Category Archives: Japan

Memories of Japan

I arranged this medley of four Japanese folk songs for flute and clarinet to help me remember my time in Japan.  I took all the photos at the Misawa City Festival in 1988.  Misawa is near Aomori, on the eastern … Continue reading

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Naginata humor

A naginata is a Japanese spear, although it is more like a short, curved sword attached to the end of a pole.  I found a site that had these cartoons, so I thought I’d share. All right, I know what you’re … Continue reading

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A little photography fun

At least this time I didn’t do the skin-head wig with the samurai top-knot like I did for a costume in my late twenties (don’t ask me how long ago that was!).  I’m surprised how well this came out, since I … Continue reading

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Japanese Victory Dance in Nanjing

As amazing as this is from an artistic, cultural point of view, I can’t watch it without getting a pit in my stomach and getting nauseous. I lived with the Japanese for 15 months, and I’m convinced I know more … Continue reading

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16th-century Samurai Battle March

This music contains only percussion instruments.  It is over 500 years old, but it sounds very modern, lots of “soul.”

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Soran Bushi Dance

Think, fishermen pulling in their nets.  The intro only lasts 12 seconds so wait for it.  This is a modern version of a traditional Japanese song, and it is a rather exciting dance number.  You probably wouldn’t like the original … Continue reading

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Walking to the waterfall

Here’s a few more pics of my overnight hike to the waterfall in northern Japan. This gives you an idea of how thick the woods were.  The area got its fair share of rain (and snow).  What I didn’t see … Continue reading

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The head of the trail

Here I am (on the left–the one without the Zorro mask) with a few friends, ready to hit the trail to the waterfall in northern Japan.  This was an overnight hike–note all the equipment in the bed of the truck. I … Continue reading

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All the way to Japan to get away, and your sisters show up!

Just kidding.  I was thrilled to see them.  It would have been nice if all three could have come.  I’ll get back to the waterfall backpacking trip soon, but here’s a skeenik photo of two of them and myself, somewhere … Continue reading

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What’s a speed limit sign doing out here in the woods?

Little Waterfall in the Woods After a long hiatus, I scanned in another roll of the negatives from my Japan photos.  It’s always exciting for me to see them, since I don’t have prints of any of them.  Unfortunately, tonight … Continue reading

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