Funny moments in Japan, Tokyo's famous Asakusa district, and limitations of Japanese "humility"

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Today was my ningen dokku or "human drydock," an annual health check-up that tests every part of your body with assembly-line precision, a modern tradition that's one reason why Japanese have such long life spans. While I was waiting for the next test I saw on the TV that Enola Gay pilot Paul Tibbets had passed away at the age of 92. He was the pilot who flew the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, something that made him rather infamous here in Japan. It was an interesting moment to be an American surrounded by Japanese people, and the room suddenly seemed to get a little quieter around me -- I probably had one of those big drops of sweat on my head like in anime. It can be hard to know how to feel about the bombing of Hiroshima, an event so terrible it's hard to comprehend, yet it helped end a war that might have gone on for two more years and claimed another million lives. When I took my kids to see the excellent museums in Hiroshima I tried to present the complexity of these problems to them so they can make their own decisions about the past, since they're both American and Japanese.

One of the most famous spots in Tokyo is Asakusa (ah-SAH-ku-SAH), home of the Senso-ji temple and a nice place to eat, drink or take part in a festival. Several famous corporations also happen to be located in the district, including the Bandai Company and Asahi Beer, which has a giant golden, er, shape on top of its headquarters which is supposed to remind you of the head on a cold beer...but everyone agrees it looks like a giant golden unko (poop), which the president of the company probably did for good luck purposes. Asakusa is a popular destination for foreign visitors to Japan, the last time I was there I was impressed to see a local shop owner barking prices at various customers in English, Chinese, German, French, Korean and occasionally Japanese. I'm sure more than a few foreign visitors have been surprised to see the beautiful lanterns that line Nakamise Dori with big, bright swastikas on them. They're nothing to do with the Nazis, of course -- the hooks go to the left, not to the right -- but seeing to this symbol in daily life takes some getting used to. Look on any map in Japan and you're sure to see many of these symbols indicating the presence of a Buddhist temple. Other symbols used on Japanese maps include a Japanese arch which marks Shinto shrines, and one of my favorites, the "onsen mark" or registered symbol indicating a volcanic hot springs. All of these characters are included in Japanese fonts and can be produced on any Mac or PC. (We've got a few cool T-shirts incorporating some of these designs on the site.)

From a certain point of view, the Japanese are all about "kenson," or modesty, and there are many customs related to avoiding appearing boastful to others. Right off the bat, this tendency towards humility is built into the language, and to speak very polite Japanese is to alter between using words that lower your own status while raising up the person you're talking to, actually changing the verb depending on whether you're talking about yourself or the person you're trying to be polite to. For example, the normal verb for to eat is taberu, but if you were speaking very polite Japanese, you'd use meshiagaru when referring to your teacher, boss, etc., and itadaku (as in "Itadakimasu!" which is said when you start a meal) when indicating your own lowly self. Modesty works like am umbrella, covering everyone in your respective in-group, and it's common for a mother to talk "badly" (as seen from my American point of view) about their own children to other mothers in the neighborhood -- they never study, the read manga all day, and so on -- as a way of appearing self-effacing to others. I've noticed that Japanese modesty stops short when it comes to money, however, and like most people in the world, they know how to flaunt it when they've got it. I once taught English to the wife of the former president of the Sapporo Ramen Company, who lived in a traditional Japanese house that was so fine, I thought I had been transported back to Nara Period Japan. There's a variety show on TV called Minna-san no Okage ("All Thanks To You") which features a chair that rises along a big slope. Famous idols, actors and athletes come onto the show, make some small talk with the host, then the chair moves up the slope to indicate how much money they make annually. Poor swimsuit idol Yoko Kumada was stuck near the bottom of the hill, while famous actor and former baseball star Eiji Bando was happy to be carried all the way to the top, indicating his considerable wealth.

Here are today's "really cool products" that I thought were especially noteworthy. Note: the J-List links below may be for adult products and should probably be considered "not safe for work." To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link.

