No Chikan Thank You
Posted by harvey in Culture, Humor, Language, Osaka, Society on 17. Jan, 2008 | 13 Comments
The Japanese word for “pervert-who-takes-advantage-of-crowded-train-to-get-some-buttocks-grabbin-goin-on” is “CHIKAN”. The Kansai-ben (western Japanese dialect) way to say something is no good, or just won’t do, is pronounced, “AKAN”. They rhyme! This poster is a play on those words. CHIKAN WA AKANDE! GENIUS! – Harvey [UPDATE] If you’re interested in Kansai-ben, check out our Kansai-ben iPhone Application! Japanese [...]
Home stay in Japan with WWOOF
Posted by harvey in Travel, Working on 14. Jan, 2008 | 9 Comments
Someone asked me recently about possible ways to arrange for a home stay in Japan. Other than the usual study abroad program via a university, or the YFU program (this is how I first came to Japan when I was in high school), the first thing that came to mind was WWOOF Japan (Willing Workers [...]
I have a wasabi plant 2
Posted by harvey in About, Food on 12. Jan, 2008 | 16 Comments
Bigger. Badder. Spicier. Seriously, compare it to the wasabi of a previous week! To be continued… – Harvey
I have a wasabi plant
Posted by harvey in Food on 06. Jan, 2008 | 19 Comments
I’m growing wasabi in my apartment! I went to a sushi shop that my wifes family frequents, and the master gave me a wasabi plant to take home. he has them growing in the shop, and gave us some of the leaves to eat that night. This is the plant in the shop. (Haha, it’s [...]
I See Happen
Posted by harvey in Food, Language, Osaka on 05. Jan, 2008 | 5 Comments
This Takoyaki shop in Shinsaibashi has cute language game going on. おいしい？8本? is pronounce, “oishii? happon?” in Japanese. It means… “Is it good? (as in delicious), 8 (legs)?” Because an octopus has 8 legs, and well, it’s a takoyaki shop. As you know takoyaki is Japanese food that has a bit of octopus inside. As [...]
Cockney Rhymes
Posted by harvey in Language on 03. Jan, 2008 | 8 Comments
Has anyone here heard of Cockney rhymes? They’re a type of south London slang based on rhyming riddles. For example, take the following conversation. “Hey, where are you going?” “apples.” “oh okay.” Someone who knows Cockney rhymes will l know that the person is heading for the stairs. Why? Well, apples and pears are fruits [...]
New Years at Universial Studios Japan
Posted by harvey in Crazy Consumers, Osaka on 01. Jan, 2008 | 6 Comments
I went to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka for a very consumer-esque New Years this year. The park was open all night and they had a countdown, parades, fireworks, and other random festivities going on. It was insanely cold (I’m talking BITTER), and now I have a massive headache. Ugh. For some reason they still [...]
