The sport of wrestling has been around throughout various cultures since time immemorial. It is usually a friendly competition, traditionally between males, to measure their fighting prowess. In Japan, this is called Sumo and has very deep historical, religious, cultural, and even mythological roots. Sumo is pretty much synonymous with Japan’s history, and there’s a lot more to … [Read more...] about Exploring the art of Sumo (相撲)
Culture
How a Bible Was Recreated from Memory in Japan
“ON THE SEVENTH DAY DEUSU BLEW BREATH INTO THIS BEING AND NAMED HIM DOMEIGOSU-NO-ADAN, WHO POSSESSED THIRTY-THREE FORMS. SO THIS IS THE USUAL NUMBER OF FORMS FOR A HUMAN BEING.” Imagine if somebody told you that all the Bibles in the world had disappeared and it was your responsibility to recreate it from memory. Even those who grew-up going to catechism every Sunday would … [Read more...] about How a Bible Was Recreated from Memory in Japan
Nippon’s Digital Numerology: The Pocket Bell
In the 1990s while I was awkwardly transitioning from childhood to adulthood, the world was in the throes of another strange transitional period between analog and digital. It was a time when the internet was still charged by the minute and your high score in Slingo could be ruined when your sister picked up the phone and cut your dial-up connection. When emails were … [Read more...] about Nippon’s Digital Numerology: The Pocket Bell
The Decision-Making Powers of Janken
Picture this scene… You’re at an Izakaya with your mates, all having a great time. It’s towards the end of the evening when everyone notices there’s just one more piece of Tebasaki (手羽先, Chicken wing) on the plate in the centre, but there are 4 of you. Being the polite person you are, you don’t want to take it, but you don’t want it to go to waste either. After all, it goes … [Read more...] about The Decision-Making Powers of Janken
Momotaro Jinja: The surreal shrine to the boy born of a peach
It is safe to say that the legend of Momotaro, the story of a boy who was born from a peach, is the most well known fable in all of Japanese folklore. From as early as kindergarten, children are told the tale of the childless old couple that found a giant peach floating in the river, only to open it and find a small boy inside. Most residents of Japan are familiar with the … [Read more...] about Momotaro Jinja: The surreal shrine to the boy born of a peach