Pythagora Switch is a children’s educational broadcast on NHK. It’s a strange, surreal program that runs for 5-15 minutes. Pythagora Switch refers to how the segment uses a Rube Goldberg machine or, for my British readers, a Heath Robinson contraption to reveal a segment of the show’s title. Within the run time, the show offers…
Japanese Professional Wrestling: King’s Road Style
Japanese professional wrestling has roots in American pro-wrestling. Many of the holds and brawling seen in early matches came from the various styles popular in the United States. The origins of Japanese pro-wrestling traces to Rikidozan, a former sumo wrestler who switched to it in 1951. Two of the most important wrestlers trained under him….
The Authentic Voices Shift in Publishing
Lately in publishing there’s been a push for authentic voices. Authentic voices are usually minority authors writing stories that concern their groups and perspectives. This is wonderful! I enjoy reading authentic perspectives and experiences. That’s what I look for when I research articles for JP. However, as with everything there’s a downside. With the rise…
That Was How Much?! The Surpising Cost of Things in Japan During the 1900s
This seems like a strange question, but examining costs of items and salaries can offer interesting insights into history. I came across this information while I worked on approximating a reasonable cost for an item in one of my stories. The detail matters for the plotline, so I wanted some accuracy. The data in this…
Goodbye, Shika: The Gift of Mourning
A few hours ago, as I write this, my cat Shikamaru died. He had developed FIPV, or Feline Infectious Peritonitis, an incurable and fatal viral infection. Shika was only 4 years old. Losing a pet is a difficult experience, especially when there is nothing you can do. He had contracted the virus at birth, and…
Komi Can’t Communicate
Komi Can’t Communicate focuses on the perception and the challenges of having social anxiety. Komi is the most beautiful and popular girl in high school, but she suffers from social anxiety to the point where she can’t speak to anyone. The attention her fellow students lavish on her only makes the anxiety worse. She wants…