I recently blogged about Kabuki, one of Japan's more modern performing arts. Kabuki is highly entertaining wherever it is performed, but it is often said that there is nothing like seeing a Kabuki play performed in an historical theater in order to truly get the feel of the art. The trouble is, there aren't that … Continue reading Kanamaruza: the historic Kabuki theater of Kotohira
The frothy whipped green tea served in traditional Japanese tea ceremony is strong and bitter. But unlike Western style tea or coffee, one does not ever add sugar! That is not to say that we completely ignore Mary Poppins' maxim. Rather, for over 400 years in Japan, whenever traditional tea ceremony tea is served, it … Continue reading How Sweet It Is! Making wasanbon tea sweets
Japanese people love their noodles. Across the country, you can't visit any size community that doesn't have a ramen shop. But ramen is a Chinese import. There are lots of indigenous Japanese noodles, too. On a recent trip to Shikoku, I not only encountered plenty of these noodles, I got to have lessons in how … Continue reading Noodling on Shikoku: lessons in traditional noodle making
This article introduces the Iya and Oboke valleys of Tokushima on the island of Shikoku, describing 12 different sights or experiences not to miss when you visit. (Archived article - Originally published by Japan Today)
What is it about Manneken Pis--the statue/fountain of a little boy peeing--that makes it so popular in Japan? While the original is in Brussels, Belgium, Japan hosts no fewer than seven replica statues and innumerable effigies. For many Tokyo commuters, they can catch sight of the little guy daily at the south end of JR … Continue reading Boys will be boys – the Japanese fascination with Manneken Pis
