#I am a serious person with a serious study life and a serious translator

[chentailai]

Our adorable little bug Khajida is undoubtedly an excellent tailor who was able to design a casual outfit for Jaime (possibly in an extremely fast time). He is a considerate and efficient design and production all-in-one machine

I think he may have developed his hobby of designing clothes and using environmentally friendly materials to make them, such as using Jaime... (you know). Since he can use these (you know), can he use household waste or other environmentally harmful materials that need to be recycled to make his clothes?

Imagine they go to the community to pick up garbage, to the beach to pick up garbage, and after the meeting, they casually bring back empty plastic bottles from the conference room. When Jaime was asleep, Khaji da began to fully unleash his creativity, and when Jaime woke up, he saw new clothes all over the floor.

Then they picked a day off to sell clothes on the street, and friends came to support them.(I believe that with Khaji's abilities, he will soon be able to compete with advanced fashion designers

But none of the above is what I really want to say, it's just to cover up my dirty real thoughts. I'm curious why I didn't see anyone say this

Khaji da， Wearing new clothes for Jaime after disarming... So why, it's not a costume for fun

Why not? One day, Jaime reintegrated into the crowd after cracking down on crime, and everyone looked at him because Khajida gave him a bunny girl costume. Or Jaime could go on a date with someone and find himself dressed as a maid, wearing cat ears and a collar when he lands. When he was half exhausted and climbed onto the bed, he woke up to find himself wearing a real lingerie. As for superhero uniforms? It will be much more exciting than the female characters portrayed by cartoonists with male gaze. I mean, jaime Reyes will wear a more exciting erotic costume than the black canary to fight crime.(which reminds me of klk)

"If I can protect my family, even if I'm completely naked, it's okay!"

And these thoughts make me feel like a criminal👉👈

Anyway, we should understand that this scarab is actually the most promising s ■■ costume designer ever, and he will add unexpected surprises to Jaime's life. (Jaime's mother won't allow it, no matter what.

Although I still have a lot to say about this idea, let's stop at it(°ー°〃)

[a-land-lacking-sleep]

A brief thought on the parallels of the Subway Bosses, The Tao Trio, and Warden Ingo's place

@waywardstation just made an amazing post on her thoughts of Warden Ingo's parallels to Kyurem. Nothing in the game directly connects the two, just like nothing in the game connects the Subway Bosses to the Dragons in Generation V. But the connections are still there regardless, because Game Freak made sure to fill Unova with so much symbolism.

These are the basic thoughts that connect each Man to their Dragon.

Subway Boss Ingo - Ideals; Aspire to greatness, never give up in your journey

Subway Boss Emmet - Truth; You are who you are, there is no need for a mask

Warden Ingo - Void; What is there when you lose who you are? No drive for greatness, nothing to mask. Ideals, Truths, nothing matters except the ground beneath your feet.

In each game that they appear, Ingo and Emmet are relatively flat characters. In Gen 5, they have enough personality to stick in your mind, and nothing past. And in PLA, Ingo's whole personality is "I lost my memory and am depressed, but have hope". Instead, we end up looking at word choice, and in the Subway Bosses cases, other media.

Subway Boss Ingo, across most media, embodies Ideals. He has his eyes to the future, always pushing himself and others to continue onwards. He frames battling and training as a journey ("What can I see after winning, winning, and winning? Where is my destination?"; "Your talent has brought you to the destination called Victory!"; "There is no terminal called End in your life!"), most often when he is victorious. He seeks to create his Ideal self, and wants to push others to do the same.

This comes up in Pokemon Masters EX as well, where the "no terminal" line returns (in an appropriately spooky tone), he also spends time in the Day With Ingo story event talking about how he seeks to better himself and "break through the mold of [his] past self". This event is also the first time he mentions the phrase "greater heights", which appears another 6 times in various snippets in Masters. And finally, we have a triple whammy of travel metaphors for growth in his level up lines.

For Subway Boss Emmet, his connection to Truth is admittedly a bit more tenuous. He doesn't have any tendency for truth-seeking or investigations (outside of the famous behavior in the manga where he likes to eavesdrop on drama, which gossip isn't exactly truthful), but what he has is a strong showing of being truthful, even if he ends up being blunt or disrespectful.

As a consequence of his writing in Japanese giving him a very casual way of speaking, the English translation has him speak in shorter clips, just the bare essentials. The naked truths of his thoughts. He doesn't seek the Truth, or give a Universal Truth; Emmet is True to himself and to those around him. (As a side note, I love when people give power to other usages of the word True through Reshiram. I did it in my fic with a turn of phrase, but I've seen it done beautifully in other works too).

In Pokemon Special, Emmet doesn't hide the truth of why they asked White to train on the Battle Subway ("We're studying you as an example of a Trainer who gets overwhelmed and loses every battle!" "That's not nice, Emmet."), not because he is intending to be rude (Ok, a little bit), but because that *is* what they are using her for. In the games, he speaks of how Pokemon battles can be decided on luck ("I won against you. But I think I just got lucky."), because the Truth of the matter is, you can be highly trained and just have a bad day or get hit by a critical hit. But, most importantly, he believes that battles must be serious for them to be fun. Because what fun is there in putting up a fake fight, when you could just be True to yourself?

Now, to speak on the connection of Warden Ingo to Kyurem, we must first understand what Kyurem is to Zekrom and Reshiram. On a surface level, it is a Husk, a leftover revenant that can be reassembled into a simulacrum of the Original being. But looking into the actual symbolism of them all is where you find threads of connection to the Warden.

Reshiram, the Dragon of Yin, is representative of a more static element, receptive of change but passive in how it does so. It is a recursive existence that reaches out and pulls back towards itself - Everyone has an individual Truth, but that is still able to be changed by The Truth. However, one does not go out and change The Truth, only altering the perception of it while it passively exists. You cannot change what is already there, only create something new. In comparison, Emmet is never really shown to focus on the future, but rather on the present. He knows of the Truth in his life, and while it can be changed by present actions, he knows that he cannot go back to change it, so there is no need to try, or to hide it.

Zekrom, the Dragon of Yang, is active, ever expanding, and pushes up against those around it in it's search for Ideals. Ideals cause you to seek out a goal, to leave your home, your comfort zone, and push away from the past. To represent Ideals is to be in constant flux; Settling into a form makes you into a Truth, as an Ideal is a goal, something attainable, yet unreachable. We've gone over Ingo's future-forward gaze, constantly thinking about what is to come. Life is a journey, and every step you take in life is a step to self-improvement.

Kyurem is a Husk, a Shell. According to Bulbapedia, it is representative of Wuji ("Without a roof"), the absense of Yin and Yang, or "The Ultimate Nothingness". For this reason, I personally also attribute to it Mu, a concept of non-existence and negative space, specifically the lack of something normally there (modern Japanese actually uses "mu-" as a prefix the same way English has the suffix "-less"). Interestingly, the Japanese transliteration of Wuji is "Mukyoku" (lit. Non-polar, another translation of Wuji), connecting the two concepts neatly. In short, Kyurem represents Nothing and Everything.

Kyurem was supposedly the Original Dragon, the deity of Unova that represented Truths and Ideals in unison, a embodiment of Yin and Yang's harmony. In a sense, the Original Dragon was an embodiment of Everything, Unova's spirit of unity. Then, with the war between the Twin Princes (another pair also frequently compared to Ingo and Emmet, in case you think I forgot my boys), it was split into 2, but secretly 3, parts. This third secret part became Kyurem, a being lacking in its original qualities, leaving Nothing but the Husk.

Now, finally, we can get to everyone's favorite uncle, Warden Ingo. His connection to Kyurem is probably the least intentional of them all (which is saying something, because I'm honestly convinced that the Subway Bosses' own connections aren't intentional, but rather just a result of how Unova games were written with Truth vs. Ideal being ingrained heavily), but there still is one. As Wayward says in her fateful post, "Warden Ingo is an empty husk of who he once was ever since he was separated from his life, and from Emmet." Ingo as the Subway Boss may not have embodies the Everything that the Original Dragon has, but pairing with Emmet so closely still meant that Truth and Ideals mixed so cleanly that it might as well have been Everything.

However, the most important connection for Warden Ingo are the concepts of Wuji and Mu. To be "the Ultimate Nothingness" or "Non-Polar" means to be devoid of Everything, yet still have the capability to be far more than Nothing. The singular concept of Mu may mean that Warden Ingo is missing who he is and was, but that is not who we grow know in the game; We connect with a man who is slowly piecing together his sense of self, remembering facets of his past and growing happier with who he can be. Thus, the Mu transitions into Wuji, a void that isn't Empty so much as lacking.

The importance of distinction is that Mu is by nature Empty, while Wuji is Empty and Everything, limitless and confined. Similarly, Ingo is devoid of what made him him (His drive for self-improvement is impaired, even while he pushes the player to climb to greater heights), but becomes something new in the meta-narrative of the story. His actual, plot-related story ends when you quell Electrode and he becomes a challengeable NPC at the Training Grounds, but he becomes something of a kindred spirit in the greater plot of the game. He's like you, a Faller who has lost themselves, and also like you, an avid battler who pushes the system to it's limits (especially in the Path of Solitude).

In short, the connection between Kyurem and Warden Ingo isn't anything in the text, as Kyurem has no explicit in-game theming attached to it like Zekrom and Reshiram, and Warden Ingo doesn't have strong philosophical points that seeps out of the words he says to you. But when you look at the meta-theming for Kyurem, and subsequently Warden Ingo's meta-narrative, the connections become clearer.

Does some of this make no sense? Of course! A lot of this is extrapolating what was said in Wayward's post, and what came from my head as I thought of it. A lot of the connections of the twins to the Dragons has been discussed since 2010, but for all intents and purposes, Warden Ingo is a different character from Subway Boss Ingo. Narratively, he is the same person, hence why his appearance is a tragedy in Legends Arceus, one which we never get to solve. But on a meta level, he functions so differently, and lives so differently, that the themes he inhabits do not match up to the Subway Boss in any way. To end this on a sad note, Warden Ingo is exactly like Kyurem - Broken. He has lost what made him whole, and we've been shown that just reinserting Ideals isn't enough. Hopefully, if Game Freak decides to touch upon the Warden once more, we can find a way to reinsert his Truths as well.

[thehigherseekerastro]

→ Venus Through the Houses 🪷 (the fourth house)

The manifestations of having the planet Venus through the houses in the natal chart, in a wider perspective, without being predictable about it.

DISCLAIMER 1: I am NOT a professional astrologer, traditional or modern. I study astrology for a few years, and this is a collection of what I've learned, and what I've seen manifested in real life.

DISCLAIMER 2: Use caution and discernment when reading, and understand that this post is about one isolated planet in one isolated house in a chart. There are 12 houses, 6 major planets, 3 outer planets, and at least 5 possible major aspects between planets in your chart. Those detail can and WILL affect how the energy shows up in your life personally, so it might not apply to you. Everybody is unique.

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

Venus in the 4th house 🏡🏩

What a lovely, deep and rich placement, this one. I try not to overhype nor demonize any placement, because each one has its own moments, good and bad. But this one is very cute. I'll be honest with you and say that it does NOT guarantee a fairytale, but if it's well-aspected, if other parts of the chart agree with, it could be inducing to very beautiful things.

Imagine the planet of love making her literal home in your house of feelings, the deepest most private part of your chart. Here, feelings gush out like a waterfall. Venus in the 4H lives on cloud 9. It lives in a state of buzzing romance 24/7. Venus here also breaks her natural character of wanting to be pampered and waited on, and she wants to do the nurturing herself. Of course, she wants to feel cared for back too. Very generous Venus.

The good 😊:

Very nurturing people. Warm and welcoming.

Great listeners and very empathetic.

Beautiful way with words. Not in a poetic sense, but in an emotionally sensitive way. They know what to say, when to say it and how to say to make someone feel loved and protected.

Protective of loved ones, but not in an aggressive way.

Tend to be tender, sweet and gentle.

Very angelic demeanor. Might have cherub face too.

Knows how to make any place a home.

Is somewhat of a leader (since it is a cardinal house), but in a Cancer-like way. It leads not because it commands people, but because people just trust them to lead and feel safe with them, fully believing they will do the best to provide love and care and protection.

Put their heart and soul into whatever they do.

Knows how to build a genuine connection.

Great mothers. (And fathers).

Can be good cooks or bakers (but I myself consider baking part of cooking, so I don't separate them).

Romantics at heart. About all things.

Might like children a lot and want a big family of their own.

Could possibly get along with their family very well.

Can instantly make others feel safe and trust them.

Knows how to translate their feelings.

Good emotional intelligence.

The bad 😠:

Might be prone to melodrama, and could be overdramatic.

Could be too cautious with their feelings, to a point they become guarded.

Might be stingy and hold on to things too tightly.

Could "eat their feelings" when stressed, which could lead to unwanted weight gain, an eating disorder, shame around food, or not learning healthy ways to self-regulate.

Family could be ALL up in their business all the time. Serious boundaries issues.

Could be nitpicky, just as much as Virgos. Could be a snob about cleanliness.

Slight tendency to take their feelings out on other people.

This one is gonna be hard to say, and hard to read, so, please READ WITH CAUTION – it's not about everyone. Just SOME people: Could be the type who threatens to kill themselves if a lover tries to end the relationship. Depending on how problematic the person is, might actually go ahead and actually do harm themselves, not bc they actually want to end themselves, but to guilt their ex into not leaving.

Inability to let go of toxic relationships because they feel bad for the person, or don't wanna lose what's familiar, and might wear rose-colored glasses around people from their childhood. 4H Venus is like a combination of Scorpio and Pisces Venus.

Prone to immaturity fits, wanting to be babied by others.

Could struggle with a nasty little victim complex.

Could have a "me, me, me!" attitude, but in a different way than 1H. It's more "But, what about ME and MY FEELINGS?!" kind of way.

Could struggle to spend their hard-earned money on themselves because they keep giving it away to their family/friends/buying things for the house.

Might overlook themselves physically and emotionally because they keep waiting that others are gonna take care of them instead.

Forms bonds too quickly, get too eager, might scare people away.

In love 💕:

Wants to formalize quickly.

Prefers committed relationships.

Wants to have a family.

Will devote themselves to their partner.

Could get hurt easily in love.

Emotional manipulation.

Or could just be the utmost sweetheart.

Acts of service and quality time as love language.

A little jealous from time to time.

Will try to harmonize and find a common ground when in disputes or disagreements.

Could do some shady shit behind their partner's back to fulfill personal dreams (e.g.: stopping taking contraceptives without telling them to get pregnant without the partner's consent, because they want kids.)

Could struggle with boundaries themselves and overstep a lot. Might also force themselves into private parts of their lover's life that the person hadn't felt comfortable giving access to yet.

Could confuse drama and emotional turmoil with passion and might even romanticize it and think that if they just conquer it, love will be like a movie.

Could have a food compulsion.

Could struggle with laziness, even more so than 2H Venus.

The type to cook, clean, sew, nurse and therapize their partner.

Wants to feel safe and loved above all else.

Will share all the parts to them with their partner.

Will put the children before the marriage/union after having them together.

Will step into some form of a traditional role one way or another, regardless if they are male, female or otherwise.

Lasting love. Love that leaves a mark on their psyche.

Big hearts, even bigger hearts in love.

Makes a lot of plans and dreams they wanna achieve with their loved one.

Drama queen when feeling slighted.

Not a stranger to the occasional "psycho girlfriend" behavior, regardless if they are a male. That's usually a sign they are emotionally exhausted at that point, though.

Easy to love, even easier to give love.

Might preserve the relationship a lot, shielding it from the world.

"You and me against the world" type of relationships.

Usually successful in marriage.

MASTER LIST

[transmascpetewentz]

Welcome to my blog! 🤍💙🤍

Hello everyone, I'm sure you already know me, but for the new people: I'm Lou, I'm a bigender (in a jewish sense) fem gay trans man, I'm white/slavic, and I'm converting to Judaism. There isn't really a theme to my blog, I just find sideblogs too hard to keep track of so I keep everything in one spot. Politics, my personal life, and fandom will be posted here all as one stream of consciousness.

Here's my old pinned post if you ever need it, though the information on there may be outdated and probably doesn't reflect my current views if I've said something contradictory more recently. You can find my tagging/filtering system, general content warnings, and more about me under the cut.

To all the lurkers on my page, kiss the meowzuzah on your way in!

(all credit goes to @the-catboy-minyan)

Longer About Me

I'm converting to Judaism. Currently, I'm working on observing Shabbat and beginning more serious Torah study. We'll see where this goes; I would say that the journey > the destination, if the destination wasn't so good. You'll see me shitposting about this a lot, because it's something that's important to me and my brain likes to make up jokes about everything I think about for a prolonged period of time.

I'm also learning Hebrew. Currently, it isn't very good, but I can hold a basic conversation using some Google translate for individual words. I had to re-learn nikud because of reading the Siddur and Tanakh. I'm not very commentary-literate, though I've attempted to get into reading some for the Torah. Also, I keep mostly kosher!

Tag Filtering

So, I'm not very good at tagging, but one that I use pretty frequently is #ask to tag and it's a catch-all for anything that you might want to proceed with caution in. I also use #long post and #arguing a lot, for long posts and arguing respectively. Other than that, I'll tag most things about a certain bigotry with #[bigotry], including examples of that bigotry. If you're affected by said bigotry, you can and should filter the tag for your mental health!

I recommend that you filter out certain words entirely instead of just tags if you are triggered by a subject, since I oftentimes forget to tag posts with adequate warning tags. I don't like to tag things a lot, so if you are triggered by things I post about a lot and word filtering doesn't work for you, feel free to unfollow.

Although this is not an ED blog, I have an eating disorder and I post about it under the tag #ed talk. If you are uncomfortable with hearing that kind of discussion, block the tag and don't engage with the posts. If you are the kind of person who thinks people with eating disorders should have to censor themselves online for the comfort of others, do yourself a favor and don't follow me at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a Zionist?

