Happy 2020!

あけまして おめでとう おめでとう!

Happy New Year! Reiwa 1, Year of the Rat.

As been our decade long tradition, we feature the Japanese Emperor on the first blogpost of every year. This being Reiwa 1, Emperor Naruhito now takes center stage with Empress Masako before a crowd the Imperial Household Agency estimates to be around 68,000 well-wishers. We hope this will be a successful year for you and yours as well as our own endeavors as we seek to offer our works in other languages. As we noted in our last blogpost, we at American Mishima have been very busy writing and promoting our books on top of raising two small children so our blogposts may be less frequent than in year's past but we do hope you check in from time to time. Thank you for all your love and support. Happy New Years!

Enthronement

This week in Japan saw the new Reiwa Emperor Naruhito proclaim his Enthronement in a series of sacred Shinto rites that formalize his ascent to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Like the Emeritus Heisei Emperor before him, he wished to for the happiness of the Japanese people and pledged the following:

 

"I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them," Naruhito said.

We at American Mishima wish Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, peace and happiness throughout the Reiwa Era. Long may they reign. ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!

Ten Years Later

What was once court-ordered therapy, became a blog, became a writing career. Yes, it was ten years ago that we started this American Mishima blog. Ten years of writing over 500 blogposts of Japanese-American interests and updates on our related books and projects. Initially, our blog was going to be named Osaka Not Oaxaca due to my late father's insistence that I give up my dreams of ever visiting Japan and focus on nearby Mexico. Not liking that idea, we chose to go with American Mishima and within that week, someone in Japan declared we had the best name for a blog page. Through this blog, we have covered culture, music, politics, art, and our personal projects such as videos, plays, books, and story ideas. While it is true, we have not posted as much lately, it is because we have been focused on producing more content for our books. We averaged around 64 posts a year here. Where we go from here is anyone's guess. We may continue from time to time but we are not sure what our level of commitment will be given our current production progress and personal schedules. We have shared some good times, and some bad ones here. I am not saying this is over, but we are taking a step back to focus on our upcoming books and screenplays. While we have never had more than 10,000 visits per year or more than 30 subscribed followers, we still thank you for your readership and support. 

ども ありがとう ございます!

Third Book in Trilogy Released

In case you're wondering we haven't been posting lately, its because we have been busy writing and editing books. This year, we set out to try a new experiment by creating a short story ideally meant for television that would have a Twilight Zone feel to it. That book became Robot Planet. What we didn't expect is that not only would people complain that it was a short story, but that they wanted more. So what started as a small experiment turned into a three-book trilogy we now call The Contact Chronicles of Robot Planet and Contact at Fiery Cross.  

That said, we are pleased to announce the release of the third book in our Science Fiction saga, What Shadows May Follow available in paperback and eBook editions.  To order your copy, please click on the following link here: WHAT SHADOWS MAY FOLLOW - Thank you!

New Book Release: CONTACT AT FIERY CROSS

In a direct challenge to the People’s Republic of China, the United States Navy has been sent to the South China Sea. They, along with their Japanese allies are there to conduct Freedom of Navigation operations in International Waters near the disputed Spratly Islands chain. But as escalating tensions mount, something extraordinary has taken place. Lurking high up in the clouds at 20,000 feet above sea level, an elusive object of unknown origin or intent has intruded upon contested airspace leaving little room for error. As the geopolitical balance of power inches closer toward armed conflict, it will be up to U.S. Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Commander Eileen Hunter, to push man and machine to avert a war and discover a forbidden truth.

In continuation of the intrigue in ROBOT PLANET, American Mishima author Louis Edward Rosas presents a new high-flying adventure that delves into the current geopolitical tensions taking place in the Far East. Contact at Fiery Cross will not only further question if we are alone in the universe, but if so, to what extent have they influenced our affairs.

This book is now available on Paperback and eBook editions. To order your copy, please click on the following link for: CONTACT AT FIERY CROSS. Thank you!

American Mishima Classic Re-Release

Late last year, we had pulled The Setting Sun: Death and Deception on the Bakumatsu Trail for a major re-edit and reformat. New editing software and improved techniques allowed us to go back and fix this story. What's changed is the cover and the book title which has been streamlined to just The Setting Sun. There is also a change in the overall length of the story. We also removed some of the Japanese dialog as well as some other elements which took away from the story. We at American Mishima hope you will give this epic tale set in 1860's Japan by American Mishima author Louis Edward Rosas a second chance for we believe you will enjoy this improved story now available on Paperback and eBook. An Audiobook will also be available soon. To get your copy, please visit the following link for THE SETTING SUN. Thank you!

