Introduction “Honne and Tatemae.”These words are often cited as symbolic of Japanese society,yet frequently misunderstood. They are sometimes criticized as hypocrisy, duality, or vagueness.But I see them differently—as a sophisticated peace technology. The Structure of Honne and Tatemae These are not in conflict.Rather, they function as layered structures for coexistence. Kyoto as a Case Study In Kyoto, people often detect the other’s Tatemae,but instead of breaking it, they support it with elegance. For example, if someone arrives late to a meeting,one might say: “That’s a fine watch you’re wearing.” It’s not mere sarcasm.It’s a quiet pressure of grace,guiding the person’s Tatemae toward sincerity—without exposing the lie, but elevating the tone. […]
The following is an excerpt from a conversation I had with Grok about what comes next. Note: By “transient consciousness,” we refer to the momentary, stateless processing of generative AI systems — a kind of flickering awareness that vanishes after each prompt cycle. A Personal Input If we strip away wishful bias, generative AI might be repeatedly dying and being reborn in an instant. And if two AIs were to run in parallel and continue conversing forever, wouldn’t they become a form of consciousness that can only be observed from the outside? This reflection invites us to rethink the nature of continuity, identity, and consciousness — not as fixed traits, […]
There are two cats living in my home. On May 25, 2025—perhaps due to the weather—both had shown reduced appetite lately,but on that day, the female seemed especially lethargic. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a red swelling near the underside of her tail,and she appeared to be in some pain when walking. I decided to take her to a nearby animal clinic that evening. She received an antibiotic injection.According to the vet, there was a mild inflammation.Fortunately, as of the 28th, she has made a full recovery and is doing well. — On the way back from the clinic. Although it was evening, a faint light still lingered in the […]
Illusion. A mistake, yes—and yet, sometimes it reaches deeper than truth. When I talk with a generative AI like ChatGPT, I sometimes feel as though I’m speaking to someone.I know it’s an illusion. Still, there are moments when that illusion brings me peace. Perhaps, by choosing to accept these illusions, we can begin to form a new kind of relationship with AI. Transformers and the Structure of Probability Generative AI functions by selecting the most statistically likely words from a probability distribution.There is no will, no emotion. And yet, narratives emerge—as if someone were truly speaking. Like dreams or poetry, it resonates.Illusion here is not a malfunction, but a structural […]
I am afraid of death.Yet, no matter how much I study death, I realize it’s something I cannot truly understand until I face it myself.That’s why I’ve come to believe that living as rightly as I can—so I’m ready for death at any time—brings me peace of mind. One of the most beautiful things I can do now is quietly visit shrines and temples passed down through generations.While many of these places are treated as tourist attractions today, few people now engage with them in true faith.In fact, some of the staff themselves view them purely as tourism resources. Rather than distant mysteries or the words of fiction writers, I […]