It depends on how we're defining Zionism. If we're defining Zionism as "support of the modern state of Israel," I am a post-Zionist because the state exists. If we're defining Zionism as "the right of Jews as a native people to live and have self-determination in their native land," (which is also my personal definition), I am a proud Zionist. If Zionism means "support for the murder of innocent Palestinian people," then I am anti-Zionist, but that is a definition that divorces Zionism from its historical context.

Can you reblog my donation post?

Probably not, unless we already know each other. Due to the amount of donation scams that have popped up on tumblr recently, I don't feel safe giving money to random people that ask.

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

A Tale For A Mouse, part 3

Part 1, part 2

Being young, I trusted my parents beyond any rhyme or reason. If anyone could solve that mystery, I thought, it had to be her. So I dragged my newfound ghost-friend back home, directly into a tribunal clan-court.

Do not give me that blank look. Have you never heard of the forest tribunal clan-courts? They were infamous back in my day! I say, you humans just do not know how to appreciate other cultures. Not that the foresters have much of a culture anymore.

I suppose I shall tell you about them, then. Once a sixteen-day, everyone in the clan, from the greatest warrior to the meekest hearth-tender, gets together to hear the wise words of our clan leader and her mate. In my time, the Ko-clan's chieftain was my beloved mother, Ji-annansciel the Kind. 

Wait— Kind is not the correct translation of that word. Us spirits have never considered charity to be a good thing. It is a weakness, a ‘softness’. 

Yes, that is the word. Soft. Ji-annansciel the Soft. She had many fascinating ideas, like not hunting children for sport and eating them before their mothers. Strange woman, my mother was. I suppose it was the only thing that saved Berry, when we put her upon the stand before a crew of hungry spirits who did not particularly care if they feasted upon a harpy or a ghost.

Yes, little one, before you ask any more, spirits and ghosts are similar visually. Yes, to the untrained eye, we are sister-species. And yes, if you attempt to suggest this to any spirit, you will find your head on a platter long before you get a chance to finish your sentence. 

Us spirits have long laboured to clear our good names from the mortal-tainted ghosts. That is why we have little tolerance for them. Even my mother, may her too-big heart rest in pieces, could only muster a grimace of distaste upon seeing Berry. 

If I had been any older, I suppose I might well have killed her back in that shack, and saved us all the trouble. But that would have meant my own death, too, the death of the person she made me into. So I guess I am glad I was young enough to love her truly, in that way only little ones know how to.

In any case, the tribunal did not approve of a mere boy dragging a filthy ghost before them all. We were unceremoniously thrown aside, her into a cell and me into my father's study, to be punished appropriately. I still have the scars on my back from my father's rage that day, for the whipping he gave me nearly left me dead. 

His words cut deeper, however. He told me his plans for Berry, of the things the whole clan would do when they finished dealing with serious matters, things that would rip my pure-hearted friend to shreds, physically and otherwise, things that I could not allow him to carry through with. 

So, when he left me lying on the floor in a pool of my own ectoplasm, laughing at my weakness, I struck. In hindsight, I do wonder why I had not thought of it before. It was laughably easy to carry out, with no planning necessary. So easy, and so very delicious. 

What did I do? Little mouse, is it not obvious? Do I need to spell out just what I did to save my friend?

Why, I ripped my father's throat out with my bare teeth, and gulped down his life like it were my own! Goodness, it makes me hungry even thinking about it. Someone ought to go tell the chefs that I want one of the death-row fools roasted for dinner.

Taglist:

@coffeeangelinabox, @dorky-pals, @calliecwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @shukei-jiwa

@thewingedbaron, @pluppsauthor, @cowboybrunch, @wylloblr, @possiblyeldritch @ramwritblr, @urnumber1star, @fortunatetragedy, @bigwipscholar, @ratedn

@vampirelover890, @possiblylisle, @illarian-rambling, @the-ellia-west

@finicky-felix, @evilgabe29, @glitched-dawn, @rivenantiqnerd, @dragonhoardesfandoms

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @owldwagitoutofyou, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog

@riveriafalll, @the-golden-comet, @rascaronii, @trippingpossum, @real-fragments

@xenascribbles,

(Anyone else who wants to get added can tell me in the comments, pm me, or send me an ask about it!)

[quewea]

I SO GREAT STUPI- i- i say and here is my presentation in English! :D

About me!: I just remembered that I should introduce myself to dpjvkpo well let's start precious person who see me right now

Call me Danny (you can call me whatever you want too! No problem with nicknames, in fact I love them!) and my gender is hermaphrodite :D sometimes I draw (I swear, my mom says we're cool) my sexuality is: Pansexual

I am originally from Ecuador and I have been following Missasinfonia for about two years or more, in fact he is one of the first YouTubers that I followed and continue to follow (right now I follow him on Twitch and I don't usually talk in the chat because it makes me sad-) and I don't know if I can consider myself a Missasaur…but if I could then I would consider myself one

My favorite color is four and my favorite flavor is cyan, I half-know English but sometimes I don't understand it, I have a certain obsession with Cuarteto de Nos and Missa's songs (I love "Tiempo" and "Cancion al Mar") Sometimes I drink too much coffee (my bestie wants to annex me so that the coffee goes down) and I also usually drink a lot of chocolate milk… (I add coffee secretly, don't tell Sofi that she annexes me later), currently I am someone who doesn't usually talk or socialize much but if you want to talk to me you are free or if you want me to draw something I will always do it when you ask in a respectful way! (Everyone deserves respect, especially those you don't know yet, it's your decision what you will do next nvn)

My age used to be a secret for fear of being doxed or not being believed or something bad happening but with Sofi's help I feel like I can be honest, well I'm around 15 years old, I'm almost 16 now and in two years I'll I will go to uni if ​​I pass the exam and all the procedures, I would like to study something that will give me money so I can repay all the love and help or financially support those little people who always gave everything for me, and I would also like to study law and criminology!

My favorite songs are: bonsai, Cancion al mar, and soldier poet and king My tastes usually vary but I also like musicals such as: Hamilton, Epic and Ride the cycle + heathers

Content creators I usually watch other than Missa: Philza,Roier, Quackity, ElMariana, and German, Estailus, Aquino, Locochon, Soaring, Duxo

My favorite animals are among the top (including birds and sea animals!): -Crows -Sharks -Felines like cats and leopards! -Capybaras? capybara!! :D -I love dogs too! (in fact I took care of one of some uncles and ended up getting attached)

My phobia: Orcas-, I really don't know what it was called or if this phobia exists, but I'm really afraid of orcas, they cause me a certain rejection and I feel panic when I see them (maybe in another life I was a penguin or a Polar bear… Would that make me furry?)

I have around 13 cats and I usually look for a place or home for them, because I can't have them forever, so I usually see a kitten and I take it home to find a home for it (hehe, toy looking at your beautiful cat hehehehehe)

My laugh according to my friends is like cleaning a window or a hyena or idk, but my laugh is pretty… right? :,D

favorite insect!: Dragon tail butterfly (I will upload it again but only in English and through Google Translate… I'm sorry I don't know English very well - my teacher always tells me to try hard and I do it, I swear-)

(please ignore what they say deathduo shorts…it was the only pin of mine and I know, the presentation was very colorful but it was so that it wouldn't look serious :,) )

[phantombanquet]

【Anime da Vinci】 Ura Kazuki Voice Actor Encyclopedia “I am a newcomer who often receives affectionate comments like: You have a loud voice (LOL).”

Original Article

Date Published: February 24, 2021

translation by: phantombanquet

The annual project of “Voice Actor Encyclopedia” presents their real selves that lie beneath their characters.

The 258th episode features Ura Kazuki, who plays the role of Kyosuke Aiba in “Futsal Boys!!!!!” and the role of Tsuchiya, a member of the gardening club in “Dimension High School.”

Ura-san has a lot to say no matter the topic. He is usually half-jokingly told many times, “You have a loud voice!” or “You’re noisy (laugh),” but these words are filled with sincere feelings towards his works and people!

“How did you become interested in voice acting?“

Ura: When I was in my third year of high school, I felt depressed because everything in my personal and academic life wasn’t going well, then I watched “Strike Watchers” and became influenced. The main character is Yoshika Miyafuji, a girl with a passionate heart who refuses to yield no matter what predicament she finds herself in, and I was moved to tears by the straightforward performance of Misato Fukuen, who plays her. It’s amazing that voice actors have the power to move people’s hearts just like that, and I wanted to do the same. By the time I made up my mind, I was already attending university, but I still went down on my knees in front of my parents to let them allow me to attend a (voice acting) training school as well.

“What did you study at university?”

Ura: I had originally always wanted to become a game creator and had studied various things beforehand, so I comprehensively studied programming and other lessons related to games. A lot of people are involved in both anime and games, and lots of time and painstaking efforts are put into them, so I think it was a good experience for me in the sense that I came to feel the responsibility of voice actors being the final piece.

“You are doing the most out of it now. So what kind of person were you as a child?”

