Comments for Sayonara Amerika, Sayonara Nippon

Comment on Ray Davies at the Riviera, 3/13/2010 by bourdaghs

bourdaghs — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:51:31 +0000

Gregory: Thanks for the correction — you’re absolutely right, it was “Where Have All the Good Times Gone?” Glad to hear you got the autograph, and yes it was a fantastic show. Best, Michael

Comment on Ray Davies at the Riviera, 3/13/2010 by Gregory Malis w/Corey

Gregory Malis w/Corey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:25:14 +0000

I believe you meant “Where Have All The Good Times Gone?” instead of “Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy!” My son and I were front and center (probably why Ray kept pushing in his earplugs). Got Ray’s autograph on an old Soundstage Ticket from ‘78 (never took place sadly). Fantastic show!!! ~

Comment on A Novelist Re-Reads Kaitokudo by bourdaghs

bourdaghs — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:54:52 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Nianshen. The Japanese word Oe used for Said’s “will” was “ishi” (意志), with the sense of ‘resolve’ or ‘intention.’ As you note, though, there was a touch of nostalgia throughout the talk, though and a sense of sadness at the difficulty of maintaining “a quiet metaphoric reminder” (Najita’s words) of the importance of light, reason, and ethicality. I’m glad you were inspired by the speech, as was I.

Comment on A Novelist Re-Reads Kaitokudo by nianshen

nianshen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:22:02 +0000

It really was a successful speech and it broadened my understanding to Prof. Najita’s books. Thank you very much for the interpretation.

I was directed to here by googling the phrase “optimism as an act of will.” When I heard it yesterday I thought the word “will” was just referred to “desire” or “hope”, but after a second thought, I had this hypothesis that this “will” might refer to another thing, that a “wil” entrusted by someone who is leaving this world. Sadly, my Japanese is too bad to understand in what way Mr. Oe used this term. Neither could I find in what circumstances Said used this phrase.

Maybe I am just overinterpreting but I can’t helping sensing a concealed sadness in his speech, especially when he talked about Said, Miyoshi Masao and Najita (who has been fighting with illness for years). Like Said, Oe himself is being devoted to a battle (Constitusion and Art. 9) which, perhaps, is very hard to win. That action–to protect kogi and jingi, like what Kaitokudo scholars did 200 years ago–has true beauty in itself. Isn’t this bueaty,”in today’s world situation”, a representation of mono-no-awa-re?

Thank you again and hope can have your opinion on that.

Comment on He Keeps On Rollin’ by Linda

Linda — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:05:17 +0000

Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories with your readers.

Comment on Getting the Band Back Together by Linda

Linda — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:35:12 +0000

Yes!

Comment on Scary Disney Rides by Linda

Linda — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:42:12 +0000

Thanks for sharing the St. Vincent video–it’s great. Shoot, she’s playing at the El Rey tonight, too.

Comment on So Long, Asashoryu by John

John — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:28:29 +0000

If you’re into conspiracy theories, here’s a fairly interesting take on the incident: http://d.hatena.ne.jp/dokuhebiniki/20100205/1265339307

I guess what caught my eye though was Asashoryu’s jab at Uchidate during his press conference: 「品格、品格というけれども、勝負師としては土俵に上がると鬼にもなるものだ…」Man, I’m going to miss this guy…

Comment on So Long, Asashoryu by bourdaghs

bourdaghs — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:11:54 +0000

Yes, it is ironic that he is retiring at the same moment as his arch-nemesis Uchidate. She made a typically inane comment about it, full of left-handed compliments to Asashoryu and expressing hopes that “foreigners” around the world will be more sensitive to their host cultures. Sumo will carry on just fine without Uchidate’s contribution, but I am afraid attendance and tv ratings are going to bottom out without Asashoryu. Sigh.

Comment on So Long, Asashoryu by John

John — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:00:24 +0000

I too share your sadness. And just after Uchidate’s tenure with the shingikai finally ended! The 2008 epics between Hakuho and Asashoryu (sprinkled with the glorious moments from Kotooshu and (the artist formerly known as) Ama) was some of the best sumo I’ve ever seen. All I know is that now there will be fewer mornings where I wait to read the news sites before rushing to Youtube to catch the bouts from the night before. Misunderstood or not, one of the best sumo villains of recent memory.