Japan Reference

Samurai Champloo

A ke bono kane kotto — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:06:04 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: A young woman named Fuu is working as a waitress in a tea house when she is harassed by a band of ruffians. Another customer, Mugen, offers to take care of them in exchange for food, but ends up instigating a brawl. Jin, a stoic young ronin in samurai garb, enters the tea house in the midst of the fight. Mugen attacks Jin after he proves to be a worthy opponent and they begin fighting one another, ignoring a fire that started during the brawl. They both faint from smoke inhalation. When they awaken, they find they have been arrested for the murder of Shibui Tomonoshina, the magistrate's son, and are to be executed. With help from Fuu, they escape and Fuu asks them to travel with her to find "the samurai who smells of sunflowers," a mysterious man Fuu can give little description of, but whom she insists she must find. They agree to join her, with Fuu making only one condition: they are not to duel one another until the journey is done.

Golden Boy

A ke bono kane kotto — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:05:12 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: Each episode of Golden Boy places Kintaro opposite a young, beautiful woman, whose interest or disdain for him acts as the conflict of the plot. Some of these women initially dismiss Kintaro as an idiotic and clumsy pervert, and either give him or accept from him some challenge to prove their superiority. Kintaro invariably lusts after these women, but he is principally driven by his desire to be of actual service to them and to thereby learn more about the world. Despite his outward appearances, Kintaro is an incredibly clever and resourceful individual, and consistently exceeds what the women in his encounters thought impossible, winning their hearts despite his outward awkwardness. But due to chance, necessity or a sense of honor, Kintaro never takes advantage of these newfound feelings. Kintaro is a freeter, and has done various jobs as he quests around Japan in pursuit of knowledge. His ventures include computer programming, housekeeping, teaching, the culinary arts, and most of all, studying. The series began with minimal story, and each chapter featured a different girl and a different challenge for Kintaro to overcome. Later on, the story follows arcs, such as Kintaro being forced to impersonate a schoolgirl after catching her shoplifting. Another shows Kintaro involved in a bizarre plot involving one of his old schoolmates, and bizarre women who seem to worship him. Kintaro is also often seen demonstrating the skills he's learned in previous chapters to overcome challenges faced in the current one. Much of the humor derives from situational elements, such as encounters between Kintaro and the women gone awry, and interactions between Kintaro's libido and imagination. Recurring gags include Kintaro's fetish for toilets (especially those recently used by beautiful women), his exaggerated facial expressions, and comical entries in his notebook. The notebook entries include explicit drawings of the women he encounters and bits of wisdom such as "'C' is not sex", and "The human head cannot turn 360 degrees." Regarding the series, Tatsuya Egawa writes: "Before leaving kindergarten, I wrote these words in my notebook: 'I really like to study.' Often I wonder when it was that our schools forgot the true meaning of 'study.' Something which is now so often misunderstood by teachers and parents. Learning ought to be both stimulating and entertaining.

Welcome to the N.H.K.

A ke bono kane kotto — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:14:38 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: Welcome to the N.H.K. revolves around the lives of several young-adults all living in or around the city of Tokyo. Many different lifestyles are shown though most of the time the story focuses on the concepts of being a hikikomori, anime otaku, and having most of the characters experience intense feelings of depression and loneliness. The main protagonist is Tatsuhiro Satō, a university dropout entering his fourth year of unemployment. He leads a reclusive life as a hikikomori, ultimately coming to the bizarre conclusion that this happened due to some sort of conspiracy. One day just when his life seems entirely unchanging, he meets Misaki Nakahara, a mysterious girl who claims to be able to cure Tatsuhiro of his hikikomori ways. She presents him with a contract basically outlining that once a day they would meet in the evening in a local park where Misaki would lecture to Tatsuhiro in an effort to rid him of his lifestyle. During these outings, many subjects are discussed, though they almost always pertain in some way to psychology or psychoanalysis. One of their first meetings in fact deals with interpreting Tatsuhiro's recent dreams. Both Tatsuhiro and Misaki, however, have a tendency of over-doing things, such as hiding the truth, especially from each other and themselves. Despite Misaki's offer and pressing attempts at salvation, it is Tatsuhiro's neighbor and high school friend, Kaoru Yamazaki, whom Tatsuhiro often turns to in moments of need and support. Also, despite his own idiosyncrasies, Yamazaki is one of the more stable characters in the story. The novel also regularly mentions drug use by the main character, and later, his friend, Yamazaki. This element of the story is downplayed in the manga, and left out of the story altogether in the anime (with the exception of Hitomi). This is likely due to several reasons, including a more public-friendly rating, as well as ultimately being unneeded for the progression of the plot.

Nodame Cantabile

A ke bono kane kotto — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:56:47 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: Megumi Noda, or "Nodame" is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend's lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies. Shinichi Chiaki is Momogaoka's top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy (namely Prague), he is trapped in Japan because of his childhood phobia. They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame's unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Along the way, they meet some crazy people (like Masumi, Mine, and Stresemann) and make lasting friendships. Because of Nodame, Chiaki gets the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people's musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible. After graduation, Nodame succeeds in curing Chiaki from his phobia and they both move to Paris where Nodame continues her piano studies at a conservatory while Chiaki starts a professional career as a conductor. In Europe, they encounter new friends and rivals, as well as keep in touch with their friends from Japan.

Ouran High School Host Club

A ke bono kane kotto — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:55:59 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: Haruhi Fujioka is a scholarship student at the prestigious Ouran Academy, a fictional high school located in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles upon the Third Music Room, a place where the Ouran Academy Host Club, a group of six extremely attractive male students, gathers to entertain both males and females "clients" (one male client entertained so far). During their first meeting, Haruhi accidentally knocks over and breaks an antique vase valued at \8,000,000 (US$80,000 in English manga) and is told to repay the cost in service to the club. Haruhi's short hair, slouching attire and gender-ambiguous look causes her to be mistaken by the hosts for a male student (at first). The hosts all agree that Haruhi would be a good host, thus making her join the host club. Ultimately she agrees to join the Club as a host herself (dressed as a male) in order to pay off her debt. She agrees to join since she does not mind hosting as long as she can pay the debt off faster. The Ouran Private Academy encompasses kindergarten to twelfth grade. Most students come from wealthy families but, in special cases, merit scholarships are granted to exceptional students from a lower income bracket. The school's unofficial motto is "Lineage counts first, wealth a close second," meaning students with stellar family backgrounds are given top priority over those from rich families but low social status.

Black Lagoon

A ke bono kane kotto — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:50:41 +0900

by: A ke bono kane kotto

Description: The story follows a team of pirates/mercenaries known as Lagoon Company, who smuggle goods in and around the seas of Southeast Asia in the early 1990s. Their base of operations is located in the fictional city of Roanapur in Thailand, and they transport goods in the 80-foot Elco-type PT boat Black Lagoon. When on land, they move around and conduct business using Benny's 1968 Plymouth Road Runner, although in episode 24 he's seen driving a 1966-67 Pontiac GTO after his Roadrunner is blown up for the second time in an earlier episode. Lagoon Company does business with various clients, but has a particularly friendly relationship with the Russian crime syndicate Hotel Moscow. The team takes on a variety of missions�\which may involve violent firefights, hand-to-hand combat, and nautical battles�\in various Southeast Asian locations and when not doing much, the members of the Lagoon Company spend much of their down time at The Yellow Flag, a bar in Roanapur.

Death Note

semi~sweet — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:07:33 +0900

by: semi~sweet

Description: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects-and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal... or his life?

Once upon a time in Japan (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:28:56 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Famous Japanese children stories : Momotaro, Kintaro, Issun Boshi, Grandfather Cherry Blossom (Hanasaka-jiisan), Tanabata, Urashima Taro and Kaguya Hime.

100 recipes from Japanese cooking (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:23:54 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Presents 100 recipes for Japanese dishes. The text gives measurements in metric (Japanese), and pounds and ounces. All the dishes are illustrated.

The inscrutable Japanese (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:22:00 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: When are the Japanese commonly misunderstood by Westerners ?