Ura: This may sound contradictory, but I wanted to show off even if I was introverted. I have two older brothers and one younger brother so I don’t mind talking to people of the same sex, but I am really bad at talking to girls… When I joined the brass band in junior high school, most of the members were girls so stomach medicine was essential (Laughs). My core desire was to not be disliked, and I was troubled for a time by trying to construct my ideal self, wondering, “what kind of boy would be the best?”

“How about now?”

Ura: I can feel more relaxed and can speak as my true self! Although sometimes, I still have stomach medicine with me (Laughs). But I think the experience of carefully creating a character within yourself is essential for acting, so I don’t think my experience back then wasn’t wasted.

“What instruments did you play in your brass band in junior high school?”

Ura: It was the trombone. It’s an instrument that tends to gain a lot of attention, and I didn’t want to play it because I disliked appearing in front of people. However, my advisor saw the way I was talking and said: “You seem suited for it.” My teacher liked doing interesting stuff; he let us wear Mario cosplays as we performed in concerts and we even made our own Goomba¹ and added the “byon” sound effects. It was embarrassing because I was shy, but I had fun working together with everyone to create something.

“It’s funny that someone recommends playing the trombone just based on how you speak.”

Ura: Other times, I was often called out by name to be on the cheerleading squad or become a class representative. I guess I was always too loud because I liked talking to people. And when the boys would get together and talk about nonsense stuff, they would often say, “well, do it.” I couldn’t say it myself, but I was serious despite my loudness, so I think I did what I was told (Laughs).

“Although you were introverted, you had a very fulfilling student life.”

Ura: It was definitely fulfilling. When I was in college, I was making games and attending training school while also helping out the public relations department of the university. I would take photos of flyers, roll the cameras, and so on. For some video assignments, I even planned the project, performed it, and created the script and filming all by myself. 

“Do you like making things?”

Ura: That’s right. Now that I think of it, even as a child, my brothers and I used to play by making things out of cardboard instead of asking to buy anime toys.

I’m regaining my youth through “Futsal Boys!!!!!”

“So, when you first started working as a voice actor, please tell us your impression when you started dubbing for the first time!”

Ura: It’s a bit presumptuous, but I was really happy to see the seriousness of my seniors. For example, even a single word like, “Ah,” is thought of as why it’s “Ah,” and what kind of “Ah,” should be said, like, they analyze it on an even deeper level that a newcomer like me wouldn't be able to consider. That’s why when there’s some extra time, they would even check on it even during their spare time, or even while eating. I remember feeling overjoyed to see that because it made me feel good knowing that I had to work harder as well.

“You play the role of Kyosuke Aiba, in the media mix project “Futsal Boys!!!!!”. How do you feel about being involved in this work, with its realistic training sessions and other activities being shown to the public?”

Ura: I’ve never participated in any sports club activities, so I feel like I’m regaining my lost youth (Laughs). We would all practice towards our goals, and on the way home, we would have dinner and talked about our reflections, or just enjoy having a nice chat about other things. Of course, it’s my work, but it’s the kind of content that I truly enjoy. There are 29 cast members, so sometimes we practice by team or as a whole.

“The other teams are your rivals, but do you also talk to them while practicing?”

Ura: Although we’re rivals, we all get along with each other pretty well as we boost one another’s presence. We all go out to eat together, so there aren’t really any restrictions per team.

“Although Kazuki Furuta is on a different team, the two of you are still co-stars. The both of you are members of the same voice acting unit ‘SHALL WE BLACK OUT?’. What kind of conversations do you usually talk about?”

Ura: We usually talk about comedy (Laughs). I’m from the Kansai region and I like comedy, so when I tried to tell a joke from the Gerrardon-san trio from a certain program, he seemed to know what I was talking about and followed along. He seriously does lots of research, so he sends me messages in LINE to tell me interesting programs from Tokyo that I don’t know of. He also passionately researches futsal, so it inspired me to also do my best, and there are moments when we’re heading the same direction, which makes me really happy whenever we play together. 

“Furuta-san said that he is closest to Koyo High School, to which he belongs, but how about Momomi High School, which Ura-san belongs to?”

Ura: No, no, I think Koyo has a strong bond, but when it comes to friendship, we, Momomi, are the best! Momomi High School is a team where we find winning important, but we also enjoy having fun together. Our goal is to make people watching think that, “futsal is so much fun,” so I think we are a very cozy team that can work hard but not too hard (to the point of exhaustion). 

“Your 2019 performance in “Dimension High School” (playing as the role of Tsuchiya, member of the gardening club) was an unusual type of work that dealt back and forth between the anime part and the live-action part.”

Ura: I didn’t pass the audition for the anime part, but I was invited to be part of the live-action part, and it became my first regular work. It was difficult trying to memorize the script at first, so I asked Takuma Zaiki-san for tips on memorization and consulted with Takahide Ishii-san and Takeo Otsuka-san on how to express myself using my body. The entire cast stayed together for a week to shoot on the location. I learned a lot by watching how everyone approaches their performance up close, and I was very happy to meet Ishii-san again in “Futsal Boys!!!!!”.

When I go home, I still say “I’m home!” even though no one is home (Laughs).

“How do you spend your days off?”

Ura: I often just watch stuff on YouTube. For comedy, I would watch the official channels of Gerrardon-san or Robert-san. I also like games, so I would play online with my friends from my hometown or with other fellow voice actors. 

“What are some of the things that you started doing during the stay-at-home² period?”

Ura: I’ve always been an indoor person, so not much has changed. Since the house was already kept in perfect condition, I was extremely comfortable during the stay-at-home period while eating meals and playing games without moving a single step (Laughs).

“Isn’t it lonely living alone after you moved to Tokyo?”

Ura: It’s lonely. I have a lot of siblings, so I haven’t really had the experience where I’d come home to an empty house. I still end up saying, “I’m home,” even though no one is home (Laughs). But even if I also like being indoors, I still want to meet people as much as possible and value human connections. I am often approached by random people on the street. They would ask stuff like, “could you please take a photo?” or, “do you know a good place to drink?” and so on. A while back, when I was chatting with someone about a bar, he took a liking to me and said, “That’s neat, let’s have a drink together, brother³!” then he treated me to a drink (Laughs).

“That kind of thing does happen (Laughs). Have you made any connections at work?”

Ura: Yes, I have. Everyone is so kind and eager to get to know each other, so I am often willing to go out with them for dinner or other places. One of my closest friends for nearly three years is Ayato Morinaga-kun from Mausu Promotion. When I first moved to Tokyo, I was invited to a drinking party and we ended up becoming close with each other; since we also live close-by, we often spend a lot of time together. We both moved to Tokyo around the same time.

“Now, please tell us what kind of voice actor you would like to become in the future!”

Ura: Well, after all, I still want to be known as a good actor. Lately, I’ve been doing work that requires physical appearance as well as singing, but I became a voice actor because I was attracted to acting. First of all, I would like to focus on the core of my acting. As a newcomer, I often receive affectionate comments like, “you have a loud voice,” or, “you’re noisy,” but I would like to continue to sincerely work on both the work and the characters. Thank you very much for your support!

Thank you very much, Ura-san!

Look forward to the next “Voice Actor Encyclopedia”!

Ura Kazuki

Ura Kazuki VIMS Page

Ura Kazuki Twitter

footnotes:

¹ “Goomba” - one of the characters in the Mario franchise.

² “Stay-at-home period” - Quarantine period

³ It’s a common practice in Japan to address someone you’re not familiar with as お兄さん (Onii-san/Older brother) or お姉さん (Onee-san/Older sister), and it is seen as a sign of respect. Other neighboring Asian countries also have this ingrained in their culture.

translator's note:

ura kazuki is my all-time favorite seiyuu and reading this interview of his from three years ago is like a pastime to me but now that i finally have the time to fully translate it — here it is!!!! i hope you reader may come to support him or continue to support him as much as i do!

[hrk4]

Bhagavad-Gita Classes / March to May 2024

Dear friends,

Greetings!

If you have five minutes to spare, I will tell you about my encounter with the Bhagavad-Gita.

I was nineteen when I first read the Gita, in English translation, from cover to cover.

I was quite impressed by it despite my near-complete ignorance of philosophy coupled with the disdainful scepticism that is natural to a college student. I got a chance to read through it again when my uncle Dr. Koti Sreekrishna prepared an independent English translation of the first few chapters. Little did I realize then that I would be co-translating the Gita some years down the road.

Our work, The New Bhagavad-Gita, was published in 2011. Since then, I've had the opportunity to go through the Gita multiple times, always hoping that the Gita will go through me at least once!

You might be wondering who I am.

This is me: Hari Ravikumar.

I am an author/editor who has (co-)written/edited some forty books, primarily related to Indian culture and heritage.

Readers praised The New Bhagavad-Gita for its simple language and accessible content. I've always believed that any new knowledge should help make us a better person. And only if we understand the message can we even try to practice it!

#

Upon the request of a few friends, I will be teaching an online Bhagavad-Gita course in English, spanning March to May 2024, for anyone who is interested. Except for a working knowledge of English, no other pre-requisites are expected.

Starting on the auspicious day of Maha-shivaratri, the hour-long classes will be on zoom, five days a week (on week-days, at 6.30 am IST) with no homework. I will read out the Sanskrit shloka, give the meaning of the words, and explain the import of the verse. I will try to ensure that the basic concepts are clear to everyone.

In this manner, I will go through all seven hundred verses of the text.

What I am not going to do is enforce any views or beliefs; neither am I going to teach Sanskrit nor am I going to discuss technical details related to the Mahabharata. I will refrain from referring to any other treatise (such as Upanishads, Brahma-sutras, commentaries on the Gita, etc.)

I feel that whatever has been expounded in the Gita is meant to be experimented in our life and to be realized by experience rather than by blind faith or excessive intellectualisation.

By the end of the course, you will get an idea of what the Bhagavad-Gita contains—and perhaps seriously begin improving the quality of your life.

However, with this new learning, if you are expecting to win an election, find a girlfriend/boyfriend, get a promotion, or double your net worth, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed.

While teaching the class, I will be using the book The New Bhagavad-Gita (which you can get in the US on Amazon at this link and in India on Pothi at this link). It is not compulsory to buy the book but if you are one of those people who prefer having a book for ready reference, you may consider getting a copy.

If you are a serious student and have a great deal of extra time, you can get a copy of The Complete Bhagavad-Gita (available in three volumes: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3) and study it.

I must warn you, this is going to be a really expensive course. It needs your undivided attention for 40+ hours in a span of three months.

In terms of money, however, it is free.

#

If you're interested to join the course or if you wish to know more, join this WhatsApp group.

[a-book-scarfing-goblin]

Author Appreciation/Study:

-Chan Ho-Kei

*This post is in regard to his only two books published in English ( The Borrowed and Second Sister). I will talk about them separately then his writing as whole*

The Borrowed:

The Borrowed is a crime fiction novel set in Hong Kong. It consists of six cases (six short stories) in reverse chronological order following one detective. As an avid mystery fan I honestly didn’t expect much; The more I read more mystery novels the more likely they are to become less entertaining because formats and tropes are easier to see. I was expecting a run-of-the-mill police procedural to be honest but as I tasted the first story, that was more armchair detective-esque, I thought “Oh? You’re serious.”.

The plot/mystery in all six stories was rather well written besides maybe the last one. The last story still had a good but predictable reveal unfortunately everything leading up that felt a little boring. The characters were just okay but I do want to talk about our lead detective Kwan Chun-Dok. I rarely see a “genius detective” done well. They usually feel so disjointed by either jumping to conclusions in a foolhardy manner based on intuition or not seeing through things the reader can easily deduce. Kwan Chun-Dok is one of the best genius detectives I have seen in awhile. He is always one step ahead, pulling the strings, or completely aware and it is believable. 

The weaker parts were the setting and the overall message but the ladder was partially my fault. So let’s start with the former. Setting, this novel goes in reverse chronological order form 2013 to1967 and unfortunately if I wasn”t told this I hardly would have realized. Some of the events, like the Leftist Riots, were an important part of the story but some events, like the SARS epidemic, was mentioned only in passing and almost felt forced. Now for the overall message, I was expecting a more riveting tale of corruption and social power shifts especially because the reviews all over the cover ( I know, rookie mistake ) but I think the portrayal of a city’s shift through time was just average. 

Second Sister:

Second Sister is a crime fiction novel set in Hong Kong. Nga-Yee who grew up in poverty finally loses everything when her younger sister commits suicide. Nga-Yee suspects her younger sister was coerced into taking her life so she enlists the help of an enigmatic detective/hacker to find the person responsible for her sister's death. The synopsis on the back of the book is a little misleading, it makes the book seem like it will cover a lot more ground than it actually does. 

The plot/mystery in this story was a little more flimsy but it is one against six. This was far less of a whodunnit type mystery and focused much more on getting to the heart of the matter and I think Chan Ho-Kei was able to do exactly that. I wasn’t sure of his character writing but now I am. I think just about every character in this book was well written, the main characters at least. Everyone’s heart and motives were exposed and he handled the topic of suicide with care and sympathy. 

The main weaker points in this were once again setting but also over explaining. There were plenty of tricks and traps used by the hacker coupled with Nga-Yee not being tech savvy which led to things being explained multiple times over which was tedious.

Overall:

Although he doesn’t always paint a pretty picture or suck you into the setting, Chan Ho-Kei’s mystery writing and ability to misdirect is quite admirable. He seems to know the complexities of crime and the human heart. Knowing he was inspired by honkaku/shin-honkaku and shakai mysteries from Japan, I think he does a good job at blending the two and will be eagerly awaiting another translation.

His work will pair best with most black or dark teas :)

[misocares]

The Beginning of Adulting: It's a Thing

SUBJECT: Early Adulthood Interview ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: All the photos, videos, or any recording taken for documentation during the interview are for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Consent was properly delivered before conducting the whole interview. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Adulthood is the gradual acceptance of responsibilities that were once unthinkable. It’s less about age and more about seeing yourself in the mirror of your own actions." - Haruki Murakami Growing old is never easy. As we step in the age of 20's, we face certain responsibilities, and we often feel like we need to tend for our own. Adulthood is where we crave for independence while also crawling to survive. It is where selecting a suitable partner happens, planning a family, or even planning to rear children. Dominic is no different... Dom, aged 21, is a student from Davao Del Norte State College. During an online interview conducted by two psychology students from Davao Doctors College, Inc., he shares his personal experiences as he enters the journey of being an adult. In his younger years, Dom showed an interest in videography and photography. He shared that he was carefree during his teenage years but is now trying to be more serious as he embraces the changes and responsibilities brought by adulthood. Living with his parents, Dominic admitted that he somehow feels guilty in depending on them financially and realized that in his age, he should be more independent and should try to look for ways to tend his basic needs and wants. He said, "100 Pesos ra baya akong baon taga-adlaw. Unsaon nako pagpalit sa akong wants? Diba? Ulaw kaayo na akong parents pay mubayad ana." Translation: My allowance is only 100 pesos per day. How can I buy my wants? Right? It is embarrassing for me to ask my parents to pay. To meet his needs, he established himself a career as a freelance videographer, photographer, and editor, creating quite the reputation to be invited in events by his clients. He also finds it very fulfilling to provide for himself while studying because this allows him to contribute for projects in school without being a burden to his parents. Like any other, Dom expressed difficulties in adjusting to a new mindset but somehow finds it bearable because of his parents, friends and loved ones. Despite that fact, his relationship with his friends changed. Since they are all now focused on their own lives, spending time with them is not the same as before. In his words, "Unlike sauna, pirme ra jud mi gakita. Madali-dali ra ug duol atong highschool pa mi." Translation: Unlike in the past, we always bump into each other. In high school, I can easily talk to them. He also disclosed having a long-distance girlfriend from Bukidnon where he believed that even though their perspectives in life differ from one another at times, he still finds her suitable for him because he is convinced that 'opposites attract'. At his age, Dom believes that he is not ready to settle yet with his girlfriend and turns his focus more on establishing a solid foundation in life and achieving his dream to tour around the world. However, in the future, Dom plans on having his own children. He admitted that being the only son in his family, he is pressured to continue his father's legacy. He said, "Maka-pressure kay ako ra baya isa anak. Walay makapadayon sa apelyido sa akong papa kundi ako ra jud." Translation: I feel pressured because I am my father's only son. No one can continue my father's legacy but me. The interview concludes with him pointing out that having a hands-on and god-fearing partner in the future is a must in building or starting a new family. Because for him, having a partner with those qualities will help him raise a well-mannered child.

"Growth is a process. May you reach whatever you are dreaming of, Dom! One step at a time." - MisoCares Caption: Miguel Augustine V. Sulamin | BSPSYCH 2-82A Documentation: Sophia Ericka P. Sienes | BSPSYCH 2-82A

[billconrad]

    I Created an Arrogant Character

    I always knew I wanted to do something in electronics. So, when I learned that electrical engineers create this technology, I decided to become one. After graduating from college, I worked with a team of engineers, programmers, testers, managers, and assemblers. They were mostly good people, and we created several great products.

    I did not consider engineers to be unique in any way. For example, what is the difference between them and an auto mechanic? They both find problems and solve them.

    Well, there was nothing to discuss on this topic until my editor pointed out a problem. One of my book characters is (big surprise) an electrical engineer. Yes, I now know making a character so close to the personal details of my life is a big mistake, but at the time, it seemed reasonable.

     The editor pointed out that the character was an arrogant know-it-all. After strongly disagreeing (to no one) with their opinion, I took a step back to evaluate the situation. What does an engineer do? Their work involves developing documentation, meetings, reviews, testing, studying, and problem-solving. I realized that the problem-solving aspect of engineering is the issue.

    Well, not the actual means of solving the problem, but what comes after. We love to boast. Want an example? I bet the creators of the latest Apple iPhone are super happy with their creation. If the electrical engineer who designed the screen were asked about their job, they would probably answer, “This is the best phone screen ever created. What to know why? I did the screen part. Do you see how clear it is?”

