A 40-hour work week (87/09/01)
Last Sunday afternoon, we held another meeting of listeners to these telephone messages. Listeners were present from Shiga, Gifu and Mie Prefectures as well as from Toyohashi, Tsushima, Togo and Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture. A survey of those present indicated that 53% approved of using Japanese at times in my telephone messages, but 66% disapproved of using Japanese at the listeners' meetings. You who did not attend the meeting didn't get a chance to express your opinion on this matter. In today's message, I am suggesting the first theme for the 21st issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. I will correct the essays sent to me and include them in that publication. Western countries sometimes accuse the Japanese of working too hard. Do you think this is so? Consideration is now being given to a 40-hour work week in Japan. What do you think about this? Why do Japanese people work so hard? What effect will a 40-hour work week have on Japanese industry? Is there a difference in the attitude toward work on the part of young people in comparison with the older generation? In John 9:4, Jesus taught that people should work while they can for the time is coming when they will no longer be able to do so. This is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post. Office 463.
The siesta in Greece (87/09/02)
Yesterday's message noted the hard-working habits of the Japanese. In contrast, today's message is related to the custom in some hot countries to have a daily siesta. Do you know what a siesta is? This word is rooted in the Latin word for "sixth hour", meaning the sixth hour after sunrise, or noon, and refers to a rest period, usually taken after the midday meal. In Greece, most stores close in the early afternoon for a siesta. For many years now Greek governments have tried to introduce a streamlined work schedule that would reduce traffic jams, modernize business practices and make life easier for Athenians by abolishing the afternoon siesta. Supermarket and department store owners favor the plan, but fierce resistance from small store owners, plumbers, electricians and carpenters have once again forced the government to back down. So the siesta in Greece will continue, at least for a while longer. Athens will continue to have four rush hours a day instead of two and tourists and other consumers will be unable to shop during the afternoon hours. Long-lasting habits are hard to change, but a relaxed lifestyle is difficult to harmonize with the rapid pace of modern life. A German industrialist once said, "When I rest I rust."
Qatar (87/09/03)
In the English alphabet, the 17th letter is "Q". As a capital letter, it resembles an "O" with a tail. As a small printed letter, it resembles a "p" written backwards, while in its small written form, it resembles a "g" with the lower loop reversed. Actually, it is a completely unnecessary letter, insofar as pronunciation is concerned, for it is pronounced the same as a "k". In English words, a "q" is usually followed by a "u", but there are exceptions in the case of some words derived from Arabic. In fact, there is an Arabic country whose name begins with a "Q" followed by an "a". It is a peninsular nation, about the size of Gifu Prefecture, jutting into the Persian Gulf. Most of the country is a hot, sandy desert and over half of its 300,000 inhabitants live in the capital city of Doha. The importance of this State of Qatar lies in the fact that under its sandy desert lie immense oil deposits. Today is a national holiday in Qatar, commemorating the 16th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain. Qatar is not a scenic country but it has one natural resource in abundance. Which do you think is preferable: to have a beautiful exterior or to have an abundance of inner resources, a kind of hidden beauty?
Bagpipe (87/09/04)
There are various kinds of traditional Japanese instruments called fue, or flute. Some of them are played in a vertical position, like the shakuhachi, while others are played in a horizontal position. "Wind-flute", or fūteki, is the Japanese word used as the translation for an unusual musical instrument called a bagpipe. A bagpipe consists of a flexible bag with one double-reed melody pipe and from one to four drone pipes, each producing a single droning sound. Originally, the bagpipe consisted of the entire hide of a sheep or goat with the melody pipe with finger holes fitted into a wooden plug in the animal's neck. Drone pipes emerged from other plugs in the forelegs. A blowpipe filled the bag with air, and the player's arm over the bag provided pressure to make the pipes release their piercing sound. Late in the first century bagpipes were introduced from Asia to Rome, where they were a great curiosity and an immediate success. Nowadays, bagpipes are most widely used in Scotland and Ireland. According to the 150th Psalm, all kinds of musical instruments are to be used in praising the Lord. Flutes are included in that list, but bagpipes are not found there.
