Category: friends

Sensei Shiro Tanaka

On By Rick McIn friends6 Comments

Sensei is an honorific meaning “master” or “teacher”.

That’s Shiro’s 96yr-old Mom, still living independently. The eldest person I’ve ever met.

Gaijin like me in Japan often feel big, hairy, smelly and clumsy — particularly if they really are big, hairy, smelly and clumsy.

We don’t know the thousands of different rules of etiquette.

Happily, Shiro has been 25yrs teaching at the Osaka University Center for Japanese Language and Culture, Minoh Dormitory for Foreign Students.

He’s eminently qualified to try to teach a dumb tourist like me.

Thanks for trying, Sensei.

Shiro and his wife have their first Grandchild.

thank you Risshō Kōsei Kai

On By Rick McIn friends, philosophy, travelLeave a comment

One of my first gymnastics coaches, Shiro Tanaka, invited me to attend a Buddhist English language festival in Tokyo hosted by the International Buddhist Congregation, a division of Rissho Kosei-kai. IBC offers an English language service every Sunday.

Here’s the Great Sacred Hall, only one building of what’s almost a small city in their Tokyo Headquarters.

Though I have studied the Buddha, I didn’t know much about Japanese Buddhism. The RKK teachings are not as strict as what’s practiced in Thailand, by comparison, more welcoming to lay people.

“Buddhism for Today”

We stayed at the excellent Pilgrimage Hall residence. Pilgrims.

Here’s a statue of co-founder Nikkyo Niwano (1906–1999). He’s remembered for his interfaith work, his calls for global peace and disarmament.

… As of 2010 there are over 240 churches and centers in 20 countries. Membership currently stands at 6.5 million members, with the majority living in Japan. …

All good. Shiro feels the organization should have more Canadian members, though.

A special thanks to Reverend Suzuki who gave me a personal summing up of the RKK teachings.

See more photos of our two days at RKK with the IBC.

The Lady and the Monk

On By Rick McIn friends, humour, travelLeave a comment

For a National Cultural Holiday in Japan — my host Shiro Tanaka wrote and acted in a comic skit performed at a Buddhist English language festival.

The short play was intended to make a Buddhist parable more memorable by being FUNNY. It worked. Especially when Shiro mixed up the order of his lines.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Hosted by the International Buddhist Congregation, part of Rissho Kosei-kai. IBC offers an English language service every Sunday.

We stayed at the excellent adjacent Pilgrimage Hall at no cost.

curtain call

Thanks Shiro and IBC for inviting me.

on the road with Shiro

On By Rick McIn friends, travel2 Comments

This is my old mentor / gymnastics coach Shiro Tanaka. He was up at 4:30am today, getting ready for our road trip.

It’s a National Cultural Holiday in Japan — Shiro wrote and acted in a comic skit performed at a big Buddhist English language festival.

Hilarious.

Here’s the professor at work at University of Osaka where he’s been the past 25yrs.

He’s looking to the future. Retiring in about 2yrs. HELLO from Shiro to all his old friends.

Shiro Tanaka

On By Rick McIn food, friends, gymnastics3 Comments

It’s been over 25yrs since I last saw one of my gymnastics mentors. (One of us is losing his hair.)

We finally got together last night in his home town, Osaka, to catch up on old times. Shiro took me to this famous and historic restaurant.

It looks old, but is actually located in a brand new and modern shopping centre. They’ve kept the same look and décor as decades ago.

Kate’s Birthday barbecue

On By Rick McIn barbecue, food, friends, photosLeave a comment

Kate had a tasty birthday at Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver.

Rockin's Jerk Chicken Wings

She was pleased the whole fam damily could celebrate on a perfect day.

Kate and Zoe
Rockin' Ronnie's cooking the envy of the beach
Jake
... the family that swims together ...

See more photos from Kate’s Birthday

See more RANDOM Shewchuk photos.

Amy and John in Vancouver

On By Rick McIn food, friendsLeave a comment

Lucky me.

I got together with Amy and John TWICE last week. First at a wonderful Indian joint near Granville Island.

Kate, John, Amy

Can you believe the size of these Dosas?

And later at a celebration of Taiwan culture. Here we are getting a photo with new students just arrived from Japan.

happy Birthaversary Kate !!

On By Rick McIn barbecue, food, friendsLeave a comment

Kate and her daughter Zoe are taking in a chick flik this afternoon. Then the family is doing a beach barbecue picnic to celebrate her 29th birthday.

It’s partly a wedding anniversary celebration, too. She married some old, forgetful guy named Stanley about this time of year, decades ago.