Japan in blogs

Wandering Around the old Neighbourhood

2010-03-22T01:44:00.000+02:00

Today I decided to take a long walk.

I managed to walk all the way from the flat, into the centre of town, then to Cowcaddens (China Town), St George’s Cross (Where I used to live as a student), Byers Road (aka. Bryoz road) and down to Partick.

Grabbed a few groceries and headed home. I thought that after a couple of years, the west end would have changed dramatically, but it seemed to have just been a little run down, with a few of my local shops having closed. No doubt another area affected by the economic crisis.

So I made a mah-see-voh dinner for Sian, Gayle and Tina. Was fairly impressed as I managed to prepare everything together quite nicely, without burning anything. Although I was only really preparing the main course, the girls brought side dishes and desert.

It was a really pleasant evening, which was rounded off with some weird youtube videos, such as the one below.

One of the biggest things I miss about being in Japan, is turning on your TV at 3am to random things like this.

[Via http://bryoz.wordpress.com]

Shrimps Rillettes

2010-03-22T00:56:00.000+02:00

Rillettes is a preparation of meat similar to pâté. Originally made with pork, the meat is cubed or chopped, salted heavily and cooked slowly in fat until it is tender enough to be easily shredded, and then cooled with enough of the fat to form a paste. They are normally used as spread on bread or toast and served at room temperature.

Rillettes are also made with other meats, goose, duck, chicken, game birds, rabbit and sometimes with fish such as anchovies, tuna or salmon.

Here is a light and healthy recipe made with shrimps!

Shrimps Rillettes!

INGREDIENTS:

-Shrimps/prawns: 250 g (black tiger if available)

-Olive oil: as appropriate

-Brandy: as appropriate

A Butter:

-Butter: 1/2 tablespoon

-Garlic: 1/2 teaspoon (chopped finely)

-Carrot: 1 tablepoon (chopped finely)

-Parsley: 1 sprig (chopped finely)

-Tomato juice: equivalent of 3 medium-sized tomatoes

B Butter

-Butter: 125 g (1/4 pound)

-Salt: a little

-Cayenne pepper/Chili pepper: as appropriate

RECIPE:

-Fry the shrimps/prawns whole with their shells in olive oil until their insides are cooked. Flambe them with Brandy. Once compeltely cooled down, extract the flaesh out the shell and mince the flesh very finely.

-In a pan drop the A butter and all chopped vegetables and fry until soft. Pour the tomato juice and stirby hand. Let simmer over a weak fire for 20~30 minutes.

-Pass the shrimps and vegetables through a sieve/chinois to obtain a paste.

-In a bowl drop the B butter and let it warm up to room temperature. Add sieved shrimps and vegetables and mix thoroughly until you obtain a smooth paste. Check taste. Add salt and cayenne pepper as appropriate. Leave inside refrigerator for at least a couple of hours.

-Before eating it, bring it back to room temperature and serve with thin slices of French bread. There should be enough for 10 people (as an appetizer!)

RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES:

Warren Bobrow, Bread + Butter, Zoy Zhang, Hungry Neko, Think Twice, Frank Fariello, Mangantayon, Hapabento, Elinluv Tidbit Corner, Tokyo Terrace, Maison de Christina, Chrys Niles,Lexi, Culinary Musings, Wheeling Gourmet, Comestiblog, Chronicles Of A Curious Cook, Bento Boutique, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World, Palate To Pen, Yellin Yakimono Gallery, Tokyo Terrace, Hilah Cooking, More than a Mount Full, Arkonite Bento

Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

Moshi-Moshi

2010-03-19T01:06:00.000+02:00

Hello?

I just tried to call my Japanese friend. Of course… she didn’t answer. Two guys passed the phone back and forth trying to figure out what I was saying to them. They didn’t know much English and I don’t know much Japanese. FAIL.

Of course this is a lot harder over the phone. I wasn’t able to rely on my charades to help me communicate.

I just wanted to tell her that I am going to be staying a few days longer.

Another reason why I need to learn Japanese ASAP!

[Via http://mallyeryn.wordpress.com]

WT2010 - JAPAN - Day 9/10 - Nozawa Onsen

2010-03-19T00:41:00.000+02:00

WT2010 – JAPAN

Day 9/10 – Nozawa Onsen

[On the iPOD] Arctic Monkeys / M83

Waking up sore and tired is never a good sign before a big day of snow boarding. The word around the lodge was it was snowing up top and it was sunny, an awesome combo. I kitted up and set out early to find rock hard ice on the first slope without warming up I went straight up the cross lift to get to the centre mountain gondola only to find yet more Ice.

I’m still only a beginner/Intermediate and Ice seriously psyches me out, especially when you have to go down a 4m wide pass with a sheer drop off with no barrier. I had a few stacks and got in a grumpy mood from the on-set. Perhaps it was because I’d skipped breakky but I headed to the top only to find a nice small covering of snow covering a frozen solid ice underneath. Crappy crappy conditions. I struggled around for a bit but it was just no fun on this hired board, which is a little short hence not wide enough for my boots which causes your boots to catch the snow if u try and get a sharp edge for grip on ice.

I went for a long lunch and rest and was cheered up by one of the chefs at the station at mid-mountain Japanese courtesy and service wins again. After chilling out for a bit with some beer and ice cream. I lulled myself into confidence again and went for a few more runs down the right side of the mountain. It was a little lighter here and things started to pickup. I didn’t have much energy though perhaps due to getting up 5am the day before and traveling + boarding and getting to bed at 1230am.

I decided to stop on a nice bend in the middle of nowhere and build myself a little “kicker” jump into some soft powder off the track. It took me a good 15minutes of effort and I was buggered afterwards but It worked pretty well. I’d built it off a slight drop so I could practice landing off some good air. I did this about 4times and had enough, legs were giving out and it was near the end of the day.

So I decided to head back with one goal; walk as little as possible to my lodge. There was a pass I’d traveled the day before but I took a wrong turn near the end and had to walk a little. I was certain if I carried enough speed I could reach the lodge (there were a lot of flattening out areas where you’d stop if you weren’t going fast enough leading up to them)

So I went down the rest of the home run and made it to within 30metres of the lift to centre-right mountain. Technically you can get to here from the top of the mountain. It’s about a 3km run. I got off at the lift and gunned it, down and across and then across a the downhill centre slope at top speed aiming for a gap in the trees to a connecting path. The track connected to another and another and then finally the final turn which looked like it was out of bounds or something. I didn’t know I couldn’t read the sign. I didn’t care and gunned it and the track wound steep and narrow through some trees (tight s bends) and then opened up towards a carpark.

I skipped off to the left and continued to the home straight with enough speed. Making the final turn I was headed down a ‘driveway’ towards the road where cars fly past and pulled up right on the edge of the snow, sitting down, my board hitting the tarmac. Unbound and walked 100m to my lodge. Utterly amazing really. Technically you can ride the length of the mountain down the opposite side of the lodge and catch ONE lift and get to your door. A good 6km+ of winding awesomeness!

I decided to stop playing hermit at the lodge and the Australians who run it had it smelling like home in no time; a BBQ out front with Japanese beer, cool. I got to know a lot of cool people with some eye-opening stories. Everything from traveling around the world on a surf adventure in the 1970’s! to working 4months a year on a farm and then spending it all on holidaying around the world snowboarding the rest of the year. These people have their priorities in order!

After dinner we all headed to the main foreigner bar in town; next door and downstairs is a little bar called ‘STAY’ the vibe of this place is everything I dream about what a local pub should be. It’s about 10metres long by about 5metres wide, has a drum kit and guitar/bass/amps/pa in the corner, a bar and two tables and is covered wall to roof in a variety of local and international music regalia. We don’t a few local beers and then headed to karaoke joint up the hill. Some old locals were already in there but the 6 of us or so ordered yet more drinks and destroyed some classic songs. A bunch of 80’s tragics mostly but the Karaoke system was two touch screen wireless pads with a huge selection of modern songs across all categories, this is Japan after all.

Headed back to the lodge nice and early; walking through the pin-drop quiet winter cold town; the only sound was of running water; the village has a big system of under-road covered gutters which let the melting ice flow through it. I got in just before 2am. Had to be up early to hit the slopes and was hoping for a better day.

Up nice and early but intent on not rushing things on the Thursday morning incase conditions were like yesterday; a nice big breakfast this time which sent me jogging and skipping towards the first lift. I decided to do a warm up run on the first lift slope rather than take the cross mountain lift. It was mildly soft and was utterly brilliant down low. I did one run and then decided I’d do another upon which I decided I’d do a few more runs practicing riding goofy.

Up and down, rinse and repeat until i felt an entire level more confident riding that way, the odd stack had me looking sideways down the run. I somehow had completely missed a seperate track built that morning down the side of the mountain; it was a bunch of mini slopes leading into a set of kickers down 3/4 of the slope! So I decided to practice some jumps. Starting slowly and landing only one and aborting the last two “big” ones.

By the end of the day I was utterly buggered and had landed 7 consecutive airs including the last one; which has a lot of dug out snow after the kick; you probably get a good 2metres off the lip of the jump. Later; lodge-mate Arwin said one of the guys he runs with lands back-flips with a twist off it! I wasn’t going to try that just yet.

Somehow I was having way too much fun just trying to get better on this simple course on the first slope of the mountain and just like that it was all over, approaching 5pm.

But before I left there was one thing to try for the first time; A local Onsen (that’s a natural hot-spring public bath for those unawares) I’m all for public nudity, just as long as it doesn’t involve me. At least that was my view before I went in. It was full of locales and dads bathing with their sons. Once you get your kit off it just kinda feels right, you get the vibe of it and relax. When in Rome!

Funnily enough though a few minutes later one of the other lodgers turned up; also an Onsen virgin like myself. I think the locales where either totally amused or bemused at our faces when we got into the boiling water. Unknown to me was I got in the hot-end of the spring where there was only one older dood and most of the people were in the other end. They either thought I was crazy getting in that end or thought I was a wimp making ‘ouch’ faces as the water burns every part of you.

Theres a strict method to entering and a system you have to go through before you get in; first you take off your shoes to get onto the wooden slatted area with ‘lockers’ and take your clothes off, put them in the lockers. Take a small wash towel and bucket and soap over to the wash area. You have to sit cause splashing people is rude. You soap up and wash down making sure you have no soap on you at all before getting into the water.

I eventually caught on and moved over to the cool end where it was bearable, I was convinced my knees had sustained 3rd degree burns… but if the old guy could take it I thought whack the heck. Whilst ‘chilling out’ in the ‘cool’ (which was still burning me) I got splashed on purpose by a little 5 yr old kid, I thought it was pretty funny actually but the kids dad promptly hit him on the head with a bucket and told him how rude it was. Respect is primary here; even to silly foreigners like myself. I’ll definitely be doing it any chance I get now. In a town with natural hot-spring water, why waste energy heating water (taking a shower) when you can get it for free? It’s a way of life.

I was already thinking about boarding the next morning after checking out of the lodge! But it wasn’t to be out of cash for a lift pass which means I’m headed back to Tokyo as I write this on a Friday morning.

I’m actually really peeved about leaving here; the lodgers are all great and some have been here for months or are here on second and third visits; so they know all the jaunts in town and all the local characters. Even more worried about leaving the snow and all the cool people, in the back of my mind is leaving Japan in four days. I’m starting to regret I haven’t stayed longer.

I’m thinking this won’t be the last I’ll see of Nozawa Onsen. Farewell!

*Unfortunately no more photos the last two days, I have a lot taken from the LOMO which is Film, so no uploading them. Conditions were just too harsh to use the DSLR (Snowing both nights and freezing!) I will try and get out this morning to take some final shots of the town in full light. Don’t think I can get up the mountain without a pass though!

Stay tuned for an update of photos perhaps.

[Via http://jukeboxparables.wordpress.com]

Totally Rad Tune Tuesday TRTT

2010-03-17T01:29:00.000+02:00

I like music and I’m pretty sure you guys do too. Since we all enjoy music to varying extents, I thought I would share my preferences with you. But this isn’t a one way street in which I only recommend artists to you. Please feel free to share your favorite artists which are similar in style to those that I post. That way, I can learn from you and you from me. Cool eh?

When it comes to J-Pop, the amount of artists I know are quite limited. I’m coming across new singers/groups all of the time and the biggest reason I am doing this is so I can be exposed to more through your feedback. If you don’t like an artist I present, that’s cool, just be sure to comment on who is even cooler. I just want to expand my musical awareness, yah, musical awareness. hehe

Though, I won’t solely focus on J-Pop and other Japanese genres. I’ll be sure to throw in some of my personal favorites from varying places around this crazy world. In fact, most of my favorite music comes from the très chic France.

Alrighty, lets get on with my favorite J-Pop group.

I’ve been meaning to write about Perfume since I started this blog, but just never found the time to introduce them. I figured they would be the best one to start with since Perfume was the first J-Pop group I started to listen to. My friend told me about them about 3 years when I asked him “What are some good J-Pop bands/groups with a electronic feel?” He only mumbled one word, Perfume, and that was all. I asked him if there were others, but he remained quiet. I guess not. So, when I got home later that night (making sure not to forget their name), I searched up this group and the rest is history. I’ve been addicted to their music ever since.

Perfume consists of 3 members:

かしゆか (Kashiyuka)

のっち (Nocchi)

あーちゃん (A-Chan)

These photos were taken from the new Natural Beauty Basic commercial featuring Perfume’s new single ナチュラルに恋して (Love Me Naturally). The photos can be found here and the commercial can be found here.

I could go on and on explaining Perfume to you, but the only way to ever know how good they are is to simply listen. I must note here that their music is created by the awesome Nakata Yasutaka. So if you like Perfume, there will be a good chance that you’ll like his other projects.

Below, I will provide you with 3 music videos. I’ll take one song from each of their albums starting with their earliest and ending with their latest. Enjoy!

Song: パーフェクトスター・パーフェクトスタイル [Perfect Star・Perfect Style]

Album: Perfume ~Complete Best~

Song: ポリリズム [Polyrhythm]

Album: GAME

Song: ワンルーム・ディスコ [One Room Disco]

Album: ⊿（トライアングル）[Triangle]

Hopefully you enjoyed those as much as all Perfume fans continue to do. I just wanted to end this “Totally Rad Tune Tuesday” by giving a shout out to Perfume City. It’s a fan site dedicated to all things Perfume and anything that you would want (seriously!) is there. I encourage you to check it out if you have the slightest interest in Perfume or just J-Pop in general. Plus, if you want more music, you are bound to find it there.

If everything works out and this post doesn’t become a total fail (not sure why it would, but you never know), I hope to continue TRTT on a weekly basis. And please, if you have any music recommendations, please leave a comment below. I will make sure I check out each suggestion that I receive.

Thanks for tuning in everyone!

ps 16 High-Fives to the first person who guesses my favorite Perfume member.

[Via http://tictaek.com]

Oneself

2010-03-17T00:55:00.000+02:00

by Nao

onore, ko, ki

The noun “onore” meaning oneself sounds classical. Jiko is a more familiar word having the same meaning.

What do people do with jiko (themselves)? Here are some examples:

To take a good look at oneself … jiko wo mitsumeru
To know oneself … jiko wo shiru
To affirm oneself … jiko wo kōteisuru
To deny oneself … jiko wo hiteisuru
To analyze oneself … jiko wo bunsekisuru

Jiko often becomes a suffix meaning “self-.”

Jikokanri means self-control.
Jikokansatsu means self-observation.
Jikogisei means self-sacrifice.
Jikokettei means self-determination.
Jikoshōkai means self-introduction.
Jikotōsui means self-absorption.
Jikohitei means self-denial.
Jikohihan means self-criticism.
Jikoanji means autosuggestion.
… and so on and so forth.

Self-centeredness is “jikochū shin.” It is abbreviated as “jikochū,” of which the chū is written in katakana. We do not use the slang “jikochū” on formal occasions.

Draw the hook on the top.
Draw the horizontal stroke.
Draw the U-shaped curve. Make it narrower at the end. The first curve is rounder than the other. At the second corner, you can stop a little to change the direction of the brush.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

WT2010 - JAPAN - Day 5/6 - Harajuku & Roppongi

2010-03-15T01:47:00.000+02:00

WT2010 – JAPAN

Day 5/6 – Harajuku & Roppongi

[On the iPOD] Initial D 4th Stage / Animal Collective

Well I really had to dig deep to go out Saturday night, after spending allday inside being sick and JUST managing to keep food down at 10pm I headed to Shibuya to a tiny rock club called Rock No Cocoro. I think it was ‘birthday night’ or something. Sitting there listening to Japanese people sing happy birthday in english was funny. The bar started to get a bit packed and by about 1am and once again, kids moshing without shirts to punk songs and Japanese rock.

Odd music selection. Greenday followed by Ricky Martin for example. Whack. (Yes I just said whack) But there were some good tunes in there too. The club is across the road from a band rehearsal studio, it’s a pretty rad area. Everything is so accessible here. I can’t think of one rehearsal space in Sydney remotely anywhere near anything let alone dead centre of the city surrounded by rad bars.

I then decided to somehow circa 1am muster the energy to go looking for two other clubs I knew of. One had closed permanently by the looks of it. Whilst the other looked like it was converted to a restaurant bar, at least as far as I could tell. So I decided to have an early one, home by 2am.

I felt the need to makeup for saturday so I was aiming for Harajuku in the morning. I got there about 10am, the bridge linking meiji-jingu (a huge shrine park area dedicated to Emperor Meiji) and the other side of the train station known as Harajuku is known for the cosplay scene kids showing up on weekends for photo ops. Cosplay is great though i’d never do it, the dedication these kids have to manga and anime characters is great I think. I don’t know if it was the fact the shrine area is a large tourist attraction or if the area has been bastardized by westerners purely thanks to a certain ex No Doubt singer talking about Harajuku girls has ‘hers’ thus thrusting cosplay into the mainstream but I felt very ‘Tourist’ when standing on that bridge.

It’s something I’m trying to stay away from on this trip, I cringe even having a camera around my neck because it instantly puts that label on me, but I need to document all this and lets face it. I guess I was playing tourist today. With no cosplay kids around as yet (10am) I decided to head to the shrine Meiji-jingu. It’s like 70 acres of park built by volunteers with trees donated by people all over Japan all in reverence of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It’s quite an amazing feet. I got to the main shrine building and there happened to be a few weddings taking place. This was a huge tourist draw card. I’ve never actually witnessed a Japanese ceremony or at least the lead up to one. Quite enthralling.

I then checked out the treasure museum which holds collections of past emperors, no photos allowed though but the main building literally had paintings of every emperor side by side since 700ad to present day. It was odd staring at 1300 years of family line in the face, also interesting to note the style of the emperors was completely unaffected by foreign influence until the mid 1900’s.

Walking back I headed to the gyoen (lower park area) to hear some bands busking. Entire bands play, drum kits and powered amps and all. One group had drums/guitar/bass coming through one P.A and somehow it sounded ok. There were other musos setting up most interesting of note an older bunch of rockabilly or classic 50’s styled rock guys (think leather jackets with studs and elvis/james dean hair cuts) By this time it was like close to 1pm and I’d decided to aim for Mori Art Centre in Roppongi hills (about a 2.5km walk) followed by Suntory Museum of Art. Walking along the way via backstreets I stumble on some mind blowing stores. I’d reken girls who have never been here would absolutely lose the plot shopping in Harajuku.

I’d promised I would only spend $70 a day in Japan sticking to some form of a budget. This has gone out the window of course but more so when I saw the worlds most amazing jacket for like 14800yen ($180) after speaking to the guy and me explaining I was Australian he offered it to me for 9800 ($115) I replied KYU SEN?? 9000yen ($100) and he looked at his store attendants and said fine. How can you not buy stuff in such a place anyway.

Walking on through Omote-Sando There appeared to be some Irish-Japanese solidarity parade featuring bagpipes and large hounds dressed in clothes. The street was closed off and a huge crowds. I wasn’t sure why this was going on until I checked online, oh thats right. St Patrick’s day, apparently it started here in 1992 for the purpose of Introducing Ireland to the Japanese people.

Somehow it was like 3pm and I STILL hand’t eaten. I was looking for a sushi place, something which you’d think would be analogous to hitting water after falling out of a boat but I couldn’t for the life of me find one. I’d even skipped breakfast for it. Eventually had to google it and running through backstreets towards the closest place on the way to the Mori Art Museum I got there to find it closed! I settled for ramen and gyoza and the next available place. Still haven’t had sushi in Japan, hmm.

Mori Art Museum is in the Roppongi Hills complex in a large tower which is also an observatory. You can buy a ticket that gives you access to both. I took some photos high above the Tokyo skyline, you can pretty much see everything obviously. Odaiba bay is pretty big even from afar.

I’ve never laughed out loud or stood so long at certain pieces anywhere as I did at this Mori Art exhibition. It was modern art and design, something which I normally stray from. No photos allowed unfortunately but I’ll do my best. Upon entry theres Instructions on the wall features Nintendo DS’. Yup thats right, rather than having long-winded captions under art works which limit artists to a word limit this exhibition simply had the Artist and piece name and a Nintendo DS outline with a number. You bring along your DS and type in the number and connect to the remote system and select a piece number and you get all the info as well as Artist info. Great idea.

There was a 3metre wide white canvass which was painted with black ink, a scribbly mind-explosion style with uber high detail spanning from left to right and then I noticed something. The Artist, barefoot was on the right hand side, ink felt and ink bottle in hand. Drawing it LIVE! I’d hazzard a guess It started as a blank canvass on day one of the exhibition and he’d come in from opening to closing drawing his work from scratch with all to view. He was on the far right of the work when I was viewing it but it was utterly inspiring, there were still a few blank spots open. Who knows when he will consider the work done.

Further on to a design section. Hows this for an idea; A Jacket that turns into a tent. Yes a camping tent, it was so utterly out of nowhere I laughed when I saw the design sketches, as did others. It was layed out pegged up on faux grass and was totally functional as both a one person tent which folds and zips up to a regular looking jacket, amazing.

Other works were a seemingly inconspicuous draw that folds out a 2metre long table in mini-sections. The craftwork that went into this was mind boggling. It was like origami from wood.

Kids toy lines, animations and yet more art. It was all kind of refreshing, but just like that it was over. And it was 5:15. So much for the Suntory Art Museum. Checked out a small park right near the building and then wandered on to get invited into a small gallery featuring works by disabled artists. Usually painting with brushes in their mouths, or sometimes feet. All I can say is wow, I couldn’t paint half as well if tried using a steady hand let alone a paintbrush in my mouth. It’s amazing how much determination some people have.

Roppongi is the upmarket part of town. I’d discerned this from seeing no less than six, yes six Ferraris fly by me in an array of colours, then a Corvette Z06 and a race-spec 911 GT2 and finally an R35 GTR. Whats more the streets had gone from standard uber clean Japan to eat off the floor / inside of your house clean. Apparently its also home of the red-light district in another part and home of many a Yakuza member.

I caught a train back to Harajuku to check out what it was like on a Sunday night. No major cosplay gatherings unfortunately but most of the shops were still open at 9pm. Does this city ever sleep? Lured by the distant and faint sounds of a nasel-whaling Johnny Rotten I wandered into a (literally) underground Punk & Goth clothing store and was met with ‘no photos’ before I even got down the stairs. Weary of people ripping off their designs was this shop owner. I was just browsing having already spent too much that day but they did have some gear I’d never seen anywhere. Maybe you’d have found them in Mclaren and Westwood’s stores in the UK in the 70s, or at least I was getting that vibe. The store owner explained she’d been open for 28years and a lot of Aussies go there. Wow, didn’t I feel like a tourist.

I saw a girl carrying a bag she’d bought and I tried to ask where she’d gotten it (I’ve been looking for something similar as a gift) only to find that she spoke absolutely no english and my Japanese wasn’t working and then her boyfriend turned up and it got seriously awkward. Time to head home I think.

MORE OVER AT FLICKR

[Via http://jukeboxparables.wordpress.com]

Bryan Baird’s Newsletter (2010/03/10)

2010-03-15T00:50:00.000+02:00

Baird Beer & Taproom Events Bulletin

Lucky 7 Stout Week @ Fishmarket Taproom (March 17 – 22)

Dear Taproom Friend & Baird Beer Enthusiast:

March 17 is the Irish holiday St. Patrick’s Day. We take this occasion every year as an excuse to celebrate a beer style long associated with Ireland: Stout. Stout, of course, is a wonderful pitch-black ale that enjoys many stylistic manifestations. We serve up seven different interpretations of Stout during our week-long celebration which we call Lucky 7 Stout Week.

