Japanese Life & Culture
Public Library Offers "Grab Book Bag" to Encourage Book Reading
The traditional Oriental calendar signifies the year 2017 a "Year of Bird" when everything starts afresh high up into the sky.
January 4, 2017 at 1:10 am
Traditional Carving Knife Ceremony
Japan abounds in traditional ceremonies so unique that foreigners are often taken aback, as western housewives use kitchen knives everyday thinking nothing of them - except, perhaps, how to keep them sharp enough - and find no reason for a ceremony for the knife's sake.
December 27, 2016 at 12:21 am
14-Year-Old Shogi Prodigy Outplayed 62 Years Older Veteran
Shogi or chess is not exactly my favorite game and it wouldn't matter who won against whom, but this event is something worth reporting
December 22, 2016 at 12:17 am
National Treasure-Class "Yohen Tenmoku" Found in TV Show
Tea-cups come in all sizes and designs - some quite ordinary everyday cups while other rare ones in the class of national treasures.
December 21, 2016 at 3:56 am
Diamond Fuji Far Away from Tokyo
I wonder if you've heard of Diamond Fuji - a diamond atop the Mt Fuji, a natural phenomenon observed about this time of the year.
December 8, 2016 at 1:09 am
"Warai Koh" - Thanksgiving Association in Yamaguchi
Japan is a melting pot of legendary rituals, and you'll get a kick out of a thanksgiving "laughter" association in Yamaguchi, southern Japan.
November 23, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Super Cancer Drug Down-Priced 50%
The Welfare-Labor Minister's advisory body, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council, agreed to bring down the price of the revolutionary cancer drug Opdivo by 50%, effective February, next year.
November 18, 2016 at 11:56 pm
Udon Eaters Watch Out!
To follow up the last episode on a battle Udon vs. Soba, I have a piece of sour data for Udon fans - rather, a convincing warning to cut down on your Udon consumption to guard against diabetes.
November 17, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Season-Fresh "Soba" Ready to Serve!
In case you are not familiar with a stuff called "soba", here's your chance to get acquainted with one of the popular foods known to every Japanese - including myself, an ardent fan of this thing - Soba.
November 14, 2016 at 8:59 am
"Ama" Summit Opened in Ise-Shima
In case you are not familiar with the Japanese term "ama" you might add it in passing to your vocabulary - meaning "women shell diver": "a" for sea and "ma" for women.
November 8, 2016 at 7:04 am
"Origami" to revolutionize Architecture?
In case you are not familiar with the term "Origami" yet, remember this is another Japanese word, like Sushi and Sake, enormously popular now in all walks of life - a toy to architectural designing
October 31, 2016 at 3:31 pm
"Moonbow" Observed in Ishigakijima Island
People would think rainbows are for the daytime alone and wonder if there are such things as nocturnal rainbows.
October 18, 2016 at 9:26 am
Deer Horn-Chopping in Nara
Nara is one of Japan's best-known sightseeing spots - the home of ancient temples and historic sites including Horyuji Temple.
October 18, 2016 at 8:52 am
A Persian Clerk in Japanese Palace in 8th Century?
What about an episode on Japanese history in the 8th century - in the Heijo Palace in Nara?
October 6, 2016 at 8:53 am
"Koban" to Feature English/Chinese Speaking Policemen
In case you are not familiar with "Koban", you'll be interested to know that at busy street corners in Tokyo stand tiny cottage-like structures staffed with policemen to help out passers-by at a loss where to go.
