kao, and the karma of "face" will always remain after any words are spoken.

One was fortune the other day to meet with his friend and loverly wife to meet their 7 month-old-son, who happened to have a very content disposition. Truly, isn't there something extra special about the innocence of infants and the very young that brings out feelings of tenderness and protectiveness in the hearts of most people—even those who are not known for their sensitivity or thoughtfulness toward others. However, in the Occxie world, the innocence of young children is generally gone by the time they reach six or seven. This is in large part to the "Monkey See Monkey Do" protocol which mimics the behaviour of surrounding adults who see innocence as an antithesis to maturity. The Occxies only see innocence and naivety as characteristics that are appropriate only for the very young. In Japan, on the other hand, innocence and naivety had traditionally been regarded as highly admired traits in people of all ages, and something that was especially admired in adults. Both innocence and naivety were regarded as reflections of purity of heart, unselfishness, and a kind, forgiving nature—somewhat like the disposition of the author of this article. Like all societies, there is a flip-side to the innocence protocol in Japan's traditional culture. It is preferable for young Japanese women to display innocence and naivety. Even now in Japan, young women consciously and subconsciously assume an innocent, naive mode when they are interacting with men. This protocol serves two distinct purposes—for protection and to take advantage of the weakness men have for demonstrations of innocence and vulnerability. This deeply embedded protocol of "charming naivety" are not limited to Japanese females. In reality, this type of role-playing is an innate behaviour of most Japanese. It is a cornerstone of personality and mannerism, which are normally presented in the regular course of life in the society of Japan, and is also exhibited in particularly to non-Japanese. In addition to traditionally having been taught that naivety is an admirable trait, the Japanese were also molded to detest the opposite kind of behaviour In the Land Of The Rising Son, there is simply no place in Japanese society for know-it-alls, no matter how knowledgeable or talented they might actually be. Distain of such individuals can be extreme, resulting in behind-the-scenes action to bring the person down, making an example of those who do not conform to Japanese social conventions. Besides utilizing the naivety protocol, innocent behaviour is performed to smooth their way within Japanese society. The Japanese are also aware that the naivety protocol works wonders on outsiders, particularly Occxies. The Japanese understand when a typical Westerners meet an innocent and naive person, an automatic reflex sets in. Here the subconscious assumes the person is childish, and let their guard down, put most of their critical faculties on hold, and tend to fall all over themselves trying to help the poor innocent. The Japanese are already masters at role-playing due to their highly stylized and demanding etiquette. Any Japanese who are consciously aware of the naivety protocol are adept at using assumed innocence to put their Occxie counterparts at ease and to elicit extraordinary cooperation from them. As older Japanese men become more successful, the more they are inclined to assume a soft, gentle, innocent stance that perhaps can best be described as Buddha-like. Exactly how much of this Buddha-like character is make-believe and how much is real is beside the point. Their image of virtuous selflessness gives creates an aura of uiuishi that vastly increases their power because people look upon them as saint-like, incapable of evil, and, therefore, someone who can be trusted to say and do what is best for everyone. It's good practice to not only understand the protocol of naivety, but to implement it into one's own life, smoothing one's own unique journey among the Japanese.

One of the most important lessons the Japanese learned from Zen Buddhism was the significance of spirit in all human endeavours. Zen Buddhism was first introduced to Japan around 656 of the Asuka period, and brought into prominence by Eisai (1141-1215) followed by Dogen (1200-1253) who was the founder of the Soto sect. Although buried deep in their sub-conscience, the Japan are imbued with an innate Zen-like calmness and practicality capacity. This has to do with the deeply rooted evolution of Shintoism, which has shaped the Japanese for millennia along with the extraordinary development of Japanese culture over centuries since establishment of Zen Buddhism. The Japanese are always surrounded by Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines strewn throughout the landscape within the nooks and crannies of Japan in what has been historically reference to as: The Land of Gods Indeed, could it be the Japanese receive the gift of practicality and calmness via osmosis, which is embodied wonderfully in an old Japanese saying: mon zen no kozō narawanu kyō wo yomu Young monks absorbing sutras sitting in front of the gate. The Japanese have realized there is a spiritual element in all worthy achievement—the greater the achievement, the greater the contribution of spirit. During the 11th and 12th centuries the samurai warrior class arose, and these fierce warriors became great advocates of Zen Buddhism and the teaching held within. Why is this so? The fundamental philosophy of Zen Buddhism teaches an austere lifestyle combined with an almost obsessive dedication to training in life skills and in the arts. Since the lives of the samurai depended on extraordinary skill in the martial arts, and eventually an equally extraordinary degree of skill in precise social etiquette, Zen became their spiritual guide and training manual. As Japan's ruling class from around 1185 to 1868, the Samurai closed their country, thereby developing a most extraordinary society and culture over centuries of peace as commanded by the Tokugawa clan. During sakoku 1.0, the samurai set the standards in every facet of Japanese life—language and literature—aesthetics, arts, and crafts—in the highly stylized protocol of everyday behaviour of the Japanese—and in the embedded morality of the 6th century Shotoku Taishi constitution. The samurai also imbued Japanese culture with a strong martial nature conditioning the Japanese to do things in a precise, regimented order and to abhor weakness or failure of any kind. One may consider these truths to be embedded in the Japanese protocol of Form Order Process, which is the foundation of the Way of the Japanese. There is no area of Japanese life that is not affected by the legacy of Zen, and one can see the Zen element in the character of every Japanese in all facets of Japanese life. What is the secret to master ones own life and purpose? Truly, the answer lies in the repetition of san ma no i—three exercises. (1) Receiving the right teaching (2) Dedicating oneself to the teaching (3) Applying one's own ingenuity to what is learned from the teachings. One of the key aspects of both absorbing and using the right teaching is emptying the mind of other matters, striving for complete detachment, and opening the mind fully in order to achieve a depth of perception completely and accurately, whatever the situation. It is essential to develop keys of wisdom such as—ken "sight" and kan "insight." Nurturing the skills to understand ken and kan and applying it to all human behaviour allows one to perceive reality and read other's intentions. This is a highly valuable skill in Japanese society where it is important to be able to "read the air." As all masters understand, once having reached a high level of skill in any art or craft, training and practice must continue in order to maintain the skill, a feature of the kaizen philosophy of the Japanese. This philosophy holds that one never totally masters anything and one must therefore continually strive for improvement. A well-known saying in Japanese expressing the belief in continuous improvement: "Today I must be better than the me of yesterday."

The Japanese accept the notion that the world is in a constant state of flux, and under fluid circumstances the ultimate life philosophy is in the flexibility to flow with the wind. Generally speaking, this timeless concept remains the bedrock of Japanese ethics and morality. Occxies, on the other hand, have always tended to look upon the world as fixed in place and at relationships and human activities as unchanging. This difference in Western and Japanese views is dramatically demonstrated in the penchant that Westerners have for intricate details, iron-clad agreements, and contracts. The Occxies take the view the world would fall apart if contracts were not there to hold it together. In fact, until contemporary times, detailed agreements or contracts were unbeknown to the Japanese. The natural order of things is for people to form alliances according to both political and business purposes, while understanding—alliances, like the cosmos, are open-ended, and allow for day-to-day adjustments that could be initiated by either side. Generally speaking, all agreements made among the Japan were based on the principle of jijo henko, in other words "changing circumstances." Clearly with a rapidly changing world and daily circumstances in a state of constant flux it is imperative the concerned parties to any agreement understand terms of a contract could never be absolute, nor should they be. The absolutism of contractual obligation is what is creating an unprecedented clash of civilizations all the more likely, and the stark contrast between East and West could not be more viscerally evident than nowadays. When the Western practice of written contracts was introduced into Japan, the Japanese considered this as evidence Westerners were so unethical and immoral that they could not trust anyone to keep their word. The Japanese also regard the idea of being forced to abide by a minutely detailed contract as irrational and rightfully so, as any sensible mind understands that there is no way any given situation can remain the same for either party over a period of time. The concept of jijo henko remains imbedded in Japanese business protocol, and contracts are looked upon as general guidelines which are subjected to revision as circumstances warrant. Indeed, much to the chagrin of the Occxies, Americans in particular, the Japanese still tend to regard contracts they sign as being "adjustable." For certain, the Japanese regularly "adjust" contracts and verbal agreements unilaterally, and occasionally remove them altogether, without any feeling of inappropriateness or unreasonableness whatsoever. Truly, not adjusting the provisions of a contract when not doing so is detrimental to either parties interests is simply irrational. The Japanese see no contradiction in their casual treatment of contracts and they view themselves as among the worlds most honest, sincere, trustworthy and honourable people, which for the most part is true. Indeed in the eyes of the Japanese, arbitrarily reinterpreting a contact to suit themselves comes under the sphere of personal matters where human feelings take precedence. When these circumstances occur, the other side is expected to understand and accept their actions even if it inconveniences them and costs them money. It is understood in such situations the side breaking the contract will be obligated to the other side for a similar indulgence in the future—everything balance out in the end. The concept of jijo henko remains the bedrock of relationships in Japan, and this flexibility solidifies the long-term outlook of mutually beneficial relationships—the long game. The Japanese, along with those who understanding their Way are acutely aware of the ephemeral nature of life. This can be observed in their reverence of cherry blossom fluttering away—representing the transitory nature of all life. Truly, the fickle nature of the human condition and the whims of the universe can never be engraved in granite. Regardless of the intention of either party when initiating a contractual agreement, just like the fleeting life of the cherry blossoms high in the trees, the situation is always fluid, changing, and for that one can be guaranteed.

The month of January hold a special place in one's heart as this is the month one arrived to the Land Of The Rising Son on January 11, 1987. One could have never imagined the places, people, and events to be experienced over the next several years when sitting under the kotatsu on a clear and icy January day, eating mikan and watching the New Year Grand Sumo event in the first days of one's life long adventure in Japan. By virtue of living in Japan, the opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures and life experiences has deeply enriched one's own life in ways too profound to be express in mere words. Like many things in life, the turning of a year represents the passing of 12 calendar months, 52 weeks, and 365 days of one's unique journey upon Mother Earth—the passage of one's life and times—think about it. Even more so, the passage of time represent life events to be marked as significant milestones in one's own journey—whatever those may be. As a friendly reminder of the ephemeral nature of life and the silent passage of time, one marks the turning of each day in a somewhat macabre countdown to 100 years-old. Each day that passes is marked off where one can see the fleeting nature of life in cold-hard numbers. Even though there are 15,472 days left in one's journey, and this may seem like a lot—but really, it is not… What will the feeling be when the number is—lower—much lower?!?!?! The year of Reiwa 5 will be filled with purpose and meaning—only if one chooses for it to be so. Living a life with intent and purpose is the sole objective each day of one's own unique journey around the Sun. Look at the dawn of each new day as the beginning of a new life. Explore the nooks and crannies of one's own life experience, reach out to others, as well as more deeply within one own self. Here there is a Once In A Lifetime opportunity to share one's own meaning and purpose with the others. Here one can touch and inspire those who are lost and looking for purpose, meaning, and motivation to create initiative in their own lives and to see one who encourages and uplifts the others. One thing is for certain: Reaching into, and exploring the nooks and crannies of the human experience leads to a much more worthwhile life experience. When the countdown is finally reaches 0, one can go forth to the great beyond—become a god in one's own right as the earth continues to spin around and around until the end of time. May the year of Reiwa 5 be a year full of inspiration, meaning, and purpose and the continuing prosperity and health of one's clan .

Life changed dramatically​when older cousin Dennis roll through our small rural British Columbia town in 1977. He was so very kind to take a 14-year-old boy to the record store—buying Led Zeppelin IV and the double album—Waiting for Columbus, by Little Feat. Here the life long love of music was consolidated on side-one, song-one—"Black Dog" on Led Zeppelin IV. Note: Maggie May sparked the love of music by taking her child to classical and jazz concerts from ΩNE's earliest memories. Dennis was a true music fan and would travel great distances around North America to see all the contemporary acts of the 70. Undeniably a man of his time, he lived his life to the fullest—his own way. He choose a life of tough seasonal work in the harsh-frigid environments of northern Canada, where he constructed pipelines, and for most of his adult life, as the foreman. Never one to sit in an office all day, he only worked these lucrative seasonal jobs, spend his precious time living his life according to his own principles. One summer Dennis rolled through our town with his airstream in tow. "I am on my way to 'babysit' a mining camp while it is idled for the summer." He said to me joyously while tuning up his dirt-bike. For certain his Husqvarna dirt-bike allowed him to savour the meaning of true freedom in northern Canada and what it means to be truly alive. Dennis was a pescatarian, didn't smoke, and only drank socially. Perhaps, seeing his own father die early of a heart attack due to an unhealthy life style made him conscientious of his own health and mortality. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can stop the hands of time, and there always comes the time, when one no longer has any time left at all. Just a brief time ago Maggie May called to say beloved cousin Dennis had stage 4 esophageal cancer, which had spread to his lungs and marrow. Time ran out for Dennis soon after that fateful call from Maggie May. Beloved cousin Dennis died and became a God on November 24, 2022 at 03:12 at the young age of 68—his life come and gone, in the twinkle of an eye. The last time to every speak to Dennis was to invite him to come to a grand party in celebration of one's father's 85th, and Maggie May's 80th. The plan was to gather the greater clan and unite around the elders to venerate and honour them—as it should be. Much to our dismay, traveling was not possible at the start of the age of Corona in early 2020, thus, the once-in-a-lifetime party never occurred. Moreover, the opportunity to see beloved Dennis one more last time was not to be, alas with much sorrow. However, the very fond and pleasant memories of this special man will continue to warm one's heart until the end of one own time. Thank you Dennis for giving your brotherly love to a little boy, and for treating me like your friend. ​

There's often a debate between pet owners as to whether one is a cat person or a dog person. Having the privilege of growing up with both cats (feline) and dogs (canine), one can truly say: Domesticate companion animals are imperative in alleviating the suffering of isolation and loneliness—regardless of the species of animal one choose to keep as a pet. For certain, the binary misnomer of CAT vs DOG also excludes more esoteric choices of domesticated companions such as guinea pigs, boa constrictors, turtles, and carp—among the vast array animals the humans species keep as pets. Surely this tedious binary way of thinking is now well past its expiry date—a relic of the past no doubt. This archaic binary notion can now be retired along with the narrow-mindedness the ridiculous notion binary thinking encompasses. In fact, one can actually ascertain the degree of empathy in those who choose to keep companion animals—in particular those who have rescued distressed animals from despair and abandonment. The Big Girl loves animals, and shortly after marriage, a most extraordinary family member entered our atmosphere in November of 2014. An abandoned cat, he found his way to his ancestral home by perseverance and fortitude—along with the desire to live. Pancakes almost starved to death, but the gentle hand of fate touched his soul and brought him to what could only be considered feline paradise, where he acts as the wise sage of the Clan—in possession of Potion of Emotion, which among many traits, takes One's sorrow away. A short year later, Mr, Twinkle was rescued, and became the second son, One could say. As the feline clan grew year by year, the individual member settled into their respective places in the hierarchy in the society of cats, in rural Japan. This is reflected in the fact that this spoilt cat is the biggest baby of them all. He gets lonely at night and likes to interrupt this monkey's slumber due to his desire to play throughout the night—he is a nocturnal animal after all. Still a year later, two more beautiful cats came to join our clan—both of them rescued. Unfortunately, the female of this exquisite pair died of pneumonia a couple of short weeks later. A tragedy to say the least, but this is where the true nature of life is revealed in a painful way—all living things must die it is merely a matter of time. Regardless, Cinnamon our third son is healthy and an important part of our Clan's society. He brings smiles with his innocence and joy when he demands to sit on one's knee and get some deep love. Unlike the others, one could say he is ten nen boke, which translates nicely into "a natural airhead." Two years later, The Big Girl came across a pair of sisters in an animal shelter, and it was destiny—Empress Grace and Infinity Hisho Jasmine, joined the Clan in 2017. The older of the two, Jasmine is as skinny as a rail, unlike her sister, Empress Grace, in which One could say is a little on the plump side. Jasmine, the Infinity Hisho, takes care of all affairs, and dispenses indispensable wisdom, while steering this bag of chemicals, around the Quantum Field. A truly awesome aspect about Jasmine is her innate trait of total flexibility where she can turn on a dime when new information crosses her radar. She is also a history buff and Dan Carlin's Hardcore History is her absolute favorite. Indeed, the Infinite Hisho has make a world of difference in this monkey's life—deep gratitude for all she does. Fascinating to observe the youngest female establishing herself as the Empress, reigning above all, the sovereign ruler of this Domain. Never one to back down from a fight, she is capable of icy stares, which would make Satan himself retreat to safer grounds. Regardless, she does things her own way, and having an Empress in the house makes for wonderful and fulfilling days. One can not recommend a society of companion animals enough, countless animals are anticipating a loving home, and now more than ever is the time to extend hospitality, to all animals who are awaiting an ally's dome. One thing that is always present as time marches on will be the inevitable death of these animals long before this monkey's time on the planet is done. This suffering of loss is the price One must pay, for the countless experiences of joy, fellowship, and comfort provided throughout One's Way.

