Rage at Dawn

 Lunes, 27 de octubre de 2025: 

 In the early hours of the morning, I watched the following movie in the living room. I played the video streamed on YouTube by a Japanese licensing company.

 The Western film "Rage at Dawn" (Genre: Western. Country of Production: USA. Language: English. Release Date: February 5, 1952 (USA). Also known as: Seven Desperadoes. Filming Location: Chico, California, USA, Honey Run Covered Bridge. Japanese subtitles). 

 It was interesting.

 The story is based on the true story of the Reno brothers, who were active in Indiana in 1866. The train robbery scene is famous. I've seen it in other Western films as well.

 It's amazing that they produced such a film only seven years after the end of World War II.

 Some reviews in the US describe it as a "B-movie Western," apparently because the filming location doesn't match the "atmosphere" of "Southern Indiana," and "it only looks like California."

 However, even watching this film in 2025 while living on the other side of the world, I can't discern any such difference in "atmosphere."

In China and Korea, diagnosing illnesses by tasting feces was practiced.

 〘Tasting Feces〙

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Excerpt.

Provisional translation

[Overview]

 Tasting feces (shōfun) is a method of diagnosis by tasting human feces. It is said to have been practiced in ancient China and in Korea until the Joseon Dynasty. In Confucianism, when performed for one's parents, it was considered a form of filial piety, and anecdotes remain.

[China]

 The story "Tasting Feces and Worrying"

 A record of diagnosis by examining excrement can be found in the anecdote in "Wu Yue Chunqiu: Goujian's Entry into Service," where during the Spring and Autumn period, when King Goujian of Yue was a prisoner under King Fuchai of Wu, Goujian, in order to make Fuchai believe that he was completely subservient, tasted Fuchai's feces while he was ill and said that he would soon recover. 

 Based on this anecdote, "tasting feces" is also used to mean "flattering someone and having no shame." People who are excessively flattering, like some Japanese people, are called "tasting feces people" (people who lick other people's feces) [1]. The taste of the feces was said to be bitter [2].  

 This is similar to the anecdote of "sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall," where one tastes bitter bear bile to remember humiliation (Refer to the Triple Intervention by Russia (1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904)).

 Afterward, stories of tasting feces can also be found in anecdotes from the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty. The story of "Tasting Feces and Worrying" remains in "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars" and "Diary Anecdotes." According to this story, during the Southern Qi Dynasty, an official named Yu Qianlou returned home due to his father's illness, and the doctor told him that he wouldn't know the condition unless he tasted the feces. Yu Qianlou said it was easy and tasted it, and because the taste was different, he realized his father's death was imminent and prayed to the Big Dipper to take his place.

[Korea]

 In Tomo Imamura's "Filial Sons and Virtuous Daughters of Korea" in "Collection of Korean Customs," it states:

　6. When a parent is ill, one tastes their feces. The passage states: "If the taste of the stool is sweet and smooth, the illness will not be completely cured. If the taste of the stool is bitter and rough, complete recovery will occur.  According to this tradition, one can test whether an illness will be cured or not. Since bile is present in the stool, it usually has a bitter taste. Sweet-tasting stool is probably nonexistent." [3]

The Lair

 Domingo, 26 de octubre de 2025: 

 Late at night (or rather, in the early hours of the morning), I watched "The Lair" (2022, a co-production of the UK, USA, and Hungary. Original language: English. Japanese dubbed version) in the living room. 

 When it comes to making this kind of film, the UK and the USA are truly exceptional. The visual effects were excellent, and it was incredibly entertaining.

 It seems to have been inspired by the "Resident Evil" series, but the feeling that anything could happen in Afghanistan, and that the former Soviet Union (like present-day Russia and China) would have done anything possible, made this film feel realistic and enjoyable.

 After watching this film, I checked the online reviews and was surprised to find that the ratings were incredibly low (on a representative Japanese film review site, as of October 26, 2025, it had a score of 2.2 out of 5 points. https://eiga.com/movie/99600/).

 However, this is quite common. Just like on Amazon and other sites, people tend to be harsh when giving anonymous online reviews.

Roswell incident

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roswell_incident

The Roswell Incident (1980 book)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roswell_Incident_(1980_book)

　As of October 26, 2025, there is not available Japanese version.

UFO conspiracy theories

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_conspiracy_theories

　As of October 26, 2025, there are 14 language versions available, but a Japanese version is not among them.

MADE IN DAGENHAM

 "MADE IN DAGENHAM" (2010, UK (BBC)).

 I previously watched the Japanese subtitled version. 

 It's a wonderful film. It's truly a British film. It's based on a true story.

 It's a so-called "socially conscious" film, with no flashy production and no star actors, so I wonder if it won't be broadcast on free-to-air television.

 By the way, as an aside, according to Japanese media reports, Japan's new prime minister has declared that he will pursue "heavy metal politics." Due to my lack of knowledge, I don't know what this "heavy metal politics" is. It may be a gimmick to get a laugh, but that's irrelevant.

 According to foreign media reports, she was a drummer in a heavy metal band during her student days. She also apparently rode around on a large motorbike. This was during her student days, nearly 50 years ago.

 In short, they want to portray her as "amazing women" who have broken the stereotype of Japanese women as submissive, demure, quiet, polite, and meek.

 However, this is a "myth" that is far removed from reality.

 "Girl bands" are not at all uncommon. When "Princess Princess" appeared on the scene in the mid-1980s, they were the first "all-girl band" to have a string of hits, and they surprised young people at the time. However, it was not uncommon for girls to be band members and play instruments even before that.

 In the 1970s, girls and even old ladies rode motorbikes and scooters.

 Indeed, there are countless Japanese women who "pretend" to be submissive, demure, quiet, polite, and meek. However, if truly polite Japanese women exist, I think they are likely to be upper-class "young ladies" who have been exceptionally blessed with exceptionally favorable family environments, educational environments, and neighborhoods, and who have been extremely well-bred. Since I have no connection to the "upper class," I have never seen such a "young lady."

 The reality in Japanese villages is the exact opposite. It's safe to say that Japanese women are more likely to turn into cockroaches or two-year-olds than Japanese men.

 A female frog, with only her face camouflaged as a pink camouflage, sits atop a portable shrine carried by a group of black male frogs in a narrow well. This is a scene that is frequently seen by those living in Japan.

 The new female Minister of Finance is similar.

 It's understandable that she may have emotional resentment after a falling out with her ex-husband and divorcing him. However, it's difficult to say that she is entirely free of responsibility, including the process leading up to her official marriage. Decades after remarrying another man, she exposed her married life from several decades ago to major media outlets, while her ex-husband was facing the greatest crisis of his life.

 In her exposé, she spoke of her ex-husband as if he were a crazy, abnormal person, and someone with the lowest morals and character. Can we trust a female politician who behaves in this way?

 The above statements and actions were not made in conversation with friends or relatives, at a lecture, or posted on her social media accounts. She spoke in interviews with major media outlets. She spoke after becoming a member of parliament and winning multiple elections, and it was as a sitting member of parliament (a person of national power who also represents the people; a special civil servant) that she exposed them to major media outlets.

 This is a despicable and cowardly tactic. At the same time, it is a typical tactic frequently used by "Japanese women."

 The Finance Minister said, "Even before we got married, my ex-husband, the governor of Tokyo, intended to use me as an accessory; he only married me because he wanted my title (graduated from the University of Tokyo, was an elite employee at the Ministry of Finance, was Miss Tokyo University; his parents had impressive occupations and titles). He didn't love me, and after we got married, I had a very unpleasant experience in my private life."

