Royal Tutor – Elizabeth Vining

by cybersensei | August 13, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration, Woman Power

Royal Tutor – Elizabeth Vining

The profound influence upon Japan of Ms. Vining, a Quaker English instructor can not be disregarded.

Quakers beliefs include the idea that the presence of God exists in every person―just like the ―rejecting elaborate religious ceremonies and believed in spiritual equality of all

The Quakers also practice pacifism and played a key role in both the abolitionist and women’s rights movements.

Elizabeth Vining was personally selected by Emperor Hirohito to become the private tutor to then Crown Prince Akihito from 1946 to 1950.

Elizabeth Grey Vining Portrait- Land Of The Rising Son

Emperor Hirohito had two requirements.

He wanted a woman tutor, as he didn’t think the Crown Prince had enough feminine influence in his life.

Keep in mind, as was protocol in the Japanese royal family, Akihito was separated from his parents at the age of 3 to be raised by other adults in the imperial household.

He saw his parents only once a week.

裕仁と皇后 - Land Of The Rising Son

The other requirement was that the tutor be a , but not a fanatic.

This meant Emperor Hirohito had no desire to see his son converted to Christianity, which as the head of was an unfounded concern anyway.

Indeed unlike most other sects and faction of Christians, the Quaker do not actively try to convert others to the dogma of Christianity.

Even so, the influence of an American pacifist on the young prince was regarded with resentment by right-wing intellectuals who complained that Akihito had contracted a spiritual and intellectual ‘fungus’ from his tutor.

Mushrooms - Land Of The Rising Son

However, Ms. Vining carried out her mandate brilliantly opening a window to the world along with the desire to set him intellectually free.

She also expanded Crown Prince Akihito cloistered palace world by inviting Akihito and his classmates to her Western-style home one afternoon a week.

Elizabeth Gray Vining with Akihito and Friend- Land Of The Rising Son

As is often the case with foreigners who come to Japan unaware of the rigid hierarchy of structure of Japan, she gave each of her pupils an English name to break down formality and encourage more democratic interactions.

Even today in modern Japan today, the strict hierarchy structure of Japan does not facilitate any sort of “democratic interaction” among the rigid social system of .

The nicknames “Jimmy” given to the Crown Prince Akihito was not embraced for when she first called him “Jimmy,” he replied:

“I am not ‘Jimmy,’ I am the Crown Prince.”

Culture point: The are very rarely on the first name basis with anyone―except the immediately family―and more often than not―not even then.

Elizabeth Gray Vining Shaking Akihito's Hand - Land Of The Rising Son Some of the important concepts instilled during Ms. Vining’s tenure came from reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln, discussing Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, and shared hopes for world peace.

One could say the teaching of these universal principles planted seeds and lead to them rising from the ashes of the war―thus creating the Third Pillar of Civilization―Japan.

Indeed the merging of East and West civilizations started in earnest with overseas missions during the Meiji restoration― in particular, the Iwakura Mission.

Iwakura Mission - Land Of The Rising Son

The Iwakura Mission truly marks the beginning of the industrialization miracle of the Meiji Restoration, culminating Mr. Vining’s serendipitous trip to Japan where she blew her fairy dust on the Crown Prince, changing the course of the Japanese forever.

Interestingly enough, she also lectured at Tsuda College, which was established by the author of this article wife’s Great Aunty―Umeko Tsuda, who also became a Quaker during her time in the United States, starting from 1871.

One could say Tsuda Umeko is the tutelar deity of Oneness―just as Ms. Vining― their philosophy aligned that education should focus on developing individual intelligence and personality, creating harmony inside oneself, and by extension the world.

One could say having this elegant female Quaker instilling the Crown Prince with the universal values innate in all those connecting to is herself a tutelar deity surely worthy of recognition.

Indeed, this mostly forgotten historical figure played a significant role in pointing the way of the future to 125th Emperor of Japan, and one can feel her influence permeating the “air” of Japan, even until this very day.

Elizabeth Gray Vining also wrote the book: “Windows for a Crown Prince” in 1952, and referred to her tutelage of Akihito “a fairy story.”

Elizabeth Gray Vining wrote the book- “Windows for a Crown Prince” in 1952 - Land Of The Rising Son

“It’s a fairy story, in that a quite Philadelphia Quaker was picked up and transported halfway across the world and dropped into the heart of the oldest and most mysterious royal court in the world.”

For this serendipitous miracle―an important catalyst for the merging of the Western and Japanese mind―she was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure shortly before her return to the United States in 1950.

