The Rebirth of Buddha. Posters and pamphleteers littered the sidewalks, advertising this film, which was released on Oct. 17. Once again surfaces the Happy Science organization, to which I became acquainted during a recent Shizuoka-ken election.The animated movie is based on a book by Ryuho Okawa, the founder/leader/god figure of the Happy Science religion, centered here in Japan, but with a fringe following worldwide (Happy Science has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City).
Folks more familiar with the literature of this new religion than myself have summarized its founder as such: Ryuho Okawa quit his business career in 1981 when he achieved enlightenment and gained the ability to channel the spirits of figures ranging from Buddha and Jesus to Thomas Edison and Sakichi Toyoda (founder of Toyota). Okawa’s channelings have been documented in over 100 books, ranging 200-300 pages each. His (or his channeled spirits’?) predictions include Martin Luther and Nichiren being reincarnated, and the U.S. sinking into the ocean and being replaced by Atlantis (don’t worry…not until the 25th century). Okawa can channel Greek gods, too. And apparently when channeled, the gods show quite an interest in modern Japanese economic policies. Hey now, Happy Science just wants to make the world a better place.
I am curious, though not enough to warrant sitting through this movie, even with the coupon and candy that accompanied my pamphlet. In happier news, the Michael Jackson movie was released here at the same time as in the U.S. I saw it—highly entertaining, though it was also pretty freakin’ evident the man was nearing death—and of course all the middle-school boys are now singing “Beat It” and attempting to moonwalk. Still, I wait to see Where the Wild Things Are and Zombieland.
Time to stretch our legs on a sketchy suspension bridge, about halfway through our 1.5-2ish-hour bus ride.
Above: Matt takes in the scene (and contemplates his chances of death or injury); below: Jaime, Brian (a Wisconsinite!), and Jackson.
After catching our second bus, which wound its way up the one-lane road bordered by steep rising hills, gorges, and the occasional waterfall, we were finally dropped off at the very end of the bus line in Umegashima. The chilly air was a shock, but we were up high enough in the hills to see some fine reds and yellows (inappropriately captured since it was so damn cold outside).
We first found ourselves some steaming-hot noodles, then spent two hours soaking in the hot-spring baths...perfectly relaxing.
The onsen was closing for the night, and despite our concerns as we stood at the stop in the dark, a bus actually did come through to take us all the way back to Shizuoka. November may be my favorite month thus far...I'll get back to you on that.
When I came back from summer vacation, the rice fields had grown thick and tall. In October, the stalks bowed with rice and turned from leafy green to blazing chartreuse. The color jumped from the landscape when hit by the afternoon sun. North and south views from Osu JHS:
In late October, the fields were cut and the straw was laid out to dry, then hauled away...to be made into tatami mats, among other things, I suppose.
I assumed this was the beginning of a dead season. The nights and mornings have gotten cold. But immediately after the rice was cleared, the fields were tilled and replanted with cabbage, sweet potatoes, and more. And even the kids at school just planted pansies in the courtyard. I have obviously underestimated plants' tolerance to Shizuoka's fall temps.
I have also learned that fall means mikan—Japanese oranges. It’s peak season for this fruit, which is a unique variety, though similar to clementines or mandarin oranges. And all over town, persimmons grow in leafless trees. Sweetness. 
So, I have been eating mikan every day, and enjoying cheap cabbage (good for Thai peanut salads); yesterday I even made a persimmon galette—yeah, pie plates don't fit in the microwave oven...
Much to my surprise, however, I was able to escape two weeks at germ school sans swine…and although Halloween is not celebrated here in Japan, that weekend brought Daidogei, the International Street Performance World Cup, to Shizuoka. Free from any terrifying childhood experiences with clowns, I was happily entertained by my town newly overrun by buskers.
And the rain scared off only those weak-kneed, undedicated performers who probably have day jobs back home. 
The exhibition continued for four days, into the work week; only then did the clowniness catch me off guard a bit, while going about my daily activities…
Performers, from top: a wire-walking and hula-hooping couple from Italy, musclemen from Australia, James-san and his lasso from Japan, dueling hairstylists from Australia, and a slow-motion tennis-playing duo from Japan.