Japan Trip

On Sunday, May 30, 2004, I returned from my family vacation to Japan. I was in Japan from May 17th to May 30th. My younger sister Mia had just graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa's John A. Burns School of Medicine, so my “baby” sister Lara flew back to Hawaii from Portland, Oregon where she now resides and works as a civil engineer. Since my family was altogether, my father decided to take us to Japan, something he had wanted to do years ago when we were younger. This was my second international trip; the first was in 1999 to Vancouver, Canada with my law school friends for a snowboarding trip.

We spent time in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Beppu, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. My ancestors on my father's side were from Yamaguchi and Hiroshima, and my ancestors from my mother's side were from Kumamoto. The trip was educational, spiritual, and fun. In Fukuoka, I had the tastiest gyoza. I got to visit Kumamoto castle, Osaka castle, and Nijo castle (Kyoto). In Hiroshima, I was invited by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to have dinner with Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce, the mayor of Hiroshima, and the Governor of Hiroshima. My friends Stacey Hayashi and Scott Murakami participated in a week long conference between the two chambers. Also in Hiroshima, I was very emotionally moved by the musuem describing the bombing of Hiroshima by the United States during World War II. In addition, I visited numerous temples across Japan. The onsen at our hotel in Beppu was an interesting experience. I was impressed with everything in Tokyo.

I was happy to see my friend Akiko from Osaka, whom I met at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1996. I also was pleased to see Kyoko in Tokyo, a friend I met when I was in law school at Gonzaga University in 1998. I hung out with Scott Imaye, a Hawaii boy now practicing law in Tokyo.

On a spiritual note, I was honored to pray at the main temple for Jodo Shyu in Kyoto because it is the religion of my late grandfather Maurice Karamatsu, and my grandmother Bessie Karamatsu. I was told that my grandfather once carried a buddhist model back to Hawaii. I attended Christian churches and bible schools when I was younger and was exposed to Buddhism through my Karamatsu grandparents. In regards to Buddhism, I had an unusual experience in the spring of 1997 at a student leadership conference for the University of Hawaii system. A couple of unexplainable things happened to me at the hotel (This story and other unusual stories will be told in the future). The next morning, when I opened my bag, I had a Buddhist book. My two roommates swore they did not put it in my bag. On the trip, after seeing the main Jodo Shyu temple, I read portions of the book. The religion is not intrusive, thus it could co-exist with Shintoism and other religions in Japan. It is a philosophy and a way of life. Buddha gives you the teaching and explains the life of his time period, but it is up to the individual to reach enlightenment. What is interesting about this religion is that it teaches accountability. The following quotes struck me:

1. “The point of the teachings is to control your own mind. Keep your mind from greed, and you will keep your behaviour right, your mind pure and your words faithful.” My interpretation is that we control our destiny. One is accountable for one's actions, and cannot blame others for one's wrong-doing. Discipline of your mind is important.

2. “Life is ever changing; none can escape the dissolution of the body…Do not vainly lament, but realize that nothing is permanent and learn from it the emptiness of human life.” The physical body dies, but the wisdom of enlightenment exists forever. It is up to us to live an honorable and compassionate life.

What a trip!