Lucky 7 Stout Week @ Numazu Fishmarket Taproom (Wed. March 17 – Mon. March 22):

This year’s Stout selection is as follows:

Shimaguni Stout

Mama’s Milk Stout (served on hand-pump)

Midnight Oil Export Stout 2010

Great American Stout

Citrus Wheat Stout

Morning Coffee Stout 2008

Morning Coffee Stout 2010

In addition to these Stout selections, we also will be honoring the Irish with the 2010 Real Ale debut of Luck of the Irish Red Ale. Special Lucky 7 Stout Cards, which include punches for all seven seasonal Stouts will be available for purchase and use during the week (Pint cards @ 5,000 yen; Half-pint cards @3,500 yen). Enthusiasts who purchase and complete a card during the week will be entered into an end-of-the-week raffle in which seven Baird Beer prizes will be awarded. The lucky 7 prizes to be awarded are:

Fishmarket Taproom Nonbei Pint Drink Card

Fishmarket Taproom Nonbei Half-pint Card

Shimaguni Stout (360 ml) 6-Pack

Midnight Oil Export Stout (633 ml) 4-Pack

Shimaguni Stout T-Shirt

Set of two Baird Beer logo glasses (pint & half-pint)

Set of two posters (Shimaguni Stout & Baird Beer logo)

Great Irish- and Stout-inspired cuisine, of course, will be served up by the Fishmarket Taproom kitchen during the week. A special Lucky 7 Stout Week food menu will include the following:

Irish Beef Stew

Roast Beef

Potato Gratin

Traditional Fish & Chips

Fisherman’s Seafood Pasta

English Cheese Plate

Stout Cake & Chocolate Platter

Warm Irish-style camaraderie and revelry will also be in abundance all week long. Please note that the final day, Monday, March 22, is a Japan national holiday and thus the Fishmarket Taproom will be opening its doors at noon. For all you Tokyo denizens who have not made the Numazu pilgrimage recently, this represents a great chance! We look forward to seeing and drinking/eating with all of you.

Cheers,

Bryan Baird

Baird Brewing Company

Numazu, Japan

HOMEPAGE

The Japan Blog List

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World

-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours

-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!

-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

Chùa Kiyomizu

2010-03-12T01:52:00.000+02:00

“ Thái Tử Nhật sắp thăm viếng Việt Nam từ 9 tháng 2 đến 15 tháng 2 năm 2009, đề kỷ niệm 35 năm bang giao với Việt Nam. Thái tử Nhật sẽ tham quan khắp nước Việt Nam từ Bắc chí Nam, kể cả miền Tây đồng bằng sông Cửu Long..

Trong loạt bài này, chúng tôi xin chia sẻ với các bạn một vài hình ảnh tôi và người tình trăm năm chụp tại Nhật trong chuyến tham quan du lịch nước Nhật trước đây, tìm hiểu nước Nhật..

Trong các entry trước tôi đã nói tới một vài nét đặc biệt của Nhật là rượu Sake, áo Kimono, các cô Geisha và chùa Phật Giáo nổi tiếng thế giới ở Nhật, chùa Todai-ji ở thủ đô đầu tiên nước Nhật Nara. Việt Nam mình ngày xưa có nhiều chùa chiền Phật Giáo. Nhật cũng vậy.

Trong entry nầy, mời các bạn tham quan chùa Kiyomizu là kỳ quan thế giới finalist của Nhật ở Kyoto. Chùa được xây cất trên đồi, rất lớn, không đóng một cây đinh nào. Đường lên chùa rất vui, tiệm tùng rất nhiều, các cô du khách giả làm Geisha dập dìu rất vui.

( Du Lịch thế giới, http://lthdan05.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/tim-hi%e1%bb%83u-n%c6%b0%e1%bb%9bc-nh%e1%ba%adt-chua-kiyomizu/)

Du Lịch thế giới

Thế giới dưới mắt một người Mỹ gốc Việt

http://lthdan05.wordpress.com/

Khai trương Blog mới, mời các bạn viếng thăm:

Việt Nam, Quê hương mến yêu

Những ngày về thăm lại quê hương

http://lthdan03.wordpress.com/

Nước Mỹ nơi tôi đang sống

Những ngày sống tại Mỹ

http://lthdan04.wordpress.com/

New York của tôi

Những ngày hạnh phúc

http://lthdan02.wordpress.com/

Du Lịch thế giới

Thế giới dưới mắt một người Mỹ gốc Việt

http://lthdan05.wordpress.com/

[Via http://lthdan02.wordpress.com]

So many, so little time

2010-03-12T00:50:00.000+02:00

I have taken a total of 1907 photos on my Japan trip, which is not a lot – I believe my brother averaged 1k photos per day when we were in England.

But sorting through almost 2 thousand photos is no easy feet.

I don’t do much photo editing (thank goodness), apart from some cropping and straightening. The problem is I have no idea where to begin with them. As per previous trips, I totally intend to identify photos by themes, put them together and upload them.

Where do I start? By geographical location, chronological order, similarities, favourites? How do you choose where to plunge into when you have 2 thousand options?

And it’s all about presentation, so before I figure it out, you folks won’t get to see anything. Sorry!

[Via http://solsetur.wordpress.com]

Pictures in Life magazine

2010-03-10T01:46:00.000+02:00

Recently I have been looking for good pictures in the Life magazine website: . Actually you can use Google to search pictures published in Life .

I have collected many pictures from various archives, including the MacArthur Memorial Archives, Municipal Archives in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the Ohara Institute for Social Studies etc., but Life’s pictures really stand out in terms of its quality. Well, of course, Life had professional photographers.

Maybe I can use Life’s pictures on my research paper, but I am not sure if I can use them for publication (I mean a book). Somebody knows about it?

[Via http://hm14850.wordpress.com]

Snow, Sleet, Taiwanese and Billiards

2010-03-10T00:39:00.000+02:00

At a billiards place in Shibuya.

Why is it so cold again! Last night was pure misery in terms of weather: cold, sleet, snow and wet. But I braved the cold and went out for a night of great Taiwanese food and billiards, kudos to my partner’s colleague. I’m a pretty crap pool player, but I managed to enjoy it by the end of the evening

While I grumble about the cold and sleet, I must say there was something special about walking around Shibuya, the bits of ice/snow whirling in all sorts of impossible directions. It’s really beautiful to look at, if you’re not in it I guess! I’m guessing it will be a long time again until I’ll see weather of this kind, so I should enjoy it while I can, huh.

[Via http://mdodo.wordpress.com]

Japan vs USA

2010-03-08T01:42:00.000+02:00

Faz dias que tenho notado algo na Bazaar japonesa e somente esse fim de semana percebi.

Em janeiro a Bazaar americana publicou uma sessao de fotos com o titulo de Hits from the collections.

So que sao tantas revistas aqui que eu nem percebi que eram repetidas.

Mas foi bom ter visto hehe

Descobri que o Clog da Chanel aqui no Japao e mais barato que na America. Que o euro caia mais e mais…

Amei mais a Bazaar japa que a americana depois ver isso ….

Xoxo

[Via http://jellyben.wordpress.com]

Children and language awareness

2010-03-08T00:53:00.000+02:00

We made a rare trip to the Big City this weekend to do some shopping. There we ate lunch at a restaurant. Over on the next table was an American. My children noticed and were curious. They have met many English speakers and probably recognised that he was speaking English.

As we left my daughter of three said “hello” to him. She is by no means a shy girl.

While we do not speak English (my first language) at home, my children are keenly aware of the existence of English and its difference to the Japanese lanaguage. How they know this is because I always make sure they are exposed to natural English.

I often invite my Western friends over or go out with them so as to bring awareness to my children of a language which is not their own. And I talk to my parents, who live back home, at least two or three times a week by phone or internet. I make sure to show them what it is like to speak a language in its natural setting.

This alone I think is enough to help them develop it later, much to my wife’s dismay. She wants me to talk to the kids in English so as to get them bilingual. But I think it is not only unnecessary but also harmful.

Tyring to learn a language in a foreign language setting (that is, one that is not used in a place for any reason but for the sake of learning it) is not good at all. Ultimately, it brings about weak language skills and habits because of the lack of exposure to the language used in its natural environment. Without seeing how it is used in its natural conditions one must make guesses as to how to use the language.

The rules of language use are culturally defined more than anything else and therefore need to be shown as such, not only as a bunch of grammar points in a book or as a dialogue pattern on a language program. Being exposed to the real thing is always necessary for good language learning to occur.

[Via http://wochan.wordpress.com]

BigAl

2010-03-05T01:53:00.000+02:00

Ich kann jedem nur empfehlen, diesen Blog eines jungen deutschen Ingenieurs, der in Japan arbeitet, zu lesen. Einige Storys sind schlicht zum ROFLn (also sehr lustisch). Hier die meiner Meinung nach lustigsten Storys:

Alljährlicher Pflichtcheck im Krankenhaus

Kommunikatives Chaos bei der Poststelle

Kommunikatives Chaos II

Schock bei der Rückkehr nach Deutschland

[Via http://retronomics.wordpress.com]

Bitterness or Suffering

2010-03-05T00:07:00.000+02:00

by Nao

niga-i, niga-mi, kuru-shii, kuru-shimi, kuru-shimu, ku

Although this character doesn’t have fancy meanings, it gives us a good opportunity to talk about how to inflect Japanese adjectives to make nouns.

This character generates two adjectives. One is nigai, meaning bitter; the other is kurushii, meaning hard. By changing the ending of each adjective, you can make nouns.

Nigami … bitterness
Nigasa … bitterness, or the degree of bitterness

Kurushimi … sufferings
Kurushisa … sufferings or how painful one feels

The noun “ku” means sufferings or trouble. Kuraku is sufferings and joys that you share with your partner or your close friends. You can say, “kuraku wo tomoni shita naka” to imply a long and close relationship. It means a relationship in which you suffered and enjoyed together.

Kujō is a complain often made about a product. Kugen is criticism offered by your supporter or adviser. Those who care about you give you this kind of criticism thoughtfully. It usually accompanies the verb “teisuru,” meaning “to offer politely.” The particle between the verb and object is “wo,” so criticizing in this way is expressed as “kugen wo teisuru.”

Draw the dot from the top left.
Draw the horizontal line crossing the first dot.
Draw the sweeping dot from the top right.
Draw the horizontal line in the middle from the left to the right.
Draw the vertical line.
Draw the left side of the rectangle.
Draw the upper and right sides of the rectangle.
Draw the lower side of the rectangle.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Japan Auto Group Approves E10

2010-03-03T01:47:00.000+02:00

The Japanese are coming around to support ethanol, something that clearly pleases the Brazilian sugarcane industry, which has seen an inflow of Japanese investments. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), a powerful industry group in Japan, recently issued a report in support of fuel ethanol. JAMA endorses the use of up to 10% ethanol blends in gasoline but insists that the alternative fuel have quality equivalent to the conventional gasoline or diesel fuel so that satisfactory safety and emission performance of vehicles can be achieved, the group says. Specifically on ethanol, JAMA endorsed up to 10% blends for all vehicles and said that greater than 10% ethanol content should be limited to vehicles specially designed so or for flexible-fuel vehicles. Ironically, Toyota has been fighting to require flex-fuel vehicles in the U.S.

[Via http://sugarcaneblog.com]

What if Fish Weren’t Threatened?

2010-03-03T00:48:00.000+02:00

Imagine a futuristic world, a place where fish thrive in the billions, throughout our oceans and seas. Imagine a world that has no overfishing; has no species on the brink of extinction.

What would that world look like?

You would walk down the deck of a ship and feel the cool, sea breeze envelop you, as the ship rocks in the wind. You would look out into the vast ocean stretched out before you, and see dolphins leaping out of the water, free and safe from horrific deaths that occur today, such as what takes place in Taiji, Japan.

Your ship would dock, and walking on to the pier, you wouldn’t see advertisements for captive animals “owned” by multi-million dollar companies, such as SeaWorld or other massive, unsustainable companies; unlike Monterey Bay Aquarium and New England Aquarium. Instead, there would be signs pointing to environmentally friendly alternatives, such as whale-watching, where the fish have not been forced into captivity or to perform tricks when they long to be free.

What happened to the Bluefin Tuna, which were on the verge of extinction?

They are once again thriving thanks to the European Fishing Ban that passed after the U.S. agreed to join with the other countries in banning fishing of Bluefin. Countries around the world are working with many private organizations, e.g., Oceanic Preservation Society that look out for the banned fish.

In addition to fishing bans, governments have agreed to support the “Captivity Agreement.”

The Captivity Agreement states that no fish that is banned may be held captive in aquarium tanks. For example, Cod and Bluefin Tuna are not allowed in tanks. It also states that any endangered animal found in aquarium tanks must be released unless the government has granted the owner of the tank a special exception, which are reserved for oceanic research and helping injured animals.

Finally, the Japanese government no longer has a large amount of influence in the International Whaling Commission‘. This is due to other countries not believing Japan because of the scandal revealed in The Cove, a documentary released in 2009.

Could this happen? It could if everyone worked extremely hard to save the Earth’s oceans and their inhabitants.

[Via http://smartbeing.wordpress.com]

Finally, the Olympics

2010-03-01T13:43:00.000+02:00

I don’t like the Olympics.

I don’t like them since they went pro!

I don’t like the astounding costs of the whole damn thing for two stupid weeks of rah-rah frivolity . For example, the only current use for Bejing’s gorgeaus stadiums from the last Olympics, like the exceedingly large Bird’s Nest Stadium is now, well, a bird’s nest.

Yes, in a move towards Asian unity, The Chinese have offered it Japan as breeding ground for Rodan, their flying giant serpent. which is about all it’s good for now that Bob Costas has left.

Speaking of costs, I cannot stomach the special effects of the overblown mess, particularly The Opening Cermonies which makes the coronation of a Roman Emperor like Biggus Dickus

seem like a street naming ceremony in Towanda, PA.

With more special effects than AVATAR

and at a cost similar moving the entire nation of Chile off the fault lines,

it seems a bit much, to tell you the truth.

And what does it all celebrate….white people doing stupid shit!

Why do we need ceremonies for that…we do that every day. Just take a look at the US Senate ,if you don’t believe me.

In the small bit of Olympic watching that I did, one thing I also noticed was that there were very few African American athletes in The Winter Games which I think speaks to one of two things :

1. The high costs of participation in those sports.

Hmmm, as sociologists clearly have stated Black people as a group are a lower income base, blah blah blah which is caused by socio economic , racial hatred blah blah blah …..and hence it is clearly shown balh blah blah

2. It speaks to a far a superior brain power among black people, who , in their infinite wisdom, looked at some crazy white dude hurtling down a mountain at 100 miles per hour standing on a small board , flying off into space off a ramp, doing twists and turn in the air like he’s having an epileptic fit, and landing on his feet….maybe.

They also watched the lugers. These are not German handguns , but rather a grouping of nutbags who dress like condoms , but have human heads.

They then lay on their back on a tiny sled ( in bizarre homosexual positions in some cases) and hurtle through twists and turns on an ice track no less, lifting their heads up to see where they’re going……controlling the luge sled with tiny muscle movements of their crotch and I guess shifting gears with their frozen penises. How women steer, I have no idea !

There are few black “curling ‘ professionals, unless you count hair care.

Even though there are a goodly number of black people in places like Ontario and Minnesota, the last thing they want to show the world is how good they are with a broom. Come to think of it, do women in curling use vacuum cleaners? Do females in Curling scream, “ I cooked. You sweep up!”

Oh good, only four years from now, no black people except Shoni Davis , the speed skater, can go to some goofy town in Russia the next Winter Games.

I can’t wait !

[Via http://webeneezerscrooge.wordpress.com]

Preparations for the Canada vs. US Olympic Gold Medal Game. (Feb 2010)

2010-03-01T12:46:00.001+02:00

Taking advantage of the gorgeous February weather at the beach. Waiting on a tsunami that only measured 10 cm, good news. Met two friends then went for ramen. This is the day before the game, from Japan. At night I stayed in a love hotel just to be able watch the game on the big screen, had to wake up at 5am, totally worth it, Canada winning in overtime, 3-2, still sporting an afterglow!

photos taken with iPhone 3GS.

[Via http://oishiii.wordpress.com]

Giraffes + Daikanyama

2010-03-01T12:46:00.000+02:00

After Nakameguro （中目黒）, we went to Daikanyama （代官山） which is just around 10 minutes walk from Nakameguro.

The picture above is Mekiri Slope （目切り坂）, a slope connecting Nakameguro （中目黒） with Daikanyama （代官山）. At the end of Mekiri Slope, you’ll see the former residence of Asakura family on your left.

The photo below was taken during my first visit there last year. It’s really a very well preserved traditional Japanese house. The entrance fees is just 100 yen, I highly suggest you to drop by this place if you have not visited any traditional Japanese house before. The Japanese garden is especially beautiful in Autumn when the momiji trees turn red.

We also got to see a little exhibition by these 1st year art students from Tokyo Zokei University (Art university in Tokyo).

It was a giraffe themed exhibition & I love giraffe!! Those giraffe wood sculptures are so cute yah!

Weather forecast says it’s going to be rainy days ahead … *shit* I don’t like to go to work in rain coz’ my office is very far from the train station. English : giraffe Japanese : キリン（きりん・kirin) Korean :기린 (gi rin) Chinese : 长颈鹿 (chang jing lu)

[Via http://sleepwalkingintokyo.wordpress.com]

[PHOTOS] Big Bang on KBOOM Magazine!

2010-02-26T01:49:00.000+02:00

This time Big Bang was in KBOOM magazine which discussed their “Big Show 2010” concert they held in Korea.

[Via http://ibigbang.wordpress.com]

Armed and Ready

2010-02-26T00:55:00.000+02:00

Well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? Partially because I’ve spent the past few weekends earning money and having fun while doing it, but mostly because I’m just lazy.

But I’m taking the time now to put a few words down.

So, the thing I just want to mention is that after 2 months of having issues contacting anyone at Gundam Store and More, I finally got the issues with my gift certificates worked out and received the absolutely stunning Gundam 00 Exia 1/60 scale model in the mail yesterday that I only had to pay shipping on.

I’m a big fan of the Gundam universe and have done a several 1/144s and one 1/100, and this is by far the most complex model I will attempt to date.

It’s for this fact that I decided to actually do this one right. You see, I’ve never taken the time or made the effort to paint and fully detail any of my Gundams. But when you have a shiny new 1/60 sitting on your desk, you have to consider getting off your ass and doing it right.

Therefore, I spent the evening running around town to every hobby and craft store I knew of, which isn’t many at all in Tuscaloosa. But I was able to come away with $25 in spray paints that aren’t perfect matches for the plastic, but they’re so close that I’m sure I’ll barely notice…I hope.

I can be such a perfectionist about things like that and it’s becoming detrimental to my mental health. So if they aren’t spot-on, fuck it. I’m by no means a professional model builder, so I just have to do it and if it isn’t perfect just let it go.

Wow, that’s going to be difficult.

This will even be a chance for me to really break in those special Gundam panel lining pens I bought last year and never used.

So tomorrow will be an interesting day of me standing in the back yard hanging bits of plastic from the porch and meticulously spraying them down and having a fit over whether or not it looks good enough.

Considering the 1/100 Gundam 00 Dynames took me about 6 hours, I imagine this will take me an entire day of uninterrupted work, which probably won’t happen until Monday. Ugh! The anticipation.

[Via http://hexijosh.wordpress.com]

[PHOTOS] Big Bang featured in Japanese Magazine

2010-02-24T01:50:00.000+02:00

Big Bang was featured in Japanese magazine while they were getting ready backstage at their Budokan show for their Electric Love tour.

Taeyang has such a nice side profile! What a hottie! ^^ and jiyongie looks so fine in those clothes~

[Via http://ibigbang.wordpress.com]

Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’10/15)

2010-02-24T00:42:00.000+02:00

The Missus made this bento today because she is having her annual check-up tomorrow morning, meaning she will have to eat dinner before I arrive back home. Since I’m on a diet, I will do with a protein drink tonight!

In such cases she opts for “open sandwich” bentoes, with the result of an easyand healthy lunch.

She toasted English muffin and provided me with a small pot of salmon paste.

As for the garnish, it included lettuce, red radishes and their leaves and dip (I always eat the leaves!), seasoned salad of celery, cucumber and red cabbage, raw ham, cheese and walnuts and plenty of fruit: pink grapefruit, kiwi fruit and benihoppe/red cheeks strawberries. the latter two are grown in Shizuoka!

Colourful and plenty of Vitamins (real ones!)

Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

I heart Japan Final

2010-02-22T01:46:00.000+02:00

It feels like I have been afk for a while now. Christmas, getting sick, lots of work, sick again then for some reason every game company decided they were going to release all of the big names this year in the first part of the year. Plus there hasn’t really been any new movies out that have peaked my interest. Now that I’m out for fresh air I should finish talking about my wonderful trip to Japan.

My nice wife let us spend a whole day at Otaku heaven, Akihabara. Its the nerve center for Anime, TV,Games, Manga, and Toys of Japan.

You know your there when you see this sign. This building is freaking huge. It’s the size of a department store, seven stories high, and full of hundreds of geeky stores and hobby shops.

See the gamers sign on the left? Another store thats seven floors high expect all about games.

Since there isn’t a lot space laterally, they take full advantage of storing things vertically.

There are more than enough to buy, but there are also cool things for you to drool over.

cool rare figure sets like this one from the anime Beck

Some stores were just packed full of collectables for every taste.

Seriously I could this whole post about them.

Ok this one was too cool not to show. The armor in Final Fantasy 12, life size.

Into cosplay? There was a six floor store all about it.

yes of course there was a club Sega there too.

Next day we went to Tokyo tower!!

getting closer

Took a shot looking straight up from the base.

Great view from the tower. It has a complete 360 view of the city.

Lots of crazy and artistic buildings. Wish I could have seen them at night.

My wife read online that somewhere in tokyo there is a statue of the king of monsters himself GODZILLA. Its really hard to find, but somehow we found it.

Godzilla can be found behind the Tokyo Toho building (duh), but right beside American fast food joint and the art park.

We weren’t the only ones in awe of Godzilla

So ends my adventures in Japan. It was a trip of a life time that will only be topped by another Japan visit. My next dream is to learn the language and one day go back absorb as much as I can.

Hopefully you enjoyed reading about Japan as much as I had reliving it. Now thats out of my system hopefully I can get to more movie reviews before the summer “blockbusters” get released.

[Via http://russellsreviews.wordpress.com]

Arrow

2010-02-22T00:48:00.000+02:00

by Nao

ya, shi

An arrow is “ya” in Japanese. Arrows are also “ya.”

Yumiya means a set of a bow and an arrow.

If somebody asks you to do something ceaselessly, you are suffering from “ya no saisoku,” literally meaning a request like arrows. Saisoku means demand or a request.

“Time flies” is translated as the proverb, “kōin ya no gotoshi.” Kōin means the sun and the moon. The proverb means that time is like an arrow. As this example tells us, an arrow is analogous to a quick mover.

When you shoot arrows, you fit an arrow to your bow. This action is described as “ya wo tsugu.” The verb tsugu means “to fit an arrow to a bow.” If you do something like a rapid-fire series of actions, you do it in a pace of yatsugibaya. Yatsugi maens fitting an arrow to a bow; baya means rapid. This expression implies that when you shoot arrows, you need to fit arrows to your bow very quickly.

Draw the sweeping stroke from the top.
Draw the horizontal line touching the previous stroke.
Draw the other horizontal line from left to right.
Draw the curve. Make the line thinner gradually.
From where the second and third strokes intersect, draw the shorter curve.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Australia threatens Japan over whaling program

2010-02-19T01:54:00.000+02:00

Good for the Australians!!!

Refer to story. Source: Associated Press

By KRISTEN GELINEAU, Associated Press Writer Kristen Gelineau, Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY – Australia’s prime minister on Friday set a November deadline for Japan to stop its research whaling program that kills hundreds of whales a year in Antarctic waters, or else face legal action.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia would prefer to use diplomatic means to persuade Japan to end its hunt.

“If that fails, then we will initiate court action before the commencement of the whaling season in November 2010,” he told the Seven Network. “That’s the bottom line and we’re very clear to the Japanese, that’s what we intend to do.”

