Development and Destruction

I bought KOMATSU's stocks in past days and at last it moved up last week. It will be rising up. KOMATSU is a company of heavy machine like Caterpillar Tractor Co.. The reason I bought the stocks is that the more emerging countries develop, the more those countries need heavy machines, and the company make a social contribution in the field different from commercial activity actively. It would mean they are going strong. Their absolute profit increased by 44% last year. It was greater-than-expected rise. The stock's price increased by about 18% since I bought it. I believed KOMATSU exceed analyst's expectation. I bought only several hundreds stocks. So the interest is not lot.



I'm glad and I'm happy but it is vague. There is some doubt. I am not talking about business performance but about humanitarian assistance activities and destruction of environment.



Now America and Japan also use bio-fuel. Corn's price is rising up. It seems corn price send down to some extent. But it is still high. American farmers are reducing production of soy beans to make corn, then, Toufu and Nattou's prices are rising up. I like both foods. In Japan people can buy them. But I think the soaring price would affect humanitarian assistance activities. People and society may be ruined, if fuel companies or business concerns expand their business to poor countries. As to hedge fund, I don't mention here. But if we got money from the market, especially corn market, for our pension etc, I think we should consider about what we are doing. I also hold an investment trust fund a little.



I think mass-media should report about the food problem while reporting about the price. I don't have any information about it. The prices may maintain its balance but it takes age while people can die just for a week. I don't want to get the guilt. I think this problem is not big now but I suppose we should be cautious about this.



Economy means 経済(Keizai) in Chinese and Japanese. "経済" originates from a word "経世済民(Keisei-Saimin)". 経(Kei) means "to spin into yarn or something". 世(Sei) means "society" or "the world". 済(Sai) means "to relieve, rescue, retrieve, save, spare". 民(Min) means "people, folks. Therefore, 経済(Economy) means "To save people by spinning society.".



According to Oxford's dictionary, there are three meanings of the word.

First one is that the relationship between production, trade and the supply of money in a particular country or region. Second one is that a country, when you are thinking about its economic system. Third one is that the use of the time, money, etc. that is available in a way that avoids waste. I guess "providential arrangement" may also mean welfare.



Japan's public funding also feed into markets. I don't know whether it is fed into corn market etc. And such kind of investment is not novelty. However, I think it is better to regard that our money can be a deadly weapon. And I hope this high-price don't not ruin humanitarian assistance activities.



Yesterday, I could back home in the afternoon and took a walk at park. And I took the photo. It is a photo of Japanese wisteria. We call them Fuji. It is a different word from Fuji of Fuji mountain. Mountain one is 富士(Fuji). Flower one is 藤(Fuji). It was very beautiful aspect until I found the peculiarity.



Fuji is a flower blooms on mid-June. Global warming would affect the flower. KOMATSU is a company of development. It seems they have bigger share in emerging country than any other companies in the same trade. They have good energy-efficient technology. But destruction of environment is nothing more than destruction of environment. It seems the CEO of KOMATSU know about it well and KOMATSU does social action program and made factories near by port to reduce cost and emit less carbon dioxide for transporting. But I should not forget that destruction of environment is nothing more than destruction of environment. Task of company is to make worth. I hope ecologic destruction in emerging countries are worth developing in the real sense of the term.



Sometimes I think China might be a Pandora's box. Now in China, much of water are contaminated. In north China, the situation is worser than south China. TORAY and other European companies go into the business to clean water up.TORAY has good defecators and I use it. I hope they save the water supply.



But we still don't find a drastic solution against Global Warming. GM, TOYOTA, HONDA, MAZDA etc seems to be developing fuel-cell electric vehicle. In addition, we can't say fuel-cell electric vehicle is better than hybrid car at this phase. To make the battery, we need to emit much CO2, as I recall. When it comes to think of TOYOTA's Prius. There is not big difference of running cost including trade-in-price and subvention between HYUNDAI's car. Rather, I think HYUDAI's sales strategy is no good in Japan. It would affect the trade-in price too. There is no Japanese dream with HYUNDAI's car. They sold only 1,600 cars in Japan last year while having a powerful advertising campaign. When I saw commercial message by HYUNDAI, I didn't understand what is the worth of HYUNDAI's car while Japanese car industry has been providing worth to Japanese people in Japan. I think if HYUNDAI did it, they can sell more cars in Japan.



Maybe it is an extreme logic but I suppose there is not big difference between company can't make worth and company can't make the future a better place　or can't open the way to the future. It is a too heavy task for small companies though. And I think I can same thing about some Japanese big companies in another point. I hope big companies will have been making better worth. And all in all, small companies make worth. The quality would can be a matter. What ever we do.



Maybe I can say same thing about our society. If we can't make the future a better place, we would be just exploiters. To put simply, I hope that to increase in value of my stocks means to increase in value of our society if at all possible.



I remember "Imagine" written by John Lennon. He sang "You may say I'm a dreamer". Sorry to say, I think he is a dreamer. :-) But I always think ideal is competitive with decadence. Always word's opposites are inextricably linked. Ideal and decadence would be two sides of same coin. Sometimes I meet someone who deny ideal but I don't mention about sentimentality. And quality and content of the ideal is also a matter too. Ideal can be daftness. If there is no room where bad people live, the world can be messed.



Well, I should take a nap. Now I don't understand what I'm writing about. It is GOLDEN WEEK in Japan now. I need much energy to enjoy the holiday week.



I took the photo at Kokukoen park in Tokorozawa.



Have a wonderful weekend!



TIGERS has lost today! DAMN!

Movies I watched etc.

During I had a cold, I watched some movies. All movies were fun. IL MARE I watched was Hollywood one. Original one is a Korean movie but I haven't seen this one. This is quite good story. I really enjoyed it. It is story of the couple of "SPEED". :-) The Story line was very good. I want to see Korean one. I wanted Keanu Reeves to use super natural power as Neo. :-)



"Watashi-no-atama-no-nakano-keshigomu"(Japanese tittle) is a Korean movie. This tittle means "Eraser in my brain." This is a movie depicted a girl who suffered from Juvenile Alzheimer disease and her husband. This was also a very good movie. I think many Korean movies are very good. I think Alzheimer disease doesn't advance at a higher rate. And Korean men cry too often than Japanese and this is difference between Korea and Japan. But this was very good movie. My favorite Korean movie is "Christmas in August". This was quite good movie.



http://www.keshigomu-movie.jp/



"Semi-shigure"



"Semi-shigure" is a Japanese movie. Original piece was written by 藤沢周平(Fujisawa Shuhei) who is popular with Japanese business men. A samurai and a girl fell in love. But the girl has become a side house woman of his lord. I think it is better not to say the detail. :-) It seems original novel is more interesting than the movie but I think this is enough well-made movie. I think there is not English version. But might be there is it.



http://www.semishigure.jp/



"Metoro-ni-notte"(地下鉄（メトロ）に乗って)



Metoro-ni-notte is also Japanese movie. The original novel was written by 浅田次郎(Asada Jirou) who is very popular in Japan now. A business man wonder off into past Japan at one subway station and he met his father he hates. But he found the true aspect of him and,,, I think I should not say the detail. :-) This was also very good movie and there was an air which is very good old. I wonder why I feel good old, even though I don't know the age.



http://www.metro-movie.jp/



These days, I often go to Rental Video shop to rent a DVD of "日本沈没(Nihon Chinbotu)". The tittle means "Foundering Japan". Original novel was written by 小松左京(Komatsu Sakyo). But always all DVD is rented. One day, a surprising incident happened at the bottom of sea. And Japan has sinked into sea. Japanese fight for survival. All Japanese has become a refugee. I've seen a Korean woman said "I want Japan to sink into sea!!". I guess she can enjoy the movie. haha. There is a part two of the novel. The story depicted Japanese live in other country as Japanese and depict the hardship etc.



Oh, today's starting pitcher is Vogelsong. He is very good batter too. His wife appears on CM.







The man is Thomas Patrick O'Malley who played with Tigers. He is a close friend of my English teacher at high school. He speaks Osaka dialect winningly.



There is a tendency that MLB players don't flourish in Japan. Often AAA players become better player in Japan. Everytime I hear "Togers got MLB player", I feel disappointed. 野球(Yakyuu, Japanese baseball) is different from American baseball, only players have capacity to adapt can flourish in Japan. To put simply, MLB is combat sports and Japanese baseball is fight of skill and intellectual power. It seems Ex Los Angeles Dodgers's baseball affected Japanese baseball.



Speaking of non-Japanese baseball palyer in Japan. 林威助 is really good young player. He is from Taiwan and graduated high school in Japan. I think he will be a great batter. His uniform number is 31 which was the number of Mr.TIgers, 掛布雅之(Kakefu Masayuki).







Oh, I have to watch baseball game.



It is a photo of Zero FIghter, I took it at Yasukuni shrine.



Have a nice day!

About Japanese and English expression etc

I study listening English everyday. Sometimes I find very interesting English expressions. I think many non-Japanese would think same thing which I feel when they study Japanese. There are many phrases in Japanese too. Those are not a problem for me. But English ones are difficult.



I use a study materials for first grade English test. I think most of all Japanese don't understand what "Yeah, I've been meetings where you could cut the tension with a knife" mean immediately. It sounds someone cut something strained, I thought might be someone injured someone's extended arm or something. At least, It would take some seconds to image tension with a knife means intense atmosphere. "Knife" is confusing.



There are very difficult words too. "arthroscopic surgery", "bone spur", "magnetic resonance imaging". "arthroscopic" is not commonly used word. I didn't know what "bone spur" mean even in Japanese. As to last one, I know MRI but I didn't know the word "magnetic resonance imaging". I can image MRI from "Magnetic" and "resonance", but I would miss hearing during I am imaging it. When I take a test, I often skip hearing unknown word though.



We use "MRI" or "MR" in Japanese too. I have entered into it several times. Some contracted word is better to understand but there are contracted word I can't understand. For example, "VCR". When I hear this word for the first time, I felt my blood stream has stopped because I got be confused. We don't use this contracted word in Japanese. And I forgot about Video cassette recorder because I use DVD since several years ago. I was confused by "GPA" too. I may understand "Grade point average" though.



There are many words which seems to be easy to understand but difficult to understand immediately. "Fast-forward", "Earthshine", "High explosive", "brainchild". I have to hear and understand immediately some English words which I haven't hear on the test. I can understand some words by understanding context. Those are easy words for reading test. But these can be difficult on listening test. Its speaker speaks very fast for Japanese.In the case of that there are another words which I don't know, those words can confuse me.



I think my friend who study Japanese read this blog. Well, for example, you know 隔靴掻痒? It sounds Kakkasouyou(かっかそうよう）. This word is from China. It means "frustrating". Some people sometimes use this word but this is not common word in conversation. I think it is difficult to image the meaning for non-Japanese. 隔(Kak,かっ,) means disagreement, distance, gap, interrupt, interval, remove and etc. 靴(Ka,か) means shoes. 掻(sou, そう) means to have a scratch on something. 痒(you,よう) means itch. I think no one can understand what this word mean immediately except people already leaned this word.　"隔靴掻痒たる感があります。, Kakkasouyou taru kan ga arimasu" means "I am frustrating". I think Japanese people would be astonished by you if you use this word. haha. It is a very formal word but it is not common. This word is originated from Chinese classic literature, I like this kind of words.



