Category Archives: fun links

Fun Link Friday: Loneliness sells?

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Paula

Some of you may remember many news articles in recent months detailing the popular practice of one restaurant, Tokyo’s Moomin Cafe, to provide single customers with oversized stuffed animals as company for their dining pleasure. Though I’ve not seen it … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Crochet yourself a delicious meal

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Paula

Japan is famous for its obsession with fake food, but step outside your plastic comfort zone and get your crochet needle ready for this delicious looking bowl of fake ramen, brought to you with a full “how to” by Youtube … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Rice cooker baked cinnamon apples!

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Paula

Tis the season! Decorations for Halloween are coming out and it’s finally getting cooler. For those of you in Japan, it’s just about the time you start craving the kind of treats we love about fall. Luckily for us, Rocket … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Sôseki’s Kokoro on Hark! A Vagrant

Posted on September 12, 2014 by LM

History-comic artist Kate Beaton of Hark! A Vagrant recently drew a series of comics about Sôseki Natsume’s novel Kokoro. Check out the full comic on Hark! A Vagrant.

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Fun Link Friday: Moku Hanga

Posted on September 5, 2014 by LM

The exhibit Moku Hanga: The Art of Japanese Woodblock Printing may have ended in August, but you can check out images and a great discussion of the woodblock-print pattern books on Hyperallergic. The items are displayed in just two glass … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: The real-life shrines of Sailor Moon

Posted on August 28, 2014 by LM

If you’re revisiting classic Sailor Moon or watching Sailor Moon Crystal, check out Rurousha’s post on the Tokyo shrines that appear in the manga and anime. The shrine is written 火川 in the manga, but it’s 氷川 in real life. … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Wagashi Designs from Nature

Posted on August 22, 2014 by LM

Japan’s wagashi (和菓子) are gorgeous gems of anko, mochi, and sugar. Get a look at how nature translates into sweets on Spoon & Tamago‘s review of Nakamura Hajime’s wagashi and nature photos from his website and book Wagashi. 

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Fun Link Friday: Meiji Meth: the Deep History of Illicit Drugs

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Paula

When Breaking Bad was in its full (and justified) hype, a colleague of mine over at Nursing Clio  sent me this link about the invention of meth in Meiji Japan, a factoid of which I was totally unaware. Want to find out … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Three Tales of Okiku

Posted on August 2, 2014 by LM

Obon season is fast upon us, so get into a spooky mood with three variations on the one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories over on Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. Okiku is one of the most interesting yurei in Japan. She is a true … Continue reading →

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Fun Link Friday: Bonsai in Space

Posted on July 25, 2014 by LM

We’ve seen bonsai of Bag End, but what about bonsai in space? For his Exobiotantic “installation,” Azuma Makoto launched two botanical objects into space from a Nevada launch site. Check out the links to learn more about the construction and the … Continue reading →

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