iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 22h

For me, writing is more than just a passion. I hope to make it my livelihood and find my way out of public assistance. It is the only path I can see. In this sense, I am in a situation similar to that of J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series… ✍️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 22h

Therefore, I receive financial assistance through a social safety net called “Seikatsu Hogo” (public assistance), a system that helps people who are unable to work support themselves and meet their basic living needs.

100

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 22h

A Personal Confession I have bipolar disorder, and for about half of the year, I cannot create anything because I am in a depressive phase. In Japan, the welfare system for people living with mental illness is still underdeveloped. My disability pension alone is not enough to live on.

100

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 23h

As Christians, we don't believe in reincarnation… But if, by any chance, I could be born again, I would love to be a woman in my next life, with a cute (kawaii) appearance, and enjoy being young… ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 23h

It’s hard to believe that nearly 15 years have passed since I made my home in Itsukaichi, nestled along the beautiful Akikawa Valley… Over the years, this place has become an important part of my life, filled with unforgettable experiences, memories, and stories.

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 23h

Now, I feel inspired to turn this chapter of my life into a novel. ✍️ My first choice for the title is The Story of Itsukaichi. A new journey begins… 📖

100

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I wish I had been born a beautiful woman, too. 🥺 I would have held photo sessions and wanted to be the model myself.

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Good morning, everyone! ☀️ 8:25 a.m. in Tokyo 🗼😊 Wishing you all a beautiful day! 🕊️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

It’s already 2:30 a.m.… 🌙 Looks like I’m pulling an all-nighter tonight 🫩 I made myself some pizza toast for a little late-night snack. 🍕🍞 Just a little more to go… I’ll keep going and do my best. ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

For anime lovers, this is such an exciting combination! ✨ Armored Trooper VOTOMS × Mamoru Oshii’s latest film! It will be released in Japan in mid-November, and screenings will begin across the country. ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

www.amazon.co.jp/dp/091242278...

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

If anyone would be willing to “donate” me a copy of *The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven* (ISBN 9780997282313, I’d write a book on Christian missions in China, drawing on Matteo Ricci’s works! This might just become my life’s work…

100

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I understand that Saint Francis is the patron saint of environmental protection, but if I get some kind of “response” from “them,” who aren’t Christians, I’m thinking of introducing *Laudato Si’*. It’s a document issued by Pope Francis, the previous pope.

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Yesterday was my birthday… I didn’t receive any presents from anyone, and I felt a little lonely 🥺 But one idea after another for my next work came to me… I think these are presents from God. Thank you, God. Peace of the Lord 🕊️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Happy birthday to me! 🎉 Feeling grateful for another year of life, all the love, and everyone who has been part of my journey. ❤️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

When it comes to the Trinity, the only writings I have come across that have truly spoken to me, deep in my heart, are those of Maurice Zundel…

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Brother Roger, the founder of the Taizé Community, chose to write his doctoral thesis on monasticism before the time of Benedict of Nursia. Influenced by him, I too developed a deep interest in monasticism, even before I was baptized. That interest has remained with me to this day…

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It was a scene included in MEGAZONE 23 Part II, but unfortunately, it has since been cut from the video versions that are publicly available today… I remember thinking: “Wait… so this is what men and women actually do…?”

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

The photo shows my weight from last month… On October 6, 2012, when I completed the 71.5 km Japan Mountain Endurance Race (Hasetsune), my weight was 72.8 kg. Now, I am trying to lose some weight. ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today, October 4, is, if I remember correctly, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, in the Catholic Church calendar. Today, I plan to write letters to some Japanese friends who are not Christians, so that I can tell them about this day. ✍️

111

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

【I love Japanese anime ❤️】 Gigi Andalusia ✨ She’s one of my favorite anime characters! ❤️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I hope that, by leaving my writings for future generations, a mission to China 🇨🇳 may become a reality someday. 🕊️

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

“If anyone would be willing to ‘donate’ The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven (ISBN 9780997282313) to me, I’ll write a book on ‘China missions’ using Matteo Ricci’s books! It would probably become my ‘life’s work’…”

100

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

If I ever have the opportunity, I would like to write a missionary book using the modern English translation of the work written by the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven*(ISBN 9780997282313). The Chinese authorities probably wouldn’t allow it, though…

101

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I do not want to give my readers the wrong impression that Christianity is very strong in Japan. Perhaps the sight of Japanese high school girls taking photos in front of Shibuya Station is much closer to the real Japan, and a more fitting picture of everyday life here.

