Okay, the title of this article is a bit misleading. Samurai didn’t date as we do; they had arranged marriages. But there are many stories of samurai romances and dating in Japanese folklore. Although samurai were warriors, until the Edo period, they were expected to balance their war-skills with softer skills like flower arranging and…
My 2023 Horror Film List, Snacks Provided by TokyoTreat
When I saw TokyoTreat had a Halloween box, I didn’t hesitate to request one. October is one of my favorite months because of the shift to autumn, at least when the weather behaves, and the spooky season. It’s the first month since March when I feel better. Heat makes me feel terrible. So to celebrate,…
Hagakure: the Art of the Samurai
The Hagakure appears obsessed with seppuku when you read through it. In the book, Yamamoto Tsunetomo collected myriad accounts of samurai from Saga domain along with various proverbs and lessons. Tsunetomo lived during the long peace of the Edo period as a custodian of Lord Mitsushige’s books. He worked from theory, which is why seppuku…
Berserk Deluxe Edition 1 Review
Long-time readers know I’m not usually much of a manga reader. I prefer to read prose. But I’ve been needing to expand my reading, so I jumped into the first deluxe edition of Berserk. Berserk fans won’t be happy with me. I can summarize my reading of first volume in a word: meh. It’s not…
How to Understand Research Papers
Research papers follow a regular structure that helps you find what matters for your project. Most papers have the following sections: Abstract – the summary of the study and its findings. Literature – a sketch of background information and where the study’s hypothesis fits in this literature. Methodology – a breakdown of how the study…
“My Japan,” A World War II Anti-Japanese Propaganda Film
My Japan takes an interesting tact with how it tried to spur Americans to buy war bonds. The film claims to be a captured Japanese propaganda film aimed at demoralizing Americans. The film was, in fact, produced by the War Finance Division of the United States Office of War Information in 1945. The film uses a…