Does Murakami's collection *After the Quake* mention the Great Kantō earthquake or include anything about tensions between ethnic Koreans and the Japanese?
posted by slowlikemolasses
on May 15, 2013 -
2 answers
Hoping to ID an incredibly violent manga that I read a few pages of, back around '88 give or take a couple of years. I've had some images seared in my then-impressionable brain. Lots of blood and gore but not explosively cartoonish like, say, Hokuto no Ken / Fist of North Star. More cruel than anything. Set in modern times. The main character was some sort of vagabond/wanderer/assassin, and was drawn in a Golgo 13 style, with longish hair and maybe a leather jacket. Episodic stories as far as I can tell of him going around fighting baddies.
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posted by shortfuse
on Apr 25, 2013 -
1 answer
I once watched a Japanese movie on a flight but can't for the life of me remember its name. It is about a mysterious Chinese investor trying a hostile takeover of a large Japanese car maker. A retired legend of the Japanese car industry is brought back from retirement to try and save the company from being sold to the Chinese dude.
posted by dcrocha
on Apr 15, 2013 -
4 answers
When I lived in Japan I spent new years with a family and we played a card game using Karuta cards. It wasn't a variation of Karuta... it had something to do with the portraits of the people on the cards? Like, whether they were princesses, ladies or lords. Sort of like Old Maid maybe? Does anyone know what this was?
posted by Caravantea
on Apr 10, 2013 -
4 answers
I'm probably going to Japan at the end of July for roughly one week. What MUST I see or do in that one week?
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posted by Gorilla456
on Apr 5, 2013 -
14 answers
I'm an American living in working in Tokyo, but am planning on moving to the states in a few months. I will leave my current job in a month that is providing insurance and take a month or two off to get my affairs in order. What are my options for insurance after I resign?
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posted by princeoftheair
on Mar 24, 2013 -
6 answers
I'm thinking of a music video by a Japanese rock band that starts with a long tracking shot of a huge guitar effects pedal chain. I know it is an amazing song but I can't for the life of me recall the name.
posted by mhjb
on Mar 24, 2013 -
3 answers
I want to send a postcard from France to
this restaurant in Japan where my friend is a cook. There appears to be an address on the front page of the website, but I'll be damned if I can make out what it says, much less recreate it on a postcard in a way that the French post can parse. I'm sure I could ask him myself, but I would prefer to surprise him. Can anyone help me with this?
posted by Evstar
on Mar 11, 2013 -
9 answers
I'm asking this for a friend, A. A has a pinched nerve in the neck that isn't getting any better. He has bad posture and sits in a cubicle all day. He would like to see a physical therapist for this, but has also heard good things about the Alexander technique for correcting posture. Which would you recommend?
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posted by Kamelot123
on Feb 26, 2013 -
8 answers
I am in Japan. I can not read or speak Japanese. I am a beginner cook. I have a limited budget; I can experiment but my first attempts better be stupid proof & edible. I am also a goat in that I am willing to eat just about anything (squishy squid, large amounts of raw egg, & crayfish that stare back seem to be at or near my limit; however, I love raw fish of many types & I often eat mystery meat on the streets of Asia).
Help me master a few Japanese recipes?
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posted by DisreputableDog
on Feb 23, 2013 -
20 answers
I've had a tingling/burning sensation in my left shoulder/hand for about a week. A doc that I saw in Tokyo thinks I have a pinched nerve and told to come back in a week, but was rather vague about what to do in the meantime. I have no health insurance so I would prefer to not go back, but I just noticed the tingling starting up in my right hand as well.
