Lions on the highway (81/03/01)
The Old Testament book of Proverbs has various things to say about lazy people. Two sayings relate to why the lazy person stays at home rather than going out. In the 13th verses of both chapter 22 and 26, it is satirically suggested that the lazy person fears that there may be a lion outside in the street or along the highway. Last Friday night, this actually proved to be the case for Mr. and Mrs. Nishio of Kasugai City. They were driving along National Highway #19 a little after 10 p.m. when they saw a lion walking along the highway. They called the police, who assembled some 50 policemen and 15 police cars to the area and within an hour both this lioness and her male companion which had also escaped from its cage, had been recaptured. The lions, both about 1 1/2 years old, the male weighing about 300 kilograms, are the pets of a businessman who lives nearby. That was the same day that some people hesitated to go out of doors, not because they were lazy or afraid of lions, but because it was so cold and slippery. Be thankful for the surprises that make life so interesting.
If March comes in like a lion (81/03/02)
Yesterday a new month began—the 3rd month of the year. In English, this month is called “March,” from the name of the Roman god of war, known as Mars. Mars is also the planet in the solar system closest to the earth and has a reddish color. The traditional Japanese name for this 3rd month of the year is “Yayoi,” which refers to the new growth of vegetation that is finally reappearing after the winter cold. Sara Teasdale has written, “A hush is over everything—Silent as women wait for love, the world is waiting for the spring.” There is an English saying that “if March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb, but if it comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion,” in which “lion” and “lamb” refer to severe or mild weather. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, looked forward to the future golden age when both the lion and the lamb would dwell in peace together (11:6ff). As this month of new life begins, let us also do our part to bring about peace between natural enemies and among all people.
Hina matsuri (81/03/03)
Today, March 3rd, is a special day for Japanese girls. It is called hina matsuri. Although the basic meaning of hina is “young chicken” or “chick,” in this case, it refers to a doll, so hina matsuri is the “Doll Festival.” The beautifully costumed dolls which are on display on a 7-tiered stand are very different from the dolls used as playthings. A full set of dolls includes the emperor and empress on the top level with their retinue on the lower tiers including 3 ladies in waiting, 2 court ministers, 5 musicians and 3 jesters, including a laughing man, a weeping man and an angry man. The present-day doll festival developed from a purification rite of old China in which one’s impurities were transferred to dolls made of paper and straw which were then thrown into a river or the ocean. Now, dolls are made of clay and not thrown away. Rather, in some homes they are considered a family or personal treasure and may be taken by the girl to her new home after getting married.
Alaska (81/03/04)
Of the 50 states in the United States of America, the one which has the largest area has the smallest population. It is Alaska, which in January 1959 became the 49th state to be admitted to the Union. The name, “Alaska,” is the English pronunciation of the Russian version of the Eskimo word for “peninsula,” or “great lands.” The territory of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands were first colonized by the Russians, but 115 years ago, in March 1967, this huge territory was sold to the United States for 7 million, 200 thousand dollars. This purchase was almost entirely the result of the persistent effort of William H. Seward, the Secretary of State at that time. For many years afterward, some people referred to Alaska as “Seward’s Folly,” but after gold was discovered there, they changed their tune and the state holiday commemorating Alaska’s becoming a state is now called “Seward’s Day.” Sometimes, the difference between folly and wisdom is not immediately evident. Jesus also was considered a fool by some of the people of his day, but he said, according to Matthew 11:19, “God’s wisdom is proved right by its results.”
Remember the Alamo (81/03/05)
In the year 1835, the people of Texas, which was then a Department of the Republic of Mexico, revolted against the Mexican government. In February of 1836, a Mexican army of several thousand men attacked the Alamo, a fort in San Antonio that was originally a chapel. This fort was defended by184 Texans who refused to surrender, even in the face of overwhelming odds. They continued to fight until only 6 survivors remained. After the fort was stormed, those 6 survivors were shot by order of the Mexican general. The heroic resistance of those men, however, aroused the anger of the Texans and 6 weeks later they defeated the Mexican army at San Jacinto, crying “Remember the Alamo,” which has become a famous war cry in United States history. And the Alamo, referred to as “the cradle of Texas liberty,” has now become a famous historical monument. There may be times when a person must fight for what he believes in and be willing to die for his belief. Jesus encouraged those who faced persecution with the words “Be faithful to death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Keichitsu (81/03/06)
Today, March the 6th, marks the beginning of another of the 24 seasonal periods of the Japanese lunar calendar. It is the period called keichitsu. Kei means to open; chitsu means to be in hiding. Keichitsu is the season when the insects, bugs and worms, included under the term mushi, feel the urge to come out of their winter hibernation, to open their hiding places and to begin their active mushi existence. The English word “hibernate,” which refers to spending the winter in a dormant state, comes from the Latin word hiberaus, meaning “wintry.” Some people also tend to hibernate during the winter in the very cold areas, staying at home as much as possible. Someone has defined spring as “the season when husbands wander out into the yard, feel the stir of things growing, breathe deep of the fresh air and have an irresistible urge—to get inside and watch the baseball game on TV.” Spring is the time when new life is stirring in both plant and animal worlds. It is a time of hope and new beginnings. I hope this season when the bugs come out of hiding will be a good season for you.
