Monologues of an Otaku

My new CR-Z!

2011-04-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

On April 19th bought my first brand new car. A 2011 Honda CR-Z! Since I had no real plans to buy a car this came as somewhat of a surprise. Seeing as my 2002 Accord, Tomo-chan, was having continual problems, however, each of which led to very costly repairs, this seemed like the right thing to do. My new CR-Z, which as of yet has no name, is fully-loaded and is really, really kool and fun to drive. Needless to say I am absolutely thrilled. Still, saying goodbye to Tomoko-chan was a very sad moment for me. To be honest I cried a little. I will miss her.

Two days after buying my new car, I learned that Tomo-chan already has a buyer! Knowing that she won't be lonely makes me feel very happy. Hopefully her new owner will be able to complete the repairs she needs, and take good care of her.

Quakebook

2011-04-11T21:35:00.001-05:00

日本語

March 11th was very frightening for my wife and I. Until March 12th, we spent the entire time doing everything we could to confirm the safety of my father- and mother-in-law living in Sendai, but due to power outages and an interruption of phone services we were unable to contact them. The next day, our friend living in Tokyo, Emiko Orimo-san decided to drive to Sendai in order to help her family. That day, Orimo-san dropped in to visit my in-laws, confirmed that they were safe and took a photo of them for us. When we received the image via email and saw their teary-eyed, smiling faces I thought it was the most beautiful photo in the world. From the bottom of my heart, I am very thank for Orimo-san's kindness.

Since the occurrence of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster, I have been searching for a way to offer my support. Because I live in Chicago, going to the site of the disaster and providing support is impossible. Donating money to the American Red Cross was an effective method of helping, but rather than just sending monetary contributions I continue thinking about how I want to offer support to the victims living in the Tōhoku and Kantō regions that connects me to them emotionally.

On March 18th, "Our Man in Abiko" started a project for helping Japan. In order to heighten understanding and share the experiences and sentiments of the Great Earthquake's victims and their supporters, he drew upon the power of bloggers, and by combined their posts about the Great Earthquake and Tsunami, created a book. Immediately, I too sent Orimo-san's photo and my own writings to him. When my submissions were accepted, I was very happy. The book known as "Quakebook" has been quickly growing in fame and notoriety.

Now, Quakebook's the contributors are more than just everyday bloggers, celebrities are participating as well. In order for the book to be readable by people all over the world, the book is now being translated into different languages. Today, Quakebook was finished and became available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale of Quakebook will be donated to the disaster sites via the Japanese Red Cross. This is a very important project. To all readers of my blog, I kindly and humbly request that you please purchase this book.

Buy Quakebook: http://amzn.to/quakebook
For more information: http://www.quakebook.org/

Family's safety confirmed!!

2011-03-13T16:43:00.009-05:00

家族の無事を確認できて本当に良かった！！
The past few days have been absolutely horrifying and the final outcome of this catastrophe is still unclear. In the midst of all the concern and fear, my wife and I received a bit of very happy news in the form of a photo of my mother- and father-in-law. The photo was taken by my wife's highschool friend who made the long and potentially dangerous drive from Tokyo to their hometown in suburban Sendai. The photo shows our teary-eyed Mom & Dad smiling, happy and safe, and it's easily the most beautiful photo I've ever seen. My personal thanks go to all who kindly offered their words of concern and support.

The image on the left is a photo of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture-- a place where I was able to spend a wonderful time with my wife and Mother- and Father-in-law. Hopefully the sun will rise once again over this gorgeous landscape and the treasures that surround it.

Photo courtesy of RadioSioz. ＜　どうもありがとございます。

God Please save Japan.

2011-03-12T11:51:00.000-06:00

The past two days have been absolutely terrifying as my wife and I sit in our home in Chicago, unable to do anything at all, while continuously watching the news feed on NHK and trying over and over again to phone my mother- and father-in-law in Sendai, wondering if they are OK. Seeing the horrifying images on the news, I can't stop wondering if Mom and Dad are safe, if they have anything to eat, where they are, if they're cold or possibly scared... I can't stop thinking about my wife's Uncle, Aunt and cousins who live in Fukushima Prefecture. How are they holding up? Did their house survive the disaster?? The only fact my wife and I have is that Mom and Dad survived the catastrophe. We know this only because Dad was able to send a couple of text messages to my sister-in-law who then relayed them to us.

I see so many people's homes and lives washed away by the 10-meter-high tsunami. I see families on TV desperate for help and in dire need of safety and rescue. I often can't fight back the tears that spill from my eyes out of feelings of despair and fear for the lives of all the people in northern Japan, not to mention the helpless feeling of not being able to do anything to help them.

Power and telephone services are down throughout the region which has completely cut us off from any way of communicating with our family. Something so very simple as making a phone call is impossible, which is a powerful fuel for the feelings of worry and anxiety that have overwhelmed our home. To make matters worse, the growing concern about the Fukushima nuclear power plants' condition adds yet another degree of uncertainty and concern.

How will Japan manage to recover from this horrible disaster? Will the people of the country that I love so dearly ever be able to return to their normal lives? An 8.8 magnitude Earthquake is absolutely unimaginable. Unfortunately, the obscure nature of what lies ahead is bound to continue for quite some time.

Scandals in Sumō

2011-02-07T22:12:00.001-06:00

I never had too much interest in Baseball, and to be honest I am completely uninterested in American Football. Basketball bores me and most other popular sports like Golf, Tennis and the rest just put me to sleep. I rather like soccer but don't have enough interest in it to follow the careers of players or memorise team stats.

After spending the vast majority of my years hating sports in general I was really happy to find one about which I'm genuinely excited, and that fully captures my interest to the point where I'm disappointed when I've missed the televised events.

The sport that I love is Sumō! Every year I really love watching every televised match of each of the four annual tournaments. I enjoy keeping up with the wrestlers' statistics and watching their careers develop. I get excited about the history of Sumō and hearing about the achievements of the retired champs in comparison to the those of the up-and-comers.

Having explained this, I can scarcely find the right words to describe the disappointment I've been feeling after learning of the recent scandals and schemes that have plagued the only sport I love. The tragedies started this past summer when upper-ranking (ōzeki) wrestler 琴光喜 (Kotomitsuki) was expelled from the Sumō Association for his involvement in an illegal gambling ring that ran bets on professional baseball. Now, just yesterday it was announced that the 2011 Spring Tournament has been cancelled due to the latest scam, known as the 大相撲八百長問題 (Ōzumō Yaochō Mondai / Sumō game-fixing problem) in which wrestlers participated in match-fixing in exchange for financial reimbursement. 3 lower-mid-level wrestlers have been found to have incriminating text messages on their phones proving that they're guilty of the crime. Unsurprisingly, both the baseball gambling ring and the match-fixing problem have direct ties to the Yakuza, bringing further disgrace to the time-honoured sport of Sumō.

I don't know what the future holds for Sumō, but for now, there a lots of hard-working, honest people and fans who are greatly impacted by the cancellation of this year's Spring Tournament. Tickets were already being sold, preparations already being made, and excitement already building. Hopefully we'll still have the summer to look forward to. Hopefully the wrestlers who are sincere and honest still have bright careers to look forward to. Hopefully those that have ideas about participating in any shady activities will pull themselves together and steer clear of any wrong-doing. It would pain me greatly to see such a treasured tradition fall into the depths of shame and dishonour. I'm sure there are others who feel the same as I do, and probably many more who carry feelings that are even more impassioned than mine.

The poster used as the image for this post is about the investigation into the current match-fixing scheme. The title reads, 元大鳴戸親方『八百長―相撲協会一刀両断 (Gen Ōnaruto-oyakata 「Yaochō - Sumō Kyoukai Itten Ryōdan」). Doing my best translate this (after getting a little help from my wife), it would say, "Sumo Association Elder, Naruto-oyakata on Match-fixing - Getting Straight to the Core Issues."*

*Note: "Naruto-oyakata" is the proper way to address the current Japan Sumo Association Elder and head coach of the Naruto Stable, 隆の里俊英 (Takanosato Toshihide).

Tron: Legacy. A spolier-free review

2010-12-19T00:58:00.002-06:00

The original Walt Disney movie, Tron, was without a doubt one of the most influential films of my childhood and I watched it with great appreciation several times. Tron: Legacy was a long-time coming and is probably the perfect modernisation of this 1982 classic. As a sequel, Tron: Legacy comes full-circle from its origins presenting the audience with a complete picture of today's technological age and the modern human condition. Back in the early 80s, Tron was ahead of its time, and technologically like no other film that had ever been seen before. In 2010 it's pretty much impossible to pull off a feat such as this, so the trend of the present day is decidedly "retro," and one of technological revivalism. The creators of Tron: Legacy obviously recognised this fact and created a new film filled with symbolism and imagery that captures this modern theme.

Much like the original, Tron: Legacy begins in the "organic" world. The story starts by establishing the history of where we started, summarising the events that unfolded since that time, and then setting the stage for where we are now. Present throughout the start of the film is an amusing "good versus evil" presentation of the conflict between open source and closed source, proprietary software. My linux / unix open source friends out there will enjoy seeing a middle-finger subtly and quietly raised in Microsoft's direction. (^_^) From there, we are led on a short trip down memory lane, and then onward into the latter-day Tron: Legacy.

For many viewers, Tron: Legacy might, at face-value, appear to be little more than a 21st century re-make of the 1982 classic. Indeed the imagery, events and characters in the film do appear to be just that: Tron (the original) with a face-lift. The truth is, however, that if the creators had decided upon vast, significant changes, they would have robbed us of a wonderful chance to feel nostalgic and re-connect with a film that many of us hold very dear. This film pays homage to the original by re-capturing its most highly-prized elements, while providing the opportunity to enjoy them in a way that leverages the recent technological advancements in film-making.

While Tron: Legacy is really so much more than a mere remake, it is certainly not without its faults. Much like the original 1982 film, the pace of Tron: Legacy is, at times, very slow. This is an aspect of the film that can easily distract the audience away from the main theme of the story. The movie also utilises time-tested elements of the "good rebels" versus an "evil dictatorship" that will strike viewers as cliché. Furthermore, IMHO, the use of 3D did little to truly enhance the overall impact of the film and would have been equally enjoyable in 2D. Finally, the film also incorporates a fair amount of unnecessary and unavailing motifs borrowed from Japanese culture. I decided, however, to simply chalk this up to a condition of the film-makers' desire to be trendy, and didn't let it bother me. These somewhat-disappointing aspects of the film are actually very easy to overlook due to the fact that the main point of the story was subtly but effectively delivered to the audience in a way that brings simple understanding to an elusive concept. I'm talking about the concept of Wabi Sabi. (Yes. That's right. No, this is not a typo.)

Wabi Sabi is a Japanese concept that encourages us to appreciate the perfection that comes from, or is contained in imperfection. It is only now that I can return to the point I was making at the start of my post: technological revivalism. In these terms, Wabi Sabi is the embracing of analogue over digital, organic over inorganic, "user error" over algorithmic perfection. Among the many different details that grab our attention while watching Tron: Legacy, including well-made and realistic CG animation, wonderful nostalgia-invoking images, interpersonal human conflict, and even a dash of romance, this theme of Wabi Sabi is mischievously evasive. It is clearly there, however, for the attentive viewer to see. The message that's hidden in this Hollywood production is a subtle warning that in our relentless pursuit of perfection through technology, we risk losing something very precious indeed, namely our humanity.

Before finishing this post, I'd like to say a bit about the soundtrack, which of course was created and performed by Daft Punk. The music in this film is a bit of a departure from the bass-thumping dance-floor techno that we've come to expect from these artists. Tron: Legacy is accompanied by a sound that's decidedly more ambient-techno, and works very well as what it was intended to be-- a soundtrack! My thought, while watching the movie, was that Daft Punk did a great job capturing the feeling of Tron and created music that definitely enhanced the overall experience without trying to take center-stage.

I predict that Tron: Legacy will likely be met with its fair share of criticism, and is almost certainly not going to be up for any Academy Awards. I couldn't care less about that though. This movie is for us-- the fans of Tron who fell in love with the film back in the 1980s. For some of us, it's a chance to share the classic story with a new generation, in a way that's relevant for them. My advice is: don't enter the theatre with any unreasonable expectations or preconceptions about what you're about to see; just go and enjoy yourself. I really had a nice time tonight and I'm glad I went. Being able to share the experience with my lovely wife, who had never seen the original, was an added plus. Walt Disney-- I know you and I haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye over the past couple of decades, but you did a good job with this one. Thank you.

お客様は神様です　"The Customer is God"

2010-10-19T23:02:00.005-05:00

I came across an article in the Japan Times today entitled, "In Japan, the customer is not king." I usually try to stay out of discussions like these since they have a tendency to turn into flame wars, but after reading the article and the responses to it, I was compelled to offer my response, which I included below. Here is a link to the original article; my response follows.

I hope folks won't mind if I play devil's advocate here. My comments are not directed at any of the responses, nor are they meant to imply that anyone is wrong or insensitive. I merely want to offer a different point of view.
I haven't yet had the experience of being a resident in Japan, but I have spent quite a bit of time there. Furthermore, as someone who works for an international company that does business with big companies in Japan (both the modern and the antiquated ones), I think it might be a mistake, categorically, to draw inferences about Japan's ability to compete in international business based on the experiences of customers in Japanese shops and restaurants. Since this article is primarily focused on the experiences of the latter, I'd like to focus on that.
I know people are fond of the 客様は神様　"Customer is God" proverb、but it's important to remember that there are other factors at work in everyday Japanese consciousness that work in the opposite direction, as well.
I'm reminded of a passage in a novel by 向田邦子 (Mukōda Kuniko) in which the author observed a group of western ladies ordering breakfast at a hotel. She was very surprised that the ladies were so incredibly particular about the way they wanted their meals prepared. She reflected on the example her mother had set for her as a child, and on the idea of having compassion for the wait staff and the chef and cooks who will prepare the meals. She concluded that it's better to stick to the menu and keep it simple when it's tolerable to do so. Here, it might be suggested that the concept of "Customer is God" may include the supreme compassion of a god (lowercase 'g'), and not just the omnipotence of one. Now, Mukōda-san was a Showa era writer, of course, and we might conclude that things are or should be different in modern Japan. With this thought in mind, however, it may be more than just a coincidence (and more than just mere complacency) that "The common (Japanese) man or woman on the street generally accepts the way things are delivered in their vanilla form," no?
The examples given in the article appear quite extreme, so if I may, I'd like to relay an equally extreme experience I had not that long ago. My wife and I were waiting for our waitress at a restaurant in our neighbourhood in Chicago. The waitress was busy with a customer at the next table who was asking to have one of her ordered items substituted for something else. She then started asking about what kind of bread they have and if she could have a bagel instead of the choices she was provided. When the answer was affirmative, she went on to request that the bagel be split in half, lightly toasted and that the center be pulled out. I couldn't help but think, "What the hell?" Maybe this is supposed to be OK, I'm not sure. It seemed really extreme to me and bordered on rude considering the tone she used when speaking to the waitress. Regarding the experiences such as the beer with no foam, couldn't it be that the measurement of portion size in Japan is all about the volume/quantity and not the size of the container as it seems to be in the West?
Anyway, no conclusions here-- like I said, I just wanted to offer a different perspective. I would like to end by wondering something, however. If we are to expect of Japanese customer service the same standards we've become used to in the West, are we perhaps trying to inject a sense of western individualism into a society that basically operates just fine without it?

Ukon No Chikara - Japan's incredible hangover cure

2010-10-18T19:49:00.000-05:00

ウコンの力 (Ukon No Chikara / "The Power of Ukon") is a great power indeed and I have great faith in it. I was vacationing and working in Japan throughout June and the beginning of July this year. The night before returning to the U.S., I was out all night eating and drinking too much with some business associates. When I awoke the next morning in my Tokyo business hotel, I had to leave for the airport immediately after breakfast feeling absolutely *awful* and quite sick. Carrying my luggage around made it even worse. Before catching a cab to Ueno Station, I stopped at 7-11, bought 1 bottle of ウコンの力, and drank it down (the taste is neither good nor bad...kinda sweet). I was SHOCKED! By the time I arrived at Ueno Station 15-20 minutes later, I was already feeling 90% better! The only remaining symptom that lingered when I reached Narita Airport was a very mild headache which I knocked out with a couple of EVE A (150 mg ibuprofen pills). 15 minutes after that I felt like I never even had the hangover at all!

This is some amazing stuff! It *REALLY* works. I wish it was available in the U.S., although without the threat of a hangover I would probably be willing to get drunk more often. Perhaps the lack of availability is not such a bad thing.

日本語能力試験　４級　・　JLPT Level 4

2010-02-23T20:39:00.005-06:00

Today I received my official certificate in the mail declaring that I passed the 日本語能力試験　４級 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 4)! I know it's only Level 4, the beginning level, but I still have a strong sense of accomplishment and it feels great. Not to mention, this really motivates me to study even harder for this year's exam! I couldn't have done it without the support of my wonderful wife who has to put up with my awful Japanese. She's always helping me to improve and provides me with the opportunity to practice with a native speaker on a daily basis. I owe her my thanks. Additionally, I want thank my awesome Japanese Language tutor, Hata-sensei, who has been helping me to focus and speed up my progress. 今後も、よろしくお願いします。頑張ります。

Utada “In The Flesh” Tour 2010

2010-02-11T19:25:00.009-06:00

On Tuesday, 02-Feb-10 I went to see UTADA in concert at the House of Blues Chicago! Before writing anything else I feel I should admit that I can't really consider myself to be one of her biggest fans, and in fact it's been several years since I listened to any of her music. If a friend hadn't told me about the concert and offered to order advance tickets for us and our other friends interested in attending, I probably wouldn't have gone.

After actually going to the concert, I realised that missing it would have been a big mistake because I can hardly believe how much fun I had! The show was completely sold out and the fans were *really* into it! Utada rewarded us by singing all of her very best songs (IMHO), choosing ones that represented her entire singing career from the beginning to the present day, including favourites "Automatic" and "Sakura Drops." Utada, herself, seemed to really enjoy the show and although it's something to which she's unaccustomed, she told us, the intimacy of the venue really appealed to her. The fans were close enough to the stage that she was even able to hear one guy yell out, 「結婚してくれ！！」 (Kekkonshite kure!! / Marry Me!!).

Luckily, there was some kind of incident during the show that required the attention of the security guards near me. Because of that, I was able to take a few photos-- I'm sorry that they're so blurry.

Here's the video for what is now my favourite song by Utada. (Sorry Hikaru-san, I know you were just a teenager when you first released this one, but it's great!)

Utada Hikaru - Automatic

Perfume - ⊿ (トライアングル / "Triangle")

2009-09-19T21:04:00.011-05:00

Dear readers, before getting started, I should apologise for taking so long to post my review of this great music since I feel it deserves more recognition that this!

On 07-Aug-09 Perfume released their latest full-length CD called ⊿ (トライアングル / "Triangle"). What we have here is another collection of skillfully-produced dance-trance-talkbox-pop tracks that is sure to please fans and new-comers alike. Perfume has already made a huge impact on the music scene has once again has proven their ability to keep it going with their latest offering.

Listening to this CD straight through, from start to finish, I wouldn't necessarily claim that this is their best full-length, but it certainly does NOT disappoint. ⊿ has some absolute gems on it that provide evidence of Perfume's ability to grow and evolve despite their dedication to a music genre that's become over-saturated and watered-down over most of the past 2 decades. While I have been a fan of the group for several years now, I am still impressed by their ability to maintain a consistent and comfortingly-reliable sound while still managing to incorporate freshness into their productions. のっち (Nocchi), かしゆか (Kashiyuka) and あ〜ちゃん (A~chan) have continued to mature as singers and artists, and it shows!

