Archive for June, 2009

Using technology to examine old Japanese paintings

Shining infrared/fluorescent photography reveals sections of old Japanese paintings that were painted over:

In the first part of the clip, it is revealed that the kimono designs we can see on the Genji Monogatari Emaki are actually different than what was originally painted.

In the second part of the clip, the Tateyama Mandara is examined. Numerous alterations are revealed. The historian explains that the missionaries who carried the painting around the country attract people to Tateyama were so successful that they needed to repaint the image to reflect the growing number of pilgrims that could be seen streaming in and out of their temples.

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Japanese pro-wrestling legend dies

Japanese pro-wrestling legend Mitsuharu Misawa died yesterday after apparently having a heart attack in the ring:

Misawa, the president of Pro Wrestling NOAH, was teaming with Go Shiozaki in a match challenging Bison Smith & Akitoshi Saito for the GHC tag team championship in Hiroshima. Misawa was given the move at about 8:45 p.m. and knocked unconscious.

According to eye witness reports, Saito gave Misawa a “routine” back suplex that was described as a “7″ in danger on a scale of one-to-ten. He did not get up. It was chaos in the ring as they attempted to revive him using CPR and the crowd was hushed for a while, and began a “Misawa” chant. He turned purple in the ring and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

His heart stopped beating in the ring.

The wrestlers were told on the bus that he had passed away.

He was 47 years old.

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Monkey spotted in Kasukabe

A wild monkey was got on film as it ran through a residential area of Kasukabe yesterday:

There have been quite a few monkey sightings reported in the area since last month. So far, the monkey has evaded capture.
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Africans on Japanese TV

A show on TBS last night told Bobby Ologun’s life story. Unfortunately, they seemed unable to find enough actors who look Nigerian, so they had to paint a few Japanese men brown, put afros wigs on them, and move the camera really fast in the hope that viewers wouldn’t notice (see 23 seconds into the above video clip).

Here’s a screen capture, in case you missed it:

The program also included tales of Bobby’s childhood in Africa, with low budget encounters with a hyena and a crocodile:

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Yokohama anti-terror drill

Police in Kanagawa show the press how they can protect us from terrorists (ahead of the 2010 APEC summit in Yokohama):

The drill was conducted on the assumption of a terror attack similar to the one in Mumbai, western Indian, in November last year.

In the drill scenario, mock terrorists, who landed in the port aboard a hijacked boat and attempted to penetrate the metropolitan area using taxi cabs, were intercepted by police and Coast Guard antiterrorism task forces.

I’m still waiting for a drill that shows how police would stop suicide bombers…

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Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl

Viewer discretion advised.

There’s lots to hate about the shlocky Tokyo Gore Police. The editing and length for example. But there was a certain charm to it–I for one dug the neo-feudal Japanese police outfits. So if you want a movie that seems to be almost the same, right down to the similar plots, more neo-feudal outfits, wrist cutting teenager fun, music, and a few of the actors and their associated head gear… uh am I missing any? Oh yeah: and gore, then Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl may be for you.

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Contributor Bio: Claytonian blogs about Japan, language, and news at The Hopeless Romantic, and vlogs on YouTube as well.
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