On January 10, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Gokenin, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

--Dravecky (talk) 09:04, 10 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On February 5, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Myōhō–ji, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

Dravecky (talk) 03:24, 5 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On February 5, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Ankokuron-ji, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

Dravecky (talk) 03:24, 5 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On February 5, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Chōshō-ji, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

Dravecky (talk) 03:24, 5 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi. I've nominated Zuisen-ji, an article you worked on, for consideration to appear on the Main Page as part of Wikipedia:Did you know. You can see the hook for the article here, where you can improve it if you see fit. Thanks, Redtigerxyz ^Talk 13:46, 6 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On February 14, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Zuisen-ji, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

Gatoclass (talk) 11:27, 14 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

When I'm confused by something, I try to establish the ambit of what I can't quite seem to grasp, as for example in this curious data set. I do find that this simplistic approach is occasionally fruitless, but it suggests the tentative outlines of a strategy. --Tenmei (talk) 04:53, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, Tenmei. I know Spokechieves and we have had differences. I regret using the term vandalism, but dealing with someone like him isn't easy.

I don't understand what do you mean with your message. Can you be more explicit? -- urashimataro (talk) 05:39, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

In the attempt to create moderate, diplomatic, non-confrontational prose, I've effectively managed only to be vague. It will take some time for me to "find my own voice" as I struggle to figure out how to disagree without being disagreeable in a Wikipedia context.

Another editor suggested that I try instead to develop a way of creating "measured" sentences without being ineffectively vague. I still haven't quite figured out how to do that.

When I discovered that you were encountering a difficulties in a process of trying to work with Spokechieves, I wanted to figure out how to make a constructive statement which did not exacerbate the problem. Among my first steps was to review the history of Spokechieves' contributions, and I was able to develop a few tentative hypotheses based on that examination.

In the posting above, I simply provided a link to Spokechieves contribution history -- not an especially controversial or inflammatory action in itself.

Without putting too fine a point on it, I was indirectly suggesting that you might want to look more closely at this history of confrontational edits. I anticipated that this review would likely help you to put what you already know into an illuminating context.

I have found that this approach to a problem is sometimes unhelpful or fruitless; but even in such cases, the mere act of trying to understand an abrasive editor in the context created by his or her record of contributions is a good thing. This research informs what I do next in dealing with the unknown. In short, I find that it's a useful tactic -- rather like moving a fungible (fungible) pawn forward on the chessboard.

The following is an attempt to be quite explicit -- to disagree without being diagreeable. --Tenmei (talk) 17:53, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Re-evaluation[edit]

In the context established by Spokechieves' unique contribution history (e.g., here), I've been persuaded to re-evaluate my approach to the issues which have evolved at:

• Shinto shrine
• ‎Hōkyōintō
• Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū
• Hachiman
• Ema (Shinto)
• Shrine

and

• Heian period
• Japanese art ‎

With regret, I see no alternative but to change tactics abruptly. See User talk:Spokechieves#Vandalism warning. --Tenmei (talk) 17:24, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, Tenmei. I think Spokechieves is indeed abrasive, and I find him a little bit of an enigma. Can't figure out what he wants to do. Just be careful, because he can be, as I am sure you know, unpleasant. urashimataro (talk) 23:26, 15 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nobel laureate[edit]

Enigma?

I copied the following from a forgotten someone's user page. --Tenmei (talk) 15:46, 18 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done. -- Marie Curie

Hello, Urashimataro. Based on the templates on your talk page, please consider joining the Article Rescue Squadron. Rescue Squadron members are focused on rescuing articles from deletion, that might otherwise be lost forever. I think you will find our project matches your vision of Wikipedia. You can join >> here <<. Ikip (talk) 14:45, 24 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi. I've nominated Kōmyō-ji, an article you worked on, for consideration to appear on the Main Page as part of Wikipedia:Did you know. You can see the hook for the article here, where you can improve it if you see fit. Also, please provided more info in the "References" section regarding "Mutsu (1995/06: 293-312)" (footnote 3, presumably a book). Thanks, PFHLai (talk) 06:45, 24 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

On March 2, 2009, Did you know? was updated with a fact from the article Kōmyō-ji, which you created or substantially expanded. If you know of another interesting fact from a recently created article, then please suggest it on the Did you know? talk page.

Shubinator (talk) 04:53, 2 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, Urashimataro. I've just come across your articles on various streets in Kamakura, as well as on the Okura Bakufu, etc. and I see you're working on an article on the Hōkai-ji.

Kamakura is easily one of my favorite cities in the world, of everywhere I've been, and I'm very excited to see such wonderful, and extensive, coverage on it coming about. So, I just wanted to drop by and say thank you, and keep up the good work. LordAmeth (talk) 14:44, 9 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

PS I'm sure you have access to plenty of photos of your own, particularly as you live in Kanagawa (うらやましい!日本へ戻りたいので。。。) but if you feel that any of my photos would be helpful to improve an article on any Kamakura site, or elsewhere, please feel free to make use of them. LordAmeth (talk) 14:50, 9 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

		WikiProject Japan Barnsensu Award
		In recognition of your extensive contributions to articles on Kamakura, I award you this Barnsensu. Your articles on historical sites in the city, and related topics, represent not only great quantity, covering interesting and important topics I never thought I'd see, such as historical streets, but great quality as well. Your efforts on topics relating to this, one of my favorite cities in Japan, represents a significant step towards achieving a degree of thoroughness of coverage on Wikipedia I hadn't thought possible. LordAmeth (talk) 14:44, 9 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I second LordAmeth on this. Your contributions are very appreciated here. Keep up the good work! ···日本穣^{? · Talk to Nihonjoe} 02:08, 10 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Many, many thanks to both of you for the much needed encouragement. It's not always clear to me that my contributions are worth anything. Will keep on going. LA, you don't live in Japan any more? urashimataro (talk) 06:30, 10 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Alas, no. I was in Yokohama from September '07 to June '08, and have been living in New York since then. LordAmeth (talk) 11:45, 10 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi U.T., 「食堂」 is also pronounced jikidō. I don't know Buddhist terminology well enough to know whether shokudō is also in use alongside jikidō. Fg2 (talk) 10:44, 1 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Didn't know that. Thanks. According the Kōjien, only jikidō is used for temples. BTW, if you wish, feel free to write in the working space.

urashimataro (talk) 11:45, 1 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]