Having tasted the bitter flavour of ennui and wandering for years in the proverbial desert, a consequential breakthrough was uncovered. Do not ignoring important forks in the road, whatever they may be. Over time, the stark realization one's Japanese language skills would remain in the jozu desu ne category, forever, carrying with it a feeling of hopelessness and despondency. Cultural point 1: The phrase jozu desu ne is used by the Japanese, particularly on those from Occxie-land, when there is even a minor level of cohesive communication in Japanese. Cultural point 2: This innocuous comment is intended to be kind, but to those who seek deeper levels of communication with the Japanese, it is also serves a stinging backhanded compliment, and a bleak reminder: Regardless of how far one has come—one must still go farther along the way day by day—until the final play—passing into the God molecules, and continuing along one's own Way. Fork In Road The Ministry of Education mandates the Japanese language curriculum consisting of 2,136 ideograms, and two other syllabaries—hiragana and katakana. Over time, one came to the bleak realization—without Japanese reading ability—illiteracy. It is said when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Regardless of the intense degree of difficultly for this old autodidact, the kanji challenge was the most significant forks in road. Entering into the realm of the Japanese literate, has lead to extraordinary opportunities, not available to those who cannot read, or write Japanese. Fork In Road Relationships at all stages, must be carefully examined throughout life. People progress in different paces and ways, and more often than not, the value to each other changes over the course of time. It is best to recognize when old relationship no longer serve association, and it is always prudent to move on, when that important fork in road has been realized with clarity. As one matures, the realization of the fleeting nature of life, and how quickly the journey ends, has allowed one to put to rest any relationship no longer serving the edification of each other. Fork In Road Truly, as one heads into the 6th decade of life next year, the most significant fork in road has now appears and the necessity of the next step, no matter how large, can no longer be ignored. Watching the country of one's birth collapse into incivility, the once beautiful society one was privilege to have been raised in is now a faded memory. Indeed, as one said to beloved mother the other day. If living until 95 years of age, one has the opportunity to live one more full adult lifetime in Japan. Thus, the fork in road for the author of this article is to leave the citizenship of birth behind—becoming a citizen of Japan—the country of my family, clan, and community. Such decisions one could imagine are not easy, but more often than not the fork in road has a brilliant spotlight shinning on its entrance. Here, after understanding the reading system of Japan, one can now clearly see the nooks, crannies, and layers of Japan, along with the rich magic held within the Japanese heart, spirit and mind.

The stark contrast between the Occidental Industrial Education system, in which one was indoctrinated in the 70s, and Japanese eduction is profound. Seeing Japanese school children dressed in school uniforms the first time was a sight to behold. Having never thought about school uniforms until seeing the Japanese students, one could see they identified with their most important group—school mates. However, in a small rural town in Occxie-land, it was always clear which strata of society the classmates resided in based upon the overall quality of their appearance, and personal hygiene protocol. This truth only became more evident as things turned into a fashion show, and the spectrum of cruel one-upmanship was visceral as the Occxie-kids advanced up the Industrial Education indoctrination ladder. To be clear—one-upmanship is innate in all humans—the Japanese are no exception—discrimination is simply more difficult to do based upon outward appearance. Truly, one was also shocked to see Japanese children going to school on Saturday of all things! In the pristine mountains of Occxie-land, Saturday was clearly the first day of the coveted weekend, and going to the indoctrination center was the furtherest thing from this author's mind. Here in Japan, one also quickly understood the significance of the omnipresent school club and how it forges a mindset serving them in the hierarchal society of Japan. The Japanese students must dedicated their life to their coach, fellow members, and pledge loyalty to the club. These extracurricular activity, although said to be voluntary, are in reality not, unless one is asking for the dreaded mura hachibu. Club activity often caps the regular school day with early bird practice from 06:30, resuming after school for a few more hours, just before running off to the cram school. Not only does club activity make for really long days, but more often than not, club activity is also scheduled for Sunday—making the club predominate in Japanese school life. The school year also last much longer in Japan. In fact, one could say because of this, Japanese students are well prepared for the life of a worker bee as a cog in the machine of Japan—creating Form, Order, and Process. The school year starts the beginning of April and goes all the way until the middle of March. Summer break starts at the end of July, but this is where the omnipresent club activity relentlessly continues throughout August, with a short intermission to celebrate Obon. Don't forget to add in the copious amount of homework for the Japanese student to complete over the summer holiday—in principle any notion of separation from the school community is simply never considered. Fortunately for this Occxie-kid, who could not identify with the soul crushing Industrial Education System, the two and a half months of summer vacation was replete with tons of fun and boatloads of joy. It's true—the school doors were slammed shut and locked, until the beginning of new school year—in September. Truthfully, the chances of this author remembering any math equations or most of the other pointless drivel spewed from the extremely tedious government employees was minimal at the best. Surely the designers of the morally bankrupt Anti Matriculation protocol—formerly known as the Industrial Education Complex—supposedly created to nurture, enlighten, and brighten our children—only to produces indoctrinated, stoopid, and willfully ignorant adherents—clearly a reflection of Mal Matriculated Industrial Drones. Could it be the Japanese education system is a more pragmatic way to prepare its citizens for real life in the modern world? Indeed, for first three years of elementary school life in Japan, there are no tests. Here the conventions of Japanese society are instilled into the children along with communal objectives such as planting a garden, or raising small animals in the school yard. For Japanese student, going to school is nothing short of the ultimate practice for when they official join "adulthood" as formalized in the Coming Of Age Ceremony come January. Consider an education system a reflection of any given society as a whole—the conventions and protocols contained within will undoubtedly determine its success or failure. Even so, as the world turns, the Industrial Education Complex is now in it's final stages, and herein lies the opportunity for the Japanese to create new education systems to serve the world's children in the Age Of Corona, now and far beyond. ​

The Japanese government carried out a capital punishment event recently. Interestingly enough, over 80% of Japanese citizens support capital punishment. One queried two men in their late 20s, curious as to the Japanese youth view on capital punishment. The first one said he was against capital punishment. No bleeding heart here however, as he said: "I would like the perpetrator suffering mental anguish as punishment for their crimes against the society until the end of their natural life." The second young man sided with the majority saying: "Capital punishment must be carried out to atone for crimes against the social conventions of Japan." Unlike the United States—the only other G7 country still executing citizen—Japanese death row inmates never know the date of execution. This particular execution was carried out to atone for a heinous crime which took place on June 8, 2008. The executed death row inmate rammed a rented vehicle into a crowded pedestrian area of Akihabara—also know as Electric Town—killing three via vehicular homicide. The perpetrator then raged into a stabbing frenzy leaving four more victims dead, and inflicting harm on several other innocent victims. Execution orders come from the very top. In order for executions to take place in Japan, the Justice Minister—Yoshihisa Furukawa in this particular instance—must stamp the execution order with the official seal of the Justice Ministry. Now one can understand the power contained within the Almighty Chop, as once the order is stamped with the official government seal, the execution is carried out the same day. Here the ancient Way of Japan comes into full view—the fact remains—the day of reckoning is only revealed the morning of the execution. There is no hoopla or fanfare. There is no one last meal. There is only a Buddhist priest, the prison guards, and the last walk to the gallows of Japan to be hung by the neck until dead. This is in sharp contrast to the United States, as the affairs of capital punishment are the responsibility of each state. Indeed, depending on the state where the capital crime occurs, there are a variety of execution methods terminating the life of the damned. This American style lethal justice is carried out using a variety of methods depending on the state: Lethal injection Electric chair Hanging Firing squad Gas chamber Just to be clear, Japan and the U$A keep company with the likes of Saudi Arabia, China, and Iran when it comes to capital punishment (see full list). In a practical observation of executions in Japan, all executions taking place since arriving in 1987 can be considered justified according to the conventions of Japanese society, and the punishment fitting the nature of the crime. One of the most shocking events experienced in the early days of Japan was between August 1988 and June 1989. This is where a male perpetrator murdered four young girls in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture. The girls from 4 to 7-years-old when murdered in his car before dismembering and molesting their corpses. He also engaged in cannibalism, preserved body parts as trophies, and taunted the families of his victims. Sentenced to death in 1997, he was executed in 2008. Deranged mentally ill people are not exclusive to Japan. These vile filthy animals lurk in the darkest corners of the demented and lunatic mind—wreaking havoc upon Oneness—wherever they may go. In the country of one's own passport, there was a local serial killer in a reign of terror from 1980 to 1981. The final count of innocent victims was eleven children. The perpetrator of these heinous crimes was sentenced to life in prison in January 1982—dying in prison on October 2, 2011—almost 30 full years after these crimes against humanity. Whether justice was served appropriately for the beloved left behind, is a matter of personal conviction. Make no mistake about this: Perpetrators of heinous acts breaching the ancient social conventions of Japan will have to reconcile at the Japanese Ministry of Justice Hangman Department. The ancient system of Japan has evolved over millennia—founded upon Form Order and Process—including capital punishment protocol, and will continue to enforce the core tenets of the Japanese for the foreseeable future. ​

