Quote of Guess Who ?
[ When you are a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you are not going to use
a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it.
You will know it’s there, so you are going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back.
For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all through.]
n
[ Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Don’t be trapped by dogma —– which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions down out your own inner voice.
And most important, have the courage to follow heart and intuition.
They somehow already what you truly want to become.
Everything else is secondary. ]
—– If you are familiar with Zenist’s word, it may sound one of them.
Or if you are an artist, it sounds somebody, accomplished Japanese craftsman’s words.
n
They are the words of Steve Jobs’ who just left this world.
On the first glance, I couldn’t imagine that this is the words of Steve Jobs’ but somebody a Japanese Zenist.
Then I learned that when he was young, he was a fanatic of the Japanese culture, especially Zen. (He married to his wife through the Bhddist ceremony)
From those words, I guess, it might have formed his base of the psyche to be a creator, as his
words are typical expression of mindfulness and showed the confidence to be a free minded person.
Steve Jobs learned his Zen from Soto-Zen Master Kobun Otokawa through Walking Zen Practice —– he was
made to walk round a rock, endlessly round and round and round —– and he mastered the Mushin.
non
When he conceived his first gadget business ( iPod ), he knew what makes the product as a desired object,
learned from the Japanese products, especially such as Sony’s Walkman and their CD player = down to the
minute detail of craftsmanship ( [ use beautiful wood, where no one would see ] kind 🙂 ) not only the sound
quality = hence it can sell with a premium price. Yet still, if the gadget is a electromechanical product
he knew, he may not able to compete with Sony, though the time was his side = end of the mechanical era.
Digital sound technology has been established long since. So that the matter was only the size of memory.
Luckily for him, the size of memory was increasing every day, the price was dropping day by day.
So, he was able to produce beautifully made iPod, with new recording format of MP3.
non
Unlike mechanical system ( if you remember, think the battle of U-Matic and VHS video system ), digital
electronic system is very easy to design a distinctive own format just using a key-board, which can still be
copy-righted = hence Apple could easily establish the monopoly of MP3 and easily organize monopolized
Music distribution / download system using Internet. Everything was there for him to utilize.
n
—– One episode of him to enforce this view was, when he visited Japan last year in summer, stayed at
Kyoto, he bought Ninja throwing knife, and on return journey, it caused a trouble with Kansai Airport
security who confiscated it. Mr. Jobs who was going to fly by his private jet argued with the officials saying
” Who is going to hijack my own aircraft ? ” 😀
Peace for his departed soul.
___/\___
n
Bang in Trinity Gallery
Last Friday night, there was an opening of an Art exhibition and the performance at the newly opened
art gallery called Trinity in Greenwich (5 minutes from Cutty Sark ship) (Click here for Info’)
Exhibition was titled [ Emblem – Deconstructed and Destroyed ] = installation using a lots of books, created
by Christina Mitrentse and the performance of fire-play to burn a book = ( so, Destroyed ? )
May be only an Artist who is using fire powder to create ( or destroy ?) the Art =
Aoife Van Linden Tol prepared the fuse and the explosive powder on a book.
( She is a qualified and licensed explosive handler ! )
While Aoife was preparing, an Art Writer Douglas Park recited a text he wrote for Aoife’s creation.
Then, she put light on fuse — Bushu shu shu shu 😀 —– And Bang , Pang Pang —– ! 😀
Then, it’s so-called Art Talks.
In the gallery floor, Christina’s installation. —————— And Aoife’s victims or her Art.
Something very unusual of this gallery is the structure of
the building, hence floor plan for an art-space.
It got great height = 3 stories height and straight wall, but not
an expanse of floor or side wall.
It’s mean, it is very useful for a kind of display or
performance having interaction with the
space above / another level of existences or
its symbolic expression.
In addition, outside garden having a lots of trees = good spooky back ground !
( In fact, I got quite few idea pretty suited for this space 🙂 )
—– unfortunately exhibition is only untill 2nd October. Still, the gallery is having the series of
exhibitions, I’m sure next events should come soon. =
Check their website to find farther info’ < http://www.hivelondon.org > < Trinity on Facebook >
—-
Panda Babies
Oh, Cm’on, you got to be joking. —– No no, they are REAL Panda Babies. Not soft toys 🙂
Born in China and hand reared by personal attendance, even when a baby they are the well behaving
Confucius Pandas ! 😀
They are the precious baby (hence not cub, and sleeping on the Futon mattress) of Panda, in
the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Base.
When I found this photo in a Japanese news site, I couldn’t stop to join this fun.
It’s definitely make anybody smile. And everybody ought to join the circle 🙂
Have a happy smily day.
( The original news site < http://www.jiji.com/jc/p?id=20110928090039-1443782&j3 > )
___/\___
—
ZAFU — What ?
Some time ago I encountered a Zenist blog complaining that somebody stole
his Zafu (Small cushion), because of this, he couldn’t sit and meditate.
He said ” It was a jealous conspiracy, obstructing me to get enlightenment ”
—– Whoa ! ! ! 😀
I
I think after I’ve read this, I wrote a post saying “ Don’t bother Zafu,
you can sit anywhere and practice Zen in any manner” 😀
And after I wrote previous post [Water bowl Zen] I got an image of
Buddha walking with his disciples —– m m m ?
Without any reason, suddenly I imagined that if they are all carrying
their own Zafu. —– Ha ha ha 😀
—
So that the photo right is [ Shariputra who got his Zafu under his arm, asking a question
to Buddha]. —– of cause, I’m kidding. —– you know how funny it is. Of cause there wasn’t a Zafu on the
time of Buddha, as no body needed it, since they don’t sit in a style of Lotus posture.
Can you imagine a group of bhikku, posses nothing, yet carrying a Zafu for comfortable sitting ?
—
I wrote somewhere “So-called image of Buddha meditating” was a mis-representation of
Buddha just having a break and taking rest. Like all the Indian, Asian people, when they sit and
having a rest, they just sit (so-called half Lotus), not twisting the legs.
The iconic Lotus posture was a later invention which even needs a Zafu to keep body balance, which mean
it is not a natural way to sit. —– Buddhism had gone too much posturing.
It is not a way to follow the Dharma, or the Nature.
—
So, Shariputra carrying a Zafu was a sheer joke. 😀
In fact the wire figure was originally made as a Royal Guard of the Emperor’s Palace. 🙂
It’s good to have a joke some time 😀 ( Zen Buddhism is not for having grumpy life )
___/\___
—
Tiny LIFE
( What I casually called Mayfly here was in fact Green lacewing / Chrisopidae )
Some days ago, short floss like thing standing on the edge of the book, caught my eyes ? ? ?
At second glance, I realized, it was an egg of the Mayfly. Then I remembered a
Mayfly was flapping around the table lamp a night or two before. = so, she laid an egg ! ?
While looking around —– I found four more those eggs
here and there. —– And I found a dead Mayfly too.
—– M m m m # ? # ?. What a hell ! What should I do ? ? ?
non
I don’t like it. Absolutely not welcome at all.
Even if those eggs hatched, there is no food for its larvae
—– simply I can’t take care of them.
—– and if I pick and throw them out, the eggs will be
eaten by other small creepy crawlies.
—– In any choice, those small life would be doomed —– isn’t there any alternative ? ? ?
non
So that I decided to take picture of them = at least, Mayfly could contribute something to
the world —– ( really ? —– for what extent ? ) —– Don’t ask me, it’s a sheer excuse.
But, to take picture of such minute subject is not easy. As my macro photo system has been
disappeared somewhere I decided to make it using cheap Chinese Micro-scope Lens.
( Using wide-angle lens with reverse adopter could make large magnification though its big
shoulder prevent to access small corner to take picture of this kind of fixed object )
So, I wound a wire around the screw mount of the microscope lens (and partly soldered / Photo above left )
then glued this ring on top of a splay can which happen to have suitable diameter ( Photo, middle ) and
put LED focus light —– here the Macro Photo Adopter for Canon EOS.
( can was mounted on a Canon body cap —– with a cut-out hole in the middle, of cause 🙂 )
What a hustle you might say. Yes it was a hustle in deed. To holding a wire ring in the dead centre
of a mouth of can while keeping it exactly parallel (well, sort of 🙂 ) and filling the 2.3 mm gap around
of it, using Araldite glue etc. etc, a lots of work.
non
But don’t forget the life of a small Mayfly —– she unfortunately end-up her life in this room though,
at least she did her best, surviving few days without drinking any water (may be — I know not) and
laid the eggs which was her duty in her life.
At least, I have to respond to the encounter with this life —– it is the duty to be a Buddhist.
Squeezing the brain and find the way to solve the technical difficulties and achieve ( at least in the
acceptable standard 🙂 ) the necessary objective —– is the Zen ( in action ).
This is what I’ve been saying “ Do It “ not wasting the time thinking.
—– Um m, the result seems not too bad. ( I think —– for an almost cost nothing hand-made device 😀 )
( Quality of the images is not as good as Zeiss apo-chromat lens I used to use, but think about the price 😀 )
___/\___
PS : The stem or egg supporting rod (?) is nothing but a wonder of the nature. How the secluded liquid
—– can instantly harden and able to hold the egg on top. —– If anybody know the scientific research of
—– this, please let me know. (Incidentally, the rainbow color on top photo was created by the optical
—– diffraction of the transparent membrane of the wing. —– it’s mean, the thickness of this film is as thin
—– as a wave length of the light ! — isn’t this incredible ? Man’s technology is still behind of the nature )
PPS ; After many years of having had their visit here, this year I came to the resolution, how to deal with
—— them. = When ever I saw them flying under the light, catch them and throw them out of window.
—— Watching them fly or take rest on somewhere —– might be amazing or interesting and giving a water
—— or piece of fruits etc. may seems to be an act of friendship or what so ever. IT IS our arrogance
—— and on the end, it would do nothing good to them. They don’t belong to this room and there is no
—— prospect for them to have their fruitful life here. Throw them out where they belong = NATURE.
—— It is the most kind and friendly things we can do to them.
It is often the case, without giving a help and leave a person in their own device could be
the most kind things to do to the person’s life.
—
Aaaaaa~~~~~ !
It’s just a simple experiment. Try, say Aaaaaaa~~~~~ !
Starting low voice. Aaaaaaa~~~~~~ !
And somewhere in the middle. Aaaaaaa~~~~~~ !
Then in highest pitch. Aaaaaaa~~~~~~ !
Non
It’s a same Aaaa though, in its low tone it’s sound like you are shouting fed-up or expressing disgust.
In the middle, it is somewhat responding to others or communicating that you agree or you got it.
But when it sound in very high tone, it became your cry, not necessary to others, but
to yourself.
When it sound very low-frequency you must be noticed, your bottom of lung, stomach resonates.
And in high tone, it resonates to your base of the skull where your Limbic system of the
brain is situated, and the Hypo-campus, Old cortex immediately above.
Non
Whether, because when we cry we cry in hi-pitch tone (tension in the body squeeze even the throat and
the voice box, then the voice become hi-tone —-> then we were conditioned to the situation,
or more inherent program in the primitive brain system ? (genetically programmed) —-> we cry hi-tone,
—– we may not know which came first.
Still, when those primitive part of the brain resonates, we feel the chill in our spine too. —-> we feel Awe.
(I’ve wrote about this, in a post [Spiritual Sound] too)
non
When we saw a danger, we feel Fear. Feel the same but not know why or which is the cause, we feel Awe.
Hence the sound which resonates the old part of brain / limbic system, Hypo-campus
where the emotion were created, —– yet don’t know where or why it’s coming, we feel Awe.
And this induced Awe is the basis of our spirituality.
With highly trained ( highly conditioned with many on-the-spot experiences / raw experience exposes
one’s perception, hence directly connected to the emotion.
Study deals with intelligence but Conditioning involves the emotion / emotion mean, it’s induces
physiological chemical effect / hormone, brain transmitter etc ) highly studied brain can associate
intellectual information to the experience which carry emotion —-> hence pure intellectual notion can
also be associated with Awe / Spirituality.
non
It’s a bad tendency, when people talk about spirituality, they pretend to be higher than others and noble
though, everybody having the spirituality —– the resonance to receive unknown message.
To interpret it to a known category or what so ever kind is related to what the person already know.
Non
So, this is the most unlikely sample of the spiritual sound 😀
I’ve listened a live performance of this, once at the Saint Martin in the Field church and at many
churches in Germany, still this one is [impressive enough for me to shed a tear] .
Unlike acoustic sound, synthesized sound having exactly the same frequency in each tone, often even
the same wave form, hence it creates unnatural resonance, even worse, resonating with
the speaker-system in a lap-top —– some time it’s irritating to the ears. ( Don’t ask too much)
A German guy commented to this “as a German, we never attempt to do, though I like this”
it’s showed how great the original music of the Bach.
( Its abstractic sound structure can withstand any instrument or the style of play.)
( In comparison, a sound like in the Beethoven’s Pastoral, birds songs has to be played by a Piccolo
—— Romantic School Music are sound effect in a Cartoon comics, hence likely sound is the matter.)