⊿ contains a dozen tracks including the title track from Perfume's recent hit single, "Love the World," and a "⊿-mix" of the track "edge" from the same single. The mega-hit single, 「ワンルーム・ディスコ」 ("One-room Disco") is also on this release. Some of the new songs on the disc such as "NIGHT FLIGHT" and "I still love U" have a distinctly retro sound which definitely adds some charm to this release. Others are more akin to Perfume's classic style and they just make you feel good! The CD comes to a close with an "Album Mix" of the lovely ballad, 「願い」 (Negai / "Wish").

If you're skilled music hunter, there may still be a few of the limited edition CD+DVD sets available somewhere. The DVD contains some great material including Live performances of tracks from ⊿ and some of their musical appearances on TV. Great stuff! The headline photo of this post shows the cover art from the limited edition, while the other pic is the cover of the CD-only release. The limited edition contains both versions of the cover art, so if you prefer looking at the cute group-members, you can always flip it over.

All in all, ⊿ is another great success for this Jpop trio from Hiroshima. It's hard to go wrong with Perfume, and if you like this kind of music and enjoy their sound, you will be very happy with it! If you haven't yet discovered Perfume, however, I think I would honestly recommend "Game" as an ideal introduction to their sound. Please don't interpret this to mean that I dislike ⊿ in any way because that certainly would not be the case, but I do feel that overall, "Game" is better as a complete package. Enjoy!

Shiina Ringo - Sanmon Gossip

2009-09-08T22:39:00.011-05:00

Hello Monologues of an Otaku readers! I hope you'll forgive my recent silence. I've been incredibly busy with so many different things, especially my recently-intensified study of Japanese language. As a result, I'm pretty far behind on all the posts I've been wanting to write for you.

It would be a shame to put this one off much longer-- my review of the new full length from 椎名林檎 (Shiina Ringo) called 「三文ゴシップ」 (Sanmon Gossip). First let's talk about the title. 「三」means "three" of course, and 「文」is an old skool unit of Japanese currency equal to 1/1000 of a 貫 ("kan"). This comes from a historical period when money was measured in weight, which makes sense since "kan" also refers to an old unit of weight measurement equal to about 3.75 grams. You can see some money like this in old Samurai movies and on images of 招き猫 (Maneki Neko / "Lucky Cat"). SO, "Sanmon Gossip," loosely-translated into English, might be "3-penny Gossip."

Moving on to the topic I really want to discuss, the music! What can I say? This CD is SO AWESOME! Shiina Ringo seems to have an endless well of creativity, skill and musicianship within that mind of hers and once again I am really impressed. With no recent offerings from her other well-known project, 東京事変 (Tokyo Jihen / "The Tokyo Incidents"), Ringo-chan seems to have combined the two projects into a single effort instead, focusing the best of both into a fantastic solo project. This, combined with her standard, extremely-high production value, makes this an incredible CD! All this, and I haven't even mentioned Shiina Ringo's trademark style of Japanese word-play-creation that makes all of her song titles so kool and interesting!

In Shiina Ringo's 三文ゴシップ (Sanmon Gossip), she starts off by giving us a healthy dose of Tokyo Jihen-style J-Rock as well as a bit more of the sweet-sophistication J-Pop that she delivered to us in her previous full-length release, 「私と放電」(Watashi to Hoden / "Me and electric discharge"). From there she continues to explore her exemplary talent as a Jazz musician, once again combining her exciting and unique J-Rock style with the sounds of Rat-Pack-style Big Band, Swing and this time even Cha-Cha in the song, 「二人ぼっち時間」(Futari Bocchi Jikan / "Time for Two People Alone")! It's an endeavour that seemingly only Ringo-chan is able to accomplish with success while accurately capturing each of these different styles of jazz and at the same time managing to both stay true to her own distinctive style and maintain accessibility by a wide range of music-lovers.

Just when listeners start to think that this release has come to be strictly about Jazz, however, Shiina Ringo takes us in a new direction about 2/3 of the way through the disc! The track 「尖った手口」 (Togatta Teguchi / "Sharp Trick") can best be described as "industrial pop" which as far as I know has not yet been identified as a music genre. This is just further testament to her skill as an innovator.

Perhaps this sounds like it might be a bit of a shock for those of us who enjoy listening to her full-length releases all the way through from start to finish? Surprisingly, No! In fact, I think she planned this little diversion perfectly, doing her best to (quite successfully) make this CD really compelling. In the next couple of tracks, 「色恋沙汰」(Irokoizata / "Love Affair") and「凡才肌」(Bonsai Hada / "Mediocre-like"), Ringo-chan takes us on yet another diversion in which she explores music that starts to enter the territory of the broadway musical, incorporating many unique band instruments and even an accordion.

To finish the release Shiina Ringo, returns to her roots, filling our ears with the J-Rock/Pop sounds that caused all of us to fall in love with her in the first place. The final track, in fact, has all the feeling of that last encore that musicians play at their concerts, coming back out onto the stage one last time just to make the fans happy. For this "encore" she chose to do a totally KOOL vocally-harmonised A cappella version of her all-time favourite, 「丸の内サディスティック」 (Marunouchi Sadistic) that she calls the "EXPO Version."

三文ゴシップ (Sanmon Gossip) is a welcomed addition my CD collection which is sure to get lots and lots of play-time because of its variety and ingenuity. If you haven't yet gotten into Ringo-chan's music, do yourself a favour and treat yourself to this great music. You really won't be sorry; I promise! ^^

Midwest Bonsai Society Exhibition

2009-08-30T16:47:00.021-05:00

On Saturday, 15-Aug, I spent a lovely day with my wife and friends at the Chicago Botanic Gardens where the Midwest Bonsai Society was having their 33rd annual exhibition. On display were well over 100 bonsai trees that were grown and nurtured by this year's competitors as well as nearly 50 world-class bonsai. This was my first time to see the exhibition and so I was a bit overwhelmed by the vast display of all the different species of tree and numerous different bonsai styles. Many of the bonsai on display had contest ribbons on them, but not being a hobbyist myself (yet) it was nearly impossible for me to differentiate between those that placed in the competition and those that didn't, let alone to see the differences between the first, second and third place winners. All of them looked quite beautiful from my perspective.

While I was viewing some of the award-winning bonsai, I noticed that many of the top award-winners all had the same name on them; I was thinking that the owner must be one of the top experts in this area. A few minutes later a group of people came over and started talking about one of the trees and it wasn't too long before one of the men in this group started to pick up and turn one of them around, under the supervision of a tall, white-haired man. The older man, as it turned out, was the man who grew the award-winning bonsai. I was able to stand nearby and listen while he discussed some of the characteristics of the tree that won its first-place award. Symmetry, and something he kept referring to as "line" seemed very important. I also learned that with most bonsai styles, there is meant to be one "viewing" side, even though I still have fun looking at them from multiple angles.

The highlight of the show was a 90-minute demonstration by bonsai master 山地宏美 (Yamaji Hiroyoshi [English]) of 山松園 (Yamaji Sanshoen) in 高松市 (Takamatsu City), 香川県 (Kagawa Prefecture). Yamaji-san's specialty is working on pine trees, which is quite fitting since the name of his home city, Takamatsu, means "tall pine trees." In his demonstration, Yamaji-san took a lop-sided, mis-shapen pine tree and from it created a beautifully-shaped bonsai, guiding his audience through some of his various techniques as well as a few tools of the trade. Surprisingly, in order to complete the transformation, the tree had to endure quite a few "intrusive" procedures that included splitting and twisting the trunk, sawing, wedging and pruning. Once finished with the reconstruction work, there was a considerable amount of shaping, taping and bandaging to do, but the overall effect and future beauty could still be seen in its form. It was truly amazing and sometimes even shocking to see the amount of effort put into changing the tree into a bonsai. By the end of the 90-minute demonstration, the bonsai master was exhausted and soaked with sweat. Throughout the transformation, Yamaji-san repeatedly told his audience, "I don't do this in Japan;" he explained that the trees are typically trained into bonsai from the time that they're just saplings. I believe, therefore, that the presentation was primarily for the purpose of demonstrating technique and showing what's within the realm of possibility, rather than to complete a project in a way that is normal for bonsai hobbyists. In fact, Yamaji-san told us that this tree will be a show piece-- about 30 years from now!

The whole day was very enjoyable, not only because of the fantastic bonsai exhibition, but also because of the wonderful surroundings of the permanent gardens at the Botanic Gardens and the gorgeous weather in Chicago that day. I am very pleased that I was able to see this wonderful show. To make the experience complete, I purchased a bonsai of my own to bring home and raise myself. This is my Serissa Foetida, commonly known as Japanese Boxthorn, or Snowrose. Suzumiya Haruhu is there to cheer me on, too! Hopefully it will grow small white flowers in the late autumn months. I could see myself getting into this!

U.S. Immigration - Green Card

2009-07-28T22:33:00.017-05:00

In most of my posts I discuss going to Japan but this time I want to discuss the opposite-- getting into the U.S., via Immigration and Naturalisation Services, otherwise known as INS. During the past few months my wife and I have been in the process of applying for a green card so that she can obtain permanent, legal residency in America. Let me just say that it's been nothing like the land-of-opportunity story of hopes and dreams that's been so highly romanticised during this country's short, 230-year-old history. Instead, it's been a time-consuming, frustrating and somewhat stressful process. In order to explain what I mean, let me describe the parts of the process, which involves many different chores, tasks and fees some of which are fully expected and some of which are a bit surprising.

First comes the completion of several stacks of forms and paperwork under the supervision of an over-priced immigration lawyer. Many of the forms demand that both the applicant (my wife) and the petitioner (me) provide private and personal information such as in-depth facts about family history, employment and educational history, as well as full disclosure of financial information including income, assets, liabilities and taxes. In addition to this, a hefty application fee is collected.

Second is the gathering of documentation. In order to complete the process, INS needs birth certificates, a marriage certificate, passports, IDs, tax returns, paycheck stubs, bank and credit account statements, loan statements and proof of employment in the form of letters written by employers (written according to specific guidelines and containing all required information). Additionally, profiling and finger-printing of the applicant is required during this step.

Third, new forms are created by INS and the immigration lawyer, based on the gathered information. These documents need to be signed and dated and then returned to INS before a specified deadline. Although this step doesn't sound too hard, it's important to understand that you may or may not actually receive the documents in a timely manner. In our case, one of the documents was supposedly mailed to us, but it never arrived so we had to visit the immigration lawyer in person to obtain an original copy that we could use as a replacement. I can't even imagine what would have happened if we were unable to take time off from work to meet with the lawyer, or unable to travel there before the office's *EARLY* closing time. Thankfully for us, having full-time salaried jobs and owning a car made it possible.

Mixed into the whole process, after each of the above steps is quite a lot of waiting and wondering. Another such period of time occurs at this fourth stage, which is finally nearing the end of the process. During this time the applicant and petitioner wait for INS to schedule an appointment for both to meet with an immigration officer in person. Once your appointment date has been set, there is still some more paperwork to be assembled, such as new paycheck stubs, new proof-of-employment letters and copies of bills, insurance documents, photographs and anything that can serve as proof of marriage. If your immigration lawyer is a good one (which my wife's is not), s/he might pro-actively contact you to let you know what's needed.

This final interview appointment is what my wife and I did today, and is the reason why both of us took the day off work. Upon arrival at the INS facility downtown, the typical government-building experience awaited us, complete with sterile-looking walls and floors, security guards, police and metal detectors. In addition to this, the security guards have extremely well-honed skills that help them to speak to everyone entering the facility in a way that makes us feel like criminals with little more than a fifth-grade education.

Once my wife and finally I arrived at our destination, we were handed a pager similar to the ones that restaurants use to communicate that a customer's table is ready. We entered a large room and waited to be paged while we sat nervously and watched the scores of snobby lawyers, angry mothers who didn't complete all of their tasks correctly, and married couples consisting of aging, dis-sheveled white guys with their mail-order-brides. Thankfully, once our pager summoned us to the back-offices, the experience was a good one! A gentleman named Officer Whelan was assigned to our case, and although he was required to ask a lot of questions about our relationship, socioeconomic status and personal lives, he was kind and professional and treated us with respect and dignity. At the end of the interview he informed us that our application would indeed be recommended for approval and that we definitely had "no reason to lose any sleep." We left with smiles on our faces and huge feelings of relief in our hearts. My wife should have her green card within the next 60 to 90 days. Thanks Officer Whelan! To my wife's lawyer-- thanks a lot for nothing AND for charging a premium for it.

Nintendo and the Yakuza

2009-06-30T19:12:00.022-05:00

Recently I've taken a bit of an interest in Yakuza culture and have found myself reading articles here and there with great interest. Today I discovered something that truly amazed me-- that the world's beloved Nintendo video game company has connections to Japan's organised crime syndicates!

In order to explain this rather obscure and fascinating connection, I must first explain the origin of the word, やくざ ("yakuza"). This word comes from a combination of three very old Japanese words from a regional dialect: 八つ ("Yattsu" / Eight)　九 ("Kabu" / Nine) and　ざ ("Za" / slang word for 三 or "San" / Three). Yattsu-Kabu-Za ; 8-9-3. Take the abbreviated form of these three words and you get Ya-Ku-Za. Okay, so now that we've established that-- why "8-9-3?"

8-9-3 goes back to a very old Japanese card game called おいちょかぶ (Oicho-Kabu), which has some slight similarities to Blackjack. The game is not played with western-style playing cards, but with a Japanese 40-card deck called 株札 (Kabufuda). Oicho-Kabu was an integral part of Yakuza illegal gambling rings and became very popular for this reason. In Oicho-Kabu, 8-9-3 is the worst possible hand, and results in a score of Zero (yes, 20 = 0 in this game). Zero, being a losing hand is considered useless, and 8-9-3 or "Ya"-"Ku"-"Za," therefore, was used by regular folks to describe the "useless hands" of society. (Is that amazingly interesting or what!?)

Now that we've completed our history lesson, on to my main point-- Nintendo! What seems like it must be common knowledge to many folks was completely new and fascinating to me as I only found out about it this past weekend. When Nintendo was first founded in Kyoto back in 1889, owner 山内房治郎 (Yamauchi Fusajiro)'s business was the production and sale of Kabufuda (and also 花札 (Hanafuda)) playing card decks! In fact, each deck of cards was hand-made by Yamauchi-san himself! When he could no longer keep up with the huge demand, he hired some employees to help him and that's how the company grew**. The obvious conclusion, therefore, is that a large percentage of Nintendo's first customers were Yakuza!

I would like to state, at this point, that I was not able to find any specific sources of information stating that Nintendo's first customers were, indeed, Yakuza. Based on the time period, and the two groups' respective line of work, however, it seems like a fairly obvious conclusion. Please feel free to leave a comment for me if you have any evidence or information that illustrates the opposite.

**Nintendo still makes Hanafuda (flower-card) decks. One of their modern versions has drawings of all the Mario characters on them.

27-May-2011: NEW UPDATE! Further exploration of this topic was recently posted by Brian Ashcraft of Kotaku.com in his review of the book, "The History of Nintendo."

Nekojiru / ねこぢる

2009-06-20T00:50:00.008-05:00

Just recently I started reading a very unusual, interesting and sometimes even shocking and gives-me-the-creeps manga called ねこぢる (Nekojiru / "Cat Juice"). It's the first manga I've ever read in Japanese. I have to admit it's more difficult than I expected, although I have been enjoying the addition of lots of strange new words to my vocabulary. LOL!

橋口千代美 (Hashiguchi Chiyomi) (1967 - 1998) is the mangaka (manga artist/writer) who created this fine work, although she, herself, usually went by the name Nekojiru. The series ねこぢるうどん (Nekojiru Udon), which is now considered to be her finest work, first debuted in 1990. The main characters in Nekojiru are, as the title suggests, cats, primary focused on the cute little kitty brother and sister duo, Nyāko and Nyātta. Surprisingly, the lives of these cute cats are steeped in dark humour, paradoxical comedy, brutality, eeriness and just outright craziness. This probably sounds a bit strange and perhaps even off-putting to some of my readers, but I give you my assurance that this is what makes this manga so unbelievably appealing and fascinating! Quite possibly, some of the content in Nekojiru's stories was influenced by psychedelic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms which make appearances in her books from time to time. Admittedly, after reading one of the stories, I find myself feeling dazed and a little bit creeped out or even disturbed, but in spite of that, or perhaps *because of* it, I am eager for more! I think there is a lot to be said for manga that has the power to do THAT!

After an increase in popularity two anime adaptations of Nekojiru were created. ねこぢる劇場 (Nekojiru Gekijō / Nekojiru Theatre) aired in Japan on TV Asahi in 1999. Then, in 2001, the award-winning ねこぢる草 (Nekojiru Sou / "Nekojiru Grass") was released in both Japan and the U.S. (named "Cat Soup" in English). Sadly, Hashiguchi-san was unable to enjoy any of the fame surrounding her work since she had committed suicide by hanging herself on 10-May-1998, seemingly without any clear motivation, leaving no suicide note.

People who knew Nekojiru personally found her to be somewhat plain and misunderstood, but also unpredictable, mysterious and seemingly fragile if not for shadowy side of her internal personality which she expressed so powerfully in her manga. Whatever the truths of her persona may be, she was an amazing mangaka who left her unique and incomparable mark on the world for which many of us will be forever thankful.

Here are some links I'd like to include with my post:

Nekojiru homepage: http://nekojiru.net/
A wonderful up-close-and-personal English-translation of a memoir written by 吉永嘉明 (Yoshinaga Yoshiaki) in a book called 自殺されちゃった僕 (Jisatsu Sarechatta Boku) about his acquaintances with Nekojiru: Part 1, Part 2

Asahina Mikuru Goth-Punk

2009-06-14T18:26:00.016-05:00

I am so happy to announce another new edition to the family-- another member of 涼宮ハルヒの (Suzumiya Haruhi's) S.O.S. Brigade! Charming and beloved time-traveler 朝比奈みくる (Asahina Mikuru) has arrived wearing her goth punk outfit, making goth punk moe like no one ever has before. Of course, Mikuru-chan looks super cute regardless of what she wears!

She came from the future to investigate a huge time-rift that happened several years ago, that Suzumiya Haruhi created without realising it. I'm terribly curious about her experiences traveling through time, and also about her in-depth knowledge of science, but she always just tells me "きんそくじこうです" (it's classified). In any case, I'm happy she decided to stay in our time period for now.

Mikuru-chan was escorted here by the team of Griffon Enterprises and sculptor 山本雅弘 (Yamamoto Masahiro), the same duo who also invited Haruhi and Nagato Yuki to join us and dressed them up in their cute Goth/Lolita attire. We have seen quite a few beauties coming from Griffon these days and they seem to just keep on coming! Much like her friends Haruhi and Yuki, Mikuru-chan looks incredible and it's clear that considerable care and effort went into her outfit, accessories and hair; her overall appearance is absolutely jaw-dropping. I think I'm very luck that she's here!

Feature Foto #8: Kiyomizu-dera

2009-06-13T01:00:00.009-05:00

Today's Feature Foto is the doorway into the main Pagoda at 清水寺 (Kiyomizu-dera / Kiyomizu Temple) in Kyoto. The original site of this gorgeous Buddhist temple was first founded in 778 A.D. by a Buddhist priest from the Kita Hōso sect named Enchin. Due to fires that damaged the temple several times over the years, the building seen in this photo is from 1633.

The temple was named "Kiyomizu," or "clear water" after the nearby 音羽瀑布 (Otowa no Taki / Otowa's waterfall) originating from the hills that surround the temple. The fresh, clean water from the waterfall is one of the main attractions at the temple which contributes to the health and longevity of those who drink it. A visit to the temple wouldn't be complete without drinking a cupful of the Otowa no Taki water which is partially channeled into three streams that fall from overhead into a decorative pond. Visitors cross a small bridge over the pond and fill their cups with the therapeutic water as it falls from above.

The Hondo (main temple building) was built in devotion to Kannon in which a statue of the God is displayed. The Hondo houses one of the temple's most spectacular vantage points, with beautiful views of Kyoto-- the Kiyomizu-dera Stage, which also happens to be one of its most famous historic curiosities. The fame of the Kiyomizu-dera Stage comes from an Edo-period tradition of taking the 13-meter jump from the stage down onto the hillside below, the survival of which was believed to be rewarded with the granting of the jumper's wish. Only 85% of those who attempted it survived.

With all of the world-famous and stunningly beautiful sites to see in Kyoto, I think that the Kiyomizu-dera is sometimes omitted from travelers' lists of must-see places. I would strongly recommend that this wonderful temple NOT be skipped, however, as it's sure to leave a lasting impression on all who visit. I would especially recommend a visit in the autumn, when the Japanese maple trees that surround the site are in full, glorious colour. Please enjoy Kyoto-- one of the places I cherish most in this world.

If you have Google Earth, download Kiyomizu-dera's place marker.

おくりびと / "Departures"

2009-05-30T20:38:00.005-05:00

I went out with my wife yesterday to opening night of おくりびと ("Okuribito," a.k.a. "Departures"). I would just like to say first that it has been a *very* long time since I found any movie to be so unbelievably moving and deeply impacting as this one. The film is inspiring, humbling and truly beautiful in every sense, and the afterglow from seeing it is a lasting one.

The story is about a young couple named Kobayashi who leave their big city life in Tokyo after the husband, Daigo (本木雅弘 / Motoki Masahiro), loses his job as a professional cellist. Daigo and his wife Mika (広末涼子 / Hirosue Ryoko) return to Daigo's hometown in opulent Yamagata Prefecture where he finds himself taking a job as a the assistant of a funeral director (山崎努 / Yamazaki Tsutomu). At the heart of the movie is an enlightening celebration of the cycles of life and an exploration of the humanity in which each of them is steeped. As with most married couples, there are many ups and downs for Daigo and Mika as they experience their new life. Nothing could have prepared, them, however for the unusually challenging and deeply meaningful experiences that awaited them. What we learn from director 滝田洋二郎 (Takita Yojiro) is that every stage in human life is truly beautiful, even death-- which is but a gateway to the next stage. What gives our lives meaning, Takita teaches us, is people - the people that surround us and become part of our lives give them meaning and beauty, even when we die. Another impression made upon the audience is that the way we die, as well as the people who surround us during our "departure," are an indication of how we lived.

The director's telling of this engaging story is enhanced by the use of subtle, yet rich and expressive symbolism in which the film is enveloped. Every aspect of the characters' actions, the space they occupy, the objects that surround them and even the changing of the seasons were part of a thick canvas that Takita Yojiro used to paint a sincere and revealing picture of his vision for the film. All of this was further beautified by the gorgeous backdrop of Yamagata Prefecture's mountainous and exquisite natural and communal settings. (This really makes me want to visit Yamagata-ken!)

Finally the elements that really drew the film together into such an amazing work of art were the incredible talents of the actors! Motoki and Yamazaki, honestly were pure genius and really demonstrated their great skill in this movie. They were absolutely amazing and convincing to the point that the audience forgets all about their own lives and feels like they've become a part of theirs. All of the actors in this movie did incredible work and did a tremendous job of communicating the depth and scope of the director's vision.

As an aside, for students of Japanese language, it is fascinating to hear the movie's dialogue which was delivered almost entirely in Yamagata-ben. The movie also presents a rare glimpse into one of the most private and sacred aspects of Japanese culture-- "coffining."

I can't say enough about this incredible film, and even if I tried I could never really do it justice. Please go out and see it for yourselves, your lives will be enriched for it!! Just don't forget to bring a handkerchief!

The cast of おくりびと is going out on a roadshow this september - that is what the poster image is announcing.

Link to the official website
Link to the English Language Website

Burger Donuts!!

2009-05-28T00:19:00.006-05:00

These are the new "burgers" from Mr. Donut called "MosDo." They aren't really burgers, of course, but donuts that look like burgers! The burger buns are japanese-style sweet bread, the patties are made from chocolate, and the burger condiments are strawberry whip and strawberry sauce; green tea whip and green tea sauce! Get yourself a couple of these burgers, along with a side of "potadoughs," (or "potedo") and an iced coffee and you've got yourself quite a fun and tasty breakfast or snack!
These new offerings from Mr. Donut look so kool! I wish I was in Japan so I could try them, I'm sure they're quite yummy.

Loli Nagato Yuki

2009-05-26T22:34:00.008-05:00

Today's featured beauty is 長門有希 (Nagato Yuki), fellow member of the S.O.S. Brigade and companion/protector of 涼宮ハルヒ (Suzumiya Haruhi). Yuki-chan is an artificial human with supernatural powers and is the only actual member of the their school's Literary Club, which of course was hi-jacked by Haruhi in order to obtain a club room and headquarters for the S.O.S. Brigade. Yuki's role on planet Earth is to observe Haruhi and gather information about the evolution of humankind and our potential for autonomy. Now she's here observing my wife and I as well!

Yuki's looking so cute wearing her lolita outfit, complete with her ruffled dress and a teddy bear in her purse. She's here thanks to the craftsmen at Griffon Enterprises and the talent of sculptor 山本雅弘 (Yamamoto Masahiro) who's work also brought us Haruhi herself in her gothloli attire. Masahiro is giving us a rare chance to see Yuki-chan wearing something other than her school uniform which is what she's wearing most of the time when we see her. She is another win for Griffon and Yamamoto-san because of the impressive attention to detail and fine workmanship that went into creating her. IMHO, the craftsmanship of this figure is even better than that of her friend Haruhi in that there are no noticeable production flaws of any kind and the overall impact of her design is simply stunning. I hereby welcome Nagato Yuki as another cherished addition to the family. ^^

Goto Tadamasa's Conversion

2009-05-04T22:14:00.009-05:00

Goto Tadamasa is quite infamous in Japan as a boss in the 40,000-strong 山口組 (Yamaguchi-gumi) yakuza syndicate, one of the world's largest organised crime outfits with links to North Korea and operations in many other parts of Asia and in the U.S. as well. He is well-known for his extreme use of violence and aggression that includes activities such as the bulldozing of businesses that fail to pay protection money and the brutal beatings of his victims before the eyes of their families.

In 2001 Goto-san worked as an FBI informant in return for travel to the U.S. where he skipped to the front of the organ-donor waiting list with 700+ members to receive a life-saving liver-transplant at UCLA Medical Centre. Although he reportedly provided information that is available to anyone with an internet connection or the ability to read newspapers, his actions obviously infuriated his superiors.

Last September, Goto Tadamasa made a public spectacle of himself when he threw an extravagant birthday celebration for himself in 静岡県 (Shizuoka) and invited five of Japan's most famous enka singers (細川たかし (Hosokawa Takashi), 小林旭 (Kobayashi Akira), 松原のぶえ (Matsubara Nobue), 角川博 (Kadokawa Hiroshi) and 中条きよし (Nakajou Kiyoshi)) to participate in a golf tournament and lavish party. This, too, enraged his fellow clan-members and also resulted in the performers' expulsion from the NHK's annual oshougatsu celebration enka concert.

Four weeks ago marked a drastic change in life for the 66-year-old Wakagashira (boss). 08-April is a day that's honoured as the birthday of Buddha in Japan and on that day Goto Tadamasa was ordained as a Tendai Buddhist priest at 成願寺 (Jyoganji Temple) in 中野区 Nakano-ku (a district of Tokyo at the west edge of the city). It's a lifestyle change that's met with skepticism and criticism as well as with praise and understanding. Critics believe the move to be nothing more than an escape route away from the leaders of the Yamaguchi-gumi from which Goto-san has been outcast. Others are more sympathetic to his goals, and see him as a changed man who wishes to make amends for his life of evil and live the rest of his life in service to his fellow man. It's too soon to determine his true motives, of course.

What do YOU think?

Thanks to Jake Adelstein, former crime reporter for the Yomiuri Shimbun, for many of the details in this post.

Feature Foto #7: Yosakoi Matsuri

2009-04-18T23:37:00.000-05:00

The topic of this Feature Foto post is a style of dance called よさこい (Yosakoi). It has only been practiced as a dance form since the 1950s, but is a modernisation of a much older, traditional Japanese summer dance.

Every summer, people get together within their community to put a dance performance together, featuring clothing and symbols from their home neighbourhood, set to modern music. Each group of performers choreographs and practices their routines and then assembles together to take part in a huge celebration to present their performances at Yosakoi Matsuri which takes place in different places in Japan. This photo was taken at the スーパーよさこい祭 (Super Yosakoi Matsuri) held on the beautiful grounds of 明治神宮 (Meiji Shrine) in Tokyo. This particular dance troupe playfully calls themselves Baka Tokyo (Foolish Tokyo). I really liked the excitement and energy that I captured in this picture, which is why I chose it for this post.

Aside from the awesome dances, costumes and music that makes this colourful event so much fun, there is also an abundance of vendors selling delicious food, treats and drinks. One of the top selling snacks on this day was the cold and fluffy shave ice, mainly because the Super Yosakoi Matsuri takes place in August, and it must have been over 91˚F / 32˚C outside, with 95% humidity under a cloudless sky! I was sweating profusely just watching the show; I can't image what the performers must have felt.

Despite the intense heat, going to Super Yosakoi Matsuri was SO much fun and I think it's something that should not be missed!

Haruhi in Gothic Lolita outfit!

2009-04-10T15:59:00.009-05:00

Let's have a look at one of the most recent additions to my figure collection! Most of my readers probably recognise 涼宮ハルヒ (Suzumiya Haruhi) so I won't go into detail about this famous and awesome anime/manga series by 谷川流 (Tanigawa Nagaru). Haruhi is seen here in her goth lolita outfit courtesy of Griffon Enterprises.

As soon as I heard about this figure for the first time, I knew I had to have her and that she would turn out to be one of my most treasured additions to the family. Haruhi looks incredible in her gothloli attire and sculptor/designer 山本雅弘 (Yamamoto Masahiro) did some incredible detail work with her. The only complaint I have is that the production work done by Griffon is not *quite* up to standard. A close inspection of Haruhi is bound to reveal some imperfections that aren't normally present in a Kotobukiya or Max Factory product. There are a couple of irregularities in the paint work and she's got a *tiny* dent/knick on her dress that suggests hurried factory production, although I don't feel the end result takes away from the overall impact of this lovely figure. I am very happy that she's here!

Japan Prime Minister's new budget includes Manga Provisions!

2009-04-09T21:45:00.005-05:00

President Barack Obama is not the only world leader focusing on new strategies to renew his nation's economy, deploying new strategies for raising revenue. Prime Minister Aso Taro today revealed his new ¥15.4 trillion plan for revitalising Japan's stuggling economy. The two leaders have some common themes in their approach such as reduction of dependency on carbon, provisions for retirement and health care, reform of the private financial sector and stimulus packages for their nation's citizens.

Prime Minister Aso also announced plans for heavy investment in Japan's "soft power" businesses such as anime, manga and fashion! The Prime Minister recognises the increasing popularity and power of these businesses, especially in the overseas markets. His plan calls for the creation of 500,000 new jobs in these businesses/arts over the next 12 years in hopes of tripling or quadrupling their revenue-generation.

This is awesome news for anime/manga addicts everywhere including Aso-san himself who is a self-proclaimed enthusiast. To think that the hobby interests of so many people like me are going to help rebuild Japan's economy is totally kool! It's wonderful in fact. Perhaps this will even help to increase the Prime Minister's diminished approval rating; he's already gained a few points in my book. Way to go Aso-san, keep up the good work!

Sources:
AFP News
jiji.com
Japan Today

***Please Note that I shopped this image for dramatic effect. I am definitely NOT poking fun at Prime Minister Aso, I think he's kool! But... this pic is entertaining, is it not?

Chicago Music Scene: Lady Sovereign!

2009-04-08T22:50:00.007-05:00

Coming straight from North London to the Metro Chicago on Thursday, 14-May at 20:00-- UK Grime artist Lady Sovereign! Opening for the S.O.V. are Chester French and local boy Hollywood Holt.

Lady Sovereign released her first full-length, "Vertically Challenged," in November of 2005, and in October 2006 she followed up with a second release entitled "Public Warning." In the meantime she created a slew of other singles and EPs as well, forming a growing list of outstanding accomplishments, not to mention establishing herself as a respected artist in the black-dominated UK Grime scene and becoming the first ever non-American female to be signed with US powerhouse hip-hop label DefJam. Finally, just yesterday (07-Apr-09) the long-awaited full-length "Jigsaw," released on her own label "Midget Records," hit record stores everywhere.

This show is gonna be shiznit y'all so come on out and check it. For reals.

Her official website is http://www.ladysovereign.com
For some SOV sounds, check her out on Last.fm.
She is also on MySpace.

Hollywood Anime/Game Rape - Updated List

2009-04-07T20:36:00.004-05:00

The Hollywood rape of Japanese Anime, classic Film and Video Games seems to be more than just a passing fancy. In fact, the trend is quickly picking up momentum into a sickening pace. It seems like an industry that is completely devoid of original ideas has found a whole new world of "inspiration," and intends to continue down this disgusting path of systematic Americanisation of classic Japanese entertainment and art and casting these monstrosities with crap Hollywood actors that make me want to wretch.

Here is an updated list of what's in store or has recently been produced:

Anime and Film

Death Note
Ghost in the Shell
The Seven Samurai
Akira
Speed Racer
Cowboy Bebop
Ninja Scroll
Full Metal Panic
Dragonball
Sailor Moon

Video Games

Metal Gear Solid
Shadow of the Colossus
Street Fighter
Tekken

All hope is lost.

Wormgear's Anime Pick - Kino's Journey

2009-04-05T19:17:00.002-05:00

I just recently started watching the series, キノの旅 (Kino no Tabi / "Kino's Journey") after my wife picked it up randomly during our shopping spree at the recent Best Buy 50% off anime sale. Since neither of us had ever heard of the series before, we had no idea what to expect. Much to our surprise and excitement, Kino no Tabi is spectacular.

The focus is upon a young traveler named Kino キノ and her companion, a talking motorcycle named エルメス Hermes. Visually, the anime is quite stunning with wonderful artwork and outstanding colour. The stories come to life through the duo's dedication to a life of exploration in which they move from country to country learning what they can of the new lands they encounter and the people and cultures within them. Each visit is based on the principle that the two must stay just long enough to give meaning to their stay but also just short enough that they have no chance of becoming involved with the individual countrymen and their ways.

For viewers of Kino no Tabi, the magic begins almost immediately when we easily become involved with the lives of Kino and Hermes and share with them the experiences of each new country they visit. Each episode is somewhat of a complete story that can stand alone but which obviously exists as an element of the greater theme of the series. Each story is abundant with rich visual and cerebral imagery that paints a complex, insightful perspective on humanity. The interaction of Kino and Hermes with the world around them is a microcosmic portrayal of the vivid beauty, excitement and delight that life brings to us, as well as the dark and sometimes frightening tragedy, brutality and loneliness that inevitably ensues. The traveler's tales of Kino and Hermes are fantastic illustrations of the human condition that are both absorbing and humbling.

The anime is based on 時雨沢恵一 (Shigusawa Keiichi)'s manga of the same name, is produced under the direction of 中村隆太郎 (Nakamura Ryūtarō) by studios A.C.G.T and Genco, and was originally run in Japan during 2003. With a total of only 13 episodes and a short-story format, this might be a great choice for readers who lack the time to devote to regular viewing. Kino's Journey has something very special that gives heart and soul to the story. Highly Recommended!

Onimusha on the silver screen!?

2009-04-05T01:51:00.002-05:00

What is THIS? A movie is going to be made, based on one of my top favourite video game series of all time-- Onimusha? This is crazy! My initial reaction is one of both excitement and wariness. I mean-- an Onimusha MOVIE?? That is *awesome* but... can it really be good? It seems I am a little late with this "breaking story" as there has been talk of this for nearly two years already! Somehow, I completely missed it and just now found out about it for the first time.

The movie will be directed by Chrisophe Gans, who also directed the film-adaptation of Silent Hill. It has also been said that Gans has managed to cast Kaneshiro Takeshi-- the actor who was both the inspiration and voice actor for the Onimusha series' lead character - Samanosuke. The film was originally supposed to hit theatres at the end of this year, but doesn't it seem odd that there hasn't been more information available about it if that's that case? Well, other sites on the web seem to have new information that the film has been delayed until 2011. Other sites have claimed that production of the film is on indefinite hold. Damn... What's going on, I wonder?

If anyone has heard any concrete information about this, I would really appreciate some comments!

Feature Foto #6: Ryōan-ji

2009-03-31T21:33:00.008-05:00

This edition of Feature Foto is about the Ryōan-ji Temple (竜安寺) in Kyoto (京都). The name means "Temple of the Peaceful Dragon" and it belongs to the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It is recognised as an Ancient Historic monument. My photos are dedicated to the karesansui (枯山水), or "rock garden" which was created near the end of the 15th century.

Before I continue, I want to take a moment to talk about the word, "karesansui" 枯山水 itself. Those of you who are students of the japanese language might find it odd that the word for dry rock garden contains the character "sui" 水 meaning "water." This is because the karesansui is one of two main types of japanese rock garden and it's meant to represent the sea. It for this reason that the fine pebbles are arranged in the form of rippling pools that mimic the motion of water! Is that totally kool or what? ^^

Much time, care and effort went into the design and creation of this karesansui and it was constructed in such a way that all elements of the garden are visible only by those who have attained enlightenment. For the rest of us, a viewing from any available angle (other than from the air) will provide only a partial view. This is easily one of my most cherished locations in all the world because of its exquisite beauty and also for the overwhelming peacefulness and tranquility that it inspires in visitors. Despite the fact that the garden can accommodate quite a few guests, the area is very quiet!

A visit to Ryōan-ji is not something that should be rushed; you'll want to spend some time here as its effect of recharging the soul is surprisingly powerful and spiritually invigorating. If you're planning a trip to Kyoto, you should definitely add this to your list of top priorities.

If you have Google Earth, download Ryōan-ji's place marker.

Koto Sound Team Kyara comes to the Midwest

2009-03-29T04:01:00.015-05:00

If you don't know what a "Koto" (箏) is by name, you would most likely recognise the sound since koto music is commonly associated with traditional Japan. The koto is the national instrument of Japan-- it is made from kiri wood (桐) and has either 13 or 17 strings. It's been played in Japan since the Nara Period (奈良時代 "7th century") and is the equivalent to what westerners might call a "harp."

I had the pleasure of attending a concert this weekend that featured the world-famous "Koto Sound Team Kyara" from Nagoya (名古屋市). Their concert featured a very beautiful collection of pieces ranging from traditional Japanese to western-influenced contemporary classical, some of which were played as solo performance and others that were played as a group including accompaniment by the shakuhachi (尺八) and shamisen (三味線).

The performance was truly exquisite, providing the audience with nourishment for the ears, eyes, mind and soul. Many different aspects of the concert impressed me in a deep and profound way. Firstly, koto musicians, when performing as a group, have the potential to produce the rich, full sound of a full orchestra. This is because the tones produced by the koto cover a broad pitch spectrum from low bass-clef to high-register treble, and also because the arrangements are perfect for the intricate, unified collaboration of the musicians while still providing plenty of opportunity to showcase the skills and talents of each individual artist. Secondly, the construction of the koto, paired with the experience and mastery of the musician allow for a performance that is dramatic and captivating but also steeped in quiet subtlety and meaningful poetry. Thirdly, the art of playing the koto is not only about talent and experience, but is also a presentation of physical gracefulness and delicacy that is communicated through the artists' careful hand movements and quiet, sophisticated demeanor. All of these qualities of beauty were a magical gift to the evening's concert-goers that were enhanced by the gorgeous attire of the musicians, all of whom were dressed in stunning kimono and hakama. The overall impact on the audience was enlightening, enriching and truly moving, giving each of us the rare chance to connect to something higher and more meaningful than ourselves and the music to which we were listening.

