A Japanese Expression for Our Times, for All Times

歯を食いしばる (ha wo kui shibaru): To grit one's teeth, to bear up in tragedy 歯- teeth 食い- to do with eating しばる、縛る- to tie, fasten, bind Or, as a man who lost nearly everything in southern Japan's unprecedented flooding today (11/9) commented more eloquently, 人生には色々ある。

Artwork by Niigata Primary and Secondary School Students

These works are by atudents ages 11-15.

Saigo Takamori: One of the Founders of Modern Japan

Samurai Saigo Takamori, along with Sakamoto Ryoma, is one of the most influential figures in the restoration of the emperor and modernization of Japan in the 19th century. This statue is in Ueno Park, Tokyo. When it was unveiled, his widow thought it execrable.

Golden Carpet: Gingko at Ueno Park

A Festoon of Drying Daikon

'Tis the season for daikon.

A Video and Photo for Hard Times

Neko and Jizo Sado temple welcome committee

Wabi and Wabishii

The former means quiet elegance, refinement, while wabishii something quite different: miserable, wretched. I think this farmhouse with the thatch roof expresses 侘しい。

Ramen to soothe the soul

The highlight of the past 48 hours: 辛海老味噌らぁめん from Magogorotei. They've got the best miso ramen around (Niigata City), the spicy shrimp my favorite.

Harris Defeat: Glad to be in Japan

Wow. Clean sweep. Yet not that surprised, really. Many people who have no business voting for Republicans did just that. One of the stated aims of these Republican zealots is to end America's pathetic version of government funded health insurance. And people who rely on Obamacare voted for the these zealots. Morons. So glad I live in a country with universal health care. So glad I don't live in the US. Goodbye to all that.

New Shorts

Several new videos have been uploaded to https://youtube.com/@japanglimpsed?si=4nK8X2ZkjuMHRlZ-

The 辻堂 (tsujidou), or Wayside Shrine

I am quite fond of such unassuming shrines, which are common in rural areas, particularly. They typically house statues of Jizo-sama, about whom much has been written in this blog. This particular tsujidou does not show figures of the bodhisattva guardian of travellers or childbearing women but of a deity I do not recognize. The characters refer to streets, roadsides (辻 tsuji) and temple, shrine (堂 dou). Regarding the initial character, my kanji guide lists 辻番人 (tsujibannin, or guard) which has been replaced by the unattractive ガードマン. A perfectly fine Japanese term usurped by an import that is merely a sound, devoid of essential meaning. Then there is 辻自動車、tsujidousha, which is so preferable to the pedestrian 'taxi', or タクシー. This second photo of a 辻堂 along my commute contains a figure of Jizo-sama.

October 27 Ride Videos

Negi Transport : Sawayama Dango Shop: Samurai: Low Ride

A Nice Waterfall, Niigata

Cod: Putin, North Korea, and Stupid Policy

Japan has imposed bans on certain Russian imports (lumber, LNG) but not on the fish. Why? Don't know. But what I do know is it's boneheaded: cod is caught in Japanese waters. Support of Russia means support of NK, which is clearly against Japan's interest. Not to mention Ukraine.