So this is big news in Japan. Fascinating to my western brain that such a big deal would be made out of showing a problem about homosexuality. Another classic example of the many cultural experiences i am having while in Japan.
NHK ventures into the closet for first time with program on homosexuality
Coverage of homosexuality by Japan's notoriously squeaky clean, hyper-conservative public broadcaster NHK has so far been as hard to find as a G-spot, but the taxpayer-funded network is finally coming out of the closet, according to Shukan Shincho (4/24).
NHK's Education Channel program "Haato wo Tsunago (Let's Connect Hearts)" will screen a program on homosexuality on April 28 and 29, continuing its trend since hitting the air two years ago of taking on controversial topics like child abuse, learning disabilities and hikikomori recluses.
"We've covered gender identity on the program before and some responses to those shows urged us to consider the problems facing homosexuals, so we decided to pick up the issue," an NHK spokesman tells Shukan Shincho.
"The show basically involves talking to homosexuals, their families and their associates to find out what sorts of problems they face and what we can do about them. We asked them about what it means to come out or not, why some homosexuals feel uncomfortable with being open about their sexuality and how friends and relatives react to those who are out. All cases discussed on the program are based on existing examples."
Homosexuality in Japan is typically accepted, but rarely talked about openly, though many overtly gay performers appear on TV screens.
Appearing as a guest on the program will be Kanako Otsuji, a 33-year-old woman who has made a political career out of being openly lesbian.
"NHK first talked to me about the program in February. At the time, they said they were only doing background work for a show, but even then I was really surprised that high and mighty NHK was showing an interest in gay and lesbian affairs. I thought it was finally a sign of the times," Otsuji tells Shukan Shincho. "For a long time, the media has basically ignored the homosexual community.
TV sometimes picked up the subject, but almost always on variety shows where comic drag queens were the features. It looks like TV is finally going to take a serious look at the issues facing the gay and lesbian communities. I really was surprised when I first heard NHK was going to do the show. Now I'm proud of it for doing so."
Ira Ishida, one of the hosts of the program, also lauds NHK for taking on a topic still widely regarded as controversial in Japan.
"When we announced on our website that we were going to do a show on gays and lesbians, we received over 70 mailed responses from viewers even though the show hadn't aired. It's unprecedented to have so much response to a program before it has even gone on," Ishida says. "It seems like there were lots of viewers waiting for us to pick up this topic."
Media commentator Nobuo Shiga is also pleased at the development.
"I'm sure this is the first time NHK has ever done a program on gay and lesbians. And for its Education Channel," he says. "NHK has been trying to broaden its viewer base and this project is certainly a huge step for it."
Those in the homosexual community are naturally pleased.
"It's revolutionary for NHK to cover this topic," the leader of a gay and lesbian support organization tells Shukan Shincho on condition of anonymity. "In the past, NHK producers have contacted me on countless occasions to say they have an interest in doing a show about homosexuality, but they're bosses have always nixed the idea. Awareness of homosexuality in wider society is still not great, or at least that's what the bosses refusing to cover the issue were always saying.
The closest thing homosexuality ever got to coverage on NHK was the homosexuals working as performers in the adult entertainment business. I think things have changed now, though." (By Ryann Connell)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Fishing for panties anyone?????
Men can hire a fishing line to try and hook the girls skirts and see their panties........WHOA!!!!!!!!!!
Osaka panchira bar offering barfly fishing for skirt reeling in the punters
An oddball Osaka bar is proving a huge success -- but it's no flash in the pan, instead succeeding with a business model centering on a flash of the frillies, according to Shukan Post (6/8).
Visitors to the Panchira Kissa P*Doll in Osaka's Minami district are served by scantily clad young women who will deliberately strike poses and go to places within the establishment that offers glimpses of their underwear.
A young woman wearing a sexy French maid's outfit greets people entering the bar with the word "chirassaimase," a play on the traditional Japanese welcome of "irasshaimase" and "panchira", which describes a fleeting glance of knickers.
P*Doll's star attraction is its mirror-topped bar, which allows patrons sitting there to cop an eyeful up the waitresses' skirts as they walk along the counter. The waitresses will also put on mini-shows, such as wiggling their bottoms or flashing their G-strings.
"There are about 15 girls working here. All the lingerie we wear is our own," Anri, one of the waitresses at P*Doll, tells Shukan Post. "On weekends, people line up to get in here. Some people even get the bullet train down from Tokyo just to visit."
Shukan Post notes that P*Doll also provides its drinkers who tip generously with a variety of optional services, including the chance to watch a waitress change clothes behind an almost transparent black silk screen, or the chance to have one of the table staff squat down on their haunches with legs apart for a two-minute chat.
But the additional option reeling in the punters is the fishing line, where punters pay to use a fishing rod with a large hook on the end of its line to try and raise a waitress's skirt for a few seconds. (By Ryann Connell)
Osaka panchira bar offering barfly fishing for skirt reeling in the punters
An oddball Osaka bar is proving a huge success -- but it's no flash in the pan, instead succeeding with a business model centering on a flash of the frillies, according to Shukan Post (6/8).
Visitors to the Panchira Kissa P*Doll in Osaka's Minami district are served by scantily clad young women who will deliberately strike poses and go to places within the establishment that offers glimpses of their underwear.
A young woman wearing a sexy French maid's outfit greets people entering the bar with the word "chirassaimase," a play on the traditional Japanese welcome of "irasshaimase" and "panchira", which describes a fleeting glance of knickers.