	My Neighbor Totoro 45cm x 45cm Cushion. If there were one thing J-List was put on this planet to sell (well, other than that, it would be these giant, soft Totoro cushions. I want to build a fort out of these things!
	Zero no Tsukaima Hug Pillows. Fans of our new dakimakura (Hug Pillows) will be happy to see the two cool Zero no Tsukaima items back in stock.
	3D Oppai Mouse Pad -- Doki Doki Witch Judgement. When Nintendo made a game for the DS in which the goal was to discover which girl is really a witch by, er, touching them. This is is a silly "3-D" mousepad from the game.
	Tachikoma Trading Figure Special ver. with/2008 Calendar. Wow, this is a really special item: a Tachikoma 2008 calendar that comes with three cool Tachikoma trading figures. The calendar pages are filled with Japanese themes, too -- awesome.
	Delicious Japanese snacks. Got some good new snack items for you today, starting with fantastically delicious Gaba chocolate balls, Sasha layered chocolates, and amazing Strawberry Rich Fruit Chocolate.
	Manga Sisters. Here's a great book that helps you appreciate sisters and learn Japanese at the same time.
	Rakugo! ~ Comic Stories from Old Japan. Rakugo is the original stand-up comedy of Japan (although comedians always sit Japanese-style on a cushion), and here's a book with famous stories translated into English.
	Range Murata PSE Products #06 Ribbon Style. We're big fans of Range Murata around here, and here is one of his most beautiful prepainted figures ever released.
	The Beautiful World. Positively wonderful artbook featuring the incredible creations of Kouhaku Kuroboshi, one of Japan's most talented artists now. Printed in fabulous color.
	KIMONO HIME Modern Traditional Japan Fashion Magazine. Two volumes of the ultimate kimono magazine are back in stock, loaded with pictures and information.
	Ryomou Shimei 1/7 Figure Pearl Black version *Preorder*. Ryoumou is one of the most amazing characters from Ikki Tousen / Dragon Destiny, a fan service show that tells ancient Chinese Story of Three Kingdoms with Japanese high schools and fighting. New preorder figure.
	Leifang 1/6　Figure ~ Dead or Alive Xtreme2 *Preorder*. This is the lovely Leifang from the DOAX2 game for the Xbox 360, which you can preorder now.
	R2-D2 Shampoo Bottle *Preorder*. Star Wars fans, here's a fun item you can preorder -- a cool shampoo bottle in the shape of everyone's favorite astro droid!
	Dengeki Layers vol. 15. Super magazine of cosplay, with lots of photos of finished costumes as well as how-to pictures and other info. Also includes a separate book on wig-making,
	Hello Kitty Cookie Cutter & Stamp Set. This will allow you to make the most kawaii cookies ever, complete with the (c) 1976 logo that's so important to Hello Kitty fans.
	Hello Kitty Kimono "Warabe" Doll with Fan -- Pink. I just love these stylish Hello Kitty traditionally dolls, made with ceramic interiors and stylized very nicely. This is back in stock now.
	Animal Farm ~ Seasoning Cylinder w/ Character Caps. Here's a cool item: a pair of containers for holding your favorite flavors of furikake, which is food you sprinkle over white rice.
	HAPPY CHRISTMAS Display ~ Lucky Cat Santa & Snowman . Christmas isn't all that far off, and we've got the cutest darned Lucky Cat santa ever!
	Newly restocked Japanese pens. We've restocked the Pentel Tradio Pula Man Pen with a fountain pen style tip, and the stylish SLICCI Ink Pens with 0.3 mm heads.
	Finally, various restocked Traditional items. Look for a bunch of restocked items, including our traditional toothpicks, Japanese sword keychain ("Kill Bill" style), Lucky Charm strap for your phone, and a cool "Safe Drive" lucky charm to keep in your car!
	Bachi Ero!! For fans of Tokyo's hip club culture, here's a magazine featuring gorgeous "gals" (aka kogals) who look so fine. 12 different girls for you to enjoy, and comes with a DVD!
	Kanjuku -- MOKA. You will be amazed at the photobook featuring the 19 year old model with the 92 cm G cup.
	New "H" manga. We have newly posted manga for you today, including the amazing vol. 1 of Take On Me by Takemura Sessyu, and Diablo by Kentaro.
	Lots of restocked manga titles. See a bunch of back-in-stock, including Hana's Holiday vol. 1 & 2, Love Comedy Style, Rabbit Bride, Cheers! 4 and Possessed by All.
	Kinniku Otoko vol. 6 ~ Muscle Men. We carry many yaoi manga from Japan's best artists, with a specialty in anthologies containing the works of a dozen or more artists. This is the restocked issue of Muscle Men.
	Tony Works ~ Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iro. Wow, is all I can say, when looking at this great new artbook featuring the collected works of Tony Taka, popular "H" artist and creator of the game "Color of the Sky, Color of the Water."
	Choco Hug Pillow Cover ~ Chocotto Sister And for fans of our more "H" hug pillows, we've restocked the Chocotto Sister dakimakura cover.
	Service Nuki Nuki Angel The lovely Kotono serves up a barrage of cute costumes in this new release from SOD, including maid, angel. nurse, sports manager and your own virtual girlfriend.
	Ultimate Gold -- Yumi Kazama. A lovely jukujo, or older, more experienced, JAV idol, she has many fans. Enjoy her new release on the Big Morkal label.
	Olympic Softball Girl -- Kana Kawai. Wow -- a real final candidate on Japan's national softball team has gone "AV," in a great new release for fans of "Zenra" sports.