Life In Japan: “Sasayama Mary”

Meet Sasayama Mary!

Yes, she’s a cat-woman. Or is it woman-cat?

How did this happen? Very interesting story indeed!

Sasayama Mary was a very popular and successful fortune teller. As her success mounted, those around her became envious and spiteful. She found herself abandoned. When her best friend turned on her, it was the last painful straw. She became depressed and withdrawn, not sure where to head with her life.

Then attending a Halloween costume party changed everything, She went to the party as a cat. As she mixed among the guests, the smiles of delight were evident. She was making people happy! It felt good to again be accepted and to spread some joy in the world.

Thus, Sasayama Mary, the feline celebrity of our sleepy little town, was born! Currently, she only appears in public as a cat and can be seen anywhere and everywhere around town.

Masumi reminded me that we originally spotted her at our Dekansho Festival. I remember seeing her but just assumed it was another person dressed up specifically for the occasion, a common practice. But no, this was Sasayama Mary, doing her thing.

How we officially just met . . .

We had guests last weekend and were sitting in the store of our friends, Keiko-san and her husband Yatsushi-san, when in strolled a human-size cat! To put it mildly, I was surprised … amazed … delighted!

Sasayama Mary sat down with us and we got acquainted. Meow!

About the folks in this photo, starting bottom right and going clockwise: Of course, first is my wife Masumi. She’s a public school music teacher, phenomenal piano player and opera singer, is currently studying cello, drums, and ballet. Then there’s Sasayama Mary. My wife loves cats. Maybe that’s why she’s sitting next to her.

Coming around the circle, there’s yours truly. My Facebook Profile says “I can balance a Boeing 767 on my nose while I dance Swan Lake. I see hope where others see soap.” That’s really all you need to know about me.

Next are Yatsushi-san and Keiko-san. They are genuinely amazing people. They have built over thirty schools in Bangladesh. In the background of the photo, you can see pics on the wall of some of the hundreds of students they’ve helped with their education.

Next lady is Yoko-san, married to Gary-san. Yoko used to work for the World Bank. Through her contacts, she was able to arrange a huge grant for Yatsushi’s and Keiko’s NPO, funding the construction of at least five schools in Bangladesh. Finally, her American husband, Gary, is a poet, philosopher, political writer, formerly a teacher.

It’s certainly true that the tiny city I live in, Tambasasayama, is a quiet, traditional, rural town. But don’t think for a minute, it’s only farmers and rice fields we have here. Some rather unique and interesting people live here and come to visit. Does your home town have a cat-lady?

By the way, Sasayama Mary has an Instagram page. It’s truly a walk on the wild side. Check it out!

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . My First 5-Star Review!

It’s short. Right to the point: My first 5-star review on What Do Mermaids Eat? at Amazon.

Granted — not boasting — all of my books get mostly 5-star reviews. But each time, it starts with just one. It’s always rewarding to see that my hard work is appreciated and respected. That first bit of praise is always very gratifying, and frankly, EXCITING!

What I like about this very concise review is that it emphasizes how beautiful the printing of the book is. Of course, the ebooks always look dazzling, since they present the original color digital photos and graphics. But this being only the second time I did this — the first being Live From Japan!What Do Mermaids Eat? is full-color, cover-to-cover, on deluxe paper.

IT LOOKS GREAT! If I saw this in a bookstore and didn’t know me personally, I’d still be very tempted to own this book. And at home, I’d have it in full view, maybe on my coffee table or kitchen counter. Talk about a conversation starter!

Right now, it’s priced as low as it can be. 25% off the deluxe, full-color paperback. For sure it will be available for only $29.95 until December 2nd. That may be extended through the entire holiday season because . . . well, it’s the holiday season. The season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la!

And as I’ve mentioned before, this unique fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

Hey! Let’s have some fun! The book is relatively inexpensive and smiling is free!

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Tanya & Chloe

Meet Tanya and Chloe. I encountered them on Bonaire Island in the Dutch Antilles. Very interesting pair. I think they were an item, whatever that means in the world of mermaids.

Not that it was in any way a problem for me. I have no LGBTQ+ issues.

Chloe tried to explain the way mermaids view the boy/girl thing we topsiders seem to be so pre-occupied with.

“You topsiders sure invest a lot of time and energy …”

Tanya interjected, “And money!”

“… yes, money too, in the whole male-female thing.”

I shrugged and probably looked puzzled. “It’s pretty fundamental for us.”

She swiveled the stool she was sitting in to face me, then stretched her body out. “What do you see? Can you tell if I’m male or female?”

“You have breasts.”

“So do sumo wrestlers. What about down below?”

She was right, of course. No obvious signs one way or other.

“And if you were to meet all two million or so of us, that’s what you’d see.”

“There’s two million mermaids in the world?”

“Give or take ten thousand or so. No one knows for sure. The oceans are enormous!”

“You’re really blowing my mind!”

Admittedly, that was a gross understatement. Every time I met a mermaid, my mind was getting blown. I’m surprised I can think at all.

