Food as a Link to the Past

I attended the Japanes food festival in Los Angeles, CA on November 7, 2010.  I realized how food is a link to the past.  Take away the processed foods of modern times, and many of the foods we eat were eaten by our ancestors.  The nigiri sushi in Japan is a rather young food - it might be the original fast food.  During the Edo Period, Edo was a fast paced city and people wanted their food fast. Viola! the food vendors placed toppings (usually a slice of raw fish) on top of rice, wrapped it with a band of seaweed, and it was the pre twentieth century version of fast food.  

Secret Passages Bookstore in Long Beach, California

Secret Passages is a new independent bookstore in the East Village Arts district of Long Beach, CA that specializes in horror/sci-fi/fantasy/anime.


If you are looking for a huge mega-store with everything under the sun, you won't get it here.  What you do get is a small, inde shop, the type that makes for great browsing.  I came across some interesting titles in the used section that are probably out of print. The owners are friendly and knowledgeable about the genre they represent.

Not only are they a retailer, but they are community minded and support literacy, and the owners love for this genre, and using that as a base to promote literacy is a great. I grew up reading comic books, and many times, I found words from the weekly vocabulary list from English class used in comics, and I'm sure reading comics helped develop in me, my love for reading and writing.

If you are in the area, visit them at 406 East 3rd Street, Unit A, Long beach, CA.

And now for the shameless self-promotion: I am a featured local author on their website.

Here is the link to the featured author page on their website:

http://www.secretpassagesbooks.com/?page_id=249

Mongolian Invasions of Japan

(1274 and 1281) Japan, having refused to become a tribute state under the Mongolian Empire, was ordered to be invaded by Khubilai Khan. In 1274, the Mongolians quickly overran two lightly defended small islands, and landed on Kyushu. They held the upperhand for most of the day, but at night, retreated back to their ships, thinking that the Japanese would be reinforced and thus, have the advantage in night fighting. A typhoon hit and many of the invading ships sunk. In addition, the Japanese counter attacked with smaller ships, setting the larger Mongolian ships on fire and also invading other ships for close hand to hand combat, in which the Japanese had the advantage.
In 1281, the Mongolians invaded with a larger force with two waves. The first wave came from Korea, and found that the Japanese had worked on the fortifications. The first wave was boxed in at a small island. When the second wave arrived, they chose another landing point, and the Japanese fought them to a standstill for five weeks. At that point, a typhoon hit and sunk most of the Mongolian ships. Those Mongolians who didn’t drown reached land were eventually worn down by the Japanese in subsequent land battles.

Kane Kosugi

Kane Kosugi is the son of Sho Kosugi who was a cross over martial arts action movie star in the United States.  Moving to Japan as a teen-ager, he continued in his father's footsteps and is a martial artist and action movie star in Japan.  He has had supporting roles in United States productions, such as Rush Hour III, and DOA. 

Here is a clip from DOA:

Sword Catching

They always show it in the movies, but I just came across a video which shows a real life demonstration.  Maybe it's so old because no one would dare do this anymore, except for someone featured on Stan Lee's Superheroes.

Siege of Osaka Castle

(1614 - 1615)  Since the Battle of Sekigahara, many clans on the losing side held grudges against the Tokugawas.  Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was now retired, but still controlling the government through his son, and Hideyoshi’s son engaged in a feud.  As news of the rift grew, many clans who opposed the Tokugawas came to the aid of Hideyoshi’s son, Hideyori.  Several minor battles ensued, but Tokugawa finally trapped Hideyori and his followers inside the castle.  Tokugawa, then had his forces’ cannons aimed at the residence of Hideyori’s mother, who happened to be Tokugawa’s niece.   A truce was signed, but soon afterward, Tokugawa had the moats covered, and stated that any new attempts of fortifying the castle would be considered breaking the truce.  In September, 1615, skirmishes broke out again.  Hideyori had once force in front of the castle, one that flanked Ieyasu, and one inside the castle.  However, Ieyasu’s forces got close enough to bombard the castle using the cannons, and when they got inside, they saw that Hideyori had committed seppuku.  

Real Samurai Photos

These are some photos of samurai from the end of the Edo period transitioning into the Meiji restoration.

Sonny Chiba

Sonny Chiba is well known in Japan as an action star actor, and also as a movie fight choreographer.  In Japan, two of his most memorable roles are as Yagyu Jubei and as Hattori Hanzo.  The Hattori Hanzo character got an American introduction in the movie, Kill Bill.  Chiba's name also got revived as he experienced popularity here as the star of the 1970 movies of  the Street Fighter movies.

Here is Sonny Chiba, along with regular co-stars Etsuko Shiomi and Hiroyuki Sanada in a scene from the film, Shogun's Samurai

Yagyu Jubei and the eye

In pop fiction, Yagyu Jubei is usually depicted as being blind in one eye.  And many people believe this is true for him in real life.  And maybe he did at some point lose the use of one eye.  Howver, there is one print of him that exists, and that print portrays him having two eyes, so the debate continues.