Not familiar with this important historical Japanese terminology? sakoku 1.0 is the era of isolation between 1603 and 1867. Known as Edo, it was ruled over by the razor-sharp blade of the Tokugawa Clan. In Old Japan the Tokugawa Shogunate enforced strict social order and the rigidly structured social hierarchy system of the Japanese, which has been evolving over millennia. Over the next 264 years, the Japanese cultivated a culture of extraordinary systems anchored in the principles of Form, Order, and Process. Make no mistake about the calculated brutality enforcing mandated adherence to strict social hierarchy in order to keep one's fledgling country in civil order after the extremely brutal sengoku jidai (1467-1568 CE) where it was said: The rivers of Japan run crimson with blood. The peace and stability of the Tokugawa period, and the economic development it fostered, set the stage for the rapid modernization that took place after the Meiji Restoration. Here is another critical historical lesson as to why the Japanese had to open their county after 264 years of self-imposed isolation. Imperialist American Gunboat Diplomacy. Commodore Perry came to Japan representing the United States of America, along with a squadron of four vessels. For a time, Japanese officials refused to speak with Commodore Perry, but under threat of attack they accepted letters from President Millard Fillmore. After giving Japan time to consider the establishment of external relations, Commodore Perry returned to Tokyo with nine ships in March 1854. On March 31, he signed the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese government, opening Japan to American trade and permitting the establishment of a U.S. consulate in Japan. Fundamentally, the Japanese were forced to open to international trade under grave threat of violence and destruction at the hands of the Americans. Yet, this is genocidal behaviour continues around the globe up until this very day. This historic event initiated one of the greatest achievements in human history—the industrialization of Japan reflecting the best of Occxie-land, and beyond. The history books bear witness to the fact that just seven short years after the Meiji period ended, a newly modernized Japan was recognized as one of the "Big Five" powers at the Versailles Peace Conference that ended World War I. Perhaps Commodore Perry and the myopic Americans were aghast after witnessing what the Japanese are capable of achieving when exposed to ideas that will advance the nation of Japan combined with Form, Order, and Process. Which brings all to the sakoku 2.0 version of Japan, which started with the Covid virus in March 2020. Although one may think of viruses as microscopic, viruses take many forms and one must be certain viruses are not surreptitiously infecting one's own mind, heart or soul. The unending plagues and conflicts now tormenting our shared planet, is at an all time high and spinning out of control faster and faster, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This is where another very important Japanese protocol comes into play which is necessary to understand as to why the Japanese nation will probably reject unfettered tourism ever again. One of the most profound cultural traits of the Japanese is the deeply engrained notion of tatemae and hone. tatemae: constructed reality to which everyone play lip service honne: true feelings What is on display now is farcical theatrics paying lips service to the re-opening of Japan to untethered tourists. Most regrettably, many long-term resident in the foreign community have built lives around tourism, presenting highly unique experiences for the curious and bold, but now leaves them in a bottomless pit of uncertainty. Unfortunately, due to the looming Thucydides's trap, staring directly into Japan's face, one now has to ponder what exactly will be Japan's role in the fast-approaching, volatile, and unpredictable geopolitical conundrums, now billowing in, one after another. In all likelihood, the Japanese will take a wait-and-see approach and implement necessary measures according to the fluidity of the situation. Remember, it is not the feckless interchangeable faces of the Japanese politicians and their long-suffering secretaries running the show. It is the faceless bureaucrats who manipulate the levers of power behind the black curtain, and make no mistake about it, these old Japanese men are simply mindless bureaucratic cogs grinding the system of Japan forward. Japanese bureaucrats are programmed by the deep indoctrination necessary to pass the stringent Japanese government bureaucrat exam, and these people have absolutely no interest in anything expect the advancement of Japan, which at the present time does not include unfettered free-range tourism. Uncomfortably true, the absence of throngs of tourists selfieing their way through the ancient civilization of Japan is a welcome reprieve for many long-term residents, and indeed most Japanes

It is always a joyful occasion when introducing the Japanese to the miracle of gravy 'n' rice. This remarkable meeting of two culinary culture touchstones fuses these staples into a flavour unlike any other. For certain the Japanese hold rice in the highest esteem in connection with the cultural significance of this sacred grain, and the evolution of Japanese civilization. Of equal significant meaning, but of less cultural magnitude are the humble drippings of pork roast, which are then turned into gravy. Indeed one's beloved father, in the French Canadian tradition was deeply fond of porcine and the versatility of this staple. In fact, he loved pork so much, he would save bacon grease to add to his world famous pancakes. Not only were his pancakes excellent, he was also fond of (deep) frying eggs in bacon grease as well, something his spouse put a stop to later in his long life (June 15, 1935 ~ April 5, 2022). Historically speaking, the Japanese do not roast whole pieces of meat or birds as Japanese kitchens are rarely equipped with a proper oven. Indeed, the average Japanese housewife's need for an over, or the concept of roasting something whole lies outside Japanese culinary protocol. The only thing the Japanese housewife is roasting is a piece of fish, one for each member of the family in the ubiquitous fish grill, which is present in all Japanese kitchens. It is because the Japanese do not have a concept of authentic gravy is exactly where the magic lies. There are pretenders to the throne of sauces, such as the popular yet mundane demi glace, or other types of Japanese sauces (tare), which although delicious, can not match the heavenly combination of gravy 'n' rice. Eating gravy 'n' rice for the first time is an enlightening experience for any Japanese person lucky enough to be offered gravy 'n' rice and may only happen once in a lifetime. One could say the meeting of sacred Japanese polished rice, and pork grease gravy, which is prepared by gently folding flour into pork fat while mixing the secret flavoured water, containing the hidden mystery of our clan's gravy recipe invoking a somewhat religious experience. It's almost as if introducing the Japanese to gravy 'n' rice created a fusion of Japanese and Occidental culinary civilization, in the unlikely combination of gravy 'n' rice. Adding authenticity to the complete meal entails roasted potatoes slathered with New Zealand grass-fed butter and a generous helping of fresh Aomori garlic. Don' forget a health drizzle of Australian macadamia nut oil, and a sprinkle of herbs and spices, which only adds to the perplexing menagerie of flavours one has coaxed out of the lowly potato. Gravy can be successfully made from may different kind of fat drippings. A traditional turkey dinner often related to Occidental holidays is a case in point. For certain, there is a vegan recipe for gravy one can smear all over veggies and indeed even fruit until the heart has become content. Here one would only need to substitute a vegetable soup cube and other magic (salts, herbs, spices) available to those who chose not to eat the carcasses of dead animals. Perhaps one can consider gravy 'n' rice as a metaphor for foundation of a wonderful life. The foundation of life is rice, and topped with gravy, adds variety and spice to life . ​