—– while walking on the street, once I was stricken by a distant sound of this music.
Despite there was a lot of street noise or rather distorted faint sound —— quality or settings were not
the matter at all —— what there beyond the sound, was enough for me to feel a chill on my back.
The firm faith, Awe to unknown is what Spirituality mean.
___/\___
—
Shit JOKE
While talking about jokes, my friend suggested me to see the site,
[ If shit happens ] —– Aha ! Its here. ( You may Google them 🙂 )
I’ve heard some of them before, but didn’t know such comprehensive collection ( a lot of it )
has been circulating among the people. 😀
Basically the say is more or less the same between here and there though, one of the listings are
having pretty comprehensive collection, therefore the one which may noteworthy was :
[ Close-to-complete Ideology and Religion Shit List ] —– thejaywalker.co
To quote some from there ; —
- Taoism: Shit happens.
- Confucianism: Confucius say, “Shit happens.”
- Buddhism: If shit happens, it isn’t really shit.
- Zen Buddhism: Shit is, and is not.
- Zen Buddhism #2: What is the sound of shit happening?
- Hinduism: This shit has happened before.
- Islam: If shit happens, it is the will of Allah.
- Islam #2: If shit happens, kill the person responsible.
- Islam #3: If shit happens, blame Israel.
- Catholicism: If shit happens, you deserve it.
- Protestantism: Let shit happen to someone else.
- Presbyterian: This shit was bound to happen.
- Seventh Day Adventism: No shit shall happen on Saturday.
- Creationism: God made all shit.
- Secular Humanism: Shit evolves.
- Quakers: Let us not fight over this shit.
- Utopianism: This shit does not stink.
- Darwinism: This shit was once food.
- Capitalism: That’s MY shit.
- Communism: It’s everybody’s shit.
- Feminism: Men are shit.
- Commercialism: Let’s package this shit.
- Impressionism: From a distance, shit looks like a garden.
- Idolism: Let’s bronze this shit.
- Existentialism: Shit doesn’t happen; shit IS.
- Existentialism #2: What is shit, anyway?
- Stoicism: This shit is good for me.
- Hedonism: There is nothing like a good shit happening!
- Atheism: What shit?
- Atheism #2: I can’t believe this shit!
**********
I don’t know how many people contributed to each Joke and when its became a crèche.
Obviously they were said by the westerner as the list has more of the Christian sect, in comparison
to such as Buddhism, Moslem or even Judaism. ( Buddhism might have more than 50 sects and
Sunni and Shiite Moslem seemed to be quite different, and from moderate to ultra-orthodox, the
Judaism sects might not having the same view —– When it came to the Matter of Shit 😀
non
They are the caricature based on the stereotype —– though, don’t be serious its a joke.
Yet still, to make a caricature funny, it need to have certain resemblance —– That’s why its Joke
makes people realize “ M, m, m, its true 😀 “ —– so, I would say, “ Well said !”
non
Something related to this blog is, there are two entry of the Buddhism.
Buddhism general and the Zen Buddhism. —– m, m, m, interesting.
But, the one quoted What is the sound of shit happening? seemed to be a caricature of KOAN,
it’s mean Rinzai Zen sect. ( Soto-Zen doesn’t use the words )
—– If I were there to answer this Koan, I would say
“ It deafening the nose “ 😀
—
TOUCHING the VOID
Yesterday I was invited to see a dress rehearsal of an Art Performance at the Holland Park.
It was titled [ Common sounds : Touching the Void ] ( Flyer is in the end of this post )
In fact it was in the building of the former Commonwealth Institute.
The building has been closed for more than decade —– what a shame. I used to go there to see many ethnic,
cultural exhibition, art performances.
And as the building has been bought by the Design Museum, they are under the refurbishment.
It is a kind of trend to use a disused empty space, some time pretty strange place, to utilize
them for an exhibition, art events. —– naturally, the space itself was unusual, the almost
crèche “Site specific installations, performances” are the regular program.
Though, this particular space is nothing like any another space.
Under the first ever built type of column-less huge roof, it is the burst empty space —– having
a round centre stage and the surrounding multi-storey corridor —– you got to be there
to see and feel the space.
