Topic: Japan Discussion

I've been told that out of all the countries out there, Japan is the most depressing one. And by that I mean like they can't have the chance to try something different, always following one path only, can't socialize to others much and eat worms and snakes and other yucky stuff (That's what my mom says)

Now of course I could be wrong so I might miss something here.

1. Yes, Japanese society can be very stressful, but it's not due to limitations on how you socialize. Rather, you're expected to be part of the group (to the point that companies will encourage/mandate that employees go drinking after work to embolden team spirit), and the stress comes from the fear of not fitting into your group, or failing your group (whether that group is your schoolmates, co-workers, family, etc.). It's partially why Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

2. As for foodstuffs, the main staples of Japanese cuisine are seafood & rice. I won't say that there aren't any areas whatsoever that don't have what you'd call a more "adventurous" diet (I believe the Giant Japanese Hornet is a delicacy in certain mountain villages), but that's definitely not the norm, and it's no different from any other country (even in the U.S. there rural areas where you can eat squirrel and/or snakes), and in one of the Latin-American countries Guinea Pig is a delicacy.

Japanology Plus was on tonight! This week's theme was Festivals.

1. There are some 300,000 festivals held in Japan every year, with the oldest being over 1,000 years old!

2. They did most of their filming at the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. The festival lasts two days, and during the first part, a large procession of portable shrines & Taiko drums are paraded down the street. During the second half, the drums & shrines are loaded onto 100 boats and processed down the river (this lasts about 2 hours). When the sun goes down, the festival ends in spectacular fashion as the sky lights up with 3,000 fireworks.

3. They did a quick montage covering many of the vast kinds of festivals held across the country each year, which was pretty cool. As a general rule (though not true of every single festival), spring festivals center around rice planting, summer festivals center around praying for a good harvest, fall festivals center around thanks for a good harvest, and winter festivals center around keeping spirits up.

4. Festivals used to have deep religious meaning, whether it be praying for a good harvest, warding off pests, or warding off disease (which is how the Tenjin Matsuri got started). Today, they're more for entertainment than anything, and even a big part of drawing tourist attention. However, when asked to an expert on Japanese culture, he said that the Japanese people aren't not religious, it's just that Japanese society has adopted various ideas from many religions. The Japanese people see billions of dieties within every living organism in nature, pray at Shinto shrines during the New Year, think about the ideals of Christ during Christmas, and partake in Buddhist funerals.

5. They then went to a workshop in Tokyo where the portable shrines used in such festivals are painstakingly hand built from scratch, which was really interesting to see. When it was complete, we got a rare look inside the shrine (usually such a view is restricted to a head priest, but since a diety hadn't been placed inside yet, it was ok), and the host got a chance to lift it up (if you want to take part in the procession of a portable shrine during a festival, ask permission from a local shrine).

6. Due to both development & disaster, some festivals have been in danger of disappearing, but efforts are being made to preserve them. When it comes to the former, a small mountain town is going to be destroyed in a few years to make way for a dam, and their "Water Splashing" festival (which celebrated the return of the local hotsprings after drying up hundreds of years ago) was going to be cancelled, but young villagers who had left are trying to preserve it in the big city. In terms of the latter, many festivals haven't been held since the "Great Japan Earthquake of 2011", but efforts are being made to bring them back.

Does Japan still follow magazines like Famitisu?

Does Japan get much of influence from the west and while I do know that they do, I don't know about that still since they prefer to do things on their own?

I do have Japanese cups and saucers that my uncle gave as a present. We don't use it but rather we keep it as an antique. Its just brown with Japanese letters in them.

Journeys in Japan was on tonight! This week they went to the old castle town of Gujo-Hachiman.

1. The city is well known across Japan for it's intimate relashionship with water. It has two pure natural spring water rivers that flow through it, and it has waterways along almost every street. It also has a warm climate, with near constant rain 6 months out of the year.

2. Homes here have what are called Mibune, which carry the fresh spring water through basins in the home. The upper segment is used for drinking water, the middle one for preparing food, and the bottom one for cleaning fruit, before it goes back into the waterway. To keep the waterways clean, all townspeople pool money for cleaning supplies, and take turns cleaning them.

3. The town is also known for it's Gujo Odori summer festival, which attracts upwards of 250,000 visitors. People dance in the streets from 8 P.M. to 5 A.M. the next morning, and food stalls are set up along the main road in case you get tired.

