Entry for April 26, 2008

Today I'm reading Japanese classic literatures. Because it is a hard job to read all of each books, I read a digest book. I took some courses of Japanese classic literatures. Nostalgia runs deep. I always think I want to study Japanese classic at an university if I have time.



万葉集 (The Anthology of Myriad Leaves) :



験なき物を念わずは一杯の濁れる酒を飲むべくあるらし

大伴家

It is better to drink a glass of unrefined sake rather than thinking about rewarding things. By Ootomo Yakamochi



古今和歌集 (Kokin Wakashuu) :



紫の一本ゆえに武蔵野の花はみながら哀れとぞ見る

詠み人知らず

Due to only a woman I love, I feel people who are berelated to with her are lovely.

Author is unknown,



徒然草 (Essays in Idleness) :



花はさかりに、月はくまなきをのみ見るものかは

吉田兼好

Should we enjoy only full bloom and full of the moon?

By Yoshida Kenkou



おらが春 (Oraga-haru) :



我と来て遊べや親のない雀

小林一茶

Come and play with me, Oh, poor sparrow! You are fatherless, motherless.

By Kobayashi Issa



徳和歌後万載集 (Tokuwakagomanzai-shuu) :



世の中は色と酒とが敵なりどふぞ敵にめぐり会いたい

四方赤良

In the world, sexual charm and sake are the foes. I willingly stumble on the foes!

By Yomo Akara



Haha, I like this kind of largehearted man.



土佐日記 (Tosa-nikki)



住の江に船さし寄せよ忘れ草験ありやと摘みて行くべく

紀貫之



Pull this ship in Suminoe, I try to pick up Wauregusa which works for sadness.

By Ki Turayuki



Oh, it is time to watch a base ball game!



I took the photo at Katase-Enoshima.

Small talk about Kyoto

Several days ago, I was talking about Kyoto with my friend. Unfortunately, Tokyonians are affected by TV too much and don't know actual Kyoto. Basically Tokyonians only see Kyoto through TV programs and commercial and if they visit there they only see what they saw through TV programs and commercial. For me Kyoto was a part of my living and I know both good part and bad part. But for Tokyonians, Kyoto is a theme park. It is no wonder, I think. He believe people in Kyoto are elegance and he didn't believe what I explained. All I could do is fake smile. Unfortunately I should not write what I said on internet.



Many Tokyonians can't distinguish Kyoto and Kyoto prefecture. When they hear the word "Kyoto prefecture", they tend to regard it means Kyoto. It is sure Kyoto prefecture is Kyoto because Kyoto prefecture includes the word "Kyoto". But there is a big difference between Kyoto and Kyoto prefecture.



京都(Kyoto) means capital capital because 京 means capital. 都 also means capital. Kyoto prefecture includes Yamashiro province, Tanba province, Tango province. Basically Kyoto means Heian-kyo and its the perimeter, it is smaller than Yamashiro province. Tanba is not Kyoto. Tango is not Kyoto. Tango and Tanba are culturally distinct from Kyoto.



As far as I read classic literature, even Arashiyama area and Ohara area in Kyoto city were not regarded as 京の都(Kyou-no-miyako). "の" means "of". Now people in Kamigata region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe) regard Kyoto city area as Kyoto.



I took the photo at Houkokuji in Kamakura.

なんとなく許せない訳語

英語で日本を説明する時、しばしばスッキリしない気分になる。完全に合致する訳語がないので仕方がないのは分かっているが、それでもやはり、スッキリしない。以下に僕がなんとなく許せない訳語を並べておきます。



饅頭 : bun with bean-jam filling



Manjyuu でいいと思う。「それは何だと聞かれたら説明すれば良い。」



餅 : rice cake



ケーキはケーキだ。餅がケーキだと思いたくない。そんなの美味しくない。ケーキに醤油をかけて食べているのかと思うと、気持ち悪い。ケーキを鍋に入れるなんて絶対に嫌だ。Mochi でよい。



枯山水 : dry garden style



もうちょっと気の利いた訳語はないのだろうか。



金閣寺 : Golden Pavilion



パビリオンって違和感がある。



能 : no play



これは最悪。サボってるかのようだ。



煎餅 : a rice cracker



クラッカー？まぁ、これは良いとして、



煎餅布団 : thinly stuffed bedding; a thin and hard coverlet.



どうせなら、a rice cracker futonと訳したほうが面白い。



煎茶 : green tea (of middle grade)



これはいいけど、of middle grade って何か嫌だ。



~寺 : ~ji temple, ~dera temple, in temple



これは、jiとtempleで二重になっている。清水寺寺はおかしい。ちなみに、高徳院など、院の場合、Koutoku-innと同じになって、旅館のようだ。神社の場合、Meiji Jingu shrineと言ったりするが、これだと明治神宮神宮なので変だ。Meiji-shrineでいい。



御所 : an Imperial palace

皇居 : the Imperial Palace



上方の人間としては京都御所がtheであると言わざる得ない。



神社 : shrine

神宮 : shrine



区別をつけて欲しい。大社の訳語は見つからなかった。



皇帝 : an emperor

天皇 : an emperor



皇帝と天皇は同じではない。ナポレオンやローマ皇帝と同じように思われるとややこしい。



あんみつ : mitsumame topped with bean jam



これは固有名詞というより説明である。長ったらしい。



お好み焼き: a thin, flat cake of unsweetened batter fried with various ingredients.



