After six years of studying Okido yoga, Shiatsu techniques and teacher training in Melbourne, Sydney, and the Blue Mountains, the author arrived in Japan in June 1989, eager to explore the nation's post-bubble economy. His fascination with spiritual energy and martial arts practices—sparked by Okido yoga—soon merged with an ever-growing interest in finance, world economies, and Japan's global relationships. Settling in Osaka six years later, he fell in love with the Kansai region's lively spirit and mythical heritage. For over twenty years, he has run a bar in northern Osaka that can host up to fifty guests, while lecturing at various universities previously. His unique blend of cultural insight, sense of humor, spiritual curiosity, and community experience shapes every facet of his writing.