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Setsubun or Bean Throwing Day in Japan | cnbnews.net

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WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

cnbnews.net

 

Setsubun literally means the " division of the seasons" and refers to the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar. Setsubun falls on February 3 or 4.On the evening of this day,people throw roasted beans or peanuts inside or outside the their homes shouting "Oniwa-soto, Fukuwa-uchi,"which means"out with the demons,in with good fortune ."

 

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Coming of Age Day | cnbnews.net

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

(cnbnews.net) It is a natural step for parents who have seen their children through age seven to hope their kids grow up to become decent adults.As a result,people in Japan adopted the social custom of expressing gratitude for and celebrating the arrival of maturity in a splendid if solemn ceremony. Such coming of age rituals are still observed today.

When East Meets West: Cultural Day a National Holiday in Japan-cnbnews.net

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

The Japanese economic was at it's peak back in 1986. The country was almost as great an economic power as the U.S.A. It's now 25 years later and Japan has changed greatly after experiencing the failure of the bubble economy, the lemon shock and the Great East Japan Earthquake. With the economic success of Asian countries (especially China), the world faces a new age.While corporations from advanced countries have moved their manufacturing overseas,the economies of those nations suffer and unemployment rates have been soaring. Because of this, in place of manufacturing, many nations are seeking fresh sources of income, instead of depending on financial deals. However, as a result many nations including the USA are experiencing the same conditions Japan did after the economic bubble burst.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Shichi-go-san---Seven-Five-Three Day in Japan

 

 Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

Shichi-go-san is the name of a traditional festival in Japan which celebrates the growth of children at the ages of three,five and seven. It takes place on the 15th of  November each year,and it's common on this day for boys aged three and five and girls aged three and seven to visit a Buddhist shrines, temples or a Christian church often dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono for girls and boys a hakama.

Joseph B. Miller Funeral Services Held; Cousin of CNBNews Columnist

Joseph B. Miller, 21, of Medford, passed away suddenly on October 4, 2011. Mr. Miller died after the car he was riding in struck a deer, followed by several trees. The driver of the car was injured. Mr. Miller was a student at Stockton College. He is  the cousin of Hank Miller who writes the CNBNews.net column When East Meets West.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: SPORTS DAY In Japan-cnbnews.net

 

Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

(cnbnews.net)The second Monday of October is Sports Day/Health-Sports Day in Japan.

It's purpose is to promote health and well-being through sports,and this is the day for sports and to foster a sound mind and body.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Summertime and Life's In and Outs -cnbnews.net

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Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

(cnbnews.net)This summer has been hotter and longer than most.But rather  than fight it hide indoors in the comfort of air conditioning. Westerners of all ages seem to embrace the summer with a certain zest:tank tops, shorts, sandals, wrinkles,skin cancer. The Japanese on the other hand,do not seem to be suited for heat. I remember as a child in the summertime in Gloucester,City as a boy running in and out of the house all day long in bare feet and no shirt just wearing blue jeans to go outside. Not in Japan. Children are not allowed to go outside without changing from indoor slippers to outdoor footwear, Japanese children are never allowed to go out without a shirt that is forbidden.

 

You cannot reverse the process either, and simply run into the house from outside, even if you are running from lions.They'd surely catch up with you and swallow you up once you reach the genkan area shoe change.(entrance area where shoes are removed.) Not in Japan. So,why is it that Japanese people change out their shoes when going inside and Westerners don't? Obviously, Japan is a very dirty country. Furthermore, just in case you didn't know,dirt is evil. Scientifically speaking, in much the way heat rises, evil accumulates on the ground. And when you consider that heaven is above,and hell is below,you're really just treading on the surface of hell. So take off those shoes before you walk into a Japanese the house.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Moon-viewing :The "Day of the Chrysanthemum."

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Commentary by Hank F. Miller jr.

