There might not be a great deal of space in Tokyo, but nobody could ever accuse the Japanese of not utilizing what little they do have.
I think this little scene I came across today proves it quite nicely.
Fishing, Tokyo style
Culture
Dog fighting and Dachshunds
Quite surprisingly it turns out that dog fighting is still legal in Japan, and although it’s not especially popular, there are still regular fights in some areas, with a national championship every year in Kochi, southwest Japan.
The animals have rankings the same as sumo wrestlers, with the (if you’ll excuse the expression) top dogs gaining the rank of Yokozuna. And judging by the picture below, they have the same kind of ceremonial dress too.
Now whilst fighting between two dogs will never be a civilised affair, they aren’t battles to the death. Four judges watch each bout, and the winner is determined through a mixture of fighting temperament, stamina and injuries inflicted. But it’s probably fair to assume that these injuries have the potential to be pretty severe, as the fighting dogs are a breed called tosa, incorporating the bloodlines of great danes, bull terriers, bulldogs, german pointers, and mastiffs. A heady mix for sure, and one can only imagine the damage they must be capable of.
Not surprisingly, dog fighting doesn’t attract the same kinds of crowds as it used to, and the number of tosa dogs has dropped dramatically — although considering that they cost over 100,000 yen (450 pound) a month in food alone, it’s understandable. Yet ironically it’s not just economic constraints or modern sensibilities that threaten the survival of the breed, and ultimately dog fighting itself.
Small dogs you see are now very much in vogue, and figures from the Japan Kennel Club prove this. In 2003, only 5 Tosa were registered as pedigrees, compared with 73,684 Chihuahuas, and a whopping 171,144 Dachshunds. Meaning that as preposterous a mismatch as it sounds, the mighty tosa looks like being humbled by the dainty dachshund.
Sushi surprise
After a public outcry, the Japanese-style restaurant Hefengcun Huaishi, in Kunming (southwest China), has stopped serving sushi on near naked and fair-skinned young beauties.
Apparently the establishment in question recruited the women from a local college, and then had them lying face-up on the table, their bodies covered with sushi, flowers, and other foodstuffs. No doubt making for very exotic plates indeed.
The owners however appear unrepentant despite the furore, and claim not to have bowed under local pressure. Rather, they said that it was merely a promotional campaign that has now finished.
Li Ailing, the manager of the restaurant said, “The purpose of this promotion is to spread Japanese culture.â€
Going by that picture, it certainly beats flower arranging, or the quiet and rigid environs associated with the tea ceremony.
Honour system
Crime in Japan is sadly on the rise, but compared to many other countries, it is still incredibly safe. Not only that, but thankfully there’s still a good deal of honesty about too. If you happen to leave your bag or wallet somewhere, there’s a very good chance you’ll get it back. Money and valuables still intact.
Along the same lines, it’s not uncommon to see shops such as this.
Customers are expected to just leave the money for whatever they buy. The amazing this is, they do. And nobody steals the money either!
Except gaijin of course.
Phallic fun
Yesterday, the Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine in Kawasaki held its annual fertility festival.
Sexually transmitted diseases helped spur the popularity of phallic symbols at such festivals, and going back a few hundred years, prostitutes used to pray for protection and good business.
Things have changed a little bit these days, and apparently large numbers of prostitutes are nowhere to be seen. But many young women still attend for good luck and fertility blessings. The potential danger of sexually transmitted diseases is still a major part of the festival though, and whilst the diseases have changed somewhat, the threat hasn’t. So now part of the event is to ask for protection against AIDS, and to raise money for research.
The main aim of the festival however would appear to be fun. And with activities such as carving penises out of vegetables, it’s a great day out for all the family. Although it perhaps would be better to leave Grandma at home.
I’ll let you make your own caption for this picture!