The ancient traditional Japanese values and behaviour differ fundamentally from those raised in Christianized cultures in the most extraordinary Ways. In 1543, a Chinese junk with several Portuguese traders was blown off course into Japan. Here the first ever recorded encounter between Westerners and Japanese occurred on Tanegashima off the coast of Kyushu. It was here the Japanese were first introduced to firearms, gun powder, and tobacco. Indeed the lord of the island was so impressed with the Portuguese matchlock instrument of death, he ordered his craftsmen to set up a foundry and duplicate them. Here is evidence of the innate Japanese trait of taking novel items from other worlds and crafting the object into something uniquely Japanese, and more often than not, superior in all aspects. In spite of these brilliant displays of craftsmanship and understanding, in the eyes of the Westerners, the Japanese had no sense of morality or ethics. Imagine the shock of the first puritanical foreign missionaries arriving in Japan, in what Koizumi Yakumo describes as "fairyland." The attitude and behaviour of the Japanese in most practical matters, including those of a sexual nature, are in fundamental alignment with nature, as is indicative of an agrarian island nation. Even today the Japanese do not regard nudity or sex as sinful or something shameful. This was made evidently clear as one enjoyed a leisurely outdoor bath in one of the ubiquitous hot springs sprinkled throughout Japan. The cleaning lady was chatting with stark-naked male patron in what could only be described as a surreal scene in a peculiar movie. She was also kind enough to mention the lovely day while checking the bath temperature, as one was soaking solo in the outdoor taru buro. No issues, as one was able to overcome the Occidental Christian shame and punishment protocol concerning nudity, which also happens to be a reflection of the beauty and divinity of our common body and soul. These criticisms of the Japanese was to continue for the next 400 years. Exposed here is the Occidental Christians protocol of projecting superiority over Japanese culture and way of life, where they advocates detachment from the natural ebb and flow of life, and one's own ancestors. A more practical understanding of the difference between Western and Japanese morality only really came to light the mid-1900s The difference between these two distinct minds is directly bound to the religious systems dominating the two cultures. Keep in mind, the Japanese are not, and never have been "religious" in the mythological sense of Christianity. In the West, Christianity and its dogma is based upon the absolute principles of good and bad, right and wrong. This is the dominant philosophical and spiritual force of Christianity which embodies a detailed code of thought and behaviour that was drummed into Westerners from childhood. Even all the more unpleasantly so, every thought and action was prescribed and judged by a single, all-powerful, all-knowing god. Westerners were conditioned to pass judgment on every aspect of life, labeling every thought and action as good or bad, moral or immoral. All precepts pertaining to life were expressed in these absolute terms. These canons of Mammon were created to serve generation after generation of morally bankrupt religious parasites sucking the spirit and soul from our common humanity. Life in the West was ruled by absolute principles, starting with the Ten Commandments. The indoctrinated Christian Occidentals were conditioned to suffer emotional and spiritual pain if they broke any of these commandments, even when their "misbehaviour" was unknown to others. For this omnipresent Western style god, or more realistically, what has now morphed into the "State," wants to knows if you have been naughty or nice, and will for certain exact its pound of flesh and revenge as it sees fit, jury, judge, and executioner, all in the name of the lord. The prime directive of Western culture was that everyone should be conditioned to automatically distinguish between right and wrong as prescribed by the Church. However, this has never guarantee "good" or even humane behaviour, and much of the evil committed by the West is still done in the name of religion. In Japan, on the other hand, there is no single omnipotent god whatsoever. The Japanese have their own constitution handed down from Taishi Shōtoku in 604 CE, which takes a much more pragmatic approach to carry oneself throughout life. There are no religious texts teaching absolute truths. The roots of the Japanese are in the detailed guidelines concerning form order, and process. These are matters of social status, position, gender, relationships, and the like, and has nothing to do with religious tenets whatsoever. Among the Japanese, ultimate power is not in the hands of a god, but in the hands of their group. What the Japanese fear the most is the opinion and judgement of the individual member of t

There is nothing like the innocent life of a new born child. Alas, in most cases, this innocence ends abruptly as the indoctrination process begins in-earnest. For many unlucky boys raised in the Occidental tradition, the indoctrination start with a blade and the male genitalia in what is known as the unkindest cut of them all; circumcision. This vile edict from long dead self-appointed and regally anointed "people of god" is still carried out in the name of piety in some regions of our troubled world; female genital mutilation. All claiming to be in direct communication with monotheistic gods must be looked upon with deep suspicion and as suffering from megsalomania, delusion of grandeur, and rotten to their putrid core with deep-seated mental illness. Moreover, fantastic fables of god and miracle are simply designed by Mammon to be in the service of the chosen "people of god" at the dear expense of the flock, or otherwise know in Christianity as "sheep." Let us all now reflect upon the fate of the majority of sheep…… Amen. Clearly, the original message of Jesus, from whence a beacon to the downtrodden once shone has now taken on a much more menacing and sinister meaning. Here, the fraud is evident for all to see as the naked greed motivating these "people of god" is clearly rooted in the material sludge of this mortal world. In case one did not know, the fleecers fleece the fleeced to the tune of 10% of their gross income; this is what is known as tithing. Even much more heart-wrenchingly so, the gullible masses accept that they must wait for a reward in the afterlife, in what is refer to as "heaven." As is with all evolution, so it is with Christianity. The modern Christians understand mandating the surrender of one's own sovereignty can be clearly dismissed as dead mythology. Here is something important to understand about "heaven" and now needs to be prudently examined for veracity. According to Christian doctrine, unless one had received Jesus as their personal saviour, and to have been washed by the blood of the lamb (Jesus), one can not enter the kingdom of "heaven." This is exclusionary in the extreme, and contra-humanistic. If this Christian tenet is taken at face value, the Japanese are heading straight to hell, according to this particular Christian dogma. Joyfully so, the message of love and harmony is still prevalent in certain circles of Christianity today. Here is something that is universally applicable to ponder, no religion necessary: Do not judge a book by its cover. The Japanese do not judge others, it is not necessary, for we live in the tate shakai social structure of Japan. Indeed, the Japanese citizens' place in this complex society is most likely to be predetermined and accepted as the natural course of one own life. Remember, Japan was an isolated island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean until only recently (Commodore Perry and Japan [1853-1854]). The resilience of the Japanese can not be underestimated, and the Japanese Spirit prevailed even when gravely threatened by the Jesuits during the sakoku period from 1603 to 1867. As pointed out in Koizumi Yakumo seminal work; Japan, an Attempt at Interpretation, in the chapter entitled, Jesuit Peril, one can see the Japanese flatly rejecting any notion of a disconnection from one's own ancestry in the service of a false god in a far away land. What Yakumo saw, and saliently described during the birth of industrial Japan, was that the Japanese are not "religious," but in fact, adhere to the Way of Ancestor Worship. Moreover, the Japanese place the highest value on form, order, and process…one could almost say, religiously. The Japanese are welcoming to all, they only ask for recognition of just a few commonsensical protocols while visiting the sacred land of Japan. respectful of others mind your manners venerate ancestors life's ephemeral nature live and let live For further insight in to the Land Of The Rising Son, why not take a moment to check out the following nooks and crannies: （あ）How the Japanese think about love in I Don't Love You I Like You A Lot. （い）Why is the personal seal of approval on mundane business documents necessary all the time. Find out in The Almighty Chop （う）The most important film critic you have never heard of, meet Yodogawa Nagaharu here. （え）Not your average American buffet, but plenty pork intestite and stinky fish, welcome to Akitaya - A Family Restaurant. （お）Will Japan become just like the good old U$A? Ask Mickey Mouse. （か）You are what you eat whether you like it or not, some RoundUp with your rice? （き）An angel on earth disseminating joy, Who is Uehara Hiromi? （く）Never would one have thought in a lifetime to have had the honour to meet a Kamikaze pilot. （こ）What happens when one becomes bewitched and under a spell, Is My Wife a (Good) Witch?