 She said, "My ex-husband lined up a bunch of knives on the table in the kitchen and said, 'I'll use these to...'" If this story, told in an interview with a major media outlet, had been a lie, it would be considered defamation (to the average person, this story gives the impression that the ex-husband, the governor, is violent, has a strong desire to dominate and conquer, and is a psychopath with the mentality of a violent criminal), so it's likely that something like this happened at home.

 But why would she expose this to the media at a time when her ex-husband, the governor, was facing the biggest crisis of his life?

 What if the roles were reversed? How would the public react if a middle-aged man did the same thing to his ex-wife, whom he divorced decades ago? What would people say if that man were a current member of parliament?

 If the person were a woman, even a veteran incumbent member of parliament who had been elected multiple times, she might receive sympathy, with comments like, "That must have been tough. It must have been difficult." However, if a man were to do the same thing, he would be criticized and insulted, with comments like, "What a shameful, pathetic, and despicable man!" He could even risk losing his status and power because of his effeminacy.

 In other words, this is the kind of behavior that is unacceptable to "humans" but is acceptable to "women." As a member of parliament for the ruling party, rather than trying to change a society that allows "despicable behavior that is only acceptable to women," she is instead exploiting this gender gap. This "society" is undoubtedly a "male-dominated society."

 Rather than trying to change this "male-dominated society," the newly appointed Finance Minister is taking advantage of the society and exploiting "women."

 Some people say that these women are trying to change male-dominated society and male-dominated politics. However, it is clear that this is nothing more than a myth far removed from reality. They have their base in a "male-dominated society."

 I fear that when the people are in truly difficult situations, these women will not put their lives on the line and sacrifice their own lives to work (like the protagonist in the film above), but will instead betray the people and take the side of the "strong people." This is precisely the typical way of life of a "Japanese woman."

 The story that the new prime minister is a Thatcher admirer has been picked up not only by Japanese mass media but also by foreign mass media (such as the BBC).

 Who she like is a matter of personal preference, so there's no point in others commenting. However, bringing up the name of a world-famous celebrity that everyone knows is boring. There's nothing more to say. All we'll hear is, "Oh, I see. That's impressive. Good luck."

 A politician worthy of becoming prime minister should, in a good way, be a little more creative.

 If I were her close aide or brain trust (though this is highly unlikely), I would have her mention the name "Barbara Castle."

 Mrs Barbara Castle is a real politician who appears in the film mentioned above. She served as a minister in the Wilson administration. I think that if she had become British Prime Minister before Thatcher, the subsequent history of Britain would have been very different. This was a time when the New Détente had collapsed and the storm of neo-conservatism was beginning to rage, so in reality it would have been difficult (it took a long time for the Blair administration to be formed).

 Very few Japanese people know the names of the British female politicians mentioned above. She doesn't even have a Japanese Wikipedia page. (As of October 25, 2025, there are 18 language versions, including English, but no Japanese. In addition to major Western languages, there are also Chinese, Arabic, Pashto, Russian, Welsh, Basque, Comish, Polish, Romanian, Albanian, and Swedish. However, there is no Japanese version. This is common...)

　　https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Castle

 If Japan's new prime minister were to mention the name of one of Mrs Barbara Castle mentioned above, people would naturally say, "Who's that? I've never heard of her." Then they would ask her, "What kind of person is she? What did she do? Why do you respect her?" New prime minister would then answer those questions appropriately. I believe that anyone who heard her response would have a very different impression of the new prime minister.

 Alternatively, I think she could have mentioned Queen Elizabeth I. Those who hear that answer will likely get the impression that the new prime minister has studied British politics and history thoroughly.

 Furthermore, if new prime minister had said something like, "My favorite book is Edmund Burke. As a politician, I consider him my lifelong mentor," it would be almost perfect. It would completely change the impression people have of the new prime minister.

 Of course, lies and superficial explanations would be immediately obvious, so she needs to read many classic works on the history of British parliamentary politics and the history of Western international relations.

 The above answer is more effective than bringing up a cheesy old story like, "Once upon a time, when I was a student, I was in a heavy metal band and rode around on a big motorcycle," which makes it seem like she's "not a weak woman, but a strong, tomboyish woman." 

 It would give the impression both at home and abroad that Japan's new prime minister is (unusually) intelligent, well-versed in Western politics and history, and intellectually sophisticated.

 Also, rather than telling a boring, sob story like, "I passed the entrance exams to Waseda and Keio universities, but my parents said, 'We can't let a girl live alone in Tokyo. We can't afford that,' so I gave up and went to Kobe University," I think it would make a better impression if she said, "I went to Kobe University because I admired it more than Waseda."

 I can see that she has good fashion sense. But an appearance advisor alone is not enough for someone with the highest authority in the nation. It would be best if she had people around her who could "coordinate her words," but that may not be possible in Japan. 

 If she had someone to advise her on words, she wouldn't have declared, immediately after sitting in the prime minister's chair, "From now on, I'm aiming for heavy metal politics." 

 It was probably a statement aimed at appealing to the masses, but it was hard to understand and left people feeling put off.

 It is rare to find people of either gender in Japan with the same caliber of talent as the current White House Press Secretary or last year's Democratic presidential candidate (who, according to her new book, was criticized by the president's aides for being "too good at giving speeches." In fact, she was a better speaker than the previous president and gave the impression of being smarter, which is probably why she was disliked by the president's aides). These women are educated and trained from elementary school in discussion, debate, Q&A, presentations, negotiation and persuasion skills.

 I hope that the new prime minister will not go abroad and say, "I'm a heavy metal politician."

ELECTRIC INDIGO

 Jueves, 23 de octubre de 2025: 

 Le soir, dans une pièce de style japonais, j'ai branché un graveur Blu-ray Panasonic DMR-BRW520 (fabriqué en 2017) et enregistré sur un disque dur USB. Diffusion sur BS12, BS222, 20h25. « SHORT FILM THEATER » 『ELECTRIC INDIGO』(2013, 24 minutes, Belgique/France. Langues originales : anglais et français. Sous-titres japonais).

 C'est un excellent film, la quintessence du cinéma français, tel que je l'ai toujours imaginé. En 24 minutes, il condense et dépeint parfaitement l'un des problèmes les plus graves et les plus perturbants de la vie humaine.

« Du champagne pour les vrais amis. Une vraie souffrance pour les faux amis. »

 At night, in a Japanese-style room, I connected a DIGA (Panasonic DMR-BRW520 BLU-RAY RECORDER, manufactured in 2017) and recorded to a USB HDD. Broadcast on BS12, BS222, 2025.10.10pm. "SHORT FILM THEATER" 『ELECTRIC INDIGO』(2013, 24 minutes, Belgium/France. Original languages: English and French. Japanese subtitles).

 This is an excellent film that is a quintessential French film, just as I've always imagined it. In 24 minutes, it perfectly condenses and depicts one of the most troublesome and serious problems in human life.

 "Champagne for true friends. Real pain for fake friends."

The great Poop Culture of Koreans!?

  This introduces the sophisticated stool culture of the Korean people, taken from Wikipedia.

 As of October 23, 2025, only the Japanese version exists (there are no Korean or Chinese versions).

 An excerpt from the Japanese article.

 This is a provisional translation to facilitate the creation of English, French, and Spanish versions.

 I have corrected typos and omissions. Since it is impossible to translate Japanese directly into English, I have modified the Japanese sentences as necessary to make them easier to translate into English.

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Feces_Use_in_Korea

〘Use of Human Poop in Korea〙

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article discusses the use of human poop in Korea.

