Golden Week: Surviving the Fallout

Right Thru Me by Nicki Minaj [ Theme Music for this Post ]

One of Japan's largest holiday seasons is upon us now, post 3-11. It's called Golden Week, or Goruden Wiku in Japanese English, and it's one of the most anticipated holiday periods of the year from April 29th to May5th. There're several holidays during this period, but the most notable one is on April 29th, which is the Tenno's Birthday. I place extra emphasis on his birthday because of the symbolism he represents for the nation of Japan and for the spiritual unity of the Japanese nation. Images of the former Tenno Showa come to mind when he too stood amongst the millions in the ashes of the aftermath of devastation. Perhaps it was his image alone that offered solace and comfort to so many without hope.

I hope Japan's image can survive the type of senseless fallout caused by the media. Western news sources butchered Fukushima to pieces, so I feel as though I have a sort of mandate to correct the distortion of the facts by the media, so to speak. I say these things because I have been to Fukushima just as many or more times than the average traveller. I have camped out up there, I have bathed in some of its most exclusive natural hot springs. My Jukujo's mom lives out there. I have eaten all or most of its traditional cuisines. I love Fukushima. This prefecture of Japan is/was a bastion of abundant nature and greenery, so much so, it inspired me to publish my first book back in 2008. In my opinion, Tohoku is the Jewel of Japan.

Like Chernobyl, the stain of radioactive fallout may forever tarnish the image of this part of Japan - I hope not, we'll see. Let's clear one thing up for sure though, Fukushima is no Chernobyl! The Japanese are forgiving of their own on this one. Japan Agriculture and ordinary Japanese will continue to buy products from this area, and will support local farmers in these effected zones. This is a type of beauty not found in many countries where people are not governed by fear and smear, but by a collective will to do what's for the greater good and what's right even in the face of uncertainty. Western media cannot spread fear that deep here because Japanese are a sensible people at the worst of times; this is one of those times.

This Golden Week I hope to hear of media sources covering stories related to hope, restoration, and healing. I want to see Japanese and Non-Japanese visiting the effected areas and assisting with relief efforts, and whatever other services that can be offered. Golden Week is a time to rest and to reflect on the beauty of nature and life. Fukushima, in Tohoku Prefecture, is no Chernobyl. It is a great prefecture. We must all do our part to push back against the negativity and smear of the whole region by foreign and even local media outlets. This must be done in order to protect the image of northern Japan and its many beautiful prefectures. What happened at the Fukushima nuclear power plant happened at that plant and for the most part is under control and poses no threat. Chernobyl was a complete disaster in comparison with what happened in Fukushima.

FUKUSHIMA is no Chernobyl.

Sakura 2011 Report

There's a somberness in the air this hanami season. Park bench hanami with a sandwich and a small tea under a simple looking cherry blossom tree should suffice the urge to want to break forth from the horror of many fortnights ago.

The pink pedals never forget how to dance each year; I like to watch at how beautiful they swirl, pink and dainty. I never forget this energy. I feel this energy. The power of a sakura tree can heal and sooth the senses. It's fragrance as the light warm spring breeze moves through your hair. I especially love the smell of sakura and nihonshu and seafood mixed in all together like a beautiful potpourri on a brilliant warm spring afternoon like today.

The general mood in Yokohama is melancholy, though. Some people are content with just walking around the pink pedal lined promenades. Others like myself, are content with a few pics here and there while reflecting on the surroundings with an occasional aftershock here and there. Some people don't know what to do. How do you celebrate when the ground is still shaking under your feet two times a day everyday. I'm optimistic even still. There is hope. I want to believe so.

Life must go on. The Japanese have proven to the world that they can go on and that they can rebuild from nothing. People must go on with their lives, they must continue living, dreaming, and rebuilding.

Walking through my area I saw this boat floating in the stillness of this quiet river full of millions of pink pedals scattered all around it.
Our neighbors up north weren't as fortunate. Their's saw the destruction of whole villages and towns uprooted from their very foundations. Homes were swept away into the open sea. I don't know how to reflect, really. The power of nature only shows us how weak and insignificant we are. Our revelry has no meaning this season. I took my sake home today.

I recall incumbent Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara exclaiming something that it was the wrath of god that brought this destruction or some kind of divine retribution of sorts for the degradation of society and decadent living. But I say, if that is so, and if it were really the gods then why wasn't the full force of the quake focused directly on Tokyo, the Sodom and Gomorrah of the East? Why Tohoku...? This part of Japan has a very deep spiritual core, a place where the locals revere their ancestors and their gods. Mr. Ishihara may have overstepped a little on this one. I'm sure the religious zealots back in the U.S. are no better saying the same thing. (" God is shaking Japan!") (" God is trying to open up the country!") (" God is trying to blah..blah...blah").

Regardless of how, why, and where this occurred is totally irrelevant. Business and Commerce must simply go on. People must return to their routines and they must get on with the daunting tasks of rebuilding broken hearts and dreams.

The Landmark Tower still remains. It stands tall. It is the building of the future.

We are moving on!