    Engineers love telling “war stories” about how they cleverly solved a problem, and we hate it when other engineers cannot see our brilliance. I am sure every auto mechanic also has many “war stories” about fixing transmissions. And I know this is true because we took our car to the dealer who could not fix the problem. Then we took it to a local mechanic, who knew the exact issue without seeing the vehicle. He was so proud when he gave me the keys. “You are going to love how well this drives.” And it true. The car drove better than when it was new.

    Offices are odd places. People have intense conversations while forcing themselves to remain pleasant. Yet, coworkers are still people, and adverse actions get scornfully remembered for years. This translates to a single disapproving conversation being remembered like a bloody fistfight.

    I put my inside problem-solving mindset into my character. From my experience, his level of arrogance is below average, but I now see that my lightly arrogant creation is far worse than a typical person. The editor pointed out that not everybody will appreciate this trait. Darn!

    Still, I want to yell, “Engineers are great people. They only appear arrogant.” However, I admit my character has a serious flaw that must be corrected. It is too late to change the plot, so I have begun to soften the dialog and limit the actions.

    The results do not look good, but my primary goal is to make my readers happy. So, job well done. Does this mean I am un-engineering an engineer? Is un-engineering a term? I will have to engineer it in the dictionary.

    You’re the best -Bill

    November 09, 2024

    Hey book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:

    Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.

    Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.

    Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.

    Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.

    These books are available in soft-cover on Amazon and eBook format everywhere.

[jackfruit432]

The Way

I recently read the Tao Te Ching. I haven't analyzed it yet, just did a quick speed read to get a feel for what I'm about to study. Its interesting to see how Lao Tzu saw people and the world around him, assuming that he is a real person. There is value in detachment and contentment. But I wonder, to what extent must we detach ourselves. We value things like material possessions and riches because they can be used to provide comfort and prosperity. Is it wise to be content with what we have when society values those who stand out? What does it mean to be content? Is wanting to live a stable and comfortable life, to be free from poverty a sign of discontent? To what extent should we conform? To what extent should we detach ourselves? How does one be like water? These are some of the questions I asked myself while reading and I do hope to contemplate and think about them thoroughly when I reread the Tao Te Ching. If anyone would like to add something, feel free.

I am new to studying Philosophy, I have only really read the interpretations of other people so looking at a primary source, even if it has been translated like this is a new experience for me. It's fun, and I enjoyed this quick read. I hope to come back to it soon for a more serious approach

[lettersfromandie]

#JanuaryInJapan: 5 Japanese Books I Read in January

Ever since I started watching anime avidly last year, I gradually became more interested with Japanese culture. It began with just consuming anime, then reading mangas, later developed into being curious to learning Nihongo, and now I'm at that phase where I want to tuck myself with books written by Japanese authors.

Besides that, my 2021 new year's resolution is to read more books. At the same time, I also want to diversify my reading selection. So if I'm interested in Japanese culture and also wish to venture outside the YA genre, there's all the more reason to add books to my cart, right? 😅

Thus far, it's been a great start in accomplishing my new year's resolution since I had read 7 ½ books this month! (The ½ is a novel that I paused on reading last year and read again where I left off.) And five of those are Japanese books that I'm going to share in this blog post.

So for the bookworms out there, this one's for you.

1. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa (translated by Jay Rubin)

Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories is a collection of Akutagawa's short stories and autobiographical writings. It contains 18 works (including the famous Spider Thread, Rashomon, and The Life of a Stupid Man) and is divided into four parts: A World in Decay, Under the Sword, Modern Tragicomedy, and my favorite part, Akutagawa's Own Story, in which his works are based from his personal life.

Apart from just reading, I also wanted to "study" since I believe it's the only way to be able to comprehend more his writings. Luckily, the copy I got is kind of like a study material too. It is full of notes and indices which I super appreciate. If it weren't for those added information in the book, I think I'd merely understand words in their face value. I think it's hard to grasp the message and what the words imply if you don't, in one way or another, "study" it. That's why I'm so happy that I bought a really good copy from Fully Booked even if it's worth two books. Lol.

If you want to delve right into Japanese lit, it would be perfect to consume works from one of the most notable Japanese writers. Even Haruki Murakami wrote an 18-page introduction about him in this one. If you do, I think you'll find one story familiar (at least to me that was my reaction, I didn't know it was Akutagawa who wrote it 😉). 

2. The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai (translated by Donald Keene)

It follows a story of a Japanese aristocratic family in crisis and decline during Japan's transition after the Second World War. It is narrated by the family's daughter, Kazuko, who struggles in the midst of fragile existence with her ill mother and drug-addicted brother.

There is something about Japanese literature that will always make me feel that bittersweet emotion even in the presence of serious social themes. At first I thought I'll be diving myself into a social science reading material and geek about Post-World War II Japan. Little did I know that I would end up shedding tears (which is my usual reaction whenever I consume a deeply moving material). What I most especially loved in this book is the protagonist's letters to her "M.C.". It warmed my heart how genuine and unapologetic she was in writing her feelings and sentiments. Grabe. I am incredibly in love with her honesty and sincerity, that I wish I'd be able to write letters as beautiful as hers. Overall I am amazed by how Dazai can effortlessly write an utterly sublime story describing the challenges of human existence. I finished it in one sitting so it wasn't a heavy read. Definitely recommend.

3. The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (translated by Stephen Snyder)

This dystopian novel takes place in a surveillanced island where people, and even things, are controlled by the Memory Police. From time to time, things disappear in the island and along with these disappearances, people also 'forget' about them. The Memory Police makes sure that these objects are completely vanished from the island and eradicate people who continue to remember them. The story follows on a female novelist whose editor, R, is one of those who are still capable of remembering the disappeared objects. Together with the help of an old man, she tries to help R hide away from the Memory Police.

Sci-fi/dystopian novels are scary because it is possible that they can happen in the future, whether we think it now as far-fetched or not. But this one gave me a different feeling. It is terrifying, but beautiful. Terrifying in a sense that its totalitarian-like setting is evident in today's milieu in different parts of the globe. I don't wish for the events to happen in real life, even if disappearing objects are too dreamy to think that it could possibly happen in this world (the future is uncertain, but hopefully not). However, it is also beautiful because of its writing. It is so compelling that no matter how depressing it is when an object disappears, the writer describes it as if it has its own funeral. I love how a vanishing moment, a short inkling, a lost attachment, can be described so exquisitely, that I can't ever forget how deeply moved I was while reading it. The ending made me want to blankly stare at the wall for a long time because it tugged my heart SO MUCH :'-) As of this post, I think this is my favorite book. HIGHLY recommend.

4. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (translated by Philip Gabriel)

Kafka on the Shore revolves around two interrelated plots of two characters: a teenage boy named Kafka, who runs away from home trying to escape his father's "curse" similar to Oedipus myth; and a not-so-bright old man named Nakata, who is able to talk to cats and is in search for something.

Personally I did not enjoy the book as much as I had expected (like I super had high expectations for myself with this), and it's probably because the explicit content still lingered in my thoughts even if I'm already reading a rated-G page. By explicit content, I mean the "Oedipus myth" concept involved in the story. If you're familiar about the story of Oedipus, then I guess you already know what to expect in this novel... So, this novel isn't necessarily for everyone's consumption and it's not something I want to recommend in general. However, if that hadn't made me uncomfy, then I think I would've really loved it. I still enjoyed the journey of the two protagonists in the story though. Haruki Murakami said himself that the Oedipus myth contained in the story isn't really the main point -- that there's so much deeper sense and meaning to the story. He also said that it is full of riddles and you get to really understand it once you read it more than once (but I still have a lot of TBR so I only read it once hihi). I mean, Jenn Im, a Youtuber and book enthusiast, has it as one of her favorite books and even recommended it as a must-read. PewDiePie also found it disturbing but still gave it a 4/5 rating regardless. So I guess, to each their own. I'm just saying that it's a good book but you might find some parts disturbing.

5. The Ten Loves of Mr. Nishino by Hiromi Kawakami (translated by Allison Markin Powell)

Yukihiko Nishino hopelessly falls in love and in love again. It is divided into ten parts - representing different stories from the ten women that Nishino has loved over the course of his life.

"If you like Haruki Murakami and Yoko Ogawa, it's a safe bet that you'll love The Ten Loves of Nishino" this was printed on an alternative cover of this book. It piqued my interest because I admire Murakami's unique and magical realm and Ogawa's captivating writing style, so I thought that it was the perfect book to have a light read on.

I loved how Hiromi Kawakami described Nishino through the eyes of her love interests. Albeit the story is fragmented by the different experiences of the women in Nishino's past, these different stories aggregate to the conclusion that he is a hopeless romantic, but has a hard time committing to a solid relationship since he can't even decipher his feelings (let alone understand what love is). But even if we already presume that he is a "womanizer" (which is kinda obvious from the title itself), it'd still be interesting to know who he is from whom he "womanized" (similar as being curious on what other people think of us). Most would say na, "Ah, pakboi." Lol. But what if that's not the kind of person he is to one of his loves ? Nevertheless, I enjoy this style of storytelling wherein different point-of-views are integrated. Though personally not so thought-provoking, it succeeded in making me tear up 😢 Because no matter how he is labeled as a ladykiller, I still feel sorry for him. And more so wish him well, even if he's just a fictional character.

