Four Characters

by cybersensei | July 1, 2023 | Blog, Education, Language Study

Four Characters

What is the first thing that comes to mind when pondering the word—ideogram or hieroglyphic?

Perhaps a happy family sitting around after dinner reminiscing about the most recent mammoth hunt—pondering the meaning of life—reflecting on the hand-drawn pictures—etched onto the cave wall—dancing to the rhythm of the flickering light of the primordial cooking fire by the beaming lights of the full moon.

Happy Family - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

In early encounters with the written Japanese language, the perception of such complex pictograms was considered hieroglyphical in nature, and these curious characters carried with them the perception of abstruse symbology and characteristics embodying an intricate communication system.

Perhaps when first seeing some of the more, well, shall we say stroke intensive characters, these curious attributes may very well be referred to by the uninitiated as hieroglyphics.

For those cultivated under the 26-letter alphabet soup used as the communication mechanism of English, the initial shock upon discovering Japanese students must go through 2,136 mandatory characters at the behest of the Ministry of Edification can not be denied.

Alphabet Soup - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

With each passing school year the characters become increasingly complex, articulating each Japanese citizen with the characteristics of Rising Son citizenry, indelibly etching the spirit of the Mother tongue onto Japanese as they progress under the weight of this magnificent communication protocol.

By far the oldest continuously used writing system, kanji are now officially referred to simply as characters—as in each having distinct characteristics, in particular, when used in the combination of 4-characters compounds, have the deep reach of non-verbal communication embedded within their complexity.

常用漢字表 - Land Of The Rising Son

If contemplated properly, these delightful communication characters provide deep insight into the cryptic mind and way of the Japanese.

Remember, language is a concept and gaining fluency is the key to a more broad, deep and rich Earthling experience—in particular when internalizing a reading/writing system from an esoteric galaxy, remarkably far away from the spectrum of ΩNE’s Mother tongue—the lingua franca of the constructed Earth-world—English.

ABCs of Biology - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

The Japanese system possesses a critical advantage in the rapidly evolving world—when reading Japanese at an advanced level, the true nature of the Japanese and their innate notion of Form Order Process will be revealed over time as ΩNE’s Japanese ability advances.

These characters encompass a concise way to relay complex ideas and elaborate concepts, leading them to be profoundly useful in one of the most extraordinary communication tools of any language—4-character-compounds.

四字熟語辞典 - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Like a treasure trove of undiscovered valuable objects, some were already familiar as a matter of linguistic practicality—all literate Japanese know what ‘in ga ō hō’ means.

「因果[destiny]」「応報[punishment]」
in ga ō hō= divine retribution

Combining destiny with punishment is certain to result in divine retribution.

What goes around comes around 因果応報 - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

These master-linguistic-pieces are unvarnished nuggets of wisdom, possessing real power, entrusted with significant meaning, and ability to act as a guide to a practical and commonsensical way of life.

Here is a 4-character-compound admonishing the disciple to learn from the past while creating a desired future:

「温故[warm past]」「知新[new knowledge]」
on ko chi shin = the old new again

As one view the past warmly, new knowledge is born.

Remember the importance of loved ones through thick and thin—edifying each other—building close-knit communities—realising each day is a miracle unto itself—containing ΩNE’s own true and pure destiny—from moment to moment—in the abstruse notion of space and time.

「合縁[loving relation]」「奇縁[miracle of fate]」
ai en ki en = relationship by a strange quirk of fate

What’s not to love about a relationship that happened by a strange quirk of fate?

One can also find the cold and unforgiving truth of two headstrong adversaries going head to head in the octagon of dogma and ideology, and this is where the solemn grave declaration of a final death match, and winner take all is declared—very primitive and savage indeed.

「不倶[cannot bear]」「戴天[under heaven]」
fu gu tai ten = this town ain’t big enough for both of us

When those who can not bear the notion of each other under the same heaven, we have here ourselves a common scenario—this town ain’t big enough for both of us.

The flexibility of these charming 4-character-compounds is vast—ΩNE can even make up a unique story on the spur of the moment—just like the other day.

Thinking about the wonderful synergy between an old buddy, Zachariah, and the ancient Andean Columbia God of the Quimbaya culture (900-1200 CE).

