Futural Three greatest calligraphers of Heisei-era

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



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



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



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



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



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



Have a nice day.

Ugly art in Tokyo

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



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



I'm going to sleep again.



Have a nice weekend.

Bugs.

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



孫さん、たのんまっせ。どうにかして。

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

About INDIA (parallel translation blog in English and Japanese)

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



　多極化時代が始まっている。対米輸出は半減する勢いだ。一方で対ユーラシア輸出は年率１０％の勢いで増大している。これからはユーラシア大陸が日本にとって最も重要な顧客になる。その中でも重要なのはインドと中国だ。



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



　僕はインドについては古典哲学ばかりを勉強した。ガンジーやサイババなど、現代インド思想も学んだが、現代インドと現代日本の関係について考えたことはなかった。インドは中国よりも遠く、日本的美徳はインドでは通用せず、両国はあまりにも違うと漠然と考えていた。



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



　しかし、最近は自分が間違っていたと思っている。インドは中国よりも近いかも知れない。たとえ中国の方が日本に近くとも、日中間の壁は越えるには高い。



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



　秋葉原のアイドル、麻生太郎さんによれば、インドの人は日本人の仕事ぶりに感動してくれているそうだ。開発援助でインドに地下鉄を作ったとき、インドの人が、日本人は就業時間前には必ず仕事を始め、納期に間に合わせ、しかもその地下鉄は時間通りに運行することに感心していたそうである。こういったことは日本では極々当たり前のことであり、それができなければ人間失格となることだ。インドの地下鉄では日本への感謝状が飾られてあるという。中国が日本が様々なインフラ作ったことを自国民に教えないことを考えると、素直に日本を受け入れてくれるインドに対し、日本こそ感謝しなくてはならないと思う。



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



　鈴木自動車の鈴木会長によれば、インドはすぐに中国を追い抜くそうだ。中国の人は不平が多いがインドの人は資本主義を良く理解しているそうだ。カーストについては、日本では「カースト制度があるのでインドはそれほど発展しない。」と言われているが、鈴木さんがいうには、「僕はカーストのことは分からないから、ないことを前提とした。それでちゃんとうまく言った。」とのことだ。その手があるとは思わなかった。また、どうしようもない文化の違いはあるが、根幹的部分では日本的経営で問題ないそうである。



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



　最後に、僕は、インドのことは哲学のことしかわかりませんが、彼らの哲学は途方もなく、驚くほどに凄いと思います。”驚愕する”と言っていいと思います。インドの哲人たちは論理思考の天才です。その発展は欧州に比べて、1500年早いと言っても良いと思います。インド古典文学は実に深みがあり華やかです。彼らの思想は、対立する思想を共存させてしまいます。そういうインドが発展しないはずがないと思います。インド古典文学に関して、個人的には「ナラ王物語」というのが好きです。



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



　ちなみに、インドでは宗教対立があると言われていますが、『インド現代史』(賀来弓月著　中公新書)によれば、宗教対立と言うよりも政治対立だそうです。



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



Have a wonderful sunday!



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

Tokorozawa citizen festival

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



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



WInds is getting stronger now.



Have a wonderful weekend!

About INDIA (parallel translation blog in English and Japanese)

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



　多極化時代が始まっている。対米輸出は半減する勢いだ。一方で対ユーラシア輸出は年率１０％の勢いで増大している。これからはユーラシア大陸が日本にとって最も重要な顧客になる。その中でも重要なのはインドと中国だ。



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



　僕はインドについては古典哲学ばかりを勉強した。ガンジーやサイババなど、現代インド思想も学んだが、現代インドと現代日本の関係について考えたことはなかった。インドは中国よりも遠く、日本的美徳はインドでは通用せず、両国はあまりにも違うと漠然と考えていた。



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



　しかし、最近は自分が間違っていたと思っている。インドは中国よりも近いかも知れない。たとえ中国の方が日本に近くとも、日中間の壁は越えるには高い。



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



　秋葉原のアイドル、麻生太郎さんによれば、インドの人は日本人の仕事ぶりに感動してくれているそうだ。開発援助でインドに地下鉄を作ったとき、インドの人が、日本人は就業時間前には必ず仕事を始め、納期に間に合わせ、しかもその地下鉄は時間通りに運行することに感心していたそうである。こういったことは日本では極々当たり前のことであり、それができなければ人間失格となることだ。インドの地下鉄では日本への感謝状が飾られてあるという。中国が日本が様々なインフラ作ったことを自国民に教えないことを考えると、素直に日本を受け入れてくれるインドに対し、日本こそ感謝しなくてはならないと思う。



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



　鈴木自動車の鈴木会長によれば、インドはすぐに中国を追い抜くそうだ。中国の人は不平が多いがインドの人は資本主義を良く理解しているそうだ。カーストについては、日本では「カースト制度があるのでインドはそれほど発展しない。」と言われているが、鈴木さんがいうには、「僕はカーストのことは分からないから、ないことを前提とした。それでちゃんとうまく言った。」とのことだ。その手があるとは思わなかった。また、どうしようもない文化の違いはあるが、根幹的部分では日本的経営で問題ないそうである。



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



　最後に、僕は、インドのことは哲学のことしかわかりませんが、彼らの哲学は途方もなく、驚くほどに凄いと思います。”驚愕する”と言っていいと思います。インドの哲人たちは論理思考の天才です。その発展は欧州に比べて、1500年早いと言っても良いと思います。インド古典文学は実に深みがあり華やかです。彼らの思想は、対立する思想を共存させてしまいます。そういうインドが発展しないはずがないと思います。インド古典文学に関して、個人的には「ナラ王物語」というのが好きです。



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



　ちなみに、インドでは宗教対立があると言われていますが、『インド現代史』(賀来弓月著　中公新書)によれば、宗教対立と言うよりも政治対立だそうです。



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



Have a wonderful sunday!



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

Tokorozawa citizen festival

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



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



WInds is getting stronger now.



Have a wonderful weekend!

As to "latest".

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



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



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



I wrote this to write about our future later.



Well, I sleep again.



Have a nice day.

