Takeshi is Here

Coming Home

2008-07-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

I was in Vietnam from Sunday evening through Tuesday evening.

I spent Sunday and Monday nights in reasonable hotels in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

On Tuesday night at the airport, I was with many tall slender beautiful women at the check-in counter.

They were on my flight from HCM City to Tokyo.

For a while, I was wondering who they were.

They were Miss Universe contestants!!!

Miss Venezuela won the title for 2008. (She was not in the economy section where I was sitting!)

I've never been a beauty contestant, so I don't know how they feel about being judged according to the other people's standards....

I think no one likes to be judged. But I find myself judging people one way or another most of the time.

How about you?

How can you avoid judging people?

Surveyor, Tadataka Ino

2008-07-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

On July 10, 1821 (187 years ago), the map of Japan was published. The map was based on the survey done by Tadataka Ino(1745-1818). He could not finished the map but his pupils finished it three years after his death.

He learned the survey and cartography when he became 50 years old. He started the project of surveying Japan at the age of 56 and he continued on until he died at the age of 74.

His map was very accurate. It was used for more than a century.

Would you start something new at the age of 50?

What are you going to leave behind as legacy of your life?

The First Foreigner to Win a Tournament

2008-06-30T02:58:00.000-07:00

I visited Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Ryogoku Kokugikan is a stadium for Sumo.

I saw Takamiyama (aka Jesse), now Azumazeki Oyakata at the ticket booth.

He came from Hawaii and started his Sumo career in 1964. He wrestled until he almost became 40 years old.

In 1972 he won a tournament as the first foreign sumo wrestler.

He went through many difficulties in feudalistic environment. Now he is a one of the stable masters developing Sumo wrestlers.

There are 59 foreign Sumo wrestlers now.

Are you developing a next generation?

Onsen!

2008-05-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know you understand "onsen."

It means "Hot-springs."

I went to Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture with my friend.

We found this hot-spring which belongs to "Myogaya."

They have a out door one right next to the river.

I really like hot-springs.

It is probably the only thing I miss when I leave Japan....

What do you miss when you leave your place?

Coffee? What do you want?

2008-05-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

"I'd like a mug of coffee"

"what do you want?"

"a mug of coffee, please."

"Okay, what do you want, sir?"

"Coffee.....?"

"what would you like to drink?"

I was in the cafe in Melbourne trying to have coffee.

Finally, the a person taking the order figure out my problem.

He asked "Late? Cappuccino?.... Flat White? Long Black?....."

What? Flat white? Long Black? What are they?

I said "Long Black, please."

it was "Cafe Americano"

Coffee is a name of the group of drink made of coffee in Australia. There was not a item named "coffee."

When you go to Sushi shop, you don't say "I'd like to have three sushi, please."

The same way in a cafe in Australia, you don't say "I want large coffee."

Coffee was not just coffee.....

Oh, No!!

2008-04-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

I was at the terminal 3 of Changi Airport at 11:00pm last week.

While I was checking in, the lady at the counter was looking for something in my passport.

I said that the Singapore immigration stamp can be found toward the end of the passport.

She told me that she was looking for a visa.

"Which visa?" I asked.

She replied "Australia."

"I am Japanese."

"Yes, you need a visa!"

"No, way. I don't need a visa to visit for 5 days, do I?"

"Yes. You do, sir."

"We Japanese love Australia! They should let me in!"

My mind went blank.....

I never thought that I needed one. It was 11:00PM. I already had an appointment the next morning. I had to catch the flight.

"What should I do?" I asked.

She said "please follow me."

I was brought to Singapore Airline customer center. They got me a visa on line.

I was in Australia next morning after the 6 hours flight from Singapore.

New Terminal

2008-04-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

I went to Singapore.

I flew United.

I arrived at midnight.

I flew into the new terminal, terminal 3.

It seems like everywhere you go, there is a new airport terminal or a brand new airport.

I like Singapore Airport. It is called "Chiangi Airport."

How do you like your airport?

What do you expect from it?