4. If you're looking for things to do here, you can go to Gujo-Hachiman Castle, the famous Sugosui Spring, stay at the locally run Guesthouse Inoue, or visit a 400 year old dye shop, run by the 14th generation owner.

Imagine-Nation was on today!

Main Theme: They talked about the works of manga artist Santa Inoue. He hit it big in the 90's with Tokyo Tribe 2, a manga set in a near future Tokyo where various gangs control the streets & fight for dominance. It was adapted into an anime in 2006, and has had a live action adaptation released this year. His current work is Motesuke, a manga that centers around the titular character's life. In the manga, Motesuke is a screenwriter that has a happy life with his wife, but often fantasizes about having affairs with other women. One day, God visits him & grants him the ability to read womens' minds, and he uses this ability to pick up women. Santa Inoue has branched out of manga though, and has opened up his own successful clothing shop, Santastic!, which features clothes designed by him. Many are original designs, while others are clothes worn by the characters in his various manga (he wanted to design manga clothes that would tie in recognizably to his manga, but would still be comfortable for everyday use like any other piece of clothing). He has also dabbled in the Hip-Hop world, even designing record labels for certain artists.

Side Theme: They talked about the new anime, Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow Vol. 1, which takes place inbetween the last TV anime, and the latest movie. They also talked about the recent release of Bayonetta 2 on Wii U, and covered some of it's unique features, like the touch screen control option.

Creator's Interview: They talked to the producer of the Corpse Party video game series. He said that he got into developing a horror series because it is hard to scare people, and he wanted to take on that challenge. He said that Xevious & Dragon Quest were the games that left the biggest impression on him as a kid, and that if he had unlimited resources, he'd like to make one game that could be played as any genré, that way everyone could enjoy it.

Other: They showcased some Naruto fan art viewers sent in, and announced that they are going to cover Zelda Musou (Hyrule Warriors) next week.

Tokyo Eye was on tonight! This week was part two of their Asakusa Special. While last week they covered more traditional places to visit in the area, this week was all about hip locations.

1. First they stopped off at Tokyo Knowledge. It's a cafe that doubles as an information center about Tokyo & the Asakusa area. They have many brochures about the surrounding attractions, and if you still need help, all employees speak English, and they also have available computers & free Wi-Fi.

2. Next they went to a new Don Quijote store that opened up on Rock Broadway. It's a major budget retail chain in Japan, and is a great place to pick up souvenirs at a budget price. The clothing section particulary has a bunch of items with a unique modern Japanese design. It's open 24 hours a day.

3. Next they went to a hostel called Retrometro Backpackers. It only has two rooms that fit ten people each (one of which is women only), but that helps to foster a real community feel (the owner makes an effort to introduce all the guests to each other). Rooms are ¥2,600 a night, with breakfast costing an extra ¥300.

4. Next they went to another hostel called Khaosan World Asakusa. This one has a unique feel, as it was actually repurposed from an old "Love Hotel". They decided to keep the themed room idea, with many of them having various types of traditional Japanese designs, mixed with certain elements of western décor. Rooms cost ¥2,200 yen a person, and they even have a common area that features various manga for guests to read.

5. Then they highlighted Sumida Park. This public park is popular for it's various art sculptures placed throughout it, and for it's great view of Tokyo Skytree. Near the park is Café W.E, which features rotating art exhibits (currently hosting the work of a photographer who took various pictures of Tokyo Skytree). They are known for their signature smoothie, which mixes bold fruit flavor with traditional Japanese ingredients (it costs ¥417). During the springtime, the park comes alive with blooming cherry blossoms.

6. Next they went to the Asakusa Underground Shopping Arcade, which is one of the oldest in all of Tokyo. This place is known for it's bargains (such as a barber shop that offers cuts for ¥700). There are many restaurants here (including a bunch of Vietnamese & Thai places), but one of the most popular ones is Fuku-Chan. This restaurant has been here for decades, and their décore, & menu (and prices) will take you back to seventies Tokyo (you can get a large meal for only ¥1,500). Lastly the shopping arcade is home to Furaido, a shop specializing in street culture. Here you can get hoodies, T-shirts, baseball caps, skateboards, and more, all with one of a kind street designs (right outside the shop, they have a huge graffiti piece along the wall).