The event has been directed by Harry Ross, and designed by Helen O’Neill who is my friend though I haven’t dig
deep enough to know how they organized the event to use here yet —– may be a kind of trade secrets there 😀
—
The actual performances are the conceptual play and the dances, therefore impressive but a kind, often
described as “mind boggling” — not only the space is out of comprehension, hence we feel out
of space ( pan 🙂 ) giving a feeling of being in the time trip —– Where am I ? What’s going on ?
Then the audiences were bound together and taken to the ride —— or to the darkness of the limbo !
At there I met another photographer who introduced himself as Jim the dance photographer.
While he shoot, he moves with dancer anticipating their movements and click, no fancy angle or strange
foot works, always facing straight, very authentic —– I noticed, this guy really knows the subject, in
many years experiences —– to capture the moment of dance. (Good for the dancer’s own portfolio)
( His link =http://www.perfectlandscape.com/touching_the_void/#)
non
My photography is more to participate, or even invade the situation —– interaction with the situation.
That’s why I like to use ultra-wide or even fish-eye lens to close the core of subject.
Like the Theory of Relativity, there can not be a pure observation.
Observation itself affects the Phenomenon —– therefore, to be a part
of Phenomenon is more logical —– That’s what I think 😀
—– Believe or not, this is my understanding of the Zen Buddhism.
Once we were born, we can not exist outside of the world.
The interaction with the other existences, moment to moment,
is the life.
Otherwise, why do we need to be here in this moment ?
And why the Dharma placed us to be here and now ?
—– So that, why the art event like in the Commonwealth
Institute was happened and WHY I was there ?
This is the understanding of “What Karma meant ” and totally embrace the
situation is “What Mindfulness mean “. —– This is the Conviction to the LIFE.
Hence, this IS the ZEN. ( ZEN in action, not sitting away from the situation 😀 )
___/\___
—-
|
Sheer JOKE
Some years ago, I was asked by a friend, stage designer Francesco to produce some stage set and props.
In fact, I also took a part acting as a Mad Doctor ? ! (If I were asked, I just join —– because its
occurrence was in the Karma. Hence I don’t think too much or no use to think. It’s a reaction in Mushin )
It was titled [O-project] which the story was based on the Hoffman’s Tale, but in the ultra modern settings 😀
—– instead to create a doll to whom a guy fallen in love, a Mad Doctor created a life in a vitro and so on.
( So, I created Oparlin’s Life Bottle of which lightning spark to the primeval sea water said to have
created first element of the life on the earth.
And the Laser Harp, on top of the Virtual Woman / rotating Wire torso )
non
While working it, on a desk of a Sent Martin’s art student, I found a photo of Dalai Lama. —– I made
a joke “Hey, don’t you know, He is my first cousin” and Francesco took picture of me
holding Dalai Lama’s photo.
When Francesco compiled the O-project DVD, he put the photo-images to show the episode in the production
process —— ? ? ? What ! —– In the DVD, a photo-image of me holding
Dalai Lama’s photo has been Photoshoped to [Me holding Star-war’s Yodo]
So, the story has changed to “ Hey, I’m a cousin of Yodo” —– ! —– Very very funny 😀
( Francesco expected me to get angry —– later he said though, for me it was more of an amazement
than a kind of matter to get angry. What a fun ! ! ! I like this kind of fearless, blatant idea.)
When it came to a joke, a western wit is far more naked (often quite bad tasted) which makes a big
difference to the Japanese. Some said, it because of the carnivorous nature of the European against
the vegetarian Buddhist though, it seems it’s a too simplified view. ( Simplly Itariano is noughty 😀 )
Non
I always fascinated by the artistic creativity of the Latin psyche. Yet, unlike other Italian or Spanish artists,
this designer’s thinking remains always within the feasibility —– never impossible fantasy —- and amazingly
able to find the best suitable material or structure which is good to convert for the purpose etc, in another
words quite technically minded —– that why he is a designer not a pure fine artist —– still
his novel ideas are always there and fascinated me.
non
After all, any creative perception, unless it was materialised, it couldn’t be displayed, unless it
was displayed, it couldn’t be noticed by others —– this is what the communication meant.
Otherwise, its perception remained inside of an autistic mind.
Stage design must be one of the hardest task which is facing this dilemma —–it has to be materialised.
(while complying all the safety regulation etc, and reliably working in one-piece 😀 )
non
Artistic creativity live in the same terrain where the good joke came from.
non
Hydrangea Otaksa
Early summer or before a summer starts, Japan has a rainy season
(middle of June to middle of July) somewhat akin to the monsoon.