Coffee in Vietnam

2008-04-10T05:54:00.001-07:00

I was in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam right before the new years day for the Luna Year.

It was my first time to visit the country.

As I normally do, I visited coffee shop to have a cup of coffee.

They will bring a dripper and a hot pot.

When drip is done, you add hot water.

I enjoyed the whole process.

Do you enjoy the process of making coffee?

the aroma?

the taste?

or .....the effect (caffeine)?

Myanmar

2008-03-22T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was in Myanmar in February.

I was teaching local leaders about leadership.

I brought my new camera that can go under the water.

During the break time, I brought it to the pool.

It was fun using the camera under the water.

I taught about developing others.

Someone said the difference between leaders and followers is "perspective."

How do you define leadership?

How do you say it in your language?

Are you a leader?

Hungary

2008-02-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I last posted. But I have been moving around so there is much i need to write about.

I was in Budapest this January. I was helping my friend to train leaders.

The training took place in the village next to a large lake called Balaton.

Everyday I met a man with an ax and a saw in his hand.

He talked to me in Hungarian. I didn't understand.

On the last day as I was leaving that place, I finally learned what he was saying.

"Where did you come from?"

I answered him, "from Tokyo"

He smiled and went to cut more trees.

It is already a new year. Year 2008. This week is the Chinese new year.

As I think of him, a question echoes in my mind.

"Where are you going?"

Menu...

2007-11-12T03:07:00.000-08:00

I was eating Chinese food in Singapore.

I found the interesting menu....

The sign says "Mini Buddha Jump Over The Wall."

I didn't order it.

You can learn what that is and why it is called that by Google it.

When you go to a restaurant, you order what you want.

You don't order the first one on the menu when you visit for the first time.

In adult edcucation, you teach what the learners want and need.

Just like ordering from the menu....

What do you want/need to learn now?

Your Language....

2007-11-01T00:34:00.000-07:00

I visited Lijian city of Yunnan Province of China in July.

The old town (more than 800 years old) was registered as the World Heritage Site in 1997.

The town is known for the tiled roof and the channels.

There are many Naxi people living in this area.

They use the language called Dongba which is a pictographic script.

I wrote Dongba on the guest note book at the restaurant.

It says...

I and My friend
Walk
Talk
Laugh
Happy

What language do you use?

What do you say?

It's been two months.....

2007-10-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

My last post was made in early August.....

It's been more than two months....

I have been in various places in Japan, China, USA, SIngapore, and Malayisa.....

I needed the stimulation and the encouragement...

What do you need?

Inside or Outside?

2007-08-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

I visited Ten-no-ji city of Osaka two months ago.

I saw the cage for storks at Ten-no-ji Zoo.

There were storks with nests inside the cage.

There were storks with nests outside the cage, as well.

The storks live inside the cage are protected and fed.....

The storks live outside the cage are free.....

Where are you?

Are you living inside or outside?

I am back!

2007-08-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I post my blog.

I am currently in US.

I am writing again.

It has been almost four months since I posted the last one....

Four months is a long time.

How long is a long time for you?

Merlion?

2007-04-15T04:16:00.000-07:00

It's been more than a month since I posted my last blog...

I was in Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia. I mentioned that I was going to go to Malaysia but didn't mention I was going to Singapore and Cambodia.

This shot was taken right in front of Merlion. Merlion was designed by a man for the Singapore Tourism Board in 1964. It is the statue with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. It is 43 years old. "Mer" is a French word. It means "sea."

Merlion is the symbol of Singapore.

What does your life symbolize?

Osaka....Right side? or.......

2007-03-10T03:47:00.000-08:00

Which side of the escalator do you stand on to let other hurried people pass you by?

Do you open the right side up for other people? Or do you stand on the right side to open the left side up?

In Osaka, you leave open the left side on the stairs.

In Tokyo, you leave the right side open.

I don't know why people in Osaka don't open the right side up but the wrong side, no... I mean left side.

By the way, there are two escalators in this picture. The right side of the stairs is the one you need to use. The left one is coming down toward you.

You always want the "right" side.....