That said, the origin is usually attributed to his father accidentally blinding him during a sparring session using real swords.  In my novella, it happens resulting from a duel with Kageura.  In short, there are as many different variations of the origin as there are fictionalized accounts of Jubei.

Here is one from an anime. The end of the clip has a summary of other historical samurais who have become legends.

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry I haven't been postingnew posts.  I wil try to do so more regularly from this point forward.  It has been hectic with the book promotion. Last week I was in West Hollywood, California at a book fair.

Here is a photo of me with fellow author, Sara Beacham, author of Miranda and the Tiger's Eye.

A Brief History of the Samurai

A Brief History of the Samurai is a book by Joanathan Clements.  It is 319 pages, and covers a little more than a thousand years of the samurai class in Japan.  It is a good primer, but, it is hard to get a grip on Japanese history up to the Tokugawa reign because of all the players and all the rieign changes and civil wars.  I've never really studied the hhistories of European nations before those countries stabilized so I wonder if Japanese history is that much more complicated.  I feel pretty lucky that U.S. history is relatively simpler compared to older nations.

4 Star Review for Sword of the Undead

Got a 4 star reader review on Amazon today.  Sure, I would have liked 5 stars, but it's still a great review.
Click here for the book's Amazon page scroll down for the reviews

San Diego Comic-Con 2010

Boy, this should be re-named Movie-Con.  There were lines to get into lines.  No, I didn't get in.  I just hung around as much as I could outside.  And as far as next year, the 4-day passes are already sold out.  Oh, and I predict that Scott Pilgrim vs the World will be the go-to movie of the year.

some photos

Samurai Action

There is a samurai action group that puts on display of film type chambara.  Check out there website. 
http://www.samuraiaction.com/

Matsuri at the Imperial Palace

I thought Matsuri was going to be like a Cirque du Soleil type of Chinese acrobats type show, but though that is the closest comparison I can make, it is unique upon itself.  It is a show that combines acrobatics, with magic and gymnastics and dance.  It's at the Imperial Palace, which I love, but it is the blue collar of hotels on the Center Strip, and the prices reflect it - but all that means is that the show is a real deal - you don't have to spend hundreds to see a good show. Regular prices are 49 - 59. 

Check it out

Sengoku Period

Also known as the Age of the Warring States, this period lasted for about 250 years years, from around the mid 1400's to the early 1600's.  This period ended when Tokugawa Ieyasu beame Shogun in 1603.  This is one of the most confusing times in Japanese history. The Ashikaga clan controlled the shogunate, but really hadn't secured the loyalty of many daiymos, thus weakening their power.  This is an age where local warlords fought each other to expand their territory.  Eventually, Oda Nobunaga would rise as the dominant warlord, unifying about a third of Japan.  He was asssassinated by one of his own generals, paving the way for Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who would unify the nation.  In a cumming move, Tokugawa Ieyasu usurped power from the Toyotomi clan and became Shogun, thus ending the period and Japan entered a new period known as the Edo period.

Many of the books and movies during this period focus on stories involving either Takeda Shingen or Oda Nobunaga.

Lone Wolf and Cub - Collection 2 Out

Lone Wolf and Cub - Collection 2 was released on June 22, 2010.  I just checked with Amazon and it was available.  I will buy it from my local mom and pop bookstore, but they have not received their shipment, yet. I can't wait to buy it.

Japanese word for the Day - Bakufu

Bakufu literally means tent government, and is used for the type of government under the shoguns, so loosely translated, it is military government.  Thi sis a term you will hear a lot when watching movies that that place during the Edo period, and there is some involvement with the government.

Kinnosuke Nakamura (Yorozuya)

Kinnosuke Nakamura (Yorozuya after 1971) (1932 - 1997), was a trained kabuki actor who made his name in the jidaigeki genre of films.  He made over 140 films.  He has portrayed just about every famous samurai in Japanese history, including Miyamoto Mushashi, Sakamoto Ryoma and Yagyu Munenori.  Interestingly, I don't think he ever played Munenori's son, Jubei. Of his fictional characters, I believe his best known is as Ogami Itto, the main character in the series Lone Wolf and Cub.

Kinnosuke is one of my favorite actors.  I grew up watching Lone Wolf and Cub on tv, and I've probably seen his portrayal of Miyamoto Musashi while growing up also, but I don't remember.  I know I watched a few series on Mushashi, but don't know who played the lead in those series. Wacthing a lot of jidaigeki over the past couple of years again, I have come across a lot of his films, and I've always enjoyed his performance, especially in the Lone Wolf and Cub television series. 

Here is a clip of Kinnosuke Nakamura playing Miyamoto Mushashi in the famous duel between Mushashi and Kojiro Sasaki

Lone Wolf and Cub

Itto Ogami is one of the most famous swordsman in Japanese fiction.  The story originated in a manga (Japanese comic book) in 1970 by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima. 

The story is about Itto Ogami, who is the official executioner for the Shogun.  The Yagyu family desires to hold his position.  So, what do they do?  They frame him.  Instead of committing seppeuku, Ogami escapes and declares that he will take revenge upon the Yagyu clan.  The individual stories revolve around two themes.  One, his battle with the Yagyu Clan.  Second, he needs to raise money to fight the Yagyus and restore the Ogami name.  He does this by hiring himself out as an assassin for 500 ryo (don't ask me to translate - only that was a lot of money). His nickname is Lone Wolf and Cub because the cub is his three year old son, Daigoro.