ここまで長くなると害である。"Please turn your thin, flat cake of unsweetened batter fried with various ingredients inside out. ", "Oh, I don't know how to turn the thin, flat cake of unsweetened batter fried with various ingredients inside out.", "Ok, I show you how to turn the thin, flat cake of unsweetened batter fried with various ingredients inside out." と言ってる間に焦げそうである。a Japanese style pizzaは絶対に嫌なので、Okonomiyakiでよい。



あと、長母音と短母音を何故かごっちゃにしているところが許せない。Osakaは大阪、大坂ではなく、この場合、小阪と小坂だ。Onoの場合、大野さんなのか小野さんなのか分かりにくい。しかし、大野の長母音をhで表現すると、"Oh, no!" になってしまうジレンマがある。





今日のは、鎌倉の報国寺でとった写真です。

Entry for April 24, 2008

There is nothing I want to write today. It is raining. I keep sneezing. Maybe someone says my name now. Here, it is said when you say someone's name, the one sneezes. Now I feel itchy on my sole. When one feels itchy on his sole, the man face a decision whether scratch an itch or not. It may be aggravated by scratching. It is a big decision. Still I keep sneezing. Please don't say my name. :-D



Have a nice day.



I took the photo at Kamakura.

Kamakura Essays in Idleness ~Zeniarai-Benzaiten~

And we visited 銭洗弁財天宇賀福神社(Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku shrine). It is said if you wash your money at the shrine, you can get more money. It was not a legend. Once I washed 10,000 yen and got 10,000 yen. This time I also washed 10,000 yen. Perhaps it worked on my fortune again. My friend said it doesn't work yet. I think it doesn't work on cash cards. Benzaiten was originally an Indian god called Sarasvatī. She is a hindu god. According to wiki, originally it spelled with 辯才天(Benzaiten). But it changed to 辨財天(Benzaiten). 才 means talent and it is original meaning. 財 means asset. They are homonyms too.



I took the photo.



Have a nice day.

Kamakura essays in Idleness ~Jyoumyouji~

浄妙寺(Jyoumyou-ji-temple) was established in 1188, and is a Rinzai-sect's temple. It seems it was a big temple in Muromachi-era. Now it is a relatively small temple. We visited their garden and enjoyed it and drinking tea.



The wind was comfort. There was a peaceful space. A small tree on the center ireland of the Karesansui(Dry garden) draw line of sights and draw other stuffs in the garden. The garden had a unbalanced-balance. The "a" means all of this world. The point human and the garden were balanced and integrated was the "garden" where I visit and drank a green tea. It was a nice garden and a tea which makes me forget the time.



The garden was latter-day Karesansui (Dry garden) style. It had symbolism. There was a main stone arrangement which has a scalene triangle structure which seemed to have a golden rule of 1:1.618. In front of it, there were unbalanced figure, maybe pentagonal structures. And the small tree drew other stuffs. When you look at the tree from proper place, you will be integrated with the garden.



Unfortunately the picture I took was not good and I think any camera can't take the integration. Hence you must visit there and experience it directly.



Suppose it is a teahouse, it was a perfect teahouse. Garden was good. Tea was delicious. Winds were comfort. Lights were nice. Bush warblers sang. Conversation was fan in calm mood. Perfect.



I have to go.

Kamakura Essays in Idleness ~Bamboo temple in Kamakura~

Last Saturday, I visited 報国寺(Houkoku-ji-temple) which is also called as Take-dera(Bamboo temple) with my friend. They have a great garden where you can enjoy landscape and sound of bamboo, drinking a green tea. This garden was one of bests among gardens I've visited.



When we arrived at Houkokuji's gate, bush warblers were singing. I said "little cuckoo", but I found they were warblers. "Warblers" sounds strange to me because they are うぐいす to me.



I composed a tanka-s after I arrived home. One was very good, I think. So I show you the other inferior one. I want to post better one to contest, so I can't show it you here.



鶯の声は写真に入らねど

笑み和やかに竹寺の門



うぐいすのこえはしゃしんにはいらねど

えみなごやかにたけでらのもん



(I tried to translate it into English.)

We can't take a picture of songs by Uguisu,

but smiles are genial at Bamboo temple's gate.



Houkoku-ji is a temple of Rinzai-sect(Zen Buddhism). There are many temples whose names are Houkokuji in Japan. Hence, you should remember the Houkokuji is in Kamakura and called as "竹寺(Bamboo temple). It seems the Houkokuji was established in 1334 by 足利家時(Ashikaga Ietoki) who was a grandfather of 足利尊氏(Ashikaga Takauji) who established Ashikaga Shogunate.



In the temple, there were many 孟宗竹(mousou bamboo). When strongish wind blew, bamboos became a percussion instrument with murmurs overhead. There must be much negative ion generated by the forest. I enjoyed the view, drinking Maccya green tea. I became to want to live in the temple. I'll upload pictures of the trip little by little.



It is said Mousouchiku's bloom cycle may be 67 years. last time, They bloomed in Shouwa 40s. That is, we can enjoy the garden at least for 20 years or so. Bamboo is a bent grass. Once they bloom, all bamboos blight, as I recall. In fact, I haven't seen any flowers of bamboo with the naked eye, and I don't know much about it.



Anyway, the sounds of the bamboo forest were great, greater than greatest. I took a movie though, the sound quality is not good and I think it is better not to upload it this time. Maybe, the sounds of bamboos were greater than any instruments I've ever hard.



I think I've visited a similar garden in Kyoto, but I don't remember exactly, that is this garden is better than Kyoto's one , I guess.



I and my friend visited there in midmorning after rain. It was a best timing to enjoy gardens. Rain drops cleaned up leaves and it gave moisture to the forest and optical reflections, even though water drops had gone already. My friend once studied Sadou, and it was lucky I could study about it a bit. When I was a kindergarden kid, I was forced to study it, but I've forgotten it perfectly. I'm not sure which school I studied. Just I used to enjoy to eat Japanese cakes at that time. And we went to Jyoumyou-ji-temple and enjoy a Karesansui(dry garden), drinking a green tea. That's enough for today.



Have a nice day.



I took the photo at Houkoku-ji-temple in Kamakura.

Kamakura Essays in Idleness 1

Even though I am trying to write about my visit to Kamakura, I have no idea. Where to start? I visited Houkokuji-temple, Jyoumyouji-temple and Zeniarai-Benzaiten-shrine. Anyway, I try an improvisation.



Well, quite honestly, Houkokuji and Jyoumyouji were quite boring places. Everyone, please never visit there. I never want to say those temples were quite great places, especially I never want to say bamboo garden was one of bests among places I've visited because I am eager to visit there and to enjoy the tranquil mood and green tea there as many times as I can. Hence, everyone please never visit those places. It costs you 190 yen (one-way) to go to those places and took 12 minuets by bus from Kamakura station. 5th loading zone, 23rd, 24th, 36th buses will take you to those places. You must visit these bamboo garden during the morning, it is more tranquil in the morning, I think.



Well, I am going to write about the visit little by little.



I took the photo at Katase-Enoshima-station.

Japan and China talk about Tibet.

According to Asahi, Prime minister Fukuda met foreign minister of China. Chinese minister said "Please figure out the nature of Dalai Lama.", "If Dalai lama stops to disassemble China, stops violent action and Olympic subversive activity, we will dialogue with him.



Please figure out your nature, foreign minister.



Something is strange. The side who can say "if ~~~, we will dialogue with ~~." should be Japan. Needless to say, it is "If China accept Tibetan independent, we will dialogue with China".



However, Fukuda said "China should directly face the issue. You should not impact on Olympic. Please go all out to the Tibetan issue.".



What China said means "We will crush the issue with force" in effect, because Tibetans would not stop the movement. Hence, I guess "Please go all out to the Tibetan issue" can mean "Please shoot out" if I object in a sarcastic tone. Maybe this Asahi's article is lack of talk.



As to environment issue, China said "We want to contribute, doing what we should do.". Fukuda said "We want to support your effort.".



Something is strange.



I took the photo.

Leisure is the time to study English.

I already finished what I had to do today and now I enjoy leisure. Abruptly I finished. This is a heaven-sent luck. I was brushing up English grammar, which I found I forgot many rules. That I didn't noticed I had forgotten rules of sequence of tenses was,,,,,, I don't want to write about this any more. Haha. Because originally I began to study English to read English papers, I didn't study grammar so much. (When I was high students, I study it for real though. ) However, I am in for a rude awaking. Although I can't study grammar for real now and to score good points is most important, I'll study it.



Basically reading English paper is not so difficult. For example, if you find "But ~~", likely it is an important sentence. In many case "But~~~" is more important than "but~~". If you find "But" in a first sentence of a paragraph, it is more important than other "But". Because the "But" in a first sentence of a paragraph means the flow of the topic is changing. If you find "that is, ~~~" or "Namely", you don't need to read other sentences. You don't need to read "in which". This is a confusing expression and meaningless in effect for Japanese.



If you re-compose a paper in your mind, using such like rules, English paper becomes very simple. If you can't understand important sentence, it is the time to read other sentences. There are hints to figure out the important sentence. When I'm undergoing a test, I often don't read unnecessary sentences. But I can take good score on reading sections. And it is not a good measure for conversation. Anyway, what I have to do now is taking enough score to pass.



English paper's structure is very simple. If you are a Japanese speaker, you would know that Japanese paper's structures are very complex. In Japan, readers are required the skill to understand, while writes are required the writing skill in America. This is a cultural difference.



I took the photo.

