Germany

Improve your observation skillsDiary of a Monk

Overview and Impressions of "Sharpening Your Observational Skills: Reading Famous Paintings" - If you change the way you look at things, you can change the world! A great book that I highly recommend students to read!

In this book, you will complete a number of practices through various paintings and works of art.

The practice through that famous Vermeer is extremely stimulating and interesting.

The details that can never be noticed by just looking at it casually. What is actually depicted in these paintings? This book will make you understand how we cannot see anything. Please read this book first to try it out. You will be shocked at how vague your view of the world is.

I was shocked at how big a difference there was between "seeing" and "watching.

This is an important skill for study, for work, and even for all of life. This is an amazing program that I hope many people will experience.
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(20) Visit the Church of Santa Bibiana, the debut work of architect Bernini! The Strongest Patron, Urbanus VIII

ベルニーニは建築家としての第一歩をこの教会からスタートさせました。

ですがなんと！その第一歩目からしてとてつもない偉業を成し遂げていたのでした。

天才ベルニーニの最初の教会建築を堪能できるこの教会はぜひおすすめしたいです。ローマテルミニ駅近くの若干地味で目立たない教会ですが、だからこそ味があって素晴らしいです。

観光客もほとんど来ないのでじっくりベルニーニの世界を味わうことができます。ぜひローマ滞在の折にはここを訪れてみてはいかがでしょうか。
mountain where monsters roamBritish and German Literature, History and Culture

Thomas Mann's "The Devil's Mountain" Synopsis and Comments - What is life? A hodgepodge of strong personalities! A masterpiece of German literature!

This novel is very important to me. If I had to choose my "Ten Greatest Novels," "The Devil's Mountain" would certainly be among them. It is so powerful and has such a strong impact. It is a work of great scale!

I first read this book when I was a graduate student. I had been wanting to read a profound novel about life issues, and this was the one I suddenly came across. I was originally interested in Thomas Mann, having read "Death in Venice" as a student and having heard his name mentioned in connection with Goethe.

Then I came across this book, and a passage I will never forget was burned into my mind.
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(5) The Colosseum, a symbol of ancient Rome, and Goethe Andersen: The Romanticism that Fascinated Men of Letters

The Colosseum is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Rome, but it is still an interesting place. Not only the overwhelming visual effect of its gigantic appearance, but also the historical background is very interesting.

Although excavation and preservation have made it what it is today, the Colosseum was actually a grassy idyll until the late 19th century.

And as I gazed at the Colosseum, I could not help but be overwhelmed by Goethe's titanic figure. The Colosseum reminded me of Goethe's greatness. Goethe, Goethe, Goethe! You are still a fearsome superhuman! I can only bow down to you.
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(3) Visit the long-established Caffe Greco in Rome - a sanctuary for artists where Goethe, Andersen, and Mendelssohn also frequented.

Located near Piazza di Spagna in Rome, Caffe Greco has become a mecca for lovers of literature, painting, and music, where Goethe, Andersen, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, and countless other famous people have spent time.

As you would expect from a long-established business with a history of over 200 years. It is also a great place to feel nostalgia.

I visited this place many times during my stay in Rome. No matter how many times I come here, it is always an exciting space. I was excited every time by the thought that the great people I admired were here.
Travels in Rome" - Charms of the Theater City of Rome and Pilgrimage to Bernini

(1) Gateway of Rome, Porta del Popolo and Piazza del Popolo - A stroke of the eye that instantly draws the traveler in! What is the true essence of Rome as a theater city!

The memorable first installment of my Rome travelogue is the Gate of Popolo and Piazza del Popolo, the gateway to Rome.

I also came to the Porta del Popolo by subway from Termini station.

Goethe and Stendhal passed through here. Dostoevsky and Mendelssohn, two of my favorites, would have passed through here.

For me, Rome is the city of Bernini and the city that Goethe praised. The beginning is the key to everything. It was a very encouraging first day for my future stay in Rome.
Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

My thoughts after "Dostoevsky's Journey" and future blog updates - in reply to the message to all visitors to this blog.

I like Dostoevsky. But above all, I love "Dostoevsky with Mrs. Anna. I would be very happy if the journey of these two men could be seen by as many people as possible.

After this, our blog will be updated with articles about Rome, but for me personally, I will now plunge into the study of Buddhism. Finally, I have returned to my main focus. I will be studying the history, thought, and culture of Buddhism along the route of its transmission from India, Asia, China, and Japan. My ultimate goal is to write a novel biography of Shinran Shonin. My research is now entering a new phase, and I have no regrets about my nearly four years of research on "Shinran and Dostoevsky.
Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

(29) The connection between the sudden death of his beloved child Alyosha and "The Brothers Karamazov" - Dostoevsky as the father of his children.

In our previous article, we introduced you to Dostoevsky, the loving wife.

And in this article I would like to conclude my travelogue by introducing Dostoevsky as a father.

Dostoevsky, the loving wife, Dostoevsky, the father of a child.

I will now share with you an episode that is absolutely essential to know Dostoevsky as he walked with his wife.

I believe that if you read "The Brothers Karamazov" with the knowledge of Dostoevsky's love for his children, something different will surely grow inside your heart.
Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

(28) Visit to a place associated with Dostoevsky in the spa resort of Bad Ems - Dostoevsky sends ardent love letters to his wife even 10 years after their marriage.

For me, Bart Ems is a symbolic place where I can feel Dostoevsky's love for his wife Anna.

Dostoevsky was passionately in love with his wife even after 10 years of marriage.

He continues to send ardent love letters from Ems to Mrs. Anna.

I would like to show everyone how delirious he is, which is hard to believe that he is a great writer who wrote that "Evil Spirit".

I feel that there is no better place to learn about Dostoevsky as a loving wife than here.
Mrs. Anna.Dostoevsky and His Wife's Fateful Journey: Travels in Western Europe of Madness and Love

(27) Mrs. Anna's Warriors after returning home! She fights off debt collectors! Dostoevsky has full confidence in her!

In my previous article, "(26) Mr. and Mrs. Dostoevsky's Return to Russia after 4 Years! What is the growth of Dostoevsky and his wife Anna, who has become well rounded after the trip?", we talked about the point where Mr. and Mrs. Dostoevsky finally returned to Russia.

In this article, we will introduce Mrs. Anna, who has grown up after such a trip. 4 years have passed, and they have returned as completely different people from the ones before their departure. What kind of life did they lead after returning home?