kwaidan illustrated

if you love japanese ghost stories, you cannot live without Kwaidan {kaidan}.from the beautiful Yuki-onna, spirit of snow, to the bewitched Hoichi singing for a ghostly emperor and his court, these tales enchant as much today as they did over a century ago.the volume features stunningly dark  ukiyo-e set in gilded backgrounds these storeies inspired…

gift from japan

when he was just a little boy, my husband’s family hosted an exchange student from japan. she became close friends with them, especially his older sister and they’ve visited over the years. recently, i had the good fortune to meet her for the first time. she was very lovely and kind. she brought karl a…

kanamara matsuri?

The Kanamara Matsuri is centered around a local penis-venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. It is said that there are divine protections also in business prosperity and the clan’s prosperity, easy delivery, marriage, and married couple harmony. There is also a legend of a sharp-toothed…