Wisdom Blog

Joy Is at Your Feet.

by Tomo | March 29, 2026 | Life Wisdom | 0 Comments

収穫不問 Shukaku wo towazu Do not concern yourself with how much you will yield. 常楽耕耘 Tsuneni koun wo tanoshimuFind joy in the process of cultivation. It's hard to tell in text like this, whether he was telling his apprentices, or speaking to himself. I suppose both. He,...

3 Women in 5-Tatami, 7AM Observation

by Tomo | January 23, 2026 | Japan Daily, Life Wisdom | 0 Comments

朝七時五畳にて三人の女 GARARI! is the sound of opening a sliding door…an outdated one. Garari! I opened a glass sliding door, into the five tatami-mat space. Sulfur-infused steam rushed through the opening and enveloped me in an instant. A large bathtub was built against one...

Bear Attack and the Culture of Yohaku

by Tomo | December 9, 2025 | Japan Daily, Life Wisdom | 0 Comments

A message came from a friend in the UK:“Bear attacks are on NHK World!”Even here in Ashigara, where Kintaro riding a bear is our local mascot (see below), I could feel the tension in the air since the sightings have been reported. Morning and evening walks now come...