Beautiful Song from "Spirited Away"

 "Itsumo Nando demo" (Whenever, and as many times) from "Spirited Away"
「千と千尋の神隠し」から　”いつも何度でも”　‐　木村弓

I was able to watch the original Japanese version of "Spirited Away." I've watched it before in English.
It spoke to me deeply partially because it was in Japanese and also I have grown older.
I wanted to share with you my rough translation of this beautiful lyrics, and in doing so, I took the liberty.
The Lyre Ms. Kimura is playing here in the video is very familiar to the Steiner-Waldorf educators, and I have played it before as well.

"Itsumo Nando demo" (Whenever, and as many times)
Music and Vocal by Kimura Yumi
English Translation: Hikaru Miyakawa

"It's calling me from somewhere deep within my bosom(heart),
...wanting to dream the kind of dream where my heart can dance with joy and anticipation...
Though there are countless sadness, beyond it I'm certain that I can find you

Whenever the mistakes are repeated, one gets to realize the blueness of the simple, blue firmament...
Though the path before me may appear to continue forever, these hands can embrace the light.

The silent heart at the moment of its departure, listens intently through the body which is bound to become 'zero,'
...mystery of living,
...mystery of dying,
...(whether it is) the flower, the wind, the city streets - it applies to all

La, la, la...

It is calling from somewhere deep within (me)... (so) let us dream the dream whenever and as many (much) as we can...
Instead of counting and uttering away the sadness, (let us) sing gently with the same lips...

Within the subsiding memory I always hear the whisper that I do not wish to forget.
Even on the shattered pieces of mirror the new scenery is reflected.

In the commencing morning through the silent window,
may the body which is bound to become 'zero,' expand and be fulfilled...
I shall no longer look far beyond the boundary of the sea to find that which shines, for I was able to find it here... and it always have been ...within me"

Reflection on the Hiroshima Day through Astro Boy - - - ( 鉄腕アトムに想う)

He is known in the US as "Astro Boy", but his original name is "Atom (アトム)," and as you may know, he is an atomic energy generated/powered robot created in the image of its creator scientist Dr. Tenma's deceased child, Tobio.

Instead of spreading the hatred and fear towards the atomic energy and its creators, the author Osamu Tezuka (手塚 治虫)
created Atom to courageously face the future of mankind and still deeply care for the humanity.
 
"Tetsuwan Atom / 鉄腕アトム (Mighty Atom)" was written in 1952 and made its debut on Japanese TV as a cartoon show in 1963.
I along with many of the post-WW II generations grew up watching this show and listening to its opening song written by Shuntarō Tanikawa (谷川俊太郎) as a lyricist and composed by Tatsuo Takai (高井 達雄).
I always feel energized and inspired after listening to this title song.
There is the phrase in the first verse in the title song saying, "kokoro yasashi... kagaku no ko", and that is one of the phrases
I love listening while reflecting how I am and must be towards the world.
It can roughly translated as "kind hearted, child of science".

The word,"yasashii," is usually translated as"to be kind (hearted)," but it also means "to be gentle, compassionate, and caring".
It is a revolutionary thinking to imagine the robot having compassionate, caring heart.

Another phrase I like is at the beginning of the second verse where it says, "mimi wo sumase, me wo mihare" which roughly means
"listen intently and watch/see/observe carefully".
At first, we are lead to think that the words are meant for Atom/Astro Boy, warning him to not to get tricked into corruption
by the enemy ("yudan wo suru na"), but soon we can realize that the words are meant for all of us.
To me it goes even beyond the "warning".
It reminds me of the compassion of Kannon/Kanzeon, the Bodhisattva who "sees" the cry(sound) of the mankind".

Let us be like Atom and be progressively caring and just.

こころ優しく、こころ正しく... ね！

Memorial Reception for the Great East Japan Eathquake

 The Consul-General of Japan, Mr. Ikuhiko Ono

Yesterday evening on March 13th, Reimi and I attended the private Memorial Reception for the Great East Japan Eathquake hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in Denver.

We were invited officially by the Consul-General of Japan and Mrs. Ikuhiko Ono.

As we all know that March 11th was the one year memorial day for this disaster in Tohoku area of Japan.

