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10 .11Magic Baths
I’m gonna let you guys in on a little secret: you, too, can travel to your favourite onsen! First, you’ll need a Magic Bathtub. Next, you’ll need to get BATHCLIN’S Famous Hot Springs of Japan Bath Salts. Each package you buy has 14 sachets for 8 famous onsen locations. (I have learned not to ask questions like Why not 16 for 2 places each?) Anyway, here are my top three. The places may be a bit far away, but with a little imagination you can get there in the time it takes to fill up your tub.
The third best place I would recommend going to is Kurokawa Onsen in Kumamoto. Its cloudy green fragrance will call to mind gentle wildflowers drifting in the refreshing breeze that passes through the mountain stream of the Tanoharu River. If you wear a wooden pass, you will be able to hear faint, distant echoes like those made from inside a deep rock cave.
The second is Nyuto Onsen in Akita. Its creamy whiteness will bring before your eyes marshmallow-like snow-clad hills and cranes spreading their wings as they fly by above you while you sip your Dewatsuru Junmai Nigori. Your bruises, cuts, and skin problems, such as eczema, will disappear as you pour water over your body with a natural hinoki bath bucket.
But the best place I’ve ever been to in a bathtub is Beppu Onsen in Oita. A warm scent with a hint of Japanese citrus in the rising steam will engulf your apartment, now reminiscent of a retro hot spring town. Two old ladies are in your kitchen busily preparing the local Hell Steam Cuisine. Boiling in their hell pots are bamboo baskets filled with eggs, sweet potatoes, and ears of corn. It’s a quaint little town providing quaint little memories. Like the time that little girl with an ice-cream cone came up to you and asked if you had seen her pet bird Nibi.
Photo Credit:hiroooooki@Wikimedia Commons
Quiz:
Q1. Which is the first onsen mentioned?
Q2. Which onsen helps with skin problems?
Q3. Which is the best onsen mentioned?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. Kurokawa Onsen
A2. Nyuto Onsen
A3. Beppu Onsen
Paul Meyer -
10 .04Japanese AtlantisThe Ryukus are a chain of islands that stretch from Kyushu to Taiwan. They are a popular diving area and attract divers from around the world who often come to observe the hammerhead sharks that populate the clear blue waters.In 1986, while searching for dive sites in the area Japanese diver Kihachiro Aratake came across a very unusual site; the straight lines and regular angles of what appeared to be a manmade structure. The structure was massive in size and covered a wide area, yet it was 26 meters under the sea. What was this strange place and who or what had created it? Located off the coast of Yonaguni Island at the southernmost point of the Ryukyu Island chain this monolith soon became known as the Yonaguni Monument and began to attract many divers and sightseers. However, it also began to attract a lot of controversy. Was it in fact manmade or just a natural outcrop of rock?Professor Masaaki Kimura from the University of the Ryukyus and writer Graham Hancock firmly believe that the structure is man made. They claim that the monolith is too regular in shape to be of natural origin; pointing out what they allege is clear evidence of stairways, terraces and even a gateway. They argue that during the last ice age sea levels would have been much lower, at which time this would have been an ocean side settlement. Perhaps even more controversially, they believe that it points to evidence of an ancient but advanced civilization.However, there are many who oppose this theory calling it pseudoscience. Geologist Robert Schoch argues that the monolith is merely a geological outcrop. He says that the many earthquakes and strong currents in the area have resulted in the sandstone taking on these unusually symmetrical formations. Others have pointed out the similarity of other structures nearby.Earlier this year National Geographic, using advanced imaging techniques and cutting edge graphics reconstructed the monolith in 3D. For the first time this gave a clear picture of the formation that had lain submerged for thousands of years. Their conclusion was that it was more likely to be a natural structure. Usually ancient sites show some evidence of human habitation, such as tools or utensils. However, in there research they found no such evidenceNevertheless the debate continues on both sides. With some academics and writers continuing to argue that mainstream archeologists are just reluctant to accept the theory of an ancient advanced civilization. Who do you think is right?1 What is a monolith? A A large animal that is now extinct B A massive structure C An underwater dwelling2 Why do some people think it is manmade? A There is evidence of human habitation B It looks like it was purposefully made C The sea levels were lower in the past3 What is pseudoscience? A belief that is not based on the scientific method B An ancient religion C A method of fortune tellingScroll down below for answers1. B2. B3. AChris Pond
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09 .27Kyoto Tower
What is 131 meters tall, changes color, and has steam coming out from under it? If you answered Kyoto Tower, then you can stop reading because you probably know more about it than I do. If not, keep reading because Kyoto Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in Japan, and you should know more about it.