The chasm between "East" and "West" has never been as volatile since the enslavement of the Chinese nation with a massive opioid addiction pandemic early in the 20th century. Western civilization evolved from the Greeks and Romans, and when considering Eastern civilization, China comes to mind as the representative of the East, as this is the birth place of Confucius. Keep in mind, the moral tenets of the Asia nations are based first and foremost upon Ancestor Worship, infused with the peaceful teachings of the Buddha, and communal specific rituals passed down from generation to generation. Let us now refresh our memories as to why this historical inflection point has now set up a showdown between these two civilizations. There were two armed conflicts in China in the mid-19th century between the forces of Western countries and the Qing dynasty (644 to 1911-12). These two wars are referred to as the "Opium Wars." The first Opium War was fought between China and Britain (1839–42). The second Opium War, also known as the Arrow War, was the Anglo-French War in China fought by Brits and French against the Chinese (1856–60). These conflicts marked the start of the era of unequal treaties with the Chinese. However, this malice and disgraceful behaviour toward Asians was not something unfamiliar to the Occxie overlords, and this sneaky technique is still used in many forms even until this very day. On a colonial note, this is where the Brits came into possession of Hong Kong via the Treaty of Nanjing. The onslaught of these rabid and greedy merchants of death via their vile ploy to enslave Eastern Civilization using massive opioid drug addition, resulted in the Chinese continuing to resist this repugnant Occxie protocol, leading to the second Opium War. These destructive Opium Wars arose from China's attempts to suppress the opium trade, which was destroying the Ancient Eastern civilization. Primarily it was the British traders that had been illegally exporting opium mainly from India to China since the 18th century, and that trade dramatically increased starting around 1820. Moreover, the resulting widespread opioid addiction caused the severe decay of the social, moral, and economic fabric of Chinese society, which must be noted clearly, is founded upon the key humanistic principle of filial piety and ancestor worship. Indeed, filial piety is the core tenet binding all Asian societies and their communities, and the fundamental principle of ancestor worship leave both the Japanese and Eastern civilizations on a very different spectrum conceptually than those with the myopic Occxie eyes. The third pillar of civilization, civility, can be observed as an innate character of the Japanese. Fundamentally, the ancient Japanese and Asian civilizations will continue to persist as they have for millennia. Alas, civilizations built upon the false doctrine that separates the family, community, and humans from each other and their humanity, are destine to crumble under the weight of their dogma and fallacy. Here, any rabid tribe now unhinged from reality will be forced to peer into the sacred mirror of one's own soul, and face the emotions and the hunger pangs of life's decisions. However, one should not despair, for hope springs eternal. Anyone can look to the third pillar of civilization, which is civility, an innate characteristic of the Japanese. Indeed, the Japanese civilization has evolved its civility on these isolated Pacific islands for over 2 millennium. One another colonial note, the Japanese barely dodged a fatal cultural bullet after wisely rejecting the Jesuit dogma out of Rome. The Japanese then built their unique civilization over the next 200 years, free from Western influence. Then, true to their innate Occxie nature, the Americans showed up at Japan's door, and do what they do best, point a gun and demand "trade." History shows starting with the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese successfully integrated alien concepts, and forge them into something anew, and often, superior. So it is with the advancement of the Japanese civilization today. Vastly older than others, and more deeply cultured with timeless wisdom, there is also a capacity to be humble by the Shackles of the Past. Lest we all need to be reminded, Japan is the only nation in history, thus so far, to have ever experienced the devastation of a nuclear holocaust first hand, twice. Here again, humanity stands at the brink of nuclear annihilation. If once again the nation of Japan should suffer the fiery breath of nuclear weapons, it will not only be the end of Civilization 3.0, but elimination of all human civilizations, once and for all. In order to understand the pillar in which the Japanese civilization rests upon soundly, one must carefully examine the Japanese constitution written by Prince Shotoku in the 7th century. The concept of dōtoku 道徳 is the universal guiding principles and the spirit of dōtoku 道徳 is enshrined in Prince Shotoku Taishi's co

ボナー・フェラーズが、日本人の文化や生き方を理解し、尊敬するようになったのは、第二次世界大戦が始まボナー・フェラーズる前、1932にアメリカに留学していた島田亜矢と親しくなったことがきっかけでした。 しかも、この平然とした軍人気質は、彼が信奉していた宗教法人友愛会ファミリー（クエーカー）が定式化したものです。

Bonner Fellers was one of the few American who understood the importance of the Emperor to the Japanese people, and what it would have meant to have tried and executed Emperor Hirohito as a war criminal.

The English word " dignity" does not do justice to the full cultural connotation of "hinkaku" in this Japanese context.

Most Westerners prize practical knowledge and hands-on experience above all other kinds of learning. They are also condition to approach work and other challenge is directly, aiming for the "the shortest distance between two points". It is therefore, inevitable that Westerns in Japan, and those working for the Japanese companies abroad, will be mystified and frustrated by a great deal of typical Japanese behaviour, for to the Japanese the shortest distance between two points is not a straight line.

There has never been a time in history of any society when all people were treated as equals. However, Americans as well as others have passed laws over the centuries that now tries to impose the foreign concept of equality onto the Japanese, as they eagerly spread their version of freedom, democracy and equality all over the world.

Master Storyteller Dan Carlin entrances and engulfs battalions of spellbound adherents into incredible rides probing the nooks and crannies of Hardcore History, the most widely acclaimed podcast in, well, history. ΩNE Master Carlin's exquisite voice personifies his unparalleled style—his shows in fact, are the most listened to within the entire Hardcore History and its divine sister inside his Addendum Sphere—leaving him alone, untouchable, as the undisputed Master Podcaster across all gamuts of the Infinity Verse known as time. Once upon a time, ΩNE Master Carlin released the first in a series of podcasts concerning the Pacific Crusade entitled—Supernova in the East—concerning the fleeting Japanese empire, and their Mal Matriculated ventures into WWII. Self Matriculating under this incredible storyteller for many years, and as a token of appreciation for his magnificent work, ΩNE stimulated his Master by sharing books to facilitate further enlightenment into the Japanese Way. The serendipitous notion of Infinite Motion was for ΩNE Master Carlin to embrue his suppositions into a Hardcore History Special—with respect to ΩNE from Japan. Imagine the surprise and delight when ΩNE Master Carlin referenced a book in the inaugural instalment of the incredible podcast series entitled—Super Nova in the East. The first book mentioned in Super Nova in the East was Japan and the Shackles of the Past, by R. Taggart Murphy. Need to start? ΩNE Taggart Murphy's Shackles of the Past is top on the list to commence Infinite Journey into the notion of Pacific islands called Japan. Super Nova in the East podcast series progressed with a new release once every 6 to 8 months, and ΩNE felt compelled to elevate ΩNE Master Carlin, thus edifying Each Other forever all the more. The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan, by Ivan Morris was originally published in 1975. This seminal work by ΩNE Ivan Morris contains several stories of failed heroes with the climax described in these tragic, yet noble tales, ΩNE Master Carlin fills in the missing pieces in heart-wrenching visceral detail. The final chapter of this particular Ocxxie Mal Matriculation Instance—encompasses bleak accounts of kamikaze fighters which entail—If Only We Might Fall—for this truly stands alone, as a cautionary tale, within this tragic string of a Noble Fail. Accounts of young kamikaze fighters along with their letters to their families, waiting to sacrifice ΩNE of their lives, for the Empire of Japan. ΩNE Master Carlin made a cultured observation, when saying he was taught in school (Mal Matriculated)—kamikaze fighters were mindless robots blindly sacrificing their lives for notion of the Empire of Japan. Super Nova in the East 6, the masterful five hour and forty-five minute Epic Conclusion to the incredible Super Nova in the East Opus was not only spellbindingly breathtaking—is an instance of a Creative Genius Masterpiece. The adroitness of ΩNE Master Carlin lies in his impartiality and Narration Mastery—maintaining a virtuous interpretation of the historical accounts, and in this instance of the true nature of the Japanese, and indeed all of humanity (ΩNE). ΩNE Master Carlin so brilliantly describes the Japanese—they are just like everybody else—but even more so! Bonus: The global reach of ΩNE Master Carlin became crystal clear as ΩNE visited local shrine on Immaculate Sunny Day. There was a special event in progress, and unusually so, quite a few foreigners participating, all dressed up in martial art garb. Unknown ΩNE came and paid compliment to this exceptional hat, and said all members of the Amicable Clan were also big fans of ΩNE Master Carlin. The notion of a place in space called Croatia is where on Earth these life forms originated from. Deep notion of gratitude flow into ΩNE Master Carlin's prodigious creative genius flooding Mother Earth with a historically significant incident of a Muse Getting Loose inside his erudite mind, and from where Hardcore History Book will forever Infinitely Opine. Hardcore History 62 – Supernova in the East I Supernova in the East I: The Asia-Pacific War of 1937-1945 has deep roots. It also involves a Japanese society that's been called one of the most distinctive on Earth. If there were a Japanese version of Captain America, this would be his origin story: 4 hour 28 min; July 14, 2018. Hardcore History 63 – Supernova in the East II Supernova in the East II: Deep themes run through this show, with allegations of Japanese war crimes and atrocities in China at the start leading to eerily familiar, almost modern questions over how the world should respond. And then Dec 7, 1941 arrives: 4 hour 2 min; January 12, 2019 Hardcore History 64 – Supernova in the East III Supernova in the East III: Japan's rising sun goes supernova and engulfs a huge area of Asia and the Pacific. A war without mercy begins to develop infusing the whole conflict with a savage vibe: 4 hour 53 min; October 24, 2019 Hardcore History

それどころか難しい日本語の書き方を無駄なことだと思っているでしょう。 その人たちは心の中で、日本語の書き方をマスターすることは、絶対に不可能だと思っています。

We can say for sure that the Japanese way of writing has indeed been a mixed blessing for the citizens of the Land Of The Rising Son, but with the passage of time we can honestly say that this highly complex system has gained many more advantages which now I believe far outweigh any of its disadvantages.

What does it actually mean to worship one's ancestors? First of all, there are different ideas about the word "worship" and what it encompasses in a "religious" context. The preferred word veneration can be translated nicely into Japanese as sonkei (尊敬), which is more, "down-to-earth." While thinking about the Japanese society, and the social conventions to which the Japanese adhere, one came to the realization that venerating the ancestor, along with the Sun is the best way to express gratitude toward our world and what it gives us. By the way, Amaterasu Oomikami is the Japanese Sun Goddess. This notion of expressing gratitude to those who came before and the life giving energy of the Sun embodies a sense of unity with all people of the world, for we all share the Sun and each has ancestors. One has very fond memories of one particular ancestor—maternal grandfather. As a child he had tuberculosis and was cared for in a small room for a year where ones Really Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather were simply waiting to see if he lived or died. Fortunately for my mom and I, he lived (Dad is happy about this as well). It was during this time in sickness where he read 100s of books which left him a very well read and enlightened man. One's heart fills with fondness when recalling the time spent together with grandfather and his spirit being manifested. This leaves feeling the spirit of grandfather as partially residing in the material world. One could say—once the last of the people directly touch by this extraordinary man pass away, this spirit of grandfather will also fade away. Even if this may be so, the spirits of the ancestors lives on in our alter along with all relatives who have already crossed the SANZU NO KAWA into the afterlife. Here in Japan, ancestors are remembered on specific holidays. For example, the Autumn Equinox (Shūbun no Hi), usually occurring on September 22 or 23. On this day, people will reconnect with their families by tending to the graves of ancestors, and visiting shrines and temples. Pragmatically so, the Japanese believe all virtue and frailty of being human are natural, and look upon all of the dearly departed as some kind of Gods, representing the entire spectrum of the human experience. One finds the inclusiveness of this way of thinking rather refreshing, and indeed to be a much more practical way to think about and live one's own life. Looking at ancestor veneration from a different lens, one also likes to celebrate present relatives who will one day become "ancestors." As when taking the in-laws on an overnight trip, and saying to the cherished and beloved mother-in-law. "I believe we should also venerate our ancestor while still here on earth, so you also can celebrate this wonderful world you have sacrificed for your descendants while ya'll are still here." She had a good laugh and concurred with these sentiments. Why not take some of one's precious time now, and give thanks to our shared Sun Goddess while venerate one's own ancestors, both living and dead, and let them know. Kokoro yori kansha moshi agemasu

Coming to Japan in 1987, there was wonderment, awe, and, sometime dismay about these strange new things and customs, that having been surrounding this incidental Occxie for decades. Wabi-sabi resides in the rare "air." Like many unspoken protocols and conventions of the Japanese, awareness of wabi-sabi is an innate trait, embodied within the spirit of Yamato. In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi is a world view centred on the acceptance of the transience and imperfection of universal truth. Wabi-sabi is sometimes described as one of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Wabi-sabi is derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence: sanbōin, which is the delineation of the three marks of existence mujō―impermanency ku―suffering kuu―emptiness or absence of self-nature Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetics include: asymmetry roughness simplicity economy austerity modesty intimacy Once one has recognized and understood wabi-sabi, a deep and meaningful appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes. Wabi-sabi does not translate into any other languages, as these notions are unique to the civilization of the Japanese. Wabi embodies rustic simplicity, freshness, or quietness, and can be applied to both natural and human-made objects, or understated elegance. It can also refer to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction, which add uniqueness and elegance to the object. Sabi is beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object and its impermanence are evidenced in its wear and tear. With its roots in Buddhist influences from China, wabi-sabi has now evolved into a distinctly Japanese cultural touchstone. From around 700 years ago, understanding emptiness and imperfection was honoured as tantamount to the first step to enlightenment. In modern Japan, the meaning of wabi-sabi embodies "wisdom in natural simplicity". It can also hold the connotation of "flawed beauty" in particularly in the sphere of art. One can see wabi-sabi in certain styles of Japanese pottery. In the Japanese tea ceremony, the pottery items used are often rustic and simple-looking. Hagiware is an example of this, with shapes that are not quite symmetrical, and colours or textures that appear to emphasize an unrefined or simple style. It is up to the knowledge and observational ability of the observer to notice and discern the hidden signs of truly excellent design. One can see wabi-sabi in most things, if one opens the eyes and heart. Wabi and sabi both suggest sentiments of desolation and solitude. In the Mahayana Buddhist view of the universe, these may be viewed as positive characteristics, representing liberation from a material world, and transcendence to a simpler life, or what is know in Buddhism as "satori" or "enlightenment." Keep in mind as one ponders the meaning of life―genuine understanding of wabi-sabi cannot be achieved through words or language. Therefore, one must accept wabi-sabi on nonverbal terms, and this may be the most appropriate approach to understand the meaning of wabi-sabi. In fact, one could say—wabi-sabi describes the meaning of life, and the essence of being a human. Here, one can learn to live through the senses, and better engage in this mortal sludge in real time, rather than be caught up in unnecessary thoughts, and the incessant chatter of the monkey brain, the root causing of human suffering and pain. In this sense, wabi-sabi is the material representation of Zen Buddhism. The universal truth is: Being surrounded by natural, changing, and unique objects, helps us connect to the real world, and escape one's chattering "monkey brain." In wabi-sabi, one learns to find the most basic, natural objects interesting, fascinating, and beautiful―which is in fact, the true essence of life. Look around more deeply and pensively at the world that surrounds you, and then one will have begun the wabi-sabi journey into the Sun.

西洋人にとって、日本という国は矛盾した国で、 良いことに関しても常に反対の不利な面を持っているように思えます。確かに世界のどこでも同じような現象があるかもしれませんが、ここ日本では、その対比がとても著しく思えるでしょう。

The Herd Instinct One can say that to the Westerner eyes that Japan is the land of contradictions, everything good or positive about Japan always seems to have a flipside that is negative or unfavourable. Indeed you could say this about all societies, but here this contrast may appear to be much more pronounced.

There are two very important words in Japanese with deep meaning but no equivalent sentiment in the English concept of language. Itadakimasu and gochiso sama are very important parts of the dining etiquette in Japan. Itadakimasu is said just before eating, it literally means "to receive" or "accept " but in this context more like a DNA infused Japanese Way in a ritualistic connotation, you could almost say it's like a prayer. Read about "PONDS OF ALCOHOL, FORESTS OF MEAT（SUMPTUOUS FEAST）" here.

日本人にとって、「いただきます」と「ごちそうさま」は深く重要な言葉ですが、英語には訳すことができません。この言葉を使うことは日本の食における大切な礼儀作法の一つです。

いくつかの例外を除き、事実上、あらゆる種類の相互作用は、一部の人がより高い原則と見なすものとは対照的に、個人的な義務から始まり、それに基づいています。 日本人は伝統的に、寛大なおもてなしを持っていることで知られており、一般的に訪問者と専門的またはビジネス上の関係を発展させたい人々にそのおもてなしを与えます。

The Japanese have traditionally been known for their generous hospitality that they typically bestow upon visitors and on people with whom they want to develop a professional or business relations. The extraordinary gift giving that is so much a part of Japanese life is also one of the facets of creating and repeating obligation. I have also taken up their custom of extending small unique token gifts when traveling abroad for people I meet anew or for people I would like to develop some kind of relationship.