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posted by Thanquol180
on Feb 22, 2013 -
7 answers
I’ve agreed to a job offer that I would now like to turn down. How do I best handle this situation?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 17, 2013 -
8 answers
I'm searching for the best SIM card for a one month stay in Japan. I've already found
e-connect (1 GB/30 days, only data @ 4100 Yen), but I would prefer an option including SMS/speech.
posted by mathiu
on Feb 12, 2013 -
2 answers
I've been looking at
this knife at Best Made for a while, and I can't seem to find its provenance. Many other products at Best Made are rebranded or what have you versions from known suppliers, but I cannot for the life of me find a knife that resembles the Hotta-san — after looking at hundreds online. Everything I find refers back to Best Made's info. Can anyone unravel this mystery?
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posted by BlackLeotardFront
on Feb 8, 2013 -
8 answers
My sibling, mother, and I want to go to Japan (Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto) in late July. I am getting overwhelmed by trying to book tickets. Help!
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posted by Bebo
on Feb 6, 2013 -
21 answers
I live in Europe and I would like to import some Japanese products as a Birthday gift for someone. What I'm looking for is traditional food/spices and things like pillows or bedding (two very different categories). What is a trustworthy online store I can use?
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posted by Lazer
on Feb 4, 2013 -
4 answers
Is it common to add salt when cooking plain boiled or steamed rice? Specifically, is this widely done in India, China or Japan?
posted by dontjumplarry
on Feb 4, 2013 -
23 answers
I collect Superman memorabilia and recently bought a Japanese Superman children's story record, but I can't actually read Japanese beyond vague recognition of the characters that make up the name Superman. What is the title of
this record?
posted by MegoSteve
on Feb 2, 2013 -
4 answers
Asking for a friend: "I'm researching for my current WIP, and I'm stuck. I need to build a comprehensive picture of the social perceptions of disability in Japan, both currently and within Samurai culture. Help, anyone?"
posted by daisyk
on Jan 30, 2013 -
10 answers
The ice melts, releasing the pebbles onto the sculpture.
YOUTUBE
Anyone know more about this genre of what I call sonic sculpture?
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posted by surplus
on Jan 29, 2013 -
10 answers
Hi people with ALT experience, finding work in Japan sure is tough. Finding work with your girlfriend? Much harder.
Where should a pair of people go to teach English in Japan? We are spending our time trying to get anywhere we can (We hear being near a city increases our happiness), however, we have been rooting for a position in Nagoya, Kanagawa as a close second. We keep hitting dead ends and are getting desperate. It looks like at this rate, we are going to save up $2,000 a piece and take a plane there in mid-april, 3 months from now, hopefully finding work in the 90 days we are legally allowed there.
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posted by Nighthawk3729
on Jan 10, 2013 -
23 answers
I am in Japan and miss playing piano, and so am in the market for a quality - but cheap! - keyboard. Is this possible? Details inside.
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posted by Kamelot123
on Dec 19, 2012 -
6 answers
While I was in Japan, I tasted some delicious plum sake. I wrote to the hotel asking for information on it. All I got was a link to a japanese site. Could you help find out the name or, better, where to buy it in the US?
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posted by edmz
on Dec 10, 2012 -
8 answers
Where to get my onsen on? I'll be visiting Japan (12/27 - 1/08) and would love to spend a few days somewhere wintry, mountainous and full of hot springs. Preferably at an interesting ryokan. Any suggestions?
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posted by aladfar
on Dec 3, 2012 -
13 answers
I'm currently looking for work in Japan. I'm scouring the internet, Dave's ESL cafe, ALT (assistant language teacher) listings and am not really looking for help in that respect. If you have any suggestions however, I am happy to hear more. The only exception would be if anyone knows of any Eikaiwa (Private school) jobs or any forums that post job listings..
It is my question that since the work is not always steady and there is the possibility I would go there just to tutor, there is waaay too much flux in my ability to pay for rent. I need help figuring outside work.
Outside of selling Japanese items around the world, I'm trying to figure out ways to make money with a general skill set. I'm vocal enough and confident in my speaking ability so I figure I can lead tour groups on my free time and post the listings on craigslist. I'm also looking into working as a waiter or dishwasher, but I was hoping for some help generating ideas.