By most accounts, the story of Kyoto Tower begins with the relocation of Kyoto’s Central Post Office in 1961. With this move, a large tract of land facing Kyoto Station’s Northern Central Exit became available for redevelopment. Such large parcels are rare in old cities like Kyoto, something that was not lost on businesspeople, politicians, and civic leaders of the day, so everyone agreed that the space should be used for the public good. A company was formed, a prominent architect hired, and the work of creating a suitable structure was begun.
Originally, the structure was not intended to be a tower, but rather a modern nine-story building with a modest observation facility on its roof. After all, Kyoto city had laws that limited the height of all buildings to 31 meters—the height of a nine-story structure. It seemed impossible that something taller than that could be built.
However, the 1960s had just begun; Japan’s growth rate was above 10 percent, Tokyo would be hosting the Olympics, and a new bullet train would be connecting Japan’s previous capital with its current one. The times were ripe for people to think big, and at that point in history, thinking big often meant building a tower. Osaka had Tsutenkaku (1943), Tokyo had Tokyo Tower (1957), and even Yokohama had Marine Tower (1961).
In English there is an expression, “where there is a will, there is a way”, which means that if someone wants something badly enough, he or she will find a way to get it. This certainly seems true for the people who wanted to build a tower. To overcome the obstacle of a 31-meter height limit, a loophole was found. Since even the tallest buildings were allowed to have structures like elevator shafts and water tanks on their roofs, why couldn’t a 100-meter tower be considered “a rooftop structure”? Experts were consulted, the possibility of building a rooftop tower was confirmed, and the rest is history. The 131-meter structure—which contains a hotel, restaurants, steamy public bath, and 100-meter tower—was opened to the public on December 28, 1964. Today, Kyoto Tower continues to be used for the common good. In addition to housing the facilities mentioned above, its colorfully illuminated silhouette acts as a guide to those seeking Kyoto Station after a hard day's work or a night on the town.
Photo Credit: Eva Elijas@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. Before Kyoto Tower was built, what was on that land?
a. The Central Post Office
b. The Century Hotel
c. Yodobashi Camera
2. Before Kyoto Tower was built, the tallest buildings in Kyoto city were around __ .
a. 31 meters
b. 100 meters
c. 131 meters
3. What is the source of the steam coming out from under Kyoto Tower?
a. A police station (Koban)
b. A public bath
c. The subway
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. A
A2. A
A3. B
Robert Perkins -
09 .20Planning a staycation
If you can’t go on a trip, there are ways to experience the excitement of travel from the comfort of home. To enjoy your staycation, you should plan what you would like to do in advance. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
When you read a book or watch a movie set in another country, you can get absorbed in the story and feel like you’re in another place. Watching movies with subtitles can give you the experience of hearing different languages spoken. It might be fun to try a different genre of book or movie; for example, if you usually choose dramas, you could try crime or science fiction. Another idea is to visit a museum online. In fact, many galleries around the world have started offering virtual tours.
If you’re craving something different, then try pairing your movie or book with a new dish. Cooking is a sensory experience, so it can make you feel like you have traveled to another place. For example, you can smell the aroma of fresh ingredients, hear the sounds of the food cooking, and taste new flavors. If you aren’t interested in cooking, you can order something different at a local restaurant or buy imported foods at the supermarket instead.
If you prefer to spend time outdoors, then think about ways to do familiar activities in new ways. You can take a different path on your walk or run, or you can or spend time at nearby places that you don’t often visit. In fact, it is likely that there are interesting spots in your area, so try to be a tourist in your own city and then tune in to the sounds around you and challenge yourself to notice something new. Taking photos is an effective way to see your neighborhood in a different way. And after all, taking pictures is an important part of any vacation.
By planning activities that you would like to do, you’ll be able to get the most out of your staycation!
Photo Credit: jess-loiterton@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
1. In the author’s opinion, what is the key to enjoying a staycation?
A. Doing outdoor activities
B. Planning your staycation
C. Taking a virtual tour
2. According to the article, why can cooking help you feel like you’re on vacation?
A. Because cooking is an activity that uses the senses
B. Because everyone is interested in cooking
C. Because you can take an online cooking class
3. According to the article, what can you do to see your local environment in a new way?
A. Go for a run instead of a walk
B. Cook a dish with local ingredients
C. Take pictures
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. B
A2. A
A3. C
Mary Hillis -
09 .13Women's Empowerment in India - Part 2
This is Part Two of Women’s Empowerment in India.
