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Happy New Year’s 2013

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Slide12012 was an amazing year for me.  It was my first full year on Kumejima, my first novel was published by Tuttle Publishing, and I had many amazing experiences thorough it all.  New Year’s is one of the most important times in Japan.  If you’d like to learn more, checkout my various blog posts on New Year’s.

Since New Year’s is such a big deal here, and because I appreciate the support of every reader, I’ve decided to release The Tanner’s Daughter early and for free.  You can now download a free digital copy for your favorite platform from Smashwords.  It will also soon be available from your favorite ebook stores.

This holiday season, I hope you’ll curl up with a few good books.  Thanks for reading and have a great year in 2013 and beyond.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Martin

Monday June 25

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Hi! Thank you for taking the time to visit More Things Japanese and learn a little bit more about Japan.  I hope I’ve been able to share a few new bits of culture, and answer some of the questions you have.  Judging by the search traffic I get here, I think I’ve been successful.

Unfortunately due to computer issues there wasn’t  a normal Monday post this week, though I’ll be back tomorrow with a great post on the Kumejima Dragon Boat Races this past weekend..  In the meantime, have a great week and if you still need a shot of Japan, checkout some of my past posts in the archives or some of the other great Japan-related blogs listed to the right.

As always, if there’s you’d like a question answered, want more information on a Japan-related subject, or want to see me attempt a new recipe, feel free to email me or post a comment.

While you’re waiting, here’s one of my favorite pictures, taken on Kitadaito Island.

P.S. I’m also going to be changing the permalink system to a slightly more user friendly version.  Don’t worry, I’ll have re-directions up shortly so you don’t need to change any links you might have made.  I apologize if anyone gets errors over the next few hours.

Karaoke

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For your entertainment, here’s a bit of me singing 島の人よ by 池田卓 (thats Shima no Hito yo by Suguru Ikeda), for the Kumejima Sakura Festival Karaoke competition.  I ended up getting fourth.  The prizes included a shampoo set (made from the deep-sea water from Kume), Mozuku, and a bottle of awamori.

Karaoke is a popular cultural activity in Japan.  Often groups will rent rooms, etc.  with friends and sing, eat and drink together.  It’s a convenient way to let loose, and interact with coworkers without changing (much) your work ‘image.’

In this case, after hearing me sing this song after our end of year party, my co-workers asked me to participate in the competition.  They all had fun cheering me on (and laughing).  I think I’ll take some of that Mozuku and make some seaweed pizza for revenge  as thanks…