Satish Kumar’s DVD
A hermit from Korea talks about life and death
Mr. HWANG Daekwon in his typical hermit look with humble smile
It was a true savior for Mr. HWANG Daekwon when he figured out how to spend his slowly running time in jail for 13 years, which is to observe plants, herbs and weeds around. It also helped him to restore and maintain his mental and physical health respectively from the deep-rooted anger and injury incurred by severe torture. Notorious S. Korean ‘gestapo’ run by military regime back in 80es, took him into custody and charged with espionage for N. Korea – typical set up to oppress their political opponents by dictatorship. When he had been finally released at his age of 43, surprisingly, people found he turned into a great and considerate thinker instead of being revengeful mid-aged male. His insightful view on life and the world, especially, nameless weeds and grasses started to impress people outside, being introduced with his book ‘A weed letter’, which is the outcome of his correspondences with those who gave him moral support across the world via Amnesty and also with his sisters during imprisonment.
Million Sellor Essay written by Mr. HWANG
After the book making the nation’s million-seller, he came up with a new plan to build eco. Village in Yongkwang, a small rural town located in southern part of South Korea, and also participated in life-peace movement (http://www.lifepeace.org/xe/main) with those who shared the vision to promote more respect to any life. Many of them were monks and nuns from various religious backgrounds but work hand-in-hand regardless whom they claim to believe in.
Life-Peace Symbol representing human and other lives
Last December, Mr. HWANG has been invited to a peace tour in Japan, visiting 4 cities including Okinawa, Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Yokohama. People found his idea very unique, thought-provoking and above all, well matched his hermit look. He went so natural in any places stopped by.
Mr. HWANG on Aso Mountain in Kumamoto
The last event was held in café de la Terra of Totsuka with candlelight event for winter solstice.
“I’ve been curious why all our painful efforts made to improve the country to enjoy more democracy and more freedom couldn’t eventually lead people to feel happier. Consequently, I realized that ‘Our hatred to the enemies as a menace to society’ could not resolve as many issues as we thought nor change as many people’s mindset as we aspired. Since then, the action we took has been revisited. A good example is ‘Kangjung case’. we have kept our opposing campaign against the construction of new naval port in Kangjung village of Jeju island – such construction will be deadly destructive to the natural environment of the site, which must be preserved for its beautiful scenery and habitats of many wild lives including rare species in risk of extinction. Moreover, it will absolutely raise the tension among neighboring countries including South and North Korea, Japan and now G2 super powers of US and China competing for initiatives of the region. In an attempt to block the project, we just occupied the place and prayed for peace as an alternative protest, while others don’t avoid more forceful clash with police and government. We actually don’t know if our approach was working properly but believe a way to go for us”, Mr. HWANG explained quite calmly with smile.
His point continued “What drives world today is ‘CAPITAL’. But we want that control back to ‘Life’ – Life-centric world is the only way enabling us to maintain world sustainable”.
Mr. HWANG Daekwon with his book at Cafe De La Terra
“I recommend people to do more meditation on small, small lives like little bugs and weeds on the ground or even inorganic material like pebbles. When you are able to tune in the wave of them, you feel very different about them and yourselves. As a matter of fact, when you understand this value of life, you bother less about death and learn how to coexist with other life even so harmful thing like virus or bacteria. Think about nature’s food chain of pyramidal form. Comparatively, small number of human being has been sitting on top of it since dawn of human history and evolving civilization, and disease was the one catching human not to outnumber other lives at the lower layers. Then, because rapid development of science and medicine in modern age enables human to outlive all the other creatures and conquer even disease, stability and balance of such ecological structure has been messed up and upside down – which is unsustainable.” His voice sounds determined.
Feeling a bit puzzled by his statement that we should learn how to share the place with even such lethal micro-organism, one attendee seriously asked how people should perceive the threat from radioactivity. His interpretation of nuclear contamination was straightforward, “Well, I was fairly disturbed by dreadful and invisible ‘force’ during my meditation, sitting in my hotel room of Yokohama. Although we are usually exposed to natural radiation within much less harmful level, the sheer volume of excessive radiation from Nuclear Power Plant, exercising indiscriminate killing is simply not acceptable. We also know what caused this accident. That is our greediness and blinded trust to human intellect. On the contrary, that’s why we should go back to more life-centric mentality. “
Facilitator of the talk, Professor TSUJI Shinich and another talk participant, Professor TANAKA Yuko bridge Mr. HWANG’s life-peace movement to ‘Edology’, which is ‘simple and sustainable life style’ enjoyed by Japanese during Edo-period. “Our ancestors maintained happier lives than the present times although they were poorer than us. That is because people were indeed respecting life and peace most than money.
