Soon to be the first anniversary, Manager Tanaka's restaurant

I sometimes go to a small izakaya "Tanaka Mane no Shokudo (Manager Tanaka's restaurant)" in the downtown called "Katamachi" of Fukui City because the shop is close to my workplace. It's perfect for a meal before going out for a drink.

It's an interesting shop where the local softball team's head coach and manager are joint owners.  And its quirky name is taken from the nick name of the manager who is good at cooking.

The impact of the coronavirus was so great that even after resuming normal operations there is far less number of customers compared to before. This shop opened on July 1st, 2019, so it is almost the first anniversary. I want this kind of cozy shop to be there forever.

T.S

Today's daily lunch menu was tofu hamburg stake.

The other day's lunch was boiled red fish.

Coffee is included for lunch. That's 800 yen in total.

At night, I first pick a few items like this,

And then I ask for a meal menu. Curry and rice on this day.

Pandemic and English

Coronavirus has drastically changed our society. And I saw many new English terms such as cluster, overshooting, and social distance in the media. Also, I want to know how to express some Japanese terms related to the coronavirus in English. So I will make sure such terms in English as follows. (H.S)

*virus: its pronunciation in Japanese [wilus]is from Latin

*vaccine: its pronunciation in Japanese [wakchin] is from German

*pandemic: the accent is on [de] but I sometimes hear the accent is on [pan] on Japanese TV

*positive

*negative

*quarantine

*pneumonia

*ventilator

*PPE (personal protective equipment)

*essential workers

*lift

*second wave

*herd immunity

*new normal

Lunch at a cafe “misola” directly run by a long-established miso factory in Fukui City

I had lunch at the cafe “misola”, which is directly run by the long-established miso factory “Komego”  in Fukui City.

The parking lot next to the shop was full but soon the president of the “Komego” guided me to the second parking lot. So I followed him automatically.

I have always wanted to come to the cafe and I finally came that day. Inside was bright, the lunch was delicious, healthy, and plentiful. There is a shop on the first floor, so you can buy various miso products. I think it is a nice idea that you can enjoy lunch and shopping. I want to come again. (H.S)

                                                                 

                                                 Lunch plate for June that I had

                                                      

                                         Looking down into the downstairs shop

                                                          

                                           The appearance of the shop 

Webinar

This photo shows an online company information session of our company, Japan Systembank Corp. held at GEN's office the other day. 

Naturally, our session for recruiting new college graduates is held online this year.  

Not only this, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but almost all explanatory meetings, seminars, and events are held online and I have completely gotten used to rough images with time lags. 

I think that there are merits that we didn't have in a conventional meeting format, such as no restrictions on place, you can record it, and you can see reactions from participants in real time through chat. 

It is not sure what will happen to company information sessions in the future, but I hope that online seminars will be actively used in the post-coronavirus era or the with-coronavirus era.

T.S

She said that she would be nervous when I pointed the camera at her, but she looked quite calm.

Once she finishes the session, she has a meeting with her manager to review it. 

Man who loved Fukui: W.E. Griffis’s 150th anniversary of the first visit to Japan

-This blog follows my last blog The very first student studying abroad from Fukui: Taro Kusakabe. 

The letter that Griffis received was an invitation from Fukui Domain. And, Griffis left for Japan in 1870. Griffis taught in the domain school in Fukui City. He taught chemistry, physics, German, and French. The Fukui Domain built a chemistry laboratory that was rare at that time and made new textbooks. These show the Fukui Domain was active in education. He taught his classes in English with a Japanese interpreter. 

In Fukui, Griffis met Taro's father, Kimimasa Yuri, and Tsunatsune Hashimoto (the first Red Cross Hospital's director), who is a younger brother of Sanai Hashimoto. Griffis stayed in Fukui for only 11 months, but he achieved significant results and his students were active in their respective areas in the Meiji Period.

Afterward, Griffis went to Tokyo in 1874, but his health broke down due to his hard work and he left Japan. Since returning to America, Griffis worked as a pastor. However, he couldn't forget about Fukui. He wrote books about Japan one after another, and the books became bestsellers, which introduced Japan to the world. 

55 years after, in 1926, Griffis returned to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government. He was 83 years old. Of course, he visited Fukui, where as many as 1,500 people welcomed him. It is said that he felt that the town of Fuku had changed but the kindness of the people had not. While he was staying in Japan from 1926 to 1927, he toured all over Japan giving talks as many as 250 times, and he urged the audience the friendship between Japan and America, and peace. Later, regrettably, Japan and America walked the path toward war. Griffis died in 1928, the year after he returned to America, without knowing Japan and America entered into a war. This year marks the 150th anniversary of his first visit to Japan. His passion that he spoke at his lectures all across Japan at that time stands up still now. The origin of Griffis, who is a leading authority of study about Japan, was a warm heart-to-heart relationship between him and the people of Fukui. (H.S) 

Griffis 

Fukui City Griffis Museum

This museum is a reconstruction of Griffis's home.

Sundial in front of the Griffis Museum: Griffis's wife, Sara donated a sundial to Fukui City. But it was lost after the war, so they replicated it based on a document that was kept. 

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The very first student studying abroad from Fukui: Taro Kusakabe

I watched a special program of FBC (local TV station of Fukui), which depicted Taro Kusakabe andW.E. Griffis. I know their names, but I didn’t know how they lived their lives. And I was moved by their lives watching the program.

Taro Kusakabe was born in 1845 in Fukui City. In 1856, a new domain school was opened in the city. Normally, students enter the school at the age of 15, but Taro was such a bright child and he entered it at the age of 13. In 1867, Taro went to America to study Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where Taro met Griffis to learn Latin. Taro often used to boast to Griffis about how good Fukui was. 

On the other hand, things were very expensive in America at that time. Taro lived on a little money from Fukui, so he had to cut down on food expenditure. Also, he cut back on sleeping and studied hard in a cold room, and finally, he became infected with tuberculosis. In 1870, Taro ended his short life of only 24 years in New Brunswick just before his graduation. 

The university was closed because of Taro's funeral. In the church that it was held, professors, students, friends, and also Griffis, who was overwhelmed with sadness, attended. No words can describe his loneliness and sorrow that died in a far foreign country. I feel a great pity.

That is, in Fukui, in the era from the late Edo Period to the beginning of the Meiji Period, two brilliant young persons, Taro Kusakabe and Sanai Hashimoto (executed in 1859 at the age of 25). I cannot help but think if they were alive. 

By the way, Griffis received a letter from Fukui Domain after several months after Taro’s death. I will continue this in my next week’s blog. (H.S) 

                                  Taro Kusakabe (From Fukui City History Museum's website)

                 Bronze statue of Griffis and Taro located on the river bank of Asuwa River in Fukui City

          

What I want a ramen shop to continue even after coronavirus

The picture above was taken in at a ramen shop Taniya in Fukui City, which shows ramen I ordered, a pair of chopsticks and a soup spoon served on the counter in front of me. The ramen is my favorite "Soy sauce based soup with thick noodles".

Soon after the emergence of the coronavirus problem in the city, the seasonings, chopstick stands, and soup spoon stands that had always been on the counter of this shop have completely disappeared. But now, the shop staff puts them as necessary. Now I wonder why they had been placed on the counter which anyone could touch as if it were a matter of course.

Although it may take a little more work for the shop staff, looking at the really neat countertop now, I hope that this way will continue even after coronavirus has converged.
T.S

The ramen shop's previous state of the counter before coronavirus
(This photo is quoted from Tabelog)

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Dinosaur parent and child at Michinoeki (roadside station) Kuzuryu

The video above shows a parent and a child of dinosaur in motion, who are a symbol of the Michinoeki (roadside station) Kuzuryu in Ono City, Fukui Prefecture. It was taken last fall. They 'hibernated' in a storehouse throughout winter and have returned to their usual place after the snow season.

When I heard both sound of cars on the nearby road and the dinosaurs roaring, it seemed that the parent was trying to protect its child who was scared of cars.
T.S

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Why has Japan’ s English education been confused for thirty years?

I read an article on PRESIDENT Online, which I sympathized with. It was a talk between Kumiko Torikai and Takashi Saito. I would like to excerpt some of their dialogue as follows. 

