Culture

The Anatomy of Stereotypes: Japan and the “Amae” Myth

Dependence, or "amae", is by no means unique to Japan. So how - and why - did it become viewed as a Japanese-only concept?

Founded by an architect of the Nanking Massacre, Sukyo Mahikari bathes its followers in "purifying energy", anti-Semitism, and Japanese nationalism.

Bamboo battles, precarious log rides, and a literal firefight make up three festivals in Japan that'll get your blood pumping - but not without risk.

How did Mayim Mayim, a song every Jewish kid knows by heart, end up a staple of Japanese society, featured in anime, films, and memes?

A survey of three of Japan's more light-hearted festivals that focus on the less serious subjects of nudity, navels, and nasty words.

These festivals in Japan may not be as well known as some of their counterparts, but they're guaranteed to send a chill down your spine.

Learn about Japan's history with controlled substances - from the use of marijuana in the Jomon era to the Japanese chemist who created crystal meth.

Before you visit the enchanting Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, learn how the temple turned its own misfortune into a place of peace, spirituality, and art.

From beautiful bijinga to scandalous shunga, a history of the evolution of Ukiyo-e, and how it changed the world of Edo Period Japan.