一日の画像 Picture of the Day

All things come to pass and a new day begins.

一日の画像 Picture of the Day: Obon 2018

Seen here, is this year's candlelight offerings for the recently departed at Obon seen from the Koyasan Temple in Little Tokyo.

Picture of the Day

Seen here is UK born Julia Maeda dressed as a mountain priestess. She conducts private tours of Japan and from what we can tell from her website, it looks pretty awesome. If you would like to know more, please visit her website at Tokyo Personalised.

一日の画像 Picture of the Day: Seijin Shiki

Seen here are two young women arriving at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls Washington for their Seijin Shiki (Coming of Age ceremony). This life cycle event commemorates reaching the age of 20. We at American Mishima wish these two young ladies a happy and successful life!

一日の画像 Picture of the Day

Seen here is recently resurfaced photo that had been making the rounds on Facebook of the Commemorative Air Force's (Camarillo Wing) Zero arriving in New Zealand for the 2010 "Warbirds Over Wanaka" airshow. We've seen this plane many times and get nervous when they ship her overseas. We hope the people in New Zealand enjoyed as much as we have seeing her fly.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here in this unlikely photo is Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Last night he made his appearance at the Closing Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games as Super Mario of the Nintendo Video Games. Love it or hate it the camp of it, you have to appreciate the humor in this! The next Olympics will be held in Tokyo 2020. See you then!

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here: President Obama visiting the Venerable Mingtsung Shih at Phuoc Hai Temple in Vietnam. Our good friend Mr. Tony Truong had the pleasure of working with the Venerable Mingtsung for a Yoga "Flaming Mouth Service" when he visited the United States years ago. We at American Mishima hope this meeting will have been blessed for the President's continued goodwill tour of Asia.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here is yours truly on our wedding day taken March 26th 2016 at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls Washington. We shall have a followup story with many beautiful photos to follow.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Kiki Alive!

Seen here is is a girl dressed as the Hayao Miyazaki character Kiki from the 1989 Studio Ghibli anime classic "Kiki's Delivery Service." This photo was taken at a real life bakery known as Kiki's Bakery in Yufuin Floral Village in Southwestern Japan. If you're a fan of this film then this will be a delightful destination not to be missed!

かわいい ね!

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Setsubun 2015

Seen here is this year's beautiful Nisei Queen Sara Kuniko Hutter poses for our camera at this year's Setsubun Ceremony at the Los Angeles Koyasan Temple in Little Tokyo. Totoro fans might note there is a Soot Sprite on her sash. She did a double take when we had a little fun pointing that out to her.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Sticking it to the Man!

Seen here are Filipino students who camped out on a disputed island which the PRC claims is their own drawing the ire from both Beijing and for some bizarre reason, Taiwan. Beijing claims their little camping trip is illegal but the kids beg to differ and are there to protest the Chinese Navy's recent sovereign claims to Filipino territory. Both the Philippine Government and the PRC claim these little specks of land in the South China Seas as their own. There is a small Filipino military presence on these islands but it's those damn "Meddling Kids" ala Scooby Doo that are driving Beijing nuts. Now that's sticking it to the Man! For a poor 3rd world country with a tiny military and no real means to stand up to the Chinese Navy, it's left to the Philippine Youth taking a stand for their country. Sure, it won't change much but you have to admire them. Be safe out there You crazy kids!

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day:

Seen here at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino California: A group of War Re-enactors led by Mr. Alex Chang posing with one of the world few remaining Yokosuka DY4 Suisei (彗星, "Comet") aka "Judy" dive bombers of the former Imperial Japanese Navy.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day:

Marking the passing of former Koyasan Buddhist Temple President Shoji Kanogawa. 

Mr. Shoji "Stogie" Kanogawa was both a dear friend and the inspiration for the Soji Nishida character in the American Mishima epic The Soldier and the Samurai.

In Gassho.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: One Flag. Two Generations of U.S. Marines

Seen here is the 1961 U.S. Marine Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba who lowered the American Flag for the last time passing the Stars & Stripes to a new generation of Marines who raised the flag as the U.S. Embassy in Havana reopened today.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here is the Reverend Kako assisting Imamura Sensei in this Goma Fire Ceremony for July 2015 at the Koyasan Betsuin in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here is Nicolas Sensei and Shinkendo Kaiso (Founder) and our former Sensei Toshishiro Obata with yours truly at the Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo Los Angeles. While it has been five years since we have studied under Obata Kaiso, we still hold him in admiration as a master swordsman and martial arts instructor.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here is the His Magesty Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko outside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Koyasan Taiko

Seen Here: Koyasan Taiko performs their first performance of the year at the annual New Years gathering at the Los Angeles Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Respect

Seen here are Chinese Doctors bowing in respect for an eleven year old boy who had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer who upon his passing donated several of his organs to save other young lives. We don't always have good news to report out of the PRC but this touching moment of humanity caught our eye and moved us enough to share it with you here on American Mishima. While this is a tough choice for any family to endure, we wholeheartedly respect this life saving decision and that of the heroic young boy who will live on in spirit with those he has saved.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day: Our Child's Shichi-Go-San

Seen here is our little Mia-Naoko (and yours truly) who had her Age 3 Shichi-Go-San Ceremony this last weekend at the Los Angeles Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo Los Angeles. She was one of 80 children many of which were dressed in very elaborate traditional kimono for the occasion. Our child was of course no exception. We wish to thank both the Koyasan Temple and the Suehiro Kimono Agency for their help in making Mia's Shichi-Go-San a success. And of course we'd also like to thank our lucky little girl for being in her best behavior. We as her parents do this out of love and wish her all the best so she may have a happy successful life.

おめでとう みあちゃん!