E l s e w h e r e visits temples in Japan only to discover--

"VERY IMPORTANT MOSS// (like VIP)' appeared above a sectioned table displaying 20-some-odd varieties of moss. That sign appeared above the six or so mosses to the far right of the display. 'Mold the interrupter' appeared above the mosses in the middle. 'Mold the interrupter' was totally lost on me. It's obvious that the translator was trying to get a particular idea about mold, or that particular mold, across. But these words don't get that idea across--except maybe *invasive* mold? Tough to tell. 'VERY IMPORTANT MOSS// (like VIP)' may very well have been written with a smile on the lips. But that does not take away from the fact that it was, indeed, very important moss--everything in these temples is very carefully arranged, manipulated, imbued with meaning. Part of what makes that funny for us, is our own cultural cynicism. Moss? Important? And so glibly put! 'Very Important Moss.' *Yeah, right*, we snort. So this is one cultural difference making the words resonate very differently to us."