We were both honored that the Consulate General of Japan had selected the Mitchell Hall of the Denver Botanic Gardens for this reception, for the interior of the great hall has been graced by the photography of late-William Corey (late-husband of Reimi Corey).  William would have been very pleased for this honor, for he had loved the people and the beauty of Japan. Two of the 6 images displayed are from Yamagata prefecture, and fortunately Yamagata was spared of the disaster even though it is located in the Northeastern part of the main island.
http://www.williamcorey.com/

You can see two of William's photos on the wall.

The State of Colorado and the various organizations within the state (especially of Denver) have been actively raising the funds and donating the large sums of money to the victims in the affected areas. This reception was held to express gratitude towards the people in America (especially of Colorado) for their kind hearts and the generosity.

One of the highlights of the event was the Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming) performance given by the world-renowned Kyogaku Drummers, The Matsukawa Kyogaku Taiko Drummers. The group had come all the way from Japan to express gratitude for the American people through their US Arigatou "Thank you" tour. It was very impressive performances. 
The terrific sound, precise rhythms, and the vibration along with the "heat" generated by the concentration and the passion welling up from each performer were, in the way, echoing the nature's tremble via earthquake. Yet, it was much more than that. It was showing of the vitality of another nature, the Human Nature, to overcome the difficulty and to rise up like the sacred Phoenix from its ashes!

http://www.nippon-kan.org/TaikoDrummers/

It is needless to say that we must always respect, honor, and serve the nature, for there could have been no human civilization without the patient support extended by the Mother Nature.

On the lighter note, the guests were given the souvenirs from Aizu-Wakamatsu of Fukushima prefecture. 

It is a self-righting Aizu Hariko doll (会津張り子). 
The self righting doll keeps standing up when it is pushed and/or falls. It is a symbolic representation of the spirits of people in Fukushima. 

Furthermore, as I have written before in my blog, the radiation is the byproduct of the "self-righting (stabilizing)" nature inherit within the nucleus of an atom. 

May the self-stabilizing nature of atoms in us correct us not in the way of emitting the devastating radiation but by radiating our inner light towards the world around us.

Emperor Akihito's 78th birthday on December 23rd, 2011

I have been absent for awhile from blogging, but I am compelled to write this one.
Thank you very much for your patience.

After recovering from mycoplasma infection and returning from the hospitalization, Emperor Akihito gave an inspiring and caring speech on his birthday.  As you can see on the news below, he is keeping the busy schedule.


Both the Emperor and the Empress had visited the earthquake / tsunami affected areas and showed the heartful support to the victims and the survivors of the disaster.


Although the Emperor do not have the active political power, the people of Japan still look up to him as the  highest symbol of Japan. To receive words/blessing from the Emperor is considered as a honorable gift , and even only to see him in public a few times a year can be comforting to the people.


I feel blessed to have the family (on my maternal side) directly and indirectly associated with the Imperial family.


Long live Emperor Akihito!!!


Here is the video clip of the news reporting the Emperor's birthday speech (abridged) followed by the very rough translation of mine in English.


(If you can read Japanese, please visit the following link to read the entire speech:
  http://sankei.jp.msn.com/life/news/111223/imp11122311110007-n1.htm )

The rough translation of Emperor Akihito's birthday speech in English.


"On this day of my birthday, I deeply appeciate your congratulatory wishes.

During this year, many lives were lost due to the massive Northeastern earthquake in Spring and the Typhoon related heavy rain in Autunm.

Whenever I think of the survivors and the disaster victims it hurts my heart.

I am sure that you all may have spent some heavy hearted days.

In the midst of it I was informed of the fact that the many people are putting their utmost effort for (helping) the disaster victims, and I felt extremely encouraged.

There are only few remaining days left for this tough (distressing) year.

We would like to continue to live while not forgetting about the disaster victims and wish for the happiness of all the citizens.

I pray that the coming year would be a good year for each and everyone of you."

Emperor Akihito's video message! (in English)

[Emperor Akihito's speech - video message]


Yesterday, Emperor Akihito of Japan had given a video message to the people of Japan. The intention of the Emperor was to enable the emergency news to override the speech. It is extremely rare for the Emperor to appear in the news to give the official public speech. Yet, as an honorable human being, he was putting the emergency broadcast as the highest priority, In the event of emergency (catastrophic event), he was allowing the news media to cut him off...


Following are the very rough translation of mine. I was compelled to do so as my contribution to the victims and the rescue workers in Japan and, of course, to the Emperor Akihito. Although I have translated it to the best of my knowledge and ability, some areas may need to be corrected. You are free to re post this, and share this with anyone. If possible, give me the credit for the translation.