I am still in Tokyo

2007-03-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

My last post was made on 16th of February. It's been a while. I am still in Tokyo.

I will write about my visit to Osaka soon.

Today, I will write about going to Malaysia. I am going to Malaysia with my family (wife and two children).

Malaysia is celebrating their 50th anniversary. August 31, 1957, they became Federation of Malaya. They were British colony before that. Japanese invaded this nation during the WWII.

Asian Access is celebrating 40th anniversary in Port Dicson near Kuala Lumpur.

Have you already celebrated your 40th and/or 50th birthday?

What do you see from where you are that you could not see before you were here?

White? Orange?

2007-02-16T06:33:00.000-08:00

When I was in California, I took this picture. It was 6:00pm. Right after the sunset.

In California, they use orange light for the street light. Here in Tokyo, street lights are white.

The cities in California turn orange at night.

What does the light bring into the night?

Do you need the light?

Leaderless organization?

2007-02-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Do you know what happens when you cut a starfish into two pieces?

You will have two starfish.

The starfish can regenerate five arms even from one living arm.

They have amazing power to regenerate.

While I was in the States, I attended the conference. One of the speakers of the conference was the author of the book called "The Startfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations."

This book introduces organizations like the starfish. They are decentralized organizations. Their characteristics are circles, catalysts, ideologies, pre-existing networks, and champions.

Are you interested in organizations like these?

I was in Southern California

2007-02-01T02:11:00.000-08:00

I like cheese. I don't eat cheese that often in Tokyo. It is not cheap.

Last week I was in the States and I ate a cheese called "brie".

I like it a lot. I think it is one of my favorate cheese.

This cheese was first made in France. It has been made for more than 1000 years.

I went to Southern California and enjoyed French cheese....

I don't think people in Brie, France thought that a Japanese person would come to the USA to enjoy their cheese, do you?

Global? Are you enjoying it?

Favorite Public Places

2007-01-15T03:31:00.000-08:00

What do you think this is?

This is a WC in Shinjuku. It is my favorite toilet in a public area at this point.

It is on 20th floor which is the lobby of the Hotel Century Southern Tower.

Its washing area wall is plate glass. When you wash your hands, you are standing looking at the city of Tokyo in the mirror.

This is one of the places I like to go when I am in Shinjuku. I also take people here. I may already have taken you here.

If you haven't, ask me.

When I was practicing Kendo - Japanese swordsmanship, my master told me to clean the toilet everyday if I want to be a good swordsman.

A clean toilet and a Kendo master..

How to you think these relate?

Is it cold today?

2007-01-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

low: 3C (37F) high: 9C(48F)

This is the temperature today in Tokyo.

It is winter here.

Most people think this is cold.

Friends in the Southern Hemisphere feel warm or hot since most of them are in Summer.

Friends near the Equator feel warn or hot most of the time.

Do you have seasons where you are?

Which seasons do you like?

In which season do you thrive?

.....Is it cold today?

What is new?

2007-01-03T19:42:00.000-08:00

明けましておめでとうございます。
(Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu)

This is the Japanese New Year greetings.

The literal translation would be "A Happy Beginning!"

In English conversation, you may say "Happy New Year!"

The year 2007..... What do you anticipate this year?

The period of one year comes from the time it takes for one revolution of the earth around the sun. ... 365.2422days ....

At this point, I am planning to visit Los Angels, Malaysia, Singapore, and India this year.

These are all places I have visited before.

However I also anticipate to visit new places, to meet new people, to face new situations.....and new problems.

Is this a new year for you?

What are you anticipating?

What is new?

What are you waiting for?

2006-12-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

How long do you wait....?

How long CAN you wait.....?

for donuts!!! I can hear someone yelling at me "not just donuts!"

Yes, yes... How long can you wait for Krispy Kreme Donuts!

Krispy Kreme openned on 15th of December in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

People waited for 2.5 hours in a cold winter day.

Are you waiting for something?

Ocean? or Mountains?

2006-12-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I read a statistic taken among business people in the USA and in Japan.

The question was this:

"What is the first thing you do when you feel tired?"

Most of the US business people said they put in for a vacation.....

Most of the Japanese business people said they buy a vitamin drink....

What do you do when you feel tired?

Okinawa, JAPAN

If you were to choose between the ocean and the mountains, which do you pick?

Montana, USA

What do you do when you feel tired?

Do you put yourself in? ::: part III

2006-12-19T19:53:00.000-08:00

Do you put yourself in your photo? That is my question.

Do you have more photos of yourself with a scene and/or people?

Or, do you have more photos of other people and/or sceneries?

Many Japanese people would put themselves in the photo when they take pictures. I am one of them.

How about you? Do you? or Do you not?

Why?

Do you put yourself in? ::: part II

2006-12-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

In Colombo, Sri Lanka

In Chiang Mai, Thailand

In Mongolia

In NY, USA

In California, USA

In Oregon, USA

In Singapore

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In Delhi, India

In Tokyo, Japan

Do you put yourself in? ::: part I

2006-12-14T07:35:00.000-08:00

In Colombo, Sri Lanka

In Chiang Mai, Thailand

In Mongolia

In NY, USA

In California, USA

In Oregon, USA

In Singapore

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In New Delhi, India

In Tokyo, JAPAN

It's everywhere

2006-12-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

The photo was taken in Fujigawa Service Area of Tomei Express Way. This will be the Starbucks closest to Mt. Fuji. You can see it very close from this place. This shop will be open this Friday (15th).

This year is the 10th anniversary for Starbucks Japan. They opened their fist shop in Japan in August of 1996. In the same year, they opened 2 other shops. They grew rapidly since then.

1997: add 9 more (Total 12) all in Tokyo area
1998: 28 (40) First Kansai Area shop opened
1999: 57 (97)
2000: 97(194)
2001: 127(321)
2002: 113(434)
2003: 69(503)
2004: 40(543) They started licensing business.
2005: 8(551)
2006: 51(602)
* deta from company Information Timeline & History (http://www.starbucks.co.jp/en/company_history.htm)

Their sales have been growing constantly. The prfitability has been changing.

What do you think of Starbucks? Do you drink coffee?

What do you think of what you have been doing? Do you like what you do?

Where am I?

2006-12-08T00:53:00.000-08:00

Eight more days for the opening of "Krispy Kreme Donuts." It seems like no matter where you go you see the same kind of shops. This photo was taken in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

You will see McDonalds, Denny's, KFC, Starbucks.... everywhere you go. But each of the successful business has adapted or contextualized their business in each country without changing the core.

How do you describe your culture?

There is a classic study done within IBM worldwide. The researcher wrote a book based on the research. The tytle of the book is Cultures and Organization - software of the mind.

Travel within Japan

2006-12-02T15:59:00.000-08:00

I made my last trip of this year to Shizuoka Prefecture. I drove to Kakegawa city. There is a large conference site called "Tsumagoi". I went there for the pastors' conference. I translated for Rod Denton, the speaker from Australia. This is his third time to speak at the annual conference. We became good friends. The conference was great. We make plans, but the Lord always has His plan for us. If you are interested in Rod's teaching visit clovercrest church and download his MP3 messages.

After the conference, Rod came to stay one night at our place. We went out to eat to a restaurant in my city. On the way, we found an Australian BBQ restaurant. I hadn't notice this restaurant before. We ate Australian dinner that night. It was fun. They opened in August of this year. We prayed for God's blessing on the restaurant with the onwer.

Rod talked with his family and his church staff via Skype with my computer. Skype video really helps to get connected with people. My Skype name is "takeshitakazawa"

I enjoy new communication tools like Skype especially when I am away.

Thinking about Mongolia

2006-11-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

I am thinking of Mongolia. Today, I received photos and material from my visit to Mongolia. Also, I spent one afternoon two days ago with a person I met in Mongolia. I pray that each of the pastors I met would continue to receive blessings and guidance from the Lord.

It is winter now in Mongolia. Today, it was 21F (-6C) in Ulaanbaatar.

