Jun’ichirō Tanizaki (谷崎 潤一郎 Tanizaki Jun’ichirō, 24 July 1886 – 30 July 1965) was a Japanese author, one of the major writers of modern Japanese literature, and perhaps the most popular Japanese novelist after Natsume Sōseki. Some of his works present a rather shocking world of sexuality and destructive erotic obsessions; others, less sensational, subtly portray the dynamics of family Continue reading «Famous Birthdays Today: 1886 – Junichiro Tanizaki, Japan, writer (Snow Dusting).»

Gion Matsuri-2012! A Pictorial Overview! , a set on Flickr. The word Yamaboko refers to the two types of floats used in the procession: Yama, of which there are 23, and hoko, of which there are 9. One of the main reasons the Gion Matsuri is so impressive is the enormity of the hoko, which can be up to 25 Continue reading «Gion Matsuri-2012! A Pictorial Overview!»

The Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Commerce and Navigation (日英通商航海条約 Nichi-Ei Tsūshō Kōkai Jōyaku?) signed by Britain and Japan, on July 16, 1894, was a breakthrough agreement; it heralded the end of the unequal treaties and the system of extraterritoriality in Japan. The treaty came into force on July 17, 1899. From that date British subjects in Japan were subject to Japanese Continue reading «Historical Events Today: 1894 – Treaty of Aoki-Kimberley Signed Between Japan and England.»