Baseball season began.

Yesterday, my Tigers miss the season-opening game. Starting pitcher was Shimoyanagi because Igawa has gone to New York without my permission. Shimoyanagi did good job but he didn't get much support from the offense. I suppose Tigers miss the game even if Igawa was the starting pitcher. It was lucky that Hiroshima Carp's starting pitcher Kuroda unusually had trouble with location for Carp. Batters of Tigers couldn't spank the ball because they couldn't take a beat on it.



Tigers got the pennant in 2003 and 2005. Last year Tigers took second place. To get the pennant, they should do "Kaimaku-Dash". I think it is can be translated to season-opening-Dash. It is very important to gain an advantage over other teams from the beginning of the season.



Last night lineup was;



1, Toritani

2, Akahoshi

3, Sheetz

4, Kanemoto

5, Imaoka

6, Hamanaka

7, Yano

8, Sekimoto

9, Shimoyanagi



Toritani would become a leading hitter someday. He is genius.

Akahoshi is representative stolen base champion in Japan.

Sheetz is from America. He is good batter.

Kanemoto is representative 4th batter in Japan. He would be best 4th batter.

Imaoka is genius. He would be best talented batter in Japan.

Hamanaka would be 4th batter in near future. He is breaking-ball hitter.

Yano is one of representative catcher in Japan. He is clever at varying pitches.

Sekimoto is artful batter. He is slow runner but he is good at base running.

Shimoyanagi is a junk baller. He was winningest pitcher in 2005.



If things go right, Tigers and Dragons(Last year champion) would be in line for the championship again. Tigers is the most traditional and glorious team in Japan. Someone may say Tokyo Giants is it but Giants is absolutely evil, so those who say so are also evil. :-) It is not just a joke. I am serious!! In fact, Giants lacks popular support because they are evil.

Tokyo-Evil-Dome which is home field of Evil-Giants recorded a loss. Its ROE(return on equity) is -94.71% now!! I hope Giants dies painfully.



But there is a problem. If Giants vanished, it means importance of existence of Tigers as a figurehead of justice also vanish. So, I hope Giants don't die and continue to agonize for all eternity.



Now Tigers fan's number is superior to Giants fan's number. 17.7% of Japanese are Tigers fan and 17.4% of Japanese are Giants fan as of 2005. In the case of an examination except over 50s, 30% of Japanese are Tigers fan.



In comparison with the "inferior Giants", Dragons is a really good team, is a really good balanced team. Home filed of Dragons is Nagoya which is also home filed of TOYOTA. As to home field of Tigers, I suppose at least MATSUSHITA, SHARP, DAIKIN, SUMITOMO MATERIAL, KOBELCO, KYOCERA, MURATA MANUFACTURING,GUNZE, ITOCYU, SHIMADZU and NINTENDO would be international and famous. I've heard students were often asked "Are you a Tigers fan?" in examination for employment. I'm not sure about these years.



In Japan, Baseball teams have local roots in big economic bloc are strong these years. Teams in Fukuoka and in Hokkaido are also too. As to Tokyo, Giants doesn't have it now, rather, Tigers fan's number has been increasing in Tokyo area.



Well, I want to write about Base ball in Japan more but Today's game is going to start.



Have a nice weekend!



I took the photo at Tokorozawa city.

靖国神社 (Yasukuni Shrine)

Yesterday I visited Yasukuni shrine which is controversial in China, Korea and Japan. Cherry blossoms were not in full bloom but I enjoyed them. Relatively, there were a lot of people who enjoyed them and prayed before spirits of the war dead. I realized that the shrine is far different from what Japanese communist thinker, China and Korea define. I've also regarded the shrine has many problems but I changed my mind basically. I think I found the essence of the shrine.



I saw a white pigeon were fling above the cherry blossoms. Blossoms in Yasukuni were beautiful but I found those blossoms were doleful in comparison with other cherry blossoms. After that I came back home, I compared the photo I took at Yasukuni with other cherry's photo. It was sure those were doleful. In other words, maybe, Yasukuni's blossoms have beauty of sadness more than others.



There is an famous army song called "同期の桜" (Douki no Sakura) which means "Cherry blossoms of graduates in the same class. I cite it a little.



貴様と俺とは同期の桜

離れ離れに散ろうとも

花の都の靖国神社

春の梢（こずえ）に咲いて会おう



It means :



You and I are cherry blossoms of graduates in the same class.

Even if we fall separately,

we blossom on a treetop and meet again at Yasukuni shrine in floral capital.





I imagined what they felt when they sang the song. A thinker said our spirit as a member of society has become tainted, imperial soldiers fought for "us" but we just hog the legacy given by them. That may be true.



China and Korea regard the shrine as a symbol of militarism and of evil spirit of Japan, and regard visit by prime minister is a nascent revival of militarism and evil spirit of Japan. I had thought it may be true but I changed my mind.



The shrine was a very normal shrine. Common people visit and prayed. There is no wright wing people when I visit. It was peaceful place in the extreme. I prayed at front shrine, saying "Thank you very much, please rest in peace, please protect us if we are invaded." in my mind.



About 2.4 million dead from modern age wars are enshrined at Yasukuni. 2.1 million of them are dead from WWII. They are military and army civilian employee.



A left wing philosopher, Tetsuya Takahashi, regards it is a shrine to honor war and war dead. But I thought the shrine is not such a shrine. I thought the shrine is a institution for requiem. Takahashi wrote that imperial Japan utilized the shrine to whip up war sentiment and that Imperial Japan utilized people's pure sentiment by awarding an honor as a god to them.



People who support Yasukuni shrine said "It is Japan's traditional culture". But I doubted of it. Because we don't have any culture to enshrined the fallen who were common people. Therefore, I didn't agreed with them but I changed my mind after that I saw aspect what old people said at a museum in Yasukuni shrine.



The museum is 遊就館(Yuushuukan). This is also a controversial. China and Korea criticize what the museum inhibits and say. The museum explains how the death contributed Japan and Asia. It says "Thanks to Japan, deaths from WW2 contributed many Asian countries to independent of western countries.". China and Korea also criticize about it. But it is sure it was an aspect of the war and several countries have friendly feelings toward imperial Japan.



We don't have culture to have a bad word to say about goners. If we say it, it is unmoral. And the shrine is requiem institution. We should not criticize them. To praise death for their achievement is to mourn in Japan, I think. It is not different from burial of irreligion. Traditionally, shinto has been doing it. All in all, China and Korea step in it too much. We can discuss about it outside of the shrine's issue.



There are many photos of death in the museum, an old man said to his friends "Let's go to meet our friends." in front of the gate of the corner. His friends said "oh, yes.". They are gods but very different from traditional gods because they were friends, parents and teachers and so on. They never worship them but mourn them profoundly.



The museum displayed many farewell notes written by deaths. To be honest, I could not read all of them because I had to fight to keep from crying. I was impressed by a note written by admiral Daigo Tadashige who was executed by a Dutch retaliatory trial which didn't cross-examine and didn't have him to take the stand. He said "I born again to re-established Japan any number of times." along with showing　concern to his family. I wish he enjoy rich delight in Japan now. But I suppose he would lament over us now.



There are many problems about class-A war criminals who were war leaders, blending of church and state, the shrine never quit to enshrine people whose family want to quit to do it, and also some soldiers caused a crime would be enshrined. We should consider about them. But I thought those are different from the essence of the shrine. I think the shrine is a symbol of Japanese empathy and compassion for deaths.



I took the photo at Yaukuni shrine.

Hidden WWII (Part two)

To know what GHQ did means to know what I am. GHQ's policy strongly affected Japanese education. I am also affected by it because teachers in schools were affected by historical view affected by communist GHQ. I don't think GHQ ruled Japan out of kindness. Well, Nakanishi mentions about GHQ.

