The genkan is the Japanese word for the sunken entryway that is in every Japanese home. What's so great about it? Well, let's start with the fact that they are usually made with outdoor tile, concrete, or other durable surfaces. Dirty or rough-soled shoes, rain or snow run-off, etc. don't damage them and there is no expectation that the area is going to look fashionable or beautiful. They're
vendredi 29 avril 2011
Will Miss #314 - the genkan
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
The genkan is the Japanese word for the sunken entryway that is in every Japanese home. What's so great about it? Well, let's start with the fact that they are usually made with outdoor tile, concrete, or other durable surfaces. Dirty or rough-soled shoes, rain or snow run-off, etc. don't damage them and there is no expectation that the area is going to look fashionable or beautiful. They're
jeudi 28 avril 2011
Won't Miss #314 - low ceilings and doorways
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Compare the height of these guys to the door behind them. You get an idea of the general height, though this isn't the best picture to illustrate my point.
I learned recently that my husband and I are each of absolutely average height for Americans at 5' 9" (175 cm.) and 5' 4" (162.5 cm) respectively. That means we are neither rather tall nor short. The ceilings in Japan aren't a problem for us
I learned recently that my husband and I are each of absolutely average height for Americans at 5' 9" (175 cm.) and 5' 4" (162.5 cm) respectively. That means we are neither rather tall nor short. The ceilings in Japan aren't a problem for us
mercredi 27 avril 2011
Will Miss #313 - miso soup
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
People talk a lot about authenticity and food, and I generally think it's a bunch of snobbery put forth by people who need to elevate themselves (via their tastes in food) above others about a trivial point. However, after years of eating Japanized American food and some experience eating Americanized Japanese food, I have no choice but to change my thinking in this regard. The origin and
mardi 26 avril 2011
Won't Miss #313 - "law and order" moral mentality
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Those who study psychology are familiar with Kohlberg's stages of moral development. For those who don't know about it, this theory breaks down the way our moral sense develops into 3 levels with various stages. At the second level is "law and order" determined morality. Japan is a shame-based culture, not a morality-based one (this ties into the lack of a strong religious backing which I
lundi 25 avril 2011
Will Miss #312 - food on sticks
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Back home, certain types of food are sold on sticks. Mainly, corn dogs, cotton candy, and lollipops. When it comes to "real food", you're more likely to get a bowl with a plastic utensil. In Japan, if it can be threaded on a stick, the Japanese will find a way. Fruit, vegetables, seafood, and any type of meat you can think of are skewered and served up for one-handed consumption.This method
vendredi 22 avril 2011
Won't Miss #312 - Akagi Gari
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Sometimes a mascot offers up such a disturbing image that I'm actually turned off of the company's products. Enter Akagi's "Gari" mascot. The characters huge maw reminds me of a slavering pervert than a kid who wants a tasty ice treat. You can't tell so well from this picture of a tanabata festival decoration, but here's a picture I pinched from Akagi's site:
He reminds me a bit of a Mad
jeudi 21 avril 2011
Will Miss #311 - free calendars
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
A gorgeous sumo calendar I was given for 2011. Best calendar ever.
At the end of every year, you'll see a lot of people walking around with shopping bags full of calendars. It's common in Japan for various companies to give customers a free calendar as they go around visiting them and thanking them for their patronage. Most of the time, these aren't the wimpy little freebies banks give out in
At the end of every year, you'll see a lot of people walking around with shopping bags full of calendars. It's common in Japan for various companies to give customers a free calendar as they go around visiting them and thanking them for their patronage. Most of the time, these aren't the wimpy little freebies banks give out in
mercredi 20 avril 2011
Won't Miss #311 - buying by the case
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
One of the best resources for homesick or thrifty foreign folks in Japan is the Foreign Buyer's Club. It is a mail order seller that imports food from the United States and sells much of it by the case. If you need specialty foods or items (like sugar substitutes or sugar-free foods for diabetics) or simply would like to buy things which cost a fortune in Japan as individual imports at a price
mardi 19 avril 2011
Will Miss #310 - the golden turd building
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
In Asakusa, there is a famous building which foreign folks often refer to as "the golden turd" building. It was designed by a famous French designer (Philippe Starck) and is occupied by Asahi Breweries. The building itself is less of interest than the fact that the people at Asahi at some point were shown a design, which obviously didn't look anything like a golden flame, and went ahead and
lundi 18 avril 2011
Won't Miss #310 - expats
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
I don't know if this lovely lady is an expat, but she probably is a foreigner (probably).
