Tokyo Essays in Idleness: 2007

2007年12月30日日曜日

Entry for December 30, 2007

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? I hope that the New Year finds you in good health. I finished housecleaning now. Fuuuuu,,, I'm very tired. I feel a tickle in my nose. Tomorrow I will back to Osaka and intend to sleep as much as I want to. This year was a really good year for me. "Sun also rises", you know. I haven't read the book though.

Have a nice day!

2007年12月29日土曜日

Housecleaning day.

Japanese people clean a house in this season to welcome the New Year. I also am doing a major housecleaning since yesterday and I will do it tomorrow too. Yesterday I cleaned down bath room, toilet, lavatory, entrance room and kitchen. Today I will do up other 3 rooms. Unfortunately my possessions already reached a saturation point several years ago. Hmm, I think I should box in my possessions which I don't use usually. By doing this, I can relocate all of the time. Well, I don't have a time to write a blog.

Have a nice weekend!

2007年12月26日水曜日

I WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I wish you a merry christmas! Today I am free in the afternoon. I watched Larry King Live. Its issue was Christian faith and it had very interesting contents. "How Jesus vote on election?", "Jesus don't want to be celebrate his birthday.", "Jesus will admit death penalty.", etc, They gave free expression. I heard again about that there are people find offense with Christmas. Hmm, I never found offense with it. It seems there are people criticize Christmas as business competition. Hmm, maybe they are right. One gospel group turn up in the show too. They sang "Shopping, stop!, Don't pay interest!" on the street where people are shopping. I don't understand them.

Also Yoko Ono(John Lennon's wife), George's wife, Paul and Ringo turned up in the TV program. I found Yoko Lennon is still a live. I thought she already died. She is as somber as ever. These years, I haven't hear about her son. Here, we have John-Lennon-museum built by Yoko Lennon and by others in Saitama prefecture. I haven't been there though.

Today I've suffered burns by Hot ginger drink. I have screamed! "Gyaaaaa!!" I ran cold water over the burn soon and am icing now. I feel the smart. I have to take care not to burn. When I am tired or am thinking something, I always decrease alertness. Last year I suffered burns by my Birthday cake's candles. LOL.

I'll back to Osaka on New Year's Eve. Just I will sleep in my family home except visiting a grave to clean down it and to say thank you. Curious to say, I feel my ancestors keep face for me. Here, it is said family which are not strong on family grave break down. It can be true because family has precepts. Not to be strong on grave can be same as not to be strong on the precepts, I think.

Merry Christmas!

2007年12月24日月曜日

Entry for December 23, 2007

Here, today is Emperor's Birth Day. Tomorrow is its compensating holiday. 25th is a weekday. Times flies. Next year is 2008, 20th year of Heisei. Oh,,,,20th. Times flies like an arrow indeed. Current Emperor is 74 years old now. Heisei era may continue to 30s. Hmm, next year is 2,668th year of Koki, I think. Koki is a way of counting years of Japan. That is, it means First Emperor of Japan Became an emperor 2,668 years ago. But we don't use the way commonly now.

Well, I need to sleep because I'm very tired today.

It is a photo of Kyoto.

Merry Christmas!

2007年12月22日土曜日

About UFO

Have you seen a UFO? You know someone who has seen a UFO? In the Diet, a member of the House of Councilors, Mr. Yamane, asked "Do you study about UFO?" to prime minister Fukuda. Mr. Yamane criticized prime minister, saying "There are many people who say they have seen UFO, why don't you study about it? Investigate it. Aliens may attack Japan. You don't have a sense of crisis!".

I think there may be huge octopus in the sea too, there maybe people in bowls of the earth and may attack us. There maybe missiles to attack the earth in Mars. Maybe aliens eavesdrop on our conversations. It constitutes an invasion of privacy. We can't affirm that there is no aliens and monsters. Maybe Godzilla is.

Ex-FM, Mr. Aso Taro, said his mother has seen a UFO. Chief Cabinet secretary said he believes there are aliens somewhere. Hmm, it is sure we need to investigate about it. :-)

In fact, I thought I've seen a UFO when I was a junior-high student, it was cold war age. But I knew it was Soviet's "Mir", a space station.

Speaking of UFO, all unidentified flying objects are UFO. I often see flying objects I can't identify. Those are UFOs. Also, in trains conductors often say "If you find a burden of uncertain ownership etc, please tell me." for anti-terrorism policy in Japan. However, many burdens on overhead rack are of uncertain ownership. Also, train companies are listed companies. I can't identify who own the trains.

Merry Christmas!

2007年12月19日水曜日

Entry for December 18, 2007

You and your family believe that Santa is? Did you believe that Santa is? It seems kids today don't believe Santa is in Japan too. I heard there are some parents who tell kids that Santa doesn't exist. When I was a kid, already many kids didn't believe it. But my elder brother still believes that Santa is. He avers he heard sound of Santa's bell when he was a kid. One Christmas Eve, a person who wore a red cloth stood in front of door of our room (Grand father's house) where I and my brother was sleeping. Next morning, presents was at the head of our futon. As I recall, then my brother said he heard the sound of bell. I think my ground father or ground mother wore a red cloth and rang a bell for us. Santa is a very nice tradition, indeed.

Now people in Kobe holds Kobe-Luminarie. It is a photo of Kobe-Luminarie. Luminarie is now a popular annual winter event in Kobe, and was designed to give the residents "hope" and "light" to reconstruct their severely damaged city.

Merry Christmas!

2007年12月18日火曜日

Entry for December 17, 2007

I watched TV news reporting that Christmas has been changing to "Happy Holidays" in America and religious associations remonstrated. I like the name "Christmas". It sounds as if I can get some presents. :-) Here Christmas doesn't have religious overtone in Japan. Although there are some Christians, they are very minority. In fact, I don't remember what for Christians celebrate Christmas. As I recall, it is a birthday of Jesus. I think Japanese celebrate it only to celebrate me.

For me, my birthday, 20th, is more important. In this season, Japanese people jazz up. I think they do it to celebrate my birthday till 25th. I've said "You jazz up for me, right?" many times in my life. Some friends said "No" and other ones said "yes". :-) Anyway, thanks to Christmas, Cities are always bright in my birthday. Thanks for a job well done. Haha.

Santa Claus sounds サンタクロース(Santa Kurousu). His name can become a Japanese sentence that "三太、苦労す". 三太(Santa) is a Japanese first name, it sounds Santa. "苦労す(Kurou-su)" means "experience hardships". Hence "Santa experiences hardships" is his name.

In fact, Santa experiences hardships because he must visit all houses where kids sleep, I think. :-)

Have a nice day.

It is a photo of Christmas in Kobe.

2007年12月15日土曜日

Entry for December 15, 2007

Today, I want to read books, ling down on Tatami mats. The tatami feels good, and it smells good. Tatami mats are where Japanese should be. :-) Several days ago, I bought a book titled "明恵証人伝記", which means "Myoe's biography". Myoe is a monk of Kegon Buddshim in mid-age. I'll read the book. I've studied about him, when I was a student. However, I haven't read the book because it was not on sale at book stores. He got enlightenment when she saw a glance on a morning dew on a flower petal reflecting sun light. He saw all of the world in the glance and got enlightenment.

These days, I eat Ocya-Zuke(boiled rice with tea) with Tsukemono(pickled vegetable) and Wasabi(Japanese horseradish) in morning. Pickled ones I eat are,,,well, Takuwan, Shiba-zuke, Umeboshi, Nozawana-zuke, Shiso-zuke etc. This morning I will eat them with Tarako (cod roe). I do feel happy when I am eating Ocya-zuke. In addition, last night I ate Yakiniku(Korean style roasted meat). So, I'm garlicky today. :-) "To be able to spend normal days" is the most happy thing, in deed.

In addition, yesterday, I bought a new hair drier. I was astonished by its engineering innovation. It was as if I put conditioner on my hair.