---------



Imperial Japan's historical view was faked. But GHQ one is more faked. It was GHQ's aim to weaken Japan according to official document of GHQ. Most important task was to waken Japanese spirituality, that is, the aim was depriving the history and identity. What America feared was Japanese spirit of self-sacrifice. To cause a collapse of it was central aim. Therefore, GHQ promoted educational transformation, especially about history education. Also crack down on Shinto. Many Japanese civil officer protested the history education policy but 200 thousands civil officers were banished from the jobs.



Remnants of American communist party got into GHQ and they came to ruined Tokyo. They intended to realize communist revolution in Japan and regarded the revolution as first-round match of revolution in America. They support Japanese left wing and Japanese communists become a large leverage. Communist thought also already had affected Japanese imperial parliamentary politics. There were also many communists in imperial government agency. Japan was defined only by communists.



American OSS( Office of Strategic Service) was most influential service to occupation policy. It was sink of Frankfurt School. They were not violent communists. Their thought was; if they cause the destruction of values and institution which is basis to human life, for example view of the family, historical perspective and human environment, people crumble gradually from their inside and become masses which drift. And it collapses social order and then communist revolution become possible.　



Franc Neuman who was a central prayer of OSS's study section was a spy of Soviet Union. Owen Lattimore who strongly insisted to abolish Emperor system was also spy of Soviet Union. In 2010s, we would know Japanese allies.



GHQ's communists brainwashed Japanese that Japanese are vulgar people. "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword" was written to brainwash. Office of War Information ask the author to study Japan and the book was written. GHQ recommended Japanese to translate the book. It is said the author recommended not to read the book to her students.

(I haven't read the book and I didn't know the book has such problems. But I read cited sentences and I agree with Nakanishi. Yes, her view is stupid as a researcher.)



She reasoned that when people grew up spoiled like Japanese strongly constrained, it become trauma and somewhere it go off. Japanese people has believed an evil live in their mind and they become not to able to believe themselves. it formed a national character escaping from national benefit.



It is said when the president Bush visit Japan, he wished to visit Yasukuni shrine and offer prayers with former prime minister Koizumi. It maybe a sign prompting Japan to revive pride. Now American researchers re-evaluate Japanese history.



---------

Well, it is sure that communists deny imperial Japan completely. The people who made our historical view was communists who aim communist revolution. Nakanishi also says Japanese who experienced high economic growth had said yes to transformation by GHQ, and it became cause of drift. Reasons of "flux and reflux" often are same. I suppose Nakanishi's view is not wrong in that sense.



I'll visit Yasukuni shrine tomorrow after noon. Have a nice day!



I took the photo in my neighborhood. What is the flower's name?

Hidden WWII (Part one)

It seems the more Russia, America and U.K. disclose official documents, the more this area become exciting. According to Nakanishi, when Elsin was the president, American researchers visited Russia and copied so many official documents. And the American researchers found unbelievable facts. I did think Japan was not clever if those were true. Well, I write about how Japan went into war against America. A bit too long, so I will write about GHQ in part 2 or 3.



I suppose many non-Japanese may think imperial Japan was totally autocratic state. But it wasn't. Japan was democratic nation and there was healthy working of a parliamentary democracy in prewar days. Of course, there were communists and socialists, capitalists etc. (However, not all people had right of voting.) Well, I write what Nakanishi wrote.



You know "The head temple of Communists" was Russia. Russia established a big network all over the world. It sent spies to many countries. Britain, America, China, and Japan etc. The spies infiltrated into centre of those countries. Now many spy's names and its network are understood. About 300 spies were in centre of American government.



Russia, it almost got beaten by Nazi, hoped Japan to engage in warfare with America. If Japan attack Russia then, absolutely Russia lost. Russia utilized spies. The spies in Japan were hard cores of anti-America and Britain. A spy in American government was Hurry. D. White who suggested(or drafted) Hal-Note. In fact, the negotiation with America almost stroked hands on the bargain. (Yes, I know this. But I heard America assumed a hardline stance). Russia in crisis ordered another spy, Alger His, to prepare a preliminary draft of Hal-Note.



(Hal-Note was a written demand that Japan withdraw from China, Viet Nam, and waive interests in other countries, and etc. If Japan acceded to it, Japan crumbled.)



Ozaki Hotsumi who was the spy become a brain truster of Konoe cabinet and was involving with national policy. He advocated "We have to conquer China!", "Establish pro-Japan government in China!". After that Japan-China war successfully evolved into a hopeless mess, he advocated and coined "New order of East Asia", "The Great East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere(大東亜共栄圏, Daitoua-Kyouei-ken)" (Oh, this is a very famous word in Japan!) etc. He provoked Japan to go to war against America. He doggedly make a move on imperial army to drive Japan in hopeless war against America. When Japan lay in ruins, communist revolution realize, this was his aim.



You know Japan went to the hopeless war. I felt as if I read a novel. I don't know those are true or not. But it is sure current modern history is simple too much, compared to this complex international situation. I wanted to read the authorities. I remembered a saying that "Truth is more of a stranger than fiction.".



This is historical view from right wing. So, I should explain about left wing one but it is already became world wide. When I think about philosophy, I have to see this area to know what we are. It is exciting but very sad.



It is sure there are people believed ideal of the Great East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere. Soldiers also believed the illusion-promoting ideal. I feel sad when I think of victims not apply only to Japanese. The world situation have been tossing us.



About author, again.



Nakanishi Terumasa is a pro-American group researcher and was a member of Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform. His majors are international politics, History of diplomatic relations and History of civilization. In East Asia, the text book written by the society provoked a backlash several or about ten years ago. It is known as flagrant society in East Asia. I've read a book written by a member of it. It was really suspicious. But I'm sure there are serious researchers in the society too, a bit right wing too much from my stance though. As to Nakanishi Terumasa, he has a bitter tongue though. It is said Prime minister Abe affected by Nakanishi but I'm not sure. Unfortunately, he clarifies authority but doesn't cite it. All I can do is to believe what he wrote. However, he showed some sources and I made the link. I'm not sure the what the American researchers are. If they are evil researchers, please tell me!



Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America (Yale Nota Bene)



Nakanishi cite Yale University press's edition. But I link this edition because I couldn't find it.



It is a photo of a street in Kyoto.

Nuclear Accident!?

Today I read a news paper's article that Nuclear Accident might have happened at a plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co on November of 1978. Five control rods has come away. It has a high probability of critical accident for t hours and 30 minuets at maximum. The plant officers didn't note it in a diary, and seems to disguise the incident. There is one more "surprise" that it maybe not infraction of duty to report until December of 1978.



As I recall, government said there is no possibility of Nuclear Accident at that day. Of course no one believed such a thing but it is a case people should get be angry. Democracy without information is death of politics.



Fortunately, it seems it was not big accident. But now they are research whether the accident happened or not and injuries were or not. It is 29 years go. Yes, 29 years ago. I think government should take the responsibility of omission. If government insisted nuclear accident is outside the bounds of possibility with such an un-reportable system advisedly, prosecutors should grab affiliates.



We can not help depending on Nuclear plants for a while. Such kind of accident and imperfect system would cause a large-scale accident　someday like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. If it happens in Kyushu, it may hit Korea and it would become big problem of diplomacy. I don't know where nuke plants are in Kyushu.



Good thing is that disclosure regime would be reinforced more. Even so, we live in dangerous society.



It is a photo of Ishiduchi mountain in Shikoku.

Hidden WWII(prologue)

Often I think I would not understand whole of what WW2 was. Because there are so many secrets hidden by victor governments. I found unspeakable fact. If a book tells trues.



I found the book titled "日本人がこれだけは知っておくべきこと(Nihonjin ga koredakeha shitte okubeki koto" which means "things Japanese should learn", written by Nakanishi Terumasa who is a professor of graduate school of Kyoto University. He wrote many things about WW2 which were hidden.



His teacher said "there is not the category that modern history. Because things need an enough interval time to be history." at Cambridge university.



