Japanese and Ojigi (お辞儀）

A fascinating aspect of Japanese culture is Bowing (Ojigi) and this is a practice that is employed in daily life; shops, on the streets, at home, companies...etc. But what astonishing is that many Japanese still bow and lower the head even while talking on their mobile phone.
This has been another attraction of the highly and rigidly hierarchical society.
Gotta love the J-Land.

Man Bumped Out to Death

Drunken man arrested after man falls to death off train platform

Tuesday 24th August, 12:00 PM JST

TOKYO —

A 77-year-old man was killed Monday night after he was inadvertently knocked from a platform at Keio Line’s Shinjuku Station by a drunken man and hit by an incoming train, police said Tuesday.

The drunken man had stumbled on the platform and bumped into a line of people waiting for a train, creating a domino effect and causing the man at the front of the line to fall on to the track, the police said.

The victim in the incident, which occurred at around 8:35 p.m., has been identified as Masaya Sato from Tama City, the president of Seisa University based in Hokkaido and son of novelist Haruo Sato.

The police arrested Yukinori Fujii, a 42-year-old part-time worker from Hino City, who had been allegedly sitting on the platform waiting for a train before standing up and bumping into the commuters.

Fujii was initially arrested on suspicion of negligence resulting in Sato’s injury, but after the death of Sato, who was also a Keio University professor emeritus, was confirmed, police changed the charge to negligence resulting in death.

A police official quoted Fujii as saying, ‘‘I drank beer and chuhai (alcoholic beverage). When I stood up, I felt dizzy and lost balance.’’

News was taken from JapanToday.com

What a sad way to die, make sure avoiding the front queues on crowded platforms.

Heatstroke

This year has been incredibly hot in Japan and lots of people suffer from Heatstroke, make sure you drink at least 2 litters of water a day, put on a hat, sunscreen and eat enough. Stay cool during this summer.

The pain that would never heal

Today, the 65^th memorial service for the Victims of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was held in Nagasaki.  Millions of innocent lives were taken by the atrocity and heinous crime 65 years ago; the agonising pain and the loss of loved ones remain forever unhealed. Let this remind us all that we were all given the Privilege to live in this world and NOONE can have the authority to take that away NOONE.  I would like to remind us to offer our prayers, chants etc… to the lives that were stolen and never to let this atrocity to happen again.  

Ps: There is an old Chinese saying:  “Saving one life is worth more than building 7 temples”.

World Cup 2010 the good, bad and the ugly

The curtains have closed for the World Cup in South Africa and Spain for the first time become the deserving Champions. Surely I enjoyed this World Cup but also there were some disappointing events that prevented this event from being perfect.

 The Good: Teams like Spain, Germany, Uruguay and Japan have shown the world a whole new side of modern football and how team work, formation and tactics can win games and deliver mind blowing , free flowing Football style.

 The Bad: Bad Refereeing, controversial calls and no calls, headache maker vuvuzelas, jabulani ball and lastly FIFA.

 The Ugly: Dutch team and their tactics in the final, Nigel de Jong and his flying sparrow kick in the chest of Xabi Alonso, Van Bommel and his constant tackles plus leg breaking sliding tackles that were often ignored by Refs. I did hope that they might play their Total Football but they chose to be remembered as one of the worst offenders at World Cup Final.

 Thanks for Reading now off to Summer Holidays.

Ole Ole Ole!

6 hours until the biggest sporting tournament on the planet, the first match is between South Africa and Mexico, and I'm tipping for a win to El Tri 2-1 probably.

It is so exciting and can't wait for the ball to roll.

Football Fever is on.

Americans are not stupid. Must watch clip

Watch this and crack yourself up

FIFA World Cup. Are we ready?

 58 days until the biggest sporting tournament on the planet and are the teams ready? By now most coaches have already made up their minds about their final lineups but It seems to me that Japan is still in doubt of what it needs to do to get its act together after a string of disappointing results of draws and losses. My favourites to make it to the semi-finals are Brazil, Spain, Germany and Holland, what are yours?

