Barack Obama - The First 100 Days

Happened upon this May 4 Asian issue which was tissue thin, a mere 52 pages, hardy able to withstand the steam of the onsen, not unlike the current US economy. It seems Obama has adopted a 5 point rukun negara (national principals) to attempt reinvention of American capitalism or in his analogy to build a 'house of rock' from the current 'sand' version. The big five are - new rules for Wall Street, new initiatives in education, alternative energy and health care and budget savings to bring down national debt. Observers are betting on a 50-50 chance of getting fifty percent done, but know Barack wants it all. Joe Kline reported that the days of poetry are over. Its prose from now on, as Obama himself retorted in his Georgetown University lecture on April 14.From heated budget think tanks to one-on-one, its business as usual in the White House. Barack as a father and husband seems genuinely sensitive and involved. It can't all be a show, although the over publicity on the first dog has been severely criticised. Domestic issues have taken priority.Foreign policy is more, shall we say, engaging rather than combative. Great respect is afforded to those who write their own speeches and lectures, and this means last minute editions because your reputation is on the line. All said and done, the buck stops here. Its lonely up there at the top.

Tokyo walkabout

I owe thanks to these wonderful shoes - Merrell Gore-Tex - for my trekking through the hard streets of Japan. Nothing like a pair of good shoes. They even look good. Am in good company, it seems this early summer, with the three-quarter roll up look. Footwear in Tokyo is fun to watch. Metro fashion can keep you occupied for as long as 10 stations. Believe me the guys often outdo the girls in this regard.

I am completely taken by the construction workers outfit. From the baggy pants, avante garde unintentional paint design to the toe-socks and slippers, it is a fashion statement of a different kind. Spring showers are not a deterrent to fashion either. The best looking galoshes can be found in Tokyo.

Not forgetting Harajuku fashion...and the Lolitas...
Then there's the ninja look... which morphed to this...

and then to this... How cool is that!

The traditional partnering the modern...

And now for some leg. The over-the-knee-stockings are the current rage.

Great with mini skirts and shorts...perfect summer wear.
Don't knock it 'cos even the anime world is sporting the look.

Gyaru is a Japanese transliteration of the English word gal.

The fad began in the 70's, as all earth-shaking things did, and has evolved to the 2000 millennium version of ganguro fashion, a deep tan combined with hair dyed in shades of orange to blonde, or a silver gray known as "high bleached". Black ink is used as eyeliner and white concealer is used as lipstick and eyeshadow. False eyelashes, plastic facial gems, and pearl powder are often added to this. Platform shoes and brightly-colored outfits complete the ganguro look. Visuals from this site complete the imagery.
http://teamsugar.com/group/1053666/blog/1071530

You needn't bother with these, as they do not have any punch in this neck of the woods!

If you've lost a sock in the wash, this is one city where it don't matter...just whip out a contrasting partner and it will be fine, kawaii, no less!

Kyoto gems

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima fictionalised the extraordinary events of a monk who attempted to burn down the temple in 1950 and then attempted suicide. His distraught mother did commit suicide soon after. The monk was sentenced to prison for seven years but was released after five years due to mental illness. A good case study of the familial nature of mental illness and the avenues of refuge sought when inflicted.

The Japanese and their vending machines are synonymous or perhaps symbiotic. A 100 yen coin can spin out fortunes in 3 languages - English, Korean or Japanese.

Holding great stead in wishes and prayers at temples and shrines, the Japanese attach their deepest desires to branches, in pink paper for spring, in good faith.

Inscribed tablets of hope and prayers are common for passing exams, making babies and recovery from grave illness. Foreigners are not exempt from this practice. Peel of the layers and we are all the same - same desires, similar feelings and of course needs.

During the Heian Period (794 to 1185), Confucianism, Buddhism and other Chinese influences were at their height. Art and poetry flourished and new literary genres like novels were established.

The vibrant red-orange colour of the Tori gate, pillars and doors of the Heian Shrine represent the sun's bursting energy.

Gion, in the rain, my favourite place. The visit couldn't have been better timed to get shots like this.

Kiyomizu (pure water) Temple was constructed in 1633. The wooden deck is in pristine condition. No wonder, tripods are not allowed. An Edo period tradition, to "jump off the stage at Kiyomizu", meant if one were to survive this 13m fall, one's wish would be granted. An 85.4% survival was recorded. This probably was the first ever bungee jump without a rope! Ouch!!

