Japanology Plus Series (NHK World)

      I am enjoying the Lunch On episodes by Japanology Plus Series of NHK World. It features people with different occupations, and what they eat for lunch. I noticed that Japanese food is not only pleasing to the eye, but it must also be delicious, and nutritious.

The Japanology Plus Series reminds me of Japan Video Topics, another documentary that I like, and I grew up watching it. I came to know about the culture and tradition of Japan through this series. It has been really helpful to me in understanding, and knowing more about Japan and its people. The Japanology Plus Series, is more of the upbeat, and much nicer presentation of Japanese life and culture. This series is also presented in English. For the website, you can go to this link. -> Japanology Plus Series Website
 

Why Japanese Culture?

         Hello everyone! For my first blog post. I'm going to enumerate why I am interested in knowing more about the Japanese culture. Here's why:

1. I grew up watching Japanese Super Heroes or what they call sentai, (スーパー戦隊シリーズ Sūpā Sentai Shirīzu). I fondly remember Bioman (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman, lit. Super-Electron Bioman), Shaider (宇宙刑事シャイダー Uchū Keiji Shaidā) , and Maskman 光戦隊マスクマン Hikari Sentai Masukuman.) They are the sentai series that I cannot forget. Please watch out for my upcoming blog post about each of the sentai series.

2. Aside from the live action heroes, people from all over the globe love watching Japanese cartoons, or we simply know it as anime. One anime that is close to my heart is Candy, Candy (キャンディ・キャンディ Kyandi Kyandi). I like this one because its closer to reality, and it has a love story. Candy is always waiting for her 'prince'. Other animes that I have liked through the years are namely, Flame of Recca, and Ghostfighter. I almost forgot mentioning Sailormoon which I have watched during my teen years.

3. I am drawn to East Asian cultures, (China, Korea, and Japan).  

4. I am into paper art, I do paper cuts, and also I appreciate the art of paper folding which is called, Origami. 折り紙. 

5. I have learned a lot while I was growing up by watching Japan Video Topics, very educational videos, aired in a local channel that talks about Japanese culture/lifestyle, technology, food, and arts. 

6. I also appreciate Japanese music. The first Japanese song I heard was Sweet Soul Revue by Pizzicato Five, a Japanese pop-band, Utada Hikaru's, First Love song, and I like the rendition of La, La, La, Love Song by a Korean singer who can sing, and speak Japanese by the name of Boa. I also like the upbeat and groovy, song Feel Like Dance by Japanese group called Globe. My favorite Japanese singer is Ayaka Iida 飯田 絢香 , because her voice is soulful. 

7. I also love to watch Japanese movies. My favorite Japanese movie is Kimi No Todoke, it is originally an anime. Also, I like the manga made live action Parasyte movie. Also, another Japanese movie that is close to my heart is Red Bean あん, which stars Kirin Kiki, a very good Japanese actress well-loved for her grandmother roles. 

8. Last but not the least, I have ties with the Japanese since I have nieces who are Japanese citizen.So that's all for now, and there are still many reasons why I, and everyone likes Japanese culture.