February in Japan is not fun. Cold and gray, its only festival involves demons, dry beans and smelly sardines. There would pretty much be nothing to look forward to, if it weren't for the... Plum blossoms! And although their blooming doesn't promise no more snow, plum trees bloom while every other flower and leaf isContinue reading "The fabulous flower season that happens when nothing else is blooming"
Tokyo Vice
By Jake Adelstein Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: Investigative reporter Jake Adelstein covered the yakuza beat for a Japanese newspaper like a boss, and his first person account will make your hair stand on end. This first-person account of how an American investigative journalist cultivatedContinue reading "Tokyo Vice"
The strange barbers of Yoshiwara
You've heard of Yoshiwara, right? The old Tokyo pleasure quarter? Well, it turns out that it wasn't just any old red light district—it was its own separate, weird society, with different laws, different social rules, and even its own language. The reigning queens of this alternate universe were the oiran—courtesans who were so exclusive thatContinue reading "The strange barbers of Yoshiwara"
Japanese Chicken Soup for the Soul
When it's cold and wet and dark outside, people in Japan long for comfort food just as much as we do, and this chicken soup will warm you right down to your toes. It's comforting, but a little bit different, all at the same time. Serves: 4-6 12 oz. (340g) marinated chicken pieces (recipe below)Continue reading "Japanese Chicken Soup for the Soul"
40,000 dolls dressed in Imperial court robes? Yes, please!
Katsuura Doll Festival in Katsuura, Chiba Every year, the town of Katsuura puts on a Girls' Day Doll Festival to end all doll festivals. Nearly 40,000 magnificently attired hina-sama suddenly appear all over town, in displays that are truly jaw-dropping. Just for comparison, here's a typical Girls' Day set, displayed on the traditional red steps.Continue reading "40,000 dolls dressed in Imperial court robes? Yes, please!"
DECEMBER 2020
Click on photo or link to read the feature Seasonal Secret: The Japanese art of gift giving If there were medals for gifting, the Japanese would own the gold and the Guinness record for owning the gold...read more • Beyond Tokyo: Millions of twinkling fairy lights, dancing fountain extravaganzas, and glowing cotton candy, all served up onContinue reading "DECEMBER 2020"
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 youContinue 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 toContinue 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 ordinaryContinue 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 anContinue 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 howContinue 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. AllContinue reading "Setagaya Boroichi: The mother of all flea markets"
NOVEMBER 2020
Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: In Japan, here's how they tip the hand of fate! If someone told you they wanted to move a meeting you'd scheduled because the astrology forecast for that day is too unlucky, you'd probably be moving them right off the payroll, wouldn't you?Continue reading "NOVEMBER 2020"
My Book Gift List
This list of excellent books that I read (or re-read) this year have these three things in common: They're compelling but not harrowing.The characters are enjoyable to spend time with.They're well-written, thoroughly immersive and escapist. • If you know someone who would like to read moreentertaining books by Black authors: Blanche on the Lam byContinue reading "My Book Gift List"
Did you win the November book giveaway?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of William Gibson's's Idoru! 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 you soonest. IfContinue reading "Did you win the November book giveaway?"