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/  is where you can find out more about this event in South Africa. 

It's on 11th of June.

Champions League progressing teams.

 This year has gotten a lot more interesting after Manchester United was knocked out of the Competition by Bayern Munich 4-4 on aggregate, it was an awesome display of courage and the will of winning after going 3-0 down in the first half, Robben and Ribery proved to be the most lethal partnership among all the big clubs at the moment and I wouldn't play down the possibility of Bayern progressing to the Final.
 So it will be Inter vs Barcelona and Bayern vs Lyon in the Semis.
 No English club remaining this year which is a great surprise but in Football anything is possible.

Hopi arts

On a recent trip to America, I had a wonderful chance to catch up with a couple of my good friends from Arizona, the Native Indians from Hopi and Dakota tribes. We had a good time and in the end, I gained a lot of new knowledge about their way of life and how the tribes operate. I was blown away by their culture, their beliefs, prophecies and how nature bound they are, and how they preserve their way of life through making jewelry, waving baskets, carving dolls...etc. I was shown some beautiful silver pieces handcrafted by artists such as Fernando, Shirley..I couldn't  resist the charm and beauty of these carefully made bangles and found myself on my way home with some of the best looking, story telling ones in my bag.

I would like to honour these Hopi artists by introducing them to you. They are available for your collection at www.dewyucca.com and we also ship overseas, just send us an email if you can't read Japanese and we will guide you through.
Thank you and Aho

New Enhydro Quartz - スモーキークオーツ ポイント （水入り茶水晶）

 We just added a new rare piece of smokey quartz from Madagascar with a spectacular drop of water trapped within. It is a rare finding which we don't come across regularly.

Head over to Dew Yucca to check this beauty out.

 

 【スモーキークオーツ（茶水晶）】
◆地を踏みしめて生きること、肉体にしっかりと宿ることのよろこびを与えてくれると言われています。
◆よりよい人生への挑戦や責任を受け入れることができるよう、心の安定を促す。
◆ネガティブなエネルギーの除去のサポート。
◆ストレス、パニック、恐れへのトリートメントに。
◆自分の夢やヴィジョンを漠然と眺めるだけでなく実現させるパワーを与えてくれるでしょう。
◆落ちこんでいる方や疲労している方にも、お勧めです。

T.H

新しい フローライト カルサイト パイライト 水晶の混合石

 
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【フローライト】
◆インスピレーションを高めるサポートをしてくれるようです。
◆別名、天才の石とも言われ集中力をつけてくれるでしょう。

色により働きが異なります。

◆【ブルー・グリーン】内面の平和。精神的穏やかさと静けさを体現します。
◆【パープル】スピリットを高めます。
◆【白（透明）】純粋さとワンネスを体現させてくれます
◆【ゴールド】知恵と理解に導きます。
ストレスを軽減し、意識をより高次へと導くサポートに身につけるとよいでしょう。静けさを体現します。

【水晶・意味】
◆古い歴史とともに現代の生活にも深く根付いている水晶は世界各地でも儀式や祈祷に用いられてきました。
◆あらゆる浄化に適しています。
◆調和を生み、あらゆるものを高いレベルへと導きます。
◆ネガティブなエネルギーから守り、幸運を呼ぶといわれています。
◆全てのチャクラにも対応の水晶は、是非ひとつは持っておきたい石です。 

【パイライト】
◆ハンマーで叩くと火花が飛び散ることから、パイライト（火の石）と言う名が付けられた石です。
◆意志や信念の強化によいようです。
◆金運アップに効果があるようです。
◆論理的思考や記憶力を高めると言われています。
◆強い保護力をもつと言われているのでお守りとしてもよいのではないでしょうか。 

【カルサイト（方解石）】
◆ラテン語で石灰を意味する "calx" にその名を由来しています。
◆不安や憂鬱・ストレスの解消に。
◆精神的疲れを浄化し、活動的になることを助けます。
◆心を鎮めたり、直感や記憶力を高める働きをします。
発想力、創造力ひらめきを求めている方に力を貸してくれるでしょう。

 

 

Fine Crystal Specimens updated

We have updated our web shop to include some rare and very fine specimens from Madagascar and other places around the globe.

