Retired Life!

My computer got broken some two weeks ago. It was an old one my husband had used before. I don't use a computer a lot and my husband and son have their own.　.So, I thought we didn't need three compurters in one family. And of course I'm living with too small pension to waste money. But soon I found I couldn't write my blog or send mails, because my husband were using the computer when I wanted to use it, usually in the evening. And so, I got a used computer for me. I'm writing this on it now. To tell the truth, I'm not sure if I use it enough, but it's good to have my own one.

Now winter is coming. Almost all the flowers and leaves in my garden are gone. We are preparing for the long and cold winter, harvesting the vegitables and crops in the vegitable garden, making pickles, cleaning the garden, and so on. Today, my grandchildren and their parents made a fire with the fallen leaves and baked the potatoes in it. It's a great fun for children. My niece who visited us today saw me and said, "You are now a traditional country woman." I don't hate this role, but it's quite different from me some years ago.

The people of America have elected Obama as the next president. I hope he will lead America to the better direction. We, Japanese people didn't choose those stupid men as our prime minisers, but we are responsible for it because we have been chosing the LDP for so long. I sometimes feel desperate.
No, no! We can't give up. Cora Weiss, an American peace activist, said in the Global Article Nine Conference "Let's be the ambassador of the Article Nine." So, I made a small sticker of the Article Nine for the New Year cards. I asked Yoko, my son's wife, to design it. When you put it on your cards, you can send the message of the Article Nine to your friends. The message is" We will never go to war. We will never take weapons." Many of my friends said it's a great idea and took some for their own cards or letters. One person put them on his notebooks, and wallet. In Japan young people are made too busy to think or act.(It's a serious prolem. Someone must be intending it and it is someone's benefit. ) So, retired old people like me, who have much time, will do something!

KIMONO;WEARING TRADITION

I started learning kimono, and I can wear it myself only these days, but not well enough. You must feel strange.that we, Japanese people, cannot wear our own ethnic wear without learning how to put it on. I think so, too, and it's one of the reasons I am learning it　.
My mother was always wearing kimono in her pictures. I remember her putting kimono on in front of the mirror. But kimono disappeared quickly after the World War II, when Western, especially American culture rushed into Japan. Our way of living , houses, food, and clothes, changed a lot. The people of my generation have grown up in western clothes. Shirts and skirts or pants are far easier to wear when we work or do sports. I was not interested in kimono because I had no time to waste in kimono and kimono was so feminine that it seemed narrowing women's way to live. I felt no needs to know about kimono.
In this way we have lost a lot of skills and cultures of us. These days some people find the good things or beauty in our old way of living and culture. Some people says our traditional food is good for health, and some people live in old Japanese style houses. Kimono also has a long history, and so, many kinds of skills were born and used to make it. I know a woman of 81 years old, and she showed me a beautiful kimono she made. It means that she spun silk thread from the cocoons, wove it into a cloth, sewed it into the kimono. She was not a craftsperson, but just a young girl then. I am surprised that women usually had such a skill only some fifty or sixty years ago. They are all lost now. Today, kimono is considered a special dress only for special days like wedding, tea ceremony, or coming of age ceremony. At the same time, kimono became such an expensive fashion, and it's one of the reasons why we don't wear kimono often.
I had only a few kimono, and I needed some more to learn , but they were too expensive for me. So I got some used kimono at the antique shops. Rich people never go to those shops, but I sometimes find almost new ones .there I think wearing used kimono is the way to revive the work of old handicrafts. I went to a concert in an antique kimono the other day, but to my rich friends it's a secret that the kimono is a very cheap used one I got at an antique shop!
I will tell you one more reason I'm trying kimono. Have you ever heard the name " Sawachi Hisae"? She is a good writer and a big activist for peace and the Article 9. She is always in kimono and looks cool. I really respect her and I wish I could be like her. If I wear kimono, can I be like her?
In Saku-city, the international festival is going to be held on November 30th, and you can try kimono on there. If you are interested, why don't you come? I'll be there in kimono and help you in the morning on the day. See you there! .

Traveling is a Good Way of Understanding

Thank you for the nice comments about my blog., Erika and Craig. My younger son called me from Tokyo and said ," You should answer the comments quickly.!" I'm sorry I did not answer for a long time. One of the reasons is that I was on a trip to Switzerland about two weeks.

Our niece arranged everything for the trip and guided her parents (my husband's sister and her husband) and us (my husband and me). We stayed at a chalet in a small village at the foot of Mt. Jung Frau for a week. Everyday we went hiking or sightseeing with lunch we made. It was great holidays. We saw many people from other countries enjoying holidays in Switzerland, too. I heard that the small village have far more people than its population in the season for skiing.

They say the number of the tourists to Japan isn't increasing. I'm not intending to support tourism, but I hope more people, especially young people visit Japan and have time with us. Traveling and learning other cultures and ways of life will help people understand each other. It must work to make peace.
What is the difficulty in visiting Japan? What can we do? I can do nothing about flight ticket price or eyesore buildings, but I think most of us, Japanese, are kind enough to welcome and help tourists. I know many people, including my husband, who are ready to guide amd show our towns and life if wanted.

