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 adversity 歯- teeth 食い- 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.

Sado Cat

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 fanatics. 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 Regarding the initial character, my kanji guide lists 辻番人 (tsujibannin, or guard) which has been replaced by the unattractive ガードマン.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.

Yahiko Shrine Ride Video: Big Red Gate

To Yahiko and back today, 80K. The torii gate is most impressive.

New Japan by Bike Videos

Here Here And Here

Weekend Cycling: Niigata, Yamagata, Fukushima

Nobel Peace Prize, 2024: Hidankyo, Japan

The Japanese association Hidankyo, which represents atomic bomb victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-Bomb attacks and currently numbers 106, 825 survivors (average age 85) of the indiscriminate targeting of Japanese civilians in those cities in 1945, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. Congratulations. So, what did Hiroshima look like after the bombing?

Crickets

One of the things I like most about this time of year is the crickets, who make their appearance in late August or early September and hang around until October. There are numerous species, and autumn evenings offer a symphony of cricket chorus, as the following files record.

Grannie Chops Wood To Heat Water for180+- year-old Public Bath

I watched a TV program this evening about unique people and places in Japan. From Iwate Prefecture comes the story of Hiryusan no Yuu (飛龍山の湯) a 180+-year-old bath (not onsen) located in the mountains 40 minutes by car from the nearest city. Tsubuhari Kimi, who gave her age as 88, is the 7th- generation caretaker of the bath. Every day she cleans the bath and chops wood to heat the water. The bath is free, by the way. She explained that she does this out of a sense of loyalty and responsibility as well as a wish that the medicinal properties of the water heal the sick. I couldn't find a YouTube video, but there's this.