Thanks!
PS - I alreadly have information on career cross and gaijin pot. If anyone knows any temp agencies are teacher employment agencies, that would be appreciated as well.
posted by Nighthawk3729
on Nov 25, 2012 -
14 answers
I just impulse bought tickets to Japan for the last 2.5 weeks of February. I plan on skiing. How hard is it to get around Hokkaido by public transit?
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posted by larthegreat
on Nov 21, 2012 -
15 answers
Business etiquette landmines to avoid when making a sales pitch to Japanese business owners.
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posted by 256
on Nov 14, 2012 -
7 answers
I am a guy living in a co-ed sharehouse in Japan. I may have committed a faux pas, and would like to know proper sharehouse shower etiquette. Details inside.
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posted by Kamelot123
on Nov 14, 2012 -
18 answers
How can I find a teaching job in Japan, with a Masters degree in TESOL and 17 years of teaching experience? I guess this isn't your usual "I want to teach in Japan" question, since I'm qualified enough to compete in the tough market, but how do I go about it?
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posted by smilingtiger
on Nov 13, 2012 -
11 answers
The first night I was in Japan on vacation, I got a drink out of a vending machine that was a combination of apple juice and condensed milk. It was surprisingly good, and while I looked for another can throughout our stay in Japan, I never saw that combination again. What did I drink, and how can I get some in America?
posted by eschatfische
on Nov 10, 2012 -
13 answers
I've been looking for a certain guitar (a Yamaha SG 3000) and have lately been looking on Japanese web sites to see if I can have one shipped from there. I've found one I like the look of, but Google Translate isn't being particularly helpful. Could anyone translate the description for me?
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posted by Put the kettle on
on Nov 1, 2012 -
3 answers
What are some good things to do in Tokyo next week? I'll be staying in Shinjuku, and would appreciate a bit of guidance as far as stuff to do.
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posted by sp160n
on Oct 27, 2012 -
11 answers
Traveling to Japan this summer with my sister. Help me make this the best trip ever and not lose my mind.
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posted by Marinara
on Oct 24, 2012 -
7 answers
Living in Shinjuku, Japan. I have been rather stressed lately due to a variety of factors. Please help me find both exercise locations (cheap gyms, jogging routes) and inexpensive (but decent) counseling/therapy around the Shinjuku, Japan area.
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posted by Kamelot123
on Oct 23, 2012 -
8 answers
JapanVisaFilter - My visa period is almost up, and my contract is extended but not for a whole year. What's up?
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posted by 23
on Oct 23, 2012 -
5 answers
I'm going to Kyoto for a two-day visit in November, but with only an iPod Touch 4 in my jacket pocket as I'd like to avoid bringing a heavy guidebook/backpack as I walk around exploring all day. What PDFs/docs/apps/downloads can help make my visit amazing, or at least easier?
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posted by mdonley
on Oct 7, 2012 -
11 answers
My search for an ideal job in Japan continues: To go back to America and attend the DISCO Boston Career Fair or to stay in Japan?
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posted by Kamelot123
on Oct 4, 2012 -
11 answers
Looking for a Japanese film I saw prior to 2003. It was a dystopian picture of some people trying to have an office romance in the corporate office landscape of Tokyo - lots of shots of bleak urban concrete and highways and faceless office parks full of conformist white collar employees - in the final scene of the film one of the characters is stranded walking along the edge of a highway. It dealt with a complicated love triangle. I know this isn't the title, but it was something like "Kiss me twice, now hold me I love you" or something a little crazy like that- I believe this film was made in the 90s or the early 2000s. It was in Japanese language with subtitles. There is a slight chance it may have been Korean, but I'm pretty sure it was Japanese. This film may have been discussed by Fredric Jameson in one of his essays as it was screened in a graduate school class on Japanese cultural critique.
posted by cmp4Meta
on Sep 24, 2012 -
4 answers