Entry for April 17, 2008

New green leaves are getting beautiful these days. Because I take a walk in the early morning, every morning I'm very hungry. Today during the walking, I was eager to eat Ducks once beared off my bread, I passed on. :-D Anyway, Especially Cherry leaves were so nice.



There are many interesting expression for English conversation.



"I'm in the market for new PC."



it is as if he works for PC company and developing new PC or he is a clerk of PC shop and is selling new PCs.



"Do you mind if I pick your brain? Go right ahead."



It is as if he extract his brain and the other one agreed.



Have a nice day.



I took the photo

Hanami at Iidabashi 2007

I found a movie I took last year. It is a short movie though, please enjoy Cherry Blossoms Viewing with Jazz music in Tokyo!

Entry for April 15, 2008

I did walking in the morning today at Koukuu-kouen-park after a long interval. It was a great walking. Because it was the first day of my walking, I took a walk, taking pictures. Mr., Mrs. and Miss. Earthly Desires (Ducks) who once wrested all my breads were also fine.



New green leaves season is beginning. There not so many but, leaves were pretty nice to see.



I was listening English conversation CD during the walking. "I'm not specially eager to do." Although I don't know the reason, this expression is sort of confusing to me. Also, for example, "Yeah, although a dog isn't what they had in mind when they used that phrase. They're really eager to have grand children. ". I'm not good at catching this like long sentences spoken quickly, although to read this like one is very easy.



Oh, I have to go.



Have a nice day.



I took the photo.

Entry for April 14, 2008

Cold season will end soon. I'm going to do walking again. Walking in winter is a cause of catching cold. Hence, I don't do it now. Walking is very good to feel season and nature things, although I would do walking at artificial park called Koukuu-kouen. It is very comfort to walk in the fog.



In early morning, Kamo(Ducks) also are walking in the park too. I think they are dieting too because they always eat highly nutritious foods at the park. Once, I was surrounded by good many ducks because I had breads for my breakfast. They implored me to give them the bread. Reluctantly I gave them some breads. Yet, I seemed to have instigated their earthly desires. The more I gave them breads, the more they became greed. At last, I couldn't eat any breads in the morning and I cooked Udon in the morning at my home. They should renounce earthly desires. Including such an experience, walking in the morning is fun.



I love new-green-leaves-season. Perhaps, there will be a very beautiful aspect in Engaku-ji-temple, Kamakura. I look forward to walk along with Tamagawa-jyousui in Tokyo too.



Well, I have to prepare for this week. I hope Yahoo 360's problem get fixed soon.



Have a wonderful day.



It is a photo of ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, raspberry, I think. I took it at Araiyakushi-temple-park.

Let's practice Osaka dialect for French.

Let's practice Osaka dialect for French. Also this is "Let's practice French for Osakan". Now let's get started. (ほな、はじめまひょか。)



me / moi（ム/ムワ）

わてを（男）

わいを（男）

うちを（男女）



nous（ヌ）

わてれが、わてらを

わいらが、わいらを（男）

うちらが、うちらを



vous（ヴ）

あんたはんが、あんたはんを

あんさんが、あんさんを

じぶんが、じぶんを(じぶん can also mean "you" in Osaka dialect)



mon / ma / mes（モン/マ/メ）

わての

わいの（男）

うちの



notre（ノートル）

わてらの

わいらの（男）

うちらの



monsieur（ムッスィユー）

〜はん　(例: こうせいはん）



madame（マダム）

〜はん



C'est ～.（セ ～）

それは〜でんねん。

それは〜ですねん。



comment（コマン）

どない

どないなふうに

なんぼ（いくら）



Bonjour.（ボンジュール）

まいど



Merci.（メルシー）

おおきに



S'il vous plaît.（スィル ヴ プレ）

すんません（人を呼ぶ）



Pardon.（パルドン）

すんません（道をあけてもらう）



S'il vous plaît, monsieur ?（スィル ヴ プレ、ムッスィユー?）

すんません。（男性の店員を呼ぶ）



S'il vous plaît, madame ?

すんません。（女性の店員を呼ぶ）



Où se trouve l'ambassade japonaise ?（ウ ス トゥルーヴ ランバサード ジャポネーズ?）

日本大使館はどこですん？



Police!（ポリース）

けいさつや！



Aidez-moi, s'il vous plaît!（エデ ムワ スィル ヴ プレ）

たすけてんか！



J'ai mal.（ジェ マル）

しんどいんですわ。





Dégage!（デガージュ!）

あっちいかんかい！, いね！（Kishiwada dialect)