P*Doll's star attraction is its mirror-topped bar, which allows patrons sitting there to cop an eyeful up the waitresses' skirts as they walk along the counter. The waitresses will also put on mini-shows, such as wiggling their bottoms or flashing their G-strings.
"There are about 15 girls working here. All the lingerie we wear is our own," Anri, one of the waitresses at P*Doll, tells Shukan Post. "On weekends, people line up to get in here. Some people even get the bullet train down from Tokyo just to visit."
Shukan Post notes that P*Doll also provides its drinkers who tip generously with a variety of optional services, including the chance to watch a waitress change clothes behind an almost transparent black silk screen, or the chance to have one of the table staff squat down on their haunches with legs apart for a two-minute chat.
But the additional option reeling in the punters is the fishing line, where punters pay to use a fishing rod with a large hook on the end of its line to try and raise a waitress's skirt for a few seconds. (By Ryann Connell)
Dating tips for the Japanese office?????
My fav part is the band aids and sewing kits.......
When all else fails to impress that guy in the office, bend over and flash the flesh
Japan is the land of the subtle nuance, especially when it comes to relations between the sexes in the workplace. Straight shooting is almost always sacrificed for beating around the bush and the direct approach is often socially unacceptable.
What that leads to, says Spa! (12/12) is women sending off a lot of messages to blokes they fancy, only for them to shoot wildly past their intended targets.
Of 200 office ladies surveyed by the men's weekly, 137 or around 70 percent, had tried to let a male co-worker know that they thought he was a bit of all right by remembering how he likes his coffee and making a cuppa for him.
Another 130 said they make up any silly work-related excuse to make an internal call to a feller they fancy. Not that it always works, though.
"Asking him something I didn't know was my way of trying to talk to him. He was really kind and showed me what he wanted, but has also ignored me ever since," a 26-year-old woman working in the apparel industry tells Spa!
Women's approaches to male co-workers are extremely difficult to discern. Often the approach has to be disguised as something work-related, which almost invariably opens up the possibility that the less flirtatious will overlook it.
That happened to one of the 88 surveyed women who played "the woman card" for all it was worth, pretending to struggle lifting heavy items in the hope that a favored male colleague's chivalry would come to the fore and help, thus creating an ice-breaker."He was really cruel," one woman, who failed dismally with a ploy of feigned exertion while tackling a hefty load, tells Spa! "He looked down at me, told me to divide the load into smaller lots and carry them more often. 'That's what you've got a brain for,' he said."
Other women took something of a Boy Scout approach when it came to waiting for the opportunity to let a male co-worker know they were interested. Being prepared for anything, they packed away such things as sewing kits to attach popped buttons or band aids to patch unexpected cuts in the hope that doing so would win the heart of the man they yearned for."I always carried around a sewing kit just in case this guy I liked lost a button and I would be able to impress him by sewing it back on for him," a 27-year-old woman working in the IT field says. "I've been carrying it around for 10 years now and never used it once."
Another OL is in a similar situation with band aids.
"I've had the band aids on me for ages and ages without ever using them and now they're absolutely filthy," the 24-year-old construction industry worker says.
When all else fails, there's still the trump card -- sex! There were 29 OLs who flirted with male co-workers by giving them a flash of cleavage, and another 17 who wore skimpy lingerie and deliberately bent over to display their derrieres. Many OLs, however, regard the concept of "sex sells" as an absolute last resort.
"There's no way," she says indignantly to Spa! "that I'd ever show off my cleavage to any member of the opposite sex who I didn't like." (By Ryann Connell)
When all else fails to impress that guy in the office, bend over and flash the flesh
Japan is the land of the subtle nuance, especially when it comes to relations between the sexes in the workplace. Straight shooting is almost always sacrificed for beating around the bush and the direct approach is often socially unacceptable.
What that leads to, says Spa! (12/12) is women sending off a lot of messages to blokes they fancy, only for them to shoot wildly past their intended targets.
Of 200 office ladies surveyed by the men's weekly, 137 or around 70 percent, had tried to let a male co-worker know that they thought he was a bit of all right by remembering how he likes his coffee and making a cuppa for him.
Another 130 said they make up any silly work-related excuse to make an internal call to a feller they fancy. Not that it always works, though.
"Asking him something I didn't know was my way of trying to talk to him. He was really kind and showed me what he wanted, but has also ignored me ever since," a 26-year-old woman working in the apparel industry tells Spa!
Women's approaches to male co-workers are extremely difficult to discern. Often the approach has to be disguised as something work-related, which almost invariably opens up the possibility that the less flirtatious will overlook it.
That happened to one of the 88 surveyed women who played "the woman card" for all it was worth, pretending to struggle lifting heavy items in the hope that a favored male colleague's chivalry would come to the fore and help, thus creating an ice-breaker."He was really cruel," one woman, who failed dismally with a ploy of feigned exertion while tackling a hefty load, tells Spa! "He looked down at me, told me to divide the load into smaller lots and carry them more often. 'That's what you've got a brain for,' he said."
Other women took something of a Boy Scout approach when it came to waiting for the opportunity to let a male co-worker know they were interested. Being prepared for anything, they packed away such things as sewing kits to attach popped buttons or band aids to patch unexpected cuts in the hope that doing so would win the heart of the man they yearned for."I always carried around a sewing kit just in case this guy I liked lost a button and I would be able to impress him by sewing it back on for him," a 27-year-old woman working in the IT field says. "I've been carrying it around for 10 years now and never used it once."
Another OL is in a similar situation with band aids.
"I've had the band aids on me for ages and ages without ever using them and now they're absolutely filthy," the 24-year-old construction industry worker says.