 

This seasonal festival is also known as the"day of double yang."Nine is the largest of the numbers, which,being doubled on this date,makes it an especially auspicious day.Because this is the season when mums are in bloom,they are used for decorations while drinks are being poured.Another ritual associated with this day was the practice of wiping the skin with a piece of cotton cloth dampened by the evening dew taken from the chrysanthemums.These customs,were celebrated up until the middle ages,and thus are not given much attention these days in Japan.In China,however the custom continues to be to climb a hill on the ourskirts of town to have a picnic with family members or with close friends together.The day's signsficance is reflected in a homophonic pair of words kyukyu"nine-nine" and"enduring peace."

Remember When?: Comments Made in the Year 1955-cnbnews.

Have you seen the new cars  coming out next year?  It won’t  be long before $2,000 will  only buy a used one.

 

Did you hear the post office is  thinking about charging 7 cents  just to mail a letter.

 

 

Info submitted by Hank Miller,

author unknown...more to come

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WHEN EAST MEETS WEST-Me The Fern and the Bamboo-cnbnews.net

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr. 

 

(cnbnews.net)This is something we all need to read and apply to ourselves,

One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality..... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God."God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said."Do you see the fern and the bamboo?""Yes", I replied."When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth.Its brilliant green covered the floor.Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.and again,nothing came from the bamboo seed.But I did not quit on the bamboo".

When East Meets West: Far too much local sovereignty in Japan? -cnbnews.net

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

(cnbnews.net)Since the Japanese Democratic Party came to power in September 2009 the word "chiho bunken" (devolution)has been replaced by the new expression "chiki shuken" (local sovereignty). The government on November 17 that year created the "Local Sovereignty Strategy Council" chaired by the Prime minister ,Naoto Kan.

 

" Devolution)," which is an antonym of a centralized form of government,means delegating to local governments some of the power and authority now heavily concentrated in the central government ministries and agencies,which are often referred to sa"KIasumigaseki" after the name of the central part of Tokyo, where most of them are headquartered. As a result, perfectural governors must always" read the minds"of Tokyo in making major decisions or implementing important policies.

 

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: The Bombings-cnbnews.net

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  

(cnbnews.net)August 7, 2011-The blast center Hiroshima City. At 25 meters in midair southeast of Shima Hospital at 19 Saikumachi,Cho.The death toll after the explosion, 140,000 people perished.The death toll by the atomic blast at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki has not been confirmed yet.The report to the United Nations Secretary General in 1976 said that the death toll was 140,000 in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki.

  

Letter by Mr.Atarashi Oshima,a Church member on our church in Kuroseki, Kitakyushu City.

  

At that time I was working in Tabata,Kitakyushu city.I was a skinny kid,but was drafted into the Army Engineering Brigade and sent to Hiroshima,in August 1945.It was a few days just before the bombing.We resided in temporary housing at an elementry school in Gion-machi, Asa-gun.

When East Meets West: The Bombing of Hiroshima -cnbnews.net

"Mothers Lullaby"

 Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  

 (cnbnews.net) August 6, 2011-A big old tree stands by the side of a road near the city of Hiroshima.Through the years,it has seen many things.

One summer night the tree heard a lullaby.A mother was singing to her little girl under the tree. They looked happy and the song sounded sweet.But the tree remembered something sad. Yes, It was 66 years ago. I heard a lullaby that night too."

 

On the morning of that day,a big bomb fell on the city of Hiroshima.Many people lost their lives,and many others were injured.In seconds after the blast people died and many others had burns all over their bodies. I was sad when I saw those people.It was a very hot day.Some of the people fell down near me.I said to them,"Come and rest in my shade.You'll be all right soon."

Visiting home and family graves during the summer holidays-cnbnews.net

 

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  

Note: Hank  is a former resident of Gloucester City who resides in Kitakyushu City, Japan. category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

 A series of events called "Oban" is centered on August 13th, to 15th,when Japanese greets their ancesters spirits.Oban is a Buddist festival when the Japanese people welcome and enertain their ancesters spirits who are believed to have returned home to the mortal world.

Oban combines indigenous Japanese religious faith in one's ancesters with Buddhist concepts.