 

Head over to http://www.dewyucca.com/ to check them out.

My Calender Sentiment for 2010

As mentioned last month about my Calligraphy work for the new year to be attached to a calender, in Japan this is a way to sharpen your skills plus to have your New years resolution hung in the house to constantly remind us of what we want to achieve or to become, my theme for this year is 森羅万象 which means Universe.

Basic 大相撲 knowledge

From Highest and down
Yokozuna　　 横綱
 Ozeki　　　　大関　
Sekiwake 　　関脇
Komusubi 　  小結
Maegashira　 前頭
 The ranked Rikishi (力士) compete at the highest level of Sumo called Makuuchi (幕内). Rikishi get promoted or demoted to another rank depending on their performance after every tournament, there are 6 tournaments every year. Yokozuna is called the Grand Champion and they can never be demoted to a lower rank, they are expected to retire if they can no longer produce they prowess of a Yokozuna so in short once a Yokozuna will forever be remembered as a Yokozuna.

Shock Defeat on Day 7 of 大相撲

Baruto caused a upset on day 7 handing a defeat to the current leader of the tournament Yokozuna 白鵬(Hakuho) by a well and powerful executed Uwatenage Technique (Overarm throw). This is his first win over a Yokozuna and paves the way for discussions and considerations of the Sumo bigwigs to promote him to become an Ozeki.
 The other Yokozuna Asashouryu picked up a win and now joined by Hakuho and others at 6-1 record. It is a tight race. Game on!

Day 5 Hakuho in the lead.

Yokozuna Asashoryu got maneuvered out by Goeido and stumbled out of the lead leaving Yokozuna Hakuho as the sole leader with a 5-0 record.
Another day of good Sumo.

Sumo day 4 and Retirement announcement

小関千代大海 (Chiyotaikai) has officially announced his retirement from the sport after a 17 year run, he will now become a stable master and said to dedicate his time and effort to churn out good sumo 力士 (rikishi). Personally I think this has been long coming due to his performance over the last 2 years are nothing Ozeki like and one needs to know when to leave the game.
The Tourney is still on a tight race with both Yokozunas going neck to neck with 4 wins 0 loss each and leading the pack, all Ozekis suffered losses today.
 Overall good ol' sumo today.

大相撲 春場所 - Sumo Spring Tournament

 The first tournament of the year 平成22 has kicked off in an auspicious and heavenly vibe by the surprise visit of the emperor and empress who received a standing ovation and warm welcomes from everyone at the Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan.
 The first day was already full of surprises when the 2 小関　(Ozeki) 魁皇(Kaio)　and 琴美喜(Kotomitsuki) both suffered defeats in the hands of 雅山(Miyabiyama) and 豪栄道(Goedo) while both 横綱(Yokozuna) picked up wins against 琴奨菊(Kotoshogiku) and 鶴竜(Kakuryu) respectively.
 My pick of the day is the bout between 小関　日馬富士(Harumafuji) and 前頭　栃ノ心(Tochinoshin) where the light weight Ozeki gave the giant Maegashira a uchimuso (inner thigh propping twist down) winning technique.
 Day 2 action will follow.

Avatar the Movie

Watched Avatar 3D version for the New Years and I was completely blown away, great impressions from the elements of incredible 3D graphics and an aspiring, spiritual storyline. We are all connected by the energies around us and all we need do is try to control that energy inside our body to reach out connecting to others.
Highly recommended movie to anyone, It will win heaps of Academy awards this year now doubt, 間違いのない。

Happy Tiger Year! Roarrr

 お正月　is here and I wish everyone a great year of the Tiger (虎）, may you and your family be happy, prosperous and healthy. 元旦　gantan is what used to call the very first day of the New Year in Japan and normally we start the day by saying 明けましておめでとうございます to greet each other alongside the other wishes for the year to come.
 Second part to be continued.