Order of the Sacred Treasure - Land Of The Rising Son

Japan is continuing the natural progression of its ancient civilization as the Japanese continue to blend Eastern and Western values creating a common moral foundation to build our societies upon while seeing new world paradigms, tomorrow and today.

Emperor Akihito With Empress Michiko - Land Of The Rising Son

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri

by cybersensei | July 23, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri

By virtue of living ΩNE’s entire adult life in Japan, the full spectrum of characters from all eight corners of the multiverse have been encountered.

Like most things in life, these people are transitory—ephemeral if you will, but there are rare exceptions.

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri is one of them.

ΩNE is attracted to mavericks fulfilling their destiny as a matter of innate drive—Maestro Motsuri stands alone.

The drive to manipulate music molecules was anointed by the Muse upon him entering the atmosphere in 1975—Year of the Rabbit—12 full years after the author of this article.

Muse playing the harp - Land Of The Rising Son

Unfamiliar with the significance this 12 year period?

The Chinese zodiac calendar uses 12 animals in a 12 year cycle—entering the atmosphere in the same animal year is akin to becoming a kinder-spirit—as directed by Oneness.

Extraordinarily enough, the ΩNE other exceptional individual consider as Clan—Johnny Rainman—also happens to have been born in the year of the Rabbit (1975), as does Mr. Rotten’s very own fine Son.

Perhaps one has encountered Maestro Motsuri’s remarkable molecule manipulations accompanying TV logos of major indoctrination centres, or sound sprite in movies—among other delights.

Understanding musical molecules molecularly is reserved for those who conceive sound at a quantum level—uniting obscure musical molecules for mini-masterpieces of sound design.

How does Maestro Motsuri do this?

Trial & Error

When the going gets tough, his mastery of music molecule manipulation forces him through, until the client of these masterfully assembled musical molecules—satisfied them beyond their wildest hallucinations.

The deep breath of knowledge concerning obscure music gear motivates him to assemble esoteric arrays of guitar pedals in obscenely long chains—some times reaching over 20 units.

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Mawdsley Studio 01 - Land Of The Rising Son

An extreme patching nightmare to be certain.

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Mawdsley Studio 04 - Land Of The Rising Son

Seeing his studio is truly an eye opener.

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Mawdsley Studio 07 - Land Of The Rising Son

Strewn about are modual music gadgets capturing and masterfully manipulate musical molecules—becoming extraordinary aural delights—unlike any other in all universes—throughout the entire spectrum of space and time.

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Mawdsley Studio 08 - Land Of The Rising Son

He is also highly skilled at sussing out obscure Japanese records from the 70s.

Japanese 70s funk band sadistic mika band - Land Of The Rising Son

These discoveries then delights collectors from around the globe who purchase these rare nuggets of Japanese treasure.

One may even see him flipping through stacks and stacks of vinyl in the hidden record shop throughout the nooks and crannies of Tokyo.

東京レコードショップ - Land Of The Rising Son

Maestro Motsuri has several kinds of tricks up his sleeve—one of them is making the very best pesto—anywhere on planet earth—or in the entire galaxy for that matter.

Homemade Pesto - Land Of The Rising Son

So the question now remains.

What kind of music molecules will the Maestro manipulate next?

Let’s keep our collective ears peeled—for somewhere, someday, one may very well encounter music molecules manipulated by the Maestro in the esoteric art of music molecule manipulation.

Quantum Music Freqency Molecule Theory - Land Of The Rising Son

Call Me Grandfather

by cybersensei | May 14, 2022 | Blog, Culture, Inspiration

Call Me Grandfather

In the case of one’s first grandchild, don’t call me jijī—just call me grandfather.

Which leads to a pronunciation conversation for those whose mother tongue is Japanese.

Mother Tongue and Identity - Land Of The Rising Son

English is the global communication tool and its pronunciation challenges will torment the Japanese until the end of time.

Most English pronunciation contains sounds which are aurally alien to native Japanese speakers.

Having grandson use grandfather will act as a permanent pronunciation exercise to haunt him throughout his life.

Along with the extremely vexing ‘r’ pronunciation at the beginning of grandfather it is also part of the double-consonant ‘gr.’

Moreover, the nasty ‘ther’ combination finishing off this pronunciation nightmare provides even more distress for Japanese speakers of English.

Language notes:
(1) Double-consonants do not exist in Japanese.
(2) For the Japanese, the most challenging pronunciation is ‘r’ and ‘l’ and ‘b’ and ‘v.’
(3) The Japanese language contains subtle intonation and complex ideograms—the torment of all Japanese learners.