Qu'est-ce que c'est?（ケスクセ?）

これなんですん？



Salut.（サリュー）

さいなら



Je n'ai rien fait de mal.（ジュ ネ リャン フェ ドゥ マル）

わるいいことはなんもしてまへん。



Où m'emmenez-vous?（ウ マンムネ ヴ?）

どこにつれていきますん？



Suis-je en état d'arrestation?（スュイ ジュ アン エタ ダレスタスィオン?）

わてはたいほされたんでっか？



Je suis citoyen japonais.（ジュ スュイ スィトワイヤン ジャポネ）

わてはにほんこくみんでおます。



Je suis citoyenne japonaise.（ジュ スュイ スィトワイエンヌ ジャポネーズ）

うちはにほんこくみんでおます。



Je dois parler à l'ambassade japonaise.（ジュ ドワ パルレ ア ランバサード ジャポネーズ）

にほんたいしかんにれんらくするひつようがありますねん。／ありまんねん

Let's study traditional Osaka 文楽（ぶんらく）

Good morning. Speaking of Osakan culture, it is Bunraku. Bunraku is a world-class Japanese puppet show. Please go to this web site. http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/en/contents/whats/index.html　



You can see a movie here, although these are too small.



http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/rtsp/300k/nozaki_002.ram



Awful skill as a singer too. I think Bunraku is more artistic than kabuki. Many Edo Kabuki have meaningless showiness, I feel.



http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/rtsp/300k/kitsune.ram





Others here



http://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/bunraku/jp/video.html





There is National Bunraku theater in Osaka. It is too bad we can't see delicate moving of the puppets with the low quality movies. But I think you can see the moves are very artistic. UNESCO virtually got at a decision to designate Bunraku as one of first Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.



Well, have a nice sunday.



It is a photo of Sefuku-ji temple in Osaka.

Entry for April 09, 2008

I think non-Japanese people who visit Japan during this cherry blossoms season were very lucky. This year's cherry blossoms were very beautiful. I guess their everyday conduct was very good and it is the reason they could see very beautiful cherry blossoms. Now peach blossoms in front of my deck are falling these days.



Speaking of peach blossoms, my elder brother went to Yunnan, China, yesterday again. Yunnan is his utopia. I guess he is glad now. I hope he makes it back to Japan safety. We do not send something political to China. I heard China doesn't allow foreign news medias to broadcast inconvenient news in China when a big incident happen. I heard once NHK International couldn't broadcast in China. I worry about my elder brother at the thought of political things.



Well, today I listened to Miles again and listened to John Coltrane. Although I was looking for Chick Corea's CD, I couldn't find it. That Chick Korea's sound is not Korean is interesting to me. "Korean Chick" can means "Korean style, flavor" in Japanese. It is a cheap humor though.



Every year, I have a problem during base ball season. I can't settle down when I think of Tigers. And victory-or-defeat acts on my temper. When Tigers get beaten by Giants three straight days, I act like a bear. In addition, Tigers fan is also called as トラキチ(Torakichi).



Well, during other people enjoy only cherry blossoms, I enjoyed other flowers too. I took the photo, but I don't know name of the flower. If you know it, please tell me.



Have a wonderful day.



Kosei

Miles

After a long interval, I am listening to Miles Davis's pieces. Although its sound has died to some extent due to iPod's compression and because of "mastering" for Best Album, Miles is great, needless to say. However, I don't prefer later-day Miles to prior period. Hmm I should have put original ones into Mac.



Today, I learned an expression "drop a hint". I couldn't understand when I listened "They kept dropping such obvious hints". I didn't know drop can mean, that is, "say".



Miles!

Cherry blossoms

with "Round Midnight"



I took the photo at Araiyakushi temple.



Have a nice day!

Miles

After a long interval, I am listening to Miles Davis's pieces. Although its sound has died to some extent due to iPod's compression and because of "mastering" for Best Album, Miles is great, needless to say. However, I don't prefer later-day Miles to prior period. Hmm I should have put original ones into Mac.



Today, I learned an expression "drop a hint". I couldn't understand when I listened "They kept dropping such obvious hints". I didn't know drop can mean, that is, "say".



Miles!

Cherry blossoms

with "Round Midnight"



I took the photo at Araiyakushi temple.



Have a nice day!

歎異抄 (Tannisho)

I didn't know my friend has read some Buddhist books so far. He said he could get it what buddhist philosophers/monks wrote, after all it is the Japanese way, he can't get it what christian faith says. I replayed "I can believe it.". In fact, I have sometimes wondered at he could understand what I said immediately for years. I asked him, saying "Which books have you read?". He told he has read some Suzuki Daisetsu's book and some pure land buddhism's book. I got it. That is, he agreed with theory behind Zen and he understood pure land buddhism's feeling, I think.



"歎異抄(Tannisho, Tannishou, たんにしょう)" is the book of pure land buddhism my friend read. It is one of wide-read buddhist book in Japan. If you are interesting in Japanese traditional cultures, I think you should read it once or should make the book one of your collection. I think you can read it in English. Although what you can understand is an aspect of Japanese buddhism. (I want to recommend "教行信証(Kyogyo-shinsho, きょうぎょうしんしょう)", but this one is too difficult for beginners and you need to buy some dictionaries of buddhism study.) Anyway, here's some friendly advice, you should read Tannishou at least if you are interesting in Japanese traditional cultures.



For me, I think pure-land buddhism thought was easiest to understand. I think the reason simply comes from I am a Japanese. There were many ir-rationalistic things but sensuously I could understand.