Australia, a staunch anti-whaling nation, has threatened international legal action against Japan before. Two years ago, it sent a ship to Antarctic waters to follow the Japanese whaling fleet and collect videos and photographs it said might be used as evidence in an international forum. So far, the threats have not been followed up.

Japan hunts hundreds of mostly minke whales — which are not an endangered species — in Antarctic waters each year under its whaling research program, an allowed exception to the International Whaling Commission’s 1986 ban on commercial whaling. Whale meat not used for study is sold for consumption in Japan, which critics say is the real reason for the hunts.

Rudd’s threat came on the eve of a visit to Australia by Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. Whaling is expected to be a key topic of conversation when Okada meets with Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith this weekend.

On Wednesday, a group of conservationists clashed with Japanese whalers in the Antarctic Ocean, the most recent in a string of increasingly aggressive confrontations between U.S.-based activist group Sea Shepherd and the whaling fleet.

Sea Shepherd activists threw bottles of butyric acid at Japanese whalers and blasted their ship with paint, while the Japanese returned fire with water cannons. No one was injured, but Japan condemned the conservationists’ actions as dangerous and violent. Sea Shepherd officials said they are simply doing what is necessary to protect whales.

Sea Shepherd has long used butyric acid, produced from rancid butter, in their annual fight to stop the whalers and maintain the substance is nontoxic.

Earlier this month, Japan claimed three crew members on one of its whaling vessels suffered face and eye injuries from an acid attack.

On Monday, Sea Shepherd activist Peter Bethune jumped aboard the Shonan Maru 2 from a Jet Ski with the stated goal of making a citizen’s arrest of the ship’s captain and presenting him with a $3 million bill for the destruction of the Ady Gil.

He was taken into custody by the whalers and will face charges in Japan of trespassing and assault.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said officials had spoken with Bethune by telephone on Thursday and were assured he was being treated properly. Bethune indicated he was happy to remain on board the Shonan Maru II and return to Japan with the vessel, McCully said.

On Feb. 6, Sea Shepherd’s ship the Bob Barker and a Japanese harpoon boat collided, causing minor damage to both vessels. And in January, a Japanese whaler struck Sea Shepherd’s high-tech speedboat Ady Gil, which sank a day later. No one was seriously injured in those incidents.

[Via http://thegreatone22.wordpress.com]

LM.C

2010-02-19T00:42:00.000+02:00

SUPER GLITTER LOUDBOX (2008)

1. NO.9 (ver.SGLB)

2. CHEMICAL KING-TWOON

3. Loud Mucker Complex (ver.SGLB)

4. OH MY JULIET.

5. @FUNNY FHANTOM@

6. mR.century

7. CRAZY A GO GO (ver.SGLB)

8. METALLY (ver.SGLB)

9. Boon!! (ver.SGLB)

10. ~SORA Namida Iro~(ver.SGLB)

11. BOOST BUSTERz (ver.SGLB)

12. La Dee Da

13. Little Fat Man Boy

14. Yellow Beauty (ver.SGLB)

15. BOYS & GIRLS

Download

GIMMICAL☆IMPACT!!

1. Rainbow Magic Orchestra

2. CHEMICAL KINGTWOON

3. Bell the CAT

4. Galileo

5. JOKER ~My Name Is~

6. Cosmology

7. My Girl

8. Sentimental PIGgy Romance

9. Room_C [Interlude]

10. JOHN

11. TABOO

12. Z-MAN

13. LIAR LIAR

14. Love Me?

15. 88

Download

[Via http://midnightrainbowmoon.wordpress.com]

A Japanese Adventure- Before It Even Starts

2010-02-17T01:06:00.000+02:00

Well Chris has made it safe and sound to his final Japanese destination—Niseko. His journey wasn’t without its bumps, though. After finding out that he had booked his connecting flight from New Chitose to Niseko on the wrong day (arrive in Tokyo Sunday afternoon, but booked connecting flight for Saturday, rookie mistake), he had to do a bit of reconfiguring.

Anyway, after the mix-up he managed to rejigger the schedule so it looked a little something like this:

Depart JFK, arrive in Naritu

Stay at K’s House Hostel

Depart Haneda, arrive in Niseko Village

Looking at that schedule, and thinking about traveling alone, in a country where the language is not my own, combined with that subway map from my previous post— I gotta say, I don’t know if I could do it on my own. Chris’s ability to travel on his own, such long distances, to such foreign places where he doesn’t even speak the language, it amazes me.

Other than the fact that the hostel was great, and that he went on a short adventure with some people he met there for sushi and to see some ancient temples and ruins (I seriously cannot wait to see those photos), so far, the most I’ve gotten from Chris’s emails is that the people in Japan seem very friendly, and that everything is extremely punctual. He also was surprised at the lack of technology he’s found so far. There was no internet hook-up in the airport or the hotel, which seems crazy to me. More to come on that later…

Back on the home front, Steph and I finally did end up booking out flights and hotel in Rome. We’re flying out on a Sunday in May and arriving in London Monday morning. We’ll stay with Chris’s sister Monday and Tuesday night, and then board a sleeper train to Rome on Wednesday. We’ve got a cute little B&B booked for our Rome stay (at least we hope it’s cute!), and then we’ll fly out Monday.

But I don’t want to talk about flying out yet! For now, I want to talk about all the fun day trips we’re going to plan, and all the lovely sisterly bonding we’ll do while there.

Till next time, bis bald my friends…see you soon!

[Via http://wearywanderer.wordpress.com]

First time

2010-02-17T00:47:00.000+02:00

Hey all, this is my first blog ever so i dont really know how to start… Guess i start abit about myself and we see where it goes =)

My name is Daniel (Will be using Dan though) im a 26 year old guy that has a brain that goes on auto shuffle so i might sound wise sometimes or just plain stupid, either way i am still me! I live in Sweden and for some of you that dont know it´s in Europe =P. I have 2 older sisters and a mother and father. A few of my intressts are: Listening to music, melbourne shuffle, playing games sometimes. Being with friends and just living is a must.

In two months i will be going to Japan to study the language, and i suppose i should be much more excited then what i am right now… In the beginning when i first started all this a year ago i saw it as an escape of my life, i was not very happy with my current situation… Maybe if i explain some more? Have tons of things going on in my head so i think some things may sound random but bear with me =)

My life up to winter 2008 wasent really anything special, just a ordinary guy living on. I admit i did play to much computergames because it was my way of getting from reality. My family have been broken in many ways and well, sometimes it just felt as a ship going down. I know everyone did their part to try to keep up the mask of an happy family but anyhoo that winter my girlfriend broke up with me for another guy (Which she didnt have feelings for at first but one month later apperently did, shocked? I think not!) And that´s when i actually were going to take my life, cowards way? Yes it was, but i was to chicken to actually do it. I was depressed and this hit me harder then anything before. I was really depressed, turned to alcohol alot as it made the pain go away, atleast for a while but it still counted. But to get to some kind of end to this post lets just say that i managed to get a grip of life and i have always wanted to go to Japan so why not go on a study trip? Was an impuls decision but i did it. I wanted to go away from the painful memories, leave this sad place behind and prefebly just leave for good… So i thought and here we are at present time when i quote myself: In two months i will be going to Japan to study the language, and i suppose i should be much more excited then what i am right now… Yes why am i not more excited? I have always wanted this so why do i feel incredibly sad about going? I tell you people why: I started to like what i have. I started to hang out with an old childhood friend, i got a new work coullege (mind spelling…) that make me happy, we laugh alot togheter. All my instalment´s have been payed, i am actually having a good economy now. Lots of mixed feelings going around and i cant talk to anyone about it because i dont really have anyone that would understand. Been trying to talk to a few but let´s just say i gave up on that. So i have all this feelings inside of me and now when i am getting closer to the depart i am asking myself: Do i really want this? I will be gone for a year, will my friends still be here, will the girl from work still be here? We have only been talking for like 5 months give or take 1 but she really could make me feel happy when i was down… I am going to Kyoto with a guy i have never met, but talked alot on the phone with. Yeah he feels like a great guy, i think i will have good fun with him over to the east. But a year… 12 months, 365 days, 52 weeks do i really want this? I still dont know and it bugs me like hell. I dont really know how to handle this because it´s like in the lyrics of a really cool song i have been listening to the last couple of days: So fine this day, all your problems have gone away but tommorow, when you wake up, all your problems are back to stay! (If you want i can give you the group and track name ;p) I just feel helpless right now, watching time go as it draws closer to the trip but i dont wanna cancel it either. Dammit i hate this….

Well atleast i feel abit easier now when i got to spill out abit of my thoughts into words, if anyone found this intressting just drop a few comments or something =) I gonna go to bed now i think, got work tommorow and it´s rather late now so take care everyone!

[Via http://kamikazedan.wordpress.com]

Full Metal Alchemist:Brotherhood Review

2010-02-15T01:34:00.000+02:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, episode 1 dub.

As expected, the new Fullmetal Alchemist series kicked EPIC ASS.

One of the big concerns people had was the performance of Maxey Whitehead as the new voice for Alphonse Elric, the co-protagonist for the series. My personal opinion is that she does an amazing job. She’ll never replace Aaron Dismuke, the original voice actor for Alphonse, but she certainly does a bang up job of it! Alphonse sounds a little more mature now, with a somewhat noticeable feminine tinge to his voice you would obviously expect since his new voice actor is a woman. For a relatively unknown voice actor like Maxey Whitehead to play the role of a very popular character in a very popular series like Fullmetal Alchemist and risking the wrath of the fans for a poor performance took guts and i’m glad to say she pulled it off!

All in all, a beautiful job! Mike McFarland (ADR Director) and the crew made another amazing anime for all. The most painful part of the entire episode was all the damn commercials!

Some critique: Unfortunately, for the TV version of the series they cut the intro song short to about 30 seconds, as opposed to its original minute and a half. Personally, I think they should have shortened the commercials instead of the intro.

I didn’t like how the first episode is complete disjointed from the manga series, where Brotherhood is supposed to be almost 100% based off the manga. I suppose the logic behind that was the copyrights behind the first episode of the original series, which would have been the logical start for the first episode of Brotherhood, followed by the Lior arc as the first manga happens. For anyone who hasn’t seen the subbed episodes yet, this will be an initial source of confusion, since they’ve been told for months that the series is manga based. But if they stick around for another few episodes, it’ll become clear that something rare and magical has been achieved in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood: an anime that is almost 100% true to the manga that inspired it.

True to manga

[Via http://animeclubfpu.wordpress.com]

A great deal this week...

2010-02-15T00:48:00.000+02:00

Buy these three items for $75 and you’re saving over $400 from retail price.

Tehama Golf shirt: Retail $90. (remember tag says Med, its a Large)

Alfani black sport jacket: Retails at Macy’s for $250,

MEK Jeans St Barts Boot Cut Size 36W x 32L Mild distress: Retails at Nordstroms for $165

If you buy the pack, all three items, your total cost will be $75

Tehama Golf Shirt - Clint Eastwood's golf apparel line.

MEK jeans St Barts 36W x 32L Button Fly-Zone. MEK St Barts are extremely rare.

Authenticity tags

Great look, even better with distressed MEK's

destroyed patch-backside upper right

MEK St Barts backside

[Via http://urbanstreetusedjeans.wordpress.com]

One of those 'Only in Japan' Moments

2010-02-12T01:12:00.000+02:00

A few days ago my partner and I went to the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo to apply for a visa (which we failed at doing because they only issue visas a month prior to entering Vietnam. Paul called but apparently the person on the other end of the phone was sure that we could do it now, even if we wanted to enter in May, so) and on our way back we passed a garbage truck… with this attached on the back.

I love the fact that garbos can get away with this kind of thing here. <3

Have a close up:

AWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

[Via http://mdodo.wordpress.com]

Dead Rising 2 Release Date Announced At X10: Available August 31

2010-02-12T00:31:00.000+02:00

Microsoft today announced the release date for zombie-simulator Dead Rising 2. Expect to see it shamble onto store shelves in North America on August 31, Japan on September 2 and Europe on Sept. 3.

Capcom also announced that Xbox 360 gamers will be able to get a taste of Dead Rising 2’s signature gameplay with the release of its downloadable prologue, Dead Rising 2: Case Zero. Available as DLC exclusively on Live “shortly before release of the full game,” Case Zero will introduce Dead Rising 2’s main protagonist Chuck Greene and provide a link between the original game and the events that take place in Dead Rising 2.

[Via http://g1hd.wordpress.com]

And some of Namco's games at AOU will be...

2010-02-10T01:14:00.000+02:00

Via

Namco has revealed some of the content that they will be showing off at AOU, which includes a new Gundam VS. title and Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX + (which I am pretty sure we have heard of before). Games we have seen/played previously which will also be at the show include Dead Storm Pirates and Tank! Tank! Tank!; no word on if Go Go Grand Prix will be making an appearance or not but that is one game I am looking forward to seeing mroe of (it will be at the Amusement Expo in Vegas next month).

For more on Namco’s AOU pre-show annoucements, go here. For a countdown page on the new Gundam VS. title, go here.

[Discuss on the forums]

[Via http://arcadeheroes.com]

Sorry!

2010-02-10T00:44:00.000+02:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. I’ve been thinking of moving my blog to another domain, so I’ve been busy trying out new blogs and layouts. Will put a link in here when I’m done.

Here is a little something to appease ya’ll! lol.

[Via http://jaydeemmm.wordpress.com]

Hifana

2010-02-08T01:43:00.000+02:00

Hifana is a collaborative team of two individuals, KEIZOmachine! and Juicy. Since 1998 they have been putting together unique performances and tracks that incorporate any and every sound you can think to put together, as well as some that you would never think to combine. These aspects of the duo have fueled their success in their native Japan. Check out some of these tracks, and their Myspace. The videos are dope too.

Hifana – Connect

Hifana – Wamono

theknwldg

[Via http://theknwldg.wordpress.com]

Feather

2010-02-08T00:39:00.000+02:00

by Nao

hane, ha, u, wa

According to the latest issue of the National Geographic Magazine*, scientists elucidated the color of a dinosaur. We also saw a full-color picture of the dinosaur, Anchiornis huxleyi, in Japanese newspapers. The feathered dinosaur was translated as umō kyōryū. Umō means plumage. The “u” of umō is today’s character and mō means hair. Kyōryū means a dinosaur.

While we can read this character hane, meaning feather, there is another “hane,” which consisting of two characters. Of the latter “hane,” the “ha” is today’s character and the “ne” is another character, meaning root.

The flapping of wings and buzzing can be expressed as haoto.

Draw the left part of the character, first.

Draw the hook with an upward turn, the dot from the upper left, and the sweeping stroke from the lower left. Repeat this for the other part.

*You can see the picture of the dinosaur via True-Color Dinosaur Revealed: First Full-Body Rendering.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

School Assembly

2010-02-05T02:52:00.000+02:00

Today we had a school assembly. All of the students, from first grade to sixth grade, gathered in the gym. Each grade presented information they researched.

Special guests came, too. All the students from nearby kindergardens and nursery schools came. They were so cute and very polite.

Sixth grade students told us about their work experience. One group had worked at my favorite restaurant. I was very surprised.

[Via http://forkimi.wordpress.com]

Sega unveils their AOU 2010 line-up

2010-02-05T00:54:00.000+02:00

Via

With AOU in Japan just a week or two away, companies are revealing what they will be bringing to the show – first with Konami and now with Sega. There is nothing on the list that we haven’t really heard of yet – Project DIVA Arcade, a new version of Virtua Fighter 5R, Border Break and Shining Force Cross. They also have another UFO Catcher machine ready to go called UFO Catcher Double. Perhaps there will be a surprise by Sega at the show but this is what we have to look forward to in the video realm for now.

[Sega's AOU 2010 page] [Discuss on the forums]

[Via http://arcadeheroes.com]

Dante's Inferno Super Bowl Commerical And Other Awesome Links of the Day

2010-02-03T01:35:00.000+02:00

On Sunday February 7th, 2010, the world will gather around their TV sets – - food, drink, and fan apparel included, to celebrate one of the biggest events of the year. Super Bowl XLIV. (That’s 44 if you can’t read roman numerals.) A kick-ass spectacle that features the two best professional football teams in America as they battle three hours for the ultimate prize of fame and glory.

Now this is the point where I can just feel the instant rolling of eye balls from every nerd around the web at my pig-skin loving gushing. ‘Get with the point‘ you say! I hear you, I hear you.

Well if you do manage to flip your TV towards the big game, you might just catch a commercial featuring the game Dante’s Inferno. The Electronic Arts published and Visceral Games produced third-person action title based upon the first book of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy, will be featured in a Super Bowl advertisement after it was initially rejected by CBS executives.

As reported by the Hollywood Reporter, CBS, the television host for the Super Bowl, declined the commercial at first, not because it depicted highly gory scenes of blood and disturbing imagery. No America can handle that. It was the advertisement’s simple tag line, “Go to Hell,” that got this commercial a big no go over concerns of offending specific audiences.

But don’t worry, the commercial will be allowed to be shown now, as EA fixed the tag line to “Hell Awaits.” Which is much better… maybe? I guess the logic in this is that you can invite people to hell, but when it comes to telling them directly to go; that’s where you cross the line. Alright then?

What else happened around the web while you were busy listening to gaming podcast after gaming podcast talk about their love fest with Mass Effect 2? I’m glad you asked!

It seems Wal-Mart and Best Buys’ timid toe dip into the used game business which has been ruled mercilessly by GameStop over the years, has come to a short and silent end.

Wal-Mart Best Buy Quit Short Lived Used Games Test [IndustryGamers]

Leigh Alexander of Kotkau describes a particular fan made game from Japan that caters to a unique fetish which focuses on cute girls with disabilities. Believe me when I say this isn’t the reason why I love Japan.

Romance With Disabled Girls: How And Maybe Why An Unusual Video Game Came To Be [Kotaku]

And in spirit of Groundhog Day (you forgot didn’t you?), the Sega American blognick has released some more tasty information about Project Needlemouse. Sure there is not much besides a piece of concept art and a short audio clip that teases the music direction, but it is enough to hold anyone over until the next big (and they mean big) reveal on Thursday.

Project Needlemouse Final Name Coming Thursday, First Peek At Game Audio, And More Concept [Go Nintendo]

Were my awesome links of the day ‘awesome?’ I’d like to think so. (Oh please be awesome, oh please be awesome!)

[Via http://oneboredgamer.com]

Cote Chalonnaise: Bourgogne Most Underrated Wines 2: Bouzeron

2010-02-03T00:42:00.000+02:00

Visiting La Maison Des Vins in Chalon sur Saone

SYNOPSIS:

I wrote this series of articles to help wine lovers to discover the wines of a region which have stayed ignored for too long and emnetly deserved to be explored!

Part 1: Introduction

BOUZERON

La Maison Des Vins in Chalon sur Saone has done invaluable work since 1982 to make the wines of the region better known to the general public and connoisseurs alike.

It offers their own selection twice a year, choosing the best 122 wines of Cote Chalonnaise in one single Wine shop with the help of a blind tasting jury.

The chosen wines will be sold there at the producers’ prices (lower than anywhere else!) for the following 6 months!

The Restaurant de La Maison des Vins on the second floor (equiped with elevator and physically-impaired people facilities) will introduce you to the regional gastronomy served with the wines of the Cote Chalonnaise in a very quiet part of the city near the very wide Saone River.

Both are a must-visit before you venture through the hilly country in search for your unknown nectar!

La Maison Des Vins

Promenade Sainte Marie

711OO Chalon sur Saône

France

Téléphone : (33)03-85-41-64-00

Fax: (33)03-85-41-99-83

HOMEPAGE

The Restaurant de la Maison des Vins

Tel : (33)03-85-41-66-66

Fax : (33)03-85-43-82-25

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World

-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Jefferson’s Table, Wheeling Gourmet, 5 Star Foodie, Frank Fariello, Oyster Culture, Comestilblog

-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!

-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

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Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

Grant in the East

2010-02-01T01:16:00.000+02:00

Ulysses S. Grant

In 1877, right after leaving the presidency, Ulysses S. Grant took a trip around the world accompanied by New York Herald reporter John Russell Young. The most eventful stopovers may have been in China and Japan. Grant was in Peking meeting with Prince Kung, the Prince-Regent of China when they had this exchange over dim sum. Prince Kung began with pleasantries:

Prince Kung spoke of his anxiety to have General Grant remain longer in China. China, he said, had always been treated well by America, and never more so than under the administration of General Grant…

Grant explained his approach to foreign policy:

General Grant responded that the policy of America in dealing with foreign powers was one of justice. “We believe,” he said, “that fair play, consideration for the rights of others, and respect for international law will always command the respect of nations and lead to peace. I know of no other consideration that enters into our foreign relations. There is no temptation to the United States to adventures outside of our own country. Even in the countries contiguous to our own we have no foreign policy except so far as it secures our own protection from foreign interference.”

Prince Kung

Prince Kung had a specific wish:

He explained that there was a question pending between China and Japan about the sovereignty of the Loochoo Islands, and the attempt of the Japanese to extinguish the kingdom, which had always paid tribute to China, which had always been friendly, and, according to the Prince, had been seized by Japan and absorbed into the Japanese empire. The Prince continued by expressing a feeling of delicacy at referring to a mere matter of business on the occasion of General Grant’s visit to Pekin, and said that he would not have ventured upon the subject but for the fact that the Viceroy of Tientsin had written him of the kind manner in which he had received the Viceroy’s allusions to the matter.

Grant qualified his participation:

General Grant said that while he was only a traveler, seeing sights and looking at new manners and customs, that he would, upon going to Japan, take pleasure in informing himself on the subject and conversing with the Japanese authorities. “I have no idea,” said the General, “what their argument is. They, of course, have an argument. I do not suppose that the rulers are inspired by a desire wantonly to injure China. I will acquaint myself with the Chinese side of the case, as your Imperial Highness and the Viceroy have presented it, and promise to present it. I will do what I can to learn the Japanese side. Then, if I can in conversation with the Japanese authorities do anything that will be a service to the cause of peace, you may depend upon my good offices. But, as I have said, I have no knowledge on the subject, and no idea what opinion I may entertain when I have studied it.”

On the trip over to Japan, Grant discussed Bobby Lee:

I never ranked Lee as high as some others of the army,” said the General, “that is to say, I never had as much anxiety when he was in my front as when Joe Johnston was in front. Lee was a good man, a fair commander, who had everything in his favor. He was a man who needed sunshine. He was supported by the unanimous voice of the South; he was supported by a large party in the North; he had the support and sympathy of the outside world. All this is of an immense advantage to a general. Lee had this in a remarkable degree. Everything he did was right. He was treated like a demi-god. Our generals had a hostile press, lukewarm friends, and a public opinion outside. The cry was in the air that the North only won by brute force; that the generalship and valor were with the South. This has gone into history, with so many other illusions that are historical. Lee was of a slow, conservative, cautious nature, without imagination or humor, always the same, with grave dignity. I never could see in his achievements what justifies his reputation. The illusion that nothing but heavy odds beat him will not stand the ultimate light of history. I know it is not true. Lee was a good deal of a head-quarters general; a desk general, from what I can hear, and from what his officers say. He was almost too old for active service the best service in the field. At the time of the surrender he was fifty-eight or fifty-nine and I was forty-three. His officers used to say that he posed himself, that he was retiring and exclusive, and that his head-quarters were difficult of access. I remember when the commissioners came through our lines to treat, just before the surrender, that one of them remarked on the great difference between our head-quarters and Lee’s. I always kept open house at head-quarters, so far as the army was concerned.

The Meiji Emperor

Once he arrived in Tokyo, Grant was presented to the Meiji Emperor on the Fourth of July and given a signal honor as the first Westerner of any consequence to visit Japan:

Our party slowly advanced, the Japanese making a profound obeisance, bending the head almost to a right angle with the body. The royal princes formed in line near the Emperor, along with the princesses. The Emperor stood quite motionless, apparently unobservant or unconscious of the homage that was paid him…The face expressed no feeling whatever, and but for the dark, glowing eye, which was bent full upon the General, you might have taken the imperial group for statues…The solemn etiquette that pervaded the audience chamber was peculiar, and might appear strange to those familiar with the stately but cordial manners of a European court. But one must remember that the Emperor holds so high and so sacred a place in the traditions, the religion, and the political system of Japan that even the ceremony of today is so far in advance of anything of the kind ever known in Japan that it might be called a revolution.

His Imperial Majesty…advanced and shook hands with General Grant. This seems a trivial thing to write down, but such a thing was never before known in the history of Japanese majesty. Many of these details may appear small, but we are in the presence of an old and romantic civilization, slowly giving way to the fierce, feverish pressure of European ideas, and you can only note the change in those incidents which would be unnoticed in other lands. The incident of the Emperor of Japan advancing toward General Grant and shaking hands becomes a historic event of consequence, and as such I note it. The manner of the Emperor was constrained, almost awkward, the manner of a man doing a thing for the first time, and trying to do it as well as possible. After he had shaken hands with the General, he returned to his place, and stood with his hand resting on his sword, looking on at the brilliant, embroidered, gilded company as though unconscious of their presence.

The Emperor wished to have a personal interview with Grant, another unprecedented event. The first question was on representative government:

General Grant said that this question seemed to be the only one about which there was much feeling in Japan, the only one he had observed. It was a question to be considered with great care. No one could doubt that governments became stronger and nations more prosperous as they became representative of the people. This was also true of monarchies, and no monarchs were as strong as those who depended upon a parliament. No one could doubt that a legislative system would be an advantage to Japan, but the question of when and how to grant it would require careful consideration. That needed a clearer knowledge of the country than he had time to acquire. It should be remembered that rights of this kind—rights of suffrage and representation once given could not be withdrawn. They should be given gradually. An elective assembly, to meet in Tokio, and discuss all questions with the Ministry might be an advantage. Such an assembly should not have legislative power at the outset. This seemed to the General to be the first step. The rest would come as a result of the admirable system of education which he saw in Japan.

Grant sympathized with the Japanese’s inability to implement the One True Strategy:

“Nothing,” said the General, “has been of more interest to me than the study of the growth of European and foreign influence in Asia. When I was in India I saw what England had done with that empire. I think the British rule is for the advantage of the Indian people. I do not see what could take the place of British power but anarchy. There were some things to regret, perhaps, but a great deal to admire in the manner in which India was governed. But since I left India I have seen things that made my blood boil, in the way the European powers attempt to degrade the Asiatic nations. I would not believe such a policy possible. It seems to have no other aim than the extinction of the independence of the Asiatic nations. On that subject I feel strongly, and in all that I have written to friends at home I have spoken strongly. I feel so about Japan and China. It seems incredible that rights which at home we regard as essential to our independence and to our national existence, which no European nation, no matter how small, would surrender, are denied to China and Japan. Among these rights there is none so important as the right to control commerce. A nation’s life may often depend upon her commerce, and she is entitled to all the profit that can come out of it. Japan especially seems to me in a position where the control of her c0mmerce would enable her statesmen to relieve the people of one great burden the land-tax. The effect of so great a tax is to impoverish the people and limit agriculture. When the farmer must give a half of his crop for taxes he is not apt to raise more than will keep him alive. If the land-tax could be lessened, I have no doubt that agriculture would increase in Japan, and the increase would make the people richer, make them buy and consume more, and thus in the end benefit commerce as well. It seems to me that if the commerce of Japan were made to yield its proportion of the revenue, as the commerce of England and France and the United States, this tax could be lessened.

Grant warned against another source of European oppression:

General Grant said that there was nothing which Japan should avoid more strenuously than incurring debts to European nations. So long as the government borrowed from its own people it was well. But loans from foreign powers were always attended with clanger and humiliation. Japan could not go into a European money market and make a loan that would be of an advantage to her. The experience of Egypt was a lesson. Egypt was allowed to borrow right and left, to incur an enormous debt. The result is that Egypt has been made a dependency of her creditors. Turkey owed much of her trouble to the same cause. A country like Japan has all the money she wants for her own affairs, and any attempt to bring her into indebtedness to foreign powers would only be to lead her into the abyss into which Egypt has fallen.

Grant then raised the issue the Chinese had asked him to bring up with the Japanese government:

When he was in China he had been requested by the Prince Regent and the Viceroy of Tientsin to use his good offices with the Japanese government on the question of Loochoo. The matter was one about which he would rather not have troubled himself, as it belonged to diplomacy and governments, and he was not a diplomatist and not in government. At the same time he could not ignore a request made in the interest of peace. The General said he had read with great care and had heard with attention all the arguments on the Loochoo question from the Chinese and Japanese sides. As to the merits of the controversy, it would be hardly becoming in him to express an opinion. He recognized the difficulties that surrounded Japan. But China evidently felt hurt and sore. She felt that she had not received the consideration due to her. It seemed to the General that his Majesty should strive to remove that feeling, even if in doing so it was necessary to make sacrifices. The General was thoroughly satisfied that China and Japan should make such sacrifices as would settle all questions between them, and become friends and allies, without consultation with foreign powers. He had urged this upon the Chinese government, and he was glad to have the opportunity of saying the same to the Emperor. China and Japan are now the only two countries left in the East capable, through their resources, of becoming great, that are even partially independent of European dictation and laws. The General wished to see them both advance to entire independence, with the power to maintain it. Japan is rapidly approaching such a position, and China had the ability and the intelligence to do the same thing.

Grant returned to the previous theme of the need for the Japanese to avoid inviting foreign intervention:

General Grant said he could not speak too earnestly to the Emperor on this subject, because he felt earnestly. He knew of nothing that would give him greater pleasure than to be able to leave Japan, as he would in a very short time, feeling that between China and Japan there was entire friendship. Other counsels would be given to his Majesty, because there were powerful influences in the East fanning trouble between China and Japan. One could not fail to see these influences, and the General said he was profoundly convinced that any concession to them that would bring about war would bring unspeakable calamities to China and Japan. Such a war would bring in foreign nations, who would end it to suit themselves. The history of European diplomacy in the East was unmistakable on that point. What China and Japan should do is to come together without foreign intervention, talk over Loochoo and other subjects, and come to a complete and friendly understanding. They should do it between themselves, as no foreign power can do them any good.

Iwakura Tomomi

Grant continued to mediate over the Ryukyus and then it was time to leave. This is the gist of his last conversation with Iwakara, one of the Emperor’s chief ministers:

Other questions arose questions connected with the industrial and agricultural advancement of Japan. The General pointed out to his Japanese friends the large area of fertile land awaiting cultivation, and how much might be added to the wealth and revenues of the country if the people were induced to develop the whole territory. This led to a discussion of the land tax, so heavy a burden to the people, and which the government is compelled to impose for revenue. If, instead of taxes on land the authorities could levy a tariff for revenue such a tariff as we see in Germany and France then the tax on land could be abated. This led up to the revision of the treaties, the absorbing question in Japanese politics, and which is no further advanced than it was when Mr. Iwakura went to the treaty powers on his mission many years ago. The General has always given the same advice on the treaty question. One of the odd phases of the English policy in the East is, that while England allows her own colonies to do as they please in tariffs, to have free-trade or protection, she insists that Japan and China shall arrange their imposts and tariffs solely with the view of helping English trade. In other words, Japan, an independent power, is under a duress that Canada or Australia would never accept. This anomalous condition of affairs will exist so long as the treaty remains, and England has never shown an inclination to consent to any abrogation of her paramount rights under the treaty. General Grant’s advice has been that Japan should make a statement of her case to the world. She should show the circumstances under which this treaty was made and how her ignorance was used to put her in an unfortunate and humiliating position. She should recall her own extraordinary progress in accepting and absorbing the modern civilization; that in doing this she has opened her empire to modern enterprise, and shown the best evidence of her desire to be friendly with the world. She should recount the disadvantages under which this treaty places her not alone moral, but material, crippling and limiting her resources. She should announce that the treaty was at an end, but that she was prepared to sign the most favorable conventions that could be devised, provided the treaty powers recognized her sovereign, independent rights. She should at the same time proclaim her tariff, open her ports and the interior of her country, welcome foreign capital, foreign immigration, foreign labor, and assert her sovereignty.

Lord Beaconsfield

The objection to this in the minds of the Japanese is that fleets may come, and the English may bombard Tokio as they did Simonoseki.” If there is one thing more certain than another,” reasoned the General, ” it is that England is in no humor to make war upon Japan for a tariff. I do not believe that under any circumstances Lord Beaconsfield would consent to such an enterprise. He has had two wars, neither of which have commended themselves to the English people. An Englishman does not value the glory that comes from Afghan and Zulu campaigns. To add to these a demonstration against Japan, because she had resolved to submit no longer to a condition bordering on slavery, would arouse against Lord Beaconsfield a feeling at home that would cost him his government. “Just now,” the General advised, “is the best time. Lord Beaconsfield must soon go to the people. His Parliament is coming to an end, and even if he had adventurous spirits in his cabinet or in the diplomatic service disposed to push Japan, he would be compelled to control them. Japan has a great many friends in England who are even now making her cause their own, and who would support her when she was right. More than all, there is a widespread desire for justice and fair play in England, to which the Eastern nations, and especially Japan, need never appeal in vain. Japan has peculiar claims upon the sympathy and respect of mankind, and if she would assert her sovereign rights she would find that her cause met the approval of mankind.”

Grant’s visit had a lasting impact:

General Grant’s visit to Japan is largely forgotten today, but it was not without significance at the time. The New York Times quoted an 1880 Tokyo correspondent who noted that Grant was “an unseen attendant at every council board, an invisible, but influential, participator in every cabinet meeting” in Japan.

History provides further evidence of the importance of General Grant’s advice to the Meiji government:

Grant’s warning that Japan should not become a debtor nation made a strong impression on the Emperor and other Japanese leaders for years to come. When the government sought ways to raise revenues in 1880, Councilor Okuma Shigenobu recommended that Japan acquire a foreign loan of fifty million yen from the British. Government leaders, unable to arrive at a final decision, sought the advice of the Emperor, who replied in an Imperial rescript: “While I know how difficult it is to balance the budget, I also know that it is quite wrong to float a foreign loan. Last year Grant spoke of the harm of foreign debts. His words are still fresh in my ears.”

General Grant’s suggestions for a more measured pace in extending suffrage and in creating a national legislature certainly concurred with the opinions of Ito, who played a critical role in drafting the 1890 Meiji Constitution, and other Japanese leaders. This “go slow” approach became the framework for the Japanese, who inaugurated a Diet with a very limited suffrage in the early 1890s and who did not grant universal male suffrage until 1925. It is interesting to note that shortly before the promulgation of the new constitution, the Emperor, who deliberated over drafts of the documents with his ministers, repeatedly said, “On this question Grant said…On that question Grant taught me…

Grant had urged that the Japanese adopt a more conciliatory approach on the Ryukyu question. Even though the Japanese did meet the Chinese at the negotiating table, no satisfactory settlement was ever made. The Japanese seizure of the islands and its creation of the new Okinawa Prefecture became a fait accompli. Grant’s greatest fear of a war between China and Japan, however, was postponed for another fifteen years, at which point Japan had emphati- cally become a major power that was in no danger at all of being cowed by any combination of world superpowers. The Japanese listened carefully to Grant’s suggestion that they should explore the possibilities of direct negotiations instead of waging a war that potentially could be disastrous to both sides.

Grant had expressed his and his country’s strong opposition with the tariff conventions that Japan had signed with the United States and other foreign countries. He argued that all foreign governments should be willing to renegotiate the treaties, giving the Japanese better terms. Grant’s words encouraged the Japanese to keep working to bring an end to the worst aspects of these “unequal treaties.” Unfortunately, the American government agreed to support treaty reform provided that the other powers followed suit, but none did, so any chance for meaningful reform failed for the next two decades.

Grant’s visit had positive intangible results as well. He made a very favorable impression on Japanese leaders, including the still young Emperor who seemed to gain a sense of confidence when dealing with foreigners. His praise for the rapid progress that the Japanese were making in their modernization efforts and for their industriousness, discipline, and organizational skills, drew a warm response. Grant’s warning that the Japanese should rely on themselves and not surrender any of their sovereignty to foreigners found its mark. But, above all, Grant’s open deep respect and affection for the Japanese left a very positive impression not only of him, but also of the United States.

Grant’s visit marked one of the high points of US-Japanese relations during the Meiji era. Grant was the perfect goodwill ambassador, portraying his country in a very favorable light while at the same time making the Japanese feel very good about themselves. Grant helped to considerably boost the self-confidence of the Japanese, making them realize that they could achieve wonders through their own initiatives, and that the international environment was not entirely hostile to their endeavors.

[Via http://committeeofpublicsafety.wordpress.com]

U.N. Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-moon Message of (27 January 2010, 3:00 pm in New York)

2010-02-01T00:53:00.000+02:00

United Nations, New York, 27 January 2010

- United Nations, New York, 27 January 2010 -

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, spoke to reporters prior to his departure to the United Kingdom for the London Conference on Afghanistan and the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Secretary-General updated UN correspondents on the situation in Haiti, 15 days after the devastating earthquake.

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message to the memorial service for staff of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), delivered by Edmond Mulet, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General, in Port-au-Prince today, 28 January:

Dear colleagues, friends,

I know there is little I can say to give you comfort on this sad day. The United Nations was born in suffering. You have seen the people of Haiti bear far, far more than their fair share of life’s injustice. And you are suffering with them.

We have lost so many colleagues, so many dear friends. We have lost children, husbands, wives and fiancés. Even now, we have yet to find them all.

You have shown extraordinary courage and dedication in the face of such tragedy. You, yourselves, lost loved ones. Yet your thoughts were with those who could yet be saved. In the face of such terrible adversity, you showed your humanity and your strength.

Being with you last week was humbling. Returning with the bodies of Hédi Annabi and Luiz Carlos da Costa was one of the saddest moments of my life, yet also one of the most privileged. I told you how proud I was, of you and our UN, and I meant it, with a full heart. I am sorry not to be with you today. Soon, when we have recovered all our dead, we will read the honour roll of their names, one by one, at a memorial like this in New York.

Please know this: your efforts are the most sincere and eloquent memorial to those who gave their lives for this mission. To you, I say: we are with you in spirit. To those no longer with us, I say: we will never forget you.

[Via http://wericampaign.wordpress.com]

San-San-Ku Tebasami Shiki (Japanese Archery Ritual) and Horseless Yabusame

2010-01-29T02:51:00.000+02:00

Over the New Years holidays, Yasukuni Shrine holds an archery ritual known as San-San-Ku Tebasami Shiki. Two teams of archers shoot at targets whose measurements relate to the principle of ying yang. The ritual is held at the beginning of the year and it in olden times, it was the first archery event of the new year.

After the ritual, yabusame was performed. Yabusame is mounted archery where an archer rides a horse and shoots at the three targets. Yasukuni, however, doesn’t have the ground for such an event so they improvised using a fake horse and turning in around in a circle.

[Via http://samuraidave.wordpress.com]

Daily Comment - 29th January 2010: Real Estate Market Rhymes

2010-01-29T00:46:00.000+02:00

Macro

Real Estate Market Rhymes

Bernanke re-confirmed as Federal Reserve Chairman in a 70 to 30 vote. Will the “30″ bit undermine his authority at The Fed? I doubt it, but history will tell.

Speaking of History, we are frequently reminded that: history never repeats, but it often rhymes. I love these old market sayings, like: “so goes January, so goes the year”. Of course I never pay any attention to them (ahem). We were hearing that phrase a lot mid January, not so much now… hmmm… weird.

Speaking of rhyming, I just wanted to show this piece from Galland’s interview with Andy Miller on the potential for the commercial property market in the US – this is quite shocking and not for the faint-hearted.

US Commercial Real Estate Train Wreck

Could it be just coincidental that the government removed caps on Fannie and Freddie on a day when they hoped nobody would notice – Christmas Eve? In fact, on January 7th I wrote:

In that vein, you will have noticed the little trinket that was snuck in the tax-payers Christmas stocking by US government on Christmas Eve – which effectively gives Fannie and Freddie an open cheque-book on mortgage underwriting. A nice pass-the-buck from Fed-to-Fred continuation of mortgage obligations, if you will – who says that the Fed is politically independent? To quote the Wall Street Journal:

“The timing of this executive order giving Fannie and Freddie a blank check is no coincidence,” said Rep. Spencer Bachus of Alabama, the ranking Republican on the House Financial Services Committee. He said the Christmas Eve announcement was designed “to prevent the general public from taking note.”

Notice, Miller sees the problems in commercial real estate being played out in exactly the same manner as they were with residential property. Well, “history never repeats…”.

Notice, he anticipates things being relatively benign in the Real Estate market until the second half of the 2010 – then things come home to roost in the latter part of the year. A bit like the January we’ve had, smooth and benign for the first part then suddenly (as if out of nowhere) a bout of volatility and the gains were lost. Well, “so goes January…”.

Incidentally, Miller may be an expert but he’s not the only man to use “commercial real estate” and “train wreck” the same sentence: US Commercial Real Estate Train Wreck – Dimon.

As its Friday I like to end with something a little less abrasive. Here is a nice visual of the countries which have owned America’s debt since 2002. Given the short time frame it’s quite incredible to see China’s rise to power (yes, owning the largest part of an indebted superpower’s debt is power – that’s the whole point).

Macro Data to Watch:

Japanese Industrial Production came out worse than expected.
Japanese Inflation Figures came out in line with expectations at -1.7% (correct, that’s a minus sign in front of the 1.7%)
BoJ says Deflation will continue – you don’t say?
Singaporean Jobs Numbers
South Korean Industrial Production
Spanish Jobs Numbers – currently at 17.93% unemployment.
Canadian Industrial Production
Canadian GDP – expected at +0.3%
US GDP – expected at +4.7% annualized.

Markets

Not so pretty, but at least we saw a degree of orderliness in the market. Tech’s seemed to dominate, Nokia hit the cover off the ball and stock jumped 10%, Qualcomm, on the other hand, didn’t even step up to the plate and stock crashed 14% – see chart. Apple had a chunk bitten out of it too – yeah, I’m not yet a buyer of this “Tablet” thingy either.

Source: Bloomberg

Obama’s speech was fairly well received by the market, I thought – although I felt it was much more divisive than the media made out. There are many things I love Obama for, including the diplomacy and eloquence of his speech-making but this was not a bi-partisan speech, in fact, claiming it was, only makes it feel more partisan.

On the same topic: Commercial Real Estate Train Wreck. No comment would be complete without talking about China. Who thinks the best way to play China is to do everything in your power to short-sell it. But, with respect to commercial real estate, even the hardened China bulls admit, Chanos may have a point, as the Daily Reckoning quote:

The renowned short-seller, Jim Chanos, has been highlighting the credit excesses in China for months…and worrying publicly that these excesses will end badly. Chanos calls the credit-fuelled real estate bubble in China “unprecedented.” And in a recent CNBC interview, he remarked, “One fun fact I’d like to mention: Right now, for commercial real estate, there’s 30 billion square feet under construction. Not all of that will probably get finished…but to put 30 billion square feet in context, that would be a 5 foot-by-5 foot office cubicle for every man, woman and child in China.”

Hmmm… 5-foot-by-5-foot… and that’s just the commercial real estate currently under construction… hmmmm… Hey, but who knows where Chanos gets his figures from – perhaps some of it will be used for indoor bowling alleys, anyway. In any case, you make your mind up.

Chanos is right?

Chanos is wrong?

Global Stocks to Watch:

Techs are in the headlines
Consumer cyclicals on this pending GDP number
Alternative Financials – the listed Hedge Fund Man Group still getting whacked.
Autos – Toyota news on recalls is still running.
Earnings:
- Consumer: Mattel
- Tech: Samsung, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ricoh, Toshiba, Fujitsu,
- Telco: NTT Docomo
- Finance: Mizuho, Mizuho Trust and Banking, Resona, KBC, Fubon Financial, Daiwa Securities
- Insurance: Generali
- Resources: Chevron
- Metals: JFE, Sumitomo Metal Mining
- Engineering: NGK Insulators, Honeywell
- Power: Chubu Electric Power, Tokyo Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power
- Transport: All Nippon Airways, Mitsui OSK
- Trading: Sumitomo Corp, Marubeni, Mitsubishi Corp

[Via http://theinternationalperspective.wordpress.com]

Press Release: Apple Maintains Brand Loyalty and Nears PC Primacy in 2 of 16 Countries, according to forthcoming MetaFacts Apple Profile Report

2010-01-27T01:01:00.000+02:00

Press Release: Apple Maintains Brand Loyalty and Nears PC Primacy in 2 of 16 Countries, according to forthcoming MetaFacts Apple Profile Report

ENCINITAS, CA (January 26, 2010) – Business Wire

Apple has maintained its strong Home PC repurchase brand loyalty – outpacing non-Apple PCs across 16 countries. Two market segments stood out – Younger PC Newbies and Older PC Veterans – according to the forthcoming Apple Profile Report from MetaFacts, Inc.

“It’s a testament to Apple’s marketing prowess that it can earn the loyalty of the youngest and newest to personal computers. Maintaining loyalty among the most seasoned users is a demonstration of Apple fulfilling its promises,” said Dan Ness, Principal Analyst at MetaFacts. “Close to two-thirds – 63% of Apple users aged 18 to 34 and who have used a PC less than 25% of their life – intend for their next Home PC to be an Apple. This is nearly identical to the 62% of those aged 35 and older and who have used a PC more than 25% of their life.”

The study also reveals that Apple is making inroads predominantly as the user’s second or third PC.

“Apple is slowly gaining the trust of many, primarily as an alternate,” said Dan Ness, Principal Analyst at MetaFacts. “Of the 16 countries we surveyed, only in France and among India’s Upper Urbanites did we find Apple’s share of the primary PC to be close to its share of their other PCs. Apple’s PC primacy is weakest in Australia and Germany.”

Other questions answered in the forthcoming MetaFacts Apple Profile Report include:

How Apple PCs are used differently from Windows PCs, and where they are not used differently
How Apple iPhones are used differently than other smartphones and basic mobile phones
The creative and activity levels of Apple computer users
Apple’s direct rivals which vary across countries
The unique demographic profile of Apple PC and iPhone customers
The digital homes of Apple customers, with their progressively unique collections of consumer electronics products and services.

The MetaFacts Apple Profile Report is based on results from the MetaFacts Technology User Profile Global Insights Edition – surveys of over 46,700 representative adults in 16 countries by telephone and online. The 200+ page report, scheduled for release in 1st quarter 2010 is available for pre-ordering through the online store at the MetaFacts website – MetaFacts.com.

About MetaFacts

MetaFacts, Inc. is a national market research firm focusing exclusively on the technology industries. MetaFacts’ Technology User Profile survey is the longest-running, large-scale comprehensive study of its kind, conducted continuously since 1983, the year before Apple released the Apple Macintosh. The detailed results are a long-time primary marketing resource for Fortune 1000 companies providing consumer-oriented technology products and services, such as PCs, printers, peripherals, mobile computing, and related services and products. For more information, contact MetaFacts at 1-760-635-4300, sales@metafacts.com, or www.metafacts.com

[Via http://technologyuser.com]

Mazda6 facelift unveiled in Japan

2010-01-27T00:31:00.000+02:00

You are here: Home / Car News / Mazda6 facelift unveiled in JapanMazda6 facelift unveiled in Japan

January 26, 2010 by George Skentzos

14 Comments

While the new generation Mazda6 is still by no means outdated, Mazda has unveiled a facelifted version which adopts the new Mazda family face with a five-point front grille.

Available in three body styles – Sedan, Sport Hatch and Sport Wagon – the refreshed Mazda6 includes improvements to its environmental and safety attributes, driving performance, interior and exterior design, and quality levels.

In Japan, 2.0-litre models have been updated with Mazda’s direct injection MZR 2.0L DISI engine with both front and all-wheel-drive models qualifying as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV).

Updated power steering and suspension settings have been integrated, resulting in better handling and straight-line stability at high speeds, as well as delivering a more premium quality ride and enhanced comfort.

Both the 17-inch and 18-inch aluminium wheels have new designs, and the range of eight exterior body colours has been augmented with two new colours – Clear Water Blue Metallic and Midnight Bronze Mica.

Inside, the centre panel stack has a smooth, glossy, piano-black finish while chrome plating adorns the climate control and audio dials, and other parts.

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[Via http://allcarnews.wordpress.com]

Tokyo & Fuji-san!

2010-01-25T01:25:00.000+02:00

Can you see Fuji-san in the distance!? Apparently it is very rare and therefore very lucky to see it...

Yesterday (Saturday) Tomoko (my mom’s first cousin) treated me, my mom and Kay to a day tour of Tokyo. For all the times we’ve been and all the time my mom lived here, neither of us had really seen many of the sites in Tokyo, or at least not in a way that we had any clue as to what we were looking at. Excited but daunted by the eight our schedule that took us from one side of the city to the other and everywhere in between, we arrived at the designated train station and boarded the bus promptly at 9 a.m. It was immediately apparent that our guide’s English was less than stellar, but after learning (after much ear straining and guessing here and there) that he taught himself English using the English Japanese Public Radio shows, I just gave up and got out of it what I could for the remainder of the day.