By the way, I am feeling desperate with our new cabinet, unintelligent and arrogant. Of course I didn't expect them to be good. We Japanese people are too pacient, or stupid, but things must be changing verry little by little, I think.

2008/10/3

Amazing Eastern Medicine

I was thinking of closing this blog when Abby left Japan, but she cheered me to keep on writing. I'm not sure if I have some more to write about, but I will try for a little while longer. It's already been one and a half years since I left school, and I have no contact with schools now, so the word 'sensei' for me is a little strange. But the title of this blog will be as before.

I know many new people came to Nagano as ALTs this summer, too.. I hope all of them feel comfortable and start enjoying their new life here. But I have no contact with any ALTs now, and so, I'm not sure if my blog is interesting or useful for you. When you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to tell me.

Today's topic is "Eastern Medicine". Have you ever tried acupunture or moxibustion? I did not believe in that kind of Eastern medicine before, but it's working for me now! Amazing!

For the last two or three years I have had pain and deformation in my hands and it's getting worse. I visited some hospitals and doctors, but the doctors said they found no problems from the X-ray films and blood tests. I came back home tired and disappointed. A few months ago, one of my friends recommended acupuncture and moxibustion. I have never tried it, but i wanted some way to cure my pain and fear,and so, I visited a practitioner she often visits . Everything was new for me there. The practitioner listened to me carefully and treated me with acupuncture, moxa, and some stones for more than one hour. (Moxa is dried mugwort leaves, and they put a small pile of it on our skin and burn it. Don't worry, it doesn't burn the skin.) After that my pain is decreasing magically. The deformation is also getting better, and I can play the piano more lightly now. I was surprised and I asked many questions to the acupuncturist. His philosophy was so interesting that I'd like to write it here, though I'm not sure if I can put the special words into English.

" How were you after the last treatment? Tell me anything. More information is better for the next treatment." (The doctors at the hospitals wouldn't listen to me.)" Sickness is caused by the facters both outside of the body and inside of the body like sadness, or anger."" We relieve the symptoms, but we treat the causes of it at the same time. For example, we think a corn on the foot is caused by the internal organ. Let's think of the condition of your whole body. When the condition of the body gets better, your pain wll berelieved. " " We say the doctor who cures the disease is the second best, and the one who prevents disease is the best doctor." " We need to know the condition called 'mibyou', 'not sick yet' You may be already sick, but there are no symptoms yet. We treat an illness before the symptom appears. Doctors and acupuncturists served emperors in China and when the emperor got sick, they wre killed! So they got the skill not to be killed or to escape before the emperor's sickness. . " The U.S.A. occupying army tried to ban acupuncture as it seemed so barbarous, but a reporter from the New York Times wrote about his experience (He suffered appendicitis ,but recovered with acupuncture), and so the idea disappeared." Cuba has a very high level medicine and acupuncture is used a lot there. They say it is workin well."" The reasons for stress change as society and the people's life changes, so, don't cling to the texts. This was taught in a textbook written thousands of years ago!." " We don't use surgeries to cure. But we have anatomical charts. It's different from Western one. We think of the function of the organs, not the shape" " We stimulate the current of the spirit with acupuncture and moxa. When it is smooth, you are healthy." (I'm not sure with the traslation.)

If you are interested, why don't you try acupuncture? Oh, you don't have to be afraid of the pain with the treatment. It's incredible, but I feel almost no pain with the thin needle.

To the Young Foreigners Working as ALTs

Abby, a great helping hand for my blog, is leaving Japan this summer. I'll miss her a lot, but I won't stop her from leaving because she needs to leave. She is so talented and her ability wants a greater field to work. It's time for her to find another place or field that needs her, or, to follow and deepen her vision.

I worked with many ALTs. I learned a lot from them, not only English. You jump over the borders so easily to the other side of the Earth. You are open-minded to accept a quite different culture. You are positive and active in many things here. I enjoyed working and talking with you, young foreigners.

But some of the ALTs I worked with seemed not to be interested in children , or bored in teaching. You may say your aim here is not working or teaching. We, Japanese teachers know that you are not trained as teachers, but we expect you are interested in education, or you like children, at least. And we see you as co-workers, not as guests.

To tell the truth, the work as an ALT is boring, I think. You are talented and curious, but your work is not always creative. You have to repeat the same dull things many times. Sometimes you are like a CD player, sometimes you have nothing to do in class. When you are not going to be a real teacher, all these things seem to mean nothing, I guess. I feel sorry about it.

The JET program started nearly thirty years ago, I think. The reason why Japan started the program is that we had too much foreign currency holdings in those days. Japan was expected to decrease it, and the program was one of the ways to use money. So it was not the idea of the Ministry of Education, but of the Ministry of Finance! So the program was a little strange for us from the beginning.