Do you want to hear more about my unique adventures? How about having your own copy?

As I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time (until December 2nd) for 25% off the regular price . . . order it directly from the printer.

By the way, this stunning fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook, in the format of your choice . . .

JUST DO IT!


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SALE ON DELUXE PRINT VERSION OF “MERMAIDS” EXTENDED!

You can still get a super high-quality deluxe full-color copy of “Mermaids” for 25% off the regular price. Order it for only $29.95, DIRECTLY FROM THE PRINTER . . . HERE.

This is easily one of the most beautiful books you’ll ever own! Full color cover-to-cover, the highest quality paper.

Here are some sample pages . . .

For a preview of the unbelievable story behind this book, click HERE;

ORDER THE DELUXE PAPERBACK NOW! Only $29.95. (After December 3rd, it will be $39.95)

By the way, this stunning fantasy/travel/cookbook is also available as an ebook . . .

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Advance Praise: What Do Mermaids Eat?

Advance praise is arriving in leaps and bounds!

Of course, this unique book has been in development for seven years. Along the way, word of it has leaked and created an initial undercurrent of “buzz”. Now that the project finally came to fruition — official publication date was November 2nd — speculation is building and interest is snowballing.

Even the mermaids have weighed in!

“John did a good job on this book — for a topsider. I have to say this because from what I know about them, what I’ve seen on TV and movies, they’re usually a pretty strange bunch. But John has a good sense of humor, takes criticism well, and has an open, curious mind. And he closes his mouth when he chews.” – Syn, a mermaid who lives in the South China Sea.

“My contact with dry humans — we mermaids DO consider ourselves human — has been very limited. Sometimes someone falls overboard. Or gets swept out to sea in a strong current. Dry humans seem to be pretty lousy swimmers. Oh … and when I’m topside and order take-out, I get a glimpse of the delivery boy, or man, or girl. Whatever. Other than that, this John guy is it. He’s certainly the only one who’ve I’ve sat in a room with and been in close proximity to. He smells very flowery. Strong stuff! Cologne? Underarm deodorant? Why do dry humans dowse themselves with all these stinky chemicals?” – Claudia, a mermaid who lives in the South Pacific Ocean.

“Since meeting John Rachel, I’ve read some of his books. Crazy guy! But fun to read. We hit it off pretty good. He looks kind of old, though. I don’t get it. He’s what? 60 or 70? Last time I checked, I’m over 750-years-old. I don’t have any wrinkles at all.” – Cassandra, a mermaid who lives the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean.

“This writer guy, John, kept apologizing for asking stupid questions and saying stupid things. I thought he was just being funny. But there’s no reason for him to be embarrassed. I mean, EVERYTHING is different under water. I certainly have no need for a hair drier and ballpoint pens are pretty worthless. Ever try to lick a stamp at the bottom of a swimming pool? I like this book, What Do Mermaids Eat? Except the copy I took home with me only took three days to pretty much dissolve. Maybe I need a waterproof Kindle reader.” – Deehl, a mermaid who lives in the chilly waters of the Tasman Sea.

“When John talked about us in his book, he said we seemed to be an ‘item’. It took us a while to figure out what he meant. Honestly, we don’t have all these categories for love. We’re all just sisters down here. We love every mermaid we meet with the same intensity, sincerity, and passion. There’s no jealousy or competition. Maybe topsiders need to change the way they look at others. It works for us. Ever seen a sad or angry mermaid?” – Tanya and Chloe, two mermaids who live in the Caribbean Sea.

And at least one very special guest, who never heard of me, gave the book a nod.

“I haven’t read this book. I’m very busy.” – Stephen King, author of hundreds of best sellers, a very rich, eccentric as hell, but a lovable guy.

I don’t mean to be a broken record. Or a self-replicating binary glitch. But again I remind those folks who are keen for a bargain, pride themselves on the highest standards, and have an eye out for the truly beautiful: the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available pre-publication for a limited time (until November 2nd) for 25% off the regular price. We have here a genuinely stunning version of the book which you will be proud to show your friends or put on display in your living room or den.

What Do Mermaids Eat? direct from the printer. JUST DO IT!

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Marta

I met Marta in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She feared being captured by us topsiders and forced to jump through flaming hoops at Sea World. Besides, she hated chlorinated water. She told me that mermaids have a favorite movie about us humans. It’s Planet of the Apes.

What a funny gal! Check out this exchange . . .

Me: “Can you cry underwater?”

Marta: “Can you blow bubbles at 30,000 feet?”

Me: “How can you tell when your laundry is dry?”

Marta: “How do you know for sure that you’re not inside out?”

I can’t improve on that. I don’t know what to say.

Just a reminder, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time (until December 2nd) for 25% off the regular price.

What Do Mermaids Eat? direct from the printer.

It is also available as an ebook in all popular formats . . .

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Cassandra

Cassandra looked really young!

Me: “So, how old are you?”

Cassandra: “Would you believe me if I told you?”

Me: “Try me.” 

