Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

America, France and the United Kingdom gave the green light to Qatar and Saudi Arabia to destabilize Syria. Turkey became the essential binding force in the chain of events because of geography whereby covert operatives, mercenaries, terrorists and the forces of sectarianism would be given a free reign. Military equipment would flow in several directions and Islamist organizations in Libya and Tunisia became “play grounds for inciting hatred and helping the flow of military arms and terrorists.” The Balkans would also emerge based on past conflicts. Therefore, Croatia and Kosovo became a chain in the terrorist ratlines being pulled by the CIA, MI6 and various other intelligence agencies. Parts of Lebanon in the Sunni heartland would also become a conduit for supplying military arms, covert operatives and terrorists. Meanwhile, Jordan would face enormous pressure to join the anti-Syrian, pro-terrorist and pro-sectarian alliance. However, given the fear of Islamist political forces in Jordan then clearly this nation is worried about the bigger picture.

Major Western and Gulf powers are utilizing the media to the maximum in order to sell their “dirty terrorist and sectarian war.” Elites within America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom became over confident after the overthrow of Gaddafi in Libya. This reality meant that they believed that Syria would succumb to external pressure. Therefore, the more Syria united under the Bashar al-Assad government – then this forced outside nations to up the ante in the terrorist arena, covert operatives on the ground, manipulating the mass media and utilizing al-Qaeda and other Islamist terrorist networks. When it became clear that the Syrian armed forces were holding their own then the Chechen and Caucasus angle became increasingly powerful by the middle of 2012 because of past failures. Despite this, the many massacres by the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist terrorist organizations against the people of Syria – and captured soldiers – meant that even sympathetic forces were being repulsed by such barbarity.

The more outside nations increased their terrorist and sectarian ratlines against Syria then Iraq felt these convulsions with the upshot being that this nation is once more facing a sectarian crisis. America, France and the United Kingdom know full well that Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan, Libya, and Iraq, are all blighted by terrorism and the weakness of central forces. However, despite not being able to contain the forces that they helped to unleash with willing partners in the Sunni Muslim world; the same forces of destabilization then set about spreading chaos to Syria. At no point did Gulf and Western powers consider the knock on effects to Iraq and likewise the deaths of vast numbers of people doesn’t enter the equation. In Libya the only motive now appears to have been killing Gaddafi brutally and to destroy the old order at all costs. Issues related to stabilization are soon thrown out of the window because the same axis of evil then moves on to another nation. Therefore, the flow of failed states is increasing while miraculously Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are immune from all the upheaval because all three nations belong to the intrigues of Washington, London and Paris.

Indeed, the main reason why the conflict in Syria is continuing is because Gulf and Western powers alongside Turkey are afraid to fail. After all, they know that failure will lead to powerful divisions throughout the region based on two powerful blocks. Not only this, it is clear that the government of Iraq is disillusioned with America, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Gulf powers for their destabilization policies throughout the Middle East. This reality means that Iraq may decide to view Iran with a more favorable light because the very future of the power of the central state is at stake. It is abundantly clear to the Baghdad government that nations opposed to Syria care zilch about spreading terrorism and sectarianism in order to defeat the government of Bashar al-Assad. This in turn means that the same nations think nothing about igniting sectarianism once more in Iraq. After all, it is obvious that al-Qaeda and other Islamist terrorist forces in Iraq have become willing stooges of Qatar and Saudi Arabia which in turn emboldens them once more to attack central forces in Iraq.

Under the watch of President Obama and willing political fools in France and the United Kingdom the influence of al-Qaeda is spreading and the same applies to Salafi Islamist political forces. Therefore, the entire Levant, North Africa and parts of West Africa have become caught up in the terrorist, sectarian and Islamist agenda of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This means that America and the United Kingdom have become willing partners in the Islamist agenda of the Gulf while France is caught in the middle because political elites in Paris want to protect Algeria, Mali and Tunisia from the threat of militant Islam. Yet, when it comes to Syria the nation of France is doing the opposite by supporting the whims of Gulf powers, America, Turkey and the United Kingdom. France should rethink this policy because in history this nation favored more secular forces in the Middle East unlike America and the United Kingdom which always sided with conservative feudal monarchs and despotic leaders.

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “It is clear that meddling in Syria related to international terrorism, sectarianism and sedition are being employed against this secular nation. Yet this could back-fire big time? After all, the mosaic of Lebanon is being threatened by sectarianism which is being funded by outside powers in order to support the FSA, Al-Qaeda and various Islamist factions against secular Syria. Meanwhile, major issues persist in Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen, and other nations, which have been hit by the so-called “Arab Spring.” However, if Syria unravels then the patchwork of the Levant and the Middle East may suffer from the consequences – and this notably relates to the “failed state domino system” which swallowed up Afghanistan, Iraq and other nations after outside meddling.

Iraq and Syria are facing the blunt reality of outside meddling and for the people of Iraq this is yet another cycle of sectarian violence whereby the usual players care little about the horrendous death toll. Al-Qaeda, radical Salafism and the Muslim Brotherhood have all collectively gained from the policies of Washington and London in recent times in the Levant, North Africa and parts of West Africa. Ironically, while Qatar and Saudi Arabia care little about destabilizing Iraq and Syria it is clear that both feudal monarchs are at odds about supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. This sums up these two callous nations and it also says everything about the current governments of America, France, Turkey and the United Kingdom which are partaking in the unfolding chaos. Therefore, it is essential that Iraq and Syria move closer together and work with nations which support stability in order to defeat the forces of chaos.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

By toshidama

Traditional Japanese puppetry requires three active participants: the puppeteers, dressed in black robes identifiable on ukiyo prints by the mysterious black veils over their faces; the storytellers who narrated stories of modern melodrama and tragedy or else legends of heroic samurai; and the shamisen players – the shamisen being a plucked, stringed instrument like a long double bass. Bunraku reached its peak of sophistication in the coming together of these elements and the technological advances of the puppets themselves. These became larger in the eighteenth century and required three puppeteers to operate them. The heads were exquisitely and realistically carved, often with moveable features, elaborate costumes and articulated fingers and thumbs. Typically the stage of a bunraku performance is wide and narrow with the puppeteers quite visible; as in the kabuki theatre, there would be costume and scene changes and also head changes to some puppets to show aging or dramatic changes in expression. The puppeteers were highly skilled taking up to ten years to master the complex and lifelike movements. The bunraku plays really got going under the writing skills of the great playwright Chikamatsu  (1653 – 1724). His domestic dramas that brilliantly captured the loves, lives and often suicides of contemporary Edo people tended to be more popular than the conventional epic dramas and so began the long tradition of scripts passing back and forth between the puppet theatre and the kabuki theatre. Inevitably with the phenomenal rise of kabuki  in the nineteenth century, bunraku was marginalised and finally found a specialist home in Osaka.

