All about Japanese Origami

The art of paper folding, commonly known as origami, started in the 17th century AD and was later on popularized outside Japan in the mid 1900s. Some historians and scholars would say that just like much of Japanese culture and tradition, origami originated from China. The word origami came from the Japanese word “Ori” which means folding and “Kame” which means paper.

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Japanese Instruments

Japanese Instruments

Japanese Instruments, what you may not know

by Lyanne Thomas



Traditional Japanese musical instruments are comprised of a wide range of string, wind (mostly flutes) and percussion instruments. Let me mention the most common Japanese musical instruments:



Percussion Instruments

Drums: Taiko, literally known as great or big drums. There are many big drums in Japan and most of these great instruments have 2 membranes that are either nailed or laced and are struck with sticks. Most of these big drums such as the Odaiko are usually used during Japanese festivities and celebrations. A famous taiko perfomance group known as Kodo hosts an annual earth celebration. The Earth celebration is a festival of taiko drumming where people from around the world come to Japan to witness the celebration. Read More

My Trials and Tribulations of Starting the Tokyo Comedy Club

Pictured: Some of the funny English you see in Japan, this time at Boozer House in Odawara

An article came out in Japan Zine, acknowledging me as one of the co-founders of the Tokyo Comedy Store. I just want to say thank you to the Tokyo Comedy Store for doing that!
--Kevin R Burns

Kevs Twisted Humor
These days I ply my comedy trade at my website, Kevs Twisted Humor.
Check it out!

One of the great things about being an expatriate in Japan is that there are so many unique opportunities for us here. If you are willing to take the time to go to the audition or job interview, you have a shot at many interesting jobs. As well, if there is something you want to do, but this organization or club doesn`t yet exist, if you start it, they will come. So often there are others like you, waiting for someone to start a club or group they are interested in.

I have lived here a long time, I`m a good organizer, so I have started many groups over the years. One of them was the Tokyo Comedy Club, which is now known as The Tokyo Comedy Store. I still have a little pride in knowing that I started the whole thing! Maybe someone would have done it eventually, but I did it! Read More

Cute Japanese Girl Warning!

"Many otherwise perfectly good international relationships have ended instantly, when the Japanese partner opened up and started to eat the squid jerky! If you have never smelt squid jerky, it beats natto hands down, natto is for wimps. Squid jerky can be used by butt cleavage showing car mechanics as a paint solvent at car repair shops, it will singe your nostrils, and coat them with a fishy smell that will last for days."

--Kevin R Burns (the Japan Guy not the MMA guy, this websites guy!)

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Japanese Body Art

Japanese Body Art - This art also known as Irezumi or horimono, otherwise known as Japanese tattoo art or body art has a very long history.



It is said that the early Japanese people or Ainu decorated their body with paint and used facial tattoos. This was done by the Ainu people for social and decorative purposes, however scholars also believed that these tattoos were not only to represent one`s social status but claimed that it had some spiritual purpose.

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Former U.S. envoy critical of Japan's nuclear crisis response

Kevin Maher, a former State Department official, says the U.S. worried about Prime Minister Naoto Kan's lack of leadership after the earthquake and tsunami led to a nuclear crisis.


By John M. Glionna, Los Angeles Times

August 20, 2011
Reporting from Seoul—
Relations between the United States and Japan, already strained over the delayed relocation of an American military base on Okinawa, received no help this week when a retired U.S. envoy publicly criticized Tokyo's initial response in March to the nation's nuclear crisis.

Comments by Kevin Maher, a former director of the State Department's Japan Office, shed light on Washington's mind-set during the early days of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Maher said U.S. officials worried about the lack of leadership shown by Prime Minister Naoto Kan's government after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami led to partial reactor meltdowns at the coastal plant.

At one point, Maher said, the Obama administration considered a worst-case scenario of evacuating tens of thousands of U.S. citizens from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

"There was nobody in charge," Maher said Thursday at a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan. "Nobody in the Japanese political system was willing to say, 'I'm going to take responsibility and make decisions.' " Read More

Living in Japan

What is a Japanese apartment like?

To make living in Japan fun and not unbearable, you need a decent if not a nice place to live. Where you live of course, makes a huge difference in how you feel about wherever you live, but especially in a foreign country like Japan. Your Japanese apartment should be as much of an oasis as you can make it.


A Japanese apartment is different from what you can expect back home. The amenities are few if any. You will need to furnish it from the top down, including the light fixtures!

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Japan Update - News on Japan

Japan Update, today`s news from Japan

Tell us your stories about living in Japan, or about the news from Japan below!

A former resident of Japan states this on the Disaster in Tohoku:

“There is always a lot of hype and misreporting in these situations. There is only a need for people to move from affected areas, not the whole country. The same thing happened when I lived in Indonesia and the bombings happened in Bali. There was so much misinformation, misreporting and blatant lies just to milk more from the pain of those suffering. The media can be so heartless while appearing to be caring…there has been quite a disparity between some reports here and what I’ve heard from people who are there. Why can’t the plain truth be told? Crazy, eh.”-JP

Read Today`s News from Japan

Han`s Rosling on History

Kurt K. Billie In Trouble with the Law Again

This time Billie has been arrested in the USA.

Billie was tried and convicted in a Japanese court after being found guilty of burning seven restaurants and bars on Okinawa in two separate arson attacks in January 2001 when he was a 24-year-old Marine lance corporal stationed at Camp Hansen.