When all else fails, there's still the trump card -- sex! There were 29 OLs who flirted with male co-workers by giving them a flash of cleavage, and another 17 who wore skimpy lingerie and deliberately bent over to display their derrieres. Many OLs, however, regard the concept of "sex sells" as an absolute last resort.
"There's no way," she says indignantly to Spa! "that I'd ever show off my cleavage to any member of the opposite sex who I didn't like." (By Ryann Connell)
Wanna go have coffee and look at the waitresses undies???? U can in Tokyo!
I want to visit this place but i am not sure they will let a girl in. How crazy is it???? That's a real cultural difference for you.
New clutch of Tokyo panty flashing bars offer the best view in the house
Chirasshaimase!"
Enter just about any Japanese business establishment and you'll almost invariably be greeted by an employee with a call of "irrashaimase," or welcome.
But "chirasshaimase," a combination of the welcome and "chirarism", the Japanese term used to describe a flash of bra or panties, has become the traditional greeting for new kinds of exhibitionist, saucy services now operating in Tokyo, according to Friday (4/25).
During the heady days of Japan's economic bubble in the 1980s, the country saw an explosion in the number of bottomless cafes and restaurants, where waitresses worked without any panties and offered customers a fleeting glimpse of their nether regions courtesy of strategically placed cameras, mirrors or fans.
And though a combination of modern. more conservative attitudes and Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's crackdown on adult entertainment districts mean the raw flesh servings are limited to sushi, the practice of chirarism remains as popular -- and in some cases, as profitable -- as ever.
Fetish Kissa Chirarism P is a chirarism cafe in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. At first glance, it looks like any ordinary cafe, with a 15-seat counter, a few round tables and LCD monitors placed on each table. It starts getting different with cups of coffee that cost 1,200 yen, about three times the price of the equivalent latte in a regular coffee shop. And things really change when it comes to the way the waitress presents the coffee as hidden cameras film up her skirt and beam the images to LCD monitors in front of the client.
"If you chat with us, we'll even lean our arms down on the counter and talk to you," waitress Nao tells Friday, implying the table staff will also offer a glimpse of cleavage through their uniforms.
In the newly opened Pan Kissh in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, slipping a pre-paid gambling chip into the high heels of a waitress entitles the customer to watch as the waitress removes her bra, puts on a business shirt and then carries their drink to him between her breasts. Another payment allows customers to use a fishing rod and line to raise the already skimpy skirts on waiting staff, once again gaining a glimpse of garters and other goodies.
Also in Kabukicho is Panchira Cafe and Bar Maidol, a dimly lit drinking spot with mirrors built in to its counter bar. Entry to the bar is 3,000 yen, and customers buy poker chips at an additional 500 yen apiece. Ordering a drink, the waitress will fling one leg up onto the bar with the mirror giving a flashing glimpse of her undies. Attached to her leg is a money box. Insert a chip and you get the drink handed to you. For 2,000 yen's worth of chips, waitresses will sit up on the mirrored counter bar with their legs spread for 30 seconds.
"We don't allow any touching at all," Panchira Cafe's Ichigo tells Friday. "Even so, everyone who comes here enjoys the sexy atmosphere." (By Ryann Connell)
New clutch of Tokyo panty flashing bars offer the best view in the house
Chirasshaimase!"
Enter just about any Japanese business establishment and you'll almost invariably be greeted by an employee with a call of "irrashaimase," or welcome.
But "chirasshaimase," a combination of the welcome and "chirarism", the Japanese term used to describe a flash of bra or panties, has become the traditional greeting for new kinds of exhibitionist, saucy services now operating in Tokyo, according to Friday (4/25).
During the heady days of Japan's economic bubble in the 1980s, the country saw an explosion in the number of bottomless cafes and restaurants, where waitresses worked without any panties and offered customers a fleeting glimpse of their nether regions courtesy of strategically placed cameras, mirrors or fans.
And though a combination of modern. more conservative attitudes and Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara's crackdown on adult entertainment districts mean the raw flesh servings are limited to sushi, the practice of chirarism remains as popular -- and in some cases, as profitable -- as ever.
Fetish Kissa Chirarism P is a chirarism cafe in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district. At first glance, it looks like any ordinary cafe, with a 15-seat counter, a few round tables and LCD monitors placed on each table. It starts getting different with cups of coffee that cost 1,200 yen, about three times the price of the equivalent latte in a regular coffee shop. And things really change when it comes to the way the waitress presents the coffee as hidden cameras film up her skirt and beam the images to LCD monitors in front of the client.
"If you chat with us, we'll even lean our arms down on the counter and talk to you," waitress Nao tells Friday, implying the table staff will also offer a glimpse of cleavage through their uniforms.
In the newly opened Pan Kissh in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, slipping a pre-paid gambling chip into the high heels of a waitress entitles the customer to watch as the waitress removes her bra, puts on a business shirt and then carries their drink to him between her breasts. Another payment allows customers to use a fishing rod and line to raise the already skimpy skirts on waiting staff, once again gaining a glimpse of garters and other goodies.
Also in Kabukicho is Panchira Cafe and Bar Maidol, a dimly lit drinking spot with mirrors built in to its counter bar. Entry to the bar is 3,000 yen, and customers buy poker chips at an additional 500 yen apiece. Ordering a drink, the waitress will fling one leg up onto the bar with the mirror giving a flashing glimpse of her undies. Attached to her leg is a money box. Insert a chip and you get the drink handed to you. For 2,000 yen's worth of chips, waitresses will sit up on the mirrored counter bar with their legs spread for 30 seconds.