I took the photo at Tokorozawa city. The pinky ones are cherry petals.

歎異抄 (Tannisho)

I didn't know my friend has read some Buddhist books so far. He said he could get it what buddhist philosophers/monks wrote, after all it is the Japanese way, he can't get it what christian faith says. I replayed "I can believe it.". In fact, I have sometimes wondered at he could understand what I said immediately for years. I asked him, saying "Which books have you read?". He told he has read some Suzuki Daisetsu's book and some pure land buddhism's book. I got it. That is, he agreed with theory behind Zen and he understood pure land buddhism's feeling, I think.



"歎異抄(Tannisho, Tannishou, たんにしょう)" is the book of pure land buddhism my friend read. It is one of wide-read buddhist book in Japan. If you are interesting in Japanese traditional cultures, I think you should read it once or should make the book one of your collection. I think you can read it in English. Although what you can understand is an aspect of Japanese buddhism. (I want to recommend "教行信証(Kyogyo-shinsho, きょうぎょうしんしょう)", but this one is too difficult for beginners and you need to buy some dictionaries of buddhism study.) Anyway, here's some friendly advice, you should read Tannishou at least if you are interesting in Japanese traditional cultures.



For me, I think pure-land buddhism thought was easiest to understand. I think the reason simply comes from I am a Japanese. There were many ir-rationalistic things but sensuously I could understand.



I took the photo at Tokorozawa city. The pinky ones are cherry petals.

Entry for April 07, 2008

It is said diplomatic relation between Japan and other countries betters during the season cherry blossoms bloom. It would be a myth however, it would be sure that other countries feel friendly toward Japan. Did Japanese Cherry trees in Washington D.C. and in your country bloom?



I took the defocused photo at Tokorozawa city.

Meiji Shrine and Cherry etc.

I went to Meiji shrine with my friends who are from foreign countries. The shrine is very new, was built in Meiji era. This shrine's most interesting spot is front shrine where people pray. That non-Japanese people looks on Japanese who are praying is most interesting. That I feel line of sight during pray is very funny. I enjoyed the funny feeling.



We consulted an oracle. Unfortunately the oracle was not fortune telling but teaching. Depends on shrines, their ways are different. We found a bride who wore red Kimono. I don't know why she wore red one. It was interesting. As far as I know, Shinto's ways are varied. When I ask about something at shrines, they often say "当社では(Our shrine's way is) ------ することとなっております。". Anyway, I taught my friends my way which I learned from a person of Shinto.



The photo is Shrine gate of the shrine. There is a symbol of chrysanthemum. It has 16 petals. 16 petals are emperor's symbol basically. I explained 15 petal is empress's symbol because I was taught so. However, I couldn't find any explanation about 15 petals for empress on internet today. I hope what I taught is right. Anyway 16 petals symbol is highest symbol in Japan. I guess there are several designs of 16 petal and 15 petal and they each have different meanings.



Normally, woods of high rank shrines and temples are coat with vermillion in Japan. I don't know why Meiji shrine doesn't use the color. Maybe this shrine is not high rank one. If you visit Kyoto, there are some vermillion temples and shrines. They are high rank ones. Ise-Jingu uses plain wood in white.



Basically you would not find any vermillion Zen temples in Japan, I think. The reason would simply comes from they are not high ranked, I guess. If you visit Tendai-sect's and Shingon sect's temples, especially at Tendai temples, you would find vermillion ones.



Nikko-tosho-gu-shrine use vermillion. However, their vermillion is cheat. They used their power to get the color states. Also they used their power to become believer of Tendai. It is also cheat too. Their vermillion is a bit different from real one, maybe Imperial court made them to use the dark vermillion, just I guess.



Then, we went to a park of Meiji shrine. When I was younger, there were so many crows in the park, however there were a few crows. We found a Chinese did Tai Chi there. An American and a Japanese did Tai Chi too. But the Japanese has become fatigued. A Romanian spread herself. The fatigued Japanese also did it too. When I was 22 years old or so, I sometimes visit the park and used to take a nap. I've forgotten about some cherry trees in the park. Fortunately we passed through the beautiful spot I used to enjoy. I believe cherry blossoms in the forest is most beautiful. They were very cherry blossoms.



Unfortunately it was supposed to rain in the afternoon. Then we went to Tokyo National Museum. We saw special exhibition and some permanent exhibit. Special exhibition was not so interesting. As I said before, buddha statues must be in the temple. Again I felt Buddha statues in the special exhibition was separated from something very important. That is, from belief and their temple.



Then we went to Nakano area to drink at a Japanese bar called Enishi. It seems I was drunk a bit too much because I was exhausted since I woke, I found myself I was singing with a loud voice singing "I've gotta ENISHI Blues. Don't say you don't have money!". We enjoyed hot sake.



As far as I heard, hot sake put in microwave get cool soon and is not delicious. When I comes to think of it, I agree with it. I guessed they put sake bottle in microwave but I didn't say about it to enjoy sake called Fukutokucyou, a sake of Osaka area. It was a good sake. Now I can say about way to warm it. Anyway, clerks were very nice.