A New Zealander I worked with once said, " What a stupid program this is! Business class flight, gorgeous hotels, and more pay than Japanese teachers... to us, just young English speakers. We enjoy the life here for one or two years like a vacation and leave. It's no use for your English education. One of your problems is the English ability of the Japanese teachers. When you have this much money, you should send the teachers abroad to study English. Then it works for a long time. But this is a good program for us. We are lucky. Thank you!" I'm sorry, but I almost agree with him.

I want to say one more thing. Many of the ALTs are the people sent by the JET program, but there are ALTs who are hired by personal service companies. Their working conditions are far worse and the pay is far less. They have no chance to communicate with other ALTs or learn about their jobs. I once worked with one of those ALTs. She was one of the best ALTs I worked with, but she was dismissed by the city and she left. JET ALTs, you are so lucky, and please be friends with people in other situations.

However, I see many good points in this program. Children can have a chance to talk and live with foreigners and to know they are the same human beings. For children, you are the windows opened to the world. (It's a problem, however, that all of you are English speaking Western people.) Children listen to real English and know the power of language as a tool of communication. Also, many of you young foreigners live near us in small towns and villages all over Japan and learn our local lives and cultures. On your TV or newspapers, most of the news from Japan must be about Tokyo or the big cities, I think.

Some of you will finish your stay and go back home this summer, like Abby. I hope you enjoyed your days in Japan, and get interested in our life and culture. Please be ambassadors between your people and our people. As this many young ambassadors start working for understanding each year, we can understand more, and some day we can make better world.

Good luck, young people!

Thank You for Your Comments

I'm happy to know you are interested in my blog.

To Abby,
I always check the producing districts when I do shopping. You can read them on the packages or the notices on the shelves. (I'm sorry but they are written in Kanji.) Some supermarkets have a place for the local products JA shops usually sell the local products. And on the roadside, you can sometimes find small shops to sell local products. For example, "Nanairobatake" and "Nonkimura" in Tatashina-town, near Ysuruya. I will tell you the best way to get the local food. When you walk beside a vegetable garden, say hello and give some ompliments or ask some questions on the vegetables to the garden owner working there. I'm sure you can get some fresh cucumbers or tomatos. Good luck!

To Hudson,
Thank you for your appreciation I don't know what PEAK OIL is. What is it? How and where can I read about it?

To Pete,
I hope you enjoyed your stay here and you are interested in our culture, both good and not good. And I believe you will be an ambassador to connect both countries and their people Good bye.

To tell the truth, I wrote a responce just after I read your comments and I posted it, I thought. But it has been lost! I can't find it anywhere. So I will publish this as my new blogI'd like to say thank you for your comments again.

LET'S GROW CROPS BY OURSELVES, NOT TO TAKE FOOD FROM STARVING PEOPLE

The price of gasoline is increasing terribly, and it is causing a price increase of other things. The price of crops is also increasing all over the world, and as a result, the poor and starving people are suffering. I've heard that the reason for this is the speculation of crops and oil. This "speculation" is difficult to understand, but it means some companies and individuals are getting a lot of money through the starvation and suffering of poor people, doesn't it? Isn't it evil? Capitalism can do this. There are no rules. People do anything to get money.

The world is worrying about this situation, but they can find no effective ways to change it. Our government seems to have no visions about this problem and is not doing anything to help its people. There seems to be no way to stop this movement or protest it.

My family has a small vegetable garden around our house. When I came to live here, I didn't care about the garden and its crops, but while I was raising my children, I learned about food and farm chemicals. I wanted safe food for my children. Later, I learned that this is a problem not only for our health but also for the environment… for all living things.

Now, my husband grows almost all the crops my family needs, except rice. He uses no farm chemicals, so our crops have to live with weeds and worms. Growing vegetables is hard work, but it's also a lot of fun and joy. He goes to the garden and takes care of the crops almost everyday. When they grow well he seems happy, and when the weather is bad, he worries. In the afternoon before dinner, I walk around our garden and pick some crops while thinking about the dishes for our dinner. I think it's very natural to eat what we can get from our own garden, or from local products. Why do we need to bring food all the way from the other side of the Earth? Why should we have tomatoes in winter? The season's vegetables taste the best. We buy rice from our friend's paddies and get some fish and meat through COOP.

We can live like this because we have a garden and enough time now, fortunately. But it's not enough that only we can get good food. Most of the people have to get food at the stores, and the healthy foods and foods that don't use so much energy and don't pollute the environment should be served to them. Is growing crops for the family a selfish way to live?

No. A few days ago I found the words, "Let's grow crops by ourselves, not to take the food from starving people, not to submit to the countries that have food." I'd like to add one more thing: "not to submit to the evil that makes people starve for money." Why don't you grow vegetables on your verandas and buy local foods?

The Problems of Medical Care in Japan

I watched Michel Moore's "Sicko" the other day. It was very interesting. I laughed and was touched, but over the laughter and tears, I saw horrible images. The worth of life was decided by money: how much he/she can pay for insurance. People believe that the United States is the biggest and richest country, and it considers itself as a leader in liberty and democracy. However, in this movie, Americans didn't seem to be enjoying liberty or democracy.

The show was not in a movie theater, but held by people who worry about the problem of medical care in Japan. Japan is following after the policies of the United States with this issue. So, this movie gives us a chance to see what will happen when we go in the same direction as the U.S.

