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October 30, 2009

Japanese full names used to be super long

Fl20091011x1b My mother sent me an interesting article published in The Japan Times earlier this month that digs up the origins of Japanese first and last names. Japanese names used to be super long back in the pre-Meiji period, including clan name, birth order, two ancient titles, and a personal name. The first name-last name simplified combo is only a century or so old.

The story also comes with a fun sidebar that lists the 10 most common Japanese last names. Can you guess what they are? I'll post the answers on Monday.

Link

Reader photo: Myodani Station, Kobe

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TokyoMango reader Kevin Menchavez took this lovely photo of Myodani Station in Kobe.

October 28, 2009

Yoko d'Holbachie's surreal alien creature drawings

Yoko d

Yoko d'Holbachie is a young, super-cute surrealist artist who draws these strange colorful creatures. If you want to see her work in person, she'll be exhibiting at the London Miles gallery in London from Nov 19-30.

Artist's home page

Hello Kitty solar charger

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If you love Hello Kitty and care about the environment, this Hello Kitty solar charger strap could be a good fit for you. It also comes with a Kitty-shaped carabiner.

Product page (Japanese)

October 27, 2009

New toy plays back everything you record backwards

Sakasa-anime

Takara Tomy has a new crazy toy called the Sakasa Master Japan. It's actually a recording device that plays back whatever you say backwards — useful for those who want to make up a secret code language or are linguistically curious. But mostly, just pure entertainment.

Buy it here.

About

Lisa Katayama's personal blog.
My Photo

My Bio

  • I write articles about culture, technology, and human rights for Wired, Popular Science, Fast Company, and the New York Times Magazine. I also produce radio segments for PRI's Studio360 and am a Correspondent for Boing Boing, one of Time Magazine's five most essential blogs of 2010.

    In 2008, Chronicle published my book: Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan.

    I am also the founder of The Tofu Project, a boutique program that helps Japanese entrepreneurs and creators think deeper, tell better stories, and go out into the world in a much bigger way. We work with companies like Mixi, Japan Airlines, and Salesforce.com.

    Sometimes I try to explain Japanese culture on CNN, BBC, CBC, WSJ, ABC (so many acronyms!) or in person at places like the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, ETech, and Ignite!

    Follow me on Twitter
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    Read some of my published magazine stories

    Send tips to mango [at] tokyomango [dot] com

MY BOOK

  • My book, Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan, was published in April 2008. Get it now!

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