Kumiko Torikai (from PRESIDENT Online)

-Adopting English private examinations for the University Standardized Test, which starts in fiscal 2020, have canceled at the last minute. Not only this, Japan has been confused about English education for thirty years. What is the cause? Kumiko Torikai points out that regarding the ability to speak English as English conversation is fundamentally wrong. -

Torikai: “An enormous problem of the series of English education reform is the relation with Japanese language becoming weaker. Mother tongue is important to study foreign languages, but they are trying to dismiss it. “ 

Saito: “Japanese in general have a complex about speaking English. Speaking English fluently is cool. Halting Japanese English is embarrassed. But is that an ability to test by university entrance examination? 

Torikai: Exactly. Those who want to speak English fluently should make an effort to do so. But university entrance examination should test basic skills that studied in high school, especially reading skills.

Saito: Basically, systems should be improved gradually, and it tends to get good results. Current National Center Test for University Admissions includes listening test. So if the test will be improved, I think that they could measure students’ communication ability.

Torikai: I agree with you. There is no need to measure four skills separately. The four skills should be learned comprehensively. So examination has to measure comprehensive ability. I don’t understand why speaking ability should be measured separately. 

I felt relieved when I read the Torikai’s opinion. There were descriptions in a book that she wrote as follows. -According to a questionnaire, many companies need English writing skills. Because nowadays, e-mails are the mainstream rather than phone calls. Apparently, those who are very good at English are not always good at  work. (H.S) 

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The Japanese film “Fukushima 50”

                          From the official website of the Fukushima 50             

I wanted to see this film at a theater, but I have hesitated to go to theaters due to coronavirus, and eventually they themselves had closed. I gave up seeing the film for the time being. However, online distributing of the film has started despite a new one and I was able to watch it the other day. 

Needless to say, the film depicts desperate effort at the Fukushima-1 plant by about fifty workers when the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. (Based on the book “Man who saw the edge of death-Masao Yoshida and Fukushima-1 plant” written by Ryusho Kadota) The unexpected state of emergency at the nuclear plant resembles the world today. The words by Mr. Yoshida such as “Don’t panic””Stay alert””Why did this have to happen?””What did we do something wrong?””Let’s go back home alive” resonated very deeply within me. The nuclear accident in the film inevitably seemed like a foretaste of today’s pandemic. 

And, what I realized from the film are planning a more worst-case scenario than a worst-case scenario, there is no “definitely” in this world, crisis management, manual preparation, doing first things first, regular practice, preparing all the time for emergencies, adhering to rule, fear of unfounded optimism. Of course, a reliable leader and a unified chain of command are necessary.

In the future as well, unprecedented natural disasters or unknown viruses might attack us. Human beings tend to be like the proverb “The danger past and God forgotten”, but I had an acute feeling that we should examine recent events in all aspects and keep learning. And I think that I should never forget that there are people who secure our country at the risk of their own lives even at this very moment. (H.S)  

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Open cafe at home

During Golden Week holiday that I was avoiding going outdoors, I was busy cleaning up the house. Speaking of the Golden Week, there had been a general mood that everybody should go somewhere. I have always liked to stay at home, so I spent time this Golden Week at home proudly, without feeling guilty.

One day, I made pancakes and had a tea break in the yard. Looking at roses that began to bloom, azaleas and other flowers that I don’t know their names, I feel very peaceful. My yard cafe is not bad at all.  

In Fukui, perhaps due to rainy and snowy long winters, cafes with a terrace are not commonly seen. However, as an operation style of cafes after COVID-19, putting ventilation first, they may increase in Fukui as well. Then, the cafes are going to need shade to keep summer sun out or a folding screen door. So, I hope that subsidies are given for the equipment from the Japanese government or local governments. (H.S) 

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Private house that you have a great view of Mt. Arashimadake

 

Yesterday, I went to photograph the private house Ryohaku-sanso in Ono City, and I myself wanted to stay there. Above all, the magnificent appearance of the Mt.Arashimadake from the room is great (photo above).

The Mt.Arashimadake is one of the 100 most famous mountains in Japan. When I climbed it, I sometimes met a large group of people who came from a distance.

For the moment, I am sure that there are few climbers because of the new coronavirus, but I think that it's the best accommodation for those who come all the way.

