No Japanese game show would be complete without punishment for the losers! In Max Keigo, the impolite are beaten about the head and shoulders by a diabolical robot boss. Yes, it’s a Japanese game show that pits teams of quick-witted experts against each other to see who can be more…HONORIFIC! If you’ve ever studied Japanese,ContinueContinue reading “Politeness Battle Royale”
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Steel-Toed Construction Slippers
Okay, I was kidding about the steel toes, but not about the slippers. This is a construction site I passed today in Hiroo. Not taking off your shoes when you enter someone’s house here feels as weird as not taking off your clothes before you step in the shower, and that even goes for constructionContinueContinue reading “Steel-Toed Construction Slippers”
Time For a Nice Bowl of Intestine Soup
Forget the Clearasil and dumpster the Oil of Olay. My friend Hiro tells me that all I have to do to have beautiful skin is eat lots of motsunabe. Apparently, Japanese women have eaten pig intestines for ages, chasing the perfect creamy complexion. On a cold winter night, the bubbling pot of motsunabe turned out toContinueContinue reading “Time For a Nice Bowl of Intestine Soup”
Battle of the Titans
Before the match begins, the wrestlers parade into the ring and perform a ritual salute. Yesterday I was invited to watch Day 14 of the January sumo tournament from my friend Mitsuko’s box, which was so close to the ring we could see the expressions on the wrestlers’ faces but not so close that 400 pounds ofContinueContinue reading “Battle of the Titans”
How to Glue Your Eyelids
I’ve always wondered how to use eyelid glue. I knew it was a prime tool in the make-up kits of Japanese gyaru seeking that perfect babydoll look, but never understood just how it worked. Then I discovered this handy guide in Kera magazine! Basically, “Western” eyelids have a deep fold above them and Japanese eyes don’t.ContinueContinue reading “How to Glue Your Eyelids”
Pizza of…France?
And what could be more French than a pizza topped with five types of cheese, broccoli, red peppers, demiglace sauce and beef stew? You won’t need a glass of red to wash it down with, because apparently, wine has already been liberally added. The decorative squirts of cream cheese were a nice coup de grâce,ContinueContinue reading “Pizza of…France?”
Lavender Leopard Fur Mantilla
I’m not sure how I’ve lived this long without this fashion forward accessory. Seems like it would go with pretty much everything. And if I hadn’t consulted Kera magazine, I wouldn’t know that my leather jacket has been crying out for a pair of Hammer pants. These black and white striped fake fur ones willContinueContinue reading “Lavender Leopard Fur Mantilla”
The World’s Tiniest Forest
And the most convenient! If you owned this little grove, you wouldn’t have to take countless trains and buses to enjoy some natural splendor because you could just keep it in your room. I was wandering around the other day, waiting for my boots to be repaired at the Matsuya Ginza store and I chanced uponContinueContinue reading “The World’s Tiniest Forest”
This Will Never Be On My Grocery List
I was browsing the meat section at my local super the other night, trying to get some inspiration for dinner, when I noticed it must be shirako season. Have to say, that fact didn’t help me much with my meal planning, since I pretty much never get a craving for fish testicles. While I have eatenContinueContinue reading “This Will Never Be On My Grocery List”
Coming-Of-Age in the New Age
On Tuesday this lovely maiden in traditional dress undoubtedly went back to looking like the girl in the beanie, but Monday was Coming-Of-Age Day here in Japan, and even though kimono wearing has pretty much disappeared at other times of year, the shrines were packed with 20-year-old girls in all the trimmings. One of the reasonsContinueContinue reading “Coming-Of-Age in the New Age”
Mitarashi Donut
On the left, observe that irresistible staple of Japanese festival snackdom, mitarashi dango: a skewer of gooey rice balls slathered in salty-sweet goodness. On the right, Mister Donut’s homage, the mitarashi donut: a ring of fried dough, dripping with that very same salty-sweet sauce. Sadly, they don’t come skewered three to a stick. •
Look Like a Host In One Easy Makeover!
My all-time favorite magazine Men’s Knuckle sent an intrepid team of stylists to Kabuki-chō to perform makeovers on young men they thought could use some help achieving that irresistible host club look. Look & learn at the feet of the masters! Let’s face it – this guy looked hopelessly normal before the stylists pointed himContinueContinue reading “Look Like a Host In One Easy Makeover!”
Gray is the New Blonde
Even weirder than the trend of wearing black rimmed glasses without any lenses is the phenomenon of young Japanese dyeing their hair gray. I’ve seen most of these in Shibuya, so it might be confined to outliers who’ve already cycled through red, blonde, pink, blue, and purple. Maybe gray is the only color that’s safeContinueContinue reading “Gray is the New Blonde”
Feeling Lucky?
The Listen Flavor sales staff working hard to move the special New Year’s backpacks filled with mystery goods January 2nd used to be known as one of the few times the public was allowed behind the walls of the Imperial Palace to see the emperor, but these days you’ll find everyone under 30 jamming theContinueContinue reading “Feeling Lucky?”
Celebrating New Year’s, Japanese Style
When I made my hatsumōde (first shrine visit of the year) to the Nezu Shrine this morning, it did not disappoint. New Year’s is observed with all kinds of traditions in Japan, but none were more entertaining than this troupe of beautiful women taiko drummers. They make it look easy, but taiko drumming is a workout thatContinueContinue reading “Celebrating New Year’s, Japanese Style”
Only In Japan 