Windmill (87/09/05)
Miller is a fairly common surname in the United State. As a common noun, the word refers to a person who works in, operates or owns a mill. In the old days, a mill was a device for grinding grain between rotating stones called millstones. If the power supply for the mill came from a wheel with blades that were rotated by the wind, it was called a windmill. These days, Holland is the country that is famous for its windmills. One may see many picturesque windmills while driving through the countryside of the Netherlands. The largest Dutch windmill was built in 1718. Its sails measure almost 30 meters from tip to tip. However, Holland was not the birthplace of the windmill. The first windmill was probably constructed in eastern Persia now called Iran, near Afghanistan in 644 A. D. It had sails that were moved horizontally by the wind. Later, a vertical wheel with blades to catch the wind was introduced and the windmill became popular in Europe from the 13th century. The wind is a mysterious force that is difficult to describe. In Greek, the same word is used to refer to wind, breath and spirit and in John 3:8, Jesus compared the mysterious working of God's Spirit in a person's life to the wind.
Discipline (87/09/06)
Many older people these days complain that young people are quite self-centered and not well-behaved. If this is so, it shows a lack of parental responsibility in training their children. Parents who truly love their children will be firm in disciplining them for their own good. The word "discipline" comes from the same Latin word as "disciple" and refers to training aimed at producing a certain character or pattern of behavior. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 3, verse 12, states that "The Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son of whom he is proud". No one, whether a child or an adult, enjoys being corrected or punished, but such discipline is necessary for healthy development. The text for my sermon today is found in the New Testament book of Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 5 and following. There we are taught that troubles and problems in our lives may be considered a kind of discipline given by our heavenly Father to make us better people. From this standpoint, such experiences should be received with gratitude because they are for our own benefit. In verse 11, we read, "When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad . . . . Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life."
Brazil (87/09/07)
Today is a national holiday in the United States. For the past hundred years this first Monday of September has been celebrated as Labor Day in honor of American laborers. This seventh day of September is also a national holiday in the largest nation in South America, which covers almost half of the south American continent. I presume you know what country that is. Its national language is Portuguese and its national flag has a blue globe in the center of a yellow diamond on a green field. On the globe are 22 stars, representing the 22 states of what used to be called the Unite States of Brazil. In 1967 the country was renamed the Federated Republic of Brazil. 165 years ago today Brazil proclaimed its independence from Portugal. The motto of Brazil, "Order and Progress", is a fine ideal for all countries and for students of foreign languages.
Japanese nengō system (87/09/08)
As you know, this is the year 1987 according to the Western chronology which mistakenly put the birth of Christ in the year 1 A.D. Among Jews, this year is 5748, calculating the time since the creation of the world as related in the first chapter of Genesis. In the Islamic calendar, this is the year 1408, using Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina as the starting point. And in Japan, it is the 62nd year of Showa. Prior to the Meiji Restoration, new era names, or nengō, were often given in relation to auspicious events or extraordinary occurrences. But 119 years ago today, on September 8, 1868, when the era name of Meiji was promulgated, a new system of limiting the nengō to one per emperor was adopted. What do you think about this nengō system and of the rule to make use of it on all official documents? Do you think it should be continued following the death of the present Emperor? How many of the approximately 250 era names in Japanese history can you identify? When referring to historical dates, which system do you use? Japanese Nengō is the subject for your essays this week. Send them for correction and publication in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes to: "Daily Word" Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
Siamese twin (87/09/09)
In 1811, twin boys with their bodies joined together were born to Chinese parents in Siam. These boys, named Chang and Eng, grew up, married English sisters and fathered 22 children before their deaths when they were 63 years old. From this extraordinary set of twins, the term Siamese twins was coined to refer to such twins. Last Wednesday, a set of Siamese twins were admitted to the John Hopkis Hospital in Baltimore for the difficult and delicate operation to separate them. Born in Germany seven months ago, their bodies were joined at the back of the neck. The biggest problem was how to divide and reconstruct a common blood vein they shared in the back of their heads. On Saturday morning at 7 o'clock, Baltimore time, the operation began. It continued for 22 hours until 5:10 Sunday morning. During the operation, the twins' hearts had to be stopped so the doctors are concerned about possible brain damage, but, as of this time, the operation seems to have been a success. Human beings have developed amazing skills, but whether they will be used for human benefit or harm depends on the condition of the mind or heart. That is why we are told, in the letter of James chapter 4, verse 8, to "purify your hearts".
The Pope's infallibility (87/09/10)
Do you consider yourself fallible? The word "fallible" means capable of making an error, so "infallible" means incapable of erring. According to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, official pronouncements of the pope regarding faith and morals are infallible. However, many independent-minded American Catholics seem to disagree with this doctrine. A recent poll indicated that 93% of American Catholics believe it is possible to disagree with the pope and still remain a good Catholic. Official Church doctrine teaches that abortion and artificial birth control are immoral and must not be practiced, but 78% of American Catholics replied that it is permissible to make up one's own mind on these matters. While 53% of them agreed that the pope is infallible when making pronouncements on matters of faith such as the divinity of Christ, only 37 accept his infallibility on moral issues. Even so, the pope remains a popular figure in the United States and will be given a warm welcome as he visits that country and Canada beginning today. Protestants do not recognize the pope's infallibility. They believe that the Bible alone is the standard of faith and practice.
O Henry (87/09/11)
Some writers make use of a pen name, or pseudonym, when they write. "Pseudonym", which comes from Greek, literally means "false name", but its Japanese translation, gagō, literally means "elegant name". William Sydney Porter, a popular American short-story writer, who was born 125 years ago today, wrote under the pseudonym of O. Henry. Since my father's name was Henry, I remember my mother often using the expression, "Oh, Henry!" Porter had a good reason for choosing a pen name. After working in a bank, he was charged with embezzlement and fled to Honduras. He later returned and was sentenced to three years in prison. While serving his sentence, he cultivated his writing ability. I like this quotation from "The Gold That Glittered". "A story with a moral appended is like the bill of a mosquito. It bores you, and then injects a stinging drop to irritate your conscience".
Okino-torishima (87/09/12)
Do you know the location of the southernmost territory of Japan? It is the islet of Okino-torishima, about 2000 kilometers south of Tokyo. Although uninhabited, it is considered important because sovereignty entitles Japan to exclusive fishing and mineral rights in the surrounding area of some 400,000 square kilometers. At low tide, the island stretches 1.7 kilometers from north to south and 5 kilometers from east to west. But at high tide it is almost entirely submerged, except for two rocks that protrude above sea level. The larger rock is 4.7 meters wide and stands 3 meters at high tide. The other is 2.6 meters wide and 1 meter high. Under international law, Okino-torishima remains Japanese territory as long as one of these rocks is visible at high tide, but these two pillars of Japan's claim to the island are eroding at their bases and may disappear beneath the surface within a few years if nothing is done to reinforce them. The Construction Ministry has appropriated ¥50 billion for a survey of the island. Then it will try to strengthen the rocks and Japan's claim to this area of the sea. In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as a rock, but he is a rock which will never disappear.
