Everything Everywhere

Looking for a great travel blog? Check out Everything Everywhere, a by a guy who quit his job, sold his house, and is now traveling the world, sharing stories, thoughts and photos with the rest of us through his blog.

OK, I’ll admit that part of the reason I’m linking to him is because he’s running a contest right now where I could win his stuff by doing so — but it’s also an interesting site, and there’s even a fare amount of Japan-related stuff on there too. So go on over and have a look.

After you’re done here, of course.

I Have 4 Things to Share

It’s Friday! The past couple of weeks of class of class have been busy and difficult, and I’m glad it’s the weekend again. I’m getting used to the extra work load, though, so I’m moving in the right direction. Here are some random thoughts and links to keep you entertained and informed for the weekend:

1. I recently learned that the kanji (Japanese character) for “busy” (isogashii, 忙しい) is made up of two parts, meaning “lose” and “heart”. I found this very interesting, since losing heart is exactly what happens to people who find themselves too busy. You can see it all over Japan, especially among those who have been living the salaryman life for several years.

2. Here’s an interesting and creative look at Japanese culture: 51 Japanese Characters. Each cartoon character tells us about an aspect of the culture, each wearing a different label that people here wear, from “hostess” to “salaryman” to “cosplay” to “ninja”… I learned some new things there myself, just skimming quickly through.

3. Another link, this one about missions: Tim Guptil’s Top 5 Reasons to Go on a Short-Term Missions Trip. Tim’s Wesleyan pastor in my hometown.

4. My friend and fellow missionary Laura is also an artist and is supporting her ministry by selling her art HERE. Great idea, and some really nice pieces there too. Now go do some Christmas shopping!

Japan’s Suicide Cliffs

Japan is known to have one of the worst suicide rates in the world. This video from CNN talks about that, but also about how one man is making a difference. We need more guys like this. And we need more missionaries too.

Japan’s online social scene isn’t so social

I just read an interesting article in the International Herald Tribune: Japan’s online social scene isn’t so social.

My thoughts? It’s interesting how even our approach to technology and the internet is affected by our culture. It’s sad that Japanese people so often feel so afraid to open up to others, and keep people at a distance — not just on the internet, but in person as well. But on the flip side, as this article points out, the internet’s offer of anonymity is giving people a new avenue for opening up and expressing their feelings and opinions, where in everyday life they may not feel free to.

So what do you think?

N.T. Wright and Mitsuo Fukuda

Interesting post about how to communicate the Gospel in Japan: N.T. Wright and Mitsuo Fukuda, at Irreligious Life. I may have to follow up with some thoughts of my own… sometime.

Photo of the Week (and other stuff)

This is a shot of Oda Sensei interpreting for me during my recent ministry visit to Gifu.

Scroll down for to read my latest prayer letter, if you haven’t already, or to listen to the latest podcast.

And in other news, as mentioned in the podcast, I recently did a guest post at Worship and the Arts. It’s part of their “Spiritual Bridges in Anime” series. Check it out.

Masaru Goto – Overcoming Hidden Discrimination

For a look at some great photography, as well as a rarely-talked about side of Japanese society, check out this exhibit at GlobalCompassion.com. Here’s a brief intro, quoted from the site:

The Burakumin are a nearly invisible yet identifiable group of Japanese people. They are the remnant of a caste system that formally passed away long ago. Their ancestors were the untouchables. Despite being racially and ethnically Japanese through and through, the Burakumin still face discrimination and struggle together under the weight of their shared history.

What I love about this “online exhibit” is that instead of focusing on the problem of discrimination, or making us pity Burakumin, the photographer chose rather to tell stories about real people — reminding us that whatever label we have, we’re not so different after all.

Read their stories and see their faces by following the link.

Akihabara Stabbing Spree

Maybe Japan’s not so safe after all…

7 killed, 10 injured in Akihabara stabbing spree | The Japan Times Online

Seven people died and 10 others were injured after a man hit pedestrians with a truck and then stabbed passersby Sunday in broad daylight on a street in Tokyo’s busy Akihabara district.

Police arrested the man, Tomohiro Kato from Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, on the street and seized a survival knife he was carrying. The 25-year-old temp staffer at an auto component factory in the prefecture admitted to stabbing people with the knife, which had a 13-cm blade, from around 12:30 p.m., the police said.

“I came to Akihabara to kill people,” investigative sources quoted Kato as telling the police. “I am tired of the world. Anyone was OK. I came alone.”

Then again, stuff like this is so totally random, it defies explanation. It really could happen anywhere. But it’s scarier, somehow, when it’s somewhere you’ve been.

Please say a prayer for the victims’ families and friends.

Yellow moon, blue traffic light

Check out this post: Yellow moon, blue traffic light, from Linguarum’s Weblog, on the different ways Japanese and Westerners express things, and how culture affects even the way we perceive the world around us.

Basically the writer’s idea is that Asians, particularly Japanese, view or express things in more symbolic, less literal ways than Westerners. The question this leaves us with is How can we communicate more effectively cross-culturally?

Innovation in the Arts

Good word on the arts and mission and what they have to do with each other: Innovation in Mission: Innovation in the Arts.

Outlook on Japan

Introducing: Outlook on Japan — my new photoblog.

Another Good Manga Outreach Article…

… on CAN Japan’s Worship & The Arts blog: Manga Outreach + A Sneak Peak at Manga Metamorphosis and Manga Mutiny. Speaks for itself, so ’nuff said.