Chinese Bible, "CUV"

Chinese Bible, "CUV", originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

Chinese Bible, "Chinese Union Version" published in 1919. On the right half we see from the other side of a leaf, so left-right side reversed. Chinese translations of the Bible preceded those of Japanese Bible, and therefore the former had a great influence on the latter. Particularly many of the names of books of the Bible are even identical, see the left hand side of the photo, and translation of the terms for deity(ies) is adopted as it stands in Chinese Bible, too. Generally speaking, both Chinese and Japanese use the same characters for much of the vocabulary. I would like to point out there has been no room for German Bible to influence Japanese Bible as some lds circle rumors. I did years of research on this matter and plan to publish elsewhere.

A picture, taken around 1970, of an LDS group in Amagasaki, Japan

A picture, taken around 1970, of an LDS group in Amagasaki, Japan, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

The man far left in front is an LDS translator from Hong Kong. I am the third from right in front; beside me is my wife and daughter. I was the first branch president of this small LDS congregation in Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan. The picture was taken on 2nd floor of a building near Tsukaguchi station of Hankyu railway which we rented. Look at those smiling faces and the atmosphere they reflect! Very lively and we may assume they are enjoying the religion, Mormonism.

Aquapia, a small park near my house

MEMO0021, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

This is a small park affixed to "Aquapia," a little reference library of animals and plants in Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. I volunteer to take weeds out a few times a week. It is my favorite place to take a walk.

Chinese Bible

Chinese Bible, originally uploaded by Wesley Fryer.

I am now doing some research work on the Bible translations in China. It is a very interesting theme to me. Hopefully I plan to complete it before the end of the year and publish it as a digital book (paper).

Kodomo-no Shiro, "Children's Castle"

Kodomo-no Shiro, "Children's Castle", originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

I will give a talk on my book, "How should Mormonism be viewed? A Third View" at Kodomo-no Shiro, Tokyo, on Feb. 16, 13:00-15:00. Mis Machiko Takayama will also talk at the occastion. Anyone is welcome!

Jesus in Gethsemane

Jesus in Gethsemane, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

This is my favorite drawing of Jesus in Gethsemane as I saw it when I was a boy in my parents' house in Nishinomiya, Japan. It was embroidered on a cloth base. More magnificent, solemn, and impressive than those produced later by other artists. Very unfortunate that I could not show this picture to my lds Sunday School class today in Takatsuki, Osaka.

Jiro Numano, "How should Mormonism be viewed? A Third Viewpoint."

Jiro Numano, "How should Mormonism be viewed? A Third Viewpoint.", originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

It is a compilation of my lifework viz., how I see my own religion, Mormonism. Currently my stance is of an objective but understanding researcher/observer. The book includes LDS history in Japan and problems they face. It is written in Japanese.

The Last Supper by a Chinese artist

The Last Supper by a Chinese artist, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

I found a very good picture on a Chinese SMS site, QQ. Faces of deciples and Jesus are drawn to show western features, but the landscape behind is typically Chinese.

In Sophia Cathedral, Harbin, China

In Sophia Cathedral, Harbin, China, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

I felt I was treated with a wonderful singing group in this museum-turned cathedral. I would like to visit Harbin again.

A book to add to libraries

Books, originally uploaded by nnnnox.

I am about to finish writing a draft of my book on Mormonism in Japanese. It looks like a collection of my research papers, so I hope it will be edited to look more readable. The tentative title would be, "Mormonism I now know: a story by a convert who tries to be intellectually independent."

Mountain Meadows Massacre Memorial

Mountain Meadows Massacre Memorial, originally uploaded by briantravelman.

As the photographer says, the incident was the most un-Mormon tragedy. I am going to mention it in my forthcoming book on Mormonism in Japanese.

'Aqua-pia' in a park green. Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan

'Aqua-pia' in a park green. Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

I go to this small park near my house almost daily to tend the garden by weeding out. A voluntary work I cherish.

A house in Osaka, Japan

A house in Osaka, Japan, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

I live in this house with my wife. It is located in Takatsuki, Osaka. I am enjoying my retired life, reading, writing, attending various lectures, and taking a walk.

Students in Harbin and Elder Maxwell

Students in Harbin and Elder Maxwell, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

Back in 1982 Elder Neal A. Maxwell visited Harbin, China with Lamanite Generation performing group of Brigham Young University. He and students exchanged applaud. I found this photo while preparing for a presentation on lds presence in China in Calgary this June.

一本松 A Single Tree Survived

一本松 A Single Tree Survived, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

After the devastating 'tsunami,' a single pine tree remained alive for more than a year. But as sea water damaged its root, the community nearby of Northern Japan gave up the idea of protecting the tree. From its seeds people try to take over this strong tree's life into future. (The pictures are taken from Asahi Newspaper. A correspondent's name, Atsushi Yamanishi, is given in the photo article.)

At the funeral of Elder Hiroshi Aki

At the funeral of Elder Hiroshi Aki, originally uploaded by njflickrspace.

Another senior passed away 18 March, 2012.

Some Haikus in English Translation

Here are some of the best ‘haikus’ I received last Autumn in the Japanese Course of Chinese Faculty at Star College in Harbin, China. Enjoy the world-shortest verses which express the writers’ mind and the changing environment in which he or she lives.

Spring is here: almost everyone is out taking a walk.
--- Jia Haonan

Ever cherished but short-lived is our youthfulness.
--- Guo Tian-yi

Among friends the principles of trust should abound.
--- Chu Yuhang

Reflected up-side-down upon the surface of the lake is your face.
--- Ning Yue

Right at this moment, I long to be with you, my beloved!
--- Wang Yuting

Translation is done to transfer the meaning, rather than the form (number of syllables).　 (Translation is by Jiro Numano, the teacher)

Preparatory note of apology for 731st force operations

A Japanese language teacher in Harbin, I am planning to visit “The Site of the Japanese Army’s 731st Force” in March. The site is notorious for its operations of developing, experimenting and producing chemical weaponry during the last years of World War II. The force experimented various poison gases with civil living humans. The number amounted to 3,000 according to Chinese sources. I prepared a statement of apology in Chinese. The following is an English translation.

“As a Japanese, I feel very sorry for the fact that Japanese army developed such grievous weaponry, and that victimized countless citizens in its process. I should like to apologize those victims and their families from the bottom of my heart. I know that there is no room for any excuse. I am really sorry. I suppose the wound the Chinese people suffered and the grudge as well as unpleasant feelings you have toward Japan would not disappear easily. Though I was not involved in the damaging operations directly, I wish I could make up for the harm in the range of my capacity. And as one of the pro-China Japanese, I would like to cherish the close affinity I feel toward Chinese people and try to advance harmonious and cooperative relationships between the two nations.”

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

A Feeling on the Result of US Presidential Election

Lines that came to my mind on 5 November:

A sigh of relief I breathed
at the long-awaited change of the chief of state.
With the people of the whole world over
I yelled with delight.

At long last, the leader of America is going to be replaced
after the long four years. Even though the head of state there
be changed, what the current super power will do, insist, and
require would not change in essence. However, I would like to
have hope that it would at least shift its political postures
and would not make the same kind of mistakes the predecessor
(or the incumbent) has made.