7. Next they went to Bonji Bar. This unique establishment features a mural of Sanskrit characters, each of which mean "Buddha". They also have a variety of water pipes for customers to smoke, as well as rare spirits from around the world (such as a Vietnemese Vodka-like drink that has snakes in it). It opens at 8:30 P.M., and closes at 5:00 A.M.

8. Finally they went to Knuttle House, which is a club that features underground Jazz. It also doubles as a boarding house for the musicians who perform there. All the rooms have soundproof walls & double glazed windows so they can practice whenever they want. The musicians say it's a good place to meet many talented people & exchange ideas.

Japanology Plus was on last night! This week's theme was Japanese Gardens.

1. Japanese gardens generally fall into one of three categories:

• Landscape - Designed to look like sea shore in minature. Ponds represent the sea/ocean, rocks islands in that sea, with bushes & trees being the forests & mountains that line the shore.
• Zen - Dry gardens that lack any water. Rather, wavy designes are raked into the sand to represent the movement of water, with rocks again representing islands (It is said that reflecting on these gardens was required for monks of Zen Buddhism to reach enlightenment).
• Tea - An extention of culture spread from the Tea Ceremony. These are designed to make it's visitors get the feeling that they're isolated in small mountain locales.

2. ALL Japanese gardens share one trait however, in that they all use rocks, foliage, and water all from their natural element, never altering them.

3. They filmed from the 70's Expo Memorial Garden in Osaka. This landscape garden was made for the expo, and is actually 4 gardens in one (each one meant to represent a different era). They contrasted the natural look of the garden to the controlled & symmetrical look of the garden at Versailles.

4. The first Japanese gardens were made in the 7th century. These used rocks and water by Chinese example, and were used for religious ceremonies. In the 9th century, the courtesans at the imperial capitol of Kyoto ordered the first landscape gardens to be created. They loved the seascape, but with Kyoto being an inland city, they didn't get many times to see it (once their gardens were made, they hosted lavish parties there). Once the Shogunate took control in the 17th century, the capitol moved to Edo (now Tokyo), and the Shogun ordered that each lord was to have a residence in the city. These lords competed with each other by trying to build the most lavish gardens they could think of, and since they often had more than one residence, it was estimated that there were around 1,000 gardens in the city at this time. At this time, well off merchants were also starting to implement gardens into their own homes in order to entertain guests, and some of the first gardens for public viewing also opened (for a price).

5. Nowadays, space is limited, but people are still finding ways to implement gardens in their homes. If you look at detached Japanese homes through a satellite service (like Google Maps) you'll notice that almost every one of them has a small green patch along the side. Deeper into the city, companies & people who own apartment buildings are starting to put gardens on the roofs of their buildings, and people are turning their balconies into gardens.

6. Finally, they highlighted the miniature rock garden, for those who have no outdoor space at all. Miniature Zen gardens, they let you arrange your own designs from the comfort of your own table.

Imagine-Nation was on today!

"Main Theme": This week they talked about Hyrule Warriors for Wii U. The game is a crossover between the Legend of Zelda & Dynasty Warriors game series (it's set in the Zelda world, but plays largely like a DW title). The DW series has had crossovers with anime properties before (they pointed out Fist of the North Star), but this is the first time it has came together with another game series. The story features the forces of Zelda & Link fighting off the forces of the evil sorceress Cia, and her underlings, Wizzro & Volga. They interviewed Japanese fans who were trying the game out at an event, and they said that they were glad the way the game turned out (saying that they're happy about the game using DW's more free movement, rather than Zelda's "restrictive" controls). They also interviewed the game's director, who said they originally intended to develop a more traditional styled Zelda game, but Nintendo suggested that they make it more DW like. He said that traditionally, Link looks cute, but since he'd be facing hundreds of enemies at a time, they wanted to give him a more "manly" appearance (hence the shoulder armor). He also said it was a challenge finding playable characters that would work (since usually there are a small number of Zelda characters who actually fight), and he said Ruto was particularly troublesome (in the end they gave her a jewel that could control water). He also said they wanted to include plenty of Zelda influence, such as the big bosses, and the way you defeat them. The Hosts then played the game, which was pretty funny.