常用漢字表 - Land Of The Rising Son

On the island nation of Japan, one’s grandson may be referred to as “half.”

This seems to be controversial terminology among the Occidental Anglophone, now shortened to “Occixies,” but is in fact how the Japanese innocuously referred to mixed citizens.

Growing up in the countryside of Japan, one’s own daughter, mother of grandson, was also referred to as “half.”

This is where the contemporary and more appropriate term “hybrid” has now become a part of the Japanese lexicon, replacing the archaic “half” when referring to people of mixed race in Japan.

One can not help but consider this timely arrival of grandson to be of profound serendipity.

For this is the very year where one’s own father became god, just one month before the birth of grandson.

Now the spirit of dearly departed great-grandfather has incarnated into his own great-grandson embodying our clan’s DNA.

His great-grandfather exemplified the Milk of Human Kindness to his dying day, and endeared by all those fortunate enough to have met him.

Lawrence Joseph Filiatrault - June 15, 1935 ~ April 5, 2022 - Land Of The Rising Son

The burning question for all to consider in these extraordinary times is:

What kind of world will be left for the descendants of our Sun?

The fact of the matter remains true—all children are born pure and unadulterated.

innocence of a child - Land Of The Rising Son

It is only with the initiation of cultural and societal protocols do children internalize the notion of race and religion.

Unfortunately, this is accompanied with prejudice that come with seeing other’s differences instead of similarities, in particularly concerning religion.

For the sake of our world and future of our descendants, our children and grandchildren must have a holistic understanding of their own cultural touchstones.

Asian Values- Filial Piety - Land Of The Rising Son

They must also recognize the significance of other cultures and the unique protocols, narratives, and mythology contained within.

The Japanese have always had the notion of take things from other cultures and molding the object of their affection into something distinctively Japanese.

Now grandson has the opportunity to build a miraculous community of likeminded people from around the globe thanks to the miracle of technology.

The leaders of the future must guide us into our common humanity, representing all diverse cultural characteristics from around the globe, making our unified whole so much more than its frail parts.

Ogen-kun kore kara yoroshiku onegai shinagara, call me grandfather.

Gravy ‘n’ Rice

by cybersensei | May 7, 2022 | Blog, Food, Inspiration

Gravy ‘n’ Rice

It is always a joyful occasion when introducing the Japanese to the miracle of gravy ’n’ rice.

This remarkable meeting of two culinary culture touchstones fuses these staples into a flavour unlike any other.

For certain the Japanese hold rice in the highest esteem in connection with the cultural significance of this sacred grain, and the evolution of Japanese civilization.

Rice Fields in Japan - Land Of The Rising Son

Of equal significant meaning, but of less cultural magnitude are the humble drippings of pork roast, which are then turned into gravy.

Indeed one’s beloved father, in the French Canadian tradition was deeply fond of porcine and the versatility of this staple.

In fact, he loved pork so much, he would save bacon grease to add to his world famous pancakes.

Save Your Bacon Grease - Land Of The Rising Son

Pancakes Maple Syrup Bacon - Land Of The Rising Son

Not only were his pancakes excellent, he was also fond of (deep) frying eggs in bacon grease as well, something his spouse put a stop to later in his long life (June 15, 1935 ~ April 5, 2022).

Eggs Cooked in Pork Grease - Land Of The Rising Son

Historically speaking, the Japanese do not roast whole pieces of meat or birds as Japanese kitchens are rarely equipped with a proper oven.

Indeed, the average Japanese housewife’s need for an over, or the concept of roasting something whole lies outside Japanese culinary protocol.

The only thing the Japanese housewife is roasting is a piece of fish, one for each member of the family in the ubiquitous fish grill, which is present in all Japanese kitchens.

パロマコンロ - Land Of The Rising Son

魚頭焼き- Land Of The Rising Son

It is because the Japanese do not have a concept of authentic gravy is exactly where the magic lies.

There are pretenders to the throne of sauces, such as the popular yet mundane demi glace, or other types of Japanese sauces (tare), which although delicious, can not match the heavenly combination of gravy ’n’ rice.

焼肉のタレ- Land Of The Rising Son

Eating gravy ’n’ rice for the first time is an enlightening experience for any Japanese person lucky enough to be offered gravy ’n’ rice and may only happen once in a lifetime.

One could say the meeting of sacred Japanese polished rice, and pork grease gravy, which is prepared by gently folding flour into pork fat while mixing the secret flavoured water, containing the hidden mystery of our clan’s gravy recipe invoking a somewhat religious experience.