"Love your neighbor" (87/09/13)
The heart of the Old Testament, which is the Jewish Bible, and of Jewish religion as a whole is the Torah, or Law. This Law contains many commandments which cover social, moral and ceremonial aspects of life. Teachers of the Law in Jesus' day often argued over the relative importance of these commandments. One day, a legal scholar asked Jesus which commandment he considered most important of all. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 12, verses 28-31, Jesus replied that the most important commandment was to love God above all else. But he immediately added the second most important commandment: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". There is a close and inseparable connection between these two commandments. Love for God, whom we cannot see, is seen through our loving people, whom we can see. In the First Letter of John, chapter 4, verse 20, we are told that we cannot truly love God if we do not show love to our brother. True religion does not consist simply of a noble theory, an esteemed tradition or beautiful ceremonies. It must make a difference in our daily lives. It is not enough to know the right answers or to perform the correct rituals. Followers of Christ must show their love for God through loving concern and acts of mercy for their fellowmen.
The Star-Spangled Banner (87/09/14)
The War of 1812 was an armed conflict between the United States and Great Britain. During that war, a prominent Baltimore doctor was being held prisoner on a British ship in Baltimore Harbor. A 35-year-old Baltimore lawyer was sent to that ship to deliver a message from President Madison demanding the doctor's release. Arriving at the ship just as the British attack on Fort McHenry began, he watched the 25-hour bombardment from his boat. In the early morning of September 14, 1814, 173 years ago today, seeing the American flag still flying over the fort, he took an envelope out of his pocket and wrote the first words of a poem entitled "Defence of Fort M'Henry". The man's name was Francis Scott Key and his poem later became known as "The Star-Spangled Banner". 117 years later, in 1931, this poem was officially designated the American national anthem.
The oldest Japanese garden (87/09/15)
Last week it was reported that archaeologists had discovered what is believed to be the oldest known Japanese garden. The garden was discovered on the supposed site of the legendary Shima-tei mansion of Soga no Umako, a leading political figure of the Yamato Court in the 7th century. The garden included two artificial streams, a large pond and a hut from which viewers could enjoy the pretty sight. In America, we usually think of a garden as a plot of land used for the cultivation of flowers, vegetables or fruit, but Japanese gardens have a unique character which does not require any of these. Japanese gardens give the idea of spaciousness by skillful arrangement and miniaturization. This new discovery indicates that the peculiar Japanese garden has a longer history than was previously thought. The English word "paradise" comes from the Greek word for garden and may refer to heaven, the Garden of Eden or a place of ideal beauty or loveliness. Christian Bovee, an American author, has written, "To cultivate a garden is to walk with God." "Gardens" is the theme for your essay this week. Send it for correction and publication in "Daily Word" Echoes to: Daily Word, Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
An-pan (87/09/16)
If one makes a trip overseas and visits a Japanese family there, one of the most appreciated gifts from the Japanese homeland is an-pan. An-pan is a peculiar combination of Japanese and Western confectionery and baking skills which is not ordinarily available outside of Japan. During the Meiji Era, the term, Wakon-yōsai, meaning, "Japanese soul-Western technology", was popular. At that time, Japan was interested in importing scientific knowledge from the West while being careful to maintain its own spiritual character. An-pan may be considered a symbol of that idea, for it consists of a traditional Japanese bean-jam placed in the middle of Western-style bread. This is an example of the Japanese skill in combining foreign and traditional Japanese elements into a somewhat harmonious whole. Today's Japanese language also includes many terms which are combinations of foreign and Japanese words, including an-pan. In Mark 2:22, Jesus taught that the new and living message which he proclaimed could not be combined with the traditional forms of his day, because it would be like putting new wine into old wine-skins. The wine would burst the skins and both wine and wineskins would be lost, for living truth cannot be bound by conventional forms.