It is a photo of Ikebukuro area in Tokyo.

Have a nice weekend!

2007年12月14日金曜日

Entry for December 13, 2007

I am very happy today while I don't know the reason. I felt happy even about that I was walking and breathing today. It was raining today. Raining, also a happy affair. The wind blows, what a happy affair. A warm space heater in my room now. What a happy affair. I've been refreshed only by spending today.

I recalled that one my teacher, who is a specialist of ancient Buddhism and a monk of pure land Buddhism, said "What Buddha realized was Zen itself.".

People tends to think that Zen buddhism preaches about something special. There is no special thing in Zen's thought. That is, there are special things in Zen life because there is no special things. Special things are normal thing. You know our life contains special things. That renouncing worldly desires is to spend life normally. Realizing is nothing more than it. It is OK to feel sadness when we are sad. It is OK to be happy when we are happy. Those who overcome the problem of life go well by the way. Zen monks who preach about special something are impostors.

I think the number of people who look unhappy increased in Tokyo these years. Perhaps, they adhere special things etc too much. Capitalism tends to people become unhappy because capitalism depend on human desire. People unconsciously are ruled by desire. It is a cause of causes of it. All in all, it means people don't understand what capitalism is for their life. People must rule capitalism but reality is reversed. Even though Happiness is around us.

When one's life plan breakdown, people tends to think life plan breakdown and feel unhappy. But I think in many cases, the one's idea of life was wrong and it is a cause of unhappy. Well, these days I'm very busy. i'm short on time to write more.

Have a nice day!

It is a photo of Shinjyuku. I took it at Kabuki-cyo.

2007年12月11日火曜日

Entry for December 11, 2007

I think often it is the best way to read a book when I have something on my chest. 孫子(Sun Tzu) said "知彼知己者、百戦不殆". It means "If you know about yourself and about your enemy, you will not lose a war. ". Hence, I read a behavioral psychology book translated from an English book these days. A not good translator translated though. (Now I recalled that when I was a kid, I wanted be a warring lord.) Perhaps, all Japanese know this word, "知彼知己者、百戦不殆". But to know them is not easy.

People, especially specialists, often get overconfident. However, "to be informed" and "to become confident" often have no connection with each other,,,. There must be some answer in my mind.

I always say "Men must be minority when we are confident". But men who experienced success in one stretch always get overconfident, even though phenomenon is always more correct than interpretation. People often develop delusions as if they control the phenomenon. I think "to realize oneself is stupid" is the start point to be wise. There must be some answer in my mind,,,,,,,,,,,.　Perhaps, rational nature is one of most chancy one among creatures by the nature.

Have a nice day.

It is a photo of Eikando in Kyoto.

Japanese TV commercials

I show you Japanese TV commercials. I like Tommy Lee Jones ones very much. Hollywood stars often act in Japanese TV commercials.

Japanese TV-CM

This is Japan's Fanta's CM collection.

Bruce Willis

Duran Duran

Shuwa-chan's CM

Cameron Diaz

Steven Seagal

JODIE FOSTER

Tommy Lee Jones

Michel J Fox.

Jennifer Lopez

Jackie Chan

Cup-Noodle. I liked this one.

Have a nice day and good night.

2007年12月9日日曜日

About "Hannibal Rising"

I watched Hannibal Rising. I saw a curious Japanese woman(Gong Li acted), Murasaki, in the movie. I often feel strange against Hollywood movie dealing Japan. Murasaki is not person's name, it is just a name of color, which means purple. Mrs. Murasaki is an Dr. Lector's aunt by marriage. I like Gong Li though, she is not a Japanese. Her demeanor is not Japanese one. "Mrs. Murasaki". Hmm,, it is less of a reality.

Mrs. Murasaki enshrines a Japanese armor in her house. But I think we don't do such thing. And her Japanese sword is too new, obviously it is not her ancestor's sword.

Murasaki and Lector was practicing Kendo in the movie. They were not good. Lector killed a man at a lake. But their "ready(Kamae)" is bad. Although I haven't cut anything with Japanese sword, I think he can't kill a man with such poor technique. "This sword was not nicked(刃こぼれ）" Lector said after he killed the man. I got laughing. The sword must be nicked by his poor technique. Too cut one's neck is not easy, I heard.

The movie itself is very interesting and I enjoyed so much.

By the way, I saw a Obama girl's movie. I don't know how I should comment. :-) Anyway, I want to see Fukuda girl too. :-)

It is a photo of Kabuki-cyo in Shinjyuku. Several years ago, fire occurred at this street and many people has killed and become a big news.

Have a nice sunday.

2007年12月7日金曜日

Entry for December 07, 2007

I have just fully recovered. I tried an aspirin contained medicine this time and it worked well.

Also I took "葛根湯(Kakkontou)", a chinese medicine, too. In Japan, as I recall, we couldn't buy aspirin contained medicines at drug stores without a medical prescription. So, probably this was the first time to buy it at a drug store.

In Japan, this month, December, is called as "師走(Shiwasu)" which means "Teacher runs". It is busy on December as much as even teachers have to run. No wonder I have to run. End of this month. Also I have three private events this month. Very busy.

These years, I perform a purification ceremony at Kitain-temple in Kawagoe city on New Year's Month. It is my sect's temple and there is 不動明王(Cetaka) in the main-hall.　Next year is 20th year of Heisei era. Maybe, 2668 of Koki(Japan's imperial century).

I saw a TV news that Barack Hussein Obama Jr is dominant over Clinton now. His name is interesting. Barack sounds バラック in Japanese. And it means "a hut; a shanty; a shack". Obama is as if Japaenese family name. 小浜 equals to Obama. 小(o) means small. 浜(hama, bama) means beach. "A shanty on the small beach" is his name. Also Hussein sounds 布施院 in Japanese. 布施（fuse, ふせ) means "an offering" and this is a buddhist term. 院(in) means "a temple". "A shanty temple called Fuse-in on the small beach". Very Japanese aspect in his name. :-)

It seems I still fell not well. I have to sleep.

Have a nice week.

It is a photo of 血の池地獄(Chino ike jigoku, blood hell pond) in Oita prefecture.

2007年11月25日日曜日

一切衆生皆是阿呆

疲れたので今日は日本語です。思いついたことだけ書きます。この週末は疲れをとる為に、できるだけ寝たのですが、かえって寝過ぎてだるくなってしまいました。あぁだるい。また、夜中は寒いので、寝てる最中に布団を蹴ったら最後、起きた後だるいというのもあります。所沢の夜中は寒いです。もし玄関ホールがなかったら、凍える程寒いだろうと思います。暖房を入れれば喉が痛くなりますし、困ったものです。

時間が少しできたときは、和田秀樹氏の書いた『バカとは何か？』という本を読んでいます。彼は関西人ですから、彼にとってバカとはつまりアホであるようです。アホであると自覚する一人として僕も興味を持って読んでいますが、まぁ、あまり大した内容ではないかと思います。筆者はバカだと思われたくないから読書に勤しんでいるとのことですが、ひょっとすると僕も含めた読書好きに一般であるかもしれません。

アホとは何かと申しますと、ある学者によれば、アホとは「凡夫」のことであるそうです。大阪圏では人間はアホだというのが共通認識になっており、「あほ！」とは、「わしもアホやけどお前のあほじゃ」という意味であるそうで、「一切衆生皆是"凡夫"」に相当すると言えるのだそうです。凡夫に相当するかどうかはともかく、「おれもアホだがお前もアホ」というのは本当だろうと思います。sれと、アホと言われるのは、好かれているからであって、本当に嫌いな相手にはアホとは言わないと思います。

さて、さて、画面の見過ぎで目が辛くなってきました。

アスタラビスタ

Ryokan san's haiku.

Ryokan san is a famous zen monk in Japan.

裏を見せ　

表を見せて　

散る紅葉

Show back,

show front,

red leave falls.

ちる桜

のこる桜も

ちる桜

Cherry blossom falls,

remaining cherry blossom,

also falls.

It is a photo of Saimyoji-temple. The statue is Dengyo-Daishi(Saicyo), the founder of Japan's Tendai buddhism.

Ryokan san's haiku.

2007年11月24日土曜日

About Michelin Guide Tokyo Edition.

You know Michelin Guide? The Michelin Guide rates restaurants on a scale of zero to three stars. Several days ago, its Tokyo edition written in Japanese was published. All restaurants have more than one star in the book. They say "Tokyo is singular gastronomic city.". They are good at compliments very much. There are many fancy Japanese-style restaurant in the list. I want to say. I have to say. I must say. "Fancy Japanese-style restaurants in Tokyo are from Osaka. Fancy Japanese-style dishes are from Osaka". Most best-class-hotels have Osakan fancy Japanese-style restaurants.

Osaka is also called as "Kuidaore-no-machi", which means the city where people waste their money on Osakan foods because dishes are so delicious. So, they should have said "Osaka is the singular gastronomic city." or "Thanks to great Osakan culture, Tokyo could keep up a good front.". Tokyo is never a gastronomic city. If you eat Tokyo's dish at restaurant each and every time, you will fall ill in 3 days and will die in 5 days and will be decomposed to the point where the bones can be seen in 7 days.

People in Osaka area enjoy dishes with their five senses. However, people in Tokyo enjoy only with their undeveloped tongue. Tokyo is originally a barbaric area and was not a part of Japan. (Still it is not Japan and is a epigone though.) Edo people couldn't get fresh foodstuff, hence their food culture is yet to developed. Especially they don't understand aroma of dishes. Osaka was the centre of marine transport. And Osaka is a laissez-faire doctrine capitalism city. Hence, food culture came out on top. Many of Tokyo people say "Kyoto and Osaka's dishes are waterish". This is the evidence of that they don't enjoy dishes with five senses and of that they don't understand what eating is and what taste is. They don't eat. They just move their mouth. They add seasoning too much because they don't understand what taste is and kill aroma of dishes. If you visit Tokyo, please speak "Why aren't you eating?" to Tokyo people moving their mouth.

Michelin also examines attitude toward helping and taking care of the customer. Japan's service culture's origin is in Osaka. People in Edo don't give pleasure to customers. Michelin should have wrote "Thanks to great Osakan service culture, Tokyo could keep up a good front.". If you visit Tokyo, you will see people are eating. But they are not eating. They are just moving their mouth.

Also, Sayama tea, which is cultivated in Sayama area includes Tokorozawa city, is strong-tasting. I don't hate it. But People in Osaka area enjoy aroma of tea. Tokyo lucks culture to enjoy aroma of foods.

Well, as to Soba and Tonkatsu, those are more delicious than Osaka. So, in most case I eat Soba to Tonkatsu at restaurant in Tokyo. Edo-mae-zushi(sushi) is also delicious(except rolling-sushi) but Osakan Edo-mae-zushi is also delicious and miso soup etc other dishes are more delicious than sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

I want people to eat fancy-Japanese-foods at Osakan restaurant and want people not to think Tokyo's one is the Japanese food. You must come to Osaka, if you want to eat Japanese food.

I look forward to read Michelin Guide's Osaka edition.

It is a photo of Chichibu rail ways, I took.

Ryokan san's haiku.

In idleness for November 23, 2007

Today is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan. To linger Friday's holiday is the best way. Oh, I heard lead-containing Chinese toy products were found in Japan too. UFO-Catcher's freebie contained it, I heard.

However, I often use leads when I am fishing. Hmm, I don't know what of it is problem. Maybe it is very very baneful one? Hmm.

I watched a TV news that reported about Shanghai-crab. Due to contamination, its price is skyrocketing. These years some aquaculture industry companies cultivate sea fishes in mountains. A company cultivates Fugu(balloon fish) in mountain. According to CEO of it, water is more clean and good than sea. That makes sense. It is a European company, I guess they do it more in Europa.

The rotary speed of human world is faster than rotating velocity of the earth. The number of American tourists may decline in Japan. Maybe it is already declining. In 20th century, Asian tourists were rare but now they are not exceptional. Maybe now Japanese people should buy American products which they wanted to buy. In near future, they may not be able to buy due to cheap yen.

Today, $1 is equivalent to about ¥107.50. When I wrote about currency exchange, it was equivalent to about ¥111. Perhaps this time's limit is ¥105 or so. However, it maybe ¥80 or so over a medium term. It is thanksgiving in America. It seems Europeans assess U.S. dollar as low more than Japanese and are selling $.

This is my opinion in idleness. Still I think American people should save up money. Savings better ordinary balance ratio of American government. It leads America appreciation of the dollar. I guess American government cannot help introducing "appreciation of the dollar policy". In this case, Japan may suffer from hyper-inflation with appreciation of the yuan. So, this may not a good way for Japan but it is a best way for America, I think. If Iraq war didn't happen, situation would be better, I guess. If American government fails to react against subprime mortgage issue, appreciating yen may be protracted. However, it is incomprehensible under normal circumstances.

Japan's export ratio is (CNBC's report)

America : about 19%

China :about 21%

Asia except China : about 27%

EU : about 15%

Already China is the biggest customer. This is superficial figures. But the world has changed. always I think. Even if American economy slow down, Japan will be OK at this rate.

I checked DOW now. I wonder why it doesn't plunge more. It should be plunge more　in ordinary circumstances. It must plunge to $12,000. No wonder it hit 11,500. Something is strange. I guess there are still rosy views in N.Y market.

It is a photo of Koku-Koen Park, I took. Maybe this is non-Japanese tree. I'm not sure though. Hmm, maybe this is Japanese tree. I don't know why there are non-Japanese trees, I guess the reason is that there was an American base.

Well, it is reading time. Have a nice weekend!

2007年11月23日金曜日

"Chinese bad loan problems" written by Ke Long

Today, it is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan. I'm reading the book, titled "Chinese bad loan problems" written by Mr. Ke Long. This is a Japanese book written by Chinese analyst works for a Japanese institute. Although there are so many news report about China, we have only patchy information because we are not specialist. This book is very significant, due to objective and holistic view about Chinese economy.

China will be the largest or the second largest in near future. But no one think China develops without incident, I think. From what I've gathered, China's economy will be into decline period in 2007, according to China's fortune-telling, 算命学. Although I don't know whether it is right or not, it would be sure China will be recession-ridden in near future. Recent Chinese excited market suggests the end will come soon. It seems many Chinese people don't think it will burst. But it is a typical sign of babble economy. It is a big concern for people in the world.

There is not circular flow of economic system in China but there is only circular flow of politics, he writes. He mentions about China's structural problem. China's government-owned companies continuously lose money, and banks cover them. It becomes "bad and doubtful debts", also Chinese Communist Party's structural issues are, he writes also too.

Well, it is my reading time.

Have a nice weekend.

In idleness for November 23, 2007

2007年11月21日水曜日

いただきます。(Let's eat.)

Last month I got vegetables grown by farmers in Tokorozawa. Surprisingly, those were very delicious. Now, we need to improve self-sufficiency in food products. There is an issue about free agricultural trade though, needless to say food self-sufficiency is more important.

Look at the picture. Those are sample dishes. If Japan doesn't import foods, we can eat only those dishes. I guess we can eat more dishes, however when it comes to think of cost of living ,fertilizer and etc, the example may be rational.

Free agricultural trade may bolster up Japan's agriculture and may not bolster up it. Anyway, I want to eat more.

Hmm, can't I eat "nabe" and "Sukiyaki"? No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

朝食 means breakfast, 昼食 means lunch, 夕食 means dinner.

Have a nice day.

2007年11月20日火曜日

Japanese Castles

I can't sleep tonight. I show you Japanese castles. You can see them from the sky. Please enjoy the aerial voyage.

Osaka Castle originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E5%A4%A7...

Osaka-Castle included a city.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E5%A4%A7...

Most of the area you are seeing was Osaka castle. If you ask "who did built Osaka-castle?", Osakan kids would say "Carpenters built it." as a joke.

Naniwa-no-Miya built by ancient imperial court.

This is the oldest capital of Japan. We, Osakan, think Osaka is still the capital of Japan. I think we are right. What is Tokyo? I haven't heard such a strange word. Haha.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E6%A3%AE...

Fushimi-Castle originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E4%BC%8F...

Nijyo-castle

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E4%BA%8C...

This castle is very elegant. Current one is built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, as I recall.

Gifu-Castle, famous as a Odanobunaga's castle. Very valiant.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E5%B2%90...

Nagoya-Castle, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E5%90%8D...

Edo-Castle built by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Originally built by Ota Dokan.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E7%9A%87...

Now Kinjyo(今上)-Emperor lives in Edo castle. His name is Akihito but we officially don't say his name, it is an etiquette. Kinjyo-Tenno(emperor) means "Current Emperor". Might be someone say his real name though.

Himeji-Castle. (Egret-castle)

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E5%A7%AB...

This castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Goryo-Kaku, built by Edo shogunate. Where Samurai's age ended.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E4%BA%94...

Kumamoto-Castle, built by Kato Kiyomasa.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E7%86%8A...

Well, good night.

2007年11月19日月曜日

About Totoro

Stiff wind blows in winter in Tokorozawa city. Especially, in front of a luncher, very strong stiff wind changes to much stronger winds, blowing through a tall building, and blows and some people fly to Tkorozawa station with the wind. I'm sure, might be. You may see Totoro flies with an umbrella in the movie. The wind might be "Chichibu-Oroshi". "Aboriginal people" in Tokorozawa city call the stiff wind as "Chichibu-Oroshi" because the wind comes from Mt. Chichibu.

Today I heard Higashi Murayama city buys a forest where Mr. Miyazaki Hayao plotted "My neighbor Totoro". The forest is situated next to Tokorozawa city. HigashiMurayama city is financed by Studio Ghibli. http://www.ghibli.jp/　

Map

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=ja&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=%E6%9D%B1...

It seems some peoples have a plan for housing land development of the forest, and the city decided to buy the forest to save it. It, they will buy, is only 1500　square meters though, to take a walk, imaging "might be I meet with Totoro", is very enjoyable.

I heard Totoro's age is 1950s. It is a photo of Vega Festival in Tokorozawa city in 1954.

Entry for November 18, 2007

As I recall, I was invited to a Thinks-giving party when I was in L.A.. I played volleyball with an American man who was an English teacher in Osaka. His Japanese is fluent. If he was not in the party, I could not understand what the party is. :-) The party was held by a gainly and energetic old woman. She said something to me with smiling, but I couldn't understand most of what she said, even though I understood she gave a welcome to me.

I feel envious. American people have a lot of party in a year. If I live in America, please invite me!

"Thanks Giving Day" There was not much religious atmosphere. Perhaps, it is similar to Japan's Christmas. Originally, we needn't to keep Christmas. Every year, I wonder during Christmas season. I think many people wonder too. But we keep it just to enjoy. If we don't keep it, I couldn't get Radio control cars.

Today, I had to plot a graph. I need to a convert logarithmic graph to an equal difference graph. I had to buy graph papers. I saw the sky at department store in Tokorozawa. Today's sky was wonderful. Fall sky was shining. Rain cloud and sunset clouds were in the sky. It was a bit Aka-Fuji(Red-Mt. Fuji) like view. There were a lot of quadrates and oblong figures in my mind. The view make me to realize that I am a human. :-)

I intended to write a blog about Kiyosawa Manshi. Maybe he was the most greatest philosopher in modern age Japan. However, I didn't have the time. I searched the book on Amazon.com now. I found there is no English edition of this. If there is no English edition, western scholar must write its English edition. This book is a start point of religion-philosophy of modern-Japan age, also is my "ancestor" of my study. Nishida, Suzuki, Nakamura, they were student of him in essence. I'll write about it later.

It is a photo of a souvenir store in Kyoto.

Have a nice thanks giving day!

2007年11月17日土曜日

『沈黙』(Silence) written by Shusaku Endo

遠藤周作は僕の好きな作家の一人です。なんと言っても彼のエッセイが面白いです。小説の中ではこの『沈黙』が最も良かったと思います。２０才くらいの時に初めて読んで、その数年後にまた読んだのだったと思います。本の説明を書いておきます。この本を書いたせいで、彼は破門されたんだったと思います。近代日本の宗教文学の中では、傑作中の傑作の一つではないでしょうか。日本であえて紹介するほど無名な小説ではありませんね。

ーーーー

島原の乱が鎮圧されて間もないころ、キリシタン禁制のあくまで厳しい日本に潜入したポルトガル司祭ロドリゴは、日本人信徒たちに加えられる残忍な拷問と悲惨な殉教のうめき声に接して苦悩し、ついに背教の淵に立たされる・・・・。神の存在、背教の心理、西洋と日本の思想的断絶など、キリスト教信仰の根源的な問題を衝き、＜神の沈黙＞という永遠の主題に切実な問いを投げかける書き下ろし長編。

ーーーー

-English edition-

http://www.amazon.co.jp/Silence-Peter-Owen-Modern-Classic/dp/072061211X/ref=s...

数学で証明する仏教思想と『安倍晴明伝説』

今日は英語で書きたいことがないので日本語です。さて、四苦八苦するのは仏教でいう煩悩によるものです。これは自然の摂理というべきものであり、数学的に証明することができます。以下に計算式を書いておきます。

「しくはっく」なので、

（4x9）+(8x9)＝36+72＝108（108は煩悩の数）

やみくもに「くく」の計算をしたわけではないです。36と72の組み合わせが、「くく」をしなさいと暗示しているのです。

3+6=9

7+2=9

それぞれ解は9と9。「くく」です。

本当に「くく」なのか別の方法で確認してみましょう。誰かに「９９は？」と聞いてみてください。「８１」と答えます。81は、つまり「はい」です。「やいっ」と文句を言っているようにも思えますが、深く考えないでおきましょう。

さらに３６、７２、１０８という数はフィボナッチ数であり、さらに、この三つは正五角形の中にできる星形の図形を構成する角度です。「ペンタグラム」と呼ばれるのだったかな。黄金分割比でできている星です。

良く知りませんが、この星形は漢字の「火」に相当するらしいです。仏典では欲に取り憑かれた人を「口から火を吐く」と表現する場面がよくあります。五角形は口に見えます。その中に「火」が出現する。カトリックか何かでは、悪魔的な図形でしたっけ。

この図形は陰陽道では五芒星と呼ばれ、五行（木火土金水）の象徴であったと思います。中国のどの思想から来たかは知りませんけども。四苦八苦を図形化すると五行になる。

一体、何を証明したんでしょうね。単なる雑談でした。

さて、本は『安倍晴明伝説』です。「如何なるかこれ陰陽師」と思っていた時に、発売されたので買ってみました。内容はほとんど忘れましたが、面白かったです。

2007年11月13日火曜日

International Riddles( and interpretation)

I show you Japanese international riddles for Japanese-learners. Well, at first, it is a photo of Ginnan(ginkgo), I took. Some Japanese people glean ginkgo in this season to make appetizer. Well, lets practice Japanese riddles. I think this is second time to show them but new ones are in the list.

アラスカでクジを引いたんでしょ？結果は？

Arasuka de kuji wo hiita-n-desho? Kekka ha?

あらっ、スカ。

Alaska.

カナダで日本人の女の子に会いました。名前は？

Kanada(Canada) de Nihonjin no onnanoko ni aimashita. Namae ha?