Talking about Japan (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:14:02 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: A general history of Japan, organized chronologically from 10,000 BC to 1995. The book is a compilation of the work of eleven contributors to the history entries of the encyclopaedia. It is one of a series of bilingual book featuring corresponding text in both Japanese and English.

Talking about Buddhism (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:11:06 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: The basics of Japanese Buddhism explained in Japanese and English.

Japan at a Glance (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:08:59 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Nature, culture, customs, government, economy, sushi, kimono and more explained in this illustrated dictionary of Japanese things.

Fun with Origami (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:04:59 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: The art of origami (paper cranes) revealed in both English and Japanese.

Keys to the Japanese Heart & Soul (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 11:02:16 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: The difference between "wabi" and "sabi", etc.

Bushido (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 10:59:57 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: An exposition of the spirit of the samurai and the soul of the Japanese, written by Japanese internationalist, Nitobe Inazo.

Cha no hon/The book of tea (Bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 10:51:51 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: This bilingual edition text is an exposition of the practise and Zen philosophy of the art of tea. It presnets traditions past and present.

Japanese History (bilingual book)

Maciamo — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 10:49:59 +0900

The Tale of Murasaki : A Novel

Maciamo — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 00:45:30 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: The Tale of Murasaki is an elegant and brilliantly authentic historical novel by the author of Geisha and the only Westerner ever to have become a geisha. In the eleventh century Murasaki Shikibu wrote the world�s first novel, The Tale of Genji, the most popular work in the history of Japanese literature. In The Tale of Murasaki, Liza Dalby has created a breathtaking fictionalized narrative of the life of this timeless poet�a lonely girl who becomes such a compelling storyteller that she is invited to regale the empress with her tales. The Tale of Murasaki is the story of an enchanting time and an exotic place. Whether writing about mystical rice fields in the rainy mountains or the politics and intrigue of the royal court, Dalby breathes astonishing life into ancient Japan.

Intermediate Vocabulary Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:22:41 +0900

by: Maciamo

Intermediate Communication Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:21:30 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: A Collection of Games and Activities for Low to Mid-Intermediate Students of English (Teachers Resource Materials)

Intermediate Grammar Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:20:39 +0900

by: Maciamo

Elementary Communication Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:19:54 +0900

by: Maciamo

Advanced Communication Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:18:58 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: A Collection of Games and Activities for Advanced Students of English (Teachers Resource Materials)

Pronunciation Games

Maciamo — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 21:16:55 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Pronunciation Games is a photocopiable resource book for use with students at pre-intermediate level and above. Each activity is designed to raise awareness of an aspect of English pronunciation. The Teacher's Pages offer clear instructions, background information, and suggestions for adaptation.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (Limited Edition) (1957)

Maciamo — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 22:48:07 +0900

by: Maciamo

The Japan That Can Say No/Why Japan Will Be First Among Equals

Maciamo — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 14:46:25 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: The (in)famous book of the governor of Tokyo, nationalist and self-proclaimed racist Shintaro Ishihara. Mr Ishihara explains why and how Japan should stand up to the United States. A very interesting read. [url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n2_v3/ai_10330579]Book Review here[/url]

English Vocabulary in Use , Upper-Intermediate

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:20:57 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate is aimed specifically at upper-intermediate level learners. The material has been thoroughly revised following feedback from users of the first edition. The vocabulary presented in this new edition has now been informed by the Cambridge International Corpus of real language to ensure that the vocabulary is current, useful and relevant for learners. - 100 easy-to-use units: vocabulary items are presented and explained on left-hand pages with a range of practice exercises on right-hand pages. - Presents and explains new words in context, shows learners how to use them and how to work out rules for using them. - Contains a comprehensive, learner-friendly answer key. - Includes a detailed index with phonetic transcriptions to help with the pronunciation of difficult vocabulary. - Is beautifully illustrated in full colour.