「強大 [mighty]」kyōdai「兄弟[brethren]」
kyō dai kyō dai = timeless power mates

There is nothing like a formidable team of mighty brethren from distant places and time spaces embodying true power mates.

These old mates are reunited once again upon Earth’s sacred soil —their brotherly power now amped up to meet the challenges of modern day stupidity, and the ever fatal partners in villainy—ignorance and poverty.

In fact, these prodigious 4-character-compounds are brimming with rich messages embedded into each one—mini fables worthy of note—untold-stories for the edification of all—with unconditional love.

the-road-less-traveled - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Perhaps one day someone will create an animation with the main theme being prodigious 4-character compounds—to be sure, this can no longer be deferred and the notions of an animation has now been set into full-blown motion—reflecting upon Hardcore History, inform the present, and guide our future with the steady hands of reason, encountering a whole host of unique, bizarre, and eccentric characters:

Welcome to The Big Girl—worlds created according to wife

Minister of Edification

by cybersensei | June 24, 2023 | Blog, Civilization, Culture, Education

Minister of Edification

Not everyone fits into the same mould, or allows the mind to be infected with mold—the age of customization of edification is now permeating throughout Earth.

Nothing quite like an incendiary device to spark ΩNE’s thirst for knowledge—those fortunate to have had a mentor/disciple relationship understands exactly what this means.

Spark to Light the Fire - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Traditional education structures which had served to modernize Earth into a globalized world, has now reached the end of its cycle—no longer serving the future.

Taking a page from the great Meiji Education reformer Mori Arinori, it is now once again time to reconfigure education—in this new paradigm known as—Enlightened Edification.

Mori Arinori - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Mori Arinori—entry into Earth atmosphere—August 23, 1847—anointed to reform and rejuvenate the Japanese education system—founded upon a visionary mixture of stylized Western and Eastern edification protocol, resulting in a nation of literate, highly motivated citizenry—forging Civilization 3.0.

Born into the Satsuma clan twenty-one years before the 1868 Meiji Restoration ended the Tokugawa Shogun’s rule, very few Japanese could have ever foreseen such an abrupt end to over two centuries of peace, or the crucial role the Satsuma clan would play in the transition to Westernized Industrialization.

Satsuma han - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Moral education in a modern society, as Mori perceived, consisted of close horizontal relationships between people free from religious dogma or other philosophy.

Mutually beneficial relations between individuals means domestic peace—otherwise, society would always be in conflict, was the dialed-in frequency of his intellectualized intuition.

Indeed, friendship is one of the most cherished characteristics of Japanese society, in what Mori considered a positive element when comparing Japanese to Western societies.

Truly, he considered friendliness the essential ingredient of the teacher’s disposition—it was the duty of the teacher to nurture mutual assistance based on friendship.

Good teacher Satsuma han - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

A teacher’s worth should not be judged from the perspective of the subject matter being taught, but valued according to the human disposition—reflected in the following three traits:

素直 (sunao)—obedience—faithfully following the regulations of the school and the instructions of the principle.

貫禄 (kanroku)—dignity—instilling a sense of self respect to undergo the rigors of training while developing character.

親愛 (shinai)—friendship—the process of cultivating good manners among human beings.

A pragmatic visionary, he recognized the right of teachers to hold personal religious and political beliefs, while warning it was unethical for teachers to impart any personal belief-systems to their students.

反面教師実例代表 - Land Of The Rising Son

Mori also advocated replacing Japanese with English as the national language while suggesting a dual-track school system.

First and foremost is the consequently important mandatory discipline of moral education in the earlier grades, instilling social cohesion and the notion to serve each other.

The higher levels of education were devoted to scientific studies based on principles of academic freedom, where the more adept student would progress as a matter of society’s flow.

Japanese feudal society - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

In order for Japan to advance, Mori believed the Japanese language should be used in ordinary daily life, and English utilized in school, as it was better suited for scientific studies.

Clearly this vision for Japan was far ahead of the times—imagine what the world would have looked like today, had Japan been a bilingual nation at the outset of the Meiji Restoration.

Japanese Imperial Family Meiji 1880 - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Within the scope of educational reform, Mori called for loyalty to the state in order for Japan to compete successfully in the international arena.

