Posted in Japan, Ramblings on Jun 12th, 2008
Yakuza Moon - Memoirs of a Gangsters Daughter by Shoko Tendo caught my eye, when i was looking for something to read on my way to Ireland a few weeks ago … and i’m glad it did.
Yakuza Moon is a very interesting read indeed, giving a fascinating insight into many facets of Japanese life including - the Yakuza, being a daughter of a member of the Yakuza and the life of a Hostess in Japan.
After Living in Japan for the last few years i was able to appreciate some of the finer points that anyone that’s never lived here might overlook, but whatever your situation is, if you have any interest at all in Japan i’d recommend this as a good read.
It’s not for the fainthearted and at times you forget how young she is when she’s describing situations she’s been though, situations you wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Picture Source : New Guy Starts Monday
It’s only about 180 pages long, but for me to read a book front to back in 2 sittings is saying something. You can get it here from my Amazon store for about $15 if you’re so inclined.
I don’t rate a book on how well it’s written, and this book is probably at the lower end if i did, but it is an account of someones life and i found it interesting enough to recommend. If you want great grammar and a thrilling build up then go elsewhere.
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Posted in Japan, Ramblings on Jun 3rd, 2008
Keeping with my latest fixation on Japanese Transport here's a few pics of 2 bikes that are functionallythe same …. but worlds apart in appearance.
Popularity: 7% [?]
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Posted in Ramblings on May 27th, 2008
A few years have past since this photo was taken, over 30 i’d say, but today is my older brothers birthday, so Happy Birthday Brother!
Popularity: 7% [?]
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Posted in Ramblings on May 27th, 2008
An unsuspecting passenger who flew to Tokyo is carrying one million yen’s worth of cannabis compliments of customs authorities after a bungled exercise involving sniffer dogs.
An officer at Narita International Airport yesterday stuffed 142 grams of the drug into the side pocket of a randomly-selected black suitcase coming off an overseas flight so that the animal could detect it.
“The dog couldn’t find it and the officer also forgot which bag he put it in,” a customs office spokeswoman said.
“If by some chance passengers find it in their suitcase, we’re asking them to return it.”
The 38-year-old officer was quoted by the spokeswoman as saying: “I knew that using passengers’ bags (for sniffer dog training) is prohibited, but I did it because I wanted to improve the sniffer dog’s ability.”
He was reprimanded by the head of customs at Narita airport.
“This case was extremely regrettable. I would like to deeply apologise,” said the airport’s customs chief Manpei Tanaka.
The cannabis, which has a street value of one million yen ($A10,100), was in a metal box wrapped with newspapers.
Japan strictly prohibits both hard and soft drugs, with people imprisoned for possession of even small amounts of cannabis.
Source:AFP
Popularity: 8% [?]
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Posted in Ramblings on May 22nd, 2008
On the way to the station tonight i spotted this Japanese guy pulling up to the Jihanki for a drink, probably a late afternoon fix of Green Tea.
It makes you wonder whether there are any road rules or restrictions at all in Japan. It reminded me of when i was in Taiwan late last year.
Popularity: 7% [?]
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