In Japanese music there is the concept of Jo Ha Kyu, which might translate into slow or quiet, increasing complexity and quick-tempo. Western musicians would recognise these as piano, andante and allegro. What makes Jo Ha Kyu something that is so treasured in Japanese music is the fact that these three are combined into one piece, yielding a finished arrangement that continuously changes throughout, never spending much time locked into a single tempo. Since the temporal changes in the music are subtle and in some ways hidden, Jo Ha Kyu is a symbol of human spirit and emotion-- fluid and ethereal. Indeed it is the case that listeners may be only subconsciously aware of the changing and evolving nature of the music-- much like the essence of human beings and our relationship with the universe. The ability to successfully communicate such a concept through music speaks volumes about the expertise of the musicians playing in this perfomance. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience and participate in this magnificent musical journey.

The Koto Sound Team Kyara concert took place at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Some of the world's most skilled musicians performed there, including koto player Nakamura Kaoru (headline photo - foreground) and renowned shakuhachi player Yonezawa Hiroshi (second photo).

Should ever the opportunity present itself to you to discover and enjoy this wonderful music and art form, please accept it. I hope that it proves to be as meaningful and illuminating for you as it was for me.

Please follow this link to download the flyer for this event (please note- the flyer is in PDF format and will require Adobe Reader for viewing).

Automatic Human Washing Machine!

2009-03-06T19:29:00.004-06:00

Wow. It is amazing to see what people invent-- especially in Japan! Need a bath? Just lie back and relax, and let this sleek-looking clamshell-design washing machine make you squeaky-clean! This is the Santelubain 999 from the Avant company in Ukyo-ku (右京区), Kyoto (京都). Not only will it clean your body, but it cleans itself as well!

Here are some of the washing machine's functions:

Body Shampoo & Shower
Infrared Heat & Steam
Sound Therapy
Aromatherapy
Seaweed Pack
Body Lotion

Feature Foto #5

2009-02-22T13:30:00.006-06:00

Today's feature photo is this picture of the many Ojizo-sama statues at Kaikōzan Jishōin Hase-dera (海光山慈照院長谷寺), known simply as Hasedera ("Hase Temple") in Hase, Kamakura. Many folks think these little statues are cute and charming, and they are, but in fact the symbolism behind them makes their presence a bit sad and tragic. Ojizo-sama is the buddhist god who guards the souls of children who have died before their parents, especially those who were miscarried, still-born or aborted. On a brighter note, Ojizo-sama is also honoured when children survive life threaten illnesses. The fact that we see SO many here (and this only a small portion of the numerous statues honoured here) is a sobering reminder of how many families have endured this kind of tragedy.

If you have Google Earth, download Hasedera's place marker.

Ohhh No! Mobile phones on airplanes

2009-02-21T11:26:00.005-06:00

Mobile phone use is now officially supported and permitted on commercial airline flights for the first time on UK's Ryan Air. The news is not particularly shocking but I do think this is an absolutely horrible idea. Mobile phone users, *particularly* in the West use absolutely NO phone etiquette whatsoever and the selfish and intrusive nature of mobile phone calls in public is now going to make the already-uncomfortable experience of economy-class airline travel much, much worse.

For people like me that already have a lot of trouble sleeping on airplanes, the chance of getting some rest is now less likely than ever. What a disappointment. I hate mobile phone users; I really do-- especially my fellow westerners who are total f&%cking irritating jerks when talking on their damn phones.

Read about this on The Telegraph website.

Film Pick - Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu

2009-02-07T22:45:00.006-06:00

My recent film pick is an enchanting film called 僕の彼女はサイボーグ (Boku no kanojo wa saibôgu). This translates into "My girlfriend is a Cyborg," but was given the title, "Cyborg She" for the English-language translation. It's about a lonely and geeky fellow named Jiro, played by Koide Keisuke (小出恵介), who on his birthday ends up meeting the girl of his dreams, who is played by super-cute actress Ayase Haruka (綾瀬はるか). As the two get to know each other, Jiro comes to learn that his new girlfriend is actually a time-traveling, super-human Cyborg from the future whose life is already well-intertwined with his in ways that he will only come to learn in time.

Honestly, I thought this movie was absolutely delightful. All the essential elements of special-effects-enhanced sci-fi, tear-inducing drama and heart-warming love story were blended seamlessly into a wonderful film that was a joy to watch and drew its audience into the story quite easily. Critics of the movie might scoff at the seemingly unrealistic and sometimes paradoxical storyline development, but I don't think that realism was a goal that this writer-director was striving to reach. Instead I saw this movie as a refreshing, unique and thoughtful new approach to the story of a relationship between man and woman. Korean director Kwak Jae-young did something that is rarely accomplished successfully-- he meaningfully combined well-made time travel science fiction with a dramatic sub-plot based in meaningful family tradition into a very charming love story with fascinating and unexpected plot-twists, exciting adventures and multiple, parallel endings!

The other aspect of the film that really pulled this story together is the way actors Koide and Ayase and carried their roles perfectly. Their natural on-screen chemistry really made the unusual story come to life in a way that makes the movie a truly fetching experience for their audience. These two make a great acting pair and work together to make their relationship in this film into something believable and convincing, despite the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together.

I have to admit that I had my reservations about this movie going into it, but I was totally captivated very soon after it started and found myself enjoying every minute of it. I definitely recommend this wonderful film to movie fans of all varieties who want to enjoy a fresh twist on the tried-and-true. This is a great movie for dates, I might add, but it would certainly make for a nice relaxing evening at home, too. Check it out and see what I'm saying for yourself!

Some new Code Geass figures!

2009-02-02T22:54:00.006-06:00

In my post today I want to show you some more of my figures from Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion (コードギアス〜反逆のルルーシュ). This nice set of figures go together perfectly, of course. What I'm showing you here is the Offshoot Lancelot (ランスロット) Knightmare Frame and Kururugi Suzaku (枢木スザク) from the Bandai Code Geass R2 EX-PORTRAITS series. Mecha and pilot. I am quite happy to have these on display in my collection. I think their sizes and designs make them go together perfectly.

These figures were lots of fun to buy! The Lancelot came from Asobit City in Akihabara (秋葉原) and Suzaku came from the Kotobukiya (コトブキヤ) shop, also in Akihabara. Yes, that was a fun day indeed, and I have nice memories associated with these kool figures!

My neighbour, The Tokyo Rose

2009-01-28T20:59:00.010-06:00

I have just recently learned about an amazing piece of history that has been a part of my everyday life for years! It's really an incredible story that begins in Los Angeles, California back in 1941 when a Japanese-American woman named Toguri Ikuko (戸栗郁子) sailed to Japan to visit with a sick relative. Because Toguri-san needed to leave quickly, she had to depart without a passport, obtaining a Certificate of Identification from the U.S. State Department instead. When it came time to return to the U.S., she applied for a U.S. passport but was unable to obtain it before the attack on Pearl Harbour on 07-Dec-1941.

Now stranded in Japan with no chance of departure, Toguri Ikuko was declared an enemy alien by Tōjō Hideki (東條英機) after refusing to give up her U.S. citizenship. She took a low-paying job in a Japanese news agency to support herself. She gained the trust of Allied forces by smuggling food in to P.O.W.s and by refusing to broadcast Anti-American propaganda of any kind. After becoming experienced in news media, Toguri-san was selected by Allied P.O.W.s to host portions of their radio show, "The Zero Hour," completing a total of 340 broadcasts. She directed much of her broadcast material to her fellow Americans by using American slang, especially that which was popular with Marine and Naval forces stationed in the Pacific.

On 05-Sep-1945, just a few weeks after Japan's surrender, the press had reported that Toguri-san was “Tokyo Rose,” and she was arrested by U.S. Army authorities in Yokohama. A month later, she was released after authorities were unable to uncover any evidence that she supported the Axis forces. After the U.S. Dept. of Justice was able to bring in new evidence and witnesses to her Radio Tokyo (NHK) broadcasts, Toguri-san was brought to San Francisco, on 25-Sep-1948 and detained by the FBI on several counts of treason.

On 05-Jul-1949, Toguri Ikuko was brought to trial before a grand jury, into what was, then, the costliest trial in American history, costing more than $500,000 and included the presentation of 46 witnesses. Toguri-san stated in court that she actually contributed to the sabotage of the Japanese war effort. A box of broadcast tapes was brought to the trial by prosecutors, but not one of them was presented as evidence or played for the jury. After two and a half months of deliberation, despite court testimonials in her favour, she was found guilty on ONE count of treason, having to do with the broadcast of a message about a loss of American ships. She was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment and fined $10,000.

After 6 years and 2 months of serving her sentence, Toguri Ikuko was released on parole. She then moved to Chicago to work at her father's store, J. Toguri Mercantile at 851 W Belmont Ave (just 2 blocks away from my home). On 19-Jan-1977, after learning that individuals who delivered the most damaging testimony at Toguri's trial had lied under oath, President Gerald Ford issued her a full pardon. Later, in January 2006, Toguri-san was given the Edward J. Herlihy Citizenship Award for "her indomitable spirit, love of country, and the example of courage she has given her fellow Americans." Toguri-san described the day as most memorable day of her life.

Toguri Ikuko continued to work at her family's store on Belmont avenue until 8 months later when, on 26-Sep-2006, she died of natural causes. When I think of all the times I visited J. Toguri Mercantile-- all the gifts I bought there for my family and friends, the books and snacks I bought for myself, including the Japanese language textbook I now study, it blows my mind to know that I was so close to such an amazing and important part of history. I never knew that the little old lady who helped my wife and I choose a wedding gift for our friends, who helped me with the Japanese paper collection, was The Tokyo Rose-- who made am amazing contribution to the efforts against the crazed and power-hungry Tōjō Hideki and Emperor Shōwa (昭和天皇 - "Hirohito").

I only wish I had known about her earlier so I could have appreciated her when she was still alive. I think I will stop in to J. Toguri this weekend and ask her family about her. I think that she should not be forgotten and deserves to live on in our hearts and minds.

Feature Foto #4

2009-01-24T23:32:00.001-06:00

Tonight my feature photo is Sensō-ji (淺草寺), located in Tokyo's (東京) Asakusa (淺草) neighbourhood. My regular readers might remember that I wrote about Sensō-ji last autumn when I was in Japan. A few of you might also know that this is where I proposed to my wife in 2007! Sensō-ji has two religious sites-- a Buddhist Temple and a Shinto Shrine. The Buddhist temple was built in devotion to Kannon, and was first constructed in 628 A.D. making it Tokyo's oldest temple.

Sensō-ji is one of my most cherished sites on Earth and I usually like to begin every visit to Tokyo by going there. The grounds surrounding the buildings are just beautiful and are surrounded by the most enjoyable and down-to-earth shops, cafes, restaurants and people. I honestly don't mind just hanging around there all day long.

If you have Google Earth, download Sensō-ji's place marker.

London to host "Tokyo Day"

2009-01-22T21:35:00.003-06:00

On 31-Jan-09, one week from this Saturday, London will host a special "Tokyo Day" celebration at Lawrence Hall in southwest central London. The event is sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and will feature a full schedule of traditional arts, crafts, performances, food and music as well as some anime showings and hands-on activities. This is sure to be an enjoyable day for anyone who can make it. If I were still living in London there is absolutely no question about it-- I would be there. To my readers who are based in London or will be traveling there next week-- this looks like a great time. I'd love to hear about it if you go!

Who won the War on Terror?

2009-01-19T21:27:00.005-06:00

Disclaimer: I've stayed away from expressing my fierce political opinons recently, but what I've got to say today is my own editorial that many may find to be quite controversial. Anyone who is a republican and/or a George W. Bush / John McCain supporter is likely to have a big problem with it.

Basically, the conclusion I reached just a short while ago is that the "Terrorists" won. Now-- what do I mean by this? Well, let's look at the facts. In 2001, "Al Qaeda" attacked the World Trade Centre in New York-- the ultimate symbol of financial success and prosperity in the U.S. The U.S. government, led by George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld, promised that the situation would be controlled and resolved by way of an all-out "War on Terror."

What is it that really happened, however? What was the conclusion of this effort? 6 years after the start of this War on Terror, more than 4,200 U.S. soldiers have been killed, several of the country's largest and oldest financial institutions are out of business, a large percentage of U.S. citizens have lost their homes and/or are in the midst of serious financial trouble, and many of the largest, nationwide retailers are either out of business or nearing collapse. Additionally, the person recognised as the mastermind behind this destruction is still alive and in control of his international "terror" syndicate, and the insurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan is still going strong (despite what the media has been reporting).

How did we get into this situation? After the September 11 attacks, whether this was part of the plan or not, George Bush played right into the attackers' hands and ran up a gigantic national debt by spending money on this war at a frightening pace. This activity drove our already unsteady economy (sustained upon unjust financial practices, questionable business models and unbalanced lending methods) into a downward, unrecoverable spiral.

There are numerous harmful side-effects of this, including a lowering of our national credit rating, a severe slow-down of the national economy, a dangerous lowering of home-values across the country and record-breaking unemployment rates. So getting back to my opening statement-- although it took several years' time, the "Terrorists" ultimately got what they wanted-- to severely damage the confidence, success and comfort of American society. Indeed, the arrogance and self-righteousness that were exhibited by Bush and his cronies, on our behalf, have been humbled and downgraded.

In conclusion, I am so, SO happy that today is Bush's last day in office.

Photo: Alan Greenspan, George Bush and Ben Bernanke, courtesy of www.marketoracle.co.uk

Feature Foto #3

2009-01-12T19:51:00.004-06:00

Photo #3 features this shot of Daibutsu (大仏), or the "Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in" (高徳院), in Hase, Kamakura. This beautiful statue of Amita-Buddha was cast in the year 1252. The statue has stood strong during several natural disasters, including a tidal wave and several earthquakes, even when the surrounding areas and temple structures were destroyed or severely damaged. Daibutsu stands about 13 1/2 m high, is nearly 10 m wide and weighs 121 tonnes despite having a hollow center!

The site of The Great Buddha is filled with peace, calmness and serenity despite drawing hundreds of visitors daily. I, personally, would be content sitting near him all day long, taking in the meditative surroundings, as well as the beauty of the city of Hase.

If you have Google Earth, download Daibutsu's place marker.

Happy MOO Year!!

2009-01-03T19:44:00.011-06:00

I'm sorry this has taken me so long, everyone! Happy New Year! Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! 2009 is the year of the Ox. To celebrate New Year, or O-shougatsu, a special meal was enjoyed at my home. The soup is called O-zouni (雑煮) and is extremely delicious clear broth with mochi rice cake, chicken and thinly-sliced naruto fish cake. Also, next to the soup, is Nori mochi-- mochi rice cakes flavoured with sweetened shoyu (soy sauce) and wrapped in nori (dried, roasted seaweed); this is also very, very tasty. After these were consumed, a wonderful dessert called Anko mochi (not pictured) made of warm sweet mochi rice cake topped with sweet red bean paste was served and this, too, was unbelievably yummy. Served along side these wonderful dishes and eaten throughout the meal and throughout the holiday is Osechi-ryouri. Each of the colourful and tasty items inside the Osechi have a specific meaning for O-shougatsu. For example, you can see the Datemaki (伊達巻き) or sweet, rolled omelette that's served in hopes that many auspicious days will come. Konbu (昆布), the green, rolled seaweed symbolises joyfulness. Kuro-mame (黒豆 - black soybeans) symbolise a wish for health in the New Year. There's a pretty decent English-language explanation of Osechi on about.com.

The serving of osechi-ryouri and these other wonderful New Year foods is a long-standing tradition dating back to the 1st century A.D. Its origins are in samurai celebration and tradition, and my wife and I are proud to participate in the continuation of these beautiful traditions. O-zouni, Nori mochi and Anko mochi courtesy of my wonderful wife, Rinko. Osechi-ryouri courtesy of Mitsuwa Marketplace, the mall of Japan, in Arlington Heights, IL.

(2009 Ox image courtesy of bouncingredball.com)

Feature Foto #2

2008-12-27T21:52:00.006-06:00

Photo #2 is a shot of the famous temple Rokuon-ji, more commonly called "Kinkaku-ji," or the "Golden Pavillion Temple" in Kyoto. This site was originally constructed in 1397 during the Muromachi period, to be used as a retirement home for Yoshimitsu Ashikaga on his "Kitayama" estate. The Shogun's son converted the building into a Zen temple. In 1950 the temple was severely damaged in a fire that was started by a reckless monk's suicide-attempt gone wrong; as a result, the building we see in this photo is quite new, and dates from the 1950s. The temple houses Buddha's ashes and gets its stunning beauty from its coating of pure gold leaf.

If you have Google Earth, download Kinkaku-ji's placemarker.

"Bakunyū" Hyper-Battle Ikki Tōsen

2008-12-21T20:33:00.009-06:00

This young lady's name is Chou'un Shiryuu (趙雲子龍), and she joined my collection a few months ago. She's from Ikkitōsen (一騎当千), Watanabe Takashi's (渡部高志) anime series, loosely based on the the manga by Shiozaki Yūji (雄二塩崎). Unfortunately I am not familiar with the manga or the anime, although I would really like to be, considering the series is famous for its ecchi situations and battles fought by girls in short skirts!

The inspiration for the story is a Chinese historical novel that was named one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, called "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," written by Luo Guanzhong. The modern manga and anime versions are quite different from the 14th century originals, of course, but I am quite confident that they must be extremely fun and entertaining. ^^

The anime series first aired in Japan back in 2003 and has subsequently completed 2 more seasons finally ending this past August with a grand total of 37 episodes. I'm definitely adding the series to my must-watch anime list, but in the meantime, I liked this character figure the moment I saw her and just had to have her. She made the long journey to my Chicago condominium courtesy of the Kid Nemo Company.

Feature Foto #1

2008-12-18T22:00:00.008-06:00

Oftentimes I don't have a lot of time to work on new posts and I feel bad that you, my readers, have to keep coming back to look for new content. I have a couple of ideas that might be fun for everyone. For starters-- I would like to start posting one of my photos every week. I'll pick only my best photos, and I'll try to focus on a new topic each week.

Photo #1 is a shot of the roof detail at Ōsakihachiman Jinja in Sendai. Some of you probably remember that this is where my wife and I got married at the end of October. Ōsakihachimangu is one of my favourite places because of it's peacefulness, despite being in the middle of a big city, and also because of the intense beauty of the shrine and it's surroundings. The shrine is 401 years old now and has recently been named one of Japan's National Treasures.

If you have Google Earth, download Ōsakihachimangu's placemarker.

New Phone for Wormgear!

2008-12-13T23:51:00.002-06:00

So....I got a new phone this past Tuesday! I decided to get the HTC Touch Pro. So far, I am really liking it. Mine has service from Sprint which is a PCS network, but is known for reliable service and high speed 3G data; and from my experiences so far, that does seem to hold true.

The HTCTP is a smartphone and comes pre-installed with Windows Mobile 6.1. Many of my readers might think this is a little strange considering I have become more of a Mac guy in the past few years, but unfortunately I do need to use my phone for work, and therefore it needs to be integrated with my company's communications network. This makes iPhone a poor choice for me, unfortunately. Windows Mobile 6.1 comes bundled together with MS Office Mobile, which gives me access to my company's outlook exchange server and all documentation maintained by my colleagues. Additionally, the phone comes equipped with a stylus, a slide-out qwerty keyboard, Sprint Navigation turn-by-turn GPS, a 3.2 MP camera w/ flash, a microSD slot, Sprint TV, WiFi, Bluetooth and plenty of nice software like Opera web browser, an accuweather.com widget, the most popular IM programs, and Sprint Music. The phone comes out-of-the box with loads of other goodies like an RSS reader and a streaming media player, as well as the usual suspects like SMS and Picture messaging and a comprehensive contact management system, all of which is very nicely compiled into the HTC TouchFlo touch-screen interface. In the box with the phone comes the manual and getting started guides, a case, the charger and USB cable, audio/video OUT connector, ear phones, a screen protector and a CD-ROM with MS ActiveSync and an electronic version of the manual. HTC has seemingly used some kind of proprietary USB connection. It looks like a rectangle with one corner cut off. Never fear, however, because despite it's exclusive-looking shape, standard mini-USB cables work just fine-- it's what use most of the time since it comes with only one cable and I need to connect it to many different devices.

