Category Archives: Uncategorized

J-Blogger Roundup

It’s been a while since I gave an appreciative heads up to some awesome J-bloggers, so here are some fellow writers who’ve caught my eye: Kaley in Japan surveyed the J-Blogosphere for some advice on where to go in Japan. … Continue reading →

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Aside | Posted on June 28, 2011 by | 3 Comments

J-Cin Sundays: “Achilles and the Tortoise” and the Contemporary Japanese Art World

Posted on June 26, 2011 by

Title: Achilles and the Tortoise Director: Takeshi Kitano Year: 2008 Notes: Though the clip is animated, this is a live-action film.

Posted in Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On School Sports Festivals, or: On Catching Small Boys Falling From The Sky in Japan

Posted on June 22, 2011 by

My job this week consisted of watching for shirtless boys to fall from the sky.

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

On Not Walking While Drinking Soda in Japan

Posted on June 15, 2011 by

Why doesn’t anyone in Japan drink soda while walking? Google results are unsatisfactory. Is it considered rude? Dangerous? Had it never occurred to anyone that they could drink while walking? Japanese friends answer with a shrug. “We just don’t, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture Shock, Food, Uncategorized, Weird | 10 Comments

On Kappa

Posted on June 8, 2011 by

It takes time for new places to seep into my dreams. When I’ve left a place, my dreams take me back instead of forward. Places go first – the familiar coffee shops, restaurants and bookstores stop serving as backdrops. People … Continue reading →

Posted in Tradition, Uncategorized, Video, Weird | 5 Comments

On Walking On Fire in Japan

Posted on June 1, 2011 by

The most difficult part of walking on burning coals during a typhoon was finding the right train.

Posted in Shinto, Shrines, Thinking, Tradition, Uncategorized, Video, Zen | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments