tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151176403827905230.post3665863083135060801..comments2016-02-14T06:03:55.195-08:00Comments on Rewilding the Soul - Recovering the Spirit: Mirror of MatsuyamaAbbieStoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14889014267248014030noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151176403827905230.post-77857482234798143372013-11-25T05:01:35.843-08:002013-11-25T05:01:35.843-08:00Thanks Abbie. I must try and hunt down the Siberi...Thanks Abbie. I must try and hunt down the Siberian Mummy story, I remember the impact it had on me, but can't for the life of me remember WHERE I read it! And thank you for your lovely comment about my work. Ahh, a book, one day! It's on my dream-wish-to-do-list!A mermaid in the attichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01139858546037879539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151176403827905230.post-15457497142638013992013-11-08T03:43:51.680-08:002013-11-08T03:43:51.680-08:00Thank you Mermaid in the Attic- I'm glad you l...Thank you Mermaid in the Attic- I'm glad you like the story and what a tale about the Siberian expedition - it's a terrifying reminder of the bias that still exists. I love your artwork! If you ever want to collaborate on a folktale-retelling picture book for adults or children, let me know! AbbieStoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14889014267248014030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151176403827905230.post-11591490832046498502013-11-06T19:07:04.137-08:002013-11-06T19:07:04.137-08:00Hi Abbie, just happened upon your blog! I love thi...Hi Abbie, just happened upon your blog! I love this story, and like you, as soon as the mirror made its appearance, I felt myself thinking ' oh, here we go. Vanity, narcissism!" And it wasn't at all, and how beautiful for a mirror just to be a reflection of what's there for once, rather than what is lacking. On the subject of mirrors/vanity, I think there's a definite gender bias in our society. I remember reading a few years ago ( and I'm afraid I CANNOT remember where now) about excavations happening in Siberia somewhere, of 2000 year old burials in the permafrost. The first few mummies discovered were all female, and as part of the grave goods they found polished mirrors. This was not considered particularly important. However, then male mummies were discovered, also with these mirrors. This sent the archaeologists into a frenzy, suddenly the mirrors took on great importance, they must have some spiritual or shamanic significance, they couldn't just be about vanity, not if men had them too. And I was so shocked that they couldn't see their own cultural bias in this. It seemed immensely sad to me, and also immensely limiting in developing an understanding of these ancient people.A mermaid in the attichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01139858546037879539noreply@blogger.com