Good Friday (88/04/01)
Do you know what day today is? Yes, it's the first day of April, which means it's April Fool's Day. Today, it is well to be a bit wary, for some people with a sense of humor play tricks on other people or try to deceive them on this day. Some years ago, I read the interesting novel written by Shūsaku Endō, entitled Obakasan. Have you read it? If you haven't, I think you might enjoy it. The strange foreign hero of this novel is a so-called Christ figure, which makes that novel especially relevant today, which is called Good Friday in the Christian Church calendar. It may seem strange that Christians refer to the day commemorating the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross as a Good Friday. It is because of the deep meaning we attach to that event. In Jesus' sacrificial death on behalf of others, we see the goodness of God and perceive his great love by which sinful people are forgiven. To some people, the message of salvation through faith in a crucified man seems foolish, but according to the words of the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians, chapter 1, "by means of the so-called 'foolish' message we preach, God decided to save those who believe." "For what seems to be God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom." (2528)
Hans Christian Andersen (88/04/02)
Are you acquainted with the children's stories entitled "The Little Match Girl", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Snow Queen" or "The Red Shoes"? If you are, you may remember the name of their author, Hans Christian Andersen, who was born 183 years ago today, on April 2, 1805. Since his name ends in "s-e-n", we recognize that he comes from the country known for the sweet, buttery pastry made with raised dough, sometimes filled with fruit, and called Danish pastry. Andersen was raised in poverty and went to the capital city of Copenhagen as a youth to seek his fortune. First, he tried acting but was not successful. Through the kindness of generous patrons, he was able to attend school and began writing. Now, he is best known for his fairy tales. His power of description and sense of fantasy can be said to be truly fantastic, Hans Christian Andersen also wrote that "Every man's life is a fairy tale, written by God's fingers" and gave the warning that "Time is so fleeting that if we do not remember God in our youth, age may find us incapable of thinking about him." Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, when the fantastic story of the victory of Christ over death and the forces of evil is celebrated in Christian Churches around the world. You are invited to join in the celebration. (2529)
Easter (88/04/03)
Today is Sunday, the first day of a new week. Christians go to church to worship on Sundays. Do you know why? In the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites in the Old Testament, it was commanded that they keep the seventh day as a holy day of rest, or sabbath, and even today, Saturday is the Jewish sabbath. But Christians observe Sunday as the day of rest and worship to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. Although in this way, Christ's resurrection is remembered every week, on this first Sunday following the first full moon following the spring equinox, we have a special annual celebration, the most important Christian festival, called Easter. In many places, outdoor sunrise services are held on this Easter Sunday morning because the Gospels indicate that the resurrection occurred at that time. On this day, Christians give thanks to God for the victory of Christ over sin and death and for the new life he gives to those who trust in him. From the beginning of the Church, the resurrection of Christ and what it signifies has been its central doctrine. According to I Corinthians 15:14, if Christ was not raised from death, then our faith is "null and void": The real evidence of Christ's resurrection is seen in the new quality of life in his followers. (2530)
Daffodils (88/04/04)
According to Greek mythology, a beautiful youth named Narcissus saw his own image in a pool of water and fell in love with himself. Pining away in love for himself, he died and was transformed into the beautiful flower that bears his name. From his name, we also get the English word, "narcissism", meaning an excessive love of oneself. Daffodils are a kind of narcissus and annually at this time of year, a Daffodil Festival is held in the Puyallup Valley in western Washington, where a golden carpet of some 30 million daffodils covers that 30-kilometer-long valley east of the city of Tacoma. During the festival week, various sports competitions, parades and the crowning of a daffodil queen take place. In Matthew, chapter 6, verses 28-30, Jesus taught us to remember God's love for us when we look at the beautiful clothes he gives the flowers. (2531)
"Handicap" (88/04/05)
In English, the word "handy" means being skillful in using one's hands and a handyman is a person who does various odd jobs. Handy may also refer to something that is useful, convenient or easy to use. Thus, the headline in a Japanese newspaper recently indicated that the Japanese word, handei, has quite a different meaning. The headline read: Me no handei norikoe sotsugyō. The article was about 20-year-old Takae Watanabe, who graduated from Chukyo Women's College last month despite the poor eyesight she has had since birth. In classrooms, she sat in the front row and peered at the blackboard through a special telescope in order to read what was written there. At the graduation ceremony, she was given the highest commendation as the outstanding student and represented the graduates of the domestic science department. In Japanese, handei, is the peculiar Japanese abbreviation of "handicap", which may refer to some disability. This word is said to be the shortened form of "hand in cap", from a game in which forfeits were held in a cap into which people put their hands. Handicapped people may also be handy in some ways and we whose minds and bodies are sound should help those who have weaknesses to enjoy a meaningful life. (2532)