"Side Theme": They mentioned the recent/upcomming releases of Carefree Fairies the Movie (the movie of a CGI Tv anime series), and Fatal Frame 5 (Wii U).

"Creator's Interview": They talked to an indie anime artist, who is known for the unique "soft" look of her work. Her most famous work is called Futon, and her most recent one is called Kamakura (Snow Hut).

Other: They then showed off some viewer fan art sent in, though they never pointed out if it was from a particular series, or original work.

Tokyo Eye was on last night! This week they discussed how Tokyo accommodates the needs of the travelling businessman.

1. First they talked about the need for free wireless internet. As recently as 2009, there were only 2,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city, but as of 2013, there are 15,000 hotspots. The easiest ones to get to are at one of the 7,000 convenience store locations in the city. They happened to visit a 7 Eleven to showcase this. After a brief free registration, you get a total of 3 hours of free internet usage at their stores a day (spread out across 3, 1 hour long sessions). They then visited the Tourist Information Center Tokyo in Tokyo Station. Here, you can rent portable Wi-Fi hotspots for ¥1,000 a day.

2. Then they checked out a couple of business friendly cafés. First up was Café World News, which has free Wi-Fi access, computers for guests to use, an international news/stock ticker along the walls, various TVs set to news stations, and large desks that make it comfortable to lay out your devices & documents. Then came the FabCafé, which also has free Wi-Fi, as well as special equipment like a 3D Printer for guests to use (They actually covered this place in an episode of Begin Japanology before).

3. They then went to K-1 Printing to get some business cards made (you can visit them in person, or go to their website). It costs ¥15,000 for 100, color business cards (there are a variety of designs, and you can even have a QR code that links to your website printed on them). They then showcased proper etiquette for exchanging business cards in Japan.

4. They then went to Itoya, a stationary shop. They had pens that doubled as a stylus for your smart device, pens that use a special ink that disappears when friction heat is applied (allowing it to be erased), staplers that poke a hole in the paper & bend it back (forgoing the need for metal staples), and other unique items.

5. They then briefly touched upon the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, which is open seven days a week. They have all major newspapers from around the world, as well as thousands of books in various languages (the library itself can be searched in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, & English).

6. Then, to tackle the idea that it's expensive to operate a business in Tokyo, they showcased a building that rents out large rooms & entire floors to small companies (with lighting, internet, maintenance, etc. taken care of). Also, they showcased a building that rents out single rooms (big enough for one, two, or four) for the entrepreneur (likewise, all accommodations are included in the price).

7. Lastly, they went to a couple of Co-Operating business locations, which are popular with the younger crowd. Here, you pay a monthly fee, and take a spot at one of the free tables, couches, etc. whenever you want to come in to work. They have Wi-Fi, just bring your own computer. Renters like it, because they like getting input from others who may be in a completely different field (maybe you're the owner of a small clothing venture, and need help designing a website? The guy sitting right next to you might be in the IT field). One of these places they showed off was called Midori-so, which has a very calm nature-esque feel, with greenery growing on the entire outside of the building.

Japanology Plus was on last night! This week they talked about Origami.

1. Origami is the art of folding a single sheet of paper into 3D shapes, without ripping it, no using glue, staples, etc. It's something that old & young both enjoy. You can buy Origami paper at toy stores & stationary shops. The paper is often brightly colored (you can get it in both glossy & matte finishes), with both traditional & modern (western) designs.

2. Paper was first brought to Japan in the 7th century from China, and was originally seen as a sacred thing (being used to adorn Shinto shrines, etc.). In the age of the Samurai, the custom to intricately wrap gifts was born amongst nobles. In the 18th century this spread to the common public, and since folding the paper was so popular, this is when folding paper as recreation was born (the birth of Origami). In the late 1800's, Origami was a required activity in schools, and remained so until after WWII.

3. They talked to the director of the Origami Center, who teaches classes on the art of Origami, as well as gives demonstrations to visitors of the establishment's gift shop (he also runs the International Origami Center, their program where they reach out to foreign groups interested in Origami). This shop was the first to produce perfectly square Origami paper in the 1880's, and to this day they color the paper by hand.

4. When asked why the Crane was perhaps the most well known Origami form, they said that it's because the Crane represents good luck in Japanese culture. During the New Year, the emperor used to eat a Crane (which were said to live for 1,000 years), and since this was something not available to the public, they started making paper Cranes instead.