You can read Part one here.
In Visakhapatnam, we were introduced to very positive and active women. When we interviewed them, we tried meta-facilitation skills to find out the truth. They were eager to talk about how much effort they made to become independent. Many of them were from the poorest families and were not educated at school. Some of them could not even read or write when they first came to Mura no Mirai. They did not know how to calculate either. They never had a bank account. They never made any decisions by themselves. They did not have confidence. However, after being involved in the activity of the NPO, they learned not only how to read, write, and calculate, but also got a job at their own community bank called VVK.
Those poor women got higher self-esteem little by little though an opportunity to borrow a small amount of money from the bank. They borrowed and paid back money again and again. All the small loans were used for their living expenses and their children’s education. They sent their kids to college and finally returned their debts. Their lifestyle was very simple, and they seemed not to have many possessions. However, they looked very happy. What they were proud of was not what they had, but their children’s education and their efforts for that. They showed us their passbooks which proved completion of their repayment. They seemed to gain confidence by paying back all the money they borrowed, making decisions by themselves, and becoming independent financially and psychologically. Moreover, this confidence inspired them to learn how to read, write, and calculate, and even to manage their bank by themselves. Most of them were once just customers at the bank for their microcredit, but they became indispensable workers there. They keep challenging themselves, and their bank is growing and helping more poor women.
What is happiness for human beings? Can people feel happy when they are able to own a lot of things? When supporting people in need, giving something might be a common idea. However, through communicating with them, these Indian women made me realize what is important in life. I will never forget their happy smiles.
Photo Credit: jeswinthomas@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. Where did the writer visit in India?
Q2. How did the Indian women use the money they borrowed?
Q3. What is important for the Indian women the writer met?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. Visakhapatnam, India
A2. They used the money for living and educational expenses.
A3. Becoming independent, getting confidence, making decisions, (children’s) education
Kahori Kobayashi -
09 .06Women's Empowerment in India - Part 1
Empowered women in India taught me what happiness means. I visited some women in the southern part of India with an NPO called “Mura no Mirai (Future of Villages)” in February 2018. I was interested in world cooperation, but not sure about how to find out the real needs of people in developing countries. The NPO has been active in several countries and successful in supporting underprivileged people. They gave me a chance to learn about the precious things in life from the Indian women in the slum.
Mura no Mirai offers a special way to communicate called meta-facilitation, which means to ask only fact-questions when trying to find someone’s needs. From his experiences in world cooperation, Mr. Wada from the organization found that when answering fact-questions, people gradually recognize what they really need and start to think about what they should do for their future. This NGO never gives money or things, but through meta-facilitation, they help people in need empower themselves and become independent financially and psychologically. Their goal is not to do everything for the people, but to guide them to stand up and walk by themselves at their pace. When I attended their seminar about meta-facilitation, I became very much interested in communicating with people using the method.
One of their great projects was to support poor women in Visakhapatnam, India. They asked fact-questions to find their needs and succeeded in leading them to manage their own community bank for small loans by themselves. I read their reports and books about their activities, but I could not believe what they have done and really wanted to see and listen to the local women’s groups. I joined their study tour to visit them in India.
Photo Credit: Still@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. What is Mura no Mirai?
Q2. What is the communication method used by Mura no Mirai?
Q3. What project was the writer particularly interested in?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. An NPO that helps underprivileged people
A2. meta-facilitation
A3. The writer was impressed by the women who managed a community bank for small loans.
Kahori Kobayashi -
08 .16Pontocho Kyoto - Where does the name come from?
Whenever I have visitors from abroad and we are in Kyoto, I invariably take them to Pontocho in the evening. I love that this alley is narrow enough to easily cross from side to side. The proximity of the facades lining the street lets me inspect the displays and menus of every restaurant on my left and right. By now I have done this tens of times, and even though not much changes, I do not tire of it. I find it a great place to spend time with a friend.
Since I have been going to Pontocho for over 10 years, I have gradually learned some of its history, not all of which I believe.
The history of Pontocho that I find hardest to accept concerns the supposed origin of its name. If you google “Pontocho history”, Wikipedia and most travel websites will tell you that “Ponto” is thought to be derived from a Portuguese word, most likely “bridge” but perhaps “destination” or even “dot”. While this could be true, it seems unlikely.
To begin with, when Japanese borrows words from abroad it is usually for something that originally did not exist in Japan, like computers or pumpkins, but Japanese has long had its own words for “bridges”, “destinations”, and “dots”. Why the need for a foreign alternative, especially during that era? The timing is important.