Enlightenment- Land Of The Rising Son

It’s almost as if introducing the Japanese to gravy ’n’ rice created a fusion of Japanese and Occidental culinary civilization, in the unlikely combination of gravy ’n’ rice.

Adding authenticity to the complete meal entails roasted potatoes slathered with New Zealand grass-fed butter and a generous helping of fresh Aomori garlic.

Don’ forget a health drizzle of Australian macadamia nut oil, and a sprinkle of herbs and spices, which only adds to the perplexing menagerie of flavours one has coaxed out of the lowly potato.

Gravy can be successfully made from may different kind of fat drippings.

A traditional turkey dinner often related to Occidental holidays is a case in point.

For certain, there is a vegan recipe for gravy one can smear all over veggies and indeed even fruit until the heart has become content.

Here one would only need to substitute a vegetable soup cube and other magic (salts, herbs, spices) available to those who chose not to eat the carcasses of dead animals.

Perhaps one can consider gravy ’n’ rice as a metaphor for foundation of a wonderful life.

The foundation of life is rice, and topped with gravy, adds variety and spice to life .

Rice Stalk - Land Of The Rising Son

Father Became God Today

by cybersensei | April 9, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Father Became God Today

June 15, 1935 ~ April 5, 2022
昭和10年6月15日〜令和4年4月5日

Must have been tough growing up in poverty in Northern British Columbia starting on June 15, 1935.

Quesnel - British Columbia - Land Of The Rising Son

However, one will never know, as my father brought himself out of poverty and gave his family the life he never had.

Anyone who has had the joy of fly-fishing for rainbow trout, on a pristine mountain lake, nestle into the alpine mountains of British Columbia, can understand the significance of such a deep and meaningful childhood experience.

Fly Fishing - Land Of The Rising Son

He made his way out of the darkness of poverty through the sheer force of his will and settled down in 1963, in a pristine paradise, which is referred to by the locals as “gods country.”

He provided his children and wife with extraordinary formative life experiences, all the while facing increasingly complex modern world problems as a simple man.

The primary valuable lessons instilled by father was his work ethic and how to carry oneself with integrity and honour.

Tokugawa Ieyasu - Land Of The Rising Son

At the age of twelve, one was switch off the “allowance” system, to a much more practical protocol of cleaning toilets and washing the floors of my father’s car dealership.

The wage matched the era: 1975, first wage, $.75/hour.

Canadian-25-cent-caribou-quarter-coin - Land Of The Rising Son

X 3
=75¢
= Rich!

Lowneys Cherry Blossom - Land Of The Rising Son

My father faced many adversities during his lifetime, and his philosophy of “knock down 7 get up 8” served him throughout his life, where he followed the Sun and found his own Way.

He believed life was to be full, rich, and vibrant, regardless of whatever circumstances comes one’s way, or the “hand that was dealt.”

This philosophy was the foundation of a powerful life-force driving this incredibly resilient man forward, despite being born to alcoholic French-Canadian parents, and into poverty.

He also happened to have been indoctrinated with Catholicism, in which one’s mother referred to him as a “cradle Catholic” just the other day.

Regardless of Rome’s distinctly black and white view of the afterlife, one has discovered the “holy grail” if you will.

Three Sacred Symbols Of Japan - Land Of The Rising Son

Here in Japan, the ancient protocol of Ancestor Worship superseded any delusional notion of a separation from one’s own family, clan, or community.

The foundation of the Japanese Way is Shintoism, and it is here where the dearly departed become gods.

The fresh deity’s spirits embodies the personality and deeds accomplished while residing upon this mortal coil.

My father’s 86-year journey under Sun Goddess Amaterasu has now come to an end, and it is here one can say:

My beloved father, you have now become a God, and it is here on our clan’s “kamidana” your spirit resides as our Ujigami protecting us for infinity.

神棚 - Land Of The Rising Son

Lawrence Joseph Filiatrault - June 15, 1935 ~ April 5, 2022 - Land Of The Rising Son

神棚について - Land Of The Rising Son

Brigadier General Bonner Fellers

by cybersensei | March 5, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Brigadier General Bonner Fellers

After the cataclysmic destruction of the Japanese by the American military, Brigadier General Bonner Fellers was a US Army officer who served as a director of psychological warfare, and was a calm voice of reason in the aftermath of this catastrophic war.

Perhaps Bonner Fellers was one of the very few American who understood the importance of the Emperor to the Japanese people, and what it would have meant to execute Emperor Hirohito as a war criminal.

