Click on photo to read the feature This month’s Book Review: Newcomer Ghosts of the Tsunami is a page-turningly readable piece of narrative non-fiction, written by the Asia Editor of The Times of London. Using fascinating personal accounts – like why Buddhist priests had to brush up on their exorcism skills – he delivers poignant insightsContinue reading “APRIL 2020”
Author Archives: Jonelle Patrick
Creamy Sesame Noodles
You’ll never guess how healthy these sesame noodles are, because they’re decadently creamy…without the cream. Creamy Sesame Noodles Ingredients: 3.5 oz. (100 g) dried Japanese soba (buckwheat) noodles or regular pasta 2 T. (about two) sliced green onions Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish Diced cooked chicken (optional, but it makes a satisfying lunch if youContinue reading “Creamy Sesame Noodles“
The OTHER famous spring season
Embracing allergy season, one Japanese nose bra at a time Ahhh, spring is here, and in Japan, that means it’s time for The Annual Season! Cherry blossoms? No, ALLERGIES. And it’s not actually the cherry blossoms that are the big culprits, it’s those dang cedar trees that produce all the fragrant wood used in traditionalContinue reading “The OTHER famous spring season”
Why are Oreos more Japanese than sumo wrestlers?
A classic foreign cookie becomes seriously Japanese In last month’s Japanagram, we talked about turning foreign things Japanese, but I bet you never thought that the most extreme example of that might be…sumo. Foreigners have dominated this most sacred of Japanese sports since 1990. This photo, for example, is Asashoryu, the Mongolian who introduced revolutionary – and, forContinue reading “Why are Oreos more Japanese than sumo wrestlers?”
MARCH 2020
Click on photo to read the feature March Book Review: Ghosts of the Tsunami Ghosts of the Tsunami is a page-turningly readable piece of narrative non-fiction, written by the Asia Editor of The Times of London. Using fascinating personal accounts – like why Buddhist priests had to brush up on their exorcism skills – he deliversContinue reading “MARCH 2020”
Let’s see thousands of fish flags fluttering over a river
This month’s destination: Tatebayashi, in Gunma Prefecture Here’s something you won’t see anywhere else in the world: over four thousand colorful fish flags swimming over a river, just an easy day trip from Tokyo! Open: March 25 – May 10 (2020) Hours: Never closed Admission: Free For additional up-to-date information, visit the Gunma Prefecture visitor’sContinue reading “Let’s see thousands of fish flags fluttering over a river”
Newcomer
by Keigo Higashino Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Extremely engaging and satisfying In this Edgar-nominated mystery, Nihonbashi detective Koichiro Kaga pursues the killer of a recently-divorced middle-aged woman, solving all the little mysteries that crop up along the way as he eliminates suspects, one byContinue reading “Newcomer”
In Japan, be careful what you wish for
Because you might not get what you had in mind These characters read “ganbaru,” which is usually translated as “good luck.” What they literally mean? “Try hard.” Which explains Japanese culture better than almost anything I know. You think you’re saying one thing, but what someone hears in Japanese can be quite different. For example,Continue reading “In Japan, be careful what you wish for”
FEBRUARY 2020
Click on photo to read the feature Tasty Simmered Ginger Pork This Japanese winter favorite (called shōga-yaki in Japan) is fast, easy, and will make your kitchen smell delicious while you’re cooking! It’s utterly foolproof, and uses only a few ingredients that are easy to get anywhere…read more • Thousands of candle-lit igloos turn this village intoContinue reading “FEBRUARY 2020”
JAPANAGRAM ARCHIVE
Welcome! Here’s where you can browse all the published Japangrams. Each month’s features will appear in this archive at the beginning of the month, as soon as the next Japanagram is out. Click on the monthly photo to browse the contents of that issue, or click on the links below to go straight to eachContinue reading “JAPANAGRAM ARCHIVE”
Japanagram 