Nissan Datsun (81/03/07)
The brand names of familiar Japanese products are sometimes changed when they are exported. Thus, the Mitsubishi automobile Gyaran Lamda is known as Sapporo overcast and the Suntory Vodka called Juhyo in Japan is named Banzai in foreign countries. The Nissan automobiles, including Bluebird and Fairlady, are all called Datsun in the United States and Europe. This name was originally spelled D-A-T-S-O-N and signified the offspring, that is “son” of the 3 men who financed the company from which Nissan developed. Their names began with D-A-T. However, since S-O-N in Japanese pronunciation can mean “loss,” they changed it to S-U-N. Thus the Datsun cars are the sun, that is a shining light, rather than the son, or child, of D-A-T. In English, words having the same pronunciation, but with a different meaning and spelling, are called homonyms. However, in the case of Jesus Christ, he may be referred to as both the light-giving sun of God, the Light of the world, or the Son of God, who revealed God the Father to the world and became the world’s Savior.
Housewives who have graduated from high school (81/03/08)
This is the graduation season in Japan. At today’s graduation ceremony at the Kariya East prefectural high school, 160 students who have completed their high school requirements by correspondence are to receive their diplomas. Among this group of students who have been studying while working fulltime are two housewives who have passed the half-century mark. Fifty-one year old Mrs. Hayashi, the business manager of the Nishio telephone office, began her studies at the high school four years ago. Fifty-year-old Mrs. Hasegawa, who helps in the family factory which makes napkins for textile machines, is finally graduating seven yeas after she first enrolled because economic and family difficulties forced her to drop out on two different occasions. Both women are being given special recognition for their perseverance in attaining their goal of a high school graduation despite the difficulties along the way. All of us need a goal in life toward which to progress and we should not be satisfied with lesser goals. The highest goal for a human being is to be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect and it is with that goal in mind that we should live.
Toyota open cars to retire (81/03/09)
On some 20 occasions during the past year, parades in this area have included beauty queens or other celebrities riding in beautiful Japanese-made open cars. These cars have been provided by the Aichi Toyota Company, the owners of the only such cars in this part of Japan. These open cars were specially remodeled Crown Sedans and are now 13 years old. Therefore, the company is retiring all three of its open cars this month. That means that from now on, the only open cars available for such parades will be jeeps and there are people who question whether a jeep will be a fitting vehicle for a beauty queen to ride in. A jeep is a small, rugged vehicle with a 4-wheel drive, first used by the U. S. armed forces in World War II. The name probably came from the letters G P standing for General Purpose car. It may be that the beauty of a beauty queen will seem even more spectacular if she is seated in a jeep. External beauty may be expanded by drab surroundings, but true beauty is deeper than the skin and will be recognized in any setting for the truly beautiful spirit cannot be hidden. It shines out unconsciously for all to see.
Chinese boy finally meets his father (81/03/10)
A group of 47 Japanese visitors from China are now in Japan. These people were separated from their families during the confusion in China at the end of the war. They are here in search of relatives. The first one to be successful in this search was a 38-year-old elementary school teacher from a distant province over 15,000 kilometers from Beijing. His father, 62-year-old Hideo Tomii of Kobe operates a plant that makes printing presses. He is certain that this is the 4-year-old boy he left behind with a Chinese couple 35 years ago, for certain facial features are still the same. It was a happy reunion for this father and son in Tokyo. The son plans to return to China for his wife and children and bring them to Japan to live. Reunion of parent and child after a long separation is truly a happy occasion. The Bible teaches that men and women are the children of God, their Creator and heavenly Father, who have turned their backs on their loving Father to go their own way. True happiness or salvation is found when they return to God and, by faith, are reconciled to him.
Chiyonofuji (81/03/11)
The Spring Sumo Tournament is now being held in Osaka’s professional gymnasium. During the last tournament, popular ozeki Takanohana retired, but a new, popular ozeki has now taken his place. Although Chiyonofuji comes from the northern island of Hokkaido, his sumo name is related to Mt. Fuji. Chiyo means a thousand ages. Thus, Chiyonofuji refers to the eternal mountain which is a symbol of Japan. Because of his steely stare and his powerful prowess, however, Chiyonofuji is popularly known as “Wolf.” Wolves are wild animals of the dog family, which were originally found in many areas of the northern hemisphere. In the western United States, wolves often kill domestic animals such as chickens, pigs, lambs, calves and colts. In groups known as packs, wolves utter short, rapid, snarling or snapping cries, but when alone, this call is usually a long, weird howl. Jesus warned his disciples to be on their guard against false prophets who are dressed like sheep, but are savage wolves underneath (Matthew 7:15), for there are even outwardly religious people who are very cruel by nature.
Wajima (81/03/12)
The sumo world has lost another Grand Champion with the retirement of Wajima. “Champion” is the English word used to translate ozeki and the highest level for a sumo wrestler, called yokozuna in Japanese, is translated “Grand Champion.” Yokozuna literally means “horizontal rope” and refers to the ceremonial straw rope with the white paper cut in zigzag fashion hanging on it, which a Grand Champion wears when he enters the ring. Wajima, meaning “circle island,” comes from Ishikawa Prefecture in which the city of Wajima is located. The yokozuna, called “North Sea,” (Kitanoumi) comes from the northern island of Hokkaido and the remaining Grand Champion called “Young Flower” (Wakanohana) is from Aomori Prefecture. A Bible verse in Hosea, chapter 11, verse 4 uses the figure of a rope by which God pulled people to him. (I wonder if it was a yokozuna or a tatetsuna, that is a horizontal rope or a vertical rope?) In either case, it was a rope of love and compassion for those are the qualities God uses to draw people. I would like to know who listens to these “Daily Word” messages, so I would be happy to receive a postcard from you with your impressions, questions, comments, suggestions. My address is: P. O. Box 30, Moriyama, Nagoya 463.
Various ball games (81/03/13)
There are many kinds of sports that make use of a ball—of various sizes and shapes. A large ball that is bounced on the gymnasium floor and is thrown into a basket hung from a backboard is called a basketball. A smaller ball which is hit back and forth over a net is called a volleyball. Volley refers to the flight of a ball in play before it touches the ground.) A sturdier ball of about the same size is used to play soccer, in which the ball is kicked with the feet. The word, “soccer,” comes from the word “association” for this game was also called association football in England. Rugby, which is the name of the English school where this game was first played, and American football use an oval shaped ball which may be carried with the hands as well as kicked with the feet. In Japan, handball is similar to soccer, but hands are used instead of feet. However, in the U. S., hardball is played in a closed room with a small rubber ball that is bounced off the walls. There is only one use of the word “ball” in the Bible. It is in Isaiah 22:18, where the prophet tells a proud man that God will toss him away like a ball, as the proverb says, “Pride goes before a fall.”
Materials for tombstones and altars being imported (81/03/14)
It is well-known that Japan is dependent upon other countries for much of its livelihood. Being poor in natural resources, it depends on imports for much of its food supply. Recently, it has also been disclosed that even the materials related to one’s death are increasingly dependent upon imports. The marble used for tombstones and the wood used for coffins along with the materials used in construction of home Buddhist altars and their contents are all being imported from overseas. George Bernard Shaw has written that independence “is middle-class blasphemy. We are all dependent upon one another, every soul of us on earth.” It is true that there is no such thing as complete independence. People need one another: relatives, neighbors, fellow-workers, friends. The Bible speaks of the church as the Body of Christ, with each member of the body, while having a particular function, being related to the body as a whole. So our lives in community should be lived with this sense of mutual dependence upon one another—including peoples of other nations and races. When people of various origins recognize God as their common Father, they see themselves as brothers and sisters and are willing to share their blessings with each other.
Exotic and erotic festivals (81/03/15)
The trains on the Komaki Line of the Meitetsu Railway will be/are/were crowded today. (You may choose the right verb tense depending upon the time of your call.) The reason for their crowded condition was/is/will be due to the famous festivals held at the Tagata Shrine in Komaki and the Ogata Shrine in Inuyama, not far away. The festivals held at these two shrines, where the male and female reproductive organs are venerated as symbols of generative, life-giving power may be considered both exotic and erotic. The word “exotic” comes from a Greek word meaning outside. Thus its basic reference is to something foreign or imported, but it also refers to the charm or fascination of the unfamiliar or strangely enticing. Erotic, from the Geek word for love refers to the arousing of sexual feelings or desires. Thus, these peculiar festivals held today may be considered both exotic and erotic. While a healthy Christian faith does not disparage the human body and its natural appetites and power, it does teach that they should be controlled by the human spirit and that the only true object of worship is the Source of life and power, God, our Creator and heavenly Father.
Lady Diana Spencer (81/03/16)
The gloomy social atmosphere in Great Britain was brightened recently with the announcement that the 32-year-old Crown Prince had asked a 19-year-old kindergarten teacher to become his wife and future queen and that she had accepted the proposal. The country is now excited and full of anticipation as preparations are being made for the July wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Suddenly, throughout the nation, the hair style and clothes worn by Lady Diana Spencer have become the model to be imitated. Diana is the name of a Roman goddess, related to the moon, forests, animals and women in childbirth. This goddess was identified with the Greek goddess named Artemis and thus in some translations of the New Testament, the name Diana is given as the name of the goddess of the Ephesians in Acts, chapter19. There seems to be general approval in Great Britain of the choice of the Crown Prince after so many rumors
regarding other candidates over the years. Most of us need a model of some kind to imitate and at his farewell dinner with his disciples, Jesus told them to follow his example. He told them to love one another as he had loved them. That is the indispensable sign of a disciple of Jesus. He is the model for us to follow.
St. Patrick’s Day (81/03/17)
Today, March 17th, is a special day for Irishmen and for their descendants. According to the Roman Catholic Church calendar, it is the feast day for St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It was in the 5th century that Patrick engaged in his very successful missionary work in Ireland. He made use of the social structure of the country and with his winsome personality and earnest faith, he confronted the paganism of that day and converted the people tribe by tribe. By the time of his death, Ireland was almost entirely Christian—in the formal sense of the word. In the 1840s, a potato blight struck the country, resulting in a million deaths due to starvation and disease within 5 years and some 1,600,000 Irishmen left their homeland, most of them going to the United States, where in New York City, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic Church in America, was erected in 1879. It is customary for Irishmen and their sympathizers to wear something green on St. Patrick’s Day. Green is the color of life and growth. I pray that today will be a day of spiritual development for you.
Origin of Higan (81/03/18)
In Japanese (Buddhist) tradition, today is the beginning of the Spring Higan period. “Higan” is a translation of the Indian word “paramita,” meaning “the yonder shore.” “The yonder shore,” or “Nirvana,” is the opposite of “this shore,” which refers to “this world.” During the higan week, with the equinox at the center, it is the Japanese custom to visit the graves of departed relatives and to have memorial ceremonies for them in front of the Buddhist altar in the home. This custom is not found in India or China, but is peculiar to Japan—which suggests that it was originally a Japanese tradition rather than a Buddhist one. In Japanese thought, remembering the dead spirits in this manner will comfort them in their existence on the other shore and ease their sufferings, which conflicts with the Buddhist idea of Nirvana. According to Biblical teaching, the eternal destiny of the soul is determined by that soul through its relationship with God in this life and there is no indication that ceremonies performed following death have any effect on the dead soul. It important for us to accept God’s grace in this life rather than depending upon rituals following our death.
Cleaning service by former soldier (81/03/19)
This is the season when Japanese remember the dead spirits. However, Christians would say that it is more important to remember and bring comfort to our loved ones while they are alive. Last week, a community organization in the Arimatsu area of Midori Ku gave special recognition to 84-year-old Mr. Nakahama, who for the past 43 years has made it a daily habit to take a broom and dustpan and clean the streets in his neighborhood. He gets up before sunrise, first cleans his own yard and then goes to the nearby shrine to worship as the sun comes up. Then he sweeps the streets in the area, around the grade school and the bridge over the highway. He has been quietly performing this community service ever since moving to his present residence, after returning from military service in Taiwan where many soldiers caught typhoid fever because of the unsanitary conditions there. We should be thankful for such kind-hearted people as Mr. Nakahama in our families and communities and we should show our gratitude to them while they are still living rather than waiting until after they are dead. Also, we should seek to follow their good example.
