Japan Affairs Forum

Immortality in Yamanoue Okura’s poetry

Published on 2011-11-18 04:30:57

What makes good poetry? The genre has developed and changed so much throughout times, and we now recognise new sub-genres such as rap, slam, dub poetry as well as variations of the more traditional written poems. The more novice and the old traditional forms of poetry are immeasurably different in shape. However, I believe the [...]

JAF Sake Volunteering Project Review

Published on 2011-11-18 04:06:19

From the 11th to the 25th of September 2011 the Japan Affairs Forum sent eighteen volunteers to the Tohoku region of Japan. The focus of the trip was sake, traditional Japanese rice wine, and for two weeks our volunteers were able to work in actual breweries and came into contact with those inside the industry who had been affected by the March 11 Tohoku Earthquake.

To kill myself : The ritual of suicide in Japan’s culture

Published on 2011-10-09 07:04:19

Ieva Lakute explores the theme of suicide in traditional Japanese literature and draws lessons to be applied to modern day Japan