We’ve written about some elusive Japanese creatures before, but the tsuchinoko is probably one of the more popular ones. While not quite as visually impressive as some of the others, the tsuchinoko definitely has its place … [Read more...]
When I first saw the taiko club at my university perform, I was blown away by the whole feel of it. These people looked so cool as they moved themselves in such an intense form, banging huge drums that reverberated around … [Read more...]
When I was in Taiwan (learning Mandarin to learn about learning Japanese... and attending a friend's wedding) we took an off-day to visit Jiufen, the town that inspired the town and bathhouse in one of Miyazaki's greatest … [Read more...]
For a while now, I’ve felt like I have a lot more free time than my friends and acquaintances. And yet, I still feel like I am incredibly productive. How is this possible? Mad skills? Superhuman intelligence? Maybe. But … [Read more...]
Fundoshi (褌/ふんどし) is the traditional Japanese loincloth or underwear for males, made from a sizable length of cotton. Have you ever seen a naked Japanese guy with one of these wrapped around his undercarriage and tied up … [Read more...]
Japan has more than one royal family. The Sho kings ruled present day Okinawa for more than four centuries, but not many people realize they were/are a thing. Their reign ended in 1879 but the family’s descendants live on … [Read more...]