Noodles are one of the most beloved foods worldwide, with countless variations in different cultures. From Italian pasta to Japanese ramen, from Chinese lo mein to Thai pad Thai, noodles are a staple in many cuisines. However, one of the most interesting aspects of noodle consumption, particularly in Asian cultures, is the act of slurping. While it may seem impolite in Western … [Read more...] about Slurping Noodles: A Cultural, Practical, and Sensory Experience
Exploring the Simplistic Beauty of Wabi-Sabi (侘寂)
The daily struggle for perfection – especially on social media with its perfectly curated feeds – it’s becoming harder than ever to just take a step back and enjoy the moment with the things we already have. In the back of your mind, you know perfection is unattainable, yet the drive to be perfect – or at least to present yourself in a perfect way is very strong for a lot of … [Read more...] about Exploring the Simplistic Beauty of Wabi-Sabi (侘寂)
Japanese women’s breast size boasts 40 years of continued growth
Well, there's no denying it any more: the size of Japanese mammaries have become larger. We know this thanks to a survey by lingerie manufacturer Triumph International Japan, which recently made public the results of its research. According to Nikkan Gendai (Aug 7), the subjects of the survey were Japanese females between the ages of 20 through 60 years. And when the data … [Read more...] about Japanese women’s breast size boasts 40 years of continued growth
The Origins of Cosplay
If you’re in Japan right now you might have noticed the hordes of Cosplay enthusiasts in Nagoya and also Tokyo this year. Yes, it’s that time of the year again – the WCS – or World Cospay Summit is once again underway, bringing with it incredible costumes, dedicated fans, and perhaps one or two questions of why people are into this unusual hobby. Derived from a combination … [Read more...] about The Origins of Cosplay
Eat Like a Viking
The term All-you-can-eat is a cumbersome, mouthful of a word. Buffet is a good substitute, but not entirely accurate as some buffets are not unlimited. My personal favorite is the term smorgasbord, but even that is not always associated with food. If only English had a more concise word like the Japanese word tabehoudai, or the more colloquial Japanese term Viking. For … [Read more...] about Eat Like a Viking