We have a system of health care insurance in Japan, and it covers all the people, either working for companies or not. However, the system has been changed for the worse many times, and now we have to pay 30% of the money needed for the care. The government is trying to decrease the money for the health care, and it causes a lot of serious problems. For example, people have to pay a lot when they go to the hospital, hospitals need more money, doctors and nurses are working too hard, and some hospitals don't have enough doctors. The insurance companies threaten people who are worrying about their health care costs.

A new health care insurance system for the elderly has started recently. Its name begins with the phrase "late elderly," and insurance tax is charged directly from the old-age pension account of everyone over seventy-five years old. It means that the people who live long have to pay a special tax, instead of being celebrated. It is clear that the old people who live with a small pension will face difficulty. All the old people are angry and depressed about this system.

The government of Japan doesn't want to use money for the health care, welfare, and education, though it uses a lot for weapons, building roads, and so on. In short, this is money to benefit big companies and powers. It seems the same as the U.S. What are the people doing about this problem in the U.S? It seems difficult to change the situation because the insurance companies have a lot of money and power. However, making this movie and watching it is to do something about it. In Japan, the Government's party lost the elections of prefectural council members in Yanaguchi and Okinawa. One of the reasons must be the politics of "the health care system for the late elderly." This could be our answer…

I have been to the conference.

I have just been to the "GLOBAL ARTICLE NINE CONFERENCE TO ABOLISH WAR," held on May 4th and 5th in Chiba.

It was a great conference and I am still excited about it. (I was happy to go with my husband, elder son and his wife. My younger son was attending as a staff member.）

At the conference, we could hear speeches and talks by people who are working for peace in many areas of the world . Some of them were Nobel Peace Prize Laureates . Their words were so powerful and impressive because they are really acting and they know the truth.

The most impressive scene for me was the session about the Iraq War. There on the stage were an American who went to Iraq as a soldier and a Iraqi young man who was a former soldier of the Iraqi Republican Guard. The American left Iraq as a conscientious objector after he found what was going on in Iraq, especially at Abu Ghraib prison. The Iraqi man expected peace after Iraq's defeat, but the US army kept occupying his country and the conditions got worse. His family members and friends were killed during the occupation, but he is acting as a humanitarian aid worker, not with guns. I could feel his sorrow through his voice, and while he was talking, the American young man was gazing at and listening to him sincerely. And, at the same table, there was a Japanese woman who has been working as a Japan/Iraq aid volunteer. Each one of them said, " Weapons cannot make peace."

On the first page of the program, this is written:
"Throughout the world, wars are still being waged and weapons are still being produced, with no end in sight. Drastic changes in the earth's environment threaten the lives of millions, and poverty is rampant. Faced with such a world, global citizens have started to realize the importance of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.
'To build peace without force'
This is the concept of article 9 that we want to ring throughtout the world. "

Cora Weise, an American woman who is working for International Peace Bureau said, "Now is the time to abolish war. The 'www' we are using for the Internet is not 'world wide web' , but ' world without war '."

Peace activists from overseas said, "We see Article 9 as a hope for the world. Article 9 is an issue not only for Japan, but for all the world. Every nation should have Article 9 in its constitution."

The call to "Change the Constitution! Delete Article 9! " is loud and strong from the LDP, right wing, and the USA as they prepare this kind of legislation. As people who believe in the importance of Article 9, we sometimes feel like a minority in Japan. It has been difficult to stop the movement. But we could have hope through this conference, with the fact that too many people went to the conference to enter the big hall, and with the recent poll stating that the majority(more than 60%) want to keep Article 9.

The situation is not easy. Many young people can't find good jobs and they don't have hope for the future, so they are easily recruited for the army (SDF). However, issues of peace and war should be the most important for young people.

I wish we could work together to make a beautiful world without weapons and wars.
Thank you for reading.

Article 9 of the constitution of Japan

Did you read the news about the judgement of the court about sending SDF troops to Iraq? The judgement says that it is in violation of Article 9 of Japan's constitution. Everyone has known it is a violation, but no other court has made this kind of judgement (or the judges avoided refering to the constitution, especially Article 9...). So, it's a remarkable and important judgement, we think. Many of the people I saw today were glad and excited about the judgement.　　

Have you ever read Article 9 of the constitution of Japan?

"Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling
international disputes. In order to accomplish the aim of the proceeding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces as well as other war potencial, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized."
(from " Nihonkoku kenpou" by Syogakukan)

Most of us, Japanese people, are regretful of World War II. We also remember how we suffered from the war, and so, we have always thought the idea of Article 9 is very important. We want to keep article 9, renounce weapons, and never enter wars again. The matter is not simple, but Japan has not killed anyone in battle during the last 62 years, and it is because we have this article.