Constitution Day (87/09/17)
The word "constitution" refers to the composition, structure or make-up of something. When referring to the structure of society, it may be translated into Japanese as soshiki or kōsei. In the case of a person's constitution, or physical make-up, the Japanese word is taikaku or taishitsu. But when referring to the basic law of a nation, the Japanese translation is kenpō. Although today is not a legal holiday in the United States, it has been called Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the Constitution 200 years ago on September 17, 1787. In recent years, this day has been designated Citizenship Day and the week in which it falls is called Constitution Week. Some localities give special recognition to young adults who have attained legal voting age and immigrants who have been naturalized during the past year on this day, and both the rights and obligations the Constitution bestows on citizens are noted. 27 years ago today, during his campaign to become president, John Kennedy stated, "Our Constitution is founded on the principle that all men are equal as citizens and entitled to the same rights, whether they achieved citizenship by birth, or after coming here as immigrants, seeking to find in America new freedom and new opportunities."
Yeti (87/09/18)
Have you ever heard of an abominable snowman? Of course, a snowman is, simply, a yuki-daruma. However, when the word "abominable", meaning imawashii, is placed before it, there is a completely different meaning. Japanese legends of the snow country include stories of a snow fairy, or yuki-onna, but the Japanese translation of "abominable snowman" is yuki-otoko, and it refers to a hairy, manlike animal said to inhabit the Himalayan mountains. It is also called a yeti. There have been a number of reports by mountain climbers of seeing tracks in the snow left by yeti. Others have reported seeing the strange creature itself, but whether or not abominable snowmen actually exist is still uncertain. Chris Frost, a 31-year-old English biologist, is now exploring the wilds of southern Tibet searching for yeti. He thinks his chances of finding one are greater than those of teams of researchers who make more noise, but a dilemma would arise if he should find a yeti. Should it be caught and put in a zoo, even if it is humanoid and intelligent, or should it be left alone to face possible extinction? 1n Matthew 7:7, Jesus said, "Seek and you will find", but he was referring to seeking truth and not abominable snowmen.
A British housewife's record (87/09/19)
Last week, a British housewife established a new record when she gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Nottingham City Hospital. The infant was born by Caesarian section (teio-sekkai-jutsu) and weighed 2.9 kilograms. It was Kathleen Campbell's seventh child. Her last one before this is now 16 years old. But the new record had nothing to do with these facts. Mrs. Campbell is a 55-year-old grandmother and is reported to be the oldest woman ever to give birth in Britain. Doctors had advised her that having a baby might endanger her life because she weighed 133 kilograms and had high blood pressure. But during her pregnancy, she lost 31 kilograms and her health improved. Most women are unable to bear children at this age and Mrs. Campbell and her 65-year-old husband are happy to have this addition to their family. In Genesis, chapter 21, the Bible contains the story of a miraculous birth to Sarah, the elderly wife of Abraham, from whom the Israelites, or Jews, descended. Although it is rare for an old woman to give birth to a child, even old people can conceive and produce new ideas as long as their minds are healthy. A healthy faith in God, the Source of life, may be a constant channel of new vitality despite one's age.
Hymns (87/09/20)
Today is Sunday, the first day of a new week. It is the day Christians gather together to worship God. The Old Testament law designated the seventh day of the week as the day of rest and worship. Jews continue to observe the time between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday as the sabbath day but Christians changed the "holy day" to the first day of the week in commemoration of Christ's resurrection from the dead on that day. Christian worship services usually begin with a "Call to Worship" which is often taken from the book of Psalms. The 100th Psalm contains words which are often used for this purpose: "Sing to the Lord, all the world! Worship the Lord with joy; come before him with happy songs! Enter the temple gates with thanksgiving, go into his courts with praise." The basic characteristic of worship services should be joy, thankfulness and praise. It is for this reason that Christian church services include the singing of joyful songs, called hymns, from the Greek word meaning song of praise. Although all of the hymns in the Japanese sanbika are not songs of praise, joyful praise and thanksgiving are always at the heart of true worship. I pray that on this day of worship, you also will rejoice and be thankful.
