This article is a bit unusual for this blog--a perspective on women's rights in post-war Japan with particular emphasis on what rights did, and did not, make it into Japan's postwar constitution. Definitely part of the Japan jigsaw puzzle! It's in the September issue of the No. 1 Shimbun in honor of the record number … Continue reading Miles to Go and Promises Unkept: Women’s Rights in Postwar Japan
Ikegami, less than 20 minutes from Gotanda on the Tokyu Ikegami trainline, is a major Buddhist center, but also a bit of a hidden treasure. Not many foreign tourists manage to get here, but they should. As an interesting "local" neighborhood and a major collection of temples, it even beats Asakusa and its Sensoji temple … Continue reading Archaeology and other surprises in Ikegami
By special guest blogger: Oliver Trapnell In the West, many people associate stone-related art with great masculine sculptures such as Michelango’s 'David', the Renaissance, and other famous names such as da Vinci and Donatello. Whilst these sculptors focused on realism, Japan was focusing on creating abstract works using the same canvas (in fact, at the … Continue reading The Zenith of Stone
We couldn't have picked a better day the visit the Ghibli Museum. It was raining lightly when we arrived, so the colors of the vine-covered building were especially intense; truly another world. By the time we finished, feeling sunny from the wonderful experience we'd just had, the sun had come out. We didn't deliberately choose … Continue reading Ghibli Museum: The Whimsical World of Miyazaki
Join me on a historical walk through part of the grounds of old Edo Castle and up to the castle’s outer moat. This walk will take 3 to 4 hours, and I know a great place for a late lunch at the end, so grab a good breakfast and start in mid-morning. We’ll start at … Continue reading Tokyo’s historical center of power: Edo Castle and its northern precincts
This article offers 10 ideas in and around Tokyo good for Golden Week, or other times. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
Jigsaw Japan 