Monthly Archives: April 2012

Jackson Pollock Centennial

Posted on April 28, 2012 by J P Catton

It’s Golden Week here in Tokyo – and yesterday, Minako and I attended the Jackson Pollock Centennial at the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art. Over seventy works by the genius of Abstract Expressionism; that’s a lot of … never mind. … Continue reading →

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Would You Like Some Diesel With Your Soy Sauce?

Posted on April 25, 2012 by J P Catton

The other day I went to Kawagoe with some students and visited the Matsumoto Soy Sauce Factory, and was surprised at the retro Diesel Punk atmosphere in which the modern soy sauce is made … if it ain’t broke, don’t … Continue reading →

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Amazon

Posted on April 23, 2012 by J P Catton

The Amazon.com authors page is now up here.

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Moonlight, Murder & Machinery

Posted on April 16, 2012 by J P Catton

Available in glorious analog paper – here!

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The Toden Arakawa Line

Posted on April 15, 2012 by J P Catton

The Toden Arakawa line, affectionately known as the Ching-Ching Densha because of the sound of its bell, is the last surviving tram service in Tokyo and a charming addition to Shitamachi’s downtown retro atmosphere. It was built in 1913 and … Continue reading →

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Minowabashi

Posted on April 14, 2012 by J P Catton

Tiny alleyways and a long, narrow shotengai in the streets of Minowabashi, the downtown area next to Yoshiwara.

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Iseya: Tempuraya-san

Posted on April 12, 2012 by J P Catton

Iseya, the venerable tempura restaurant where Minako and I had dinner, just a short walk away from the Weeeping Willow and the main gate to Yoshiwara. The shop opens at 6:00 – by 5:30, the line of impatient diners was … Continue reading →

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Destination: Yoshiwara – part 2

Posted on April 11, 2012 by J P Catton

This is a real Weeping Willow. The Mikaeri Yanagi was a willow tree placed at the outer gates of Yoshiwara. It received its name, ‘The Looking-Back Willow’, from the clients who paused on their journeys home and looked back at … Continue reading →

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Destination: Yoshiwara – Part 1

Posted on April 10, 2012 by J P Catton

“Voice of the Mirror”, the sequel to “Voice of the Sword”, is set in three historical time periods – one of which is Yoshiwara, the notorious Red Light district of the Edo Period (400 years ago). The place name Yoshiwara … Continue reading →

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Book Launch Party: “River Road”, by Hillel Wright

Posted on April 6, 2012 by J P Catton

The Book Launch Party for River Road (Printed Matter Press), the sequel to Border Town will be a Sunday Brunch at the Pink Cow (www.thepinkcow.com) in Shibuya, Tokyo on Sunday, April 8 from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM. The admission … Continue reading →

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