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Sunday, April 21, 2002


Mizuko -- Water Children

Today is all about the New York Times.

But then again, it is Sunday.

Fabulous, but very personal essay on abortion and miscarriage in Japan from a female Western journalist.

Find it here.

Kodomo is the Japanese word for child. It literally means little thanks, "ko" being a diminutive and "domo" a short hand expression of gratitude.

Mizu is the word for water.

So -- Mizuko is little water -- water child.

The article does not dip into this etymology, but it does explain the concept of water children... how they flow into being and are not completely of this world until the age of seven.