Learning From Japan http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/ en Feedback@tbo.com Copyright 2008 2008-07-03T20:20:00-05:00 ArtLink Magic http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/artlink-magic/ Before I left for Japan my ArtLink artist Frank and I bound a book of digital images we had been working on.  We also bound a blank book in the Japanese style of stab binding.  This is a neat method of sewing a stack of paper together and Frank got the…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-05-05T17:05:00-05:00 Back Home http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/back-home/ Twenty-four hours after our initial pick up at the Tokyo hotel; we are back safe and sound.  There were some minor complications and delays but nothing to blog about.  I was actually very excited to see my suitcase roll out on the baggage claim conveyer.  In Hakone, while my travel companions…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-05-02T09:11:01-05:00 Existential Flush http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/existential-flush/ Toto, Japanese’s largest manufacturer of toilets recently had to recall thousands of its newest models because of a fire hazard.  Luckily no one has been hurt, but I believe it has given me permission write about how a toilet could catch on fire.

Here in Japan there are electrical…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-30T00:28:00-05:00 Stereotypes Challenged http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/stereotypes-challenged/ Part of the reason why this trip to Japan has been so interesting for me is because I have a background of enjoying ethnic traditions while I grew up in an Italian American family.  I have scads of memories enjoying Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ New York apartment, running under the…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-29T21:40:00-05:00 Cheeseburger Tast Test http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/cheeseburger-tast-test/ My American palette gave up.  I am sitting on the second floor of a McDonald’s fast food restaurant in the heart of Ginza, the fashion district of Tokyo.  It was time to make my life easier and I admit it makes me feel contented eating something familiar for a change.  Plus,…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-29T21:39:00-05:00 Fancy Forum http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/fancy-forum/ photo

One hundred people attended the ARTLINK forum hosted by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo.  The museum is a large modern building with a sculpture garden and some pathway extensions. The setting is exquisite.  Their collection houses a variety of conceptual installations…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-29T00:54:00-05:00 Bento Boxes http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/bento-boxes/ The best thing about train travel in Japan to me is the bento box.  Divided neatly into sections of colorful and artfully arranged delicacies it is a treat for the eater who likes surprises.  Because you never really know what you’re going to get.  Even Japanese people shake their head sometimes…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-27T23:33:00-05:00 Top Picks From My Trip http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/top-picks-from-my-trip/

Our travels in Japan are about to end. In two more days we will get on a jumbo jet and endure 17 hours of flight back to Florida. We have one more presentation at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo today,…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-27T22:32:00-05:00 A Tired Sleepy Place http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/a-tired-sleepy-place/ photo

The narrow streets of Hakone end at a tiny combination tourist pier/fishing village.  It is a tired, sleepy place that softly touches Lake Ashi.  The restaurants close for the night at 3pm.  There are eight souvenir shops, a few cafes, one Seven-Eleven convenience…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-27T06:03:00-05:00 Fuji At Dawn http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/life/comments/fuji-at-dawn/ photo

The country side that we see speeding along by train is the same from Okayama to Tokyo.  Flat land is crammed with buildings, industrial plants, and wires.  The gray concrete is punctuated by garish signage.  The mountains could be beautiful if you squint,…]]> Learning From Japan 2007-04-27T05:45:00-05:00