風林火山(Fuu-rin-ka-zan) may be difficult to understand. This is very famous in Japan. This word is originated from Sun Tzu. 風 means wind. 林 means grove, (forest?). 火 means fire. 山　means mountain. Many Japanese understand what this phrase means. It is a contracted word of 疾如風、徐如林、侵掠如火、不動如山. It means, well, "Fast action is like wind, quietness is like forest, invasion is like fire, no-moving is like mountain." A war lord, 武田信玄(Takeda ShIngen), used the word as letters of a army flag. This year, NHK is broadcasting a Drama about a strategist of Takeda Shingen. Its original piece was written by 井上靖 (Inoue Yasushi.). It reminds me that my friend said it is written by 横山やすし(Yokoyama Yasushi). But 横山やすし(Yokoyama Yasushi) is a comedian. I think Japanese would understand the humor. As I recall, Inoue Yasushi was a prospect for Novel Prize but Kawabata Yasunari get the prize, I'm not sure though. I prefer Inoue Yasushi to Kawabata Yasunari.



The novel 風林火山 was written by Inoue Yasushi some decades ago. It was my first history novel book to read. I was 9 years old and I became a big fan of history novels since then. I become good with Japanese class thanks to the novel. The TV drama is arranged and the story line is so interesting. I think people in San Francisco would see the Drama in English in near future.



Well, to learn English is fun. I have to watch baseball game.



Have a nice day.



I took the photo at Yasukuni shrine.

About "Memory of Geisha"

Last sunday, at last, I saw "Memory of Geisha". Unfortunately, it was a boring movie. I have many questions about the movie. I've taken a nap during the movie. Hmm, it was very strange movie.



They spoke English. I know Kurosawa Akira said "you should make the movie in Japanese or you would destroy the Geisha's air." to Spielberg. I agree with Kurosawa. Geisha speak special Japanese. When they speak in English, it would be different from Geisha's special air.



Chinese acted. Chinese actresses have different air from Japanese ones. It was very Chinese movie.



Behaviors are strange. Geisha's move is not like that. For example, they danced but it was not Geisha's dance. It was very Hollywood like dance.



Makeups are strange. Kudo Yuki did her face with strange makeup. She is very cute woman. It is questionable. I think Japanese makeup artist should did it.



I've took a nap and I didn't see all of the movie but I think they called girl-Geisha as Geisha. But girl-geisha is not geisha. They are Maiko if they were in Kyoto. And I think they are not called as Geisha but Geiko precisely if they are in Kyoto.



Actors often said "Miyako". It means capital but I suppose they didn't call Kyoto and Tokyo as Miyako in conversation.



I think there were characters whose name was too modern.



The city scape was strange. Those have different air from Japanese one. And I think the color of lens was not suitable for Japanese landscape and rooms.



Sometimes they spoke Japanese but they spoke very strange Japanese.



The movie lack in persuasiveness for me. Many Japanese friends said it was strange movie to me. I agree with him. I couldn't regard the location was Japan. A bit Japan. But it was almost China and America.



It reminded me "Karate Kid". Many non-Japanese like and Americanized Japanese-Americans acted. I liked Miyagi very much though. Chinese also acted. The more I saw the movie the more I felt something strange. I liked the movie very much. But the Geisha's movie was boring and bizarre. I can't find something I can admire the movie. Hmm, too bad. I had been thinking about the cause Spielberg have made such a bizarre movie. It is too bad because He is genius. I don't know how many Americans enjoy the movie. But I think it was heavy failure in Japan. I want him to make Goonies again.



"Letters from Iwo-jima" was excellent. I felt big-gap between the two.



Oh, "Pearl Harbor" was also bizarre. Why did the Japanese admirals call a meeting in a park where kids play? And I haven't seen such a park which has strange air in Japan. And I think some or many of them were not Japanese too. Very different from Japanese faces. Hmm.



Again, "Letters from Iwo-jima" was excellent. The reason is that it was Japan!



I hope Spielberg make Memory of Geiko, Ochiyo in Japanese tittle.



Fuu,,, I have a cold....



I took the photo at Yasukuni shrine.

GUNSHOTs.

The shooting incident by a Korean student in Virginia was reported as a big news in Japan too. But it relatively became minor. Because a mobster has shot the mayor of Nagasaki city last night. The mayor has been killed.



Ex-mayor said "Nagasaki is the city which is destined to deny any brutal powers.". He was also assaulted in 1990. But it is unbelievable that such incident happened in Nagasaki. Nagasaki is well-maintained city.



Gun sounds ガン(Gan) in Japanese. There are several words which has same pronounce. Cancer is ガン(Gan) in Japanese. I think I can say "Gun is cancer.". ガーン expresses shock. "ー" means long vowel.



The mayor did campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons as a mayor of Nagasaki. Although I don't know much about him, I liked his resolute speech. He said "What are we doing?" at the front of the speech for memorial ceremony for victims of atomic bomb. Someone may say nuclear disarmament is visionary. But it is sure at least campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons contributes to the proper balance for our society. Traditionally, Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki do the activity.



We don't know the reason why the mayor has been killed. Criminal seems to said it is a trouble about traffic accident. It is hard to understand.



I couldn't understand what happened at Nagasaki when I saw the news. These years, language proficiency of journalist is declining. I saw the news flash "長崎市長が銃撃, The mayor of Nagasaki is shoot-up.". It is active form. It should have said "長崎市長が銃撃された。". It is passive form. Very stupid media. I can't believe why they took such a silly mistake. Sometimes I saw such mistakes.



Nagasaki is really lovely City. Maybe I prefer Nagasaki to Kyoto. I don't want to live downtown in Kyoto but it would be wonderful if I can live in Nagasaki. People are very kind. Green leaves reflect sun shine brilliantly in summer. Foods are delicious. City scape is very beautiful. Chinese culture, Christian culture and Japanese culture coexist in the city. I like the air in Nagasaki. Really nice place.



I'm not sure why the Korean boy killed the people at this phase. I mourn the loss of the lives of them including the Korean boy. Every time when I hear this kind of news, I think human destiny is inhumanness. If the boy didn't born in his circumstance, he would not kill people. As long as we are forced by causal laws, we can't change the destiny. If the destiny changed, it means it was destiny. Any people can't elude from the destiny. I also doubt about individual liability from philosophical view while I admit it is important concept for society. Because the true cause is the causal laws.



Good comprises evil. If there is no evil, there is no good. Because those are a pair. Our life comprises those criminals like the Korean boy. Of course there is a matter of degree and criminal rate can be reduced, but I don't mean it. I feel sad the reality that someone have to draw the short straw. Buddha would know the sadness of the Korean boy and mobster and would know the essence of the sadness of the mayor.



It is a photo of Nagasaki.



You can see another photo of Nagasaki's night view.

http://view.adam.ne.jp/setoy/pic/kyusyu/nagasaki2.html

Armor and Swards

Believe it or not, Now I'm controlling your mind with force today. Shooo Khooo Shooo Khooo. You feel my force? But I just gave you only a good mind. So if you had a nice day, please thank me. Well, I saw a news report that a company develop a new 鎧 (Yoroi, armor) for Boys' Festival. It is Darth Vader. Boy's festival is called as "Tango no Sekku". A samurai Armor doll is decked in Japanese families which has boy. The company has developed Darth Vader Samurai Armor. Oh, every May 5th is the day. I think Anakin would look great on the armor.



Look the armor.



http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/yoroi01.html



http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/yoroi02.html



http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/yoroi03.html



http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/yoroi04.html





Well, it costs you about $3,000. You can order it from your country. It would be great present. It seems It doesn't include lightsaber but I think you can buy it at Toys R Us etc. But your son may fall into Dark side.



I think Kids would be scared of the armor. But some authentic ones are more terrifying.

I think it is expensive as armor. But it is doll. Authentic samurai armor for decoration is more superbly made. My family exhibits Samurai armors in my house　all year round.　I couldn't enter a room due to the terrifying armor. I was so scared to enter the room, my family replaced by a replica of armor. And I could enter the room. Now the replica is replaced by the terrifying one and my mother coat with fabric on it for me. Yes, I have a dread of it even now. :-) Actually, it is just a measure against dust.



It is said human spirit resides in armor. Once bad affairs happen uninterruptedly. We noticed the room where the terrifying armor adorned has something strange those days. There is always feeling of dampness in the room, even though we cleaned up it and allowed air to pass through easily. The room is on the West Side. It was strange. In addition, it was winter.



