Unique Japan

Over the past weekend, UJ participated at the Yokosuka Bazaar at the US Naval base. We had a great time and there was a wonderful turnout. We want to thank everyone who stopped by our booth and checked out our products. If you missed us, don’t worry, we plan on being at the Yokota Bazaar next weekend. Hope to see you there.

The masterful art of Japanese calligraphy turns stiff letters into swift brush strokes, creating powerful movement and revealing an elusive energy. Unfortunately for those of you who use the English alphabet, the Japanese writing system can be rather complicated. That’s why I’d like to share a few secrets about Japanese writing.

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Many of you might have seen the Disney movie Mulan, which depicts a young Chinese maiden, Mulan, courageously disguising herself as a Chinese warrior in order to protect her father. It’s very exciting to see a female character such as Mulan aspiring to be her best in a male-dominated world. I’m not sure if Mulan is based on a true story, but here in Japan, there was a story of a female samurai who outsmarted many of her opponents and was known for her legendry archery skills. Her name was Tomoe.

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The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word Ninja is not TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - heroes in a half shell), but Ninja Hattori-kun. He’s a silly Ninja boy created by a beloved Japanese cartoonist, Fujio Fujiko (A). As a child, I learned a lot about the ways of the Ninja from this cartoon and secretly practiced at becoming stealthier.

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On March 24th, the Samurai Japan was awarded the championship trophy at the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The players were beaming with victory smiles so big that even the multi-colored confetti looked a little faded. The news caused a sensation across Japan and turned the players into heroes.

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If you’ve ever had the chance to watch Sakura fall from their lofty perch and flutter down to the roadside, then you know how messy these cherry blossoms can be. Once loose in the air, the petals get carried this way and that, and if you’re lucky they might even land in your hand. People of all ages play the simple game of “Catch the falling blossom”. Perhaps it is this child-like fun of collecting items out of the thin air that has caused Sakura to show up in almost every corner of Japan.

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Usher in spring with a beautiful woodblock print by Hirokazu Fukuda (1944-2004), and save up to 35% until April 6th.

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I have a confession to make. I love children’s stories. The endless imagination and creativity, pure innocence, fun characters, and happy ending always bring a big smile to my face. Thanks to my mom, many of my childhood memories revolve around wonderful children’s stories.

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Back on December 23rd 2008, McDonald’s Japan released a brand new burger called the Quarter Pounder. This was McDonald’s first attempt to create a true burger. It had two and a half times more meat than its other more petite McBurgers. By the time they started selling the Quarter Pounders at 10 o’clock in the morning, thousands of people were lined up outside, eager to be knocked out by the extra juicy heavyweight. On that day McDonald’s recorded its highest single day sales in its history. So what was McDonald’s victory secret?

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There is something very special about the Japanese Sakura.  Coming from Montreal, I liken it to our yearly Jazz Festival.  It’s a spectacle.  A two-week long performance that hits the streets with impeccable timing.  It seems to roll in just in time, giving the country a much-deserved boost of energy and joy.
And unlike ever before Japan could sure use something to cheer about.

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