What I like most about the phone is that it's quite simple to use with comfy controls, it's highly customisable, and is ready to operate as a complete, all-around communicator right out of the box that integrates seamlessly into any Microsoft-based network. Also, its dimensions are such that it's not so small that it's frustrating to use, and not so large that it's unwieldy. What I don't like so much is the fact that it is Windows Mobile which comes with its expected difficulties such as the fact that it's sometimes slow and sluggish in its responsiveness (though not too bad so far), it's a little bit heavy (5.3 ounces with battery) and the battery life is quite short (charging once per day is mandatory).

All-in-all this is a great product. If you're thinking about getting a new phone, I'd recommend stopping in to your local Sprint store and trying it out. I don't think the HTC Touch Pro is for everyone; it may be annoying to people with thicker fingers, for example. Although I wouldn't say it's totally amazing, it does what it sets out to do extremely well, and it may just suit your needs perfectly. Nice work, HTC!

Aira Mitsuki

2008-12-08T21:19:00.005-06:00

Aira Mitsuki (アイラミツキ) is a Techno-pop singer from Saitama, born on 21-Sep-1988. In 2007 she signed up to audition for Mega Trance and came out the winner! Soon afterwards she performed at an MTV event promoting the Transformers film and then released her first single, “Colorful Tokyo Sounds NO.9,” which features the track being used as the official theme song of the "Transformers Café" in Roppongi, which is based on the movie. That first single was quickly followed by two more-- "China Discotech" and "Darling Wondering Staring / Star Fruits Surf Rider." Then, about one year after the release of her first single, she released her first full-length release, "COPY," on D-topia.

Aira Mitsuki is typically compared to Perfume and Capsule and certainly one cannot argue that her sound is similar, especially since she's working with producer Terukado Oonishi. Her music has sci-fi and technology as common themes and her heavily-vocoded vocals complete the robotic, bit-pop sound. Unlike the aforementioned pop stars, Aira Mitsuki does bring something unique to her fans-- her music dips much more heavily into the techno and techno-trance genres. Because of this, her tracks are perfect for DJ mixologists and remix artists, or anyone who wants to blow up the dance floor.

On 29-Oct-2008, Aira Mitsuki's second major single, "Robot Honey" was released, also on the D-topia label. This release is a real treat-- with high-energy beats and more of her trademark cute-yet-robotic vocals. The sounds on this CD are at times reminiscent of recent Daft Punk releases and also remind listeners of Tei Towa's danceable collaborations with mega-pop stars. While I can't honestly say that every track is a work of art, this CD is wonderful and is a great production that showcases Aira's talent beautifully. It seems to me that Aira Mitsuki may be at the start of a really exciting music career, as long as she can manage to keep her sound fresh with the infusion of new sounds and musical innovation. In the meantime, go out and treat yourself to a copy of "Robot Honey," It's totally fun!

Links:
Her website
Her profile on Last.fm

Video:
「GALAXY BOY」

Wormgear's Latest Movie Pick

2008-12-03T21:09:00.009-06:00

I recently saw an excellent documentary entitled Mardi Gras Made in China. As most people know, drunken Americans line the streets of the Mardi Gras parade route every year exchanging exposure of their private parts for cheap, plastic beads. Very few people take the time to think about where those beads originate, however. Conversely, most of the factory-workers in China know little or nothing about where the beads will go once they finish making them. This film provides a first-hand, in-depth look at the sweat shops in China that produce the Mardi Gras beads, and the abusive and dangerous conditions that the workers endure.

The film follows the lives of several Chinese factory workers and gives the audience insight into their daily lives and their experiences both on the job and in what little free time they have. Watching the movie, we learn about the long hours, inhumane and dangerous working conditions and the extremely low pay that is earned from completing a day's work. Viewers get the opportunity to see the workers' personal perspectives on their situation, and in some cases their family members' impressions of their jobs. The film also provides a detailed look at the managers and owners of these factories and illustrates the level of oppression to which they are willing to expose their own employees.

While learning about the lives of Mardi Gras Bead factory workers, the film simultaneously explores the other side of the Mardi Gras Bead trade-- the business owners who buy/distribute them and the Mardi Gras Party-goers who consume them. These two groups of people have one thing in common-- Mardi Grad Beads, but that is really the extent of their commonalities. One group works their lives away for mere pennies so that they might contribute, financially, to their families back home. The other group lives in excess-- drinking, partying and throwing beads into the crowds, oftentimes throwing the equivalent of one Chinese factory worker's monthly pay in a single toss.

What really makes the film something special is that the director, David Redmon, manages to give each group a bit of insight into the other side of the trade, and gives his audience the opportunity to witness this unusual event. We see the impressions of the workers in China as they watch film footage of Mardi Gras party-goers recklessly exposing themselves and throwing the beads into the streets. We see the Mardi Gras patrons having their first look at the workers in action, working very hard to produce the beads that are little more than a cheap party favour for one night of celebration and debauchery.

The two juxtaposed elements of this docu-dichotomy are expertly woven together into a fascinating unity via the use of actual footage from both China and Louisiana, and a witty narration that expertly blends tragedy and comedy. This is an amazing and enlightening film that provides a fresh and unique point of view on the issue of globalisation and the abuse of cheap labour in China; an issue that's explored and over-analised to the point of public de-sensitisation. This is on my list of recommendations for people everywhere. Kudos to David Redmon-- this is an excellent documentary.

View the film's trailer here:

I really miss Japan.

2008-12-01T22:35:00.006-06:00

Sorry Everyone-- this post is of a much more personal nature. I don't typically post this kind of content, but as my current thoughts and state of mind are quite overwhelming, it's the only thing fit for me to write about right now.

My readers don't need to look through many of my posts to understand that I really love Japan. Recently, however, something seems to have changed. During my first few visits to that wonderful place, I knew instantly that it could easily become my favourite place on Earth, and I thought that I might enjoy living there some day. Still, I was always more or less happy to get home and get back to my routine.

On 21-Oct I left the U.S. to begin my 5th trip over there. During the third week of my trip, an unexpected feeling came over me-- I stopped feeling like an outsider and felt very much "at home;" like I belong there. I have lots of wonderful friends in Japan, and now family, too. I miss them all. I miss being surrounded by the culture that I love so much. Since coming back to the U.S., I feel....well, homesick! Yeah. I know that it's kind of unrealistic-- after all I did not grow up in Japan. Regardless, however, homesick is definitely what I feel and it's depressing.

After my company opened an office in Tokyo almost 2 years ago, I started to fantasise about my dreams turning into reality, and thought it might be relatively simple to re-locate. I think I was a bit too eager and recently met with the CTO of my company to discuss the matter. I learned that his expectations are very high and that simply moving overseas to continue doing the same job I already do is not what he has in mind. Now I'm feeling very unsure of my future and my possibilities for living in the place that I feel to be my home.

All of these experiences have compounded into a depressing feeling of inadequacy and desperation. These are feelings to which I am unaccustomed, and I can't remember having any experiences that were even similar to this since I was 18 and found myself on a U.S. Navy ship, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, en route to the Persian Gulf to help free Kuwait from Saddam Hussein (or whatever it was that we were really doing over there).

I still can't figure out why my wife decided to leave Japan and move over here to the U.S., although I am happy that she did. I'm just trying to figure out what to do next.

Tokyo resident living in Mexico City Airport

2008-11-26T20:06:00.004-06:00

Nohara Hiroshi, a 41-year-old janitor from Tokyo, has been living at Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City for the past 85 days! Nohara has become quite the celebrity during recent weeks, having had his photo taken with hundreds of curious locals, many of whom offer him food and clothing. Although this story sounds like something you might expect from Shin-chan's father, Nohara Hiroshi, this guy is real! “I like the airport, I like Mexico,” he said. He could not be persuaded to leave, even by the Japanese embassy, and at this point has no plans for departure.

Check out the weird and interesting story on Bloomberg.com

There is also an MSNBC video (sorry-- an advertisement comes first).

Dustbox

2008-11-24T20:24:00.007-06:00

I just discovered this band a couple of weeks ago. They aren't new but I've only just heard of them and I'm already really into their music. These guys are really kool and have a great melocore punk sound! I've heard of people comparing them to Ellegarden; I think their instrumentation is similar to that of Ken Yokoyama while their vocals seem to have the energy and power of the Stance Punks (although with a really different and unique sound).

Three weeks ago I picked up their latest CD, "Blooming Harvest." Most of the tracks on this release are full of energy and drive while there are a couple of others that balance out the CD with some real emotion and feeling at a slower tempo. In general the songs on this release are of the melocore genre, but some overlap into pop-punk and there's one that even has a heavy metal influence. This is an excellent CD -- I highly recommend it to all JRock and/or JPunk fans. It's well worth it. The CD is out now on Machine Records (a subdivision of Flying High Records, Japan).

Dustbox official website

Video for Spacewalk - from Blooming Harvest

Why Japan Kicks Ass

2008-11-20T22:15:00.009-06:00

I came back to the U.S. from Japan a week ago tomorrow, and I'm still in the post-Japan afterglow to some extent. In fact, I am putting even greater effort into working with my employer to try and get a transfer to our Tokyo office. I would really much rather be there than here.

Now, I do have a disclaimer here, because of course Japan is not 100% perfect-- there is no country that's perfect, right? That's what I've been told, anyway. From my own personal point of view, however, the benefits of life in Japan are much more substantial than {a} the negatives associated with Japan and {b} the "benefits" of living in the U.S. The list I keep of Japan's positive qualities, also, has a small quantity of exceptions; Japanese people are humans, after all. For the most part, however, these things are true pretty much ALL of the time. Finally, many of the characteristics of Japan that I list are not "benefits" at all from some folks' perspectives; they are for me however, and this is why it is my own unique point of view.

So, without further ado, here is my list of reasons why Japan Kicks Ass!

[1] Customer Service
I have visited many places in the world, and in my opinion ALL of them have a lot to learn about customer service; businesses in Japan should be the role model here. There is no other place where I have had the experience of salespeople, civil servants, taxi drivers, *everyone* going out of their way to see that customers' go away satisfied, informed, comfortable and fairly-treated. All of this delivered with an interested, friendly demeanor that is free of bad-attitudes, arrogance and/or preferential treatment for select individuals.

[2] Common Courtesy
For the most part, people in Japan behave with common courtesy. This means interacting with other people and with one's surroundings with respect and honour. Actions like helping others, giving up one's seat on the train for the elderly, keeping one's speaking volume low, or picking up after oneself are routine and practiced without instruction. The Japanese language, itself, is constructed in such a way that respect for strangers, elders, superiours or new acquaintances is built right in. That said, this is one of the rules that is most often broken or omitted, but I believe it is very rare for such indiscretions to cross the line into rudeness or disrespect. One time a random security guard used his own mobile phone to call up a record shop in Shibuya that I couldn't find. He asked them for directions and showed me how to get there on a map!!

[3] Cell Phone Etiquette
Japan has one of the most cellphone-centric societies in the world. STILL, people talk on mobile phones at a low, private, non-irritating volume; not loudly or obnoxiously like people in America. The use of mobile phones on public transportation is illegal and this is a very respected law. People use text messaging quite a lot during their journeys, but despite being very crowded at times, buses and trains are nice and QUIET! Soooo nice! The use of mobile phones while driving is also illegal, and because of this drivers in Japan are 1000 times more attentive, careful and respectful than their north american counterparts. Additionally, a Japanese person would never be seen/heard talking on a mobile phone while trying to interact with a cashier, teller or salesperson, while inside of a cinema, or in public places in general. In fact, I saw several people receive phone calls while shopping or eating at restaurants; if the conversation could not be finished in a few seconds, the person went outside! This is so wonderful to me, having only super-rude, irritating and obnoxious phone behaviour as a basis for comparison.

[4] Public Transportation
Trains and buses in Japan are modern, very comfortable, convenient and arrive on-time. They are also CLEAN and do not smell of urine and feces. Additionally, train and bus stations are loaded with clean public bathrooms, convenience stores, shopping, good food and smoking areas. Awesome! There are overwhelming crowds at times, especially in Tokyo, but this is a small price to pay for the other benefits that come with public transport in Japan. While I certainly would not describe the trains as "cheap," I really do not mind since I am not poor and this seems to prevent people from using the trains as a hotel/bathroom. If you are unable to read Japanese and you happen to be at a station without a map in English, it can sometimes be a bit difficult to figure out where to go, but there will certainly be someone nearby who's happy to help.

[5] Good Food
Very few people need to be informed about the healthiness of Japanese food as this is legendary world-wide. What still amazes me, though, is the high quality of food in Japan. I'm not just talking about sushi, soup and noodles, either. All foods ranging from steaks, cuts of beef or chicken to snacks, candy, chocolate and ice cream are very high quality! I do believe that a trip to any department store food court or train station take-out cart would astound most outsiders as there is pretty much nothing of poor quality to eat there. The only low-quality food I have seen, in fact, is that available from the foreign fast-food franchises like McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. I guess wouldn't actually know for sure, however, since I haven't eaten food from one of those restaurants for nearly 20 years. When in Japan, however, if you DO feel the urge to enjoy a delicious fast-food burger, I recommend MosBurger. This Japanese burger place blows away pretty much every burger and fries place I've ever tried previously.

[6] I guess I could probably keep going on and on. I haven't even mentioned the art, spirituality, beautiful scenery, high technology, amazing cars, etc, etc. I think, however, that I've already stopped being interesting and have probably pissed a few people off. With that I'll end this post here. I just hope I'll have the opportunity soon to continue my life in the surroundings that I love most. I miss Japan.

(Photo Above: Sendai Daikannon statue near Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture)

あきやすみ　１１ - 鎌倉

2008-11-18T21:51:00.008-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 11 - Kamakura (Autumn Vacation part 11 - Kamakura)

The last stage of our wonderful trip to Japan was spent in West Kamakura, in Hase (長谷). Rinko and I wanted to go back once more and connect with the very beautiful and peaceful land that was once the nation's capital city during the Kamakura Period, but which is now a surfer's and sightseer's paradise. We took the train from Shinjuku (新宿) to Fujisawa (藤沢) and rode the historical and lovely Enoden (江ノ電) train from there to Hase.

We spent a long time walking around and sitting at the site of Daibutsu (大仏), or the "Great Buddha of Kōtoku-in" (高徳院) (photo above). We spent a long time just basking in his calm serenity and tranquility. It was a very beautiful, sunny autumn day and the colourful autumn leaves surrounding him were soothing and delightful. It's a place I wouldn't mind just sitting for hours. We even saw a big, huge, loud-mouthed, irritating, arrogant American guy walking around, talking and laughing very loudly, disturbing the peaceful setting. We marveled at the fact that Buddha's unchanging tolerance and acceptance prevented his meditation from being disturbed. Of course, he is a 300-year-old statue, but there is no doubt that this is the way people are meant to exist. It's beautiful.

After spending some time with Daibutsu, we went out for some soba, and then walked to Hase-dera (長谷寺) with the magnificent and very large guilded wooden statue of Kannon that dates back to the 1st century. Gorgeous! We wandered around Hase-dera's beautiful grounds for a while and enjoyed the lovely views from high atop the hill where the temple is situated.

It was a very nice, relaxing and enjoyable day that seemed to be the perfect conclusion to a truly lovely time in Japan.

あきやすみ　１０ - 沖縄県

2008-11-15T13:46:00.013-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 10 - Okinawa-ken (Autumn Vacation part 10 - Okinawa-ken)

Okinawa. Beautiful, tropical, peaceful, natural, tribal, Southeast Asian style Japan.

Okinawa is a very special and unique experience all its own-- so much so that it's almost difficult for visitors to believe we're still in Japan! While Honshu (本州, the main island of Japan) and the smaller, nearby islands are very much a part of Northeast Asia, Okinawa fits in much more with the style of tropical Southeast Asia. Previously known as the separate country of Ryukyu Kingdom, a tributary state of the Chinese Ming Dynasty, the region became incorporated into Japan as Okinawa-ken in 1879. The rich Ryukyu history and influence from China blended with Japanese heritage to create a unique culture that Okinawans can proudly call their own.

Okinawa's warm, moist climate yields an abundance of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables such as sugar cane, pineapple, guava, passionfruit, banana, papaya and mango, as well as a something that is exclusive only to Okinawa-- the benimo (紅いも), which is a dark-purple sweet potato with a firm-yet-smooth, creamy texture. The benimo is prized as a local product so much so that it is not even permitted to be shipped to the rest of Japan, let alone any other place in the world. They are truly a joy to eat and are consumed by themselves and also used as ingredients in a wide variety of sweet and savory foods. Gorgeous and colourful tropical and sub-tropical trees, plants and flowers also flourish here and come together to create Okinawa-ken's breath-taking scenery.

As one might expect, there is also a wonderful and very delicious array of special Okinawan cuisine that arises from the prefecture's unique culture and topography. The local ingredients available here have been used for a *very* long time in the region and have been infused into a very exclusive type of cookery that combines the tropical-tribal history of the Ryukyu Kingdom with the tastes and traditions of Japan. I had the pleasure of enjoying an Okinawa Kaiseki -- a course meal featuring dishes and ingredients unique to Okinawa. This was an unforgettable experience that challenged and thrilled my tastebuds in a new and exciting way; I certainly hope it won't be the last time.

Okinawa's rich and distinct cultural climate offers a *lot* of beautiful handmade crafts. Many of these are exclusive only to Okinawa and as such new apprentices cannot be trained in these arts anywhere else. Japanese people from all over the country relocate to Okinawa so that they can become a part of these creative communities. Especially well-known are Okinawan textile producers who use local materials to create traditionally and beautifully-dyed all-natural thread, and Okinawan weavers who use the thread to produce very beautiful kimono and fine fabric goods of all kinds. There are also Ryukyu Glass-blowers who use vast store-houses of glass bottles carelessly discarded by the U.S. Military forces and recycle them into beautiful handmade glassware. Communities of pottery-makers are also numerous and well-known for their beautiful and high-quality goods produced, coloured and glazed using local materials. The preservation of these traditional crafts is held very dear in Okinawa and they are kept here on these islands in order to maintain the rare Okinawan/Ryukyu culture.

Okinawa has many, many things to offer her visitors, of course, but one attraction that I highly recommend is the Churaumi Aquarium. It's certainly not the first Aquarium I've visited, but it's definitely the best! The Aquarium grounds are enormous and have a LOT to see. The layout of the space is well-designed, as well, maximising each visitor's experience. Whale Sharks, Sea Turtles, Rays, Manatees, Anemones, starfish you can touch, fish that glow, fish that sting.... Churaumi has *everything*; it's incredible!

If there's anything I didn't really enjoy thoroughly in Okinawa, it was the timing of our trip. Unfortunately, it became cloudy on the day that we arrived, and then was cloudy, cool and raining for several days afterward. Finally, the skies cleared and the sun came out to make everything feel warm; too bad that was the morning that we had to leave! Ugh! Rinko and I definitely made the most of it, though, and we had a truly wonderful, memorable time-- we simply didn't experience the hot, summery weather we had anticipated. Additionally, it seems that at least one fifth of the main island is dominated by the huge U.S. Military bases. I don't care much for the U.S. military presence in Japan-- I personally think those bases should be shut down. It's not too difficult to get away from them, though, so it's fine. I know we are definitely going to go back again sometime; it's a very wonderful place.

あきやすみ　９ - 原宿

2008-11-14T02:13:00.001-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 9 - Harajuku (Autumn Vacation part 9 - Harajuku)

Harajuku (原宿) is the centre of the world when it comes hip, fresh fashion and style. This has got to be the place where new trends in clothing, accessories, hairstyles and lifestyle are born! If you're young and fashionable, Harajuku is the place to be; coincidentally, it is also the place for any of you that have a weakness for cute schoolgirls. ^^

The streets of Harajuku are lined with shops selling everything you need for bring your wardrobe up-to-date, including shops that specialise in the hottest new brands as well as those that sell recycled, gently-worn versions of everything else. Since it's also a known-fact that hardcore shoppers can easily build up a hardcore appetite, there is no shortage of cafes, restaurants and sweetshops.