My father decided to invite a Shinto priest from a shrine of our village and told him the reason. (It is not a village now. It is a part of Osaka city now. ) The following day, the priest came to my house and he invited Susanoo God. Susanoo is famous as Gion's god. The shrine enshrines the Gion's god. (In fact, I'm not sure which god he invited though. ) He paid his respects to our Buddhist altar and household shinto altars and our small shrine to enshrin a white snake and went to all our rooms, (and did something for the armor) carrying out a ceremony. Of course we ourselves also were performed a purification ceremony.



The priest said "the spirit will come to my shrine tonight or tomorrow's night. People may not believe but I always feel spirits and I'm sure there are spirits in the world. We don't banish them, just we persuade them gently. I came here to invite the spirit." and "After your death, it is a job of Buddhist monk. But when you live, it is a job of Shinto. ". :-) I think I understand what you want to mean. It maybe sure for common people.



Next morning. My father said "Hey, you saw the room!?". There was not damp in the room. There was clear air. I saw the armor and found it become gently.



My mother visit the Gion's shrine and met with sister of the priest. She said "Oh, I saw a shaggy man your mother saw in dream went into the main hall last night." .　Bad affair had never happened for several years since the day.　It is true story happened around me.



This kind of interpretation of the world is in Japanese culture. It is a strange thing from point of view of modern view, but interpretation of the world is not science etc.



Once, a swordsman of Yagyu shinkage ryu visited my family home. He said "People think ghost reside in sward, but it doesn't." I thought he doesn't believe any ghost but then he said "Though I understand ghost reside in armor because it has figure of human.".



It is said sward is spirit of Samurai. There is another kind of spirit. If you visit a museum and saw Japanese sward, please check the glaze. If it is very clear, you can regard the sword haven't cut anyone. It would be made after arrival of the modern age. But if it is not clear, it has cut someone. If the sward was made until pre-modern age, absolutely it has killed someone. All swards and spears and Naginata (long-handled sword) in my family home has killed someone in battle and not in battle. All swordsmith used to tried out a new blade, it seems, mainly by outsourcing. "Headsman" who behead a criminal contracted the job in piping time of peace. Clotted blood dull up the glaze.



In fact, I don't like to have sward. When I have a sward, the sward makes me to want to cut someone. Swards often have diabolic spirit. It makes me to do it. I don't get frightened of sward but get frightened of my mind. Of course I can exercise my self-control. :-) My ground father said victim's blood invites other one's blood. So, I regard sward has spirit. It is not matter that whether it is sure spirit reside in it or not. I think it was one of the reasons of that Samurai had to practice their self-control.



I often think those spiritual thing is interesting. I suppose that our intuition precedes rational nature. Well, I have to sleep soon.



Have a great day and weekend, and may the Froce be with you!



I took the photo at Yasukuni shrine.



Explanation about Japanese armor.

http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~usa/historyus.html

Election And Huge Eerth Quake.

I found an article that Yakata-bune, houseboat where people banquet, can't pass under a bridge due to rising sea levels in Tokyo Bay when spring tide occurs. And Meteorological Office denies abnormal sea level but admit the sea level varies widely. And Near bank protections, it can be rise up to abnormal level. Hmm.



因果応報(Ingaouhou) is idiom in China and Japan. It is a Buddhist term. It would mean "chickens come home to roost". If huge earth quake happen in abnormal sea level time, it would make it worse. Liquefaction phenomenon absolutely happen when huge earth quake happens. The "triple trouble" would ruin the bay area. I saw the liquefaction phenomenon of landfill in Kobe, therefore I don't want to live in bay area. Earth quake shakes landfills and water was consisted by clay emerge. It is liquefaction phenomenon. All of Tokyo bay area is manmade land. And Tokyo is originally alluvial cone, as I recall, some area's ground are very weak. I've heard Tokorozawa's ground is strong against earth quake. Tokorozawa is the city I live in.