In addition to the manga, there is an incomplete English language adaptation by First Comics, and a complete one by Dark Horse Publishing. Several several screen adaptations have also been made.  Two of the best known screen adaptions are the Six movies in which Tomisaburo Wakayama plays the Ogami, and the television series which Kinnosuke Nakamura plays Ogami. 

There is a debate whether the films or the tv series are more enjoyable, but I like both adaptations.

Here is a trailer to the film theatrical version starring Tomisaburo Wakayama.

Japanese word for the Day: Kataki

kataki is a Japanese word for revenge.  When watching samurai movies, this is often a theme.  Usually, a father has been killed and the wife or children seek revenge, sometimes the characters spend years seeking revenge.  A true story which has been adapted many times involving kataki is the story of the 47 Ronin.  Lord Asano of the Ako clan is executed for drawing a sword in the Shogun's castle.  His clan is abolished.  47 of his retainers spend two years planning kataki for the death.  The object of the kataki is Lord Kira, who was responsible for triggering Lord Asano's action. 

Yagyu Clan Conspiracy 1979

The Yagyu Clan Conspiracy is a television show that aired in the late 1970's.  I think there was three seasons, but each season had a different name and different storylines.  All of them involved the father, Yagyu Tajima no Kami Munenori, played by So Yamamura, and his children. Each season featured different chiildren, but the two constants were Sonny Chiba as Yagyu Jubei and Etsuko Shiomi as Akane.

Yagyu Jubei is probably the most memorable character Sonny Chiba has played.  He's played Hattori Hanzo III in season one of Kage No Gundan, and Hattori Hanzo of other generations in other films and other seasons on Kage No Gundan.  But he played Yagyu Jubei in the three Yagyu television series and also the movie version of the same name which gave birth to the tv series. 

Even though Kage No Gundan season one DVD is available in North America, neither subsequent seasons of Kage No Gundan, no any of the seasons of the Yagyu Clan series with Sonny Chiba are available.  I wish they would be.  

Here is the opening of the show.

The Making of a Samurai Sword

The katana (samurai's long sword) was the soul of the samurai.  Here is a video from YouTube that describes the process of making a samurai sword.

News of the Weird - Samurai sword attack in Los Angeles?

I just had to read about this when I read the headline.  Apaprently a man who worked in the porn industry, as a web designer and sometimes actor, stabbed three co-workers, one of whom died in an attack around 10:30 pm on June 2, 2010.  I understand that 99.9% of the time, the media means a replic of a samurai sword.  This one was described as a samurai-like sword.  But does anyone in the media really know what a samurai sword looks like?  I think not.  Case in point. The book cover on the home page of this blog.  I had to make a production decision, accuracy vs eye-catching. I chose eye catching.  But I also did some market research and not one person in the general population I asked couldn't recognize that the knife the man is holding is not a samurai sword. I simplify, I know. But, so, how did these people know it was a samurai like sword.

I also thought gee what an unusual story.  But I decided to search for samurai sword attack and boy was I surprised.  Seems like someone is attacked every year in the United States.  But then I ask again - they might have been swords, but how credible are the descriptions about them being samurai swords?

Japanese word for the day: Jidaigeki

Jidaigeki: Period drama. When a movie is described as a jidaigeki, they mean it is a period drama.  Although it can really mean any period, whether it is the Sengoku period, the Heian period, or the Edo period, it usually refers to the Edo period when the Tokugawa clan were the shoguns.  Although the themes explored in these films are the same as any other films, it is common to find themes that revolve around betrayal, revenge and  tragic romance.  One characteristic many of these films share, especially those set in the Edo period is "chambara," which is sword-fighting.  So, go out and enjoy  a jidaigeki.

Sword of the Undead

The first post for my blog is to introduce my novella, Sword of the Undead.  It is Bram Stoker's Dracula, re-written, but instead of the vampire being named Dracula, he is named Kageura, and instead of taking place in 1890's Translvania/London, it takes place in 1872 Japan/Los Angeles.

In 1872, Jonathan Harker travels to Japan to inform Lord Hidetora Kageura that the castle the lord commissioned to be built in Los Angeles, California, has been completed.  Leaving Harker for dead, Kageura relocates to the United States.  Meanwhile, Harker's friend, Lucy, dies from a mysterious ailment, which Dr. Van Helsing determines is a vampire's bite.  Harker, still alive, returns to the United States, but now his wife, Mina, is the vampire's target.

Sword of the Undead introduces a new vampire: a Japanese samurai lord, and a new vampire slayer, legendary swordsman, Yagyu Jubei.  Jubei arrives at the Harker household looking for a mutual acquaintance, but instead, encounters the vampire.  Incorporating real events in Japanese and United States history, Sword of the Undead combines old-fashioned horror with classic Japanese samurai drama.

The book contains a glossary to help with unfamiliar terms.