Micro and macro perspective for our peace.

Our physical bodies consist of different organs.

Each one works in harmony with the rest. They help each other to balance,

to keep our hearts working and to live.

When we analyze them further, we see that 

so many parts of our body function to help another.

If one part is damaged, other parts will make up for it.

I often speak about "oneness", or say " We are all part of the universe.",

or "We are all the same on the inside". 

Those ideas remain unchanged, and I'm sure they will never change.

It seems to me that our world is losing the balance environmentally. 

Especially when we consider the international situation right now, 

which is going in the opposite direction from world peace.

As a member of this world, I'd like to do something to promote peace.

I wonder what I can do.  Doing some good to other people, 

starting with those who are right in front of me?

It seems like a very small act and would take a long time to change the world,

however, it will at least create positive energy in our world.

I can't help thinking that conflicts create endless negativity.

I started my former blog "steps to the sky" with the purpose of

contributing to world peace myself, even if only a tiny step,

by exchanging some thoughts with other people, not only Japanese, 

but also from other nations.  

Finding similarities to confirm "We are all the same on the inside", 

and also to learn the differences so as to become a better person.

 I think learning differences and being a better person 

is one of the reasons why we came into this world.

Upon reflection, I admit I haven't done enough yet to achieve my objective.

I should write more. So I will keep writing without giving up, 

until I'm able to realize it.:)

*...*...*

By the way, I mentioned about "en 縁" and "musubi 結び " in my previous post.

One of the meanings of "en" is fate, or to be meant to be.  
We use "en" like "これもご縁ですね。kore mo go-en desune."
(We are meant to be met).
While one of the meanings of "musubi" is to tie 
or to bind (holding the meaning "create" or "produce").

Well, so, when You have read this post, "Kore mo go-en desune :)",

I would be very happy if you could leave a comment, 

to create another step towards world peace.  

Thank you very much:)

Summer holidays

It's already ten days to September. (Time flies! )

I hope you all are enjoying your summer.

Here, school summer holidays are from around July 20 to August 31,

and most of the companies have Obon holidays from around Aug.13 to 18 

(just about a week, by adding weekend holidays on it). 

So some people have gone back to work already, 

and school boys and girls are busy finishing their homework 

for the summer holidays now (the last stage for it!).

*Obon (or just Bon) is the time when we commemorate our ancestors.

During this period, people go back to their hometown, visit their graves 

and spend some days with their families.

During the summer, we have lots of summer festivals

such as Tanabata (the star festival), Hanabi (fireworks), Bon Odori (dance), Yosakoi, 

and various kinds of Matsuri, traditionally-held festivals involve Shinto shrine, 

which are different according to the region.

Bon Odori(up), Firework(down left), and the Star Festival decoration.

Normally, the weather during Obon season is hot and humid, 

with glittering sunshine and cicadas buzzing.

I somewhat like that atmosphere because I feel "alive".

However, it was quite different this August.

Soon after my previous post, we had continuous rainy days until today.

I gave up visiting some events, most of which were held at night, 

because of the sudden rain showers in the evening through the night.

Just one sunny day, I enjoyed "summer", browsing the town 

with old rows of houses (Koedo-Kawagoe) and visiting the shrine. 

You can enjoy more photos at this site.

When I visited the shrine, there were many couples.

This shrine is an Enmusubi-shrine, 

which comes from enshrined deities (five gods):

two Gods are couples and one God is their son.

"En" meaning "fate" and "musubi" meaning "tie".

You see many Fuurin (wind bells) in the photos.

These are Enmusubi-fuurin. 

Couples write their wishes on the strip of paper 

and tie it under the wind bells.

The note on the shrine's website says:

it is said that ancient Japanese people used to say that

the wind brings "Omoi"; its literal meaning is thoughts, 

but "pray" is more suitable, I suppose :). 

They also hold wedding ceremonies.  

You can enjoy one of the traditional weddings here,

I love the words En and Musubi. 

The original meaning of them is a bit deeper than just "fate" and "tie".

So I would like to write about it next time.

Please just enjoy "Musubi" here:) (sorry this site is only Japanese).

