This month, it was a challenge settling on a film to review. Initially, the article was going to explore Japanese remakes of American films, because as it turns out, Hollywood is not the only place “borrowing†ideas from overseas. Then, because I am cheap and ゴースト (which exists, seriously) is not eligible for half-price rentals…
When is Meat Day in Japan?
This is one of the best games I played with my students in three years (I played it each year!). I call it simply: The Ainu Game. In essence, it’s a True/False game played in teams of 5 or so students. (I just tell my kids to get into “lunch groups’ and they seem to know what to do!) …
Ahab’s Wife or, The Star-Gazer Sena Jeter Naslund Sena Jeter Naslund took a brief reference in Moby Dick mentioning Captain Ahab’s young wife (and son) and from that seed, she planted and grew herself a transcendent novel. What kind of woman could hold up against the magnificent (and stubborn) Captain Ahab? If Naslund had asked…
You might recall the smash hit evening that was Himeji Prom-stravaganza 2011. My point of pride for the night was that my entire outfit cost me about 1200 yen. Thrifting was an essential part of my young unprofessional life. Being broke as hell does not cultivate in a person a taste for expensive fineries, but…
Every movement in Japanese art has meaning and purpose, and is done with precision and perfection. In the simplest way I could put it, I love kitsuke because it is essentially folding fabric in beautiful shapes, creating the most flattering lines for the female body that can find a balance between being provocative and demure. …
Summer is Here!! Hazzah! So time to get organised and check out some of the beaches on offer in Japan. Get some peeps together and hire a car for the weekend! Most of Japan’s best beaches lie along the Japan Sea. It’s camping time! Wadahama Beach, Fukui Prefecture Take the Maizuru expressway and exit at…
Shirahama is situated in Wakayama-ken, a prefecture full of amazing coastlines, beaches, and onsens – the perfect summer getaway. Since it is a popular place to visit in summer, be prepared for crowds, or visit slightly off season. Shirahama beach is a beautiful ‘Australian’ white sand beach with palm frond shelters and clear, blue water….
A great credit to all Assistant Language Teachers I know, we ‘man’ed up. Many of us also found avenues to donate toiletries, stationary, second-hand clothes and the like. Now, there is another way we can all help, and it’s all in the name of fun. Self restraint (or jishuku) is underway in a big way. As…