It is a nicely renovated private house with all necessary amenities for life. According to a reservation site, it says it's available up to 10 people but I thought that even 20 people could stay.

Because I live in Fukui City, I can return in a day from the Mt. Arashimadake and I don't have to stay for a night. But even so, the quiet environment and the view is very attractive. I want to stay there just because of these.
T.S

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Upstairs room in which I took the photo above. 

Appearance of the private house　

Local specialties of Okinawa

I was planning to go to Okinawa in April but I canceled due to coronavirus. I never thought that the day people cannot travel freely would come. Until now, I went to where I wanted to go and had a good time for granted. I was shocked to know that it was incredible happiness. 

That said, there is no use feeling down. So I ordered local specialties of Okinawa

online so that at least I could feel of being in Okinawa at home. And I received 

them the other day.  

  

*The items that I bought. (These are ones that I always buy in Okinawa)

Rum "Cor Cor" from Minami-Daito Island.

Peanut tofu

Pickled Okinawan shallots

Ishigaki beef miso paste

Instant Okinawan pot noodles

Potato snack of island hot pepper

Banana cake from Miyako Island

Cough drops of shikwasa (Okinawan citrus)

Okinawan deep-fried sweet

Salted rice crackers

Face packs of hibiscus and shikwasa 

I bought them through Washita Shop Online (Okinawa Prefecture Products Public 

Corporation). Washita means 'we' in Okinawan language. In casual conversation,

wattaa is sometimes used. (H.S) 

              Nirai Beach of Yomitan Village in the central of Okinawa's main island. 

              I took this photo when I visited there several years ago. Okinawan sea is                  amazing. I hope I will be able to go to Okinawa again as soon as  possible.   

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Sauteed Chinese yam with butter and soup stock flavored soy sauce by Yuri Yamamoto’s recipe

                   
                           Sauteed Chinese yam with butter and soup stock flavored soy sauce

Yuri Yamamoto is now the most popular cooking blogger in Japan. The dish of Chinese yam is very easy: saute it with its peel, put butter and sprinkle soup stock flavored soy sauce. It is so good. In the first place, I didn’t have the idea of sauteing Chinese yam. It is a kind of taste like you eat in an izakaya. Yuri highly recommends soup stock flavored soy sauce, so I bought two flavors. Only by sprinkling with the soy sauce, boiled or grilled vegetables become a delicious dish. 

             

                                 Two kinds of the soup stock flavored soy sauces

Yuri has posted many recipes that you can cook with a microwave, which you have fewer dishes that you have to wash. I have heard that a husband who read Yuri’s recipe book and he got motivated to cook for the first time because those recipes

looked so easy.

By the way, Yuri is from Osaka but her husband is from Ono City, Fukui Prefecture.

They return to Ono City once in a while. And she wrote in her blog about foods in Ono City. 

On Twitter, she answers questions frequently about her recipes. For example, 

against a chocolate cheesecake recipe, "Is it okay without chocolate?" "It's okay. I recommend adding a little lemon juice." She has a big heart, so it must be one of the secrets of her popularity. (H.S)

               

                                      Yuri Yamamoto and her recipe book

                               （Photo is Books Kinokuniya’s official website）

                                        Yuri's Twitter: @syunkon0507 

                             

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Things that I cannot do for now

Echizen pottery artist, Naoki Izumi

Panoramic view of Toseisha (Izumi's pottery studio).

There is a cave kiln in a building in the foreground.

The Echizen pottery artist, who has a studio named Toseisha in Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture, is firing in his cave kiln for the first time in a while. I have heard that he could hardly fire in the kiln recently, but he decided to do that because he had some spare time as his workshops were canceled due to the new coronavirus. He made 200 works for the firing in the past month.

Now, I think that many people will try to do things that they cannot normally do because they have free time, aside from things that they cannot do alone or travels. But if I don't do it now when I spend more time at home, I never will. So I have no excuse that I don't have time to do it.
T.S

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Pleasure of a walk

More than one month and a half passed since I started to avoid outings due to coronavirus. Now

I go to work by car three days a week (and I work from home two days) and go grocery shopping once a week. That’s all.

