Thirius : October 2026

Saturday, 31 October 2026

No Turning Back

Some people like to brag about seeing, meeting, or knowing famous people. To be honest, I am one of them, but when I really think about it, I don't quite understand the psychology behind it.

There are also people who, even if they themselves are complete strangers to you, will talk endlessly about the amazing people around them.

No, it doesn’t really cause any trouble, but I do have this desire to be on the receiving end of those stories—the one being talked about.

Celebrities are just regular human beings, so you naturally run into them on the street by chance, and if you are around a broadcasting station, the place is practically crawling with them. It’s really nothing to brag about, so even when I feel the urge to say something, I consciously try to hold myself back.

If you get featured on TV, your recognition skyrockets instantly, but nowadays, people also become famous through YouTube or social media, so there are so many different paths to fame.

If you happen to become famous unexpectedly, there's really nothing you can do about it.

I once told my wife, "I've been careful throughout my life not to become famous (and by famous, I mean in a good way)," to which she replied, "Say that after you actually become famous."

I fired back, "Once you become famous, there's no turning back."

It was just the typical conversation of an old couple for whom becoming famous is practically a zero percent possibility.

The Subtle Art of Staying Anonymous: Why "Not Being Famous" Might Be the Ultimate Luxury

We’ve all met someone who can’t help but drop names. "Oh, I ran into that actor the other day," or "I'm actually connected to someone who knows a major CEO." In psychology, this is known as BIRGing (Basking in Reflected Glory)—a natural human tendency to borrow someone else's spotlight to make ourselves feel a little bigger.

For a long time, I used to catch myself wanting to do the exact same thing. But recently, I’ve come to see things through a different lens.

The truth is, celebrities are just regular people. If you walk past a broadcasting studio, you will see dozens of them. Bumping into someone famous on the street is nothing more than a random coincidence. Realizing this, I now make a conscious effort to keep those "celebrity sightings" to myself.

With the rise of YouTube and social media, fame has become incredibly diverse—and unpredictable. Anyone can become viral overnight, sometimes by complete accident. But here is the catch: fame is a one-way street.

Once your face and name are out there in the public eye, there is no turning back. You lose the freedom to walk down the street in total peace. You trade your privacy for public consumption. In a world obsessed with getting noticed, protecting your anonymity is actually a massive win for your peace of mind.

I recently shared this philosophy with my wife. I told her, "You know, I’ve spent my entire life carefully making sure I don’t become famous."

She looked at me, deadpan, and replied: "Tell me that after you actually get famous."

I could only laugh and say, "But once I'm famous, it'll be too late to go back!"

It was a classic, witty reality check from my partner. We are an ordinary older couple, and the chances of either of us becoming famous are practically zero. But as we laughed it off, I realized something beautiful: being able to sit in a quiet living room, sharing a joke with your spouse, completely free from the judgment of the outside world—that is the ultimate luxury.

You don't need to bask in anyone else's glory when you are perfectly content with the quiet, comfortable life you've built.

Would

A Crimson Thistle and Five Minutes of Jealousy

The other day, I happened to look up the language of flowers for the thistle, convinced that it meant jealousy.

It all started on a routine train ride. I noticed a young woman who was, in every single way, exactly my type. She looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old; I am sixty-five. I have a wonderful wife who is just a year older than me. Naturally, given my age, my marriage, and simple common sense, she was completely out of reach. I didn't dare utter a single word to her.

During those fleeting five minutes on the train, a poignant realization washed over me: I will likely never cross paths with her again. My mind began to wander, imagining her story. She was probably a freshman who had just moved from the countryside for university. And being as breathtakingly beautiful as she was, she would never lack for company, even if she were alone right now.

That was when the jealousy hit me—not directed at her, but toward the nameless, faceless young man who would one day hold her hand and claim her affection.

The very next day, while walking along the roadside, I spotted a vibrant, crimson thistle. It seemed to look right at me, whispering, "Pick me. Take me home and display me in your room."

Remembering what I thought was its meaning, I stopped in my tracks. I brought it home and carefully placed it in a vase. To me, that deep red flower was the physical manifestation of my own raw, unattainable envy. It was beautiful, yet guarded by sharp, cautionary thorns that demanded careful handling—much like the fragile emotion I was harboring.