英語の勉強について。

　外国の人から見ると、日本語のどんな部分が難しいのでしょう。この奇々怪々（？）な言語を学ぶのは大変なことだろうと思います。日本人でも完璧な日本語を喋る人は、まずいないですよね。

　さて僕は、仕事で外国人と一緒になってもできるだけ日本語を喋ってもらうし、英語で論文や雑誌記事などが読めて、ニュースの内容を理解できればそれで十分なので、あんまり意味はないですが、どうせならば、記念に英検１級を取っておこうかと思っています。先週、一次試験を受けてきましたが、運が良ければ受かってると思うし、そうでなければ落ちてるでしょう。単語問題で点を取れてそうにないのが気がかりです。長文読解は唯一の得意分野で、ここで点を稼いでるはずですが、もしここで取れてないなら、ダメだろうと思います。

　万が一、合格したならば、通知が来てすぐに二次の面接試験があるので、一応、勉強をすることにしました。さっき参考書を開いてみたのですが、間に合いそうにないです。明日からブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩かないと。（笑）

　試験の内容は、自由会話１分、与えられた５つの題から1つを選んで、スピーチを考える時間１分、スピーチ２分、スピーチの内容に関する質疑応答３〜４分となっています。題は例えば、



あなたは十分に環境に配慮してますか？

公共サービスの向上のためなら、税金が高くなっても喜んで払いますか？

本、映画、音楽などは検閲されるべきだと思いますか？



などで、僕が個人的に興味のある質問はくれないみたいです。他の題も見てみましたが、普段の僕ならYesかNoと理由は一言で片付けるような内容です。それを２分も喋るのかと思うと、面倒くさくなってきました。小声でブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩く以前に、どう喋っていくかを考えないと。あぁ、面倒くさい。



　まぁ、しかし、TOEICだと、英語のテストと言うよりも反射神経のテストみたいで、しかも期間限定の資格になってしまいます。TOEFLは受験用。そうなると、やはり英検をやるのがベターかなと思ってます。まさかの時に合格証書が何かの役に立つかもしれないですからね。



　写真は、所沢駅前で撮ったものです。

As to "latest".

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



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



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



I wrote this to write about our future later.



Well, I sleep again.



Have a nice day.

英語の勉強について。

　外国の人から見ると、日本語のどんな部分が難しいのでしょう。この奇々怪々（？）な言語を学ぶのは大変なことだろうと思います。日本人でも完璧な日本語を喋る人は、まずいないですよね。

　さて僕は、仕事で外国人と一緒になってもできるだけ日本語を喋ってもらうし、英語で論文や雑誌記事などが読めて、ニュースの内容を理解できればそれで十分なので、あんまり意味はないですが、どうせならば、記念に英検１級を取っておこうかと思っています。先週、一次試験を受けてきましたが、運が良ければ受かってると思うし、そうでなければ落ちてるでしょう。単語問題で点を取れてそうにないのが気がかりです。長文読解は唯一の得意分野で、ここで点を稼いでるはずですが、もしここで取れてないなら、ダメだろうと思います。

　万が一、合格したならば、通知が来てすぐに二次の面接試験があるので、一応、勉強をすることにしました。さっき参考書を開いてみたのですが、間に合いそうにないです。明日からブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩かないと。（笑）

　試験の内容は、自由会話１分、与えられた５つの題から1つを選んで、スピーチを考える時間１分、スピーチ２分、スピーチの内容に関する質疑応答３〜４分となっています。題は例えば、



あなたは十分に環境に配慮してますか？

公共サービスの向上のためなら、税金が高くなっても喜んで払いますか？

本、映画、音楽などは検閲されるべきだと思いますか？



などで、僕が個人的に興味のある質問はくれないみたいです。他の題も見てみましたが、普段の僕ならYesかNoと理由は一言で片付けるような内容です。それを２分も喋るのかと思うと、面倒くさくなってきました。小声でブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩く以前に、どう喋っていくかを考えないと。あぁ、面倒くさい。



　まぁ、しかし、TOEICだと、英語のテストと言うよりも反射神経のテストみたいで、しかも期間限定の資格になってしまいます。TOEFLは受験用。そうなると、やはり英検をやるのがベターかなと思ってます。まさかの時に合格証書が何かの役に立つかもしれないですからね。



　写真は、所沢駅前で撮ったものです。

英語の勉強について。

　外国の人から見ると、日本語のどんな部分が難しいのでしょう。この奇々怪々（？）な言語を学ぶのは大変なことだろうと思います。日本人でも完璧な日本語を喋る人は、まずいないですよね。

　さて僕は、仕事で外国人と一緒になってもできるだけ日本語を喋ってもらうし、英語で論文や雑誌記事などが読めて、ニュースの内容を理解できればそれで十分なので、あんまり意味はないですが、どうせならば、記念に英検１級を取っておこうかと思っています。先週、一次試験を受けてきましたが、運が良ければ受かってると思うし、そうでなければ落ちてるでしょう。単語問題で点を取れてそうにないのが気がかりです。長文読解は唯一の得意分野で、ここで点を稼いでるはずですが、もしここで取れてないなら、ダメだろうと思います。

　万が一、合格したならば、通知が来てすぐに二次の面接試験があるので、一応、勉強をすることにしました。さっき参考書を開いてみたのですが、間に合いそうにないです。明日からブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩かないと。（笑）

　試験の内容は、自由会話１分、与えられた５つの題から1つを選んで、スピーチを考える時間１分、スピーチ２分、スピーチの内容に関する質疑応答３〜４分となっています。題は例えば、



あなたは十分に環境に配慮してますか？

公共サービスの向上のためなら、税金が高くなっても喜んで払いますか？

本、映画、音楽などは検閲されるべきだと思いますか？



などで、僕が個人的に興味のある質問はくれないみたいです。他の題も見てみましたが、普段の僕ならYesかNoと理由は一言で片付けるような内容です。それを２分も喋るのかと思うと、面倒くさくなってきました。小声でブツブツ英語を喋りながら歩く以前に、どう喋っていくかを考えないと。あぁ、面倒くさい。



　まぁ、しかし、TOEICだと、英語のテストと言うよりも反射神経のテストみたいで、しかも期間限定の資格になってしまいます。TOEFLは受験用。そうなると、やはり英検をやるのがベターかなと思ってます。まさかの時に合格証書が何かの役に立つかもしれないですからね。



　写真は、所沢駅前で撮ったものです。

「商道」 と 「三方よし」(Shoudou and Sanpou-yoshi), the spirit of Osakan merchant.

「商道」(Shoudou) is a "dou (Tao)" of business. It is said this "dou" was established in Oumi province(Shiga prefecture) in Edo era. 「三方よし」, which is a word of Shoudou, means ,,,,hmm,,,,"three-side-benefit". That is, this word enlighten us to aim for benefit of seller, of purchaser and of public.



Please Visualize global warming. Suppose Toyota sells Prius(hybrid car). Toyota(seller) get benefit. Purchasers are comfortable. Public get be comfortable? Toyota causes global warming. Whereat, Toyota plants trees from place to place. Public can use high-efficiency cars and trees absorb carbon dioxide. This is "三方よし"(Three-side-benefit). I think maybe Toyota must plant more trees though, there are other ways too.



Many big companies in Japan donates to my Volunteer association directly or through Economic Organizations. They donate some of their benefit, man power, labor force and their product. During the Great Hanshin Earthquake, they sent several tens thousand batteries, several thousand kerosene heaters, tens mobile phones, tens motor cycles, tens bikes, tens thousand cup-noodles, and etc. As to SANYO they sent round several tens business people to help our volunteer work. Finally, they accepted responsibility for good part of the cost of our volunteer work. We thank them very much! That is, they change some of their benefit to social action program. This is "三方よし" (Three-side-benefit).