If you would like to read the Japanese original version, please go to:
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/jnn?a=20110316-00000068-jnn-soci


You can view and listen to the message via youtube below.

...and here is the English translation.



"At this time, Tohoku earthquake was unprecedentedly large earthquake with 9.0 magnitude, and my heart is aching towards the devastating/tragic status quo of the disaster areas.


The death toll, due to the earthquake and tsunami, are rising/increasing daily, also the (total sum of) number of victims are unknown. I am hoping that the safety of as many people would be confirmed.


Furthermore, I am currently deeply concerned about the unpredictable situation at the Nuclear Power Plant, and I sincerely hope that with the endeavor of the persons concerned/involved, much worse situation will be averted. 


Currently, the whole nation is going into the rescue operation, in the middle of the severely cold weather, many people are taking refuge at the shelter in the dire condition, due to lack of food, drinking water, and the fuels, owing to circumstances beyond their control.


I do hope from the deepest of my heart for the swift rescue of the people by putting all of the might towards it, and for the improvement of victims' condition, and to be lead to the hope for the rebuilding/recovery/revival of the people.  


More importantly, I am deeply touched by the courage of these people who have lived through the disaster, and while encouraging oneself despite being a victim, planning to live for their future.


I am grateful for the effort and would like to show the deep appreciation for the works/troubles of the people, who are continuing to be involved in the rescue missions day and night through the National gov. and the local self-governing body starting with the Self-Defence forces, the Police department, the Fire department, the Coast Guards, and the people who had arrived in Japan from various countries for the rescue missions, and the people who belong to the various rescue operations within this country, while being in the dangerous situation involving the after shocks of earthquake.


At this time, various condolences from the world leaders/heads of the countries were delivered, and the many of those were carrying the messages that the hearts of the people from various countries are with the disaster victims. I shall report these messages to the people at the disaster areas.


I have heard that there were many comments touching upon the subject of Japanese people showing the orderly correspondence and calmly helping each other, despite being in deep sadness.
I am hoping from the bottom of my heart that everyone would continue to join and have sympathy for each other and overcome these unfortunate time. 


I feel that it is very important for all of us to share as much of the load (and the painful days) through various forms with the disaster victims. I am wishing from my heart for the victims to never to lose hopes and live through the days from tomorrow (afterwards) while caring for their bodies(health), and for each person (citizen) of this nation would continue to draw the hearts closer for a long time, and to continuously watch over the path of recovery of each (affected) area with the disaster victims."

Children's Day (Tango no Sekku)

Children's Day (Tango no Sekku)

As the 5th day of the 5th month (May), this day is celebrated in Japan as the Children's Day (Kodomo no hi). It is also known as "Tango no Sekku(端午の節句). The day was set on May 5th when Japan adopted the Gregorian calender.
This celebration is said to be originated in China during the 3rd century AD. In Japan, this celebration may have begun during the 6th century or so.
This day is usually celebrated as the Boys' Day as opposed the Girls' Day on March 3rd; however, it is generally known to celebrate the children in general and also as the day to show the appreciation towards the mothers.

Koi(carp) banners/flags (koi nobori) are raised. In China, it is believed that the carps do become the dragons after they reach the upstream. I feel that it is the perfect symbol of the strength and tenacity of the carps (female) to overcome the odds by going against the stream to reach the goal to lay the eggs.

Kintaro doll and/or the samurai kabuto (helmet), etc., are displayed as the reminder of strength, health, and the honor.
Kintaro is also known as Sakata Kintoki, and he was the famous hero with the unusual strength. He was born during the 10th century (956?) between Yaegiri (八重桐)and Sakata Kurando (坂田蔵人),who was serving the Imperial court in Kyoto. After the death of the father, the mother raised Kintaro in the Ashigara mountain. 
Other legend has Kintaro's mother as the Yamauba/Yamanba(a monstrous female who feasted on the childen's flesh) and his father as the god of the thunder and the lightening. Also, there is another legend where the red dragon mated with Yaegiri and produced Kintaro. This legend is very interesting, for Herzeloyde, the mother of Parzival (of  Wolfram von Eschenbach) had the dream where the red dragon appeared when she had conceived Parzival.

Hakone, where my 'home' is located, is the part f the Ashigara mountains!
There is a mountain named, Kintoki-Yama, located near where I grew up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children's_Day_(Japan)