Coral (88/04/06)
As you know, the hard, rounded gem called a pearl is produced by the secretion of a small sea animal called an oyster. The hardened secretions of another kind of small sea animal are also used in jewelry and other ornaments. These animals and the elaborate skeletons they produce are called coral, spelled c-o-r-a-l. The Japanese word for "coral" is sango. Coral colonies produce a beautiful natural formation called a coral reef in certain tropical waters. As industrial development increases in the world, such natural beauty is being destroyed. Conservationists are now trying to persuade the Okinawan government to change its plans to build an airport on Ishigaki Island which would destroy a unique coral reef containing the largest and oldest colonies of blue coral that are known to exist. Okinawan planners insist the airport is needed to boost tourism on the remote island. Here we find another example of a clash of values that is occurring throughout Japan today: natural beauty versus industrial development. It is similar to the conflict between spiritual and material value which confront us everyday and our daily decisions reflect the standard of values by which we live. (2533)
Football (88/04/07)
In Japan, handball is a game somewhat similar to football except that the ball is dribbled or passed by hand. In America, however, handball is a game played indoors with a small, rubber ball that is batted with one's hand against a wall. Football also has a different meaning in Japan and America. The football played in Japan is called soccer in America. Another kind of football, called rugby, is played in England, but American football is different than either soccer or rugby. The man who was most influential in the development of American football was Walter Camp, who was born 129 years ago today. A prominent athlete at Yale during his college days, Camp later became football coach and then athletic director at that university. He is considered the father of American football. A kind of football has been played from the days of ancient Greece and Rome, but now the game differs depending on the country. So there is also Canadian football, Australian football and Gaelic football, which is played primarily in Ireland. With our feet, we are able to walk, run, jump, kick or dance, but in Proverbs 4:27, we are told to keep our feet going straight on the right road. (2534)
Hana-matsuri (88/04/08)
During this cherry blossom season in Japan, this eighth day of April is known as hana-matsuri. On this day, a small shrine, decorated with flowers and called hana-midō, is erected on the grounds of Buddhist temples. Inside this shrine is a small image of the child who is now known as the Buddha, for today is celebrated as the Buddha's birthday. Visitors to the temple pour ama-cha, or sweet tea, over this image using a bamboo dipper. The image, however, is not that of an infant who has just been born. Rather, it is a standing figure, with the right hand pointing to heaven and the left hand pointing to earth, for according to Buddhist teaching, the future Buddha not only stood and walked as soon as he was born, but also proclaimed, "I am Lord of heaven and earth." This is quite a contrast with Christian representations of Jesus' nativity displayed during the Christmas season. In them we see an infant lying in the straw of a stable where animals are kept. The Bible teaches that this humble birth of the divine Savior demonstrated the depth of God's love for us. In II Corinthians 8:9, we read, "he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich." (2535)
Nagakute, Appomattox (88/04/09)
In a number of countries in the world today, fighting is going on between people of the same nationalities. Those of us living in peaceful lands should do what we can to encourage efforts to bring about peace. We may also remember times when our ancestors were at odds with one another. Just east of Nagoya, in the town of Nagakute, is the site of a battle which took place 404 years ago today, on April 9, 1584, between armies of two important leaders in Japanese history, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu, who later became the military ruler of Japan, was the victor in this encounter, but peace between these two men was concluded the following year. In American history, the Civil War between the South and the North came to an end 123 years ago on this day in 1856. In the Virginia town of Appomattox, Union General Ulysses S. Grant, who later became president of the United States, accepted the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Why do wars occur among people of the same social groups as well as between people of different nations and cultures? According to the 4th chapter of the New Testament book of James, fights and quarrels arise from the selfish desires of human beings. (2536)
Peace (88/04/10)
