The view from my balcony

What the hell is that?

---

July 30th 2006
So as a I wander, and often get lost, in this small city of Hekinan, the thought that most often crosses my mind is, "What the hell is that?". Now please don't take this phrase to be one of judgement, but rather one of true astonished wondering. On this, my fifth day in Japan, I recount a few of the things I have seen and heard that have caused me to perk up or scratch my head. First, the t ... read more

Asia » Japan » Aichi

---

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