Ishihara Shintaro, who is the president of Tokyo prefecture, won election yesterday. He said "We must reinforce the measure against huge earth quake. And "let's have a big dream of Olympic in Tokyo together!". The theme of next Tokyo Olympic is "symbiosis with nature". He regards the theme is along with Japanese traditional culture. I like the concept. But I think there is a difference from traditional spirituality. The project lacks awe. I look forward to see the Olympic. Also it have a major impact, 10 trillion yen, on the overall economy.



But I suppose he should spend money for antiearthquake measures at first. About 6,000 or 7,000 people killed by huge earth quake in Kobe. It happened early morning most people still were sleeping. If it happened in the daytime, countless number of people might be killed. Ishihara call out even American Navy for the measure. But I think there are still many things he have to do for the measure.



Absolutely, tens thousand to hundred thousand dead body will be lined when huge earth quake happens in Tokyo. I don't need the big dream if I can avoid horrific nightmare.



I took the photo at Iidabashi. You can see 神楽坂, Kagurazaka.

Happy birth day to Mr. Buddhism

Well, at first, I sing this song. "Happy birth day to you. Happy birth day to you. Happy birth day dear Buddha. Happy birthday to you." I think if Marilyn Monroe sang it, Buddha would be glad far more than I sang. He is now about 2550 years old.



He has many names. Buddah, Gotama Siddhattha in Pali, Gautama siddhaartha in Sanskrit, 釈迦牟尼世尊(Shakamuniseson)、釈迦牟尼仏陀(Shakamuni Buddha)、釈迦牟尼仏(Shakumuni butsu)、釈迦牟尼如来(Shakamuni Nyorai)、釈尊(Shakuson)、釈迦仏(Shakabutsu)、釈迦如来(Shaka nyorai)、世尊(Seson)、仏陀(Buddha)、如来(Nyorai) etc in Chinese and Japanese. I used to call him as 釈尊(Shakuson). It is a kind of rule to write research papers.



He was born at lumbini in Nepal, and was a son of Zddhodana(浄飯王) who was the head of zaakya(釈迦) clan. I think everyone can study about the detail on other website so, I stop to explain about him but don't read cult religion's. haha. And he is surrounded by mystery. Original Buddhism Study was boring to me but I was astonished by a teacher saying Buddhist monks used to eat pork meat. Every Japanese believe they didn't eat any meat. My friend who is a Buddhist monk was glad, saying "Oh! I can eat meat　without any hesitation!". :-)　However, there is no evidence that Buddhist monks killed animals. It is said that lay people killed animals.



It seems many temples celebrate his birthday. We call the birthday ceremony as Hanamatsuri(花祭り) which means Flower Festival. The birthday festival is based on a legend colorful flowers and honeydew fell from the sky when Buddha was born. It is said the festival was introduced in Japan from China, after originating in India. By the way, I memorize many Indian great men's birthday. It is easy to memorize because most of all great men were born in April 8th. In fact, I don't much about them but my teacher said so. But they would not be born in the day, it is just a culture that great men born in the day. Is there someone who was born in April 8th? Happy birth day!



I went to kindergarten run by Shingon-sect. As I recall, I celebrated his birthday, sousing Amacya(Ama-tea) over a buddha statue. Also at a temple of my sect, we celebrate his birth day. But I think it was not April 8th. Flower petals in every color of the rainbow made by papers dancing in the air. Monks sing songs and pray instruments. There must be heaven.



Any religions has device to make people believe the existence of God or Buddha. Originally, buddhism forbade to worship statues but it is said they come to worship in consequence of Greek sculpture etc. But, in the basic sense, statues are just a material in Zen buddhism.



One day a monk tried to burn a Buddha statue to warm himself. His teacher said "What are you doing!!!!!!!!!!!!?". The monk said "Hey, you've obsessed. ". LOL. So, statues count for much.



As dogma, Zen buddhist say Zen buddhism was from India. But, as study, it is said that Zen buddhism was born in China. Zen monks regards Daruma(達磨) conduct Zen buddhism but it is said Nounin and Kounin established Zen buddhism in China and utilize the authority of Daruma.