China Forced Newspapers to Ax Rail Crash Pages- cnbnews.net

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. MIller Jr.

 

China  imposed a widespread ban on coverage of last month's high-speed
train crash,forcing newspapers across the country to scrap pages of stories,Hong Kong newspapers reported Sunday. The Sundy Morning Post said that Chinese propaganda authorities issued a censorship order late Friday,banning all coverage of the crash"except positive news or information released by the authorities."The ban came after state media published rare criticism of the government over its responce to the July 23 crash,which killed at least 40,injured almost 200 and called into question the fast expansion of China's high-speed rail network.

China Train Crash May Scare off Overseas Buyers-cnbnews.net

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WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

A fatal crash on China's high-speed train network could scuttle Beijing's ambitions to sell the technology overseas and could also hit its existing rail exports.Shares in Chinese rail and train builders have fallen sharply since the accident,which killed at least 39 people and injured 200, and raised questions as to the passengers who are still missing after the crash.

 

PHOTO CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO

Beijing's rush to develop the world's biggest high-speed network.

Japanese Experts Say: China's train accident unthinkable here -cnbnews.net

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WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  

A Japanese expert who analyzed video footage of Saturday's fatal bullet train accident in China said Sunday it was and accident hard to imagine happening here in Japan,even though one of the trains involved appears to be one modeled on a domestic shinkansen. A Japanese Railway official said shinkansen systems have been equipped with automatic train contol devices since they were inaugurated in 1964 because of the understanding that it would be difficult for the driver to rely on visuual traffic confirmation of the need to apply the brakes on the high-speed service.

CHINA BANS COVERAGE OF TRAIN CRASH-cnbnews.net

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WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

China has banned local journalist from investigating the cause of the deadly high-speed train crash that has triggered public outrage and raised questions over safety, reports said Tuesday.

China's propaganda department issued the order Sunday, according to a copy of the directives published by the China Digital Times, a U.S.-based site focusing on web news from China.

Derailment rises doubts about China's fast rail system -cnbnews.net

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

Note: Hank  is a former resident of Gloucester City who resides in Kitakyushu City, Japan. category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

 

Doubts about China's breakneck plans to expand high-rail across the country have been underscored by a bullet train wreck that killed at least 36 people.

 

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Railways Minister Sheng Guangzu has apologized to the victims of Saturday's crash, and their families.
 

"As I watched on TV the complete broadcast',I noted most for my commentary from many other news sources to bring this news to you first hand that came out of China."The U.S. Embassy in Beijing said two U.S. citizens were among the dead.

 

A train rammed into the back of another train that was stalled after being hit by lightning in China's deadliest rail accident since 2008.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST : It' Now Time For Complete BS

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

Socrates said his wisdom flowed from knowing he knew nothing.I can relate.Except in my   case, I know almost nothing. Yet I do have one area of expertise from which my own personal wisdom flowed.  That being: I am an expert on BS. I write BS. I talk BS. I breathe BS. If there is one thing I know it's BS, I am so full of BS. that I myself doubt most of what I say. So,of course, I am a devoted fan of Japanese BS television. It's all I watch. I know it does not take a Bachelor of Science degree to understand that the acronym BS might have various applications. It can, in the case of Japanese TV, stand for "Broadcasting Satellite."

 

Photo: The author with his lovely wife, Keiko

But with me such subtleties go out the window the very second the NHK news guy stares into my living room through the tube and solemnly announces...

"Now time for the BS News."

In Japan your dream home could become your nightmare -cnbnews.net

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller jr.

 

(CNBNEWS.NET)Many people in the Tokyo Metropolitan area who were living in a high-rise when  the March 11 earthquake struct, subsequently decided to move. The problem was not the structural integrity of the building, which was not damaged at all.

 

photo of high rise buildings in Tokyo Japan

According to a survey by the Condominium Management Companies Association, even high-rises in the Tohoku and Chiba region"performed"excellently.  