カナだ。

Kana da.

外国で風呂に入りました。さてどこでしょう？

Gaikoku de furo ni hairimashita. Sate doko deshou?

ニューヨーク。（入浴）

New york.

ヨーロッパのある国に行ったのに誰にも会えませんでした。どこの国だったでしょう？

Yoroppa de aru kuni ni itta noni darenimo aemasen deshita. Dokono kuni datta deshou?

オランダ。(Holland)

誰のことだか分かりません。さて、どこの国の人でしょう？

Dare no koto daka wakari masen. Sate, doko no kuni no hito deshou?

どいつ？

Deutsch

日本の美意識が通じる国は？

Nihon no Biishiki ga tuujiru kuni ha?

スイ(粋)ッす。

Swiss

キスばっかりしてる国は？

Kiss bakari shiteiru kuni ha?

ちゅーごく。（中国）

China

すぐに箸の折れる都市は？

Sugu ni hashi no oreru kuni ha?

ぺきんっ。（北京）

Beijing / Peking

魚の好きな国は？

Sakana no suki na kuni ha?

タイ

Thai

芯が柱になっている国は？

Shin ga hashira ni natteiru kuni ha?

シンガポール

Singapore

暴力をふるわない国は？

Bouryoku wo furuwanai kuni ha?

ブータン(ぶたん）

Bhutan

触ると暖かい都市は？

Sawaru to atatakai toshi ha?

カイロ

Cairo

赤ちゃんだらけの国は？

Akachan darake no kuni ha?

ニュージーランド（乳児ランド）

New Zealand

掃除機に吸い込まれる国は？

Soujiki ni suikomareru kuni ha?

チリ

Chile

常に高いウナギを食べる州は？

Tune ni Takai Unagi wo taberu shuu ha?

ジョージア（上じゃ）

Georgia

爆発する都市は？

Bakuhatsu suru toshi ha?

ボンっ

Bonn

すぐに割れる都市は？

Sugu ni wareru toshi ha?

パリっ

Paris

鉛筆がベニヤ材で出来ている州は？

Enpitsu ga beniya-zai de dekiteru shuu ha?

ペンシルベニア

Pensilvania

Have a nice day!

P.S.

You casted lots at Alaska? How did it come out?

Oh, I drew a blank!

One met with a Japanese girl at Canada. What is her name?

It is Kana. (Kana is girl's name)

One took a bath at foreign country. Where is it?

It is New York.

One went to a European country but haven't met anyone. Which is the country?

It is Holland.

おらん means absent in Japanese. だ is an end-form.

One doesn't understand who about they talking about. Who?

The one is German.

We call Germany as ドイツ.

Which is the country where Japanese virtue gets across?

Swiss.

粋（スイ） is a Japanese virtue.

Which country's people entirely kiss?

ちゅーごく（ちゅうごく） means 中国(China)

ちゅー means Kiss in Japanese.

Where is the country where chop-sticks break soon?

ぺきんっ is an echo-word for breaking.

Where is the country where people like fish?

タイ is sea bream.

Where is the country whose center core is made of pole?

Where is the country people never behave violently?

ぶたん (ぶたない）means "someone don't hit"

Which is the country which is hot when you touch?

カイロ is a body warmer.

Which is the country where there are only babies?

乳児(にゅうじ） is baby.

Which is the country which is vacuumed off?

チリ is dust.

Which is the state where people only eat expensive eel dish?

There are ranks for eel dishes, for example "特上、上(Jou)、並", in Japan.

Which city does blow up?

ボン is echo word for explosion.

Which city does crack?

パリっ is echo word for cracking.

Which state people have pencils made of blockboard?

ベニア is blockboard.

『ヨーロッパ文化と日本文化』("European culture and Japanese culture")

This book was written by Luis Frois, a Portuguese missionary of Jesuit order of priests, in 16th century. 『ヨーロッパ文化と日本文化』means "European culture and Japanese culture". I don't know original title. I heard "Historia de Iapan" is his representative book.

I think this book is quite interesting. We can know how Japanese people were and how the famous European missionary regarded Japanese in age of provincial wars. The Japan he explains is as if a different country. If you are interesting in the era, you must read this, you must look for this book even if you covered with dust at a used-book store. However, there is a problem, that is, you will read misconception by Luis. As to my book, a scholar appends an explanatory note. I think it is better you read annotated one.

"In Europa, when lord die, servitors convey him, crying. In Japan, some perform seppuku, many cut their fingers and hurl their fingers into fire the lord is burning. "

"We do hate evil, but Japanese monks honor evils and build temples for evils and devote foods to evils."

Thanks to this book, my idea of the era became more "stereoscopic" than it was.

Have a nice day.

2007年11月12日月曜日

『仏教』(Buddhism) written by Hermann Beckh

This book was written by a German scholar, Hermann Beckh. I heard this book is the buddhist study's representative book in Europa. I think you can find English edition. I haven't seen English edition though.

Beckh explains Buddha's thought well and explain difference between Christian faith and Buddhism etc.

I don't have other general consideration book about Buddha's thought because I didn't need them hence I don't know about others. I think maybe this books can't be a general consideration book for Japanese because his view is European one. Namely, German view intermediates between Buddha and Japanese. To know directly is important.

　仏教を概説する本としてはヨーロッパを代表する本だと聞いています。著者のベック氏はドイツ人の学者です。訳者の渡辺照宏先生は密教研究の偉い先生です。英語にも翻訳されているかもしれないです。

　これは主に釈迦仏教（お釈迦さんの時代の仏教）について書かれたものですので、東アジア仏教については書かれていなかったと思います。確か、上巻は仏陀の成道物語で、非常に美しい描写で知ることが出来ます。下巻は教理について書かれてあって、キリスト教とどう違うのかなども書かれてあります。

　ただ問題だと思うのは、ドイツ人の目を通したお釈迦さんが書かれてあるので、本当の意味で、日本人のための概説書となるか少し疑問です。

　大型書店に行くと、「ええ！？」と思うくらい沢山の概説書がありますが、学者の書いた本しか読まないので、そのあたりのことは全く知りません。本棚を探してみましたが、釈迦仏教を概説した本は、この上下巻のみでした。

『ヨーロッパ文化と日本文化』("European culture and Japanese culture")

2007年11月11日日曜日

Used-book-festa and books I've read so far.

Today, I went to "Tokorozawa-used-book-fair". To be surrounded by books is very comfort. I bought 6 books. There are 9 books in my photo. Left-hand three books are books I've read. I introduce about those books from right hand.

The largest one is a book about "石門心学(Sekimon-shingaku)". Sekimon-Shingaku was established by a merchant in Kyoto, 石田梅岩(Ishida Baigan), in Edo-era, and is a thought spread among non-samurai people then to samurai. I have some practical guide books about it but I didn't have its original text, so, I bought it today.

This thought is a kind of hybrid one consists of Buddhism, Confucianism and Shinto. Samurai's thought tends to underestimate role of merchant. But Baigan said yes to merchant's role in society. Well, however, I don't know much about it. Anyway, this thought is regarded as one of origins of Japan's CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility). As I recall, Dr. Nakamura mentioned about it a little in previous book, I introduced.

Second one, "道徳を基礎づける" would means "Form the foundation of moral" in English. This is written by Francois Jullien. Original tittle is "Founder la Morale". He deals with Chinese one and western one in this book. Perhaps, I would have doubts about the propriety of his thought about Chinese one.

Third one, "永遠平和のために", is "For eternal peace" written by Kant. I haven't read this book.

Forth one, "帝国主義", is "Caesarism" written by Lenin. I think I have many knowledge about communism than common supporters of communist party of Japan. :-) Because many of them only know tittles of communist books. :-(

Fifth one, 判断力の磨き方, which would means "method to advance your judgment" written by a couch doctor. This books mentions about psychology. I just am interesting this book.

Sixth one, "アメリカ人の中国観" means "American outlook on China.", I think. Suppose we are talking about something over a cup of tea, I can't see the cup you are seeing. Just I can see a cup which I am seeing. As to China, it is same. I can't see China which American people see as long as I'm Japanese.

I've read seventh to ninth. Seventh one, "自分の中に毒を持て" is written by Okamoto Taro who is my favorite artist. I like his works very much. When I find great works at a museum, often I find they are Okamoto's works. Oh, the title means,,,hmm,,,, "Have poisons in your heart!". I think he well understood Zen buddhism. I'm sure his works has Zen-heart. Literally, his works are the actual being of him.

Eighth one is written by Samuel Phillips Huntington. The tittle "文明の衝突と２１世紀の日本" means "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order and Japan". This book read-worthy. I'm sure. I also has "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" too. This one is also read-worthy. I feel something is wrong in his view about Japan. But to know view point of westerners is meaningful.

Ninth one is 嘔吐(Nausea) written by Jean-Paul Sartre, a French philosopher. This is my memorial book. I came into contact with a different culture first time in the true sense of the term when I read this book. I had to read and had to write a report for my homework of Western philosophy's class but it was meaningful. As I recall, I explained about this book using buddhist term and pointed his repugnance. I've forgot about detail of my report.

Well, I am going to read books I bought today.

Have a nice weekend!

2007年11月10日土曜日

"A History of the development of Japanese thought: A.D. 592-1868" written by Dr. Nakamura Hajime

This book was originally written in English. It seems English edition went out of print but I guess you can find this in library of universities which have Japan-study. I'm a student of students of Dr. Nakamura Hajime. I think I can say Dr. Nakamura was the last scholar who was well posted on whole buddhism. He died in 1999.

He wrote about History of the development of Japanese thought from pont of view of Buddhist-study. This would be an answer about "What Japanese are" from Dr. Nakamura. He mentioned about our history of thought from Shotoku-Taishi to 1868.

Especially, his view about Tominaka Nakamoto was interesting to me. Tominaga is not popular in Japan though, Dr. Nakamura regards Tominaga was the greatest scholar in Edo-era. Tominaga was an Osakan scholar, a town's man. Also report about Suzuki Shosan, a zen monk, was interesting too.

Even though there are many scholars who study Japanese thought, I guess no one is more statusy than Dr. Nakamura. This book is read-worthy, I think.

I think Japan's thought has one tendency but it varied. We can't talk about Japanese thought only with famous books which everyone knows. There is not full-scale book explaining about what Japan is, and the situation gives rise to a misunderstanding, I think.

Quite a lot of Japanese people try to understand without knowledge about Buddhism. It is same as to study foreign language without dictionary. It is a curious situation. This book is not perfect but fill the gap to some extent.

Now, used-book-festival is held in Tokorozawa city. I look forward to go there today. Unfortunately, it is raining. But I go!

Have a wonderful weekend!

"A History of the development of Japanese thought: A.D. 592-1868" written by Dr. Nakamura Hajime

Used-book-festa and books I've read so far.

2007年11月9日金曜日

Regrettable news

Yesterday I saw a TV news that a mother and 5-year-old girl died at a super market where I usually do some shopping. The mother drove a car in multilevel car parking tower of the super market and has fallen to the ground. It was a regrettable news.

Hmm, Meteorological Office estimates this winter will be warm winter. Hmm, it is just a warm winter? These days, stocks are plunging. Extremely liquidity-driven market with extremely competitive society would not productive. Much money has evaporated. Although I don't know much about it, if we used the money, global warming might be de-escalated, I guess.

I took the photo at Koukuu-kouen-park.

I thought about the mother and the kids at the park. I am here and they has gone. It is an enigmatic destiny.

Have a nice day.

2007年11月8日木曜日

Varied Falls

I heard it is already foliage season in Sapporo. However, foliage season would not start in Kyoto this month, according to a person who came from Kyoto. This year, I found red maple leaves in my family home's garden in new years day. New years day could be winter, resent new years day may be autumn.

I heard a news that snails habit range in south Kyushu-island are breeding rapidly in Honshu-island. Hmm, malaria would come to Japan.

Well,

It is autumn reading, these days I write about book I've read so far.

The book is written by Suzuki Daisetsu.

This is an introductory book of Zen buddhism. The author, D.T. Suzuki, is my teacher's teacher's teacher. I always recommend his book to non-Japanese people who want to study about Zen buddhism. His view is a bit old but I think his books is best among English Zen books.

Have a nice day.

2007年11月5日月曜日

Entry for November 05, 2007

Hello! Today I got the needle to one thing and I put muscle into my back teeth. Then I got a big owie on my gum-ridge. Then I fretted more. :-) Then I scratched my scalp. Then it itched too far. :-) Negative spiral. I am about to sleep to break out of the vicious cycle.

I must rehearse an impromptu speech in English. If I'm not careful, I'll be baffled by my own speech. In fact, there are many English words which I don't know. Hence I have to speech with me considering whether I can say words in English or not. Of course, I must speech in formal English. Hmm,,,

People seems to regard English language as the common language in the world. But I don't think so. Language of international discourse is Broken-English. Probably I'm right. :-)

Well, I'm very tired today. Good night. Have a nice day.

It is a photo of Sogen-ike in Koukuu-kouen's Japanese garden.

Books I read so far 『道徳哲学』by Kant

まずは『実践理性批判』を探したのですが、この部屋にはないようなので、『道徳哲学』を撮影しました。カントを読むと、西洋からきた道徳の根底がある程度分かってきます。そして西洋の自由という概念はどのように誕生したのかもカントから後の時代を追っていくとある程度分かります。自由と言う概念は、カントの後に、もの凄い展開をするので、面白いです。カントは何をするにしても思想の概略は理解しなくてはならない哲学者でしょう。

今日はここまで、またいつになるか分かりませんが、暇だけど書くことがない時にまとめて紹介します。では明日から英語モードに戻ります。

Books I read so far 『臨済録』

同じ本を４冊持っています。トイレ用、寝所用、机の上用、持ち運び用の四冊です。三年間くらい毎日読んでいました。僕はあくまで哲学の立場ですから、悟りを開こうと思ってたわけではないですよ。面白くて病み付きになっていました。禅文献の中で一番面白いと思います。禅ってなんだろうと思う人は、まずは解説書から買って下さい。

Books I read so far 『西田幾多郎哲学論集』

全集は重いので、文庫本しか読みません。文庫本で分からないとき全集を読みます。

Books I read so far 『西田幾多郎全集』

これは西田幾多郎の全集です。第一巻には「善の研究」が収録されています。戦後、（本が空襲で焼けてしまったので全集が流行った。）発売された時には飛ぶように売れたのですが、誰も理解できなかったため、第二巻からはほとんど売れなかったそうです。ちなみに戦時中は陸軍から論文を依頼され、（つまり強制されてるのと同じ）天皇支配を擁護する論文を書いたのですが、陸軍から帰ってきた返事は「何を言ってるかわからない。」でした。予備知識なしでは読めない本です。

Books I read so far 『西田幾多郎　善の研究』

今日からこれまでに読んだ本を短く紹介していきます。紹介することで記憶を保とうかと思います。日本語の本がほとんどなので日本語で書きます。英語の本の時は英語で書きます。全部で面白かったから紹介しようと思う本は１００冊くらいありました。ゆっくり紹介していきます。そうそうコメントをくれる人はいないと思いますが、訪れた人が、一冊でも読んでみようと思う本を紹介できれば嬉しいです。

まずは、

『西田幾多郎　善の研究』全注訳　小坂国継　講談社学術文庫

西田幾多郎は、日本の代表的な哲学者です。『善の研究』とは何が「善」であるかを哲学した本です。西田幾多郎は卒論で扱いました。僕は『場所的論理と宗教的世界観』という論文を扱ったのですが、原著の『善の研究』も長い間読んでいました。西田哲学に関しては、ろくな解説本がないため、自分の解釈に一抹の不安があったのですが、概ね一致していて安心しました。こういう風に安心するということは、やはり僕も小市民です。（笑）これは今年出版された本です。

2007年11月4日日曜日

Curious Japan, I think part 2

I don't approve of massive widening gap and I voted for DPJ, but what DPJ is doing is a bit extreme. I am not quite satisfied with their some policy which was not written in their manifest, especially about their economic plank. Japan should accept widening disparity to some extent. Widening disparity is an ineluctable trend to some extent. What Japan should see as a problem is "noblesse oblige" we have lost in post war times.

