Japanese Quotes

“Jim watched them eat, his eyes fixed on every morsel that entered their mouth. When the oldest of the four soldiers had finished he scraped some burnt rice and fish scales from the side of the cooking pot. A first-class private of some forty years, with slow, careful hands, he beckoned Jim forward and handed him his mess tin. As they smoked their cigarettes the Japanese smiled to themselves, watching Jim devour the shreds of fatty rice. It was his first hot food since he had left he hospital, and the heat and greasy flavour stung his gums. Tears swam in his eyes. The Japanese soldier who had taken pity on Jim, recognising that this small boy was starving, began to laugh good-naturedly, and pulled the rubber plug from his metal water-bottle. Jim drank the clear, chlorine-flavoured liquid, so unlike the stagnant water in the taps of the Columbia Road. He choked, carefully swallowed his vomit, and tittered into his hands, grinning at the Japanese. Soon they were all laughing together, sitting back in the deep grass beside the drained swimming-pool.”
― J.G. Ballard , Empire of the Sun

“To appreciate the best opportunity for attack and defence, you must fully understand the rhythm of movement.

(Page 28).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“朝の早い時刻に、まだ何も描かれていない真っ白なキャンバスをただじっと眺めるのが昔から好きだった。私はそれを個人的に「キャンバス禅」と名付けていた。まだ何も描かれていないけれど、そこにあるのは決して空白ではない。その真っ白な画面には、来るべきものがひっそり姿を隠している。目を凝らすといくつもの可能性がそこにあり、それらがやがてひとつの有効な手がかりへと集約されていく。そのような瞬間が好きだった。存在と非存在が混じり合っていく瞬間だ。”
― Haruki Murakami, 騎士団長殺し―第1部　顕れるイデア編

“To gain mastery you must unite the qualities of spirit, strength, technique and the ability to take the initiative.

(Page 31).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“We face the enemy and contend with him—if he turns away we let him go. (Page 13).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“[...] before you can control your opponent's body you must first control his mind.

(Page 17).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“Japan is a country that influences, inspires and motivates a range of other Asian cultures and countries”
― Peter Hanami, Baby Boomers and the New Japanese Student

“Seek to become conscious of being filled with ki, the power of the universe, and to use that power well. To be at one with this great power is aikido, the way of the spirit.

(Page 17).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“However keen you may be to begin your study, before you venture on to the mat and attempt any of the basic techniques it is necessary to know something of the principles that govern aikido, for unless you do understand a little about posture, movement, balance, gentleness and courtesy, you will not be a satisfactory pupil.

(Page 18).”
― Sadami Yamada, Principles and Practice of Aikido

“At this place in time, neither of them were foreign to each other. They were just two humans alone in the middle of the sky. The differences between them now were immaterial, like the faint whisper of traffic far below.”
― Zita Steele, Edge of Suspicion

“No kitchen is complete without veal stock."
"Do you have veal stock in this kitchen? Does your neighbor?"
"It is the foundation of all sauces. It adds a complexity. Deliciousness. Has Escoffier not told you of this theory of five tastes? A Japanese chemist proved it, and called it 'umami,' which means deliciousness.”
― N.M. Kelby, White Truffles in Winter

“Щоразу, коли в одному з храмів Кіото чи Нари я потрапляю до старосвітньої вбиральні, тьмавої й бездоганно чистої, вкотре подивляю довершеність японської архітектури. Краще від вбиральні пристосовані до душевного спочинку хіба що кімнати для чаювального чину. Несила описати відчуття, коли, віддалившись від головної зали в пропахлий листям і мохом затінок дерев чи просто в дальній кінець коридору, присядеш навпочіпки в напівсвітлі й поринеш у задуму, задивившись на яскраві прямокутники сьодзі чи на сад на подвір'ї, коли стулки сьодзі розсунуті.”
― Jun'ichirō Tanizaki

“The various units of Philippine guerrillas, their tactics, military resources, and vigor to survive and end the Japanese maltreatment of the Philippine people paint the Pacific Theater from 1941-1945 as desperate, dark, and bloody for Asian communities throughout East and Southeast Asia”
― Stacey Anne Baterina Salinas

“Although Swedish is one of the few languages on this Earth that I enjoy the sound of. That and Japanese. French is all right, Italian is tolerable depending on who’s speaking it. Everything else makes me cringe. Even English with some accents is bad. Australian? Spare me.”
― Caspar Vega, The Sexorcism of Amber Holloway

“Quelle insegne luminose assiepate sulle catapecchie del Golden Gai stanotte sembrano le bandiere attorno a un monumento decrepito, dedicato a una metropoli che ha saputo resistere alle bombe, al fuoco, alla cenere e lo ha fatto con i denti e con le unghie, con i fuorilegge, con la yakuza, le puttane, il gioco d’azzardo, i ladri, gli assassini, con tutti quanti i figli del disastro, armati di coltello e tenuti svegli dall’acquavite mescolata alla voglia di rivalsa, affogati e raggrinziti nella bile come una rapa daikon nell’aceto di riso.”
― Mario Vattani, Doromizu

“in this world there probably isn't anyone whom you can dislike from the heart!”
― Ai Yazawa, Gokinjo - Une vie de quartier, Volume 2

“As there is no official textbook or guide for the JLPT N3 level this study guide has been created to help fill an information gap”
― Peter Hanami, Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 Study Guide

“The official JLPT guide states that JLPT N3 level is roughly equivalent to Japanese Grades 1 through 4 in terms of kanji and vocabulary content with approximately 650 Kanji made up of Grade 1 (80), Grade 2 (160) Grade 3 (200) and Grade 4 (200) and 3750 vocabulary”
― Peter Hanami, Japanese Language Proficiency Test N3 Study Guide

“Japanese students come from an advanced, sophisticated society, have a unique cultural identity and require a range of products and services to meet their education needs.”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in Australia

“Japanese students judge a school by its appearance, what it looks like inside and out. They want up to date computers that can read, write and accept Japanese characters. They want the same level of technology they use and have in Japan.”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in Australia

“Japanese students when compared to other countries students clearly stand out as highly desirable long-term students. Their high level of literacy, visa access, motivation to study, scholastic ability, and value as alumni make them a sort after student market in Asia”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in Australia

“Japanese people like New Zealand, the quality of education, the beautiful natural surroundings, the value for money and the perceived high safety aspect. These unique characteristics attract tourists, working holidaymakers and students alike.”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in New Zealand

“Education is highly respected in Japan and so there is a cultural desire to be highly educated which drives Japanese to undertake study, particularly English”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in New Zealand

“Japanese consumers require and expect a lot of detailed information when making a purchase decision.”
― Peter Hanami, Buyer Behaviour of Japanese Students in New Zealand

“Baby Boomers represent the largest and wealthiest market consumer segment in the Japanese economy”
― Peter Hanami, Baby Boomers and the New Japanese Student

“The generational change that is now occurring now in Japan will transform the employment market, education requirements, job skills and lifestyles of the next generation”
― Peter Hanami, Baby Boomers and the New Japanese Student

“Japan is the most developed Asian country and a major player in global business.”
― Peter Hanami, 101 insights to Japanese Culture

“In the Asian century, long term business relationships will begin with a good cultural understanding”
― Peter Hanami, 101 insights to Japanese Culture

“For those wanting a better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture, this is a good visual reference”
― Peter Hanami, 101 insights to Japanese Culture

“Gaman is a documentary that revealed the four year study experience of a Japanese student who left Japan to study in Australia and then returned home with a foreign qualification”
― Peter Hanami, Gaman A Japanese Students Four Year Study Journey Australia