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The Goshuincho Stamp Book: Japan’s Honorable Artwork
Dipping the weasel hair into a jar, he carefully coated the bristles in jet black liquid. Rotating, then swiping, and repeating, the artist maneuvered the tip until satisfied. In movements clearly honed over decades, he removed the brush and set to work....
The Onsen: Navigating Japan’s Public Baths
Japan is known for its culture: the temples of Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari, the religions of Shinto and Buddhism, the intricate calligraphy, the ever-fascinating history. Japan is also known for its adherence to the collective. There are rules, plenty of them, like...
The Nakasendo Trail: Walking Through History
Sitting cross-legged on the floor of a ryokan, my friend Celia and I stared down at the dish before us. We’d partaken in kaiseki, a traditional Japanese meal, many times previously, but had never once seen this item. At least 15 insects filled the small container, and...