【Summary】

[Use in Agriculture and Livestock]

 In the Korean Peninsula, human feces and urine were used as fertilizer at least as early as the Joseon Dynasty.[1][2] In addition, pigs were sometimes raised around latrines and fed on human feces.[3]

 Due to a shortage of chemical fertilizer in North Korea, human feces collection, known as the "Compost Battle," is held every January. This "battle" is still ongoing as of 2023.[4] In the "battle," all factories and people's groups are assigned quotas. To meet these quotas, human feces are sometimes bought and sold.[5][4]

 In North Korea, human feces are valuable as fertilizer, and it is considered wasteful to use them carelessly. 

 Therefore, when North Korea launched balloons loaded with human poop into South Korea in 2024, animal feces were apparently used.[6]

【Medicinal Uses, etc.】

 In the Korean Peninsula, there are also treatments using herbal medicines derived from human excrement and related products, as recorded in the Donguibogam and other sources.[8]

【Folk Remedies】

 Folk remedies also include the use of human feces.[3] Imamura's "Koreans' Amateur Treatment of Disease, Prohibitions, and Superstitions," in the Collection of Korean Customs, lists the following six therapies using human feces:

　Wrap human feces in “black candy", let it soak for three nights, and then swallow it as a pill.

　“Roast human poop" and hold it between your teeth.

　Smear human feces on rubble and stone, heat it, then add it to water and drink the water.

　Mix human poop with salt and apply it to the face.

　Walk across a ditch, smear it with your own feces, and then cross the ditch again.

　In winter, mix human feces with powdered licorice, fill a bamboo tube with it, bury it underground, and dig it out in the summer, dry it in the sun, and drink the powder.[9]

 Another custom, known as tasting feces, is practiced by children, who lick their parents' feces to determine their health. There are many related anecdotes.[3]

【Other】

 According to the "Memorial Records of the Three Kingdoms," the queen of Silla was chosen based on “the big size of her poop”.[3]

 One myth from the Korean Peninsula states that mountains and rivers were formed by the excrement of gods. Furthermore, excrement symbolizes wealth, good fortune, and longevity, and dreaming of obtaining excrement or stepping in it while traveling is considered good luck.[10]

【Footnotes】

"Line of 'poop trucks' in the middle of Pyongyang... Self-proclaimed nuclear power's 'compost battle'". JoongAng Ilbo (January 23, 2023). Accessed June 9, 2024.

"Collecting human poop: the most painful and difficult task for North Korean citizens". Newsweek (January 16, 2019). Accessed June 9, 2024.

"Dropping livestock dung from the sky...'filth balloons'. "An Expert Explains the Differences Between North and South Korea's "Filth." Abema Times (June 4, 2024). Accessed June 9, 2024.

"The Great Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine," Editorial Committee for the Great Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yukonsha (Drugs Edition), May 1983, p. 8.

"[Fountain] Human Feces." JoongAng Ilbo (August 20, 2010). Archived from the original as of October 16, 2021.

Imamura, "Collection of Korean Customs," Shidokan, 1914, p. 435.

Choi, 2006, pp. 271–2.

Ito, Kazuhiko, "History of Sino-Korean Relations Before the 7th Century," Hosei University Faculty of Economics Association (Keizai Shirin 87 (3/4)), March 20, 2020, p. 180.

Let's all drink it! Poop Sake!

  This article introduces "ttongsul (feces liquor)," a traditional Korean alcoholic beverage, from Wikipedia.

 As of October 23, 2025, the Wikipedia entry for "ttongsul" exists in five languages: Japanese, Chinese, English, Bahasa Indonesia, and Italian. Of these, the Japanese version is the most detailed, so I have translated the parts not included in the English version into English.

 Perhaps the lack of a Korean version is due to the fact that it is considered a "national shame"?

 The English version states, "In modern South Korea, the use of ttongsul is considered extremely rare, to the extent that most South Koreans have never heard of it.[13][14] In recent years, a Vice Japan video on ttongsul[13] drew criticism in South Korea, with some South Koreans arguing the rare practice was being disproportionately magnified by the Japanese right wing to mock Korean people.[14][15]"

 I don't know if this statement was edited by a Korean (or Korean-American), but it is a statement that contradicts the facts.

 Some Koreans are particularly adept at labeling any pointing out of historical facts that they find subjectively or emotionally inconvenient as false claims or hostile activity by "extreme right-wing forces in Japan," labeling them as hate speech or racism, or shifting the focus to issues of "perception."

 As the following footnote makes clear, the Korean culture of using human feces, which has continued from ancient times to the present day, is well known internationally. South Koreans and North Koreans still habitually use (or abuse?) human feces today. It has nothing to do with the activities of Japan's (political) "extreme right." 

 Of course, I am neither "extreme right-wing" nor "extreme left-wing."

 Furthermore, the Chinese version of the "Poop liquor (糞酒)" page does not contain the biased labeling seen in the English version above, which suggests that "Japanese right-wing forces are exaggerating an extremely rare case and making fun of Koreans." https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B3%9E%E9%85%92

 It's not uncommon for Koreans or Korean-Americans to edit English Wikipedia pages and post false statements, but it's rare to see ethnically, ideologically, or politically biased statements like "Japanese far-right..." in the Chinese version.

 I cannot read Bahasa Indonesia, so I does not understand the statements in the Bahasa Indonesia version.

 Tentative translation by the blog administrator. The blog administrator corrected typos in the Japanese version. The blog administrator made appropriate corrections to Japanese sentences that were difficult to translate into English.

〘Tongsul〙

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AB

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about a Korean medicine.

Ttongsul [1]

【overview】

 Tongsul (English: Ttongsul) is a medicinal liquor made from human feces in the Korean Peninsula (South and North Korea). [2] It is a traditional Korean medicine. In the past, dried powdered human feces was called yainggon [3], and its decoction was called yainggonsu [3].

 The Donguibogam (Donguibogam), a medical book from the Joseon Dynasty, states that human feces soup is a secret remedy for food poisoning from poultry or game meat, one sho (1 liter) of human feces is a secret remedy for poisonous mushroom poisoning, and feeding human feces to seriously ill people is a secret remedy. Korean singers drank filtered human feces water to soothe their throats. [4]

 Tongsul is a type of folk remedy, the preparation of which varies depending on the region of the Korean Peninsula, and has been enjoyed as a traditional liquor believed to be effective for fractures, bruises, and back pain.

 In South Korea, the number of people drinking tongsul has gradually decreased since the economic development that began in the mid-1960s, and by the 2010s it was falling out of favor among younger generations.

In a 2017 modern drama, parents visit someone their daughter has injured and bring tongsul as a cure. The young man unknowingly drinks it and suffers a mental shock that leaves him bedridden, but when he wakes up, his injuries have completely healed.

 In 2013, a video of its production was released, and in 2020 it was exhibited at the Disgusting Food Expo.[1][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

【Recipe】

 Various recipes have been passed down.[1]

 A bamboo tube is inserted into a rural pit toilet, and the excrement that clogs the bamboo is mixed with alcohol and drunk.[12]

 A small hole is drilled in the bamboo tube, tightly sealed with pine needles, and the tube is placed in a stool jar. After 3-4 months, a clear liquid accumulates inside the tube. This liquid is then mixed with makgeolli and allowed to mature.[13]

 In urgent cases, the liquor and excrement can be directly mixed and drunk within about three days.[13] However, hastily made tongsul has little medicinal effect, a strong odor, and is difficult to drink.

 Cooked baby feces and various herbal medicines (such as cat bones) are soaked in alcohol.[14] It is said to be effective in treating all illnesses.

 The feces of a six-year-old child are mixed with water and allowed to ferment for a day. Next, cooked rice, yeast, and feces and urine are mixed together to make a liquor.[15][1] It is said to be effective for fractures, bruises, back pain, and even epilepsy.