Nakanishi, the author, told me many things which I didn't know. He wrote the book with many disclosed informations of America, Soviet Union and others. He didn't cite the documents, so all I can do is to believe there are the documents.



What I was astonished is that People in Okinawa wasn't ordered to commit suicide by imperial army, rather, they were ordered to survive. I can't do such a "Copernican revolution" but he writes about it seriously. One day a surviver asked ex-commander to lie that imperial army ordered to commit suicide. Because people who lost family were in poverty and if the ex-commander say "the army ordered to do it", people could get money to live. Socialists and Ooe Kenzaburo etc　advertised it in a big way and people became to believe it. Hmm, Why girls in "Himeyuri Butai" committed suicide? Himeyuri Butai was a troops consisted of teen-girls and they were killed in battle or it is said they committed suicide, as I recall. This source is verbal evidence by the party involved. I still can't believe it but he is a serious researcher.



As to American documents, I already learned GHQ was almost socialists party. But I didn't know such a thing which I would mention in part 1. I didn't not know Soviet Union controlled imperial Japan to such extent. I found a good parts of Bush. Well, part 1 would be philosophical a little. I'm not sure how many blogs I write about this topic because I'm still reading the book.



I think I should confirm about the contents after I finished to write about the book.



It is a photo of Sandankyou in Hiroshima.



Well, have a wonderful weekend!

Nuclear Accident!?

Today I read a news paper's article that Nuclear Accident might have happened at a plant of Tokyo Electric Power Co on November of 1978. Five control rods has come away. It has a high probability of critical accident for t hours and 30 minuets at maximum. The plant officers didn't note it in a diary, and seems to disguise the incident. There is one more "surprise" that it maybe not infraction of duty to report until December of 1978.



As I recall, government said there is no possibility of Nuclear Accident at that day. Of course no one believed such a thing but it is a case people should get be angry. Democracy without information is death of politics.



Fortunately, it seems it was not big accident. But now they are research whether the accident happened or not and injuries were or not. It is 29 years go. Yes, 29 years ago. I think government should take the responsibility of omission. If government insisted nuclear accident is outside the bounds of possibility with such an un-reportable system advisedly, prosecutors should grab affiliates.



We can not help depending on Nuclear plants for a while. Such kind of accident and imperfect system would cause a large-scale accident　someday like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. If it happens in Kyushu, it may hit Korea and it would become big problem of diplomacy. I don't know where nuke plants are in Kyushu.



Good thing is that disclosure regime would be reinforced more. Even so, we live in dangerous society.



It is a photo of Ishiduchi mountain in Shikoku.

Part Two of "Age of Provincial Wars of Japan".

Generally speaking, Japan's medieval times is regarded as the era from 1192 to 1615. It includes Kamakura era and Muromachi era and age of provincial wars. Kamakura era(1192-1333), Muromachi era (1333-1573), age of provincial wars(1467-1615 in Kansai, 1455-1615, in Kanto). To define era is very difficult and there are many theories. But it is OK that just we know the rough define.



Kamakura shogunate and Muromachi shogunate named provincial lords by its authority. But it didn't mean Shogunate assure the provincial administration. Provincial lords had to rule the territory by own. If the lords couldn't rule the territory, they have become a titular leader.



Villages, a kind of nation state, could chose lord. There were several big authority in a province and if the lord named by shogunate was stupid, they could change lord.



As I said in part one, Villages sometimes had a war. And sometimes villages ask for help for lord. If the lord didn't help, the villages serve another lord which is enemy of the lord and pay tax to the new lord. I think I can say it was similar to current local election.



Shogunate had authority but didn't have own strong army. Kamakura Shogunate and Muromachi shogunate were a kind of union, were not a centralized government. Shogunate could define regular force. Provincial lord named by shogunate would be the regular force but often the regular force lost wars. It seems decisions by villages were important factor. Lords couldn't rule it without support by villages.



Provincial lords didn't rule the whole of the province. It was a bit of complex. For example, temples had own territory. In Kii province, two large temples had war in 15th century. A village was territory of (根来寺) Negoro temple. Another was territory of (高野山)Koya-san temple.



Contests over water happened in the region. A village asked help for Negoro. Another village asked for help for Koya-san. (san means mountain) Both temples dispatched troops and it has became a big war. This was resolved the war by discussion by Provincial lord. But and then, Negoro temple had a war between the provincial lord. Lords had to help villages because if the lords betrayed villages, they could not get tax. Maybe I can say it was an era of free competition of provincial governments.



After that turmoil of the 応仁の乱(Ounin war, 1467-1477) mainly happened in Kyoto and expanded to all over Japan except some regions, Muromachi shogunate lost the authority. Wars have come to constantly happened in Japan. Ounin war was a war over a successor of Shogunate. Provincial lords used to live in Kyoto but they couldn't stay in Kyoto because of civil wars. They moved to their own territory and became to rule in territory. It would be farther political provincialization. I suppose Samurais in Kyoto did lethal covert action in enemy's territory to win. And provincial lords were busy for the war in Kyoto, or couldn't live in Kyoto which was devastated land.



Well, eventually I can mention about age of provincial wars itself. Important points were that villages held the key of the era and lords were forced by the situation and Japan's upper structure and lower structure were ruined.



In medieval times, it is said the earth induced climate change. People suffered from lack of food, and epidemic. It affected society. As I said in part one, villages needed to ally with others. Villages gathered to protect themselves.



Weaker Lords were affiliated with a stronger lord. Although formerly there were several lords in a region and villages could serve several lords, villages ruled by weaker lords were unified by stronger lord.



I think Japanese people think Warring lords fight for superiority. But I think I should mention accurately. There were 2 kind of shape. One is 戦国大名(Sengoku daimyou, warring lord). The other was 国衆(Kuni-shuu).



Suppose warring lord was America, Kuni-shuu was Japan. Warring lord was a collective of warring lord and kuni-shuu. It was alliance with hierarchical relation. Warring lord ruled its own territory and couldn't rule Kuni-shuu's territory directly. Often Kunishuu betray warring lord and attack other kunishuu and sometimes become warring lord. Current the world might be a just globalized one of such era.



Kuni-shuu and warring load had to protect their people. They accepted responsibility for people's life and asset. Villages needed a lord to protect them and for peace life. Lords had to govern well. If a lord failed to govern, the clan vanished or led to changes of ruler.



As warring lords become stronger, they centralized the system. They banned private war and lord got discretion. Thanks to it, they realized restoration of public order to some extent. That is, villages and weaker lords delegated it to greater authority.



北条氏(Houjyou clan) was one of biggest warring lord. Once huge famine hit the territory. Houjyou address it in diverse ways but big problem happened that 上杉謙信(Uesugi Kenshin)'s troops invaded Houjyou's territory.



Uesugi Kenshin is one of popular warring lord and is known as lord of justice. But the reality was not. Uesugi invaded and foraged at the territory about ten times in the space of 10 year. During the wars, Houjyou's territory failed into chronically famine. Uesugi foraged rice , other foods, weapons, and people. Warring lords used to abduct people and sell them or demanded a ransom. It was practiced by Ashigaru(inferior soldier). Uesugi feeds soldiers by forage.



To overcome the massive depression, Houjyou clan undertook structural reform. For example, they decided to garner opinions from people and policed wrongdoing of government official. People lodged a protest directly and lord resolved their cases, lords got more centralized authority. Houjyou clan knew looking after farmers well leads reinforcing of the territory and it can realized to protect people.



Houjyou attack Uesugi and also foraged at Uesugi's territory. It was a defense measures. If Houjyou didn't, Uesugi would invade again. There was a limit, the clan couldn't resolve the massive depression by its domestic policy. As fall of national power, Kunishu might betray. If Houjyou didn't help people, farmers might move to other lord's territory. In this era, there were many wilderness where was farm land. Other lords seems needed farmers to till it.