From the beginning, there have been people who don't want to accept article 9. Year by year, their power and voice, mainly of the Rightists and conservative politicians, are becoming bigger and louder. They have been preparing to change the constitution, to make Japan a country that can enter wars and attack other countries with its force again. As you know, we have the Self Defence Force, which is one of the biggest forces in the world and always cooperating with the U.S. forces. Our government has explained that it isn't a force, but who believes it? The court of Japan, especially the supreme court hasn't given a judgement that its activities are against the constitution.

What do you think of the philosophy of Article 9? Is it just a dream? Don't you find the same philosophy in John Lennon's "IMAGINE?" He says, " Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will be as one." There is a network to protect Article 9 in our constitution, and members all over Japan are supporting it. The situation is not easy, but I found one hope:

Do you know about the "GLOBAL ARTICLE NINE CONFERENCE TO ABOLISH WAR" on May 4-6th? There is almost no information about it on TV or newspapaers(WHY?), and I was informed by my son. My family is planning to join it as a golden week trip, and I'm excited that such a big event about peace will be held. Yes, the philosophy of Article 9 is not only for Japan, but also for the people all over the world, many people have realized it. When we try to make the idea of the article come true, we may be able to change this world filled with violence and disclimination. And, when the value of article 9 is known worldwide, we can have more confidence and power to act to protect it.

2008/4/22

CHERRY BLOSSOM ENTHUSIASM

CHERRY BLOSSOM ENTHUSIASM

THE SEASON IS COMING

I saw a picture of cherry blossoms in Matsumoto in the newspaper yesterday. But they're not yet here in Saku. This is one of the last places to see cherry blossoms, and it makes me displeased or irritated in this season every year... Every day I walk around in my garden and check the cherry trees. "How are you this year? I'm really waiting for you!" I speak to them, but the buds are still small and hard. Anyway, they will bloom in ten days or so, and I'm already excited!

You must be surprised to see the cherry blossom forecast, (when the blossoms will bloom in the area), on TV or papers. Yes, we are excited about the cherry blossoms in this season. Why are the cherry blossoms special for us? One reason is that they are the symbol of spring, they tell us that spring has come. But it's not enough, I think . We love their color, their shape, their fragrance, their short life, and so on... When we say just "hana (flower or blossom)" in Japanese poems or literature, it means cherry blossoms. "Hanami" means going to watch the cherry blossoms.

"Hanami" doesn't mean just watching blossoms, but also having a picnic under the blossoms. You will find people eating and drinking (a lot!) under the blossoms. We have a saying, "Hana yori dango." It means, "food is better,or more important, than blossoms." Yes, some people are doing "hanami" without watching blossoms. But isn't it wonderful to have a picnic under the beautiful cherry blossoms? So, a lot of families and friends go out to enjoy the blossoms, and they are a happy sight.

WHERE TO GO FOR HANAMI?

Park in In Nagano, there are many places that are famous for cherry blossoms. For example, Takato Town in the Ina area, Matsumoto Castle, JouyamaNagano City, Ueda Castle, or Komoro Kaikoen. But you don't necessarily have to go those places, I think. We Japanese people love cherry blossoms so much, and so we plant cherry trees everywhere: in the gardens of temples or shrines, around school yards, parks and other public buildings, on the banks of the rivers or ponds, and along the roads. Ask your Japanese friends where to go, and they will tell you or take you to a good place, I believe. Or, walk around your area and find your favorite place. I usually visit some places to enjoy the blossoms. They are Kaikoen in Komoro City, Nagano Bokujo in Saku City, one small road side near my house and some school yards in Mochizuki. Did you know that KomoroHigashi JHS has big old cherry trees along the gate way, and the students walk through an amazing pink tunnel into the school building?!

FUN with CHERRY BLOSSOMS

Do you know that there are many kinds of cherry blossoms? In January, I went to Izu to see kawazusakura, which is the earliest cherry blossom to bloom. In May, we can enjoy mountain cherry blossoms among the young leaves of other trees. Sakuramochi, mochi wrapped with a cherry leaf is a popular sweet in this season. Some people enjoy cherry blossom tea. You will find the color and the shape of cherry blossoms everywhere in this season. Oh, I'm really waiting for the blossoms, but it was a cold rainy day today....

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN NAGANO

Nagano-ken is a place people visit to enjoy nature. We have mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests, as you know. 　When I was young, urban life looked so cool to me, but now I feel happy to live in Nagano--except for the cold in winter. Whenever I go to Tokyo I feel dizzy and get tired from the crowds. However, we still have environmental problems in Nagano. Around Sakudaira Station you find a lot of buildings like cardboard boxes. It was a beautiful rice field ten years ago, but now it's an ugly town. Artificial things like buildings, streets, ad boards, and electric wires are increasing like spider's webs and are disturbing the views. Of course, it's not only a problem of the view, but also a big problem for the environment. Rice paddies work as dams that control water. Rice fields moderate the climate. And, of course, they produce our basic food. Abby said that many of you are interested in environmental problems and want to get information about these issues. I don't think I know enough, but I'll try to report some environmental problems here in Nagano.

