The most powerful dose of inspiration and wisdom
–FOX 17, by Emily Richett–

"The most powerful dose of inspiration and wisdom you'll find in a small package ... 65 short stories that will move you."

Takamori's book is "a jewel"
–Hoy en Delaware, by Virginia Esteban–
(http://hoyendelaware.com/news.php?nid=1030&pag=0)

Takamori's book is "a jewel".
"Takamori's book is an invitation to live intensenly each moment of ourlives. Life is an instant but is much more than born, grew and die. Wehave to profit it. Only if we reach happiness we will be able to make happy people around us. Takamori teachs us how to create a better worldin which to live".

Why did I forget these simple things?
–Lake Region Times, by Jerry Groebner–

I have truly enjoyed this book, and felt like I was reliving stages of my life. As I was reading Something You Forgot ... Along the Way, I found myself chuckling at how many of the short "Somethings" I had experienced throughout my life. Being in sales for over 45 years, I have often heard the saying, "It worked so well, we quit using it." These stories of Wisdom & Learning are presented in a light and pleasant way, but still made me wonder, why did I forget these simple things.

To open the eyes of the soul
–Pacific Publishing, by Robert Serra–

"The child is father of the man," Kentetsu Takamori reminds us in the simple words of a child and the reasoned understanding that comes with the experience of a man.

The author does not preach but exhorts in the spare but rich languages of metaphor, parable and axiom.

Takamori's short lessons chip away at the self and seek "to open the eyes of the soul."

I highly recommend this book
–RealTravelAdventures.com, by Bonnie Neely–

Something You Forgot ... Along the Way reminded me of the value of Aesop's Fables in my childhood. This little book of 65 very brief and entertaining stories, many of which are about real people, teaches 65 important life lessons of deep, pertinent spiritual and psychological insights and guidelines. These are entertaining enough to capture the interest of children and teens. The book is also for adults, giving sage advice of how to get along in life with more happiness, ease, and friendship. I highly recommend this book.

This simple act of compassion is among many worthy lessons
–The Tea House Times, by Gail Gastelu–

Kindness Tested: Would you offer a bowl of rice or a cup of tea to a stranger in need? This simple act of compassion is among many worthy lessons and words of wisdom in this heartwarming book.

Reflecting on the messages is truly a guide to a good life
– TheNews-Herald, by Micki Romanus–

This book is truly delightful. Read a little or read a lot. Read it to unwind before you go to sleep at night, or with your morning coffee. There is something about these short stories and poems that gives one a positive feeling, a sense there is good in this world if we only adopt the right attitude. Reflecting on the messages is truly a guide to a good life.

The stories carry much in philosophy and are heavily Buddhist inspired
–Midwest book review–

Simple wisdom is the best wisdom. "Something You Forgot ... Along the Way: Stories of Wisdom and Learning" is a collection of short, poignant stories and fables filled with simple messages. Designed to motivate and inspire, the stories carry much in philosophy and are heavily Buddhist inspired. "Something You Forgot ... Along the Way" is a very much recommended read for those who seek a more meaningful existence.

It provides valid daily lessons in humility and understanding
–Machias Valley News Observer, by KAREN HINSON–

Like Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, Buddhist teacher Kentetsu Takamori has a simple message. He presents it in the book, Something You Forgot ... Along the Way, in individual fables, parables and true stories.

The message is about the brevity of life and the necessity to make the most of the time we have. It is about foibles and mistakes and the ability to overcome them. It is about simplicity and guidance, dignity and honor, perseverance and success. It is about the quality of the lives we live. It is about the inevitability of change.

In these difficult times of economic turmoil, crisis and war, massive global changes involving the earth and her residents, frequent hostility person to person and country to country; it provides valid daily lessons in humility and understanding.

There are sections on Living Each Day, Self Reflection, On Asking Favors, Resisting Avarice, Vanity and on the Brevity of Our Ties. Each story finishes with a moral lesson, a thought for the day, something to ponder.

In the parable Cats All Steal Fish, a man comes home to find his wife in a rage because the cat stole the fish for the evening meal. Through a series of questions, the wife comes to understand that the cat was being a cat. The wife's anger, if valid at all, should be at herself for letting the cat get the better of her by being what he is a cat. The final lesson is: We are tormented with anger because we are convinced we are right.

That lesson should have meaning for most of us, as should the other sixty-four short stories of wisdom and learning.

Takamori is chair of the Buddhist organization Jodo Shinshu Shinrankai in Japan. He has lectured worldwide. His stories guide us toward our better selves with simplicity and clarity.

Warm and profound stories
–Urbanology Magazine, by Duane Benjamin–

"Something You Forgot ... boasts a collection of thought provoking, warm and profound stories, teaching life lessons relevant to all ages and all walks of life"

The messages in each story are short and sweet
–Today's Horse Trader Magazine, by Norma Vela–

"Something You Forgot ... Along the Way" is a wonderful collection of ancient stories told with a fresh and modern voice. The messages in each story are short and sweet; thoughtful and refreshing reminders of ways to find the good and best in life. Pick it up and read one story every day --- take your time and savor, as the author says, "It is wise to make haste slowly."

Just opening the book to any page brings a refreshing reminder of the wisdom
–Best Self Atlanta Magazine, by India Powell–

The teachings in this book resonate with the spirit and transcend the barriers of culture and time. The short, concise passages and stories allow for rapid reconnection with what is really important in life:
Life is basic truths, too quickly forgotten in the shuffle and struggles of our everyday lives. Just opening the book to any page brings a refreshing reminder of the wisdom we all seek until remember we had it all along.

Insightful perspective provides invaluable guidance
–By Katy Koontz–

This lovely book by Buddhist teacher Kentetsu Takamori gives readers 65 different opportunities to ponder the kind of simple truths that have the power to change their lives for the better. In a world where shift happens, Takamori's insightful perspective provides invaluable guidance.

Part of a healthy spiritual and intellectual lifestyle
–CRN Digital Talk Radio, by Erik E. Hines–

In reading Kentetsu Takamori's Something you forgot along the way I found eastern wisdom delicately infused into parables that transcend culture, religion, gender, age and economics. Tales that are genuinely human and accessible to anyone that remind us that there is a bigger picture.

Something you forgot encourages compassion, discipline, temperance, love, and honesty and teaches the perils of jealousy, greed and obsession. I recommend Something you forgot as part of a healthy spiritual and intellectual lifestyle.

Takamori's No-Nonsense approach is refreshing in a world where morality has become relative, compassion is fueled by personal benefit, and love is illustrated by fly-by-night movie-star relationships. Takamori's parables challenge you to live a life of greater virtue and contemplation, and at the same time, warns us that challenges lie ahead for those of us who choose this path.

It is small enough to put in your pocket but large enough to change your life
–By Keith Lorenz–

In this busy world it's always a good idea to slow down and take a moment to look where you're going. A little book called "Something You Forgot ... Along the Way" allows you to do just that. It is small enough to put in your pocket but large enough to change your life. It contains sixty-five clever little parables of no more than three pages each. Its underlying philosophy is refreshing. It might be summed up thus: "Those who think they can avoid suffering will not be able to experience the pleasures that Life has to offer." Another way of putting is that true happiness is not for the timid. This book is a reminder that nothing in Life comes easy but there is much to be gained in our little journey. It's all a question of how you look at things. There is the subtlereminder in all the tales that, though we may not discern it, the unseenlaw of cause and effect governs all that befalls us.

There is also the lesson to be learned from compassion for our fellow man. Take for example the tale of Śākyamuni who went out disguised as a beggar. Selfish people declined to offer him tea or food because they assumed he was a low born person and there was nothing to be gained. Then, when he revealed that he was a Holy Man, they became more generous thinking they they could gain something. People do not realize that the act of giving without strings attached is what may give us real pleasure. "Those who lack compassion will receive no happiness," said Śākyamuni. "Offerings made for the sake of honor and profit are poisoned." We are also reminded that the Soul can be developed just like a person can strengthen his body through training. One is urged to "work on the Soul" since all else is transient and shall pass. "Tangible things may get stolen, disintegrate, break, disappear. But the invisible treasure of the soul is indestructible. Whatever pain you suffer will be rewarded in full." The reader is reminded that tranquility and mindfulness have their own rewards, Anger is to be avoided at all costs. Anger can even release toxins into the system that can destroy physical health. Do not curse your attacker. Eventually he will understand and beg your forgiveness.

Remember: the aftermath of anger is "dreary emptiness." The parables are sometimes illustrated with tales of animals. There is always a message to be learned. Take the story of the Lion and the Mouse. The lion never believed that the Mouse could possibly save his life, but one day this came true. The lion learned a lesson never to be arrogant again. Moral of the story: "Embrace all whom we meet with kindness. Besides, you never know when we may receive a great favor when we least expect it." These are wonderful inspirational stories assembled by Kentetsu Takamori and rendered into highly readable English. Don't take a trip without carrying a copy in your pocket. You will be rewarded many times!

Lifelong Lessons
–Nichi Bei Times, by HEATHER HORIUCHI–
(http://www.nichibeitimes.com/?p=5471)

SOMETHING YOU FORGOT ... ALONG THE WAY: Stories of Wisdom and Learning

By Kentetsu Takamori and translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter (Los Angeles: Ichimannendo Publishing, Inc., 2009, 177 pp., $11.95, paperback)

In the midst of an international recession, where news is more often than not grim — foreclosures, budget cuts and other unsavory reports — indulging in a book for pleasure can offer a much-needed, if fleeting escape.

Kentetsu Takamori's latest offering, a collection of concise short stories (each being just two or three pages in length) of lessons long forgotten — honor one's parents — or others one has yet to fully grasp — life is fleeting — presents itself at an appropriate time.

Before picking up the tiny text, readers should take note that while it does not proselytize — Takamori is after all a bestselling author in Japan, and the chair of Jodo Shinshu Shinrankai — a number of the pieces reflect Buddhist teachings. One such lesson: Without suffering, one cannot experience pleasure. Most of the tales' morals, however, are universal: be grateful, have empathy and live with integrity.

The stories involve famous figures including Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, warlord Mori Motonari and even Mitsubishi's founder Yataro Iwasaki. Lest it be accused of being ethnocentric, the book also includes the beloved Aesop's Fable "The Lion and the Mouse," as well as a piece from Confucius.

Although finishing the book in one sitting can easily be done, more might be gained from pacing oneself, and taking in each tale's message.

While "Something You Forgot ... Along the Way" doesn't unearth any life-altering secrets, it does present something that far too many of us could stand to benefit from: perspective.