Category Archives: Shinto

On the Ephemeral Nature of the Starbucks Sakura Latte

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

Maybe a Sakura Latte is not weird. It’s getting hard to tell. After months of figuring out Japanese culture, my go-to instinct is still bewilderment. Starbucks had primed me for the Sakura Latte since Feb. 10 with a small sign … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Shinto, Thinking, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

On Sumo | すもう

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Eryk Salvaggio

You could say that Sumo is “Japanese Wrestling.” But this would only be right if wrestling involved a Catholic Mass and the pretext that the cage match was to entertain Jesus. The Sumo Ceremony Like much of Japanese life, Sumo … Continue reading →

Posted in Shinto, Tradition | 4 Comments

On Taking a Bath in Japan | お風呂

Posted on October 29, 2010 by Eryk Salvaggio

If you are hot, or cold, go soak in a tub. Sitting in a cold bath with a 2 liter of Polcari Sweat after days of suits, airports and 92-degree humidity is euphoric. Now, the cicadas are all dead, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Shinto, Shrines | 10 Comments