Dear People of the World (formerly Dear Americans)

In Henoko, Nago-city, Okinawa Prefecture, Southernmost island of Japan, Dugongs lives are endangered by US Marine Base construction.

Negotiation to change the plan is underway between the two governments.  

It is in fact, part of US Military Transformation Program which includes relocation of Marines in Futenma. After Futenma is removed, half of the Marines there will be relocated to Guam, the other half will be to Henoko.

But endangered sea mammals, dugongs inhabit in that coastal area. They eat seaweeds in that sea.

The construction of the base will pollute the sea of that area thus kill that endangered species.

 

You know what! Americans who criticize Japan's whaling and dolphin hunting are killing such beautiful and endangered sea mammals.

The preview of the film portrays their hypocrisy. Not taking on evil act of their own govermnet but accusing us of sea mammal killer.

Japanese goverment and local people in Okinawa don't want that but the U.S. is pressuring to build that.

Don't they think it would cause damage on their country's reputation among Japanese?

Japanese don't like Americans any more and never want to buy things from Americans.

The U.S. base is not defending Japan at all. China is thought to be potential threat, but China lends so much money to their bankrupt economy.

Actually the U.S. needs financial help from Japan, too. Aren't they wise enough to be concerned about Japanese public opinion for their national interest?

Actually it is time Japanese stop being friend with Americans. They are not decent enough to get along with.

Well, I always try to avoid buying goods made in USA or those of American brands except necessary ones like Microsoft.

Since deployment of Nuclear Aircraft Carrier in Yokosuka port, my feeling towards America was really changed.

In fact, I realized that country sucks. I got tired of Hollywood films and pop music. I am more interested in other countries' culture and my own culture, not the one with no substantial tradition and history.  

Poor country, even a President receives Nobel Peace Prize, they have to continue spending so much money to kill people and destroy environment. The people there are losing jobs, starving and cannot afford medical expenditure. Young Americans join military to get tuition for college education. Obama never deserves Nobel Peace Prize.

I can never believe I used to live in their country and study there for more than 5 years. That is away in the past.  

Please read Introduction first.

Masasko was surprised to know Marcus was Jew. She never thought he was.
"Marcus, have you ever heard of the legend that some of your people also migrated to our country, Japan?"
"What are you talking about?" said Marcus. He seemed to be surprised with her reaction.
"It is a legend that about 2600 years ago, your people arrived in Japan from Israel and settled down there" said Masako delightedly.
"2600 years ago? Is it when 10 of 12 our tribes left Israel because of Assyria's occupation?"
"Interesting thing is that is when our imperial calender year starts. Meaning our majesty is a descendant of Jewish immigrant who established Japan."
Marcus became very curious about her story.
"We have some similarities. Japan's national religious faith, Shinto have some common customs and ceremonies."
"Interesting? What are these?"
"For example, in Japanese Shinto shrine, we wash hands at the entrance. There is a hand-wash place near the entrance. Once you get in, you first have to wash hands and then go to pray."

"Yes. the synagogue has the same thing. To purify before you pray."
"Don't you also use salt for purification?" asked Masako.
"Yes, on Sabath day, we spray salt on bread and eat it. You do the same thing?"
"Well, we don't eat salted bread but use salt to purify ourselves. One of typical things is we spray salt on people who came home back from funeral. The other typical thing is Sumo wrestlers spray salt on the fighting ring before a match. Sumo wrestling is originated from Shinto ceremony."
"Interesting. What else do we have in common?"
"Do you know Ark of Convent, which had been lost for thousands of years?"

"Yes, a famous bible story."
"Actually that exists in Japan as ritural ceremony or you might want to say "Fest"?"
"Festivals?"
"People carry the box which resembles Ark of Convent, called Omikoshi. It has golden birds on the top just like Ark of Convent. People carry it on their shoulders in group just like ancient Israeli did in the ceremony in front of King David. In some region people cross the river carrying the Omikoshi box as though your anscestors passed the Jordan river."

"Wow, suprised to hear. I have never been to Japan but I wish to see such things if I can visit there some day."
Marcus's response pleased her.
"Surely, you should come to Japan some day.  We have common ground. We are connected" said Masako making a big smile.
Suddenly Marcus face turned sad and said to her.
"What does it matter if we have a common ground or difference? Connected or not?"
"Did I say anything wrong?" said Masako anxiously.
"No, you didn't say anything wrong. I mean, I just don't care whether we have similarities or differences. We are all humans anyway. We can share love or joy or anything else with one another" said Marcus.
Masako was shocked to see Marcus's response. She did not understand what he meant.
"Are you going to be free this afternoon? We have classes only in the morning. After lunch, I can take you to the place where anyone should have shared the same value. I really want to take you there."
Marcus said making a big smile to her. She thought she should go with him. 

Masako was in Marcus's car driving to the city of Dessau, two hours from Berlin. That was where former school building of Bauhaus existed. They, two did not talk each other in the car. Marcus looked very serious and she got nervous by his face.
"There you see, that is where we used to teach and learn" said Marcus and he stopped the car.
She got out of the car and looked at it.

