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From the Editor's Desk
Welcome to the second issue of the Michi Online:
Journal of Japanese Cultural Arts! If you're just
discovering this journal and Michi Online, be
sure to take a look at our inaugural issue in the
Archive section. And if
you've already seen our first attempt, welcome back.
We've probably made a few changes and improvements
since the last time you stopped by. Like all web
sites, Michi Online is a work in progress,
which we think will be worth visiting again in the
future.
In this Winter 2000 issue of the journal, we're
publishing an excerpt from Kyoto Dreaming, Mr.
Wayne Muromoto's semi-autobiographical book. Kyoto
Dreaming depicts his experiences studying tea
ceremony and martial arts in Japan. It is a fine work.
Much more than a biographical account, Kyoto
Dreaming delves deeply into Japan itself, and
most importantly, into the nature of all Do,
or "Ways," in general. If you've ever wondered why
people devote their lives to the study of Japanese
arts and Ways, what effect this devotion has on a
very personal level, and what it's like to study a
Way in Japan, Kyoto Dreaming is a must-read.
We're honored that Mr. Muromoto selected Michi
Online as the place to unveil his manuscript to
the public for the first time. Be sure to check back
with us from time to time, so that you can enjoy the
latest installment of this fascinating account of the
Way. Mr. Muromoto is on our Board of Advisors, and
you can read more about him and Furyu the Budo Journal
, which he publishes, by going to the About the Publisher section of
this web site. Mr. Muromoto is also starting to
consider publication offers for Kyoto Dreaming.
If you're a publisher, or you know of a possibly
interested publisher, he can be contacted care of
this web site.
Ann Kameoka Sensei and your editor have written an
article about the history of kado, or "the Way of
flowers." Kado, which is also known as ikebana, is
one of the Ways with a worldwide following, and you
can learn more about it in this article. Kameoka
Sensei and I also made a point of briefly outlining
some of the principles, philosophy, and benefits of
practicing traditional Japanese flower arrangement.
If you're looking for an ikebana teacher, visit
Michi Links.
We've got quite a few ikebana resources. And in the
Spring of 2000, you'll be able to read The Japanese
Way of the Flower: Ikebana as Moving Meditation,
which was been written by both of us, and which is
being published by
Stone Bridge Press.
Plus, in this issue, we've included a review of the
new Weatherhill book Clearing Away Clouds.
Written by Stephen Fabian Sensei, Clearing Away
Clouds, like Kyoto Dreaming, is an
auto-biographical account of Dr. Fabian's time in
Japan, what he learned from living there, and how
these "lessons" can enhance the lives of others.
It is as different as it is similar to Kyoto
Dreaming, and we hope to publish an excerpt
from Clearing Away Clouds in the next
issue of Michi Online: Journal of Japanese
Cultural Arts.
In our next issue, we'll also have another great
article by Mr. Dave Lowry, our friend who has
supported Michi Online from its inception.
Mr. Lowry is a widely read author, with fans throughout
the world, and we're sure that they'll enjoy his
continuing contributions to our journal.
The Michi Online web site just received its
first donation from Mr. Gene Agress and the Berkeley
Millwork and Furniture Company in California. We'd
like to thank Mr. Agress and note that all donations
to the Sennin Foundation, Inc. and Michi Online
are tax-deductible. If you enjoy this web site,
consider making a donation. It's a great way to help
us expand our activities, and save money on your taxes.
Donations can be sent to:
The Sennin Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 5447
Richmond, CA 94805
USA
Once we receive your donation, we'll send you a
letter of thanks, stating how much we received, and
what our nonprofit ID number is. You can give this
to your accountant the next time tax season rolls
around.
Michi Online has vastly expanded its Michi Links
section as well. And we'll continue to do so. Since
we're adding links on almost a daily basis, be sure to
look for links to your favorite Japanese art whenever
you drop by.
Let us know if you'd like to submit an article for
the journal and/or donate your time to Michi
Online. We can't print everything, and we do
edit what comes in, but we'd love to take a look
at what you've written. We hope you'll join us in
exploring the world of Japanese arts, meditation,
and culture.
H. E. Davey
Editor
Michi Online: Journal of Japanese Cultural Arts
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