Aonghas Crowe
Aonghas Crowe is a writer, translator and author of both fiction — "Too Close to the Sun," "A Woman’s Nails," "A Woman’s Hand" — and nonfiction — "Boys Have Dingdongs and Other Observations." He splits his time between Fukuoka, Japan and Portland, Oregon. He’s mouldy for a drink.
Articles
Kids’ Summer Homework in Japan: With Friends Like These
For better or worse, summer-long school assignments have been a family affair in Japan for longer than you might think.
Why are There So Many Summer Festivals in Japan?
What is the history, superstitions and culture surrounding all these summer celebrations?
Just How Many Seasons Does Japan Really Have?
One writer's experience with Japan's temperamental weather.
Why is June ‘The Month of No Water’?
The literal mysteries of tsuyu, the Japanese term for the rainy season.
Potsu Potsu: Japanese Words for Rain
What are rain-related sounds and phrases in Japanese?
Of Rice and Men: Questions You Never Thought to Ask about Harvesting Japan’s Meal Staple
One writer went around pestering people to find out exactly how much rice could be harvested from a field that measured one tatami mat in size. Here's what he found.
Point Break: Loyalty Cards in Japan Thicken Wallets but Lack in Payoffs
Japan, we’ve gotta talk. This point card habit of yours is getting out of control.
Fukuoka Flu Season: An Ounce of Prevention
With those icky germs and nasty flu raging across Japan, you'd think it would be easy to get a kid to wash his hands. Guess again.
When is New Year’s in Japan Really Over?
Ringing in the new and tossing out the slightly old prompts an age-old question, one similar to Christmas trees in the West: when should you take your Shogatsu decorations down?
Imperial Gratitude: The Reason for Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan
Ten of Japan’s 16 national holidays are directly related to the Emperor — with one more on the way.
Oh Snap! Another Japan Election
Ready or not, it’s ballot time again in Japan.
A National Holiday for June
There's no place like June for the holidays...
