Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire through Japanese eyes: Buddhism, Christianity, and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, who hails from Northern Japan, once more creates a lovely art piece. Spiritually, her background is based on Shintoism and tinged with Buddhism based on the cultural legacy. Yet, in general, the…
EU to assist Myanmar in the education sector: Japan welcomes EU assistance Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The European Union (EU) will assist Myanmar in the education sector to the tune of US$252 million dollars. This news is widely appreciated because State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is intent on increasing…
Michitsuna no Haha (935-995) and Japanese female literature Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese female writer (diarist) and waka poet Michitsuna no Haha (Michitsuna’s mother) was born in 935 and she passed away in 995. Her writings, or diaries of truth and lament, highlight the trials and tribulations that she faced during her…
Kano Michinobu (1730-1790) and Japanese art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Kano school of art blessed Japan for many centuries after the founding fathers were born in the fifteenth century. However, like all traditional art forms, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and endless modernization would eclipse the longevity of Kano artists. Despite this,…
Brutal Cyclone Idai hits Mozambique: President hints that 1,000 people may have perished Chika Mori and Sawako Uchida Modern Tokyo Times According to President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, the brutal Cyclone Idai may have killed at least 1,000 people. Sadly, despite the landfall hitting in the vicinity of Beira, a port city, on Thursday, it…
Poetry and art: Typhoons and earthquakes take asunder to this cold earth Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In a flash, all love that was embraced was over The beauty of the child, the lady, the male, the grandparents, all gone No time to say goodbye or to protect The chanting Buddha, the prayer…
The poetry of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?): Morals of Buddhism and Confucianism in old Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The early life of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) remains shrouded in mystery. Hence, speculation of his birth, be it Paekche in Korea or in Japan is open to debate. Irrespective of this, it is…
The United Kingdom in continuing Brexit mess: PM May in a new major defeat Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Prime Minister Theresa May needs to look long and hard at her standing because once more the House of Parliament delivered a negative vote for the leader of the United Kingdom (UK).…
Shintoism inside the consciousness of Japanese culture: Art to ghost stories to solace Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The endless winds of modernization and technological innovation is relentless in Japan. Hence, the religious dynamics of old Japan is but a ghost of its former self, just like the erosion of Christian…
Tendai Buddhism and the Monk Jien (1155-1225): Timeless poetry Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Buddhist monk Jien was born in 1155 and he passed away from this world in 1225. Yet, despite the passages of time, his historical writings and poems leave a lasting legacy. Therefore, Jien provides a glimpse into the world…
Common cybersecurity standards a solution sites Huawei to allay US concerns Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Huawei, understanding international concern about security risks is calling for the need for an international approach to allay fears of certain governments. This notably applies to America and staunch allies that have also spoken out…
Myanmar and the Arakan Army should hold talks on unity rather than boosting the Islamist dream Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Myanmar is beset by many ethnic conflicts and clearly, Rakhine is known internationally based on the pro-Muslim narrative in relation to Bengali Muslims. However, the situation is extremely complex because…
Old Japanese photography of Kusakabe Kimbei and the mirage Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese photographer, Kusakabe Kimbei, was born in 1841 in Edo Japan and died in the 1930s during a period of heightened political tension in this nation. Hence, one can only imagine the things he witnessed throughout his life because…
Japan art and Buddhism: Dreaming of the old night view and the wisdom of Nichiren Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In these two art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, the theme flows from old Japan to the rich wisdom of the holy Buddhist cleric called Nichiren (1222-1282). In a sense, Utsumi…
Myanmar attracts investment from the Northeast Asian powers of China, Japan, and South Korea Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The economic powers of Northeast Asia continue to view the future of Myanmar in a positive light. Hence, continuing investments, infrastructural projects, political goodwill, and the collective understanding of the many difficulties…
Protests in Algeria against the endless power mechanisms of President Bouteflika Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Major demonstrations have taken place in Algiers and other parts of Algeria based on the endless power mechanisms of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. This comes after it was confirmed that the ailing 81-year-old seeks to remain…