The figures were modelled with absolute attention to character and realism, from clothing to artefacts, as in these wrestling men to the left.  The performances proved so massively popular that they were quickly followed by outlandish tableaux of exotic figures (pictured above by Kuniyoshi) which showed what people of other countries might look like -  incidentally, this gives a good idea of how insular and isolated the Japanese were at this time. Perhaps more common were lifelike representations of popular heroes and men and women of courage, disaster, suicide and thwarted love. The print below by Kunisada shows the housewife Mayazumi who contributed to the disaster relief fund of one of Edo’s many natural disasters. These figures with their glass eyes and individually set human hairs of ordinary people living their lives were not only popular in Japan; they were widely exported to the big international exhibitions all over the world. Iki-ningyo became one of the early means for which Europe and America viewed the newly opened Japan. Sadly not many of these delicate sculptures survive but there is an interesting account of the ongoing restoration of one of them at the Victoria & Albert Museum London here.

Like kabuki, the bunraku puppet theatre and the iki-ningyo died out during the period of Meiji modernisation in the late nineteenth century. Advanced technologies including film and photography became more popular and these extraordinary art forms died out. Japanese fascination for mimesis and technical excellence has continued however. The video below shows a contemporary automaton maker from Japan, continuing his family’s traditions of making extraordinary working models of people shooting arrows or drawing calligraphy for example. The incredible expertise that is used is in a direct tradition from the tableaux of Edo Japan in the previous two centuries.

To bring this tradition right up to date there are of course the contemporary Japanese sex dolls and companion dolls which although bleaker in their intended use, nevertheless retain the same demanding skills of realism and likeness that has been a Japanese obsession for so long. If you get the chance, look out for Hirokazu Kore-Eda’s 2009 film Air-Doll which tells the story of a man falling in love with his living doll and the doll subsequently coming to life. Using silicone and miniaturized motors instead of gofun and papier-mache, current Japanese robot and doll technology remains outstanding and continues to push the limits of art’s ability to mimic nature.

More Information about TOSHIDAMA GALLERY 

https://twitter.com/Toshidama

Please visit http://toshidama.wordpress.com and http://toshidama.blogspot.jp/ for more articles and information. 

Please visit http://toshidama-japanese-prints.com/  -   On our site you will see a wonderful selection of Japanese woodblock prints for sale. Ukiyo-e (the Japanese name for woodblock prints of the 18th and 19th centuries) are beautiful, collectible and a sound financial investment.

http://toshidama.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/mimesis-bunraku-puppets-and-living-dolls/

Hiroshi Saito and Kanako Itamae

Modern Tokyo Times

Takashimaya Co. is one of the major department stores in Japan and despite the challenging international economy they have plans to expand within Asia over the next few years. Currently the internal economy of Japan appears to be picking up based on the policies of the Bank of Japan in early 2013.  Despite this, many areas of the  international economy remains sluggish but irrespective of this Takashimaya plans to expand.  Positive early results related to sales in the first few months of 2013 in Japan also point to a nice springboard for future international expansion.

This company was founded in 1829 and since this time many changes have impacted on Takashimaya. Like any major company within such a competitive sector then many major highs and lows have happened.  At the same time periods of low growth and stagnation have also been a reality. This often coincided with the internal mechanisms of the Japanese economy. However, despite everything fresh ideas and more international knowledge meant that new openings have maintained this company through thick and thin.

It is difficult to imagine the luxury fashion floors within this elegant department store and then equate this with being founded during the Edo period. Yet this is the richness of this exquisite department store which originates from Kyoto.

In the modern world of high octane fashion and enormous competition the Takashimaya department store can be found throughout Japan. International wise they have stores in France, Singapore and Taiwan. The American adventure wasn’t successful. However, like all pitfalls any good company worth its salt will reinvigorate itself and this is what Takashimaya appears to be able to do. After all, the longevity of this company speaks for itself.

Takashimaya’s China venture whereby around three to four department stores were planned between the middle of 2012 until 2016 did raise some alarm bells last year because of negative events between China and Japan. This applies to the ongoing tensions between China and Japan, attacks against Japanese companies during heightened nationalist sentiments last year, the slowing economy in China towards the end of 2012 and fears that the market is already saturated. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Takashimaya changes some of their long-term ambitions in relation to this but in early 2013 the situation appears more stable than in the middle of 2012. Of course, Takashimaya will continue to monitor this issue which is outside their remit because of the political dimension between China and Japan.

According to internal analysts within Takashimaya they forecast an internal shortfall which will be matched by projected growth in their international stores and within its group business. The President of Takashimaya, Koji Suzuki, informed The Asahi Shimbum in 2012 that “We plan to invest to renovate department stores in Japan, but we will not be able to keep (domestic department store) sales from falling…We will maintain sales with our overseas and group businesses.”

In Tokyo Fashion Daily the highly respected Timothy Schepis reports that “For the six month period from May to August 2012, Takashimaya will report a 16% increase in consolidated operating profit of 10.5 billion yen…The increase in consolidated operating profits comes amid sluggish sales at Japan’s department stores – still Takashimaya’s operating revenue also increased 2% to finish at 420 billion yen for the same six month period.”

However, in early 2013 Takashimaya appears to be doing much better than thought possible by the president of this company in the middle of 2012. Modern Tokyo Times states in another article about Takashimaya that “…it was reported that a bullish 17% profit margin occurred between April and November 2012. Now it is apparent that consolidated operating profit for the entire year was 20% and with recent figures indicating further growth in March 2013, then it is hoped that this economic growth is pointing in the right direction for the entire sector in Japan. After all, in recent times the sale figures were often sluggish at Takashimaya because of the overall economy being negative, internal issues, unable to keep costs down, this sector being extremely competitive and other important factors.  However, now it would appear that Takashimaya is turning the corner.”