Houjyou clan overcame the situation. But they had to fight with Takeda clan by collective effort. Then, an interesting word appeared. It was "お国のため", it means "for our country". It seems it was the first time Japanese used the expression, as far as researchers know. Houjyou clan needed many soldiers for the war and decided to conscript farmers. When Toyotomi clan invaded Houjyou, the word appeared again. A researcher says we can regard it as a country which is origin of our current concept that country.



Houjou clan knew that the relation between villages and lord was contractual relationship. So, they asked people in exchange of reduction tax.



Houjyou clan used to imposed people to fix castle. Communists may call such work as rip-off. But it seems it was not. Houjyou clan imposed fix a part of castle where people's refuge for war. When other warring lords invade, farmers need to refuge. Houjyou clan made refuges for people and just farmers fix the refuge for their own. If villages betray the lord, it became case of life and death for the lord. Lords couldn't do something make farmer to get angry. In fact, clans which lost support of people vanished. The relation between lords and people were give-and-take relationships. Villages needed a lord, the lord needed people.



It seems Houjyou clan's political system were succeeded by Tokugawa shogunate in Edo era. I can find many same system as Houjyou clan in Edo shogunate's policy. Those structures of society I mentioned would be a basis of Edo era too. Maybe I should have mention much more things but it would be too long to read.



Someone may imaged Bushido, reading my blog. But there was not Bushido in the era. It was established in Edo era which is premodern era.



Well, I wrote this 3 days ago. Now I think this topic might be a bit of maniac. I think you may gotton more information about history than common Japanese know. I should have simplified this topic but I don't have much time these days. Sorry. I hope you spend rest of this week in happy. Have a nice day with authentic sushi!





It is a photo of Koinobori and sunset at Niigata prefecture.

Age of Provincial Wars of Japan. Part One.

I think Americans saw a news report that American politicians criticized Abe who mention about military prostitution. Japanese communist party also criticized him, saying Abe skews history. Abe seems said so to make a feint against North Korea and I don't think Abe was wrong in that he make much of historical fact. And he can't be attuned to North Korea's logic. As far as I know he just mentioned about uncertainty and insisted necessity of study. If Abe was wrong, the timing is off and he needed attention. When I was watching communist leader saying "Abe skews History" on TV news, I've said "You also too.".



Communist party's historical view is that person of power oppressed people in Japan. Their view is dual that bloodsucker and victim. Well, was there only this simple structure in the era? I don't think so. As I said before, Japanese school teachers were affected by communist thought. Historians also affected by it. They studied history from a view of power too much.



Resent Japanese historians have a different view. They regard lords as a part of social system and regard lords also were forced by the people and situation in the era.



Since I was a 9 years old, I've been very interesting in age of provincial wars. I read so many History novels before now. History novels are still very popular in Japan. But many of main characters are lords. Generally speaking, novelists tend to not to mention about one of the core system of the age.



It was village. Today I only mention about early 16th century.



Japanese village was a kind of nation state. There were several hundreds people or several tens people in a village. There was a shrine or temple in a village and it was a kind of assembly hall. It was a kind of a Capitol Hill. People gathered and they ruled with collegial system. The village was public. The public village has police authority, power to levy taxes, and other authorities. Sometimes the public forced people to join wars.



There were many villages side-by-side in Japan. Needless to say, each others, villages claimed ownership of resources that water and mountains which has fertilizer etc. Often it has become war.



Medieval times in Japan was a famine era. Often disasters hit Japan. You know typhoon, earthquake, flood, mudslide, cold summer damage and so on. Japan in the era didn't have enough irrigation plants. People often suffered from mighty famine and epidemic. (It is said such situation in Japan has relation with that buddhism was accepted by people.)



They fought with sword, bow, spear and gun(after that we started to make guns). Middle-aged men conduct the troops, and younger people followed the command. Sometimes enemy(other village troops) invaded into the village, then women and old people also fought. Women held a shield and they support the war. I need to mention many other things but I skip them.



Village allied itself with other villages. When 2 villages fought, many villages had a war. They need to be allied to survive.



I read about a case in Oumi province(近江の国), current Shiga prefecture. The war brought into court of 室町幕府(Muromachi Shogunate) in Kyoto and it was resolved but a village which was invaded had to pay so much money for the case, and paid so much rice and etc to allies. Those budget made the village run into debt. In the era, interest rate was 50% to 60%.



Lords sometimes join the wars between villages. I'll mention about how those village made lords soon.



It is a photo of Ishiyama temple in Shiga prefecture.

My Journal

Last night we hold a party to celebrate graduation for junior fellows of my university. We gathered at Shinjyuku and went for a drink. Today is Spring Equinox Day. It is a national holiday.



I talked with one of them who is a securities salesman. I learned other view different from what magazines and news papers write. Unfortunately, another friend couldn't come to the party because of burial. He is a monk of Nichiren-shu. another friend also couldn't come to the party because of burial. He is a monk of Soto-shu. I supposed when monks hold a party people who don't died have been killed by monks for apology. :-)



I went to three bars. Problem was that those bars only serve Malt's which is a beer brand. I don't like this. It is like a juice. At 11:30, I got on a train to back to home. A man leaned to me and I've felt terrible. On my way home from Tokorozawa station, I've,,,,,,,. I'm sorry. In fact, I don't like cars and trains because I am susceptible to motion sickness. It is a physical torture for me when I'm not fine. When I was a kid, I often need to get off from train to recover.



At my home, I drank Miso-soup to get recover. Now I'm OK.



From this weekend, Pacific League's Baseball season begin. (My Tigers is a team of Central League. ) I look forward to watch the games! Unfortunately, Igawa has gone to America. I'm very sad,,,,. Now Tigers has become weak a little. I have to prepare to pitch and swing. The filed manager of Tigers might call my name on the holy ground of Koshien stadium. :-) I wanted to become a player with Tigers. I did wanted to become it when I was a child.



Seeing news report, I suppose Igawa might not become a good player in America. I hope he back to Tigers soon. As for Matsui, I don't like him because he was a player with Yomiuri Giants. He is still my enemy. So, I want not to hear about him. As for Ichiro, he would be a most greatest base ball player in Japanese history. If he has a body as same as Americans, he would be one of greatest player in America. But I'm not a fan of him. As for Matsuzaka, Major leaguers may fight with him for real from first match-up. But I hope Igawa become better player in America. I only love Hanshin Tigers. In fact, honestly, I don't want to the season to begin. Because I have trouble concentrating to other things during the season.



Today, I became a Sushi police. If you don't know about it, please read Hayato's blog. Hayato san wrote about it. I may need to become a "Beer police" too.



It is a photo of Hasedera-temple in Nara.

Age of Provincial Wars of Japan. Part One.

I think Americans saw a news report that American politicians criticized Abe who mention about military prostitution. Japanese communist party also criticized him, saying Abe skews history. Abe seems said so to make a feint against North Korea and I don't think Abe was wrong in that he make much of historical fact. And he can't be attuned to North Korea's logic. As far as I know he just mentioned about uncertainty and insisted necessity of study. If Abe was wrong, the timing is off and he needed attention. When I was watching communist leader saying "Abe skews History" on TV news, I've said "You also too.".



Communist party's historical view is that person of power oppressed people in Japan. Their view is dual that bloodsucker and victim. Well, was there only this simple structure in the era? I don't think so. As I said before, Japanese school teachers were affected by communist thought. Historians also affected by it. They studied history from a view of power too much.



Resent Japanese historians have a different view. They regard lords as a part of social system and regard lords also were forced by the people and situation in the era.



Since I was a 9 years old, I've been very interesting in age of provincial wars. I read so many History novels before now. History novels are still very popular in Japan. But many of main characters are lords. Generally speaking, novelists tend to not to mention about one of the core system of the age.



It was village. Today I only mention about early 16th century.



Japanese village was a kind of nation state. There were several hundreds people or several tens people in a village. There was a shrine or temple in a village and it was a kind of assembly hall. It was a kind of a Capitol Hill. People gathered and they ruled with collegial system. The village was public. The public village has police authority, power to levy taxes, and other authorities. Sometimes the public forced people to join wars.