The other aspect of Harajuku that's very famous is the cosplay scene. While teens dressed in their favourite uniforms, maid outfits and gothic/victorian dress can be seen throughout Japan, Harajuku is where kids who are into the scene go to hang out and be seen. Many of the shops in the area specialise in these clothes as well.

Harajuku is a worthwhile trip if you want to check out what's fresh in fashion. If you're ever in Tokyo for only a short time, I'd recommend adding this to your list. While you're in the area, the legendary and very beautiful Meiji Shrine is right up the street from the Yamanote Line Harajuku Station.

あきやすみ　８ - 江戸東京博物館

2008-11-13T09:03:00.001-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 8 - Edo Tōkyō Hakubutsukan (Autumn Vacation part 8 - Edo-Tokyo Museum)

The day after arriving in Shinjuku (新宿), Rinko and I spent a day in Ryogoku (aka. "Sumo Town"). There we went to the Edo-Tokyo Museum (photo above courtesy of panoramio.com) to see an exquisitely beautiful exhibit of Ukiyo-e (浮世絵) prints, paintings and drawings. Some of the most accomplished artists' works are displayed there including Hishikawa Moronobu (菱川師宣), Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎) and Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重). The exhibit is a collection of works that live at the MFA in Boston, and gives a very nice historical overview of Ukiyo-e and it's impact on Japan and on art in general. Very moving! In my opinion, these wonderful works of art really belong in Japan, but due to the decline in popularity of Ukiyo-e during the Meiji period and the subsequent surge in "Japonism" in the U.S., it isn't surprising that so many of these works were lost to Western Civilsation. This means, however, that many of you have a chance to go see them for yourself! I *highly* recommend having a look and letting their incredible beauty, subtle simbolism and rich history inspire you. The Boston MFA exhibit will be on display in Tokyo until 30-Nov.

After the museum, we had dinner at a Chanko (ちゃんこ) restaurant. Chanko, or "Sumo wrestlers' hot pot" is similar in many ways to regular nabe, but contains some different ingredients, like spicy kim-chi, noodles, thinly-sliced pork, tsukune, and seafood. All of these ingredients are very tasty together and also contribute to a delicious broth! Chanko is a very satisfying meal-- do try it when you have time.

After a peaceful and stimulating day in Ryōgoku, it was back to Shinjuku for us for more hanging out and eating sweets at cafes. ^^ Be sure to check out the Edo Tōkyō Hakubutsukan if you're into art and/or history, and you're going to be in Tokyo for a few days; this is a wonderful place!

あきやすみ　７ - 新宿区

2008-11-12T23:53:00.001-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 7 - Shinjuku-ku (Autumn Vacation part 7 - Shinjuku-ku)

After spending a few comfortable days in Asakusa, walking around, eating good food, doing some shopping, and hanging out with friends, we moved on to Shinjuku (新宿). Shinjuku has always been one of my favourite parts of Tokyo and I guess it always will be. At seemingly any time of day or night, on any day of the week, something fun and exciting happens there.

Rinko and I spent some time wandering around Nishi-Shinjuku (西新宿 / "skyscraper district"), checking out the craziness in Kabukichō (歌舞伎町), buying kool stuph and finding delicious food. In Nishi-Shinjuku, we were surprised to find an astounding new building! It's called the Cocoon Tower (top photo) and really looks quite amazing. We did manage to go inside, as there is a large Book 1st shop in the lower levels. It's really clean and pristine. Very kool indeed!

Shinjuku is one of the koolest parts of Tokyo, IMHO. There is something there for literally everyone-- from the most discriminating food connoisseurs and art-lovers to the heaviest drinkers and most perverted fetishists, and everyone in between. From name brand designer to street, Shinjuku has everything. This is a spot that should never be skipped during a visit to Tokyo. Some of the most well-known photos and movie footage of Tokyo were shot here. If you're looking for the high-tech, neon imagery that so many folks have in mind when thinking about Tokyo, this is where you want to go. It's also a very centralised location with easy access to all parts of Tokyo and other destinations in Japan. Shinjuku Station is the busiest transportation in the world! Check it out for yourself!

あきやすみ　６ - 秋葉原

2008-11-07T23:43:00.002-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 6 - Akihabara (Autumn Vacation part 6 - Akihabara)

I'm starting to fall behind a little bit on my postings, so this news is a couple of days old. Sorry!
The other day was spent, in its entirety, in Akihabara (秋葉原)! Ya-taaah! This time I was less focused on electronics and gadgets and spent more time shopping for items related to my hobbies! I spent most of the time in Asobit City, Kotobukiya (コトブキヤ) and the 6th Floor of Yodobashi Camera (ヨドバシカメラ). ^^

I enjoyed looking at lots and lots of figures, manga, books, CDs, DVDs and other little gems. It was definitely a lot of fun and I brought back quite a haul as you can see here! Not surprisingly, there is still a lot more I would like to have. I'm wondering if maybe I'll back again for more. heh!

I was extremely tempted to pick up a new Canon EOS Kiss X2 camera. I was worried, though, that I might have buyer's remorse afterward, however, so I didn't get it (although I did find out which shop has the best price, just in case). The exchange rate is particularly horrible right now and the Yen has risen sharply against the Dollar recently. Because of this, some of the electronics I normally enjoy buying are not as good a deal as usual. Without the substantial savings I typically find in Akiba, my consumption of electronics has been suppressed.

One thing I definitely noticed is that the activities in the streets are a little bit more reserved as compared to when I was there last year. I didn't see any street performers at all, and there is a lot more security on patrol. Maybe there is more happening during the weekends...I'm not sure. I know that activities in Akiba have been slight more conservative ever since the Akihabara Massacre in June of this year that claimed the lives of 7 people and left others hositalised.

To finish up the day I had an incredible dinner at Sushizanmen (this means "sushi everyday"). It's the sushi restaurant just outside the Tsukuba Express-side exit of Yodobashi Camera. I highly recommend this place if you're going to Akiba. The food is incredibly fresh, delicious and expertly-prepared. The atmosphere in there is also very lively and welcoming. I had some sashimi and also some nigiri sushi. All of it was very, very good.

あきやすみ　５ - 浅草

2008-11-04T20:19:00.002-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 5 - Asakusa (Autumn Vacation part 5 - Asakusa)

Every time I visit Tokyo (東京), I almost always begin my stay in Asakusa (浅草). This is because Asakusa is totally KOOL and really interesting. Even though it's in the middle of Tokyo, it's got a really old-school, Edo (江戸) Japan kind of feel to it. The area also has plenty of shady characters going in and out of some questionable places (many of which may or may not be affiliated with gokudō (極道) syndicates). During my life I have always been drawn to this element and that goes for Tokyo as well.

One of the main attractions in Asakusa is one which makes a significant contribution to this old-school Japan feel-- Sensō-ji (浅草寺). On the site of Sensō-ji is Sensō-ji Temple (Buddhist) and Sensō-ji Shrine (Shinto); they are the oldest in Tokyo. The site was originally constructed back in 628 around a small temple erected to venerate Kannon, but since the originals we almost completely destroyed when Americans bombed the crap out of it during World War II, the buildings we see today were built about 50 years ago. The Nakamise market leading up to the temple from the main gate is very famous and draws in lots of people. Sensō-ji Temple is also the place where, last year, my wife stopped being my girlfriend and became my fiancée. ^^

Asakusa also contains Sadachiyo (貞千代) which is the place where I sit right now as I write this. Ryokans (旅館), or traditional Japanese Inns, first became widely available during the Edo period. The Sadachiyo ryokan is a beautiful facility that definitely puts effort into "keeping it real" with tastefully and traditionally-decorated guest rooms, dining/meeting rooms and lounge. The Edo Kaiseki (懐石), or Edo-style cuisine, that is served at Sadachiyo is absolutely delicious and satisfying, and is one of the aspects that I look forward to most. The other thing that makes Sadachiyo very pleasant is the quality and comfort of the o-furo (お風呂). There is an all-wood bath as well as an all-stone bath and the two change daily between male and female so all guests have a chance to enjoy both. Above and beyond all of this is the extremely high-quality and gracefully courteous service provided by the ryokan staff members. Every guest is made to feel welcome and special due to the incredible skill of the staff. This is my third time to stay here and it will not be my last.

Asakusa has tonnes and tonnes of other stuff to do as well, including access to the Sumida River (Sumida gawa - 隅田川) and the nearby Kappabashi (合羽橋) which is lined with outlet shops for restaurant owners and professional foodservice workers/employers (*awesome*). Asakusa has lots of bars, restaurants, shops and izakaya ((居酒屋) of course (just watch out for the shady ones ^^ ). There are plenty of shops here selling goods that friends and family back home will love-- things that fit into most foreigners' mental picture of Japan. Get tour fill-- I always do!

あきやすみ　４ - 七五三

2008-11-03T23:33:00.001-06:00

Aki yasumi pt. 4 - Shichigosan (Autumn Vacation part 4 - Coming of Age Celebration)

Shichigosan (七五三) is actually the words 3,5 and 7 joined together. The reason it's called this is because it's a celebration for children's coming of age, in hopes of ensuring they have long and happy lives. As such, the years 3,5 and 7 are significant not only because of the auspicious nature of odd numbers, but also because of some very old Samurai traditions associated with these ages. For Shichigosan, boys who are aged three or five and girls who are aged three or seven are dressed in kimono (for the first time, at age 3) and are accompanied by family to visit shrines. 3 yr. old girls typically wear hifu (a thick, padded vest) over their kimono. Boys wear hakama and haori, of course. Both genders' Shichigosan kimono are very colourful and cheerfully-patterned.

Children celebrating Shichigosan are given Chitoseame (千歳飴), or "thousand year candy." It's a long, thin, chewy candy, which simbolises longevity. It is presented to the children in a long bags that are decorated with a crane and a turtle since these also represent a long, healthy life. The candy is really similar to what's known as "taffy" in the west, except it's not quite as sugary-sweet and doesn't glue itself to one's teeth. The markets outside the shrines are all selling this and are all competing with eachother for business. At some of them, there is even some element of show as the candy makers publicly display their skills.

The children go to the shrine or temple with their families and their chitoseame candy and are blessed by the priests. The rest of the day is usually spent with the family. Nowadays some families take the children to professional photo studios, as well. In my photo is my 3-year-old niece, Riko. Is she totally sweet and adorable or what!? In Japan I'm not known as Chris, but am usually called Kurisu (くりす), or just "Kuri," so Riko calls me "Kuri Ooji-chan," or Uncle Chris. So cute!! Today my wife and I went to Kawasaki to get together with my sister and brother in-law and celebrate Riko's special day with her. It was fun! Kawasaki is a kool place-- definitely, and the shrine was overflowing with cuteness.

あきやすみ　３ - 仙台から東京

2008-11-01T20:02:00.014-05:00

Aki yasumi pt. 3 - Sendai kara Tokyo (Autumn Vacation part 3 - Sendai to Tokyo)

Yesterday was our sad departure from the family home in Sendai (仙台). It was sad but also exciting since we're now in Tokyo (東京), and that means more adventures for us! We traveled the long distance on the Shinkasen (新幹線), of course. In the photo above you can see our train pulling into Sendai Station.

We were hungry after getting on-board so we decided to have ekiben (Eki Bento - Eki = Station, Bento = lunchbox). This particular ekiben was totally incredible! Inside the box were tender and delicious slices of beef tongue on top of a bowl of fluffy rice with some pickles on the side. It was very good! What made this bento so amazing, though, is the fact that it heated itself up!!! As you can see from the instructions, you just pull the string from the bottom of the box and it starts working. Within about 3 seconds, there was steam shooting out the corners of the box-- it got so hot that a little bit of the price tag started to turn black (you can see that in the lower corner there). After letting the bento sit for about 5 minutes, there's a nice, hot lunch ready to eat!! I have never seen anything like it-- it's amazing. I can never visit Japan and not find something that's small and ordinary here, but that is totally amazing to me.

あきやすみ　２ - けっこん

2008-10-31T17:44:00.001-05:00

Aki yasumi pt. 2 - Kekkon (Autumn Vacation part 2 - wedding)

I'm very happy to announce that the marriage of Rinko and Chris is now 100% official! The two of us became husband and wife early in the afternoon of the 30th day of the 10th month in the 20th year of Heisei at Ōsakihachiman Shrine in Rinko's home-city, Sendai.

Our ceremony was wonderfully beautiful, spiritual and moving and we're so very happy to be enjoying our life as newlyweds.

After our ceremony was finished we all got together at the first-class French restaurant, "Serenity" in the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai. Together we enjoyed a fantastic meal featuring Sendai beef as well as many other high-quality local ingredients native to Miyagi prefecture.

Yesterday was a very special and joyous day, full of wonderful family, great friends, strong tradition and delicious food and drink. Our wedding was so much more than I could ever have expected. I hope my readers will wish good luck upon my new wife and I. よろしくおねいがいします。

あきやすみ　１

2008-10-28T11:54:00.001-05:00

Aki yasumi pt. 1 (Autumn Vacation part 1)

09:15 on 24-Oct was our official departure for this year's trip to Japan. We had a limousine waiting for us outside our condo and we loaded up and moved out pretty quickly and smoothly. This happened easily because we had everything prepared and ready to go the previous night (first time that's ever happened!).

After leaving home at 09:15, our flight was leaving its O'Hare Airport runway at 12:50, arriving at Narita Airport at 15:55 local time (or 00:55 Chicago-time). After clearing immigration, picking up our luggage and then clearing customs, we needed to take care of some business at the airport, like picking up our rented mobile phone and depositing money in our local bank account. At 18:30 we set off for Tokyo (東京) on the Skyliner Airport Express train which arrived in Ueno (上野) at about 19:15. In Ueno we took just a few minutes to sit down and relax and reflect on the fact that we were once again back in the greatest city in the world with an exciting few weeks ahead of us.

The next leg of the long journey took place on the Tohoku Shinkansen ("bullet train") which picked us up from Ueno at around 20:15 to take us north to Rinko's home-city, Sendai. The next and final stretch happened after we arrived in Sendai Station at 22:15-ish when Endo-san picked the two of us up in his car and drove us home where we finally were able to rest and have a good meal at nearly 23:00!

So in all, Rinko and I were traveling for 19 hours! By the time we got home, we were thoroughly exhausted. It was so nice to sit down to a delicious home-cooked meal, have a glass of beer, and melt into a nice, hot bath.

1st Annual Comicon in Chicago!

2008-10-24T02:05:00.003-05:00

Yes! Chicago is finally getting into the comic book scene and kicking off the 1st ever Windy City Comicon right here is our wonderful city! The convention will primarily feature Marvel and DC artists, as well as some awesome locals like Jeffrey Brown. There will also be lots of vendors and exhibitors, as well as some gaming tournaments too! Windy City Comicon will take place at The Center on Halsted, Saturday Oct. 25th from 10:00am to 6:00pm. I will be in Japan at the time, so I cannot attend, but I look forward to hearing all about it. Come on out and show your support!

The Center on Halsted - 3656 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613

Meet me in Ninjatown!

2008-10-18T21:09:00.007-05:00

Meet Wee Pocket Ninja from Ninjatown! He was created by talented local Chicago artist Shawn Smith at his "Shawnimals" studio in Logan Square. These stealthy, lovable plush toys are totally cute, kool and awesome. I usually shop for Shawnimals at A.Okay Offical in Lakeview East. Coming 28-Oct-08 is the Ninjatown game for Nintendo DS...geez-- maybe I should get one of these! Anyway-- check out the Wee Ninjas and all the other Shawnimals on their website www.shawnimals.com and get in on the fun!

New Miyamoto Musashi figure!

2008-10-16T22:28:00.004-05:00

I just recently saw this while browsing the Yamashiroya homepage. This looks SO incredible! A new figure from Scultpure Arts of legendary swordsman and Wormgear's hero, Miyamoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)! Since I am leaving one week from tomorrow to go on my next trip to Japan, I am *definitely* getting one! This will round out my collection of Vagabond figures quite nicely I think! The only problem is the high price tag (ugh!), but I am not going to let that stop me this time!

A new figure, which looks amazing, and a new movie out next summer-- what more could I fan ask for!? ^^

Musashi on the big screen!

2008-10-15T19:56:00.009-05:00

Fantastic news everyone!!! This is so amazing! Work is starting on a new anime film-- about Miyomoto Musashi (宮本武蔵)!! Yes! One of my heroes and the main character of my favourite manga series (Vagabond) is coming to theatres in anime form! The title of the film will be Miyamoto Musashi: Sōken ni Haseru Yume (Musashi Miyamoto: The Dream of Riding with Two Swords) and it will be released next summer!

Just when you might be wondering how this news could this news possibly get any better-- now I get to tell you that it's going to be a Production I.G. film, directed by mastermind Oshii Mamoru (押井守)-- director of Kôkaku Kidôtai (Ghost in the Shell)! Yessss! Working with Oshii is animation director Nakazawa Kazuto (中澤一登) who worked on the incredible animation and artwork of Ghost in the Shell, Blood+ and Evangelion! This means it is going to be amazing and will most likely be one of the best samurai anime ever released!

This is the best news I've heard since I got married 3 weeks ago! I can hardly wait until next summer!

Black Lagoon The Second Barrage, Episode One

2008-10-06T19:02:00.007-05:00

My regular readers might remember how much loved watching Black Lagoon (ブラックラグーン) earlier this year; mainly because it's amazing! Finally, Black Lagoon The Second Barrage (season 2) was released in the US! I picked up the volume 1 DVD over the weekend and watched episode 1. I'm a little bit late again, though-- volume 2 was released 20 days ago. After seeing how The Second Barrage started out, I am really excited about season 2 of this series! It looks like it's going to every bit as exciting and spellbinding as the first season. The Black Lagoon Committee did it again! Excellent! I would highly recommend adding these awesome DVDs to your collection while you can, they are well worth the purchase; and I expect they will become rare before too long.

Hell Girl, Episode One

2008-09-30T20:49:00.009-05:00

The very popular anime series, Jigoku Shōjo (地獄少女) known as "Hell Girl" in the US, premiered on IFC (Independent Film Channel) last night. The series is a collection short stories with a common theme: Vengeance! The stories' main character is a young girl called Ai who can be summoned by anyone who's excessively tormented or abused by others and wants to seek revenge. People contact Ai through a website called the Jigoku Tsūshin (地獄通信), or "Hell Correspondence." The website can only be accessed at midnight and contains only a title page with a text-box where the name of the user's tormentor is entered. After contacting the Jigoku Tsūshin, the user enters into a pact with Ai by accepting a straw doll with a string tied around its neck. When the decision to proceed is made, the thread is removed and the contract is sealed; the user is soon avenged! How is vengeance delivered? The tormentors and abusers are dragged away to hell for all eternity, and the user is freed from their unbearable anguish. There is, of course, a price for Ai's service. When it comes time for the user's own death, he or she too must spend eternity in hell.

Jigoku Shōjo is directed by Ōmori Takahiro (大森貴弘) and written by Kanemaki Ken'ichi (金巻兼一). The series first aired on 04-Oct-2005 on Animax, Tokyo MX, MBS and is now preparing to go into its third season in Japan. (Wow -- the U.S. is three years behind Japan). The first episode made a really good impression on me and I look forward to following this series to see where it goes. It seems to me that the stories could really be very interesting and exciting as the fine details of each new character and their contracts with Ai are revealed. I will definitely keep watching-- this is a perfect series to jump in and out of; be sure to check it out!

Click here for the official English Language website on Funimation's webhost.

Just Married!

2008-09-29T09:22:00.006-05:00

I hope my readers will forgive me for neglecting my Blog for so long. I have just been so extremely busy and exhausted every minute of every day for the past month. Preparing for a wedding is a very tiring task indeed! But now that it's over, I can definitely say it was worth all the effort and planning. My new wife and I are so happy, we had so much fun, and all of our friends and family can't stop telling us about how much they enjoyed our events and festivities.