Shoudou is the spirit of Osakan merchant. When we explain about volunteer to companies, we cite Yodoya's case. If you visit Osaka, you will see a name of place, Yodoya-bashi. Yodoya is a name of merchant. "bashi" means bridge. Yodoyabashi means a bridge Yodoya established. Yodoya established the bridge by himself but Yodoya didn't occupy the bridge. If Yodoya occupied the bridge, Yodoya can earn much more. But Yodoya established it for other merchants and people too. Merchants needed to ship rices to go to opposite shore. It was an inefficient system. Thanks to Yodoya, economy and traffic in Osaka went off like clockwork. This is "三方よし"(Three-side-benefit).



Unfortunately, there has been being some immoral merchants too. And news medias mostly play up them and non-Osakan Japanese misunderstand about not only Shoudou but also other good spirits of Osakan. It is too bad. I need to bomb TV stations in Tokyo. LOL



Osaka merchant consist of Sakai-merchants, Kyoto-merchants, Oumi-merchants and Nagoya merchants. Oumi-merchants established Shoudou though, it is said some of Oumi merchants came up with immoral business and those business were regarded as representative business of Osaka. Hmm, too bad.



These days I looking for books about Shoudou, but I can't find it on internet. If I find it, I will mention about Shoudou again.



It is a photo of resent Yodoya-bashi. The building is not a big public toilet, but Osaka-city-hall, which is a sink of iniquity.



Have a wonderful day.



今日は英語にしました。

「商道」 と 「三方よし」(Shoudou and Sanpou-yoshi), the spirit of Osakan merchant.

「商道」(Shoudou) is a "dou (Tao)" of business. It is said this "dou" was established in Oumi province(Shiga prefecture) in Edo era. 「三方よし」, which is a word of Shoudou, means ,,,,hmm,,,,"three-side-benefit". That is, this word enlighten us to aim for benefit of seller, of purchaser and of public.



Please Visualize global warming. Suppose Toyota sells Prius(hybrid car). Toyota(seller) get benefit. Purchasers are comfortable. Public get be comfortable? Toyota causes global warming. Whereat, Toyota plants trees from place to place. Public can use high-efficiency cars and trees absorb carbon dioxide. This is "三方よし"(Three-side-benefit). I think maybe Toyota must plant more trees though, there are other ways too.



Many big companies in Japan donates to my Volunteer association directly or through Economic Organizations. They donate some of their benefit, man power, labor force and their product. During the Great Hanshin Earthquake, they sent several tens thousand batteries, several thousand kerosene heaters, tens mobile phones, tens motor cycles, tens bikes, tens thousand cup-noodles, and etc. As to SANYO they sent round several tens business people to help our volunteer work. Finally, they accepted responsibility for good part of the cost of our volunteer work. We thank them very much! That is, they change some of their benefit to social action program. This is "三方よし" (Three-side-benefit).



Shoudou is the spirit of Osakan merchant. When we explain about volunteer to companies, we cite Yodoya's case. If you visit Osaka, you will see a name of place, Yodoya-bashi. Yodoya is a name of merchant. "bashi" means bridge. Yodoyabashi means a bridge Yodoya established. Yodoya established the bridge by himself but Yodoya didn't occupy the bridge. If Yodoya occupied the bridge, Yodoya can earn much more. But Yodoya established it for other merchants and people too. Merchants needed to ship rices to go to opposite shore. It was an inefficient system. Thanks to Yodoya, economy and traffic in Osaka went off like clockwork. This is "三方よし"(Three-side-benefit).



Unfortunately, there has been being some immoral merchants too. And news medias mostly play up them and non-Osakan Japanese misunderstand about not only Shoudou but also other good spirits of Osakan. It is too bad. I need to bomb TV stations in Tokyo. LOL



Osaka merchant consist of Sakai-merchants, Kyoto-merchants, Oumi-merchants and Nagoya merchants. Oumi-merchants established Shoudou though, it is said some of Oumi merchants came up with immoral business and those business were regarded as representative business of Osaka. Hmm, too bad.



These days I looking for books about Shoudou, but I can't find it on internet. If I find it, I will mention about Shoudou again.



It is a photo of resent Yodoya-bashi. The building is not a big public toilet, but Osaka-city-hall, which is a sink of iniquity.



Have a wonderful day.



今日は英語にしました。

日本語で徒然と（第二回）in Japanese.

　みなさん如何お過ごしでしょうか？これを読んだら、なにか一言くださいね。思い切って日本語で書いてますのでレスがないと寂しいです（笑）日曜日は快晴で風が心地よく、秋を満喫しました。運動会をしたくなりました（笑）みなさんのところはどうだったでしょうか？週末は何かいいことがありましたか？

　夕方、ケーブルテレビが「市長選挙に行きましょう」と呼びかけていました。時計を見たら、鉄腕ダッシュの時間まで１０分あったので、散歩がてら選挙に行ってみました。結果は菅直人が応援していた民主党候補が当選。でも、投票率はなんと30.70%だそうで、圧倒的多数が「市長選挙なんてどうでもいい。」と答えたわけです。（笑）かくいう僕も一時的な住人で、市政が気に入らなければ自分から去れば良いですから、興味が持てませんでした。そんな僕が誰かに投票するほうが間違っているかのように感じました。さしたる論点もなく、興味を持てと言う方が無理があるような選挙でした。

　さて、所沢は勿論、埼玉県を去るのも容易い。しかし、自分から日本を去るというのは難しい。日本が核武装をしたら愛想を尽かして去ろうかと思ったことはありますが、それでも多分去らない。

　ちなみに、大阪が独立して大阪国を建国するというならば、大阪国籍を取る為に日本を去ると思います。きっとオリンピックで大阪国人が優勝したら、星条旗やイギリス国旗の間に阪神タイガースの旗が揚がり、六甲颪が演奏されることでしょう。そして涙を流しながらその光景を見ることでしょう。憲法第一条は「国民主権や。」でしょうね。「や。」が味噌です。しかしそういうのはあり得そうにない。

　「何の話をしているのか？」と思っておられるかもしれませんが、その疑問は的を得ていて、ただ徒然と気ままに書いてみました。



　じゃ、真面目に何か話してみます。



　クリントイーストウッド監督の「硫黄島からの手紙」について、少し考えが変わりました。ある人が「あれを日本をよく描いた作品だいってる人が多いが、あれはアメリカ人が理解できる範囲を描き、理解できない部分は切り捨てている作品だ。」と指摘していました。確かにそうだな、伊原剛志の格好よさにばかり目がいき、重大な点を観察できてなかったなと思った次第です。映画館でそこまでしなくても良いとは思いますが、言われてみれば確かにそういう傾向が強いかもなと思ったということです。だからといって悪い作品だとは思いませんが。



　あと数回は日本語で書くつもりです。しばらくはわけあって、スピーキングとリスニングだけ勉強するつもりです。



　写真は所沢祭の様子で候。



　はば、ないすうぃーく。

Have you ever met with Buddha?