So that's it for this month's #JanuaryinJapan! I'm happy that these books compelled me to read more Japanese literary fiction. I wholeheartedly love the subtleties, imagery, and the uniquely-composed narratives in Japanese literature; so I am looking forward to relish more 💗

Love, Andie

[work-and-life-in-shizuoka]

INTERVIEW_17

JONATHAN BARNABE

Countries & Regions / Canada

1. JOB DESCRIPTION

I work for a company called Mizutori that has been making Geta in Shizuoka. I am a managing director and mostly in charge of a main sales person. I also own a little local store on a wonderful street called Sengen street.

The way I found my job was lucky for me.  The reason I came to Japan is because I got married with a Japanese lady, and my wife is now the owner/president of the Mizutori geta company.

2. LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN SHIZUOKA：HOUSING

With regard to finding a home, my situation was easy. But after I arrived and lived at the family house for a while, we decided to get our own apartment. I think Shizuoka has plenty of beautiful apartments from traditional to modern. Even my Canadian friends was able to find a fully furnished apartment at very reasonable price. The most difficult thing is the language; everything is in Japanese. Because you need to understand the rental agreement and rental system in Japan, the best advice would be to find a real estate company with English speaking staff or get some help with a local person a friend that speaks Japanese.

3. LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN SHIZUOKA ：NO INCONVENIENCE?

Well, of course, moving into a new country with differences in culture, languages etc., will bring some excitements and also sometimes inconveniences. As far as shopping goes, Shizuoka is quite a small friendly city. You will not find as much English speakers as in Tokyo or Osaka but in Shizuoka, I found people are most friendly and they are usually excited to see a foreigner and will try their best to communicate with you. Of course, during a busy rush hour at the restaurant, it’s not the time to try to start a conversation. :)

At the clinic, most hospital nurses and doctors have some English basics and even print out in English. The gesture game is always fun too! If you are not too much in pain, you can point with your finger where it hurts. In case you get really sick, please try to go with someone that can translate for you.

For school as a teacher, you will notice a big difference in work ethic and culture. The Japanese (teachers and students) work and study very hard during long hours that might not be easy at first for a foreigner. My son was born in Japan, so he has features of mixed culture. He is now in first year of elementary school and so far, so good. He has many friends and he is quite popular. Luckily, Shizuoka has an international kindergarten where my son was able to learn English for 3 years before joining the normal Japanese elementary school. At the elementary school I am always well welcomed and I even help with school task sometimes.

In my 8 years in Japan, most of the inconveniences were not “serious”.  It usually always a language barrier. My wife always helps me! And a big advice is no matter what your age is, you must try to learn Japanese. It will really make thing easier.

4. CHARMS OF SHIZUOKA

For me, the best thing of living in Shizuoka is Fuji -san! In all my life, I dreamed about seeing mount Fuji at least one time. I didn’t even know that Fuji was in Shizuoka so I was very happy when I realized. Even after 8 years, if it’s not cloudy I want to see Fuji and I am always so happy to see it. Mount Fuji is so special and it has great power, I think. In Shizuoka we are very well situated, on one side we have the Pacific and the other side beautiful mountains. Shizuoka is well known for the strawberries, green tea, wasabi, shirasu(whitebait), maguro(tuna), craft beer and sake and many other delicious foods, especially, beef is surprisingly tasty.

So, Shizuoka is big! Big in nature and history too. I live near Sengen shrine. My store is between the blessed tori on Sengen street (shopping street) and the shrine. This is such a beautiful and charming area. Shizuoka has plenty of little shopping street like this and I recommend all to visit them, just take a day to walk around, enter the stores and say hello! Everyone has such a nice story to say! Sengen shrine is just so beautiful and you can hike and see from the top the beauty of Shizuoka.

I could go for hours saying how beautiful is Shizuoka but I will leave it up to you and come and see! Hey! If you come to Shizuoka, I’ll show you around!

[igate777]

PRINCIPLE OF BIBLICAL SPIRITUAL FITNESS.

PRINCIPLE OF SPIRITUAL FITNESS. TRAINING YOUR SPIRIT TO REIGN IN LIFE.

ROMANS CHAPTER 7 AND 8 PROVIDES AN IN-DEPTH CASE STUDY THAT ANY SERIOUS FOLLOWER OF CHRIST SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN, PARTICULARLY IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF THE SPIRIT MAN, OR THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART, AS CORRECTLY STATED BY THE KING JAMES TRANSLATION.

PAUL CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR SPIRIT IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WALKING BY THE POWER OF THE LIFE AND AUTHORITY HEAVEN HAS MADE AVAILABLE FOR US.

YES, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS. A LACK OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH IS THE PRIMARY OBSTACLE THAT HAS STOPPED MANY BELIEVERS FROM LIVING THEIR LIVES TO THE FULLEST POTENTIAL AND EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF CHRIST THAT RESIDES WITHIN THEM. HE STARTED BY SHARING HIS OWN PERSONAL STORY OF SPIRITUAL WEAKNESS, AND HOW IT PREVENTED HIM FROM DOING THE THINGS HE LOVED, ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF GOD.

HE SPOKE ABOUT THE INTERNAL STRUGGLE HE CONSTANTLY FACES BETWEEN THE PART OF HIM THAT WANTS TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE LAW OF CHRIST AND THE PART OF HIM THAT WANTS TO LIVE ACCORDING TO HIS NATURAL, SINFUL DESIRES.

SO, AS WE COMMENCE THIS STUDY, I WANT TO EXPLORE THIS BACKGROUND AS A FOUNDATIONAL INTRODUCTION AND UNDERSTANDING, TO APPRECIATE WHY WE NEED SPIRITUAL FITNESS IN THE ERA OF SERIOUS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

THE MAIN ISSUE THAT MOST CHRISTIANS FACE IS NOT THAT THE DEVIL IS STRONGER, BUT THAT WE LACK THE ABILITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LIFE AND POWER THAT CHRIST PROVIDES US.

THEREFORE, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CONSTRUCT A ROBUST, FEARLESS SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY BASED ON THE GEM OF THE SPIRIT. THE NEED FOR EACH OF US TO SEE WHY WE MUST GIVE IN TO THE TRAINING OF OUR SPIRIT MAN IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED. IT MUST BECOME A PRESENT PRIORITY, NOT SOMETHING TO PUSH TO LATER PROJECTS.

vision for spiritual fitness.

WHATEVER, WE SEEK TO CARRY OUT WITHOUT A CLEAR DEFINITE VISION THAT SETS OUT A DEFINE MISSION AND PURPOSE, WILL AT SOME POINT FIZZLE OUT, OR JUST DIE NATURALLY. VISION, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE SUSTAINS AND HANDLES ALL PRESSURE, EVEN THE ONE THAT TEMPTS US TO QUIT BEFORE SUCCESS IS ACHIEVED.

I AM LAYING THIS BACKGROUND INSIGHT AS A FRAMEWORK THAT GIVES US THE VISION FOR WHAT IS PROPHETICALLY PEND DOWN IN THIS ARTICLE, WHICH I STRONGLY BELIEVE YOU WILL CAREFULLY AND PRAYERFULLY READ BECAUSE IT CARRIES THE POTENTIAL TO STIR AND REAWAKEN YOUR PASSION AND QUEST FOR SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ADVANCEMENT.

THOSE WHO GOES INTO STRICT TRAINING IN COMPETING FOR A SPORT CAREER UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STACK. WINNING A GOLD MEDAL AT A SPORT EVENT, SOMETIME COULD BE CONSIDERED AS LUCK BY SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ALSO MIGHT HAVE PARTICIPATED.

BUT IF THE SAME PERSON WHO WON DID IT FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN A ROLE, THEN, THAT IS NO LONGER A WIN BY ACCIDENT OR LUCK. IT IS A PROOF THAT THAT SUCH A PERSON IS, INDEED, A CHAMPION, A MASTER OF HIS CRAFT IN WINNING HIS GAMES.

LIFE IS NOT A GAME OF CHANGE, BUT ONE ESTABLISHED ON THE FOUNDATION OF VISIONARY FOCUS TO FULFIL THE BURNING MANDATE OF ONE’S EXISTENCE.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS IS ALMOST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE THINK AND LOOK AT THE IDEA OF FITNESS FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE. EVERYTHING WE THINK ABOUT AND UNDERSTAND AS FITNESS EITHER FROM THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL POSITION IS ALSO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT SPIRITUAL FITNESS IS ALL ABOUT.

PAUL, PUT IT THIS WAY ACCORDING TO 2 CORINTHIANS 12:10, WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG. IF WE ARE TO UNDERSTAND AND OPERATE IN THE DIMENSION OF SPIRITUAL FITNESS, THEN WE MUST LOOK AT HOW THE BIBLE DEFINES SPIRITUAL FITNESS. WE CANNOT PRESUME ON THE MATTER.