WATER

Nagano has enough water for us to use, most from springs and from underground, and some from rivers or dams. According to the homepage of the Saku Water Department, all of the water served in the Saku area is from underground or from springs. (I didn't know that.) So, there is no purification tank except one in Miyota. They just add chlorine to disinfect the water. ( We sometimes smell it! ) Here in Nagano we are blessed with clean water, but there are many places or families without good sewer systems. We should be more careful not to pollute the water as it goes to the other cities and seas! Farm chemicals, industrial wastes and detergent pollute the water. I use soap for laundry and my dishwasher uses salt instead of detergent. When we see huge piles of detergents in stores and shops, our small effort doesn't seem to make a difference, but more people care about it than before and the rivers are getting cleaner than before. Around my house, we can see a lot of fireflies, which disappeared some thirty years ago...They came back as the river running near my house got clean again.

REFUSE or GARBAGE

As you know, we buy plastic bags for garbage. In other words, we are charged a fee for garbage disposal. We separate garbage according to the type. Some are burnt, some are recycled, and some are buried. The system seems to be working well, but I'm not sure if things are really recycled, if the buried wastes don't pollute the ground and water, or if the smoke and ash from the incinerators are safe. We can be happy when dirty things disappear from our houses, but they can't disappear from the Earth...We usually don't know where (and how) they go. I once watched a TV show that said the waste or used machines brought from other countries were taken apart and recycled in developing countries in Asia. People were working without knowing how dangerous it was. I feel guilty that other people are suffering while we are enjoying life using a lot of things and throwing away those we don't want. It is difficult to opt-out of this system, but I'm trying some small things.

1. Composting the garbage from our kitchen. We throw the garbage into a composting bucket in the yard. You can't do it in your apartment house, but you can dry the garbage in the sun, then it weighs much less.

2. Shopping with my own bag.　Some supermarkets discount two or three yen when we don't use plastic bags.　

3. Not going shopping. (This is difficult, but if I won't go shopping, I won't buy useless things. haha...)

4. Use things as long as I can. (This is also difficult. I bought a new car though my old car had no problems. )

5. Repairing and reusing. My husband often repairs furniture himself, and we use many things that he repaired. (He bought many different kinds of machines and tools for the work and I don't know how much they cost!!)

6. Refuse too much wrapping while shopping. But as you know, we wrap too much and when we buy one orange, we have to buy one plastic bag...Oh, how difficult to reduce our trash!

FOOD

As you know, we have every kind of food from all over the world in the supermarkets. However, only 30% of our food is the product of our country. Most of the feed for cows and chickens is imported. It is a very dangerous condition, I think. Japan had the ability to feed all of its people, but the government has not protected our agriculture and fisheries. Consumers have welcomed cheaper food. You know the problem about food made in China, don't you? These days more and more people want safer food, and some farmers also want to grow safer vegetables. I know a farmer in my town who has tried organic farming and sends a box of his vegetables with a letter to his costumers every week. Some people think it's good to use local products so we can know about it better and we don't have to use the energy to bring it from far away. Where can we get local products? There are some small shops that sell them. If you can't find one, go to a JA (Japan Agricultural co-op) shop, which probably sells its members' products. I am a member of a group that makes miso from local soybeans and rice. Families in the villages worked together to make miso before, but now most families buy it. Most of the soybeans we eat in Japan now are from abroad, and so it is difficult to find miso or tofu made from locally-produced beans.

WARIBASHI and WOOD

When Abby used her own chopsticks at a restaurant, I felt so ashamed. Yes, in Japan buy and use too much wood. I have heard that Japanese companies go and cut too many trees in developing countries. How can we reduce the use of waribashi? I have been to a restaurant that uses bamboo waribashi, which is better.

ENERGY PROBLEM

Big cities use a lot of energy, but we, the people in Nagano, probably use more as individuals. They use public transport in Tokyo, but here in Nagano we can't live without cars. We tried to reduce our cars in my family, but we couldn't. We have four cars, one for each adult! We usually have bigger houses and have to warm them during the cold winter. Every family has a big bathtub and we have a custom to take a bath every day. How can we reduce our energy usage? Some houses have machines to warm water using solar heat on the roof. We also have a solar power station on our roof. In Japan, much of the electricity is from nuclear power plants, and it is a very dangerous way to get energy, I think.

I watched the movie "The Earth" today. It shows us how beautiful and wonderful the Earth is and warns us that we are destroying it. Shall we think about it together?

Do You Like Reading?

Do You Like Reading?

Do you read Japanese books? Do you have any favorite Japanese authors? When I ask young foreigners these questions, their answers are always "Murakami Haruki." I have read some of his books, but I didn't enjoy them at all. And, I know few people who like his books. A young librarian at the city library said that his books are not popular except two or three, and she doesn't like him. I don't understand why encyclopedias say he is popular among young people, or he is so highly esteemed among foreign people. Within Japan, it doesn't seem to be the case.

Besides Murakami, there are good authors and interesting books in Japan. In this essay I would like to recommend some of them to you. Most of them are popular and easy to read, but I'm not sure if you can find their books translated into English...I'd be very happy if you read and liked these authors.