【Human feces liquid medicine in the Korean Peninsula】

 The "Treasure Mirror of Eastern Medicine" (a UNESCO World Record Heritage) lists a recipe for "Hakkangtang" (Yinren Ganshui).

 In herbal medicine, human (or other animal) feces and urine are commonly used as medicines or medicinal ingredients. In the Korean Peninsula, where traditional Chinese medicine was introduced from China, human feces were also used as a liquid medicine. This medicine, called "Hakkangtang" or "Yinren Ganshui,"[16] is said to be drunk when a person goes mad from a fever. It is made by burning dried human feces and dissolving it in water. Dried human feces powder is called "yainggon," and a decoction of this powder is called "yainggonsu." This is a harsh medicine used to treat the severe symptoms of "shanghan madness" (which would be considered circulatory system disorders and loss of consciousness due to illnesses such as typhoid fever in modern times).

 The harshest treatment (to cure madness) is incineration, in which the patient's face is thrust into a fire and the flames are inhaled through the patient's nostrils.[16] It is known that Dae Jang Geum, a female physician from the 15th-16th century Joseon Dynasty, prescribed this medicine to the 11th king of Korea, Jungjong, as a fever reducer.[17][18]

 In addition, in Korea, many herbal medicines derived from humans are used as folk remedies, and human feces have been used medicinally. According to the Dongui Bogam, "If someone becomes poisoned after eating meat, they should be given human feces soup." It also says, "If someone becomes poisoned by poisonous mushrooms, they should be given one sho (1.8 liters) of human feces." There is also a story that an ancient Korean singer drank human feces water to clear his throat.[4]

 Imamura's "Collection of Korean Customs," a collection of Korean customs from the period of Japan's occupation of Korea, contains records of human fecal therapy, including a treatment for two-day malaria, such as "swallowing a pill made by wrapping human feces in black candy and exposing it to night fog for three days," a treatment for swelling, such as "applying a paste made by mixing human feces with salt," a treatment for typhoid, such as "applying human feces to tiles, heating it, and drinking the water," and a treatment for tooth decay, such as "roasting human feces and placing it in the teeth."[20]

【Tongsul in the 21st Century and Beyond】

 On July 31, 2009, RocketNews24 (β) published an article introducing tongsul.[12] The article introduced the blog of a Japanese woman who had married into Korea, describing her confusion over the traditional Chinese medicine known as "poop wine" after encountering tongsul at her new home. The article stated, "It appears to be particularly popular in rural Korea."[12][2]

 On November 9, 2012, Rocket News 24 discovered a secret tongsul dealer after a six-month secret investigation and purchased some from him. The news reported that tongsul is still produced in modern-day South Korea, and that it cannot be purchased in stores but can be ordered in advance and purchased directly from a tongsul seller.[14]

 The method that Rocket News 24 investigated involves baking a child's feces in an electric oven at 250°C for 30 minutes, causing a foul odor that reverberates throughout the neighborhood. Koreans then soak the feces in alcohol along with traditional Chinese medicine and cat bones for at least two months, resulting in a brown liquid. A video of actress Chie Nomura drinking tongsul was released.[21]

 On December 28, 2012, an article was published in which five members of the girl air band "Doppelganger," Hojo Mami, Kato Haruka, Oda Asami, Yui Kaori, and Kato Momoko, were given the secret ingredients and asked for their impressions.[22]

 On August 17, 2013, VICE Japan reporter Uchida Yuka interviewed Dr. Lee Chang-soo and tried the tongsul that he had made in front of her. However, she vomited on the way home. An article and video of the experience were published.[23]

 On the 20th, the British newspaper Daily Mail[1] reported the same, and on the 22nd, China's Global Times, citing Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po[15], and on the 23rd, China's Guangzhou Daily (Chinese version) also cited the Daily Mail.[24]

 In the 2017 Korean drama "Strong Woman Do Bong-soon" (which recorded the highest viewer ratings of any JTBC drama),[25] there is a scene in episode 10 where the heroine's mother (from Seoul) visits the people she injured in the hospital and brings them dongsul. The people fall ill due to the psychological shock of drinking dongsul. However, when they wake up, their injuries are healed (episode 11).[11]

 In 2020, dongsul was exhibited at the Swedish Food Disgust Expo.[6][7][8][9][10]

【Footnotes】

Sarah Griffiths, "Bottoms up? The bizarre traditional Korean rice wine that uses human poo to 'heal' everything from broken bones to epilepsy," Daily Mail, August 20, 2013

"'Koreans Drink Tongsul': Controversy over Japanese Article," Herald Economics (March 10, 2010)

"National Diet Library Digital Collection: Cold," Corrected Eastern Medical Mirror, Incurable Diseases, Volume 3, by Togai Tobei, 1724

[Fountain] Human Feces, Kim Nam-jung, Editorial Writer, JoongAng Ilbo, August 20, 2010

Korean Human Feces Liquor "Tongsul" - Korean Poo Wine, VICE Japan, August 16, 2013

Foerster, Emma (August 23, 2019). "Disgusting Food Museum - 80 of the world's most disgusting "Faeces wine? Revolting alcohol on show at Disgusting Food Museum | New Straits Times" (English). disgustingfoodmuseum.com. Accessed September 14, 2020.

"Poop wine? Vile alcohol on show at Swedish Disgusting Food Museum." Moneycontrol. Accessed September 14, 2020.

AFP (September 13, 2020). "Faeces wine? Revolting alcohol on show at Disgusting Food Museum | New Straits Times" (English). NST Online. Accessed September 14, 2020.

AFP (September 13, 2020). "Faeces wine? Revolting alcohol on show at Disgusting Food Museum | New Straits Times" (English). NST Online. Accessed September 14, 2020.

"Strong Woman Do Bong-soon" DVD Box, Episodes 10-11, JTBC

"What is Tongsul, the Traditional Korean Liquor Made from Human Feces?" Rocket News 24 (β) (July 31, 2009). Archived from the original on August 2, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Gyeongnam Ilbo (October 15, 2007). Accessed August 8, 2009. Column by Kang Seong-ju, Chief of the Police Affairs Division, Gyeongnam National Police Agency.

Kuzo (November 9, 2012). "Obtaining Tongsul, the Traditional Korean Liquor Made from Human Feces / Still on Sale, and Cats are Used as Ingredients." Rocket News 24. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2019.

A secret "medicinal liquor" passed down in Korea for hundreds of years is actually made from the feces of a 6-year-old child, Focus-Asia, August 22, 2013

"National Diet Library Digital Collection: Cold," Revised Eastern Medical Mirror, Incurable Diseases Volume 3, by Togai Tobei, 1724.

"King Sejong the Great Loved Meat... Obesity and Diabetes," Dong-A Ilbo, August 22, 2005, 03:11, accessed August 24, 2013

"Changes in Medicine as Seen through the Treatment of Illnesses of Joseon Kings," Kim Jeong-seon, Graduate School of Medicine, Seoul National University

Imamura, "Collection of Korean Customs: Complete," Shidokan, 1914, p. 426

"I Tried Tongsul, the Traditional Korean Liquor Made with Human Feces / It's Exactly the Color of Poop, but Tastes Like Herbal Liquor." Rocket News 24 (November 11, 2012). Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2019.

"[Tongsul] I Had Five Beautiful Women Try Korean Poop Liquor / Girl: "It Tastes Like Fine Wine" → Reporter: "There's Poop in It" → Girl: "No Poop, Ughー＝ッ！！！！！" Rocket News 24 (December 28, 2012). Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Accessed October 22, 2019.