He was acutely aware that people in the West united in the defense of their Nation State when threatened—regardless of social or religious backgrounds.

Here, the major unsolved problem of the nascent industrial education system for the Japanese was how to develop a sense of nationalism through the schools, without resorting to indoctrination.

Dogma Yes or No? Land Of The Rising Son

For nurturing patriotism and the love of country, Mori turned to the historic symbolism the Japanese Imperial system—long reigning for well over 2,500 years of succession.

Further to his enlightened insight, he grasped the fundamental and critical Universal Truth—no group of people has ever been uniformly endowed with intelligence, morality, and physical development.

In order to protect the weak from the strong, societies make laws, which evolve as human intelligence improves—this is in harmony with the innate Japanese notion of gradual, incremental improvement (kaizen).

Kaizen-Land-Of-The-Rising-Son

Since human inequalities will always exist, some limited form of government must be designed to serve all citizenry.

Mori felt Japanese culture also contained characteristics superior to those of Western societis, specifically fraternal love and paternalism.

Western individualism debases the culture into a form of utilitarianism, whereas the ties that bind Japanese society is based on mutual affection and consideration for others. Mutual Dependency - Land Of The Rising Son Mori also held the deep conviction about the progress of Japan being depended upon two historical pillars—broad support for the Imperial tradition—independence from foreign colonial control.

These two factors would enable Japan to progress by absorbing foreign elements in the modernization process while maintaining the nation’s cultural identity.

Modern and ancient Japan all together now - Land Of The Rising Son

Despite the considerably harsh criticism of Mori’s values by traditionalists, his structure for education remained essentially in place until the postwar era.

The future of Human Civilization is clearly build upon understanding Hardcore History in the context of a constructed world, as the Japanese continue to build our nation forward, founded upon a true reflection of Japanese heritage, while internalizing all historic Edification Events—now a distant past.

Freedom Betrayed Cover - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

The visionary Mori Arinori’s divine aspiration for the edification of the Japanese has been reawakened, compelling them to build a model society for all on Earth—look—learn—be.

Bacon Sensei

by cybersensei | June 10, 2023 | Blog, Education, Inspiration, Woman Power

Bacon Sensei

Alice Mabel Bacon—entry into Earth’s atmosphere—February 26, 1858—American East-Coastian daughter of a Victoria era college professor—Alice Bacon was called to Material Sludge duty during Meiji Restoration.

At the end of Sakoku 1.0—Bakufu Matsu period—Japanese civilization was encouraged to initiate industrialization—the dominant spawn egged on from the Age of Reason—from where the irreproachable Alice Mabel Bacon came.

Galileo Galilei - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Ms. Bacon is truly a remarkable figure in the spectrum of Enlightened Education—reflecting her altruistic pedagogical notion—enlightened Emerita Professor, in alliance with Tsuda Umeko having created a powerhouse civilized union.

Two foundational women responsible for wedding the Age of Reason to the sacred Japanese Way—two pure hearts beating as the ΩNE catalyst—stoking evolution of human edification—embodying the notion of kaizen—incrementally enhancing life in all—ban butsu.

If ever in doubt where to start a story, or anything for that matter, start from the Beginning Again.

In 1872 Mori Arinori, an influential figure on the Iwakura Mission, selected Alice‘s family as one of the earliest examples of an overseas homestay.

Arinori Mori - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

In this particular instance, a twelve-year-old Japanese student of the Meiji Restoration, (Yamakawa Sutematsu) was united with her puritanical sisterly brethren, Alice Mabel Bacon representative of the burgeoning North American Union.

Keep in mind, this was the Genesis of Civilization 3.0—when the Meiji government sent five girls for an overseas excursion + edification as part of the Legendary Iwakura Mission.

Iwakura Mission - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

ΩNE can only surmise as to the wonders these girls felt for each other—marvelling at their distinctively bifurcated cultures—revealed via the love of edification and learning—illuminated over the fleeting notion of a single decade—in essence merely an ephemeral rhyme.

Undoubtedly, this exclusive insider knowledge into the mind of a Japanese Meiji era teenager prepared Alice Bacon for the coming superlative experiences—forging Alice Bacon’s legacy as the Occxie counterpart to Tsuda Umeko—visionaries of Feminine Erudition—revealed through pathways inside the spectrum of the exalted and sublime.

