< Notes...

From the British Museum comes this lovely ink on paper drawing by Katsushika Hokusai. It is no secret that I love Hokusai’s art. More of his drawings can be seeing at this online exhibit.

Came across a blog, and some entries on it about Japan, and was “forced” to reminisce about our own trip. We adored Japan, and truly can’t wait to go back.

The recent sale of a Hokusai’s “The Great Wave” print at a record price reminded me of my line in the queue (now for over 2 years) for one from Mokuhankan. My message when I signed up on their waiting list was, “I will wait just, please, don’t forget about me”, on 18 May 2023. Still waiting.

Last Sunday I binged all 6 episodes of “Last Samurai standing” (★★★☆☆) . Episodes 1, 2, and 3 were excellent, then it started to go places that bored me a bit. Remember “Squid Game”? Well, “Last Samurai standing” is the version of it, kind of, as a Japanese historical drama. Season 2 is not decided yet, but based on my liking of season 1 I shall see it once, and if, it comes out.

I saw, and then heard this (the music takes a bit to form), and immediately liked it. Not just because they use an “old” technology to make music, but because the sound they create is trance like, and I love trance!

➝ Via Kottke.

Currently on season 2 of “The Pride of the Temp” (★★★★☆) , a Japanese drama series based around an extremely skilled temp worker (派遣, haken), and her incredible array of obscure certifications and skills.

Often reminding me of “The Office”, the series uses Haruko’s (the main character and temp worker) encounters with her fulltime workmates to humorously explore the social and economic divide between permanent and temporary employees in Japan’s corporate culture.

We are finishing watching “Tōkyō Tarareba Girls” (★★★★☆) with just one episode left, so I feel confident on my rating. Seeing it as entertainment, without putting too much thought into it, the series is OK. If I pay attention, though, I see a side of Japanese society in it that I don’t like: employers taking advantage of female employees, men cheating, women saying “marry, and you won’t have to work”, and other minutiae.

Omoiyari is the Japanese concept of anticipating the needs of others and acting on them with genuine, selfless care. It’s more than just being polite. It’s a deep, intuitive form of empathy where you put yourself in someone else’s shoes, observe the situation, and take quiet, thoughtful action to ensure their comfort or happiness without being asked, thus creating harmony in your shared environment.

Wish I could find a book encompasing all the Japanese concepts. Reach out if you know of one you could recommend!

Itadakimasu, a phrase used in Japan before, and sometimes after, eating which translates as “to humbly receive”. It’s mean to thank, and show gratitude to, everything and everyone involved with the meal being consumed.

“It is meant to honor all: from the natural elements that supplied the ingredients, the people who grew the produce, to the ones who prepared and cooked the meal, etc.”

Generally it has no religious connotation today, but Buddhism is behind its origin.

Watching “Call me Chihiro” (★★★★★) for the third time felt like watching it the first time. I like that movie so much! It is sad but, at least to me, also hopeful, heartfull, sweet, and real. I strongly believe we all need a Chihiro in our lives.

“Romantics Anonymous” (★★★★★) was warm, sweet, without intrigues, suspense, nor sadness. It truly was a delight to watch. From it:

“Sarang: It’s the feeling of wanting to bring more happiness to the one you love.”

Though sarang (사랑) means “love” in Korean, they gave it the above meaning in the series. Anyway, watch it, and you will live that feeling too!

Kaizen is a Japanese concept that emphasizes continuous improvement. That is, it focuses on small, ongoing, positive changes with the belief that those will lead to significant results. Another Japanese philosophy I can subscribe too.

I have been in love with Expedia’s “Two Step” commercial for a long time. Not only is it well produced, but the smile of the main actress captivated me from the very first time I saw it. Yeah, a silly crush. 🤭

Thanks to Claudine I learned about, yet another, Japanese phrase—and concept—embodying cultural and philosophical meaning. The word, mottainai, means “what a waste”, as in “don’t throw that away yet; it can still be useful.” I wonder how long is the list of Japanese’s concepts/philosophies, but I am in love with each I have come across with!

The above depicts some famous wave, which is big—see the size of the boat in comparison. It is a woodblock print from a now superfamous person. Do you know the name (「富嶽三十六景　神奈川沖浪裏」) of the print without searching for it? How about the name of the artisan who made it?

I am feeling a very strong urge to practice Zen Buddhism.

“Zen begins with an understanding that human beings suffer, and it offers a solution to this suffering through recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings and learning to live in a way that aligns with this truth.”

Because it is so very hot in here, and I also happen to adore Japanese woodblock prints, here it is “Snow at Miyajima”, by Tsuchiya Koitsu. Isn’t it lovely?!

“Japanese universities and students are scrambling for information after the U.S. government paused its student visa application process just as preparations for overseas study from the new academic year get underway.”

This is so unneccessary, so uncaring, so absurd. It accomplishes nothing, and places an unneeded burden on international students which enrich our country, and contribute to our economy. To mention two, Sundar Pichai, Alphabet’s and Google’s CEO, was an international student. So was Sergei Brin, the co-founder of Google.