“Be Kind to Animals Day.” (81/03/20)
Today is “Be Kind to Animals Day.” Thornton Wilder has written: “the best thing about animals is that they don’t talk much.” George Eliot wrote: “Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticism.” It is true that, in many ways, some pets may be considered friends and there is a well-known saying that ‘A dog is a man’s best friend.’” However, as William Ralph Inge has stated: “We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation and have treated our distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that, beyond doubt, if they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in human form.” The way a person treats an animal indicates something of that person’s character. On the other hand, there are people who seem to be kinder to animals than to fellow human beings. Jesus became angry with the religious leaders of his day who would show mercy to a sheep on the sabbath day, but would keep him from healing a man on the Sabbath. On this “Be Kind to Animals Day,” let us consider the attitudes we show both to animals and to fellow persons.
Shunbun no Hi (81/03/21)
Today is a national holiday in Japan. Shunbun no Hi literally refers to the day of spring division and marks the true beginning of spring. It is called the vernal equinox in English. “Vernal” comes from the Latin word for “spring,” and “equinox” is a combination of two Latin words meaning “equal night.” The equinox occurs twice a year when the sun crosses the equator, making day and night of equal length throughout the world. The “equator,” which also comes from the Latin word for “equal,” is an imaginary line around the middle of the earth, equally distant from both north and south poles. The sun sets directly in the west on the equinox and since the Pure Land of Amida Buddah is said to be in the west, this day is the central day of higan meaning “yonder shore” when, as noted in the message of the day before yesterday, Japanese pay respect to their dead loved ones who are supposedly on the yonder shore in the west. (Incidentally, in this case, the “yonder shore in the west” does not refer to the United States of America, although there was a time when some Japanese thought of America as a kind of paradise. For the Christian, “paradise,” from the Persian word for “garden,” is the place where God is and where his children will join him at death.
“Portopia 81” exposition (81/03/22)
A couple of days ago, the “Portopia 81” exposition opened on the man-made Port Island in Kobe. This exposition represents the culmination of 15 years of planning and construction. The term “Portopia,” which was coined for this occasion, is derived from the combination of “port” and “utopia.” In yesterday’s message, I mentioned that “paradise,” from the Persian word for “garden” refers to the place were God is. It also refers to the Biblical Garden of Eden. The word utopia, however, is derived from two Greek words meaning “no place.” “Utopia” refers to an imaginary place having a perfect political and social system, an ideal state of perfection. Under certain conditions, with correct plans and suitable materials man may make an island in the sea. But he will never be able to organize a perfect society until he gets rid of his innate selfishness. The utopian schemes of both Communists and Christians have been wrecked upon the rock of sinful human self-centeredness. Jesus taught that the way to true happiness was the way of sacrificial love—giving up one’s self for others. Jesus not only taught this truth. He demonstrated it, leaving us an example to follow.
Patrick Henry's Speech (81/03/23)
Today is March the 23rd. It was on this day in the year 1775 that Patrick Henry in a speech to the Virginia Provincial Convention voiced a famous phrase that became a rallying cry during the Revolutionary War of the American colonies. Patrick Henry was largely self-educated. Making use of his considerable oratorical skills, he became a successful lawyer following years of poverty. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and the first governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but his fame in American history is associated with his call for either liberty or death. He declared, “Is life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Liberty or death! The person without liberty is already partly dead, but as Will Rogers wrote, “Liberty don’t work in practice as it does in Speech.” The Bible teaches that true liberty comes through faith in God’s Word, for it is the truth that makes men free.
Pavilion (81/03/24)
At the “Portopia 81” exposition on the Port Island in Kobe Harbor, there are some 32 pavilions in which are displayed objects from man’s prehistoric days, up-to-date industrial techniques of today and fantastically designed futuristic creations. Twenty-seven of these pavilions have domestic exhibits, but in the 5 international pavilions are displays from over 30 foreign countries and cities. The word “pavilion” comes from the Latin word papilio, which means butterfly. Because of its shape, it was also used to refer to a tent. Now, it is also used to refer to buildings for entertainment or exhibits at a fair or park. In the King James Version of the Bible, the word “pavilion” is found in Psalm 27:5, which reads: “in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion. In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” In this verse, both the simpler shelter called a pavilion and the tabernacle or tent, refer to God’s temple. It was the faith of the psalmist that in time of trouble, God would protect him and care for him—sheltering him in his own dwelling place and ensure his security by placing him upon a rock. The person with faith in God has a safe refuge in times of strain and stress.