5. Probably the most famous story revolving around the Origami crane, was the story of a schoolgirl who had developed Cancer due to the radiation of the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima. While in the hospital she aimed to fold 1,000 Cranes, but died before she was able to finish. Her classmates finished the rest for her, and to this day people from all over the world send Cranes to her memorial statue in remembrance of the children affected by the bombings. Her story has been told through various books in a multitude of languages.

6. They then went to an Izakuya. Why to a pub you ask? Well, they always give you a towel to wash up with when you arrive, and folding it is a fun way to impress your friends while waiting for your food. They then showed you how to make a chick with your towel.

7. They then talked about how Origami is applying to modern day advancements. They showcased a type of folding map invented in the 1980's, that's folded up square, but in one movement can be pulled out (and folded back up in one movement as well). This was invented using an Origami technique, and it has gone on to be used as a way to unfurl the solar panels on satellites. Also, they showed a new 3D printing technique that utilizes Origami. A computer program takes an image of a 3D object, and breaks it up into seperate flat sheets that can then be folded by hand to recreate the 3D object with paper. Anyone with a normal printer can do 3D printing this way. Origami techniques have also been used when designing cardboard packaging for delivering items. Again, it's a single piece of cardboard that is folded in a specific way to carry particular objects.

Imagine-Nation was on today!

Main Theme: This week they talked about the mystery game D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die (that's right, an Xbox One game on a Japanese pop culture show), which just released September 19th in Japan & the US. In the game, you play as David, a private investigator who is searching to find his wife's killer. Problem is, he was injured during the attack as well, and now can't quite remember what happened that night. Luckily for him, he also aquired the ability to travel into the past every time he touches an item used in a crime, and by solving these mysteries he hopes to find his wife's killer, and maybe even prevent her from being killed in the first place. The game is directed by Swery (the same guy behind cult classic Deadly Premonition), who they interviewed. He said they went for a look that was a hybrid of realism & anime, both to differenciate the game from the numerous photo-realistic games on the platform, and to keep it from aging as quickly as photo-realistic games do. While the game can be played with the standard controller, it can also be played solely with the Kinect, which is Swery's preferred way to play. He says he wanted to invest players more emotionally than ever before, and he says in order for that to happen, the Kinect was a must, as it offers a level of player involvement impossible using traditional controls (they found an ingenious way to offer a complex gameplay experience utilizing simple swipes, grabs, and the occasional spoken phrase). When asked why he chose the Xbox One as the exclusive platform for the game, he said that (in addition to the Kinect) Japan's importance to the gaming industry has fallen to fifth or sixth place, and in order to recify that, Japanese developers need to start focusing their efforts on the Xbox brand, which he says is the dominant name in gaming when it comes to western gamers. The hosts then tried out the game for themselves, and seemed to be impressed.

Side Theme: They briefly covered Hibedoh Tap Dance Hero, a rhythm game on Vita, as well ass Chokoken's something or other, a cutesy RPG on 3DS.

Creator's Interview: They talked to another indie anime director this week. His noted works include a short featuring a strange mouse hunting device, and a short set in a fantasy world influenced by the 1920's.

Tokyo Eye was on today! This week they talked about what to see alongside the rivers of Tokyo!

1. There are roughly 100 rivers within Tokyo, though they only covered 4 of them in this episode.

2. First they went to Meguru River, which is popular because it's lined with 800 Cherry Blossoms, and thus is a popular travel spot in the spring. They visited a few unique shops along the riverside as well, such as a kimono shop that uses unusual material such as denim & beads in their designs (it's popular with tourists), a shop that features handmade jewelry, and a shop in an unassuming home setting, that carries various nicknacks that the owner thought thinks is interesting (it is most renowned however, for it's custom made shoes, made to order). Lastly, they went to Huit, a café with a rustic French feel that has a great view of the river.

3. Next up was Nihonbashi River. Centuries ago it was a major thoroughfare for goods traveling in and out of the city, but as overland transportation level became more viable, it had lost it's place as a noted location in the city. However, a walkway was completed just this year that they hope makes it a popular spot for social gatherings in the future. There are signs up along the walkway that share interesting bits of info about the river's history. They also visited a small, one room "vegetable factory" situated along the shore where scientists are discovering ways to grow fresh produce in the cramped space of the city (the fresh vegetables grown here make their way to the company's own cafeteria). They also visited a restaurant here, that has an outdoor dining area right next the river, which is the only of it's kind in all of Tokyo (restaurants like this are very popular in Kyoto, but due to government regulations, they weren't allowed in Tokyo until recently).

