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Personal Agency

Personal Agency

by | August 27, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Personal Agency

The Japanese are one of the most emotional people in the world.

Certainly, the antiquated image of the Japanese is one of expressionless people―with cold hearts―who are robotic in nature―or so the historical narrative used to go.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In this cloistered hierarchical society with esoteric relationship protocols, all outward emotions and true feeling must be kept in check, if not suppressed altogether.

ΩNE only needs to look at the history of how evolved―and they are resigned to submitting to authority―due to the evolution of our society.

徳川家康 - Land Of The Rising Son

This is why realization and actualization of personal agency is of paramount importance to the Japanese during the paradigm shifts in these turbulent times.

The Japanese now have the opportunity to fuse Western ways into the Eastern mind advancing the third pillar of civilization―Japan.

Emphatically, Japanese civilization is built upon outside inputs and incremental improvements also known as kaizen.

Kaizen Philosophy - Land Of The Rising Son

Indeed, from the beginning, are infused with community and the importance of harmonious relationships, which does not include stroking individual egos, or the idea of personal sovereignty.

Unlike those raised in the , personal autonomy is fundamentally nurtured from the start―or so it was in this author’s particular case.

Rocky Mountains - Land Of The Rising Son

Spot the difference:

Two kindergarten classes―one in the States―the other in Japan.

The task was simple―draw a picture of the Sun.

The Sun - Land Of The Rising Son

So, what happened?

The American children, started to individually draw the Sun right away in their own way.

American Sun - Land Of The Rising Son

Over in fairyland Japan, the Japanese children turned to the others, thus starting a process by discussing what form an orderly Sun should look like.

Only after achieving a consensus protocol, did the groups start to draw the Sun.

Japanese Sun - Land Of The Rising Son

Assuredly, recognizing personal agency is the most important realization ever, and is the underpinning of discovery and, yes, .

The ability to take action, be effective, influence ΩNE’S own life, and assume responsibility for all behaviour are the most important elements when navigating the volatile, unpredictable human relationships encountered throughout life.

Personal agency is essential to assume control regardless of the surrounding chaos along the one-time journey upon Mother Earth.

One must believe in the innate capacity to influence ΩNE’S own thoughts and behaviours while having unshakable conviction in one’s ability to handle a wide range of tasks, problems, and situations, even dangerous ones.

Dangerous Situation - Land Of The Rising Son

Internalizing personal agency influences stability as a separate person with the capacity to be psychologically stable having flexible resiliency in the face of conflict and change.

The emotionally healthiest people strive to increase the sense of personal power by developing competence and autonomy while decreasing their dependence upon others.

For the , this takes courage and fortitude as these are unfamiliar concepts―concepts to be fused into the .

Shintoism, the way of the Japanese - Land Of The Rising Son

Increasing one’s sense of competence and autonomy involves recognizing the ways to influence ΩNE’S own life without the need to control others, all the while assuming responsibility for one’s own behaviour without the need to blame others.

One begins to reveal personal agency by increasing one’s ability to take action and be effective in one’s own life regardless of the circumstances.

Here is the secret to implement personal agency, as all destined to encounter the entire spectrum of humanity in the ephemeral animation of sentient beings.

Abstract Rainbow - Land Of The Rising Son

Before internalizing personal agency one might say:

“The made me feel sad.”

The question to posed to oneself would have to be:

How can any other one make another feel anything unless having been granted power over another―here ΩNE has rejected personal agency.

Rejection - Land Of The Rising Son

Personal agency protocol is notoriously difficult to implement as it demands giving up all preconceived notions about everything.

Just ask Dr. Viktor E. Frankel―he will answer in earnest inside the pages of the extraordinary account of his personal interment in Auschwitz―in his unprecedented book―Man’s Search For Meaning.

In order to achieve one’s own value, one must first recognize and implement personal agency and the mindset of a sovereign individual contained within the framework of the .

Viktor Frankel a hero for the hopeless - Land Of The Rising Son

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Royal Tutor – Elizabeth Vining

Royal Tutor – Elizabeth Vining

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

Royal Tutor – Elizabeth Vining

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 SonSome 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.

Tsuda Umeko on the new-five-thousand-yen-bill-Banner

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

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Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri

by | July 23, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Master Music Molecule Manipulator Maestro Motsuri

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.

Chinese-zodiac-and-calendar-chinese - Land Of The Rising 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

Trial and Error - Land Of The Rising Son

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.

東京レコードショップ - 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

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Call Me Grandfather

Call Me Grandfather

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

Call Me Grandfather

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.”

Sarah - Avatar - Land Of The Rising SonThis 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

Gravy ‘n’ Rice

by | 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.

パロマコンロ - 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

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Father Became God Today

Father Became God Today

by | April 9, 2022 | Blog, Inspiration

Father Became God Today

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