Let's take a look at Korea's secret human feces liquor, "Tongsul," from its manufacturing process to its taste! (Archived as of August 19, 2013) VICE JAPAN, August 17, 2013. Accessed September 1, 2013.

A Japanese female journalist tastes Korea's secret "Tongsul," made from the feces of a 6-year-old child - Chinese newspaper (Archived as of August 25, 2013). Xinhua Economics, August 23, 2013. Accessed September 1, 2013.

"Park Bo-gum and Park Bo-young win Best Actor and Best Picture awards in Korean dramas...'Moonlight Drawn by Clouds' Best Picture Award (2)." JoongAng Ilbo - Providing the latest Korean news in Japanese. Accessed July 23, 2022.

NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA

 Lunes, 20 de octubre de 2025: 

 This night, I watched the following film.

　Connected to a SHARP AQUOS, recorded on a USB HDD, broadcast on June 27, 2021, from 0:00 to 3:10, NHK BS Premium, Premium Cinema "Nicholas and Alexandra" (Nicholas and Alexandra, subtitled, English, 1971, UK).

 I stopped playback at "Intermission." I decided to watch the remaining half later.

Martes, 21 de octubre de 2025: 

 This night, I watched the rest of the above-mentioned "Nicholas and Alexandra." I watched about the remaining half, starting with "Intermission."

 A true British film. A masterpiece. I watched the film wondering, "How is Nicholas II portrayed in a British film made during the Cold War?"

 The building's interior, furnishings, and clothing were also magnificent. I think this was possible only in Britain, where there are so many grand aristocratic mansions. Building such a large film set for a movie is both physically and financially difficult. That said, there's no way they would let them use the Kremlin.

 However, unlike the White House, which is open to the public and even allows filming in the Oval Office, we don't know what the interior of the Kremlin was like at the time, so historical accuracy is limited and some imagination is likely involved.

 Tlotsky, Lenin, Witte, Rasputin, and Nicholas II all look so similar to the real people that I was impressed, thinking, "They managed to gather so many actors together." Of course, it's not just about facial resemblance; they also need to be top-notch actors to be chosen for leading roles in such a historical epic.

 Since the original language is English, it can feel a little strange when watching with subtitles, but that's probably unavoidable. 

 Even if the Soviet Union had been allowed to make such a blockbuster film at the time, it would likely have been biased (as in China, North Korea, and South Korea, where the government would likely have provided funding, either directly or indirectly), and (like the dramas mass-produced in China and South Korea and distributed virtually free all over the world) it would likely have been a parade of unfunny distortions of historical facts, "myths" to incite and brainwash the public, outrageous exaggerations and delusions, and a dark past to justify the current political system and power structure.

 I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I will generally refrain from mentioning anything related to the plot.

 The film begins during the Battle of Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War, with Russia debating whether to abandon Port Arthur and retreat, or to hold out against the "third-rate" Japanese army.

 Although it's not mentioned in the film, at this point, it was impossible for the Russian army to "withdraw." The only option available was "surrender."

 In the film, the Tsar insists on holding on to the Port Arthur fortress, against the advice of military experts and the Prime Minister, giving the impression of being stubborn and rigid, but if Russia had abandoned Port Arthur, there was a risk of further defeat. The Tsar's decision to hold out until the arrival of the Baltic Fleet was not necessarily wrong at this point.

 The problem was the decade following the end of the Russo-Japanese War.

 Lenin realized after the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War that an autocratic tsarist state could not win a modern war against a modern state that had introduced a constitutional monarchy (I read this somewhere in a book by Lenin I read a long time ago. I forget the title, but I think it was an Iwanami Bunko edition). Nicholas II was bound by traditional thinking, and it would have been difficult for the Tsar to accept the introduction of a "constitutional monarchy" voluntarily or by succumbing to internal political pressure, so the best he could do was open the Duma.

 Even after that, due in part to the political intervention of Rasputin and Tsar's wife, there were continued political errors of judgment. While there were times when his "doting husband" side backfired and led to the worst possible outcome, it cannot be denied that his adherence to traditional policies lacked the flexibility to compromise with rapidly changing realities.

 As a result, Russian politics lacked a political apparatus capable of aggregating the interests of the vast lower classes of society and reflecting them in national politics.

 In peacetime, Russia could get by on the "mercy of the Tsar," but it was unable to adapt to the wartime mobilization system required for modern wars against major powers. It was unable to create a modern wartime economy or to establish a modern food rationing system.

 Wars waged by medieval autocratic states were fought by "mercenaries" recruited by "houses" (such as the Habsburgs), and because they were based on religious, traditional, and psychological relationships of master and servant (loyalty), even if a "house" was defeated in a war, it was rare for a revolution to immediately destroy it.

 However, in modern wartime mobilization, the government forcibly mobilizes the "masses" and semi-forces "workers" to work. This involves an economic exchange relationship (the concept of monetary compensation) based on bread, butter, and milk. There's a scene in the film where a group of old women risk their lives to attack a bakery's back yard, but under an imperial autocratic regime, such people could not be included in society.

 This led to anger and hatred directed at the imperial family due to their poverty, and they were seen as brutal "tyrants." Because soldiers were also recruited from the "masses," this created a rebellious mentality. This became the social foundation for revolution and was an indirect reason for Lenin and his allies' success in manipulating the masses.

 There's a scene where the emperor personally sees his soldiers off at the train station, putting his arm around them and calling them "my friend," but in times of hardship, they would seek "bread" rather than the emperor's mercy. There are limits to how much traditional loyalty can be used to get people to fight.

 Stalin was aware of this, and in order to prevent soldiers from deserting, he set up firing squads to shoot at his own troops from behind, killing a considerable number of them (naturally, the exact number of casualties is unknown).

 On the other hand, given the circumstances at the time, it is difficult to say that Nicholas II's judgment was entirely wrong.

 If Kerensky had accepted support from the United States and Britain (especially the introduction of American capital), he would have been able to hold out on the Eastern Front and wear down Germany. Kerensky likely wanted to avoid being subjected to the political and economic influence of the United States and Britain after the war, but this was also a misjudgment.

 If he had accepted American aid, he might have been able to become a "victorious nation" even if he had not been able to win a direct battle against Germany.

 Stalin was able to defeat Nazi Germany thanks to American support through Lend-Lease (Roosevelt was surrounded by Comintern spies and was to an extent manipulated by the Comintern; the same can be said for the Hull Note; Venona Papers). It would have been difficult for the Soviet Union to defeat Germany's overwhelming military power alone.

 A series of misfortunes arose: the influence of Rasputin, his wife's mental health issues, the hemophilia of their fifth child, a boy, and the sudden declaration of war by his wife's (and Empress's) father, the German Emperor (a situation very similar to Stalin's actions shortly after the start of Operation Barbarossa).

 Japan fought a fierce battle against Russia under the leadership of Nicholas II, but I don't think he was the type of person who would be considered a "brutal" or "tyrant."

 When the Otsu Incident occurred, high-ranking officials in the Meiji government were in a panic. It caused a huge uproar in Meiji Japan.

 This was because, in the sense of the time, assassinating the crown prince of an absolute monarchy was directly linked to war. In a modern nation, even if the "son" of the president was killed, mobilizing the entire nation and immediately declaring war would be both procedurally and psychologically impossible. However, in the imperial autocracy of the time, an attack on the crown prince was an attack on his "family," and since "family" = "state," it amounted to a preemptive attack against the state.

 High-ranking officials in the Meiji government pressured the court to execute the police officer who shot the crown prince. Regardless of the reality, Japan had at least managed to appear like a "modern state," so it was impossible for government officials to apply "pressure" openly. However, they resorted to some nasty behind-the-scenes maneuvering, determined to get the police officer the death penalty at all costs.