As usual, the talk session had been followed by powerful and spiritual music by MATSUYA Fuyuta, an ‘honorary all-time-singer of the sloth club’. He sang his favorite song “Song of forest” bilingually, Japanese and Korean to celebrate the friendship of two countries’ citizen. Jazz Pianist ENDO Ritsuko accompanied his song and also showed her own passionate solo performance. Lots of candle lights prepared by students of Professor TSUJI’s class around the temple lit the solstice night warmly along the events. Each attendee may light up one candle of life and peace in his or her heart on their way back home, not in need of much electricity.
Candle Night at Cafe De La Terra
Candle Night – Life and Peace Talk for Winter Solstice at Cafe De La Terra
Straw and Soil bind all of us to provide you with warmth and comfort – Straw bale House Workshop in Japan
A mom and daughter work together
With introduction of new shrine (enlightenment – Monsitou), stronger sense of all our connection to everyone and everything was recognized and embodied in Zenryoji @Totsuka (neighboring town of Yokohama) – A Buddhist temple also known as ‘Café De La Terra’, where much of sloth gatherings and events are regularly situated.
When the plan of new building was established, nobody doubted if this building should accommodate much idea of nature, connectedness, slowness and peace. Straw bale house was the very solution fitting all those conditions as an all-in-one package. Mr. Narita, master monk, in charge of Zenryoji didn’t hesitate to consult Professor Tsuji Shinichi (A director of sloth club) and his elder brother and dear comrade, Oiwa Koichi who is an architect leading slow design group in Japan. Immediately, ‘A team’ was arranged for this endeavor and Dr. Kyle holzhueter was nominated to lead the straw bale part of this project. Dr. Kyle has experienced with various Strawbale and Terra house building projects whole across the globe including Europe, North America and Asia. He’s lived in Japan more than 4 years and has been involved in major strawbale house projects here (http://holzhueter.blogspot.com/) including interior of Café Slow at Kokubunji. He’s been familiar with this charming house building technique originated from Nebraska of US where less timber but more straws are available since back in US.
“Some of key themes envisaged with this project was ‘Non-authoritativeness – Openness to laymen’ and ‘Connectedness (Kizuna) from Karma (Goen)’ “ said Mr. Narita in his blog (http://zenryouji.blogspot.com/). “A circular wall in the main hall of the building represents this all-roundedness and inclusivity. “
Rounded Inner Wall of Monsitou
“An authoritative expert excludes 99% of people and isolates oneself from all the others, which made themselves also unhappy. Straw bale Workshop provides an opportunity to any warm-hearted volunteers to participate in this joy of connectedness. Look at this beautiful Straw bale wall built with hand by hand effort. Moreover, we wanted to stress the point that house is not only purchased by cash but built by people “ – his explanation continues.
After Day's work, also music and snack together
Indeed, more than 200 people‘s joint effort has been made during these 2nd rounds of workshop for a couple of months period time. Some people came more than 10 times but there are also others spent only half day as situation allowed. “I was really enjoying touching mud and straws by bare hand to apply on the wall. I felt as if I have become an innocent little kid playing at sand beach.” said Mr. Shizuku, who came to the site almost everyday during the 2nd round of WS.
Mr. Narita and kids preparing mud dough
“Electronic devices need ‘earth (Ground)’ measure to release excessive electricity to avoid any danger of shock. People can also flush out unnecessary energy and concerns to mud while they are massaging it, which gave them a certain comfort and calmness.” said Dr. Kyle. His explanation must be valid knowing that most of participants said they’d like to join again if any new project heard in town.
Dr. Kyle finishes the wall
“Of course, expertise can’t be excused either, we needed all nice wooden structures, robust platform and beautiful rooftops in addition to strawbale walls, by professional carpenters. Design work from Mr. Oiwa’s team, special technical advice from Dr. Fujimura (http://www.hidenka.net/momigara/struture.htm) and Mr. Sagane (http://tennen.org/) were also crucial. What makes this expertise special and meaningful is ‘respect and appreciation’ from us to them.” Mr. Narita complemented his thought.
La Bocca della Verità - the window helps to check the condition of straw
The workshop finished to let the wall dried enough till next Spring time while carpenters continue their portion of work. “The final round of WS will be also interesting. The work selects fitting stones to each other to make a low wall for garden. We call it this – listening to stone’s voice. All of you will be welcomed to join” – Mr. Narita finished his explanation with upbeat mood.
A cat loves straw, too - Chiro, a resident of Zenryoji
Soil and Peace Festival 2011 – it would never be the same again
2011’s ‘Soil and Peace Festival’ was more special than ever to any participants since it began in 2007. The venue, facility, events and even people were familiar. But it would “never be the same again after 3.11”.
‘Soil and Peace Festival’ has been initiated by singer Yae as well as her mother, Kato Tokiko. Her father, Fujimoto Toshio (died in 2002) spent whole his life to promote localized, sustainable and eco-friendly life style based on agriculture. His last book ‘Agricultural Happiness – Toshio’s will’ led them to organize this yearly nation-wide gathering of organic farmers, environmentalists and all those like-minded.
This year’s key theme was “Support Tsunami-suffering victims Help Farmers in Tohoku area and Save Children of Fukushima !”
Under the them, the following objectives were detailed.
- Help the casualties of 3.11 Tsunami and Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.
- Remove and restore the contaminated soil. Keep the food safety and protect life.
- Oppose the nuclear power plant and transition to renewable energy.
- Build agriculture-based and sustainable life style – a city with nature or living in rural area with hybrid working model.
- Utilizing new law of Organic Farming promotion, perform the nationwide campaign.
It opened with dynamic performance of a Japanese drum at the main stage.
Japanese Drum – Opening performance
Then the opening talk between Tsuji Shinichi (director of the Sloth club) and Kato Tokiko followed.
There were also lots of small talks and performances conducted in sub-stages in addition to main sessions.
As clearly stated in the objectives of year, what has been most highlighted was the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and people’s incessant endeavor to cope with the problem.
Indeed, the radioactivity contamination put these passionate supporters of healthy local food into a bigger dilemma. They have long stood at the forefront against Nuclear Power Plant but, paradoxically, now they were cornered into the most vulnerable position. Say, what can be done for organic food produced in Kanto area and Fukushima? Can people still genuinely defend the safety and benefit of that food and urge other people to choose them to support their fellow farmers? Fukushima is one of the poorest region in the country living on farming and fishing and entrapped by typical rosy story of more jobs and sweetened nuclear monster by government subsidy. As a matter of fact, the earliest victim of suicidal cases in Fukushima was the frustrated organic farmer who knew his beloved land and its product got into centennial sleep and even won’t allow him and his descendants to approach to it. TEPCO’s irresponsible behavior and incompetence of Japanese Government foster anger from organic farmers and their allies. Some of them expressed the concerns that domestic food safety problem and people’s fear will help those who have claimed the decline of Japanese agriculture as a foregone conclusion proceed to declare the end of the game and to expedite the process of more globalization and more industrialized economy – which can even be a good excuse to steer into their recent favourite agenda – joining TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) which is believed to devastate agriculture in Japan by cheaper but unsafe imported food produced in industrialized mass plantation. This is the most tragic scene of this disaster – The culprit (supporter of nuclear energy and globalization) not penalized but benefited and the casualty (opposing party of nuclear energy) not rewarded by their wise anticipation but victimized.
Although situation is very tough, participants have rather cheered up each other and strengthened their solidarity in an effort come up with possible solutions – above all, many of them have agreed that the disaster of Fukushima rang the alarm bell with its highest pitch to Japan and whole world that the current system is not sustainable at all as long as this mass production and high energy consuming practice requiring self-destructive demon like nuclear power plant prevails. They have stayed optimistic while singing & dancing and sharing nice and fresh food with their friends and colleagues.
Panel Discussion - Save the children of Fukushima
Photo Archive
http://www.blog-headline.jp/agriability/2011/10/2011.html
Official Website
http://www.tanemaki.jp/saiten2011/
‘Pandas’ warmly greeted by ‘Sloth’ of Japan
Among many groups or figures visiting here to ally with slow movement in Japan, perhaps guest from China has been considered to be one of the last. In the more tremendous speed, China outpaces Japan in terms of economic growth, the more doubt people may have if any grass rooted civic group from there will start benchmarking their neighborhood seeking for the other side of ‘growth’. But we have a happy surprise ! PCD (Partnership Community Development) is one of a homegrown NGO actively running multiple vital projects in mainland China. Their project sites extend from Guangxi to Guizhou Province including Sichuan and Yunnan, mostly west side of China – which are benefited by rich multi-cultural bases of racial minority groups and beautiful natures fitting to agriculture and tourism – Above all, still less pampered by strong growth of economy and development fevering entire China. The group of 20 people from each province including their staffs, allied researchers and activists visited Shiga and Nara Prefecture, Kansai area of Japan in September 2011.
Shiga and Nara, next door of Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan has much to share with visitors from China, local’s love and pride on the nature and their millennium preserved tradition, featured with sustainable and environmentally friendly life style. However, the real catch was lessons and learned from their experience of deadly destruction of environment and an incessant effort for restoration over the last century – how regrettable it was when they found the detrimental outcome of industrialization to the nature and the community, while being indulged in economic growth, and how much effort had to be made to follow through even no where near to the full recovery.