Every day is a rainy day. And under the rain, it is the time to appreciate
pale blue Hydrangea flowers = 紫陽花 アジサイ.
There are many famous Hydrangea Garden arround Tokyo, especially
in Kamakura city (one hour from Tokyo), Meigetsu-in Temple, Hase-dera
Temple, Jyoju-in Temple are only name but few.
Why Hydrangea in the Temple is because of its meditative blue color.
Buddhist monks are the sombre people. 😀 — I’m just kidding. 😀
non
You might have heard that the Hydrangea flower originated from
Japan. It was brought back to the Netherlands and spread to the
Europe in late 19th century and since then many horticultural
varieties were created especially in England.
The person who introduced it to the west was a German Doctor working
in the Dutch mercantile, in Nagasaki, Philip Franz von Siebold.
( In fact, he came Japan twice, and for the second time he acted as a
foreign affair adviser for the Shogun )
While he was in Japan, along side working as a doctor and teaching
western medicine, he studied Japanese Flora and Fauna, and collected
vast amount of botanical specimen as well. From this study and the
research, worked together with a Botanist J.G. Zuccarini, a book
[Japanese Flora] was published. In this book, one of the native plant
was named as Hydrangea Otaksa. ( though, it has been renamed to
Hydrangea macropylla (Thunb) seringe f. macropylla )
Shy Siebold himself made an excuse that the name Otakusa came
from local name though, a Japanese Botanist, Tomitaro Makino
later traced back its origin to his Japanese wife Otaki-san.
The name he put, Otaksa came from non other than his Japanese wife
Otaki-san in deed. (Incidentally, a daughter he made to Otaki-san,
the Oine = 楠本イネ, became the first female doctor, gynecologist in the
Japanese Medical history.)
He must loved her so much, as he even taught his Parrot to repeat her
name “Otaki-san” —– and a funny story was that since then it became
a custom to teach a Parrot to call the name ”Otake-san” in Japan.
( Similar to a custom in Japan, a lots of dog has their name “Pochi”
—– originally it was copied from the call for a dog “Pooch” in
English or American.) 😀
nonBotanical research institutes in the world exchanges their collection
each other. When I was in my Uni’, my part-time work was taking
botanical photos and making the specimen in the Makino Herbarium＝
牧野植物標本館 (a part of the Science Dept’ )
One day, the Herbarium received a parcel from the Science Dept’ of
the Leiden University, Netherlands.
It was the very botanical specimen which Siebold had taken to
the Netherlands. And 110 years later, they were returned to Japan.
As I happened to have best dexterity, I was asked to stick those old
fragile specimen onto the card paper, then labelling them.
It was an extremely delicate work. Not only the specimen were
completely dry old plants, but the paper base is not solid board.
Any bending force to the base paper would crumble the specimen.
Hence the binding tape need to have some margin of gap to allow
the specimen to move, while securely holding it.
The specimen itself were nothing special —– they are quite
common (to Japanese eyes) plants, such as cherry blossoms etc.
(though, Hydrangea wasn’t included) but the matter was its
association with historical figure Siebold who taught the Japanese
herbalists to sort the plants in real scientific way first time.
Non
While making those specimen I’ve put a plank — I wrote my name
under the label with thin pencil. It is not visible though, if anybody
see through the label against the light, the name may be seen.
( This is the first time I revealed such mischief to the others.) 😀
Few years ago, I heard from a retired Professor of Makino Herbarium,
the portable specimen dryers powered by mobile electric generator
which I designed and made for the Ogasawara expedition ( I made its
metal work in the Technology Dept’s work shop) were still there and
nearly 40 years later they are still working !
— its funny to think the staff of the herbarium might be wondering
to see the name on the dryer’s label “Who the hell, this guy ?”
(A facility in a big institute show no personal name as a manufacturer)
And in the Japanese practice, the photos taken by the staff doesn’t
show the photographer’s name. So, my name only remains on member
list of the expedition and behind the labels of Siebold collection.
—– it’s a hidden joke. 😀
PS: The Hydrangea in the Photo above is rather primitive type
( I couldn’t find the exact name of it though) unlike the common
types, this flower showed the real flower in the centre of sepal.
The common horticultural variety has atrophied flower (in fact,
it is not a flower but just the sepals)
I rather like to see the flowers in its natural form than in
an artificially created “gorgeous” style.
*****
Hydrangea Otakusa / Makino / Ogasawara Expedition
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