This week's Hypnosis Radio features Kuko! You can listen along to the Spotify version with our translation.
March features Nagoya Division Bad Ass Temple. When Yajima thinks of Nagoya, he sees a city between Tokyo and Osaka and considers it the 3rd major city of Japan. He thinks it's the middle of everything so they mix trends and music from all over and make fun things of their own.
For example, instead of designating a "street" style Nagoya makes the entire the city into a playground. Aside from hip-hop, there are many graphic artists that broaden their horizons to show their originality.
When you listen to Bad Ass Temple's part in the Anthem, you will hear lots of guitar riffs with rock-like rhythm, which suits the Nagoya division style. Yajima is very curious what kind of characteristics the division members hold.
Today will feature the leader of Bad Ass Temple who is also a monk, Kuko Harai. Honestly, Yajima doesn't think he looks anything like a monk but let's see how this goes.
Kuko appears laughing and thinks it's finally their turn.
Kuko appears laughing and thinks it's finally their turn.
Kuko couldn't stand letting the other divisions handle a job like this since their division has a monk and lawyer. They are pros at listening to problems, so be thankful they are finally here on the radio. He then begins by randomly picking from the huge pile of letters.
29 year old from Aichi hates cleaning and thinks of doing all the cleaning on the weekend, but ends up fooling around or doing other chores and pushes it to the following week. How does Kuko motivate himself to clean the temple in the morning?
Kuko feels there's no need for motivation. Cleaning is part of his training to accumulate good karma. Polish thyself, not your mirror. Maybe they can reach enlightenment if they continue. Kuko admits he doesn't feel like doing it times, though.
21 year old from Mie doesn't like going to memorial services. When the monk comes in to read the prayers, their legs get numb from sitting and can't concentrate. How do you fold your legs and sit to avoid that numbness?
How do you sit without feeling numb or getting pins & needles? There is no way. If you clear your mind of all unnecessary thoughts, even burning ember may feel cool. Get used to it. He suggests listening to the radio with their legs folded as a start to get used to it.
24 year old from Aichi sees their neighborhood monk has long blonde hair and wears his helmet loosely on a moped. When they first met him, they were shocked, but find him to be kind and his teachings entertaining. How does Kuko dress and go around when he meets temple supporters?
Kuko thinks long haired monks are pretty common lately. When many memorial services are held, he goes out to help his father but he goes around on a bike or on foot since he's only in the hood.
17 year old from Niigata recently started wearing glasses but doesn't think they look good in it. Does Kuko like girls with glasses?
Kuko never particularly cared. If they aren't satisfied with their appearance, that's just their evil desires speaking.
Kuko never particularly cared. If they aren't satisfied with their appearance, that's just their evil desires speaking.
Whether it be good or bad, Kuko feels it must be some sort of fate for her to wear the glasses. Glasses are a tool to help you, so they should appreciate it assisting your life.
23 year old from Saitama doesn't like their birthday on March 3rd. It's Girl's Day in Japan; due to the celebrations, cakes are always sold out. When she was in elementary school, she couldn't eat the cake she wanted. People find her birthday to be cute, but how can she enjoy it?
Kuko's never cared about his birthday. They do say, there's a reason for being born in this world. You can't choose your parents or why you are born. You are fated to suffer. It's not like Kuko was born at the temple because he wanted to.
Kuko thinks wanting more than what you're given is simply an evil desire. Instead of grasping what you can't have, face what you already own. Birthday's a day you think about how you want to live your life. Thinking that way, what day it lands on shouldn't be much of an issue.
18 year old from Tokyo wonders if Kuko likes coffee, tea or tapioca/boba?
Kuko likes green tea.
Kuko likes green tea.
18 year old from Saitama makes a lot of sweets lately. Does Kuko like sweets? If so, what sweets does he like?
Kuko wonders if they make manju buns. Lately Kuko is into mitarashi dango rice. The sweet soy sauce drizzled on the charred surface of the rice cakes is delicious.
Kuko wonders if they make manju buns. Lately Kuko is into mitarashi dango rice. The sweet soy sauce drizzled on the charred surface of the rice cakes is delicious.
53 year old from Tokyo owns 2 energetic grandpa cats. How do you play with cats that won't require too much physical movement?
Kuko recalls the cats around the temple grounds. When they get old, he realizes they suddenly no longer visit. He thinks the listener should let the cats play however they like while they have the energy. Cats just want to live however they want so let them enjoy their own life.
20 year old from Tokyo looks up to "Evil Monk" & is thinking of getting a sukajan jacket. People normally find a perfect fit for their sukajan but since they're mimicking Evil Monk, they want to get an oversized sukajan. Does Evil Monk like an oversized or standard size sukajan?
Kuko wonders why this person says Evil Monk a lot. He doesn't have a preference and just picked one he liked and it happened to be big. Sukajans tend to be personalized so you can't really get picky on sizes. He suggests getting the one they like.
29 year old from Aichi has very bad luck and keeps getting negative thoughts. Any advice on how they can be more positive?
Kuko understands having bad luck. But it's not good to blame luck. Do they really think people who blame everything on bad luck are happy?
Kuko understands having bad luck. But it's not good to blame luck. Do they really think people who blame everything on bad luck are happy?
Kuko thinks It's the opposite; good thoughts bring good luck and bad thoughts bring bad luck. It's based on your thoughts and actions. It's good enough luck to be living healthy.
25yo from Kanagawa: her father's family runs a large temple. Her father is the head monk and her younger brother, same age as Kuko, is next in line. He doesn't seem to be interested in taking over & argues with his father in front of the presence of Buddha. How to convince him?
Kuko admits he argues in front of Buddha too. He recalls how an acquaintance of his doesn't have an heir and is troubled, but that applies outside of temples too. He thinks it's normal for someone his age to not want to take over since he may have something else he wants to do.
This problem can only be solved with the two discussing it. Granted, someone has to take over for the temple followers but first, it's best to talk to him as family. He has heard stories where people leave the temple once, work in society, but come back at 50 so no need to rush.
20 year old from Akita can't throw away things such as posters and plushies with faces. They want to get rid of stuff before they move in spring. How can they part with them?
Kuko hears this a lot. Some temples burn it but bringing it to them is hard. He suggests covering the eyes with paper before tossing. Make sure you give thanks before parting. It's best to rid things to organize unneeded emotions too. But some things are difficult to part with.
31 year old from Tokyo has a 4 year old son who can't clean up. She scolds him but he doesn't seem to listen. It may be odd to ask Kuko, who is still in his teens a question like this, but how can she scold a child effectively?
Kuko suggests cleaning up in front of their child so they would mock her. Children mirror their parents, just like a child reflects their parents. So basically Kuko sucks at cleaning since his dad sucks at it too.
Many issues are based upon evil desires by humanity. Many of the problems were similar to the ones people bring to the temple. Kuko was amused how people of all ages complain about the same thing. Young kids don't bring their problems to temples, so he had fun.
Next week is Jushi Aimono. He may seem unreliable but he's entertaining so look forward to it. Then it's Amaguni Hitoya, a self-proclaimed undefeated lawyer, so he should be somewhat useful. Like Kuko, he's a pro at listening to problems, even though he's a nagging old man.
Kuko hopes people will bring problems to the temple too.
Yajima thinks many people know the answer to their problems but don't know how to reach the solution. Kuko takes in people's problems, and resolves them by reminding people to stay true to who they are.
Yajima thinks many people know the answer to their problems but don't know how to reach the solution. Kuko takes in people's problems, and resolves them by reminding people to stay true to who they are.
Kuko is very straightforward and honest with his thoughts. He doesn't necessarily stick to tradition but breaks the boundaries while keeping the main ideas in mind. Yajima can see why Kuko is a center of Nagoya Division.
Next week will be the Visual-kei vocalist, Jushi Aimono.
Next week will be the Visual-kei vocalist, Jushi Aimono.
