Author Archives: johnrachel

Life In Japan: Monkey Attack!

Posted on June 23, 2024 by johnrachel

My wife and I were finishing breakfast this morning and when we looked out the back window on the forest that is adjacent to our property, there was a MONKEY! Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Japan, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Do Mermaids Eat?

Posted on June 22, 2024 by johnrachel

I’m thinking about how many times in my entire life someone has asked me this question . . . “What Do Mermaids Eat?” Ah hah! I remember. ONE TIME! That was when my unpredictable, truly fascinating Japanese wife was sitting across from me in a café on Taketomi Island, Okinawa. Masumi smiled and said, “What do mermaids eat?” That was the one time. And it became the inspiration for my latest book! Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Food, Japan, Satire, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: My Wife the Drummer

Posted on June 21, 2024 by johnrachel

Despite more than thirty years teaching kids both how to play and how to appreciate music, my wife is still improving her “chops” both at pedagogy and performing music. She is already a marvelous piano player and singer, and regularly takes ballet classes. Much to my genuine delight, she now dedicates much time and energy to learning cello and DRUMS! Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Japan, Music, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: A rose is a rose is an onion . . .

Posted on May 16, 2024 by johnrachel

I was trying the other day to imagine what went through my mind when I was 25. It’s both a difficult and amusing exercise. One thing I can assert with absolute certainty . . . I never imagined I would at this stage in my life be living in Japan growing onions in my modest garden! Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Education, Food, Japan, Philosophy, Revolution, Spiritual, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: Peace Parade

Posted on May 13, 2024 by johnrachel

As a public school teacher, my wife Masumi belongs to a union and that union supports a truly left-wing agenda. This year’s “peace parade” emphasized their support for Article 9 and ending Japan’s destructive allegiance to America. Continue reading →

Posted in Democracy, Japan, Political Analysis, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Shitake Barbecue Restaurant

Posted on April 24, 2024 by johnrachel

My wife, one of her twin daughters, and I had an interesting experience recently. We went to a shitake barbecue restaurant, specializing — you guessed it — in shitake mushrooms! What made it so interesting is that we gathered our own shitake to grill. They grow it on the premises and when you enter, they give you a little green basket and off you go, personally selecting the feature food item for today’s barbecue feast. Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Japan, Living On The Edge, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Yosakoi Festival

Posted on April 18, 2024 by johnrachel

The fun and excitement never lets up here. This past weekend, there was another festival here in Tambasasayama, the Yosakoi Festival. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Social Commentary, Travel | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: 2nd Day of Spring

Posted on March 22, 2024 by johnrachel

Have I ever mentioned how crazy the weather is here? Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Deconstruction, Environment, Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Life In Japan: Otsuka Museum of Art

Posted on March 13, 2024 by johnrachel

Japan continues to dazzle and amaze me. This past weekend, Masumi took me to the Otsuka Museum of Art, and it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Japan, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Life In Japan: Music Education

Posted on December 18, 2023 by johnrachel

I continue to be amazed at the level of education here in Japan. Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Japan, Music, Social Commentary | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment