This is an official English blog site for the internationally recognized Japanese visionary acrylic artist, Hikaru Hirata - Miyakawa.
Hikaru has followed Leonardo da Vinci since he was ten,and Hikaru is very skilled in art, music, dance, acting, writing, and teaching. Hikaru is also known as hikalux and hicarucci. Hikaru lives in Boulder, Colorado and paints murals, too.
{Inherent Goodness in Nature? - Lesson from the radioactivity}
Today, on this Vernal Equinox Day, I am going to write about something that can be considered controversial. I hope you can read the entire article before you make the final decision. I thank you in advance for your patience.
We all know that the radioactive rays (via radiation) can be both beneficial or harmful to our health. Some of us may not realise how much radiation we are receiving naturally. There are so many different rays and waves whether radioactive or not. The different waves with the unique frequency emitted via the radio stations, cell phones, Internet and much more are constantly bombarding and penetrating our bodies. We just don't realise that since we cannot "see" nor experience them. I remember watching one of Akira Kurosawa's movies called, the "Dream". It is based on the compilations of different dreams dreamt by Kurosawa himself , and each segment begins with the statement, "(I have) dreamt this sort of a dream..." Well, one of them had to do with the nuclear holocaust/accident where people were trying to escape the horror of dying the horrible, painful death by committing a mass suicide (jumping off the cliff). In it there was a man in charge of the nuclear power plant explaining the differently colored gas-like radiations. Yes, each radioactive "rays" and particles had been tinted, so that one can identify them easily. We are in so called, "shiranu ga hotoke", condition, roughly meaning that we are "(pretending to) be happy go lucky because of lack of knowing what's really going on" ... in a way.
Perhaps it maybe is a good thing that we cannot know otherwise some people may start to panic. In the movies, "Nihon Chinbotsu (Japan Sinking)", and "2012", the people in the government had to make the difficult decisions whether to inform the people of eminent disaster or not. It is always an issue for the government to whether to tell the truth and risk the mass hysteria and "destroy the country", or to not inform them until the very end and make it the mass hysteria proof for as long as possible. When we look back on "some" of the historic events, we can understand that the mass hysteria can be devastating as a natural disaster. ...think about "looting" and arson... so, in a way, I don't blame the officials not being able to trust the reaction of some of the people. It is a difficult task to achieve harmony in any situation. It is much easier to talk only of idealism. Of course, the reality in the stoic reactions of people in Japan are some of the exceptions, and it also needs to be considered. The reality is quite complex.
What is more complex is to know the possibly harmful byproduct coming out of trying to achieve the stability and balance... sort of a necessary evil. The world/universe is not an "either or"/ "black and white" place.
The good example is the radioactivity.
"Atoms found in nature are either stable or unstable. An atom is stable if the forces among the particles that make up the nucleus are balanced. An atom is unstable (radioactive) if these forces are unbalanced--if the nucleus has an excess of internal energy. Unstable atoms are called radionuclides. The instability of a radionuclide's nucleus may result from an excess of either neutrons or protons. An unstable nucleus will continually vibrate and contort and, sooner or later, attempt to reach stability by some combination of means:
- ejecting neutrons, and protons - converting one to the other with the ejection of a beta particle or positron - the release of additional energy by photon (i.e., gamma ray) emission."
It is interesting to note in the statement above that "an unstable nucleus will ... attempt to reach stability..." Emission of radiation is a byproduct of radioactive decay where nucleus is trying to achieve stability and balance, sort of.
There is an inherent condition or nature in this tiny universe called the atoms to seek stability whether the movement of each atom is predictable or not. If we are to equate the word, "stability", with the word, "goodness", can't we state that it is the inherent condition of nature/universe to be and to become "GOOD"?
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.
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."
I am very excited to announce that I am involved in the exhibition organized by IFAA (International Fantastic Art Association)!
IFAA, an art association predominantly consisting of Japanese artists, is committed to explore the fantastic and the imaginative. These are very dedicated, talented artists offering their exquisite creations.
Aoki Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo, has been hosting and supporting the artists with the fantastic, the surreal, and the imaginative expression for quite some time. The Gallery has hosted the Solo exhibition of Dr. Ernst Fuchs, a proponent of Viennese Fantastic Realism, back in 1965.
(Since there are a lot of members in IFAA with the limited space at the gallery, the exhibition is divided in half. The first period is from Jan. 17th through the 22nd, and the second period is from the 24th through the 30th.)
Here are the information:
The New Year Exhibition IFAA "OBLIQUE"
@ Aoki Gallery - Luft ( http://www.aokigallery.jp/) Shima Building 3rd Floor 3-5-16 Ginza, Chuuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Japan TEL. 03-3535-6858
You might have heard about the story of Pandora and/or the Pandora's box.
To sum up the story, Pandora, a beautiful woman bestowed with the multi-gifts (Pandora means "all the gifts" ) from the gods, was created by the Greek god, Hephaestus, through order made by Zeus. Pandora was given the box/jar containing difficult toil, pain, and sickness, etc., and she was to give these "gifts" to mankind. It was due to Zeus's anger against Prometheus, who had stolen the fire from heaven and gave it to the humans. Although Prometheus warned his brother, Epimetheus, not to accept any gifts from Zeus, Epimetheus received Pandora, and she opened this jar/box, and we the humans has been infested with the toil, pain, and disease. Somehow within this jar/box was "hope'', and Pandora closed the lid just in time to keep the hope from escaping.
Now comes the problem...
This story is usually understood that since Pandora closed the lid, we have "hope" and not just the pain and sickness in the world, but...
If opening of the jar/box let the sickness, etc. out in the world but kept the hope within the jar/box, what is that mean? It can mean that hope is not released into the world... meaning, we have no hope!?!
If you are interested, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora ... and scroll down to the section, "Difficulties of interpretation."
I hope you are enjoying this Labor Day. I have been writing a book (in conjunction to my research on Leonardo da Vinci / the Holy Grail, etc) which requires me to research the Holy Scriptures (of Judeo-Christian Bible) in Hebrew, Aramaic, ancient Greek, Latin, etc. I am doing this as an artist-creator rather than a academic scholar, linguist (textual critic), sociologist... etc. I hope to complete this soon. Today, I would like to share with you my reflection of creation-labor via the story in Genesis. First, I would like to ask you a question. What would you do and/or feel had one of your master pieces... be it a book, a painting, a CD (of your musical activity), a movie...etc took on the human personality and decided to "Hide" from you and from the entire universe because it is ashamed of its presence and ashamed of been seen and acknowledged by the universe? What if it feels that you've done a horrible job!? Wouldn't you be sad or even be angry about such action/reaction on the part of your creation? You see, to me, the theme of "Fall of Adam/Eve" is not about the "Original Sin" per se, but it has everything to do with the creation....ART! Also, this theme of creation and the origin and the Originator of the Creation is the most important message in the Tanakh (Old Testament). The beauty of the creation was "seen ( וירא )" and was acknowledged by its Creator as "Good ( טוב )." Eve(Chavah-חוה)also "saw( ותרא )" the beauty in everything ...even in the fruits which may teach her what is unpleasant/not good. It is not the fair thing to accuse Eve of corrupting the universe, for she saw the goodness, pleasantness, and the beauty in Creation which was reflected by its Creator as Good...(...and NOT partially good nor consisting some good and some evil). Besides, awakening to the awareness of: not good/ evil/ unpleasant feeling/ DEATH ...was only occurred after her eyes were opened due to eating/tasting of the fruit. She may have been innocent but not evil. Also, Eve gave the fruit to Adam out of her love and kindness...and before her eyes were opened! She simply wanted to share the fruit with its beautiful appearance. That's all! The Creation was good and the created saw it and "trusted" the goodness of his/her own within. Such "Visual" appreciation of creation sadly over-ruled/over-ridden the "Audio/auditory" command of the Creator. Have you ever wondered: "Well, where were the angels and the beings that later interceded on behalf of humans back then? Why didn't they protect Adam and Eve... or warn specifically about the "cunning" aspect of the serpent before hand? Why didn't they ward off the serpent? Adam and Eve weren't sophisticated enough at this point. They may not have had the awareness of associating the idea of "not obeying the commandment" with the 'sin'. My friends, it may have been due to the Great Plan of Creator. Adam and Eve had to go through the experience no other divine beings could imagine nor withstand at the time...namely, to experience the "separation" from its Creator, to have the individuality-Ego and to risk the direct connection, and to experience "death". What were some of their assignments (other than the experience mentioned above)? ... To learn to create. To "taste" the hardship and joy of Labor. ...to Adam, it was the outer Labor and to Eve, it was the inner Labor. In other words, Adam had to learn how to create via "touching" the objects (i.e., soil/water/tools)with his hands just as Elohim the Creator did when Adam was created. Eve, on the other hand, had to learn how to create via "not touching with her hand", through pregnancy. Why inner creation from Eve? One of the reasons could be that she was not created out of the combination of dust/soil and the moisture as Adam was but born out of Adam. In other words, Eve was born from within. Perhaps it was also due to her superb ability to "feel" the words of Creator and answered the serpent that Creator warned them not only not to eat the fruits from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil but not even to "touch ( תגעו )" When Elohim commanded about the fruits and the trees, Eve was within Adam. She was not created yet per se. This was one of the reasons why Yeshwa (Jesus) later tells Mary Magdalene not to "touch(approach)- ܬܬܩܪܒܝܢ " him. It had nothing to do with Mary being less than Jesus but to remind her of the "Original" event where Eve had to go through... to remind Mary of the words of Eve! (I am not trying to be sexist here. The lessons of inner and outer creation could have been reversed/exchanged between Eve and Adam.) At any rate, most of the creation/creative activities fall into the two I have mentioned above: inner and outer Their(our)lessons were (are) to understand and to experience what it means to create... to complete, manifest, and to see the fruits of labor... and to appreciate the beauty of creation as the creators!
When creativity is in concert with inspiration, it works wonder.
Yet, sometimes we can get stuck or feel stuck and uninspired to create from various reasons due largely to the life situations/circumstances.... illness, financial trouble, accidents, family situations...etc.
On the other hand, the great ideas and uplifting inspiration may seem to subside and dry up because the result is not apparent. In other words, sometimes the great projects requiring the help from the various sectors are not being met and fulfilled to continue and complete the projects.
...or the business is not recognized and not taking off as intended (even after the 3 years of the initial trial period). ..or the wonderful creations are not honored nor recognized... and bought...
When such outcome/situation continues, one may begin to feel hopeless and not wanting to continue/carry on.
I have been through that myself.
One day, during the middle 90s, I was watching a program on PBS where Les Brown, an inspirational speaker, was featured. Out of many wonderful message he had given that evening, one spoke to me deeply. It had to do with the growing of the Chinese bamboo tree. He said that it takes 5 years for the Chinese bamboo tree to grow, and yet, it does not break the ground and sprout for the first 5 years. After that, the tree can grow 90 feet tall in 40 so days! He was reminding us that for the first 5 years, we cannot see the result! Had we stop watering and nurturing the ground where the seeds are growing just because we cannot see the sprout/result, the tree would have died!
It is also like the making of a bread. If we keep opening the oven or wherever the bowl is kept, the bread cannot rise.
...or like the pregnancy. It requires time and patience.
It requires trust in your own inner voice.
We can learn from Cain and Abel story.
Cain offered to Elohim what he has created by tilling the soil just as his father, Adam, was told, following the family tradition.
Abel just offered the lamb after tending the lambs, as a shepherd. He used the creative idea instead of hard creative labor of gardening.
As we all know that the offering of Abel was accepted but not of Cain's.
Perhaps Elohim liked the offering of Abel, for it was not altered nor interfered with the act of creation via human elements. One can say that while Cain exercised the microcosmic creative expression of human ego (but not being able to creatively break away from the inherited family tradition), Abel respected the creation and the creature of Elohim as is without using his ego.
As an artist and/or musician, performer, one can experience Abel and Cain...the acceptance and the rejection of the artistic offerings.We can also, in turn, accept or reject the outcome.
Again, it may take years until the people would begin to accept certain art works. As long as we give them the impression that the creation we are offering are not what they want nor what they need, we cannot blame them for not accepting and recognizing. As long as we push our ego outwardly to be in someone's face, we can expect the rejection.
The answer may be in the harmony between Cain and Abel.. the harmony between the "expression of creative self" and the "path of soul."
Once I was told by a Vedic astrology guru that the expression of self is different from the path of soul.
He also told me that most of the time doing art is just doing your job. He pointed to himself by saying that however good he may be, doing astrology alone is not going to make gods happy, for he is just doing his job just as anybody else.
But...
He has added that if one can show the path/way to divine (which is the natural yearning of souls), then the heaven would be very happy.
I fully agree.
All the creative people have been given the gift of power to create.
We must use such power in service to the divine... and to pay forward...
In Waldorf/Steiner schools, the story telling (fairy tales /. fables) is very important. Many of the teachers would even write their own.
Today, I would like to share one of my favorite stories with you with my addition at the end (in attempt to bring some sort of the resolution/redemption). It is to do with the story of the North Wind and the Sun...and this is the way I remember the way my mother had told me (...and added some variation to it...). In other words, this may not be the version you know of... Once upon a time, there were a North Wind and the Sun , and as energetic and proud as he was, the North Wind decided to challenge the Sun. "You are always smiling and content, so I want to challenge you." The Sun kept smiling back. "You see over there...?" ..the North Wind pointed towards a man who was walking in the field , wearing a dark, long coat. "I want to challenge you that whom-ever can make him take off his coat shall be declared a winner!....so what say you?" The Sun kept smiling...which upset the North Wind even more, so he swiftly went to work.... He blew and blew the most awesome, cold wind at this man hoping to blow his coat away from him. But the more the North Wind blew, the tighter he grasped the coat to the point that this man became like a frozen rock...one with the coat! Eventually, the North Wind stopped from exhaustion...."I give up!" said the North Wind exasperatedly.... Meanwhile, the Sun is still smiling....which irritated the North Wind even more and told the Sun...'"Let's see how you do it...that is if you can...????" So, it came to be the Sun's turn. He just smiled and began to send out to this poor freezing man the most gentle warm ray filled with light. It not only warmed this man but gave birth to the flowers around him and the birds began to sing. Soon or later, this man was surrounded with the beauty and warmth. Eventually, it became too warm ...too hot to keep wearing the coat...so he gladly took off the coat with the smile in his face. The Sun then turned to the North Wind....and he just smiled.... The North Wind was devastated..not just because he did lose...(he didn't care too much for that by then)...he was devastated of witnessing the true power of the Sun...its gentle, effortless quality that could disarm a man....the North Wind realized the Sun's supreme power....and felt that he was no match to the ability of the Sun. (my addition) He told the Sun...."I have lost, and I am lost. What's the use? I do not belong here...there is no place for me....everyone respects me but hates me!" He was sad...for his best effort and his ability did not come to fruition.....and not appreciated. The Sun kept smiling, and spoke to him gently..."Dear friend, lift your eyes and see. I cannot take the credit for giving warm, gentle rays, for had it been only me and my power, I would have burned this man's coat through and his surroundings. "It was she." ...pointing to the beautiful lady, Mother(Earth)... "It was her veil that embraced this man and his surrounding and protected them from my rays. It was she who took her own veil off to shield off my rays partially so that my rays will not touch this man harshly...." The North Wind was touched. He was touched for her kindness, but also for the Sun's integrity and honesty....but inside of him was still sad....for he still did not feel that he belong to this environment. Then the gentle Sun added, "Dear friend, she need you now." The North Wind looked up in wonder, for he could not understand what the sun was saying.
"She need you now because look at her shoulder..." as the Sun pointing to her red shoulder and continued, "Because she took off her veil to protect this man, she did receive my scorching ray fully and suffering from the burn. If you gently breathe out upon her, it will sooth her burn.. You see my friend, we all are necessary....we all have our places." The North Wind smiled. :D
Hikaru Hirata-Miyakawa is a citizen of the archetypal world beyond the boundaries of folk, tribal, race oriented identities.
Of course, part of him embodies the genuine Japanese aesthetic, as his maternal great grandfather was an Imperial Court - appointed artisan. His gift shop and the studio was visited by the Court. Hikaru's great great grandmother was a wet nurse (Meno-toh) to the Emperor Hirohito's father - Taisho Emperor.
Hikaru's initial training in art, music, and writing had begun when he was 4 years old.
He has exhibited in Europe (Germany, England, Italy, Greece, France, etc),, Japan, Australia, and the U. S. A.
Hikaru is listed in the 5th Edition of "Who's Who Amongst America's Teachers," and his portfolio is on file at the Etude (Archive) department of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France via the recommendation from the President of the Louvre Museum, Mr.Pierre Rosenberg.
He is also listed in the First edition of "Lexikon der Phantastischen Kunstler" (Encyclopedia of the Fantastic Artists) along with William Blake, Salvador Dali, Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Hikaru is one of the 50 artists featured in the "Metmorphosis 2" by beinArt Publishing.
Today, on this Vernal Equinox Day, I am going to write about something that can be considered controversial. I hope you can read the entire article before you make the final decision. I thank you in advance for your patience.
