04 What's it like being a "fake priest" in Japan?
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's it like being a fake priest in Japan? Topics Discussed What a nisebokushi is The different terminology for priests in Japanese (shinpu vs bokushi) The phenomenon of having foreigners dress as priests to officiate weddings in Japan How most "fake priests" in Japan tend to be white men The experiences of someone who worked as a fake priest in Japan How much money one might expect to get paid when working as a fake priest The job duties of a fake priest What is rewarding about working as a fake priest How it is common to see broccoli thrown instead of a bouquet of flowers at some weddings in Japan The craziest thing one fake priest ever saw happen while on the job A story involving someone's head catching on fire during a wedding Whether Japanese people also throw rice at weddings Whether Japanese rpiests might be resentful of foreign "fake priests" for monopolizing the wedding chapel side of the wedding market And more! We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https://www.japankyo.com/2020/02/ichimon-japan-podcast-japanese-fake-priest/
12 Feb 202056min
03 Why do Japanese train stations do that?
Today's Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do Japanese train stations do that? Topics Discussed The train system in rural areas versus urban areas in Japan Trains in Kagoshima and Ishikawa What a Wanmanressha (one man trains) is Unmanned rural train stations Why Japanese train stations use cute songs to indicate a train is about to depart Hasshamero (train departure melodies) The use of Nogizaka46's song "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" as a train departure melody The logic behind train departure melodies A brief history of train departure melodies in Japan How the song "Yappa Sukiyanen" by Uashiki Takajin was adapted into a train departure melody after his death in 2014 How Osaka locals prefer to use "Umeda" when referring the the area in and around JR Osaka Station Why there are lines and numbers on the train platforms How to line up when waiting for a train Women only train cars The use of high-pitched noises (17 khz) to disperse people loitering at train stations in Japan Standing versus walking on escalators How Japanese railway companies are trying to get people to only walk on escalators Japanese people's reluctance to stop walking on escalators Why standing on escalators can be faster than walking Why Japanese train stations use blue LED lights on platforms The claim that blue LED lights are extremely effective at preventing suicide The role of seken no me (世間の目, the public gaze/the eye of society) on Japanese trains and at Japanese train stations Train etiquette The claim that cell phones interfere with pacemakers Putting on makeup on Japanese trains And more! We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Follow Japankyo on Social Media japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
9 Feb 202054min
02 Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners?
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners? Topics Discussed Whether Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners The idea that longer intestines are a result of the Japanese people having a diet centering around rice, grains, and vegetables The inconsistent details surrounding the idea that Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners Andy Raskin's quest to determine if Japanese people have longer intestines than Westerners The stealing of corpses in Meiji period Japan The idea that longer intestine length produces more excrement The connection between the length of one's intestines and the smelliness of one's poop How much longer the Japanese intestinal tract is said to be than that of Westerners What both Japanese sources and English-language sources have to say on the length of Japanese intestines The importance of skepticism The results of a large scale scientific study that compares the length of the intestines of Japanese people and Westerners The idea that intestine length is connected to the darkness of one's skin And more! Note: During the episode some information is attributed to a Reddit thread. This is inaccurate. The information attributed to said Reddit thread was instead found on news.ycominator.com. We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Japan Station Episode 30 If you would like to check out episode 30 of the Japan Station podcast, which focuses on the idea of "otaku" and the history of Akihabara, please check out the link below. Japan Station 30: Understanding “Otaku” and Akihabara w. Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith
3 Feb 202051min
01 What's the deal with catgirls? (About nekomimi)
Today's Question On this episode of chimon Japan we ask: What's the deal with catgirls? Topics Discussed The history and origins of the trope of the catgirl What nekomimi (猫耳) means The existence of "catboys" (male nekomimi characters) Yōkai reminiscent of catgirls such as bakeneko nd nekomata The depiction of bakeneko women in Edo era ukiyo-e woodblock prints The supposed connection between catgirls and Osamu Tezuka's amanga Ribon no Kishi (Princess Knight) The 1978 manga Wata no Kunihoshi (The Star of Cotton land) by Yumiko Oshimaand its role in popularizing the trope of the catgirl in manga and anime The character of Felicia from the Darkstalkers franchise A list of some of the most popular catgirls in Japan in recent years Whether catgirls have night vision Whether catgirls use litter boxes Whether catgirls have four ears or two ears Whether cats with human ears are as cute as girls with cat ears The Japanese title of Josie and the Pussycats And more! We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) Full Show Notes https://www.japankyo.com/2020/01/ichimon-japan-podcast-about-cat-girls-history/ https://www.japankyo.com
23 Jan 202043min
00 Who are we? (About Ichimon Japan)
Today's Question On this episode of chimon Japan we ask: Who are we? Topics Discussed Tony and Ryan's interest in Japan and Japanese What "ichimon" means What Ichimon Japan is and what we hope to do on this podcast Follow Japankyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) Twitter (@JapankyoNews) For More https://www.japankyo.com http://japanstationpodcast.com
22 Jan 20207min
Ichimon Japan Trailer
A taste of what is to come. Enjoy this trailer of Japankyo.com's newest podcast, Ichimon Japan. Ichimon Japan will start being released in early 2020 (January-February). Stay tuned for more details. You can stay connected by following on Facebook and Twitter. https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ https://twitter.com/japankyonews You can also visit Japankyo.com. https://www.japankyo.com/ And to check out Japankyo.com's other podcast, Japan Station, visit the link below. http://www.japankyo.com/
20 Dec 20192min
