I woke up this morning and was surprised to see on the news that there is a yearly Japanese new word / hot phrase prize awarded.  It looks like this prize is sponsored by a publishing company, and has been awarded annually since 1984.  You can check their yearly archive to see who won the […]

On Saturday I was working at the computer with the TV on, and came across a re-broadcast of the first two episodes of パパとムスメの七日間, a Japanese weekend drama that was on a while back. I usually don’t watch Japanese TV since it consists of essentially talentless タレント芸の人 (celebrities) on quiz shows, or possibly cooking shows, […]

A quick post. Today has been a peaceful Saturday, where I woke up early, did some housework, cleaned up around the place, and caught up on casual website reading. I also enjoyed my traditional hour or two at the local coffee shop reading my Japanese book – I will eventually finish this thing, but it […]

Portable Shrine for the ladies Jiyugaoka Crowd Priests at the station Entire Jiyugaoka Festival set One of the things that I have really come to look forward to is a weekend routine that I’ve fallen into over the past few months. I’ve posted previously about reading Japanese novels, and have continued to try to struggle […]

Last week, I took a trip to the National Archives of Japan, arranged by Visiting U.C. Berkely Professor Fred Gey.  I didn’t realize this, but the National Archives are a short five minute walk from where I work in Jinbouchou, right next to the Japanese National Museum of Modern Art.  The mission statement of the […]

Roppongi Hills Obon Dance Stage Taiko Drummers Yukata Dancers Kids dance also On Saturday I went to Roppongi Hills to see the movie “Ratatouie”. In Japanese, this movie is called “Remi’s delicious restraurant” which I actually think is a much better title. I had no idea what the movie was about when I saw the […]