Kaihōgyō, a Tendai Buddhist monk’s practice, is beyond gruelling, and it “would rank among the most demanding physical and mental challenges in the world”. I cannot begin to fathom this, considering that at the end of my—maximum—12,000 daily steps I feel tired enough not to think about the tomorrow. Imagine walking many kilometres daily, without a miss, for hundreds of days!

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” — Matsuo Bashō.

I have never had to do a presentation—yes, I am that lucky. Yet, if I ever needed to do one, I would opt for the Takahashi Method.

“Unlike a typical presentation, no pictures and no charts are used. Only a few words are printed on each slide—often only one or two short words, using very large characters. To make up for this, a presenter will use many more slides than in a traditional presentation, each slide being shown for a much shorter duration.”

➝ Via 47nil.

“You are imperfect, I am imperfect, and that’s perfect.” — Unknown. Enter Kintsugi, and how it can help with stressful situations..

“Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold—built on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique and instead of repairing an item like new, the 400-year-old technique actually highlights the “scars” as a part of the design.”

I am, suddenly, feeling the desire to watch the “Shogun” series once more.

“Leave the problems of God to God and karma to karma. Today you’re here and nothing you can do will change that. Today you’re alive and here and honored, and blessed with good fortune. Look at this sunset, it’s beautiful, neh? This sunset exists. Tomorrow does not exist. There is only now. Please look. It is so beautiful and it will never happen ever again, never, not this sunset, never in all infinity. Lose yourself in it, make yourself one with nature and do not worry about karma, yours, mine, or that of the village.”

“IKIGAI - The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life”, reads the cover of this book. Can it be called a secret, when it’s written in a book? I figure it’s a secret, if you don’t buy the book. Lucky for me, Martin gifted me this one.

Here I go, to live a “long and happy life!” Well, at least to read about it. One must start somewhere, right?

“It’s always like this, says Yumiko Ukon, who has run this modest rice ball shop and restaurant in the Otsuka neighbourhood of Tokyo for almost half a century. “But we never run out of rice,” she adds, seated in her office near a wall clock in the shape of a rice ball with a bite taken out.”

Onigiri is awesome. Rice is everything. Rice is life.

I remember, with sadness and constricted heart, the atomic bombing of the cities of Hiroshima (today, 79 years ago), and Nagasaki.

Just finished watching “Shogun” (★★★★★), the 2024 series. I don’t have the right to spoil it for you, but I sincerely beg you to watch it, if you can. It truly is very well done; all of it.

I want to learn Japanese enough so that I can converse with a cab driver, restaurant host, or hotel staff when I return. Yet, on the age of computing, I am failing to find a sound resource to do so. I would also like to enlist a Japanese national locally, so I can rent some lessons from.

If you know of any good resource, and/or anyone local, please let me know!

It is impossible to encapsulate Japan in just one picture. Or in thousands. So, instead, I am going the stereotypical route in just one click (which I took).

Nothing I could write can describe what I feel for that country, and it’s people. Japan is absolutely amazing in the whole sense of the word, and I can’t wait to return again!

“As he rode the train back to Yokosuka, he watched his fellow passengers absorbed in their phones. ‘We completed the job’, he thought with satisfaction, ‘and they have no idea’.”

Interesting reading titled “The Cloud Under the Sea”. It was difficult to navigate on my Linux laptop (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all struggled with it), but worth it.

次の月、私は日本に行きます。日本の文化や風俗をもっと勉強し、また東京、京都、大阪の観光スポットやアクティビティの場所を調べました。とりあえず、どんな提案があっても聞いてください。

Just as I am in love with the Japanese woodblock prints, I also love the simplicity and beauty of Japanese (and Chinese, and Korean) Sumi-e (ink wash painting).

This one above is a relatively big mural. If you look at a bigger, fuller, version (really big image!) you will see the strokes, made with a—probably huge—straw brush.

I am totally in love with Japanese woodblock prints. If it weren’t because my taste and Kim’s collide, I would have them framed around the house, and I would collect them.

“I’ll leave tomorrow’s problems to tomorrow’s me.”

Re-watched season 1 of “One-Punch Man” (★★★★★) with the kid this past weekend. Need to look for season 2—not available on Netflix, unlike season 1—to quench the thirst left by watching those few episodes.

Update: 10 Nov 2025 @ 19:38:36

My kid found season 2 online, watched first episode last night. So good!

This is the first time I hear/read about “kokuhaku”, the Japanese way of confessing your love, and asking to go out in a serious way. I remember that in my teenager years that had to be done in person. Love declarations were a truly elaborated performance that often took guts to carry out. So many broken hearts (mine included)!

➝ Via Tofugo.

The New York Times “88 Temples, 750 Miles, Untold Gifts: Japan’s Shikoku Pilgrimage” is such a good read! It makes me want to do the pilgrimage myself.

➝ Via Hacker News.

Such beautiful knives! I am in love. Maybe a year’s end gift? ;-)