In 1888, Bacon Sensei manifested Grace in the form of an invitation to Japan, originating from her homestay bosom-buddy, Princess Oyama Sutematsu, with a CC to her Spirit-Sister Tsuda Umeko, and when ask to come, Alice stated unequivocally “Yes, I can.”

Sutematsu Alice Ukeko Shigeko - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Her initial excursion was as a language instructor at Gakushuin Women’s School, where for the first time she saw with her own two eyes—in what has been described by another Meiji luminary by the name of Patrick Hearn: Fairyland.

Did Bacon Sensei have one iota of an inkling, she and her spiritual sister Aunty Umeko would resolve into ΩNE unified prodigious Women Educator shining beams of light into the darkness of ignorance and mental poverty—extension of knowledge—edification into ban butsu—with humility, dignity, and boundless civilized reach.

Unequivocally, her inaugural experience of Japan was a profoundly formative ΩNE—observing the idiosyncratic nature of Japanese society—the manifestation of most curiously profound communal notions—in actuality, standard protocol of the Japanese.

Japanese Meiji Era Women - Land Of The Rising Son

What did Japanese society look like in the year of Meiji 21—through the baby-blue eyes of this Occxie Puritanical Girl—the anointed ΩNE.

The Way of the Japanese seemed quite shocking at first, for dear Alice Bacon was raised as a nondenominational puritanical Christian.

For certain there were times when Alice undoubtably felt a little bewildered on the initial trip—for this exquisite fairyland is certainly reminiscent of a novel by Lewis Carrol—whose main character, as a matter of fact, and just like beloved Alice Bacon, also had a marvellous trip inside a metaphysical surreal wonderland.

Alice in Wonderland - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Truth be known—through understanding the consequence of Alice Bacon’s lifework—ΩNE has come to appreciate her having successfully transcended the withering notion of monotheism.

Through the serendipity of having been spiritually enriched much more deeply she thought possible, if not for her visceral experiences in this series of islands that is called Japan.

The fundamental innate notion of the Japanese embodies Infinite Truth—the notion of ban butsu—life in all.

The Japanese archipelago is favored with a plethora of hot springs due to the volatile volcanic nature of her geography.

Japanese Volcano - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Since the beginning of time, communal bathing is standard operating procedure inside the community of Japan.

Imagine the East Coastian American girl, stripped of her wear naked and vulnerable—her spirit and soul laid bare, in the women’s bath—where she was to share Japanese style cleanliness, with her Japanese compatriots in the mysterious hinyari chilly night air.

Perhaps this is where the feminine Alice discovered and embraced her authentic corporeal tendency, while soaking up the uncanny Japanese notion—the genuine Meaning of Love.

Filial piety - Land Ωf The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Several years later, in April 1900, Bacon Sensei was invited back to Japan to help establish the Joshi Eigaku Juku, the forerunner of Tsuda University, then, finally returning to her ancestral home of Connecticut in the spring of 1902—exiting Earth’s atmosphere—May 1, 1918.

Bacon Sensei’s divine mission-accomplished was the successful merging of her puritanical soul and the spirit of Aunty Umeko fruiting into modern Japan—the creator of Civilization Three.

Maggie May Way

by cybersensei | June 3, 2023 | Blog, Education, Inspiration, Woman Power

Maggie May Way

It is a rare mammal fortunate enough to have been assigned to such an extraordinary mother, whose name is Maggie May—time of entry into Earth’s atmosphere—August 24, 1940.

Marg on cloud - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Growing through childhood, ΩNE saw Maggie May as somewhat of a normal kind of Occidental mother.

Margaret Circa 1958 - - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Raised by the dainty and sweet-meek Christina Primrose Addison, and her deeply self-matriculated spouse Alistair Kean Richardson in a large city, and then in a pristine area of Northern British Columbia.

Al and Chrissy with Marg as toddler - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

The summers were divine, like fine delicious Shuswap Wine, but the penalty for these snippets of paradise was extremely harsh winters.

Frozen face of a beautiful girl - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Undoubtably, several months in a row of Arctic-like temperature with the numbers far far below the Celsius freezing point, which in case ya’ll didn’t know, is set to ZERO.

