Shimokitazawa in Tokyo’s Setagaya City. Unique shops come together in this town that fosters a culture of originality.
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Category: LEARNJAPAN
JAPANESE SAMURAI / Umayado no Oji (Prince Umayado)
574-622 厩戸皇子 Umayado no Oji (Prince Umayado) AKA Shōtoku Taishi (Prince Shotoku) 聖徳太子 The Enigmatic Statesman Who Shaped Japan’s Future Mysterious Beginnings Prince Umayado, born in 574 as the son of Emperor Yōmei, entered the world under a cloud of mystery. He became known as Shōtoku Taishi (Prince Shōtoku) after his death. Even the origins of his birth have sparked intriguing stories. One legend suggests his mother nearly gave birth to him outside a stable, while another claims he was born in a stable, evoking comparisons to figures of spiritual significance. As a child, Prince Umayado would not only witness…
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SAMURAI Legends: A Samurai Spirit Lives On / Hideo Naito
1926 – 2023 内藤秀雄 Hideo Naito The Life of Hideo Naito: A Son’s Tribute to His Father’s Legacy in Southern California Real Estate Bio Hideo Naito 内藤秀雄Born on July 1, 1926, in Hyogo Prefecture.Chairman of SBD Group Inc. Shunichi Naito 内藤俊一Born on January 1, 1948, in Osaka Prefecture. President and CEO of SBD Group Inc. SBD Group Inc.Established in 1975, headquartered in California. Specializes in the ownership and management of office buildings, shopping “I See Him in My Dreams All the Time” – Shunichi Naito Remembers His Father, Hideo Naito In December 2023, Hideo Naito, a well-respected figure in the…
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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Issa Kobayashi
1763-1827 小林一茶 Issa Kobayashi A Haiku Poet with a Heart for the Everyday A Difficult Childhood Issa Kobayashi, born in 1763 in Shinano Province (now Nagano Prefecture), lived a life marked by hardship and resilience. His real name was Yataro, and he came from a farming family. Issa’s early years were challenging. His mother passed away when he was just three years old, and his father remarried when Issa was eight. Unfortunately, his relationship with his stepmother was strained. She favored her own children, leaving Issa to care for his younger half-siblings. When the baby cried, Issa would be scolded,…
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OMOTENASHI: “Japanese New Year Decorations and Their Origins”
Japanese New Year Decorations and Their Origins In Japan, New Year’s Day (January 1st) is the most important holiday of the year. Similar to Thanksgiving in the United States, families gather to celebrate the start of a new year. As part of these celebrations, special seasonal decorations are prepared. These include shimenawa (sacred ropes made of braided straw), kadomatsu (decorations made of pine and bamboo), and kagami mochi (decorative rice cakes). Each of these has a significant meaning and role, but in this article, we will focus on shimenawa. In Japan, many people follow Shinto (one of Japan’s two main…
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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Muneshige Tachibana
Muneshige Tachibana was a renowned samurai who lived and thrived during Japan’s Sengoku period. Known for his undefeated record in battle, he was called “The Invincible Warrior of the West” due to his numerous exploits in western Japan.
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Interview with Ryoma Takeuchi and Kento Kaku from Amazon Prime Video’s “Like a Dragon: Yakuza”
New Live-Action Series Based on SEGA’s Hit Game Set for Release! Amazon’s original drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the hit video game franchise, launches Thursday, October 24 with an exclusive worldwide streaming release on Prime Video. Developed from an original script, the series is based on the hit SEGA game series “Like a Dragon.” The protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, is played by actor Ryoma Takeuchi. Kazuma Kiryu’s sworn brother and childhood best friend, Akira Nishikiyama, is played by actor Kento Kaku. The two actors made a surprise appearance at a panel discussion at San Diego Comic-Con, one of North…
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Japan is Suffering from Rice Shortage!?
Japan is currently facing a nationwide rice shortage, impacting daily life and causing concern among consumers. Supermarkets across the country are struggling to keep rice on their shelves, with many implementing purchase restrictions to prevent hoarding. The scarcity has led to significant price increases, with some retailers reporting that rice prices have doubled compared to last year. In Tokyo, a 5kg bag of rice now costs around 3,000 yen, a 20% increase from the previous year. Several factors have contributed to this shortage, including lower rice production in the previous year and higher demand from increased tourism. The Agriculture Minister…
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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Miura Anjin (William Adams)
“The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” is an outstanding ukiyo-e artwork that is well-known globally and one of the most enduring masterpieces ever.
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Naomi Osaka Makes a Fashion Statement at the US Open!
Japan’s redesigned banknotes have been in circulation since July 3rd!
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JAPANESE SAMURAI / Hiroshige Utagawa
“The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido” is an outstanding ukiyo-e artwork that is well-known globally and one of the most enduring masterpieces ever.
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Your Next Visit to Japan will be with The New Banknotes!
Japan’s redesigned banknotes have been in circulation since July 3rd!
View More Your Next Visit to Japan will be with The New Banknotes!