The Pure Land

by Alan Spence. A fictional story about a non-fictional character, Thomas Glover. He was an adventurous Scottish trader that braved the complexities of dealing in pre Meiji Japan. The main story starts during the period when Japan is reluctantly opening to the west and the environment is hostile towards the European and American “barbarians“. Thomas Glover has been called the “Scottish Samurai”. He was instrumental in uniting the enemy clans to dismantle the Shogunate and restore authority to the Emperor. While the story is fictional, it’s full of description and historical reference. What I found fascinating, and the book helps make this point, is the speed at which Japan transformed itself and embraced modernism. For a culture that’s stereotypically considered slow to change, the reality is quite the contrary. It transfigured from the medieval to the modern in a century. Adding to the drama, the story connects the tragedy of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. It, and European militaristic engagements in the mid 1800’s paints a subtle and quiet reminder of all that Japan has endured to achieve it’s transfiguration to modernism.

The Piñata Process

This month Roo’s class has been studying Spain, and Friday the unit will conclude with a fiesta to celebrate. The teachers sent a notice communicating the day’s planned activities, which will include the breaking of a piñata. Most children relish in the excitement of swinging a big stick at a hanging object. Roo doesn’t. We’ve been to several parties with piñatas and it’s always the same, he wants to leave the room. The lure of candy isn’t strong enough for him to participate. I can’t blame him. He’s smart enough to know a toddler or preschooler with a big stick can be dangerous. And, I remember the view at one party of either Diego or Dora hanging by their neck, the torso already obliterated, only the precious head with the candy remained. Gruesome? Yes. So, as I’m typing an email to forewarn his teachers, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the silliness of my words explaining Roo‘s fear of the “piñata process“. I didn’t suggest that he be asked to leave the room, but rather given adequate notice of the event. This way he can decide for himself. It may be a good opportunity for him to tackle his fear. He may not want to pass up the chance to “be tough” with the other boys, since that seems to be a topic of conversation these days. Stay tuned, we’ll find out on Friday!

Basic Buddhism: Law of Conditionality

Today I attended my first session of the Basic Buddhism course, offered by the International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai, conducted by Reverend Kasuji Suzuki. Today’s lesson was an explanation of the Law of Conditionality or Dependent Origin. My summary of understanding of today’s talk is two fold. First, Buddhism teaches that all we are or experience is a result of cause and effect. To me, this is much different than Judeo-Christian tradition that teaches the concept of an omnipotent god who creates and controls good or bad. This conditionality can be demonstrated by something as simple as tonight I decide to drink too much, tomorrow I feel sick. Where it becomes complicated is the second part of today’s discussion which was about the interdependence of all things or the concept of Anatta, the absence of self identity. Or as they instruct in yoga, “letting go of the ego”. Simply, each individual is an inseparable component of humanity and if an individual decides to act in a way that is for self instead of all, the delicate balance is disturbed and conflict created. Therefore, an individual may be the cause of an effect experienced by others. One woman explained that anatta is less about suppression, but rather more about harmony. I liked that, a focus on the positive. All in all, a very interesting discussion today and a lovely group of people. I’ll be attending twice a month.

NWA encounters turbulence

Narita is the international airport near Tokyo. Below is an example of why it's a good idea to have your seat belt fastened at all times.......

Published in the Japan Times online on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009

Turbulence hurts 43 over Narita

NARITA, Chiba Pref. (Kyodo) Rough air left 43 passengers and crew members injured, one seriously, aboard a Northwest Airlines jumbo jet Friday as the flight from Manila was in a holding pattern off Chiba Prefecture awaiting clearance to land at Narita airport, officials said.

The injured, who apparently were not strapped in although the seat belt sign had been turned on, were taken to hospitals near the airport. It was reported that one casualty suffered a broken neck.

The Boeing 747-400 with 408 passengers and 14 crew members aboard landed at Narita International Airport at around 12:20 p.m. Friday, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry said.

The jet did not notify controllers about the accident or the injured before landing, the ministry's Narita office said.

Such notification is not mandatory, the office said. Even so, the carrier's inaction may draw criticism because it is de facto standard procedure in such a situation, according to aviation experts.

Ambulances and other emergency vehicles could have been mobilized on the runway much earlier if the pilot had declared an emergency before landing, they said.

Vincent Salazar, a 55-year-old American passenger, said he heard screams when the plane suddenly descended and then made an ascent about 30 minutes before landing. Some people who did not have their seat belts fastened hit their heads on the ceiling and injured their necks. "It really happened so fast and it was over," Salazar said. "We were flying and then the seat belt sign came on and when we were trying to get back to the seats, the plane dropped and so some people went up and hit the (ceiling). "I actually was pretty calm because I've flown a lot, but the lady next to me was screaming. . . . And unfortunately some people weren't in their seat belts. They were just flying."

Northwest said the "fasten seat belt" light was on when the turbulence hit.

More Hovercraft

Our project for Sunday was to build a realistic looking hovercraft from a kit I ordered at Home Science Tools. According to Roo, our last hovercraft made from a balloon and a CD didn’t look real enough. This hovercraft has two little motors driven by battery packs, and rotor blades which Roo finds fascinating. It worked, but our tub proved to be inadequate as the contraption moves fast. We’ll have to find a clean, calm stream for our next test run. I couldn’t help but think a Minnesota lake would come in handy for this project.

Roo helped with the punch outs and installing the copper brads.

Finally, the blades are in and the motor hooked up successfully. Roo confidently managed the battery packs by installing the batteries and attaching to the craft. He was a little disappointed there wasn't a real engine. More assembly. Playing with the craft on dry land, until we can find a large body of water. Roo's idea is to use a swimming pool.

The craft with the wave jumper hull, therefore reclassifying it to speed boat.

Business trip to Shanghai

Last week Ryan took a two night business trip to Shanghai. The flight is three hours and the time difference only one hour. A relatively short distance to a different world. In Japan we’re spoiled with cleanliness and safety. The view from the office spoke volumes of the transformation underway in this historic port city. On one side modern skyscrapers with architectonic gardens, the other side, shanties. While he enjoyed most of the food, he did manage to steer clear of the duck tongue. His hotel room on the 51st floor of one of the modern hotels provided a constant reminder of the ever present smog. It and a lack of sunshine made the trip a little dreary, but nonetheless interesting.

Modern buildings,

next to shanties.

Happy Birthday, Kari!

Today is my niece Kari's 13th birthday.

THEN

NOW

Yep, officially a teenager. Have a fun day!