The 75th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb was a couple of days ago. The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki 75 years ago today, on 9 August 1945 at 11:02. I was in Nagasaki a couple of weeks ago and stopped at the hypocenter monument pictured above. The black monolith points up where at 500Continue reading “75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki”
Category Archives: Japan
Remote island logistics: getting on and off Iki
The term ritĹŤ means “remote island.” Japan has lots of remote islands. When living on islands like this there are some things you need to take account of such as transportation to and from the island. Iki Island has three main ways to get on and off the island: Jetfoil: this is the high speedContinue reading “Remote island logistics: getting on and off Iki”
When the Japanese became “yellow”
Inspired by his recent interview in Japan on the Record I sought out some of Professor John G. Russell’s work on race in Japan. In his analysis on the Nissin whitewash scandal last year, this extraordinary paragraph: Even though the Japanese have been seen to whitewash themselves, it hasn’t been simply a matter of skinContinue reading “When the Japanese became “yellow””
Japan on the Record: Japan and Blackness
Last year I discovered the excellent UBC Meiji at 150 Podcast. I was late to the discovery, but enjoyed working through the 120 episode backlog. Since then the host of the show, Dr. Tristan Grunow of Yale University, has gone on to create Japan On the Record, a show where scholars of Japan can shareContinue reading “Japan on the Record: Japan and Blackness”
Kyushu’s economic contribution to Japan
Kyushu is one of the 5 major regions of Japan consisting of 7 prefectures making up about 10% of the Japanese population. It is known as being a much more relaxed place than Tokyo, with great weather and more space. This attracts people who are looking for more worklife balance. Natives of Kyushu that goContinue reading “Kyushu’s economic contribution to Japan”
SakyĹŤbana, crumbling pillar of Heaven
In my last post I explained about the “Pillars of Heaven”, the eight objects sent down by the gods to prevent Iki island from floating around the Sea of Japan at its own free will. Other than Saruiwa the Monkey Rock, most have crumbled into the sea. Of the remaining pillars, my favourite is SakyĹŤbana,Continue reading “SakyĹŤbana, crumbling pillar of Heaven”
Monkey Rock, a pillar of heaven
On the eastern side of Iki, jutting 45 meters out of the ocean is a giant rock formation, somewhat covered in moss-like greenery. From a certain angle the rocks look uncannily like a massive gorilla, solemnly looking out over a nearby cliff. This is the treasure of Ikijima: Saruiwa 猿岩 or “Monkey Rock.” The Kojiki,Continue reading “Monkey Rock, a pillar of heaven”
Convenient Countryside Karaoke
Hey peeps in Japan, does your FamiMa include a Karaoke room? I mean, convenience stores here have everything but I have never seen karaoke in one before! The only big name convenience store on Ikijima is FamilyMart — there are no Lawsons or 7-11s. FamiMa has two locations and both of them have attached karaokeContinue reading “Convenient Countryside Karaoke”
The Bridges of Nagasaki
In northwest Kyushu, on a peninsula of a peninsula of a peninsula, like a fractal made from prehistoric solidified lava, lies the vibrant city of Nagasaki. Nestled amongst rugged volcanic hills, Nagasaki is one of the most important ports in all of Japanese history. The narrow bay quickly gives way to steep mountains, carpeted withContinue reading “The Bridges of Nagasaki”
First month at Japanese Elementary school
My feet are soooo sunburnt. It looks like I am wearing crabs for slippers. It has been one month of Japanese elementary school. My kids have done surprisingly well considering that Japanese is not really their mother tongue. There have been a couple of rough days, but overall they are maintaining a very high levelContinue reading “First month at Japanese Elementary school”
