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November 22, 2024
 

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Alice Gordenker

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Alice Gordenker
Alice Gordenker writes the "So, What the Heck is That?" column, providing in-depth, carefully researched explanations of the things foreigners find so puzzling about Japan. Her work has been modified as a textbook for Japanese university students called "Surprising Japan" (Shohakusha, 2012).
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 16, 2015
Coffee-cup placement
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Nov 21, 2014
Face masks
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Oct 9, 2014
The Yamatane Museum presents a brilliant show
Gold and silver have long been used in Japanese painting for their decorative value, on works ranging from intimate handscrolls to large-scale screens. But as the current exhibition at the Yamatane Museum of Art makes amply clear, in the last century or so tradition has been improved upon as modern and...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Sep 19, 2014
Blood types
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Aug 14, 2014
The bright sparks of photography
Photography, because it is both familiar and accessible, is an excellent medium for young people to use for self-expression. With this as a guiding principle, the Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts (K*MoPA) in Yamanashi Prefecture has sought since its founding in 1995 to contribute to society by purchasing...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jul 18, 2014
Organ donation
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / ADOPT ME!
Jun 15, 2014
State-of-the-art dog shelter opens in Kansai
A new ARK facility to house rescued dogs in Hyogo Prefecture sets a new standard for animal welfare centers in Japan.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
May 19, 2014
Shocking baths of Japan
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Apr 23, 2014
Endless inspiration to be found in Mount Fuji and spring flowers
It's often said by Japanese painters that the most difficult subject of all is Mount Fuji. How is it possible to come up with an original take on a theme that has been painted so often and by so many talented artists? Yet for all their angst, artists clearly manage, as demonstrated by the sheer variety...
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Apr 14, 2014
Tetrapod
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 26, 2014
Shimooka Renjo, back in focus
It's not surprising that the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography has organized a retrospective on Shimooka Renjo, one of the first commercial photographers in Japan. What is surprising is that it didn't happen sooner.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art
Mar 26, 2014
Japan's early masters of Alpine photography and their breathtaking views
'Valleys and Peaks' introduces the stunning alpine photography of Matsujiro Kanmuri (1883-1970), who broke new ground with his climbs in the Kurobe Gorge of Toyama Prefecture and Misuo Hokari (1891-1966), who worked to make mountaineering more accessible.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Mar 17, 2014
Proof-of-purchase tape
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Feb 17, 2014
Coastal shipping
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jan 20, 2014
Expiry dates
It's hard when our children decide we're past our prime. Let's prove we've still got a little shelf life sorting out an admittedly tricky subject.
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Dec 16, 2013
Kobe beef
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Nov 18, 2013
Fender mirrors
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Oct 21, 2013
Elevation signs
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Sep 16, 2013
Oversized trash
Dear Alice,
Japan Times
Reference / SO WHAT THE HECK IS THAT
Jul 15, 2013
Mosquito coils
Dear Alice, I have lived in Japan for almost 30 years, and nothing says 'summer in Japan' to me like the sight and smell of those once-ubiquitous green mosquito coils.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

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