 

None collapsed, and only 1.6 percent required"large-scale"repairs.More than 80 percent sustain only slight cosmetic damage or none at all. For the Japanese people the issue was more the matter of quality of life. Elevators automatically shut down during an earthquake and can only be turned on again by a certified technician. It might be days before they are operational again and walking 20, 25, or even 30 flights of stairs or more can be tiring.  Also electrical power is lost through either damage or design (planned blackouts), high-rise living is virtually impossible, and not just because the elevators.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST Tanabata Festival: A Herald of Summer -cnbnews.net

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Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

Note: Hank  is a former resident of Gloucester City who resides in Kitakyushu City,  Japan. category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Tanabta Matsuri is the essence of summer and of summer festivals. Held in Japan on either July 7 or August 7, Asian countries such as China and South Korea also hold Star festivals. The original form of Tanabata derives from QI Xi,the Chinese Star Festival. Introduced to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto during the Nara Era (eight century), it became a popular event among the general public in the early Edo Period (17th century). Mixing the old tale of Tanabatatsume as well as various Obon traditions together with the original Chinese festival, it eventually developed into the modern form that we see today,with people writing their wishes on"tanzaku"paper strips to decorate bamboo trees with them.

 

The tale of Tanabata part one:

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: America Standing Together with Friends in Japan- cnbnews.net

A Happy Fourth Of July America

 Commentary By Hank f. Miller Jr.

Note: Hank  is a former resident of Gloucester City who resides in Kitakyushu City, Japan. category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

(CNBNEWS.NET)Today, millions of Americans will look to the sky to watch brilliant displays of fireworks in celebration of Independence Day. As they have done every fourth of July for the last 235 years, Americans will take a moment to reflect on what these fireworks represent--the liberty, equality, freedom and democracy that our founders fought so hard for. These principles have since become the cornerstones of American society. For those of us overseas, the Fourth of July takes on even a greater importances we celebrate the values that so strongly define and unite us as Americans,despite being far from our own shores.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Open Heart Surgery at a Japanese Hospital -cnbnews.net

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

(CNBNEWS.NET)During my yearly health check I was diagnosed with aortic valvular stenosis after a heart ultrasound  was performed along with several other test on my heart I was admitted to the hospital to prepare for open heart surgery on February 28, 2011 to March 5, 2011. I was released do to having a cold and I also had a slight fever. 

 

Note: Hank, (photo), is a former resident of Gloucester City who resides in Kitakyushu City, Japan.

category WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

I kept going to the hospital as an out patient to continue the testing; the tests took about two weeks to complete,during that time the test showed that I had  aortic valvular stenosis, valvular heart disease.

 The surgery to replace a diseased aortic valve was performed at the University of Occupational and Environmental Health Hospital, only a 15 minute walk from my home. I was admitted to the hospital again on May 10, more test continued and the surgery was planned and scheduled  to take place  May 13, which happened to be Friday the 13th. Of course it didn't phase me at all, but I did think that this day would be a good luck day instead. I'm not at all superstitious, I'm religious. The surgery was started a 9:00 A.M. and was completed at 5:20 P.M.

Japan Nuclear Crisis Worsens, Now at Same Level as Chernobyl Disaster

The Japan nuclear crisis took an ominous turn yesterday, with officials declaring that the emergency at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was now as severe as the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. According to a report on MSNBC, nuclear regulators in Japan have raised the severity rating from 5 to 7, the highest level on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) scale, after new assessments of radioactive material leaking from the damaged reactors.

The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale defines a Level 7 Accident as a major release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects requiring implementation of planned and extended countermeasures. Chernobyl marks the only other time a nuclear disaster has been declared a Level 7 Accident. 

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Earthquake still felt all over Japan

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

When friends back home contacted me to see if we were OK after the March 11,2011, disaster I told everyone the same thing.

 "We're OK. 

 We live about 1,200 kilometers from  the disaster zone.We haven't been affected at all."