Ikigai is the Japanese concept meaning—a reason for being. Ikigai refers to having a direction or purpose in life, making life worthwhile, and to take spontaneous and willing actions giving satisfaction, and a sense of meaning to life. Ikigai consists of iki (to live [生き]) and gai (reason[甲斐]). This elegant concept is deeply rooted in the Japanese Way—described in a blog post entitled: Finding One's Way. Ikigai can be describe as having a sense of purpose in life, as well as being motivated. Internalizing the concept of ikigai leads to happiness and well-being, and ikigai entails the important intent and actions of devoting oneself to pursuits one enjoys, and is associated with feelings of accomplishment and fulfilment. Indeed, understanding ikigai will lead to ΩNE's own fulfilment, as all search for, and discover the meaning to one's own life. For certain, you can serve yourself by understanding and internalizing this significant Japanese concept. Have you found you ikigai? If not quite yet, keep looking, as it is sure to be there.

Fundamentally, the Japanese are weary of people who are good talkers, equating this habit and demonstrations of such ability with unprincipled, untrustworthy behaviour. While we can say there is also a similar attitude towards overly talkative people in the West as well, here in Japan, the negative response to people who talk way to much has a much more deeply rooted culture connotation, and far more important in the overall scheme of things even up until this very day. Japanese Telepathy

This exclusivity of the Japanese mindset goes far beyond the intangible features of culture such as philosophy, morals, ethics, values, it also includes race, food and other aspects of life.

日本語では、腹部は気性、勇気、決意、寛大さ、誇りなどの源であり、本能的またはテレパシーのような能力の場所でもあり、熟練した人は他人の心を読むこともできます。 日本のテレパシー：以心伝心」という題名で、ブログに投稿しました。

In Japanese, the abdomen is the source of temper, courage, resolve, generosity, pride, and so on, as well as being the site of an instinctive or telepathic-like ability making it possible for some especially skilled people to read other peoples minds. Enter into the enigmatic mind of the Japanese as one explores the Japanese heart, mind and soul. Check this phenomena on the blog post "Japanese telepathy: i shin den shin"

If you are interested in Japan and the Way of Japanese and would like to really get some excellent insight into the minds of the Japanese, look no further that the incredible work of Master Boye Lafayette De Mente and Emeritus professor R. Taggart Murphy

このチャプター2では、始まったばかりの令和の時代に、菊の玉座に座ることとなりました、戦後生まれの徳仁天皇、そして皇后雅子様の歴史についてお話します。 今日本は長い歴史の中で、非常に重要な時期にあります。この急速に変化する世界で、日本人は常に時代を超えた伝統を尊重し続けます。伝統を守りながらも、近代化し続ける日本は、近隣諸国（きんりんしょこく）と調和がとれるように協力をし、世界に尊厳、名誉、犠牲の精神、そして日本の真の本質と、それが日本であるということを証明してくれるでしょう。 そして今や、私たちの皇后雅子様がその先頭に立ち、彼女の夫である徳仁天皇と共に、特別な外交官としての任務を果たされることが期待されています。 新天皇德仁正式即位 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaS8dR5E478 皇太子さまと音楽 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXTb5uBU7VE 雅子さま ご成婚から１ヶ月 お妃として https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jVlAV1RtZs 皇后 美智子さま・・・愛のロマンス https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBMpnrQWRj ご婚約内定から結婚の儀まで https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6oECrKsn7c

今日お話することは、そうです、日本国民の最大の関心ごと、本日まさに、平成から令和になりました。 今日本は重要な節目に来ていると思います。 平成天皇の退位、そして新天皇誕生という記念すべき今日、 私がここ日本に降り立ってから過ごした、 昭和と平成時代の皇室について、興味深いお話をさせていただきます。 天皇陛下と皇后の福島の訪問 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSjVnnrnVJU 天皇歴史 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/天皇 天皇の一覧 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/天皇の一覧 上皇明仁様 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/明仁 上皇后美智子様 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/皇后美智子 徳仁天皇様 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/皇太子徳仁親王 皇后雅子様 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/皇太子徳仁親王妃雅子 天照大神 https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/天照大神

Japan is now at a critically important juncture in its long and rich history. In this rapidly changing world, the Japanese will always continue to honour their ageless traditions, all the while continuing to modernize Japan, and more so play a primary role in the harmonious cooperation with its neighbours to build a better future for our children and the coming generations. SHOW NOTES: Emperor and Empress Visiting Fukushima victims (Japanese only) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSjVnnrnVJU Emperor Abdication message (English Sub Titles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUr-U81Gt00 History of the Japanese Emperor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Japan (English) List of Emperors of Japan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Emperors_of_Japan (English) About Emperor Emeritus Akihito Sama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihito (English) About Empress Emerita Michiko Sama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Michiko About Emperor Naruhito Sama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruhito,_Crown_Prince_of_Japan About Empress Masako Sama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masako,_Crown_Princess_of_Japan Amaterasu is a deity of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaterasu

イントロダクション アメリカ人のジョーダンは私たちの前に突然彗星の如く現れました。バドミントンとテニスが得意なスポーツマンの彼ですが、日本語の勉強を怠らず、とても努力家で勉強家。日本に来てまだ2年ちょっとにも関わらず、日本語での日常会話には困りません。彼は私たちからすると年齢が親子ほど離れているため息子のような存在です。しかしまた自分の意見をちゃんと持っていて、私たちのような年上の人間とも楽しく会話ができる知的な若者です。 短い間でしたが、一緒にバドミントンやテニスをしたり、映画を一緒に観て、感想を話し合ったりと、とても素晴らしく楽しい時間を過ごすことができました。そして思い出だけを残して、私たちの前から、北海道という北の大地へ、新しい自分探しの旅に出発して行きました。そんな彼の、日本に来てからの愉快なストーリーを、ポッドキャストのインタビューでお聞き下さい。 ジョルダンの自己紹介 僕はジョルダンといいます。アメリカのニューヨーク出身、26才の日本に住んでいる男性です。今年、8月になると日本に住むのは3年間になる。僕は二年間千葉県に住んで、中学校でALTとして働きました。同時にバドミントンのサークルにたくさん参加し、日本語も一生懸命勉強をしてきました。 今、ちょうど札幌へ引っ越してきたところです。今度高校で働き、新しい仕事を試しています。 僕の生活は日本に住んでいる外国人として大変な部分もあるんですが、何人かのいい友達がいるため、そして日本の文化にもっと深く分かってきたため、日本の暮らしがまさに好きになってきた。

30年以上も前に、異邦人の私は来日させていただきました。 日本の社会、人間、生き方がとても気に入り、永住者として日本に住んでます。 人生は山あり谷ありと言いますが、私も沢山のことがありました。 悩みや苦しみが全く無い人間はいないと思います。 私は以前から自己啓発を学んでます。この番組は私の人生の物語と培った知識とを交えながら、『心、絆』読んでいただく方に勇気を持って、有意義な人生を送っていただく手助けになれば幸いだと思います。 テーマは『日出国』ですが、日本は世界から"The Land Of The Rising Sun"と呼ばれています。ですから本来はSun（太陽）のところですが、私なりに解釈し、Son（息子）と擬人化しました。 太陽と同じように毎日起きて、良い人生と行うように行動をする（Son）は息子というの意味ですが、女性の方にも勿論読んでいただきたい内容です。 "Rising"の"Rise"は本来は（起きる）の意味ですが、私は『人生を上げよう』という意味で使用しています。 この番組は日本の皆さんのため作っています。我々の日本がこれから更に向上するため励まし続けます。

Over 30 years ago a young man came from the West as a stranger to the enigmatic nation of Japan. Very quickly I was intrigued by this extraordinary society, the people, and their exceptional way of life. As we all know, life is full of peaks and valleys, and mine is no exception. I have always, embraced personal development and through these important, life changing, and wisdom inducing exercises, I have come to some profound realization and I would like to share with you, the listener, some of the unusual and meaningful stories gathered up in my more than 3 decades living in Japan. My desire is for you, the listener, through engaging with the Land Of The Rising Son podcast to gain new insights, self-realization and deeper meaning in your own life. For some background information about the name of the podcast: Japan has historically been called Land Of The Rising Sun. Using the homonym "son", I find myself like the sun, in that no matter what, I get up every day. And I don't just mean getting up, but showing up day after day and facing the challenges of life; Like learning to read Japanese. This is indeed what has given my life meaning. As we all need a little encouragement going about our daily lives, my hope is this podcast will show you our world from a Japanese point of view, brought to you humbly from the Land Of The Rising Son.