The Tokyo International Quilt Festival Late summer means awaordori dance exhibitions, and this swirl of movement captures that festival atmosphere perfectly (“Dancing in the Wind” by Masako Sakagami) You know how Japan embraces stuff from all over the world, and then turns it uniquely Japanese? Every year at the end of January, Tokyo hosts oneContinueContinue reading “If you thought quilts were a Western art, think again!”
Category Archives: January
Pre-battered suitcases and other weird travel necessities
Japanese fears, explained by travel products I used to laugh at the sheer array of disinfectant travel wipes for sale at Tokyu Hands (for planes! for trains! for public bathrooms!) but in this day and age, those aren’t so funny anymore. But there are a few Japanese travel aids whose entertainment value never grows old…ContinueContinue reading “Pre-battered suitcases and other weird travel necessities”
Did you win the Nov-Dec book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of All She Was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like an ebook or paperback (and if paperback, let me know a mailing address you’d like it sent to) and I’ll getContinueContinue reading “Did you win the Nov-Dec book giveaway?”
JANUARY 2021
Click on photo or link to read the feature Seasonal Secret: The grand pooh-bah of Japanese flea markets This treasure trove of a flea market only happens twice a year, but what a goldmine it is! Where else might you find a set of antique lacquer ozonibowls, a disgruntled workman doll, a pre-dial-era telephone, and aContinueContinue reading “JANUARY 2021”
Did you win the December book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Martin Cruz Smith’s December 6! If you think this is you, shoot a message to JapanagramJonelle@gmail.com and tell me if you’d like an ebook or paperback (and if paperback, let me know a mailing address you’d like it sent to) and I’ll get it to youContinueContinue reading “Did you win the December book giveaway?”
Let’s play Jeopardy!
For your New Year’s entertainment: An original round of Japan-flavored JEOPARDY Hello friends, it’s me, your virtual Japan Jeopardy host! Looking for a little fresh amusement? Throughout this long, long, LONG pandemic, I’ve discovered (quite to my surprise) that online trivia is one of the most satisfying entertainments around (not to mention it’s something toContinueContinue reading “Let’s play Jeopardy!”
OUT
By Natsuo Kirino Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Entertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: A fabulous thriller that skillfully conveys just how cold and ingenious ordinary Japanese people can be, when pushed over the edge. A brutal murder is just the beginning of this dark novel, where we watch an ordinaryContinueContinue reading “OUT”
Icicles of wonder
The Misotsuchi Icicles in Saitama prefecture To get an idea how huge these are, check out the size of the people next to the river! This secret Japanese pleasure isn’t a famous tourist destination—it’s really more of a pit stop along the way to Suwa City or the Werewolf Shrine—but it’s so spectacular in anContinueContinue reading “Icicles of wonder”
Japan’s pet obsession
Dogs in schoolgirl uniforms are just the tip of the iceberg In the land with the most rapidly shrinking birthrate in the world, it’s easy to see where all that energy is going… Now it’s the dogs that are wearing schoolgirl uniforms And aspiring to work at maid cafes They’ve settled the issue of howContinueContinue reading “Japan’s pet obsession”
Setagaya Boroichi: The mother of all flea markets
At first glance, this could be a typical flea-markety collection from anywhere such convos thrive. Until you look closer and see that it includes a vintage tailor’s iron, a set of gorgeous antique lacquer bowls for ozoni new year’s soup, a disgruntled workman doll, a pre-dial-era telephone, and a couple of courtesan’s tobacco pipes. AllContinueContinue reading “Setagaya Boroichi: The mother of all flea markets”
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