We Japanese - A Mouse in Your Pocket?
April 4, 2008 - 7:21 am by Bill Belew in Culture
One of the least favorite expressions I heard while living in Japan, and I heard it a lot, was ‘we Japanese.’ nihonjin wa…
Without fail I would think, what? Have you asked all the Japanese everywhere and found out that you are all the same? How do you know? Or do you have a mouse in [...]
Japanese Body Language - 足が遅い
- 4:49 am by Bill Belew in Culture
I spent a long time in Japan - nearly 20 years. To be sure, a lot got by me. On the other hand, I picked up quite a bit, too. Including the language.
I ran a business, fought with the auditors from the Tokyo Tax Bureau (IRS-types) and taught Japanese people about Japan in Japanese among [...]
Sex Slaves for German Nazi Dogs
April 3, 2008 - 12:09 am by Bill Belew in Culture
I loved my students when I lived in Japan. They were generally hard working, diligent, conscientious and pleasant. Not always, mind you. But, generally so.
Every now and then I would come upon some that most certainly weren’t the brightest light bulbs in the chandelier.
For whatever reason Japanese like t-shirts that have something written on them. [...]
Chinese Billionaire Group Wants to Buy Japan!
April 2, 2008 - 9:38 am by Bill Belew in Culture
China’s economy is going great guns. Not only does China have several million millionaires now, there are also some billionaires.
In fact there is a group of about 50 billionaires in China that are combining their entire net worth of about $200 billion and they have made an offer to buy Japan.
They want to buy the [...]
Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Tokyo Akasaka Power Spot (Sacred Place) ”Hie Jinja Shrine [日枝神社・東京赤坂]”
- 9:27 am by katchaman in Culture
I went to Hie Jinja. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I am enchanted by the beauty of the scenery!
April 1 2008
[Address] 2-10-5 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Japan
[Tel] 03-3581-2471
[Access]
Ginza・Marunouchi line Akasakamitsuke Station 8 min. walk
Marunouchi line Kokkaigijidomae Station 8 min. walk
Chiyoda line Kokkaigijidomae Station 5 min. walk
Chiyoda line Akasaka Station 8 min. walk
Yurakucho・Hanzomon line Nagatacho Station [...]
Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Genpian [玄賓庵（げんぴあん）]”
March 31, 2008 - 10:09 am by katchaman in Culture, Travel
It is said that Genpi(Buddhist monk) had been in the Heian Period here.
Fudo myoo is enshrined here. Fudo is the Buddhist divinity of wisdom and fire. He is the principal deity of the Myō-ō, or great kings. Fudo is often called upon for protection during dangerous times.
February 25 2008
Genpian [玄賓庵（げんぴあん）]
[Address] Chihara 377, Sakurai-shi, NARA
[Tel] 0744-42-6447
[Access] [...]
Katchaman’s Amazing JAPAN guide at Nara Power Spot (Sacred Place) “Sai Jinja Shrine[狹井神社]”
March 30, 2008 - 4:25 pm by katchaman in Culture, Travel
Sai Jinja is the place to worship Omiwa Aramitama. They say that this god is to decrease illness.
We can enter Mount Miwa from Sai Jinja. ( Entrance Fee 300 yen, No photo and eating) Sai Jinja [狹井神社] is located next to Omiwa Jinja [大神神社].
February 25 2008
Sai Jinja Shrine [狹井神社]
[Access] 15 minutes walk from Miwa Station [...]
Himeji Castle (Himeji/Hyogo)“Kodaman’s J-TRIP”
March 27, 2008 - 3:25 pm by kodaman in Culture
Talking 30 min by train from Kobe(50 km west of Kobe),Himeji castle is there. It was designated one of four world heritages in 1993(now there are14 world heritages in Japan) and one of four castles which are national treasures.Because of white walls coverded with white plaster, this castle has been called “White heron [...]
Why My Dad Would Hate Japan
March 20, 2008 - 12:55 am by Bill Belew in Culture
My dad was usually quite even tempered. He didn’t get mad, excited, frustrated, irritated.
However, he could get riled up a bit if any of us kids were to say to him, “Pop, I can’t.”
“You can, Willy. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
“But, it can’t be done.”
Then, he’d get mad. One [...]
Hey Honey, You’re Scary
March 16, 2008 - 10:03 am by Bill Belew in Culture
A fellow wrote to me about his experience in Japan serving as a grunt (Marine). He didn’t know any Japanese. But, he knew he thought the girls were cute. So, he figured he’d learn a word and let his preferences be known to the young ladies.
Grunts, mind you, are not the sharpest tools in the [...]