"We don't allow any touching at all," Panchira Cafe's Ichigo tells Friday. "Even so, everyone who comes here enjoys the sexy atmosphere." (By Ryann Connell)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The steepest bike ramp i have ever seen.....
I have taken to riding to school so that i can escape the awful crowded trains and buses. And when i first started to ride, i only rode to Kawaguchi station. This is only 30 mins ride from my house. And then i would park my bike in the bike garage under the station. And it was here that i came across the steepest bike ramps i have ever seen. Some stupid kids in Oz would try and ride down them if they were here. But i would never dare. One side of the station there is a conveyor belt to guide the bikes up out of the garage. But on my side there is nothing. Just the regular old steep bike ramp. This first time i went up it, two of my ex students were watching and took a photo. It was so funny and such hard work. So i then decided that i didnt want to pay the parking fee and the bus fare from the station to my school. So now i am riding everyday for 55 minutes to school.
When i first started to ride, i kept getting lost. It took me nearly 2 hours one day. And i found a McDonalds right near my school. And i was so lost. And on other days i seemed to head in the right direction and then still get lost.
NOW, i am fine. I used the bus route to get myself here and all is good. It is actually a really nice ride and I will be sad when i wont be doing it anymore.
When i first started to ride, i kept getting lost. It took me nearly 2 hours one day. And i found a McDonalds right near my school. And i was so lost. And on other days i seemed to head in the right direction and then still get lost.
NOW, i am fine. I used the bus route to get myself here and all is good. It is actually a really nice ride and I will be sad when i wont be doing it anymore.
Check your BP in the staffroom????? What???
Thats right, there is a machine to check your blood pressure in the teachers room. It sits right next to the vice-principal. And the teachers said that i should check my blood pressure once a week like they do. It is for good health. Now i am no doctor but is this really necessary??? I am actually asking. It seemed quite strange to me but i went along with it. I have still only done it once but i smile when i walk past and someone is checking their BP. I am sure it cant hurt but i had just never seen this in a staff room before.
Another great example of Japanese vs Aussie culture. So much to learn!!!!
Another great example of Japanese vs Aussie culture. So much to learn!!!!
Crazy screaming junior high school students.
I have delayed writing about this for reasons that will become apparent when i leave Japan. But i wanted to write about the craziness that is "Entrance Exams" here in Japan.
So students who want to enter PUBLIC high schools here in Japan, have to take 2 days of tests to even be considered. One day is writing tests. English, Maths, Japanese, Science and Social Studies tests all in one day. Science and Social Sutdies combined they get 40 mins and then the other subjects are combined in a 50 minute test. The students look exhausted at the end of the day.
Then the next day is interview day. Three students are put in a room with two teachers. About 15 - 20 mins and the three students are interviewed in turn during this time.
Then the staff meet and talk about which students should be allowed into the school based on the test and interview results. It is a brutal process because some students miss out and then have to come back for the second round. AND if they still dont get into the school, then they have to go to a private school which costs their parents lots of money. So it is completely the opposite in Japan. PUBLIC schools are the sort after ones.
And now the screaming comes in..... unlike in western countries where private letters are sent out telling students if they got into the school, Japanese school post a huge sign with student's registration numbers on it. So the students all gather in front of the school on a specific morning and then the staff put the paper up and there is screaming and crying and craziness. It was amazing. The boys were jumping up and down and hugging each other and the girls were crying and hugging each other. There were mothers at the school with their children, who also cried and hugged other mothers. It was a sight.
So students who want to enter PUBLIC high schools here in Japan, have to take 2 days of tests to even be considered. One day is writing tests. English, Maths, Japanese, Science and Social Studies tests all in one day. Science and Social Sutdies combined they get 40 mins and then the other subjects are combined in a 50 minute test. The students look exhausted at the end of the day.
Then the next day is interview day. Three students are put in a room with two teachers. About 15 - 20 mins and the three students are interviewed in turn during this time.
Then the staff meet and talk about which students should be allowed into the school based on the test and interview results. It is a brutal process because some students miss out and then have to come back for the second round. AND if they still dont get into the school, then they have to go to a private school which costs their parents lots of money. So it is completely the opposite in Japan. PUBLIC schools are the sort after ones.
And now the screaming comes in..... unlike in western countries where private letters are sent out telling students if they got into the school, Japanese school post a huge sign with student's registration numbers on it. So the students all gather in front of the school on a specific morning and then the staff put the paper up and there is screaming and crying and craziness. It was amazing. The boys were jumping up and down and hugging each other and the girls were crying and hugging each other. There were mothers at the school with their children, who also cried and hugged other mothers. It was a sight.
Another amazing thing about this was that the staff were so prepared for all of this. I mean there were teachers with sticky tape already cut and waitinig on their fingers to hand it up to the teachers putting the sign up. So precise with everything. It was so strange to me. We would just do it as it comes but the staff knew how it all had to be done and they almost over prepared for it. An interesting insight i think into the differing mindsets of our cultures. Aussies would just put the sign up in their own time and no planned method (generally anyway). Japanese had it planned right down to who would hold the ladder and who had the sticky tape already cut.
Amazing Spring
I have never seen spring like this before. When i lived in Adelaide, there was spring. Alice Springs doesnt really get spring. We get a few flowers but you dont really notice it. Here in Japan it is amazing. The Cherry Blossoms are only around for about 2 weeks. That is the full cycle from first blossom to falling. It takes about one week for the blossoms to come fully out once they start. It was quite sad to see them falling. But also very beautiful.