Some people say "I saw Buddha.". Do you believe them? I'll talk a story of a Shodo-teacher who was my mother's shodo-teacher. (Shodo means art of calligraphy.)



The teacher suffered a serious disease. She entered a hospital which is at the bottom of a hill. Her house was at the head of the hill. Her doctor said "You can't walk any more. It is a irremediableness". She gave up to walk completely and she was devastated by grief.



One night, at the hospital room, she dreamed. She was been carrying on spindly and fair-skinned someone's back and the person was walking toward top of the hill. She wondered who the person is. Then, the person took a look back on her. She saw the person's face. She knows the person's face. Yes, she knows his face. When she was a little kid, she often used to be brought around one temple where the bodhisattva is.



Next morning, she woke up and spend the morning as usual, she thought she was spending the morning as usual. And first thing she knows, she was walking in the room.



I've forgotten the bodhisattva's name. As I recall, his name includes 紫(purple). Maybe I'm wrong.



I heard this story through my mother.



Although I don't believe the bodhisattva is a real bodhisattva, I like this story. I remembered this story abruptly.



However, even if it was just a dream, bodhisattva may be a such like existence for people who seek salvation. From that standpoint, the bodhisattva in her dream may be a real bodhisattva, I think.



In this reagion, it is said bodhisattvas stay in this world to rescue people. Bodhisattvas want to rescue people. "To want to rescue" is an earthly desires and bodhisattvas have it. So, bodhisattvas are not Buddha. They can be buddha but they stay for people who seek salvation. Also it is said buddha becomes bodhisattvas to rescue people. Originally, bodhisattvas are trainee monks. If you practice Buddhism, you are a bodhisattva.



Teachers sometimes said "You all are 文殊菩薩(Mañjuśrī)!" when I was an university student. I felt funny. :-) But what the teachers said are right.



I know other several stories but I'll talk you them another time.



It is a photo of Higan-bana (cluster-amaryllis). It is also called as 曼珠沙華 (Manjyushage)

Manjyushage sounds beautiful, I think. "Higan(彼岸)" means farther shore of,,,, how should I say in English?,,,,, farther shore of the river Styx? Anyway a river between this world and Buddha's world. "Bana（花)" means flower.



It is not my photo.



Have a nice weekend!

Regrettable News

Last sunday, four American soldiers raped a Japanese girl at Hiroshima city. Today mass medias reported about it. Hmm, the Americans are soldiers of Iwakuni base. Four soldiers forcibly boxed the 19 -year-old girl in their car and raped her. I can not help saying undisciplined army must be in Japan.



As far as I know, American soldiers are unpopular in Iwakuni and Hiroshima. I heard disturbed Vietnam veterans stayed and did ill in Iwakuni. As to Hiroshima, I needn't to say anything about it, I think.



When I was teenager, American soldiers raped a Japanese girl at Okinawa. It was a serious incident and people in Okinawa became irate and demonstrated. Why they repeat such thing?



If my memory is correct, in the case of Okinawa, American army hadn't turned over soon and America's attitude worsened the situation. Now America says "We can't answer at this time" about extradition. Their answer reminds me about Okinawan case. Hiroshima police doesn't obtain an arrest warrant on the soldiers yet. I hope America turn over after Hiroshima police get it.



Several years ago, might be last year, a American chopper crashed on an university's campus. American army denied Japan's investigation and people and its students got mad. I understand why Iraqi people got mad.



Dalai Lama met with president Bush. Bush said he can't close his eyes about China's human light issue. Mr. Bush, please close your eyes or things get worse.



Reuters reported (I didn't read this) on http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUST1130020071019?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true



Japan probes reported gang-rape by U.S. Marines

Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:22am EDT

 



TOKYO (Reuters) - Police in Japan are investigating allegations that four U.S. Marines raped a 19-year-old Japanese woman, media and officials said, the latest episode to plague the U.S. military's relations with local communities.





"I have received a report of a Japanese woman being raped by several men in the early morning of October 14 in the city of Hiroshima," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a news conference on Friday.





"The Hiroshima police are proceeding with the investigation in cooperation with U.S. forces in Japan," he said. "Of course, if it is true it is unforgivable."





Public broadcaster NHK reported that four U.S. Marines from Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station in southwest Japan had raped a 19-year-old woman in a car at a car park in nearby Hiroshima City after meeting her at an event hall.





The mayor of Iwakuni had suggested this week he was willing to discuss the expansion of the Marine base.





Major G.A. Canedo, public affairs officer at the base, said four Marines had been confined there.





"We are aware of the allegations. The matter is being investigated and we are cooperating fully with local authorities," Canedo said, but declined to give further details.





Police in Hiroshima confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to say whether they would demand that the four Marines be handed over into their custody.





A U.S.-Japan pact governing the conduct of U.S. military personnel in Japan does not require the transfer of military suspects until they are charged, but Washington has agreed to favorably consider pre-indictment transfers in cases of suspected rape, murder and other heinous crimes.





Japan is host to about 50,000 U.S. military personnel as part of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, but friction often occurs with local communities near the bases because of concern about crime, accidents and noise.





The 1995 rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen on the southern island of Okinawa sparked huge protests.





Last year voters in Iwakuni rejected in a non-binding referendum a plan to expand the nearby Marine base by moving carrier-based planes and personnel from Atsugi naval base near Tokyo.





Asahi reported on http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1019/OSK200710190030.html



岩国基地の米兵４人、１９歳女性を集団強姦の疑い　広島



2007年10月19日19時48分



　広島市内で今月１４日、１９歳の女性が集団で乱暴される事件があり、広島県警は、山口県岩国市の米海兵隊岩国基地所属の米兵４人がかかわった疑いが強いとみて、集団強姦（ごうかん）容疑で捜査を始めた。県警はすでに４人を特定しており、逮捕状を請求したうえで来週初めにも日米地位協定に基づいて４人の身柄の引き渡しを米軍側に求める。



　調べでは、米兵４人は１４日午前３時半ごろ、広島市中区銀山町の貸し会場で開かれていたダンスイベントで知り合った女性（１９）を外に止めていた車に無理やり押し込め、約２キロ離れた同区榎町の駐車場に止めて車の中で集団で強姦した疑いが持たれている。女性から被害届が出ていた。イベントには約４００人が来ており、女性と４人に面識はなかったという。



　４人は同日、基地に帰ったところを、県警から通報を受けた米軍に拘束されたという。



　岩国基地報道部は１９日、朝日新聞の取材に対し、広島県警の捜査との関連で海兵隊員４人を同基地内で拘束していることを明らかにした。報道部は「地元関係機関には全面協力している」としたうえで、４人の身柄の日本側への引き渡しに関しては「現段階では答えられない」と述べた。



　日米地位協定は日本に駐留する米軍の待遇を定めたもの。公務外や基地外での犯罪で、身柄が米軍にある場合、警察は逮捕状を請求し、国を通じて米軍に身柄の引き渡しを求める。協定では日本側が起訴するまでは米軍が容疑者を拘束するが、「殺人、強姦などの凶悪な犯罪」には起訴前の身柄引き渡しに「好意的配慮」を払うことが９５年に両国で合意されている。



No photo today.

