Authur Binard Comes to ND

Arthur Binard, resident and scholar of Japan for 25 years, visited Notre Dame on September 21, 2015 to share with us some of what he has gleamed during his time in the country. His lecture was enlightening as to the true nature of the dropping of the atomic bombs.  The Fat Man bomb dropped on Nagasaki was more destructive than Little Boy, dropped on Hiroshima. This was due to the use of plutonium in Fat Man, versus uranium in Little Boy. Plutonium is a derivative of uranium, thus it takes longer to produce. While the actions of the U.S. officials might have overall saved lives, they at least partial disregarded the immediate issue, the greater good, for the extra time it took to produce the Nagasaki bomb. If they had simply made two plutonium bombs, it would have been more than enough to end the war. It is interesting how even those who are supposed to be taking world justice upon themselves can caught up in the vain science of the matter. The atomic bombings might have been justified in the end, but the half year delay and prolonging of the war was not.

ビナルダさん also read a series of thought provoking poems two days later. My favorite was the most famous poem in Japan as Binard called it, Rain Won't. The author's dedication to an austere and humble life (despite the puzzling amount of rice he consumes daily according to the original Japanese text) is inspiring. I was lucky enough to receive a translated copy of the work from ビナルダさん, signed by him.

The last page is the best page

Kyoto Station

Kyoto is primarily known for its history and beauty, but emerging from the hyper-contemporary Kyoto Station, one might wonder where to find the hundreds of years of culture and tradition that gave Kyoto its status. Being the hub of transportation in the city, Kyoto Station is an almost unavoidable stop during your visit.











It is among the largest railway stations in the world and can be considered one of the most impressive. It incorporates a shopping mall, hotel, movie theater, department store, and several local government facilities all in a single 15-story building. Lastly, find your way up to the open roof for the green terraces and enjoy a picnic with a view of Kyoto.

The Kyoto Station is big to the point that I feel that I would get lost, but that's what makes it sound like so much fun! Wandering around a foreign area, discovering places for the first time with no clue as to where I am, is my idea of a good trip! Putting everything on a schedule and planning exactly where you are going to visit is too rigid. Let yourself get lost and appreciate the moment!

"You should enjoy the little detours. To the fullest. Because that's where you'll find the things more important than what you want."

Day-to-Day

まいあさのはちじはん、おきます。あさごはんをたべません。がつこうにいきます。じゅぎょうがあります。ひる、ひるごはんをたべます。それからとしょかんにいきます。としょかんでべんきょうします。そしてしゅくだいをします。ばん、シャワーをあびます。それからねます。

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kyoto, known as The City of Ten Thousand Shrines, has one that stands out to me in particular - Fushimi Inari. The main shrine was constructed 1499, while the earliest structures date back to 711. It is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice in hopes of plentiful harvests. Foxes were considered to be Inari's messengers, so statues of foxes scatter the central area and the trails that go up the mountain, at the base of which the shrine is located.



These trails are lined with thousands of tori gates and smaller shrines along the way, leading up to the summit. While it is a 2-3 hour round trip, the ethereal beauty and view from the top makes it worth it. When I one day make it to Kyoto, this will definitely be one of my first stops!

This video offers some great highlights!

Introductions

こんにちは。

はじめまして。クアトロマニです。ぼくはあめりかじんです。　　　　　  　　　　　　ぼくのせんこうはいがくです。いちねんせです。どうぞよろしく。

ありがとうございます。