Words that have the same sound but different meanings and, sometimes, different spellings are called homonyms. For example, piece, spelled p-i-e-c-e and meaning a portion of something, and peace, the opposite of war; spelled p-e-a-c-e, are homonyms. (In Japanese, pi-su is also used for the plural of "pea", but in English, we say "peas".) The Hebrew word for "peace" is shalom. This word does not merely refer to the absence of war but includes the idea of health, happiness and general well-being. In Jesus' farewell speech to his disciples, as recorded in the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, he said, "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you." In Japan, it is common to give a gift to a respected teacher who is leaving, but here the respected teacher gave a gift to his followers. It was not a material gift but the gift of spiritual peace to calm the hearts of those who would grieve following his departure. The gift of spiritual peace is available to people today in the midst of the troubles, sorrows and anxieties of modern life. The way to gain such peace is through a healthy faith. As Jesus said at the beginning of that chapter, "Do not be worried and upset.... Believe in God and believe also in me." (2537)
MacArthur dismissed (88/04/11)
The most famous American soldier in modern Japanese history was General Douglas MacArthur: Following Japan's unconditional surrender, he became the supreme human ruler in this country. Japanese military officials, politicians and even the Emperor were subject to his authority. However, five-and-a-half years later, on April 11, 1951, 37 years ago today, he was suddenly dismissed from his post by a higher authority, the President of the United States who is also the Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Powerful as he was, MacArthur had disobeyed his superior and had to suffer the consequences. At the same time, the Japanese people were given a startling example of democratic processes. In the Christian view, all people, including generals, presidents, kings and emperors are subject to the divine authority of God, the heavenly King. (2538)
Henry Clay (88/04/12)
Clay is a natural earthy material that is plastic when wet but becomes hard when heated. It is the material from which pottery is made. Clay is also the surname of an important man in American history, who was born 211 years ago today. Henry Clay was the ninth of twelve children of a prosperous family in Virginia. When he was 20 years old, he moved to Kentucky. Shrewd and skillful in debate, with a flair for oratory, he quickly became one of that state's leading lawyers and a popular politician. He served both in the House of Representatives and the Senate as an ardent nationalist. One of the young congressional "war hawks", he helped push the country into the War of 1812 against Britain. Despite his hot temper and outspoken nature, however, he became known as the "Great Compromiser". Through his efforts, the Missouri Compromise was effected, by which the state of Missouri was admitted to the Union as a state where slavery was permitted at the same time that Maine was admitted as a free state. Henry Clay, a man with strong convictions who was willing to compromise on certain issues, may serve as an example for statesmen today. According to Jeremiah, chapter 18, verse 6, people are like clay in the hands of the Divine Potter. (2539)
Elderly and children (88/04/13)
Just as some scientific discoveries occur accidentally, in the social sciences also, meaningful innovations may come through happenstance. In the United States there are an increasing number of nursing homes for elderly people who are unable to care for themselves. Most of the health care workers in these homes are women, but there is a nationwide shortage of such workers and a large turnover of personnel. In order to attract and keep qualified woman on their staff, Some nursing homes began providing day care centers for preschool children. As a result, it was found that, not only were the mothers happy to be near their children during working hours, but that there were obvious advantages both for the elderly and for the children to be together in the same facility. Children were able to establish a rapport with the old folks, even those who were confused. The elderly residents enjoyed having the children around since the atmosphere became more lively. In modern American life, homes where grandparents and grandchildren live together are rare, so this mixing of the very young and the very old has proved to be helpful and healthy for both generations. The American writer, philosopher and historian, Lewis Mumford, has written, "Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers." (2540)
"Rock Idols on Stamps" (88/04/14)
The newspaper headline read: "Rock Idols Immortalized on Stamps". Can you understand its meaning? In this headline, "stamps" refers to postage stamps and "immortalize" means to give lasting fame to, but what do you imagine the "Rock Idols" are? One meaning of "idol" is an image used as an object of worship, so a "rock idol" could be an idol, or gūzō, made of rock. However, "idol" is also used of a person that is excessively admired and in this headline it refers to rock and roll music stars. Today, a series of new postage stamps is being issued by the West German post office bearing the portraits of Buddy Holly, Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley and John Lennon, all of whom are rock stars who have died in recent years. In Western countries, it is common to see the likenesses of historical figures on postage stamps or coins, but in Japan this is very rare. If you wish to write a short English essay explaining why this is so, I would be happy to read it. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama, Nagoya 463. The New Testament teaches that idolatry is giving highest priority to something or someone other than the true God so, according to Colossians 3:5, even "greed is a form of idolatry". (2541)
Samuel Johnson (88/04/15)
For anyone studying a foreign language or who wishes to correctly use his or her native language, a dictionary is an indispensable reference book. Nowadays, dictionaries are usually produced by many people working together, but early dictionaries were often the work of scholarly individuals. The first systematic dictionary in English was published 233 years ago today. The lexicographer was Dr. Samuel Johnson, the leading literary scholar and critic in England at that time. His dictionary contains many quaint definitions of words that clearly express his personal bias. He defined oats as "A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people." Now that Japanese politicians are talking about tax reform, Johnson's definition of "excise" is notable. He defined it as "A hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid." Art Buchwald defined tax reform as "When you take the taxes off things that have been taxed in the past and put taxes on things that haven't been taxed before." Today is the day that tax returns are due in the United States. According to Romans, chapter 13, we should pay taxes to those in authority. (2542)
"Boys, be ambitious" (88/04/16)
111 years ago today, in the 10th year of the Meiji Era, a tall, energetic American was leaving the town of Sapporo to return to the United States. He had been invited to Japan to help establish an agricultural college on the northern island of Hokkaido. Dr. William S. Clark was not only a keen botanist and a magnetic teacher; he was also a sincere Christian. Since he was expected to teach ethics, he insisted on using the Bible as a textbook. As a result of his classroom instruction, his personal witness to those who came to his home on Sundays and of his exemplary character, his entire class of fifteen boys, who had come from prominent samurai families, signed a pledge to become Christians. Although his stay in Japan was only eight months long, his influence on that first class of students and their spiritual descendants remains great even today. As he was leaving, he shook hands with each one of his students and left with them the words, "Boys, be ambitious", which are carved on his memorial now standing on the campus of Hokkaido University. To be ambitious means to be eager to achieve something and Dr. Clark's own example made clear that the true aim of human ambition should be to gain God's approval. (2543)
A healthy faith (88/04/17)
As a graduate student in philosophy, I was favorably impressed by the traditional proofs for the existence of God. However, now I do not believe that God's existence can be rationally proved even though there is considerable circumstantial evidence for that belief. The same may be said for the belief that God does not exist, for this also is a belief that cannot be proven but must be accepted by faith. Both the atheist and the theist base their opposite beliefs on a combination of faith and reason. Each of us can choose which belief is more intellectually and emotionally satisfying and leads to a healthier, happier life. My personal starting point in philosophical speculation is the premise that "life is meaningful". Whether consciously or unconsciously, I believe that most people consider human life to be both valuable and meaningful. Thinking people will ask: why this is so and what is the source of such value and meaning? For me, the most satisfactory answer to such questions, the answer which encourages vitality, joy and hope is that God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, is the Creator and Ruler of the world. Jesus often told sick people who were healed that "Your faith has made you well" and even today a healthy faith is the key to a truly healthy life. (2544)
Patriot's Day (88/04/18)
This third Monday of April is observed as Patriots' Day in the U.S. states of Maine and Massachusetts. A "patriot", from the Greek word for "fatherland", is a person who loves, supports and defends one's country. Patriots' Day commemorates the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, which began in Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775. In that first battle between British and American soldiers, eight Americans were killed and ten were wounded but only one British soldier was injured. Various celebrations are observed in Massachusetts towns on this day, the most famous of which is the Boston Marathon, the 26-mile race from the town of Hopkinton to Boston, which has been held every year since 1896. Adlai Stevenson has called patriotism "not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." (2545)
Sierra Leone (88/04/19)
As a verb, "saw" is the past tense of "see", but as a noun, it refers to a tool having a thin metal blade with sharp teeth used for cutting or sawing. A chain of mountains with sharp peaks which resemble the teeth of a saw is called a "sierra", which comes from the Spanish word for "saw". The Republic of Sierra Leone is located on the west coast of Africa. Its name comes from the Portuguese words meaning Lion Mountains. It is smaller than the island of Hokkaido in size and has a population of less than 4 million. The capital and largest city of Sierra Leone is called Freetown which was founded in 1792 as a haven for former slaves from Britain and North America. Over the next half century about 50,000 liberated slaves were settled there. In 1961, Sierra Leone became an independent nation and 17 years ago today, on April 19, 1971, it was declared a republic, so today is a national holiday in that country. Although two thirds of the population are poor farmers, the country has large deposits of diamonds, which are its major export. The expression, "a diamond in the rough" may refer to a person of ability who can become better through training or experience. (2546)
Camels (88/04/20)
Camels, which have been decreasing in many countries, are coming back into style. The United Nations Children's Fund considers camels the preferred means of transportation in the vast, desert area of Africa. Compared to a four-wheel drive vehicle which costs some $14,000, excluding fuel and maintenance, a camel costs about $400, lives an average of 50 years and needs no spare parts. Thus, medical workers on camels, carrying solar-powered refrigerators for vaccines, will soon be making visits to desert areas. As nations become more prosperous, camels are replaced by pipelines, railways, trucks and airplanes. In poorer countries with a large desert area, however, camels continue to hold an important place. Not only can they carry heavy loads over great distances in the hot desert, but they are cheap to feed, eat thorny vegetation other animals find inedible and drink foul water that would kill a human being. Tents are made from camel hair and hides; poles and pegs are made from its bones and its milk and meat provide food. In Matthew, chapter 23, verse 24, Jesus said that some men strain flies out of their drink but swallow camels. Can you understand his meaning? (2547)
Queen Elizabeth II (88/04/21)
In the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a son of the ruling monarch usually becomes the next king. The new king's wife then becomes queen. However, if the monarch has no son, a daughter may become queen, but the husband of that queen does not become king. He is simply a prince. 62 years ago today, on April 21, 1926, a daughter was born to King George and Queen Elizabeth. She was also named Elizabeth and since she had no brothers, she became queen upon the death of her father in 1952. Her husband, Philip Mountbatten, duke of Edinburgh, was made a prince following her accession to the throne. In the United Kingdom and most Commonwealth countries, the Queen's Birthday is officially celebrated in June because the weather is nicer then than in April. However, in the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic Ocean, the site of a short war between Britain and Argentina a few years ago, today is an important holiday called Falkland Islands Day to honor the Queen on her actual birthday. Queen Elizabeth II is the same age as her prime minister. However, it has been said that in their weekly meetings, their roles seem confused. "The Queen's style is more matter-of-fact and domestic while it is Mrs. Thatcher who bears herself like a queen."[Sampson, The Changing Anatomy of Britain] (2548)
Meat/meet/mete (88/04/22)
The topic of today's message is "mēt" [meat/meet/mete]. Do you know how to spell this word? In fact, there are three different ways to spell words having this pronunciation. Probably the first word that comes to mind is the noun, spelled m-e-a-t and meaning the flesh of animals used for food. Different words indicate the particular animal from which the meat is derived. Thus, beef is meat from cows; pork is the flesh of pigs; mutton comes from sheep and venison is deer meat. People who don't eat meat are called vegetarians. Another kind of "mēt" is a verb, spelled m-e-e-t. This word refers to an encounter of some kind. If we meet a friend on the street, we may feel happy but, if we are not careful, we may meet with an accident which will make us sad. As an adjective, meet means fitting or proper. Thus, it is not meet for a Christian to be proud, selfish or envious of others. Finally, another word pronounced "mēt" is spelled m-e-t-e. This verb means to distribute by measure or deal out. Sometimes a teacher must mete out punishment to disobedient pupils. According to the old translation of Matthew 7:2, Jesus taught that with the same measure we mete, it shall be measured to us. (2549)
Order of the Garter (88/04/23)
As you may know, there are differences in pronunciation and meanings given to certain words in different English-speaking countries. For example, in the United States, we call the two elastic strips worn across the shoulders and fastened to trousers to hold them up "suspenders", but in Britain they are called "braces". In Britain, suspenders are used to hold up stockings, but in American English, such devices are called "garters". A garter is also the badge of the oldest and most illustrious of British orders of knighthood. Only very distinguished persons, such as retired prime ministers, are named to this Order, which was established 640 years ago today, on April 23, 1348. The badge of the Order of the Garter consists of a strip of dark blue velvet edged with gold, having a buckle and pendant of gold. It is worn below the left knee by men and on the left arm by women. The motto of this Order is a Latin phrase meaning "Shame to him who thinks evil". Unfortunately, there are always people who think of evil things, but in Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8, we are told to fill our minds with "those things that are good and deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable." (2550)