And now as i ride my bike to school there are other flowers that are coming out. And some of the leaves on the trees have turned shades of purple. It is so great. I thought that once Cherry Blossoms had gone that it would just be like summer here. But it just keeps getting more and more beautiful. And the smell is amazing. Every now and then as i ride to school, i get a wiff of the beautiful flowers. It is so nice.
I will post a link later for the photos i have taken.
And now as i ride my bike to school there are other flowers that are coming out. And some of the leaves on the trees have turned shades of purple. It is so great. I thought that once Cherry Blossoms had gone that it would just be like summer here. But it just keeps getting more and more beautiful. And the smell is amazing. Every now and then as i ride to school, i get a wiff of the beautiful flowers. It is so nice.
I will post a link later for the photos i have taken.
Japanese teenagers say the strangest things.........
So i have been having my first lessons with the new grade 10 students at my school. The school year starts in April here in Japan. Anyway, and here are two of the wonderful things that came out of my students' mouths.
"Laura is more cute than a Koala"
This was said when i was showing them a photo of me holding a Koala.
"I wish i had Laura's nose" (while gesturing that it stuck out more than her own)
This one was really strange. Through limited English and a little Japanese and even more sign language, I learned that my western nose is very desirable to the girl students. HOW WEIRD!!!!!! They think theirs are too flat.
"Laura is more cute than a Koala"
This was said when i was showing them a photo of me holding a Koala.
"I wish i had Laura's nose" (while gesturing that it stuck out more than her own)
This one was really strange. Through limited English and a little Japanese and even more sign language, I learned that my western nose is very desirable to the girl students. HOW WEIRD!!!!!! They think theirs are too flat.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Inside the Imperial Palace
Imperial Household Headquaters
Where the Emperor gives his New Years message
So usually you can go and see the outside of the Imperial Palace. By this i mean that you cant go inside the walls. BUT if you apply over the internet you can go inside the East Garden of the palace. It has to be approved by the Imperial Household Agency. And this is what i did on Thursday afternoon.
But before i talk about going inside the walls of the Imperial Palace, I want to talk about a book i read recently. It is called Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne. It is written by an Australian man and was fascinating to read. Princess Masako is the crown princess of Japan. Which means that she is going to be the next Empress. She is a really bright and very well educated woman. She originally wanted to be a diplomat and speaks several languages. She said no several times to her now husband, the crown prince of Japan. But eventually she said yes and joined the Imperial family. Here in Japan, when a woman marries, traditionally she leaves her family and joins her husbands. This means that she no longer goes to the temple to pray for her relatives etc but now she must pray for her new husband's relatives. And Masako had to leave her family behind and did not see them for a long time after she was first married.
What was most interesting was the pressure that was on her to have a boy. Japan doesnt allow women to take the throne unless they are desperate. There are a few examples of when this has happened but it is very very very rare. Masako had a little girl and was even undergoing fertility treatment. This had never been done before by the Imperial family.
Another interesting part of this was the deep depression that Masako suffered as she was suffocated by the Imperial Household agency. She was not allowed to see her family or friends. She no longer worked and was not able to travel. They rule her whole life. It was very sad. I think in a three year period she saw her family only twice. Awful.
Anyway, I was going to take the book into the compound with me and get a photo of me with it in there and i might go back again before i leave cause what an awesome photo that would be. I was worried that they would search my bag. They didnt and off we went.
And now i can totally understand the book better. The Imperial Household Agency guys who looked after us were crazy about the control thing. We had to walk in four straight lines. And if we strayed to take a photo then they came and waved us back into the group. We were allowed to take photos on this one bridge but we did anyway. But they kept telling us not to.
That said they were very kind. I got a recorded English guide so that i wouldnt miss anything when the Japanese guide was speaking. I can understand alot but of course still prefer English. And the security guys would always come and tell us which number to press. Of course they werent in order and the numbers on the maps and explanations of course were not in order either. I looked on the Japanese map as well. Mine was in English. And the Japanese one was just as confusing. Obviously, it takes a Japanese mind to understand the order cause i wasnt the only foreigner who was having trouble. Also one man fell over and the guide/guards were very good about it.
BUT it was crazy how much control they had to have over us. Firstly, the group was mainly Japanese and old. And if the Japanese are told to do something, they usually do it. Not one of them strayed from the lines the whole time. It was the stupid foreigners that caused problems. lol. Opps.
It was raining but it was still good to see inside the area. I will let the photos and their comments speak for themselves.
I will post some photos of what I saw later.
But before i talk about going inside the walls of the Imperial Palace, I want to talk about a book i read recently. It is called Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne. It is written by an Australian man and was fascinating to read. Princess Masako is the crown princess of Japan. Which means that she is going to be the next Empress. She is a really bright and very well educated woman. She originally wanted to be a diplomat and speaks several languages. She said no several times to her now husband, the crown prince of Japan. But eventually she said yes and joined the Imperial family. Here in Japan, when a woman marries, traditionally she leaves her family and joins her husbands. This means that she no longer goes to the temple to pray for her relatives etc but now she must pray for her new husband's relatives. And Masako had to leave her family behind and did not see them for a long time after she was first married.
What was most interesting was the pressure that was on her to have a boy. Japan doesnt allow women to take the throne unless they are desperate. There are a few examples of when this has happened but it is very very very rare. Masako had a little girl and was even undergoing fertility treatment. This had never been done before by the Imperial family.
Another interesting part of this was the deep depression that Masako suffered as she was suffocated by the Imperial Household agency. She was not allowed to see her family or friends. She no longer worked and was not able to travel. They rule her whole life. It was very sad. I think in a three year period she saw her family only twice. Awful.