Takashimaya department stores are famous because of the exquisite brands which can be found in all their respective stores. Therefore, this company is hoping to expand within China, south-east Asia and Vietnam. If you adore luxury fashion, a whole array of quality products, scrumptious food and so much more, then clearly Takashimaya will cater for you.

http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/shinjuku/store_information/index.html

http://twitter.com/tokyofashndaily

http://moderntokyotimes.com/2013/04/11/japan-fashion-news-takashimaya-department-store-and-strong-growth/

http://www.tokyofashiondaily.com/2013/04/takashimaya-hits-record-high-for-first.html　

http://www.tokyofashiondaily.com/2012/09/takashimaya-up-in-first-half.html

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Paul Joseph Nzeribe and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

The government of Nigeria is currently using helicopter gunships and fighter jets against the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram. At the same time, President Goodluck Jonathan is leaving a channel open by providing an amnesty for members of Boko Haram. Given the mass complexity of Nigeria in relationship to religion and ethnicity then clearly the Islamist threat is putting enormous strains on the people of north-eastern Nigeria, which is the epicenter of the crisis. Therefore, the current military offensive by the armed forces of Nigeria is being watched carefully because of the delicate situation.

Since the emergence of Boko Haram several thousands of people have been brutally murdered by a terrorist group which thinks nothing about attacking Christian churches and Muslim mosques. Islamist militants desire to rule the country by implementing Islamic Sharia law in its entirety. This reality means that indigenous Islam is also threatened because mainstream Muslim leaders are vehemently opposed to Gulf inspired Islamism, which is extremely alien to the usual way of life in Nigeria.

All Nigerians are deeply concerned about corruption, income disparity and the blatant abuse of natural resources which have been squandered in the past. Therefore, the Islamist leaders of the insurgency can easily manipulate disenfranchised Muslims to join Boko Haram. Christians and other faith and non-faith individuals also face the same issues related to poverty, corruption and income disparity. However, while ethnic disputes break out from time to time it is clear that only Boko Haram and the Islamist movement is a threat to the central nation state.

Overtures of a genuine amnesty have been flatly rejected by the leadership of Boko Haram. More problematic for the political leaders of Nigeria is that the term “amnesty” is worrying many religious figures. After all, countless massacres by Boko Haram have been beyond the pale and granting amnesty to terrorists and religious militants seems too weak. Despite this, it is clear that President Goodluck needs to quell the crisis and if he doesn’t look at all possible angles then he will be failing the people of Nigeria.

The president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Nigeria, Dr. Moshood Fashola, is skeptical about the amnesty. He comments that the “Amnesty presupposes that the one you grant amnesty to is ready to show remorse for his actions and is ready for peace…[and] to stop all this carnage…there is no such situation.”

Of course, it is clear that Islamists are anti-Ahmadiyya Muslim in other nations like Pakistan and Indonesia. Therefore, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is worried about Islamist militancy because they know that their community will suffer if the Boko Haram terrorist movement spreads.

Julius Babatunde Adelakun of Oyo, a retired Christian bishop, commented that it is “like granting amnesty to terrorists, it is unthinkable.” The Archbishop of Ibadan, Felix Alaba Job, shares similar logic. He states that Boko Haram are “…vandals of human souls and bodies” in reference to the murder of so many civilians by this terrorist organization.

Currently you have a state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. However, the worry for the military is that Boko Haram may try to melt away and move to other parts of northern Nigeria – or move into regional nations which share a border with Nigeria. In this sense, it is essential that the military attack against Boko Haram makes quick inroads and causes disarray within this terrorist movement. If not, then hit and run tactics will become a reality and Boko Haram may try to spread discord to areas which have previously escaped bloodshed.

Militant groups are nothing new to Nigeria but Boko Haram is different because they want to usurp the nation state. The nature of the Boko Haram movement also means that fear is endemic therefore in such a climate the security forces are bound to overreact. This is what Boko Haram hopes for because they want to create a wedge between Christians and Muslims and to create divisions within the Muslim faith based on their draconian thought patterns.

http://www.americamagazine.org/issue/nigeria-new-fighting-amnesty-plan-boko-haram-provokes-outrage

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Sarah Deschamps and Kanako Itamae

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo lifestyle is extremely rich and choosing an ideal location to reside depends greatly on the demands of the individual. However, if you like the hustle and bustle of a very powerful area in Tokyo then Ikebukuro is a great choice. Also, the great thing about Ikebukuro is that the price mechanism varies accordingly and in the backstreets you will also find a more tranquil way of life.

The fashion angle of Ikebukuro is extremely powerful and this applies to department stores which include Lumine, Esola, Tobu Department Store, Seibu Department Store, Marui, Parco and several others. This means that Ikebukuro feels extremely young and vibrant in the main shopping areas of East and West Ikebukuro. The central theme is the huge train station which links so many department stores and aspects of culture in Ikebukuro.

Ikebukuro is blessed with several universities and you also have other institutions which are nearby. This once more means that this vibrant part of Tokyo is blessed with enormous pulling power when it comes to commerce, fashion, education and other important areas of modern life. The same applies to Ikebukuro being the “gateway” which links Saitama with this powerful commercial area and this fact can’t be overlooked. Therefore, many individuals who reside in Saitama will pick Ikebukuro being their first major shopping destination in Tokyo. Similarly, many Tokyoites will also pick Ikebukuro because of the fashion angle and the vibrancy of the nightlife but clearly the Saitama factor is enormous.

West Ikebukuro provides a different angle because it is more cosmopolitan and the abundance of fashion is amazing. This applies to utilizing the adorable Tobu Department Store which caters for amazing fashion brands, crafts, delicious food, and so much more. Also, for expats you have a fine selection of international cheese, wine, beer, and other products to make you feel like “home from home.”

Tobu Department Store also connects with Lumine Department Store in several places and both entities enrich each other. After all, both department stores have unique features and for young ladies who adore fashion then Lumine is one of the most popular department stores in Tokyo. Of course Tobu Department Store provides adorable boutiques for people of both sexes and different age groups. However, the price mechanism and nature of boutiques are different with Tobu Department Store having many exclusive boutiques and being more conservative. Meanwhile the trendy buzz and vibe of Lumine appeals greatly to younger ladies (also caters for male fashion) because this company understands the latest trends. Therefore, Lumine selects powerful shops-in-shop companies to be based in their department stores in order to meet the demands of the younger generation.

Esola is another lovely department store for ladies and Marui is also based in West Ikebukuro. Marui like Lumine is also in high demand for fashion lovers throughout Tokyo because both stores are extremely trendy. Meanwhile Esola provides a lovely elegant feel because despite have many exquisite boutiques, it isn’t too sizeable and this provides a lovely shopping experience. Also, within each department store they cater for other products and you have so many places to eat in the same buildings. This is an added bonus because people can unwind with friends and so forth by relaxing in stylish restaurants where the food is scrumptious.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space will re-open this autumn in 2012 and once the new design is on view then people will be able to relax in a stylish arena which caters to the cultural angle of Ikebukuro. Japan Traditional Craft Center in Ikebukuro is also a must place to visit for adorable Japanese crafts. This building is connected to Tobu Department Store and opposite Lumine. The Japan Traditional Craft Center provides a wealth of amazing products and this lovely shopping experience is richly rewarding.

In East Ikebukuro you have Parco Department Store and Seibu Department Store along with a host of other fashion companies in the streets of this side of Ikebukuro. Parco is another vibrant fashion zone for the younger generation meanwhile Seibu Department Store caters for a wealth of diverse products. Also, Seibu Department Store is blessed with stunning boutiques and clearly it is a great place to shop.

Also, on this side of Ikebukuro is Sunshine City which caters for shopping, entertainment, an aquarium, museums, observation deck, and hotel facilities. Sunshine City is an enormous attraction and the streets nearby provide a vibrant atmosphere. This applies to anime stores, entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, independent boutiques, and so much more.

Overall, the lifestyle of Ikebukuro is richly rewarding because this part of Tokyo provides so many options to enjoy. Not only this, the housing areas are relatively quiet and relaxing despite being very close to the buzzing central area. Ikebukuro is also very close to Shinjuku, Ueno, Shibuya, Harajuku, and other major parts of Tokyo. The price mechanism of the housing also means that this part of Tokyo is more affordable than most but of course you can also find places which are extremely expensive therefore much depends on your purchasing power. Yet when it comes to being a desirable place to reside in Tokyo then Ikebukuro provides a wealth of options.

All photo images taken by Modern Tokyo Times 

Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to both writers

www.smackyglam.com　 –  Smacky Glam

http://www.esola-ikebukuro.com/　

http://orizzonti.co.jp/category/actuel/　

http://www.barbie-stores.com/　

http://www.bluebellmarket.net/index.html　

http://www.palgroup.co.jp/brands/doudou/　

http://www.turnojeana.jp/　

http://www.frees-mart.com/index.html　

http://m-muriel.jp/index.html　

http://www.elleva.jp/　

http://www.frame-works.co.jp/index_n.html　

http://blog-s.frame-works.co.jp/　 Spick and Span official blog

http://www.jolly-boutique.com/　

http://www.world.co.jp/opaqueclip/　

http://royalflash-jp.com/pc/home.html　

http://sanyo-i.jp　   -  Sanyo i Store (Sanyo Shokai Ltd)

http://www.parco.co.jp/customer/ikebukuro/IkebukuroPARCO_FloorGuide.pdf

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Jibril Khoury and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Several powerful feudal monarchy states in the Gulf region were the main culprits behind the Washington sanctioned non binding United Nations (UN) resolution. Once more feudal monarchs who despise all alternative political thought patterns can manipulate the UN. Not only this, the UN appears to care little about Qatar and Saudi Arabia sponsoring terrorism and sectarianism. This isn’t so surprising, after all the UN says little about Saudi Arabia enslaving women, allowing little girls of 8 and 9 to marry old men and where apostasy means the death penalty.

Sadly, the UN is once more shaming itself just like many media outlets which play around with language all the time. If a nation state opposed by America, France, Turkey and the United Kingdom was sponsoring terrorism to the same degree then this nation state would be warned and most likely invaded in a very short time. However, the “war on terrorism” under the Obama administration equates to supporting terrorist sponsoring nation states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Iraq is disillusioned because now terrorists are once more destabilizing Iraq to a major degree thanks to the barbaric policies of major Gulf powers – which are protected by America, France and the United Kingdom.

The Russian Federation condemned the one sided non-binding resolution while non-democratic Gulf states played their “energy card” in order to bribe nations which sell themselves for a compliant life. It appears that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist terrorist groups can kidnap UN workers; cut open Syrian soldiers; behead at random; do daily terrorist attacks; destroy holy buildings; kidnap Christian clergy; kill mainstream Muslim clerics; kill journalists; persecute minorities; and other barbaric realities. Indeed, the conflict in Syria is clearly showing the world that powerful nations can do anything they please and support barbaric terrorist groups from their wealthy homes and all in the name of democracy.

France is clearly confused because on the one hand this nation is fighting against al-Qaeda and Islamic jihadist groups in Mali. However, on the other hand this nation is supporting Gulf nations and Turkey which are openly providing assistance to various terrorist organizations against the people of Syria. The only consistency is the Russian Federation which understands the need to crush terrorism in Mali and Syria respectively. Yet nations which are supporting terrorism, sedition and sectarianism against Syria are openly manipulating terrorists for their own geopolitical means. It matters little that the FSA and various terrorist groups commit daily massacres because with the mass media in the Gulf and West being largely compliant when it comes to the “big players,” then anything is possible.

Even when the chemical false flag was raised and found to be wanting by the independent commission of inquiry by the UN then these findings were brushed under the carpet. After all, instead of the inquiry under Carla Del Ponte pointing the finger at the government of Syria she stated the opposite. Of course, if the outcome had stated that the Syrian government had been involved then the collective nations of America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom would have used this around the clock alongside the compliant mass media.

However, Carla Del Ponte stated that “investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated.”

“This was use on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities.”

Only the UN could side with terrorist groups which have kidnapped UN workers on several occasions in Syria. This is the madness of Syria because the more the world is provided with clear evidence of Syrian soldiers being cut open by terrorists, people being beheaded, Christian bishops being kidnapped, Muslim clerics being killed and other barbaric realities; the more the axis of evil in America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom plots fresh false flags and garners more economic support for terrorists and sectarian forces.

The so-called opposition is divided and clearly outside nations are pulling the strings. If Saudi Arabia and Qatar are so concerned about human rights, democracy, rights of women and religious pluralism then clearly both nations should change their internal political mechanisms. However, it is abundantly clear that Saudi Arabia and Qatar care zilch about human rights and democracy but they can buy the mechanisms of the UN with their petrodollars.

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) adored Japanese ukiyo-e and many famous international artists also fell in love with this art form. Toulouse-Lautrec and his lifestyle would certainly have fit in well with the environment of Yoshiwara in Tokyo, which is famous for prostitution. Indeed, several ukiyo-e artists depicted scenes in this famous district including Hiroshige and Utamaro. Therefore, Toulouse-Lautrec would have felt like being “home from home” because Yoshiwara and Montmartre shared many common features in the past.