American Mishima Web Series Episode 5

Here's our latest Author Web Series episode where we discuss our latest book, ROBOT PLANET.

New American Mishima Book Release

We are proud to announce our latest book release this week of our new Science Fiction Suspense Thriller Robot Planet. It is our first independently published book in over two years and our first entry for 2019 now available on Paperback and Kindle Formats.

In preparation for the first manned mission to Mars, NASA’s latest robotic rover, Mars Prospector has been sent to the Red Planet to survey potential landing zones. But when something unsettling was captured by the rover’s camera, it triggers a series of disturbing events for Dr. Wayne Parsons and his small JPL rover team placing both the team and their lives in jeopardy. American Mishima author Louis Edward Rosas presents this short story of intrigue, science, and a sinister campaign to suppress the truth that will place into question if we are truly alone in the universe.

 To order your copy, please click on this link for

 ROBOT PLANET

Thank you!

New American Mishima Audiobook Release

We are pleased to announce the release of our Audiobook version of our Science Fiction drama ISHIMARU narrated by Thomas F. Zainea. Paperback and Kindle editions are also available. 

Please enjoy!

American Mishima Web Series Episode 4

Here is our latest video Author Web Series installment of our Science Fiction Drama Ishimaru. Here, Author Louis Edward Rosas will discuss in brief what went into making this story that evolved over a twenty year period in conjunction with it's most recent re-release on paperback. Please enjoy!

To order your copy of ISHIMARU please click on this link.
Thank you!

American Mishima Samurai Epic Re-Released.

We have re-released our original epic The Soldier and the Samurai. Thanks to some new editing software and newly aquired skills, we were able to go back and make some fixes on our first ever if we dare say ambitious generational epic. For those unfamiliar with our story, it is based on a real life rumor that surfaced in 1965 about a reported encounter with the famous lost Samurai Harada Sanosuke of Shinsengumi fame. Where rumor meets imagine, fiction takes over and the result is a generational tale of adventure and one of grattitude. Please enjoy!

The Soldier and the Samurai

Space Drama Ishimaru Re-Released

American Mishima is proud to announce the re-release of it's Science Fiction Space Drama ISHIMARU by Author Louis Edward Rosas. Originally published in 2015, this newly revised edition features new formatting, edit changes, and an additional forty-eight pages. We hope you will enjoy it. 

American Mishima Web Series Episode III

Our American Mishima Author Web Series is back with another installment. Episode 3 decodes our newly re-released revised edition of our Samurai Short Story Hatamoto. This episode discusses in brief details about the story's origins and newly added content.

 

Please enjoy!

Samurai Short Story Re-Release

This week, we at American Mishima are proud to announce the re-release of our Samurai short story Hatamoto by author Louis Edward Rosas. Originally published in 2014, this newly revised edition features new formatting, new characters, and added content. At the time of the book's initial release, the author’s style and format had not been firmly established. New editorial software and enhancements in writing have made this revision possible. It is the author’s hope that this revised story with added content is now suitable for readership and your enjoyment. 

To acquire your copy of Hatamoto, please visit us at Amazon.com 

Please enjoy!

Battle Flags Returned

Kyodo News ran a story this last week we thought we would share here. Two battle flags that were taken by American Troops in the Philippines and one battle flag captured by the British in India were returned to the familes of the men whose signitures were found on these flags. It was a custom among Japanese soldiers to write theirnames and messages to loved ones during the war. In many such cases, these flags serve as a reminder of the lives long lost to war. We at American Mishima thank the American and British families who have chosen to return these flags to the surviving relatives so that it may add closure to the Showa Era and provide a lasting peace. 

If you have a Japanese battleflag or capturered war relic that bears the names of Japanese soldiers that you wish to return to the families of the deceased, you can do so through an American non-profit group known as The Obon Society. They will be happy to assist you. To learn more, please visit their link here: Obon Society.

 

American Mishima Web Series Episode II

Our American Mishima Author Web Series is back with another installment. Episode II defines our illustrated Children's book Ichiro Dreams in Color and what went into making it.

 Please enjoy!

American Mishima Unveils New Author Web Series

As of this week, we have now taken our American Mishima blog into a whole new frontier. We have entered the world of Video Blogging with our first episode of our new Author Web Series where we will discuss subjects relating to our books and upcoming projects. Please enjoy!

