TATTOO CULTURE TAKES HOLD

Written by Kimo Friese
Published in ART & CULTURE

In Japan, tattoos have long been associated with yakuza gang members. Today, tattoos represent a form of self-expression that is here to stay.

Tattoo You

Tattooing through the Ages

For centuries, many cultures around the world have practiced the art of tattooing including tribal groups in Borneo, Cambodia, Europe, Japan, the Mentawai Islands, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, North America, the Philippines, South America, Taiwan, and Turkey. “Britons” translates as “people of the designs” and the British remain the most tattooed in Europe.

Tattoos no longer taboo?

The cultural status of tattooing has evolved from being considered an anti-social activity in the 1960s to a trendy fashion statement in the 1990s. No longer are tattoos limited to the bikers, gangsters, rock stars and the military. Today, movie stars, professional sports figures, fashion models and other public figures who play a significant role in setting cultural norms and behavioral patterns are sporting tattoos.

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MANGA & ANIME EXPOS

Written by TJ
Published in MANGA & ANIME

Japanese comics are no laughing matter. Manga and anime have grown in global popularity and have captivated a legion of seriously devoted worldwide fans.

Manga & Anime Expos

Anime Expo 2012

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture convention, celebrated its busiest event ever in its 21-year history in 2012 with a record 49,400-plus unique attendees and a turn- stile attendance of over 130,000 during its four days at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It ran between June 29 and July 2.

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ARE E-BOOKS SUSTAINABLE?

Written by Richard Hawking
Published in SUSTAINABILITY & GREEN LIVING

Tokyo Journal looks at the future of e-books and raises the question of whether e-books are worth the paper they are not printed on.

Famous last words: “E-books are never going to take off!”

In the mid-nineties, the owner of an online university approached the president of a major publishing company to express his excitement over technology, the Internet and the thought that e-books were the future. He urged the market-leading publisher to produce more books in their electronic format so students worldwide could gain convenient and instant access to textbooks. The owner’s delight, however, was quickly defused as the publisher responded, “E-books are never going to take off.” This was at a time when scanners were not near the speed or quality of today and authors were still submitting paper manuscripts. This led the publisher to add, “If we wanted to start converting books into e-books, we would need to start scanning every single page beginning with the Bible. Can you imagine how long that would take?”

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COOL CARS

Written by TJ
Published in SPORTS & LEISURE

International Car Show

Tokyo Journal checked out California’s 2013-Model Orange County International Auto Show at Anaheim Convention Center to see the hottest new cars and trucks, exotics, and tricked-out rides. Highlights included:

See the latest tricked-out cars including Industrial Light & Magic (Lucasfilm Division)’s “Vader’s Ride”, Will.i.am’s ’59 Corvette, “American Pride”, the “Tekken” Ferrari, a Transformers Sports Car, and the lowest low riders around! Photos taken at the October 6, 2012 Orange County International Auto Show in California.

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WHERE TO STAY IN SEOUL

Written by David Bracey
Published in CITYSCOPE

See TJ’s top recommended places to stay in Seoul – a hot spot for foreign travelers, and a superior stay in Seoul!

A Superior Stay in Seoul

The Westin Chosun

The Westin Chosun Seoul is Korea’s first international hotel. This classic hotel was built in 1914 with the first running water, elevator and ice cream in the country, attracting celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Bob Hope. Rebuilt in the 1960s and fully renovated since then, The Westin Chosun is within walking distance of the headquarters of major international banks, local government offices, historic landmarks and thriving shopping districts.

The hotel has 462 guest rooms and 40 suites with the Westin Heavenly Bed, anti-allergy carpets, self-serve espresso coffee machines, mobile phones and high-speed Internet access. Guests can access a business center with state-of-the-art conference rooms and a drug store, barbershop, beauty salon and souvenir shop as well as the City Athletic Club, a Pilates studio, a swimming pool, steam and dry saunas and whirlpools. For corporate events and weddings, there is the Grand Banquet Hall, six mid-sized banquet halls and conference rooms.

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Crossword Puzzle: Issue #270

Written by TJ
Published in Crossword Puzzle

Places and Landmarks in Tokyo

Click here to download a PDF file with the Answer Key

Please Note:

The question for 30 ACROSS was created in error. It should have read, “One of Tokyo’s 23 wards, this place was the first post-town a traveler would reach after setting out from Nihonbashi on the Tokkaido Highway from Edo to Kyoto”

The answer for 6 DOWN was spelled incorrectly as “Ryugoku”. The correct answer is “Ryogoku”.

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May 16, 2012

TATTOO CULTURE TAKES HOLD

Tattoo You

Tattooing through the Ages

Tattoos no longer taboo?

MANGA & ANIME EXPOS

Manga & Anime Expos

Anime Expo 2012

ARE E-BOOKS SUSTAINABLE?

Famous last words: “E-books are never going to take off!”

COOL CARS

International Car Show

WHERE TO STAY IN SEOUL

A Superior Stay in Seoul

The Westin Chosun

Crossword Puzzle: Issue #270

Please Note: