2008 January

Since it’s snowed about 2 ft. over the past few days where I live, I thought I’d talk about snow.
First off, here’re some Japanese snow scenes for you, taken during 2005 in the Hagiwara district, not too far from Nikko (I think).

I lived in Aomori Prefecture (northernmost prefecture on the main island) during my […]

James at Japanprobe posted this vid from the latest Kasou Taishou contest held a few days ago.
Pretty cool.

Sore ja.

Our blender/ smoothie maker at home is kinda weird.
The bottom part screws on counter-clockwise (anti-clockwise for my British friends), and then screws off clockwise…which is the exact opposite of how my peanut butter jar opens. When I try to get the bottom off, I usually end up tightening it more.
That’s not important.
What’s important are these […]

This time of year always reminds me of the Gin-chan Kasou Taishou. (”Gin-chan” is the name of the entertainer who hosts the show).
Here’s a treat (at least it was for me):
The Top 20 Skits (仮装/ kasou = costume, but these are really skits) of all time. You might not agree, but there are quite a […]

三味線
しゃみせん
shamisen.
Nothing particularly tied to the New Year (shin’nen), but the shamisen always makes me feel “new yearsy,” if you know what I mean.

Sore ja.

明けまして、おめでとうございます。
Akemashite, omedetou gozaimasu.
Happy New Year.

Traditional ringing of the temple bells on New Year’s Eve.
“Jyoya no kane”
Sore ja.