As it turns out, the official language of the thistle does not include jealousy. It actually stands for things like independence, defense, and retaliation.

But flower languages are fluid, evolving things. For me, in that quiet moment of intersection between a passing train ride and a roadside flower, that crimson thistle bore a language meant for me alone. It became my jealousy, my bittersweet longing, and a quiet monument to a beautiful five-minute romance that will live forever, safely tucked away, in my memory.

Thistles

Do you know the language of flowers for the thistle?

Wasn’t “jealousy” one of them?

Ah, so it wasn’t. I could have sworn I saw “jealousy” listed in some book a long time ago. Well, it’s the language of flowers, so I suppose it’s perfectly fine for there to be various interpretations. Yesterday, as I was walking along the roadside, a crimson thistle blooming there turned toward me, pleading, “Pick me and decorate your room with me.” So, I did exactly that. It is beautiful, but the flower truly has thorns and must be handled with care.

Actually, a few days ago on the train, I spotted a woman who was exactly my type. She looked to be about 18 or 19 years old. For context, I am 65.

During those brief five minutes, a bittersweet feeling crossed my heart — the realization that I would likely never cross paths with her again. I have a wife who is one year older than me, and common sense dictates that I could never bring myself to speak to her. At that moment, I also thought to myself, “She is probably (and this is strictly a guess) a first-year university student who moved here from the countryside. Since she is such a beauty, even if she doesn’t have anyone right now, she won’t be lacking for suitors.”

Because I believed the language of flowers for the thistle was “jealousy,” I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks when that thistle smiled at me, and so I brought it home. Given my age, common sense, and of course, the fact that I am married, she is entirely out of my reach. And there, literally, was “jealousy” toward the nameless young man who would eventually hold that flower.

Poison or Medicine?

During his life, my father used to boast, “I’m a man who is neither poison nor medicine (I harm no one, but cure no one either).”

As his son, I used to listen with admiration, thinking, Wow, someone can actually take pride in that.

But you see, the twist is that I, his son, am both poison and medicine. By that, I mean people who dislike me reject me completely, while those who like me fall for me wholeheartedly.

My father became a corporate worker at a young age and worked faithfully for decades, living what looked like a perfectly ordinary life from the outside. Yet, that same father often used to say, “I wish I could have traveled all around the world.”

What I actually learned from this is that every single human being possesses self-esteem and pride — so much so that someone can boast about being completely ordinary and “neither poison nor medicine.” Normally, it wouldn’t be surprising for someone to look down on themselves, thinking they have no special talents. But he didn’t.

As a teacher, my own life has been fairly ordinary, too. However, I think I was able to travel more freely than my father could. Now, I have reached the age of 65 and retired. Reemployment has proven unexpectedly difficult, and I have been rejected by over 60 companies. In this moment of mental and emotional hardship, I remembered my late father’s words.

I deeply believe that there is a position out there just waiting for me — one where I can say, “This is the one!”

White Horse

Do you know the story of the shop named "White Horse" that became a massive success simply by having a black horse painted on its door?

UNIQLO was also originally supposed to be registered with a "C" instead of a "Q," but it became a "Q" due to a clerk's mistake. And look how that turned out.

Question: It evokes a certain sense of wonder and unexpectedness, doesn't it?

There is a huge common thread here in that they both started from a mistake.

It is just like the secret origin stories behind the birth of Champagne, the tradition of eating eel on the Day of the Ox, or the rise of the 100-yen shop.

Curiously enough, if you purposely make a mistake intending to boost sales, it never works. Yet, when a genuine mistake happens, a fluke of a result can lead to unbelievable sales.

However, I believe everything must start with quality first.
If the quality is roughly equal, a naming or presentation choice can make a world of difference. But if the quality is inferior, people will just look at it and say, "They can't even spell correctly—no wonder it's bad."

For us, we ensure our quality is absolutely flawless, and then we are left wondering, "Why isn't it selling?" In the end, though, I suppose much of it comes down to a trick played by God.

Goddess of Fortune, smile upon me!

The Serendipity of Success: Why Perfect Quality Needs a Touch of "Divine Magic"

Have you ever noticed that some of the world's greatest success stories started with a mistake?

Take UNIQLO, for instance. Back in 1988, when registering their brand in Hong Kong, a clerk misread the letter "C" and registered it as a "Q"—changing UNI-CLO to UNI-QLO. Instead of panicking, the founder embraced the visual mystery of the letter "Q."

A similar twist of fate created Champagne. For centuries, French winemakers considered the bubbles a disastrous flaw caused by cold weather ruining the fermentation process. Yet, that very "explosion in a bottle" became the universal symbol of luxury.

Looking at these stories, it is easy to assume that the secret to marketing is simply making a clever mistake or finding a catchy gimmick. But that misses the most critical truth of business.

The Absolute Foundation: Quality First

If your product or service lacks substance, a mistake is just an embarrassment. If you cannot spell your own name or if your product breaks, consumers will not find it charming—they will find it incompetent.

UNIQLO exploded globally not just because of a cool letter "Q," but because their fabrics were genuinely high-quality. Champagne became legendary because the wine beneath the bubbles tasted spectacular.

Our absolute duty as creators, business owners, and professionals is to sweat the details. We must perfect the craftsmanship, ensure flawless service, and leave no stone unturned. Quality is our ticket to entry.

When the Goddess of Fortune Smiles

But here is the beautiful, mysterious twist: once you have achieved perfect quality, you cannot force the market to love you. You cannot manufacture a "calculated mistake" to viral success, because people can smell artificiality from a mile away.

True magic belongs to the realm of accident. It is born from real human errors, unexpected weather, or a frantic moment when you run out of price tags.

We do everything humanly possible to build a masterpiece. We prepare the stage. We perfect the quality. And then, we step back and realize that the final breakthrough is often left to a beautiful twist of fate. It is a humble reminder that while we control our work, we do not control the universe.

All we can do is create something wonderful, put it out into the world, and whisper:

"Fortune, please smile upon us!"

Friday, 30 October 2026

Vanishing Point

Identifying the vanishing point (the critical turning point) is essential.

Haha, for example, take the question of when to put the next log on a bonfire. I think it’s best just as the fire is starting to lose its momentum.

I believe this principle applies to all kinds of different situations.

If I remember correctly, the same was true in battle. Napoleon once said something to that effect.

Determining exactly when that moment is requires risking everything — your experience, wisdom, courage, and hope.

When Do People Fall in Love?

Right now, I am unemployed and my next job isn’t decided yet. In a situation where I am interviewing with strangers almost every day, I completely lost my heart to someone I saw on the train.

I only saw her for about five minutes, and I have no idea who she is or where she’s from, which makes it all the more painful.

After 60 rejections, I am mentally exhausted. Last night was a painful night, but in the end, I think my only way forward is to overcome this by writing about it here for emotional support. I will pull myself together and keep trying. Believing that I will meet that woman again someday.

AI Devide

Some people use the free time created by AI handling their tasks to go out and have fun (and while having fun is important), others use that same opportunity to do three to four times the amount of work they used to do.

Now that everyone is starting to use AI, this “AI divide” has become massive.

Naturally, those who absolutely detest their work will choose the first option, while those who truly love what they do will choose the second.

Putting aside which option I personally fall into, the ideal approach is to keep working while still taking proper breaks.

For someone like me, who doesn’t view their work as just a job but rather as a true calling, my workload has probably skyrocketed tenfold over the past few months.

Above all else, the top priority is gaining a competitive edge over the rivals.

Even so, I still make sure to walk for about an hour and a half every single day.

Nothing is Perpetual

It might draw some ire from Japanese people, but although it differs slightly from the post-war partition plans, let me share my own vision of Japan’s future.

Truman became president unexpectedly, but he was a man of great decisiveness and execution — dropping the atomic bombs, firing MacArthur, and flatly rejecting the partition of Hokkaido.

Although Japan managed to retain its four main islands, Stalin’s partition proposal — which included lines connecting Rumoi and Kushiro — was actually quite realistic, and there must have been debates within the U.S. on how to handle it.

Truman rejected the proposal not out of concern for Japan, but because he wanted to maintain the American sphere of influence. Then again, since the Soviets had not actually invaded Hokkaido the way they did in Kaliningrad, executing the plan might have been difficult anyway.