Girolamo Savonarola (87/09/21)
To reform means to improve by changing, correcting errors or removing defects. It may be translated into Japanese by such words as kaizen, sasshin and kaikaku. Although the religious reformation sparked by Martin Luther in the 16th century is most famous, there have been many other religious reformers both before and after him. One of them, Girolamo Savonarola, was born in Italy on this day in 1452. He became a popular preacher and attacked the moral laxity of people of his day, including that of the pope, who had fathered four children whom he actively favored. As often happens to reformers, Savonarola was opposed by the comfortable, established hierarchy, excommunicated and finally executed as a false prophet. Jesus told his disciples, in Matthew 5:12, that they should be happy when they are persecuted for being faithful to the truth like the prophets before them,
Women in politics and religion (87/09/22)
Recently, a lady representative in the Japanese Diet was forced to resign because of her mistaken sense of priorities. She chose to go to a studio for a filming session on golf rather than to attend the meeting of her Diet Committee. The lady chairperson of the Japan Socialist Party has just completed a successful trip to the United States, where she met various important and influential government officials. During the pope's recent visit, one problem he had to face was the dissatisfaction of some American Catholics regarding the place of women in the Church, for the Roman Catholic Church does not permit women to serve as priests. In many Protestant denominations, women serve as ministers and in other official capacities, while in Japan, a number of new religions have been started by women. In America, a woman is campaigning to become the Democratic Party's candidate for president and in some countries, women already hold the highest political post. What do you think of the place of women in politics and religion? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What do you consider the future of women to be in places of responsibility in Japan? If you submit an essay on this theme, I will correct it and include it in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office 463.
The color red (87/09/23)
In English, certain colors have been given symbolic meanings. For example, the color red may mean danger and a red traffic light means "stop". To have a red face means to be embarrassed, but to "see red" means to be very angry. Because of the red flag used by the international Communist movement, a "Red" may refer to a Communist, but to be "in the red" means to be in debt. "To roll out the red carpet" means to welcome someone with great hospitality or ceremony because red carpets are laid down for important visitors, but "red tape" refers to routine office procedures which take up much time because red tape was used in Britain to tie up official documents. A redcap is a porter who will carry your bags in a railway station or an airport, but a red herring is some irrelevant matter introduced to draw attention away from the issue at hand. Since holy days in church calendars were marked in red, a "red-letter day" has come to refer to any special day. On Japanese calendars, today is a red-letter day, a holiday known as Shūbun-no-hi, or Autumn Equinox Day. In Isaiah 1:18, the promise given to believers is that though their sins are a deep red, they will become as white as snow.
Elizabethan collar (87/09/24)
I sometimes learn a new English word or expression by reading the Japanese newspaper. It happened again this week when I read an article about a kitsune-zaru at the Higashiyama Zoo. In English, a kitsune-zaru is called a lemur, spelled l-e-m-u-r, but that's not the new word I learned. Rather, I learned what an "Elizabethan collar" is, for the article noted that such a collar was put around the neck of a lemur in the zoo. The collars worn by women in the time of Queen Elizabeth I were stiff and flared out from the neck, but my unabridged dictionary defines an Elizabethan collar as "a broad circle of stiff cardboard or other material placed about the neck of a cat or dog to prevent it from licking or biting an injured part". Following a fight between two lemurs in the zoo, one received a superficial wound. Because the lemur continued to lick the wound and even bite it, instead of healing, it got worse. The zookeeper thinks this is the result of stress caused by being kept in a cage and always being stared at by people. To keep the lemur from making her wound worse, an Elizabethan collar was put around her neck. Human beings also need to be restrained at times to keep them from injuring themselves, but many of us bring trouble upon ourselves by our foolish words and actions.
American Indians (87/09/25)
When Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean and landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea, he mistakenly thought he had reached India so he called the inhabitants Indians. That word came to be used for all the native peoples of North and South America so it is now an ambiguous term which may refer either to a citizen of India or to a native American. The so-called white people from Europe who came to the so-called New World were often quite cruel to the so-called red-skins and the treatment of these native Americans is a real black mark in American history. In recent decades, efforts have been made to bring the plight of the American Indian to the attention of the general population and to urge compensation for past injustice. In some states this fourth Friday of September is called American Indian Day to commemorate Indians and their contributions to American life and civilization. Although now legally able to participate in the democratic process, Indians are still underprivileged in many ways along with other minority peoples. In America, Japan and all nations of the world, continuing effort is needed to achieve the ideal society in which all people are respected regardless of their ethnic, national or religious backgrounds.