There were many villages side-by-side in Japan. Needless to say, each others, villages claimed ownership of resources that water and mountains which has fertilizer etc. Often it has become war.



Medieval times in Japan was a famine era. Often disasters hit Japan. You know typhoon, earthquake, flood, mudslide, cold summer damage and so on. Japan in the era didn't have enough irrigation plants. People often suffered from mighty famine and epidemic. (It is said such situation in Japan has relation with that buddhism was accepted by people.)



They fought with sword, bow, spear and gun(after that we started to make guns). Middle-aged men conduct the troops, and younger people followed the command. Sometimes enemy(other village troops) invaded into the village, then women and old people also fought. Women held a shield and they support the war. I need to mention many other things but I skip them.



Village allied itself with other villages. When 2 villages fought, many villages had a war. They need to be allied to survive.



I read about a case in Oumi province(近江の国), current Shiga prefecture. The war brought into court of 室町幕府(Muromachi Shogunate) in Kyoto and it was resolved but a village which was invaded had to pay so much money for the case, and paid so much rice and etc to allies. Those budget made the village run into debt. In the era, interest rate was 50% to 60%.



Lords sometimes join the wars between villages. I'll mention about how those village made lords soon.



It is a photo of Ishiyama temple in Shiga prefecture.

仏蘭西と日本

Bonjour! 仏蘭西 means France in Japanese. I found a interesting book titled "日本はどう報じられているか" which means "How other countries report about Japan?" I finished to read about England, France and America. Today's topic is France-Japon-brothers and I may write about England, German and America etc soon. "と" means "and". 日本 means Japan.



President Chirac is friendly toward Japan. I think he is the most famous Japanophile among French. It is said the French Embassy's daily work in the morning is sending facsimile about last day's Sumou's score sheet to Presidential Office Building in France. Chirac is familiar with other Japanese traditional arts too.



In past days, there had been opponents against importing Japanese cars. But Japanese car plants were welcomed by France which was in recession. Nissan's CEO is French. Capital tie-up between Nissan and Renault are welcomed now. (I've written the CEO is American. I thought he is French-American. Sorry.)



As Japan suffer a recession, French people has a different view toward Japan. That is, the Ex-third-big-power-Japan become a cultural superpower in France. Now there are no kids who was not influenced by Japanese Anime and Manga.



As far as I read the book. France is the best country to understand Japan among those three countries, America, Britain and France. I found many proper criticisms toward Japan. I cite some of them.



The president of France and Japan press association said



"I learned Japanese love beautiful things and expensive things, and Japanese work hard to get them. Originally, it is a luxury to be a Japanese. Japanese noticed that they have to do what they have to do to become affluent. "



I think this opinion is estimable, at least, as a opinion. Buying too much is not fine thing but the loving affair with fine stuff would develops discriminating taste.It would be a result of Japanese sense of beauty. Many medias report Japanese women get addicted to act up but I think it is not such simple. Watching cherry blossoms and buying brand name goods are similar in the way of it.



The president Chirac consistently shore supports Japan to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. The author said France tend to estimate Japan's own diplomacy. France hope for Japan as a "balancer" in America-led world society.



I'm not sure if Japan become the balancer. And Japan also can be an opponent toward France. As long as China is a member of the council, Japan would not become it. However, I found a article which criticize Japan and I did agree with it.



The article criticizes "Japan expressed support Iraq war quickly. Saying that Japan has thrown aside diplomacy of second largest country and has thoroughly lackeyed to America. " Aha, Without any discussions, without any intimate explanations, Koizumi has expressed. I feel ashamed of my country.



An article says "The change which is happening in Japan is a change that Japan changes to a country which is not America and not Europa.". It is quite a contrast to News week says Japan has been Americanizing, Japanese culture vanished. And I agree with the French article. In fact, it is hard to find American things in Japanese current culture in the profound sense, at least, far more than expected. French one is observant.



There are many good articles which criticize Japanese economy system and politics etc. I wondered why French journalists are so smart. I've thought french journalists copy Japanese articles. But I found the answer of it in the book. Author said that Japan and French has similar politic al and social system and the problems we have are similar.



French food is one of most representative western food along with Italian food in Japan. A researcher said there is relation but is no politics between France and Japan. I learned not a few things from French philosophy as well as German philosophy.



Now it seems French investment amount toward Japan is biggest in the world. Ex-yellow-monster, The killer Japan has became "our brother Japan" by a magazine of authority. Again, the remove on politics enabled to make the happy relation. It is sure French report about Japan has been changing to be accurate and there is a happy exoticism between France and Japan, the author said. As far as I read, France looks excellent understanding country.



Those are French-Japanese cited from Wiki.





アバンタイトル (avant-title) アバンギャルド (avant-garde) アトリエ (atelier) アール・ヌーヴォー (Art Nouveau) アンサンブル (ensemble) アンティーク (antique) エチュード (étude) オブジェ (objet) オマージュ (hommage) クレヨン (crayon) コラージュ (collage) シュール (surréalismeの誤った省略）デッサン (dessin) パ・ド・ドゥ (pas de deux) バレエ (ballet) オートクチュール (haute couture) ズボン (jupon) パンタロン (pantalon) ブーケ (bouquet) ブルゾン (blouson) プレタポルテ (prêt-à-porter) ブロンド (blond(e)) ルージュ (rouge)＝口紅 アラカルト (à la carte) オードブル (hors-d'œuvre) カフェ (café) カフェオレ (café au lait) グラタン (gratin) グルメ (gourmet) クロワッサン (croissant) コンソメ (consommé) トリュフ (truffe) ビュッフェ (buffet) ブイヨン (bouillon) フォアグラ (foie gras) ポタージュ (potage) ポトフ (pot-au-feu) メニュー (menu) ラタトゥイユ (ratatouille) レストラン (restaurant) ピーマン (piment) エクレア (éclair) クレープ (crêpe) ゴーフル (gaufre) ゴーフレット (gaufrette) シュークリーム (choux à la crème) スフレ (soufflé) タルト (tarte) パティシエ (patissier) パフェ (parfait) プチフール (petit four) マロン (marron) ミルフイユ (millefeuille) アナルコサンディカリスム (anarcho-syndicalisme) アバンギャルド (avant-garde) アバンゲール (avant-guerre) アプレゲール (après-guerre) アンガージュマン (engagement) エクリチュール (écriture) クーデター (coup d'état) クレオール (créole) サンディカリスト (syndicaliste) サンディカリスム (syndicalisme) シニフィアン (signifiant) シニフィエ (signifié) シュールレアリスム (surréalisme) ディスクール (discours) ヌーヴォー・ロマン (nouveau roman) パロール (parole) パンセ (pensée) ブルジョワ (bourgeois) プロレタリア (prolétariat) ラング (langue) ルサンチマン (ressentiment) ルネサンス (Renaissance) レアリスム (réalisme) レゾン・デートル (raison d'être) アバンチュール (aventure) アンケート (enquête) アンコール (encore) アンツーカー (en-tout-cas) エチケット (étiquette) オーエス（oh hisse) カムフラージュ (camouflage) ギャルソン (garçon) グランプリ (Grand Prix) コンクール (concours) コンシエルジュ (concierge) サボタージュ (sabotage) サロン (salon) ジャンル (genre) シルエット (silhouette) デジャヴュ (déjà vu) パラシュート (parachute) パラソル (parasol) バリカン(By Barriquand et Marre) ビバーク (bivouac) プロムナード (promenade) ベージュ (beige) ポプリ (pot-pourri) モンタージュ (montage) ランデブー (rendez-vous) ルーレット (roulette) ルポルタージュ (reportage) レジュメ (résumé)



It is a photo of Hikone castle. Salut! Bon week-end!

It is Senryu day!

Those are my senryu in Japanese.



なにやるの?

政策アベコベ

安倍首相



Naniyaruno?

Seisaku Abe-kobe

Abe shushou



"What are you doing?"

preposterous policy!

PM Abe



Abe-kobe means "preposterous".



You see Abe and Abe-kobe.



温暖化　

汗ばむ冬に　

ゾッとする。



Ondanka

Asebamu fuyu ni

Zotto suru.



Global warming,

freezing!

by sweaty winter



結局は　

後悔しました　

TOB



Kekkyoku ha

Koukai shimashita

TOB



Altogether,

regretting!

TOB



TOB(Take Over Bid) is in Koukai-kaituke in Japanese.

Koukai is "open doors", I think.



歯磨き中

声をかけられ

飲んじゃった!



Hamigaki cyu

Koe wo kakerare

Nonjatta!



Brushing of teeth

I'm called, never call!

I've poured down.



麦茶だと

思って飲んだら

麺つゆだ



Mugicya dato

Omotte nondara

mentuyu da



I thought it is barley tea,

Alas! It is Mentsuyu!



Mentuyu is soup for Soumen etc.



立ち小便

なんだこのやろ！

草怒る



Tachishouben

Nanda konoyarou!

Kusa okoru



Out door relief

"Go men!"

by grasses



こぐま座だ

父が指さす

おおぐま座



Kogumazada

Chichiga yubi saku

Oogumaza



My father

saying "Lesser Bear"

pointing at Great Bear.



It is a photo of Okayama prefecture!



In addition



Coffee break

breaks relationship,

Saint Valentine's Day

It is Senryu day!

Those are my senryu in Japanese.



なにやるの?

政策アベコベ

安倍首相



Naniyaruno?

Seisaku Abe-kobe

Abe shushou



"What are you doing?"

preposterous policy!

PM Abe



Abe-kobe means "preposterous".



You see Abe and Abe-kobe.



温暖化　

汗ばむ冬に　

ゾッとする。



Ondanka

Asebamu fuyu ni

Zotto suru.



Global warming,

freezing!

by sweaty winter



結局は　

後悔しました　

TOB



Kekkyoku ha

Koukai shimashita

TOB



Altogether,

regretting!

TOB



TOB(Take Over Bid) is in Koukai-kaituke in Japanese.

Koukai is "open doors", I think.



歯磨き中

声をかけられ

飲んじゃった!



Hamigaki cyu

Koe wo kakerare

Nonjatta!



Brushing of teeth

I'm called, never call!

I've poured down.



麦茶だと

思って飲んだら

麺つゆだ



Mugicya dato

Omotte nondara

mentuyu da



I thought it is barley tea,

Alas! It is Mentsuyu!



Mentuyu is soup for Soumen etc.



立ち小便

なんだこのやろ！

草怒る



Tachishouben

Nanda konoyarou!

Kusa okoru



Out door relief

"Go men!"

by grasses



こぐま座だ

父が指さす

おおぐま座



Kogumazada

Chichiga yubi saku

Oogumaza



My father

saying "Lesser Bear"

pointing at Great Bear.



It is a photo of Okayama prefecture!



In addition



Coffee break

breaks relationship,

Saint Valentine's Day

China-bashing by Democrats?

It seems now American Democrat Representatives do China-bashing. The America's trade deficit equivalents to 763.6 billion dollars. 30% of it is trade with China which is the biggest trade partner of America. It reminds me Japan-bashing. Trade with Japan accounted more than 50% of it. Now America and China ride on crackup-course. Perhaps America have an advantage. But,,,



Then many Japanese got angry against American policy. I was the one of them. But now I have a different opinion that it is not good for the world that there is a country wins too much. Although white house was selfish but Japanese also should have feel responsible for it. However, we, America and Japan, couldn't eliminate the trade imbalance. I find its roots in American policy. I mention about two of them.



Firstly, American cars were poor-quality. Japanese company were forced to sell American cars by American government. But due to the poor-quality, American cars has vanished from Japanese market soon. There was not possibility that American cars were accepted by Japanese on the homebase of winer in American market. The one of vital factors of car is reliability. As to this, American car industry doesn't has skill to make customer-driven car along with the technology matter. It is extremely difficult to sell un-sellable products in market.



Secondly, the main cause is free-trade policy. Free-trade policy would strengthen America's competitiveness to some extent but it bears losers. Increasing the number of losers was not unsurprising fact. American government should have protect own people with defensive trade policy. People made Japanese cars to be winner were American market and the free-trade policy. Free-trade policy is very risky.



It is said three millions people in manufacturing business lost their job in America since 2000. They are "product" of the competitive principles based on market mechanisms. Democrat Representatives insist to introduce more defensive trade policy. I think it is good policy for America. But I don't agree with China-bashing. If they regard the free-trade policy was the cause, they should bash Bush's head.



It seem they point out problems, which are currency exchange rates and deficit. However, I think they have problems. I can point out five problems.



Firstly, Japan admitted to appreciation of the yen against the dollar, but America couldn't reduce the trade deficit. America is consumption-oriented society. Japan has a high propensity to save. It's no wonder that country tend to spend money run a deficit. I've heard China also has a high propensity to save.



Secondly, Even though Japan one-sidedly sold products in America but China doesn't. 60% of total exports from China is by　foreign capital. American companies enjoy the benefit of trade through outsourcing in exchange for depressed domestic manufacturing. America and China complements each other. From Japanese point of view, America and China seems be collusive. :-)



Thirdly, even if China introduce flexible rate system, American companies would move to another country to keep production costs down. Vietnam is one of the rising stars and America would bash Vietnam in the future. It is vicious circle.



Fourthly, it is said China buys American government bonds equivalent to 400 billion dollars (suppose $1=100yen) every year. China can't sell it to avoid world depression.　America runs the country with the money. Japan also buys it. Suppose those figure are right, total amount is 800 billion dollars. American national budget is 2000 billion dollars. China supports American life even now.



Fifthly, if China accept the call by America, China would grow public anxiety. Then the country loses money is America. Might be, missiles come rushing over to Japan from confused China. East Asia might be descend into chaos. Even though American politicians criticizes China's policy, they may make China's oppressive policy worse.



What for does America spend the money? It would be Iraq war. America has spent 900 billion dollars for the war, and will spend 250 billion dollars for the war this year. The war was wasteful spending but the money would expanded domestic demand. China supports America but the use is no good. The jobless problem is caused by American policy. And the money is basically debt. They should regard　the trade conflict as a matter of twin deficits in budget and trade policy. And Democrat insists it. I think it will work well for America.



China would agree to some extent in near future because China understands economy and politics and wants to avoid politicized external trade friction. But basically the aim of the action by Democrats members would be vote-getting. It is obviosity China would not be a common country. It is too late to criticize China about such a thing. They may instigate people for vote-getting. Not massive protection trade would be OK. But I don't agree with China-bashing. I think if they have such much energy to criticize China, they should revise the flow of money in America. China can't change soon. China's economy is 4 or 5 years old while it is bulky fellow. I suppose he still needs training wheels.



I'm not sure if what I say is right or not. I'll think of it again when I get books.



Well, it is a photo of Kiyomizu-dera temple.

40 trillion yen, rational investment?

I sometimes thought about Japan's policy after that I discuss about it with blogers on 360. And I considered about what I said again. I found another view thank to discussion with blogers. Every year, Japanese government buy American government bonds equivalent to 40 trillion yen. It is said the accumulated amount including nongovernmental is 400 trillion yen which equivalent to 40% of all American government bonds. If the interest rate is 5%. America pays 20 trillion yen to Japan every year. 1$ is 100 yen sensuously.



Now America can't run the country without Japan-money. Cutting tax in America means Japan buys the bonds. If war happens and if America didn't help Japan, Japan absolutely sell the bonds. American economy would be ruined by Japan. Thus America have to help Japan. There maybe a way to close the market, but it would also cause deep slump in America. Japan takes American economy in pawn for war. To have the bonds would be a racial way to protect us.



