Japan 日本 ญี่ปุ่น

At long last, this is the moment I've always been waiting for.

It is the moment of truth.

If you have been following this blog, you would probably know why. I have been musing why my destiny has always brought me back to Japan, my mysterious childhood bonding with ancient Japan and stuff. It always baffled me.

Then out of the blue, I knew.

It was him.

Would he still be waiting for me, smiling as he is in his garden, looking ever so relaxed?

One thing I know for sure, his spirit would still be there. Because it is the very soul of his that has been the driving force of my relentless pursuit of everything that has been precious to him during his life time.

I am going back to finish what he has left. One hundred and three years later, I, one of his perhaps close to hundred great-grandchildren, receive a scholarship to study basically the same thing he had his passion on--Bushido.

Great-Grandpa, one of the first things I would do this time is to this time is to hit Japan's national library to look up your record. I'm going to bring you back to our Kingdom. It has been way long overdue.

Wait for me, great-grandpa. I'm coming over! Thank you for keep smiling. You are my great inspiration!

With love and respect,

Your humbled great-grandchild

This year my life is a little bit weird. I mean, on the positive side! I get to do many things I never, ever dreamed of! Now, as we are approaching mid-year, it gets even more interesting. In fact, it couldn't even get any more interesting when my Sensei casually mentioned to me recently that he actually registered me for the upcoming World Championship Tournament of Channbara in Japan this November!!

Me?? A life-long geek? Going for a World championship title of one of the fastest-paced, weaponed martial arts? You've gotta be kidding!

But sensei was not kidding. In fact, he even told me to prepare a thesis on "Why I Practice Chanbara" and "The State of Mind of the 1st Dan," and submit it to him in a few days' time. But wait a minute, 1st Dan is a...Black Belt!?!

Yes, sensei wants me to try not only for the black belt exam, but for the instructor's exam. And his school is probably the strictest of all sects. This is the first time in my whole life that I hear that you have to write a thesis as a part of black belt exam! And the topic is even more difficult than my Ph.D. dissertation! The State of Mind of someone entering the 1st Dan? Gee, just to think how I would start is sort of difficult already. This ain't gonna be your typical term-paper, believe me!

Today we had a group of visitors from a local school. After session, we wiped the floor of our Dojo together. It was fun but very tiring. But what we got was the feeling of togetherness and unity! And good training for our body, too! It is also a very good way to let off your steam. I also think it trains you well to take care of your home and not minding tedious job. I lost counts how many time I actually fell flat on the floor next to the kindergarten kids because the floor was very slippery. But I simply got up to continue what I had to do. This is a very good training for me!

I'm going to Japan very soon for this Samurai festival before going into Tokyo. And I'm also going to see my advisor at Waseda for the first time! Very excited! He is going to represent Japan in the upcoming World Congress of Sociology in South Africa to present a paper on Social Inequality in Asia.

That's about it for today. I love the day I have my samurai sword training. I wish I could do it everyday. Hey, may be I should consider doing it for a living after I graduate! My dissertation is related to that anyway. Not bad. hmmm.
Kangaete mimasu!

This must be one of my golden years. I start to lose counts of the blessings I have been receiving this year already. I should remind myself of Lord Buddha's teaching about impermanence. I should also remind myself of my true goal in life, to attain Enlightenment and to get away from it all. Once and for all, and not to return ever again.

Not even it means to enjoy myself and have so much fun as I'm having right now!

Anyway, my next dream that's about to take place in less than two weeks is to go back to 15th century Japan to be part of the samurai army taking part in a battle rehearsal! How awesome! I could not have wanted a better preparation for my upcoming 3-month visit in October for my Ph.D. research on Tokugawa samurai than this. Finally, after training in different type of sword techniques and sword fights for a year and a half, I'll get to be a real samurai!

Now if I could i only find time to brush up on my horse-riding skills before going to Japan this time it would be really perfect.... But, hey, you'd never know. It has been my golden year so far. Anything is possible. And even if i don't get to practice at all, I have a feeling I would be able to communicate with the horse to some degree while i'm there. The usual prayer of giving the loving-kindness (metta) to all creatures always works. I have no doubt about that.

Sensei did not say much about the detail about this visit. But I know he has planned to take us for a duel at our Dojo over there. And many more. I'm really looking forward to that! Oh, living a life of a young samurai in training following a sword teacher around is so much fun! We would also visit the castle of the general whose life inspired the movie, "The Last Samurai." Like I said, what could i ask for more? It's almost i am seeing my dissertation unveiling itself right in front of my eyes! Isn't it nice to be able to literally walk through each chapter and breath in, drinking in everything around you?

However, I couldn't help but taking a sneak preview of what might be on offer there. On the Japanese local government web site, this is what i found.

History : Traditional Festivals: "Soma-Nomaoi Festival (Soma City, Haramachi City, Odaka Town and others) - July 23 to 25
Dating back 1,000 years, this festival has been handed down in places that once belonged to the Soma clan. It spectacularly recreates the atmosphere of the Warring States Period (1467-1568). Some 500 horsemen in samurai costumes scramble for shrine flags, which are shot into the air with a burst of fireworks. Overseas, this event is considered to be one of Japan's most representative festivals. "