2024

2024, the year of the dragon

The Dragon, "Tatsu", is the fifth animal in the zodiac chart. A symbol of strength, energy, and mystery. It is known for its grandeur, with a presence that is felt by all around them.

It is said that the dragon comes later in the zodiac than many other animals because it stopped on the way to help others. 

Dragons are revered as water gods across Japan, and traditional festivals in farming communities have called on them as rainmakers in dry weather.

They often appear with water flowing from their mouths at temizuya (or chōzuya), where visitors to Shintō shrines purify themselves by washing their hands.

Dragons can also be found in Japanese proverbs like these:

竜頭蛇尾—Ryūtō dabi. "Dragon head, snake tail" describes something that initially appears wonderful or amazing, but ends disappointingly.

画竜点睛を欠く—Garyō tensei o kaku. "Draw a dragon without marking in the eye" means to fail to carry through a work to the end by omitting an essential finishing touch.

龍のひげをなでる—Ryū no hige o naderu. "To stroke a dragon’s beard" is to perform a reckless action.

2023 and the pandemic are finally behind us. Humanity had nothing more creative to do than continue the war in Ukraine and undergo the indiscriminate slaughter in and around Gaza. And this madness is expected to continue in 2024 as well.

It seems that the Arawasi facebook page continues to attract more attention than this blog but I'm starting to find the process of posting on both media rather tedious. No worries though, this blog will continue for the foreseeable future.

As for new releases, they have been taking more effort and money than we had anticipated so there are delays. But in 2024 we are committed to releasing at least two publications; the reprint of our "Eagles of Manchukuo" book, expanded and corrected, and a brand new release the details of which we prefer to keep as a surprise.

As always, a HUGE "thank you" to our good friends:

Sinang Aribowo, James Boyd, Devlin Chouinard, Jan Kaňov, Zygmunt Szeremeta, Eric Vogel as well as Kevin Bade, Jean Barby and Harold K.

All the best for the new year to everybody out there.