Rain man

Hello intersectional thinkers 👋

Greetings from Hakone - where I spent the weekend at the historic 360-year-old onsen ryokan (traditional Japanese inn with hot springs) Matsuzakaya.

Japanese writers during the Taisho and Meiji eras often statyed at Matsuzakaya while gathering at the nearby Tohkoh An tea room (東光庵) to critique each others’ poems.

A haiku in honour of Lake Ashi: 買える視点　等身大の　スワンたち (Rough translation: The giant swan has a fresh perspective you can buy)

We sometimes forget writing is social. It’s an invitation for discussion.

So I hope you’ll join me in this virtual tea room and share your thoughts in the comments or with a quick reply :)

This weeks topics:

☔️ rain man | 🎨 the paradox of art and life | 🐟 fish & us

1 unexpected intersection

Are you a rain man / rain woman?

This is a real poll conducted by the Japanese weather news. Of all ~20,0000 Japanese respondents, 32.9％ identified as a rain man or rain woman.

雨男・雨女 ☔️
Rain man・Rain woman

/ame otoko / ame onna/

Noun

Someone whose presence seems to bring rain wherever they go.

They are typically known within social groups as someone who will likely ruin outdoor activities and travel plans.

How to identify an ame otoko or ame onna

The method is not scientific:

Step 1: Look for someone, likely an introvert, who can take the blame on a rainy day for a group event

Step 2: Ask them if they are an ame otoko or ame onna

Step 3: (a) if they confirm - identification complete
(b) if they are unsure - look for them at the next rainy event to confirm
(c) if they strongly deny - look for someone else who better fit the label

Rainmaking is social

The label may be arbitrary, but the emotions that come with the label is real.

Real enough for a group of ame otoko and ame onna to band together in the Japan Rain Woman and Rain Man Association.

Their mission is to turn the discrimnation against their rainmaking power into a social power:

To bring rain to areas in dire need precipitation, and save the Earth.

Current whereabouts of the rain men and women of the association. Click on image to interact with map

They say ask those around you about your strength.

I’ve always looked for mainstream compliments. But like the rain men and women, perhaps I should be leaning into the stuff others made fun of me for.

1 paradox

Art imitates life. Life imitates art.

1 visual Zettelkasten

Apparently we are not too different from fish?

Angie Wang @curiousbarbell

This is a pic of how humans share similar super facial back line with 🐟 Whoever is fascinated by weird fascia stuff like this let’s be friends♥️ @doorsonhinges

Have a great week!

Vicky