Disparity society in the West doesn't have a bent for Japan. Gap opens the way for social destabilization. But, if we have enough money, we can't extend a helping hand to underdog. Welfare policy in capitalist country needs money. In capitalist country, thanks to competent people earn good money, all people can live.

"Greed" and "to earn much money" are different. However, many opponents equate with both two concepts. Envy forces those opponents to do it and they masquerade as paragon of virtue. I'm a Japanese, and know about their makeup of the mind. It is sure mammonism is immoral but to take a jaundiced view and to pose as virtue personified are immoral too. They sign their own death warrant by dragging down competent people. What will they cause? It is a negative cycle. Equality is virtue but equality caused by envy is not virtue. They must abuse virtue of equality. (I don't say envy is sole cause.)

For example, there are many people who run a number on share holders as mammonist. But according to a research by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a news paper, their is a tendency that having people tends to fail to invest and moderate people earn good money. Now is the age of Asian countries are developing. Even though there is a tendency of asset-inflated economy in some region, people can get lucky with an investment if they unflappably do it. Just let competent people to earn money. Their benefits strengthens domestic demand and enrich our society. I think those opponents envy competent people because those opponents feel dissatisfied they are not the distributors of the wealth. In addition, ought of company is contribution to society. Not to raise stock prices.

What we should see as a problem is not to earn much money but manner of money making and manner of spending. Namely, we must question rich people's cultural accomplishments. Rich people must develop into a well-educated rich men.

David Rockefeller appeared in morning edition of Nihon Keizai Shimbun. He acquainted a word "Opportunity comes with responsibility". It means "Rockefeller family is under an obligation to contribute to public welfare. " I don't know what they do but it is a nice word.

Until WW2, Japanese wealth people contributed but many nowadays riches are mere upstart. I can reword. Masses has power too much. That Japan failed to foster noble upstart people is one of big failure.

Hayato san will live in Japan hence situation will be better!

Well, I wanted to mention about abuse of virtue by business managers in Japan, citing Bulldog Sauce's case but I have to go to Sushi restaurant to police and to eat! Have a nice day!

Culture Day

F-2 thunders, Bamboo, rippling

Today I took a walk at aerial-navigation-commemoration park(Koukuu-kouen-park). When I was in Japanese garden, suddenly F-2(air fighter) roared . I noticed SDF holds aerial-show at Iruma city today. I should have gone there.

I also noticed there are many ayu (sweetfish) in a pond! I didn't know it! It is breeding season. They have orange color bars on their bodies.

Ayu

sing off key,

go red

Ayu is also a nickname for Hamasaki Ayumi.

I tried to take a photo of Ayu but, I couldn't take any good picture. I found "underwater photography mode" on my camera's screen. I considered for a brief while. But I didn't try it.

I went to Sushi restaurant. I ate 24 sushi and now I feel pain in belly.

I should have grabbed sushi chefs.

I took the photo.

Have a nice day.

2007年11月3日土曜日

Curious Japan, I think part 2

2007年11月2日金曜日

No!!!!!!!!

Asahi reported in Japanese. If huge earth quake hit Osaka, 42,000 people killed at max. No!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1101/TKY200711010355.html

国の中央防災会議の専門調査会は１日、近畿圏や中部圏で発生する恐れのある１３カ所の内陸直下地震の被害想定をまとめた。このうち、大阪市直下を走る上町断層で発生した場合、大阪府内の広い地域が震度７の揺れにみまわれ、最悪で４万２０００人が死亡、９７万棟が全壊すると想定した。この死者数は、首都直下地震の３倍強に当たり、これまで国がまとめた被害想定の中で最大となる。

　想定では、冬の朝５時に関東大震災並みの風速１５メートルの強風が吹いた時に死者は最悪となる。上町断層では、４万２０００人のうち、８割にあたる３万４０００人が建物の倒壊で死亡するとみている。大阪市内の西成区や生野区、東住吉区などは、古い木造住宅の密度が全国トップクラス。これが被害想定数を引き上げた。

　この地震の被害について大阪府は昨年１０月、死者１万２７００人、全壊３６万２５００棟との想定をまとめ、今年３月には地域防災計画を改定した。今回の想定はこれを大きく上回ったが、府危機管理課は「想定の手法が違えば数字も異なる。府のデータは細かく精査しており、防災計画を見直す考えはない」としている。

　一方、名古屋圏で最も大きい被害想定は、猿投（さなげ）―高浜断層の地震で、１万１０００人が死亡、３０万棟が全壊するという。

　調査会は年度内に、交通やライフラインなどの被害をまとめる。近畿圏では、国宝文化財の被害についても触れる。被害想定は、ｈｔｔｐ：／／ｗｗｗ．ｂｏｕｓａｉ．ｇｏ．ｊｐ／の「中部圏・近畿圏直下地震対策」に掲載されている。

Curious Japan, I think part 1

First of all, Good morning! Despite Japan's economy changed the world economy, Japanese people don't notice they were an actor. Western countries stepped up monetary policy to rival Japan money. Many Japanese people criticize western credit policy　like financial internationalization. But Japan, which was the menace for western countries, is a country which caused this trend.

Suppose you had all Japanese stocks in 1990s, if you sold all NTT's stocks, you could buy all listing shares in Germany. If you sold Nomura's stock, you could buy all stocks of three major banks in the West. Hence, financing innovations in the west was nothing special. We can think it was a passive behave to rival Japan and was an action predicts the trend of the future. Now they noticed they should have bought Citi with the wisdom of hindsight. :-)

I don't admire what some Japanese companies did in the West. For instance, Mitsubishi-Jisho bought Empire state buildings and caused resentment. They should not have bought it , because It is a symbol of America. They should exercise moderation, I think.

Now Japan is in dangered. Many Japanese people esteem highly dignity of labor and hate securities financing business. They regard share holders are mammonists. Maybe yes. But I think they must notice that to depreciate stocks is to fallen in value of dignity of labor and it is a fundamental issue that cannot be avoided as long as they live in a capitalist country and also must notice work-arrangement changed during lost decade.

I can explain why they hate financial reform but I can't understand why they don't understand importance of finance.

I like Japan's virtue but sometimes people abuse virtue. I'll mention about it in part 2.

2007年10月30日火曜日

Futural Three greatest calligraphers of Heisei-era

Several weeks ago, my mother phoned up me. She said she got a jury's special award of art of calligraphy. (She already has a license of teacher of calligraphy but she only practices it.)

The audition, held by Daikakuji-temple in Kyoto, had several thousands participants, as I recall it had 5,000 participants, and one person got highest award and 5 people got jury's special award. I can say "good work!" I think.

I always say "You must become one of 平成の三筆(Heisei-no-sanpitsu). "Heisei" is era name and now is Heisei era. "no" means "'s". "Sanpitu" means three greatest calligraphers. "Heisei-no-sanpitsu" means "Three greatest calligraphers". If you don't harry up, Heisei will end!". Always she just get laughing when I say it. :-D

Her works were not good until 5 years ago. I always said "You are fixated on Kata too much and there is no contents in your letters.". She always reply "Oh, what a cheeky boy, you are!" with smiling.