There are so many people who spend a year or more planning their wedding and spend many, many tens of thousands of dollars or even more. Our wedding was a first class success, however, and required only slightly more than two months of planning and had a fairly reasonable budget! What my wife and I learned is that weddings are really all about the people who are included. Since our focus was not on displaying a huge spectacle of a show, but instead primarily on making everything nice for our guests, everyone who attended had a really nice time and was really happy; this, of course, made us really happy. Looking back on it, there is nothing at all that we'd have done differently. I think it's very rare to have the confidence enough to believe this.

So thank you all for being patient with me! I now have enough free time to go back to blogging about our favourite interests, and I can go back to all of my activities that provide the content you like to read! Thanks for continuing to support my meager monologues, I do appreciate each and every one of you! どうもありがとうございます！

Michael Moore - Slacker Uprising

2008-09-16T19:33:00.008-05:00

During the campaign period before the 2004 U.S. presidential election, Michael Moore traveled all around the States on a 42-day "Slacker Uprising" tour, visiting 62 cities. In an attempt to remove George W. Bush from office, Mr. Moore helped to inspire a record number of young and/or first-time voters to move into action. As a result, young adults voted in greater numbers than in any previous election! It became clear to Michael Moore that "young people were the ones who were going to save the day" -- just as they are in the 2008 election. Despite these amazing results back in 2004, we still lost our country into the hands of an idiotic, self-interested, election-rigging jerk.

Each night of Mr. Moore's U.S. tour brought out thousands of volunteers and participants, driving local Republicans crazy! In one case, they tried to have him arrested, and at 2 of the colleges he visited, rich donors offered more donations in return for having Michael's appearance banned. By the end of his tour, however, 16,000 people a night were coming out to support his efforts. This movie is an account of his experiences on the "Slacker Uprising" tour. In Mr. Moore's own words, "What I encountered during the tour and the filming was both inspiring and frightening, so I thought, hey, this might make for a funny and enlightening movie!"

Mr. Moore has given all citizens of the U.S. and Canada permission to share the movie and to set up public screenings at no charge. Michael hopes we will use it, share it and show it in order to rally voters, and to raise funds for our favorite candidates. Starting next week, from 23-Sep until 13-Oct, we'll be able to stream, download, or burn a DVD of "Slacker Uprising," free of charge, distribution courtesy of Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films. Sign up to get your free copy of the film here: http://slackeruprising.com . I am definitely eager to get mine.

Now I know for sure- Adult Swim SUCKS!

2008-09-12T23:24:00.004-05:00

Adult Swim has royally screwed the Saturday Night anime schedule AGAIN. Starting tomorrow, Crayon Shin-chan is off the air, and Full Metal Alchemist will come back on after nearly a year of being cancelled. My TOP FAVOURITES, Code Geass and Serei no Moribito will be aired at 05:00 - 06:00! What the HELL!? Who knows even which episode of Full Metal they will show; probably they will just start from some random point in the middle of the series as usual. I seriously hate Adult Swim now. There is no way I am willing to go on dealing with their continuous schedule-changes and series cancellations. I am done. Adult Swim-- seriously, you guys f%#&ing suck!

Honestly, I would MUCH rather blow loads of cash buying the DVD sets for all of my favourite anime series than give one more second of my time to Adult Swim's crappy broadcasts. I absolutely do not care what they do any more and I won't watch ever again.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe

2008-09-09T21:51:00.004-05:00

The world's largest particle accelerator complex, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), will be switched on for the first time tonight! Funded and built in collaboration with over eight thousand physicists from over eighty-five countries and hundreds of universities and laboratories, the LHC provides the possibility of a significant step toward providing answers to some of the most fundamental questions about our universe.

The experiments conducted are expected re-create the circumstances surrounding the Big Bang, in an effort to reveal new data that will help to unify three of the four known fundamental forces: electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force (gravity being the fourth). Additionally, other new supporting evidence may be uncovered for supporting existing theories of physics including: supersymmetric particles, compositeness (technicolor), extra dimensions, strangelets, micro black holes and magnetic monopoles. When in operation, about seven thousand scientists from eighty countries will have access to the LHC. Physicists hope to use the collider to test various grand unified theories and enhance their ability to answer their questions.

This is such an exciting time for humans-- I can hardly wait to hear about these scientists' findings! Visit the Large Hadron Collider homepage for more info.

More Code Geass figures!

2008-09-01T22:27:00.006-05:00

These are the Sutherland (サザーランド) Knightmare frames; standard issue for the Britannian Military. These mechs feature agile mobility, sophisticated cockpit life support systems, stun guns, tonfas and an assault rifle. Early on in the Code Ceass (コードギアス) story, these knightmare frames were commandeered by Lelouch Lamperouge (ルルーシュ・ランペルージ) (as "Zero") and the Black Knights after Prince Clovis of Britannia (クロヴィス・ラ・ブリタニア) ordered the destruction of the "Shinjuku Ghetto."

The Black Knights successfully used the stolen Sutherlands to destroy an entire unit of knightmare frames piloted by the enemy Britannians. All of these Black-Knight-piloted Sutherland Knightmare Frames were then destroyed by Lelouch's friend, Honourary Britannian Kururugi Suzaku (枢木スザク). This battle, commonly referred to as "Shinjuku," was extremely important to the development of the Code Geass story since two essential storylines developed here-- the introduction of C.C. (シー・ツー), leading to Lelouch's Geass power, and the murder of Prince Clovis by his brother Lelouch Lamperouge.

These particular Sutherlands are replicas made by Bandai; I got them about 2 months ago and just realised I never posted them here. I think they're pretty cool! I hope to add many more Knightmare Frames to my collection. Unfortunately I'm nearly broke from planning and funding my upcoming wedding, and I've had to commit to temporarily diverting all funds away from my hobbies. :( This will come to an end as soon as I arrive in the motherland this October, prolly right around the time I exit the Tsukuba Express at Akihabara station. :)

Seirei No Moribito - Instant Classic?

2008-08-31T11:03:00.006-05:00

Last night the second episode of Serei no Moribito aired on Adult Swim, and so far I am liking it so much! The stories take place in ancient Japan, contain captivating, historically-relevant plots and are set amidst a visual feast of *beautifully* drawn characters and scenery. That's a great recipe for a truly wonderful anime series in my opinion. I already know I am going to love keeping up with this story and will never want to miss a single episode. My regular readers all know about how I was/am obsessed with Death Note, and how I cannot get enough of Code Geass, but this series really has something special, it seems. It's an instant classic I think.

Tokyo Life - Ueno Intersection

2008-08-17T23:57:00.001-05:00

This is a short video I made last year while hanging out in Ueno, Tokyo (上野,東京). I recorded it with my Canon IXY Digitial 700 in video mode. Music by Atom™: "Being Human Boring" from his release on his Rather Interesting label - "Son of a Glitch."

Chara.

2008-08-14T20:18:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone! みなさんこんにちわ！I haven't been able to keep up with my blog recently because I've been so incredibly busy planning my wedding. I have a little bit of time tonight so I wanted to tell you about another one of my favourite singers. Her name is Miwa Satou (佐藤美和) but she goes by her nickname Chara-- which came from the Japanese slang word charachara ("scatterbrained"). She was born in Saitama on 13 January 1968 and got a very early start with music-- composing songs and playing instruments while just a primary school student, quickly becoming quite skilled in a wide variety of different musical arts. Even though she is most well-known for her unique and endearing singing voice, she considers herself a musician above all else.

In 1991 she released her debut single "Heaven," quickly followed by her first full-length release, "Sweet." Less than a year later, she released her second full length album "Soul Kiss," keeping a prolific pace with "Violet Blue" and "Happy Toy" coming out during the 20 months that followed.

After taking some time off to become a mother, Chara re-emerged in 1996 as one of the main characters in Iwai Shunji's film, "Swallowtail Butterfly." The next year (1997) she released her album "Junior Sweet" which sold over a million copies that year in Japan alone!

During the years following, until 2008, Chara expanded her musical career into different directions, working with many other famous performers including Great 3 (appearing on releases "Caligula" and "Strange Fruits"), Yuki from Judy and Mary (releasing the single Chara + Yuki), James Iha from the Smashing Pumpkins and then launching an all-girl j-rock group called Mean Machine, featuring herself, Ito Ayumi, Chiwaki Mayumi, Yukarie and Yuki. While working on all of this, she continued her own solo career releasing several more singles and full-length CDs. Two months ago, Chara released her most recent full-length CD, Honey.

Chara's voice is best described as ranging from soft, child-like whispers to powerful, emotional expressions. Her unique style allows her to satisfy J-pop fans as well as ongaku otakus in search of something new and different. I would highly recommend her music-- she's delightful!

Please enjoy this live performance video of her hit song, "Yasashi Kimochi" (やさしい気持ち).

Links:
Chara's website
last.fm
nippop.com

Kitajima-san sugoi na!!!

2008-08-10T22:32:00.006-05:00

In Beijing, the gold medal and the new world record for the 100 m Breast Stroke goes to Kitajima Kōsuke (北島康介) !! Kitajima-san became famous around the world after winning the gold medals in Athens in 2004 for the 100 m and 200 m breast stroke. This year he came back not only to uphold his title, but also to break the world record in the process, becoming the first person to ever finish the 100 m in under 59 seconds (58.91 s). Additionally, Kitajima-san's victory includes the anticipated defeat of his challenger, the American breast stroke swimmer, Brendan Hansen. It was an incredible day in Beijing! What an awesome performance-- very exciting to see!

Heroine of the Black Knights

2008-08-08T23:51:00.000-05:00

I'm pleased to introduce Kallen Stadtfeld (カレン・シュタットフェルト) whom we know for her important supporting role in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Born as Kōzuki Karen (紅月カレン) into a prestigious family to a Britannian father and a Japanese mother, she was naturally setup into a position of success.

Kallen leads a double-life living publicly as a successful yet docile and tame Britannian student at Ashford Academy, and secretly as a strong and forceful agent of Lelouch Lamperouge's anti-Britannian resistance group, the Black Knights. In the Code Geass stories, Kallen represents the struggle between Britannia and Japan (or "Area 11" as it was named by the Britannians). She, herself, has both Britannian and Japanese culture in her history and in her everyday life follows Britannian tradition while simultaneous fighting to tear it down from the inside out. Her character adds sophisticated elements of depth and complexity to this modern and very unusual twist on the classic good vs. evil story.

Kallen arrived her by way of the Alpha Omega company, looking fantastic in her Ashford Academy uniform. I hope you will like her as much as I do!

Chicago's hidden treasure-- amazing Vietnamese food!

2008-08-01T21:06:00.006-05:00

What can I say about New Saigon restaurant in Chicago's Uptown? The food is absolutely *awesome*! My fiancee and I had the shrimp and pork spring rolls (the 4th appetizer on the menu) and they were perfect-- fresh, crisp and tasty, and the shrimp was not at all overcooked-- very, very good. I had the Ca Thó Tô - the catfish hotpot and this was so-o-o delicious! The pieces of fish were extremely fresh and just melted in my mouth. The spicy, brothy sauce inside the clay hotpot was very comforting and perfectly complementary to the fish. I am so happy I ordered it. To drink, I had cà phê sữa đá (vietnamese iced coffee), and I enjoyed it so much because it was very strong and had just the right amount of sweetness (didn't taste like coffee-flavoured candy like the iced coffee at the thai and vietnamese restaurants in the white-boy neighbourhoods). My fiancee had a shrimp and marinated beef over rice dish (I don't remember the name). This was also super good. I really enjoyed how the beef was so tender and juicy, and how it wasn't drowned in sauce.

The restaurant seems to be pretty popular, I'd say. There are not many tables (maybe 10?) and although it almost relatively empty when we arrived (18:30 on a Friday), there were no tables available at all when we left. Many of the customers who came in greeted the owner by name. I can understand why this is-- the owner is SO nice and so friendly. My fiancee and I both felt really welcome and comfortable.

I heard about this restaurant on yelp.com, and there are a couple of not-so-good reviews on there-- many focusing on the unimpressive interior decor, complete with silk flowers and kitschy vietnamese trinkets, christmas and halloween decorations and a Michael Jackson poster. This does not bother me one tiny bit, though, and in fact it's exactly what I had hoped for. Indeed, if your prefer the fancy-schmancy, city night-life type of restaurant, you probably won't like this, but then again you probably don't find authentic, east asian home cooking all that important either!

This restaurant won't get my 5-star rating because that is reserved for only the world's finest. I will not hesitate to patronise this establishment again in the future, however, and I will definitely recommend it to all my friends. Non-pretentious, nice people and wonderful food! Terrific.

New Saigon - 5000 N. Broadway (Broadway and Argyle) Chicago, IL 60640 - (773) 334-3322

Bird's new CD - out next week!

2008-07-29T21:12:00.009-05:00

Bird (バード) has a new limited-edition, full-length album coming out this next Wednesday (06-Aug) on Universal Records called "My Love (初回限定盤)." It is her first cover-album and will feature cover songs of artists Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷由実), KinKi Kids, Matsuda Seiko (松田聖子) and Magokoro Brothers. The CD will also contain an original bonus track-- a re-make of a track from her first album called "Beats."

Some of my readers might not know who Bird is. She is a very talented and innovative singer who was born in Kyoto on 09-Dec-1975 as Kitayama Yuki (北山有紀). Being strongly-influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin, she started her career in the late 1990s as a jazz vocalist singing in the jazz clubs of Kyoto and Osaka. Her cool, soothing voice led to almost instant fame and success in the area, eventually leading to her being discovered by producer Osawa Shinichi. She was picked up as the lead singer for his group, "Japanese Sound Project," and released her first single, "Souls" in 1999 on the RealEyes label.

The following year, she released her first full-length album on Sony Music Japan, simply called "Bird" which sold over 700 thousand copies and won her the Japan Gold Record for newcomers. The news resulted in a nation-wide tour that completely sold out at every single venue. She quickly became Japan's biggest name in Jazz. Bird continued her career, releasing 9 albums and 18 singles, seamlessly fusing the genres of jazz, R&B, pop, latin music, reggae and house into a unique and exciting style all her own!

If you have never listened to Bird, and you are looking for something totally fresh and new, definitely check her out-- she never disappoints. Those of you who downloaded my JPop Dance Mix from dannychoo.com had the pleasure of hearing the now rare Rascal Remix of her hit song, Mind Travel (マインドトラベル). Please enjoy the video below of the original, album version of this song.

Links:
Bird's Website
Bird's Blog
last.fm

Seirei no Moribito comes to Adult Swim!!

2008-07-26T12:48:00.005-05:00

Good news!! Adult Swim has a new show to take over the time slot of my beloved, most favourite anime series Death Note which ended here in the U.S. on 05-July. Seirei no Moribito (精霊の守り人 - "Guardian of the Spirit") will begin on 24-Aug!
Seirei no Moribito, which first aired on NHK on 07-Apr-07, is based on Uehashi Nahoko's (上橋菜穂子) series of fantasy novels called Moribito (守り人 - "Guardian"), which won the Iwaya Sazanami literature award in 2002. The anime is based on the first in this series, and is directed by the incredible Kamiyama Kenji (神山健治) who directed the Ghost in the Shell (攻殻機動隊) anime series and also worked on Blood: The Last Vampire (ブラッドザラストヴァンパイア).

Plot (courtesy of wikipedia): Balsa the spearwoman is a wandering warrior, who takes on the task of saving lives in atonement for a past sin. On her journey, she happens to save a prince and is tasked with becoming his bodyguard. And he is going to need one, for his own father, the emperor, wants him dead.

I really don't know much about these stories, but I am certainly looking forward to seeing something new! It's coming one month from now-- don't miss out!

My Mirei-san!

2008-07-24T22:29:00.008-05:00

Konnichiwa readers! I haven't had very much time for updating my Blog recently since making wedding plans has been taking up all of my free time. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

You probably remember my heartbreaking experience one month ago in which I purchased an "Art of Shunya Yamashita Mirei-san" figure from an eBay seller in Hong Kong, only to realise that I had purchased a fake rip-off. It was the first time that I had this horrible experience and I will always remember it.

In the meantime, I managed to find the real Kotobukiya figure and ordered her from toyarena, a reliable seller on Amazon.com. Here she is! Let's celebrate! It should be obvious to see why I like her so much. I think my fiancee is actually a little bit jealous, but at the same time, there can be no denying that Mirei-san is a truly great part of my collection. Shunya Yamashita (山下しゅんや) is a wonderful artist and who doesn't love a wonderfully moe figure like Mirei!?

Thank you again, readers, for your kind compassion and thank you, Danny Choo! I'm happy now. :-)

Shiina Ringo - Watashi to Hoden

2008-07-15T20:30:00.005-05:00

By far, one of my absolute favourite singers is Shiina Ringo (椎名林檎). Ringo-chan's voice is absolutely amazing and her lyrics are totally cool-- much different from the ice-creamy, schoolgirl-type stuff that most pop singers in Japan tend to vocalise (although I do enjoy that, too!). For all of us Otaku-- it also helps that she is cute and into cosplay! :-)

Ringo-chan released a new CD on 08-Jul-08 called "Watashi to Hoden" (私と放電 - "Me and electric discharge"). So far, I am really enjoying the new release. This CD is a bit of a departure for Shiina Ringo. The sound is decidedly more "Pop" than her previous, screamin', hard-rockin' releases. The disc contains love songs, pop, and also some of her trademark J-Rock sounds. One of the tracks (輪廻ハイライト) even showcases, beautifully, Ringo-chan's abilities as a jazz vocalist! She has more maturity and skillful control in her voice now, which is saying a lot considering all that she has already accomplished. Aside from the tracks, themselves, this release is extremely well-produced featuring expert-quality studio work and some wonderfully-perfected mix-downs. If you move fast, you can still get the limited edition release with DVD! All-in-all I definitely recommend Watashi to Hoden to Ringo-chan fans and Jpop lovers alike.

For my readers who don't yet know about Shiina Ringo, let me tell you about her:

Ringo-chan was born in Saitama, in 1978, as Shiina Yumiko. Yumiko moved with her family to Fukuoka as a young child, and grew up there (because of this she now sings with the dialect of the Fukuoka Prefecture). She was influenced early in her life by classical music and jazz, especially when played on the piano. When she started to develop her own singing career, she chose the name 'Ringo' because she was so well-known for the way that she turns red when she blushes ('Ringo' = 'Apple' in Japanese).

What makes Shiina Ringo so absolutely amazing is that she was born with an unusual illness that caused her esophagus to become very narrow, thus nearly preventing her from being able to eat! She had to undergo numerous surgical procedures to correct the problem which left her with scars on her shoulder blades-- scars which are said to look like the result of angel's wings being removed. Naturally this condition could also have interfered with her possibility of becoming a singer, but instead it seems like it has only made her stronger.

Ringo-chan officially launched her career as a singer in 1998 at the age of 19 with her first single, Kōfukuron. Less than one year later, she released her first full-length album, Muzai Moratorium, which is a complete masterpiece, and is one of my favourite CDs. Between 1999 and 2007 she released 6 full-length "Shiina Ringo" albums and several singles. While working on all this, she also formed the band, Tokyo Jihen ("The Tokyo Incidents") in 2004. She uses this band as an outlet for exploring her other musical styles which include elements of jazz and funk. There have been three Tokyo Jihen releases between 2004 and 2007-- all of them truly great musical works.

Enjoy this video of her awesome track, 'Honnou'-- the title track from her fourth single.

Link:
nippop.com

Fiery Fiend Hunter

2008-07-13T02:23:00.007-05:00

Meet Rachel (レイチェル), the powerful Fiend-hunter, comrade to Ryu Hayabusa (リュウ・ハヤブサ) and heroine of Ninja Gaiden. Here she stands ready to strike, equipped with her Warhammer and Blade of Ouroborus, always prepared to dispense with the evil Fiends of the Vigoor Empire. Although Rachel is on a mission of her own-- to find and destroy Alma, her twin-sister-turned-Fiend, she became a strong and helpful comrade to Master Ryu after meeting him on his journey.

Like Ayane and Ryu, Rachel came from Kotobukiya and is clearly another extremely well-designed and expertly crafted figure. She was rather difficult to locate, being so rare and highly sought-after. She is the third Ninja Gaiden figure in my collection, leaving just one more to find-- Ryu's close friend from his village, Kureha (呉葉)!

Ozone Concept Car

2008-07-09T22:06:00.004-05:00

Check out this amazing concept car designed by Ozkan Koral for the Peugeot design contest! The cockpit is accessed by huge glass doors that slide 360 degrees into its symetric metal body. The eco-friendly, twin fuel-cell-electric motors are controlled with a joystick panel in the dash. This looks so kool! Imagine the reactions of people seeing you driving this down the road!

More at gizmodo.com.

Death Note-- the conclusion

2008-07-08T23:03:00.006-05:00

This past Saturday night, the final episode of Death Note aired on Adult Swim. Since I had not been paying attention to the schedule, I didn't realise the end was so near. I wanted to believe that the story was simply starting to take new turn and develop into a new plot scheme. I was shocked when I saw the ending and I must say that the way the story ended left me feeling both relieved and also sad. That being said, there can be no argument that the story finished in the most appropriate way-- Ryuk (リューク), the shinigami who started the whole story, ended the story. The conclusion provided a fantastic sense of closure, leaving nothing open-ended.

The fantastic story aside, I am still left with a feeling of emptiness. I fully understand, now, how obsessed with Death Note I really am! For the past year, I have spent Sunday through Friday looking forward to the next episode, very anxiously waiting to see what would happen next. I wonder-- what will I do now? It's certainly NOT the case that I do not enjoy the other anime that I currently watch every Saturday-- I am on the 8th episode of Code Geass and I am really into it. Death Note really is my most favourite story ever, though, and I will really miss it. I think I will have to go back to the manga and finish reading it. Maybe I can finally see the movie without being concerned about spoilers.

As of yet, it looks like Adult Swim doesn't have anything to fill Death Note's time slot, so they are going back to an earlier episode from the middle of the story. Strange, but that's typical for Adult Swim. It's better than them playing more episodes of that idiotic show, Frisky Dingo or something worse like Harvey Birdman.

Oba Tsugumi (大場つぐみ) and Obata Takeshi (小畑健 )-- you are *awesome*! Well done, and thank you. Domo arigatō gozaimasu!

Results Are In-- 2008 Hot Dog Eating Competition

2008-07-04T15:26:00.003-05:00

Kobayashi Takeru (小林尊) admits defeat in the 2008 annual hot dog eating contest at Nathan's in Coney Island, New York. 20-year-old Kobayashi-san "The Tsunami", from Nagano, dominated the competition for five years straight until California challenger Joey "Jaws" Chestnut came out ahead in 2007.

Today, the competition came to a tie at 59 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Ties are settled in a sudden death showdown in which Joey Chestnut, age 24, consumed an additional 7 dogs, winning for the second year in a row. Chestnut will take home a $10,000 grand prize, a giant trophy and international bragging-rights.

Will Kobayashi-san come back to victory again? I hope so!!

The next step in my career...

2008-07-01T19:13:00.004-05:00

OK-- this September will mark my 8th year of employment at Trading Technologies (TT)! Today I had a meeting and got the news that on August 1st I will transfer to a new department and lead a new team of Quality Engineers!

I will be responsible for the Quality of TT's server products used for linking traders to the Singapore Exchange, Tokyo Commodities Exchange, Osaka Securities Exchange, Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange, Italian Derivatives Market, and the BrokerTec Bond Market. This is pretty big deal because the Tokyo Commodities Exchange (TOCOM) is currently a very high-profile project at TT. Everyone will be watching to see how well we succeed.

The guy who currently manages these projects is very excited to have me working for him, especially since he knows my present manager very well and hears a lot about my contributions. The idea is that once I have gotten everything in order and have proven my ability to run a tight ship, I will also take my place as a Manager. To start, I will have a team of 5 people, most of whom have been working here for less than a year. It will definitely be a lot of hard work, but should prove to be an exciting challenge as well!

So wish me luck! This is definitely the stepping stone to the next stage in my career!

As far as my relocation to Japan-- it's extremely likely to happen, but that will most likely be 12 to 24 months away, as far as I can tell.

New Ear Gear

2008-06-30T22:14:00.004-05:00

At work I was recently relocated from a cubicle in the wide-open, communal area to a corner office that I share with two other people. The noisy, high-traffic nature of the corporate cube-farm was very conducive to the use of PC speakers for listening to music since it really never bothered anyone. This is not so for the quiet surroundings of my new office where music played over speakers, even at a low volume, would be bothersome to my office-mates.

In order to keep on listening to my tunes at work, I decided that I needed some new headphones. I knew that I wanted some phones that wouldn't mess up my hair, but also ones that I didn't have to push into my ear canals-- this meant getting a pair of street-style, or neckband headphones. After some online research I narrowed down my choice to two sets of phones: the Sennheiser PMX 100 and the Koss Porta Pro. Finally, the information I read about these two at Headroom helped me decide on the Sennheisers. I've been using my new Sennheiser PMX 100 headphones for nearly three days now and I think they're great!

THE GOOD
The PMX 100 phones have a terrific sound, with a full, juicy bass response and crisp, clear high-frequency sound. The midrange response, honestly, is not exactly weak, but, understandably, isn't nearly as solid as that of my Sony V-600s or my Sennheiser HD 212 Pros either. I think this is primarily due to the physical design of the headphones, and I was able to correct this very easily with a mid-range EQ adjustment in my iTunes. What's more is that these headphones are very good at delivering sound dynamics and modulations-- for fans of electronic music, this can result in quite an adventure!

Aside from sound, wearability is also an important factor in the quality of headphones. Since this is my first pair of street-style phones, I was concerned about this when I bought them. So far, I am extremely pleased with this very lightweight and comfortable set. The circular pads cover average-sized ears perfectly. The soft, foam padding on the PMX 100s is very "cushiony" without feeling heavy like a pair of pillows. The padding also allows enough air flow to prevent that annoying condition known as sweaty ears. The over-the-ear arms that make them street-style headphones are made of semi-firm but very flexible rubber and they're softer and more comfortable than I imagined.

THE BAD
I really have no complaints about the sound of my new Sennheiser PMX 100s; all negative points are extremely minor and are related to their physical design. The rubber, over-the-ear arms that hold the phones in place can become slightly uncomfortable, but this is only after 2+ hours of continuous use. Additionally, the neck band, that holds the two ear-pads against the ears, tends to rest right at the base of the neck. This is perfectly fine, but sitting in a forward position can sometimes cause the base of the neck or top of the back to push the phones forward. This isn't such a big deal, really, but can sometimes contribute to over-the-ear discomfort that I feel when approaching 2 to 2.5 hours of continuous use. Taking a short break seems to take care of this perfectly.

I got my new phones for only $40 including shipping charges from TigerDirect.com, and they arrived the next day after I ordered them (nice work, Tiger!). Overall, I would highly recommend the Sennheiser PMX 100 headphones to music lovers, audiophiles and otaku of all kinds!

Piana

2008-06-27T23:27:00.006-05:00

I want to tell you all about one of my favourite singers-- Piana! Her name is Sasaki Naoko (佐佐木直子) and she lives in Morioka. She began her career in 1999 with the band Card Skepper and later did some vocal work with electronic artist, World's End Girlfriend.

Piana released her first solo release called Snow Bird in 2003 on Cubic Music Japan, and in the U.S. on the 12K Records sub-label, Happy. 2 years later she released her second full-length solo album, Ephemeral, also on Happy. In 2007 Sasaki moved to the Japanese label, Noble, and released her third full-length, Eternal Castle. Recently Piana has been focusing on concert tours and collaboration with other artists.

She is known for her sweet, gentle voice and bittersweet, heartbreaking, contemplative lyrics. Her music is a unique combination of J-pop and underground glitch electronica with a wonderful production quality and deeply emotional melodies. I was quite taken with her voice the first time I listened to Snow Bird, and became an instant fan.

When asked about her musical influences, Piana had this to say:
I am not really inspired from other music, I woud say more from novels, poetries, or movies. Haruki Murakami is the writer I get the most influence on my music. If I hadn’t have met his works, I might not have been able to come up with my music.

Here is a lovely video of her track, なくしたもの (Something's Lost) from the album, Ephemeral.

Also from the album, Ephemeral, I am pleased to offer you this free download of "Early in Summer."

Links:
Piana's website
Last.fm
nippop.com

Kounterfeit Kotobukiya

2008-06-25T21:18:00.029-05:00

When I arrived home yesterday I was excited to see a package waiting for me at my door! I knew from the shipping label that it was my Mirei-san figure that I had been awaiting for nearly 7 weeks. I could hardly wait to open to box!

When I got into my condo and started to open the packaging, I started getting a bit concerned-- a plain, white box?? Was this a used figure? Couldn't be-- the eBay auction I won said it was new! My concern turned into worry when I saw the cheap, styrofoam packing material inside the plain, white box. As soon as I saw inside I knew what had happened-- I had been duped. :-(

Inside the cheap, styrofoam packing was not Mirei-san but a *very* poorly-crafted counterfeit rip-off. Needless to say I was very disappointed and starting to feel angry. I was preparing to write a nasty, flame-job email to the eBay seller who "ripped me off." That was, of course, until I discovered something. The auction I won had very cleverly drawn me in with a description of the "Art of Shunya Yamashita Mirei-san," but never ONCE used the keyword, "Kotobukiya." The auction never mentioned the name of the manufacturer at all because of course it is NOT Kotobukiya but a very cheap imitation made by a rip-off artist in China.
Indeed, I had received exactly what I purchased, It was, in the end, my own fault for not examining the auction carefully. eBayers beware!! The Seller to watch out for is "qpick-tradezone." They specialise in these cheap, Chinese imitations and that explains why their prices are so damn good. I should have learned by now that if something seems to good to be true, that's because it is. Now I'm back on my quest for the real Mirei-san. The REAL Art of Shunya Yamashita expertly crafted and designed by Kotobukiya.

I cannot get enough of the Tactical Espionage Action!

2008-06-22T22:11:00.004-05:00

Let me just say that I am extremely impressed with Metal Gear Solid 4! Honestly this has got to be one of the best games ever created. For me, the intensity and realism of the game-play has not yet been matched by any other game I know. MGS4 completely immerses players in the action of the game making it feel like a first-hand experience. Kojima Hideo did an absolutely amazing job creating this game, despite his own statements about his disappointment with the end result. The graphics, needless to say, are out of this world, thanks to the incredible talents of Shinkawa Yoji.

One of the elements of Metal Gear Solid 4 that make it different from others is the complex story line. Because of this, the game includes a few more cut scenes than usual, some of which are *quite* lengthy. Some gamers have expressed a preference to skip these and get back gaming, but I actually enjoy this aspect of the game since it really gets me involved in the plot and it's related history and character development.

Another quality that's unique to MGS4 are some of the unusual pieces of equipment that Snake carries with him on his missions. Some of them aid him in his incredibly creative approaches to stealth while others help provide comfort and reduce stress. He even has an Apple iPod!

All this and I still haven't even mentioned Snake's seemingly infinite possibilities for combining, re-combining and modifying his weapons. Very simply, Kojima thought of everything. Metal Gear Solid 4 has it all. It definitely deserves a TOP rating.

Link:
Wikipedia - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Major Kusanagi arrives!

2008-06-15T22:50:00.007-05:00

Allow me to introduce Kusanagi Motoko (草薙素子), the shrewd and skillful officer of the Public Safety Commission. We know her for her authoritative role as "The Major" in Shirō Masamune's (士郎正宗) amazing cyberpunk manga / anime series, Ghost in the Shell (Kōkaku Kidōtai - 攻殻機動隊).

Major Kusanagi appears here, as she normally does on her missions with Chief Aramaki; her sexy cybernetic appearance rendered perfectly by Takahashi Tsuyoshi of Alter. I really like this figure a lot. I was thinking I might have some difficulty finding one since this is not one of Alter's newer creations, but there are still a few hanging around.

Whew! My collection is starting to grow rather sizeable!

"Memories of Nobody" is totally kick-ass!

2008-06-11T22:46:00.008-05:00

I just came back from seeing Bleach: "Memories of Nobody." First impression-- WOW! This is an excellent movie! I had such a great time!!

First of all, the U.S. showing of the film starts off with an introduction by Viz Media in which the voice actors, editors and production crew give a tour of Viz and explain the details of how their manga and anime films are translated for western audiences. This was a pretty kool way to build up our appetites for the main feature.

Then we get to the movie, which is absolutely amazing. The story is extremely well-written and very exciting-- packed full of action, feeling and well-placed comedy. There are a number of things that made the movie so excellent (besides Matsumoto Rangiku's (松本乱菊) huge boobs). Some unique plots and character developments are particularly thrilling for fans of the Bleach series-- most notably: an astoundingly-strong team cohesiveness amongst Soul Society Squad Members, a demonstration of Rukia's awesome and relatively unseen Soul Reaper abilities and some uplifting Kuchiki (朽木) sibling camaraderie between Byakuya (白哉) and Rukia (ルキア)!

Finally, what made seeing this great film even more enjoyable was seeing it on a big screen with an audience of other anime fans who were just as enthusiastic about the movie as I was-- something I've never experienced before tonight. I am very glad I went to see it.

One thing's for sure-- it is not necessary to be a fan of the Bleach manga/anime series to enjoy this excellent movie. The story is unique and specific to the movie and the great story allows the characters to stand on their own without previous knowledge of their history. That being said-- you have one more day! Go out and see it-- you won't be sorry!! Check out the Viz Media official movie website to find out where you can see it!

"Memories of Nobody" in US cinemas Wednesday and Thursday

2008-06-09T22:54:00.005-05:00

"Memories of Nobody" is the feature-length anime film based on the awesome Shonen Jump manga/anime, Bleach. The movie first hit theatres in Japan back in December of 2006 and is now finally coming to U.S. theatres after being licensed by North American distributor Viz Media. The writer is actually Sogo Masashi, not Kubo Tite (久保帯人), and is a completely separate story that's not part of the regular series. This is great for fans of the Bleach series who haven't yet gotten to the end of the story-- there's no need to worry about spoilers.

The film will have a very limited run-- Wednesday and Thursday only, so don't miss it! Details about the movie, as well as a list of theatres can be found on the Viz Media official movie website.

Akihabara, we love you.

2008-06-08T16:51:00.019-05:00

In memory of the victims of yesterday's horrible violence in Akihabara (秋葉原), I am dedicating today's post to our beloved holy land, where the senseless attacks took place. I dedicate this post to the victims, their loved ones and to Japan in general; so that she may remain safe and secure.

Akihabara (which is usually known to us as 'Akiba') is situated in an area of Tokyo that, in the Edo period, was just outside of the Sujikai-gomon city gate leading into Edo. The area was known for the shops owned by Samurai-class craftsmen.

After a huge fire destroyed the area in 1869, a Shinto shrine was constructed on location. The shrine was named Chinka sha (鎮火社), or "fire-prevention shrine," as a symbol of the huge blaze having been extinguished. Interestingly, because of the name, large numbers of the city residents thought that the popular fire-controlling god, Akiha (秋葉) was enshrined inside of it. This misconception led to the common name of "Akihappara" for the shrine's surrounding property, which means "Akiha’s square". This is how Akiba, or Akihabara, originally got its name!

Much later on, after World War II, a marketplace grew around the electrical manufacturing school that was located in the area, which is now known as Tokyo Denki University (東京電機大学). Wireless radio goods were particularly attractive to the shoppers who visited the area.
Throughout the next few decades, technological developments in consumer goods, personal computers and telecommunications led to a massive expansion of the Akihabara Electric Town (秋葉原電気街) district. Akiba's reputation for availability of the very latest in technology was further reinforced with the modern developments in video games, mobile phones, digital cameras.

Finally, the huge rise in popularity of manga and anime that occurred toward the end of the 20th century gave birth to a new social movement. Those of us who take part in it tend to live a somewhat different lifestyle, cherishing technology of all kinds, characters from anime and manga, and moe-moe obsessions like Maid Cafes. These cultural changes firmly sealed the district's status as the Otaku promised land.

Today, we can run through the streets in a state of pure bliss, shopping for manga, figures, DVDs and the world's most cutting-edge electronics, while taking time to enjoy the amazing arcades, and otaku street performers. Ahhhh Akiba, there is no other place like it and we hope to *safely* continue feeling the joy and excitement she provides for the rest of our lives.

Links:
Akihabara News
Akiba Blog
Akibaos

Sad news from the motherland.

2008-06-08T02:48:00.010-05:00

Just 2.5 hours ago, a crazed lunatic attacked a crowd of people in the middle of Akihabara ("Electric Town," Tokyo). At half-past noon (Japan time), 25-year-old Kato Tomohiro of Shizuoka Prefecture sped a 2-tonne rental truck into the intersection of Chuo-dori and Kanda Myojin-dori, hitting several people. The man then proceeded to jump out of his truck and go on a stabbing spree with a 12in / 36cm survival knife. Having occurred at 12:30 Tokyo time, on a Sunday, the streets were closed to vehicle traffic and filled with crowds of fellow otaku, shoppers and tourists. The attacker was subdued and arrested on the scene, but in the aftermath 17 people were taken to area hospitals, 5 of which are confirmed dead at this time. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Kato may have had ties to a Yakuza crime syndicate.

A very sad, sad day indeed for the victims, the poor families of those who died, for our beloved paradise, Akiba. This is depressing.
:-(

www.japanprobe.com
www.dannychoo.com
www.animenewsnetwork.com
www.cnn.com

The Phonaut & DJ Wormgear live on WNUR!

2008-06-06T21:27:00.005-05:00

After nearly 7 months on hiatus, tonight I'll transform back into DJ Wormgear to co-pilot another edition of "etc" on WNUR 89.3 FM in Chicago. Radio Show Host The Phonaut and I will take over WNUR studios for 3 hours, starting from 23:30 CDT, along with Phonaut's special guest! I've got an hour-long set of techno, ambient, dubstep and electronica lined up for tonight's listeners and I'm looking forward to getting back into the on-the-air action.

Chicagoans on the North Side can tune in to 89.3 FM; listeners in the rest of the world can connect to our high-quality audio streams via www.wnur.org. For more information about tonight's event, visit The Phonaut

Death Note the Movie, Re-made.

2008-06-04T22:27:00.015-05:00

Hijacked from Japanprobe.com and dannychoo.com.

I know that this is already tired, old news for most of my readers, but I feel like I really need to state my opinion about this tragic turn of events. Vertigo Entertainment (The Ring, The Grudge, Shutter, etc.) has officially announced their decision to develop a re-make of the Death Note live-action movie. The film's cast will no-doubt be packed with irritating Hollywood screen actors; some unconfirmed internet sources have already named-- Zac Efron and Johnny Depp (* gag *). Since Death Note is one of my favourite stories of all time, this one really rubs me the wrong way.

Regular readers of my blog already know how I hate these American re-makes of Japanese films/anime/manga. The stories are almost always over-westernised and wind up being total hack jobs that contribute nothing to the originals nor do anything to honour the stories' creators. I really don't understand what it is that causes Hollywood writers and producers from coming up with their own innovations and new ideas. I wonder if maybe it's just a lot cheaper to rip off other ideas rather than create their own. If that's true, it's OK with me, but they should keep their hands off of these truly incredible works of art and focus on other piece of crap movies that are more likely to be *improved* by re-makes rather than violated by them.

Like I have said before, I'm through with big, money-hoarding Hollywood productions-- they are mostly big piles of garbage IMO, and I want nothing to do with them. Vertigo Entertainment, you can kiss my BUTT! I hate you.