Many Japanese believe that a foreigner is a foreigner is a foreigner, particularly if they are of the Caucasian variety, and they think we all make a lot of money and have an easier life than they do. I believe that this idea is fueled by the existence of expatriates. Expats are the "trust fund" babies
Many Japanese believe that a foreigner is a foreigner is a foreigner, particularly if they are of the Caucasian variety, and they think we all make a lot of money and have an easier life than they do. I believe that this idea is fueled by the existence of expatriates. Expats are the "trust fund" babies
vendredi 15 avril 2011
Will Miss #309 - childhood memories (askew)
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Since I grew up a little less than a half century ago and the world has really moved on since I was a young pup, I rarely see things which bring on a sense of nostalgia for my youth. It's not merely that I'm in Japan, but also that the "stuff" I played with isn't around anymore. Occasionally, I'll run across something both reminds me of my childhood, but also is a reoriented memory that makes it
jeudi 14 avril 2011
Won't Miss #309 - sitting on the floor
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Sitting on the ground is what humans did before chairs were invented. Putting a pillow on the floor doesn't make the experience appreciably better, especially for those of us with bad backs and knees that find even brief periods of time with bended joints conducive to painful stiffening. Despite significant advances in chair technology, many people living in Japan still have furniture which is
mercredi 13 avril 2011
Will Miss #308 - omikuji
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
An omikuji with a small gold-colored trinket. You can see the box on the left has coin slots and a hole to reach in and take a fortune.
"Omikuji" are fortunes that can be purchased at Japanese shrines. Usually, they cost 100 yen and are little rolled-up bits of paper with messages on them. Sometimes, the fortunes include another trinket (and cost a little more). There are two aspects to this
"Omikuji" are fortunes that can be purchased at Japanese shrines. Usually, they cost 100 yen and are little rolled-up bits of paper with messages on them. Sometimes, the fortunes include another trinket (and cost a little more). There are two aspects to this
mardi 12 avril 2011
Won't Miss #308 - rakugan
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
One of the most beautiful Japanese sweets is rakugan. These are often served as part of Japanese tea ceremony and are pressed starches, bean or other types of powders, and sugar. They are extremely dry, too sweet, and also don't taste like much of anything. They are a perfect example of style over substance as they look good, but don't offer much in the texture or flavor department (unless
lundi 11 avril 2011
Will Miss #307 - Tokyo Metro Yellow Manner Posters
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
There is a particular series of "manner" posters that are regularly issued on the subways. They are always the same color scheme and from the same artist. The style is peculiar, but memorable and the messages in English are sometimes strange and surreal. Most Japan bloggers have pictures of the various posters on their blogs as new ones are released, but an easier way to see them is to check out
vendredi 8 avril 2011
Won't Miss #307 - Japanese coffee
Posted on 00:00 by Unknown
I know that people are thinking that American coffee is famous for being mud water and tastes terrible. I've heard that. Keep in mind that I didn't drink coffee until I came to Japan and my exposure to American-style coffee didn't come until after the advent of Starbucks. And, further, please keep in mind that this isn't some sort of competition between the U.S. and Japan but a blog about what I
jeudi 7 avril 2011
Will Miss #306 - "chibification"
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
A tengu, transformed from its ugly, fearsome self into this cute little doll.
Most people who are interested in Japan know the word "chibi". For those who don't, I'll say that it means small or child-like, but "cute" is generally also a part of that. In Japan, there seems to be literally nothing that can't be "chibi-fied" or turned into a small, cute thing and many pop culture icons are examples
Most people who are interested in Japan know the word "chibi". For those who don't, I'll say that it means small or child-like, but "cute" is generally also a part of that. In Japan, there seems to be literally nothing that can't be "chibi-fied" or turned into a small, cute thing and many pop culture icons are examples
mercredi 6 avril 2011
Won't Miss #306 - carb and calorie bombs
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
This plain-looking bit of sponge cake is a calorie bomb waiting to explode onto your thighs.
Early on in my time in Japan, most products did not have complete nutritional data on them. In particular, calorie information was not commonly given. These days, you find it on most, but not all foods. Generally, mass-produced food by major companies have such information, but traditional snacks or foods
Early on in my time in Japan, most products did not have complete nutritional data on them. In particular, calorie information was not commonly given. These days, you find it on most, but not all foods. Generally, mass-produced food by major companies have such information, but traditional snacks or foods
mardi 5 avril 2011
Will Miss #305 - cigarette brands
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
When I was a very small child, I used to wander around my grandparents house during my mother's visits with her mother. Since I'm 46 as of this posting, that was a long time ago. My grandfather used to collect old cigarette packs, cards, and paraphernalia and I'd entertain myself while my mother prattled with her mother by looking through his collection. That means I saw some of the types of
lundi 4 avril 2011
Won't Miss #305 - mistrust of imported food
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
One of the bits of marketing that you find appears on some food designed to be fed to infants and toddlers, as well as the odd product for adults, is the fact that the ingredients are made in Japan. When a package says, "made with rice grown in Japan," I wonder why it even matters. I think one of the reasons is that many Japanese people don't trust the safety of food grown in other countries. In
Posted in advertising, attitudes, food, food culture, Japanese culture, prejudice, won't miss
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vendredi 1 avril 2011
Will Miss #304 - Shinjuku Illumination
Posted on 00:15 by Unknown
Illumination, or lights, pop up all over Japan as the Christmas season approaches. There are some particularly spectacular ones in various areas of Japan which eclipse the one in Shinjuku for sheer breathtaking scope and beauty. The Kobe Luminarie is just one of them. However, it's not all about spectacle or beauty. It's also about atmosphere. The Shinjuku illumination has a special charm
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