Cassandra: “First of all, none of us keep track of age. It usually doesn’t even occur to us. But at some point — I don’t remember why — I started counting. So I can give you that number. 735.”

Me: “735? 735 years old? Why I wouldn’t have pegged you as being a day over 600.”

Cassandra: “We’re probably immortal. But we don’t think about that either. We live in the moment. Less stress that way.”

Me: “I’m trying to wrap head around this. No anti-aging crème? Hormone replacement therapy? No Botox? Vitamin supplements?”

Cassandra: “None of the above.”

Me: “Cosmetic surgery is probably out of the question.”

Cassandra: “We keep healthy by staying active.”

Me: “Of course! Swimming is supposed to be very good exercise.”

I try to have good variety in my friendships. I like having younger friends and older friends. Now I had one that was at least 735-years-old! How many of you can say that?

By the way, as I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available pre-publication for a limited time (until December 2nd) for 25% off the regular price.

What Do Mermaids Eat? direct from the printer.

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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Rahqa

I admit that when I met Rahqa, I was surprised — a little shocked — seeing all of her MUSCLES and TATTOOS!

She was definitely unique.

But beyond being a health addict and alt-cultural, Rahqa was an activist, very concerned and upset about the way humans are treating the oceans.

Rahqa: “Did you know there’s an island of plastic garbage the size of Texas floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.”

Me: “That sounds bad.”

Rahqa: “Don’t get daffy on me now.”

Me: “Actually, I do know that but it’s not something I think about.”

Rahqa: “Well, please start. And tell your friends. Stop with all the plastic!”

Yes, she was fiery and beautiful! And a damn good cook. For our dinner, she whipped up Fruit of the Isles Sesame Crusted Mahi Mahi in Pineapple Sauce. I even included the recipe!

As I mentioned before, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available for a limited time (until December 2nd) for 25% off the regular price.

What Do Mermaids Eat? direct from the printer. JUST DO IT!


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What Do Mermaids Eat? . . . Corinne

Meet Corinne. Read all about her and 18 other mermaids in the most uniquely beautiful fantasy/travel/cookbook ever!

When I met Corinne, I noticed that the left side of her body seemed weak, almost limp. She noticed me noticing.

Corinne: “You’re probably wondering about this. I got broadsided by a nuclear submarine.”

Me: “I’m sorry.”

Corinne: “Well, it wasn’t your fault. Then again. It was American. You don’t happen to drive a submarine, do you?”

And so it went. Every mermaid had unique and astonishing stories. And they all had a lot to say about we land-based humans, out gadgets, our movies, our celebrities, our music, our way of life and priorities. To say it was both entertaining and fascinating would be a gross understatement.

You can read about how I met the mermaids HERE.

By the way, the ultimate deluxe full-color paperback is available pre-publication for a limited time (until November 2nd) for 25% off the regular price. Go HERE for details! Or order it now directly from the printer.

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Life In Japan: An Interview

About two months ago, I was interviewed locally about my book Live From Japan! Anecdotes on the People and Culture of Contemporary Japan from the Perspective of an American Expat.

The organization that interviewed me was the Sasayama International Center of Understanding, aka Kokusai Rikai 日本国際理解教育学会.

This is a non-profit and my connection with them goes all the way back to 2008. I taught English there three times a week for the entire year. The people there are wonderful and we’ve kept in touch.

They have a host of wonderful programs and activities, all dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of other cultures. We have a variety of people from other countries here in Tambasasayama, including Peru, Brazil, Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines, even African nations like Senegal, and of course, the United States (like me!). Japanese language courses are made available to the immigrants, and English is taught to local Japanese who wish to build on the basic skills they got in elementary and high school. That was where I came in.

By the way, here is the message featured at the top of the home page for the organization:

戦争は人の心の中で生れるものであるから, 人の心の中に平和のとりでを築かなければならない。Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. — Preamble of the UNESCO Constitution

In any case, one of my students from all the way back in 2008 who I’ve kept in touch with — she’s into organic farming, sustainable agriculture, and during her high school years was an exchange student somewhere in Florida — recently took a job at Kokusai Rikai. She alerted them to my Live From Japan! book. Next thing I know, I’m getting interviewed for a monthly publication they do (pictured on the left).

I thought the interview went well. It certainly was fun!

They asked me what page people should visit first. Without a doubt, The Naked American! Then they wanted to know my favorite story. That would be “There is beauty everywhere!” Finally, they wanted to know what my three favorite things were here in Tambasasayama.

  1. My wife.
  2. Riding my bike all around town.
  3. The beauty of Tambasasayama — the mountains, shrines, temples, rice and bean fields.

Here is the interview. It helps if you can read Japanese . . .

Indeed . . . it’s like living in a fairy tale!

By the way, if you’re interested in the book, in addition to the stories about living here in Japan, there are over 450 photos . . .

An Apple iBOOK is available HERE.

A B&N Nook Book is available HERE.

Other popular ebook formats are available HERE.

A deluxe full-color paperback from the printer HERE.

A deluxe paperback is available from Amazon HERE.

A deluxe full-color paperback is available from B&N HERE.

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