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Tag Archives: The Japan Times
Sashimi sides: field-guide to raw fish garnishes
In my Nov. 29 column in The Japan Times, I wrote about what a reader described as the “the stringy piles of daikon radish” that come with sashimi. As I explained, the daikon is called “tsuma,” written with this character: … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized, What the Heck is That?
Tagged alice gordenker, garnishes, Japan, sashimi, seaweed, The Japan Times, tsuma, what the heck is that?
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Talk Tanuki to Me: CWAJ Luncheon Sept. 10
If you’re in Tokyo on Wednesday Sept. 10, why not pop by the Tokyo American Club for my talk to the College Women’s Association of Japan? I’ll be talking about my “So, What the Heck is That?” column in The Japan Times, … Continue reading
Public-bath art for the private bathroom
In my May 20 column in the Japan Times, I wrote about public baths in Japan, and more specifically about a specialty bath called the “denki-buro” 電気風呂, or “electricity bath.” For the shocking details, I suggest you read the article. … Continue reading
Shipping up and down the coast of Japan
A regular reader of my blog gave me a gentle nudge today, observing that I haven’t been posting much. What’s worse, she said, I haven’t provided links for my last two columns in The Japan Times. So posthaste, here is … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged alice gordenker, coastal shipping, Edo shipping routes, Hokusai, kairo, Kazusa no kuni, Mount Fuji, The Japan Times
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Look, then look again: fender mirrors
In my November 19 column in The Japan Times, I wrote about the rather special rear-view mirrors you see on the front of Japanese taxi cabs. I promised to post some photos of vehicles equipped with fender mirrors, including a … Continue reading
Understanding the new “above sea level” signs
In my column in The Japan Times on Oct. 22, I wrote about the spate of new 海抜 kaibatsu (elevation over sea level) signage going up all over Japan. Each sign provides the elevation at the spot where the sign … Continue reading
Getting rid of stuff in Japan
In my Sept. 17 column in the Japan Times, I explained why it’s both illegal and unkind to help yourself to something that’s been put out for 粗大ゴミ sodai gomi (over-size trash) collection. Bummer, right? I mean, Japanese throw out the … Continue reading
Mosquitoes bugging you? 蚊取り線香
In my July 16 column in The Japan Times, I wrote about mosquito coils, which were actually invented in Japan, and promised to show you some of the holders used when burning them. I couldn’t resist the photo above, not … Continue reading
Okigusuri 置き薬 – “Use first, pay later” medicine
In my June 18 column in The Japan Times, I wrote about okigusuri 置き薬, a very old way of selling medicine in which a selection of products are left in a home or office without payment or deposit. You use … Continue reading
Hikyaku: the “flying legs” of early Japanese post delivery
In my May 21 column in The Japan Times, I wrote about hikyaku 飛脚, the “flying legs” couriers who moved letters and packages around Japan until the late 19th century when a modern postal system was created. The photo above, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged alice gordenker, Felice Beato, hikyaku, Hiroshige, Hokusai, postal service Japan, The Japan Times, what the heck is that?
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Alice Gordenker アリス・ゴーデンカー 