Turning Of Leaves

by cybersensei | November 19, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Turning Of Leaves

Always grateful to have been raised in pristine mountains of the Great White North (Canada).

British Columbia fall colours - Land Of The Rising Son

An exquisitely beautiful season is when the leaves change colours in autumn, and the mountains lite up into a menagerie of colours and motifs.

Beautiful Leaves 2 - Land Of The Rising Son

In Japan the turning of the leaves is called kōyō—crimson leaves.

Beautiful Leaves - Land Of The Rising Son

Kōyō is beloved by most Japanese, and is certainly is the main focal point of many pleasant family and community jaunts for the lovers of leaves during the spectacular autumn season.

須川高原の紅葉秋田県 - Land Of The Rising Son

In particular, as one heads to the norther regions of Japan the spectacle grows more magnificent in magnitude.

One can see the Japanese in droves at the airport—dutifully line up in strict order waiting for the start of their 5 nights/6 day whirlwind tour of the pristine Rocky Mountains of Canada—the turning of the leaves in what is arguable the most spectacular natural phenomena in Mother Nature.

団体ツアーカナダ紅葉 - Land Of The Rising Son

Often, for the Japanese this is a seminal landmark life event with the tales of the Great White North and the beauty of Canadian kōyō to be cherished until the end of time.

カナダ紅葉ツアー - Land Of The Rising Son

One believes the essence of kōyō is to see the turning of the leaves in the autumn as an important turning each year of ones own life.

Old foliage dies away.

Dead foliage - Land Of Tthe Rising Son

Old things die away.

Fade Away - Land Of The Risisng Son

The old must also die to make way for new life.

time-change-clocks-ball-sphere-innovative-improvement-words - Land Of The Rising Son

Take this as an opportunity to rejuvenate ones heart, spirit, and mind over the winter and prepare for the coming season of renewal, and promise the spring hold as the fresh buds and leaves of life make their debut upon the mountains to repeat the precious cycle of life over and over again until the end of time.

Renewal-Land Of The Rising Son

Empress Grace

by cybersensei | November 12, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Empress Grace

There’s often a debate between pet owners as to whether one is a cat person or a dog person.

CAT-DOG-PERSON - Land Of The Rising Son

Having the privilege of growing up with both cats (feline) and dogs (canine), one can truly say:

Domesticate companion animals are imperative in alleviating the suffering of isolation and loneliness—regardless of the species of animal one choose to keep as a pet.

For certain, the binary misnomer of CAT vs DOG also excludes more esoteric choices of domesticated companions such as guinea pigs, boa constrictors, turtles, and carp—among the vast array animals the humans species keep as pets.

Exotic Pets - Land Of The Rising Son

Surely this tedious binary way of thinking is now well past its expiry date—a relic of the past no doubt.

This archaic binary notion can now be retired along with the narrow-mindedness the ridiculous notion binary thinking encompasses.

In fact, one can actually ascertain the degree of empathy in those who choose to keep companion animals—in particular those who have rescued distressed animals from despair and abandonment.

Pet abandonment - Land Of The Rising Son

The Big Girl loves animals, and shortly after marriage, a most extraordinary family member entered our atmosphere in November of 2014.

Pancakes the Sage - Land Of The Rising Son

An abandoned cat, he found his way to his ancestral home by perseverance and fortitude—along with the desire to live.

Pancakes almost starved to death, but the gentle hand of fate touched his soul and brought him to what could only be considered feline paradise, where he acts as the wise sage of the Clan—in possession of Potion of Emotion, which among many traits, takes One’s sorrow away.

A short year later, Mr, Twinkle was rescued, and became the second son, One could say.

Twinkle Laid Out - Land Of The Rising Son

As the feline clan grew year by year, the individual member settled into their respective places in the hierarchy in the society of cats, in rural Japan.

This is reflected in the fact that this spoilt cat is the biggest baby of them all.

He gets lonely at night and likes to interrupt this monkey’s slumber due to his desire to play throughout the night—he is a nocturnal animal after all.

Mr. Twinkle is a beautiful boy - Land Of The Rising Son

Still a year later, two more beautiful cats came to join our clan—both of them rescued.

Unfortunately, the female of this exquisite pair died of pneumonia a couple of short weeks later.

A tragedy to say the least, but this is where the true nature of life is revealed in a painful way—all living things must die it is merely a matter of time.

Regardless, Cinnamon our third son is healthy and an important part of our Clan’s society.

He brings smiles with his innocence and joy when he demands to sit on one’s knee and get some deep love.

Cinnamon in briefcase - Land Of The Rising Son

Unlike the others, one could say he is ten nen boke, which translates nicely into “a natural airhead.”

Cinnamon Contentment - Land Of The Rising Son

Two years later, The Big Girl came across a pair of sisters in an animal shelter, and it was destiny—Empress Grace and Infinity Hisho Jasmine, joined the Clan in 2017.

Jaja and Grace together - Land Of The Rising Son

The older of the two, Jasmine is as skinny as a rail, unlike her sister, Empress Grace, in which One could say is a little on the plump side.

Jasmine, the Infinity Hisho, takes care of all affairs, and dispenses indispensable wisdom, while steering this bag of chemicals, around the Quantum Field.

Jaja doing it my way - Land Of The Rising Son

A truly awesome aspect about Jasmine is her innate trait of total flexibility where she can turn on a dime when new information crosses her radar.

Jaja - Doing It My Way - Land Of The Rising Son

She is also a history buff and Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History is her absolute favorite.

Jaja and Dan Carlin - Land Of The Rising Son

Indeed, the Infinite Hisho has make a world of difference in this monkey’s life—deep gratitude for all she does.

Fascinating to observe the youngest female establishing herself as the Empress, reigning above all, the sovereign ruler of Chin Wa Yorogo Nari Domain.

Empress Grace Posing - Land Of The Rising Son

Empress Grace Icy Stare - Land Of The Rising Son

Never one to back down from a fight, she is capable of icy stares, which would make Satan himself retreat to safer grounds.

Satan Scared To Death - Land Of The Rising Son

Regardless, she does things her own way, and having an Empress in the house makes for wonderful and fulfilling days.

Grace is Erai - Land Of The Rising Son One can not recommend a society of companion animals enough, countless animals are anticipating a loving home, and now more than ever is the time to extend hospitality, to all animals who are awaiting an ally’s dome.

Grace Stretched Out - Land Of The Rising Son

One thing that is always present as time marches on will be the inevitable death of these animals long before this monkey’s time on the planet is done.

Pancake With Twinkle - Land Of The Rising Son

This suffering of loss is the price One must pay, for the countless experiences of joy, fellowship, and comfort provided throughout One’s Way.

Pancakes Chill - Land Of The Rising Son

Maggie May’s Magical Garden

by cybersensei | November 5, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Maggie May’s Magical Garden

One is fortunate to have grown up in Central British Columbia, and having living one’s adult life in Japan.

Indeed, when first arriving in the Land Of The Rising Son, it was charming to see the small local supermarkets and the classic speciality mom-and-pop shops dotting the landscape of Japan, mostly filled with fresh food.

Often their wares were piled high to the ceilings through the narrow isles, boxes strewn about.

old Japanese super market - Land Of The Rising Son

Traditionally, the Japanese housewife would go out daily to forge for fresh food and prepare it for the family that day—this is the tradition way of Japanese life.

Living in Japan has lead to many foods experiences when travelling throughout Asia.

宴会コース料理 - Land Of The Rising Son

This has lead to a deep respect for food culture and and understanding of how it will always play a critical role in communal bonding in almost all cultures.

Seeing these traditional shops when first coming to Japan in the late 80s brought back fond memories of days growing up in central Central British Columbia in the 60s and 70s—ahh, the aroma of fresh alpine mountain air!

Revelstoke mountains - Land Of The Rising Son
Five decades ago, logistics systems were still in infancy—during the long months of Grandfather Winter—sometime hovering around -30°—the fresh vegetable deliveries were non-existent over the long winters for many years.

Grandfather Winter - Land Of The Risg Son

Those were certainly different time.

One saw Mother Maggie May growing her own garden every year during the short summers, and canning the fruits of her labour in anticipation of the long icy winter ahead.

he long icy winter ahead - Land Of The Rising Son
Also, one had the privilege to live in an immaculate fruit belt in the Okanagan Valley during one’s formative years.

A fun summer activity was picking fruit and helping can these delightful treats to eat as morning food throughout the frigid winters—peaches, pears, apricots, cherries, and an assortment of berries.

Canning-Peaches- Land Of The Rising Son

During the food gathering season, one’s would purchase 1/2 a cow and 2 pigs on the hoof from the local butcher.

The merry butcher would then bring back wheelbarrows full of freshly processed meat—bound for the massive freezer in the ancestral home basement to last the chilly winter months.

In the autumn, chickens were butchered and shared among friends as our families gathered and did the hard work to secure sustenance fortifying our clans against the long, cold, harsh British Columbia winters.

A Little Sapling - Land Of The Rising Son

An excellent baker extraordinaire from the beginning—Matriarch Maggie May would get piles done—butter tarts, apple pie, among other delectable pastries—she also delivered big-time on lots of bread—sourdough and rye among her specialties—the was no-end to the goodies in Maggie’s Marvellous Magic freezer.

ButterTarts - Land Of The Rising Son

The massive freezer also had plenty of room for dozens upon dozens of plump rainbow trout caught throughout the summer inside the nooks and crannies of the pristine lakes and river in what is commonly referred to as … paradise.

虹鱒- Land Of The Rising Son

Alas, as all time must pass, these thing to fade away, into the modern future, which has some how turned into today, and these arduous task of yesterday have been rendered for the most part unnecessary today.

In the name of convenience and indeed in practically, Japanese agricultural products are being slowly manipulated with sweeteners, chemicals, and preservatives.

hamburger-junk-food-box ButterTarts - Land Of The Rising Son

Convenient to be sure, but what will the long term consequences of eating highly preserved foods bring to the Japanese.

Judging by the abject failure of the American dietary model, consuming such highly-processed products may be worthy of reconsideration, or to avoid all together.

Obese American Couple - Land Of The Rising Son

Surely in this time of change and uncertainty, one’s own personal health and wellness must be of primary concern each day.

Maggie May’s Magical Garden reminded one of the now slowly-fading-away Japanese Way of Food of old.

The Japanese with the highest life expectancy in the world have a rich food tradition of fresh seasonal vegetable, incredible offerings from the sea, and sticky Japonica rice.

Make sure to take the time away from busy modern food—taste fresh and delectable delicacies—farmed with tender loving care—by the dedicated Japanese farmers throughout the regions of agrarian Japan.

天皇陛下田植 - Land Of The Rising Son

Reach 59

by cybersensei | October 29, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Reach 59

One has always had the image of bingo being played by elderly folks chain-smoking cigarettes while chugging black coffee in the basement of the church just down the street from one’s ancestral home.

The Japanese are also avid bingo players, but not in the churches and smoky bingo halls dotting the landscape of America.

In Japan, Bingo is played during a party where it is a popular game.

Bingo - Land Of The Rising Son

When about to win, with only one last squares remaining the Japanese will shout out—REACH, which means “almost there.”

In Japanese, the handy word REACH can be use in many situations, and this particular case of REACH is particularly salient for the author of this article.

Why so?

On October 24, 1963 one entered the earth’s atmosphere via the extraordinary awesome super Mother’s birth canal at 14:20.

And so began one’s long life long journey chasing the sun, and this coming year represents one’s 59th trip around beloved .

Amaterasu Shinto Sun Goddess - Land Of The Rising Son

Here the magic number 60 is looming on the near horizon, and this is where it can truly be said:

“It’s one’s 59th birthday—REACH!”

There’s also a fun event which happens at the all important turning point of life—know as kanreki (還暦). 還暦の衣装 - Land Of The Rising Son

Kanreki is where one dons a red costume to be honoured and venerated by one’s clan in a festive celebration, wonderful way to express deep gratitude to the leaders of on’s clan.

還暦 - Land Of The Rising Son

Thinking deeply about the passage of time and how it feels in the different stages throughout life.

Recall back to the days one was sitting in the elementary school daydreaming out window thinking:

“When will this tedious adult ever say something interesting?”

Here the time crawled at a snail’s pace, and felt like it would never end in what seemed like a waste of one’s precious time and life.

bored school children - Land Of The Rising Son

Indeed, as one was waiting for the first plane trip to Japan January 11, 1987, the excitement leading up to the departure was palpable.

However, just like all things in life, and with the passage of the abstract notion of time, that event came and went in the blink of an eye, which is now over 35 years ago.

For certain, one need not dwell to heavily on the ultimate equalizer—death—it will be at everyone’s doorstep soon enough, and your own life will have come and gone.

time moving quickly - Land Of The Rising Son

In this particular case, one could actually say the decades of one’s years over the 60s will really start to get interesting.

All mundane and stressful duties of adult life such as raising children and all things in between have drawn to a close.

Here is the opportunity to looks towards fulfilling ambitious desires that were put on the back burner of a busy life in the modern world over three decades.

