The sound of a trumpet across a mountain valley leads a young man to befriend a mysterious stranger. During repeated visits to the cave where the stranger has set up home, the young man learns about his past – in the mines, villages and ports of the region. The stranger’s hilarious, bawdy and touching narratives … Continue reading
It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with れ (re) and we looked at Rebun-to (礼文島). This week we are looking at things beginning with ろ (ro). A big thank you to those who joined in with suggestions this week: zoomingjapan suggested rotenburo (露天風呂 / outdoor hot spring baths), and Rokko-san (六甲山 … Continue reading
It’s time for A to Wa of Japan again! Last week’s post was about things beginning with お (o) and we looked at the honorific お, oshibori (おしぼり) and Otsuka Ai (大塚愛). This week we are looking at things beginning with か (ka). A big thank you to everyone who joined in with suggestions this week: Zooming Japan suggested Kagoshima City (鹿児島市), Kagoshima … Continue reading
Last week’s post was about Amanohashidate (あまのはしだて / 天橋立), so this week I need to start with て (te). A big thank you to everyone who joined in and played the game, especially ZoomingJapan with Tenoji (天王寺) in Osaka, Tenkawa (天川) in Nara and tempura (天ぷら), JayDee also with Tennoji in Osaka (and Tennoji Park), tengu (天狗), which are supernatural creatures, and Tennou (天皇), which … Continue reading
Last week’s post was about Rikuzentakata (りくぜんたかた / 陸前高田), so this week I need to start with た (ta). A big thank you to japanaustralia for suggesting Takayama (高山), Takamatsu (高松), Takahashi (高梁), tanuki (狸 / an animal), and taue (田植 / planting rice). In the end, I decided to write about… Tanuki (たぬき / 狸) Tanuki are something you will, without a doubt, notice if you … Continue reading
Last week’s post was about kumihimo (くみひも / 組紐), so this week I need to start with も (mo). I got quite excited when I thought about this week’s topic as I realised I had another opportunity to write about Japanese spirits and monsters. I decided to write about… Mononoke (もののけ / 物の怪) Many of you will … Continue reading
This is the penultimate post in my A-Z of Japan series, so it’s time for Y. Y could be for a lot of things, such as the beautiful city Yokohama (横浜) in Kanagawa Prefecture, the amazing island Yakushima (屋久島) which I would love to visit one day, or the citrus fruit yuzu (ゆず). I also considered … Continue reading
Last week I went down to the ICN gallery to see their latest exhibition: Ryo Arai & ITARO – Essence of Edo-Tokyo. The exhibition features two artists: Ryo ARAI (b.1958; Tokyo, Japan) Arai is a rare figurative artist in Japan specialising in traditional Japanese papier-mâché, an artisan craft inherited from the traditional papier-mâché toys originally from … Continue reading
On April 20th, after visiting Inokashira Park and the Ghibli Museum, I took a walk. It was a planned, hour-long walk, which had grown out of a very random conversation I once had with a student. Some months ago, I noticed a curious phone-charm hanging from my student’s phone and commented on it. She suddenly … Continue reading
Wandering around the streets of Tokyo looking at kitchenware may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I discovered it was mine two weeks ago. I had never visited Kappabashi-dori before, as I really couldn’t see the attraction of shop upon shop full of kitchen goods and restaurant supplies. However, once you get there it’s clear that … Continue reading
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