Here are the latest Pulsations, links to fresh stories and visuals about Japan, shout-outs to fellow bloggers, and highly clickable stuff that we think you might enjoy.
In no particular order, they are . . .
Japan’s Latest Culinary Adventure: Mayonnaise Art (from Weird Asia News): Think creating designs by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso is so yesterday? Try making mayo masterpieces on your beloved okonomiyaki.
Grand Pacific Le Daiba x Gundam Tokyo Front ‘Project Room-G’ (from Gundam Guy): This Gundam-themed suite is paradise on earth for Gundam fans. One fan, Gundam Guy, takes us on an incredibly detailed virtual tour through a “Room-G Special Type” suite.
Need something to perk you up at work besides coffee? Try Morning Rescue, a Japanese energy drink popularized by the anime “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” What would you do if a group of men dressed in orange overalls smashed through your ceiling and popped up right next to you so early in the morning?
Here are the latest Pulsations, links to fresh stories and visuals about Japan, shout-outs to fellow bloggers, and highly clickable stuff that we think you might enjoy.
Former yakuza busted in nationwide sting (from Tokyo Reporter): A story with all the makings of a mob classic, but this time it’s for real. Kenichiro Nakao, a former member of the Dojin-kai criminal organization, claims he had nothing to do with the fraudulent activity he’s been arrested for — big surprise there. The more you read, the more “former gangster” sounds like an oxymoron.
Homemade hayashi chuuka bento (from Being A Broad): Hiyashi chuuka is a healthy dish perfect for taking to school or the office. Here is a simple recipe with different combinations of meat and vegetables as well as detailed instructions on how to prepare it. Simple, delicious and inexpensive.
The life of director Ichikawa Kon (from Japan Navigator): Japanese culture blog Japan Navigator profiles the long life and career of film director Ichikawa Kon, active in the industry from 1936 until his death in 2008. Within his extensive filmography he is best known for “The Burmese Harp” (1956), “Alone in the Pacific” (1963), and “The Tokyo Olympiad” (1965). A must-read for fans of Japanese cinema.
Visual pulse:
J-vlogger Ciaela and her friends translated Adele’s hit “Someone Like You” into Japanese. The result is completely professional — and just as likely as the original to get stuck in your head.
Here are the latest Pulsations, links to fresh stories and visuals about Japan, shout-outs to fellow bloggers, and highly clickable stuff that we think you might enjoy.
In no particular order, they are . . .
You had me at “sumimasen…” (from Loco in Yokohama): Some foreigners enjoy the extra space they get on trains, when Japanese commuters are hesistant to sit by them. Others are offended, feel judged, and call it racism. In this personal anecdote, the author dives into the complexity of seat dynamics.
Deaf Net News (From Touching Sounds of Hands): Many deaf people were left out of the loop during the 3.11 disaster, as most news bulletins lacked sign language or subtitles. Enter Deaf Net News, an emergency channel specifically for the hearing impaired.
Tokyo police give shoeshines the boot (from Japan Subculture Research Center): With the new anti-organized crime laws, Tokyo police have been harassing and removing street side shoeshiners based on “public complaints.” Often thought to be protected by organized crime, shoeshiners have been struggling in recent years as the old generation is replaced with the new. As such, street-side shoeshiners, whose high prices cannot compete with more established services, may soon become a rare breed.
Microaggresions or Icebreakers? (From Gakuranman): If you’ve been keeping up with the firestorm sparked by Debito Arudo’s column on microaggresions, you may have had enough of it all. But if you’ve still keen for more, here’s an analytical work that dives very deeply into the details. So pull up a zabuton and prove your Zen-like focus by reading every word. You might just be able to use chopsticks when you’re finished.
