Author: Anna Ayvazyan

A shot from the set "Mishima: A Life in Four Letters". The background is gold with trees amongst a red field.

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters Finally Releases in Japan

What happens when a film about one of Japan’s most controversial writers stays unseen for nearly 40 years? Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters has finally premiered in Japan, stirring excitement, debate, and curiosity. Today, we’ll look at Yukio Mishima’s dramatic life, his enduring legacy, and the significance of the film’s long-awaited release.

A ballet troupe practicing for a butoh show.

Butoh and Ballet Fusion Show to Debut in Tokyo

Ballet meets butoh this winter in Tokyo, as K-Ballet Opto presents a powerful new production on stage. “A Dance Remembered in Tohno” invites audiences into a dreamlike world shaped by folklore, wartime memories, and human emotion.

A geisha in heavy makeup showing her fan.

Geisha Makeup: Tradition, Meaning, and Technique

One of the most fascinating aspects of Japanese culture and art are geisha, and their makeup is a significant reason why they continue to captivate the world. The bright white face, red lips, and bold eyes create a look that is instantly recognizable and deeply tied to tradition.

A woman on stage holding a fan, presumably for a Hokusai-themed opera.

Hokusai-Themed Opera The Great Wave To Premiere in Scotland

If you love Hokusai and Scottish culture, this opera is for you. The Great Wave is a new Hokusai-themed opera by Japanese composer Dai Fujikura. The libretto is by Scottish writer Harry Ross, in collaboration with Scottish Opera. Today, we’ll examine the historical and cultural legacy of Hokusai and his daughter Oi, as well as what to expect from the performance.

Two women dressed in white kimonos shrouded in darkness, representing dark Japanese literature.

Japanese Literature Spotlight: Yukimi Ogawa

Japanese literature has a rich history of myths, folktales, and strange, magical stories, but few writers combine this tradition with modern science fiction in English. Yukimi Ogawa does precisely that.

A fujin, one of many Japanese mythical creatures.

Japanese Mythical Creatures: The Best Legends!

Summer in Japan is when ghost stories and legends come alive, especially tales of Japanese mythical creatures. As people visit rivers, forests, and coastal towns to escape the heat, stories of strange beings begin to resurface.