Sunshine Through the Rain

          After watching Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams, Sunshine through the rain, I decided that this essentially is dealing with the relationships with the Kami and human beings.  The dream begins with a boy standing outside, observing the weather.  After seeing the weather outside, the mother tells her son to stay inside because the Fox’s like to have their weddings when the sun is shining through the rain.  The boy, being curious, goes out anyway and proceeds to see the wedding anyhow, which upsets the Fox’s.  Before the boy can even return home, a Fox has already stopped by giving the mother a knife for the boy to kill himself.  The boy must go ask for forgiveness before he is allowed to return home again.  We are left with the boy entering what looks like a mountain range which is covered by a rainbow, where it seems like he may or may not come back, we are not informed of what actually happens.  

            I think that these videos relate much to the relation with humans and Kami.  The Fox’s represent the Kami, and the boy dishonoring their wishes.  It is very clear how important the Kami are, after witnessing the mother’s reaction to the sons going out to see their weddings.  So important that she would even allow him to kill himself to meet the Fox’s wishes.  This only presses more how important it is to honor the Kami.  In Shinto the “Warrior-Knight Way,” which is an ethic for loyalty and honor, resembles a very good relation in this video.  Another relation to Shinto that was inherent was the place which the boy goes to to beg for forgiveness.  It seems to look much like the place where many the Kami supposedly live, which is in the beautiful mountains.  This video emphasizes how important harmony is at home, which is also a point in Shinto.  This is seen when the mother wouldn’t allow the boy to come home until the harmony was met again, or until he killed himself.  I think the way that this dream was portrayed was very beautifully, and well done.  It showed many Shinto points and ethics. 

The Tao of Pooh

Response to the Tao of Pooh:

                In the book, The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff, many different Taoist principles are pursued.  One major principle is P’u, which so happens to sound much like the main character Pooh.  It is also so likely that the P’u way collaborates with the character Pooh.  The P’u principle is things in their natural being, and not just things but people also. The author, Benjamin Hoff, tries to show all the characters in pooh having flaws, while Pooh simply just is, and is very good at just being.  I think this book was amazing, and I loved all of the comparisons that Benjamin seemed to make to prove his point.  Very early in the book Hoff says “ no matter how he may seem to others, especially to those fooled by appearances, Pooh, the Uncarved Block, is able to accomplish what he does because he is simpleminded”(page 12).  At first glance Pooh may seem lazy or stupid, but after reading this book, those who are not so aware of Taoist principles, may think otherwise.  Being simple is enjoying the simple things in life that may look plain to others.  I think Hoff did a wonderful job in portraying this image in the characters of Pooh.  I especially enjoy Benjamin’s comparison of Tiger to not understanding ones limits, and how powerful it can be in being able to work with your flaws.  Using the power in your flaws, Hoff might say.  I think his comparison in Owl being poohs opposite and Eeyore being a prime example of why many people are not happy did a great job in expressing Taoist principles. I especially like the idea of working with our Inner being and realizing our flaws to follow our Wu Wei.  It seems that the secret to being happy is to actually take a step back, relax, breath, and let things fall into place.  The secret to being happy lies within yourself, which Pooh seems to show many times throughout the book.  Overall I think this book did a wonderful job in portraying Taoism in a light that you wouldn’t put together normally. 

                I think Bisy Backsons is a great impression of how many of Americans work in todays culture.  I definitely agree with the critique of it and see Taoism as an absolute solution to the “busy” problem.  I feel most people are constantly on a “schedule” and if that schedule isn’t being followed, it seems their entire day is ruined.  I think the Taoist way pushes for a more relaxed, and go with the flow sort of way.  I think that definitely could be a solution to the problem of many people in todays culture, who seem to be constantly looking around the corner for the next milestone to accomplish and the next step to mark off their list.  Where, Taoism gives a relief in relaxing and lettings things fall into place, and in that relaxing and allowing, things will eventually fall and show your natural being.