Rene Princeteau gave art lessons to Toulouse-Lautrec when he was young and the background of his family is one of wealth. Indeed, he was born into an aristocratic family but tragedy impinged on Toulouse-Lautrec when he was a teenager because he broke both legs. The severity of the accidents meant that his legs stopped growing and this created “many internal demons.” This is based on the fact that his body continued to develop like normal therefore throughout his short life he could never fully come to terms with this situation.

The artistic turning point for Toulouse-Lautrec came in 1882 because he went to Paris in order to study conventional art. He soon met important artists like Vincent Van Gogh and the art of Edgar Degas inspired him greatly in this period. Therefore, the lore of Impressionist art enticed him greatly and because of this he gave up his studies in conventional art.

Toulouse-Lautrec who was born in the south of France now found himself in Montmartre in Paris. The environment was completely different because this area had a buzzing nightlife across the whole spectrum. This applies to cabarets, restaurants, dancing clubs with sexual connotations, cafes, brothels, and other areas of life.

The trappings of this new environment enticed Toulouse-Lautrec because he soon joined the bohemian community. During the evening period he would drink and natter with friends. However, despite enjoying himself Toulouse-Lautrec would also draw sketches and then work on altering these by turning them into lithographs and paintings. This became most rewarding for Toulouse-Lautrec because the environment created passion, innovation, and ideas, which were then expressed through his artwork.

Dieter Wanczura, www.artelino.com, comments that “The lithographs of Lautrec show the famous personalities of the French Belle Epoque. Lautrec knew them all personally- singers and dancers like Yvette Guilbert, May Belfort, Jane Avril or the poet Aristide Bruant. Many of these lithographs were commissioned by these artists for posters or theater billboards or as illustrations for magazines.”

Dieter Wanczura further comments that “The impressionists saw Ukiyo-e art (Japanese woodblock prints) and were impressed. And like so many other artists of the late nineteenth century, Lautrec had started collecting Japanese art. At that time, everything Japanese was en vogue – very fashionable.”

“Japanese printmaking had a very pervasive influence on his style. For Toulouse Lautrec movement and forms were important. His compositions, unusual perspectives and the use of large areas of flat color are undoubtedly inspired by Japanese woodblock prints.”

Western art impacted on Japanese art in the same period and likewise the Paris scene was awash with ukiyo-e prints. Therefore, new ideas were going in both directions but cultural differences meant that aspects of the cultural settings were very different. Also, individual artists, irrespective of nationality, had unique aspects which applied to their respective thought patterns and upbringings.

Artists like Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, and many others, were influenced by Japonisme (Japonism). However, Japonisme was based on the eye and not the concept or rich traditions which had evolved in Japan. Also, ukiyo-e is extremely broad when it comes to subjects that were covered and individual artists had their own unique styles and ways. Yet despite this, Japonisme certainly inspired many artists and for Toulouse-Lautrec ukiyo-e was like Montmartre. This applies to opening-up a new world of art and thought patterns which would enhance his creativity and style.

If you visit that Van Gogh (www.vangoghgallery.com) Gallery website it is stated that “Japanese art, especially Japanese woodcuts, became a great influence on Van Gogh. When Van Gogh moved to Paris in 1886 he was introduced to impressionism and also explored Japonism. Van Gogh admired the bold designs, intense colors, and flat areas of pure color and he also appreciated the elegant and simple lines.”

It is abundantly clear that Toulouse-Lautrec would fully understand the words of Van Gogh because he was also transformed in Paris. In another article I wrote about Japanese art I comment that “Ukiyo-e and western art went in both directions but the initial contact period will have been based on a mirror which can’t fully show the complexion of the individual because of all the steam. Irrespective of this, it is clear that both traditions led to new creativity.”

Sadly, for Toulouse-Lautrec, the lifestyle that altered his artistic path in Paris also became self destructive. Therefore, alcohol abuse and other negative areas all climaxed in his early death at the age of 36. In many ways Toulouse-Lautrec always had “two worlds which were pulling in opposite directions.” The first world applies to coming from a wealthy family but having poor health for the majority of his life. While the second world applies to being extremely creative because of the environment of Paris but the same environment led to his early death based on alcohol abuse and other factors.

Irrespective of everything, Toulouse-Lautrec leaves a lasting legacy because of the richness of his art and he also opens up the world of Montmartre.

http://www.artelino.com/articles/toulouse_lautrec.asp

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Boutros Hussein and Walter Sebastian

Modern Tokyo Times

The country of Mali needs urgent economic input into the nation in order to start the process of restructuring areas plagued by international jihadists, to develop the infrastructure and to strengthen the central state. At a major conference to raise awareness and to obtain international funding the European Union announced that they will pledge an initial 520 million Euros ($673 million dollars). However, in time collective international support should provide much more economic assistance given the need to stabilize this nation.

Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, stated that this funding would help Mali to become “stable, democratic and prosperous.” It is widely reported that the government of Mali is hoping to obtain over 4 billion Euros given the severity of the crisis. This funding is needed for a plethora of important things which equally applies to developing the infrastructure and providing resources to strengthen all major institutions including the armed forces of this nation. After all, the threat from international jihadists which desire to crush indigenous Islam and turn this country into a Gulf paranoid Sharia state is all too real. Therefore, Mali is facing a war of civilization whereby traditional Mali Islam is threatened by alien and draconian versions of Islam which emanate from the Gulf region.

According to the BBC this funding is related to “rebuilding government institutions and the military, repairing damaged infrastructure, organizing presidential elections, holding dialogue with rebel groups in the north, and stimulating the economy.”

Of course this economic support from the European Union is extremely welcomed by the Mali government and people of this nation. Yet, it is essential that donors listen to the leaders of Mali and to people on the ground because sometimes foreign assistance can be based on lofty ideals. Therefore, while elections are essential in the long-term it shouldn’t be fostered on Mali until the situation is more secure given the military threat from international jihadists.

In the BBC article they are relating Mali to similar donor support which happened in Afghanistan and Somalia. However, this is not valid in many ways, after all the vast majority of people in Mali share similar values of pluralism and religious tolerance. Also, unlike in Afghanistan and Somalia the French led forces were welcomed with open arms by the overwhelming majority of Mali people. This reality means that providing the Islamists can be crushed then economic support can genuinely make a difference providing “the heart of the government is sincere.”

President Dioncounda Traore who is the interim leader stated that “I think that’s a good start…Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, in a week or in a month, it is clear that the international community, the European Union, will inject a lot more than that.”

The President of the European Commission commented that “the principal actors in this transition are the Malians themselves and their government.”

Given the severity of the crisis in Mali then officials from this country are working around the clock in order to prepare for the future of this nation. This reality can be seen by the Plan for the Sustainable Recovery of Mali. It is hoped that this difficult and complex plan will be rewarded by genuine international support in order to galvanize Mali and put this nation on the right path to prosperity. Of course the road will be hard and difficult but providing the political leadership in Mali remains vibrant and the international community is sincere; then hopefully Mali will set a positive precedent whereby international economic support provides “a new tomorrow” instead of a “false dawn.”

Lee Jay Walker provided assistance to both main writers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22535265  

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

http://moderntokyotimes.com

Sarah Deschamps and Hiroshi Saito

Modern Tokyo Times

The different vibes of Tokyo fashion are always in heavy demand both internally and internationally therefore the Style Arena website is a must place to check continuously for latest images and news. Images on Style Arena highlight the “real Tokyo” and the interactive knowledge of the respective individuals being highlighted provides powerful information. This applies to the current trends and favorite boutiques of each respective individual. Therefore, Style Arena provides a stylish fresh approach with complete professionalism at all times.

Style Arena http://www.style-arena.jp is currently highlighting Japanese Punk vibes in the New Tribe sector. Once more, each image highlights the stunning and changing fashion vibes of a craze which is reaching the streets of Tokyo from an independent angle. This complements the mainstream reality of much of Style Arena which focuses on powerful fashion districts within buzzing Tokyo.

The five main fashion districts whereby photos are uploaded frequently apply to Daikanyama, Ginza, Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya. These five delightful districts provide a lovely ambience to Style Arena based on the distinctiveness of each fashion zone.

After all, the buzzing independence of Harajuku is internationally famous therefore vast numbers of fashion lovers all over the world are fascinated by the unique vibes emanating from this fashion district. Meanwhile, Shibuya is also recognized for being a vibrant youth district for fashion lovers and whereby “Shibuya girls” are known by their own special styles and delightful haircuts. Of course, in Harajuku and Shibuya you also have exquisite mainstream fashion and a plethora of boutiques catering for different styles.

Daikanyama is very different because this fashion district is quaint and off the beaten track for international fashion lovers who visit Tokyo for the first time. However, within Tokyo this lovely district is known for independent fashion styles, elegance and having a warm atmosphere. Also, the lifestyle of Daikanyama is highly desirable therefore this place is in high demand when it comes to a place to call home. Therefore, by providing images of individuals who adore the Daikanyama fashion scene, it is interesting to note the differences in favorite boutiques and trends among some of the people interviewed,

Ginza and Omotesando are two districts which are known for the crème de la crème of Japanese and international fashion. This reality means that you will find many adorable European and American boutiques which mix freely with exquisite Japanese boutiques. These two fashion districts are extremely wealthy and the architecture is also another lovely feature of Ginza and Omotesando. 

Tokyoites are fully aware that Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya naturally flow together alongside Aoyama which is another amazing fashion district. In the backstreets of Omotesando and Harajuku you will also find independent styles and the vibes of American street fashion can be felt heavily in the backstreets of Omotesando. Therefore, you have a lovely synergy to the entire area which links these fantastic fashion zones into one enormous fashion hub.

Daikanyama is not so far away from Shibuya by train therefore Ginza is the one fashion district which is highlighted by Style Arena which stands out by its location. Like already stated, Ginza and Omotesando share many similar themes when it comes to high fashion. However, with the interplay between Omotesando and Harajuku being so strong and the same applies to Shibuya in terms of distance; then the focus on Ginza does provide another lovely angle to Style Arena.

In another article by Modern Tokyo Times about Style Arena it was stated that “Style Arena is extremely easy on the eye and clearly all the appropriate information is provided. This applies to respective individuals who highlight their favorite fashion companies and other important areas. The photo images also highlight many different angles and clearly great care is being taken. However, it is the easy available information which provides the “in boutiques” which is a huge winner.”

Overall, Style Arena is a must place to visit for fashion lovers who adore the rich angle of this sector in Tokyo. At all times this website is updated with lovely images and latest news whereby other fashion districts are highlighted. The user friendly nature of Style Arena and the language angle which reaches out internationally sums up the entire professionalism of this exquisite website.

Lee Jay Walker gave guidance to both main writers.

http://www.style-arena.jp

http://www.style-arena.jp/street/individual/dt/5533

http://www.style-arena.jp/street/individual/dt/5541

Images in this article are not from Style Arena.  Please click on the Style Arena website to view the latest trends of Tokyo. These images belong to MODERN TOKYO TIMES

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Olivier LeCourt and Joachim de Villiers

Modern Tokyo Times

The last few days have seen the combination of three scandals hitting the headlines in America whereby people want to know how deep the government was involved. This applies to the ongoing Benghazi saga which led to the deaths of Americans in Libya; the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) targeting political groups which are opposed to the policies of the Democratic Party; and now it turns out that the Department of Justice is involved in underhanded tactics in order to seize information from the Associated Press (AP). Therefore, President Obama is involved in damage limitation irrespective if he is involved in each respective issue because it is the perception of involvement which is the problem.

Internally, the IRS scandal is extremely worrying because it appears that big government can manipulate proceedings by stealth. It also gives further credence to people who believe that the constitution is under threat from big government because the IRS debacle should never have happened in the first place. After all, it isn’t the business of the IRS to target political associations which are opposed to the ruling government.

In theory the IRS isn’t controlled by the central state because this agency is independent but this will cut little ice with many American nationals. Ron Bonjean who is a former political aide to the Republicans on Capitol Hill comments that “The public sees the IRS as part of the federal government, which the White House controls.”

The New York Times comments that “The Internal Revenue Service’s special scrutiny of small-government groups applying for tax-exempt status went beyond keyword hunts for organizations with “Tea Party” or “Patriot” in their names, to a more overtly ideological search for applicants seeking to “make America a better place to live” or “criticize how the country is being run,” according to part of a draft audit by the inspector general that has been given to Capitol Hill.”

Jim Carey, a spokesperson for the White House, stated that Obama “is concerned that the conduct of a small number of Internal Revenue Service employees may have fallen short” of “the highest levels of integrity.” These words however appear to be trying to soften the bigger issue because where did the idea come from in the first place? Was it really a spontaneous approach by a small number of employees – or, is this issue much more sinister?