Diary

Tonight, I went to a LP shop, not a CD shop. I found many British Rock's LPs, RONNE WOOD, Rod Stewart, Stones and etc. Unfortunately I don't have a '70s stereo now. Resent ones can't project '70s sounds. Hmm, several month ago, I had found a '60s speakers made by 山水(Sansui) at a shop, I should have bought it. I considered whether I should buy it to listen to '60s Jazz music. Sansui's sound was really nice. It has suaveness and dynamism. But it is a assembling maker now. Too bad.



These years, many speakers don't have a wooden body. Too bad. SONY like companies boast their miniaturization technology though, Their sound quality is not good. Its main cause would be non-wooden body. I haven't seen a good speaker which has non-wooden body.



To change the subject, when you play American music, Fender and Martin are best, you know. Japanese ones has different air. But, unfortunately, the sound of non-Japanese instruments change in Japan due to Japan's climate. A bit though.





Tonight I watched "Notting Hill" again. It is a quite nice movie. Elvis Costello's song was really nice.



Have a nice day.



It is a photo of Tokorozawa festival.

Regrettable News

Last sunday, four American soldiers raped a Japanese girl at Hiroshima city. Today mass medias reported about it. Hmm, the Americans are soldiers of Iwakuni base. Four soldiers forcibly boxed the 19 -year-old girl in their car and raped her. I can not help saying undisciplined army must be in Japan.



As far as I know, American soldiers are unpopular in Iwakuni and Hiroshima. I heard disturbed Vietnam veterans stayed and did ill in Iwakuni. As to Hiroshima, I needn't to say anything about it, I think.



When I was teenager, American soldiers raped a Japanese girl at Okinawa. It was a serious incident and people in Okinawa became irate and demonstrated. Why they repeat such thing?



If my memory is correct, in the case of Okinawa, American army hadn't turned over soon and America's attitude worsened the situation. Now America says "We can't answer at this time" about extradition. Their answer reminds me about Okinawan case. Hiroshima police doesn't obtain an arrest warrant on the soldiers yet. I hope America turn over after Hiroshima police get it.



Several years ago, might be last year, a American chopper crashed on an university's campus. American army denied Japan's investigation and people and its students got mad. I understand why Iraqi people got mad.



Dalai Lama met with president Bush. Bush said he can't close his eyes about China's human light issue. Mr. Bush, please close your eyes or things get worse.



Reuters reported (I didn't read this) on http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUST1130020071019?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true



Japan probes reported gang-rape by U.S. Marines

Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:22am EDT

 



TOKYO (Reuters) - Police in Japan are investigating allegations that four U.S. Marines raped a 19-year-old Japanese woman, media and officials said, the latest episode to plague the U.S. military's relations with local communities.





"I have received a report of a Japanese woman being raped by several men in the early morning of October 14 in the city of Hiroshima," Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a news conference on Friday.





"The Hiroshima police are proceeding with the investigation in cooperation with U.S. forces in Japan," he said. "Of course, if it is true it is unforgivable."





Public broadcaster NHK reported that four U.S. Marines from Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station in southwest Japan had raped a 19-year-old woman in a car at a car park in nearby Hiroshima City after meeting her at an event hall.





The mayor of Iwakuni had suggested this week he was willing to discuss the expansion of the Marine base.





Major G.A. Canedo, public affairs officer at the base, said four Marines had been confined there.





"We are aware of the allegations. The matter is being investigated and we are cooperating fully with local authorities," Canedo said, but declined to give further details.





Police in Hiroshima confirmed that an investigation was under way but declined to say whether they would demand that the four Marines be handed over into their custody.





A U.S.-Japan pact governing the conduct of U.S. military personnel in Japan does not require the transfer of military suspects until they are charged, but Washington has agreed to favorably consider pre-indictment transfers in cases of suspected rape, murder and other heinous crimes.





Japan is host to about 50,000 U.S. military personnel as part of the U.S.-Japan security alliance, but friction often occurs with local communities near the bases because of concern about crime, accidents and noise.





The 1995 rape of a Japanese schoolgirl by three U.S. servicemen on the southern island of Okinawa sparked huge protests.





Last year voters in Iwakuni rejected in a non-binding referendum a plan to expand the nearby Marine base by moving carrier-based planes and personnel from Atsugi naval base near Tokyo.





Asahi reported on http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1019/OSK200710190030.html



岩国基地の米兵４人、１９歳女性を集団強姦の疑い　広島



2007年10月19日19時48分



　広島市内で今月１４日、１９歳の女性が集団で乱暴される事件があり、広島県警は、山口県岩国市の米海兵隊岩国基地所属の米兵４人がかかわった疑いが強いとみて、集団強姦（ごうかん）容疑で捜査を始めた。県警はすでに４人を特定しており、逮捕状を請求したうえで来週初めにも日米地位協定に基づいて４人の身柄の引き渡しを米軍側に求める。



　調べでは、米兵４人は１４日午前３時半ごろ、広島市中区銀山町の貸し会場で開かれていたダンスイベントで知り合った女性（１９）を外に止めていた車に無理やり押し込め、約２キロ離れた同区榎町の駐車場に止めて車の中で集団で強姦した疑いが持たれている。女性から被害届が出ていた。イベントには約４００人が来ており、女性と４人に面識はなかったという。



　４人は同日、基地に帰ったところを、県警から通報を受けた米軍に拘束されたという。



　岩国基地報道部は１９日、朝日新聞の取材に対し、広島県警の捜査との関連で海兵隊員４人を同基地内で拘束していることを明らかにした。報道部は「地元関係機関には全面協力している」としたうえで、４人の身柄の日本側への引き渡しに関しては「現段階では答えられない」と述べた。



　日米地位協定は日本に駐留する米軍の待遇を定めたもの。公務外や基地外での犯罪で、身柄が米軍にある場合、警察は逮捕状を請求し、国を通じて米軍に身柄の引き渡しを求める。協定では日本側が起訴するまでは米軍が容疑者を拘束するが、「殺人、強姦などの凶悪な犯罪」には起訴前の身柄引き渡しに「好意的配慮」を払うことが９５年に両国で合意されている。



No photo today.