Our first stop was Tokyo Tower which is shaped somewhat like the Eiffel Tower. We were ushered straight off the bus and into an elevator where we were whisked up to some very high place to enjoy the view. It was a beautiful day and to our surprise we could see Mt. Fuji (which the Japanese all lovingly call Fuji-san, like it’s their first born child or something) way off in the distance. For being almost 100 kilometers away from where we were, our photos aren’t half bad either. It was rather interesting to walk around and check everything out, especially because they had screens set up all around the observation deck where you could see what was where in any number of languages. We were able to find Aoyama cemetary where we had been, the U.S. Embassy where Kay used to work etc. which was fun.

Our next stop was a beautiful Japanese garden where we attended a traditional (although very casual

I would love to witness a real, very thorough tea ceremony one day...It was a little hard to really enjoy and appreciate this one with 20 other people crammed in the room.

according to Tomoko) tea ceremony and had a chance to stroll the garden grounds. There were several weddings going on that day and all of the couples were beautifully dressed in their kimono. The guests were flooding in as we went to leave dressed to impress in everything from opulent cocktail dresses and fur coats to traditional kimono…so much fun to watch! While there we came across a particularly funny parking sign adorned with some rather interesting Japanese-English translations.

Third on the agenda was lunch at a Japanese BBQ restaurant located at the Four Seasons hotel in Tokyo. We walked through a beautiful garden from the hotel’s lobby to get there, and sat around tempenyaki grills with fellow members of our group to enjoy a delicious lunch. The restaurant itself was in a very traditional style building and surrounded by the most beautiful grounds, making for a lovely lunch atmosphere. Talk about a small world, the two women sitting with us were from the American Consulate in D.C. and struck up quite the conversation with Kay about mutual friends they had through work. When we had sat down we were talking with Tomoko about weddings and a bit later when we first struck up conversation withthe two ladies at our table, one began by saying to me “so you mentioned you were getting married,” and when I shook my head in surprise she said “hmm well I see

We saw several brides that day, but this one was the most beautiful of them all. Her hair was particularly gorgeous with the flowers, not to mention her gorgeous kimono. Makes you wonder why Japanese girls opt for a western style wedding/dress instead.

you getting married before the end of the year…sometimes I see into the future and usually when I make a blunder like that and just blurt something out I am pretty right on about it.” Shocked to say the least, I told my mom later I was attending a few weddings this year and had every intention of leaving it at that. Yeah, don’t worry Daddy, no wedding to pay for in 2010 I promise!

After lunch we drove for about 35 minutes before we reached the very center of Tokyo where the Emperor and Empress live. On the way there I learned a few things: 1) There are about 127 million people living in Japan of which 30 million live in Tokyo which is so small that there are something like

Me, Mom & Tomoko in front of one of the main entrances to the Imperial compound. Apparently this is a very famous spot that they call "two bridges"

14,000 people to each square kilometer in the city. 2) The Emperor and Empress live on some 200+ acres with a moat and everything which no one is ever allowed to go in save for two days out of the year. 3) Despite having all of this pomp and circumstance, the Emperor doesn’t actually have any political power but instead is merely a symbol of Japan, thought to be the descendent of the gods and in his day to day life, an ambassador of his country. 4) Daily, over 1,000 people enter into the royal compound to service just those two people living there. A beautiful area, it was a bit crazy to think of the juxtaposition of the whole thing. Our guide seemed peeved by the fact that HIS tax dollars paid for such lavish living and noted more than once that “they (the Emperor and Empress) don’t even ever come out to say thank you.” Talking with Tomoko about it later she said that this irritation was not shared by the majority of the people of Japan who think that it is completely normal and wonderful that they live the way they do. So there. Personally I think living in the middle of such an amazing city with only one other person and no where to go would get real boring real fast. To each his own I guess.

Our next activity was a river cruise under some 17 bridges or so, ending at Asakusa temple. As we were getting off the boat Kay was scolding me

The ceilings on this boat were sooo low that save for Kay (who we are convinced is shrinking by the moment), we all had to duck just to get in and out!

(playfully of course) for wandering off (which I really wasn’t doing, but can easily seem like the case when there are millions of people standing right where you are and she says to me “if you get lost what are you going to do? You know what? We should just leave you somewhere and see what happens, see where you end up!” after which she laughed heartily and whacked me a good one on the butt. Do you see what I put up with?!?

Kay, Me, Tomoko and the madness of Asakusa temple

It’s a good thing both my mom and I had been to Asakusa temple before seeing as though we only briefly saw it this time around (as we were rushing to get to the bus in time) due to the excessive eating and shopping we were instead taking part in. SO crowded but such a good place for omiyage buying we went to town and by the time we hit the bus we were all dead tired. A short drive and very uplifting talk (or not) about the suicide rate in Japan by our tour guide later, we were finally on our way home. Stuffed from lunch we opted out of a sit-down dinner with Kay and instead raided the convenience store next to our hotel for soba, salad, fruit, last minute omiyage and of course dessert. What a day I tell you. We both slept in until 8 a.m. this morning which, if you know my mom who wakes up habitually at 5 a.m. every

This is as close to the temple as we actually got lol

day, was quite a feat and a direct correlation to our complete and total exhaustion.

After packing our bags (all of which weigh about 8 tons each) we walked around Chinatown for a bit before meeting about 12 members of our family for a very lavish Chinese lunch. It was so fun to see everyone, especially the little ones that we had never met before (I swear when kids are little everything they do is adorable!). Afterward we sent my mom off to the airport with Koichi and I headed home with Tomoko where I will be staying until I leave to go home Thursday. On the agenda for the next few days is the following: shopping, eating, shopping, overnight at an onsen somewhere in the countryside, lunch with Kay at some fancy European place she loves and I’m sure more eating and shopping.

Goodnight for now! xoxo, erin

Mom, Kay and me beneath Tokyo Tower

Ocha!

One of the wedding parties at the garden....traditional I guess, she looks like she's being inducted into the KKK to me...

Much better in my opinion All of the weddings going on made for a very happy atmosphere.

All of the trees in the background are cherry trees...can you even imagine how beautiful this place must be in the spring when they bloom???

Red plum blossoms...the first of the season

What to buy, what to buy...I'm going to start cruising around in a kimono I think...they all look so elegant in theirs

On the street in Chinatown - These are the largest manapua I've ever seen in my entire life...soo yum I bet!

Lunch with the fam in Chinatown...the restaurant was like 4 stories high and very, very beautiful

Koichi's son Hiro is two and was very excited about the trucks my mom brought him...so excited in fact that he opened and played with all 12 of them at once!

Eriko and her daughter Sayaka

MY cars is what I imagine he was saying to his brother as he horded them all on his side of the table...

Mmmm shumai

Keeping little Hiro busy with books between courses...such cute kids

Mmmm and some mango jelatin thing for dessert, which lasted for about .5 seconds on my plate before being in my belly

[Via http://besottedblog.wordpress.com]

A Preacher, a Pilot, and POWs

2010-01-25T00:31:00.000+02:00

Here is another memoir, this time in the form of a sermon on forgiveness, from my 85-year-old father. He’s a former missionary to Japan and now an oft retired country preacher, so everything he writes ends up sounding like a sermon, just as anything I write ends up sounding like an academic essay.

On December 7, 1941, I was a senior at Franklin High School in Southampton County, Virginia. I remember that the principal assembled us in the school auditorium to hear President Roosevelt speak to the American people by radio. He announced the infamous attack by Japanese planes on Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. He also declared war on Japan. I finished high school in June 1942 and entered Richmond College that fall.

I only spent 11 years in high school, so I entered college when I was 17. My military draft board granted me a ministerial deferment, which required me to attend college all 12 months of the year, so finished when I was 20 years old. In all those years, I had never met a Japanese person and, to say the least, they were not depicted in a flattering manner in the news reels I saw during the war.

On August 15, 1945, I was pastor of the Lawrenceville Baptist Church in Brunswick County, Virginia. That day we heard that World War II had ended, and that night we had a prayer meeting at the church, during which I felt my first real tug to be a missionary to Japan. I remember one deacon prayed, “Lord, we have sent soldiers to Japan to defeat them in war; now let us send missionaries to lead them to Christ. That for me was a sort of call to go as a missionary, since I had not been called to go as a soldier.

I eventually arrived in Japan as a Southern Baptist missionary in August 1950. After two years of language study in Tokyo I was assigned to be chaplain of Seinan Jo Gakuin in Kokura (now part of the city of Kitakyushu), a Southern Baptist school for Japanese girls that ran from junior high school through junior college. Sunday attendance at church was required and we held frequent chapel services, at which different faculty members spoke. As pastor of Mt. Zion Church on campus, I was quite often asked to speak. Sometimes we had an outside speaker.

On one such occasion, I shared the platform with a speaker of the day who was famous in Japan as Captain Mitsuo Fuchida. It was he who led the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The reason he was speaking at a Christian school was that he had become a Christian and was by then well known in Japan as one who called the Japanese people to renew faith in themselves and in Christ. I remember well his message that day and on another occasion when I heard him give an expanded version of that same message. He was not a powerful speaker but his message was one of power. I shall attempt to give a brief version of the message he gave in Japanese, which lasted an hour and a half.

When the War in the Pacific, as the Japanese called it, ended in defeat for Japan, this came as a great shock to the Japanese people who had been told by their leaders, “We are winning the war on all fronts.” Mitsuo Fuchida was the only pilot still living who took part in that attack on Pearl Harbor. They had continued to fight an increasingly less victorious war, and one by one they had been killed in battle. Fuchida told of several very close calls he himself had experienced and said that he believed he had been spared to share the Gospel with Japan. He considered it to be their best, if not only, hope.

Mitsuo Fuchida had believed, as the Japanese people had been led to believe since childhood, that Japan had been especially chosen by the gods. Nihon or Nippon “Land of the Rising Sun”—as depicted on their national flag. They were taught to believe that one day Isanagi and Isanami (Mr. and Mrs. God) stood on the Bridge of Heaven and Isanagi dipped his sword into the ocean. When he withdrew it, the drops of water from it that fell back into the ocean coagulated and formed the Japanese Islands. Then, Mr. and Mrs. God went down to live on these islands and their children became the Japanese people. Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, was the mother of the Japanese Imperial Family, the ancestor of Emperor Hirohito. All Japanese schools taught this as history until the end of the war. Since the meaning of kami in Japanese does not completely match that of the English word God, it is difficult to compare religious meanings, but even after the Emperor declared that he was not kami, there continued to be a sense that he remained the father of the Japanese family and the chief religious personage.

After the war ended, Fuchida returned to Japan a defeated and very depressed man. He loved Japan and wanted desperately to see her rise from the ashes of defeat and be a great nation again. One day he heard of some prisoners of war returning from America and he went to see and hear them. Of their many experiences, the one that impressed him most was the one they emphasized the most. It was their relating the story of a young American teenage girl who came to their prisoner-of-war camp every day to minister to them. She brought them small personal items they needed, and each time asked “Is there anything else I do?”

The prisoners did not trust her and believed that she was a plant sent to spy on them. But when she persisted, they did begin to ask her for toothpaste, soap, and so on, and she answered their requests faithfully. This went on for quite a while until the end of the war and they were released to come back to Japan. Out of curiosity, they asked her why she had been so kind to them, her enemies. She told them that her parents had been missionaries to Japan at the beginning of the war and had fled to the Philippines when their lives were endangered. When the Japanese conquered the Philippines, the missionaries hid in caves. When Japanese soldiers eventually found them, and discovered they spoke Japanese, they were accused of being spies and told that they would be killed. They answered, “We are prepared to die, but give us half an hour before we are killed.” They were granted this request and knelt to pray until the Japanese soldiers beheaded them with their swords.

When their daughter in the U.S. got news of this, she hated the Japanese. She said, “They went to Japan to share the love of God and were killed as spies.” Her hate began to consume her until finally she sought spiritual counsel and was led to remember the teachings and example of her parents. She read the Bible and came upon the verse in Luke 23:34 where Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When she remembered the spirit of her parents, she was sure they repeated that prayer before they died at the hands of the Japanese soldiers.

So, she prayed and found the strength to forgive the ones who killed her parents and believed that if they had known the Christ her parents believed in, they would never had done such a thing so she began to prepare herself to go to Japan as a missionary to carry on the work her parents had done in Japan. However, she was in high school and knew that missionaries have to complete college, and usually further training, before being appointed as missionaries. She didn’t want to wait that long and asked how she could be a missionary until then. Well, there were Japanese prisoners of war very near her and she began to minister to them. The soldiers were so impressed by her story that they stressed it when they related their experiences to Fuchida and others. Fuchida thought they had made up this story, that it could not possibly be true, but he could not forget it.

Later, Fuchida was summoned to Tokyo to testify in the war crimes trials. He led the attack on Pearl Harbor so he would know the exact time of the attack. This was important to establish whether or not Japan’s representatives at the time lied in their assertions to the United States at the time that the attacks were planned and underway. As Fuchida came out of Shibuya train station in Tokyo, he passed a young American man who was handing out Christian tracts. He took one and read on the front this title, “I was a prisoner of the Japanese.” This made him remember the story of the Japanese prisoners in America.

The man described in the tract was named Jacob DeShazer, a gunner on one of the planes that took part in one of the first air raids on Tokyo under the command of General Doolittle. DeShazer’s plane was shot down and he and the rest of the crew were captured by the Japanese. They were brought to Tokyo and paraded through the streets, experiencing the hate and derision of its citizens. They were kept in a small dark prison cell, about 6 feet square, with one small window near the top. They were kept in total isolation, having interpersonal contact only with the Japanese guards, who were especially chosen for their hateful treatment of prisoners. Day after day Jacob lived in this darkness and isolation until he was about to lose his mind. In desperation he tried to think of anything from his past that could help him, and he remembered going to Sunday School as a child and hearing stories from the Bible. He asked the guards for a Bible and, after many requests, they finally brought him one, telling him he could keep it for three weeks.

Jacob awoke each morning as the light came in through the small window of his cell and he read the Bible as long as daylight allowed, and he committed to memory many verses. One impressed him especially. It was the verse telling of Jesus’ prayer asking that those who conducted his crucifixion be forgiven, Luke 23:34. So, Jacob DeShazer prayed for help and found peace and comfort there in this prison cell as he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He learned from the Bible that to become a Christian one has to change, especially to change in his relationship with other people. The only persons Jacob had contact with were the hated prison guards, so he realized that he had to change in his attitude toward them. He began to respond to their hate with kindness, and they began to respond by treating him less hatefully. Jacob decided that the reason these guards treated him so hatefully was that they did not know the Christ he had come to know and that had wrought such change in his life. So, he prayed, “Lord, if you will help me to survive this I will come back to Japan as a missionary to tell the Japanese about Christ.”

Jacob lived in these conditions until the end of the war. I remember news reel scenes of the starving POWs who were released to come home to the United States. Jacob came back to America and, after he recovered his health, he went back to finish high school, attending with much younger kids who must have wondered about him. He was there to prepare for college so he could go back to Japan as a missionary. When he finished college, he still did not speak Japanese, so he wrote out his testimony under the title “I was a prisoner of the Japanese,” then had it translated into Japanese so he could take it to Japan to share with people who had once hated him and held him a prisoner. By divine providence, Jacob DeShazer was standing outside Shibuya Station handing out copies of his tract when Mitsuo Fuchida came by and took one.

Fuchida read again of the Book and of the verse in it, Luke 23:34, that he had heard made such a difference in both the young girl in America who ministered to Japanese POWs and in the life of this young man who had been a POW of the Japanese. He still found it hard to believe, but he was desperate to find a message of hope for the land that he loved. If this message were true it was just what Japan needed. So he bought a small New Testament and began reading it. He sought spiritual guidance and found Christ as his personal Savior.

At that time Eleanor Roosevelt was visiting Japan, and Fuchida heard the chant, “Americans may forgive Pearl Harbor but we will never forgive Hiroshima.” So Fuchida began to tell of his journey from being a leader in one of the most hate-filled wars in history, to being a leader in Christian love, building up a cycle of love instead of hate. In his words, “We hate, and are hated in return, and then we hate more, and we have all seen where that can lead.” But, he says, “We love, and we are likely to be loved in return, which begins the cycle of love.” He said in a message I heard him deliver one night in Okayama, Japan, “I have participated in the cycle of hate for much of my life. For the rest of my life I want to begin the cycle of love as often as I can in as many places as I can.”

During the first part of his 90-minute message, he told of how he was trained as a pilot and chosen to lead in the attack on Japan. His demeanor showed the arrogance he had felt during that part of his life. Then, he paused, leaned forward and said, “Then one day I met Jesus Christ. I learned for the first time in my life that I, Mitsuo Fuchida, am a sinner and I must repent.” He said he learned that repentance of sin means turning 180 degrees and walking in the opposite direction. He told how he had done that and it was one of the best definitions of repentance and best examples of its application I have ever experienced.

Fuchida came to America and spoke at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He spoke in many places and always told of the testimony of a young American girl whose faith has been the first evidence he had heard of the power of the Christian faith. I don’t remember the name of the girl but her parents were American Baptist missionaries at the beginning of the War. She later appeared on the platform with Fuchida when he gave his testimony in the U.S. In Japan, Mitsuo Fuchida and Jacob DeShazer met and shared their testimony and their life together in Christian witnessing. I had the joy of meeting DeShazer at Lake Nojiri in Japan, where missionaries come to vacation in the summer. I heard Fuchida on three occasions and he visited my home for a meal in Kokura while he was at Seinan Jo Gakuin.

[Via http://faroutliers.wordpress.com]

JUDY ONGG, Futari No Kisetsu, 1968

2010-01-22T01:47:00.000+02:00

Because there are still a lot of blank spaces in my countries category, here are three records from Japan this week.

Judy Ongg is an actress, singer, author and woodblock-print artist from Taiwan. Born in Taipei in 1950, she graduated from university in Tokyo and after that, changed her nationality into Japanese. Her career has spanned more than four decades.

Judy Ongg is not doing Rock´n´Roll or Beat music on this record but it´s not too soft either. There is some nice guitar work on these tracks that sounds a bit like this song in this video:

Judy Onggs filmography lists a film called Cyborg 009 from 1967. I don´t know if this animation film of the same name has anything to do with her but I still liked it enough to share it here:

The jacket, though printed on very thin paper, has a lot of inserts: dance instructions, lyrics and a nice inner sleeve. High production values used quite economically. I don´t know what dance the dance instructions are for but I it might be the Shake, the Surf or the Jerk.

JUDY ONGG, Futari No Kisetsu, 1968

JUDY ONGG, My Lonely Summer, 1968

[Via http://mischalke04.wordpress.com]

Fat or Thick

2010-01-22T00:43:00.000+02:00

by Nao

futo-i, futo, buto, ta

The adjective futo-i means fat or thick. If you have a big arm, we call it “futoi ude.” Ude means arm. A fat person is described as futotteiru. Futoru means “to gain weight.” The noun futosa means boldness.

The rest of the readings are used in compounds. For example, futoji is a bold character or a bold face. Honebuto is big-boned. Hone means bone. Tachi is a long sword.

Draw the horizontal line from the left to the right.
Draw the sweeping stroke from the top to the lower left corner of the character. Make it narrower gradually.
Draw the sweeping stroke from where the previous strokes intersect to the lower right corner. Make it broader in the end.
Draw the dot between the two sweeping strokes.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Osaka Street drift

2010-01-20T02:44:00.000+02:00

Seeings these documentaries make me jealous. I want to go to Japan! Although even if I did go, I probably wouldn’t witness anyone sliding around up there x] But its cool to know that there are many who still hold it down up in the mountain tops. Now only if I had an S-Chassis or a RWD car up in LA… Well at least since I don’t have one, I don’t have to worry about finding new tires to play with every weekend haha

Via Speedhunters

[Via http://eseeramorihs.wordpress.com]

The "Generation Warudohobifea" Winter show in Japan shows off more games catering to kids

2010-01-20T00:53:00.000+02:00

As AH contributor Kevin Williams pointed out in his recent crystal ball look into 2010, KidTainment will grow to play a larger role in the arcade industry and in Japan, several companies are already showing off products that will fill in that niche. Translated as “Generation Warudohobifea” (any of you who can translate Japanese feel free to correct that if need be), the show seems to be about products that cater to kids and video games were in full force there.

How prevalent a lot of these games will be outside of Japan remains to be seen but there are a few games we can take a look at here, most notably from Namco and Sega. First off, Namco is targeting Tank! Tank! Tank! towards kids, which makes sense – it really has appeal to everyone. Their Bandai side also showed off their card-based coin-op game DataCardDass (which involves some Power Ranger-like characters and seems to be aimed more at boys) and a Tamagotchi card game for girls, which also includes some sort of phone device as a main part of the panel.

Sega has a couple of card games in their line-up to compete, including War Gettenka History, which seems to be a card-based game with a little Dynasty Warriors-esque story behind it; a new game that has something to do with battling insects which also involves cards and a touch screen (the cabinet is similar to Sega Card Gen, it’s what is pictured above) and the title is translating as “If Mushikingubatoru insect guts!” – whatever that is really supposed to mean, I have no idea. Sega also was showing off a game for girls called Lil Puritsu Riyu Bipuruhime Chen!, which also uses a dual screen setup like the insect guts game but otherwise there aren’t many details on this one.

What are your thoughts on the growing surge (at least in Japan) towards KidTainment? I kind of already see redemption as KidTainment and we’re seeing a growing trend to use video games in the redemption sector; we also have games like Cooking Mama Arcade and Dino Duel available in various territories outside of Japan. How many more games will we see cater just to kids by the end of the year?

[Via Game Watch] [Discuss on the forums]

[Via http://arcadeheroes.com]

2010 is the year of the Sovereign Debt Crisis

2010-01-18T02:54:00.000+02:00

The GFC is so 2007. For 2010, the fashionable new term is the SDC (aka Sovereign Debt Crisis aka Government Three-Card-Monty aka ‘Taxpayers will bend over…Again.’).

Roubini (Doc Doom himself) in Forbes, on “The Coming Sovereign Debt Crisis”

In 2009, downgrades and debt auction failures in countries like the UK, Greece, Ireland and Spain were a stark reminder that unless advanced economies begin to put their fiscal houses in order, investors and rating agencies will likely turn from friends to foes. The severe recession, combined with a financial crisis during 2008-09, worsened the fiscal positions of developed countries due to stimulus spending, lower tax revenues and support to the financial sector. The impact was greater in countries that had a history of structural fiscal problems, maintained loose fiscal policies and ignored fiscal reforms during the boom years. Going forward, a weak economic recovery and an aging population is likely to increase the debt burden of many advanced economies, including the U.S., Britain, Japan and several eurozone countries.

In 2008 and 2009, the decisions by these governments to do “whatever it takes” to backstop their financial systems and keep their economies afloat soothed investor concerns. But if countries remain biased toward continuing with loose fiscal and monetary policies to support growth, rather than focusing on fiscal consolidation, investors will become increasingly concerned about fiscal sustainability and gradually move out of debt markets they have long considered “safe havens.”

Most central banks will withdraw liquidity starting in 2010, but government financing needs will remain high thereafter. Monetization and increased debt issuances by governments in the developed world will raise inflation expectations. These governments will have to offer higher real yields or investors will move to more attractive emerging markets. Some countries will continue to witness increased credit default swaps. Higher yields and interest cost on debt will also hurt economic growth—by crowding out private consumption and investment, and reducing government’s productive spending. Several factors will likely influence investors’ perception about sovereign risk—a country’s debt financing ability, its status as a “safe haven” relative to other developed economies, politicians’ commitment to undertake fiscal reforms, exchange rate movements, and the debt maturity structure.

The UK, Spain, Greece and Ireland will face sovereign risk pressures, especially if their fiscal imbalances are not addressed immediately. Some eurozone members are quickly approaching their debt sustainability limits as deleveraging through devaluation is not an option for these countries. Countries like Germany—whose fiscal imbalances have deteriorated largely due to the economic and financial downturn—might have a greater capacity to stabilize their debt ratio. The U.S. and Japan might be among the last to face investor aversion—the dollar is the global reserve currency and the U.S. has the deepest and most liquid debt markets, while Japan is a net creditor and largely finances its debt domestically. But investors will turn increasingly cautious even about these countries if the necessary fiscal reforms are delayed. The U.S. is a net debtor with an aging population, weaker economic growth and risks of continued monetization of the fiscal deficit. Japan’s aging population and economic stagnation will reduce domestic savings.

