I find I can't stomach most fiction anymore, especially anything written since about 1990. But Vanessa Chan's "The Storm We Made" is a powerful exception. Minutely and lovingly observed and the emotional punches it delivers are all earned and deserved.
It's set in #Malaysia in the 1930s during the British colonial period (when it was still called "Malaya") and the #Japanese wartime occupation of the 1940s, and its principal characters are Malay and Japanese. So right away that sets it apart from anything I've ever read before.
What's more, most of the principal characters from whose points of view we see the story are women and girls.
It is so rare, in #English language fiction, to have a glimpse into the dynamics of #Colonization when it's not practiced by a Western state.
The #Audiobook is beautifully narrated by Samantha Tan, a woman of #Asian ancestry.
Would love to hear #TootSEA thoughts on this book.
This review, at a popular site for people interested in Japan, could serve as a guide to watching the new documentary about Japanese hostess bars. It's a new genre for me, although I have some background in journalism: https://japanned.hcommons.org/journalism
"...our data suggested that the Japanese population could be best modeled by admixtures of three ancestral components (hereafter K1 to K3). K1 to K3 were the highest in Okinawa, Northeast, and West, respectively (Fig. 1D and table S4). K1 (Okinawa) component maintains a relatively stable fraction of around 12% in Hondo subgroups, except for South (which is a region adjacent to Okinawa), with a higher proportion of 22%. K2 (Northeast) and K3 (West) components showed a cline from West to East."
Xiaoxi Liu et al., Decoding triancestral origins, archaic introgression, and natural selection in the Japanese population by whole-genome sequencing. Sci. Adv. 10, eadi8419 (2024). DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi8419
Other professors used to take me to snacks when I was single, so I was well aware that hostesses were mostly divorced or single mothers. Mimi sheds light on the nature of snacks by saying that #Japan has a dark side. Regarding the #social#inequality that Greg mentions, Mimi clarifies that there is a double standard whereby men can go to snacks openly, but it is shameful for #women to work in them. Now I'm a family man, but I sympathize with such women, who would otherwise have to #work for close to the minimum wage.
A documentary succeeds insofar as it sheds light on the topic. If you watch it, perhaps let us know your impressions.
Sumadera (須磨寺) is a unique #temple full of iconographic #arts, at the western end of Kōbe (神戸). Perhaps because it's not in Kyōto or Nara, there is little information available online about Sumadera, even in #Japanese. It was founded in 886 and has its own branch of Kūkai's #Shingon#Buddhism: Sumadera-ha (真言宗須磨寺派). It is internationally active, and a place for #religious practices rather than an outdoor museum. By the same token, it's free to enter.
Suma appears in ancient waka poetry (和歌) of 5-7-5-7-7 syllables, and is associated with the Heike Monogatari (平家物語). I was determined to go, despite the rain, because I'd read an article clarifying wabi and sabi with a #waka coincidentally about Suma. The first photos show Sumadera's exchanges with #Nepal resulting in a display of Tibetan #Buddhist and #Hindu#iconography. Although there was light rain on the beach at first, later up at Sumadera the day turned bright.
For hours I hiked around Kurodani (黒谷) in Kyōto, literally "Black Valley," which is actually a large hill. From Japanese sources I found that the Pure Land (浄土宗) Buddhist saint Hōnen (法然上人) came down from Kurodani on Mt. Hiei in 1175 to build a hut on the hill, which became the major temple Konkaikōmyōji (金戒光明寺). The other temple I visited was Shinshōgokuraku-ji (真正極楽寺) or Shinnyo-dō (真如堂) nearby. Both worship Amitābha (阿弥陀} Buddha, although Shinnyo-dō belongs to the Tendai sect and was founded in 984 during the Heian Period. After the recent rain there was bright green early spring foliage and various flowers to enjoy along with interesting Buddhist statues and architecture.
Sakurajima.moe is an inclusive Glitch Mastodon server for fans and content creators interested in Japanese anime, manga, games etc. The server is highly moderated to provide a safe, non-toxic environment.
Book review #17 for 2024 is Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Tales from the Cafe. I loved Before the Coffee Gets Cold and put Tales from the Cafe on my TBL. I was not disappointed. It is sad and hopeful at the same time. It put me in a reflective state as related to my own life and I continue to find the series helpful. #books#bookstodon#reading#fiction#japanese@bookstodon@books
I just got an invite to a press event for #Japans "Initiatives on #Women, Peace and Security" and women's participation in global issues and sustainable peace.
Sounds great, no? Except for one thing. The lead speaker and moderator...both middle-aged #Japanese#men. 🙄
Japan has unveiled a new vision for developing its next-generation in-house passenger jet. After delays and a troubled setback last year when a privately-led venture was discontinued, the new project marks a nationwide effort spearheaded by both the public and private sectors.
This cutting-edge aircraft aims to incorporate “new environmental technologies” like hydrogen fuel or hybrid-electric propulsion systems.
The Japan Times just interviewed me toward an article on bilingual education. Whenever I think my work is done in a field, requests come along and I find I have still more I've wanted to express.
I've been invited to give an informal presentation at Kōnan University in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture next month. It will be my 100th different presentation topic. Many people have appreciated my photos and explanations, so I will show and tell briefly about 20 "Kyōto Temples, Shrines, and Festivals."
🇯🇵 "Finally, I will attempt to shed light on the historical forces and scenarios that might return Japanese ultranationalists to the center of political influence and power in the Japanese state and overturn Japan’s postwar pacifist constitution and noninterventionist military foreign policy."
🇯🇵 " Finally, I will attempt to shed light on the historical forces and scenarios that might return Japanese ultranationalists to the center of political influence and power in the Japanese state and overturn Japan’s postwar pacifist constitution and noninterventionist military foreign policy."
A good friend who teaches at universities in Kyōto got married late in life, and had me give a speech in Japanese at the reception. I had wanted to keep it simple, but once my Japanese wife got involved, I ended up with all sorts of formal clothing and a more elaborate gift. The ceremonies were held at a hotel in the central city. The wedding chapel was inside the hotel but had windows above it. Typical of Japan, the ceremonies were eclectic, with Japanese and Western elements including songs like "Pretty Woman" and "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" by Elvis (good for karaoke - I sang along). There was a recording of the bride dancing Nihon buyō (日本舞踊) based on Kabuki, and a powerful opera singer performed live.
The hardest part of this semester was trying to urge #students, amid the available #technologies, to really #read. Most friends worldwide are on mobile phones, preferring short posts, and not easily accessing links. I can therefore be thankful for the global readership of my #publications in these #research#repositories:
Japan's ResearchMap (和英), where I have filled in #Japanese as well as English information about publications (6,600+ downloads): https://researchmap.jp/waoe