Deep within her was an eloquent survival mechanism—forge in a small cottage, with a wooden stove, and an outhouse for relief—what’s for breakfast today Chrissy—oh, same old porridge, again and again.

Red River serial - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Maggie May had droves of trials and tribulations to scrutinize her fortitude and resolve, along with the subconscious desire to forge a new destiny for her Clan, thus Maggie May is among the greatest leaders of any Awesome Fam.

Always introspective and judicious in her motherly duties, she was so very comforting when a downtrodden elementary 3rd grade student came crying home from school.

A drooling government employee was having a bad hair and foul breath day, taking it out on a random victim in an abominable way.

Catholic Nun Corporal Punishment - Land Of The Rising Son

Hint٩(♡ε♡ )۶Mint

This is know as yatsu atari.

If ΩNE is looking to advance in any meaningful way, always best to avoided yatsu atari like the plague—for if not doing so—consider yourself like the plague, but worse—to be dealt with accordingly—smothered in warm-sticky-gooey—fuzzy-tree-hugging—deep-seated-judicious—notion of exacting unconditional Love.

Whether divine intervention or pure coincidence, the powerful Way of Maggie May came into full play—in this momentous instance, Maggie May also happened to be Chairperson of the local school-board for several years, including on that particular day.

At the end of the Mal Matriculation school year—this han-men-kyō-shi (poor-example-do-not-follow) was sent along into another dead-end hallway—good riddance to parasites was the marching order of that day.

Nepotism - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Was this due to Maggie May’s clout pulling strings behind the scenes when she was out and about—one thing to make absolutely clear—for all those who need to hear—this scenario is highly unlikely, as nepotistic usage of power is simply not the Maggie May Way.

Maggie May was always of the mind to talk things through—just between me and you—she always made sense on cue—verbally in a charming way—when her immature children went astray.

That was until the water-balloon play day ʅ（◞‿◟）ʃ

water-balloons - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei At 10¢ a pop, there’s nothing quite like a two-story drop—launch pad being little sisters innocent double bed alongside the windowsill—harbinger of a ghastly inevitable mega flop, in other words—slooshy slop.

After observing Maggie May diligently cleaning and scrubbing the house, in anticipation of city relatives arriving that day—the rebellious mega water balloon acted like an out of control buffoon—deciding to bequeath its watery treasure to little sisters now soggy soaked mattress, that fateful, and meaningful day.

This one off occasion is where she decided to remind her fine son, via a hand carved maple wooden spoon, containing tart stings, to emphasize and internalize the folly of this clandestine mischievous behaviour of water-balloon fun.

Maple wooden spoon - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Each of the seven sharp reminders was iterated poignantly by the sting of the spoon—she made it crystal clear—valid reasons for ΩNE’s well deserved tears, and what exactly she thought, of the tragic tale of the wayward water-balloon, and its accomplice—a 10-year-old mini-buffoon.

1—please

2—do

3—not

4—do

5—that

6—ever

7—again

Then, ΩNE was sent away for a deeper ponder and wilderness wander, therefore, thank you kindly Maggie May—sometimes tough love facilitates edification, thus growth into a more rounded humanistic way.

What about Chip On Shoulder ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The notion of Chip On Shoulder is something Maggie May rejects outright—urging all Other to quickly do the same.

Incessant churring of unpleasant murky past narration, remains the antithesis of the benevolent heart and rock solid constitution—the unshakable foundation of the Maggie May Way.

Bleeding Hearts - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

The past cannot be changed, yet there is freedom to think about life in a different style, sharper angle, a different perspective—how about starting to love ONESELF—a unique Infinite journey—start now today.

For it was her beloved husband, and the situation from whence he came—he soothed his weary and restless soul using the common protocol of medicating emotional suffering with large amounts of alcohol.

In order to properly mitigate this niggling issue, and as the family glue, she took it upon herself to study alcoholism from a practical self-matriculated point of view.

Over the next 10 years, starting with correspondence and night classes at Okanagan college, she then graduated from a prestigious university, a phycologist with the authoritative power and fortitude to understand those who are suffering, and bring the past to heal.

University of Victoria diploma - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei
Not all mammals are honoured to have such an exemplary example—seeing ΩNE’s mother retreat upstairs after long days—more countless hours at her simple desk—deep inside the nooks of books—whisking her to Infinity Space—vision for the human race—the Muse dictating the pathways of faith.

