HI, ladies!!
It’s another autumnal climate today, isn’t it?
Last night, I got very excited about a wonderful accomplishment of women’s softball team of Japan in the Olympics. They finally won the gold medal for the first time, beating the strongest team of USA. Whatever you say, Ueno, a pitcher with an iron arm, played a breathtaking pitch. She threw in three consecutive matches within two days, and the number of her pitches was more than 400! Unbelievable…
And this morning, I’m also strongly impressed by her expression in the newspaper. She says, “How long I am devoted entirely to softball in my 24 hours; it leads to a good result.” She has not only an outstanding talent for softball, but also a strong mind. That news can enhance my motivation to make progress toward a goal.
So, see you, and have a nice weekend!
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13 comments:
Hi, everyone.
At last, I will never stop expecting greatly that Mrs. Yamakawa and other members of the Red Wave Society will defy meaningless heckling from classes, vulgar jounalists and too honest police, work hard among proletarian women workers as soon as possible and take part in something of practical movements for liberating women with group strength. I undoubtedly believe that the movements launched by the wise campainers bear what we must learn a lot.
Ce'st fini.
Maybe you notice each sentence is long. Mumeo Oku's sentence consists of many modifers and phrases. Sometimes, I can't tell which phrase modifies which subject or verb or to which it is connected? Moreover, I can't read too old chinese characters.
Anyway, thank you very much.
Dear Cherry and friends,
I have just watched a relay race in which the Japan team won the bronze medal. The fourth runner who is the oldest has long been contributing himself to the track. It was his fourth time to take part in the Olympics. He makes me comfirm that every effor bears fruits.
Thanks to Sunflower's summary, my understanding is getting much clearer. I also understand what Cosmos wants to say in her writing.
I was shocked to know the fact that some mothers were easily controlled by the government and were happy to send their sons or daughters to warplaces. Are we so fragile and naive to the information by the government and the media? We should not repeat such a stupid action.
Good night, my dear friends
Dear friends
We have only two days left for the Olympics, which have conveyed a lot of thrilling excitement. All players, regardless of colors of medals or no medal, have their own histories to reach the top of the race in the world every fourth years. “Never give up spirit” of theirs have inspired people. I have only known the digested result on news program. Even though, they are moving enough. I can imagine how excited you and your kids have been, Cherry! Your daughters have surely learned a lot from the players.
Thank you, Alice. You mentioned about Yukichi Fukuzawa in an academic style.
By the way, do you know that he didn’t get well with his son-in-law, Momosuke Fukuda. Once he recognized Momosuke’s excellent talent and chose him as a husband of his daughter. Why did their relations become so bad? I once read that the bad relations were caused by the lack of knowledge of modern economic system of the West of Yukichi. Momosuke earned a huge of money by trading shares. Yukichi was very angry with Momosuke, who became millionaires without actual working. Alice said Yukichi had so opened mind and accepted Christianity. Even such a great pioneer and leader with intelligence and multi-talent, couldn’t escape from Japanese virtue of hard labor. He couldn’t understand the way of Momosuke and hated his behavior as a swindler.
It was very similar to the relations of Horiemon and executives of big established companies. I am sorry my comment is lowbrow as usual. But don’t you think it was interesting to know Yukichi’s another aspect, do you?
Hi, ladies!!!
How are you doing? It is August 23, 2008, today, and it has been raining, on and off, or perhaps so lightly that I could not notice that it is raining.
It is always delightful to read everyone’s messages in this blog, and I am especially delighted to know that Gloriosa was trying to get into this blog, although she could not make it and asked Alice for help. I sincerely hope that Gloriosa could solve her internet/computer problems and join us for English communication and writing practice as soon as possible.
It is less hot today, and I am enormously happy about it. Just yesterday I heard that the daytime high had been above 30 degrees for more than one month after July 11th, including that day. But it seems that today is an exception, which means that we will have another spell of hot and humid weather. Horrible, isn’t it?
Things have been quite hectic to me, and it will take another few weeks for me to get out of this chaos. (I have been struggling to prepare for my public lecture held at a university in Kumamoto in mid-September.) I also have to contact a few local newspaper companies and ask them to put an advertisement for my speech meeting in their papers. Yes, I am a Jack of all trades, and master of none.
I hope all of you are enjoying this rather cool, rainy evening. I am not a big fan of the Olympic Games, but I had a glace at some games and events. I had a high hope for Mizuki Noguchi, a marathon runner, but after the announcement of her withdrawal from the race, the Games got less interesting and amusing to me, to be honest with you. Of course, I give unlimited credit to gold, silver and bronze medal winners of all the participating countries and admire their excellent achievement and hard work.
It is getting dark, my lovely friends. I hope everything is going well with you. Have sweet dreams. Good night to you all.
Hi, everyone.
As Cherry felt excitement in Women's soft ball game in the Olympic Games, I expected an exciting game once more in Japan's baseball game today. We can't find two loaches under a willow tree.
Plum, long time no see. Since I could not find your comments in blog, I voluntarily imagine you are out of shape caused by a spell of unprecedented heat in summer. I merely am a fool?
My printer has been out of order. I can't print out the 2007 essay.
In which paper is caught. I want to throw away it from a window and buy a new one.
This summer, every saturday and sundays, I have gone to the Miyoshi pond early morning, before Obon, it had been sticky and hot even around 6 A.M. but today, at the same time, it was cool. I wore a short sleeve T shirt. I thought I should have worn a long sleeve shirt.
Peach, you are tortally right. Endurance is strength. Viva Japan's relay race team.
Cosmos, I really enjoyed your story of Yukichi and Momosuke Fukuzawa. In Japan, even now there are many Yukichi who regard a speculator as a gambler or swindler. I wonder why they disdain bankers. It is strange to me.
correction
I wonder why they don't disdain bankers.
Hi, friends,
Today I've got three of Kamichika's work. They are bit old. One of them was published in 1956 and the paper turned into yellow. The book seems to wait someone to read it. I'd like to finish reading as fast as I can. After reading I'm sure I know much about the history of prostitution.
I may have a different view about men. Life is really interesting.
Dear Cherry and friends,
Hello. How are you?
Plum, you are the master for everything. I always respect you as a superwoman.
* -------------------------------------------- *
Cosmos and Azalea gave us intriguing comments on Mr. Fukuzawa and his son-in-law. While I was reading Otis Cary's “A History of Christianity in Japan,” I tried to figure out what “worshiping” actually has meant to Japanese people. Some have worshiped God, others have worshiped money. Hard work was worshiped in the Showa era. Spirituality attracts our contemporaries but it doesn't accompany worshiping. Christians might insist that worshiping God and worshiping hard work are completely different matters, but have the Japanese distinguished the two? When Japanese people visit an Inari shrine to pray for good business, do they feel respect for the fox as Christians do for God? Or doesn't it mean they are worshiping money?
Worshiping ancestors and the Imperial family appears to have a long history. However, it's a kind of ideology that the Meiji government inculcated in people's mind. Likewise, Christian missionaries who came to Japan in the Meiji era made a tremendous effort to instill worshiping God in people.
Just a few hours ago, I hear somebody say, “Religion is the Common Sense for us.”
Religion is profound, indeed.
Let me briefly list up what happened during the period between 1899 and 1906 from the rest of this book.
In August 1899, the government issued regulations concerning private schools. (Shiritsu Gakko Rei). At the same time, the “Instruction” called Kunrei Dai 12 Go was issued by the Educational Department. According to this, “It being essential from the point of view of educational administration that general education should be independent of religion, religious instruction must not be given or religious ceremonies performed at Government Schools, Public Schools, or schools whose curricula are regulated by provisions of law, even outside the regular course of instruction.” Some missionary schools such as Doshisha followed the “Instruction.”
In 1903, a National Exhibition was held in Osaka. “A committee appointed by the Missionary Association of Central Japan obtained a building that was situated on the open square before the main entrance to the Exhibition.” (p.302) Therefore many people dropped by and listened to Christians.
In 1902, Mr. Juji Ishii was bestowed the badge of the Blue Ribbon. The government recognized him as founder and superintendent of the Okayama Orphanage known as a Christian institution.
In January 1906, Miss Hannah Riddell was bestowed the Decoration of the Blue Ribbon for her efforts in behalf of lepers.
One of the most significant facts is philanthropic work conducted by Christians. More importantly, such work was borrowed by Buddhists. Christians were the forerunners of welfare in Japan.
* -------------------------------------------- *
Hi, ladies!!!
It is Sunday, August 24, 2008, today. According to the late last night weather forecast, it would rain quite heavily and the daytime high would be around 25 degree due to the rain. When I let my husband know it before him going to bed, he was tremendously delighted about the exceptionally low temperature. (He is not so susceptible to the summer heat, but he does not like mechanical air-conditioning and tries to avoid it, and consequently he is in sweat all the time. Poor man…) But no heavy rain came today, instead the sun came out and the mercury rose as usual. It cannot be helped, because we are still in summer.
Azalea, thank you so much for your concern and worry about my health condition. The heat nearly knocked me down, but nonetheless, happily enough, I am not yet in terribly bad shape. How about you? Do you have a good appetite?
Azalea, will you please let me know when and where Mumeo was born into what family? I also would like to be familiar with her educational background. What made her interested in political activities? Whom did she marry, and why did she do so? Just when you have time, will you please write down about these things?
Well, it’s getting dark, and I will get ready for dinner. Maybe tonight I will watch Atsuhime on TV. Have an enjoyable Sunday evening, my lovely friends. Bye for now…
Hi, everyone.
Plum, how about Atsuhime? Anything but appetite is decaying by the heat wave.
My motion is slow like a lizard observed early morning in early spring. This year, it is arid, isn't it? I have never seen a snake in my yard this summer.
This dryness maybe is not good for scales of a snake. In my yard a lot of cicadas have been thiriving, they dwell on a cedar tree, singing loudly. Whenever I go to gather tomatos or cucumbers, I have to pass under the tree. Whenever I go through the tree, cicadas are confused and fly, sprinkling their pee. So I must run when I pass under the tree. Recently when I weed a yard, I can find remains of cicadas. Ants busily dismantle them. Some parts are forgotten to be carried to the nest. Their wings often remain. Why? They are not good taste for ants?
As for Mumeo Oku, would you give me a time?
Alice, I am interested in your explanation about that Japanese Budhists took over welfare works undertook by Christian Missionary in Japan. I have a question. Don't you think Christian Mission is politics not religion?
Dear Cherry and friends,
It is getting cooler and cooler. My daughter caught a cold and have a slight fever. Somehow she is OK now. The closing ceremony in Beijing was really gorgeous. I cannot help but feel the dynamic energy of the Chinese people.
Today I've read Jyosei-shisou-shi (History of Women Ideology) by Kamichika just briefly. I was attracted by her clear-out explanation on the history of feminism both in Japan and other countries. A lot of names I came across through the study were found in the book. This book made me feel Kamichika is one of the most respectable women because of her introducing women ideology. I really would like to express gratitude for Plum. Some parts of Kamichika's writing sounds like Plum's lecture. Am I crazy? To tell the truth I felt I was reborn after reading this book. At the same time I was ashamed of my little knowledge.
Hi, ladies!!!
It has been raining so quietly and lightly this morning, and I did not notice the rain until I looked out of the window after having my late breakfast of pancakes covered with Canadian maple syrup and Darjeeling tea from England.
I have been enormously impressed with Alice’s book reviews and Sunflower’s summary of Miyake Yoshiko’s essay. We can learn a lot from her essay composition and the development of her topic. Learning is fun, isn’t it?
It is brilliant to see that Alice is making steady progress in her study of Christianity in modern Japan after the restoration in 1868. I would like her to continue this pace of reading and writing at least until the end of next year.
It is essential to check out (or investigate, in another way of saying) thoroughly as many female missionaries sent to Japan from Victorian England as possible: their family background, education, previous careers, motivation to become missionaries, and individual lives after finishing their duty and return to England. Their salaries, if possible. (Money is very important in life.) (Again, you are a Sherlock Homes and I am a Dr. Watson.) You can use Nihon kirisuto-kyo rekishi daijiten, first of all. (Or, perhaps you might have done it already.) But, be careful; there might be mistakes in the encyclopedia as you are well aware of.
When it comes to the composition of your thesis, it is impossible to avoid writing something about the evolution of Christianity, perhaps, in 18th and 19th century England: new Christian sects vs. Anglican Church, maybe. Because the advent of new sects (also, perhaps the revival of Catholicism) caused the decrease of traditional power of Anglican Church, which inevitably made it involved deeply with the national imperialism, which flourished in the Victorian times.
In the Victorian era, governesses or, perhaps, schoolteachers, might have been decent jobs available to women. (Women who were blessed with special talents were allowed to stand head and shoulders in journalism and literature, but only a handful of women could enjoy their special position in society, as the same reality can be applied to us now.) In this condition, perhaps, an overseas missionary could also have been considered as a decent occupation among the Christian nation, especially women who sought to be financially independent but had no special means to do so. It is revealed that there were more women than men in the Victorian period, and thus it would have been a considerably serious matter for women to obtain security and support themselves physically and mentally if they had disliked to get into marriage…
Also the development of education for women should be considered. Once women get enough education, though it’s hard to say what level of education is enough, they tend to seek independence or freedom, and become more adventurous, don’t they?
I’m maybe wrong…but what do you think about it, Alice and my lovely friends.
I repeat that learning is fun. Have fun, my precious friends. Bye for now.
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