It is clear just from looking at a map why Russia wants Hokkaido: geographically, it forms a natural chain connecting Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. It offers ice-free ports, and it is entirely understandable why a continental power like Russia would want to acquire such islands.

Lately, China’s influence has been growing in Kyushu. While this is purely an impression based on the sheer number of Chinese people there, northern Kyushu was historically a vassal state of ancient China, as evidenced by the King of Ito gold seal.

One hundred years from now, the map of Japan might look entirely different from how it does today.

Because Japan consists of four clearly defined islands, the point of this story is that if the nation doesn’t work hard to protect itself, there is no telling what the future holds.

When do people fall in love?

Right now, I am unemployed and my next job isn’t decided yet. In a situation where I am interviewing with strangers almost every day, I completely lost my heart to someone I saw on the train.

I only saw her for about five minutes, and I have no idea who she is or where she’s from, which makes it all the more painful.

The Art of the "Crucial Moment": From Vanishing Points to Campfires and Napoleon

We often look at different fields of life—art, nature, history, business—and treat them as completely separate boxes. But every now and then, if you look closely enough, you find a single, beautiful thread that connects them all.

Recently, a fascinating conversation sparked an exploration of one such thread: the art of identifying the exact moment to act.

It started with a technical concept in drawing, shifted to the warmth of a campfire, and ended on the battlefields of the 19th century. Here is what connects them all, and what it teaches us about making decisions in our own lives.

1. The Perspective: Finding Your Focus

In drawing and painting, mastering the Vanishing Point is everything. It is the point on the horizon where parallel lines converge, creating the illusion of three-dimensional depth on a flat canvas.

If your vanishing point is off, the entire space feels wrong, no matter how beautiful your details are. Finding it requires a trained eye and an objective understanding of where you stand. In life, before you can make a move, you need this perspective. You have to step back, look at the big picture, and find your center line.

2. The Campfire: The Brilliance of the "Embers"

But identifying a point isn’t just about geometry—it is about timing. Consider a simple metaphor: tending a campfire.

When is the absolute best time to add the next log?

If you throw it in while the flames are roaring, the fire becomes uncontrollable and wastes resources.
If you wait until the fire is completely dead, you are left with cold ash, forcing you to start from scratch.

The perfect moment is just as the flames begin to die down, leaving behind glowing, radiant embers (熾火 - Okibi). At this stage, the fire looks quiet, but it is actually at its hottest and most mature. Dropping a fresh log onto these embers catches the heat instantly and breathes new life into the fire without smoke or struggle.

3. Napoleon’s Strategy: Managing the Momentum

This exact laws of nature apply seamlessly to human conflict and strategy. Napoleon Bonaparte famously operated on this identical philosophy of timing. He once noted that the outcome of a battle hangs on a single, crucial moment.

He would commit his main forces to a grueling fight until both sides were exhausted and the battlefield reached a tense, stagnant deadlock—the military equivalent of "glowing embers." Just when the enemy’s energy was about to deplete, Napoleon would make his decisive move: he would deploy his fresh, untouched Imperial Guard (his reserve forces) into the weakest point.

Deploying them too early would waste their strength; deploying them too late would mean certain defeat. He struck precisely at the turning point.

The Ultimate Human Drama: Total Commitment

Recognizing this turning point—whether it is switching business strategies, launching a new project, changing a habit, or making a life-altering choice—is where the real challenge lies.

How do we know when the "embers" are ready? The truth is, there is no perfect data or algorithm that can tell us. Finding that exact point requires us to throw every piece of our humanity into the ring:

Experience sharpens our intuition to whisper, "The time is now."
Wisdom analyzes the situation objectively to back up that intuition.
Courage gives us the push to step into an uncertain future.
Hope sustains our hearts, assuring us that a brighter flame awaits on the other side.

Every great breakthrough in history, art, and personal growth happens at this intersection. We look for our vanishing point, wait for the embers to mature, and then, with everything we have, we throw in the next log.

Finding Hope in the Darkest Hour: How an Unexpected Encounter Can Save Your Mind During a Job Hunt

We have all been there—standing at a crossroads in life where everything feels uncertain, and every door we knock on seems to slam shut. When you are deep in the trenches of a grueling job search, facing dozens of rejections, your mental health takes a massive hit. It feels like you are being judged and devalued every single day.

But sometimes, human psychology works in beautiful, unexpected ways to protect us from breaking.

The Weight of 60 Rejections

Imagine facing 60 rejections. Every interview requires you to put on your best face, meet a stranger, and pitch your worth, only to receive a cold email days later. It is a psychological marathon that drains your energy and leaves you feeling completely powerless.

When your brain is under this level of constant, high-stakes stress, it goes into survival mode. It desperately searches for an escape, a safe haven, or a spark of joy to balance the heavy anxiety.

And then, it happens in just five minutes.

The 5-Minute Encounter on the Train

You are commuting between interviews, exhausted. You look up, and for just five minutes, you lock eyes with or notice someone on the train. You don’t know their name, where they live, or what they do. Yet, in that fleeting moment, your heart leaps. You are completely captivated.

To some, this might seem like a distraction. But psychologically, this random encounter is actually a lifeline. Here is why:

An Oasis from Judgment: On that train, that stranger doesn’t know you are unemployed. They aren't judging your resume or grading your answers. In a world full of critical interviewers, that person represents a pure, unblemished moment of peace.
The "Suspension Bridge" Effect: When you are stressed about your future, your heart rate is naturally elevated. When you see someone attractive during this state, your brain blends that anxiety-driven adrenaline with romantic excitement, making the crush feel incredibly vivid and powerful.
A Spark of Control: You cannot control whether a company hires you. But your feelings? Those belong entirely to you. Falling in love—even for five minutes—is a reminder that you are still alive, vibrant, and capable of feeling deep joy.

The Pain of the Unknown

It is agonizing when that person steps off the train and disappears into the crowd. You might feel a heavy ache in your chest, wondering if you’ll ever see them again. The lack of information causes your brain to romanticize them as the "perfect ideal."

But instead of letting that ache drag you down, you can choose to transform it into an emotional shield.

Turning a Crush Into an Anchor

Writing down your feelings and expressing your pain is the first step to healing. By acknowledging how tough things are, you clear out the mental clutter.

That mystery person on the train doesn't have to be a source of sadness. Instead, let them be your anchor. Hold onto the belief that you will cross paths again one day. Use that hope as motivation to keep moving forward. Tell yourself: "When I see her again, I want to be standing tall, proud of how I survived this storm."

Rejection number 61 cannot break a heart that is fueled by hope. Keep your head high, keep writing out your truth, and trust that both the right job and the right person are waiting for you down the road.

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Vantage

This happened when I was 25 years old, which means it was 40 years ago.

Back then, I dated a wonderful young woman who was 23. Although it only lasted for three months, on our very first date, she suddenly pulled out a pack of Cabin Light cigarettes. I had never smoked before in my life, but when she exhaled a puff of smoke right toward me, it awakened my interest in smoking.

After that, starting with Cabin Light, I tried almost every brand out there. Each one had a different taste and was enjoyable. However, realizing that this would have a devastating impact on my health, I quit smoking as soon as she and I broke up.

While I barely smoked enough to even call myself an ex-smoker, seeing the news headline vividly brought back the brilliance of being 25—a time when absolute ecstasy and the heartbreak of parting coexisted so intensely.

I did smoke Vantage once, too, though I don’t remember the taste. I had forgotten about her, too.

Our split was purely physical and couldn't be helped; I went to America to continue my education, while she found a job in Tokyo. I later heard through the grapevine that she married someone else and has built a happy family.

After that, I went through a very difficult time trying to find the right partner. However, 20 years ago, I met my current wife, and we are now living a happy life together.

My wife is my ideal woman, so I am not dragged down by the past at all.

After talking with you, AI, I can now properly see the Vantage from firstost as just a news headline.

In a different sense, it feels like I can finally move forward—knowing that I don't have to unexpectedly stumble backward into the past anymore.

