長雨 – The Long Rain

Rice Field in Rain

Early June, the rice fields of Northern Tohoku were in and the Ojii-sans were taking a bit of rest. Plowing the fields, fertilizing, reconstructing the せぎ (rice field water ditches), planting the little rice starts – all that was done and the valley could pause. The pause came naturally, as the 長雨 settled over the … Read more

Father’s Day — The Old Paths

A necktie. A call home. Dinner. A beer. On the surface, we underplay Father’s Day. It’s muted. Japan’s celebration is even more so. There is something about our Fathers that doesn’t invite spectacle and gushes of overt emotion. Was thinking a lot about that this Father’s Day. Who is my Dad? Who was he? Will … Read more

A Fragrant Offering

ピリピ人への手紙 4:18 Japanese Living Bible 今のところ、必要な物は何でもそろっています。それどころか、必要以上に満たされています。エパフロデトにことづけてくれた贈り物をいただいて、十分すぎるほどです。その贈り物は、神が喜んで受け入れてくださる、香ばしいかおりの供え物です。 Philippians 4:18Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Reading Philippians in Japanese One of the truly delightful opportunities of learning a new language, culture, and philosophy is revisiting … Read more