Transparent Specimen
First of all, I decided to go to the library to investigate issues that I had not thought much about “Anatomy” in my daily life. “The Transparent Anatomical Specimens Book” The creations of Iori Tomita, (Japanese ) pioneer in the art of “Transparent Specimens” It’s appearance has a beauty that
Anatomy of a Frog
Everyone at our elementary school remembers a special Science Class. It was a once in a lifetime experience. The homework the night before was to each catch a frog and bring it to school. When It was time to dissect our frogs we all shrunk back in surprised horror. Only
Shining Poison Factory
World War Two is finally over. Japan is in a state of destruction. In my parent’s era, Japan struggles to rebuild society and industry, even hosting the Olympic Games in 1964. There is a period of high growth, big factories are built nearby, some running 24 hours a day. One
“Lost World” People used to here
When I was a kid, I loved my aunt’s seaside house. It was beautiful, but now is abandoned, destroyed and forgotten. The people who lived there are gone. It only exists in old photos and my memories. Only the persimmon trees are still there. More recently I have the opportunity
“Kawaii” The Culture of Cute
“That dress is kawaii.” “Do you like my doll?” “Oh yes, Kawaii.” “That painting is Kawaii.” Everything is Kawaii, kawaii, kawaii. The word Kawaii is now a cultural phenomenon in Japan. It began in Japanese animation as an admiration of Western culture. The girl’s eyes are unnaturally large for the
NOW Ichigo Ichie
一期一会 (Once in a while) Mikiko Takase 5/30/2021 A person passes through a doorway to enter a room. Another person goes through the doorway to exit the room. That moment can never be exactly repeated. The moment is unique. Do we attend to the moment? Do we look or
A Door to the Future
Mikiko Takase When you have the opportunity to open a door and do something new, what do you do? Do you enter right away? Do you think carefully about it first? Do you think carefully and decide not to do it? If I hadn’t decided to jump in right away
The Vain Jackdaw
A famous Aesop’s Fable announces “KING OF BIRDS CONTEST.” A crow wants to win. His black feathers make him feel ugly until he finds a beautiful peacock feather and attaches it. He is so beautiful that he attaches many colorful feathers. He enters the contest and WINS becoming King. The
Peter and Paul Compromise
Mikiko Takase January 30,2021 The “Compromise” prompt led me to the traditional saying “Rob Peter to Pay Paul”. Who was Peter and who was Paul? It may be related to religion of taxes paid to St. Paul’s church in London that should have gone to St. Peter’s in Rome. Or
Economy Versus Health
The Struggle Of 2020 Mikiko Takase December 29. 2020 Portions of the Japan economy faltered in 2020 because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The government launched a domestic travel campaign called “Go To” to stimulate the economy. The government would pay 35% of the price of inns so travelers could visit
Isolation In White
Mikiko Takase. November .29.2020 People stay home. Covid-19 brings anxiety to our world An elderly lady has a house in our neighborhood. She fell down the stairs and is forced to live by the window. She told me it is quiet and calm, but lonely. She reads books, makes crafts
Wabi and Sabi
October 13.2020 Mikiko Takase Wabi and Sabi are words to describe a Japanese aesthetic sensibility that shows “beauty within simplicity and imperfection”. Wabi-Sabi influences all Japanese culture such as paintings, buildings, gardens and tea ceremony. For example, we may deliberately remove some constituents from a completed work to increase the