Anyway, I was going to take the book into the compound with me and get a photo of me with it in there and i might go back again before i leave cause what an awesome photo that would be. I was worried that they would search my bag. They didnt and off we went.
And now i can totally understand the book better. The Imperial Household Agency guys who looked after us were crazy about the control thing. We had to walk in four straight lines. And if we strayed to take a photo then they came and waved us back into the group. We were allowed to take photos on this one bridge but we did anyway. But they kept telling us not to.
That said they were very kind. I got a recorded English guide so that i wouldnt miss anything when the Japanese guide was speaking. I can understand alot but of course still prefer English. And the security guys would always come and tell us which number to press. Of course they werent in order and the numbers on the maps and explanations of course were not in order either. I looked on the Japanese map as well. Mine was in English. And the Japanese one was just as confusing. Obviously, it takes a Japanese mind to understand the order cause i wasnt the only foreigner who was having trouble. Also one man fell over and the guide/guards were very good about it.
BUT it was crazy how much control they had to have over us. Firstly, the group was mainly Japanese and old. And if the Japanese are told to do something, they usually do it. Not one of them strayed from the lines the whole time. It was the stupid foreigners that caused problems. lol. Opps.
It was raining but it was still good to see inside the area. I will let the photos and their comments speak for themselves.
I will post some photos of what I saw later.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Osaka otaku cafe swaps mincing maids for matronly moms
Otaku is a term used for people with obsessive interests, particularly anime and manga in Japan.
And in Japan, there are these cafes were men can go to look at sexy maid waitresses and be babied by them. Eg feed by them etc.
Below is an article from the Mainichi Daily, an online English newspaper in Japan.
Forget maids, according to Asahi Geino (4/10), Japan's otaku now want moms for their themed cafes.
While maid cafes -- diners where the waitresses are decked out in saucy French maid outfits -- have become passe but successful enough for Japan to export the concept overseas, it seems they haven't been enough to satisfy all otaku fetishes.
But now Mother Cafe, in Osaka's recently opened Mandarake outlet in Amerika-mura, aims to ease otaku's Oedipal urges by having waitresses take on a maternal air as they baby their customers.
Customers entering the establishment are greeted in motherly tones from the "mom" waitresses, whose ages range from 19 to their 40s.
"We came about because there wasn't really anywhere that had a library of over 10,000 different manga and also allowed people with a bit of a maniac streak about them to pursue their hearts' desire," Mother Cafe's boss tells Asahi Geino. "We staff our cafe with women who look older than they actually are, but they're also capable of understanding worries people have and have experience in dealing with people of all ages. Our aim is to become a kind of therapeutic cafe where customers feel at ease enough to be able to open their hearts to staff."
Staff are encouraged to make even the shyest customers feel at ease, and their motherly ministrations extend to hand-feeding anybody who orders a slice of cake.
Asahi Geino notes that regulars will be able to designate their own "mother" to serve them every time they visit at no extra cost, with "moms" instructed to make sure they nag repeat visitors about their lifestyles to make the experience as real as possible. (By Ryann Connell)
And in Japan, there are these cafes were men can go to look at sexy maid waitresses and be babied by them. Eg feed by them etc.
Below is an article from the Mainichi Daily, an online English newspaper in Japan.
Forget maids, according to Asahi Geino (4/10), Japan's otaku now want moms for their themed cafes.
While maid cafes -- diners where the waitresses are decked out in saucy French maid outfits -- have become passe but successful enough for Japan to export the concept overseas, it seems they haven't been enough to satisfy all otaku fetishes.
But now Mother Cafe, in Osaka's recently opened Mandarake outlet in Amerika-mura, aims to ease otaku's Oedipal urges by having waitresses take on a maternal air as they baby their customers.
Customers entering the establishment are greeted in motherly tones from the "mom" waitresses, whose ages range from 19 to their 40s.
"We came about because there wasn't really anywhere that had a library of over 10,000 different manga and also allowed people with a bit of a maniac streak about them to pursue their hearts' desire," Mother Cafe's boss tells Asahi Geino. "We staff our cafe with women who look older than they actually are, but they're also capable of understanding worries people have and have experience in dealing with people of all ages. Our aim is to become a kind of therapeutic cafe where customers feel at ease enough to be able to open their hearts to staff."
Staff are encouraged to make even the shyest customers feel at ease, and their motherly ministrations extend to hand-feeding anybody who orders a slice of cake.
Asahi Geino notes that regulars will be able to designate their own "mother" to serve them every time they visit at no extra cost, with "moms" instructed to make sure they nag repeat visitors about their lifestyles to make the experience as real as possible. (By Ryann Connell)
Friday, April 4, 2008
こどものひ （Children's Day)
On my way to school
In the kindergarten in the Danchi (my apartment block)
In the danchi, the building in front of mine.
A store in Ario displays all the things you can buy to celebrate Children/ boy's day. It is customary to fly to carp streamers from your house and to display the samurai dolls to celebrate this day.
This is the display in the Daiso - or 100 yen store (like a $1 shop)
These photos were taken by my Gramps when he was visiting one of our friends here in Japan. The carp are put up to celebrate Children's Day on the 5th of May. This is a national holiday and part of Golden week. Golden week is a string of national Golden week. Golden week is a string of national holidays at the beginning of May in Japan.
Children's day is called こどものひ or Kodomo no hi. It was originally Boy's Day. Boy's Day would be for celebrating the happiness and success of boys only. There is a Girl's Day in March but it is not a national holiday. So some people think it is unfair that Boy's Day is a national holiday and Girl's Day isnt. So luckily they renamed it in 1948 to be Children's Day.
