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!

Picture of the Day

Seen here is our daughter Mia-Naoko dressed in Kimono for her Age seven Shichi-go-san ceremony that was held at the Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. At her age three Shichi-go-san, she still could not walk. Four years later, she has since overcome many challenges her Autism has dealt her. For a girl they once said would likely never walk or hold her own head up, she has come a long way, and we as parents are very proud of her.

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!

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!

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.

A New Arrival for American Mishima

We are pleased to announce the arrival of our 2nd child and first son of American Mishima author Louis Edward Rosas and wife Tina Rosas. Named in honor of his grandfather Luis who had served in Vietnam, he came into this world earlier this month weighing 7lbs 9 oz. We hope that he will grow big and strong and live up to the memory of his namesake to carry on the family name with honor. Sure, its a lot to ask of a little boy, but if we do our job right, he will have a great destiny ahead of him. Our little family could not be happier!

Welcome Luis-Makoto!

Shinzen Kekkon Shiki - Our Shinto Wedding

As we have previously written here, yours truly Louis Edward Rosas (American Mishima Author) was married to Tina Rosas in a traditional Japanese Shinto Wedding at the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls Washington State this past March 26th.The ceremony was officiated by the resident Guji(Shinto Priest) the Rev. Koiichi Barrish and his wife Mrs. Chika Barrish. Photo's by resident Shrine Photographer Joe Melberg and Kimono Rental & Kimono Dressing by our friend Kiyomi of KOTOBUKI Kimono of Seattle. We could not have asked for a more beautiful ceremony. Everything was as if divined by nature. Tina and I hope to live many long years in happiness together.We hope you wish us the same.

GAGAKU in Shinto Wedding

As some of our readers may already know, you're truly was married on March 26th in a Shinto Wedding at the Grand Tsubaki Shrine of America in Granite Falls Washington State. One question people have asked us was if there was any music played in the opening of the ceremony. For those not familiar, GAGAKU - the Imperial Court Music of Japan (most typically heard at New Years) was played for the opening moments which made for a most mystically auspicious beginning to this wonderful new chapter of our lives. While we do not have the exact track on hand for you to sample, this video from 2014 is pretty close.

Please Enjoy!