Japan Through Yellow Lenses

How did the author arrive at the title JAPAN THROUGH YELLOW LENSES? The idea of yellow lenses happened when he was invited to talk about THE AMERICAN WAR IN VIETNAM one summer in Ohio, the USA. Out of the blue, he told the audience of members of a local rotary international club that 'if I should wear yellow lenses and see things yellow, I do not owe anyone any apology for what I am about to say'. Because yellow has always been his favorite color.There is a Chinese saying Yellow generates Yin and Yang and that implies that yellow is the center of everything in his Chinese tradition and culture.The Yellow River is the cradle of Chinese civilization. Yellow was the emperor’s color in Imperial China. Yellow often decorates royal palaces, altars and temples, and the color was used in the dragon robes and attire of the emperors. Yellow also represents freedom from worldly cares and is thus esteemed in Buddhism. Monks’ garments are yellow, as are elements of Buddhist temples. Yellow is also symbolic of heroism. Yellow is an important part of his culture, growing up Chinese. And JAPAN THROUGH YELLOW LENSES best describes and reflects everything he knows, encounters or experiences about Japan as a Chinese.'Japan means different things...a key to solving this crisis.' -Dr Xianfeng Zhou