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- My Two Recent Anti-War Books | John Rachel on Life In Japan: TVs on TV
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Tondo Matsuri
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Pandas
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Japanese School Kids
- LIVE FROM JAPAN! Revisited Redux | John Rachel on Life In Japan: Respect for the Aged Day
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Author Archives: John Rachel
Ban the Bomb!
The first philosophy book I ever read was Bertrand Russell’s Common Sense and Nuclear Warfare. I was 13 years old. It shaped my life. Continue reading
Can you say p – p – p – p – poetry?
Alright . . . it’s not Elle or Guns & Ammo or The Atlantic. But it’s a real magazine and it’s out of San Antonio, Texas. A POETRY MAGAZINE! I’m darn proud to say that a recent poem of mine got published in this particular issue. A miracle if there ever was one! Continue reading
Posted in Creativity, Living On The Edge, Satire
Tagged fake poetry, Lone Star, paint ball, poetry, rodeos, Texas
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Life In Japan: Police Power IV
It’s hard to exaggerate the contrast of what looks like the horror show of police brutality in the U.S. with what life is like here. But I’ve tried to capture it in a few stories. This is my latest. Continue reading
Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged Amabie, Covid-19, koban, Live From Japan!, police, police brutality, Tambasasayama
1 Comment
Life In Japan: Vending Machines
I distinctly remember the first thing that caught me somewhat baffled eye here in Japan. Vending machines! They seem to be everywhere! Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged convenience stores, Japan, noodles, oysters, ramen, snacks, strawberries, tofu, vending machines
2 Comments
Life In Japan: Respect for the Aged Day
This past Monday was a national holiday here in Japan: 敬老の日, Keirō no Hi, Respect for the Aged Day. My neighbor brought me a very special gift from the people of Tambasasayama. Continue reading
Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese holidays, Live From Japan!, Respect for the Aged Day, sake, Tambasasayama
1 Comment
Wow! Britney Spears!
After years and years of struggle and legal battles, this courageous lady has finally escaped the court-ordered lockdown which imposed on her the random tyranny of a bunch of old white men, and kneecapped her brilliant career. We should all be very grateful that her nightmare is over. Britney Spears is free! Free to lead us to a glorious and redeeming future. Or at least get us dancing. Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Music, Nihilism, Satire, Social Commentary
Tagged Albert Speer, Britney Spears, democracy, existentialism, freedom, hope, pop culture, pop music, Teddy Roosevelt
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Life In Japan: “Savings”
This story wanders around a bit but I think it’s fun and certainly offers something inspiring about people in Japan. Continue reading
Posted in Banking, Deconstruction, Japan, Social Commentary, Travel
Tagged charity, debt, generosity, Japan, savings, Yokosuka City
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Life In Japan: Special Purpose Temples & Shrines
The really fascinating temples and shrines in Japan are the special purpose ones. There are shrines and temples devoted to the usual things: money, health, happiness, long life, good marriage. There are ones dedicated to uniting two people in love or in friendship. Interestingly, there’s at least one shrine for breaking up! We spent the day at one my wife calls the “Karma Temple”. Continue reading
Posted in Deconstruction, Japan, Religion, Social Commentary, Spiritual
Tagged Bernadette of Lourdes, Catholic Church, Fukuchiyama, Hydrangea Temple, Japan, Kakinomoto Shrine, Mondo Yakujin Toukou-ji, Nishinomiya Shrine, St. Anthony, St. Christopher, Tainohata Yakuyoke Hachimangu Shrine, Tambasasayama, Vatican City
2 Comments
Life In Japan: Kamikochi . . . “Japanese Alps”
My wife and I just spent three days in the “Japanese Alps” — Kamikochi — a mountainous region of Nagano Prefecture the beauty of which is simply impossible for words. So feast your eyes on the pics! Continue reading
Posted in Japan, Travel
Tagged Japan, Japanese Alps, Kamikochi, Live From Japan!, Nagano Prefecture, Tambasasayama, Tokyo
1 Comment
Woke Venus de Milo
Thanks to the enlightened activism of woke warriors in our midst, we are one step closer to a world which makes sense for everybody, not just some lascivious old white men. Continue reading →