|
About Me: Russell Stutler
|
I live in Tokyo. I was born in Japan to an American father and Japanese mother, and was raised in Ohio.
I earned an Associate's Degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in Visiual Communication and worked as a graphic artist in America. Then I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministries from Malone College (now called Malone University).
 In 1987 I was sent to Japan by a small missionary board (sort of a renegade organization comprised of evangelical Episcopalians). I was their only missionary assigned to Japan, and my task was to find a place to live, learn Japanese, and find a way to work as a missionary here.
The Anglican Church in Japan was cordial to me but was not particularly interested in using me. So I found other ways to use my particular gifts in ministry in Japan, mainly by giving gospel presentations through puppet shows at various Churches throughout Japan. Some were Anglican churches, but most of my puppet shows were performed at evangelical Protestant churches by invitation of my missionary classmates at the Japanese Missionary Language Institute in Tokyo. It was a rewarding and fruitful ministry.
However, soon after I graduated from language school, I discovered that the home office was unable to send adequate financial support, which cut my missionary career short. I chose to stay in Japan and work at a regular job while continuing the puppet ministry on the side. However, I gradually found myself spending more and more time just trying to earn a living.
In retrospect it is pretty clear that, had I come to Japan with a large mission board with an established presence here, I would have had the support of an organized network, including ministry assignments, and things would have turned out differently. But I believe that my path was God's plan for me, and I have come to realize that this was a good thing. My existence in Japan does not depend upon financial support from America, and a shortage of funds won't force me to leave. As I grow old, I won't have to retire and leave Japan.
God has apparently called me to this country and it looks like He intended for me to stay. When I depart from this life, my point of departure will be Japan, the land of my birth. Even with all the challenges and frustrations, I have never for a moment doubted that this is where I am supposed to be.
Most of my time is spent trying to make a living (which is getting increasingly difficult in Japan) but over the years I've contributed in small ways to the ministry of the local church in Tokyo and the Christian community here in Japan. I also try to stay active as an artist, both in fine art and graphic illustration.
|
My Neighborhood
|
This woodblock print is called Nagagawa Guchi (mouth of the Nakagawa River) by Hiroshige, part of his "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" series done in the 1800s. Edo is the old name for Tokyo.
Next to the print is a photo of the same scene I took from my veranda.
I'm very proud of the fact that I can see the exact same view from my window on the eleventh floor, and I have this print framed and hanging near the window. Hiroshige had to draw from this high viewpoint from imagination since there was just a field here in those days.
|
|
Today the Nakagawa is smaller than it was in Hiroshige's time. Back then it would have extended over the low grassy parts on both sides and in the background.
In the lower left corner of the print is the "Bansho" or inspection point for boats coming into central Edo.
The river in the lower right corner of both print and photo is the Onagigawa River (which leads to central Tokyo) and it intersects with the Old Nakagawa river running left and right (north and south).
In the background (in the print) is the Shinkawa River running east to Chiba. Today a huge man made river called the Arakawa plus a park separates the Shinkawa from the other two. So this is now a T intersection instead of a cross intersection.
By the way, "Kawa" or "Gawa" means river, so my adding "River" to these names is actually redundant.
|
Puppets
I have traveled all over Japan, performing evangelistic puppet shows in churches.  The puppets (and voices) also appear in the Praise World videos Joy and Challenge. I have also trained puppet teams for various churches in Japan.
In 1989 we published a book in Japanese on making and using puppets and puppet stages, mainly for Sunday school and Christian outreach. It's called Ningyo Dai Katsuyaku.
The book has gone into its second printing, and has been translated into Korean to help train Christian puppeteers in Korea.
 My main work these days is teaching English at a junior and senior high school, and I've gotten pretty good at it since I can use my puppets, guitar, and art ability (plus an odd sense of humor that appeals to kids that age).
Here are my current tools of the trade, or shall I call them my assistants? They are complete body puppets with arms and legs, and about the size of small children. Each has its own unique voice and personality.
Puppetry has served me well through the years. It has been a great tool in evangelization, has opened doors of opportunity (the puppet book, the published music and even a few apperances on TV) and also helps me to earn an income.
By the way, these were all sewn by me using my own patterns. There was a time when we were flooded with requests to make puppets for others. It kept us busy and was one of the reasons for writing the book so others could make their own.
|
Music
|
 I sometimes write music, and have had one song published. It's called Zenchiyo, and is based on Psalm 100 in Japanese. It can be found on the CD and video called Challenge, which is part of the Word of Life Press' Praise World series. See the sheet music and listen to the sound file (MP3 2.2 MB).
I have audio files of some unpublished music as well. These were recorded on very cheap equipment, and the sound quality isn't great (Please pardon the bad singing and strange chipmunk voices). If you have any inclination to use any of these songs in your worship service, please feel free to do so.
