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by Joan Itoh Burk When author Thomas Wolfe wrote his 1940 novel “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he probably didn’t realize the intensity of emotions of longtime residents of Japan. Eight years…
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…from Mike Marklew Chotto ippai Literally, “a small cup-shaped object” but as all of us sarariiman types know, the words above are the invitation to a session of some food, much alcohol…
by David Burleigh Teachers and prostitutes, it is said, are the only people who work behind closed doors. Photographers might be added to them, together with the observation that all three labor…
by Mike Marklew In celebration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s 63rd birthday, JETRO, the Japan/England Travellers Research Organization, has released the results of a survey of its members as a handy, pocket-sized…
by Fred Harris Hiroshi Yoshida I first came upon Hiroshi Yoshida’s prints in the small shop run by the late Akimasa Nakazawa opposite the Imperial Hotel in the early 1950s. They seemed…
DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS I have lectured rather frequently to adult audiences in both Japan and the United States in addition to having taught at university level in my own country…
Haiku-meister Jack Stamm continues his word adventures On being shown this haiku — Among silent graves an owl regurgitates a ball of mouse bones — the monk Dozen gave me an encouraging…
…from Mike Marklew Pretty packs Japanese people have the most amazing ability to produce unbelievably revolting tasting things, wrapped exquisitely. At coffee break time today. I was given a delicately thin wafer…
Newcomers to Japan, as well as passers-through and veteran gaijin residents, can find some of the most delicious, quick and inexpensive Japanese and other Oriental foods behind the noren — simple, often…
…from Mike Marklew Two-wheel terror I’m in a foul mood. Saw a foreigner bowled over by a pushbike in front of a police box and heard the kindly officer explain to the…
by Fred Harris Rembrandt Re-Visited It’s been a few years since I’ve written about my favorite artist—Rembrandt. He died in 1669 and this marks the 320th anniversary of the master’s death. After…
by Jonathan Broom Most foreigners here are aware of the eagerness of many Japanese to master, and use, the English language—indeed, many (myself included) have benefited financially from their enthusiasm. This must…
…from Mike Marklew Not so much a language Since all the darn limousine buses have gone non-smoking, I use the Skyliner to and from Narita airport. On my way back to town…
by Mike Marklew Sketch by Tim Ernst It’s always very amusing to be told by folk living in other countries, how sorry they are for us poor gaijin in Japan who miss…
by Fred Harris Looking at Chinese and Japanese landscape painting Being products of a western cultural heritage, and addressing most Asian art as exotic artifacts, the average foreign visitor to the Orient…
…from Mike Marklew Nice eating Having just returned from a six-day trip to the States, I must recount to you the eating habits I observed on the flight. An American sitting a…
This second weekender article about haiku was prompted by, of all things, a squib in the “Laughter, the Best Medicine” section of Reader’s Digest. One morning a man came out of his…
by Rick Kennedy Scent Games Now for something really exotic. If you have come to Japan hoping lo take away with you an experience of a different category, something without the dull…