"Wow, this is very nice design" said Masako with surprise. The glass wall building impressed her very much.
"You like that. Yes, because you are Bauhausler and you have the sense of understanding."
Marcus said and was glad with her response.
"Your school is not using this building any more. Why left here?" asked Masako. Actually that was what she had been wondered even before she came to Berlin because at first she heard the school was located in Dessau but soon later it was relocated to Berlin.
"We were kicked out. We had to leave Dessau and restarted in Berlin as private institution."
"What happened? Who kicked out?"
"You know, Bauhaus was at first established in Weimar, 1919 by Walter Gropius. Later the school moved to Dessau in 1925. I joined the school since then. When the school was relocated to Dessau, we were very much welcome by the city councils as revolutionalist. The city gave us aid to construct this new modern style building and our Meister's house. But welcome atmosphere did not last so long."

Marcus looked at her sadly.
"As time passed, growing nationalist movement took on us. The city council was dominated by nationalists." Marcus remembered harsh memories.
"You mean, Nazis?"
"Yeah, they took over the city's politics and banned aid to us. But it was not just by Nazis but many conservative people. They did not like us from the beginning. They called this building "Aquarium" or oriental sense of humor."
"Oriental sense of humor?" Masako was suprised with such furious words.
"Oh, no. I do not mean to offend you. That is how they expressed. They are not familiar with Bauhaus concept. You know, beauty in simplicity, minimalism. They could never understand that."
"Well, that is exactly orientalism, I think. Especially where I come from, we have the concept of seeking beauty in simplified things. It is called "Wabi-Sabi." It is a concept derived from the Buddhist assertion of the Three marks of existence (三法印, sanbōin), specifically impermanence (無常, mujō). We do not like too much decoration in architecture or houses. Finding beauty in simple thing and quiet atmosphere is most important matter in our culture. In that sense our culture might harmonize with Bauhaus" said Masako. She just came up with this wabi-sabi thing not to make him serious any more.
Marcus laughed and said,
"You always surprise me. ha, ha. I am glad to hear that. But to me Bauhaus is a new idea that can be shared with anybody in the world."
"But we are no longer welcome in your society."
"I beleive there should be a time anybody in the world can understand this concept. Whether you are westerner, Asian or anybody else. It benefits all the people in the world. Should be common ground for all of us."
Marcus showed firm commitment as Meister of Bauhaus. Masako found herself attracted to him.

 

To be continued to Chapter 7.

The film featured early life of the founder of world's most famous fashion brand, Chanel.

The film started with her life as an orphan and later she became a singer in the bar. She found a patron, a rich peer man but she fell in love with a rich English businessman who later supported her avant-garde fashion business.

 

It seemed like Chanel was a whore rather than an independent lady who invented very liberated forms of women's clothes.

But she had no choice just like other women in those days. Women did not have rights to vote. Women did not have their own named bank accounts. They had to wear heavy clothes with so many accessaries, long skirts that bottoms should be on the ground.  

The film was overall very boring but the message was kind of strong that her successful career came from her painful life experience.

 

I guess we had to know this side of her story to know life is not easy. The below photo is what I accidentally found on the street in Tokyo's shopping district. The lady in the photo secretly depicted Chanel's painful life experience before she got successful career.

A story of Japanese woman who experienced Bauhaus art and love romance in Berlin, early 1930's when Nazis came to power.

Please read Introduction first.  

Masako went back to the entrance hall to get out of this building. She was very much dissappointed because new love she might be getting was lost. She didn't want to be heart-broken any more. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. Peter was wrong man and gave her bitter experience.

She heard the noize from the party hall. People were shouting.
"Heil, Hitler!" "Heil, Fuhrer!"
What was going on? She wondered so she just stopped by the party hall which was next to the dining room where she joined the dinner with Nazi officials.
The atmosphere in the hall was like being in a fanatic ritual. She was attracted to the event happening. Tens of people in the room were looking at one man. A man with mustasche. She knew who he was. He had been famous in Deutcheland. She saw his photo on newspaper. His name is Herr Adolf Hitler, leader of National Socialist Party, largest party in Deutchland Republic Parliament.

He was wearing uniform and standing in front of his comrades raising right hand. It was known as Nazi way of salute. Hitler was with a young woman. Seemed like his wife but she seemed very unpleasant. She wondered what happened. She heard people chatting.
"Oh, Frau Eva and Fuhrer seemed to have some kind of quarrels, didn't they?"
"Maybe because Fuhrer has been too busy to take care of his lover during national speech campaign. Frau Eva is always frustrated with his enthusiasm towards politics. Poor girl, she's got most busiest and popular man in Deutschland."
She learned Hitler was a single man. Oh, such a popular and highly positioned man is still single and he seems not so young to be single.
Suddenly all the people in the hall became silent. The record on the phonograph was played.
The tune was Deutschland anthem. As soon as it started, all the people stood up still and raised their right hands. Masako just followed their action led by the atmosphere. She thought she had to because she was invited here.
"Deutcheland, Deutcheland uber alles, uber alles in der Welt...."