However, China also buys American bonds equivalent to 40 trillion yen every year. It means America can't attack China. In fact, Bush casted aside Taiwan for the bonds. It seems America doesn't sell any air fighters to Taiwan to curry favor with China.



Now Japan is violated the sovereignty by China and two Koreas. China claims to territory with illogical argument. According to them, Okinawa's offshore is China's territory. They never admit its midst between China and Okinawa is the border. Several years ago, Korea has occupied Takeshima-island which Japan claim to territory. America doesn't help Japan. About abduction issue, America has become a friend of North Korea. Abduction is absolutely terror. Why Bush scants Japan to such extent?



American policy for millionaire causes anti-American feeling in Japan too. The more America continue the policy, the more the anti-feeling become bigger. Etymologically speaking, people means people in a vulnerable position. I believe American ideal is "Of the people, By the people, For the people".



Then, 40 trillion yen is racial to protect us? The money support American policy which work against Japan. Its 10%, 4 trillion yen equivalent of cost to build 40 Aegis ships, or of 80 submarines. I think we should enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements, but I think we should end to too much depend upon American military force. That Japan can't act along with Japan's situation is really strange and dangerous. Iraq issue is the problem. If Japan want not to have war, Japan should independent of American army force. I think now it maybe a time to Copernican evolution.



Big problem is Asian anti-Japan feeling. The more Japan become strong, the more Korea and China become strong. However, if Japan lessens the dependence of America, it may not trigger an arms race. Now Japan's military power is stronger than U.K. France, German etc. I suppose it is enough to protect us. There may be a way Japan invest if America cut-down the military budget of America too. It would affect China's military policy too.



Those are my lay opinion. And I intend to think of the issue more.



I took the photo. It is a photo of Tokyo station.

鍋島(Nabeshima)

Last weekend I went to Osaka where my family home is. During the trip, I visit a museum called "東洋陶磁美術館"(Toyo-Toji-Bijyutukan). The museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka). Perhaps, as to ceramics, the museum is greatest in Japan. As I recall, The collection of the museum was possession of a big company and when it became bankrupt, Sumitomo got it and donate or rent the collection to Osaka City.



My purpose is to see 鍋島(Nabeshima porcelains) which is the greatest brand in Japan. The brand was made by a samurai lord who is 鍋島勝茂(Nabeshima Katsushige). Nabeshima clan donated Nabeshima porcelains to Shogun every year. The brand achieved as Japan's best. The brand contributed industrial development of the Nabeshima clan. There are many ceramics designated as important cultural assets of Japan. Many ceramics are really beautiful.



I found a difference of spectators between Osaka and Tokyo. Osakans just enjoyed to see, for example "I want to eat Tenpura with this dish!", "Oh! beautiful! I want to eat sushi with this dish", "I can't use such big ceramic!". I like such reactions because they are very natural. I like to hear them more than explanation. Even though we don't want to use cultural assets to eat, basically ceramics lost touch with eating are boring a little. Poor explanation doesn't look delicious. At least, ceramics make me to want to eat foods, want to practice tea ceremony etc are good one for me. And although their white porcelains are really beautiful, some of them didn't make me to want to eat because they are very old. :-)



The museum's URL is



http://www.moco.or.jp/en/exhi/index.html



Well,



After that I visited the museum, I took a walk a little. The area is where I born in. Accurately, I was born in 堂島(Dojima) which was heart of Japan's economy. There still is air of Edo, Meiji, Taisho era. 大川(Okawa-river) has good air and I looked it for a while.



Once, Osaka called "Manchester of east". The age Tokyo became bigger city than Osaka was only 50 years ago or so, and rivers had very contaminated. These years many fishes including Ayu which is fish lives in limpid stream came back to rivers and now city tries re-make a tideland on 新淀川(shin-Yodo-river). It seems the try became successful, and I look forward to see tidelands all over the river. Many wild birds come there, I think many kind of fishes are also too.



I read a book about China and I learned that now Chinese like to eat Osakan food called Takoyaki and they do enjoy Osakan comedy shows called 吉本新喜劇(Yoshimoto Shinkigeki). Even though news medias mostly report conflict between us, basically Chinese young people longing for Japanese things while they hate. Haruki Murakami is popular in China. One of his book was the first best seller which was chosen by free market process in China. Now "Murakami" is pronoun of "urbanized" in China, according to the book. I don't like Murakami's works, but I understand why he became popular all over the world. Kansai area including Osaka is an area many great figures in literature were born in. Murakami is one of them.



I took the photo at the museum. It is a Nebeshima.

40 trillion yen, rational investment?

I sometimes thought about Japan's policy after that I discuss about it with blogers on 360. And I considered about what I said again. I found another view thank to discussion with blogers. Every year, Japanese government buy American government bonds equivalent to 40 trillion yen. It is said the accumulated amount including nongovernmental is 400 trillion yen which equivalent to 40% of all American government bonds. If the interest rate is 5%. America pays 20 trillion yen to Japan every year. 1$ is 100 yen sensuously.



Now America can't run the country without Japan-money. Cutting tax in America means Japan buys the bonds. If war happens and if America didn't help Japan, Japan absolutely sell the bonds. American economy would be ruined by Japan. Thus America have to help Japan. There maybe a way to close the market, but it would also cause deep slump in America. Japan takes American economy in pawn for war. To have the bonds would be a racial way to protect us.



However, China also buys American bonds equivalent to 40 trillion yen every year. It means America can't attack China. In fact, Bush casted aside Taiwan for the bonds. It seems America doesn't sell any air fighters to Taiwan to curry favor with China.



Now Japan is violated the sovereignty by China and two Koreas. China claims to territory with illogical argument. According to them, Okinawa's offshore is China's territory. They never admit its midst between China and Okinawa is the border. Several years ago, Korea has occupied Takeshima-island which Japan claim to territory. America doesn't help Japan. About abduction issue, America has become a friend of North Korea. Abduction is absolutely terror. Why Bush scants Japan to such extent?



American policy for millionaire causes anti-American feeling in Japan too. The more America continue the policy, the more the anti-feeling become bigger. Etymologically speaking, people means people in a vulnerable position. I believe American ideal is "Of the people, By the people, For the people".



Then, 40 trillion yen is racial to protect us? The money support American policy which work against Japan. Its 10%, 4 trillion yen equivalent of cost to build 40 Aegis ships, or of 80 submarines. I think we should enhance the credibility of the Japan-U.S. Security Arrangements, but I think we should end to too much depend upon American military force. That Japan can't act along with Japan's situation is really strange and dangerous. Iraq issue is the problem. If Japan want not to have war, Japan should independent of American army force. I think now it maybe a time to Copernican evolution.



Big problem is Asian anti-Japan feeling. The more Japan become strong, the more Korea and China become strong. However, if Japan lessens the dependence of America, it may not trigger an arms race. Now Japan's military power is stronger than U.K. France, German etc. I suppose it is enough to protect us. There may be a way Japan invest if America cut-down the military budget of America too. It would affect China's military policy too.



Those are my lay opinion. And I intend to think of the issue more.



I took the photo. It is a photo of Tokyo station.

Random thoughts of Japanese Economy and Education.

This weekend, I'm very busy to check stock market. When American economy slip into recession? I read some journals and found an article about it. The analyst said America has the potential of bubble economy burst. It is not special but there is more no-spacial conclusion that if terrorism with nuke happens and China's slow economic growth occurs and Mideast violence gets militant, plunge into recession. What on earth did he analyzed? We already know the answer.



Some Japanese analysts say the global downturn in stocks caused by interest-rate raise by Japan. Takenaka Heizo, former minister, said "the earthquake center" was China, Someone says China has defaulted credit equivalent to 20% of the overall economy, while Japan's was 8% or so. as always, I don't understand the truth. :-) But it is nice opportunity to study about economy. I hold some stocks but the purpose is to study. I have to study to save money. It is a very effecting system for me to study.