1 Natsume Soseki (1867-1916)

He is one of the most famous authers in Japan, and his face was once printed on a 1000 yen bill. He wrote haiku (Japanese short poem) and some serious books but his early two books are written with humor. His style of telling stories is articulate.

* Bottyan A story of a young man who goes to Shikoku to teach at a school He is short-tempered, but honest and so he has been loved by the readers.

* I Am a Cat The story is told by a cat with no name , who watches the people around him.

2 Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933)

He was born and lived in Iwate, a northern area of Japan, where farmers were suffering in the severe weather. He taught at an agricultural school, then worked as an adviser of farming. He wrote poems and stories for children. But I could understand and enjoy his works only after I matured. They show his deep sympathy with farmers or weak creatures, his knowledge about nature, and his view of the universe. His works were not known , but after his death people found the beauty of his works.

* Night of the Galaxy Railroad (or The Milkyway Railroad) A lonely boy travels on a train running through the stars. He sees many people there, and one of them is his classmate who he believes in. You can find a well made animation film of this story.

* A Restaurant With Many Orders

* Nametokoyama no Kuma (A Bear of Mt. Nametoko)

* Amenimo makezu his most famous poem

3 Matsumoto Seityou (1909-1992)

He wrote a lot of mystery stories, which describe not only crimes but also human beings and the society. He also investigated the modern history of Japan.
* Ten to Sen (Point And Line)

* Suna no Utuwa (A Vessel of Sand)

* Showa-shi Hakkutsu (Excavation for the History of Showa)

4 Hujisawa Shuhei (1927-1997)

He wrote many stories of the people in the Edo era, The people in his stories don't have powers, but they are nice and proud, and live simple and sincere lives. His style is very beautiful Japanese, I think.
* Twilight Samurai

* Bamboo Sword

* Hidden Blade You can find the movies of them.

5 Asada Jiro (1951-)

He is one of the most popular writers now in Japan. His stories are so interesting and touching.
* Poppo-ya a story of a man who worked for railroad trains There is a movie of this story.

* Mibu Gishi den a story of a samurai who was in Shinsengumi, a samurai's group that worked just before the Meiji Restoration.

*Soukyu no Subaru a story based on Chinese history.

6 Inoue Hisashi (1934- )

He is one of the most important writers in Japan now, I believe. He writes stories and dramas, and he has a theatrical company to perform his plays. His works are very interesting and sometimes comical, and the words in his works are rhythmical and energetic. He also works for peace and his activities and opinions are extremely valued now.
*Chichi to Kuraseba (Living With Father) It is translated into English and the title is ' Face of Jizo' a drama script about a young woman who survived from the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. She feels guilty to survive and be happy, so her father... There is a good movie of this.

*Kirikiri-jin(People of Kirikiri) a dynamic and comical story of the people who tried to be independent from Japan

*Ame (Rain) a drama script

7 Higuchi Ichiyo (1872-1896)

A female writer on 5000 bill. She wrote about women in the Meiji era. Her Japanese is a little old and beautiful.

8 Takamura Kaoru (1953-)

A female mystery writer. She doesn't write so many books but every one is great!

9 Miyabe Miyuki (1960-)

Also a popular female mystery writer I like her books because the people in her stories are all interesting.

10 Yamazaki Toyoko (1924- )

A female writer who wrote about big issues in the society Many movies and TV dramas are made of them.

OKINAWA

OKINAWA

I visited Okinawa during the New Year's holidays. It was my sixth or seventh time to visit Okinawa. I have no other places to visit so many times, and this time my husband and I wanted to take my son's family to Okinawa. They also got charmed with it and want to visit it again.
Why does Okinawa charm us so much?

It is a special place for us in Japan, I think.

First, its nature. It's warm all the year round, and full of flowers even in winter. We enjoyed warm, soft breeze on the beach in January. It's like a paradise for us from freezing Nagano. The sea and the sky are so clear and blue. Look at the picture. My grandchidren were so happy on the beautiful beach. If you dive, you can see colorful fish among corals. Small islands are more beautiful.

Second, its culture. 　For a long time, Okinawa was an independent kingdom, which prospered with trading. As you see it on a map, Okinawa is in the far south of Kyusyu and near to China. And so, its culture is very different from ours. Its music, dancing, art, fabrics, food, and pottery are somewhat exotic for us. Their traditional religion and way of living are also interesting. The remains of old castles in Okinawa are on the World Heritage Sites List. They are quite different from those in Japan. Whenever we visit Okinawa, we have meals at local restaurants where we can enjoy the food and music of Okinawa.
The red building on the picture is the rebuilt castle, Syuri-jo. It was completely destroyed during the war.

Third, its history. During the World War II, Okinawa became an awful battle field. The people including citizens and high school students were told to fight with the huge troops of the US army not to let them attack the main land of Japan. Great many citizens were killed or had to bomb or kill themselves. Japan used Okinawa as a sacrifice.

The tragedy of Okinawa continued. After the war, Okinawa was occupied by the US army. For thirty years it was a colony of the United States. We needed passports to go to Okinawa, The United States used Okinawa as army bases in Asia, and so, a lot of people lost their farms and houses. In 1975 Okinawa was given back to Japan, but even now there are huge US army bases there.