English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:18:16 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: This new book in the successful English Vocabulary in Use series will bring students up to an advanced level knowledge of English. Over 2000 new words and expressions are presented and practised in typical contexts. Each unit provides valuable information for advanced level students about usage and there are clear explanations about subtle differences in meaning and collocation. This book has been carefully researched using evidence from the Cambridge International Corpus to ensure that the language studied is the English native speakers actually use. - Clear, attractive colour units. - 100 easy-to-use two-page units. - Presents new words in context and shows learners how to use them. - Uses authentic texts. - Promotes good learning habits with learning tips and follow-up tasks. - Contains a comprehensive, student-friendly answer key and a detailed index with phonetic transcriptions.

Business Vocabulary In Use Advanced

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:14:40 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: This is a self-study reference and practice book for upper intermediate and advanced learners of English who need vocabulary for business and professional purposes.Business Vocabulary in Use Advanced is a new self-study reference and practice book for advanced learners of English who need vocabulary for business and professional purposes. The book has been carefully researched using the Cambridge International Corpus to ensure that the 2,000 new words and expressions represent the English that native speakers actually use. The book consists of 50 units and follows the highly successful format of the English Vocabulary in use range with presenationa maerial on the lfeft-hand page and practice exercises on the right hand page. The book covers a wide variety of up-to-date business topics and concepts.

English Vocabulary in Use, Pre-Intermediate & Intermediate

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:11:58 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: English Vocabulary in Use pre-intermediate & intermediate has been thoroughly revised based on feedback from users of the first edition. The vocabulary presented in this new edition has been informed by the Cambridge International Corpus of real language to ensure that the vocabulary is current, useful and relevant for learners. - 100 easy-to-use units: vocabulary items are presented and explained on left-hand pages with a range of practice exercises on right-hand pages. - Presents and explains new words in context, shows learners how to use them and how to work out rules for using them. - Contains a comprehensive, learner-friendly answer key. - Includes a detailed index with phonetic transcriptions to help with the pronunciation of difficult vocabulary. - Is beautifully illustrated in full colour.

Test Your Business Vocabulary in Use

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:10:37 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Test Your Business Vocabulary in Use is suitable for intermediate and upper-intermediate level learners of business English. Primarily designed as a companion to the best selling Business Vocabulary in Use, it can also be used to supplement other business English materials. The book covers a wide range of business topics including Jobs, People and Organisations, Production, Marketing, Finance and the Economy and Business Culture. Business skills covered include Meetings, Negotiating and Presentations. - 66 easy-to-use tests. - Builds confidence in using business vocabulary. - Offers a variety of test types. - Can be used by the student alone or by teachers as end-of-unit tests with groups. - Has a clear marking system on each page so progress can be easily checked. - Includes a comprehensive, learner-friendly answer key. - Contains British and American English. - Can be used for self-study and in class.

Business Vocabulary in Use

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:08:25 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Business Vocabulary in Use, is a new addition to the best-selling English Vocabulary in Use series aimed specifically at intermediate level learners of business English. Primarily designed as a self-study reference and practice book, it can also be used for classroom work. The book covers a huge range of business topics including Jobs, People and Organisations, Production, Marketing, Finance and the Economy and Business Culture. Learners will develop essential business communication skills, focussing on the language used for Meetings, Negotiations and Presentations. Features: - 66 easy-to-use units: vocabulary items are presented and explained on left-hand pages with a range of practice exercises on right-hand pages. - Presents and explains new words in context and shows learners how to use them - Covers a huge range of business topics - Contains a comprehensive, learner-friendly answer key - Four colour illustrations and photographs.

English Grammar in Use: with Answers , A Self-Study Reference and Practice

Maciamo — Wed, 09 Mar 2005 10:57:10 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: English Grammar in Use Third Edition is a fully updated version of the world's bestselling grammar title. Now in full colour, with new units and even more exercises, this updated edition retains all the key features of clarity and ease-of-use that have made the book so popular with students and teachers. This new edition is available with or without answers, can be used in the classroom or for self-study and comes with a free pull-out grammar reference panel. An exciting and substantial brand new CD-ROM offering a wealth of extra practice material, links to Cambridge Dictionaries online and pronunciation pratice is also available either on its own or packaged with English Grammar in Use Third Edition.