Diary

Tonight, I went to a LP shop, not a CD shop. I found many British Rock's LPs, RONNE WOOD, Rod Stewart, Stones and etc. Unfortunately I don't have a '70s stereo now. Resent ones can't project '70s sounds. Hmm, several month ago, I had found a '60s speakers made by 山水(Sansui) at a shop, I should have bought it. I considered whether I should buy it to listen to '60s Jazz music. Sansui's sound was really nice. It has suaveness and dynamism. But it is a assembling maker now. Too bad.



These years, many speakers don't have a wooden body. Too bad. SONY like companies boast their miniaturization technology though, Their sound quality is not good. Its main cause would be non-wooden body. I haven't seen a good speaker which has non-wooden body.



To change the subject, when you play American music, Fender and Martin are best, you know. Japanese ones has different air. But, unfortunately, the sound of non-Japanese instruments change in Japan due to Japan's climate. A bit though.





Tonight I watched "Notting Hill" again. It is a quite nice movie. Elvis Costello's song was really nice.



Have a nice day.



It is a photo of Tokorozawa festival.

Billy Joel, again.

Tonight I bought a CD of Billy Joel again. "Again", that is, the CD I bought first is in my family home so I couldn't listen to the CD these months. It seems all his albums are in my family home now. All in all, I could install those song into my iPod and I can listen to his songs starting from today.



Now I'm listening to "She's got a way". This is a really nice song. I couldn't check some words, hmm, nice lyrics. I must go his concert again before he dies. :-)



Have a nice day! I'll have a nice day.

Shake hand.

Today, I shook hand with 菅直人(Kan Naoto) who is a famous and popular politician and an acting leader of Democratic Party of Japan. Mr. Kan visited Tokorozawa station to make a campaign speech for a candidate of city mayoral election. I went to hear his speech to escape boredom.



The candidate for the mayor tried to shake hand with me, but I didn't want to do it because I am not supporter of her and TV camera was taking movie of her. I had highsided her, but she was looking my face, under unavoidable circumstances I shook hand with her. I've been taken by TV camera. Hmm.



Her, the candidate's, manifest is very abstract and too short. I understand nothing about her policy. She said "I want to hear your opinion." but it is not uncontroversial. Manifest is a kind of contractual document between candidates and constituencies. Candidate must practice its policy written in Manifest. In her manifest, there are a lot of ear-pleasing policies. Hmm, what a low-level election!



It seems Tokorozawa city is a key area for LDP and DPJ. Koizimi visited here many times and I saw him, Abe also visited. I guess Fukuda will visit.



Mr. Kan was a Health and Welfare Minister. He became famous because he dealt with HIV-tainted-blood scandal well. His home ground is Mitaka city where I often visit. In Mitaka city, there is Studio Jiburi's museum and you can meet with Totoro etc. Yes, Totoro is from Tokorozawa area.



Have a nice sunday.



I took the photo.

Shake hand.

Today, I shook hand with 菅直人(Kan Naoto) who is a famous and popular politician and an acting leader of Democratic Party of Japan. Mr. Kan visited Tokorozawa station to make a campaign speech for a candidate of city mayoral election. I went to hear his speech to escape boredom.



The candidate for the mayor tried to shake hand with me, but I didn't want to do it because I am not supporter of her and TV camera was taking movie of her. I had highsided her, but she was looking my face, under unavoidable circumstances I shook hand with her. I've been taken by TV camera. Hmm.



Her, the candidate's, manifest is very abstract and too short. I understand nothing about her policy. She said "I want to hear your opinion." but it is not uncontroversial. Manifest is a kind of contractual document between candidates and constituencies. Candidate must practice its policy written in Manifest. In her manifest, there are a lot of ear-pleasing policies. Hmm, what a low-level election!



It seems Tokorozawa city is a key area for LDP and DPJ. Koizimi visited here many times and I saw him, Abe also visited. I guess Fukuda will visit.



Mr. Kan was a Health and Welfare Minister. He became famous because he dealt with HIV-tainted-blood scandal well. His home ground is Mitaka city where I often visit. In Mitaka city, there is Studio Jiburi's museum and you can meet with Totoro etc. Yes, Totoro is from Tokorozawa area.



Have a nice sunday.



I took the photo.

Risk of Zen and Yoga meditation

In Japan, the number of Yoga-school is increasing, I think. That is, the number of people who practice Yoga and Zen meditation in their own fashion is also increasing. I think it is not good situation. If you have an expert teacher, it will be OK. But if your teacher is not an expert. It is risky.



Maybe you are surprised. Scientific study of Meditation is far more developed in America. The reason is simple. In America many people practiced meditation and has become a disease of the mind.



A medical scientist said "Meditation runs the risk of compromised immune function of mind." That is, human mind has also an immune function. To put simply, it is a balance system of mind. I think you will understand if you make observations about your self. When you get angry, you are balancing. I think you can regard your brain is achieving a balance. When you think of something in a self-centered manner, your brain is achieving a balance. When you lost the balance, you become a disease of the mind.



As for me, I've learn Yoga at university but now I don't do it. As to Zen meditation, I don't do it too, although I sometimes do it though. If you want to freshen up, personally I recommend sports.



Many people get something wrong and think I'm a kind of too religious man because I studied Buddhism and Indian philosophy at university. But I can see them through an objective perspective because they are my subjects of research, but many common people who like mystic things tend not to able to do it. I guess people of religion don't want to deal with me. haha.



Some buddhist monks who are my friends also say people may get the crackers if they don't have an expert teacher. I also have thought I may get the crackers.



So, I worry about resent Yoga-boom a bit.



And also it is said Zen monks in its prime might not practice Zen sitting meditation because there is no evidence they practiced it. If you want to practice Yoga, I recommend you to go to a good temple or yoga school a true expert runs.



It is a photo of Bukou-mountain I took. It is a principal image of Chichibu-shrine.

First snow

"白い恋人"(Shiroi-koibito) is the most famous souvenir of Hokkaido. It was a big news that Ishiya-seika, which makes Shiroi-koibito, camouflaged eat-by freshness date. But my favorite is not it. I like マルセイバターサンド(Marusei-butter-sand) by 六花亭(Rokkatei) in Hokkaido. Today I bought マルセイバターサンド at special sale in Seibu-department-store, Tokorozawa city. I'm very glad.



According to Nikkei-net, first snow snowed at Asahikawa city in Hokkaido. You can see the photo at "http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/main/im20071013SSXKG004813102007.html. Winter in Hokkaido is really nice. The first snow was 10 days faster than average year. Hmm, due to global warming?



That Al Gore won a novel prize was a good news. Congratulations.



Starting today, my Tigers holds a play-off.



Have a nice planet.

Risk of Zen and Yoga meditation

In Japan, the number of Yoga-school is increasing, I think. That is, the number of people who practice Yoga and Zen meditation in their own fashion is also increasing. I think it is not good situation. If you have an expert teacher, it will be OK. But if your teacher is not an expert. It is risky.



Maybe you are surprised. Scientific study of Meditation is far more developed in America. The reason is simple. In America many people practiced meditation and has become a disease of the mind.



A medical scientist said "Meditation runs the risk of compromised immune function of mind." That is, human mind has also an immune function. To put simply, it is a balance system of mind. I think you will understand if you make observations about your self. When you get angry, you are balancing. I think you can regard your brain is achieving a balance. When you think of something in a self-centered manner, your brain is achieving a balance. When you lost the balance, you become a disease of the mind.



As for me, I've learn Yoga at university but now I don't do it. As to Zen meditation, I don't do it too, although I sometimes do it though. If you want to freshen up, personally I recommend sports.



Many people get something wrong and think I'm a kind of too religious man because I studied Buddhism and Indian philosophy at university. But I can see them through an objective perspective because they are my subjects of research, but many common people who like mystic things tend not to able to do it. I guess people of religion don't want to deal with me. haha.



Some buddhist monks who are my friends also say people may get the crackers if they don't have an expert teacher. I also have thought I may get the crackers.



So, I worry about resent Yoga-boom a bit.



And also it is said Zen monks in its prime might not practice Zen sitting meditation because there is no evidence they practiced it. If you want to practice Yoga, I recommend you to go to a good temple or yoga school a true expert runs.



It is a photo of Bukou-mountain I took. It is a principal image of Chichibu-shrine.

"Now is the time to establish the principles of international security" by Ozawa Ichiro

I read Ozawa's paper of in the current issue of "Sekai". "Now is the time to establish the principles of international security" is a return mail to a Kawabata Kiyotaka who is a officer of UN, who criticized Ozawa's policy.



I cite some sentences written by Ozawa.　I translated them. If my translation is unreadable, sorry.



　現実に、米国はもはや、一国で世界の平和維持、すなわち国際社会の警察官の役割を果たすことが不可能になっています。今日のアフガニスタンやイラクの実態は、その結果にほかなりません。米国のブッシュ大統領は、「これは米国の戦争、自衛戦争だ。したがって国連の決議はいらない」と啖呵を切ってアフガン戦争を始めました。しかし実際には、当然ながら、米国単独では収められず、国際社会に助けを求めているのが現実ではないでしょうか。



In actuality, America can't fulfill a role of a police of the world any more. The actual condition of Afghanistan and Iraq are the result. President Bush started Afghanistan-war saying "This is America's war, America's self-defensive war. Hence, we needn't be accept by U.N. resolution.". But, in actually, naturally, America couldn't resolve on its own, and America appeals to other countries for assistance.



　結局、日本国憲法の理念の通り、それはとりもなおさず国連憲章の理念の通り、世界の平和は国際社会みんなで力を合わせて守っていく以外に、論理的にも現実的にも他に方法がありません。今日の国際社会の混迷はそのことを、明確に示していると思います。湾岸戦争のような侵略の排除であれ、テロリズムとの戦いであれ、同じことです。



All in all, along with ideal of the constitution of Japan and namely along with ideal of Charter of the United Nations, to protect our international society in union is the only way. Logically　and realistically, we don't have other way. Current bushed international society clearly is indicatives of it. Eliminating aggression like Iraq war and war against terrorism are this issue.



　ところが、米国は自分自身の孤立主義と過度の自負心が常に、国連はじめ国際社会の調和を乱していることに気が付いていません。本当に日本が米国の同盟国であるなら（その他の同盟諸国も同じですが）、米国にきちんと国際社会の重要な一因として振る舞うよう忠告すべきです。そのためには、日本自身が世界の平和を守るために率先してあらゆる努力をし平和維持の責任をシェアする覚悟が不可欠です。



However, The United States is not aware that its own isolationism and excessive pride are disturbing the harmony of the United Nations and international society. Japan, as America's alliance partner, should expostulate with America to function as an important member of the world. To that end, Japan must steel for sharing the responsibility to save the peace and for taking the initiative in making efforts.



　私は日本国憲法の考え方からいって、米国であれどの国であれ、その国の自衛権の行使に日本が軍を派遣して協力することは許されないと解釈しています。同時に国連の活動に積極的に参加することは、たとえそれが結果的に武力の行使を含むものであっても、何ら憲法に抵触しない、むしろ憲法の理念に合致するという考えに立っています。



I think Japan can't enter into combination with other country which exercises self-defense. And, to actively become part of of the activities of the United Nations, including exercise of force, does not conflict with the constitution of Japan. Rather, I think it accords with ideal of the constitution of Japan.



　わかりやすく説明します。自衛権は正当防衛と言い換えられます。確か、英語ではどちらも広くセルフディフェンスと言うと思います。例えば、お巡りさんは自分自身の正当防衛権（国家では自衛権）に基づいて、銃器を所持し、強制力を行使し、必要な時は武力を使うことが許されているでしょうか。そうではありません。それはあくまでも、社会の役割として警察官に与えられた権能であって、警察官個人の正当防衛ではありません。また例えば、たとえ自分の目の前で殺人が行われても、一般国民はその犯人を殺してはなりません。それはリンチにほかならず、絶対に許されないことです。



To explain it simply, "自衛権(right of self-defense)" can be rephrased to "正当防衛(self-defense)". In English, both words are a same word in a broad sense. For example, police man has a gun and his exercises compelling power on the basis of self defense for himself? No, he doesn't. He was absolutely given the attributions as social function and it isn't a justifiable defense. Also for example, even if someone kills before someone's face, common people must not kill the killer. That people kill the killer is no more than to lynch(to take the law into one's own hands), it is really unforgivable.



　そのことを国際社会に当てはめて考えてみると、よく分かります。国際社会で合意を得ないまま勝手に武力を行使するのは、リンチでしかありません。それを認めたら、国際社会の秩序と平和を保つことはできません。つまり、個々の国家が行使する自衛権と、国際社会全体で平和、治安を守るための国連の活動とは、全く異質のものであり、次元が異なるのです。したがって、国連の平和活動は、たとえそれが武力の行使を含むものであっても、日本国憲法に抵触しない、というのが私の憲法解釈です。



When it come to apply to international society, we can understand it well. To appeal to arms without international community's consensus is no more than lynch. If we accept the lynch, we can't keep peace and order of the world. Namely, right of self defense practiced by each countries and UN's activity to keep peace and public order by all countries are totally different and belongs to a different category. Hence, United Nations Peace Operations, even if it includes exercise of force, it doesn't conflict with the constitution of Japan. That is my constitutional interpretation.





