A rosacea flower that is in full bloom for only about two weeks at most is the cherry blossom. In Japan, this is called “Sakura”. As spring comes, Sakura blooming forecasts are reported on news...
Posts by Blue Select
Report: Ikenobo Ikebana Exhibition in Spring 2023
Spring arrives with many flowers in bloom after cold winter. At the center of Kyoto in March, many Ikebana creators try to make another flower bloom to express what they have ever achieved. Ikenobo...
Incredible Showa-POPs Playlists with Sax Solos and Riffs
The coined word “J-POP” was born in 1989, which referred to a Japanese music genre with Western Pop and Rock influences. Especially, the stylish and distinctive melodies that existed in the 1980s...
Top 3 Luxury Teaware Brands from Japan, with Ancient and Honorable
In Japan, many kilns have existed since ancient times, producing unique ceramics and porcelain that make the most of the local soil. In modern times, they have also blended cultures from other...
Using Chopsticks with the Japanese Style Benefits Your Life Better
It may seem that to eat with chopsticks alone is very difficult, but once you can get the hang of how to use, the barrier is easier to overcome than you might think. And most importantly, the...
The JDM Sports Cars in Anime Stories
Recently, there has been an abnormal demand for discontinued sports cars, which were sold by various Japanese automobile manufacturers in the 1980-90s. Their sales prices are said to easily exceed...
Cuzen Matcha: Breaking the Common Belief as Powders with Sustainability
Matcha is an essential part of the tea ceremony in Japan and a superfood in the U.S., but the shape, “powder” has made it difficult for them to drink. However, a passionate man with a machine is...
Kabuki On Demand, Start Overseas
Kabuki On Demand, the official paid video distribution service for Kabuki, has begun distribution to overseas markets on 1st Nov. 2022. The first distribution is scheduled to 9 regions, Australia,...
Yusaku Matsuda’s Yakuza Action Changed the Story Line of “BLACK RAIN”
On 6 November 1989, at 6:45pm, an actor passed away at age 40. His name is Yusaku Matsuda. Black Rain TM & Copyright (C) 1989 by Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. TM,(R)...
Anime History #4: The Revolutionary Legacies of Go Nagai’s Battle Sexy Heroine Genre
Have you ever heard of the animation “Grentizer”? This work is one of the Mazinger series. In Japan, Mazinger Z is well-known, but in the Arab world and Europe, the Grendizer is better. The author...
J-POP: A Chill Playlist of Tokyo Having Many Faces
Tokyo is the capital and gateway to Japan and voted "the best city in the world" (Conde Nast Traveler, 2021). It is a very multifaceted and attractive city, possessing a historic downtown that has...
Japanese Rice Snack “Beika” filling in Both your Wellness and Desire for Sweets
Recently, Wheat prices have increased. This is not only due to a surge in demand caused by the increase in the world population, but also to major changes in world affairs. On such occasions, rice,...
Japanese Top Three Kitchen Knives-Producing Cities and Their Recommended Brands
Japanese culture has recently been attracting a lot of attention abroad. Anime and other subcultures are popular, but Japanese food is extremely popular due to the growing health consciousness. And...
Why is “Zen” Attracted to World Executive Leaders?
Do you know that Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was heavily influenced by Zen? Apple products, such as iPhone, are highly regarded not only for their functionality and usability, but also for their...
“JanKen” is a Game Deciding who wins Most Fairly Between Adults and Children
What do you use when you want to decide something or play a simple game? Like the positional decision made before a football match, a coin toss is often held in the Western, while in Japan, “Janken”...
Takeshi Kitano Comedian Rhapsody
"Takeshi Kitano" is a film director who has made a name for himself as "the world's Kitano". He has another name, which is "Beat Takeshi "as a Comedian. The Last Comedian of Asakusa, "Beat...
Finding Cool and Beautiful J-POP Music from Anime Ending Songs(Part1)
Japanese anime is widely popular throughout the world. Its existence is now synonymous with “Cool Japan.” An essential part of the excitement of anime is the anime songs that are played during...
Watch Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon, Again
Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon won the Golden Lion Venice Film Festival in 1951. Although it is a monochrome film, its visual beauty has never gone out of fashion. And, the film's unique narrative...
Darth Vader’s Kawaii Arrangements by Japanese Unique Items
“I am your father.” This line was uttered in the film Star Wars Episode Ⅴ: The Empire Strikes Back when he hunted down the protagonist Luke Skywalker and forced him to become his apprentice. The...
The List of Japanese Era Name “Gengo” Generates Interest in their History and Culture
Japanese “Gengo” is the only culture in the world that has been handed down only in Japan as era names. The 248th "Reiwa" is currently in use, but a look back at the past era names may provide some...
Vermicular: A Japanese Cookware Bland Making Your Cooking Beloved and Better
A small-town factory that was on the verge of bankruptcy is about to revolutionize global cooking with its innovative technology. It is Vermicular. About Vermicular Sibling Business Owners Who Saved...
Knowledge of Frying Pan Materials Promotes Your Wellness
Frying pans are the most frequently used cooking utensils. In particular, they have many types with a depth of 5-6 cm, which can be used not only for stir-frying but also for simmering and...
The 2022 Sanrio Character Awards, “Colorful”
Voting for the "2022 Sanrio Character Awards" has begun on April 8, 2022. The focus will be on whether Cinnamoroll, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, will win the award again this...
J-POP: Seven Selected Japanese Tracks and Albums of Ever-Beloved Teresa Teng
On May 8, 1995, Teresa Teng, one of the most famous singers of the 20th century, passed away. Her funeral was held in Taipei, as a state one, and it is said that over 30,000 fans from all over the...
Anime History #3: Japanese Crazy Sports “SPOCON” Anime
In the 1960-70’s, the world was shaken by the Cold War between East and West, while Japan enjoyed remarkable development due to its rapid economic growth. Spocon, born at this time, was a symbol of...
J-ROCK: Tomoyasu Hotei’s Legend Story as a top Japanese Guitarist
Tomoyasu Hotei is a guitarist who can greedily take in all genres of music, digest them all in his mind, and dye it his own color. He says his roots are in the influence of David Bowie, whom he...
J-Movie: Hokusai Films
In Japan, prominent historical figures tend to be the subject of book and film adaptations. Surprisingly, however, no entertainment based on Hokusai has appeared. Hokusai(2021)The frustrations and...
European Artists inspired by Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is one of the most notable ukiyo-e artists of recent years, and was the only Japanese selected as “The 100 most important people of the millennium by Life...
Beautiful Cello Sounds of 3 Composers for Healing your Mind
It was not until the 18th century that the current style and performance of the cello was actually established. In the 18th century, its works were written by composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, and...
J-POP: Yuming’s Tracks on Ghibli’s Fantasies
With her highly fashionable melodies and unique, realistic lyrics, Yuming is one of the pioneering female singer-songwriters. Her style, called "new music," was established as a completely new genre...
Sushi? Lamborghini? Not erase, but Erasers
Japanese stationery is elaborate and of high quality, and is highly regarded around the world. There are also many kawaii products, which are highly popular among children. Here we would like to...
J-POP: ’80s Cool and Funny Idol Group, Shibugaki-Tai
Shibugaki-Tai broke new ground as an idol group, and more than 30 years after their breakup, they have continued to maintain their presence in Japanese entertainment. Here, we would like to take a...
Why is Sushi so Popular around the World?
Sushi is a dish that is extremely popular in Japan and is known as the "Japanese sole food". Not only that Sushi goes around on the conveyor belt, but also around the world in different forms. Let's...
Japanese Unique Health Method, “Hara-hachi-bun-me”
Do you know how long the average life expectancy of Japanese people is? According to 2020's data, men are 81.64 years old, rank 2 in the world, and women are 87.74 years old, top in the world. One...
The Best Matcha Powder’s Supplier from Japan
Matcha is recognized as a superfood, and there are several centers in Japan that produce incredibly high quality, rich and fragrant matcha powder.Among them, Yame-Cha has always been called the best...
Discover the Secrets of “Superfood” Matcha (Part3)
Matcha is now known worldwide, being sold in coffee shops, supermarkets specializing in organic products, and even across the ocean in Western countries. In particular, matcha is attracting...
Japanime: the masterpiece of Rumiko Takahashi’s Rumic World, Inuyasha
There is a manga artist in Japan who made her debut in the 1970s and still has a strong presence. Her name is Rumiko Takahashi. The world view of her manga is unique and continues to be loved and...
Discover the Secrets of “Superfood” Matcha (Part2)
Matcha is now known worldwide, being sold in coffee shops, supermarkets specializing in organic products, and even across the ocean in Western countries. In particular, matcha is attracting...
A Devil’s Samba Absorbing All Sorrows from Japan
The shogun, wearing a gold kimono, his face painted white, and his hair tied up in "Cyon-Mage", dances a spectacular dance with his "Koshimoto" dancers, known as "Matsuken Samba". The joyful and...
Discover the Secrets of “Superfood” Matcha (Part1)
Matcha is now known worldwide, being sold in coffee shops, supermarkets specializing in organic products, and even across the ocean in Western countries. In particular, matcha is attracting...
A Soy Sauce Brand Contributing to the production of the COVID-19 Vaccines
YAMASA since 1645Founded in the early Edo periodYamasa Soy Sauce was founded in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, in 1645, at a time when the Edo Shogunate was inaugurated and Edo was undergoing great...
Anime History #2: The Genealogy of “Kawaii” Created by Anime Heroines
The history of "kawaii," a word that originated in Japan, is deeply related to anime, Japan's representative subculture. In particular, it goes without saying that the many highly original anime...
Kyoto is in a Rush to open Luxury Hotels
In Kyoto, there are many old “Machiya” houses that are more than 100 years old, and if you go to the suburbs, you will find abundant greenery and nature. Now, New hotels that take advantage of the...
J-POP: The Most Talented Singer, KOJI TAMAKI’s Ultimate Tracks
Emotional, unrestrained, sometimes wild, but simple. That is the music of Koji Tamaki. Anzen-ChitaiKoji Tamaki's music career began with "Anzenchitai", which Band dominated the Japanese music scene...
The Laundress: The Best Tool Turning Life’s Chores into Enjoyable Experiences
About The LaundressPremium Fabric Care BrandTHE LAUNDRESS is a specialty brand of fabric care that started in New York in March 2004. The brand offers stylish and environmentally friendly fabric...
Evolving Tamagotchi
This November 2021, Tamagotchi will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its launch. The distributor, Bandai, has announced the release of a new model, Tamagotchi Smart, to commemorate this 25th...
6 Cooking-Themed Anime to know Japanese Food Culture
Japan, with its long north-south axis, four seasons, and being surrounded by the sea, has a diverse food culture rooted in its rich climate, people's spirituality, and history, while skillfully...
Three Ultimate Forms of Soybeans changed
“Washoku”, the traditional dietary culture of the Japanese, was registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013 and is attracting attention from all over the world. Tofu, Natto...
Black Tea Culture of The World
The great turning point for Black Tea came in the 19th century. After the discovery of Assam, a more suitable tea tree for tea, and the process of tea production, tea cultivation started all over...
Three Ultimate “Gekiga” Works of Takao Saito
On September 24, 2021, the Japanese Gekiga artist, Takao Saito, passed away at the age of 84. We pray for his soul resting in peace and would like to introduce three of the best works left by...