When Pontocho was created in 1670, Japan was already 31 years into what would become its 214-year stretch of self-isolation. Would a culture that is in the midst of turning inward really choose a foreign word for a new street? Also, how many Kyoto denizens from the 17th century knew Portuguese well enough to linguistically borrow from it?
Finally, there is the kanji itself, 先斗町, which using my Heisig language book translates to something like “The town (町) before (先) the Big Dipper (斗) ”, which seems to have little to do with a bridge, although I guess “destination” would still be valid.
Even if we eliminate its supposed Portuguese origin, Pontocho is still a charming name. Using the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) as a proxy for North, a translation for Pontocho could be “The town just before the North end”. As Pontocho does lie at the Northern terminus to the 15-kilometer-long Takasegawa Canal, this is in fact true.
Photo Credit: satoshi-hirayama @pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. What does the author find hard to accept?
Q2. Why does he find this hard to accept?
Q3. Why is it appropriate for Pontocho to have a character for “North” in its name?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
Q1. That the name “Pontocho” was derived from Portuguese.
Q2. Because of Japan’s isolation at that time, the likely small number of Portuguese speakers, and the lack of a need to borrow a word.
Q3. Because it is at the Northern end of a famous canal.
Robert Perkins -
08 .09What are the materials of communication?
When building a house, the most important material is probably wood, but it’s never the only material that’s necessary or useful. Metal, steel, and other construction materials are also needed. In combination with wood, each of these materials has its own special purpose. When we communicate, we also use various materials that help to “construct our message”.
Language is never the only material that is necessary or useful. Sometimes people communicate with just a gesture (maybe waving hello) or a facial expression (smiling or frowning). However, we communicate most often by using different communication materials together, in combination. These different communication materials are called modes. The modes of communication include speaking, writing, gestures, facial expressions, photos, colors, and more. Using modes together is called multimodal communication.
A PowerPoint presentation is an excellent example of multimodal communication. It combines speaking (sound modes) with what is displayed on the screen (visual modes). In a PowerPoint presentation each mode has its own job to do. It’s important to understand that, even though speaking and writing are both language, they are two different modes and not the same. In a PowerPoint presentation, speaking is the most important mode, and the visual modes on the screen—the writing, graphs, photos, and various colors—support the spoken message. The PowerPoint audience doesn’t read a presentation—they listen and watch it. The few words and sentences on the screen are just key points to help the audience to follow or remember. The color mode in PowerPoint is most often used to highlight and emphasize key information.
In PowerPoint, the image modes can do different kinds of supportive work. Images create audience interest (a blank screen or a screen with just words is just boring). Images can also be used for the audience to identify the topic and what the speaker is talking about at various points of the presentation. Photo images can also be used to demonstrate actions (not just describing actions) or to show proof that something is real or really happened. Actions are another kind of supportive work. The speaker might use eye contact, facial expressions, or physically move around to interact with the audience. The presenter might point to different parts of the screen. Or the presenter could use gestures to demonstrate something. These are all action modes.
Just as it is necessary to understand different construction materials for buildings, it is necessary to understand different composition materials of communication. We need to consider all the modes and how they work together to effectively communicate the information and message we want to convey in our presentations.
Photo Credit: pexels-pixabay@pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. What does multimodal communication mean?
A. Communicating with many people
B. Combining speaking, writing, images, and actions
C. Speaking more than one language
D. None of the above
Q2. How can an image on the screen contribute to a PowerPoint presentation?
A. It can make the presentation less boring
B. It can show what the presenter is talking about
C. It can demonstrate how something works
D. All of the above
Q3. Why are there words on the screen in a PowerPoint presentation?
A. To combine the different modes for the audience
B. To help the audience follow what the speaker is saying
C. So the presenter can physically interact with the audience
D. So the audience can read the presentation if they prefer not to listen
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1.B
A2.D
A3.B
Lisa Nobeta -
08 .02Fluff Spinning in Circles
What do you usually do before you go to bed? Googling a video of spinning Pomeranians on the smartphone is my routine. I am utterly aware of the negative impact of staring at an electronic screen on the quality of my sleep, but I cannot help it. A random Pomeranian spinning in circles makes me so happy I feel like I can fall asleep in a better mood. I wish I could live with one, but unfortunately, pets are not allowed in my apartment building.
Pomeranians are so fluffy and adorable I could watch them spinning all day, not that I do. Do they not get dizzy? Do they like the dizziness? When they spin, they look happy and excited, but have you ever wondered why they spin in circles? A friend of mine, who is a veterinarian and a Pomeranian owner, gave me some answers.