Hanami

Maciamo — Thu, 24 Feb 2005 22:56:25 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Hanami is set in modern day Tokyo where Jake Argand searches in the shadowy underworld of Japan's hostess scene for Jessica- a young, beautiful Australian who has disappeared. During Jake's investigation dismembered bodies of caucasian hostesses are being found daily by police who believe a serial killer is responsible. Jessica's trail leads Jake to believe the murderer is following the way of the samurai. Assisting Jake in his search is Maya, a Japanese hostess Jake tries to free from the Yakuza. But before he can find Jessica and stop the killings, he will learn the true meaning of samurai as well as Hanami- Japan's age old celebration of when cherry buds turn to blossom.

hmm2 — Fri, 07 Jan 2005 13:56:32 +0900

by: hmm2

Looking for the Lost

Maciamo — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 12:13:39 +0900

by: Maciamo

Japanese for Young People III

Maciamo — Fri, 08 Oct 2004 17:46:53 +0900

by: Maciamo

Japanese for Young People II: Student Book

Maciamo — Fri, 08 Oct 2004 17:46:06 +0900

by: Maciamo

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar

Maciamo — Fri, 08 Oct 2004 17:38:24 +0900

by: Maciamo

Being Japanese American

thomas — Fri, 17 Sep 2004 19:00:30 +0900

by: thomas

Description: From immigration to discrimination and internment, and then to reparations and a high rate of intermarriage, Americans of Japanese descent share a long and sometimes painful history, and now fear their unique culture is being lost. Gil Asakawa's celebration of what makes JAs so special is an entertaining blend of facts and features, of recipes, songs, and memories that every JA will want to share with friends and family. Included are interviews with famous JAs and a look at how it's hip to be Japanese, from manga to martial arts, plus a section on Japantown communities and tips for JA's scrapbooking their families and traveling to Japan to rediscover their roots. Gil Asakawa is a third-generation Japanese American, author of the weekly "Nikkei View" online column. He lives in Denver.

A Scene at the Sea (1992)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 11:00:25 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: A deaf garbage collector happens upon a broken and discarded surfboard. The discovery plants in him dreams of becoming a surf champion. Encouraged by his also deaf girlfriend, he persists against all odds. Though trapped in silence, their expression of love is no less profound. A heartrending masterpiece that, as with Kitano's other films (Sonatine, Fireworks), has a sharp eye for human frailties and a love for the courage of the underdog.

Getting Any? (1995)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:59:16 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: From the acclaimed director Takeshi Kitano [Fireworks, Kikujiro] comes a bizarre, over the top and absurd comedy full of slapstick silliness and never ending gags. A great satire of Japanese society and popular cinema, Getting Any?, embraces the spirit of Kitano�s early stand-up and television work and as such it offers a genuine inside look into his true personality. The story follows the nerdy middle age Asao, a professional daydreamer, whose one and only goal in life is - as the title suggests - to get laid. Asao embarks on a series of slapstick adventures in search of fulfilling his ultimate fantasy - making wild passionate sex with a woman. His holy quest for sex lands Asao in a series of absurd situations, involving robbery schemes, big movie productions, yakuza gang rivalry wars and scientific experiments. Getting Any? may be very episodic and perhaps even pointless in the grand scheme of things, but for those willing to go for it, it's a hoot from start to finish.

Brother (2000)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:58:10 +0900

by: Maciamo

Kids Return (1996)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:57:28 +0900

by: Maciamo

Description: Takeshi Kitano's humorous, offbeat, and ironic tale of lost adolescence and survival. Masaru and Shinji are two delinquent teenage slackers who cut classes, play pranks on their teachers and extort money from their fellow students. After dropping out of school, Shinji takes up boxing. Masaru, the loud mouth, talks his way into the local Yakuza gang. But just as they're about to attain success in their new professions, the past returns to haunt them.

Kikujiro (2000)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:56:06 +0900

by: Maciamo

Taboo (2000)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:55:14 +0900

by: Maciamo

Violent Cop (1989)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:54:25 +0900

by: Maciamo

Zatoichi (2004)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:53:42 +0900

by: Maciamo

Fireworks (1998)

Maciamo — Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:52:59 +0900

by: Maciamo