At a cafe, I saw my friends, an American and a Romanian, talked with a Chinese waitress in Japanese at European style cafe in front of Japanese people. It was intriguing.



Because I wanted to see cherry blossoms, I went to Araiyakushi temple again on the way home. I never get tired of looking at cherry blossoms in the temple ground.



I want to tell them I had a fun time. I look forward to gather with them again.



Well, I took the photo at Meiji shrine.



Hmm, I seem to need to sleep again.



Have a nice weekend.

Cherry and Araiyakushi-Temple

I went to Araiyakushi-temple in Nakano ward with Chibi-san one night. The temple is a Shingon-sect-Buzan-school's temple and famous for buddha of eye diseases. There are many cherry trees and we took photos. Suddenly a middle-aged man who was in good humor spoke to us and he gave us a lecture about the temple. Even though I thought he might be a strange person, he was very friendly.



I lived close by the temple before. There was a very nostalgic feel in the temple. Cherry blossoms in the temple ground in the night were ever so beautiful. I believe night cherry blossoms with faint light are most beautiful.



I used to pray for my ground father at the temple when he was dying. Also I prayed about other matters. When I prayed for one thing, I held an enmity against one person who could be a criminal under current law, and situation didn't better. I considered. One night I prayed even for the person I hate, then the situation bettered. It is stick out my mind even now.



Unfortunately I couldn't fit in Nakano's mood and moved to Ogikubo area. However I like the temple even now. Cherry blossoms in a temple is beautiful and have profound meanings.



At last, I went to the temple 6 times this spring. At a moment petals leave, there is a Japanese beauty that parting is beautiful. At a hospital, I've seen one family said goodbye to their father. I felt same beauty at that time.



I remember, on university graduation day, ceremony was held at Nihon-Budo-Kan, I found some cherry petals bloomed at 九段坂(Kudan-zaka, a slope near Nihon-Budo-Kan) in my gift bag at my home. As I recall, I found them in my gift bag on enrollment ceremony day too.



Today, I am going to the temple again.



Suddenly my Mac has lost account setting of my e-mail. I can't find paper for it. Hmm. It is the most important email address. Hmm. I hope any important emails arrive to my mail box during it.



I took the photo, which is night cherry blossoms in Araiyakushi temple.

Entry for April 02, 2008

I started to study English conversation the end of last January. Because I haven't bought any text book for conversation for more than 15 years, I didn't know which text book I should buy. For a starter, I bought NHK-Radio's text book. I found many common expressions which I didn't know. For example, "Speak of the devil!". "Can't complain". "Staying out of trouble?". "Trying my best. ". "Bring the car around" etc. Hmm. They are very different from written English. Anyway, I started to flip over the text book.



I'm not sure and I need to think about this autumn though, maybe, Sub-Prime Shock's makeshift end is near. When President Bush said he does whatever he has to do, the current changed, I feel. A Japanese investment theory called Ichimoku-Kinkou-hyou have been signaling around 2nd of April will the end of this bear market since 9th of last July. (What interesting is that someone said this theory's core is Buddhist thought. I don't think so though.) At least, it is possible this month. I think if it ends this month, Tokyo market may appear promise for 2 years. As to American market, this would be the last uptick by most definitions. If NY market declined more, I could look very much to stock market. Around 2014 may become the worst year of this trend for America, if the trend continues. Now America make alcohol-dependent market to drink. So, at least American economy get recover from abstinence symptom once. Eventually, American economy would be hospitalized if history repeats. However, it is also sure there are some things I have to check before I believe what I say.



Well, tonight I can't sleep. When I get tired, often I can't sleep. But I have to sleep.



Have a nice day.

Osakan joke 1

There are two typical joke styles in Osaka. One is ボケ(Boke), the other is ツッコミ(Tukkomi). Boke side acts stupid. Tukkomi side acts decent.



Boke : What kind of food do you like to eat in winter?

Tukkomi : Hmm, I like Nabe. (Nabe means pan or foods boiled in a pan)

Boke : Nabe???

Tukkomi : Yes. Why?

Boke : Do you eat a pan with you crunching?

Tukkomi : Aho! Nabe I said is a food! It isn't pan!



It is said Boke side is more difficult to act, and smarter comedians act stupid. Boke side is required to be gain familiarity with social situation more than Tukkomi side.



When Osakan act stupid, what he is doing is that to keep you delighted with his services/joke. You should not take what he said seriously. If you replay seriously, it can be very rude. Then, you can do humorously Tukkomi or Boke.



Tukkomi



Teacher: Where is Osaka?

Kosei : On earth!

You : No. (そうちゃうって (This question is not such kind of question!))



Replying Boke



Teacher : Where is Osaka?

Kosei : In Korea!

Someone : In China!

You : On earth!



Now there is chain of Bokes which consists of 3 bokes. We call this style as 三段ボケ(Sandan Boke). I often come across this style and its applications and you can make a topic funny with the form.