Twins (87/09/26)
A kindergarten, which comes from the German words for children-garden, prepares children to enter the first grade of an elementary school. In the United States, elementary schools usually include kindergartens and my wife is the kindergarten teacher at the Nagoya International School, which is based on the American system. September is the beginning of a new school year in the United States and some teachers at an elementary school in Portland, Maine thought their eyes were playing tricks on them when they saw some of the children who entered the kindergarten there this month. The new class includes five sets of twins, accounting for six percent of the kindergartners. I wonder if there is a tendency for more twins to be born these days, for a recent issue of the periodical published by my home church in Illinois included pictures of four sets of twins born to church members over a period of four months. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the record for the number of children produced by one woman is 69. Between 1725-1765, a Russian peasant gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, 7 sets of triplets, and 4 sets of quadruplets. Genesis chapter 25 includes the story of the birth of the first set of twins mentioned in the Bible. Their names were Esau and Jacob.
Inochi (87/09/27)
At the church in the city of Takahama, where I serve as pastor, we are having a guest preacher at our services this morning and evening. Mr. Yoshinori Fujii teaches at Nagoya Gakuin University in Seto. The title of his sermon for the worship service this morning is "Inochi no aru ningen to shite". After learning of his sermon title, I had to ask how the word inochi should be written, whether in hiragana or with the Chinese character pronounced mei, which can also mean "command". His answer was that it should be written with the two Chinese characters pronounced seimei. This illustrates another one of the difficulties of the Japanese language, especially from the viewpoint of foreigners. Of course, the English translation of inochi or seimei is "life". However, checking my English-Japanese dictionary, I find there are about 30 different Japanese words that can be used to translate "life", depending on its context. According to the creation story in the second chapter of Genesis, the first human being began to live when God, the Creator, breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. And according to the New Testament, a new quality of life, called eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Engels (87/09/28)
The meanings of some English words change, becoming more specific, if the first letter is capitalized. For example, the word God with a capital G refers to the God of monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A Democrat, spelled with a capital D, is a member of a particular political party. And Communism, spelled with a capital C, is the particular social system and revolutionary doctrine propounded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who co-authored The Communist Manifesto in 1848. Today is the 167th anniversary of the birth of Engels, the German son of a textile manufacturer. Engels' experience as a factory manager in England provided material for his writings as a social philosopher and revolutionary. Christianity is also a revolutionary doctrine, but its revolution begins in the human heart.
The siesta in Greece (87/09/02)
Qatar (87/09/03)
Bagpipe (87/09/04)
Windmill (87/09/05)
Discipline (87/09/06)
Brazil (87/09/07)
Japanese nengō system (87/09/08)
Siamese twin (87/09/09)
The Pope's infallibility (87/09/10)
O Henry (87/09/11)
Okino-torishima (87/09/12)
"Love your neighbor" (87/09/13)
The Star-Spangled Banner (87/09/14)
The oldest Japanese garden (87/09/15)
An-pan (87/09/16)
Constitution Day (87/09/17)
Yeti (87/09/18)
A British housewife's record (87/09/19)
Hymns (87/09/20)
Girolamo Savonarola (87/09/21)
Women in politics and religion (87/09/22)
The color red (87/09/23)
Elizabethan collar (87/09/24)
American Indians (87/09/25)
Twins (87/09/26)
Inochi (87/09/27)
Engels (87/09/28)
Sundays (87/09/29)
White cars (87/09/30)
A 40-hour work week (87/09/01)