tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:07:30 +0000Japanese lifephotosnature (or lack of)Art with a capital 'A'travelsdanceperformancefestivalseaNoveltygaijinparanoiapolitenessbuddhismcomedy misadventurecommunityonsenshintobig gunsrecklessnessuniformitywildlifewritingCambridge HouseHello KittyIndie rockJ-pop cultureTyphoonVery Big Menbroken thingschristmasfirefoodlingering images of foodsakesculptureunbearably cute childrenTravels and travails of a Lamford in Japanhttp://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)Blogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-4771591531953348245Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:54:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:47.256+09:00politenessunbearably cute childrenOh-ree ehOh-ree daisukiYasashite arigatouHikari no koto Wasurenai de neHikari mo wasurenai yoHikari yoriTo Oh-reeI like Oh-ree loadsThanks for being kindDon't forget meI won't forget youFrom Hikarihttp://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/07/long-goodbye.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2611934045239182963Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:56:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:48.347+09:00broken thingsJapanese lifenature (or lack of)photosseatravelsThe Gotoh Islands (五島列島) - a chain of islands off the far west coast of Japan. If Japan was Britain, Gotoh would probably be the Channel Islands.With my time in Japan swiftly running out, I embarked on a final trip before home. I took the moonlit overnight ferry from Hakata (photos here), and after a hazy night spent photographing the moon and failing to sleep on the tatami floor of a boat full http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/07/gotoh-islands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-7123816095467876746Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:36:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:49.384+09:00Art with a capital 'A'nature (or lack of)photosseatravelsI took a night ferry from Fukuoka to the Gotoh Islands, one day before the full moon.These were taken on a slow shutter speed at night, turning the ship's wake into hazy brush strokes of light. See previous (and more successful) attempts here.http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/07/moon-waves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2101358320056851687Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:30:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:51.003+09:00Art with a capital 'A'danceperformancephotosseaWith the day off lessons, I went to the seaside to dance with a couple of Japanese friends. We swam in the water, and sat in the sun. We walked by the seafront, and found a suitable boulder for a stage. And we danced.Dancer - Ikumihttp://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/07/butoh-by-sea.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-6791241284413608875Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:10:00 +00002007-06-28T01:23:25.088+09:00Art with a capital 'A'Japanese lifeuniformitywritingGrey suits and grey jobs. Hierarchical offices run by convention and duty.It's distinctly bad form to leave the office before your job.The relationship between salaryman and housewife is notoriously bad.The Guardian recently reported on the annual competition of Salaryman Senryu (short, sardonic poems on daily life, brief as Haiku but with a comic tone).The second prize went to this gem (http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/06/pity-poor-salaryman.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-7903703858111934933Sun, 24 Jun 2007 13:08:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:51.162+09:00Japanese lifenature (or lack of)The rainy season has begun.In line with the rest of the world, it seems the weather is bucking all past trends this year, and is doing as it pleases.The snow was light, the winter warm, the cherry blossom late.The rainy season started two weeks late this year.Late it may be, but nevertheless it rains.It rains, and is hot.I don't like the rainy season.The rainy season doesn't like me.I went for a http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/06/rainy-season.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-9039671653163463579Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:24:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:51.224+09:00Art with a capital 'A'performancewritingFor the first time, I've managed to get an article printed in a national magazine.It is in the July/August edition of SONGLINES, Britain's leading world music magazine.You can see the online version of my guide to the best music in Tokyo by clicking here.I also took the picture of the Kabuki Theatre (bottom right).ON SALE NOW!http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/06/yatta-i-did-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-6532903143631430579Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:00:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:51.668+09:00comedy misadventureJapanese lifeThe Japanese Haircut - far more than mere depillation.Enter the shop, and, like a smart sushi restaurant, the barbers greet customers with a bright barrage of shouted politesse.Placed in a chair, and the discussion begins. And soon stutters.me: "Er, short please."him: "[unintelligible reply]"me: "Er. But not too short."him: "[unintelligible reply]"Resigned to my fate, I sit back and watch his http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/06/hei-ah-cutto-japanese-for-haircut.