The hottest Japanese culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Walking Japan (again): From Fukuoka to Nagasaki

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 1443 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🏝 Travel Cultural Travel Japanese culture Urban Exploration Craftsmanship
  1. Walking in Japan is great because it's easy and interesting. You can find nice communities to rest in and use trains if you need a break.
  2. Japanese cities might not be pretty, but they are clean and safe for walking. People respect rules and it's a friendly environment.
  3. Craftsmanship is important in Japan. Everyone takes their work seriously, showing care and thoughtfulness in everything they do.

How to Adapt an Unadaptable Story

Animation Obsessive • 1973 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Animation Film Literature Japanese culture Storytelling
  1. Kenji Miyazawa is not very well known outside Japan, but he has greatly influenced Japanese literature and animation. His stories have been cherished by generations of Japanese readers.
  2. The film 'Night on the Galactic Railroad' is a unique adaptation that captures the emotional depth of Miyazawa's work. Director Gisaburo Sugii aimed to express the feelings in Miyazawa's stories through animation.
  3. The film is different from typical animated features, focusing on abstract ideas and emotions instead of concrete realities. This approach makes it a deeply mysterious and emotional experience.

The Mountain

Secretum Secretorum • 656 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Short Stories Japanese culture Folklore
  1. The journey to enlightenment can be tough and filled with challenges, but companions can help support you along the way.
  2. Facing your fears is important. The things that scare you often come from your own experiences and past choices.
  3. We all carry our own burdens and past decisions, represented by the skulls in the story, which remind us that we are shaped by our own dreams and desires.

Pyrotechnics and Play

Animation Obsessive • 1704 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Animation Film Japanese culture Visual Arts Creative Process
  1. Atsuko Fukushima is a talented Japanese animator known for her unique and playful style in various anime projects, including well-known films like Akira. Her work shines with energetic and whimsical animation.
  2. Fukushima's notable projects include the opening sequence of Robot Carnival and the short film Genius Party, showcasing her dynamic approach to animation. Both works, while different in tone, represent her signature style of bright visuals and lively motion.
  3. Throughout her career, Fukushima has contributed to both mainstream and independent anime, illustrating her versatility and creative spirit in the animation industry.
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Tokyo Vice

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🎭️ Culture Books TV Series Japanese culture Urban life
  1. Japanese culture often portrayed in American media with exoticism and violence, influencing perceptions of young men
  2. Memoir 'Tokyo Vice' by Jake Adelstein covers his investigative journalism in Japan, focusing on crime and vice stories, but may contain embellishments for effect
  3. Michael Mann's adaptation 'Tokyo Vice' as a TV series adds compelling narratives and characters, making it a more engaging watch compared to the memoir