The Emperor will turn 80 late this year. Next January will mark a quarter century since his accession to the Chrysanthemum throne. The Emperor was enthroned as “the symbol of the State” under the current Constitution, becoming the first head of the Imperial family in its 1,300-year history to assume that position from the beginning of his reign. The Emperor has since joined hands with his wife the Empress, who is 78, in exploring the proper status of a national symbol in a...
Read MoreTokyo Public Servants Tango to Buenos Aires for Olympic Bid
It’s a bit late for summer vacations, but a group of Tokyo civil servants has booked tickets to Buenos Aires to cheer on thecity’s bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics–paid for by themselves and with donations from colleagues, and using their own holiday time. About 40-50 Tokyo Metropolitan Government employees plan to depart Wednesday or Thursday ahead of the Sept. 7 International Olympic Committee’s announcement of the winning city, according to a metropolitan government...
Read MoreWhat to read: Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki
This book is a real page turner! Mineko Iwasaki was the foremost geisha of her time, to the extent where she became a legend and was invited to entertain the highest levels of world society. When Arthur Golden wrote his novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, he consulted with Mineko but was apparently sworn to silence. Unfortunately, he then went on to tell people that it was Mineko who had spoken with him about the life of geisha in Japan; Mineko herself was upset that he had twisted...
Read MoreWhat to read: Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne
The Japanese royal family has long since been steeped in mystery. This book Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne now changes that and gives you a rare insight in the lives of Nurihito and his wife Masako and their little daughter Aiko who are in succcession for the royal throne. Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne (ISBN 1585425680) is a controversial 2006 book by Australian investigative journalist Ben Hills. Billed as “The Tragic...
Read MoreCheck out the largest photo of Tokyo ever taken. It’s zoomable!
The largest photo ever taken of Tokyo is zoomable, and it is glorious It took photographer Jeffrey Martin two days of shooting and four months of editing to create the interactive panorama you’re about to experience. At 600,000 pixels wide, it would measure 50 meters by 100 meters if printed at photographic resolution. And yes, it is every bit as awesome as it sounds. Go ahead. Try it. Zoom in on anything you want, like that guy off in the distance taking a photo from his...
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