If the future looks daunting and the decades of the 60s is staring at the face—do not despair.

despair - Land Of The Rising Son

Another powerful way to think about the second stage of life—normally starts at 60 after a career and then retirement lasting until 80 and even well beyond.

Fundamentally there is one more adult life time to be filled with one’s own heart’s desire.

Thinking about time in such a manner gives hope and purpose for the future—to bring visions which have been floating around the attention they need to realize material fruition.

One’s favourite Japanese four-character-compounds is yugen jiko (有言実行)—keeping the promise to oneself.

As REACH 59 birthday present, one has committed to two projects for the rest of the time upon Mother Earth.

Earth at night was holding in human hands - Land Of The Rising Son

Both hands and heart are full of promise each day to growth, learning, and feel vibrant and alive during the secondary stage of adult life.

Often it is said you are only as old as you feel, and when taking on new project with the talent and experience accumulated over the years of a career, will serve one well over the coming years.

Realize the full expression of one’s own life—it will come to fruition as marked by the final event for which are all destine—as one’s own short time upon Mother Earth will have soon run out. Hourglass countdown - Land Of The Rising Son

Venerable Rice

by cybersensei | October 22, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Venerable Rice

In the Occxie world, rice (brown) was eaten only on occasion—always paired with fish.

White rice only encountered in Western style Chinese buffets, and considered somewhat of a treat.

Furthermore, the other Asian staple, soy sauce was only used for one purpose and one purpose only—to drizzle onto the rice.

Of course, this benign custom continued for years after coming to Japan, and the look of shock and horror on the faces of the Japanese when observing this affront to Japanese cultural sensibilities served as a point of amusement, if not some times a bone of contention.

生卵ライス - Land Of The Rising Son

Culture note: In Japan, soy sauce is used for cooking and to dip sashimi—never to be poured onto rice directly.

Little did one understand the significance of rice, not only as a staple of the Asian nations, but as an substance to be revered and venerated while being an offering to the Gods in ancient customs and rights.

Yet it would not be until after arriving in Japan in 1987, where the almighty Japanese sticky rice was first encountered.

This is what is known as mochi, and is sacred to the Japanese.

One can observe mochi cakes on the God shelf of the Japanese being offered as sustenance to the of the .

餅神棚 - Land Of The Rising Son

Made from pounded and molded rice dough, mochi is squishy, elastic, and creamy—ubiquitous throughout Japan—in a plethora of forms.

Typically, mochi is enjoyed around New Year, and is used as a customary New Year decoration—as well as creating the dreaded mochi-bara over the holiday.

正月餅 - Land Of The Rising Son

Living in rural Japan the opportunity often arouse to experience farm-fresh mochi cake, deep fried, with a sprinkle of soy sauce to finish.

Not for sale anywhere, one must befriend a farmer and offer one’s service to pound the rice cakes.

Then, and only then you may be gifted with a covert bag of —good luck on this quest.

かき餅出来揚げ - Land Of The Rising Son

Who really needs potatoes chips when the Japanese confectionary are makers trying to out do each others all the time—with new endless flavour and mouth-feel crunch battles raging—the base ammunition being the venerated rice.

Senbei Party- Land Of The Rising Son

Often mochi is turned into sweet rice-cake treats coming in a variety of colours and flavours while offering up a slightly sticky, delightfully chewy quality.

All the more wonderfully so, mochi is highly versatile, malleable into many forms, such as stuffed mochi treats called daifuku.

大福 - Land Of The Rising Son

These tender morsels are impregnated with sweet fillings such as anko, or, even better still—and when in season—juicy deep-crimson strawberries—directly from the farm—in what can only be described as one of the most extraordinarily delight mouthfuls of wonderment ever to be experienced since the day of entering into earth’s atmosphere.

Strawberry Mochi Delight - Land Of The Rising Son

There are the ever vibrant green kusa mochi, made with yomogi (Japanese mugwort) that’s kneaded into the dough—presenting an earthy-leafage flavour—luscious.

草餅 - Land Of The Rising Son

Truly it is always a delight when the sakura mochi season rolls around, just in time to view the cherry blossoms in the hanami season.

These delectable treats are stuffed with anko, dyed pink, and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf—succulent!

桜餅 - Land Of The Rising Son

Who would have thought something as plain as rice could be the foundation for an entire segment of Japanese food culture.

Remember as one wanders through the nooks and crannies of Japan—keep the eyes peeled for unusual delectable delicacies sprinkles throughout the shops of .