Why there are many sects? There is Buddha's "metaphor of floater" that when we reached opposite shore, we don't need the floater. As far as I know, there are 2 interpretations about it. One is that when we got enlightenment, we don't need precept which cause obsessions. The other is that when we got enlightenment, we have to develop the dogma. In Zen buddhism, it is said "to become a greater monk than teachers is repayment for the teachers." I think diverseness of Buddhism is good state of affairs.



I took the photo at Iidabashi in Tokyo.

Recent relation between China and Japan.

China and Japan are improving diplomatic relations drastically. Chinese prime minister will visit Japan. Japanese prime minister will visit China. It is a course both two countries have to go.



I saw a TV program. Chinese scholars and Japanese controversialists discussed about problems between China and Japan. I think Chinese medias skew Japan and those chinese believe what the media said. I think Chinese scholars have divergent views of the state. They understand Japan is democratic state but don't understand the view.



It seems they believed Extra-right-wing is supported by people. It is a quite strange view. They are ignored by common people. And also seems they are addled by some politicians who are very right wing and say Chinese-Japanese was not war of invasion. They said "Japan is double-tongued.". But Japan is a democratic country. There are many opinions and those foolish politicians are just a member of the House, not ministers. So Japan is not double-tongued. Overall, Japanese had an advantage in the discussion. I think the cause was skewed media news broad casted in China.



Chinese said "It is danger that Japan fosters patriotism.". Japanese said "Why we must not have patriotism? We've lost it too much. China also fosters it, doesn't it?". Chinese understood it. Those Chinese scholars were decent people. Chinese also said "Japan didn't offer apologies for Chinese about the invasion for long periods of time.". It is sure that Japan should have do it soon. But I felt strange that China are invading Tibet etc even now. Britain and France etc didn't offer apologies for colonies, as far as I know. China didn't offer it about Mongol invasion attempts against Japan. Japan maybe more decent than those countries in that regard. What I want to write here is not criticism, rather, I admired those Chinese about capacity to understand.



Chinese said "We have to foster good fellowship.". Japanese also said so. Chinese also said "China doesn't have philosophy which presses the responsibility on other country.". I don't know about recent Chinese thought but what the Chinese said is true. My philosophy is also from China. So, I think I understand what he meant.



What I felt is that China and Japan are brother even now. Not small number of people were from China. We share virtue relatively to large extent. I know Chinese people since I was 10 years old. Chinese people visited my house were smart and polite. Although there are differences, very similar to Japanese relatively while Chinese are more realistic.



Japanese politicians and owners of companies often cite Chinese literatures. Even now, Chinese thought effect Japanese thought. It is said the reason is that leaders need principle. I think there is other reason that Christian faith can't be the principle in this region and Buddhism is not realistic and Chinese thoughts provide practical hints to Japanese leaders.



Biggest problem between China and Japan is Taiwan. If America war against China for Taiwan, Japan must help American troops because American bases are in Japan. We can't chose. So, it is not problem to be resolve only between China and Japan. As long as American troop stay in Japan, Chinese army regards Japan as a big enemy.



I suppose current return to Japanese-Japan in Japan maybe affected by China. The more China become larger, the more the world become Chinese. It leads Japan to be an Asian nation again. The leader of the world in last half of this century would be China. I don't support current Chinese government but there must be possibility that China become a good state.



Well, I have to practice for listening test. Have a nice weekend!



I took the photo at Yasukuni shrine.

Resent Japanese Foods.

Every morning I eat Japanese cereal consist of corn, rice , freezed dry night fly and cockroach's internal organ. It is believed night fly is good for health. Those are very delicious and stand fair with Japanese girls too. But Japanese girls prefer Sashimi of cockroach and sushi of cockroach. Moving legs of the cockroach on the rice looks delicious very much. In Japan, we have a custom to eat cat meat today.



Have a good April Fools' day!



Well, I go to see Yo-zakura from now. Have a nice day!



Hanshin Tigers won. 4-2, against Hiroshima Carp.



I took the photo at Tokorozawa city.