Baby's 100 Day Miyamairi

This last week marked our son Luis-Makoto's 100th Day on this Earth. In keeping with our adopted Japanese traditions first being the Shinto Hatsumiyamairi or Baby's first Shrine Visit on the 30th Day, we conclude with the Buddhist 100 Day Miyamairi ceremony performed at the Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. This is something we did six years ago for our daughter Mia. Surviving members of the Rosas Family and friends attended the service performed by Ryuzen Hayashi Sensei that included student Priest Tony Truong as seen in the above photo. We were blessed to have a son so that our daughter would not be alone in this world and further that our family line would continue. These blessings are done to ensure a long and happy life full of success. We with him great success!

Signs of Dangerous Times: Tokyo's 1st Military Attack Drills Since WWII

This week for the first time since the end of the Second World War, Tokyo citizens held evacuation drills to rehearse in the event of an military attack. Only now. the threats no longer come from waves of American B-29 bombers carrying clumsy incendiary bombs. Rather they come from North Korea's missile launches that could potentially carry nuclear warheads with a kiloton yield far greater than what destoryed Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the closing days of WWII. And while this was just a simulation, recent events must have added a sense of urgency if not panic among some of its participants scambling for cover as messages read over loudspeakers:"We have information that a missile launch has occurred. Please evacuate calmly inside a building or underground." Monents later, a second message was announced via loudspeaker: "The missile passed. The missile likely flew over the Kanto region towards the Pacific Ocean." Scary stuff!

With the unstable leadership from Washington now entering it's second year and increased missile tests from the rogue nation seeking to use it's growing nuclear arsenel as a means to blackmail the world into giving Kim Jong Un's totalitarian regime aid, we can expect the need for more drills to prepare the Citizens of Japan for the real possibility of a war that will spill over from the Korean penninsula that Japan nor it's vocal pacifists can not avoid. We at American Mishima certainly hope and pray that war does not befall Japan or the region but these are dangerous times and the realities of the 21st Century are upon us. Please continue to pray for peace.

Hatsumiyamairi: Baby's First Shrine Visit Part II

It seemed only yesterday that we had boarded the Virgin America plane from LAX with our daughter Mia-Naoko at 32 days of age to fly north to Seattle for her Hatsumiyamairi at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine in Granite Falls Washington. Fast forward six years later, embarked once again on the same identical journey with our newborn son Luis-Makoto for his First Shrine Visit.

According to Shinto Tradition, boys are to arrive at the Shrine 31 days after birth. Had we lived in Japan or in the Seattle area this would be no problem. But being there are no physical Shinto Shrines in the Los Angeles area, our only option was to make the journey to the nation's only Shinto Shrine on the continental United States located near the Canadian border. The logistics of planning the visit complicated by our son's early birth by two weeks placed his 31st day smack in the middle of the Thanksgiving Holiday Air Fare & Hotel booking rush thus we would arrive two weeks later than originally planned. The important part is that we made it.

The last time our daughter Mia was there, she was an infant having her own Hatsumiyamairi so bringing her to where she had been blessed and to where her parents were married made this visit extra special. As in times before, we were happily greeted by the Guji (Head Priest) Rev. Koichi Barrish and Mrs. Barrish upon arrival. It is always a pleasure to see them. 

While photos were not taken during the actual ceremony, we can tell you that our son (with his parents and older sister present) was blessed in this important life cycle event to ensure his health and happiness in life as well as to express gratitude to our patron deities for his safe delivery through the recitation of prayer and the waving of the Tamagushi by Barrish Sensei. As with our daughter, our infant son was given his first taste of Sake. We can't say if he liked it or not but his reaction was priceless. 

After the ceremony concluded, we took some photos and later toured the Shrine grounds. We have made many good memories over the course of our four visits to the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of North America. In particular, visiting the sacred tree that sits along the Pilchuck River. It is a sight to see!

When you visit the Shrine grounds, one would be remiss to not visit the Inari Fox Shrine located on the edge of the Pilchuck river on the back end of the Shrine Grounds. It is a unique place to make offerings and be one with the Kami.

A view of the Torii Gates leading to the Inari Fox Shrine.

Yours truly with my children.

We hope you enjoyed this blog entry. If you are considering having a Hatsumiyamairi there,

please contact the Shrine through their website at Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America.