JapanJournal: Sobering and random thoughts

Shinto is Japan’s ancient original religion, deeply rooted in the way of Japanese life. Shinto has no founder, no holy book, and not even the concept of religious conversion, but seeks harmony with nature and virtues of a sincere heart. Divinity is found as “Kami”, --unlimited number of ways thru mythology, nature, and in human beings. Japanese people have felt awe and gratitude towards such Kami, and has dedicated shrines to many of them. The lines separating Shintoism and Buddism are not clear. The Shintos have shrines; the Buddists have temples. I think most Japanese would think of themselves as "religious".

So many things one can appreciate about Japan--the work ethic (almost too demanding), attention to cleanliness, ingenuity, respect, honor. These are truly characteristics to be desired.

We received the following comments from a close friend of ours who sends these insights from a missionary who works in Nagoya. : Of course, one cannot sterotype Japanese culture, but it does give pause for the true issues which confront any society.

From Sherwin Broersma: "We support a missionary couple (a son of our New Life Church on L.I.) who work in Nagoya. He sent a piece some time ago indicating that beneath the orderly surface all is not well in the land of the Sun; as in husbands, fathers who are never home because they work all the time and play golf on Sundays with their work buddies; sixty percent of the women interviewed said they did not enjoy being mothers; hidden alcoholism; great pressures on students and workers to succeed; young people committing suicide because of great loneliness, yet continuing to isolate themselves by being so focused with all their individual techie games."

So there is a spiritual vacumn here which the Christian message can fill, so prayers are needed for the national Christians and other Christians to share in the Good News! The Japanese are "religious" folk, much as the U.S. is seen as a "Christian" nation, but underneath it all, are layers of understanding and spirituality.

Other observations: I certainly realize that one cannot make generalizations about a country, its people, etc. So I am just giving first impressions and observations, so please read this blog through my limited vision.

....Interesting to observe the practical routine of taking shoes off when entering a house, or room….so cute to see all the little shoes outside the church nursery door!

....Smoking much more prevalent here than in the U.S., by both men and women.

....In subway station, I unknowingly dropped 1000 yen ($10.00) bill, and a young woman caught up to me, motioned to my pocket, and returned the money.

....On way back from church (July 13) a parade demonstration of both men and women shouting "Free Tibet!"….

....I have never seen people so "involved" with their mobile phones, talking as they walk, text messaging, etc. --even saw someone talking as she was weaving her bicycle in and out amongst the pedestrians! I would say 80% of people I see on the street are using their cell phones.

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On Sunday, we had a 5 hr jaunt to Katanumaru Nat.Gardens and participated in a Shinto religious festival adjacent to the park. We've never seen so many people in one place!

A few pictures: We experienced a Shintu festival Sun,. night, with thousands and thousands of people,

and hundreds of food, ranging from grilled meat and fish,

to stir fry, to fish cakes, beer, cotton candy,icees.

Therewere entertainment and gaming booths for kids. Among all the press of people on this hot night, we witnessed a father kneeling with a young daughter in silence and reverance. We joined the throng heading toward to Shintu shrine, with a band playing, others, carrying minerature shrine floats, and chanting as they hoisted it above the crowd. The lighted lanterns represent ancestral families who are remembered and prayed for.