Her works are getting better. I said "Thanks to my advice, you got the prize, you must return a favor to me!". She was just laughing. :-)

Still I can't say her works are good art. Just I am beginning to feel her artistic character a bit. However, I dream I see her works at national museum. :-) I think she must live a long time to become one of "three greatest calligraphers of Heisei era" and I wish she hold out for a long time. :-)

Have a nice day.

2007年10月29日月曜日

Ugly art in Tokyo

Good moring. It is a photo of Tokyo Metropolitan government building. I think I've seen most of famous super tall buildings in Japan. This building is the ugliest in Japan. This design is inexcusable. I don't like this obnoxious self-assertiveness. I think buildings should be matched with environment. However, this building has accorded with a bad environment that scurviness of Tokyo.

Ukiyoe painters painted many landscape of Edo in Edo era. There would be many things they wanted to paint. However, they want to paint current Tokyo? I don't think so.

I'm going to sleep again.

Have a nice weekend.

Bugs.

He, Son Masayoshi, is the head of Yahoo. Bugs from his business. ha.

孫さん、たのんまっせ。どうにかして。

(Please fix the bugs Son-san!!!!!!!!)

2007年10月28日日曜日

About INDIA (parallel translation blog in English and Japanese)

Tokorozawa citizen festival

Today I want to Tokorozawa citizen festival. See the picture I took! I was enthusiastically received! In fact, now a typhoon is coming and it is rainy day in Tokyo area.

Some food stalls opened by sheer determination. I bought some Indian foods and Yakitori. They planed many programs but I didn't see them because I was drenched to the skin. Why they don't suspend the festival?

WInds is getting stronger now.

Have a wonderful weekend!

2007年10月27日土曜日

About INDIA (parallel translation blog in English and Japanese)

Multipoler age began. Exports with America halved. Exports with Eurasia is expanding at an annualized rate of 10%. Eurasia continent is getting be a Japan's main client. India and China are most important among them. And I think India may be a more important country for Japan.

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I studied only about classical Indian philosophy. Even though I also studied about present-day Indian philosophy for example about Saibaba, I haven't thought of relationships between present-day India and present-day Japan. I have always believed that India is a very faraway country, more faraway than China. I had a vague sense that Japan's virtue doesn't wash with India and that Indian thoughts are too different from Japan.

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These days, however, I think India maybe nearer than China. Even if China is nearer than India, the wall between Japan and China is too high.

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According to Mr. Aso Taro, ex-foreign minister of Japan, Indians are impressed by Japanese way. When Japan constructed a subway in India as an official development assistance, they admire Japanese, who begin to work before hours work, admire Japanese, who finalize their work before date of delivery, admire Japan's punctual subway. Those are nothing special in the extreme in Japan. People who can do them are disqualified as a human in Japan. Now India set out a certificate of appreciation to Japan in the subway while China doesn't tell their people Japan constructed so many social infrastructures in China. The country must give their thanks must be Japan. I think Indians accept Japanese for what it is.

ã€€ç§‹è‘‰åŽŸã®ã‚¢ã‚¤ãƒ‰ãƒ«ã€éº»ç”Ÿå¤ªéƒŽã•ã‚“ã«ã‚ˆã‚Œã°ã€ã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ‰ã®äººã¯æ—¥æœ¬äººã®ä»•äº‹ã¶ã‚Šã«æ„Ÿå‹•ã—ã¦ãã‚Œã¦ã„ã‚‹ãã†ã ã€‚é–‹ç™ºæ´åŠ©ã§ã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ‰ã«åœ°ä¸‹é‰„ã‚’ä½œã£ãŸã¨ãã€ã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ‰ã®äººãŒã€æ—¥æœ¬äººã¯å°±æ¥æ™‚é–“å‰ã«ã¯å¿…ãšä»•äº‹ã‚’å§‹ã‚ã€ç´æœŸã«é–“ã«åˆã‚ã›ã€ã—ã‹ã‚‚ãã®åœ°ä¸‹é‰„ã¯æ™‚é–“é€šã‚Šã«é‹è¡Œã™ã‚‹ã“ã¨ã«æ„Ÿå¿ƒã—ã¦ã„ãŸãã†ã§ã‚ã‚‹ã€‚ã“ã†ã„ã£ãŸã“ã¨ã¯æ—¥æœ¬ã§ã¯æ¥µã€…å½“ãŸã‚Šå‰ã®ã“ã¨ã§ã‚ã‚Šã€ãã‚ŒãŒã§ããªã‘ã‚Œã°äººé–“å¤±æ ¼ã¨ãªã‚‹ã“ã¨ã ã€‚ã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ‰ã®åœ°ä¸‹é‰„ã§ã¯æ—¥æœ¬ã¸ã®æ„Ÿè¬çŠ¶ãŒé£¾ã‚‰ã‚Œã¦ã‚ã‚‹ã¨ã„ã†ã€‚ä¸å›½ãŒæ—¥æœ¬ãŒæ§˜ã€…ãªã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ•ãƒ©ä½œã£ãŸã“ã¨ã‚’è‡ªå›½æ°‘ã«æ•™ãˆãªã„ã“ã¨ã‚’è€ƒãˆã‚‹ã¨ã€ç´ ç›´ã«æ—¥æœ¬ã‚’å—ã‘å…¥ã‚Œã¦ãã‚Œã‚‹ã‚¤ãƒ³ãƒ‰ã«å¯¾ã—ã€æ—¥æœ¬ã“ãæ„Ÿè¬ã—ãªãã¦ã¯ãªã‚‰ãªã„ã¨æ€ã†ã€‚

According to Mr. Suzuki, an executive officer of SUZUKI, India will get ahead of China soon, Chinese people yammer while Indian people understand what capitalism is well. As for caste, it is said India will not develop so much due to caste in Japan. However, Mr. Suzuki said "I don't know about caste and presupposed there is no caste in India then my business came along OK. ". I didn't think of that! Also he said "There are unsolvable cultural differences, but Japanese way is accepted basically.

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I can mention only about their philosophy. Their philosophy is fabulously great. They are geniuses of logical thinking. Their classical literatures are bright indeed. Their philosophy let any kind of thoughts coexist. To regard India don't develop is unnatural and wrong, I think. As to Indian classical literature, my favorite is "NalopÄkhyÄnam".

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In addition, it is said there is a religious conflict in India. However, it is not so much religious conflict as a conflict of a political nature, according to Kaku Yuzuki.

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Well, it is a photo of Indian food I ate today. They are,,, curry, nan, and I forgot the name of last one. And Yakitori(Japanese food) is in the picture.

Have a wonderful sunday!

Solve the bugs Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tokorozawa citizen festival

2007年10月26日金曜日

As to "latest".

Once, my friend's mother asked me "Why do you, who like the latest technology things, like Japanese history?". I couldn't answer because I was a kid. Some years ago, another man asked me "Why you, are working in latest field, like to study such old area philosophy?". I could answer at that time. I said "Philosophy is the latest area, more advanced than the latest science." with smile on my face. The man gazed at me with a puzzled frown.

That is, the latest science is condemned to be out of date. However, human being itself will not change. "will not change" I say means that human being is always the latest. For real, we can regard that the philosophical fact of Buddhism has not changed　in a dramatic way. Japanese philosophy 's fact and Buddhist fact are not different　at bottom. To learn about Buddhist philosophy which is the Japanese philosophy's basis is always the latest. Our object has not changed because we are human kind. From point of my view, you will agree with me about this, Shakespeare's theme is latest because we are still human. "betrayal" is the latest matter, eh? (At to Japanese history, history exists only at present and it is matter of present day, even if you time-traveled, the age you arrived is your present and not my present.)

I think such latest studies create latest technology. I think we will develop 21st-century-society along with what we are because it is the only way technology can make real human happiness.

I wrote this to write about our future later.

Well, I sleep again.

Have a nice day.

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