Jordan Sievers - The Japan Times

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Jordan Sievers

For Jordan Sievers's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Nov 16, 2013

Kawaii!! Japan's Culture of Cute

Kawaii!! Japan's Culture of Cute; Manami Okazaki & Geoff Johnson; PRESTEL

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 13, 2013

'Tatsuno Art Project 2013: Arts and Memories'

Tatsuno, a Hyogo Prefectural town known for its soy-sauce production, is also home to much traditional and historical architecture, including many centuries-old soy-sauce warehouses that once thrived during the Edo Period (1603-1868).

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 13, 2013

'Darren Almond Second Thoughts'

London-based artist Darren Almond's work covers a broad spectrum of mediums, including video, painting, photography and installation. His pieces are visually stimulating and invite viewers to think about the relationship between the scientific concept of time and how humans actually perceive it.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 13, 2013

Covering the aesthetics of clothing, dress style and appearance, this show features black-and-white photographic prints from the gallery's collection of around 10,000 works. The exhibition focuses on the significance of the stylistic appearance of garments and the facial expressions of its wearers.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Nov 9, 2013

Among recent re-tellings of one of Japan's most famous historical moments, this manga version of "The 47 Ronin" tells the true tale of 47 samurai, who after becoming leaderless, enact a plan of revenge against their late master's adversary. In stark contrast to the upcoming Keanu Reeves film of the same title and very, very, looselybased on the same incident, this book promises to be more historically accurate. Where Reeves' film features fantastical elements such as witches and giants, the manga focuses on historical drama, and the humanity of the characters, rather than spectacle fantasy.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Nov 9, 2013

The debut novel from author Karen Ma centers on the complicated relationship between a Chinese family and an estranged sister who become reunited in Japan after three decades apart and brings into question how culture, rather than family, shapes the individual. The constant theme of the novel is the idea of "home" and the most intriguing parts of the story are how the two sisters question their own idea of it. Much of the book is based on the author's time in Japan in the 1980s and '90s, and the prose benefits from this authenticity. The personal insight into dysfunctional Chinese family dynamics as they deal with issues of alienation and discrimination is also worthy of mention.

Japan Times

Events / Events In Tokyo

Nov 7, 2013

The curious things that Japan's museums like to hang on to

A collaboration between The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT) and Kyoto University Museum (KUM), "Chamber of Curiosities: KUM Version" presents around 50 historical scientific specimens on loan from KUM.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 6, 2013

'Treasures of the Imperial Collections: The Quintessence of Modern Japanese Art'

Featuring historical masterpieces that were once part of the decor of the Imperial palace, this exhibition showcases some of Japan's finest royal treasures from the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras. Coming from the Imperial Household Agency's Sannomaru Shozokan (Museum of the Imperial Collections), these furnishings were works commissioned by emperors, received as gifts during significant occasions or ceremonies, or purchased by the Imperial family.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Nov 6, 2013

'Utagawa Hiroshige's Ukiyo-e of Flowers and Birds'

Utagawa Hiroshige, one of the most prominent figures of ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock printing), is particularly well known for his skillful color composition and artistic presentation of landscapes. His iconic imagery has spread to many nations, directly influencing famous artists such as the Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh — and it is still being used in popular culture today.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Nov 2, 2013

Jet Black and the Ninja Wind

"Jet Black and the Ninja Wind" is the newest entry to the young adult fiction boom. Likely to garner comparison against genre heavyweights such as "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games," this series offers a refreshing twist to the formula by incorporating Japanese cultural and historical elements.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Nov 2, 2013

My Awesome Japan Adventure

Targeting children, but interesting enough for adults, this fictitious illustrated journal is written by "Dan," an American boy on a four-month homestay with a family in Japan. His entries consist of typical culture shock and observations — from Japanese shoe etiquette and family bath routines to food and daily life.

Japan Times

Events / Events In Tokyo

Oct 31, 2013

History repeats itself in Tokyo's Asakusa area

Asakusa is a busy but attractive area of Tokyo that still retains much of its historical charm. Legend has it that, in the year 628, two fishermen found a statue of the bodhisattva Kannon mysteriously floating in the Sumida River. The chief of the village enshrined the statue in what is now Sensoji Temple, Asakusa's main tourist attraction.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 30, 2013

'Jan Tschichold'

The 20th century, which experienced rapid technological advancements, saw drastic shifts in societal change, not to mention changes in print techniques, that demanded new and modern-style typefaces. Jan Tshichold, one of the most prominent and influential typographers of the time, was a pioneering member of a typographical movement that created many new typefaces to reflect the emerging machine-driven age.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 30, 2013

'Ido Tea Bowls: Treasured Possessions of Muromachi Daimyo'

Originating in Korea during the 16th century, Ido tea bowls are a type of Korai-jawan — decorative bowls that typically feature some sort of motif, such as an animal or floral design.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 30, 2013

'Art and literature in Japan 1926-1936'

Early 20th-century Japan experienced changes in both its political and sociological structures that, as the Showa Era (1926-1989) progressed, helped creative disciplines flourish. The 20th-century thus became a period of artistic and literary renaissance that paved the way for emerging trends and movements, which included proletarian art and modernism.

Japan Times

Events / Events Outside Tokyo

Oct 24, 2013

A frightful day out in Kawasaki

Though not a traditionally Japanese event, you can still celebrate the West's spookiest time of the year at the 17th annual Kawasaki Halloween Parade. More than 3,000 revelers are expected to show up, dressed in their finest ghoulish attire, to march around the east side of JR Kawasaki Station and neighboring La Citadella shopping center.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 23, 2013

'Toward a Design Museum Japan'

Design is integral to just about every aspect of our lives. It influences us daily— from our everyday interactions to abstract ideas. Today, design museums not only archive and showcase works, but recognize their roles as platforms for dialog, discussion and retrospective thought.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 23, 2013

'Architecture for Dogs'

Despite being "man's best friend," we rarely design our world around the happiness of dogs.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Art

Oct 23, 2013

'Seeking for Utopia'

From the October Revolution of 1917 through the 1930s, the promise of Utopia within the USSR was an important ideology in the development of the nation. As such a central theme to society, it naturally also became a focus of Russian art.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Books

Oct 19, 2013

The Little Book of Japan

Covering a broad range of topics for the first time visitor, yet comprehensive enough for the truly Japan-obsessed, "The Little Book of Japan" is certainly not small in scope. Sectioned into four chapters — Cultural Icons, Traditions, Places and Spiritual Life — this book includes 44 essays from author/anthropologist Charlotte Anderson that provide commentary on elements of Japan's history, culture and people.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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