Tukkomi side can turn to Boke side. I show you a practical example. For example, next one will work.



Suppose you and Kosei is in a train which is going to Osaka station in Osaka.



Kosei : Where is this train's arrival station?

You : Los Angeles.

Kosei : Paris.

You : The moon.

Kosei : How does this train go to the moon?

You : All passengers cast this train to the moon.

Kosei : Then we can't go to the moon, right?

You : Conductor said this train's arrival station is Osaka station but he never said we can go to Osaka station, didn't he? Then, even if we can't go to the moon, it is not a lie.

Kosei : Then, this train is going to Osaka station.

You : Oh,,, Yes.



You did Boke five times. In some cases 5th Boke may not a Boke but a "天然(てんねん）ボケ(Tennen-Boke)" literally means "natural boke". That is, you might have taken a mistake. Then, You can add "Oh, I've did てんねん(natural) Boke!(あかん、、てんねんぼけしてもうた)"



Well, I have to sleep again. Good night.



It is a photo of flowers called Shaga, which bloomed in Osaka.

Zen's history in Japan 1

大日能忍(Dainichi Nounin) was a Zen monk. He got enlightenment in around 1189. "1189" is important. Japan's text books for high and junior students represent that Zen buddhism was introduced in Kamakura era. However, people think Kamakura era began in 1192 in a general way and text books explain the era began in 1192, as I recall. 1189 can be regard as Heian era. Nounin established a small sect called 達磨宗(Daruma-sect) before he got a certification of enlightenment from Chinese Zen master. Nounin was a Tendai monk and he had a temple called 三宝寺(Sanpou-ji). This sect continued to end of middle age.



After that Nonin died, some students moved to Dougen's school and it is said those students contributed to formation of Soutou sect.



By the way, Nounin hasn't been in China. Then, how Nounin practiced Zen? The answer would be that there had been Zen books and in Japan. Also there were Zen monks in Japan in Nara era and Heian era too. Now we should back to formation stage of Japan's buddhism.



As to historical fact, it is said Buddhism introduced in age of Emperor Kinmei (reign 539 to 571). In this era, there is no trace that Zen buddhism introduced. It is said Zen was introduced to Japan by 道昭(Doushou) in 629-660(Hakuhou era). Doushou was a student of 玄奘(Genjyou) who is a famous chinese monk of Yoga sect buddhism in the world. It is said Doushou also learned Zen from 慧満(Eman) who was a 慧可(Eka)'s student's student. (Eka was a student of Daruma), although it is incredible. However, it is said Doushou established a Zen temple in Houkouji temple. In addition, 行基(Gyougi) who is a famous monk was Doushou's student and they did social enterprise. It is still wonder how Zen thought affected on Doushou and Gyougi. Gyougi is also famous for that he contributed to establish Daibutsu of Nara.



Japan needed monks who were familiar with discipline to foster Japanese monks. Japan invited Chinese monks and one of them was Dousen(702-760, he came to Japan in 736) who was a student of　普寂(Fujyaku) who was a heir of 神秀(JInshuu), they, Fujyaku and JInshuu, were 北宗禅(Hokushuu Zen sect)'s Zen masters. It is said Dousen was also familiar with Tendai thought of China.



Fujyaku established a Zen temple in Daianji temple and 行表(Gyouhyou) who was a teacher of 最澄(Saicyou). Saicyou was the founder of Japanese Tendai Buddhism. Saicyou went to China and came back with Zen books. Saicyou's basic thought was "四種相承(Shishu-soujyou)" which means "Learn Tendai, Tantric Buddhism, Zen and Commandment" to put simply. This thought became a driving power for Japan to accept Zen buddhism. Saicyou who learned Hokushu-Zen came back with books of Hokushuu-Zen, 南宗禅(Nanshuu-Zen) and 牛頭禅(Godu-zen) Zen etc. (Nanshuu-Zen became the mainstream of Chinese Zen buddhism. )



In Heian era, a Zen master, 義空(Gikuu) came to Japan (in 834-848) and taught Empress Danrin who was a wife of 嵯峨天皇(Emperor Saga) who is famous as one of "Three great calligrapher". Gikuu was a student of Student of 馬祖道一(Baso Douitsu) who was the one of greatest monks of mainstream. This was the first introduce of mainstream Zen buddhism.



Also there was a Japanese who went to China and got enlightenment in China. His name is 能光(Noukou). Noukou was a student of 洞山良kai(Touzan Ryoukai). Noukou finished his life in China and his thought didn't affect on Japan.



Also, in the age ruled by retired Emperor, 覚阿(1143-1182)(Kakua) who was a Tendai monk went to China and He became a student of katsu堂慧遠(1103-1176)(Katsudou Eon) who was a student of 圜悟克勤(1063-1135)(Engo Kokugon) who was one of greatest Zen monks. And Kakua got enlightenment and he introduced Sung-Zen to Japan.



Then, Japanese became to practice Zen in earnest in Kamakura era.



It is a photo of Matabee-Zakura in Nara prefecture.