Developed economies will therefore need to begin fiscal consolidation as soon as 2011-12 by generating primary surpluses, which can be accomplished through a combination of gradual tax hikes and spending cuts. However, an aging population, a sluggish economic recovery and higher unemployment will keep governments’ entitlement spending high and revenues subdued. These factors might also make tax hikes politically challenging. Fiscal consolidation efforts might not be strong until the bond vigilantes signal shifting to safer assets. To achieve credibility, governments will need to pass binding legislation enforcing tighter fiscal belts when their economies begin to recover on a sustained basis.

[Via http://singaporeuncletrader.wordpress.com]

Widespread

2010-01-18T00:37:00.000+02:00

by Nao

bi, mi, ya

A familiar word including this character is yayoi. It consists of this character and this and means March. Since this character means widespread or ever more and the second character means to grow, the combined meaning is to grow ever more. In March, plants grow ever more.

The word yayoi is used for names. Some women have this name and some towns, this name. In 1884, some artifacts were uncovered in a place called Yayoi in Hongo, Tokyo. Archeologists called this artifacts yayoishiski doki, or Yayoi pottery. They indicate a distinguished period in Japanese history. Since then, the period is called the Yayoi period (5 B.C. – 3 A.D).

The left-hand side of the character is yumi (a bow).

Begin to draw the bow. Draw the hook on the top.
Draw the horizontal stroke.
Draw the short vertical stroke.
Draw the hook. Change the direction of the brush three times.
Begin to draw the right-hand side of the character. Draw the sweeping stroke from the top center.
Draw the horizontal stroke.
Draw the vertical stroke with an upward turn at the bottom.
Draw the sweeping stroke near the center.
Draw the dot to the right.

The third and fourth strokes are one stroke when you write this character with a pen. So, it’s an 8-stroke character originally.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Wearing Shoes Outside

2010-01-15T00:56:00.000+02:00

I work at seven schools. I keep one pair of shoes at each school. These shoes are for wearing inside. Normally, we only wear these shoes inside.

Today I will wear them outside! Why? Because we will have an earthquake safety drill. After we hear an announcement, we will pretend there is an earthquake. We will hurry outside with our inside shoes on.

After the drill, we must clean our shoes, so we can wear them inside again.

[Via http://forkimi.wordpress.com]

Modern Japanese Studies

2010-01-15T00:40:00.000+02:00

I am thinking of studying JAPANESE on The university of Leiden!

On a much higher educated school than the animation study

(at ‘WO’, the best level of education in Netherlands, and the same level als my sister does.

My former study was ‘HBO’ which is not genius)

and with a lot of future for me…

I can get all kind of jobs

and HALF of the time of my study I will be in Japan! =)

there are no tests to enter, because I got my propedeuse of the HBO, I can sign in!

http://www.leiden.edu/

http://www.academictransfer.com/employer/LEI/vacancy/1354/lang/en/

bachelor = 3 years

+

master = 2 years

I think it’s really good for me to take this opportunity… I am so interested, and even though I want to live in Tokyo, I know its better for me to study on a good school first/at the same time, instead of going to a language school.

I am really going to think about it very well.

Next week I am going to find a job.

To earn some money before my study will start in september, I want to work in a nursing house for some months

[Via http://alyssaswonderland.wordpress.com]

Spam Egg Roll

2010-01-13T01:52:00.000+02:00

Back into spam!

Bazooka Gourmet is going to start screaming like a banshee!LOL

Making the most of simple ingredients to create a kind of roll reminiscent of a sushi roll!

Spam Egg Roll!

INGREDIENTS: For 2 people

-Spam: Half a can or 170 g

-Potato: 1

-Edamame: 50 g boiled. If not available can be replaced with boild string beans.

-Egg: 1

-Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon

-Salt and pepper: to taste

RECIPE:

-Boil potato.

Mash it and add mayonnaise, edamame, salt and pepper. Mix well.

-Beat the egg into an omelette.

Use a rectangular nonstick frypan as the ones used for making tamagoyaki/omelette. Make three omelettes (or one if large enough) as thin as possible. Don’t hesitate to make more if needed.

Take out and let cool.

-Cut spam in thin slices and fry. Set apart to let cool down.

-Form rolls as shown on above picture.

Cut in halves before serving!

RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES:

Bread + Butter, Comestilblog, Greedy Girl, Bouchon For 2, Zoy Zhang, Hungry Neko, Mangantayon, Elinluv Tidbit Corner, Maison de Christina, Chrys Niles, Lexi, Culinary Musings, Eats and Everything, Bite Me New England, Heather Sweet, Warren Bobrow, 5 Star Foodie, Frank Fariello, Oyster Culture, Ramendo, Alchemist Chef, Ochikeron, Mrs. Lavendula, The Gipsy Chef, Spirited Miu Flavor, Wheeling Gourmet, Chef de Plunge, The Lacquer Spoon, Octopuspie, Pegasus Legend, Gourmet Fury

Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

[Photo] SS501 Mini Album "REBIRTH" Japan special edition trading card

2010-01-13T00:35:00.000+02:00

Credit: SS601

Please don’t reedit

Do not HOTLINK

Give proper credit when reposting, thanks!

**************************************************************

click on images to enlarge

click on images to get a larger version

[Via http://ss501fighting.wordpress.com]

The Cove - Incredible Documentary About Slaughter of Dolphins

2010-01-11T03:42:00.000+02:00

The Cove is an astounding piece of investigative journalism with the heart of an action thriller. Led by Louie Psihoyos, leader of the Ocean Preservation Society, and Richard O’Barry, an internationally recognized authority on dolphin training who is best known for his work on the 1960’s TV show Flipper, the film follows a high-tech dive team on a mission to discover the truth about the international dolphin capture trade as practiced in Taji, Japan.

Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide.

The Cove is also directed by Louie Psihoyos, who brings confidence and precision to his insider’s account of this life-or-death covert operation. A celebrated photographer who has created images for National Geographic for 18 years, Psihoyos captures the magnificence of the dolphins themselves and the ocean that surrounds them. –© Roadside Attractions

[Via http://blushfilms.wordpress.com]

Listing 1/10/10

2010-01-11T01:50:00.000+02:00

Empire Blow Mold Church…Tinsel Tree…Glass Bead Garland…Fitz and Floyd Ornament

Link to My eBay Store to view and bid. This will post at 6 p.m. PST.

Scroll Down to View My Items Closing Today!

Link to eBay Store

[Via http://fromgrandmastree.wordpress.com]

TOKYO!

2010-01-11T01:26:00.000+02:00

Out Of The Box!!!

Release Date:March 6th, 2009
Director:Michel Gondry, Joon-ho Bong
Writer:Michel Gondry, Joon-ho Bong
Starring:Ayako Fujitani, Ryo Kase, Ayumi Ito, Denis Lavant, Jean-Francois Balmer
Studio:Liberation Entertainment
Genre:Drama

sebuah film yang disutradarai oleh 3 sutradara dan akhirnya menghasilkan 3 cerita yang berbeda sekaligus, ada gondry, carax, dan bong! ada apa di 3 cerita ini, yang jelas semuanya menyimpan pesan yang dalam mungkin dan juga absurd dalam penyampaiannya, mengapa absurd? apakah anda pernah melihat orang yang tiba tiba berubah menjadi kursi? well, nanti akan saya ceritakan lebih lanjut, tapi yang jelas, ini adalah film film tipe “out of the box” tidak usah anda mencari kelogisannya, karena film film model ini biasanya diluar nalar kita, yang justru itu menjadi elemen menarik bagi saya, karena penasaran akan seperti apa akhir ceritanya nanti.

Chair Filosofy

segmen pertama berjudul interior design gubahan gondry, cerita yang simpel dan mungkin cerita yang paling mudah dipahami maksudnya ketika anda pertama nonton film tokyo! ini, bercerita sepasang kekasih yang menumpang tinggal sementara di rumah temannya hanya untuk mencari kerja dan mencari tempat tinggal baru, tapi nyatanya mereka tidak kunjung mendapatkan tempat baru dan pekerjaan yang layak, hingga teman yang rumahnya ditumpangi merasa risih dari hari ke hari, dan menganggap bahwa mereka benar benar tidak berusaha sama sekali atau mungkin tidak berguna.

saya tidak akan cerita panjang lebar karena anda harus menontonnya sendiri, nampak seperti cerita biasa tapi mungkin anda akan bengong di pertengahan ceritanya nanti, cerita tentang bagaimana menjadi seseorang yang “berguna” untuk sekitarnya disuguhkan dengan unik dan lucu, tapi mengandung banyak makna.

Creature From The Sewer!

langsung di segment kedua ada merde, arahan carax, menceritakan merde, orang yang hidup di saluran bawah tanah atau mungkin sewer dalam bahasa inggrisnya, setiap dia keluar ke permukaan dia mengganggu dan menakuti orang banyak, hingga akhirnya orang orang menyebutnya “creature from the sewer” karena penampilannya yang aneh sekaligus lunatic mungkin, hingga akhirnya dia berhasil ditangkap oleh kepolisian setempat dan akan disidangkan di meja pengadilan karena aksinya terakhir telah memakan korban jiwa, tapi nampaknya tidak ada yang bisa berkomunikasi dengan merde, merde berbicara bahasa yang tidak ada orang yang mengerti, dan hanya seorang pengacara dari perancis yang paham akan bahasa merde, dan akhirnya pengacara tersebut datang membantu menterjemahkan apa yang ada di pikiran merde tersebut hingga tindakannya telah membuat banyak jatuhnya korban jiwa.

tidak bisa berbicara banyak soal segmen kedua ini, hanya satu kata : KONYOL, entah mengapa karakter merde disini sangat absurd, dimana ceritanya saja sudah absurd ditambah karakter super absurd, apalagi ketika “percakapan” antara pengacaranya merde dan dia sendiri, adegan yang membuat saya tertawa konyol, dan entah saya termangu sampai berakhirnya segmen kedua ini, susah untuk menyaring makna yang tersimpan, tapi hanya satu hal yang bisa ditangkap, anarkis!

Love Is Shaking...

segmen ketiga berjudul shaking tokyo, arahan bong, sang pembuat “the host”, film yang menceritakan seorang pria yang mempunyai penyakit yang disebut “hikikomori” yang kurang lebih artinya adalah penyakit dimana orang tersebut tidak pernah mau kontak mata dengan orang lain bahkan tidak mau bersosialisasi dengan orang lain hingga akhirnya tidak pernah meninggalkan rumahnya selama 10 tahun! well, sebuah sindrom yang menarik untuk diangkat menjadi suatu film, sampai akhirnya pria ini kontak mata dengan pengantar pizza yang selalu mengantarkan pizza padanya, dan pengantar pizza tersebut adalah wanita! hingga akhirnya pria ini berani untuk pertama kalinya keluar rumahnya hanya untuk menemui si pengantar pizza tersebut, tapi yang dia ditemui diluar rumahnya adalah sebuah dunia yang sama sekali sudah berubah.

dan hasilnya segmen ketiga ini adalah film yang paling artistik dari semuanya menurut saya, dimana seorang yang “tidak pernah keluar rumah selama 11 tahun dan tidak pernah kontak mata dengan siapapun” akhirnya memberanikan diri keluar rumah demi mencari wanita yang telah mengubah semuanya, tapi yang dia temui “diluar” rumahnya ternyata berbeda dengan apa yang dipikirkannya selama ini, ternyata semua orang sekarang adalah hikikomori! twist yang sederhana nampaknya, tapi mungkin paling berkesan di semua segmen yang disajikan di tokyo! ini.

no wonder, 3 segmen diatas benar benar sangat absurd, unik, dan sebagian memorable mungkin, tapi tidak ada kaitannya sama sekali antara 3 segmen tersebut, hanya satu kesamaan saja, yang tidak lain adalah semua berlatar belakang tokyo! kota paling dikenal di jepang mungkin, well, tidak bisa berkomentar banyak lagi, silakan tonton saja bagi yang penasaran akan alur ceritanya yang dari awal saya tekankan absurd, semoga anda menikmatinya, enjoy!!!

[Via http://ariasparrow.wordpress.com]

[Photo+English translation] SS501 Kim Hyun Joong's conversation with MC @ "Gourmands Table" 「グルマンズテーブル」

2010-01-08T01:00:00.000+02:00

Credit: exlley@daum blog

English Translation: SS501fighting.wordpress.com

Please don’t reedit

Do Not HOTLINK

Give proper credit when reposting, thanks!

*************************************************************

I found this briefly translation of Hyun joong’s questions and answers at this show.

hehe… actually, Hyun Joong was not talking much in the show.

I think this is pretty much some of the main points of his conversation with MC.

Just found out Hyun Joong is not living with his parent but friends right now???

Don’t know if this is true. However, from the translation of the conversation here the situation seems like that.

Maybe he moves out recently.

haha… kind of a surprise for me.

Hope to find out more about this later.

Here is the photos and translated caption:

2010.01.05

MC: Do you usually cook at home?

Hyun Joong: I often cook together with my friens whom I live with

(So now he lives with his friends???)

The human who South Korea and Japan to collect and hold the most attention right now

The program that Hyun Joong makes à la carte dishes from Korea, which often created with friends whom living with him

Gourmands Hyun Joong Menu

Emergency

150 fans chosen from 10000 people

Look Cool…

I am such a hugh fans of you

Very very like you

MC: Do you usually cook at home?

HJL: Now, I live with my friend, we often cook together.

I cook Teeokbokyi, Budaejjigae, and so on.

He bought his homemade source for Teeokbokyi.

It is absolutely impossible for us to get it

It has bought in a plastic container from KHJ’s home

Hyun Joong special original recipe

Hyun Joong preparing for the Ginseng Chicken soup

Finished dish

MC:

Who’s girlfriend?

Congratulations

Finished Ginseng Chicken soup

Please eat and enjoy.

Are you fingers still here?

hehe… still here

Slick touch

Fingers. Give you hear the story of Samgyetang

Also, please come visit me

Thank You.

This is Hyun Joong ^^

[Via http://ss501fighting.wordpress.com]

Osaka, Masako and the love of Chocolates

2010-01-08T00:42:00.000+02:00

I feel like I’ve been in a time machine, I swear I love the train system here. I can settle into my seat, pull out my computer, or book, or breakfast and just chill. I will never really understand why some people choose to drive to work when the train is right by them and is an easy commute. We US citizens get so attached to our vehicles. That’s why I purposely got rid of mine 1 ½ years ago. Lots think I’m crazy to live in the Los Angeles area without wheels. The truth is I do have wheels, and the motor are my two legs. I would rather ride my bike while running errands, or meeting friends. I know not everyone can do this, but I can and I choose to cut my impact on this world down any way I can. Guess that’s why public transportation in any city doesn’t scare me.

I arrive in Kyoto right on time. The plan is for another raw food teacher is going to meet me, I’ll check into my hotel, then hop another train south to the big

Sweetness in the train station!

city of Osaka to meet with students at Masako’s studio. I’m a bit bummed to finally get to the city I’ve heard so many good things about – then leave it again after 15 minutes… but I’m here to do a job and that job is very important to me. Raw foods is just getting started in Japan and there are lots of young women who are ready to go like gang busters in their country.

How cool - a juice bar in the train station too!

Masako speaks some English, but brought along a translator to make it easier on all of us.

During our train ride I mentioned that I hadn’t yet tried Soba for any of my meals. I saw their eyes light up – they would introduce me. They took me to a typical Japanese lunch spot and we all ordered our Soba noodles hot (traditionally they should be eaten cold) but it was on the verge of raining and the in wind was blowing and damn it was chilly outside! I know I’m not supposed to be eating wheat.. but these are buckwheat noodles and one big bowl is not going to hurt, right? Yummy,

Hot Soba.. Yummy!

yummy, I did the happy dance in my chair.. I couldn’t help it, it tasted so good. A very light broth and lovely toppings.. one had fresh nori, one had green mountain vegetables, the other had tofu. I got to try all three. Now it is custom and actually expected to make a slurping sound when youeat

The Market

Soba. I know it sounds rude, like something your mom would slap you upside the head for doing, but it IS the way here in Japan… and its fun using all your suction to eat.

We hit the fresh market on the way to her studio and the first thing I noticed is how cheap the prices were. Masako told me it was because it was a neighborhood market and NOT in Tokyo. Plus, she’s lived here all her life and knows where to get the good deals. We gobbled up Mikans (sweet small Japanese oranges) and grabbed extras and apples for my next couple of breakfasts. I’m a big fan of eating lots of fruits and veggies in the morning, although I’ve developed a habit here at following all the good stuff with a croissant, chocolate that is – damn sweet tooth!

Raw Food Students in Osaka

Masako has a small place but the familiar humming of the dehydrator made me feel right at home. I showed them how to make something similar to kale chips and she exchanged recipes with me, showing me how to use fresh daikon in a number of ways, including salads. Today was more of a lecture and Q&A with her students rather than a demonstration or hands-on class. I actually made a batch of raw chocolate truffles while still in Tokyo and had them couriered down for this meeting. Her students were absolutely lovely and had so many great questions. I went on and on about the lifestyle, what to expect,

Happy Masako

the ups, the downs, the energy, the “waking up”. Funny, we talked a lot about detoxing through juicing and hydro-colon therapy. There was a group gasp when I said that I have at least 2 more like 4 releases a day (that’s pooping). I had heard that constipation is a real problem in Japan and I can see why in some respects. I’ve eaten a lot of mocchi (pounded out sticky rice) and other forms. I promise to return to Japan and expand on the detox and tricks of

Female Bonding

the trade. All this lovely conversation went on while the women chomped down on my raw chocolate truffles and groaned with delight. It’s nice to see satisfied faces – every time. They loved my secret ingredients and the surprise middles in some of them. I promised to teach them the next time around too!

The day wasn’t over. Masako and a couple students wanted to take me out for a traditional dinner in Kyoto, so we jumped another train for the hour ride. Kyoto is a big city with many sections and

Pontocho, Kyoto, Japan

neighborhoods to explore but the main downtown is

Japanese Daikon Dish

right near the river and some of the cool old narrow streets which make this place so damn beautiful. We did some quick shopping then turned down Poncholo, a super narrow pedestrian street filled with good restaurants. Part tourist trap part real Japan. I had a 7 course meal, hot sake and of course some huge green salads. Every plate that came out was the absolute perfect proportion. I was reminded how we always tend to over eat in America and how grossly huge our portions are.. yucky yuck.

I had to excuse myself and try to get to my hotel as quickly as possible. Waaay too long of a day for me… then the hot sake put me right in the perfect

Sushi

mode for bed. I know I have a couple busy sight seeing days ahead of me and I’m going to need my beauty sleep. Ah nice to be at the final destination. Next time I will travel a lot lighter, I usually do. This trip I needed all the equipment and warm clothes so I left hardly anything in Tokyo. Next time, maybe I will come in a different season and really make a dent in my suitcase!

Hello Kyoto. I know I didn’t see much of you today, but don’t worry, I’m here for a couple days and will get to know you as well as possible.

Tempura

[Via http://kirstenintheraw.wordpress.com]

Bunka Fashion College

2010-01-06T01:49:00.000+02:00

Thinking about studying fashion? Ever consider Japan? Bunka Fashion College is Japan’s first vocational school for fashion and over the past 50 years has churned out graduates that have entered the Paris Collections (Yohji Yamamoto with Y-3 and Kenzo Takada with Kenzo as examples). The coolest thing about Bunka? The students! The school is within walking distance of the famous Harajuku district and the influences couldn’t be more apparent. There is such a tremendous diversity amongst the students, ranging from vintage to gothic to anime to just over the top. I have so much respect for this particular type of Japanese fashion because it speaks of a generation and you really have to be fearless to go out dressed like they do. All I have to say is I thought figuring out what to wear everyday was hard enough, I’m glad I don’t have to keep up with these guys.

Here is a video of one of their fashion shows. Enjoy!

[Via http://audiographic.wordpress.com]

Wii, a look ahead

2010-01-06T00:49:00.000+02:00

Will 2010 be better for the Wii?

Maybe. Lets look at some games coming out in 2010.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars

Who likes 2.5D fighting games? Retro style like street fighter? I Do! Coming out Jan 26, this is a MUST BUY.

Red Steel 2

The first one wasn’t that good. But this one may be. It’s a sword fighting and shooting game all in one. It could be a good one.

Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of The Moon

An Atmospheric RPG. What is an Atmospheric RPG? Don’t ask me, i’m not Japaneses. But it is an RPG, and it looks good.

Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love

A RPG by NIS, sure to be good…

Oh wait, the PS2 Version will be better! What??????

I’m going to shell out the extra $10 for the ps2 version. Its true, sadly, but i wont buy the crap version

Monster Hunter Tri

A good MMORPG, and the top selling Wii game in japan. Hmmm….

Arc Rise Fantasia

Finally coming out…

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.

It’s star wars. I want it…

Metroid: Other M

Ok, this one i really want. Really badly. Why?

Super Mario Galaxy 2

It’s mario….

Looks like a better year to me!

[Via http://randomabsurdity.wordpress.com]

Square Watermelons [japan]

2010-01-04T01:25:00.000+02:00

The Square Watermelon… chew on that for a moment, if you will. The first question that comes to mind is, “Why?” Well, besides its novelty value, there are actually several darned good reasons for making a watermelon in a square shape. Since these things make great gifts, it makes sense to package them in boxes and a square shape fits into a square box with the minimum amount of wasted space. In addition, the shape naturally lends itself to being bedecked in a decorative ribbon, birthday-present style.

Think of it, a delicious watermelon packed in a home-grown gift box! And a gift that will be appreciated, knowing the cost: figure about $80 & change for one of these babies compared to about $20 for a boring, unfashionable oval one. Naturally, you’re going to want to chill your prized gift, and the shape fits perfectly inside a Japanese refrigerator. Take it out, and it won’t roll away!

[Via http://jezzbean.wordpress.com]

Message of PEACE and SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

2010-01-04T00:39:00.000+02:00

Most fundamentally, at its heart, Kitaro’s music is always about sending a profound message of peace and spiritual development, both personally and globally and coalesces into an elegant and wondrously integrated masterwork.

KITARO – A World’s First

* 2010 Grammy Nominee Kitaro Featuring Jane Zhang

From Kitaro’s Concert on Sept. 26th in Tokyo

“Impressions Of The West Lake” featuring Jane Zhang

52nd GRAMMY® AWARDS NOMINEE!!

Kitaro’s newest album, “Impressions Of The West Lake” has been nominated for BEST NEW AGE ALBUM!!

» THE 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS NOMINEES LIST

On Los Angeles, CA (December 3, 2009) “Impressions Of The West Lake” represented the latest artistic success in the long, storied career of Kitaro. As a Grammy and Golden Globe award-winning artist, this incredibly prolific composer and performer has continued his reign in the international spotlight and at the forefront of musical innovation ever since the release of his debut solo album, Astral Voyage, in 1978.

His numerous recording highlights include 1986’s Tenku (his U.S. debut), 1987’s The Light of the Spirit (a collaboration with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Kitaro’s American breakthrough), as well as Sacred Journey of Ku-kai, a multi-volume series of peace-themed albums inspired by the tragedy of 9/11.

Now Kitaro has been nominated in the Best New Age Album Category for “Impressions Of The West Lake”. Read the Full article

[Via http://werichanel.wordpress.com]

Rare Tsushima Leopard Cat captured

2010-01-01T01:03:00.000+02:00

An endangered Tsushima leopard cat is recovering at a wildlife center in Japan after being captured in Tsushima City, officials said.

The cat, which was weak when captured, was being treated at the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center, the Mainichi Daily News reported Wednesday.

It had been several decades since a living Tsushima leopard had been taken into protection, center officials said.

full report: http://officialwire.com/main.php?action=posted_news&rid=65374&catid=7

by Pip G.

[Via http://punjapit.wordpress.com]

the land of the rising sun

2010-01-01T00:40:00.000+02:00

more like.. the land of fucking advanced technology!

We stayed at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel, Shinjuku Prince Park Hotel, and some place in Nagano. hehe.

There’s so much to do in Japan! It was exciting and fricken amazing. You can always easily take the subway/train anywhere. It felt great not to DRIVE everywhere. Now that I’m back home…. I still hate driving! I enjoyed eating. Yumm. Rice Balls <3 Sushi <3 RAMEN! <3 Yumm! Everything was so delicious over there!!!

