Category Archives: Social Commentary

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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Life In Japan: White Day

Posted on March 12, 2018 by johnrachel

White Day in Japan is the occasion for the guys to give sweet treats and other simple gifts to the girls, payback for bestowing on them piles of chocolate and other heart-shaped confections on Valentines Day. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 20, 2018 by johnrachel

They celebrate Valentines Day here — a distinctly Japanese version of the love holiday. It’s very innocent to be sure, but the guys are still in charge. Yes, on Valentines Day, the guys in Japan just sit back and the girls pile it on — chocolate, that is. From what I can tell, none of the giving is based on hot passion, hot sex, hot anticipation. Basically, the message is: “I’m a girl and you’re a boy and you’re not all that bad.” Or maybe: “I like you. I think. Call me maybe?” Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Arthur the Celebrity Cat

Posted on February 12, 2018 by johnrachel

My adorable cat Arthur beat me to the punch and got in the newspaper. And he doesn’t even have an agent. What do I need to do to get some press around here? Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Bicycle Theft

Posted on January 31, 2018 by johnrachel

There’s an innocence here in Japan, and a sense of honor and courtesy, a respect for the possessions of others. So much so that a bicycle theft is truly out-of-the-ordinary. And thus it warrants extraordinary response by the authorities. This is a true story. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: New Years

Posted on January 30, 2018 by johnrachel

Oh yes, what a wild time we had bringing in the New Year. Fasten your seat belts and savor the events which surrounded the onset of 2018 for us here in Japan. Continue reading →

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A Simple Straight-Forward Message for a Complex Convoluted Time

Posted on December 30, 2017 by johnrachel

This is about “Happy New Year”, my holiday greeting card to the world, a song I wrote three years ago, performed by my lovely and extremely talented wife and myself, here in my home studio in Japan. I believe it offers a simple straightforward message for a complex convoluted time. Continue reading →

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The Lizard Brain Has Imposed a No-Fly Zone Over the Cerebral Cortex

Posted on November 29, 2017 by johnrachel

Stress is bad. Here it is the time of year when we should be enjoying life, celebrating the birth of a future carpenter who would fall victim to a sting operation by the Roman secret police, make a wholly embarrassing and painful exit from the dusty scene in Jerusalem, then become the iconic figurehead of a world-class religion, and what are we doing? Fighting over the last Iron Man Avengers Age of Ultron Toy at Walmart with an open-carry rodeo queen who left her 18-wheeler diesel engine idling in the parking lot. Well, you tense and frazzled folks, I’ve found the perfect Christmas gift for you and your whole stressed-out family! Continue reading →

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John Rachel Is A Tedious Bore!

Posted on September 29, 2017 by johnrachel

I’m a tedious bore. Which begs the question: Why are you reading this? Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Democracy, Peace Dividend, Political Analysis, Political Rant, Revolution, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments