-
Most Popular
-
Author Archives: owwls
On Writing About Rain in Japan
It’s tsuyu, rainy season, a designation determined by a group of experts without regard to actual rainfall. It rained once on the day after they had declared the end of rainy season, and that rain was designated non-rainy season rain. … Continue reading
On Answering Stupid Questions in Japan
Imagine small, square dishes spread out on the black lacquer table, their white porcelain framing the slimy greens and reds of the usual Japanese delicacies. You’ve folded your legs, seiza-style, on cushions of gold-and-blue flowers. Your co-workers grab chopsticks and, … Continue reading
On Being Alone in a Room in Japan
I once saw a man staring at a handheld television set on a train, eyes swelling with tears, looking at what might have been video footage of a woman gazing back at him, her eyes wet with empathy and openness. … Continue reading
On Not Speaking English in Japan
I recently helped some Taiwanese students come to town.
Posted in Teaching, Uncategorized
15 Comments
On Being Anxious in The Japan Times
I had a nice interview with Mads Berthelsen of The Japan Times, which ran today. He asked me about expat anxiety and we discussed whether or not This Japanese Life is a self-help guide to Japan. God help you if it’s … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
4 Comments
On Always Having an Empty Train Seat Beside You in Japan
On a recent trip to the near-abandoned coal mining town of Tagawa, I took the wrong train three times, taking me into the true inaka – Japan’s rural backwater.
