Japan
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Original fault
Despite Shûsaku Endo's doubts about the true Christianity of the Japanese, as expressed in the admirable "Silence," it also seems to me that the Japanese share a fundamental trait with Christians: their ability to empathize. Isn't this one of the cornerstones of Christianity, one… Continue reading
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Book reviews about Japan
I just finished reading "The Mask of the Samurai," an essay by Aude Fieschi (Philippe Picquier Publishers). It's an informative, well-written book that presents the different facets of the samurai throughout medieval Japan, up to its decline with the advent of modern Japan. Continue reading
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Philia, agape and other little things…
The Greeks used three words to describe love: eros, carnal love; philia, friendship; and agape, mature and fulfilled love. Is love only there to comfort us? Shouldn't we seek to give meaning to love, as to every event in life? Only meaning saves the human condition. Meaning… The… Continue reading
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Haiku Lessons
To write a haiku, one must absolutely respect four qualities: Sabi: simplicity and awareness of the passage of time and its alteration of things and beings; Shōri: the ability to suggest a love for humble things; Hosomi: the discovery of the beauty of everyday life; Karumi: humor that lightens the… Continue reading
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Oshio Heihachiro, samurai of the rebellion
To fully understand Oshio Heihachiro's actions, one must grasp that they were dictated by an anti-revolutionary character and will. Nothing in Oshio Heihachiro's attitude sought to challenge the established order. He knew the system could be improved, but it was also functional. What made the system less effective had more to do with the individuals involved than with… Continue reading