Blogs from Izumo, Shimane, Japan, Asia

I've been thinking a lot about Bill Murray lately. Most of the time, its in regards to his role in Lost in Translation. But more recently, it has to do with Groundhog Day, and his colorful yet repetitious mornings. As I rise with the sun and ride to work, I pass the same cute silver haired woman right at the top of the bridge, riding with her garden tools in the front basket. I then cut past the same students riding nonchalantly in groups of twos or threes, and as I turn onto a farm road, to my left, the same truck pulls into the drive of a house having an addition built on, and an old man opens his door as I pass. I then cycle through the Yokohama factory complex which is playing the ... read more

In Chicago this week, Montrose Avenue has collapsed into the frozen pits of hell, a formidable sinkhole soon to suck 'Sin City' to the earth's core. This imminent doom possibly foreshadows the outcome of this Tuesday's Presidential Candidate Race. Icy Tribunes stick to grey-stoned stoops with scandalous headlines about Britney Spears latest trip to the nuthouse and another beer drenched Superbowl Sunday. In Japan, on February 3rd, neighbors open all the doors of their home and sweep away the year's accumulation of dust from within the weave of their tatami. They then scoop up a handful of dried soybeans, and standing under the wooden doorframe, toss them into the street, yelling, "Out with the devil!" After sufficiently pelting this sometimes imagined, sometimes theatrically portrayed creature, they turn to face the inside of their home and throw ... read more

We went to Izumo Taisha in Izumo where the most important place for Japanese people because it is believed that in this place the Gods are most exist.... read more