 

When she finished singing with other people, she felt boiled just like others being totally blended in this place. It was as though she was saluting to the emperor, Hirohito.
Hitler started speech.

 
"Everyone, we are getting closer and closer to new era. Although we got most seats among parliament members, I haven't yet appointed to be Chancellor. Seems like President Hindenburg has been stubborn or manipulated by morally decayed slobs. But we can get over it. We will! People in Deutcheland are responding to our voice. I can hear them."
People clapped. Masako did not fully understand what he meant but she just followed others and clapped. She just understood how passionate he and people in this hall were. She was really impressed.
Young officer replaced a record on the phonograph with other one. He then played it.
The music was waltz.

 
"I feel like dancing with someone" said Hitler. There were several women in the hall including Masako and Eva. Eva still looked very unpleasant and in fact she was wearing a casual cloth that did not suit waltz. Hitler did not even glance at her and looked around.
Masako found him coming up to her. Masako was surprised.
"Excuse me, Fraulein. May I dance with you?" The crowd got fuss over his action. Masako was surprised, too. Hitler known to be most nationalist or racist man in Deutschland was asking her to dance with him. But she had no reason to refuse. That was most honorable offer to her.
"Yes, I would love to, Fuhrer" said Masako smiling.
Surely, Masako knows how to dance waltz. She learned ballroom dancing since her childhood as part of high-society education. She danced very well like she did Japanese traditional dance.
"May I have your name, Frau? Where are you from?" said Fuhrer holding her hand and shoulder.
"Ich heisse Masako. I am from Japan."
"Gut, I know your country very well. A country of Samurais and Geishas."
"Yes. Fuhrer." Typical knowledge, she thought.
"You country has greatest civilization. Your country industrialized the country in a very short period of time. Your country created one of strongest military in the world. Your country's military beat Russian empire. Japan has never been defeated in war since the establishment of the country. It is fascinating thing. No other country could ever have done such thing."
"Yes, I am glad you give compliments to our country like this. Our country has learned so many great things from Deutschland. Today's modernised Japan owes a lot to your country."
"Oh, yes. Japan and Deutschland are united some way although we have a big distance. I think in the future the two countries can have good alliance. 
Hitler smiled and Masako was delighted. As the crowd saw their beautiful and well-balanced dancing, more couples joined dancing.

After the party, when she was leaving the building with joy, she heard voice of the men talking on the corridor. That was heard from the narrow open door. "You are the best man in my team. I adore you. Soon enough you can lead another coup with me. That guy shouldn't be the leader of this country." "Yes, Captain." She knew who they were. But she was sort of drunk and did not care what they were talking about.  

Next morning at Bauhaus school, she told what happened to Marcus except breaking up with Peter. She told him how delighted and welcome she was. The officers of Nazi told her as long as Masako was one of the students of Bauhaus. They would not touch Bauhaus. 
"You see, Nazi people are gentlemen. They can understand. They are not racist, neither is Herr Hitler."
Marcus responded "You are just fooled by them. I don't think Hitler really treated your people as he said to you while dancing. Why don't you read the book he wrote?"
Marcus handed her a book titled "Mein Kampf (My Struggle)."
He opened one chapter, "Aryan race as creator of culture"

 
She started to read and found some sentences related to Japanese.
"Japan did not acquire European culture into their culture. Japan just decorated European culture in their own way. It is not Japanese culture they created. It is what European created."
"If European culture died out, Japan without its own culture would soon die out. In that sense Japanese are never creator of culture but can only be supporter of culture."
Meaning Japanese are just copying western culture to exist? Her people are inferior to Europeans.
"I cannot believe it. Is it what he really wrote?" Masako was surprised.
"Yeah, he wrote the book when he was in prison almost 10 years ago. He was convicted of treason after provoking the coup which he and his comrades failed. That is his political statement" said Marcus/
"But he was so nice to me. He asked me to dance with him."
"Yeah, I think he liked you because he thought you were very useful. But don't get shocked. He is in fact much milder to you than the other people. Read this chapter, please."
Marcus flipped pages and opened another chapter.
"Jews are parasites." She then read the chapter.

 
"Jews are parasites who are always searching for hosts. Once they parasite on host's body. They just spread themselves on that and finally exterminate the host body. They intruded and lived in other nation and created their own nation within that state. When they find they get the power to protect themselves, they appear as what no one wants to recognize, "Jews." "
She was very shocked.
"How horrible he wrote! Jews? Those people should be offended when they read that. I cannot imagine how angry they are being insulted like this!"
"I am not angry at all. After all, they are demagogues and they use such words to attract attention from public. Such demagoguery has been done for many generations since our people immigrated. That is not big surprise" said Marcus vigorously.
"Marcus, does that mean you are Jew?" asked Masako.
"Yes. I am Jew" Marcus answered.

Continued to Chapter 6.