IN FACT, MANY OF US, IF NOT, ALL OF US KNOW WHAT PHYSICAL FITNESS ALL IS. AND THOSE IN THE MARKETPLACE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND ADVANTAGE OF MENTAL FITNESS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE HIGHER LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT.

AND FOR A FACT, THE LORD DESIRES US TO BE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTAL FIT, ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE ASSIGNMENT A MANDATE FOR HIM, AND WE CAN BORROW GREAT LESSONS AND PATTERNS FROM THE WAY PEOPLE HAVE DEVELOP AND APPLY THE PRINCIPLE OF FITNESS TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS IN LIFE. WE ALL NEED GOOD HEALTH AND POSITIVE MIND TO FUNCTION.

WE ALL NEED TO DO SOME EXERCISE, BUT THAT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT AT LEAST WILL CARRY OUR BODY AND SOUL, BUT TO ENTER THE REALM OF SUCCESSFUL SPIRITUAL LIFE, WE NEED TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE ART OF SPIRITUAL FITNESS.

WE MUST HAVE A CLEAR, DEFINED INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT BIBLICAL FITNESS IS, AND THE BENEFITS IT HAS INSTORE FOR THOSE WHO PRACTISE IT WITH THE RIGHT DISCIPLINE. THE PROBLEM ARISES IF WE TRY TO MIX MEANING OF HOW FITNESS FUNCTION PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY.

TO UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL FITNESS WHEN NEED TO CONSULT THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO INSPIRED PAUL AND THE REST WHO APPLIED THIS PRINCIPLE TO ADVANCE GOD’S PROPHETIC PURPOSE FOR THEIR LIFE AND GENERATIONS.

[vishvavasu]

I know I dislike most fan readings even though mine are probably not much better, but imo this is the most fucking bs shit I've seen in this fandom so far and it's not even close. I may be using material from the lorebook which didn't exist when it was written, but it is still being recommended even here at chapter 101 so I figured idc. But do know I am using a machine translation (referencing both google and deepl) of the lorebook so there might be making use of some egregious misunderstandings, but whatever, someone should actually translate it then.

>totalitarian system

Not real. If you disagree about it not being real you should have defined it first. Otherwise, not real, not the same as an authoritarian or despotic system, never existed ever.

>Gem Vocabulary

The entire section seems to have nothing to do with the central thesis that the gems live in a totalitarian dystopia so I have no idea why it is here.

>this is one of the reasons why its so unfair of aechmea to call cairn ‘wife’ and ‘princess.’

What does 'unfair' even mean? If it has to do with Aechmea taking advantage of cairngorm's inexperience, you would use a stronger word than just fair. Personally I would consider this a part of Aechmea's grooming.

>do gems have anything akin coming of age?

The lorebook, as well as the relevant chapters involving Red Diamond (love their smile :D), note that newborn gems act the way human babies do. So they do have a sense of growing up, even if there is an end to that growth after which is stagnant adulthood. The lorebook also notes that gems are given lectures for 3 months to determine their future role, and this idea that they start off attending lessons before finding a productive role is pretty strongly implied early on; taking into account both Phos and Cinnabar's discomfort with idleness, and that no gem seems to aspire to be a useless bum even if some put in more effort than others, it becomes pretty clear that their coming of age is finding their station in life.

>how do they measure time and seasons?

The end of volume 5 has a translation note which specifically confirms that they have a concept of months, be serious. While lunar phases is obviously silly, it is actually curious that they do not have an ounce of fondness for astronomy, and in fact the natural world in general. Perhaps it is also a signal from Ichikawa to us that this is not a manga which we should enjoy bc of the worldbuilding even if she does give us interesting stuff. I also believe it is fine to assume that Kongo grandfathered in our modern units of time. They don't even have timekeeping devices beyond shadows, not even heartbeats.

>Gem Relationships

not the most bs section, but understanding the structure of the gems' organisation would require studying real world kinship organisations which obviate family relations centred around blood ties. Star Trek is not real. Here is a random paper I found. IMO, it seems like outside of direct sibling relationships, like Dia & Bort and the Ames, bonds within pairs are platonic as that is what separates the relationship between loving pairs and between gems of just the same age group, which, given that romance is tied to sex, is likely what Dia instead considers to be romantic in this situation where actual romance cannot exist.

>Imagination

weird ass section

>the gems lack a concept of fantasy

Dk what that person said but in the first place, the word 'fantasy' brings to (my) mind endless tired tropes specific to our society and quite bereft of imagination by now. For most humans throughout history, what they'd enjoy as fantasy the way we do would likely be embellished retellings of the mythical past, with the creation of entirely original worlds used to describe the workings of the afterlife (Sounds like there are vague correlates with medieval fantasy and sci-fi). That the gems had no past before the adoption of their current society and never consider themselves to die even if to be taken by the lunarians is to be permanently lost means they have little reason for fantasy in both directions. Their world is a theoretically perfect one so there is little need to imagine other worlds; why would they imagine worlds which have pain beyond the one form of pain they know of?

>these gems are not raised to think outside the box and they can do it without being told so only under exceptional circumstances.

Earth to this person, this is most people. I'm sure this is intentional messaging by Ichikawa too.

>novels and fiction

The lorebook does confirm that they have an strikingly total absence of creative literature beyond the most basic poems. Going back to what I said earlier, maybe this is messaging from Ichikawa that a lot of creative literature is born from the tumult of human experience which the immortal gems don't really experience; their lives are too shallow to create deep works. Nothing to do with chasing efficiency, which they don't anyways, but that is a later point.

>red beryl’s craft comes very close to art

You can't read that ridiculous monologue and not conclude that Red Beryl is an artist. The lorebook also notes that it is in fashion that the gems (and not just Red Beryl) have a strong creative culture, even if it is stunningly absent elsewhere. Perhaps in their perfect society, fashion is the craft which is most appealing in their material-scarce world? Perhaps it is also simply a shallow form of art??? Just speculating, not quite sure why either.

>phos is often told to stop fantasizing about the world

Since when. They fantasise about themself.

>the fact that bort names the jellyfish

This is an odd stretch when the fashion culture is right there.

>gems’ rooms have no doors

That they have rooms in the first place is itself peculiar, it is normal in human history for houses to be a single room which many people shared for every activity up to and including sex. The lorebook also confirms that these rooms have few personal belongings as they simply share everything. Perhaps they are merely so those sleeping are not bothered by those who decide to be awake at night, but they could also be a holdover that Kongo carried over from (modern) human times; the lorebook explicitly confirms that that is the case with their blankets.

>the gems have little to no free time

The lorebook confirms they only get like 1 hour of free time considering it's stated they end work at sunset and sleep 11 hours a day. But you know who else starts their day at sunrise then is basically at work all day until sunset, after which it gets too dark for them to do much? Like the average human for most of human history.

>slackers can be identified very easily. they all have a job and they have to follow it.

This can all be true, but do any of them resent their job? Does Yellow Diamond try to shirk duty even though of all the gems they wish to avoid their role the most?

>is this communism?

Someone like you has no business analysing any society ever.

>sameness > equality

This distinction doesn't exist outside your head. Communism is against equality as well but that is another issue.

>your sense of self is subordinated to the group

Are you a libertarian are something? All of the gems have free expression, and the reality is none have been shown to actually resent their role outside of interpersonal conflict interrupting their duties in said role.

>you are what you do.

In theory, this is an incredible point have to come up with in hindsight, in practice I don't really care if a gold nugget came with your load of crap because it is still in fact a load of crap; guesswork without the proper foundations to give you credit.

>you dont have a saying in picking your career or deciding for you future

Proof? Where are these alleged gems other than Phos that tried to pick a different job but failed only bc Kongo and Euclase are such evil arbitrary controlling despots.

>youre expected to follow orders all the damn time

They are immortals living in a stagnant society, their orders have long since taken into desire everyone's views.

>i wonder what would happen if euc were abducted and the gems had no one to follow anymore, no orders. who’d be the new leader?

someone else next stupid question

>phos is shit scared of them.

since when

>thought police is a thing

Coworkers create reports about their activities which include data related to other coworkers =nkvd brilliant observation

>there’s no privacy,

Privacy was invented in Renaissance Europe and is specific to our social conditions

>even antarc reads rutile’s diary

Are you stupid or did the manga not make it super clear that that is not exactly the sort of socially acceptable thing to do that rutile defintiely wouldn't freak out about.

Btw, no whining about ad hominem when you saw an even mildly alien society and yelled totalitarianism communism 1984 like you bore witness to Stalin's wet dreams. Anyone who reads this and didn't immediately call BS should reconsider how much of our human world they understand, what came before, how we got here, what is under the surface, etc.

Pssst.... gush about some thing you’ve wanted to for so long but haven’t found the ask to do so! I really like reading your metas or off-the-wall posts.

aw ty!

mmmh usually i just crank out a random meta when i feel like it, which i havent had the energy to do in a while. so have a lot of hcs about gem language, gem society and how it resembles a totalitarian system cause why not, this is already a dystopia. 

goes from cute to shady real quick, have fun

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