Author Archives: johnrachel

Life In Japan: Festivals

Posted on August 25, 2018 by johnrachel

While Japan is called The Land of the Rising Sun, my personal preference would be The Land of the Festivals. The entire calendar is littered with fascinating, extremely entertaining, family-oriented festivals. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Passion For Reading

Posted on August 24, 2018 by johnrachel

Japanese people love reading. Sometimes, as expected, it’s on a smartphone. But the love of print materials, in particular books, is alive and well here. Continue reading →

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Creativity: Two Existentialists Walk Into A Bar . . .

Posted on July 28, 2018 by johnrachel

I never should have called Professor Dornberger an insatiable proof sucker searching for the perfect syllogism. Hindsight is so powerful but ultimately useless. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Rice and Bean Fields

Posted on July 12, 2018 by johnrachel

Living in the rural area of Japan I now live in, I have to say, I’ve learned to appreciate the “cycle of life” as never before. Continue reading →

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Book Review: “The Russian Peace Threat: Pentagon on Alert” by Ron Ridenour

Posted on June 30, 2018 by johnrachel

Ron Ridenour’s “The Russian Peace Threat: Pentagon on Alert” is an extremely informative and powerful work. There’s no way that someone reading this book cover to cover will not grow enormously in an understanding of what the problems are, an appreciation for what needs to be done, and seeing the urgency for immediate, decisive action. It’s like getting a PhD in American Empire. Continue reading →

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Book Review: “Healing the Land with Tao” by Gary Lindorff

Posted on June 11, 2018 by johnrachel

Intentionally or not, with his new book “Healing the Land with Tao”, Gary Lindorff has created a loosely structured operating manual for the soul. We’ll all get different messages and meanings. We will benefit to differing degrees. But if I could choose only one book to help break the chains of my mental and spiritual incarceration, it would be this book. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Western Food

Posted on May 5, 2018 by johnrachel

Though my taste buds were born, raised, and trained in America, I love Japanese food! I really do. I now regularly eat many things I would have considered very special treats for very special occasions — sushi, tempura, edamame, teriyaki — and eat some things I never would have attempted before — octopus, squid, rice daily. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: The Nesting Tree

Posted on April 24, 2018 by johnrachel

Great egrets and gray herons must number in the hundreds here in Sasayama. They can be seen everywhere, along the riverbanks, in the rice fields, soaring high overhead above our rustic town. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Western Arts – Pt 2

Posted on April 9, 2018 by johnrachel

I find it a fascinating question why Japan is so enamored with Western art forms, not that I’ve made any progress coming up with a definitive answer. My very Japanese wife serves as an example. She sings opera, plays classical piano, and teaches Western-style music to elementary students as part of the official school curriculum. But there are other things which remain intractably Japanese. Why Western music? Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Western Arts – Pt 1

Posted on March 25, 2018 by johnrachel

Japan has an interesting, kind of bizarre romance with Western culture. This has been going on for some time. It’s fascinating to see the juxtaposition and fusion of two such diametrically different cultural milieus, especially what emerges in both the popular and classical arts. It works because regardless of what’s imported into the culture here, the people remain at core so essentially Japanese, respecting and honoring a long, unique heritage and an unparalleled work ethic. Continue reading →

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