What made this trip even better was our group of friends we had.

Me, Sister Julia, Brother Alex, Randi, Taka, Terence, Emily, Kaori, and Jayson.

We were the party

Anyways, enjoy the pictures

[Via http://kawaiihawaii.wordpress.com]

Japan regaining relevance. Again.

2009-12-30T01:50:00.000+02:00

If you’re focused on China, Korea, or Taiwan when it comes to Asia, you may be missing a great opportunity. In this article executive coach John M McKee comments on what he found in Japan last week.

————————————————————————————————————

I just returned from a trip to Japan . I was pleased to note that it no longer feels like a “formerly great” country. From the perspective of a business guy and an executive coach, it seemed to me that the country’s firing on all cylinders, again.

In Tokyo for one week and then up to Sapporo for another week, I had ample time to get a feel for the pulse of the country. It didn’t feel like life support is needed on either island. On the contrary – it felt vibrant, the people seemed upbeat in general. And, although Christmas isn’t celebrated much ( only about 1 million of the 136 million population are Christians so the lack of “traditional Christmas activities” was not surprising,) the stores were still very busy. People weren’t just kicking tires, they were out to buy.

I went to Akihabara, aka Electric Town. If you’ve never been there, make a point of finding it on your next trip to Tokyo. (Not hard, it’s right on one the main subway lines.) Japan has always had a great electronics industry and a trip to Akihabara showed that it’s not just alive but it’s thriving. I wish a lot more of their cool stuff showed up in North America and sooner. And, if you’re a shopper who thinks that Best Buy is the pinnacle of electronics retail; you’ll be blown away.

Some stores are 8 stories high. Other stores look like a “mom and pop” place opened at the end of world war 2. But it’s all wonderful and cool and inexpensive for the most part. You can’t think of any product with a cable or connector that they don’t have. Plus, they have staff, demonstrations, and education areas. If you arrived and weren’t sure what you needed, there is always someone to help you.

We all know that China and India are the Asian Tigers, consequently we spend a lot of time tracking their progress and watching their growth with deep respect. But it’s worth noting that Japan remains the second largest national economy after the US. They are growing their exports again – actually had a positive balance of trade with China last month. And judging by their leadership in fashion and anime over the past few years, they have taken a strong position in several cultural sectors in addition to their auto and electronic industries.

Up north in Japan’s 5th largest city of Sapporo (yes it’s the home of the beer and a brewery visit is in order when you go), the scene was similar. Shoppers were energized there too. The island’s tourism biz seems to be growing with great skiing and snowboarding adding to the luster of the wonderful and popular spring fed bathhouses in the mountains which housed the Olympics a couple of decades ago.

If you haven’t been to Japan – go. If it’s been more than 5 years, go again.

Keep an eye on this country – there’s lots to learn and it’s easy to forget with all the hype of their neighboring countries.

Looking forward!

john

[Via http://johnmckee.wordpress.com]

An arcade themed after the backstreets of China

2009-12-30T00:21:00.000+02:00

Like arcade cabinets themselves, sometimes the arcades where you play the games can be a work of art too. Take this Japanese arcade in Kawasaki which features eight stories of arcade goodness for those ages 18+ up. It’s entire theme is based off of “the backstreets of China” and reportedly feels much like walking into a place you would see in the game Silent Hill.

I am pretty sure that the theme alone would attract gamers of all kinds to this place but the sheer size of it is also something to behold. In my own dreams/plans for my arcade of the future I have hoped to evolve into something that would take up two stories but eight? Wow.

[Via Kotaku / Gamernook] [Discuss on the Forums]

[Via http://arcadeheroes.com]

Welcome to Japan, we have plenty of rope.

2009-12-28T01:08:00.000+02:00

I’m sure that you can tell from the constant flow of Araki posts that I am slightly fond of Shibari. To be honest, its not so much the sexual aspect of this whole production but more so the amount of work that goes into this. I’ve been quite familiar with Shibari for a while, but never really took the time to care for it. I believe I have been influenced by Nobuyoshi Araki and find myself seeking out as much Shibari photography as I can when I can.

As for the films, I could really care little for those as well. Its really just the photos and the shear discipline that goes into it. All that work for a few kept shots. When it really comes down to it, no one does it better than Japan. This guys are the fucking Michael Jordan’s of this shit. Western fools make very weak attempts at replicating it, but can’t even come close to touching it. Americans especially, always so worried about the technical phot aspect of it, with their goofy lighting, bullshit props, and horrible typical gothic styling. Go back to art school you fucking skels.

More pictures after the jump…

[Via http://acidsquid.com]

To Go

2009-12-28T00:43:00.000+02:00

by Nao

yu-ku, i-ku, okona-u, kō, gyō, an

“Let’s go” is “ikō” or “ikimashō” in Japanese. Also, you can say, “yukō” or “yukimashō.” The English verb “go” is “iku” or “yuku.”　The suffix “–mashō” makes words polite.

“Iku” and “yuku” are not always compatible. When you express one’s future, you can say, “yuku sue.” But don’t say, “iku sue.”

“Ichi gyō” means one row or one line. “Ni gyō” means two rows or two lines.

Since the suffix –me makes ordinal numbers, “ichi gyō me” means the first row or the first line. “Ni gyō me” means the second row or the second line.

Another meaning of kō and gyō is one’s behavior or action. Jikkō is practice, execution, or implementation. With the same characters, “fu gen jikkō” expresses a voluntary action without being declared to be done beforehand. Gyōsei is administration or governance. The sei of gyōsei means politics.

Iku means not only “to go” but also “to work.” When things work well, you can say, “umaku iku.” The opposite case is “umaku ikanai.”

The way something goes is described with a “-yuki” suffix.

Nariyuki expresses how things change. Kumoyuki means how clouds go. Kokoroyuki means how your heart goes.

Draw the left hand side of the character first.

Draw the sweeping stroke in the upper left corner of the character.
Draw the sweeping stroke below it.
Draw the vertical stroke.
Draw the shorter horizontal line.
Draw the longer horizontal line.
Draw the vertical line with an upward turn.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Why Japanese snacks wins people's heart

2009-12-25T02:15:00.000+02:00

I guess most young Hong Kong ladies would agree with me that snacks is perhaps the best part of Japan. It simply wins a woman’s heart in every aspect – variety and creativity of choices, flavor that pleases Asians and its sophisticated packaging.

Indeed, Japanese packaging is an amazing japanese traditional cultural heritage. It is undeniable that they really did a great job in amplifying this culture. However, Japanese packaging has been condemned by a lot of environmentalists. But guess what, isn’t it so true that packaging is what differentiate a Japanese product from a Chinese product? Isn’t that what makes a product appetite appealing and marketable?

Yet, packaging is too superficial for any product to excel in its industry – tastes is another crucial element for snacks. Japanese snacks is innovative in simulating all different authentic cuisines in their snacks. Here’s one representable masterpiece – Kinakomochi Choco.

きなこもち

Kinakomochi (日：きなこもち；粵：糖不甩；漢：

[Via http://whatfitsinmywardrobe.wordpress.com]

Mother

2009-12-25T00:25:00.000+02:00

by Nao

haha, kā-san, bo, mo

When you mention your mother in front of others, call her “haha.” We call Mother “o-kā-san” when we talk to her. “Haha” sounds polite and humble. “O-kā-san” is more common. If you want to call somebody’s mother or to talk to your own mother very politely, call her “o-kā-sama.” Even the common people use “o-kā-sama” to call others’ mother but calling your own mother “o-kā-sama” is only acceptable if you are from the upper class or if you want to beg her for something often with humor. By the way, small children call their mother “mama.” It’s an English loanword and written in katakana.

Mother’s Day is “haha no hi.”

A grandmother is sobo. The so of sobo means ancestry.

Your mother country is bokoku. Your mother tongue is bokokugo. Koku means a country and go means a language.

Unmo is mica. It’s a mineral. I could not find how this was relevant to mother.

The horizontal line is the last stroke.

Draw the rotated chevron-shape.
Draw the hook with an upward turn. These two strokes enclose the dots.
Draw the upper dot.
Draw the lower dot.
Draw the horizontal line.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Next in the queue

2009-12-23T02:16:00.000+02:00

After a loss of interest in blogging and being swamped for the past few months, this blog has suffered terribly. Recently, I’ve had a resurgence of interest in my blogging but unfortunately no time to post. I’ve got a backlog of photos, topics, and fun times. I had grand plans to blog this last weekend, but friends coming into town nixed that quickly. On Friday, we head to Hokkaido [Northern Japan] for our winter holiday. I’m sure that will only add to the backlog. I know, I know: too much fun to blog – such a hard life. In any case, there are some good times in the pipeline.

[Via http://bwinzer.wordpress.com]

Vegetables Facts and Tips 5: Sweet Potatoes (amended & expanded)

2009-12-23T01:20:00.000+02:00

SYNOPSIS:

I started this series (14 articles so far) quite some time ago to help my vegan and vegetarian (I’m not!) friends and omnivores as well because of the obvious health benefits.

Since then, I’ve learned and discovered a lot more information that could not ignored.

Therefore I plan to amend and expand all 14 former articles before I can continue introducing a lot more vegetables!

Incidentally、 nothing, pictures included, is copyrighted in my food blogs, so please feel free to use anything!

1) POTATOES, 2) TOMATOES, 3) BROCCOLI, 4) CARROTS

Sweet Potatoes or “Satsuma Imo” were first introduced to Japan in the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) in 1604 by the Chinese. It was then introduced in Kyushu in 1609, an area that grows 80% of the total Japanese production.

As rightly pointed out by Cometilblog, sweet potatoes should not be confused with yams or yama imo/山芋 in Japanese.

Sorry for making this basic mistake myself in soite of 33 years in this country!

It has been recognized in this country fro a long time for both its nutritional and pharmaceutical qualities.

There are over a hundred species in Japan, but the most popular edible ones (not the ones exclusively used for making shochu) have red skins and light yellow flesh.

Beni Azuma, mostly eaten in Eastern Japan. Turns very sweet upon cooking.

Naruto Kintoki, popular in Western Japan. Considered elegant and sweet.

Tosabeni, also attributed “No 14 value (top)”, is very sweet and is a “brand name” yam.

Cheese cake combination with Tosabeni Yam!

Manamusume, another “No 14 value” brand yam.

Gorou Shima Kintoki, particularly popular as baked yam.

Kogane Sengan, considered as the top shochu yam.

Tanegashima Mukashi Mitsu, a sweet yam with a beautiful orange colour and elegant taste.

Tanegashima Murasaki Imo, as above, but with a beautiful purple colour.

Annou Imo, rich in carotens, with a beautiful orange colour and very sweet.

Annou Imo cuisine!

Purple Sweet Road, an interesting name for a sweet tasty hybrid.

The same as above as hyokan Japanese jelly!

My personal favorite is the “Tanegashima Gold Imo” grown in Taneko Island south of Kyushu. It has the particularity of being red when raw before chaning to a rich golden color when cooked. Among other varieties, the violet yams are getting increasingly popular.

Tanekoshima yam (deep yellow), “common yam” (light yellow) and Murasaki/Violet yam.

The Missus particularly likes to mix the three above as a cold salad with mayonnaise or cream-based dressing.

FACTS:

-Season: September to November

-Main elements: Carbohydrates, Carotene, Vitamin B, C, E. Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, vegetal fibers.

-Beneficial to digestion. Good for the skin!

-Lose very little of its beneficial elements even after a long cooking.

TIPS:

-Choose specimens with nice color and a “fat/roundish” aspect!

-Plunge yam in cold water as soon as you have cut them. They will not lose their color!

-Boil, bake or steam long enough before taking skin off. Discard skin!

-Leaves can be eaten!

HEALTH FACTS:

-Combined with burdock root, or shiitake, or carrot, or spinach, helps combat colds, helps enhance skin health, helps combat llung and intestine cancer.

-Combined with devil’s tongue tuber, or hijiki sweet seaweeed, or beansprouts, or apple, helps combat cancer, constipation, obesity, and artery hardening.

-Combined with Judas ear mushroom, or shiitake, or seaweed, or hijiki sweet seaweed, helps lower blood cholesterol, helps combat obesity and diabetes.

-Combined with strawberries, or lemon, or pimentoes, helps combat stress, helps skin rejuvenation and intensifies appetite.

RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES

Not-Just-Recipes, Bengal cuisine, Cooking Vegetarian, Frank Fariello, Gluten-free Vegan Family, Meatless MamaFrank Fariello, , Warren Bobrow, Wheeling Gourmet, Le Petit Cuisinier, Vegan Epicurean, Miss V’s Vegan Cookbook

Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

About, Abridged, or Frugal

2009-12-23T01:05:00.000+02:00

by Nao

yaku, tsuzu-mayaka

When this character means “about,” it comes before numbers. Let me find an example from recent news. The Nagashima Museum in Kagoshima is currently exhibiting a figure of Moomintroll. The newspaper company, Asahi Shimbun, reports that the height of the figure is about 60 cm, saying, “takasa yaku rokujissenchi (60 cm).” Takasa means height.

While meaning “about,” “rough,” or “approximate,” this character also implies “abridged” or “to shorten.” Yōyaku (summary or abstract) and shukuyaku (abridgement) are related words. The yō of yōyaku means “a main point.” The shuku of shukuyaku means “to shorten.”

I think tsuzu-mayaka is almost obsolete, but it tells us the concise meaning of this character. It means humble and frugal. Setsuyaku (saving) and ken’yaku (thrift) are related words. The setsu of setsuyaku means “to save.” The ken of ken’yaku means “economical.”

Begin to draw the left-hand side of the character. Draw the sweeping stroke from the top.
Draw the short stroke connecting to the previous stroke.
Draw the stroke that parallels the first stroke.
Draw the sweeping stroke that is almost horizontal.
Draw the dot at the end of the previous stroke.
Draw the vertical stroke.
Draw the sweeping stroke on the left of the vertical stroke.
Draw the dot on the other side.
Go to the top. Draw the sweeping stroke.
Draw the hook.
Draw the dot in the hook.

In the dictionary, this is categorized as a 9-stroke character. When you write this character with a pen, the first stroke continues to the second one, and the third stroke continues to the fourth one.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Today’s Lunch Box/Bento (’09/78)

2009-12-21T01:24:00.000+02:00

Today’s bento is typical of a traditional Japanese lunch box in Winter.

As I have to keep the calories in check, the Missus slightly reduced the amount of rice and extra garnishes.

The rice was steamed together with some konbu/seaweed cut in tiny pieces she left mixed into the rice.

Being in a good mood, the Missus took particular care of the colours and design.

She covered half of the rice with fired minced chicken with black seasme seeds and made a “border” with young soy beans in their pods she had cut after slightly boiling them.

Instead of making tamagoyaki/Japanese omelette, she prepared iretamago/sweet Japanese scrambled eggs.

As for the garnish, she fried sato-imo/a variety of Jpanese sweet glutinous tubers with black sesame seeds, home-made pickled Kyoto carrots (deep red carrots), an an assortment of broccoli and cauliflower:

Boiled broccoli, white cauliflower and mauve cauliflower (grown in Shizuoka City!).

The dessert was kept very simple: grenadine compoted applaes and stewed sweet black beans.

Plenty and tasty, actually!

Please check the new postings at:

sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

Onsen

2009-12-21T00:13:00.000+02:00

One of the most lovely things about Japan have to be the natural Onsen… these natural mineral springs have been a source of rejuvenation and relaxation for hundreds if not thousands of years. Picture a beutiful winter day, with snow falling and the gentle trickle of icicles melting… then imagine yourself submerged in a 120 degree F. flowing deluge filled with shiny black river stones between your toes, and you can begin to appreciate this wonder of Earth. Nothing is as charming as an old fashioned ryokan, and paired with this natural beauty it can only be called paradise. Of course I have never experienced it for myself, but with a little imagination I am instantly there amidst the volcanic splendor.

Our friend Locohama spends many a holiday melting away the hours in these wonderful places, and for good reason. For a cold-weather junkie like myself, nothing beats a good hot soak while watching the snow fall like so many cherry blossom petals… such a thing is unheard of in America. They would say “well isn’t it freezing?!? how can you stand being practically naked in this kind of weather?” It is a paradox to the uninitiated, but to me it is sublime.

Of course you can visit onsen at any time during the season, for they are located all over Japan… but there’s something about the winter scene that just boggles the senses and enchants me to the point where I crave it like a junkie. There are also many different kinds of onsen; bicarbonate for smooth skin, iron-rich for blood flow and vitality, saline for body aches and muscle relaxing relief.

There is a good reason why people have used these miracles of nature for thousands of years… even the wild macaques get down with the onsen!

[Via http://mythirdeye006.wordpress.com]

Jill Stuart serves up a surprising new treat ~

2009-12-18T01:42:00.000+02:00

Known in the United States for its elegant plays between both frou frou and edge, the decidedly hip (and high-end) Jill Stuart label holds a different image in Japan, where it is coveted more for its cosmetics than its clothing. Department stores carry the pricey make-up line consisting of princess-themed, subtly embellished silver packaging, with every season release unabashedly bursting with spring-loving pinks, purples and greens. An absolute hit with the sophisticated and luxury-loving aesthetic of Japanese women, it makes sense that the brand would want to expand its franchise in the country.

Enter the surprising but delightful new offering from the brand – the elegant sweetXJillStuart Cafe, serving dessert creations made to look like the pride and joy of fantasy tea parties for perfect little girls. Ice cream parfaits with fresh whipped cream and seasonal fruits are served in charming Jill Stuart striped paper bowls, with matching cups for equally ladylike drinks. The containers match the overall concept of the store, which soothes and welcomes with a low-saturation concoction of creamy pinks, soft chocolate browns and ivory. Special limited-time food items are common, if not a must, in Japanese restaurants and establishments, and the cafe tempts guests in as well by offering the brand new Mixed Berries Yogurt (580 Yen – about US$6.50) and a nicely festive Strawberry Hot Cocoa (470 Yen – a little over US$5) exclusively for the holidays.

So far the Jill Stuart Cafe still has only one branch – amazingly not anywhere in Tokyo but in Osaka! Less surprisingly though is that the designer cafe is found in the Shinsaibashi district, Osaka’s main shopping area, offering a fitting place to relax after browsing the nearby shops: Dior, Harry Winston, Gucci, Samantha Thavasa, and Givenchy, just to name a few.

[Via http://breathingincircles.wordpress.com]

Back to the Jingu!

2009-12-18T00:51:00.000+02:00

[Via http://girlmeetsnippon.wordpress.com]

For Vegan and Vegetarians! “Forgotten” Vegetables 24: Pepino/Poire-Melon

2009-12-16T01:19:00.000+02:00

SYNOPSIS:

Organic agriculture and biodiversity have in recent years brought about a rediscovery of many “forgotten” vegetables that people especially in Europe and France conscientiously tried to forget as they reminded them of the privations suffered during WWII. The same people had then to make do with untraditional vegetables because potatoes, carrots and so on were confiscated by occupying forces or their own armies.

With sustainibility and bioagriculture made more important by the deficiencies of modern mass agriculture, those “forgotten” vegetables have suddenly come to the fore for the pleasure of all, and that of course of vegetarians and vegans!

This particular series of postings will introduce these vegetables one by one. I hope they will become useful for a long time to come to all my vegan and vegetarian friends!

1) Scorsonere/Oyster Plant, 2)Potimarron, 3) Vitelotte, 4) Rutabaga, 5) Cardon, 6) Panais/Parsnips , 7) Patisson, Topinambour, 9) Crosne, 10) Cerfeuil Tubereux, 11) Poiree, 12) Oca, 13) Ulluque/Ulluco, 14) Tigernuts, 15) Capucine tubereuse-Maschua, 16) Chataigne de Terre-Great Pignut, 17) Yacon, 18) Balsamite/Costmary, 19) Sikkim Cucumber, 20) Tree Spinach, 21) Chayote, 22) Strawberry Blite, 23) Purslane

Here is a palnt that can be considered both as a vegetable and a fruit depending upon its maturity.

Also considered as a great ornamental plant!

Pepino (Spanish/English) or Poire-melon (pear-melon in French) or Solanum muricatum in Latin is a species of evergreen shrub native to South America and grown for its sweet edible fruit. It is known as pepino dulce (“sweet pepino”) or simply pepino.

The pepino dulce fruit resembles a melon (Cucumis melo) in color and flavor and thus it is also called pepino melon or melon pear, but pepinos are only distantly related to melons and pears.

Another common name, “tree melon”, is more often used for the Papaya (Carica papaya) and the pepino dulce plant does generally not look much like a tree.

The fruit is common in markets in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, but less often overseas because it is quite sensitive to handling and does not travel well. Attempts to produce commercial cultivars and to export the fruit have been made in New Zealand and Chile.

They are being increasingly grown in Europe, France and Belgium in particular, where they can be found in all kinds of dishes.

Moreover, in the United States the fruit is known to have been grown in San Diego before 1889 and in Santa Barbara by 1897.

The plant is grown primarily in Chile, New Zealand and Western Australia. In Chile, more than 400 hectares are planted in the Longotoma Valley with an increasing proportion of the harvest being exported. Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador also grow the plant, but on a more local scale. Outside of the Andean region, it been grown in various countries of Central America, Morocco, Spain, Israel, and the highlands of Kenya. In the United States several hundred hectares of the fruit are grown on a small scale in Hawaii and California. More commercially viable cultivars have been introduced from New Zealand and elsewhere in more recent times. As a result, the fruit has been introduced into up-scale markets in Japan, Europe and North America and it is slowly becoming less obscure outside of South America.

Pepino and kiwano salad

It is a vegetable/fruit valuable for its vitamin C as it contains 29 mg per 100 g.

Depending on its maturity, its taste varies from a slightly sweet cucumber to that of a pear or melon.

Most adapted to salads, although can be cooked when immature.

RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES

Not-Just-Recipes, Bengal cuisine, Cooking Vegetarian, Frank Fariello, Gluten-free Vegan Family, Meatless Mama, Warren Bobrow、Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Punch, Kirsten’s Kitchen, Vegan Epicurean

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Please check the new postings at:

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[Via http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com]

Fairy Tale Illustration

2009-12-16T00:21:00.000+02:00

For this project in my Figurative Communications class, we had to pick a fairy tale and create an illustration for it. We had a one week sketch to finish deadline. The tale I chose was “The Ogre of Rashomon” which you can check out here. I did a drawing in pencil, scanned it, and applied some digital color. I think it came out nice, but the color on the Ogre is waaaaay too saturated. I was attempting to overcompensate for a crappy Kinkos print, but it printed pretty true to these colors.

Digital

[Via http://ryanfortney.wordpress.com]

Theme Song Album - Seventh Heaven

2009-12-14T01:47:00.000+02:00

Download: Seventh Heaven [DVD付期間生産限定盤]/ カラフィナ(Tak)

Seventh Heaven

# 商品番号: SECL-763

# メディア: アルバムCD

# 組枚数: 2

# 発売日: 2009/03/04

# 価格: 4800円(税込)

* 内容

劇場版『空の境界』主題歌プロジェクトとして、梶浦由記プロデュースのもと複数の歌姫の個性を駆使し、オリコンチャートの上位に食い込む活躍を見せた Kalafina。そのKalafinaの第一期集大成とも言うべき1stアルバム。期間生産限定盤は、劇場版「空の境界」第一章主題歌「oblivious」から第四章主題歌「ARIA」までの全てのシングル曲のライブバージョンと、第五章主題歌「sprinter」、第六章主題歌「fairytale」、第七章主題歌「seventh heaven」のビデオクリップを収録したDVD付き (「oblivious」「君が光に変えて行く」「傷跡」「ARIA」のライブ映像+「sprinter」「fairytale」「seventh heaven」のビデオクリップ収録)。スペシャル40Pブックレット (Kalafina撮り下ろしPhoto、劇場版「空の境界」場面写＋全七章イラスト、奈須きのこ氏による劇場版「空の境界」全七章主題歌書き下ろしライナーノーツ)、「空の境界」イラストワイドキャップステッカー、同時発売シングル「Lacrimosa」とのW購入特典: Kalafinaプレミアムライブ招待応募ハガキ封入。特殊パッケージ仕様。 ※2009年4月末までの期間生産限定盤。

【Artists】

Kalafina (アーティスト)　

【曲目】

1. overture

2. oblivious

3. love come down

4. 夏の林檎

5. fairytale

6. ARIA

7. また風が強くなった

8. 傷跡

9. serenato

10. 音楽

11. 明日の景色

12. sprinter

13. 君が光に変えて行く

14. seventh heaven

[Via http://ihobby.wordpress.com]

Lala Does Tokyo: Food

2009-12-14T00:37:00.000+02:00

As promised, here is a little glimpse of the things in the Japanese capital that I thought were interesting/funny/amusing/plain weird.

