Ninja Mom

Nearly 2 months ago (cringe), I began a question and answer series on this blog. And between last time and this, many things have happened.  I’ve had this blog on my to-do list for literally 6 weeks. Surely that says something.

Anyhow, without further ado.

1. Two people were worshiping a god of fire? What reasons do people have for praying to Buddha?  

So, I believe that this is in reference to the opening scenes of the documentary. People were waving the smoke from the incense they had purchased onto themselves.  From what I understand, I’ve heard that waving the smoke is waving luck onto yourself.  I’ve also heard that it is believed to have healing powers

Going along those lines, people often go to the temples to pray during important seasons in their lives. For example, there is sickness in their lives or if a big test is coming up or they need money or things like that.  Those are the main reasons that I’ve heard from people that they go to pray.

2. How willing are they (Japanese that have accepted Christ) to help share their testimony with others?

Good question.  I think it varies, probably as it varies with many believers in various countries.  The Japanese can be very private people (did you know that most workers don’t have pictures of their family on their desks?).  But then there are people who are super ready to share it with everyone they meet.  In general, I’d say they are willing to share it, but I think a big influence for them will be how their discipler or whoever is mentoring them (if anyone is), helps them in learning to share.

3. Is there animosity for the older generations with regard to Americans from World War II? 

Personally, I have not come across anyone who expressed animosity toward Americans.  My friend, however, warned me when visiting her home that I had to wait for her to come out and get me because her elderly grandfather didn’t like Americans (or white people in general).  Her husband was a New Zealander, and it took him a while to be in good graces with the grandparents.

I haven’t experienced any, but I have heard stories here and there.  From my understanding, losing World War II was a very shameful thing for the Japanese (so much so that they re-wrote their military policies in response to it), so that is the more common feeling associated with it. It’s not a subject I bring up though… I try to stay away from discussing that and politics and a few other subjects, because they aren’t fruitful for me to discuss– but I am more than willing to listen in order to learn.

It’s purely a guess, but I would think that areas with strong American military presence (Okinawa, the different military bases around here) may have more older generations who are bitter or hold animosity toward the Americans.

And there we go!