Not to say the word proud out loud, as pride always comes before the fall from vainglory.

Marg grad picture with Meiji and Katsuo - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

However, in this miraculous instance, the truth must be told, this boy wandering in the Land Of The Rising Son, could not be more honoured to have originated from her sublime DNA—her divine notion of self-matriculation intrinsic motion— inculcated at the benevolent knee of sweet Maggie May.

Master Disciple - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Bonus(*≧∀≦*)Balls

Talk to a stranger *\(^o^)/*

One of the most important lessons at the knee of Maggie May, was the Emotion Notion to engage with strangers, establishing channels while modulating the Universal Love Frequency—the ΩNE truth of humanity.

Maggie May Education Story 01 - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Maggie May Education Story 02 - Land ΩF The Rising SΩN - cybersensei

Back To Skool

by cybersensei | September 3, 2022 | Blog, Education

Back To Skool

The stark contrast between the Occidental Industrial Education system, in which one was indoctrinated in the 70s, and Japanese education is profound.

Seeing Japanese school children dressed in school uniforms the first time was a sight to behold.

Japanese School Uniforms - Land Of The Rising Son

Having never thought about school uniforms until seeing the Japanese students, one could see they identified with their most important group—school mates.

However, in a small rural town in Occxie-land, it was always clear which strata of society the classmates resided in based upon the overall quality of their appearance, and personal hygiene protocol.

This truth only became more evident as things turned into a fashion show, and the spectrum of cruel one-upmanship was visceral as the Occxie-kids advanced up the Industrial Education indoctrination ladder.

American high school students - Land Of The Rising Son

To be clear—one-upmanship is innate in all humans—the Japanese are no exception—discrimination is simply more difficult to do based upon outward appearance.

Truly, one was also shocked to see Japanese children going to school on Saturday of all things!

Dogma Yes or No? Land Of The Rising Son

In the pristine mountains of Occxie-land, Saturday was clearly the first day of the coveted weekend, and going to the indoctrination center was the furtherest thing from this author’s mind.

Here in Japan, one also quickly understood the significance of the omnipresent school club and how it forges a mindset serving them in the hierarchal society of Japan.

The Japanese students must dedicated their life to their coach, fellow members, and pledge loyalty to the club.

甲子園大会 - Land Of The Rising Son

These extracurricular activity, although said to be voluntary, are in reality not, unless one is asking for the dreaded mura hachibu.

Club activity often caps the regular school day with early bird practice from 06:30, resuming after school for a few more hours, just before running off to the cram school.

Student at a Cram School - Land Of The Rising Son

Not only does club activity make for really long days, but more often than not, club activity is also scheduled for Sunday—making the club predominate in Japanese school life.

The school year also last much longer in Japan.

In fact, one could say because of this, Japanese students are well prepared for the life of a worker bee as a cog in the machine of Japan—creating Form, Order, and Process.

Grind the curiosity out of the youth and enslave them - Land Of The Rising Son

The school year starts the beginning of April and goes all the way until the middle of March.

Summer break starts at the end of July, but this is where the omnipresent club activity relentlessly continues throughout August, with a short intermission to celebrate Obon.

お盆の由来 - Land Of The Rising Son
Don’t forget to add in the copious amount of homework for the Japanese student to complete over the summer holiday—in principle any notion of separation from the school community is simply never considered.

Fortunately for this Occxie-kid, who could not identify with the soul crushing Industrial Education System, the two and a half months of summer vacation was replete with tons of fun and boatloads of joy.

The Beautiful Shuswap Lake - Land Of The Rising Son

It’s true—the school doors were slammed shut and locked, until the beginning of new school year—in September.

Truthfully, the chances of this author remembering any math equations or most of the other pointless drivel spewed from the extremely tedious government employees was minimal at the best.

Boring Teachers create boring people - Land Of The Rising Son

Surely the designers of the morally bankrupt Anti Matriculation protocol—formerly known as the Industrial Education Complex—supposedly created to nurture, enlighten, and brighten our children—only to produces indoctrinated, stoopid, and willfully ignorant adherents—clearly a reflection of Mal Matriculated Industrial Drones.