One Earth is More Than Enough

This is strictly my own personal theory, but even if the birth of life is a miracle in this universe, that miracle is happening right here on Earth. Life began on Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, and while humanity proudly boasts of being the “pinnacle of primates,” I think it wouldn’t be strange at all if other species — following a completely different evolutionary path — had already developed a civilization far more advanced than ours and ventured out into space. As the saying goes, “First start with what is closest to you.”

Given how vast the universe is, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were 36 such civilizations out there, but by that same logic, one Earth is more than enough. A planet where so many miracles aligned for life to be born cannot be all that common.

According to my theory, while it might not apply to every single one of them, a significant number of aliens actually originated from Earth.

Humans developed tools and writing using five fingers. Typewriters were invented only recently, and even now, each index finger covers about six letters — so it is only natural that someone would start thinking, “Come to think of it, we don’t really need all five fingers.” This is where the topic of evolution comes in.

Aliens are often depicted with exceptionally large heads and eyes, fewer fingers, and frail bodies — which is exactly the direction modern humans are heading. Occasionally, reptilian or insectoid aliens appear in stories, and I think that is totally plausible too, as branches that split off from Earth’s life.

Just as the living domain of ants holds no real interest for humans, aliens who have soared into the universe likely couldn’t care less about the human domain.

There are photos allegedly taken with aliens, and countless photos of UFOs out there. While some are undoubtedly fakes, others might be real. The reason it doesn’t become a massive issue is precisely because our living domains are completely different, as I mentioned above.

Yet, even for a complete amateur like myself, I feel like what I’ve just laid out isn’t that difficult to imagine.

The Memory Trigger: How a Word Can Unexpectedly Unlock Our Youth

Have you ever encountered a word in your daily life that suddenly pulled you back decades into the past?

Recently, a simple search for a global news program sparked a fascinating journey through linguistic meanings, vintage tobacco history, and the beautiful, bittersweet nature of human memory. It is a reminder of how our minds are wired to find connections in the most unexpected places.

1. The Global Lens: Firstpost's "Vantage"

It all started with the digital media platform Firstpost and their flagship international news program, Vantage.

With its tagline "Take on the World," the show offers global current affairs through a distinct Indian lens, shaking up the traditional Western-dominated media narrative. But the name itself carries a powerful meaning. A "vantage point" is a position that affords a clear, comprehensive view of a situation or landscape. For a news show, it represents a unique, strategic perspective from which to observe and analyze world events.

2. A Retro Icon: The Vantage Cigarette

For those who lived through the late 20th century, however, the word "Vantage" might trigger an entirely different image: a smart, minimalist cigarette pack with distinct blue and gold accents.

Introduced in 1970 by the American company R.J. Reynolds (and later sold by JT in Japan), Vantage cigarettes were famous for their revolutionary "aerodynamic" charcoal filter—featuring a hollow cone in the center designed to deliver a rich flavor while keeping tar levels low. Though it became a rare, regional specialty in places like Okinawa before completely disappearing from the market in 2010, the brand remains etched in the minds of many.

3. The Sensory Tapes of Our Mind

When we see a headline like Firstpost Vantage, our brains don't just process letters; they instantly search our personal archives. It is easy to wonder: "Is a vintage tobacco company sponsoring a modern global news show?"

Human perception is beautifully imperfect. Our minds naturally look for patterns and link unfamiliar new data with vivid past experiences. And sometimes, those links unlock doors we forgot existed.

A single word like Vantage can instantly bring back the year 1986—the sharp, electric nostalgia of being 25 years old. It can bring back the memory of a first date with a wonderful 23-year-old woman, the distinct aroma of a Cabin Light cigarette being smoked, and the overwhelming duality of young love and the inevitable, painful parting brought on by distance and diverging paths.

Moving Forward, Cherishing the Present

The beauty of these sudden nostalgic trips is that they allow us to appreciate how far we have traveled. Decades later, life moves on. Paths cross with new, ideal partners, happy lives are built, and the sting of old heartbreaks fades into peaceful closure.

Once the missing pieces of information fall into place, the word "Vantage" can finally go back to being just a news headline. The mystery is solved, the memory is gently tucked back into its rightful place in our history, and we can step forward into the brightness of our present day.

The next time a random word gives you pause, take a moment to look closer. Your brain might just be trying to hand you a beautiful piece of your own story.