The Set-up

The Ultimate Staff Party

---

December 21st 2008
As the second semester of the Japanese school year came to a close on Friday, thus began the annual End-of-the-Year Staff Party season. There are two or three 年会 nenkai (lit. “year party”) every year, but the 忘年会 bonenkai (lit. forget year party) is the usually the most important. Lucky for me, I go to so many schools that I’m bound to be invited to at least one, as was exactly ... read more

Asia » Japan » Kagawa » Kotohira

---

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