HISTORY
Iidesan, Fukushima’s Odd Border: Gods, Mountains, Lines in the Sand
In western Fukushima Prefecture, an odd salient of territory extends, wedged between Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures. So why is it there?
shinto
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HISTORY
BOOK REVIEWS
“Of Arcs and Circles” Contemplates Gardens, Nature, and Life Itself
"When people no longer need things, or if they hate them, they destroy them... If people love things however, they care for…
HISTORY
Kadomatsu in Sendai: An Old-School Japanese New Year
You may have heard of kadomatsu, Japan's traditional New Year decoration. But did you know of this old-school variation from the Edo…
HISTORY
Stronger than the Wave: Five Southern Tohoku Folk Traditions
The Tohoku region's endured a lot over the past 200 years. How five rich folk traditions capture the durability and diversity of…
HISTORY
The Sacred Peaks: An Introduction to the Dewa Sanzan
Learn about the Dewa Sanzan, the three mountains that are the pride of Japan's north - and a deeply spiritual site for…
LIVING IN JAPAN
Appreciating the Moon in Japan, Land of the Rising Sun
Although Japan is the land of the rising sun, with its indigenous religion centering around the sun goddess, we cannot overlook the…
WOMEN
Olympic Torch Relay’s “Men-Only” Boat Ride Lambasted for Sexism
When it was announced that the olympic torch would be carried through a men-only boat ride, there was a huge public backlash.
CULTURE
Yasukuni Shrine: Founded in War, Haunted By Controversy
How Yasukuni Shrine, a shrine to commemorate Japan's fallen soldiers, became a politically-charged breeding ground for controversy.