 Long ago, when I read documents from that time, I thought, "What pathetic people!" But that's because I'm from the post-World War II era.

 Under Japan's "modern criminal code" enacted in the Meiji era (which has been revised many times, but is still essentially the same today), the crown prince's injuries were minor, so a death sentence would have been unthinkable.

 I read this book in the library a long time ago after the incident, so I've forgotten the title, but it said that the Crown Prince (later Nicholas II) neither resented nor hated Japan, but rather seemed to be wondering why everyone was making such a fuss (I forget whether I read a diary or letter written by himself, or a document written by an aide of the Crown Prince's words).

 From this behavior, he doesn't seem like the type of person who would explode in anger and become driven by a desire for revenge, becoming a raging "tyrant."

 Although the Tsar did not personally order the indiscriminate killings on Bloody Sunday, it can also be said that he handled the aftermath incorrectly.

 Today, Russia should have learned a lesson from the above events. From the perspective of Russia's current president, it seems that "Ukraine, its culture, and its people have never existed. They have always been just a part of Russia." Therefore, he considers this to be an internal issue for his own country (Russia), and is conducting a "special operation" rather than a "war." (Although there has been no declaration of war under international law, in his view, since it is a domestic issue, it is a "legal" act of combat.)

 In reality, from the Russian president's perspective, Ukraine is an economically backward, politically corrupt country where a comedian became president, and where the majority of its citizens want to leave and emigrate to the United States or Germany (despite the resulting high level of English proficiency and an abundance of people with specialized knowledge in areas such as computers). It seems that he thought that because it is a useless country, it could be easily crushed.

 In fact, Ukraine has lost its strategically important territory, Crimea, to Russia with ease. Neither the Ukrainian president nor the Obama administration was able to do anything. Some around the world were impressed by the Russian president's lightning-fast feat, even praising his "genius"-like skills (Trump also praised Putin as a "genius").

 However, from the perspective of Western countries, Ukraine is a relatively more advanced modern state than Russia, and its president is chosen through democratic elections. Former or current presidents do not poison political opponents or kidnap and bury people who report or behave in an inconvenient way. The same person does not vote multiple times at the same polling station.

 Russia's urban areas are permeated with a mass consumer society, and life is no different from that of residents in developed Western countries. However, compared to Ukraine, there is no denying that the country is politically backward.

 Russia has established an extremely sophisticated wartime economy, which has weakened the effects of Western economic sanctions. Therefore, for the time being, it is unlikely that the Russian people will fall into poverty, including in healthcare, welfare, and education, which would cause an explosion of discontent.

 However, no matter how much they stir up excitement by holding events with large numbers of fake attendees, there are limits to mobilizing the public for war out of "loyalty to Russia." There's a possibility that more people will begin to question "what and who this war is for." It's impossible for the Russian government to completely monitor the internet (although the US apparently monitors social media and email), and it's also impossible to kill everyone who is inconvenient.

 On the other hand, the Ukrainian people are not fighting out of "loyalty," but to protect their country and survive today. This difference cannot be ignored when maintaining a political, military, and economic wartime mobilization system.

 A country that embraces modern values ​​like freedom and democracy cannot be taken over so easily.

 When Russia invaded Ukraine, it made most people around the world keenly aware that "that country has gone back to the way it was. It's a re-creation of Imperial Russia. In the end, that country hadn't changed at all. It no longer shared the values ​​of the West." 

 Even today, many of Russia's current president's actions are difficult to understand, and since we don't know what's going on deep within the Kremlin (which is why rumors are circulating that he's seriously ill and that he's panicking because he has cancer), it's impossible to know what compromise he sees.

 One thing is certain: the lessons of the collapse of Imperial Russia have not been learned.

 On the other hand, it seems unlikely that anyone comparable to Khrushchev or Gorbachev (someone Thatcher would call "someone you can do business with") will emerge from Russia anytime soon. Khrushchev navigated skillfully under Stalin's regime and didn't become a "nail that sticks out" until Stalin's death. Gorbachev also navigated skillfully under Brezhnev's regime and remained out of the spotlight until the Communist Party began to decline. Both men rose to prominence when the time was right.

However, the current Putin regime does not appear to have any such talent lurking behind the scenes. That's what a courageous opposition leader looks like. The former president seems a little unreliable to become the "21st century Gorbachev." Putin has a daughter but no son, and is divorced from his wife, so it seems unlikely that he will be able to build a "Putin dynasty" (Putin empire) like North Korea's "Kim dynasty" (which seems to be modeled after the emperor system) , although he seems to have more than enough assets.

 Furthermore, the "second largest party" in the Russian parliament (the largest opposition party) is still the Communist Party. The West would be in trouble if the Putin regime were to suddenly fall, and the Communist Party were to rise to power and begin making extreme claims.

 The reality is that Western countries have no choice but to make a deal with Putin. Waiting for Putin to grow old and die is not a very good option. This makes the situation difficult.

The End

THE GIFT

 Jueves, 16 de octubre de 2025: 

 I watched the following movie in the evening in my Japanese-style room at home.

 It was recorded on an external USB-HDD connected to a DIGA (Panasonic DMR-BRW520 BLU-RAY RECORDER, made in 2017). It aired on August 1, 2021, from 3:15 AM on TV Tokyo. Terrestrial broadcast. 「Sata☆Cine」“The Gift”(2000, USA).

 I'm not a big fan of psychological thrillers, but I managed to watch this one all the way through.

 I was a little surprised by the scene in which the protagonist's grandmother appears (as a ghost) and tries to give her granddaughter (the protagonist) a basket full of persimmons.

 At this time of year in Japan, it's common to see persimmon trees laden with fruit in gardens, not only in the countryside but also in urban residential areas (old residential areas in the suburbs). I have several persimmon trees in my own home. Depending on the variety, the autumn leaves can be quite beautiful.

 However, in the footage and photos I've seen in Western movies, TV dramas, documentaries, and news over the past few decades, I've never seen a house or apartment complex with a persimmon tree in the garden. I've also never seen anyone eating persimmons. I often watch the "Flip or Flop" series (a Japanese-dubbed TV show that's also popular in Japan), but the properties featured in the show that are being renovated, both interior and exterior, are always mansions that, from the perspective of the average Japanese person, look like the kind of luxurious homes where super-rich people live a celebrity lifestyle. They have vast grounds, spacious gardens, and spacious front porches—homes unimaginable in Japanese residential areas. Yet, I've never seen a persimmon tree on such vast grounds. I was once amazed to see a huge avocado tree covered in countless fruits (which also doesn't happen in Japan).

 Perhaps it's just my own lack of awareness, but I had assumed that Westerners didn't eat persimmons. I also assumed that persimmon trees weren't planted in Western gardens.

Donnerstag, 16. Oktober 2025:

 Ich habe mir den folgenden Film abends in meinem japanisch eingerichteten Zimmer zu Hause angesehen.

 Er wurde auf einer externen USB-Festplatte aufgenommen, die an einen DIGA (Panasonic DMR-BRW520 BLU-RAY RECORDER, Baujahr 2017) angeschlossen war. Er wurde am 1. August 2021 ab 3:15 Uhr auf TV Tokyo ausgestrahlt. Terrestrische Ausstrahlung: „Sata☆Cine“ „The Gift“ (2000, USA).

 Ich bin kein großer Fan von Psychothrillern, aber diesen habe ich mir bis zum Ende angesehen.

 Ich war etwas überrascht von der Szene, in der die Großmutter der Protagonistin (als Geist) erscheint und versucht, ihrer Enkelin (der Protagonistin) einen Korb voller Kakis zu schenken.