To value the sense of season

It's the rainy season in Japan now. 

Usually, we have lots of rain and the air is awfully hot and humid.

However, there has been less rain than usual so far.

Hydrangeas need much more rain, it seems.

Well...I haven't seen snails nor frogs yet...

We used to live in harmonious rhythm with the four seasons,

but I have to admit that the balance has been disrupted due to global warming.

At such a time as this, I would like to intentionally value the sense of season.

During the summer solitude, many people rearrange the rooms, 

change clothes in their wardrobes, adjust bedding or tableware,

and eat seasonal vegetables, to keep cool. 

As for seasonal vegetables, 

lots of shiso leaves (one of the Japanese herbs) 

are growing in my tiny garden.

The simplest dish for shiso leaves is to use them

as a seasoning or garnish for cold somen noodles and soba.  

(There are no photos for cold somen noodles and soba for now, 

but I'll update this when I take them later). 

The fragrance of shiso leaves is so refreshing.

Many summer events are coming one after another, 

such as Matsuri, which is an event held in gratitude towards nature.

I'm hoping to introduce some of these interesting events in the near future.

The Year 2017

Hello 2017. 

I hope your new year is off to a good start :)

Last year, I started practicing 書道 Japanese calligraphy.

So I wrote 四字熟語 Yojijyukugo, a "four kanji character idiom" message, 

with 墨 (ink) and 筆 (brush) in my New Year's card for 2017.

The left one of the above picture is my New Year's card.

笑門来福 "Shou-mon-rai-fuku" means "Your smile calls the fortune."

I also wrote Yojijyukugo 

which describes the state of mind I want to hold onto this year;
it's sort of my new year resolution :)

The upper right of the picture 森羅万象 "Shin-ra-ban-shou" is

 all of creation, all things existing in the universe.

And the lower right 明鏡止水"Mei-kyou-shi-sui" means 

state of clear mind like a mirror without any blemish on it surface, 

and it's also like a calm still water surface that reflects the viewer's mind.

I am a part of the Universe.
This consciousness brings me a serene state of mind with perfect freedom.

I wish you all happiness.
May all your New Year's resolutions come true:)

"Arigato" and "kansha"

"Arigatou" is one of my favorite words.  We say "arigatou" to express our feelings of "kansha"(gratitude).

When I say "arigato", nothing is in my mind, but I feel warmth in my heart, thinking of someone or something who has touched my heart. I am so sure that everyone says "arigatou" with a SMILE.

What I'd like to share with you today is the original meanings of kansha and arigato in kanij, which touched my heart when I learned about them.

Kansha consists of two Kanji CHARACTERS; KAN and SHA, as you can see below.

First, let me explain the meaning  of each one.

Kan means to be moved, or to feel.  

Kokoro is "heart".

Sha is to express thanks, or to apologize.

Iu means to tell, say or express.

Iru means shoot.

Arigatou has two kanji characters: aru and nan.

Aru means to exist and nan means to be difficult.

So, Arigato's ordinal meaning is that it is difficult to exist or it is rare and precious to exist.

What touched me?

Well...it is difficult for me to explain in English, but if I try, these original meanings gave me the following sense: 

Living in this world in this moment is rare and incredibly precious. We are not alone in this world. We are connected to everything around us; family, friends, society, world, nature, universe.  We are alive with gratitude to everything around us.

I also find this saying "arigato" to be a beautiful cycle of energy.

We are moved by someone or something, and express our thanks or send them our gratitude. This is never one way. When you say arigato with a smile, the energy of your smile reaches someone else and will be returned to you someday.

Thank you so much for reading my writing today. Arigato:)

Sachi

Sharing Beauty and Peace

To dear Val and my dear readers,
I apologize you for my long, long absence from this blog and also I would like to express my gratitude to Val for allowing me to keep writing my part here.  As Val mentioned in her post, I created another blog in Japanese in April, although I have not been able to update it yet, due to a family problem.  The main reason I started the Japanese blog is to share the concept of "Beautify and Pacify", FACE TO FACE.