But meanwhile, I take a walk near my home on weekends. It has rich natural surroundings. There are low mountains and a river with shimmering water quietly flows before my eyes.  

When I walk along its embankment, wild flowers are eye-pleasing. There are dead branches on paths between rice fields, which are very dried. Then, my imagination began to wonder that I could make a large fire, or bake a pizza if I have a pizza kiln with the branches. Perhaps, it is a habit of ancient agricultural people that I want to collect branches, isn’t it?

At any rate, under the current situation, walking in the unchanged nature seems to be a luxurious time. The cherry blossom season is over and brisk May is just around the corner. Although virus threats are right over there, plowing up rice fields is going steadily, let water flow to the rice fields soon and rice planting will start again this year as if nothing happened. (H.S)

                 
                                                Hino River

                           

                                          Moss phloxes on the bank.

               It seems that the moss phloxes started blooming earlier than usual.

                                                     Took a closer look.


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The Science of Sleep: How to Sleep Better (by BBC Studios 2019)

“The Science of Sleep: How to Sleep Better”, which was broadcasted on NHK Educational Television the other day, was very interesting.  

At a time when coronavirus pandemic, even though everybody knows sleep is necessary to increase immunity, I guess many people cannot get enough sleep.

In the first place, the reason why people need sleep is because if you don’t get enough sleep, your immune systems get damaged. And it puts a lot of pressure to the body. Any damage during the day is fixed at night. But without that level of sleep, those things carry on being damaged next day and next day over the time. That’s why it has a relationship between not enough sleep and poor health. 

70 percent of people in the UK don’t get enough sleep. In the program, they took four volunteers in their 20s and deprived them of sleep for 48 hours to show what happened.

                           Four volunteers, the presenter, and a doctor 

The experiment showed that loss of concentration, memory, and resistance to pain. Statics suggest that been reduced ability to cope with pain. Dopamine has a suppressive effect against pain. But if you don’t get enough sleep, its mechanism slows down the natural pain killer. 

In fact, recent study reveals that adults sleep less than 7 hours are more likely to have painful chronic condition such as arthritis and back pain. Recommend sleep is 8 hours at night. 

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem in the UK. A man has been suffering from insomnia for 20 years. Then, a sleep medicine professor of Oxford University made two suggestions to him.

The technique is called sleep restriction. First is “Get in bed later and get up earlier. Compress your sleep and squeeze time.” 

And second is “After turning off a light, lay and try stay awake a little longer than usual. When your eyes are getting heavy, resist sleepiness gently like more 30 seconds.”

It seems that you fall asleep when you try to be awake, on the contrary. The man who was undergoing treatment tried to be awake, surprisingly he fell asleep before he was aware. 

I also take long to fall asleep, so I tried this method and I was able to fall asleep quicker and sleep better than usual. If you take long to fall asleep, why don’t you try? (H.S) 

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Drone flight practice

The photo above shows the drone tilting against the wind while hovering. 

I practice drone flight every week even if I have no plans to shoot. Although it did not rain today, the wind was constantly blowing around 5 m/s, which was generally considered a bad weather condition for drone flight. But it was even preferable for training. And I operated so that the drone wouldn't be pushed by the wind and did basic exercises to draw precise figures such as a straight line, circle, and figure eight. These exercises lead to safer flights.

Also, aside from its technical aspects, if I leave equipments for long time, something goes wrong just when I try to use it. Then, one day, or several days may be wasted in case of a distant location. So it is necessary to use the drone frequently and to keep it at the ready.
T.S

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“English Logically” written by Mitsuyo Arimoto

Her books always have been valuable for me. In particular, “English business e-mail examples” were very useful while there were few good translation services through the Internet.

After graduating from university, Mrs. Arimoto moved to the United States after working for a Japanese company and an American company. She got involved in starting a Japanese company in the United States. After receiving MBA, she became independent and had been active as a strategic alliance consultant between Japanese companies and American ones. Currently, she has been exploring the trend of global economy as an investor. She has lived in the United States for thirty five years. Now she frequently translates and introduces information about coronavirus by overseas media on social media.

She suggests acquiring a technique to convey English logically in this book “English Logically” (2015).