PHOTO: HANK MILLER

We didn't feel the earthquake , not even slightly. We have had no blackouts. We continue to have food,water and daily necessities. But of course this is not all true.

 The disaster has everyone in Japan, including the people living here in Kitakyushu. People collect food, batteries for flash lights, clothing blankets and money etc. to send to the devastated area.

 "What will happen to Japan?" Laments my neighbors and some of my friend, it's a big question here. Some of my neighbors are involved in international tourism and are concerned that foreign tourist won't come back for a very long time.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST: Cherry Blossom Viewing In Japan

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

Japan at this time is preparing for the higest alert code-Pink .I'm referring to  the cherry blossom season alert. which takes place each year after a cold winter when the Japanese people welcome the coming of Spring.The blushing blossoms carpet Japan with pink all the way up the Japanese archipelago from Southern Kyushu to Hokkaido.Full pink alert is when cherry blossoms are mankai-in full bloom.

 

IMAGE: The Fuji Japan Cherry Blossoms

 

The cherry blossom report is broadcasts on the nightly news during the weather report, cherry blossom reports in Japan are extremely accurate.When reported here in Fukuoka Prefecture the blossom should burst fourth their buds on about March 26, but I believe they have been delayed for about two more days.

Plate-Born Quake Shifted Earth's Axis 10 CM '

 

 

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

 

Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

The magnitude of Friday's 8.8 earthquake that jolted northeastern Japan was caused by a tectonic upheaval that created offshore faults stretching for hundreds of kilometers from Iwate Prefecture to Ibrakai, seismologist said on Saturday evening. As i watched N H K TV, Satoko Oki of the University of Tokyo's Earthquake Research Institute said the massive quake, estimated to be nearly 1,000 times more powerful than the 1995 Great Honshin Earthquake that killed more than 6,000 people, was caused by a rupture near the boundary between  the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. The earthquake was created when the Pacific plate slipped underneath Japan at the Japan Trench, causing a tsunami as high as 10 meters to slam the east coast.

Former Gloucester City Resident Reports on Disaster in Japan...see Video

 

Entire communities destroyed; fires rage out of control.

Earthquake, Tsunami Slams Widespread Areas of Japan...Initial death toll and damage not yet  calculated

 

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

An earthquake with a historic magnitude of 8.9 struck the Tohoku region friday,registering the highest intensity level of 7on the Japanese seismic scale, in Miyagi Prefecture,the Meteorological Agency said. Miyagi and four other prefectures and many people were reported injured. The quake struck at 2:46 P.M.Many fires were reported at scores of locations in northeastern  Japan, as well as a huge refinery inferno in Chiba Prefecture.The quake was felt hundreds of kilometers away, including in Tokyo, where buildings swayed for a long time and people swarmed out of them.

March 3rd:The Hina Doll Festival in Japan

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST

Commentary by Hank F. Miller Jr.

  

This festival was celebrated in China on the day of the snake in the first part of March, so it was called the"festival of the first snake day"(i.e.,the first of three days of the snake that appear during the month of March).

In Japan,the timing corresponds to the blossoming of peach trees,so the name has come to be known as the"day of the peach." This is the day that girls celebrate the doll festival known as hina matsuri, drinking shirozake (white sake) and eating sweets.

In some regions,dolls made of paper are set adrift in the river to dispel bad luck.

This festival is to wish for good health,growth and happy marriages of young girls. Dolls in ancient costumes are displayed on tiers of shelves covered by a bright red cloth.These dolls represent the emperor and empress,their nobel court ladies-in-waiting and ministers.

The Doll Festival dates back from midieval times,but it was not until the 18th century that the custom of displaying dolls came into fashion.The dolls are usually on display for about a week,but it is customary to put them away soon after March 3 because leaving them out for a long time is said to delay a daughter's marriage.

Japanese can't ever let that happen,"so everyone works feverishly to get them put away as quickly as they can."

  

Warm Regards and Best Wishes from Kitakyushu City, Japan.

We're all looking forward to the coming spring and much warmer weather. Hank F. Miller Jr.