Nozomi Sasaki is a popular model and commercial actress. She was born in Akita Prefecture in 1988, and began modeling at 14. She is also a commentator for mixed martial arts and kickboxing competitions. Reportedly she is blood type AB. She started her film career in 2009, after she retired from modeling. She was accused…
Year: 2012
Anime Demotivational Posters
I know they are everywhere on the ‘net, but I couldn’t resist posting a list of my favorite anime/Japan related demotivational posters. I don’t make any claims to ownership, and I tried to keep them somewhat clean. That is easier said than done. After all, this is the internet. There are quite a few here,…
Japanese Bathroom Ghosts–Yes, You Read That Right. Bathroom Ghosts.
Japan is a weird, weird place. Anyone who is casually acquainted with Japanese pop culture knows that. But things get even stranger when you delve into the world of their folklore and urban legends. Japanese legend features a stable of ghosts, goblins, monsters, and various other bugaboos that puts the Pokemon roster to shame. Among…
Japanese Idols
Not to be confused with American Idol, Japanese idols are the kawaii girls and guys that are plastered all over the ‘net. They are the singers, photo spreads, and other eye candy that sets Japanese pop culture (and increasingly internet pop culture) ablaze for a short time before making way for the next cute face….
History of Ramen
Ramen is considered one of the icons of Japanese culture, but it is actually from China. Ramen appeared in Japan in 1910 when some Chinese cooks in Tokyo made their noodles with kansui, a sodium-carbonate mineral water. It made the noodles yellow and elastic; the ramen noodles we know. The dish was originally called shina…
Japan’s Ghosts–The Yurei
Several months ago, I did a post about Aokigahara, Japan’s suicide capital and a purportedly haunted forest. It is widely believed that the forest is haunted by Yurei, which are essentially Japan’s version of ghosts. These differ from the traditional Western style ghosts. On our side of the ocean, ghosts are ephemeral things that can…