Sharing positive thoughts and viewpoints is valuable, especially in this confusing world.
Having read all of Val's recent posts, I really reaffirm my connections with her.  I found myself nodding my head as I read each post.  Beauty and Peace ARE always here, in an every single thing we do in our everyday life, and it depends on ourselves whether if we find them and enjoy them or not.  I really feel them through taking care of my mother who has been in the hospital.
As Val and Nancy say, every choice we make IS the key to make our world beautiful and peaceful.
I hope to continue to move on to our/my purpose, both on this blog and on my Japanese blog.

*****

Lastly, I would like to share some photos with you from an event called Children's Day (or sometimes Boy's Festival) in Japan, which is held on May 5th.  It was for celebrating boys but now it has become a day to celebrate children in general.  The event has already passed and though my photos are not timely, I did tell you I would talk about it just before I took my long absense, so I'm glad to be able to share these photos here.

On Children's Day, dolls for boys (patterns after warriors and heroes) are set up (abpve photo).
Also, if you come to Japan in May, you will see carp streamers  everywhere, flying in the blue sky.  Carp have the strength to swim up waterfalls. So, from ancient times, parents have prayed for the success of their children in life.  Traditionally, the event was for boys, but towards girls or boys, the thoughts of moms and dads have been the same: Happiness, good health and success... They all come from their deep LOVE!!!

Sachi

Cherry blossoms

When you visit Japan during this season, you will see so many cherry trees in full bloom.  Whenever you go, you'll hear people talking about the cherry blossoms (and I hope you don't get tired of it), ad see people having parties under the cherry trees.  Well, I guess you could say we have special feelings towards cherry blossoms.

The cherry trees are in full bloom from around the end of March to the beginning of April--the season when we are waiting for the warmth of spring.  Our ancestors set the time of graduation and school enrollment during this time.  It's a time of new beginnings, so cherry blossoms are a symbol of life itself, so to speak.  I think I can say that Japanese people cherish the thysms of nature.  We are always attune with nature in a way.

We cherish the falling cherry blossoms as well.  Seeing those beautiful cherry petals fluttering in the warm sunlight is amazing, but also it is touching to see how they fall to the ground.  I feel a kind of "shining life" there, and many Japanese people probably feel the same.

I wonder if you feel something similar about cherry blossoms?

I believe we share the same feelings about spring.  I hope you enjoy your bright warm spring!

Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day)

March 3rd (yesterday) was Hinamatsuri (Girl's day).

We display dolls for praying for young girls' growth and happiness; 

usually we display them about a month before the day

and remove them soon after the day.

It is said that if you don't remove them soon after the festival, 

your daughter's marriage would be delayed.

(well...I have to confess only on here that I often keep them  

about a week after the festival, that's a secret, though:))

My daughter is already grown up, 

but I displayed them as always, praying for her happiness and success.

Yesterday I looked at her photo album feeling nostalgic.

For some reason, I only have one child, but I thank God for having her in my life.

She has made my life an unbelievably rich and beautiful!

She was delighted with her princess dress (made by her mother :))

for a play at kindergarden, and I was delighted with her smile:)

Honmono (a genuine thing)

What is "Honmono (a genuine thing)"?

It is, I suppose, living or producing by nature's laws. Maybe relying too much on "convenience" would distract you from nature's law. Anyway, the people who have been questing for "Honmono" look happy, satisfied, and fun.

I'm so glad to share these videos with you:)

chap.#01 SHIGEYOSHI DOI "What is honmono/ 本物 ?"
from Inspiring People & Projects on Vimeo.

chap.#01 KONBU DOI"Person" from Inspiring People & Projects on Vimeo.

He is the son of the man in the above video who is talking about "Honmono".

chap.#03 KONBU DOI"Preparation" from Inspiring People & Projects on Vimeo.
One of the ladies explains the recipes with the use of Konbu and the other lady explains about the decorations used to welcome people.

You can see a few more of their lovely videos on http://vimeo.com/channels/556588

In Beauty May I Walk

I've been feeling the true importance of centering meditation.

I feel as though it helps my balance; 

in order to see things from a neutral position 

or in order to achieve harmony

with people, nature, work, and everything around me.