4. Next up was Myosho-ji River. 100 years ago it became a popular spot for dye shops to open up, but over time demand for such products declined & now there are only a few shops left open (up until the 1960's, you could still see the craftsmen dyeing in the river itself). They visited a dye shop that is 94 years old, and through the windows you can see the artisans at work. They also have a shop where you can buy their goods (which extend beyond the normal clothing items, including items such as wallets & even clocks). Once every two weeks they hold a class where visitors can try their hand at the art. The host dyed a placemat.

5. Finally they showcased Furukawa River. In the 1960's it was horribly polluted by factory & home wastes, but due to efforts of the local residents, it is now one of the most cleanly rivers in the city, famous for the Furukawa Water Park, that opened in the 1970's. The Furukawa Fesival is held here every July, and in addition to the various stalls & attractions, the big event here is when they unleash 30,000 goldfish into the river, and kids jump in to see how many they can catch! The river is kept clean due to regular cleaning by neighborhood volunteers.

Imagine-Nation was on today!

Main Theme: This week they talked about Monster Strike (iOS). It's a game developed by Mixi (Japan's largest social networking company) that has just hit it's 1 year anniversary. It has had 13 million downloads, was released in Taiwan earlier this year, and is getting ready to hit China, Hong Kong, and Macao. The game is a turned based RPG where the player takes on quests to take down monsters. The player controls a party of 4 monsters, and during your turn, you fling your monsters at enemies to attack (also bump your other monsters to unleash special combo attacks like multi-directional lasers). As you play you can sumnon newer monsters that you can choose to use in battle, enhance the strength of your other monsters, or use as evolution materials. It's free to play, but you can pay a small amount of money to recharge your "Mana" (in game energy used to take on quests, though it also recharges naturally over time) or to purchase special stones that make it more likely to summon a rare monster. They wanted to make a mobile game that encouraged social activity, so it's able to be played with others nearby with a local wireless connection (as well as solo, but it's more difficult). They then went behind the scenes to show how they design monsters. Both historical figures like Oda Nobunaga & Napoleon (who are both adaptated into women in this game) as well as fairy tale/mythological beings such as Little Red Riding Hood, Zeus, and Alice (Alice in Wonderland) are in the game as recruitable characters (there are over 1,000 in total). The hosts then got to play the game for a bit.

Side Theme: They mentioned the PS4 JRPG, Omega Quintet, developed by Compile Heart. It features a team of famous idols who protect the world from evil (no word on an international release at this time).

Creator's Interview: They talked to the famous illustrator, 326. He is well known in Japan for his cute characters, who feature prominently in things like children's picture books. He is currently doing character designs for a mobile game.

Tokyo Eye was on today! This week was part one of their Tokyo art special.

1. First they went to the city of Tachikawa (a suburb of Tokyo), where they showcased a renovated part of the city built in the 90's. The big draw here is that this part of the city has 92 displays of public art donated from various artists across 36 different countries. In addition to giving the area a one of a kind vibe, many also serve a useful purpose (such as the wireframe bicycle displayed over a bike parking area, or the brass log on the sidewalk that doubles as a bench).

2. Next they went to a shop called Harcoza in the Ebisu district. This shop has a variety of clothing, accessories, & jewelry, but it really stands out because of the art gallery they have in the basement (which contains pieces the owner bought from art shows). There is also a stage downstairs where musicians can perform (they hold special events), but during everyday hours it's used as a changing room.

3. While in Ebisu, they also visited an establishment called MADiff a/p/a/r/t/. The main floor of the building houses a bookstore that specializes in art books, but they also have a rotating gallery in the basement (currently being used by a photogropher who has a single HDTV set up, which shows various shots of Sapporo from the air), as well as a bar upstairs that also displays art (art lovers meet here frequently, and at the time of filming, the curator of the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art was speaking here).

