It’s already December–winter has come! Make a hot cup of tea, and settle down to read Japanese “tanka” poetry! December–Month Name December, or Shiwasu 師走, is the period when even…
Category: HISTORY
October–What Happens and What to Eat
A conference of the gods at Izumo Taisha Shrine, the Night of the 13th, and the Seven Herbs of Autumn–October is here! Month Name–Kannazuki / Kamiarizuki The wafuu meigetsu ((和風名月,…
2020 Tokyo Olympics: The Olympics That Almost Didn't Happen
One year late, and after much debate, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have finally kicked off. For those of us living in Tokyo, we had almost forgotten what those three words…
Heroes of History–Sugihara Chiune
He did not plan to be a hero, but circumstances came upon him, and [he]…did what he had to do. Having the news at our fingertips can be convenient, but…