Japan 100 Years Ago

Kjeld Duits, Friday, March 28, 2008 Posted: 07:47 PM JST

I have started a new multilingual blog showing photos of Japan between 1860 and the 1930s: Old Photos of Japan.

The images show old customs and street views. Well-researched articles take you back in history. Many of the articles contain maps and additional illustrations, making them a fun and useful resource on Meiji, Taisho and early Showa Japan.

The photographs can be searched by keyword, period, theme, location, photographer and medium.

Keywords: internet_news

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Busy Japanese Kids

Kjeld Duits, Friday, March 28, 2008 Posted: 07:40 PM JST

If you think that you are busy, watch this NHK program about the super busy schedules of Japanese kids. What are their parents thinking, I wonder?

Keywords: culture_news, national_news

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The Original Japanese

Kjeld Duits, Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Posted: 12:41 AM JST

Discover magazine carried a very good article some ten years ago about the roots of the Japanese, showing that Koreans and Japanese share a lot more than many will feel comfortable with. "Unearthing the origins of the Japanese is a much harder task than you might guess. Among world powers today, the Japanese are the most distinctive in their culture and environment. The origins of their language are one of the most disputed questions of linguistics. These questions are central to the self-image of the Japanese and to how they are viewed by other peoples. Japan’s rising dominance and touchy relations with its neighbors make it more important than ever to strip away myths and find answers." Recent DNA research has shown that this article was on the mark. Read the full article here.

Keywords: culture_news

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Japan's Cherry Blossom Front

Kjeld Duits, Monday, March 24, 2008 Posted: 11:15 PM JST

It is Cherry Blossom time again and everyday Japanese news programs faithfully report Japan's Cherry Blossom Front, showing how far the cherry blossom has moved through the country. There is even an excellent site showing the Cherry Blossom Front.

Keywords: culture_news internet_news

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