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April 30, 2024
 

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Kris Kosaka

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Kris Kosaka
Kris Kosaka, a resident of Japan since 1996, contributes regularly to The Japan Times. She is a lecturer at Meiji Gakuin University in the Faculty of International Studies.
For Kris Kosaka's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Sep 14, 2019
Mimei Ogawa: The father of modern Japanese children's literature
Often referred to as the Japanese Hans Christian Andersen, Mimei Ogawa's (1882-1961) numerous children's stories and fairy tales elevated the literary genre from simplistic tales to nuanced, humanist works.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Sep 3, 2019
The Royal Opera's Vittorio Grigolo is on a mission to bring opera to the masses
Forget its reputation as art for the culturally elite. If Italian superstar tenor Vittorio Grigolo has his way, modern opera will soon take its place as pure entertainment for the masses.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Aug 31, 2019
'Half of Each Other': Grief, marriage and tragedy
'Half of Each Other,' the newest novel from the prolific author and director, Roger Pulvers, considers how love, desire and grief intertwine in the aftermath of tragedy.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Aug 17, 2019
The lifelong rebellion of children's author Eiko Kadono
Author of the beloved 'Kiki's Delivery Service' series about a young witch in training, Eiko Kadono continues to bring magic to the world of Japanese children's literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Aug 10, 2019
'The Memory Police': An island where a good memory won't do you any favors
In Yoko Ogawa's 'The Memory Police,' as memories of everyday objects are ripped away from society, one novelist sets out to conceal her editor — a person who cannot forget these missing objects — from a mysterious, state-sanctioned police force.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jul 20, 2019
'Night in the American Village': Touching base with the women of Okinawa
Akemi Johnson's 'Night in the American Village' is a meticulously researched volume on the intersection of cultures, the divides of power and gender, and on the politics and people behind the overseas American military presence.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Jul 13, 2019
Taro Gomi: Still writing, still drawing, still beloved
Children's author Taro Gomi has authored over 450 books in his striking visual style, many of which — 'Everyone Poops' included — have become classics of the genre, both in Japan and abroad.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Jun 29, 2019
'Diva Nation': Feminine empowerment throughout Japan's history
'Diva Nation' pays tribute to Japanese women through the ages who have found a way to triumph despite societal restrictions.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Jun 22, 2019
'The Fourth String: A Memoir of Sensei and Me': Music, life and reflections on the space in between
Janet Pocorobba's 'The Fourth String' reconfigures the typical Japan fish-out-of-water memoir into a meditation on music and mastery, relationships, culture and narrative.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 18, 2019
Ancient Greek ideas get a fresh airing in Japan with 'The Great Tamer'
Greek artist Dimitris Papaioannou burst fully-formed as a choreographer and director onto the international stage with his stunning triumph directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics in 2004. He has been popular ever since, yet his work consistently retains an avant-garde edge with his experimental stage productions. He'll bring one of his most recent works, "The Great Tamer," to Japan later this month.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
Jun 15, 2019
Children's author Kenji Miyazawa: Fundamental to the modern form
Author and poet Kenji Miyazawa's fantastical worldbuilding, poignant text and progressive morals laid the foundations of modern Japanese children's literature.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
Jun 8, 2019
'Modern Japanese Short Stories' review: A bridge between past and present
A classic introduction to the Japanese short story, 'Modern Japanese Short Stories' is a literary time capsule of postwar Japan.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
Jun 4, 2019
The Royal Ballet brings the best of British ballet to Japan with its production of 'Don Quixote'
For ballet fans across Japan, The Royal Ballet represents the pinnacle in dance, and its upcoming summer tour of Tokyo and Yokohama from June 21 to 30 keeps expectations high.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / Children's Literature in Japan
May 25, 2019
Poop, realism and Ghibli: Enter the world of children's literature
To introduce our readers to this special subsection of Japanese literature, for the next 12 months, we'll be featuring one children's writer or illustrator on these pages each month.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Stage
May 23, 2019
Dancer Kaiji Moriyama celebrates ninja in his latest work
A creative yet shy child fascinated with origami and crafts, Kaiji Moriyama discovered dance late, at the age of 21 while a university student. He has certainly made up for the lost time, though. Just seven years since first studying the art form, he performed to rave reviews at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland and was named "one of the year's most talented dancers." Moriyama followed his debut success with "Katana," a breakthrough original production, in New York in 2005.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
May 18, 2019
'The Diving Pool': Three psychologically subversive novellas
In these unsettling novellas — 'The Diving Pool,' 'Pregnancy Diary' and 'Dormitory' — Yoko Ogawa subverts expectations of traditional female milestones.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN
May 11, 2019
Tomoko Keira's 'The Spirit of Huci': A year of living with an Ainu elder — review
One part Ainu cookbook and three parts a cultural record of Ainu values and beliefs, Tomoko Keira's 'The Spirit of Huci' offers, for the first time, the voices of Ainu women in English.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
May 4, 2019
'The Forest of Wool and Steel': Music and nature intertwine to paint a portrait of growth — review
Natsu Miyashita's 'The Forest of Wool and Steel' is a mesmerizing reading experience, a slow journey in how one young person renders an occupation into a vocation.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books / WORKS BY JAPANESE WOMEN
Apr 20, 2019
Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon: Two pioneering women in Japanese literature
The Works by Japanese Women series wraps up by examining the various English translations of two of Japan's greatest works of literature, both penned by women: 'The Pillow Book' by Sei Shonagon and 'The Tale of Genji' by Murasaki Shikibu.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Books
Apr 13, 2019
'Zen: The Art of Simple Living': Habits, ideas and hints for living a happy life
'Zen: The Art of Simple Living' is a profoundly beautiful work, easy to read, encouraging deep thought and reflection, but most importantly, acting as a practical guide to Zen action.
When will Japan intervene to support the yen?
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki has reiterated the government's readiness to take an appropriate action as the yen continues to slide against the U.S. dollar.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Raising kids in Japan as a single parent? It takes a village.
Making things work as a foreign, single mother in Japan isn't easy, but these tips and tricks can help you through the hardest parts.
Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
The yen dropped to ¥160.245 per dollar on Monday before heading into the other direction to ¥155.01 amid speculation of an intervention by Japanese currency authorities.
JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.

Podcast

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

Longform

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

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