Which season do you most enjoy?

Which season of life are you in right now?

My Wish List

2006-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know how to put my Amazon Wish list on my side bar. So, I tried inside my post...

I hope this will connect you to my wish list....

You are not obligated to give me anything....

At the same time, I won't stop you for buying books for me.....

Four Years...

2006-11-20T05:22:00.000-08:00

This is from 2002. When I first visited Sri Lanka, Sanath was both the participant of the session and the translator. We became friends.

This is from last week. He translated for me again. Four years have past since we first met. Have we changed?

How have you changed over the last four years?

I'm back for awhile!

2006-11-18T22:01:00.000-08:00

I am back in Tokyo. I went to my baseball team practice. It's been more than one month since I last threw a baseball. I wear a Texas A&M http://www.tamu.edu/ T-shirt and a cap for my practice. I only visited the university once.

My international travel is over for this year. I will be in Japan the rest of 2006.

My Brothers?

2006-11-16T03:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I visited one of my Sri Lankan friends' camp ground called "Ape Kadella". Ape Kadella means "Our Nest." There are sewing training center, orphanage, church planting center, conference hall and the farm. On the farm, there are many pigs. The farm workers said I have the same skin color as those pigs. They said they are my brothers!!! We laughed a lot together.

The seminar went well. We really laughed a lot this week. The translators were both former participants of the training program and I first met them in 2002 when I visited and taught a session. It is always fun to see people again and catch up with them.

I am leaving Sri Lanka at 1:00am tonight.

Sri Lanka

2006-11-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

Here I am in Sri Lanka. This is my third trip to this country. The first one was 2002, then 2004. Right after the 2004 visit, the Tsunami that hit many countries also hit this country. The hotel I stayed then and I am staying right now is also hit by it. It looks quite different. The lives of the people are no longer the same.

I am here to serve national pastors for four days session. I am sharing about the leadership and church planting. Tomorrow, the national pastors are coming. I am looking forward to getting to know new people. Also, there will be friends from before.

This country is also a country of elephants. They have an orphanage for elephants.

Leaving for Sri Lanka

2006-11-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

I am leaving for Sri Lanka tomorrow.

I just found out that it has been one week since I came back from Thailand.

It seems like just one night.

My wife took a picture of me resting for a week.

I am leaving for Sri Lanka tomorrow morning.

Memory of Chiang Mai

2006-11-07T03:16:00.000-08:00

I gave a tip to an elephant!!

His name is DoDo!

It was fun!!!

Thinking about NY

2006-11-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

It's been two weeks since I came back from NY. We went to Ground Zero after we saw the Statue of Liberty. Five years has past since the tragedy. The world seems to be very different since that time. Everything has changed. We met people who lost loved ones and friends. Someone said that everybody is connected to everything that happens on this earth within six degrees of relationships. I wish that we were all connected with only blessings not tragedies.

How are you connected?

In Tokyo recovering

2006-11-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

I am back in Tokyo. Though it is November, the weather seems very mild. The time difference is only 2 hours between Tokyo and Chiang Mai so, I don't have to recover from jet lag. However, my body and mind are tired and need recovery. I am taking things slowly. I slept longer yesterday and didn't do much. Growing up as a Japanese man, I didn't learn to rest very well. I always felt guilty when I rest. Over the years, I have started learning how to rest.

Do you need rest now? How do you rest?

Leaving Chiang Mai

2006-11-03T21:43:00.000-08:00

I finished 5 days of Coaching Training and am heading back to Tokyo. This year is the 60th anniversary of the King's ascension. People in Thai are encouraged to wear yellow shirts on Monday for the King and blue shirts on Fiday for the Queen. I happened to wear a blue shirt on Friday. I don't know how these colors were picked for them.

What color do you think best reflects who you are?

Chiang Mai

2006-11-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

I am now in Chiang Mai. I wanted to write more about NY and Boston but now I feel like I need to write about Thailand. I am not good at writing on the way. Talking comes much easier than writing. Listening is much easiler that reading for me to understand something. How about you?