December 6
By Martin Cruz Smith Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: This is a fascinating snapshot of life in Japan on the brink of war, told through the eyes of one of the rare foreign residents Martin Cruz Smith isn't a Japan expert, but he's cracking goodContinue reading "December 6"
Nothing is weirder than Xmas in Japan
Santa blasphemy, blue poinsettias and Xmas hats from hell The first Christmas I spent in Japan, my head whipped around in a doubletake at the Santa with reindeer right next to a Godzilla made of white fairy lights. I stopped in my tracks when I heard churchy religious carols being played right alongside Jingle BellsContinue reading "Nothing is weirder than Xmas in Japan"
Let’s go see millions of twinkling lights
This month's destination: YomiuriLand An overview of the delights in store Even if you're past the age when roller coasters and carousels thrill you, get thee to Yomiuriland at night to see this annual twinklefest! Every year they deck the aging amusement park with millions upon millions of dazzling lights—designed by Motoko Ishii, the lightingContinue reading "Let’s go see millions of twinkling lights"
The Japanese art of gift-giving
Since we're careening into that present-exchanging time of year, I thought you might enjoy a peek into the Japanese art of gift giving. Not to put too fine a point on it, they are MASTERS. If there was a medal for gifting, the Japanese would own the gold and the Guinness record for owning theContinue reading "The Japanese art of gift-giving"
Marinated Pork Medallions with Melted Leeks
Special occasions call for special ingredients—this recipe is super simple if you start with ordinary bottled Japanese soba sauce (the kind used for dipping buckwheat noodles) and a relish called yuzu koshō that can be bought off the shelf.* These are both easily available online, if you don't have an Asian market near you. HaveContinue reading "Marinated Pork Medallions with Melted Leeks"
One stop shopping DECEMBER 2020
Here are books to delight everyone on your list There's no better escape than reading, and bookstores are the departure gates of 2020 Books are the perfect gift, because they can instantly transport us to other places and times, even when we can't travel there in person. I'm donning my author hat for a moment,Continue reading "One stop shopping DECEMBER 2020"
SPECIAL EDITION
A special edition of Japanagram to celebrate the publication of The Last Tea Bowl Thief! Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: Why is it so much harder to get a Japanese boyfriend than a Japanese girlfriend? The American character in The Last Tea Bowl Thief has had a longer relationship withContinue reading "SPECIAL EDITION"
OCTOBER 2020
Click on photo or link to read the feature Why, Japan, Why?: Tiny pants, the garbage police, and the more friends you have, the lonelier you might be There are some things that nobody who moves to Japan wants to learn. But sometimes it's these unwelcome lessons that unlock all kinds of other mysteries...read more •Continue reading "OCTOBER 2020"
Book News
Entertaining stuff you may have missed because you have a life If you're suffering from Too Much Jonelle, run! Save yourself! Guest blog, podcast & video roundup If you're already suffering from Too Much Jonelle, run! Save yourself! But I don't often blog or newsletter about the how-to and craft of writing, or the storiesContinue reading "Book News"
Gold-leafed ice cream, a samurai neighborhood, and a legendary garden lit up at night
Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture Worth the trip for this alone! Everybody thinks that the best time to visit this ultra-famous Japanese garden is during cherry blossom season, but if you go in the spring with the crowdy crowds, you'll miss one of the most spectacular sights in Japan: Kenroku-en Garden lit up at night in theContinue reading "Gold-leafed ice cream, a samurai neighborhood, and a legendary garden lit up at night"
Did you win one of October’s book giveaways?
If you recognize your email, congratulations! You just won a copy of Liza Dalby's The Tale of Murasaki! 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 toContinue reading "Did you win one of October’s book giveaways?"
Pop-Up Book Zoom
Finally, a get-together with friends that's designed to be fun online! The Last Tea Bowl Thief Book Zoom:Irresistable discussion starters,a diabolical trivia drinking game,and good fortune for all Want to spend time with friends, but shudder at one more talking head gridfest? The Last Tea Bowl Thief Book Zoom is for you! It's actually designedContinue reading "Pop-Up Book Zoom"
The weird world of bonsai chrysanthemums
The first time I saw these, I laughed out loud, because the idea of someone lavishing the kind of loving care necessary to train a bonsai seemed so ludicrous when applied to ghetto chrysanthemums Venerable bonsai pines, move over for...bonsai chrysanthemums! Yes, bonsai chrysanthemums are A Thing. And it happens in Japan every year inContinue reading "The weird world of bonsai chrysanthemums"
Idoru
By William Gibson Setting & details: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Authenticity of Japanese characters & dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Translation quality: N/AEntertainment value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My recommendation: This book imagines a Japan that's mesmerizing in its projections of near-future pop culture and chillingly prescient in predicting the kind of world that current technology is forging right now I've always thought it's a shame toContinue reading "Idoru"
How to tip the hand of fate
Not your lucky day? We can fix that! If someone told you they wanted to move a meeting you'd scheduled because the astrology forecast for that day is too unlucky, you'd probably be moving them right off the payroll, wouldn't you? Unless you live in Japan. In Japan, that's a perfectly legit reason to rescheduleContinue reading "How to tip the hand of fate"
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