T. Seifman
@toranosukev.bsky.social
Historian of Japanese & Luchuan (Ryukyuan) arts and culture. Person. Personal, not professional, account. I travel from time to time.
They/he. Based in Kyoto.
They/he. Based in Kyoto.
And when you abbreviate it down - e.g. on a form, or on a button on a machine - to just 出 (not 出 for 出る、to leave, but for 出勤, to come [out] to work), I don't know, there's just something so wonderfully counterintuitive about that.
Language is an amazing thing.
Language is an amazing thing.
May 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
And when you abbreviate it down - e.g. on a form, or on a button on a machine - to just 出 (not 出 for 出る、to leave, but for 出勤, to come [out] to work), I don't know, there's just something so wonderfully counterintuitive about that.
Language is an amazing thing.
Language is an amazing thing.
It certainly makes a certain amount of sense how something like 出場 can mean "to come out [on stage]," to make an appearance. I actually kind of like the imagery of that.
May 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
It certainly makes a certain amount of sense how something like 出場 can mean "to come out [on stage]," to make an appearance. I actually kind of like the imagery of that.
The Kudara Kannon at the beginning of the exhibit from Hōryū-ji is breathtakingly beautiful. And at the end, a seven-pronged sword gifted to the Japanese ruler by the king of Paekche.
In between, an incredible assortment of Buddhist and Shinto treasures.
In between, an incredible assortment of Buddhist and Shinto treasures.
April 21, 2025 at 7:32 AM
The Kudara Kannon at the beginning of the exhibit from Hōryū-ji is breathtakingly beautiful. And at the end, a seven-pronged sword gifted to the Japanese ruler by the king of Paekche.
In between, an incredible assortment of Buddhist and Shinto treasures.
In between, an incredible assortment of Buddhist and Shinto treasures.
According to Yamazato, "previously [i.e. during the Occupation], we could send representatives directly to the US and negotiate, but now the Japanese gov't is the intermediary, and even if we submit ten things, not one is conveyed."
以前は直接、アメリカへ代表を送って交渉できたが、いまはどうか、日本政府が介在するので、こちらの言うことは十申し込んでも一つも通らない
以前は直接、アメリカへ代表を送って交渉できたが、いまはどうか、日本政府が介在するので、こちらの言うことは十申し込んでも一つも通らない
April 19, 2025 at 1:17 AM
According to Yamazato, "previously [i.e. during the Occupation], we could send representatives directly to the US and negotiate, but now the Japanese gov't is the intermediary, and even if we submit ten things, not one is conveyed."
以前は直接、アメリカへ代表を送って交渉できたが、いまはどうか、日本政府が介在するので、こちらの言うことは十申し込んでも一つも通らない
以前は直接、アメリカへ代表を送って交渉できたが、いまはどうか、日本政府が介在するので、こちらの言うことは十申し込んでも一つも通らない
It seems this closure was not directly related to Trump or DOGE politics or policies, but rather bureaucratic or financial reasons within the Okinawa prefectural government.
April 19, 2025 at 1:02 AM
It seems this closure was not directly related to Trump or DOGE politics or policies, but rather bureaucratic or financial reasons within the Okinawa prefectural government.
For ten years, the Okinawa Prefectural Gov't maintained an office in Washington DC, speaking directly to US lawmakers and others about Okinawa and esp. issues related to the US military presence.
The pref has now decided to close the office. I hope it can reopen someday.
dc-office.org
The pref has now decided to close the office. I hope it can reopen someday.
dc-office.org
April 19, 2025 at 1:02 AM
For ten years, the Okinawa Prefectural Gov't maintained an office in Washington DC, speaking directly to US lawmakers and others about Okinawa and esp. issues related to the US military presence.
The pref has now decided to close the office. I hope it can reopen someday.
dc-office.org
The pref has now decided to close the office. I hope it can reopen someday.
dc-office.org
Sun'yô 寸葉 will be among (I presume) many other sellers setting up shop at a fair / market at Tennoji in Osaka, 4/26 to 5/5.
Sun'yô sells postcards, maps, and other historical ephemera. Fun to take a look, even if not to buy.
Sun'yô sells postcards, maps, and other historical ephemera. Fun to take a look, even if not to buy.
April 17, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Sun'yô 寸葉 will be among (I presume) many other sellers setting up shop at a fair / market at Tennoji in Osaka, 4/26 to 5/5.
Sun'yô sells postcards, maps, and other historical ephemera. Fun to take a look, even if not to buy.
Sun'yô sells postcards, maps, and other historical ephemera. Fun to take a look, even if not to buy.
How does it feel when we travel for our research, visiting different places at different times? How do current politics affect where we can travel, and how do they color our impressions of the much earlier history of the places we're visiting? What does and doesn't survive to be seen in the place?
April 16, 2025 at 2:54 AM
How does it feel when we travel for our research, visiting different places at different times? How do current politics affect where we can travel, and how do they color our impressions of the much earlier history of the places we're visiting? What does and doesn't survive to be seen in the place?
Though the rest of the book is a more typical narrative history, Takara continues to blend in numerous personal anecdotes, providing glimpses of how historians work. How do we approach historical documents, for example? What conversations do we have with one another, over coffee or drinks?
April 16, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Though the rest of the book is a more typical narrative history, Takara continues to blend in numerous personal anecdotes, providing glimpses of how historians work. How do we approach historical documents, for example? What conversations do we have with one another, over coffee or drinks?
Checked out this brand-new book from the library. As a translation of a 1993 pub., it reflects narratives of Ryukyu history that newer work (eg Smits) critiques, and suggests revisions for.
Still, this book offers some very interesting and valuable historiographical insights, and personal anecdotes.
Still, this book offers some very interesting and valuable historiographical insights, and personal anecdotes.
April 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Checked out this brand-new book from the library. As a translation of a 1993 pub., it reflects narratives of Ryukyu history that newer work (eg Smits) critiques, and suggests revisions for.
Still, this book offers some very interesting and valuable historiographical insights, and personal anecdotes.
Still, this book offers some very interesting and valuable historiographical insights, and personal anecdotes.
I haven't actually read the full content yet, but I thought some of you might be interested in this pamphlet I received recently at a Buddhist temple, warning against getting recruited into a cult.
April 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I haven't actually read the full content yet, but I thought some of you might be interested in this pamphlet I received recently at a Buddhist temple, warning against getting recruited into a cult.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, officials in China wore "rank badges" on the chest of their court robes, identifying their court rank by lavishly embroidered images of birds and beasts. This was also adopted to some extent in Korea, Vietnam, and Luchu (Ryukyu).
March 27, 2025 at 5:33 AM
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, officials in China wore "rank badges" on the chest of their court robes, identifying their court rank by lavishly embroidered images of birds and beasts. This was also adopted to some extent in Korea, Vietnam, and Luchu (Ryukyu).
This exhibition at the Univ. of Alberta looks amazing. I wish I could be there to see it in person.
www.ualberta.ca/en/museums/v...
www.ualberta.ca/en/museums/v...
March 27, 2025 at 5:33 AM
This exhibition at the Univ. of Alberta looks amazing. I wish I could be there to see it in person.
www.ualberta.ca/en/museums/v...
www.ualberta.ca/en/museums/v...
Seems it's likely the yellow sand 黄砂 blowing over from China.
Still doesn't explain why it smells like forest fire ash, though 🤷♀️
Still doesn't explain why it smells like forest fire ash, though 🤷♀️
March 26, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Seems it's likely the yellow sand 黄砂 blowing over from China.
Still doesn't explain why it smells like forest fire ash, though 🤷♀️
Still doesn't explain why it smells like forest fire ash, though 🤷♀️
1. Snapped
2. Clapped
3. Touched my toes
4. Raised my hands
5. Skipped the body rolling, ordered some food hot to go.
2. Clapped
3. Touched my toes
4. Raised my hands
5. Skipped the body rolling, ordered some food hot to go.
February 27, 2025 at 1:43 AM
1. Snapped
2. Clapped
3. Touched my toes
4. Raised my hands
5. Skipped the body rolling, ordered some food hot to go.
2. Clapped
3. Touched my toes
4. Raised my hands
5. Skipped the body rolling, ordered some food hot to go.
Decided to get out and see the sights in the snow today.
1) Mausoleum of Emperor Go-Uda, north of Arashiyama
2) Hiraoka Hachiman Shrine
3) Grave of Murasaki Shikibu
4) my garden
1) Mausoleum of Emperor Go-Uda, north of Arashiyama
2) Hiraoka Hachiman Shrine
3) Grave of Murasaki Shikibu
4) my garden
February 24, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Decided to get out and see the sights in the snow today.
1) Mausoleum of Emperor Go-Uda, north of Arashiyama
2) Hiraoka Hachiman Shrine
3) Grave of Murasaki Shikibu
4) my garden
1) Mausoleum of Emperor Go-Uda, north of Arashiyama
2) Hiraoka Hachiman Shrine
3) Grave of Murasaki Shikibu
4) my garden
I don't know, but just wanted to comment that I am at a Coco Ichi right now reading this.
December 27, 2024 at 4:49 AM
I don't know, but just wanted to comment that I am at a Coco Ichi right now reading this.
The grounds of the shrine are also home to a smaller Geinō Jinja 芸能神社, "Performing Arts / Entertainment Shrine," where people can pray for success in those fields. The shrine is dedicated to Ame no uzume, whose dancing famously coaxed Amaterasu out of her cave, bringing sunlight back to the world.
