Category Archives: Tradition

On Going to a Gay Bar in Japan

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Eryk Salvaggio

The night starts by asking a cab driver to take you to a school. It’s 11 p.m. and you have no business going to a school at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night, so the driver heads toward the school … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Shinto, Tradition, Uncategorized, Zen | Tagged gay, homosexuality, japan, lesbian, sexuality | 4 Comments

On Sneezing in Japan

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Eryk Salvaggio

In Japan, no one can hear you sneeze.

Posted in Culture Shock, Homesickness, language, Tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged japan | 15 Comments

On Getting Lucky in Japan

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Eryk Salvaggio

No, not like that.

Posted in Shrines, Tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged holidays, japan, luck, traditions, travel | 2 Comments

The Winter Haiku Forecast

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Eryk Salvaggio

“Writing shit about new snow for the rich is not art.” – Kobayashi Issa (trans. Robert Hass)

Posted in Thinking, Tradition | Tagged haiku, japan, poetry, winter | 6 Comments

On Being Selfish in Japan

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

I remember my high school French club. The kids smoked too young, wore black turtlenecks and talked about Camus, or more precisely, “spoke of Camus.” The German club ate strudel, listened to unbearable polka and occasionally invaded the French club.

Posted in Culture Shock, Teaching, Tradition, Uncategorized | Tagged japan | 11 Comments

On Being Cute in Japan

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Eryk Salvaggio

“Battle not with Hello Kitty lest ye become Hello Kitty; and if you gaze into the abyss the abyss gazes into you with huge eyes and a helpless disposition.” – Friedrich Nietzsche