Children's Day is for respecting childrens' personalities and celebrate their happiness.
We also saw them at Iwatsuki Station as well. These ones were really huge and on top of a building.
Yokohama with Gramps
When Nan and Grampy came to Japan 20 years ago they stayed in Nikko and did alot of travelling throughout the country. But they never made it to Yokohama. So Gramps and I headed down there for a day. After getting off the train, we took an eco friendly taxi to the Cosmo Clock Ferris Wheel.
We went along the road called Sakura Dori which had Cherry Blossoms trees lining it. It was very beautiful. However, we were hungry so i suggested the Hard Rock Cafe. Gramps had never been there so he said why not. He has been really good like that, always up for trying new things. We had a huge but yummy lunch there and apart from the really loud music which i also hated, it was lovely. 
You can see Sakura Dori ( road lined with cherry blossom trees)
The below ship was a cruise ship before ww2 and then became a hospital ship during the war and then a cruise ship after the war. It is now a museum.
We went along the road called Sakura Dori which had Cherry Blossoms trees lining it. It was very beautiful. However, we were hungry so i suggested the Hard Rock Cafe. Gramps had never been there so he said why not. He has been really good like that, always up for trying new things. We had a huge but yummy lunch there and apart from the really loud music which i also hated, it was lovely.
Then we headed over to ride the ferris wheel, which has the biggest capacity in the world. So it is not the biggest ferris wheel in the world but can hold the most people. It takes around 15 mins to go around, depending on how many times it stops to let people on. It was a very enjoyable ride and we saw lots of sakura (cherry blossoms) and a great view of the harbour
You can see Sakura Dori ( road lined with cherry blossom trees)
Then we headed out on one of the water taxis to have a look at the harbour. It was very relaxing.
This is us waiting to get on the boat. I love these photos. They are two of my favourites from Gramps visit. I expecially like the one of the two of us just sitting there.
This is us waiting to get on the boat. I love these photos. They are two of my favourites from Gramps visit. I expecially like the one of the two of us just sitting there.
The tallest building in these photos is the Landmark Building.
The below ship was a cruise ship before ww2 and then became a hospital ship during the war and then a cruise ship after the war. It is now a museum.
Then we headed to the Landmark Tower. Which is the highest building in Japan at 750m high and has the fastest elevator in the world. It takes just 40 seconds to go from the 2nd floor to the 69th. There we got some awesome photos of Yokohama.
This the Nippon Maru, a Japanese scientific research boat and now museum.
Cosmo Clock ferris wheel from the landmark tower.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
はなみ (さくら） parties
Love the bubble wrap
はなみ －Flower viewing
さくら － Cherry blossoms
This season is very famous for the Hanami parties. I thought it was important to mention some of the interesting things i have learned this week.
The end of last week was the peak time to see the cherry blossoms this week. As Gramps and i found out when we went to Ueno Park. After peak they usually take about 5 days to fall down.
Also there are some very interesting facts about the Hanami parties. Some people send one person to wait under the cherry blossoms for up to 8 - 10 hours to secure the perfect party spot. The best times is for foreigners viewing the parties is the weeknights after work. And i can tell you it was amazing. The craziest was the university students who were having a very good time skulling beer.
さくら － Cherry blossoms
This season is very famous for the Hanami parties. I thought it was important to mention some of the interesting things i have learned this week.
The end of last week was the peak time to see the cherry blossoms this week. As Gramps and i found out when we went to Ueno Park. After peak they usually take about 5 days to fall down.
Also there are some very interesting facts about the Hanami parties. Some people send one person to wait under the cherry blossoms for up to 8 - 10 hours to secure the perfect party spot. The best times is for foreigners viewing the parties is the weeknights after work. And i can tell you it was amazing. The craziest was the university students who were having a very good time skulling beer.
Sakura Haiku poem
This was given to me by one of my adult students. It was written by a buddhist monk in the Edo period.
ちるさくら
のこるさくらも
ちるさくら
Falling cherry blossoms
Remaining cherry blossoms also
Will be falling cherry blossoms.
I think it is beautiful in both English and Japanese.
ちるさくら
のこるさくらも
ちるさくら
Falling cherry blossoms
Remaining cherry blossoms also
Will be falling cherry blossoms.
I think it is beautiful in both English and Japanese.
Iwatsuki Koen (park) and beautiful Sakura
Our Hanami Party
This is a favourite past-time of the Japanese during this season. To go and have a picnic under the Cherry Blossom trees. We made it kinda western and Aussie as well. Gramps brought some Aussie paper plates, table cloth and napkins. And we didnt sit on a mat we sat at the little table cause it was just easier. Two of my ex students came with us. Naomi and Mami both tried foods that they had never even seen before. This included salsa, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese and green olives. Gramps also brought them a piece of Sakura (cherry blossom) cake to eat. I had chocolate cause i am not a big fan of eating cake that tastes like a tree. And i mean it, to me it tastes like a tree.
Then we went for a walk around the park. It is famous for its red bridge which looks straight from certain points in the park. It is not actually straight as you can see in the photo above. We ran into a wedding party having photos there which was nice. The bride was in her wedding kimono and she was stunning.
These chocolate bananas are a staple food at Japanese festivals. Gramps had never had one so he thought he would try one.
