Blame the Portuguese

The Portuguese were the first Westerners to arrive in Japan (presumably at Oita). The story goes that a Portuguese ship was damaged in a storm and landed at the first islands it came across. While the ship was being fixed the sailors amused themselves by shooting at ducks on the beach. The Japanese natives watched with interest and six months later produced copied of the weapons they'd seen. Before long they were selling them back to the Portuguese with heated arm rests and glowing neon barrels.

The Rules of Beechgrove Garden

November 10th 2006
Living on a working farm is an amazing experience. We were honoured that Morioka-san invited us into his home and allowed us to live with him, his wife and three children for a week that we will never forget. As we found at Arinko farm with Masako and Koji, the experience of immersing oneself completely in a different culture is a much better way of learning about it. And there is a lot to learn. ... read more

Asia » Japan » Fukuoka

In 1603, a Tokugawa shogunate (military dictatorship) ushered in a long period of isolation from foreign influence in order to secure its power. For 250 years this policy enabled Japan to enjoy stability and a flowering of its indigenous culture. Fol... ... read more

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