Did you hear the news about the school history textbooks or a runway for combat planes which will be built in a coral sea? The beautiful islands and its people are still suffering, I think. Japan offered Okinawa as a scape goat.

I feel so guilty about these facts. If I were an Okinawan, I might feel so much pain and anger.

Even though, Okinawa is wonderful, and worthy to visit. If you can, please visit it, watch it, feel it.

HAVE YOU TRIED ONSEN ?

Have you ever tried onsen, hot springs, in Japan?

　I know a woman who won't try onsen. She said, "I'm a shy westerner." I know its not your custom to be naked with other people, but when you try onsen with a little courage, you'll understand why we Japanese people love onsen.

　Long ago, hot springs were used to cure illnesses or wounds. Until some twenty years ago, going to onsen was a recreation for elderly people. These days onsens are very popular even among young people. Nagano is one of the areas that have good onsens, and you can find good ones near your town. Abby said you don't have good information about onsens in English, and I promised to write about it. However, I found it's too difficult for me because there are too many onsen in Naganoken, and I don't know enough. I think the best way to know about onsens is to ask your Japanese friends or coworkers, but anyway, I' ll try to write something to help you.

　　DIFFERENT TYPES of ONSEN

　　　１　 Traditional Onsen Hotels

These expect the visitors to stay one or more days. They provide rooms, meals, and an onsen. Usually you can take an onsen anytime, so we enjoy bathing many times in a day. You can also enjoy Japanese-style rooms and meals. Some good hotels are expensive, but it'll be a good experience to get a taste of Japanese hotel service.

　　　２　 Soto-yu: Onsen Baths Outside the Hotels

　In the onsen areas, there are public baths for citizens. Since long ago, people in the area have enjoyed these natural resources together. Usually people work together to maintain the bath. Most of them are old, not so big, and don't have new kinds of facilities, but their water is plentiful. You can find them in the old onsen areas like Shibu (Yudanaka town), Nozawa Onsen, Bessho(Ueda city), Shimosuwa, and Kusatsu (Gunma Pref.).

　　　3　 Higaeri Onsen, a New Type of Onsen

　 'Higaeri' means 'not for staying.' These onsens have hot spring baths, and sometimes saunas or other facilities. Some of them have restaurants or shops as well. They are very popular now because we can enjoy onsens easily with reasonable fees (around 500yen). You should be careful not to confuse them with 'super sento' in some big cities. It's just a public bath, not a natural hot spring.

　　　4　 Roten-Buro, Open-Air Bath

In Japan, we love outdoor baths. While we are relaxing in the warm

water, we can enjoy views of mountains, rivers, the sky full of stars, and sometimes snow! Many of the hotels or higaerionsen have open-air baths, and you can also find some rotenburo near rivers or in the mountains.

　　　５　AshiｰYu, Onsen for Feet

　If you are too busy to go to an onsen or you are too shy to take a bath with other people, ashi-yu are good for you. You can find them in some onsen areas. In Shimosuwa Town, you'll find one in a park by Lake Suwa. You take off your shoes and socks, sit by the water, and put your feet into the hot water. The onsen water warms your feet and makes you relax . Chatting with the people sitting beside you is also fun. Usually you don't have to pay for ashiyu.

　　HOW TO ENJOY ONSEN

　If it is your first time taking an onsen, maybe you don't know how or what to do. It's not difficult. Watch the people around you and do as they do. Even so, I'll write the way we take onsen in short.

1 When you are staying at a hotel, everything is ready in your room or in the bath. If not, you　have to bring your own towel Some old baths don't have soap or shampoo, but usually you'll find them in the baths.

2 Buy your ticket at the entrance or the reception desk. Of course, you don't have to at a hotel.

3 Take off your clothes in the locker room. Sometimes it's not a locker, but just a shelf or a basket. We walk into the bathroom with our towel in front of us. We are also shy.

4 Before jumping into the bathtub, we take a thorough shower to keep the water in the bath clean. Also we don't use our towel in the bath tub. Of course we don't wash our bodies in the bathtub. We warm ourselves and relax in the hot water.

5 Before going back to the changing room, we wipe with our towel and dry our bodies, so the changing room doesn't get wet.

　　WHERE TO GO ?

　Nagano-ken has too many onsen to introduce here. You probably need not only names but also their places, fees, and other information. At first I tried to choose some of them, but its too difficult. I found a good web site about onsen in Nagano. It's in Japanese, but you can understand the information you need, I think.

　address: http://www.mtlabs.co.jp/shinshu/onsen/index.htm

　　　　　(信州とっておき情報　　useful information about Nagano)

1 Click onsen（温泉）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 This mark means onsen or bath.

2 Choose the area on the map. (There are four areas in Nagano)

3 You'll see the places of onsen on the map of the area. Choose the number.

4 You'll find the name and the picture of the onsen, the map to go , the fee, etc. If you find the name of the place is difficult to read, then ask anyone near you. The best information will be from the people around you.

　　GO AND ENJOY ONSEN! GOOD LUCK!