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Walking around Yokohama recollecting the big quake

The last time I was in Yokohama was back on March 11th when the big quake hit and I had walked this same way to Landmark Tower. I remember the huge after shocks while I was walking and the crowds of people that were slowly making their way from Sakuragicho Station to Yokohama Station. So today, I was a little bit wary of hanging around too long inside the shopping mall, although of course it was my paranoia taking over me. The ironic thing back on March 11th I was also out in this area shopping for a hat. This time I was shopping for slacks so I came out of this day’s Yokohama experience safe.

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Two Looks at Beautiful Nagasaki

Nagasaki is located on Japan`s southern isle Kyushu, a paradise that boasts green fields, forested mountain sides and beautiful beaches.

The famous city of Nagasaki is the capital and likewise the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture. The city is not only historical but attractive with some tourist attractions captivating the hearts of many foreigners such as:

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Richard Schwartz says:

"All of Kyushu Island too is semi-tropical, lush green, and has beautiful beaches. Nagasaki is one of Japan`s most beautiful, interesting and of course, historic cities.

The people of Kyushu are more easy going than their counterparts in Honshu, Kyushu people brag. All in all it is a nice place to visit or live in, so I recommend travel in Japan-Nagasaki!"

Lee Urges Japan to teach correct history

I have always said this was important. If you don`t know your history well, you do not know yourselves. Japanese authorities are hurting the children of Japan.

News Story Follows:

President Lee Myung-bak said Monday Japan should teach its future generations a correct history amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Tokyo's attempts to renew its territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost island of Dokdo.

"Japan has a responsibility to teach its future generations a correct history," Lee said during his speech on Liberation Day, marking the end of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Japan's attempt to lay claims to Dokdo has long been a thorn in relations between the two countries. South Koreans see those claims as a sign that Japan has not fully repented for its colonial rule of Korea.

South Korea has rejected Japan's claims over Dokdo as nonsense because the country regained independence from the colonial rule and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula. Read More

The Drug Problem in Thailand

Provinces of Thailand, sandwiched between the converging frontiers of Laos, Burma, and Thailand is an area known to the world as the Golden Triangle. Populated by hilltribes, the region has enjoyed the dubious distinction of being one of the world`s major opium growing centers. Politics and economics have contributed to this status. The hilltribes, with few alternatives to the easily grown opium poppy, have traditionally practised slash and burn agriculture, planting their opium fields in the soils of the northern hills.

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Mask making in Thailand

Photo Gallery: Mask making in Thailand

Traditional khon mask making is a dying art in Thailand.

Prateep Rodpai, one of Thailand's last traditional Khon mask makers works in his outdoor studio in Angthong, Thailand. The paper mache Khon masks, are part of the ornate glittering costumes used in the stylized classical Thai dance form known as Khon. Prateep sells his handmade masks for $50-120 US, it can take around 10 days to make one. The Khon tradition was originally imported from India around the 10th century. The painted Khon masks are essential to conveying the characters and moods of a Khon performance. See the Masks

Read about teaching, Living and Touring Thailand

Bangkok`s Parks

Pictured: Krabi, Thailand

Bangkok`s Parks

I love working in Japan and earning such a strong income in a very strong currency, then traveling to Thailand and spending it on the beach or in Bangkok. What a life!

Bangkok with its many markets, interesting old neighborhoods, temples and waterways, is sadly lacking in public parks and gardens, although the Thais are great lovers of flowers and plants.Thailand is after all one of the world`s largest exporters or orchids and has developed several species unique to the kingdom.Visitors interested in plants native to Thailand and exhibits from abroad will find no better place than the new Rama IX Park on the outskirts of Bangkok.

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Tips for Effective Resume Writing

Tips Effective Resume Writing, you have about 30 seconds to a minute to make an impression on the personnel manager. Make the first impression a great one!

Have a great looking resume. Either make it yourself or have a professional service type one up for you. Make it look professional as schools, institutions and universities here are trying to hire professional people.

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The Real Feel Termperature of your Japanese City

This site gives you the real feel temperature. You can search your city by entering it in the top left hand corner of the site. International city names are okay.

http://www.accuweather.com/default.aspx
AccuWeather.com - Global Weather - Your Local Forecast
www.accuweather.com
World weather from AccuWeather.com including local weather forecast for international cities and global weather information.

Once settled in, chances are you'll have to pay to stay

HOME TRUTHS
Once settled in, chances are you'll have to pay to stay
In Japan, property rental renewal fees can cost around one month's rent per year. The question is: What is it tenants are paying for?

By PHILIP BRASOR and MASAKO TSUBUKU

In 1946, Japan was in ruins. The housing shortage was severe and inflation was high, so the government issued a directive to freeze rental fees. To make up for the perceived loss of income, property owners came up with supplemental fees — renewal fees, called koshinryō, and "gift money" or reikin, a mandatory gratuity that new renters paid to landlords for the privilege of moving in.

Though the purpose of these fees may have been obvious at the time, they became arbitrary once owners were allowed to set rents freely again. Yet many landlords continued to demand them simply because they could, and they still can. Read More

Star of New Brunswick and a Former Chunichi Dragon hangs up his glove

Matt Stairs retires from MLB


Stairs was given permission by the Montreal Expos to play in Japan, where he suited up
for Nagoya`s profession baseball team the Chunichi Dragons. After his stint in Japan,
he returned to the Expos.


CBC News Follows:


Matt Stairs is retiring from Major League Baseball after almost two decades. Matt Stairs is retiring from Major League Baseball after almost two decades. (Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

Matt Stairs, New Brunswick's biggest baseball star, is ready to retire after almost two decades playing in Major League Baseball.

Stairs, 43, hasn't made the official announcement yet but he told CBC News in an interview on Wednesday that his playing days are now done.

"I'm not sad. I had a great career, a long career," Stairs said.

"And it's one of those things where I can walk away today and not be sad about it."

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