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-7744883716819844585Fri, 15 Jun 2007 13:47:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:53.191+09:00Art with a capital 'A'nature (or lack of)photosseatravelsThese photos were all taken on ferries at night, some on the boat back from Sakurajima (home of Furasato Onsen - see previous post), and some crossing back from Miyajima in the Inland Sea.http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/06/night-waves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-8103265475150103491Thu, 31 May 2007 13:57:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:53.432+09:00danceJ-pop cultureJapanese lifeNoveltyNot the new model of the ever-popular Russian rifle, but a Japanese pop band.48 girls, dancing in short school skirts, and singing catchy pop songs about their misdemeanours.One classic lyric "お父さん、ごめんなさい" - 'Father, I'm sorry'This is Kayo Noro.She's an attractive girl.I am one month older than her.But I don't think that would be too much of a problem.And this is Aika Ohta.She performs onstage http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/05/akb-48.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-5521207006823387031Sat, 12 May 2007 10:22:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:56.206+09:00Art with a capital 'A'Japanese lifephotosIn the mid to late nineteenth century, as the Meiji Restoration finally allowed foreigners into Japan after centuries of enforced isolation, a new economic influx emerged - tourists. To feed the growing interest of wealthy, curious foreigners, early photography flourished in Japan, seeking to give a taste of the exotic orient to well-paying customers.The result is, to me, absolutely http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/05/glimpse-of-past.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-8008218262660109060Sat, 12 May 2007 07:05:00 +00002007-05-31T15:27:07.773+09:00gaijinpolitenessI've decided to change the name of my blog, after finding out a bit more about the word 'gaijin'.Gaijin is a short-hand term - the proper word is gaikokujin, using the characters 外国人, which means (outside - country - person, which translates very easily as foreigner). But the shorter word of gaijin, it seems, is much less polite.Times I've heard people use 'Gaijin':1) Sitting on the train one dayhttp://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/05/gaijin-vs-nippon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-3325190258269830159Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:28:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:58.119+09:00Art with a capital 'A'danceperformancephotos'Ouragan de Fleurs' - 'Hurricane of Flowers' a performance by the Fukuoka Seiryukai, featuring five talented butoh dancers, and me.It would be performed in Fukuoka at the French Institute, after my teacher and the gang had taken the piece to Paris at the end of March.They didn't like Paris that much. Too dirty, too rude, too many druggies. Just not Japan.Actually, disillusionment with Paris is a http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/04/ouragan-de-fleurs-butoh-performance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-3326500723906568443Sat, 31 Mar 2007 07:46:00 +00002008-12-09T14:51:58.923+09:00communityfestivalJapanese lifenature (or lack of)photosHana Mi (literally, 'flower viewing') is one of the great cultural traditions of Japan.Around the end of March, the Cherry trees burst into full bloom. They start in the far south, and move up Japan in a wave of flowers over the following week. So great is the custom of viewing the flowers, the Japanese weather agency publishes official forecasts of the specific blooming dates for each region. http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/03/hana-mi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2162398082305359999Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:02:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:00.785+09:00foodJapanese lifelingering images of foodphotosThe great surprise of the Okunoyu Ryokan in Kurokawa Onsen (see previous post), was the wonderful food. It now ranks as the tastiest meal I've ever eaten, and so is worthy of a blog post in its own right. Seizing the luxurious option of having our dinner served to us in our own tatami room, we arrived to find a banquet spread across our table...It was like a Greatest Hits Compilation of Japanese http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/03/best-meal-i-have-ever-eaten.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-7434741689168035301Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:03:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:01.216+09:00Japanese lifenature (or lack of)onsentravelsGreat Baths of Japan - Kurokawa Onsen - ShinmeikanFar inland, in the mountainous regions around Mount Aso (the largest volcanic caldera in the world), there are a few small villages that take full advantage of the natural geothermal activity. Unlike the neon-trash onsen towns like Beppu on the East coast, all cheap bars and tourist traps, they are quiet, green, and exist for only one purpose - http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-search-for-best-bath-in-japan-ii.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-3687788768390114313Sat, 24 Mar 2007 08:48:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:01.471+09:00Japanese lifenature (or lack of)onsentravels温泉(ONSEN) - (n.) One of Japan's great contributions to human civilisation. Due to its high level of subterranean thermal activity, hot water naturally bubbles up all over the place. Put that hot, mineral-rich water in a bath, and you have an Onsen.露天風呂(ROTEMBURO) - (n.) The Onsen taken to another level of perfection - outside bathing.NB. Due to the suicidal nature of mixing digital photography http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-search-for-best-bath-in-japan-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-4359501003189696055Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:13:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:03.408+09:00Art with a capital 'A'communitydanceperformance*If you don't know what Butoh is, read this previous post first*Koen Debut (公園デッビュー) is a Japanese phrase that refers to the first time that a new-born baby is paraded in the local park (koen). Its meaning has broadened to refer to any first-time presentation or debut, but it still keeps the element of the naive baby, not quite sure what is going on - an element that seems appropriate for my koenhttp://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/02/koen-debut.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2245234815215180449Wed, 10 Jan 2007 08:00:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:04.920+09:00festivalfirepolitenessrecklessnesssakeIt all began on Sunday afternoon when I took the train to Daizenji with my friend Dave. We knew we were meeting a woman called Norika there, that she would take us somewhere, and there we would take most of our clothes off, get drunk, and do something with fire outside. I didn't know any more than that though.Norika turned out to be a lovely middle aged woman with good English and leather http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/05/daizenji-fire-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-1999937931726151947Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:53:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:07.392+09:00buddhismgaijinnature (or lack of)onsenphotostravelsLeaving Nara behind me, I took the train up to Osaka, the pulsing heart of central Japan. It's a busy place, full of life, but somewhere to live, not a place for travelling. I passed straight through and picked up a fast train out of the city, heading for Koya San - the mountain-top home of Shingon Buddhism, and an absolute world away from urban Osaka.In half an hour or so I was out of the tower http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2006/12/koya-san.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-4065876483796639686Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:51:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:09.521+09:00buddhismdancefestivalsculptureshintotravelsI'd been planning my Christmas travels for weeks - a big deal, my first extended trip that I'd ever done alone, travelling for three weeks across Japan, after only learning the language for two and a half months.A virulent stomach bug kept me in bed for a week before my travels began, and I was still pretty shaky when I got up for my first morning's travel. I had a three-week rail pass, valid http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2006/12/nara.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-7632324077619779787Sun, 03 Dec 2006 07:59:00 +00002007-05-12T17:26:01.443+09:00Japanese lifeNoveltyMuzak 1The powers that be pipe music into my dormitory canteen. It’s always changing: one day its the New World Symphony; the next, Britney. But yesterday the music sounded like a ten year old on a Xylophone. In fact, I think it probably was a ten year old on a Xylophone. And then I recognized the song. Tinkling along in well spaced notes was the tune from Hitler, has only got one ball,http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2006/02/miscellaneous-eccentricity-2-muzak.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2777536045104685026Sun, 03 Dec 2006 07:56:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:09.626+09:00Japanese lifeIt being Autumn, there is a lot of leaf sweeping to be done. There are often university workers to be seen clearing up the heaped drifts, in a suit with broom in hand.At times, they get a little over eager. Last week I saw a smartly dressed man standing five metres up a tree, using his broom to sweep leaves straight from the branch.http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2007/02/miscellaneous-eccentricity-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-2611545483469764667Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:55:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:09.830+09:00Cambridge HousechristmasA funny Christmas it was.http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2006/11/christmas-tree-2006.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4150566186921806576.post-5964032467972552366Sun, 26 Nov 2006 01:36:00 +00002008-12-09T14:52:10.998+09:00big gunsJapanese lifeshintoVery Big MenEvery November, Fukuoka plays host to the last Grand Sumo Tournament of the year. The sumo circus starts in Tokyo, and holds contests in cities all over Japan, before it finally comes into town here. For weeks, Very Big Men in equally big kimonos stroll around town, turn up in bars, spread over two seats on the subway. Then, they fight one bout a day for the two week tournament, their ranking http://nipponlamford.blogspot.com/2006/11/sumo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Oliver Lamford)0