Last night I watched a PBS historical documentary about the last part of WWII between USA and Japan.
I was conceived while my father was on leave from the war. I was born the year before the A-bombs were dropped on Japaneses cities. When I was six I lived in occupied Japan. Activities of first grade for me included air raid drills. This is like a fire drill except you line up in fox holes.
I have so many associations and emotions about Japan that it would be impossible to write all about it and still get my home ready for family to come for Easter.
Many mixed feelings. Hyperactive monkey mind running out of control again. The horrible devastation of WWII. The beauty of Japanese culture. The discipline and honor bound pre WWII Japanese personality. The culture that created a national determination that prefered suicide to surrender.
"Shibui" is a Japanese word that means refined elegance. Shibui design is distilled to to the bare essentials of beauty.
"Wabi" is a Japanese word that means, refined rustic. Tea houses are wabi. Built like peasant huts with humble natural materials and superb craftsmanship. The tea ceremony is a ceremonially choreographed group meditation. Every move and every word carefully edited to produce an experience of serene harmony.
And now, the post WWII Japan gives us Anime and Murasaki. There is a focus on being shallow and infantile.
Sorry, I have to go now. Lots to do. Want to get my forest pruning exercise. Leaving you with another disjointed entry.
Have a wonderful Easter. Spring. Life renewal. Winter (death) is overtaken by the vibrance of fecund Mother Nature. Jesus was crucified at this time. Death. Resurrection. We celebrate with bunnies, renowned for their sexual addictions. Renowned for their fecundity. And eggs, symbols of birth, rebirth. May there be death to your personal gunk and rebirth to you light filled potential. Whatever.
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