Oftentimes referred to as man’s best friend, dogs hold a very special place in our hearts. Many stories tell of their undying devotion to, and kindness for their “owners”. Yes, I put that in quotation marks because the concept of “owning” another living thing seems downright disrespectful to me. Our furry four-legged companions are every bit as capable of the same emotions we … [Read more...] about Hachiko – An incredible story of loyalty, love, and friendship
History
Should Tattoos Continue to be Banned From Onsen in Japan?
Spring and early Summer means relaxation, travel, and for many people, it also means a visit to an Onsen (温泉; natural hot springs). As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of them, and visiting one is a must during a trip to the land of the rising sun. This could prove a bit difficult for some, however, as Japan has quite stringent rules against Tattoos in … [Read more...] about Should Tattoos Continue to be Banned From Onsen in Japan?
Why are there no Empresses in Japan?
The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women made headlines recently after deciding to remove criticism about Japan’s male-only imperial succession. The reaction in Tokyo, and the U.N. committees decision to amend the report, have riled up many in the international community such as activist and columnist Arudo Debito. Tokyo’s rejection of the … [Read more...] about Why are there no Empresses in Japan?
The Will to Secede: Japan’s Micro-nation Boom
As US secretary of state John Kerry makes the rounds in Asia, meeting with various heads of state, it is inevitable that the leaders of some nations will be overlooked. One such person is Ben Iwata, the prime minister of the Kingdom of Inobhutan, a portmanteau of “Inobuta” – a hybrid between a wild boar and a domesticated pig – and Bhutan. No meeting is currently scheduled … [Read more...] about The Will to Secede: Japan’s Micro-nation Boom
6 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About Samurai
Steeped in a long history and plenty of mystery, the Samurai 侍 have been a cornerstone of Japanese mythology since 794 AD (Heian Period). Having fought their way into popular culture worldwide, this Japanese cultural and historical export is now as recognisable as Sushi and Pokemon, and is even responsible for inspiring many costumes and story elements in Star Wars. So … [Read more...] about 6 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About Samurai