The book says that Japanese people sometimes tend to write incomprehensible English even if grammatically correct;
1. Direct translation
2. Using a complicate sentence to write simple things
3. When using and or but, it’s hard to understand the context because of a leap of logic

Also, many Japanese people misunderstand the meaning of ‘please’, ‘expect’, ‘hope’ and ‘difficult’. For example, you cannot use ‘please’ to your superior, because it is authoritative.

After all, avoiding misunderstandings is necessary first and foremost to write business mails in English. (H.S)

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Walking through the row of cherry blossom trees along the Asuwa River in Fukui City, from Saiwai Bridge to Shin-Akari Bridge on April 3rd, 2020

This morning (April 3rd, 2020), which was blessed with good weather, I walked through the row of cherry blossom trees on the left bank of the Asuwa River from Saiwai Bridge to Shin-Akari Bridge. This area is well known as a viewing spot of cherry blossoms.
T.S

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Strawberry pancakes

Strawberries are in season now. They are delicious on their own. But this time, I placed them on pancakes to take an instagrammable photo. And it turned out springlike one anyway but I should have sprinkled the whipped cream with chopped pistachio.

　　　　　　　　Macadamia nut sauce pancakes that I made long ago

When I went to Hawaii before, a friend who lived in Hawaii took me to Boots & Kimo’s , and their macadamia nut sauce pancakes were very delicious. So I looked for recipes that copied the sauce and made it. Although the taste was similar to it, the original sauce was more fluffy. (H.S)

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Cherry blossoms after a warm winter

Unfortunately, it is raining, but along the street called Sakura-dori (cherry blossom street)  in front of our office in the center of Fukui City, cherry blossom trees are nearly in full bloom already. So they will be in full bloom as early as the beginning of next week.

It will be already April next week, so it's not surprising. This year, it was a record warm winter and we had almost no snow in Fukui, a heavy snowfall area. So I didn't feel like winter, but nevertheless, the cherry blossom trees did not bloom much earlier, one month or so than usual, and did only a few days earlier.

There may be a mechanism that even if the temperature rises, they wouldn't bloom simply. It's interesting.
T.S

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Helpful TV program and website about coronavirus

The new coronavirus suddenly appeared in this world and has plunged the world  into chaos in just a few months. Meanwhile, I was able to get two very useful information sources in recent days.

The first was NHK Special “The fight against pandemic: Can we contain the outbreak? “, which was broadcasted on March 22nd. Watching the program, I understood current Japan’s situation and a sense of crisis that experts had very well. That is, we don’t have to be scared needlessly but unless we take measures properly according to the type of virus, we expect to overshoot at any time now.

The second was:

“Information about new coronavirus by Shinya Yamanaka” (available only in Japanese) , which was created personally by a Nobel Prize-winning Professor Yamanaka, who works on iPS cells.

He shows clearly “What is known and what is unknown” on the website. I was impressed that the facts like data and his opinions based on the data were provided separately.

Through such information by scientists, I think that perspectives faced the unknown, not existing knowledge systems, that is science. Now, there is a tendency to spur speculations without evidence, wild rumors, and fringe science. But at least, I try to have perspectives like scientists.
T.S

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What I bought at KALDI, which opened its first shop in Fukui Prefecture

KALDI, which is popular for coffee and imported foods, finally opened its first shop in Fukui. So I stopped at it when I went shopping the other day.

I wanted to buy Syrok, which is a Russian chilled dessert that became a popular topic on Twitter recently. It seems to be a chocolate-coated cottage cheese bar. Those who bought one at KALDI said very good. I heard that it is not available in some shops, and unfortunately, the Fukui shop was one of those. That said, Syrok is popular now, so I am looking forward to getting it at the Fukui shop sometime.

Syrok: Russian Premium Cheese coated with dark chocolate 50 gram 321 yen 

Milk chocolate coated and white chocolate coated are also available.

(From KALDI online store) 

These are what I bought at KALDI.

Dried fruits, red curry, brie cheese, truffle cheese dip, shortbread, and Shanghai fried noodles.