Shiga prefecture is famous with the biggest lake of Japan – Biwako (named after Chinese Lute, Biwa, due to its shape), which is located at the center of the region and her ecological system is also centered at the People’s traditional life – rice paddies along the lake, fishes and a pre-dominant water reservoir itself for all the life activities. The itinerary has been arranged to visit various spots located along the lakeside.
The journey had been set off with an evening speech by the incumbent governor of Shiga Prefecture, Miss Yukiko KADA at Otsu city. As one of the researcher and activist who had been engaged with an environmental subject of Biwa lake since 1980es, she could deliver very comprehensive historical and even religious context of the lake in addition to the restoration projects of Biwa lake- which is not just the quality of the water but also sustainable economy and associated lifestyle. Especially, her last comment with the photo of sunset scenery conjecturing Buddhist Paradise (West Pure Land), that she wishes Shiga Prefecture to be a place where people could not only live well but also die in peace, moved many attendees.
Governor Miss KADA explains about Shiga at the first night
1st Day –
The morning site was an organic farming school, Hareyaka Farm (http://www.umaretateyasai.com). This is a NPO and also a government subsidized entity for helping those who want to find their new career in farming. Among trainees, there were also young people who migrated from Kanto area in the fear of radioactivity contamination from Fukushima nuclear plant.
The PCD participants try dissemination of onion seeds at Hareyakafarm
In the afternoon, the group enjoyed a boat trip to one of rarely preserved inner lake, full of reeds. Like typical mistakes of reclaiming project for wetlands along the river and the costal area, the functioning of inner lake for breeding of fish and purification of water has not been properly counted when most of them turned to rice paddies in order to increase the rice production after the world war II. Gonza (http://gonza.jp) is a small village living off rice plantation and fishing along this inner lake. The group has been invited to community centre of Gonza afterward.
Sukuyaki served at Gonza with great entertainment
Three presentations have been made in a row about history of Gonza, nationwide project of ‘rape flower’ and general introduction of PCD. Last but not the least, tasty Sukiyaki dinner followed. All ingredients produced from the region – freshness guaranteed including local Sake. Even the expensive local delicacy cuisine (Funazushi – Fermented Sushi) has been tasted. When everybody well mingled and got upbeat, entertainment couldn’t be missed. The PCD participants from Guangxi province sang a folk song of local minority group (Zhuang Tribe) and a few more from each region of China, then Gonza residents also responded with local song. The warm mood and friendly chat about Japan and China lasted till late.
2nd Day –
The schedule started from e-Mura where a local farming union shares the land and the labor to protect this small but cozy community. For that purpose, the group is exclusive to the original residents. Hourly pay for any type of effort and skill is the same and even most of elderlies over their age of 80es actively participate. The chief of the village stressed the idea is to build resilient community and to protect the common asset of the village under any circumstances, being the shelter and the last resort.
The next site was in the deep mountainous area of Ibuki. On the contrary to e-Mura, villages here are welcoming outsiders to settle to revamp the community. Several young and new settlers with various backgrounds shared their story and the dream over the delicious mountain bento lunch.
at Ibuki lifestyle museum
The last site of the day was Doppomura (http://doppo.jpn.org), a school-based community with apprenticeship of carpenters and farmers. Young people with working experience under age of 30 can apply for the 3 years course of co-work and living. Mr. Shimizu and Mr. Matsumoto, founder of the community, believe this unique combination of skills enable young people to stand on their foot for living, i.e. Housing and Food. The traditional Japanese carpentry skill is complemented by modern design and technology – composting, solar panel, maximum utilization of sun ray and natural ventilation, say ‘passive house’. A fresh vegetarian dinner was arranged with a presentation by Miss Chen, an environmental researcher from Sichuan province, Supported by PCD. Miss Chen explained the effort to protect the Jinsha River, a upstream of River Yangtze. Promotion of organic farming was the key point to reduce the usage of herbicide and pesticide flown to the river from the neighboring farms. But she also highlighted the basic principle that a natural eco system of curved river stream is the best and the most efficient water purifying mechanism never be rivaled by any man-made environmental technology.
Refreshing Vegeterian Supper at Doppomura
There was a wrap-up session of the Shiga prefecture at the accommodation of the night. The coordinator of the tour, Mr. UEDA delivered a heart-felt message about his project – folding screen drawing of heartland, Shiga. Each piece of painting on the screen is made by local kids and painters, collating the past and the present of the region. Much thought and feeling shared among PCD participants before closing of the day – then what impressed them most was all the amazing effort by local people of Shiga to preserve local culture and nature of community was not made in ‘big project’ promoted by government or large institution but made in ordinary people’s daily life based on the affection and passion for their hometown.