But, certain processes only comes when you write and certain people can hear me only when I write. So, I want to write more.

Boston & NY City

2006-10-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

I just came back from the US. It was a great trip though I am now physically and mentally exhausted. The colors of leaves in Boston were wonderful.

My friend in the US joined and helped me. It is fun to work with people who is very competant. We visited 7 churches, two educational institutions and sightseeing spots.

I had two days with my family. And I am off to Chiang Mai. We knew that this fall would be like this. I pray for the protections and blessings upon my family. I will miss them.

Are you away from home now?

Off to the States

2006-10-16T00:06:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, I came back from Mongolia. I still need to let you all know how I got back from Mongolia. I will write more about that story later. But today, I'm leaving for the States. This time I'm taking 30 Japanese pastors and leaders to Boston and NY City. We will visit churches to learn what's happening with them. We also visit places like Harvard University, Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty and etc. Why plan this kind of tour every other year. There are several reasons for doing this: 1) By leaving Japan, we can think about the issues of Japan better. When you are in the midst of the context, it is harder to see the real issues. You are mostlikely thinking about what you face currently. But once you leave the coutry you reflect about your context in a very different perspective. You can think out side the box. 2) By exposed to a very different model of doing thinkgs, you start thinking about things in a priciple level. Every effective model has universal principles woven in. You would not take the modelsa or strategies as they are but you will identify the principles by thinking the questions like Why do they do what they do? you also think about why don't they work in Japan. This process help you to identify the foundational principles. 3) By being the tourists, you can create a learning community effectively. Many of the people who participate in the tour don't have good opportunities to learn because they are constantly teaching. The tourists are learners. The setting aslo creates horizontal relationships. They bond much better with the "comon threat." Well, you may not want this long explanation of why we do this.

It's time to board...

The Land of Genghis Khan

2006-10-14T00:31:00.000-07:00

I left Japan on 9th. I had to stop over in Beijing. I had a great dinner with my friends. The next day, I went to Ulaan Baator. I flew Air China since there was no other flight that matched my schedule. It is October and the tourist season is over. Right after I arrived the driver picked me up. He does not speak English but he had a paper with my name "TAKESHI." I got on and drove about two hours to Terelj. Hotel UB2. This is the hotel I stayed four nights. I had a great time with 12 Mongolian pastors. We learned together how God develops leaders and how to respond to His development. This was my third trip to Mongolia. They are great people. I will write more about this trip later. It was an interesting trip....

Visa?

2006-10-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

I am getting ready to leave for Mongolia. Oh no! I need visa to enter the country! I almost panicked....

Oh yeah. This year is the 800th Anniversary of Great Mongolian State! They don't require visa to enter the country. AD1206, Genghis Khan became the ruller. By late 1200s, the country covered most of the Asia and east side of Europe. It was huge!

This is my third trip to this country and I am looking forward to meet friends there. I am not looking forward to be thown by Mongolian. First time I was thrown when I wrestle with them. Sencond time, I was thrown when I was plaing succer with them.... They are trully the decendants of Genghis Khan to throw Samurai!

Back in Tokyo

2006-10-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

I few out of KL, Malaysia last night and arrived Tokyo this morning via Singapore. Tough I had one hour to transit in Changi Airport in Singapore last night, my flight out of KL was delayed. By the time I came out of the aricraft, the gate of the next flight was closing. I heard the final call as I was running to the Gate F-40. I made it! Now I'm back in Tokyo.

Have you ever missed the flight?

KL

2006-10-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

I am now in Malaysia. Meeting with friends from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar along with America. When I arrive last night, taxi (Mercedez) driver was driving quite fast. I leaned to check the speed. The speedometer was broken! Without indicators you don't know how fast you're going. Do you know how you are running the race of life? What kind of indicator do you use?

I am in Singapore

2006-10-01T03:24:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for my next flight at the airport. I am on my way to Kuala Lumpur. I only have two hours and that is not enough time to go out. So, I am staying in the lounge. I will be posting where I am or was....