As we know, the Japanese are a very organized bunch and this is none more true than when it comes to their fast food. While there is not much of a personal touch when it comes to ordering your food over the counter, the process is smooth and the food handlers never have to touch dirty bills and coins because you place and pay for your order through a vending machine…

So you pick a picture of what you want to eat, punch it in the vendo and get your…

which appears on the blue side of this monitor…

And when your number appears on the pink side, that means your order is ready and you can claim your…

Not bad considering this was just at a truck stop between Narita and Tokyo.

Check out their Coke bottles in these lovely silver aluminum bottles…

On our last day, we had lunch at a food court in Aeon Mall. They had a similar food ordering set up with the vendo machines…

…but instead of a screen that would tell you if your order was up, they gave us these…

Beepers!

Very cool, I thought. No shouting out orders, no standing and waiting. You can find your table and just go to the counter when the thing sounds off.

In Ginza, the glitzy (read: not suited to our budget) commercial area, we entered

Mitsukoshi Department Store

to use the toilet.

And on the way out, I spotted…

Laduree!!! Right after I took this, some guy told me I couldn’t take pictures.

But the true heartbreak was that I decided to try just ONE macaroon. I wanted to buy a whole Y8,000 box to bring home but figured that if I bought it then, the pastries wouldn’t be so appetizing 4 days later in Manila. I was hoping we would be able to go back there but we didn’t!!! I will never forget my first encounter with a Laduree macaroon. It was caramel. Crunchy, flaky outside but moist and cake-y as your bite closes.. and the the sweet just gooey enough caramel in the middle… worth every damn cent, I swear. I was so entranced by this single pastry that cost about P250 that I forgot to photograph it. Annoying.

I know you’re dying to know about the sushi…

Does this look like it could disappoint?

Well, it didn’t.

The tuna was soft without a trace of that fishy smell. The toro was delightful and buttery but I ate it sans the raw quail egg yolk but the most surprising for me was the unagi. Just looking at it, you know it’s different from what’s served here. We’ve come to clasify unagi here as slightly chewy and rubbery and sweet but in its land of origin it’s very fine and somewhere between soft and flaky and it is not loaded with sweetness.

I also had the kani sashimi. As you can see there’s a freaky dab of grey mush on it. But being a fairly adventurous eater, I went for it and to my absolute satisfaction, I found that the grey stuff tasted somewhat like anchovies or think maybe of a stink-less, “clean” japanese bagoong. Awesome combination.

And last but not least… park food!

It deserves special mention because you know how I detest park food but at Tokyo Disneyland I was happy. They had interesting things like “butter and soy sauce” popcorn which I didn’t get to try but here’s what I did get:

The sandwich was smoked salmon and shrimp with a drizzle of wasabi sauce. It was yummy even when cold (because the wouldn’t heat it for me and it was like 6C out! Still, it was so much better than the crap in the States which was all fried tastelessness. Then I ended it with a melt in your mouth and not too creamy strawberry/angel food cake trifle/parfait dessert.

Burp…

[Via http://kikiandlalaland.wordpress.com]

To ARU MAJUTSU NO INDEX archives

2009-12-11T01:40:00.000+02:00

【介绍】

Download: 「とある魔术の禁书目録」ARCHIVES 1.mp3

商品番号: GNCA-1204

メディア: アルバムCD

组枚数: 1

発売日: 2009/03/25

価格: 2940円(税込)

[内容]

原作累计440万部突破の大人気ライトノベル原作のTVアニメーション「とある魔术の禁书目録(インデックス)」。その世界観を表す企画CDが発売!! オーディオドラマ、キャラクターソング2曲(インデックス、御坂美琴)を収録。

【Artist/Cast】

阿部敦 (アーティスト)　井口裕香 (アーティスト)　

佐藤利奈 (アーティスト)　伊藤静 (アーティスト)　

谷山纪章 (アーティスト)　胜杏里 (アーティスト)　

こやまきみこ (アーティスト)　新井里美 (アーティスト)　

インデックス(井口裕香) (アーティスト)　御坂美琴(佐藤利奈) (アーティスト)

【曲目】

1.オーディオドラマ・1stパート/ 阿部敦

2.”ありがと”の経験値/ インデックス(井口裕香)

3.オーディオドラマ・2ndパート/ 阿部敦

4.私らしくあるためのpledge/ 御坂美琴(佐藤利奈)

【介绍】

Download: 「とある魔术の禁书目録」ARCHIVES 2.mp3

商品番号: GNCA-1205

メディア: アルバムCD

组枚数: 1

発売日: 2009/06/10

価格: 2940円(税込)

[内容]

原作累计440万部突破の大人気ライトノベル。その世界観を表す企画CD第2弾が発売!!

大ヒットライトノベル原作のTVアニメーション「とある魔术の禁书目录」。そのオーディオドラマとキャラクターソングを収录した企画CDが登场!

〈オンエア情报〉 MBSにて毎周土曜26:55より、tvkにて毎周土曜26:30より、チバテレビにて毎周土曜25:35より、テレ玉にて毎周月曜26:00より、 CBCにて毎周水曜27:00より、AT-Xにて(木)13:00/23:00□(月)17:00/27:00 〈配信〉【PC】バンダイチャンネルにて毎周金曜日更新予定【ケータイ】ムービーゲートにて毎周金曜日更新予定〈収录曲〉上条当麻(阿部敦)&姫神秋沙(能登麻美子)のキャラクターソングとオーディオドラマを収录

【Artist/Cast】

阿部敦 (アーティスト) 井口裕香 (アーティスト)

佐藤利奈 (アーティスト) 上条当麻(阿部敦) (アーティスト)

くまのきよみ (作词者) 三浦诚司 (作曲者)

姫神秋沙(能登麻美子) (アーティスト) 大渕桃子 (作曲者)

大久保薫 (编曲者)

【曲目】

1.オーディオドラマ□1stパート

2.ゼロからの逆袭 /上条当麻(CV.阿部敦)

3.オーディオドラマ□2ndパート

4.终焉はどちら /姫神秋沙(CV.能登麻美子)

【介绍】

Download: 「とある魔术の禁书目録」ARCHIVES 3 .mp3

商品番号 GNCA-1206

メディアアルバム CD

组枚数 1

発売日 2009/07/24

価格 2940円(税込)

[内容]

原作累计440万部突破の大人気ライトノベル原作のTVアニメーション「とある魔术の禁书目录(インデックス)」。その世界観を表す企画CD第3巻が発売!! オーディオドラマとキャラクターソング(神裂火织&ステイル=マグヌス)を収录。

【Artist/Cast】

アーティスト/ キャスト

阿部敦 (アーティスト) 井口裕香 (アーティスト)

佐藤利奈 (アーティスト) くまのきよみ (作词者)

渡辺刚 (作曲者)

【曲目】

1.オーディオドラマ・1stパート / 阿部敦

2.under the cry / ステイル=マグヌス(谷山纪章)

3.オーディオドラマ・2ndパート / 阿部敦

4.Salvia farinacea / 神裂火织(伊藤静)

[Via http://ihobby.wordpress.com]

Japan-Slovakia 6-3

2009-12-11T00:47:00.000+02:00

Team Japan has really improved their form during the course of the World Floorball Championships in Västerås.

On Thursday they took their second straight victory when Solvakia was beaten 6-3.

Japan has won over a lot of hearts during the championships with their attitude and never say die mentality.

Against the Slovaks Team Japan came back from a 1-3 disadvantage in the second period to win.

This means that the Japanese team will end in 17:th place.

Japanese goal scorers against Slovakia:

Yoshiko Sato x 2

Asami Morimoto

Hisako Tsuzuki

Miho Nakagawa

Keiko Nakata

[Via http://zathletica.wordpress.com]

Get Your Fresh Crab Eggs Here

2009-12-09T01:22:00.000+02:00

One dear friend sometimes says, “Those Japanese – they’ll eat anything!” Although, we do eat a lot of (what Americans would call) strange food here, I have heard many Japanese people say, “Those Chinese – they’ll eat anything!” Everyone has a different perspective, don’t they?

Well, back on task: presenting a reason for my friend’s sentiment – eating crab. You maybe scratching your head now and thinking, “Eating crab is not so strange.” Indeed many Americans enjoy a nice Crab Louie or some boiled crab legs or some other delicacy; however, the crab consumption goes down a little differently here.

Photo number 1: A Crab. This variety is fairly common here and quite tasty; however, it is a little small which means more work getting at less meat. Most Japanese people are not deterred by this – sometimes even skipping over all but the largest leg sections – and the reason will become clear soon.

Photo number 2: A Crab with Egg Compartment Exposed. Crabs carry a tremendous number of eggs in a very small pocket on the bottom of their body. Turning the crab over reveals a lid with a tab, making it easier to open the crab than your average Tupperware. Significant numbers of Japanese people consider this something special to eat. Significant numbers means “not everybody”, much like the arguments in Norwegian families about whether Lutefisk is tasty or not.

Photo number 3: A Crab with Body Opened. Similarly simple is the process of opening the crab’s body. We call these contents kanimiso (蟹味噌) and most people consider this a delicacy. Some folks refer to this as ‘crab brains’ because the crabs head and body are the same thing. Actually, this is all of the organs necessary to run their body. There are two main consistencies to this material, either one being very easy to consume by spooning out from the shell.

Kanimiso is high in fat and protein giving it a rich flavor, plus it typically outweighs the meat in the legs. Along with ease of access, one can understand why the smaller leg sections might be ignored altogether. Would you eat these?

[Via http://shinbikkuri3.wordpress.com]

Capturing the Asian (Innovation) Opportunity

2009-12-09T00:41:00.000+02:00

From s+b

See Strategy+Business article

“One thing Asian companies are not reducing is their interest in innovation. (See “Profits Down, Spending Steady: The Global Innovation 1000,” by Barry Jaruzelski and Kevin Dehoff, s+b, Winter 2009.) Asia’s emerging economies, particularly India and China, are following the pattern originally set by Japan and Korea. They, too, were once known for low-cost manufacturing and mimicry of Western design. Over the years, Japanese and Korean executives deliberately built up their companies’ design and manufacturing skills and became global innovation leaders in everything from cars to mobile phones to plasma televisions. Now, the Chinese government’s five-year plan includes a similarly deliberate emphasis on creating an innovation-oriented economy. India’s innovators, although they have less government support, are active in such fields as health care, finance, agriculture, and public–private partnerships. (See “The Innovation Sandbox,” by C.K. Prahalad, s+b, Autumn 2006, and “Not Just for Profit,” by Marjorie Kelly, s+b, Spring 2009.)

Innovation is usually born of need and opportunity. And Asia has some of the greatest unmet customer markets and societal challenges in the world, with its vast rural areas, huge demands for natural resources, significant environmental problems, and aging populations. Many Asian governments will rely on private-sector innovation to help meet these challenges. For example, after paying little attention to air quality during its initial burst of industrial development, China has announced a plan to become the leading producer of hybrid and all-electric vehicles by 2012. Companies whose capabilities dovetail with this green strategy could find a lucrative welcome. Meanwhile, Toyota is developing personal-care robots that can perform housekeeping and nursing chores, which it intends to target to Japan’s growing senior citizen population. For the same reason, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm Kowa has set up a joint venture with Teva, an innovative Israeli drugmaker, to bring 200 new drugs to market by 2015. If such innovations succeed, other companies may follow.”

[Via http://newperception.wordpress.com]

Updates!

2009-12-07T01:12:00.000+02:00

Check out the updates page and see what I’ll be reviewing soon. If you have any suggestions just tell me. I haven’t decided, yet, on the next character. If you liked Ikuto, who else would you like to get to know more??? If you want me to review an opening, go ahead and suggest that too! Or a mangaka (I’m willing to read multiple mangas, whether it be adventure/ suspense to romance/ drama)! So go ahead and comment on what you want.

I will be doing Evan’s requests:

” bleach – hitsugaya, kenpachi

special a – Kei, Hikari, Megumi, and her guy. dunno his name.

btX… need I say more.

clamp characters specifically from: xxxholic, tsubasa resovoir chronicles

arina tanemura characters also. “

Also to keep up with what you’re reading you can join:

http://www.otakuzone.com/registration/index.php?sn=MTcyODV8YWlyYWlzYW5l

and also mangafox.com!!

If you love Kaichou Wa Maid Sama (KWMS) help get it back up to the top 5!!!

[Via http://hoshiihanashi.wordpress.com]

Harmonious

2009-12-07T00:45:00.000+02:00

by Nao

yawa-ragu, yawa-rageru, nago-mu, nago-yaka(na), wa

Something valued in Japanese society is wa – harmony. Wa creates a mild atmosphere, that is, nago-yaka na fun’iki. Fun’iki is an atmosphere.

Those who are stressed out need something soothing, which is expressed as nago-mu or kokoro nago-mu. For example, they might need a place to relax (kokoro nago-mu tokoro or kokoro nago-mu kūkan), or art that soothes them (kokoro nago-mu geijutsu).

To be softened or to become mild is yawa-ragu. To soften is yawa-rageru.

Waon is a chord. Reconciliation is wakai, of which kai is to understand or to solve.

Wa also means Japanese. Japanese cuisine is washoku. Japanese sweets are wagashi. Japanese tableware is washokki. Waei jiten is a Japanese-English dictionary like Kenkyusha’s New Japanese – English Dictionary. Ei means English. Jiten means a dictionary.

Wakayama is a prefecture whose capital is Wakayama city. Wakayama begins with the character.

First, draw the left-hand side of the character.

Draw the sweeping dot from the top.
Draw the horizontal stroke from the left.
Draw the vertical line from inside the first stroke to the bottom.
Draw the sweeping stroke from the previous strokes intersect.
Draw the small dot from the middle of the vertical stroke.
Start drawing the mouth. Draw the vertical stroke next to the arrow.
Draw the right-angled hook shape. Start the stroke from where you start the previous stroke. Turn the direction of the brush at the shoulder.
Draw the horizontal stroke at the bottom.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Latern Light and Japanese Culture

2009-12-04T01:21:00.000+02:00

“We may simply have lost our appreciation for handmade goods.” Igarashi san has been making chochin paper lanterns in his small shop for his full life. His pa too, and his grandfatherand great granddad and even great, great granddad. The tools & equipment that surround him today, in reality, have outlasted his ancestors, their wooden surfaces worn smooth with age. Since the start of the Meiji time ( 1868 – 1912 ) Kanazawa citizens have been buying Igarashi chochin from the store, in the heart of old Kanazawa’s merchant district, near the back of the castle. The shelves are stacked high with superbly decorated lanterns – colourful spurts of colour peppering the dusty confines of the little workshop.

Chochin lanterns have a fairly long history in Japan – there is evidence of them being employed in temples in the tenth century – and were used essentially as a transportable method of lighting. Only occasionally used within, they typically hung outside a home, temple or business or else in the entrance, prepared to be suspended on a pole and carried before anybody going out at night. Igarashi-san reckons that at one time they were so commonly used there would have been been around 40 or 50 chochin shops just in Kanazawa. These days there remain only himself and one other local craftsman in the trade and the other fellow (Matsuda-san) has long since diversified, making traditional umbrellas his mainstay.

Making a chochin is a fiddly, fairly delicate procedure despite the attractively the attractively simple appearance of the end product. And, when asked what are the most important qualities in his profession Igarashi-san replies, his bright eyes dead serious, “patience and concentration.” The average sized lantern according to Igarashi-san, at roughly thirty cm across, can be produced at a rate of two a day by one man including most of the painting. However some actually huge ones have left the Igarashi shop over time – his biggest was a matsuri monster measuring five shaku (1 shaku = 30.3cm in the old Eastern measuring system ) in diameter with an intricate year of the rabbit design on it. The old lantern maker is realistic about the fact that people want cheaper, mass-produced, plastic covered lanterns these days – he even sells them himself – but he is assured in the certainty that a well-made paper lantern is a lovely thing, superior in several paths to these garish modern impostors.

“You can repair a good chochin,” he tells us, “you can replace one rib or fix a hole in the paper no problem.” “Plastic lanterns have no internal frame and can not be patched.” A paper lantern regardless of how well made lasts only about a year ( natural beauty is always fleeting ) while a plastic one might last twice that and cost half as much. On top of that, we as a society might have simply lost our appreciation for handmade goods. Price has become our main incentive as clients. We don’t care to understand how things were made these days, or who made them, or else Igarashisan would be the prosperous head of a chain of shops.

The walls of the Igarashi Chochinya and his ready-to-hand scrapbook sport countless monochrome pictures and press clippings showing a proud, broad-shouldered young man with robust, thick arms and a fetching smile showing off stylish paper spheres with matsuri lights glimmering in the background. Modestly showing us them, his warm, friendly smile only slips barely as he tells us that he is going to be the last of his family line making lanterns here.

To read more about travel topics, visit famouswonders.com and while you are at it, check out Mount Fuji.

[Via http://japan308.wordpress.com]

[TRANSLATED] Big Bang TV Guide December Interview

2009-12-04T00:22:00.000+02:00

Big Bang- The group that will soon conquer the all of Asia, starting with Japan.

Big Bang has been busy with activities going back and forth from Korea and Japan. Their new single after 4 months, ‘Let Me Hear Your Voice’ is being used as the opening song for the TBS drama ‘Ohitorisama’, and is an R&B song perfect for winter.

GD: What makes the song attractive is the melody that’s like a whisper in your ears, and the stringed instruments in the background that fill up the atmosphere of the song.

TOP: Also note the lyrics that reflect the image of the drama.

The MV is about wanting to express how you feel to the person you love, and is definitely worth seeing. The Big Bang members, who always show a different side of them in each music video, also film their own love scenes.

VI: When I was performing as a solo artist in Korea, the concept was ‘sexy’ so I asked the director to put in a kiss scene in the music video. (laughs)

YB: I kept thinking to myself that it’s just acting since it’s I’m not in love with the other person, but it was still awkward and embarrassing.

DS: I’m the only one who hasn’t filmed a kiss scene yet! (laughs)

In Korea everyone’s busy with individual activities. G-Dragon released his solo album and stole the number 1 spot on the charts. TOP is acting in the drama ‘IRIS’ starring Lee Byung Heon.

DS: The fans loved Leader’s solo activities and so did I! His performances were really great.

GD: TOP’s drama is really exciting. Even when I’m in Japan, I watch it online because I want to know what happens next.

Big Bang has no time to rest, not with activities in Japan, Korea, and solo promotions. Are there times when you just want to run away from it all?

TOP: We really thoroughly prepared an escape plan once. But we failed. (laughs)

YB: If we ever run away, I want to go to Okinawa. But we’d get caught straight away so maybe it would be better to go to America. Just kidding, we’ll work really hard in Japan too so keep rooting for us!

thanks to sjay.x @ bbvip

[Via http://ibigbang.wordpress.com]

Tiger Woods Girlfriends

2009-12-02T01:14:00.000+02:00

Interest in Tiger Woods’ personal life has surged since his car accident last week fueled reports and rumors of an alleged affair with Rachel Uchitel.

More women have come forward claiming that they’ve have had affairs with golf superstar Tiger Woods. Jaimee Grubbs, the latest woman to come forward with allegations of an affair. Jaimee was a cocktail waitress in San Diego.

Jaimee Grubbs Says Tiger Sent Her Sexy Texts She met Tiger in Las Vegas in 2007. PHOTOS: Jaimee Grubbs’ Hot Photo Session Grubbs, told her story to the new issue of Us Weekly and provided sexual text messages she said she received from Tiger.

“I will wear you out…when was the last time you got (bleeped)?” one message read.

Another one from Tiger read, “Send me something very naughty…Go to the bathroom and take (a picture).”

Her story adds more fuel to the burning scandal that began when the National Enquirer published an exclusive story that Tiger was in a cheating scandal with Rachel Uchitel, a New York party girl. And while Tiger and Uchitel have both denied an affair, the Enquirer followed her to Australia, where she and Tiger were in the same hotel.

Before Woods married Elin Nordegren, he dated a law student named Joanna Jagoda. Jagoda from 1999 and 2000.

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[Via http://emptysuit.wordpress.com]

Fine

2009-12-02T00:18:00.000+02:00

by Nao

hare, hare-ru, ha-rasu, sei

It’s about weather. Fine or sunny weather is hare or seiten. When the weather forecast predicts that tomorrow will be fine, it reports, “asu wa hareru deshou.” Hareru means to become fine or clear. If the sky cleared up after bad weather, you can say, “hareta, ” which is the past tense of hareru.

The verb hareru can be used for other things that clear up. Your heart and mind are examples. You can say, “kokoro ga hareru” or “ki ga hareru.” Ga is joshi (a particle) that follows a subject. The former means that your heart lifted; the latter means that your spirit is refreshed.

Suspicion is also applied to this category. “Utagai ga hareru” means that suspicion is dispelled. While hareru sounds passive, harasu means to dispel. The things you can dispel with the verb, harasu, are bad feelings such as suspicion (utagai), gloom (usa), and grudge (urami). We say, “utagai wo harasu,” “usa wo harasu,” and “urami wo harasu,” respectively. In these situations, we do something proactively to dispel them.

First, draw the left-hand side of the character.

Draw the left side of the rectangle.
Draw the upper side and the right side of the rectangle.
Draw the horizontal stroke in the rectangle.
Draw the lower side of the rectangle.
Begin to draw the right-hand side. Draw the top horizontal line from the left to the right.
Draw the vertical line from the top.
Draw the second horizontal stroke.
Draw the third horizontal stroke.
Draw the vertical stroke on the left.
Draw the right-angled hook. Turn upward at the end and make a thorn-like ending.
Draw the horizontal stroke in the middle.
Draw the lower horizontal stroke. All the horizontal strokes are parallel.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]

Did Namie Amuro plagiarize?

2009-11-30T01:38:00.000+02:00

First it was G-Dragon who was under the scrutiny of Korean netizens, this time its Japanese artist Namie Amuro.

South Korean magazine has stated that Amuro’s cover for her upcoming album “PAST < FUTURE” is a copy and Japan’s netizens on 2ch are calling it an “international disgrace” and are saying that the cover should be changed immediately. Japan is very proud of its top stars so for a Korean fashion magazine to publish this is a disgrace, especially since South Korea has been ‘plagiarizing’ (so to speak) Japan (i.e. the TV/variety shows) earlier this year.

Amuro who will release her new album “PAST < FUTURE” after 2-years has gained popularity all over Asia. She is a Oricon Chart topper and is voted as ‘most liked celebrity’ and ‘nicest female artist and lifestyle’ (ok its something along those lines, not exactly).

This album is expected to sell more than 500K just in the first week alone. Last year her album, “the best Fiction (BEST FICTION)” sold over 1,800,000, so this album is no exception.

Who caught this album jacket fluke is David from a fashion magazine, who remembers seeing the same picture from a past March issue with Russian model Vlada Roslyakova. Amuro’s jacket photo is almost exactly the same in both composition and hairstyle.

While I am loving the cover of her new album, she really should change it. Korean netizens were all over G-Dragon’s so-called ‘plagiarism’, but now Japanese netizens are all over Amuro’s, especially since it’s from a Korean fashion magazine. I still love Amuro so she’ll still get much love and support from us. Technically netizen’s shouldn’t blame her, its her production team who came up with the idea (I think) so they should be blaming her management, she’s just the talent.

release date: 2009.12.16

AVCD-38010 / 3990yen (Tax incl.) $43.53USD

Pre-Order: CDJ

Track list:

1. WILD

2. Dr.

3. MY LOVE

4. COPY THAT

5. FAST CAR

6. BAD HABIT

7. LOVE GAME

8. Steal my night

9. Shut Up

10. The Meaning Of Us

11. Defend Love

12. FIRST TIMER

[DVD]

1. FAST CAR (MV)

2. LOVE GAME (MV)

3. The Meaning Of Us (MV)

4. Defend Love (MV)

5. WILD (MV)

6. Dr. (MV)

release date: 2009.12.16

AVCD-38011 / 3059yen (Tax incl.) $33.37USD

Pre-Order: CDJ

source: kukinews

[Via http://suitestaboo.wordpress.com]

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