December 26, 2024 at 12:29 PM
The grounds of the shrine are also home to a smaller Geinō Jinja 芸能神社, "Performing Arts / Entertainment Shrine," where people can pray for success in those fields. The shrine is dedicated to Ame no uzume, whose dancing famously coaxed Amaterasu out of her cave, bringing sunlight back to the world.
I was surprised to see the autumn leaves were still in full brilliance there, even after that was mostly done in central Kyoto.
December 26, 2024 at 12:29 PM
I was surprised to see the autumn leaves were still in full brilliance there, even after that was mostly done in central Kyoto.
Recently visited Kurumazaki Shrine 車折神社 in Arashiyama, which takes its name from a story in which Emperor Go-Saga's ox-cart (車) broke (折った) as he was passing by, perhaps because he didn't pay his respects properly to the deity of the shrine.
December 26, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Recently visited Kurumazaki Shrine 車折神社 in Arashiyama, which takes its name from a story in which Emperor Go-Saga's ox-cart (車) broke (折った) as he was passing by, perhaps because he didn't pay his respects properly to the deity of the shrine.
The mausoleum of Emperor Chōkei 長慶天皇 (r. 1368-1383), just outside Tenryū-ji temple. Second to last ruler of the Southern Court; his successor Go-Kameyama finally gave up on the whole schism thing, and let the Northern Court be the only claimants to the throne from then on.
December 25, 2024 at 7:38 PM
The mausoleum of Emperor Chōkei 長慶天皇 (r. 1368-1383), just outside Tenryū-ji temple. Second to last ruler of the Southern Court; his successor Go-Kameyama finally gave up on the whole schism thing, and let the Northern Court be the only claimants to the throne from then on.
It's a beautiful little temple, just a small thatched roof main hall, and a lovely moss garden. The autumn leaves were still going strong last weekend.
A small set of stones marks the graves of Giō, her mother, and her sister.
A small set of stones marks the graves of Giō, her mother, and her sister.
December 25, 2024 at 7:32 PM
It's a beautiful little temple, just a small thatched roof main hall, and a lovely moss garden. The autumn leaves were still going strong last weekend.
A small set of stones marks the graves of Giō, her mother, and her sister.
A small set of stones marks the graves of Giō, her mother, and her sister.
Giō-ji is a small nunnery in Arashiyama, Kyoto. In the Tale of the Heike, powerful aristocrat Taira no Kiyomori replaced his favorite dancing girl, Giō, and to add insult to injury, had Giō then dance before him and the new girl. Giō ended up at this temple.
December 25, 2024 at 7:32 PM
Giō-ji is a small nunnery in Arashiyama, Kyoto. In the Tale of the Heike, powerful aristocrat Taira no Kiyomori replaced his favorite dancing girl, Giō, and to add insult to injury, had Giō then dance before him and the new girl. Giō ended up at this temple.
My jaunt over to Arashiyama this weekend was a rather productive one. Well, if visiting imperial mausolea counts as "productive." Hiring committees may disagree.
In any case, Emperor Go-Kameyama 後亀山天皇 reigned from 1383-1392, and was the last ruler of the Southern Court.
In any case, Emperor Go-Kameyama 後亀山天皇 reigned from 1383-1392, and was the last ruler of the Southern Court.
December 25, 2024 at 8:44 AM
My jaunt over to Arashiyama this weekend was a rather productive one. Well, if visiting imperial mausolea counts as "productive." Hiring committees may disagree.
In any case, Emperor Go-Kameyama 後亀山天皇 reigned from 1383-1392, and was the last ruler of the Southern Court.
In any case, Emperor Go-Kameyama 後亀山天皇 reigned from 1383-1392, and was the last ruler of the Southern Court.
I recently discovered that in all of Japan, the train station with the longest name (phonetically, in kana) is actually just a few mins walk from my workplace.
Here we are: Tojiin Ritsumeikan Daigaku Kinugasa Kyanpasu mae とうじいんりつめいかんだいがくきぬがさキャンパスまえ。26 characters.
On the Randen line to Arashiyama.
Here we are: Tojiin Ritsumeikan Daigaku Kinugasa Kyanpasu mae とうじいんりつめいかんだいがくきぬがさキャンパスまえ。26 characters.
On the Randen line to Arashiyama.
December 25, 2024 at 4:18 AM
I recently discovered that in all of Japan, the train station with the longest name (phonetically, in kana) is actually just a few mins walk from my workplace.
Here we are: Tojiin Ritsumeikan Daigaku Kinugasa Kyanpasu mae とうじいんりつめいかんだいがくきぬがさキャンパスまえ。26 characters.
On the Randen line to Arashiyama.
Here we are: Tojiin Ritsumeikan Daigaku Kinugasa Kyanpasu mae とうじいんりつめいかんだいがくきぬがさキャンパスまえ。26 characters.
On the Randen line to Arashiyama.