Frenzied ringing of the sacred bell to call the spirits for blessings.

And those beautiful kimono-clad girls...spirits bring forth the girls.

Our Haiku:

Historic Kyoto

Almost bombed to kingdom come

Thank god it was saved!

Goemon - a legendary Japanese hero

Ishikawa Goemon, a 16th century Robin Hood, became a legendary hero of the feudal wars in the pre-Tokugawa era. He is played by Eguchi Yosuke, a hunk and eye candy if there ever was one.

Born into a samurai family, he had a brutal start to life being witness to the murder of his parents. He was taken under the wing of then warlord and was exposed to an early training to be a ninja.

"Like the cherry blossom which falls from the tree in its prime, the samurai must have no regrets when his life is cut off."

Directed by Kazuaki Kiriya former music video wunderkind turned feature film director, GOEMON is stylish beyond words! Move over Lord of the Rings...this one has it all and more. Check out the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7VGcwqWVEM

The movie starts with an explosion of colour and fireworks celebrating a victorious battle and quickly moves onto a dance sequence in a 16th century dance club. No I'm not kidding! The writhing ensemble in hip hop beat had a definite Bollywood feel which is the rave in most music videos these days, I am told.

The blend between CGI and live action was seamless - quite often you wonder if you are watching anime. Word has it that Kiriya leased a gymnasium and this became the largest green screen set ever. The large-scale battle scenes and flying ninjas over rooftops were especially effective. The director chose to wax and wane between a blue-black-white palette for the action scenes and vivid warm colours at other times.

The love interest of Goemon, Chacha, is exquisitely framed in this tableaux and it is impossible not to fall in love with her the moment you set eyes on her.

Her anime character-like facial features highlight the excellent casting for this movie. The director managed to draw on all the big names in cinema. For movie buffs this is a must see...if it is shown in your country...otherwise use your creativity and find it on the internet.

As with all Japanese movies, anime and TV dramas merchandising of kawaii kyara (cute characters) is a must. They are sold at cinemas and in specialty shops. The popular fad is to collect hand phone charms and literally make your mobile a heavier and noisier device than it already is.

Japanese photographer: Miwa Yanagi

A visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in the chic district of Ebisu with a new found friend was a unsual experience. Unusual in three ways - we were thrown together by sheer coincidence, in Tokyo of all places; we both happen to have an interest in photography; and landed a rare opportunity to view an awesome exhibition.

The stunning photographs of Miwa Yanagi explore themes related to the roles of women in Japanese society, yet they reflect archetypal concerns of women in general. Mixing fantasy and reality, Yanagi conjures compelling visions using theatrical staging and mesmerizing color. In her short but explosive career she has created three series of works; Elevator Girls, My Grandmothers and Fairy Tales.

The exhibition that blew me away was called My Grandmothers, which was both captivating and thought provoking. Yanagi attempts to project the dreams of young women into the future 50 years forward. After talking with her collaborating models, the artist creates images depicting their personal visions of life in old age, accompanied by poetically evocative texts based on the conversations. The young models have been professionally altered by make-up and digital manipulation and, like all of Yanagi’s work, the images invite viewer speculation on their interpretation.

Misako

In your arms I used to listen to that song which I will play again tonight

Oh hazy moon

How many more nights are yet to pass for this desolation to cease

Mika

...I have only one wish... That somehow all the life forms that inhabit this island give birth to a new generation.
May you all become the buds of the earth.

TsumugiThe sounds I play are not for human ears. In late winter the plucking of the koto welcomes the spring. With a tap it reverberates, shaking the earth; the mountains awaken.

Ayumi..." She cannot wake up, Sir. For Grandmother is 'Sleeping Beauty' "

Miwa...Even in the most remote corners of the globe, I know that my offspring are there to be found...

Shizuka

I will craft the flesh of my next body with my own hands...

I felt a special affinity to each of these photographs and the poetic verse in various ways. Serendipity follows me again. BTW This is my favourite, although I love them all...

Yuka

For the longest time I used to think, when I get old, I wanna relax in a hub of natural hot springs.

And so, after turning 70, I moved to Yufuin and chilled out for a few years as planned.

But after staring at the same paradise day in and day out, I started realizing how I wanted to get out of this little Eden and bounce somewhere far far away.

Obsessed with this thought, I hopped on a plane headed to LA without telling my family.

Thinking back, I must've died once in Yufuin, and come back to this world from the dead...