Maryland Day (81/03/25)
Certainly the most popular woman’s name among English-speaking people is Mary. Needless to say, this is because Mary was the name of the mother of Jesus. In the New Testament, however, there are six other women who are named “Mary,” which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Miriam.” In the Old Testament, Miriam was the sister of Moses. There are different interpretations of the meaning of this name. If the root is Hebrew, it means “plump one.” If the root is Arabic, it may mean “the wished-for child.” If it is traced to an Egyptian root, the meaning is “the beloved.” One of the original 13 states of the United States of America is called Maryland. This state was named in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen consort of King Charles I of England, who granted the charter for that colony. In the state of Maryland, today, March 25th is a state holiday called “Maryland Day.” One of the notable features of the original Maryland Constitution was its provision for religious toleration. Freedom of religion and respect for the religious beliefs of others are important elements in a democratic society.
Aesop’s Fable about a man, his son and their donkey (81/03/26)
One of the famous fables of Aesop concerns a man, his son and their donkey which they were taking to a fair. Along the road, some girls thought it strange that no one was riding the donkey, so the man put his son on the donkey’s back. However, some old men criticized the boy for riding while his father walked, so the father traded places with him. Then some young mothers said it was wrong for the father to ride while the son walked, so he put his son on the donkey with him. However, they were then criticized by others for making the donkey carry such a heavy load. The moral to this story is that when one tries to please everybody, he pleases nobody. This week, Nagoya’s Mayor Motoyama expressed his intention to run for a third term in the coming municipal election. The interesting thing is that he has obtained the support of all five political parties from the conservative Liberal Democrats to the Communists. This indicates the wide appeal this former university professor now enjoys, but in order to please such a variety of supporters. He must be an acrobat as well.
Manga bus (81/03/27)
For the past 18 years, the Nagoya City bus system has been losing money—except for one year when it finished in the black rather than in the red. It has also been losing customers who discontinue riding the bus, whose fares are raised to increase its income.
This week it is beginning a new and unique effort to attract new customers by putting a couple of manga (=cartoon) buses into service. On the side of the buses large, colorful cartoons have been drawn with cute figures of a lion, elephant, bear and hippopotamus. It is hoped that children seeing these manga buses will want to ride them and influence their parents to do so too, but it is very doubtful that this plan will succeed. It is commonly thought that decorating the exterior of something will make it more attractive, but it is really what is on the inside that is of more decisive importance. This holds true for people as well as for buses. It is the inner spirit rather than external decorations that exert the stronger influence.
Samurai and swords (81/03/28)
Although the Japanese word, samurai, is usually translated into English by the term “warrior,” literally a samurai was a person who waited upon another. Since waiting upon his master also involved guarding and protecting him, samurai became associated with military ideas, although the Chinese character for samurai is composed of a man and a temple—referring to a feudal court in this case. The samurai class in feudal Japan was the highest of the four castes, followed by the farmers, artisans and merchants. The distinctive badge of the samurai was the two swords he wore. However, it was on March 28, 1876, just 105 years ago today, that the Meiji government outlawed the carrying of swords by samurai which met with determined opposition on the part of some of the nobility. In the New Testament story of Jesus’ capture in the Garden of Gethsemane, it is written that his disciple, Peter, drew a sword to protect Jesus, but Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. All who take the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
Sakura (81/03/29)
It is cherry blossom time in Japan. Although the Japanese word, hana, refers to flowers in general, it is also often used to refer to cherry blossoms in particular. Along with Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms are symbolic of Japan and a fine example of its natural beauty. The word, sakura, or “cherry tree,” in Japanese, comes from the name of a princess in Japanese mythology who was associated with Mt. Fuji. Her name was kono-hana-no-saku-ya-hime, meaning something like “Tree-flowers-blossoming-Oh-princess”, but the sakuya became sakura and was applied to the beautiful cherry tree and its flowers. The old Chinese character for cherry tree is composed of four individual characters meaning tree, woman and two shells. The shells refer to something of great value and beauty, so the character refers to a tree like a woman of great beauty. The beauty of the cherry blossoms is very short-lived, however, and reminds me of the Bible passage in Isaiah, chapter 40, which compares human beauty to a fading flower. But although the grass withers and the flower fades, “the word of our God will stand for ever” (verse 6.)