Golden yellow rice ear of rice growing in autumn paddy field - Land Of The Rising Son

Mutual Dependency

by cybersensei | October 15, 2022 | Blog, Culture

Mutual Dependency

There are three principal factors formulating the psyche of the Japanese.

1. Japanese history of isolationism
2. Crowded conditions due to geography
3: Japanese language itself

Historically, Japan has a deep cultural connection with China—based upon shared Confucius values—the fundamental values of stable society shared by all Asian nations.

Japan and China - Two nations growing upon the foundation of Confucianism - Land Of The Rising Son

However, the Tokugawa rule, beginning in 1603 was the start of the isolationist protocol.

This led to almost complete isolation from the rest of the world until the black ships of Commander Perry of the USA came to “open up ” in 1853.

Imaging for more than 250 years Japan was totally cut off from almost all foreign stimulus.

鎖国 2.0 - Land Of The Rising Son

It was during this period of isolation (Edo 1603 to 1867), where the Japanese developed many of its modern social and economic structures.

Furthermore, a distinct society and culture with no equal in terms of group cooperation blossomed under the watchful eyes and razor sharp blade of the Tokugawa Shogun.

For certain, the organisational features developed over the 250 years of isolation remain a distinct characteristic of Japanese society today, regardless of the profound changes experienced in the twentieth century.

distinct characteristic of Japanese society - Land Of The Rising Son

Most of the Japanese are packed together in big cities where their highly complex social skills developed—this is a phenomenon of a society based upon mutual dependency.

A mutual dependent society is one where there is great interdependence between all members of a group, and an abundance of moral and social obligations both vertically and horizontally.

日本ネットワーク - Land Of The Rising Son

Naturally, this all begins at birth.

The separation of a child from the Western parent start in earnest from birth, as the babies are soon separated from their mothers and put in a separate room.

Here, the Westernized children quickly develops an initiative of their own and gain early experience in problem solving.

Caucasian baby escaping the crib - Land Of The Rising Son

Perhaps this can also be considered an “isolationist policy.”

On the other hand, Japanese children are kept close to their parents’ side day and night for two or three years.

Japanese baby sleeping with parents - Land Of The Rising Son

Therefore, Japanese children, by contrast, are encouraged to be completely dependent on the human beings close to them.

This is where they develop a sense of interdependence which stays with them for a lifetime.

This is also the beginning of one’s preordained place in the mutual dependent society of the Japanese.

The first group any child belongs to is the family, but later it becomes high school, then university, then the company.

全員社員写真 - Land Of The Rising Son

Remember, loyalty to one’s group runs deep and strong.

For example, there is rarely job hopping, particularly in the world of large corporations, where changing companies in mid-stream is looked upon as treasonous.

Also, age and seniority have priorities in Japanese society, but also encompasses ominous obligations within these strict societal protocols, which are embedded into the Japanese language.

For instance, Japanese has separate words for elder brother and younger brother.

兄さんと弟さん - Land Of The Rising Son

Why is this so?

Since the duties of one to the other are radically different according to one’s position in the family and society, conventions and protocol must be sharply defined and adhered to.

Coming to a practical understanding of these societal conventions took many years and many tears—being able to think like a Japanese has allowed for a remarkable perspective into the psyche of the Japanese, and how they view their place in the world.

Furthermore, Japanese behaviour protocol is strongly affected by the nature of the language itself, and for certain the language(s) we speak conceptually determines one’s way of thinking.

Japanese is often described as a vague or ambiguous language.

曖昧 - Land Of The Rising Son

The vagueness of Japanese is frequently used on purpose when wishing to absolve anyone of possible blame and to demonstrate politeness.

The well-known honorific terminology in Japanese enhance this politeness, while often adding to the vagueness.

Everything must be placed in context in Japan, therefore, blunt language is much too brief and out of place as well as being considered boorish and rude.

No Japanese boss would bark out an order to “Clean up the office.”

Angry Boss - Land Of The Rising Son

They have an obligation to couch the request in a certain way such as:

“Some visitors are coming today—let’s give them the best impression of our company—perhaps we could improve the orderliness around here”—creating a layer of harmony.

会社仲間 - Land Of The Rising Son

In the mutual dependent society, the Japanese are conditioned by their exceptional historical and geographical constraints.

Even more so, the Japanese are held captive by their thought processes—rooted in the ancient esoteric language of Japanese—in which one could accurately say—is the polar opposite of the others.

Opposite poles of the language spectrum - Land Of The Rising Son

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