Nihonde

Happenings in Japan (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-48364450-1', 'tumblr.com'); ga('send', 'pageview');

[nihonde]

If you like Japanese history and want to practice your Japanese, these manga can't be beat. I picked up a full set of these at Book-Off a number of years ago. Now you can read them all for free until 4/12.

[nihonde]

Tatsuo Horiuchi | the 73-year old Excel spreadsheet artist

"Cherry Blossoms of Historical Castle site" (2006) | click to enlarge. “I never used Excel at work but I saw other people making pretty graphs and thought, ‘I could probably draw with that,’” says 73-year old Tatsuo Horiuchi. About 13 years ago, shortly before retiring, Horiuchi decide he needed

Tetsuo Horiuchi uses Excel to create awesome works of art. Like these:

“I never used Excel at work but I saw other people making pretty graphs and thought, ‘I could probably draw with that,’” says 73-year old Tatsuo Horiuchi. About 13 years ago, shortly before retiring, Horiuchi decide he needed a new challenge in his life. So he bought a computer and began experimenting with Excel. “Graphics software is expensive but Excel comes pre-installed in most computers,” explained Horiuchi. “And it has more functions and is easier to use than [Microsoft] Paint.”

I wouldn't have even guessed this was possible.

[nihonde]

For those who don't know, papercraft is kind of like building models, only with paper instead of molded plastic.

As they do with many things, Japan hobbyists take it to a whole new level.

[nihonde]

Shorthand kanji forms (called 略字:ryakuji in Japanese) are something you're unlikely to come across in your Japanese studies (since they're technically

I'm not comfortable enough handwriting kanji to make use of any of the common handwriting shortcuts, but they're always interesting to know about.

I am with Lloyd and really hoping this one comes into common use:

Well worth reading the full article.

[nihonde]

Thanks to the coronavirus over 450 manga volumes are now free to read online

With much of Japan’s population staying at home in order to stay safe, manga publishers want to help them stay happy and entertained too.

Good news, everyone.

Thankfully, to help people keep their spirits up and combat boredom, a large number of Japan’s manga publishers are making their comics available to read online for free.

I haven't checked yet, but I would guess this is only available in Japan. If you're not in Japan, you might be able to fake it with a VPN.

At any rate, if you are a fan of manga and can access these, enjoy.

[nihonde]

Japan’s Mask Snood Fashionably Arrives Just In Time

Japanese online retailer Felissimo has sort of made their name on quirky animal-motif goods such as 3D hamster handkerchiefs and squishy cat paw handbags, one…

Fancy.

If you don't like this option, there's always the bra mask.

[nihonde]

Gov't set to revise law allowing Abe to declare state of emergency over virus

Japan is set this week to revise a law allowing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a formal state of emergency over the coronavirus, if needed, as Abe faces persistent criticism for his handling of the outbreak ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games. In perhaps his biggest test since returning…

Speaking of great ideas:

Japan is set this week to revise a law allowing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a formal state of emergency over the coronavirus, if needed, as Abe faces persistent criticism for his handling of the outbreak ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Because declaring a start of emergency is just the thing to cut off criticism. It worked so well with closing the schools, after all.

"He wants to appeal (to the public) because things are not going well," Kami said. He added the most urgent issue was not further limits on public activities, but beefing up virus testing and early treatment of elderly and other high-risk patients.

Naw, easier to cancel stuff.

[nihonde]

No Tokyo cherry blossom parties? Government asks citizens to refrain from outdoor hanami parties

One of the best things about spring in Japan might be non-existent this year because of the coronavirus.

From the Department of Wishful Thinking:

[O]n March 4 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government released a statement asking that people refrain from having parties, particularly those which involve eating or drinking, in municipally managed parks and riversides during hanami season. Ostensibly, the government would prefer if people refrain from parties in parks and other outdoor areas that aren’t under its supervision as well, but lacks the jurisdiction to officially make such a request.

More good ideas from the Japanese government for confronting the Coronavirus.

[nihonde]

Reselling masks in Japan could get you five years in prison under new government ban

Government enacts 47-year-old law to cope with panic buying and speculative hoarding.

I wonder... are people buying and trying to make a profit on masks really the main problem here? 🤔

[nihonde]

Memo Pad “Excavates” Architectural Sites with Each Sheet You Remove

Turning standard note-taking into an exciting excavation.

Another beautiful but not entirely useful stationery product from the land that loves its stationery.

Aptly (and loosely) translated to “fun block,” each one-of-a-kind memo pad reveals a beautiful architectural model as it’s used, turning traditional note-taking into an exciting excavation.

These look amazing, but I wonder how many people will have the patience needed to carefully tear each page off. Also, I bet they are expensive.

Anyway, some more shots:

[nihonde]

Maybe I've been in Japan too long, but Japanese schoolgirl uniforms just look cute to me. Sexy, maybe, depending on who is wearing them, but in general just cute. Korean uniforms, judging by the photos shown, look like business uniforms, like something I would expect office ladies to be wearing.

Go see all the photos and decide for yourself.

[nihonde]

I think he may have a problem.

[nihonde]

Uhm...

[nihonde]

Doug at Essays in Idleness:

At the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple we go to, there is a ritual called oshōkō (お焼香), where families go up to the temple before service and offer a little incense, as well as a small donation, usually a dollar or so. I’ve seen similar rituals at other temples too: Shingon Buddhist, etc. The word oshōkō simply means the burning of incense.

So, for those new to Japanese Buddhism, or if you are visiting a temple for the first time, I wanted to provide a quick overview.

I wish there had been a blog like this before I came to Japan in 2006.

I guessed the steps from watching the people who offered prayer and incense before me, but having a guide just to make sure would have been nice.

[nihonde]

The robot can analyze facial expressions and behavior, and can operate in 19 languages, offering the bank plenty of scope to expand the language coverage of its information provision, should the robot service take off.

Robots at the bank. What's next---replicants?

I suppose we should get used to it. Robots are out for your jobs

[nihonde]

James Darnbrook, looking at some of the mistake of *The Last Samurai:

Starting with factual inaccuracies first then, the rebellion led by Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) in the movie is focused on preserving a traditional way of life, most notably in the use of traditional Japanese weaponry. The Satsuma Rebellion, which the movie’s rebellion is based on, was not fought for these reasons.

The Satsuma Rebellion was fought by Samurai who were disgruntled about laws created in the 1870s that resulted in the loss of prestige and wealth for them. It was not because of some loyalty to traditional Japanese culture. Most notably both sides in the Satsuma Rebellion fought with guns and used western military tactics, going completely against what is seen by Katsumoto and his men in The Last Samurai.

[nihonde]

The beer vending machines are everywhere in Japan, but the saké vending machine (shown beside the beer one in the phone, but oddly not mentioned) is much more rare, at least in the areas I've been.