Essentials/Blog

I realize this is short notice, but wanted to let people know about the first Asian American Comic-Con on July 11 in NYC. Here is the info and the link:
On July 11, 2009, the biggest Asian American creators in manga, mainstream and indie comics are gathering for a unique one-day event, featuring interactive workshops, intimate [...]

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Ok. I know this doesn’t qualify as “Japanistic”, but it is just too cool not to share. This photo comes by way of the Superlocal blog.

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At Japanistic, we’re nothing if not troopers, and we had to be for our latest adventure.
At the gorgeous Brooklyn Botanic Garden, May 2nd and 3rd was the Sakuri Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival.
Two days of activities and attractions, in addition to their fabulous cherry blossom
We went on Sunday, and we pleased to see that the pouring—POURING—rain [...]

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Check out these amazing manhole covers from Japan. The blog, Pink Tentacle, has the most amazing collection I have ever seen. Perfect combination of art, craft, and public policy.

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The Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will offer a variety of programs, exhibitions and tours to celebrate the 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 28 through April 12, in Washington, D.C.

Coinciding with the festival, the Sackler Gallery presents “The Tale of Shuten Doji,” March 21 through Sept. 20. Colorful illustrations [...]

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The New York Times has a good synopsis on what is happening for Asia Week. In case you don’t know about it, Asia Week:
begins on Saturday in New York, is like a marathon, requiring agility, stamina and focus. Unlike Art Basel, Asia Week has no promoter organizing the activities; they are mostly dealer-driven. And while most [...]

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I just finished this book, The Housekeeper and the Professor by, Yoko Ogawa. I won’t try and pretend to write a critique or review of the book. I will say that when I picked it up I thought it was going to be a dramatically depressing story - one that had the potential to keep [...]

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Thanks to 8asians for this photo. I ditto JOZJOZJOZ’s “WTF”!!

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From the Japan Society:
KRAZY!
The Delirious World of Anime + Manga + Video Games

Organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery
Friday, March 13 — Sunday, June 14

KRAZY! will be New York’s first major show dedicated to the Japanese phenomenon of Anime, Manga, and Video Games—three forms of contemporary visual art that are exercising a huge influence on an entire [...]

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What’s that you say?! Ear picking???
Most of our white friends give us one of those what-the-freak-are-you-talking-about-you-are-not-who-I-thought-you-were looks when we talk about it. But if you’re Asian, you get it.
So instead of giving our friends another weird look back, we decided to spend some time and educate those who have not experienced the joys of the [...]

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