Another issue to hit the headlines in America is the behavior of the Justice Department in relation to obtaining the records of editors and reporters at AP. It is known that the Justice Department obtained private information by obtaining the telephone records of workers at AP. This applies to two months of private telephone records and just like the IRS scandal it points in the direction of big government and political motives.

The Benghazi issue will just not go away because fresh information points a very negative finger at the Obama administration and the behavior of the intelligence community in America. Therefore, fresh information from whistleblowers is unearthing many inadequacies alongside political manipulation of the events which were unfolding at the time of the crisis.

The Investigative Project on Terrorism comments that “Three State Department whistleblowers told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday that bureaucratic wrangling led to the tragedy in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012 that left four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, dead.”

“The whistleblowers included Gregory Hicks, the former deputy chief of Mission and Charge d’Affairs in Libya; Eric Nordstrom, diplomatic security officer and former State Department regional security officer in Libya; and Mark Thompson, acting deputy assistant secretary for Counterterrorism.”

“Inadequate security, combined with substandard building requirements at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, resulted in the tragedy, Hicks’ testified.”

It is certain that many new developments will occur over all three issues. Currently the IRS and AP developments are still in the infancy period. However, the Benghazi debacle will just not go away. Of course, nobody is stating that Obama is at the center of all these three misdeeds. Despite this, the issue of big government overstepping the mark does appear to connect with how the current leadership is perceived in many quarters of the electorate. It also doesn’t look good internationally when you appear to have a biased IRS and whereby a powerful media agency can have its private information taped. Therefore, Obama will be kept on his toes for the following months because these three issues will certainly garner fresh information in the very near future.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to the main two writers

http://www.investigativeproject.org/4009/whistleblowers-high-level-bureaucratic-errors

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Murad Makhumdov and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Saudi Arabia funds Islamic education, media groups, proselytization, building of Islamic mosques and so forth all over the world. So-called puritanical Islam from Saudi Arabia, which incidentally allows old men to marry young little girls, is unleashing fresh divisions within nations and spreading hatred within the Muslim world and non-Muslim world. America and the United Kingdom, and virtually all major nations, are allowing this in the full knowledge that converts to Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and so forth, face the death penalty. Therefore, once Gulf petrodollars from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other feudal Gulf nations funded opposition terrorist forces in Syria the upshot was anti-Christian, anti-Shia and anti-Alawite hatred.

Of course, radical Sunni Islamism in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and other nations, hates all and sundry therefore mainstream Sunni Muslim clerics have been killed by Gulf petrodollars. America and the United Kingdom did little to stem the religious cleansing of Christians and other minorities in many parts of Iraq after Allied forces unleashed vacuums that they couldn’t contain. Likewise, the cleansing of Orthodox Christians in Kosovo happened on the watch of European nations and America. This brutal reality meant that the Christian community in Syria was easily sacrificed by political elites in London and Washington. Sadly, France now appears to have sold “its soul” to these two twins of evil. In the past France had favored secular forces in the Middle East unlike America and the United Kingdom which supported conservative feudal Sharia states in the Gulf and conservative leaders in Egypt. However, the last two leaders of France have sold their “soul” and now this nation is in the troika of Western powers which is in league with feudal Islamist powers in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

In Syria under the current government the people of this nation had freedoms that were unimagined in Saudi Arabia and Qatar before outside nations decided to crush pluralism and secularism. Also, unlike Saudi Arabia which will not tolerate one single Christian church; the land of Syria is blessed by a mosaic of faiths and political leaders in Syria look favorably towards Christianity. Indeed, President Bashar al-Assad married a Sunni Muslim lady who happened to go to a Christian school when she was younger. However, the Gulf petrodollars which are spreading a militant version of Islam based on supremacy and hatred – and where they stifle all notions of democracy; are now somehow concerned about freedom in Syria. Of course, in the real world it is a farce because they should clean up their own “intolerant houses” instead of spreading sectarianism and terrorism to Syria.

Currently two archbishops and two priests are being held by forces which are being supported by America, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. This applies to the plethora of factions within the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist factions. Often forces within both groups fight side by side and they are complicit in many brutal terrorist attacks and massacres against anyone deemed to be pro-Assad.

Archimandrite Haddad of the Greek Melkite Catholic Basilica is a Christian rector who speaks his mind because he fully understands the hatred being unleashed against Syria. Fr. Haddad stated that the rebels (terrorists and mercenaries) “want to show that there is no more coexistence between Christians and Muslims but this isn’t true.”

Fr. Haddad also stated that “The Syrian war is not a crisis between Muslims and Christians or Muslims and other Muslims and it’s not a Syrian civil war from and for Syrians….This is a war imported from outside and we have traitors who have sold themselves to outsiders for a bit of money.”

Msgr. Dankaye is another Christian leader who is trying to open the eyes of the agents of hatred. He also attacks media outlets in the West and in the Gulf region which are spreading sectarianism, terrorism and sedition by their extremely biased reporting.

Msgr. Dankaye comments about the mass media by stating that “the international community’s 600 TV channels broadcast the exact same version, while the only Syrian TV channel that exists and broadcasts daily news in English has been blocked.”

“People against the regime are outside Syria….War always has its reasons and its logic, and the true reasons for it are always hidden.”

The Catholic News Agency reports that the “Greek Orthodox Archbishop Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim were kidnapped by rebels on April 22 and are still being held in a village northwest of Aleppo.”

“Gunmen pulled the two Christian archbishops out of their car and shot their driver, a deacon.”

“They were on their way to Aleppo from the Turkish border in an effort to negotiate the release of two priests, Armenian Catholic Father Michel Kayyal and Father Maher Mahfouz, a Greek Orthodox Christian.”

“The priests had been abducted on Feb. 9 when the bus they were riding on from Aleppo to Damascus was stopped. They are still being held captive.”

Fr. Haddad also took a swipe at the feudal Islamist states which are funding sectarianism, terrorism and sedition. He states that “Our petro-dollar Arabic neighbors have bought some Syrians and it’s a surprise to me when a Syrian is happy to see a Syrian soldier murdered.”

Ironically, one can claim that Saudi Arabia is consistent because this nation supports institutional hatred and religious persecution. Of course, on top of this is keeping women in the shadows and allowing child marriage to very old men. Therefore, you don’t expect religious tolerance and morality from a nation which supports killing apostates and which allows old men to marry little girls. Given this reality, Islamist forces in Syria are “a true mirror” to the institutional state of hatred in Saudi Arabia. However, why are these anti-Christian, anti-Shia, anti-Alawite and anti-secular forces are being supported by political elites in London, Paris and Washington?

