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Toris

Toris in Ueno Park, Tokyo

Ruby was Angry: A Short Story

I'm working on a series of short fiction stories/vignettes that explore real human issues through my dog Ruby, which I'm hoping will be fodder for my next book. I thought I'd share one with you guys before my two weeks as a Boinger are over. I actually wrote this one at San Francisco airport while waiting for a plane to Tokyo?Ruby was really barking like a maniac at a sleeping guy, and my imagination took it from there. Here goes: Ruby Was Angry Ruby was angry. She didn?t really understand why?but as she stared at the man sprawled out on the floor of the airport, next to the sign for Gate 82 United Flight 899 to Tokyo?s Narita Airport, she began to realize just how angry she really was. It quickly became clear to her that this anger was not a temporary function of seeing the sleeping man, but the delayed manifestation of a much more profound and long-existing anger that she had kept buried deep in her soul for a very long time. It was hard to say how long exactly. Her eyes narrowed and she bore her teeth like a rabid pit bull about to take a plunge. The fearsome expression on her face looked oddly out of place paired with her pink braided necklace and silver heart-shaped pendant with ?RUBY KEILANA? printed daintily on its curve. Her reddish-brown hair stood on its ends like a cat sprayed with water. Then a strange thing happened. Random memories started to flash across her brain like a picture slide show on a computer screen. There was Dangercat, glaring down at her as she frolicked in his garden, daring her to come back up the stairs into his house, hissing under his breath, claws gleaming in the sunlight; her mom, picking up all her strategically positioned toys from around the house and throwing them ruthlessly in a trash bag; her friend Xica, her big black body pouncing mercilessly at Ruby as Ruby hid under the table, praying not to be crushed under Xica?s weight; the tall white man who called her a rat as she walked by him on Stanyan Street last week; all her so-called friends who once pretended to love her so much and then one day disappeared without a trace. Throughout all this, Ruby had kept up her positive attitude, her sweet demeanor, and her unconditional forgiveness. But this time she had had enough!...

Chair made out of natural crystals

For his upcoming exhibit in Tokyo, designer Tokujin Yoshioka is making a natural crystal chair from scratch. He'll do this by submerging a nucleation-inducing fiber structure in four giant tanks of water, and then letting visitors watch as crystals form and the chair grows into its natural shape. (This image shows the artist working on a prototype.) The exhibit kicks off on October 17, and features other cool artsy objects made entirely out of nature. Link( Lisa Katayama is a guest blogger.)...

Ninja Blade slices into 360

From Software's new stealthy assassin performing Tokyo-saving wetworks exclusively on Microsoft's console in spring 2009.

Prayer table

Prayer table in Tokyo

North Korea begins reassembling nuclear facility: report

TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea has begun reassembling its Yongbyon reactor that can make material for atomic bombs in violation of U.S. conditions for improved diplomatic relations, media reported.

Japanese wives wanting a divorce hire professional seducers

The Times Online reports on a company on Japan that uses professional seducers to help unhappy wives build a case for divorcing their husbands. 3.30pm. Mr A is outside a bank in a busy part of Ikebukuro, a faintly seedy area of Tokyo, waiting for his date. He beams as she teeters across the road on high heels. Kyoko, 20, is half his age. She has a mane of black hair, sloe eyes, a fetching smile and a cute giggle. Her blouse is open to reveal her cleavage and she has on a short skirt and sheer black tights. Mr A is a bald 40-year-old salesman in a crumpled grey suit and glasses. ... Mr A doesn?t know that a team of private investigators is recording his every move. The boss, the ebullient Mr Tomiya, lurks behind a lamppost on the other side of the road and takes photographs as Kyoko meets Mr A. Tomiya?s equipment includes a packet of cigarettes and a pen, both of which are actually cameras. Shimizu, a heavy-set man with a bullet head and cropped hair, carries a black bag. It contains a camera with which he films continuously through a tiny hole in the bag. A third man acts as a lookout. They follow the couple down the street, dodging the crowds and sprinting across red lights, keeping far enough behind so as not to arouse suspicion but close enough so that Shimizu can film. Japan's new professional seducers (via Japan Probe)...

Japan's Aso leads race for next prime minister

TOKYO (Reuters) - Former foreign minister Taro Aso leads the race to become Japanese prime minister, analysts and media said on Tuesday, after unpopular Yasuo Fukuda became the second leader to abruptly resign in less than a year.

German comic book art covers Tokyo

German design duo Pixelgarten has a big campaign in Tokyo right now that has the city covered in giant comic book exclamations. PingMag posted an interview with them and a bunch of other neat creations of theirs, including my favorite?an installation featuring a couple in hoodies with their faces stuck together. Oh, and the guy peeing pink paint onto the wall is pretty neat too. Their current Tokyo project is a promotional gig for trendy Harajuku department store LaForet. ( Lisa Katayama is a guest blogger.)...

Poisonous Green Mamba Snake Bites Hand Of Tokyo Man Feeding It (AHN)

(AHN) - A Tokyo man was arrested by authorities after seeking medical treatment for a snake bite from one of the 51 venomous snakes he was illegally keeping in his apartment. - Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:20:23 GMT