Occidental notion of what it means to be a teacher - Land Of The Rising Son

Could it be the Japanese education system is a more pragmatic way to prepare its citizens for real life in the modern world?

Indeed, for first three years of elementary school life in Japan, there are no tests.

Japanese Kindergarten Students - Land Of The Rising Son
Here the conventions of Japanese society are instilled into the children along with communal objectives such as planting a garden, or raising small animals in the school yard.

For Japanese student, going to school is nothing short of the ultimate practice for when they official join “adulthood” as formalized in the Coming Of Age Ceremony come January.

Consider an education system a reflection of any given society as a whole—the conventions and protocols contained within will undoubtedly determine its success or failure.

Even so, as the world turns, the Industrial Education Complex is now in it’s final stages, and herein lies the opportunity for the Japanese to create new education systems to serve the world’s children in the Age Of Corona, now and far beyond.

The Mischievous Doctrine of Endless Suffering

Class Fee Of Life

by cybersensei | March 19, 2022 | Blog, Education

Class Fee Of Life

The class fee of life shows up in many ways, with the key recognizing it when it comes.

There have been many teachers, some harsh, others gentle, like the whispering voice of a Muse gently nudging one along the way.

The Japanese have a delightful 4-character compound in what could arguably be the perfect description for the class fee of life:

han men kyō shi – examples of how not to behave

Speaking from experience, a certain lesson was presented over and over.

After ignoring the gentle whispers, was then bludgeoned by a raging tragedy of one’s own making.

This lead to the end of a decades-long marriage, a failed business, loss of self-esteem, and doubts about one’s place in this complex world.

I will not be broken - Land Of The Rising Son

Luckily enough, one own father set an example of resilience and fortitude in times of crises, self inflicted or otherwise.

He was sued by a major oil company (Chevron) when he was in his mid-sixties (sold a gas station and Datsun dealership in the mid 70s, and was sued in the 2000s due to contamination of the site with Chevron leaded gas).

He lost almost everything (Margaret stayed), including his house, but what he did not lose was his humanity, nor his fine sense of humour.

フィリアトロー・ローレンス・ヨセフー昭和58頃 - Land Of The Rising Son

Using the power of the internet, one noticed a minor acquaintance from a distant past.

Observing this feed served as a reminder of what it looks like when an individual has made no meaningful progress in life.

The post consisted of a bottle of whisky, along with a big jug of Coke (beware of sodium benzoate), with the caption, “who’s getting wasted?”

whisky-and-coke-every day - Land Of The Rising Son

Frankly, anyone in their 5th decade of life proclaiming their desire to get “wasted” indicates a profound lack of awareness of the almighty han men kyo shi.

One would have to wonder if not brutal hangovers, or very unpleasant behaviour often accompanying “getting wasted” is not some form of the class fee of life, and to ignore it, is to do so at one’s own peril.

How To Clean Vomit Out Of Your Life - Land Of The Rising Son

Think of the class fee of life in the following way:

A needle on vinyl in the symphony of life.

It skips back while play the same old tired phrase, over and over and over, again and again and again, until a light comes on (or does not [see ↑ above]).

symphony-of-color-megan-duncanson - Land Of The Rising Son

Then, and only then, one’s very own glorious symphony will continue until the magnificent Swan Song, the grand finally at the end of one’s own journey through this primordial sludge of what is now called earth.

Learn from the past
Live in the present
Plan for the future

Clarity Over Time - cybersensei - Land Of The Rising Son

Bonus 1:
門前の小僧習わぬ経を読む – mon zen no kozō narawanu kyō wo yomu
experience is the best teacher

Bonus 2:
虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず koketsu ni irazunba koshi wo ezu
nothing ventured nothing gained*

*This expression say that: “unless you enter the tigers den you can not get the tiger cub”

Although this may be true, never forget, one also runs the risk of having head chewed off by agitate mother.

Be cautious when entering the tigers den, for it just might be you who is the baby tiger cub’s lunch.

« Older Entries

Four Characters

Four Characters

Minister of Edification

Minister of Edification

Bacon Sensei

Bacon Sensei

Maggie May Way

Maggie May Way

Back To Skool

Back To Skool

Class Fee Of Life

Class Fee Of Life

Class Fee Of Life

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories

Meta