---Reference---



Article Nine of the constitution of Japan:



1 日本国民は、正義と秩序を基調とする国際平和を誠実に希求し、国権の発動たる戦争と、武力による威嚇又は武力の行使は、国際紛争を解決する手段としては、永久にこれを放棄する。

2 前項の目的を達するため、陸海空軍その他の戦力は、これを保持しない。国の交戦権は、これを認めない。



1 Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.

2 In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.



Hmm,



Personally I think the constitution of Japan disclaims even right to individual self-defense though, I don't mention about it today.



"war as a sovereign right of the nation" would be a key point. Any way you look at it, you can't regard Japan has right of collective defense. From any angle, Japan can't exercise right to collective defense.



Ozawa says Japan should have UN army to police the world, apart from SDF. SDF saves Japan. Japan's UN army police the world by order of UN. At least, in this case, he is right. The Japan's UN army never conflict with the constitution of Japan, I think. Because Japan doesn't invoke the right of self-defense of this country. It is a police authority matter of UN. That is, to discuss this issue as right of self-defense of this country is nonsense, I think he wants to say so.



I think his opinion stands to sense, at least as a view. I want to admire him without protest.

However, I have a question. Current UN is a good system to do it? I think Ozawa needs to reform UN too. I think we have to establish a true "federal government of the earth".



I thought if Ozawa become a prime minister and practice his policy, he will become a history maker in Japan. But now I think he may become a history maker in the world, if he practice it for real. At least, his existence may become some tipping point in the world history.



Any way, it would be sure we need more advanced type of United Nations. Although I don't know where it's going to lead, I thought what Ozawa said is interesting and worth hearing.



Have a nice world.



I took the photo at Chichibu

Chichibu Dream

Today, my dream came true at Chichibu. Finally I got on a SL train! It has a comfortable ride. Sounds of air whistle are sooooooo nice. I felt as if I get on Galaxy Express 999. When I listened the sound of air whistle, I forgot every thing I suffer now. It was as if I travel in the galaxy. Smell of smoke are nice. It was as if Meiji era. I've inhaled its smoke too much and get headache. :-)



The SL is C-58 type, a sole C-58 which run in 21st century. I want the SL run on Yamanote line. :-)



I took the photo at Ohanabatake station in Chichibu city.



Well, I feel sicky due to the smoke. I'm going to sleep.



Have a nice day.

Ozawa criticizes America

Times have changed, these years I do think so. Asahi reported Ozawa Ichiro, who was regarded as the representative pro-American politician and the head of Japan's Democrat, criticizes America on a Magazine titled "世界(Sekai)" which means "The world".



Mr. Ozawa would be the most powerful politician in Japan and the active leader of reform. Koizumi pales in comparison to　Ozawa. Suppose Koizumi is a Lion, Ozawa is a Terminator(Of course Arnold Schwarzenegger's one, not a liquid metal one). And I think Koizumi is just a stupid (I like his character though) but Ozawa is really smart.



Asashi reported



小沢氏はブッシュ政権のアフガン戦争やイラク戦争について「米国は自分自身の孤立主義と過度の自負心が常に、国連はじめ国際社会の調和を乱していることに気づいていない」と批判。「世界の平和は国際社会みんなで力を合わせて守っていく以外に論理的にも現実的にも他に方法がない」と主張する。



論文の最後で、アフガンの現状に言及。「貧困を克服し、生活を安定させることがテロとの戦いの最も有効な方法だ。銃剣をもって人を治めることはできない。それが歴史の教訓であり、戦争の果てにたどり着いた人類の知恵だ」とし、民生支援を重視する姿勢も強調している。



-Translation-



Ozawa writes "The United States is not aware that its own isolationism and excessive pride are disturbing the harmony of the United Nations and international society," he writes. "There is no way to maintain world peace, both logically and practically, other than for international society as a whole to join hands to protect it."

(snip)

In conclusion, he stresses the importance of assistance for overcoming poverty and rebuilding people's lives, which he says are "the most effective to fight against terrorism, we can't govern people with guns and knives. It is the wisdom human kind learned through warlike age.



I'll buy this magazine. Now I can say nothing because their report is to short. Anyway, that Japan says what Japan should say is good thing, I think. Ozawa is not anti-America Japanese. He hopes true alliance between Japan and America. I've read all his books, I know it.



I took the photo at Tokorozawa festival.



Have a nice day.

Entry for October 05, 2007

Good morning, hello and good night. Little by little, aspect of the park becomes beautiful these days. People jogging at the park become vigor than they were in summer. Little by little, my abdominal flab decreases :-)



This morning, I found a Frog-stationary-article in my neighborhood. It was so nice and very real china. Now that I looked closer, it is a real bullfrog. I backed to my home to take my camera and backed where flog was. But the flog has gone. The flog was most beautiful ever.



Have a nice day.

Dignity of the Nation

I found parallel translation edition of Dignity of the nation at a book store. This is a very interesting book and was the best-seller-book. I guess non-Japanese can buy at Amazon.com. I summed up its introduction. I'll translate it to English when I am not busy.



「はじめに」



　三十代の頃、アメリカで教鞭をとっていた。論理で物事が決まるアメリカに爽快さを感じた。帰国後、アメリカ流を貫こうとしたが、以心伝心、あうんの呼吸、腹芸、長幼、義理、貸し借りがもの言う日本では通じず、今度は論理の力を疑うようになった。そして情緒や形の大切さを考えるようになった。

　四十代の頃、ケンブリッジ大学で教鞭をとった。論理を強く主張する人は煙たがられていた。論理よりも、伝統や慣習、誠実さやユーモアが重んじられ、以心伝心や腹芸まであった。

　イギリスからの帰国後、情緒と形により大きな意義を感じるようになった。ここでいう情緒とは喜怒哀楽ではなく、懐かしさやもののあわれといった教育によって培われるものであり、形とは、武士道精神からくる行動基準である。

　それら二つは、ともに日本の国を特徴づけるものであり、戦後少しずつ失ってきたものである。不況に喘いだ日本人は、改革即改善と勘違いしたまま、闇雲に改革に突っ走った。

　市場原理化、アメリカ化は経済のみならず社会、文化、国民性に深い影響を与えてしまい、日本人は金銭至上主義に取り憑かれている。戦後、祖国への誇りや自信を失うように教育された日本人は、我が国古来の情緒と形を忘れ、欧米の論理と合理に身を売ってしまったのである。

　日本は世界を均質にしようとするグローバリゼーションに立ち向かうべきだ。欧米支配下の野卑な世界にあって、孤高の日本として世界に範を垂れるべきであり、それこそが人類への世界史的貢献だ。



えー。



対訳版であるのに、日本語の方を要約してしまい後悔しています。気づくのが遅かった。（笑）



It is a photo of Ginkaku of Jishou-ji-temple.