Sono megumi wa (MP3 1.6 MB) Recorded live during a worship service.
Shu no Inori (MP3 2.9 MB) The Lord's prayer.
Watashi No Ashi Wa (MP3 1.5 MB) From Psalm 26:12.
Kami No Kohitsuji Ni (MP3 1.5 MB) Has a fun bass line.
I also play electric bass and guitar, and most of my "gigs" in Japan have been with church bands. Of all the musical activities I can think of, there is nothing more gratifying than playing bass in church, and the audience is so forgiving if you make a mistake!
I learned to play bass mainly from books and tapes by the legendary bassist Carol Kaye. I even had the privilege of taking a bass lesson from her at her home in California. Here are some photos from that visit.
In my devotions at home, I especially enjoy singing the Psalms.
|
Church
|
 In light of my participation in church bands, it comes as no surprise that I enjoy contemporary Christian rock and gospel style music. However, there is a place for many different styles of music in the Church, and my personal preference for the worship service is more traditional; I love the liturgy in the Apostolic tradition which centers around the Eucharist.
On August 14, 2011, I joined the Catholic Church. I had previously been a member of the Anglican Church and was a non-denominational evangelical Protestant before that. I'm still thoroughly evangelical, and always will be. Why did I do such a crazy thing? I wrote an explanation for those who are curious.
|
Graphic art
|
I was trained at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in the 1970s, and worked for many years as a professional graphic artist in America and even managed to resume my career for several years here in Japan. I've also illustrated several books and magazine articles here in Tokyo as a freelance illustrator. It is very gratifying to create this kind of art, but my day job is no longer in this field, and freelance illustration jobs are few and far between these days.
|
Sketching
|
Ever since I was in high school in the early '70s and saw a television series on the life of Leonardo Da Vinci, I have had a passion for sketching. (I now own a set of the videos of that series).
 Now that I have lived in Japan for a while I have added a new name to my list of art heroes; Katsushika Hokusai. Like Leonardo he was crazy about drawing. Hokusai's main tool for sketching was brush and ink, and many of the places he sketched can still be seen in Tokyo. If you visit Tokyo and would like to see a few Hokusai landmarks, be sure to check out my Hokusai Landmarks page first. Finally, for no particular reason I have cut up and re-assembled one of Hokusai's most famous works, turning it into 3D art. I have uploaded it here for the fun of it.
I sketch almost exclusively with ink and watercolor. A few sketches of these can be seen in my online sketchbook.
I started a forum in 2005 called the Sketching Forum which is a place where you can get to know other sketchers from around the world and also share your work.
|
Fountain Pens
|
 Ever since I was a child, I have always been fascinated with pen and ink, both for drawing and also for writing. I don't think I have gone a day in my life without ink on my fingers.
I love dip pens and fountain pens, especially ones with wonderfully flexible nibs. They are great for sketching, writing letters, or journaling.
One of the nice things about living in Tokyo is having the opportunity to visit various pen clinics sponsored by Japanese fountain pen makers. I usually bring my camera to these events and place short articles on my experiences on the Tokyo Fountain Pen Scene pages.
|
Penmanship
|
When I was in elementary school, I received good grades in every subject except for handwriting where I got consistent "F's" (failing grades). My handwriting was too fast and undisciplined (my m's would have an extra hump or two before I could get my hand to stop).
Like most people, after high school I gave up cursive writing altogether, and settled for printing (manuscript), but even this style has been illegible for most of my life.
So in 2002 I set out to slay this dragon from my childhood, and began to study and practice handwriting. I studied calligraphy, copperplate, Cursive Italic, and various styles of cursive handwriting including Spencerian.
I often use a dip pen when writing letters and journal entries at home. Although I am not yet totally satisfied with my handwriting, I have made great progress. Here are some links to Web sites related to Penmanship.
|
Reading
|
 I've been reading tons of books lately as I examine my spiritual journey and my place in the Church, and since I must buy all my English books from the other side of the world, it has gotten to be a very expensive pursuit! Recently I came up with the solution which was so obvious, I could kick myself for not thinking of it sooner. Now I'm saving money and bookshelf space -- and the solution is paying for itself. Read about my exciting and useful discovery in this article: Ebooks! The Perfect Solution for Expat Bookworms
|
Genealogy
|
I come from a long line of Stutlers who apparently came from Switzerland and moved to America in the 1700s, possibly after spending time in Germany.
My great grandfather was one of 12 brothers, the sons of Isaac Stutler (almost sounds like a Bible story). The Stutler family now has at least one branch in Japan (I have heard there is at least one other Stutler in Japan whom I have not met, possibly more). If you would like to see my family tree you can find it here.
|
Message
|
If you have read most of this page, you will have probably figured out that I am a Christian. If you have any interest in spiritual things, you may find this illustrated message interesting.
You can choose to view it in either Japanese or English.
|
|