Asakusa with Gramps
After our cruise on the Sumida River, we went to Asakusa Temple. I had been there before but the cherry blossoms this time made it so beautiful. The Temple was decorated for Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) festival. Lots of Japanese lanterns. It was the prettiest i have seen it look.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Cruising the Sumida River on the Sakura looking at the Sakura
From the park in Shinjuku, we boarded a boat to cruise the Sumida river. Sachiko and her parents thought this would be a great time to do this because all of the cherry blossoms are out. And also 12 yr old Nana had never seen Sakura (cherry blossoms) before either. Our boat was called the Sakura. How appropriate. And the photo of me is on the boat as we cruised towards the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo. We also got some good views of Tokyo Tower as we cruised towards the Rainbow Bridge. It looks very much like the Eiffel Tower but is orange and white. And it is not as tall as people think it is. As can be seen in these photos. I always thought that it was very tall. It seems tall when you are standing under it or in it. But compared to these buildings it looks quite small.
Here are some of the photos i took of the awesome cherry blossoms (sakura) along the Sumida River. It was amazing. Nana and i had a great time just wandering around on the boat and taking photos.
New Japan meets Old Japan
A perfect example of a newer and modernising Japan meeting the old and traditional Japan. After our Yakiniku lunch, we headed to this park which has a traditional Japanese tea house where you can participate in a tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is a perfect example of the traditional nature of Japan. Everything is done in an order and done very precisely. Not the quickest way but the right way. Something foreigner struggle with at times, because in many western countries we are taught to do things the quickest way to achieve the desired result.
The beautiful and very peaceful aspects of the tea ceremony is just like the ambience that traditional Japanese gardens have. I found it incredible that amoungst all these huge buildings there was such a beautiful park. You can see in the photos of the park, the tall buildings outside the garden. This is Japan, a contradiction in so many ways. The traditional ways must be preserved but modernising is necessary as well. That is what this park meant to me.
Yakiniku ( Korean BBQ) for lunch with Gramps
I love Yakiniku so i thought it would be a great thing for Gramps to experience. Our friend, Sachiko found a really nice resturant for us to have some lunch while in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Gramps and Yuji talking at lunch.
Daikon (Japanese Radish), Seaweed and little salty fish. The other two were actually sweet and i didnt hate them which was surprising for me cause i have tried them before and not liked them.
The top meat is tongue, right of that is stomach and then just normal beef. 12 year old, Nana ate all of my and Gramps tongue. Yuji ate all of our stomach. I ordered a seafood plate as well so that was good. Yuji and his wife also gave me some beef. It was an awesome lunch. Great food and company.
Gramps learning the Japanese way. They always give you a bib when eating Yakiniku. I guess cause the BBQ plate in the middle of the table and just cause it gets messy sometimes. I love yakiniku.
Gramps learning the Japanese way. They always give you a bib when eating Yakiniku. I guess cause the BBQ plate in the middle of the table and just cause it gets messy sometimes. I love yakiniku.
Government Metropolitan Building, Shinjuku (with Gramps)
This entry starts with a story of kindness over 20 years ago. My grandparents came to Japan to attend a Rotary conference and to see their Japanese exchange daughter Keiko. They stayed in Shinjuku, Tokyo and were picked up each day by Yuji Kumi who drove for over an hour to collect them and take them to the conference in Chiba (the prefecture next to Tokyo). Yes, Chiba is the prefecture with Narita Airport and Disneyland in it. Anyway, Gramps wanted to see Yuji and his family while he was visiting me here in Saitama (also a prefecture next to Tokyo). So i arranged for us to meet at Shinjuku and left the rest up to them. Yuji's daughter Sachiko was also a rotary exchange student in the area near my grandparent's town. She and her daughter Nana also came to see us on the day. Their English was awesome after 11 years living in the USA. Nana is 12 years old and bilingual. Her English and Japanese are both top rate.
The morning started well when Sachiko and Nana met us at the station. Then we headed to the Metropolitan Government Building. Very famous because it has an observation deck which you can get great views of Tokyo from. The photo below is of the number of floors in the building. Both 12 yr old Nana and 25 yr old me were amazed at this. We both felt our ears pop as we went up in the elevator. The view was amazing as can be seen from the photo further down the page.
The below views are taken from the 45th floor observation deck. It is 202 metres high.
Below is a photo of a huge rake for leaves. And i mean huge. It was up on a wall in the foyer of the building. It is meant to bring good luck to all those who work in the buildings. It is 2.2 meters in diameter and 4.2 metres in length. It weighs 250kgs.
The final fascinating thing we saw was this amphitheatre which slopes downwards so that when it rains the water is collected and then used to flush the toliets of the building. Not a bad idea i think. This area also reminded me of Roman with the circular building.
I was really pleased to be able to go to this building. I have been wanting to since i arrived so it was really awesome to finally make it there. And well worth it. The views were awesome.
The morning started well when Sachiko and Nana met us at the station. Then we headed to the Metropolitan Government Building. Very famous because it has an observation deck which you can get great views of Tokyo from. The photo below is of the number of floors in the building. Both 12 yr old Nana and 25 yr old me were amazed at this. We both felt our ears pop as we went up in the elevator. The view was amazing as can be seen from the photo further down the page.
The below views are taken from the 45th floor observation deck. It is 202 metres high.
Below is a photo of a huge rake for leaves. And i mean huge. It was up on a wall in the foyer of the building. It is meant to bring good luck to all those who work in the buildings. It is 2.2 meters in diameter and 4.2 metres in length. It weighs 250kgs.
The final fascinating thing we saw was this amphitheatre which slopes downwards so that when it rains the water is collected and then used to flush the toliets of the building. Not a bad idea i think. This area also reminded me of Roman with the circular building.
I was really pleased to be able to go to this building. I have been wanting to since i arrived so it was really awesome to finally make it there. And well worth it. The views were awesome.
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