Rock, Paper, Scissors from Duke Yearlook
Last week in how to cross a bridge I wrote about janken: rock paper scissors. There was a comment about always making the same throw. In janken not martial arts. I’m not sure how that strategy would fit into game … Continue reading
Ballet by Alain Bachellier
I once asked Shigenobu Okumura Sensei (Aikikai 9 dan) about ashiwaza (leg or foot techniques) in aikido. He looked surprised for a moment and then he said categorically there were noashiwaza in aikido. Okumura Sensei had a kind of analytical … Continue reading
For who is ever quite without his landscape, The straggling village street, the house in trees, All near the church, or else the gloomy town house, The one with the Corinthian pillars, or The tiny workmanlike flat: in any case … Continue reading
janken by Hidetsugu Tonomura
Give me today, for once, the worst throw of your dice, destiny. Today I transmute everything into gold. Friedrich Nietzsche Caesar: Alea iacta est inquit – The die has been cast, said Caesar Suetonius, Vita Divi Iuli Don’t let your … Continue reading
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A famous aikido teacher whose technique was impressive and graceful was in fact a petty, arrogant and unpleasant man. It was very difficult for me to reconcile that with his beautiful aikido. At a spiritual level he didn’t understand ai … Continue reading
Fulbright Scholars by Ted Hughes Where was it, in the Strand? A display Of news items, in photographs. For some reason I noticed it. A picture of that year’s intake Of Fulbright Scholars. Just arriving – Or arrived. Or some … Continue reading
Date Musume Koi no Hikanoko - Bunraku by Draconiansleet
each man must realize that it can all disappear very quickly: the cat, the woman, the job, the front tire Charles Bukowski, Pull A String, A Puppet Moves a clock stopped – not the mantel’s – Geneva’s farthest skill can’t … Continue reading
tantae molis erat romanam condere gentem Vergil, The Aeneid This is an interesting series of three articles by Adam Kirsch celebrating 100 years of the Loeb editions of Latin and Greek classics. The first is about Socrates as he appears … Continue reading
the bank by niall
I much admire, I must admit, The man who robs a Bank; It takes a lot of guts and grit, For lack of which I thank The gods: a chap ‘twould make of me You wouldn’t ask to tea. I … Continue reading
Sociologist who resisted internment dies in Canada – AJW by The Asahi Shimbun. Vindicated. Cool story about Gordon Hirabayashi. He was born in Seattle. His parents were Japanese. He was sent to prison for refusing to be interned during the … Continue reading
cosplay by Daniel Griffin
Help! Disaster! Fire and Smoke! Robin’s trod on Batman’s cloak. Torn a rip right up the back… He’ll have to wear his anorak. Kate Williams, Batman Comes Undone! At the buffet at the station we can grab a bite to … Continue reading
Sonnet 129. The expense of spirit in a waste of shame Is lust in action: and till action, lust Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame, Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust; Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight; Past … Continue reading