It must also be stated that in Egypt the Coptic Christian community is facing a new wave of Islamist hatred under the banner of the Muslim Brotherhood and various Salafi groups. Despite this, America and Europe keep on supplying economic lifelines to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Also, America is continuing to supply major military hardware to the anti-Christian and anti-secular Muslim Brotherhood. Therefore, the forces of hatred which seek to impose conservative Sharia states on the people of Egypt and Syria are being supported by the usual players which are destabilizing Syria.

Mainstream Sunni Islam in Syria is also under threat because killing moderate Sunni clerics means little to Gulf nations which are funding sectarianism, the Salafi message of hatred and indoctrination. In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “The democracy of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and various Islamist factions was once more made clear in Damascus. This applies to the targeting and murder of a prominent Sunni religious cleric while he was teaching people about Islam. However, for the FSA and various Islamist factions Dr. Mohammed Saeed Ramadan al-Bouti was a danger because he denounced the traitors and enemies of Syria. Therefore, his only crime was to speak from the heart and to denounce the so-called opposition which beheads, kills journalists, cleanses areas of minorities, murders pro-government Syrians, indoctrinates children to hate, destroys the infrastructure and other brutal realities.”

Further down in the same article it is stated that “Early 2012 and late 2012 are ending in the same way in Syria when it comes to killing Muslim religious leaders. In the early part of 2012 Sheikh Mohammad Ahmad Ouf Sadeq was brutally murdered by Islamist terrorists. Sadly, in late December 2012 another religious leader was also shot in the head by Islamist terrorists. These Islamists follow the thought patterns of Saudi Arabia and other draconian Gulf nations.”

The Ministry of Religious Endowments (Awqaf) stated about the killing of Sunni clerics “that the terrorist attacks against scholars and directors of Awqaf directorates prove that the war launched against Syria is a war led by Takfiri and terrorist organizations against the moderation and tolerance of the Syrian religious thought.”

Fr. Haddad also stated that there are “terrorists and non-terrorists from Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have gone to fight in Syria saying they want to liberate Jerusalem…But can one liberate Jerusalem from Aleppo?…We all know where the path to Jerusalem is.”

Prior to outside nations meddling into the affairs of Syria it was clear that this nation represented a mosaic whereby various religious communities co-existed. However, today terrorism, sectarianism, Salafi indoctrination and sedition are all being supported in order to crush independent Syria. At the same time covert operatives who played such an important role in Libya are also working in tandem and NATO Turkey is a major conduit of international terrorists, covert operatives, mercenaries, Salafi fanatics and military hardware.

Christian priests and churches are not being destroyed by government forces. On the contrary, Syrian soldiers and the government are trying to protect the Christian minority just like they are trying to protect their motherland from a plethora of enemies. Therefore, it is essential that the friends of Syria continue to support this nation and for the mass media to wake-up and ask serious questions in order to shame political elites in London, Paris and Washington. After all, you can’t shame Saudi Arabia because it is beyond reproach and Qatar is a feudal monarchy which just “buys silence” and “propaganda.” If the enemies of Syria succeed then spare a thought to what happened in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya – then ask the simple question – are these nations now free and flourishing?

http://www.eurasiareview.com/12052013-mass-held-in-rome-for-kidnapped-syrian-bishops/

leejay@moderntokyotimes.com

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Sarah Deschamps and Michel Lebon

Modern Tokyo Times

Tokyo tourism provides an abundance of options because this highly developed city caters for so many tastes. This applies to amazing Japanese gardens, stunning art galleries, high octane fashion districts, a paradise for gamers, the beautiful Tenno palace, the beach of Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge, Meiji Shrine, mountain range of Takao, and so much more. Therefore, tourists who visit Tokyo are spoilt for choice in this amazing city.

However, in this article the emphasis is on Asakusa because this lovely district is famous for the stunning Buddhist temple called Senso-ji. This notable landmark in Tokyo is dedicated to the revered bodhisattva Kannon. Also, you have other beautiful temples in Asakusa and throughout the year you have various festivals which highlight the richness of Japanese culture.

The first temple on this site was built in 645 but prior to this the year of 628 is essential because of what happened according to legend. This applies to two fishermen who were fishing in the Sumida River when they suddenly found a statue of the revered Kannon (Goddess of Mercy). Hajino Nakamoto fully understood the importance of the statue and in time a temple was built honoring Kannon in Asakusa.

Sadly, during World War Two the vast majority of this temple was destroyed during carpet bombings. However, the rebirth of this temple mirrored the rebirth of Tokyo and Japan. Therefore, throughout the centuries this fascinating Buddhist temple played an important role in the history of Tokyo and political leaders throughout the ages respected the sanctity of this stunning place.

The Shinto shrine of Nishinomiya Inari Shrine is also located in the same part of Asakusa and this highlights the fusion of both faiths. Therefore, the Sanja Matsuri (Three Shrine Festival) incorporates this shared religious environment each year when approximately 1.5 million to 2 million individuals visit this festival. This highlights that while Tokyo is ultra-modern, it is also clear that the “old world” still survives during powerful festivals like the Sanja Matsuri.

During the golden period of Asakusa in the first five to six decades of the twentieth century, this district was famous for traditional Japanese theater, the highly regarded Denkikan cinema, and other forms of entertainment. Asakusa is also the oldest geisha district in Tokyo and you still have working geisha in modern times. You also have many traditional ryokan (guest houses) homes in this district and this further creates the cultural aspect of Asakusa.

The Kappabashi-dori is another intriguing place to visit because of the many Japanese kitchenware stores to be found. Many Tokyoites visit because of this factor and clearly Asakusa is a million miles away from the area of Shibuya which is famous for young fashion lovers. However, it is the richness of this diversity which makes Tokyo such a fascinating place to visit.

The Japan National Tourist Organization comments that “Numerous shops along Nakamise-dori Street, which runs along the approach way to Senso-ji Temple, carry a variety of small articles made of Japanese-style paper and other traditional goods such as folding fans. It is a lovely shopping street that attracts many foreign visitors.”

Overall, if you want to feel the richness of Buddhism and Shintoism in Tokyo then Asakusa enables this. At the same time, you can feel “old Tokyo” and envisage the power of the Buddhist faith, the Shinto faith, ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese theatre, geisha, and other powerful cultural traditions. Therefore, if you are going to visit Tokyo in the near future this part of Tokyo is highly recommended.

Lee Jay Walker gave support to both writers

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/asakusa.html

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