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Here in Japan, it’s already 10:30 p.m. 🌙 It’s almost time for me to go to bed 😊 I hope you all have a peaceful night and sweet dreams. Good night, everyone. Sleep well 😴✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I am Japanese, and my native language is Japanese 🇯🇵 But on this BlueSky account, I post information in English under the pen name “Grestia Northwood.” I use the free version of ChatGPT, an AI, to help with translation.

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I learned from a letter from the sisters that the Carmelite monastery in Fukuoka, Japan, has been closed. In Japan, there is a problem with fewer people receiving a new vocation to religious life, while the religious sisters and brothers who are already there are getting older.

110

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

【I love Japanese anime!】 A song from MEGAZONE 23 Part II that I listened to a very long time ago was uploaded on YouTube… I was so moved to hear it again 🥲✨ youtu.be/gaZyAPkXxbA?...

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I’ve made a commitment to devote the rest of my life as a writer to works centered on themes related to Christianity. “Everything for the glory of God.” I have a feeling that the time I have left may not be very long…

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I’m developing an idea for my next work… Before leaving Japan for Manila after Christianity was banned, the Christian daimyo Ukon Takayama is said to have practiced the Spiritual Exercises. Inspired by this episode, I hope to create a work of fiction…✨

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The photo is from the cover of Haru to Shura, a poetry collection published by Kenji Miyazawa. The poet took money from his own pocket and self-published his first work, putting it out into the world. Today, we live in an age when we can self-publish for free on Amazon.

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

It is almost 3 a.m. here in Tokyo 🕒 Today, I am going to see my doctor and get my medicine 💊 for my “thorn in the flesh,” bipolar disorder. I hope you all have a good day ✨

110

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is my latest work! It’s available in English as a Kindle edition on Amazon. www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0HL5B5ZD...

021

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

【I love Japanese anime movies!】 About 40 years ago, there was an OVA called Megazone 23. If you live outside Japan and you know “Part II” of this anime, you must be a real expert of Japanese animation. 👍

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

【I love Japanese anime movies!】 When I think of “anime movies,” maybe the first one that comes to my mind is Mobile Suit Gundam (the first Gundam). Sayla Mass was my favorite character. ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

【I love Japanese anime movies!】 Do you know “Evangelion”? The animator who worked on the Giant Warrior in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, under the famous anime director Hayao Miyazaki, later became a director himself. And then, he made “Evangelion.” 👍

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

【English translation of the Japanese in the photo】 “I was born into this world because there is one thing in this world that only I can do.” For me, that one thing is to turn the “Last Words” of Thérèse of Lisieux into a novel, and leave it here on earth. ✨

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Good morning ☺️ It is 3:00 a.m. here in Tokyo 🗼. I went to bed at 9:00 p.m. last night, so I got 6 hours of sleep. That is ideal for me ✨ I hope today will be a good day for all of you 🕊️

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Today, I will write and send some postcards… I will be coming out about my bipolar disorder. I feel the time has come. 💊

000

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Here in Tokyo 🗼, it is almost 4:30 a.m… Good morning, everyone ☀️ I hope today will be a good day for everyone 🕊️

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The swallow returns to its old nest. youtu.be/O9szMFWosBg?...

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It is past 6:00 a.m. here in Tokyo… The typhoon is hitting us directly. It’s not so much the wind, but the rain ☔ that is really bad. Today, I’m going to spend the day writing postcards! Everyone, have a good day 🕊️

010

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It’s a little before 8 p.m. here in Tokyo. A typhoon is coming tomorrow, so I’m going to bed early tonight. 😴 Good night, everyone! 🕊️

120

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

【My image of “devotion”】 For me, “devotion” means having a set Bible passage, together with some notes and a faith-related topic to think about, and then focusing on them. It feels like the Bible comes first, and everything starts from there...

020

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

【Daily prayer is important!】 Even though I am now Protestant, I still really value the Catholic way of “meditation” and “contemplation.” So, I’m not very familiar with “devotion” in the Protestant tradition... It is still something I’m learning about. 😊

020

Grestia Northwood @grestia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

【Changing from Catholic to Protestant】 It has been about five years since I changed from Catholicism to the same Protestant denomination as my wife. I no longer have a small home altar, and I no longer pray the Rosary 📿.

010