Japanese poetry and Abe no Nakamaro (698-770): Impact of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese scholar and poet, Abe no Nakamaro (698-770), resided in the world of the Middle Kingdom, where the predominance of Chinese culture and influence flowed naturally in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and other regional areas. In time,…
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman treated with high dignity in China, India, and Pakistan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the most promising monarch to have taken over important reigns in Saudi Arabia. This is based on his modernist tendencies and his desire to transform this kingdom and…
Colombia needs help with migrants fleeing poverty from Venezuela: Trump condemns Maduro Chika Mori and Kanako Itamae Modern Tokyo Times Colombia faces many internal problems related to the recent history of this nation and the brutal civil war. On top of this, social deprivation and issues related to crime and narcotics concern many in Colombia.…
Art of Japan and Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781): The Muromachi Period (1336-1573) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) is a very intriguing artist because he wasn’t conventional. Equally important, Shōhaku did not follow the artistic trends of the Tokugawa Period. Instead, he was adamant that his artistic soul should dictate the style he…
India and Iran suffer heavy losses after terrorists utilizing Pakistan claim both attacks Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times India and Iran have suffered heavy losses after two separate terrorist attacks have killed many security forces. It is known that 27 members of the Revolutionary Guards in Iran were killed after Islamic…
Japanese contemporary artist and L.S. Lowry: A new light and different cultural perspectives Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi hails from northern Japan and she is a contemporary Japanese artist, who equally adores art from the distant past. True to the nature of Utsumi, her art focuses on the rich traditions of old…
Hungary to provide major incentives to help the population grow: Visegrad and Europe Noriko Watanabe and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The government of Hungary fully understands the need to preserve the cultural and religious identity of the nation. Of course, with nations like the United Kingdom being blighted by endless stabbings in London,…
Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi: “If there is peace, we can bring development to the people.” Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The State Counsellor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, continues to strengthen democracy in this nation despite being blighted by countless internal and external problems. This applies to ethnic…
Japan artist Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) and the impact of Buddhism and high culture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The impact of Buddhism on the art of Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) is abundantly obvious and the same applies to the role of this faith throughout his life. Of course, Yūshō isn’t alone when it comes to…
Crime in Japan is down but Child Abuse and Domestic Violence continues to rise Chika Mori and Noriko Watanabe Modern Tokyo Times Criminal offenses in Japan have decreased by 10.7 percent according to the National Police Agency. This is in line with decreasing crime rates for the last sixteen years that have fallen each year.…
Art of Japan and the Zen Buddhist holy man Mokuan Reien Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Middle Kingdom (China) enticed the thirteenth century born Japanese Zen priest, Mokuan Reien, based on various religious and cultural factors. Of course, the role of China was extremely important for Japanese high culture, religion, philosophy, and other…
Japan art and Mount Fuji: Suzuki Kiitsu in color by Sawako Utsumi and the flow of Sakai Hōitsu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese contemporary artist, Sawako Utsumi, once more produces an adorable art piece based on rinpa (rimpa). In the past, Utsumi heavily focused on Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828) in relation to rinpa.…
Islamists in the terrorist attack against Christians in Jolo hand themselves in Boutros Hussein, Noriko Watanabe, and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times A leading Islamist, allegedly involved in the Jolo terrorist attack against Christians, handed himself into the authorities of the Philippines. It is believed that Kammah Pae feared being killed by security forces…
Myanmar needs international support: Archbishop Maung Bo says protect “Our Mother Irrawaddy” Sawako Utsumi and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Yangon, Charles Maung Bo, is demanding that the Myitsone Dam is taken off the table in Myanmar. This relates to stopping China from impacting on the River Irrawaddy by…
Art of Japan and the delightful art of Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850) was born during the Edo Period and while he passed away well before the Meiji Restoration of 1868, it is clear that Western art was increasingly encroaching during the later period of his lifetime. Of…
Islamists kill many Christians in the Philippines on the island of Jolo Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Islamists recently killed two Buddhist monks in a holy place in Southern Thailand and now another brutal Islamist attack is responsible for killing at least 20 people in the Philippines. Hence, just like the…