 Zu dieser Jahreszeit sieht man in Japan häufig Kakibäume voller Früchte in Gärten, nicht nur auf dem Land, sondern auch in städtischen Wohngebieten (alten Wohngebieten in den Vororten). Ich habe selbst mehrere Kakibäume zu Hause. Je nach Sorte kann das Herbstlaub sehr schön sein.

 In den Filmaufnahmen und Fotos, die ich in den letzten Jahrzehnten in westlichen Filmen, Fernsehserien, Dokumentationen und Nachrichten gesehen habe, habe ich jedoch nie ein Haus oder einen Wohnkomplex mit einem Kakibaum im Garten gesehen. Ich habe auch noch nie jemanden Kakis essen sehen. Ich schaue oft die Serie „Flip or Flop“ (eine japanisch synchronisierte Fernsehsendung, die auch in Japan beliebt ist), aber die darin gezeigten Immobilien, die innen und außen renoviert werden, sind immer Villen, die aus der Sicht eines durchschnittlichen Japaners wie die Art von Luxushäusern aussehen, in denen Superreiche ein Promi-Leben führen. Sie haben riesige Grundstücke, großzügige Gärten und geräumige Veranden – Häuser, die in japanischen Wohngebieten unvorstellbar sind. Allerdings habe ich noch nie einen Kakibaum auf einem so großen Grundstück gesehen. Einmal war ich erstaunt, einen riesigen Avocadobaum voller unzähliger Früchte zu sehen (was in Japan ebenfalls nicht vorkommt).

 Vielleicht liegt es einfach an meiner mangelnden Kenntnis, aber ich hatte angenommen, dass Menschen im Westen keine Kakis essen. Ich ging auch davon aus, dass in westlichen Gärten keine Kakibäume gepflanzt werden.

Jeudi 16 octobre 2025 :

 J'ai regardé le film suivant ce soir dans ma chambre japonaise.

 Il a été enregistré sur un disque dur externe USB connecté à un lecteur DIGA (enregistreur Blu-ray Panasonic DMR-BRW520, fabriqué en 2017). Il a été diffusé le 1er août 2021 à 3h15 sur TV Tokyo. Diffusion hertzienne. « Sata☆Cine » « The Gift » (2000, États-Unis).

 Je ne suis pas un grand amateur de thrillers psychologiques, mais j'ai réussi à regarder celui-ci en entier.

 J'ai été un peu surpris par la scène où la grand-mère du protagoniste apparaît (sous la forme d'un fantôme) et tente d'offrir à sa petite-fille (le protagoniste) un panier rempli de kakis.

 À cette époque de l'année au Japon, il est courant de voir des plaqueminiers chargés de fruits dans les jardins, non seulement à la campagne, mais aussi dans les quartiers résidentiels urbains (anciens quartiers résidentiels de banlieue). J'en possède plusieurs chez moi. Selon la variété, les feuilles d'automne peuvent être magnifiques.

 Cependant, dans les images et les photos que j'ai vues dans les films, séries télévisées, documentaires et journaux télévisés occidentaux ces dernières décennies, je n'ai jamais vu de maison ou d'immeuble avec un plaqueminier dans son jardin. Je n'ai également jamais vu personne manger des plaqueminiers. Je regarde souvent la série « Flip or Flop » (une émission doublée en japonais, également populaire au Japon), mais les propriétés présentées dans l'émission et en cours de rénovation, tant intérieures qu'extérieures, sont toujours des manoirs qui, du point de vue du Japonais moyen, ressemblent à ces maisons luxueuses où les riches vivent comme des célébrités. Elles disposent de vastes terrains, de vastes jardins et de vastes porches – des maisons inimaginables dans les quartiers résidentiels japonais. Pourtant, je n'ai jamais vu de plaqueminier sur un terrain aussi vaste. J'ai été un jour stupéfait de voir un immense avocatier couvert d'innombrables fruits (ce qui n'arrive pas non plus au Japon).

 C'est peut-être simplement mon manque de connaissance, mais je pensais que les Occidentaux ne mangeaient pas de plaqueminiers. Je pensais aussi qu'on n'en plantait pas dans les jardins occidentaux.

Jueves, 16 de octubre de 2025:

 Vi la siguiente película por la noche en mi habitación de estilo japonés.

 La grabé en un disco duro USB externo conectado a una grabadora DIGA (Panasonic DMR-BRW520 BLU-RAY, fabricada en 2017). Se emitió el 1 de agosto de 2021 a las 3:15 a. m. en TV Tokio. Transmisión terrestre. 「Sata☆Cine」“The Gift” (2000, EE. UU.).

 No soy muy fan de los thrillers psicológicos, pero logré ver esta completa.

 Me sorprendió un poco la escena en la que la abuela de la protagonista aparece (como un fantasma) e intenta darle a su nieta (la protagonista) una cesta llena de caquis.

 En esta época del año en Japón, es común ver caquis cargados de fruta en los jardines, no solo en el campo, sino también en zonas residenciales urbanas (antiguas zonas residenciales en los suburbios). Tengo varios caquis en casa. Dependiendo de la variedad, las hojas otoñales pueden ser muy hermosas.

 Sin embargo, en las imágenes y fotos que he visto en películas, series, documentales y noticias occidentales de las últimas décadas, nunca he visto una casa o complejo de apartamentos con un caqui en el jardín. Tampoco he visto a nadie comiendo caquis. Veo a menudo la serie "Flip or Flop" (un programa de televisión doblado al japonés que también es popular en Japón), pero las propiedades que aparecen en la serie y que están siendo renovadas, tanto por dentro como por fuera, siempre son mansiones que, desde la perspectiva del japonés promedio, parecen el tipo de casas de lujo donde los súper ricos viven al estilo de las celebridades. Tienen amplios terrenos, amplios jardines y espaciosos porches delanteros: casas inimaginables en las zonas residenciales japonesas. Sin embargo, nunca había visto un caqui en un terreno tan extenso. Una vez me asombró ver un enorme aguacate cubierto de innumerables frutas (algo que tampoco ocurre en Japón).

 Quizás sea solo mi propia falta de conocimiento, pero daba por sentado que los occidentales no comían caquis. También daba por sentado que no se plantaban caquis en los jardines occidentales.

MUNICH

 Sábado 18 de octubre de 2025: 

 Last night, I watched the following movie:

 Recorded onto a USB HDD connected to a SHARP AQUOS. Broadcast from 9:10 PM on May 11, 2021. Star Channel 2, STAR BS10. "MUNICH" (USA, 2005, 170 minutes, original languages: English and Arabic, Japanese subtitles).

 A masterpiece. A truly American film. It's no surprise that this film was produced entirely in America. Making it in Japan would have been impossible, given the language, human resources, capital, and financial issues. It's technically excellent, and the actors are all top-notch. Because it lacks entertainment value and isn't the kind of entertainment you'd watch with family or a significant other over dinner, it's never shown on free-to-air TV channels in Japan (it's difficult to get high ratings). Since I rely primarily on free-to-air movie programming, I haven't been able to watch it until today.

 I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I won't go into the details.

 The Israeli military has routinely and endlessly committed the barbaric massacre of civilians, as described in the BBC article below, including acts of atrocities (war crimes) that have not been reported by local correspondents. It is now impossible to accurately determine the number of victims.

 Today, the only people who genuinely show sympathy or understanding for the actions of the state of Israel are those with a vested interest in Israel or the Jewish people as a state, or those related to Jewish people (including the current US president). Israel as a state is met with anger and hatred from people the world over. The usual self-defense and special feelings of victimization have long since become untenable.

