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Category Archives: Culture
The Decay of the Power of Japan’s Emperors
A Bit Of Useful History Following the Genpei War (the subject of The Tale of Genji), which gave rise to the Bafuku (government said to be run out of a general’s tent rather than a palace), the Imperial line was subject … Continue reading
Why We Watch Anime, Part 4: Culture
Culture Means Civilization I know I’m going to get into some controversial territory here, but it is for a good cause. This is, after all, called The Japanese Culture Blog. It is about appreciation of culture, and Japan has it. … Continue reading
Why We Watch Anime, Part 3: Visual Art
Creativity + Visual Art While other nations have no lack of artists, it is Japan’s mix of creativity and visual art involved in the cel (celluloid) animation used for anime. While hard economic times and an improvement in technology have created … Continue reading
Japanese Gaming: Super Robot Wars
A Storied Japanese Gaming Franchise Known as スーパーロボット大戦 or Super Robot Taisen in Japanese, this franchise goes back to rather ancient gaming times and continues haltingly into the modern era. What The Heck Is A Super Robot? For Americans and other … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Japan, video games, Weird Stuff
Tagged culture, gaming, Japan, mecha, OG, Original Generations, SRW, suparobo, Super Robot Taisen, Super Robot Wars, video games, スパロボ
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Why We Watch Anime, Part 2: Music
Creativity in Music Building upon the principle of creativity, the second distinct reason why people watch anime has nothing to do with the eye. Rather, it has to do with the ear, filling our minds, and souls, with music that … Continue reading
Posted in Anime, Art, Culture, Japan, Music
Tagged anime, art, culture, J-Pop, Japan, music, Yoko Kanno, Yuki Kajiura
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J-Comi: Can It Overcome Growing Pains?
Some Unrequested Advice 日本語版は英語の後 (Japanese version below English) So, I was speaking to my Japanese culture interested friends about J-Comi. I had asked for an update if the site went up, and apparently it did. Also, it apparently has some … Continue reading
Free Ebook: The Allure of Japanese Swords
Here. Take it. I tried pushing this thing in preview form a while back. I’d rather give it away for free than have no one look through the whole thing. It’s about Japan, swords, samurai, art, culture… and more swords. … Continue reading
Gundam Unicorn, Episodes 1 and 2
It Started With A Conversation This post is as spoiler-free as humanly possible. – J I was talking to my friend Andrius (readers of my long interview with him about Final Fantasy 14 may recall him) about Gundam Unicorn and … Continue reading
Posted in Anime, Art, Culture, Japan
Tagged anime, art, Char, culture, Full Frontal, Gundam, Gundam UC, Gundam Unicorn, Japan, Laplace's Box
2 Comments
Japanese Culture: Sakura Shinguji
真宮寺さくら In Japanese, the family name is said first. Also, while romanized as Shinguji, a word processor would want “shinguuji.” Sakura means cherry blossom (though it can also refer to the cherry tree). Shinguji here uses kanji at variance with … Continue reading
Posted in Anime, Culture, Japan, Manga, video games
Tagged anime, Cinderella, culture, Japan, katana, Manga, Sakura Shinguji, Sakura Wars, samurai, steampunk, Tokyo, video games
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The Impact of Japanese Fashion
Quick Post This Time. I just wanted to bring this article to everyone’s attention. It’s from the Japan Times, which is in English here, about the impact of Japan’s fashion input on the wider global fashion industry. The part that … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Culture, Japan
Tagged Cool Japan, culture, fashion, Hello Kitty, Japan, Japan Times, Japanese
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