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2007: The Year of the Wild Boar
Popular in Japan since ancient times, the junishi or eto
(rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster,
dog, and wild boar) were imported into Japan from China. The
signs cover a 12-year period, but the complete zodiac embraces
60 years, which was considered to be the total life-cycle of
man. It is believed that the character of a person is determined
by the year in which they were born.2007 is the Year of the Wild Boar, my birth year! According to the zodiac this is supposed to become a very important year for me... |
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See if it works! When were you born?
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iKjeld.com
Since iKjeld.com got its new look in 2005, it has continued on its more serious direction. More people have contributed to the site, including well-respected writers and thinkers like Hokkaido based human rights activist Debito Arudou, Herbert P. Bix (author of "Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan"), Steven Clemons (co-founder of the Japan Policy Research Institute) and German doctor and human rights activist Norbert Vollertsen. |
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JAPANESE STREETS
Still my most popular site with over 100,000 visitors a month.
I had hoped to finally finish the redesign in 2006, but that was not to be. This year the redesign WILL finally happen, though! Stay tuned. |
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Japan Photo Library
My online photo library is undergoing a much needed drastic redesign. The new site will come online later in 2007! |
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Japan Links
While researching articles I run into many excellent sites. Now more
than 1,700 of my favorites have been categorized online.
Anyone needing reliable information on Japan will find this link
database extremely helpful. |
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The Japanese New Year Card
Just like people in western countries mail each other Christmas
cards, the Japanese mail each other New Year cards, or nengajo.
People often make their own nengajo, or purchase pre-printed
ones from the post office. The post office cards have lottery
numbers and allow you to win all kinds of exciting prizes. A
lucky card could make your year Happy from the very start! |
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Previous Online Cards
I have been putting my New Year cards online since 2004. I skipped 2005 because I was covering the aftermath of the tsunami at the time. Enjoy a trip back in time and visit the cards of previous years:
2004
2006 |
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