Baptism (88/04/24)
In traditional Japanese religion, purification is an important concept. Many kinds of purification ceremonies are performed by Shinto priests, and worshippers symbolically purify themselves with water each time they visit a Shinto Shrine to worship. In the Christian Church, the purification rite is called baptism and is usually performed only once for one person. Some churches baptize both the infant children of Christian believers and adults who make a personal profession of faith. Other churches, which insist that baptism be administered only when a profession of faith is made, re-baptize those who were baptized without a personal faith. Since the word "baptism" comes from a Greek word whose basic meaning is to immerse, some churches insist on baptism by a total immersion of the body in water, symbolizing death and new life. At our Bible Class, which meets on the first and third Tuesday evenings at the Nagoya City Kyōikukan at Sakae, we studied about John, the Baptist, in the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark last week. John baptized people who repented of their sins in the Jordan River. Repentance of sin continues to be the entryway into formal membership in the family of God known as the Church. That Bible Class begins at 6:30, in case you are interested in attending. (2551)
Guglielmo Marconi (88/04/25)
In Japan, the staple food is rice. For most people in the United States, it is bread or potatoes. In Italy, various forms of pasta are the main stomach-fillers. Pasta is a paste or dough made of flour and water. It may take the form of long, solid strings called spaghetti or of hollow tubes called macaroni. This word reminds me of the name of the Italian scientist, famous for his development of wireless telegraphy. Guglielmo Marconi, who was born 114 years ago today, on April 25, 1874, improved on the inventions of others to send a wireless signal over a distance of over a mile in 1895. A few years later, Marconi transmitted a signal across the English Channel and then over the Atlantic Ocean. The conveniences we enjoy today are the result of the work of many different people of different national backgrounds who were sustained by various kinds of foods.(2552)
John James Audubon (88/04/26)
The Japanese proverb, ushi wa ushizure, uma wa umazure, refers to cattle and horses finding companionship with their own kind. The English proverb expressing this truth is: "Birds of a feather flock together". Another proverb related to birds, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", is similar in meaning to the Japanese proverb saki no gan yori, temae no suzume. The scientific study of birds is known as ornithology and an outstanding American ornithologist named John James Audubon was born 203 years ago today, on April 26, 1785. Not only was Audubon an ornithologist. He was also a talented artist and made beautiful paintings of birds in their natural settings. After long years of frugal work, he was finally able to get his paintings published under the title The Birds of America. The 435 hand-colored plates included in this publication continue to be treasured by art collectors and bird lovers today. The beautiful plumage of birds should cause us to consider the artistic purpose of their Creator. Those who appreciate beauty in nature should work to preserve natural beauty and to make their social environment more beautiful as well. Showing love to all people is the way to make our world more beautiful. (2553)
Bankara (88/04/27)
A recent contribution to the tōshoran, or "Letters" column, of a vernacular newspaper was from a 17-year-old office worker in Shizuoka Prefecture. His letter bemoaned the current lack of bankara teachers in Japanese schools. Checking my dictionaries, I was surprised to find that bankara is actually the opposite of haikara, derived from the "high collars" which used to be worn by stylish men, and that the Chinese character for ban means "barbarian". Among the dictionary definitions of bankara are "unrefined; a person of unconventional habits of life; a Bohemian". So what is a Bohemian? This ward does not simply refer to an inhabitant of Bohemia, which is now part of Czechoslovakia. It is also used for people who disregard conventional standards of behavior for it was previously thought that Bohemia was the original home of the wandering tribes of Gypsies that did not settle down and conform to local traditions. Because of the Japanese emphasis upon conformity, this society is a very uncomfortable place for bankara, or bohemians. They soon get hammered down like protruding stakes. Jesus, the Christ, had unconventional ideas and his life ended on a stake called a cross. (2554)
Hans Christian Andersen (88/04/02)
Easter (88/04/03)
Daffodils (88/04/04)
"Handicap" (88/04/05)
Coral (88/04/06)
Football (88/04/07)
Hana-matsuri (88/04/08)
Nagakute, Appomattox (88/04/09)
Peace (88/04/10)
MacArthur dismissed (88/04/11)
Henry Clay (88/04/12)
Elderly and children (88/04/13)
"Rock Idols on Stamps" (88/04/14)
Samuel Johnson (88/04/15)
"Boys, be ambitious" (88/04/16)
A healthy faith (88/04/17)
Patriot's Day (88/04/18)
Sierra Leone (88/04/19)
Camels (88/04/20)
Queen Elizabeth II (88/04/21)
Meat/meet/mete (88/04/22)
Order of the Garter (88/04/23)
Baptism (88/04/24)
Guglielmo Marconi (88/04/25)
John James Audubon (88/04/26)
Bankara (88/04/27)
Maryland (88/04/28)
Tennō (88/04/29)
Walpurgis Night (88/04/30)
Good Friday (88/04/01)