Well, it seems some Japanese high schools introduce a class to teach dealings on the stock exchange. Those schools say they teach investment. But I don't think so. Because they seem to make students to compete the benefit of interest-rate spread. It is not investment but gamble named speculation. I doubt of that they should teach such a thing, but I think should teach about investment if they think students should study about economy. They can study speculation with chart but they have to read settlement reports to study investment. Moreover, I suppose they should teach manufacturing with investment more which is most important for Japanese economy which have to depending on export. I know American schools teach it but there is a difference of economic circumstance between Japan and America. Moreover, they should teach philosophy and its problem in high school. It would be impossible though.



Well, it is time to watch a TV drama named 風林火山(Fuu-rin-Ka-zan) on NHK. Have a good week!



Well, I'm back. My stomach is fighting with gravity now.



It is a photo of Fuji-mountain!

Heat Pump System.

In Japan, Heat pump water heater named "Eco-cute" arrived on the market in 2001. I was astonished that we, common people, can use such high technology machine already. In not-so-distant future, heat pump air-conditioner seems to be major. It is said the technology would cut down amount of emission equivalent to 5% of current amount of emission by current technology and 15% of it in not -so distant future.



Heat pump is a technology to displace heat. It doesn't burn fossil oil. Source of heat is air　which is ubiquitous. The equipment take in heat of the air and make air to be raised temperature and transfer the air into buildings.



The heat energy exists even in air which is -459 degree(F). In air which is -4 degree(F), there is 250K(Kelvin) energy. In air which is 68 degree(F), there is 290K. To resolve the difference of temperature, we need 1270K with inflammation. But we need only 290K with heat pump technology. Of course, it doesn't burn any thing, It emits no CO2 and no NOx. When we burn fossil energy in room, we need to ventilate. Therefore we also have to think of the loss. Next August, DAIKIN launch latest heat pump air conditioner for buildings in cold district. As to electricity expense, the system realized 27% saving.



The company is very appealing company. In fact, the chief engineer of Daikin was my father's friend and he lived near my house. Kids went to same schools. Oh My dog's mother was their dog. I learned them by reading a business journal. So, it is not information like insider trading. :-)



Of course, we still need fossil oil to use the technology because we need electricity and there are many heat power plants. But it is sure that we can hope for technology. In the distant future, we may not have heat power plants and hopefully not have atomic power plants.



To escape from society too much depending on fossil fuel is ambition of Japan which doesn't have fossil fuel. There are many merits for Japan in economy, military affair, diplomacy and native environment etc. It is still a remote future thing but I hope. Oh, Japan has a famous　gas field but it leads to a dispute between China and Japan. I don't mention about it.



It is a photo of Shiretoko in Hokkaido.

Japanese without nominative.

"The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." This is a famous sentence written by 川端康成(Kawabata Yasunari) who got a Nobel prize for literature. This is experience of the main character of the novel. The sentence has a nominative in English but it doesn't have nominative in Japanese. It is "トンネルを抜けるとそこは雪国だった (Tonnel wo nukeruto sokoha yuiguni datta)". I don't know why but Japanese often don't use nominative　from beginning of sentence. In this case, if Kawabata used nominative, the richness of the sentence would be disturbed.



I think the sentence without nominative has more rich taste than sentence with nominative. I suppose nominative in Japanese would disturb reader's imagination because nominative has limiting function. When Japanese feel it on a train, the imagination is more rich than "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." . I think non-Japanese also too. And it can become "I came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." . But this is also different from what he feel, I think. Perhaps "電車に乗った私がトンネルを抜けるとそこは雪国だった。(I, on a train, came out of the long tunnel into the snow country.)" is also OK as a sentence in Japanese but I think it is too logical style, I suppose. All in all, sentence without nominative is best in this case.



Although it is just my personal supposition, if we use nominative in the case of that we don't need to use it, it can be a too assertive expression. The usage that we don't use nominative, "I", and Japanese thought would have some relation.



Some philosophers and literary men discovered like what I said here. Rather I should say I studied about the point of view in a class of Japanese classic literature.



A philosopher, Nagai Hitoshi, said:



The real nominative of "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." is "I" but it is not true. That experienced came out of the long tunnel into the snow country is not "I". It doesn't means the person who independents of the experience and who experienced came out of the long tunnel into the snow country. To stretch a point, the experience is the "I".



That is, the experience is the self. The self is a situation that actor and non-ego don't divide into the two. It is an explanation when he explain it along with Nishida philosophy. I think it is a bit of strained interpretation because Nishida and Kawabata are different person, but I feel something that I can't deny all of the explanation.



Not to change the subject, but I often see a common mistake which English speakers took. It is "アメリカで夜です, America de yoru desu". I think they want to express "It is night in America ". Then English speaker can think of it as "America is night". It means it is night in America in Japanese. Because "アメリカは夜です(America ha yoru desu)" is correct Japanese. It is an interesting difference.



These days I do think saying jokes in English is very difficult. There are any typical joke in English which I can use? Tell me the jokes!!!



Well, now I'm thinking of another example. Hmm, I don't recall.



It is a photo of plum, I took.

大阪 (Osaka) on my mind

I found many video about Osaka on You Tube. You can see them. Well, I want to write something about them but it is better to see. Have a nice day and good night!









Hanshin Tigers,



This is a game at Koshien stadium. (home game)







This is a game at Jingu Stadium. (visitor game)







This is a video of the Great Hanshin Earthquake.(In Kobe)







He is the base ball player rank with　Buddha and God.







Tenjin festival.











Minami in Osaka.







It is a photo of Sefukuji in Osaka.

Japanese without nominative.

"The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." This is a famous sentence written by 川端康成(Kawabata Yasunari) who got a Nobel prize for literature. This is experience of the main character of the novel. The sentence has a nominative in English but it doesn't have nominative in Japanese. It is "トンネルを抜けるとそこは雪国だった (Tonnel wo nukeruto sokoha yuiguni datta)". I don't know why but Japanese often don't use nominative　from beginning of sentence. In this case, if Kawabata used nominative, the richness of the sentence would be disturbed.



I think the sentence without nominative has more rich taste than sentence with nominative. I suppose nominative in Japanese would disturb reader's imagination because nominative has limiting function. When Japanese feel it on a train, the imagination is more rich than "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." . I think non-Japanese also too. And it can become "I came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." . But this is also different from what he feel, I think. Perhaps "電車に乗った私がトンネルを抜けるとそこは雪国だった。(I, on a train, came out of the long tunnel into the snow country.)" is also OK as a sentence in Japanese but I think it is too logical style, I suppose. All in all, sentence without nominative is best in this case.



Although it is just my personal supposition, if we use nominative in the case of that we don't need to use it, it can be a too assertive expression. The usage that we don't use nominative, "I", and Japanese thought would have some relation.



Some philosophers and literary men discovered like what I said here. Rather I should say I studied about the point of view in a class of Japanese classic literature.



A philosopher, Nagai Hitoshi, said:



The real nominative of "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country." is "I" but it is not true. That experienced came out of the long tunnel into the snow country is not "I". It doesn't means the person who independents of the experience and who experienced came out of the long tunnel into the snow country. To stretch a point, the experience is the "I".



That is, the experience is the self. The self is a situation that actor and non-ego don't divide into the two. It is an explanation when he explain it along with Nishida philosophy. I think it is a bit of strained interpretation because Nishida and Kawabata are different person, but I feel something that I can't deny all of the explanation.



Not to change the subject, but I often see a common mistake which English speakers took. It is "アメリカで夜です, America de yoru desu". I think they want to express "It is night in America ". Then English speaker can think of it as "America is night". It means it is night in America in Japanese. Because "アメリカは夜です(America ha yoru desu)" is correct Japanese. It is an interesting difference.



These days I do think saying jokes in English is very difficult. There are any typical joke in English which I can use? Tell me the jokes!!!



Well, now I'm thinking of another example. Hmm, I don't recall.



It is a photo of plum, I took.