Fukai Nihon 深い日本 - Shades from Japan
The Mystery of Tonkararin's Tunnels ト ン カ ラ リ ン
Japan is a fascinating country, scattered with places that tell ancient stories tinged with mystery, among these we find an enigmatic and fascinating site in northern Kyushu, located near Nagomi (和 水 町, Nagomi-machi), a city in the prefecture of Kumamoto ( 熊 本 県, Kumamoto-ken).
Outwardly it appears as part of the local landscape but inside there is a complex of tunnels, called "Tonkararin" (トンカラリン). To it we can add another fascinating place, not very far from the tunels, the important burial mound of Eta Funayama (江田船山古墳).
The memorable Yuru-kyara the Japanese mascots
The original Japanese mascots, or as they are called in the rising sun, Yuru-kyara (contraction of yurui masukotto kyarakutā) ゆ る い マ ス コ ッ ト キ ャ ラ ク タ ー are among the popular culture phenomena that most passionate the Japanese and beyond.
The term was coined by the illustrator and cultural critic Jun Miura in 2009, who didn't stop at the name alone, he was the one who helped to determine the fundamental components of the mascots.
Raijin 雷神 and Fujin 風神 the God of Thunder and the God of Wind
Among the most important and well-known deities in Japan, Raijin and Fujin through the centuries have always had an important presence in Japanese culture and society. By transcending religion and folklore we can now find them almost everywhere as in commerce (clothing, gadgets, accessories, ect.) And in entertainment.
Meishin 迷信 The Superstitions in Japan
In a technological Japan, that always looks to the future, superstitions are well rooted, more than you think and at all social levels. We'll show the most peculiar and strange ones.
Hard to believe right? in a country like Japan, think that superstitions are still alive, and above all that they are many, even if different by location, it is hard to believe. Some are very strange (as often happens here too) other ridiculous, and some disturbing.