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Japan - the Land of the Rising Sun

 

Key Chain JAPAN

Somebody went to this island country and gave me this present. Inscribed is the country’s flag and the Japanese word Nippon which literally mean, “where the sun rises”.

 

What do you know about Japan?

·         A country that is mix of ancient cultural tradition and advanced technology

·         Arigato – Japanese word which means, Thank you!

·         Mt.Fuji – the country’s highest mountain

·         Ramen – Japanese noodle soup

·         Karate – martial art rooted in the Okinawan Islands

·         Haiku – a poem or verse having three lines containing five, seven, and five syllables respectively

·         Torii – a traditional Japanese gate

·         Super Mario - video game character by Nintendo created by a Japanese game designer

·         Slam Dunk – a Japanese basketball manga or comic then became popular in anime. The character Sakuragi, a high school student, starts playing basketball because he wants to be famous with the girl he likes but later becomes fond of the game.

·         WWII – Remember the Bataan death march, comfort women in the Philippines, so much history!

·         Tsunami in 2011 – the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan that triggered powerful tsunami waves.

The above could have been my personal answer. But when I toured a Filipino-Japanese architect in our province, I did not mention any of these. I heard 'tears therapy' before so I asked about it and why it is even teach in Japan school. In a society where it is believed that crying is forbidden and showing your vulnerability in public is a shame, suicide rate is high. He mentioned about a place called suicide forest.

Down at the foot of Mt.Fuji, there is a beautiful forest wherein to the community, this is a sacred place. A man testified that when they were kids, this was their playground - they used to play there as Tarzan, run around, go to the cave, make fun. The sea of trees offers them peace and serenity. But for the span of four decades, the place acquired a dark image. Many people go there to end their lives and the place is now being called suicide forest.

That is just one community. Suicide rate is high also in other parts of the country. This is the reason why 'tears therapy' was formed. Through this method, they believed that crying would reduce stress and pain.

There is a promise of the Lord Jesus Christ for those who are seeking for rest found in Matthew 11:28 where it says,

  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” This is an invitation to those who are weary, weak, stressed, bothered, distressed, in need. This is to everyone who has such stress of mind and such troubled soul. This is a command with a promise. This is a gospel call. Charles Spurgeon said, "We have a great need for Christ, we have a great Christ for our need."

We can cry our burdens to the Lord.

 

#Japan🇯🇵 #MyKeychainCollectionStory

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