Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Isao Machii
The master swordsman Isao Machii has been dicing up whatever has been thrown at him so far. Whether it’s shrimp, fruit, or soybeans, this expert has left his cutting mark in a field of sliceable items.
One field he hasn’t turned his sword on yet is baseball, but considering how much Japan loves the game, it was only a matter of time before Machii would step up to the plate, and he’s done so in an impressive display of swordsmanship you won’t want to miss.
They call him ‘The Modern-Day Samurai’. Master swordsman Isao Machii can slice a BB gun pellet in mid-air. He holds four World Records for swordsmanship – so what’s he doing slicing up fruit in this ad for Toaster Strudels?
It’s still a cool video, though, as he slices his way through watermelons and pineapples at lightning speed. Join us after the jump for a look at this “live action fruit ninja” vid. What would Gretchen Weiners’s father think?
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Katsu weight showdown! Which Japanese supermarket gives you the most tonkatsu meat for your yen?
Pikachu/Game Boy manhole cover installed at Nintendo Museum, not viewable by general public
Nara deer shikadamari phenomenon continues to baffle visitors at Nara park
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in JapanJapanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in TokyoGhibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in JapanSanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
Katsu weight showdown! Which Japanese supermarket gives you the most tonkatsu meat for your yen?
Pikachu/Game Boy manhole cover installed at Nintendo Museum, not viewable by general public
Nara deer shikadamari phenomenon continues to baffle visitors at Nara park
Man arrested for throwing dog at police officer in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new goods that tip the hat to The Cat Returns
Japanese company creates wasabi pearls that look like shiny green caviar
The unusual and surprising ways people in Nagasaki celebrate Obon, the festival of spirits
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
How a bar in Kabukicho scammed one diner out of their money, and how it can happen to you too
Who is No Face? Hayao Miyazaki finally gives us the answer
We fry up a feast at Kushiya Monogatari and learn the joy of Japanese skewer restaurants
We investigate a haunted rail crossing and get chased by a 156-year-old ghost!【Haunted Tokyo】