 However, despite this, the fear of "making the Jews my enemy" continues, and the reality is that, apart from a few brave media figures, most people are too scared to say anything.

 In fact, the cowardly words and actions of Japan's (until today, as the new prime minister is scheduled to change tomorrow (October 21st)) prime minister in his (until today) speech to the United Nations (two months ago) say it all. He said, "If this continues any longer... (we will recognize Palestine)," but one might ask, "how much longer" does he mean? Making such a speech after Britain and France had already recognized Palestine was not threatening at all and was met with ridicule. I was truly embarrassed. Am I the only one who thinks the Nagasaki mayor should learn from his words?

 However, if I may say so (and I have no intention of defending him), it has only been 80 years since Israel was established, so it is not accustomed to "how to fight in Asia." In this respect, it is similar to the United States. Conversely, Britain and France, for better or worse, are used to it and are therefore adept at it.

 In the aforementioned film, there are numerous scenes in which Palestinian and Arab "fighters" use the phrase "sacrifice for the cause" to leap headfirst into the enemy's line of suicidal combat in the midst of a gunfight, like a Western "duel."

 The protagonist, who has been hired by Mossad to carry out an assassination mission, hopes to kill only 11 specific "terrorists" without implicating anyone else, and then, after completing the job, to quit, return to his wife and children, and resume his peaceful life. (It may seem selfish to be the perpetrator of mass murder through organized assassinations and yet wish to live happily with his wife and children, but this is a normal human emotion and he will probably not be blamed for it.)

 All five of the assassins sent by Mossad, including the protagonist's companion, want to return to their homeland alive. None of them are completing their mission in order to dedicate their lives to the Jewish God; rather, they are doing their "job" with the intention of protecting their country and its people. They do not believe that dying for God is "just," and conversely, they believe that their "job" goes against the teachings of Judaism, and this causes them psychological conflict.

 However, those on the protagonist's "enemy" side are not trying to survive and live in peace with their families, but are acting with the intention of dying for a cause.

 Essentially, this is the battle with "Asians." In other words, it is a war fought with the goal of "dying for a cause," rather than the "way of fighting" of modern Western warfare (based on rationalist thinking). When the enemy fights like this, they are dragged down and usually end up fighting at the same level (pre-modern). In "Asia," it is extremely difficult to wage the kind of modern warfare that Western countries have in mind.

 The above film is told from an American perspective, so while there are many portrayals that are slightly biased in favor of Israel, I don't think it is completely wrong.

 I don't have the space to go into detail here, so I will just list a few examples.

　The war with Japan in World War II. The Battle of Imphal. The Battle of Tinian. The Battle of Attu. The Battle of Kiska. The Battle of Saipan. The Battle of Okinawa. Banzai charges. The decisive battle for the mainland. 100 million suicides. Kamikaze attacks. "All for war." "Until the last man."

　In response, the US military killed 3 million people with two atomic bombs and countless indiscriminate bombings of cities.

　The People's Liberation Army during the Korean War. Some of you may have seen footage of countless ant-like soldiers running down a hill in the mountains, screaming in unison. Below, the South Korean military (which had received military training in Japan but was so incompetent that the US military had stopped taking them seriously) and the US military (UN forces) equipped with the world's most advanced weaponry were waiting.

　General MacArthur considered dropping atomic bombs on Communist-controlled China and compiled a list of numerous target cities.

　Guerrilla warfare techniques in the Vietnam War. Some of you may have seen footage of countless moles popping out of holes in a game of whack-a-mole, even mobilizing girls.

　The US military sprayed massive amounts of defoliants over vast jungles from the air. They also engaged in actions on the same level as the "enemy" (see the film "Platoon").

　The Gulf War may seem like an exceptional war, as it was not dragged down by the "battle with Asians" and drawn into a quagmire. 

　However, while the "war" was concluded in a short time, the battle with Iraq as the "battle with Asians" continued for a long time afterwards. President Clinton also carried out bombings, and President Bush (Jr.) ended the "war" in Iraq in a short time, but then it became a "battle" with ISIS. Even after ISIS was defeated by force, chaos in Iraq continues (as seen in the film "GREENZONE" (2010, France, USA, Spain, UK)).

　The Afghan War. After 20 years of fighting what was "the longest war in American history," America was forced into a quagmire of fighting guerrillas and ended up back where it was.

　It's not really a "war," but the battle with Iran, which America calls "the axis of evil." Just recently, America launched a missile attack, but this only amplified hatred and strengthened people's resolve to dedicate their lives to "God."

 What the above cases have in common is that the "Asians" they fought with, rather than fighting to survive, "to die for a cause." The religions (sects) that form the spiritual pillars of the "righteous cause" vary widely; in Japan it is Shinto, and in Vietnam it is Buddhism. North Korea and Communist-ruled China are, in effect, non-religious countries. This is not just a problem of "fanatical Arab terrorists."

 In "The Clash of Civilizations," Huntington contrasts Western civilization with Islamic civilization. 

 Japan is positioned on the side of Western "civilized" countries, as an exception in Asia, but just 50 years before his book was released in the United States, Americans were shouting every day, "Kill as many Japs as possible!". Kill Jap! Kill Jap! Kill Jap!

 The current situation, and the future of the world, is not necessarily a war against "Islam" alone.

 Israel likely sees itself as fighting "fanatical Arab terrorists and fundamentalist Iranian extremists."

 However, as an Asian, it seems to me that it is fighting "an Asian way of fighting."

 British or American "soldiers" would not normally say, "I fight with the goal of dying for freedom and democracy." They would probably think, "I fight to protect freedom and democracy, and to live in a peaceful world." They are "fighting to live," not "fighting with the goal of dying."

 If we do not recognize that the Western concept of modern warfare and the Asian way of fighting are different, we will be dragged down ourselves and, out of fear, will become trapped in the brutality of indiscriminately killing our "enemy." This was also the reason why President Truman dropped two atomic bombs.

Ten-year-old Palestinian boy shot dead by Israeli forces in West Bank

2 days ago

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8g9p0ppe0o

BBC World Service, Jerusalem

Muhammad al-Hallaq was playing football when soldiers arrived in the village.

A 10-year-old Palestinian boy has been killed by Israeli forces in a village south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian woman in hospital after being clubbed by masked Israeli settler

occupied West Bank

A masked Israeli settler holds a heavy stick while stood over an injured Palestinian woman on the ground.

The masked settler struck Umm Saleh Abu Alia with a stick used as a club

A 55-year-old Palestinian woman has been taken to hospital after being clubbed over the head by a masked Jewish settler as she was picking olives.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx20p0qx50no

BBC witnesses Israeli settlers' attack on Palestinian farm in West Bank

18 August 2025

BBC News, in the occupied West Bank

The BBC's Lucy Williamson witnessed an attack by masked settlers

From among the broken remains of Brahim Hamaiel's olive trees, in the occupied West Bank, we saw the masked men approach.

A dozen settlers, charging down from the illegal outpost above his farm and across the field towards us, moving fast and carrying large sticks.

A sudden and unprovoked attack.

Brahim had been showing us the trees he said had been hacked to pieces this week by settlers from the outpost.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewy88jle0eo

'It'll be a disaster': Uncertainty for thousands forced from West Bank camps by Israeli raids

Two children and their mother walk along a rubble filled street carrying bags and a football in Tulkarm camp

The month-long operation has displaced about 40,000 Palestinians from four camps in the West Bank

BBC News, West Bank

Published, 26 February 2025

"The army forced us out. Me, my wife and family. We took nothing with us."

Alaa Ofi is trying to figure out how to manage his drastically changed circumstances.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g039ergplo