*

Several years ago, I had a chance to learn Navojo prayer,

In Beauty May I Walk, which touched my heart.

When I do centering meditation, 

my heart seems to reach a state that is something like this prayer.

Let me share that Navojo prayer with you.

"In beauty may I walk

All day long may I walk

Through the returning seasons may I walk

Beautifullly will I possess again

Beautifully birds, 

Beautifully joyful birds

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk

With grashoppers about my feet may I walk

With dew about my feet may I walk

With beauty may I walk

With beauty before me may I walk

With beauty behind me may I walk

With beauty all around me may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk

In old age, wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk

It is finished in beauty.

It is finished in beauty."

It would be wonderful if each one of us walk in beauty,

then beauty and harmony would be brought to our world.

May all of you walk in beauty:)

Some ways to live cool

Last time, I wrote that there are other ways to live cool in order to survive the hot and humid summer, but I'm happy to introduce some of them this time.

Most Japanese are likely to feel cool when they look at the flag above.  The Chinese character drawn in red in the middle means "ice" and the one in blue in the bottom represents "wave".  The tiny green objects drawn near the Chinese character represent  a lot of birds flying over the sea.   The wave and houndstooth designs are drawn as a symbol of coolness for Kimono, cotton kimono for summer, and pottery as well.

Morning groly and golden fish in the picture below are also popular design to represent the summer, and they are used for various things dating back to the olden times.

Now, I'll also introduce popular food in the summer. 

First one is shaved ice!  I introduced the flag of the ice earlier, and if you see this flag hung in front of a restaurant, that means you can eat a bowl of shaved ice as in the photo below. Right? You will probably understand it's becoming cool when you see the "ice" flag.

The shaved ice of this photo has combination of toppings; adzuki beans (we call this Anko) with sweetened condenced milk on top, powdered green tea sauce (Maccha sauce), and white bolls made of rice powder.  However, it used to be simpler in the past; there is no topping but only with the sauce of strawberry, melon, and lemon.

They really help you to feel cool, but please be careful not to eat a mouthful of it, or your head gets pounding!

Next one is Soumen, white Japanse noodles made of wheet flour. This is a common dish in the summer.  They are served cold and eaten with Tsuyu, kind of a light seasoning soy sauce. We dip the Soumen into the sauce.  I often make this dish for lunch.  They go down well even when there is no appetite.

The last one is eel (Unagi).  It has been eaten by Midsummer Day of the Ox (Doyo) for a long time...

It is said that Doyo is the name for the special period that separates each four season from the next; which came from the ancient Chinese five elements idea.  In the very hot dog days of summer, we eat nutritious eel, which has been thought as good for our health in the summer.

It is very tasty and makes me feel healthy for sure, but recently, it is no longer readily available.

This Monday was the Ox of the dog day and we were able to eat eel for the first time in a long time, and I've got the energy to update the blog.

Make it cool!

I really agree with making it as simple as Val says.

Year by year, too many things have gathered in rooms. Too many thoughts have been accumulated in minds. Most of them are not indispensable. They just end up sufforcating us. A simpler life gives us space in which a nice breeze can go through.

It's the height of summer right now. You know, Japanese summer is incredibly hot and humid. So we need to contrive some ways to live cool and comfortably to survive the summer. Making the room simple is surely one of them!  Sitting in a simple, clean room and setting a wind chime at the window, it can make you feel a bit cooler. The room full of things won't be very successful.

Space is a crucial point to survive the terrible summer.

Come to think of it, cutting thick plants before the midsummer is my every year task.  After cutting the plants, I plant some blue-colored flowers and cool looking foliage.  Visually, it helps to feel cool.

(By the way, morning glory, bell-shaped flowers, is very popular in Japan as summer flowers.  They open their flowers in the morning and give us their lovely refreshing smiles. We call it Asagao and write in Kanji as "morning face")

Shaping our daily lives comfortably is associated with our blog's main idea, right?

There are many more ways to tell you, but  it would become very long, so I will write them another time.

I hope you all enjoy your summer!