Be that as it may, shopping at KALDI is a lot of fun and uplifting. That day, the shop limited the number of shoppers, and I could browse there thoroughly. I think that many people stay home now, but it is a blessed relief that people could go shopping freely this way. Other shoppers also looked happy and gave space to ones picking up items kindly, which created a warm atmosphere. (H.S)

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Documentary film “Becoming Who I Was”

I would like to introduce a documentary film that made a strong impression on me. The film “Becoming Who I Was”(2017), created by a Korean production, depicts a boy in northern India, Ladakh region, who is discovered to be the reincarnation of an esteemed, high-ranking Tibetan monk, and his aging godfather takes him on a journey to Tibet with beautiful images. The film won many film awards including Banff Mountain Film Festival 2017.

The boy, Padma Angdu, 9, who is believed that he is a Rinpoche (reincarnated centuries-old monk). But he cannot contact the monastery in Tibet that he used to live in his previous life due to Chinese policies. And yet, Urgain planned to take him to Tibet. Then, the two set off on a long and grueling journey for more than two months.

The boy can draw the monastery in Tibet in detail. I have heard about some children who remembered their previous lives around the world. But it seems the memories begin to fade as they grow up. 

In HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET, it is written about reincarnation as follows.

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Generally, Buddhists believe that there is no beginning to birth and that once we achieve liberation from the cycle of existence by overcoming our karma and destructive emotions, we will not be reborn under the sway of these conditions. Therefore, Buddhists believe that there is an end to being reborn as a result of karma and destructive emotions, but most Buddhist philosophical schools do not accept that the mind-stream comes to an end. To reject past and future rebirth would contradict the Buddhist concept of the ground, path and result, which must be explained on the basis of the disciplined or undisciplined mind. If we accept this argument, logically, we would also have to accept that the world and its inhabitants come about without causes and conditions. Therefore, as long as you are a Buddhist, it is necessary to accept past and future rebirth.

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I was moved by the boy’s pure, innocent, and steady behavior. Also, I felt the preciousness beyond words in Urgain’s unconditional love for Padma Angdu. The scene where Urgain leaves Padma, it is difficult to watch without tears. I really wish they would meet each other again. (H.S) 

                                                  Padma Angdu

                                            (Photo from NHK online)

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Collaborative exhibition of lacquerware and photographs "Jet-black color and starry sky"

The exhibition of  lacquerware and photographs "Jet-black color and starry sky" is being held from March 6th to 22nd at the gallery Fukui Kougeisha in the center of Fukui City. This is a collaborative exhibition of Echizen lacquerware company TRAD, which has an exhibition here at this time every year, and Hideyuki Kato, an astronomical expert and curator of Fukui City Museum of Natural History. First of all, when I saw the photographs taken by Mr. Kato on the wall, I was amazed at how many stars can be seen in Fukui.

Even in the gallery where exhibitions by craft artists of various genres are held, such a collaboration of craft and photograph is a unique attempt. Actually, according to Mr. Minowa of TRAD, he was confused by the offer at first. That said, when I saw the exhibition, the photographs of the starry sky and the jet-black lacquerware were in harmony with each other very naturally, and I wondered why it has never held this kind of exhibition before.

While I was in the gallery, I saw visitors who came to see the photographs buying lacquerware. It seems to be a good opportunity for different type of customers to encounter lacquerware other than already existing craft fans, and lacquerware seems to have been created a wonderful synergistic effect of further enhancing its appeal with the theme of starry sky. I discovered something new in this exhibition.
T.S

Photographs of starry sky and lacquerware with a motif of constellation

Jet black and vermilion lacquerware are lined up below the starry sky photographs taken in Fukui City, Ono City and other places in Fukui Prefecture.

Constellation soup bowl

Lacquerware with lacquer work of constellation. There are soup bowls and cups. Constellations of birth month are also available. It is a wonder that there was no design like this before.

The Milky Way viewed from Lake Manahime

Photograph of starry sky taken at Lake Manahime in Ono City. I was overwhelmed by the number of stars as if  I saw on high mountains. A printed photo in a wide format is underlaid lacquerware in the center of the gallery.

Lacquerware reflecting stars

The stars reflected on the surface of plain orthodox lacquerware look fantastic.

Night sky in Starland Sakadani

There was a photograph taken in the Starland Sakadani in Ono City, where I always practice drone.　

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