Eleven portraits of Ainu chieftains, completed in 1790, are now held by the Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology in Besancon, France. There were originally 12 paintings in the original set, collectively known as the “Ishu Retsuzo,” but one has disappeared.
The ongoing mystery of the Ainu portraits in France
A former Hokkaido journalist is hoping to find out how portraits of Ainu chieftains from 1790 made it to Europe.
Equinox, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, wins the autumn Tenno Sho horse race on Oct. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse.
JAPAN / History
Feb 15, 2024
Imperial family boasts enduring bond with horse racing
Emperor Meiji saw the need to improve the quality of domestic horses to boost Japan's standing with Europe and the U.S.
1949
Japan Times 1924: Rescue workers toiling to save eighteen lives
Workers are in the news when, 100 years ago, miners await a rescue and, 50 years later, unified strikes take place.
Sunset at Cape Puyuni in Hokkaido, Japan. The northern island is home to the indigenous Ainu.
JAPAN / History / The Living Past
Jan 21, 2024
To Bird, a savage. To Chiri, alive and aglow.
When given a pen, Yukie Chiri wrote about the Ainu in ways outsiders never tried to understand.
A mid-19th century ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi depicts Xu Fu’s voyage in search of the elixir of life. He can be seen near the left side of the image, with what looks to be Penglai, or Mount Fuji, in the background.
JAPAN / History / Longform
Jan 20, 2024
Eternal pursuits: A history of Japanese quests for immortality
Whether it's a permanent state of meditation or feasting on mermaid, the quest for immortality in Japan isn't too far off from those in other cultures.
The Atomic Bomb Dome at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
JAPAN / History
Jan 7, 2024
English-language Hiroshima Peace Declaration book published
With over 400 footnotes explaining different words and idioms, the book can be a great way for for 'global citizens' to learn English.
A book of letters from Japanese students thanking the United States for its support after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake
JAPAN / History
Jan 2, 2024
Student letters from 1923 quake preserved by kin of U.S. president
The letters were written in English by students from disaster-affected areas and elsewhere in Japan.

Longform

A statue of "Dragon Ball" character Goku stands outside the offices of Bandai Namco in Tokyo. The figure is now as recognizable as such characters as Mickey Mouse and Spider-Man.
Akira Toriyama's gift to the world