After the nuclear holocaust at the end of World War II, Bonner Fellers played a major role in the occupation of Japan, as he was tasked as the liaison between the American GHQ (General Headquarters) and Imperial Household.

Nuclear Holocaust Japan 1945 - Land Of The Rising Son

Soon after the occupation began, Fellers wrote several influential memoranda concerning why it would be advantageous for the occupation, reconstruction of Japan, and long-term US interests to keep the Emperor on the throne, if only symbolically.

This is why exonerating the Emperor after World War II was one of the most important decisions in modern history, and thanks in most part to Bonner Fellers.

Brigadier General Bonner Fellers - Land Of The Rising Son

Up until the end of World War II, Japanese mythology considered the Emperor to be an incarnation of god, like all ancient belief systems.

To have executed the Japanese Emperor in the gallows of Sugamo prison would have been akin to Jesus Christ being crucified in front of the Christian nation on live TV, or pronouncing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the spiritual leader of over 1.25 billion of our Muslim brother and sisters, a charlatan and fraud.

Gallows of Sugamon Prison – Land Of The Rising Son

Let us now reflect on the passion and commitment of the Japanese, not only during wartime, but as a peaceful nation with deep seated constitution and an innate nation affinity as to what it means to be Japanese.

What would have happened to Japan if indeed some of America’s very own war criminals, who, let’s not forget perpetrated some of the gravest unpunished war atrocities ever, would have gotten their way and executed the Emperor?

The Trial of Henry Kissinger – Land Of The Rising Son

The Americans would have been embroiled in a guerrilla war until the very last Japanese person laid down their life defending the dignity and honour of the Japanese nation and their freshly martyred deity Emperor Showa.

Certainly there would be no Toyota, Sony, or Nintendo, nor would modern Japan with its advanced civilization and ancient culture coexist as it does today.

ポケモン – Land Of The Rising Son

Like so many that come to understand and respect the Japanese people for their culture and unique way of life, Bonner Feller also understood the true nature of the Japanese when he befriended Aya Shimada in 1932, a Japanese exchange student in America before the outbreak of World War II.

Moreover, this level-headed soldier character was formulated by the Quakers, to which he was an adherent.

Interesting enough, the Quaker philosophy seems to have resonated deeply with the Japanese as Tsuda Umeko, the founder of Tsuda College became a Quaker during her time in the United States from 1871 to 1889.

津田梅子卒業 - Land Of The Rising Son

Bonner Feller was also instrumental in the selection of American Quaker educator Elizabeth Vining as the tutor to Crown Prince Akihito.

Crown Prince Akihito Elizabeth Gray Vining - Land Of The Rising Son

One could surmise the Crown Prince was tremendously influenced, not by a message of salivation through Christ, but true to Quaker form, by Ms. Vining reconstituting Crown Prince Akihito with fundamental principles common to all residing inside the peaceful kingdom of humanity.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito Emperres with Emeritus Michiko and Emperor Naruhito - Land Of The Rising Son

Further to this intriguing story, the Brigadier General was also intimately familiar with the writings of Koizumi Yakumo (Patrick Hearn), and became good friends with Lafcadio Hearn‘s descendants in Japan, the Koizumi family.

Just as this author was entreated by the powerful observation of Old Japan by Koizumi Yakumo, Bonner Feller also was surely moved by the eloquent way Yakumo described the Japan society and culture throughout his seminal body of work.

The final work of Koizumi Yakumo, Japan, An Attempt At Interpretation was posthumously published in 1904, and can be considered among the most important illustration of the Japanese and our society, and undoubtedly this work had an extraordinary influence on Bonner Feller.

Japan An Attempt At Interpretation Early Edition– Land Of The Rising Son

Perhaps we can even say that it was the writings of Koizumi Yakumo that saved Japan after the war via his influence on Bonner Feller, and his role in preserving the ancient monarchy and culture of the Japanese.

Two Americans Who Loved Japan - Land Of The Rising Son

In 1971, Emperor Hirohito conferred the Second Order of the Sacred Treasure on Fellers in recognition of his long-standing contribution to promoting friendship between Japan and the United States.

For a deeper look into Fellers’s role in exonerating Emperor Hirohito one must be certain to watch the 2012 film Emperor, starring Tommy Lee Jones as MacArthur, and Matthew Fox as Brigadier General Bonner Fellers.

One’s own heartstrings are sure to be tugged when viewing this film, and here one will be lead into a deeper understanding of human relationships based upon love and mutual respect regardless of race, religion, creed, or colour.

Brigadier General Bonner Fellers - Land Of The Rising Son

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