Here are some possible reasons why Pomeranians spin in circles: Pomeranians are happy and excited to see you. Spinning in circles is one of the ways for Pomeranians to show their affection. Pomeranians are said to be lapdogs and want to be with their companions, therefore, they also spin in circles to get your attention. In addition, Pomeranians engage in this activity for the joy and pleasure that spinning brings. Human toddlers also enjoy the experience of spinning in circles. It is not unusual to see them keep spinning in circles for a long time. However, Pomeranians can be alert when they spin as well. They are checking their surroundings before they become vulnerable. For example, they spin before going to sleep and potty. They make sure that no predators are around or close. Finally, if you have a Pomeranian, there is one thing that you might want to keep in mind. Pomeranians spinning in circles can be a sign of their discomfort or issues. They might be suffering from a compulsive disorder. In this case, their spinning is like a human child biting their nails or other animals pacing repetitively from stress. Please do not worry too much because they are likely to show more signs such as twitching and a loss of appetite if they are sick.
I guess I was not wrong about Pomeranians looking happy and excited when they spin in circles, but I did not know the same behavior can mean other things. Whatever the reasons why they spin, fluff spinning in circles helps me ease my tension and fatigue before bed.
Photo Credit: Kateryna Babaieva from pexels.com
Blog Quiz
Q1. What is “fluff” in the title?
Q2. Does the author watch videos of Pomeranians spinning in circles all day?
Q3. Why do Pomeranians spin in circles?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. A Pomeranian.
A2. No.
A3. Because they are happy and excited; they enjoy the feeling of spinning; they also check their surroundings by spinning; they might be sick.
Sachiko Aoki -
07 .26Why Study Philosophy
The martial artist Bruce Lee was once asked by his girlfriend, “Why do you study philosophy?” His joking answer was, “So that I can think long deep thoughts about being unemployed.” There are many jokes about philosophy and how useless it is, but there are three good reasons for studying philosophy: it is a great way to begin thinking about what is and is not true, thinking for ourselves about what is the right thing to do, and it also helps us to improve our reasoning skills.
There was a famous philosopher called Rene Descartes who asked himself how he knows anything is true. Most people do not question that the world around them is real, but Descartes noticed that when he was asleep and dreaming, he would also believe that the dream was real. Maybe you have had the same experience: perhaps you have had a terrible nightmare about being chased and eaten by a monster and felt the dream was real. How do we know what is real in our everyday lives? Descartes decided that everything can be doubted except for one thing, and that is that his doubts proved that he existed. He came up with the famous phrase “cogito ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am). This type of philosophy is known as epistemology (the study of knowledge), and in an era of social media and overwhelming information, it is more important than ever to have some standards to know what it is real.
Similarly, philosophy offers ways of deciding the right way to live. This is known as ethics, and questions about right and wrong are related to whether it is right or wrong to do what is best for the greater number of people, or to follow rules, or whether the right thing to do is what your society has decided is the right thing. For many of us, we don’t really think beyond what we are told is the right thing to do, and yet over time we may have to reassess our values and people begin to realize that societies often decide what is right and wrong through prejudice instead of reason. Three examples of this are the ways societies treat people of different ethnicities, same-sex marriage, and treatment of animals. Philosophy can help people realize the changes society needs to make.
Finally, philosophy uses logic and reason to come to conclusions. Learning the best ways to argue and to recognize when arguments are weak, is a great skill to have. Many people find it hard to explain their ideas and why they believe something. Some examples of bad arguments are “ad hominem” arguments (attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself), “straw-man” arguments (replacing the actual argument being made with an easy to dismiss argument that looks similar) and arguments from nature (if it is natural, then it must be good). These are known as logical fallacies. By learning better ways to argue, we can become more persuasive and clearer thinkers.
In conclusion, philosophy can help us learn what is true, what is right, and also how to argue for those things. Of course, this short blogpost can only scratch the surface of this topic. If you want to find out more, then I recommend you watch a series of videos called “Crash Course Philosophy” on You Tube, or watch the Netflix TV series “The Good Place”, or read Thomas Nagel’s book, “What Does It All Mean?”
Photo Credit: Photo by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels
Blog Quiz
Q.1 What is the name of the branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge?
Q.2 What is the name of the branch of philosophy that deals with what is right and wrong?
Q.3 What is the name of the branch of philosophy that deals with making arguments?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.
Quiz Answers
A1. Epistemology
A2. Ethics
A3. Logic
Robert Andrews