4. Next up they went to Ginza, which has the most art galleries out of all the districts in Tokyo. They featured the Okubo Building, which was a deluxe apartment building in the 1930's, but has been renovated as a gallery space (there are over 20 different galleries renting out space here). First they went to one that exclusively features pieces done by female art students, then the oldest one in the building (25 years old) that showcases contemporary paintings (and is famed for it's exposed original concrete floor), and finally an antique shop that sells both antiques as well as art pieces the owner makes.

5. Finally they went to a café, that also houses abstract art sculptures. In addition to that however, during "Event Nights", guests can order live performances from the staff (for ¥300 a pop) that they share with the entire dining hall.

Japanology Plus was on last night! This week they covered the concept of Yokai.

1. Yokai is sort of a catch all term for unexplained natural (and supernatural) phenomena, wherein such events are personified into "monsters/demons". To make the concept more familiar to western eyes, they explained that mythical creatures like Unicorns, Leprechauns, Dwarves, Fairies, etc. are western examples as what the Japanese would consider Yokai (though the concept is more broad).

2. They covered some of the more popular Yokai in Japanese culture, particularly the Kappa. The Kappa is a turtle like creature that was said to be responsible for drownings in ancient times. Though, it has also been depicted as a more benevolent being that helps out riverside villages. It was said to like cucumbers.

3. The concept of Yokai is influenced greatly by the nature worship of the Shinto religion, wheren it's believed that everything has a spirit, and is sentient (even things like rocks, trees, & rivers). In this belief set, it is believed that anything, even manmade objects like chairs, tables, & computers are all potentially Yokai in disguise.

4. The concept was created long, long ago, but it wasn't until the 16th century until painters started personifying the various Yokai into recognizable forms. One popular theme of this time was the depiction of manmade objects turning into Yokai (It was believed your belongings would eventually haunt you if you abandoned them, or didn't take proper care of them). There was a Yokai boom in the 18th century, that coincided with the release of the art book, Night of a Hundred Demons, which depicted over a hundred different Yokai in personified form. During this time telling ghost stories became popular, as well as buying paintings or clothing items adorned with your favorite Yokai, and there were even Yokai themed card games for kids. Yokai play a large part in today's culture as well, seen with the success of the Yokai Watch video game franchise. It has spawned off into various merchandise (including an anime & manga), that features a kid who acquires a strange watch that lets him see & interact with the Yokai around him.

5. There are some reported mummified Yokai remains you can find in different parts of Japan, and they visited a Buddhist temple that houses what is said to be a mummified Kappa hand. Usually a Buddhist temple wouldn't house such things, but the area used to flood terribly during rain storms centuries ago, and one man took it upon himself to dig a new route for the river to go (as legend has it, he enlisted the help of many Kappa, so they are revered here).

6. Finally, they went to the hometown of a manga artist who made the first popular manga centered around Yokai. It's a series that's over 50 years old, and features a young half Yokai that helps out humans being haunted/attacked by evil Yokai. The author fought in WWII, and said he was influenced by the time he was lost on an island, and after running around blindly in the night was stopped in his tracks by an ivisible force. As it turns out, if he had kept on running he would have fallen off a cliff. He believes it was a Yokai that saved him.

Hmm.. Japan! A perfect blend of technology and culture.

Heyo!

I'm currently studying abroad in Japan this semester, and I saw this thread. If anyone's curious as to what life is like for a gaijin in Japan, you can check out my blog giantinjapan.tumblr.com (I'm too lazy to look up how to link this, so you can just copy/paste). Feel free to ask any questions ifya want, too!

That's really cool (something I was never able to do while I was back in school, though not for lack of trying, lol). Hope you're having fun.

I'm not sure how many will take you up on your offer (I'm pretty much the only one that's on this thread anymore), but it's very much appreciated.

I would love to live in Japan one time. So beautiful........ too bad no one understands me IRL. When I tell em this, they just laugh at me.
It's a weird place, so it fits me excactly. The food looks AMAZING, and I'm gonna make curry rice once, which will be my first Japanese dish.
And not to mention Japanese girls are cute!

I'm just worried about the language. I started learning the basics a while ago. Pretty hard and I forgot everything now. And I was learning pronounciation and romanji. How the hell would katakana be?
If I wanna be a game developer living in Japan, this will be a huge problem. I heard that the process of getting to work at a VG company is BRUTAL. (The one I was reading was about Nintendo)

How was your experience learning Japanese, and what is the best way to learn it?