Travel & Music | Tokyo, just let them dance!

“I think that dancing is something that’s been part of human life and religion since prehistoric times.” Then they gave them The Fueiho. I cannot help thinking how all this fares against the backdrop of the so called “pink curtain” and hostess clubs and …

Booze | Anthony Bourdain No Reservations Tokyo Japan – Supreme cocktail

Yoko Ono vs. May Pang

Yoko Ono | Japanese	May Pang | Chinese-American
Born
February 18, 1933 Tokyo, Japan	October 24, 1950 Manhattan, New York
Before Lennon
From a well-to-do family Attended exclusive schools Lived thru Tokyo fire bombings in 1945 Lived through poverty Dropped out of studying philosophy at the university Moved to New York after the war Longed for and eventually joined the “Bohemia” Married Toshi Ichiyanagi in 1956 She was 23 A suicide attempt and a stint in a mental institution at some point Divorced Toshi and then married Anthony Cox in 1962 She was 29 That was annulled for technical reasons and then went ahead in 1963 Had a daughter together – Kyoko – she was 30 Divorced Cox in 1969 She was 36 The custody mess started… and never really resolved… to this day Kyoko and Yoko cannot get together Throughout she was well and truly part of the NYC art world “scene”, especially the avant-garde	Chinese immigrant family Did college Wanted to be a model but deemed too “ethnic” Song-plugger Receptionist at ABKCO Records (yes, here is the Apple Records and Beatles connection)
With Lennon
Met November 9, 1966 at her exhibition in London She was 33 She was his muse and collaborator The gateway, the key and the catalyst to the avant-garde Married March 20, 1969 She was 36 And continued Then separated in 1973 She pursued her career in NYC He lived in LA having his 18-month “lost weekend” with May Pang Reconciled in 1975 Had a son together – Sean - she was 42 Witnessed at a close range John’s murder in December 1980 Became a widow at 47 Throughout she was a practicing artist in her own right adding music to her repertoire	Asked to help John and Yoko with a film project in December 1970 Became their personal assistant in New York in 1971 She was 20 In 1973, after the decision to separate, Yoko suggested May become John’s companion Yoko “orchestrated” the match In October 1973, May and John left for LA to promote “Mind Games” album The “lost weekend” began May was 23 In June 1974, they returned to NYC Adopted two cats Early 1975, Lennon almost bought a house in Hamptons for him and May to hang in “You know Larry, I may have been the happiest I've ever been... I loved this woman (Pang), I made some beautiful music and I got so fucked up with booze and shit and whatever." She was his companion, “nurse”, occasional muse and collaborator But then he reconciled with Yoko… May was 24 But May claims her and John… until 1977
After Lennon
Had a bout of seclusion after John’s murder Then continued her art and activism A very busy woman! Faithful and collaborators abounded and still do	Worked as a PR manager for United Artists Records and Island Records Married a record producer in 1989 She was 38-39 Had two kids Then divorced in 2000 She was soon 50 She is still in contact with “Lennon’s crowd”
Talked about it
She could have not escaped talking about it even if she tried; people keep on asking!	Book: Loving John (1983) Book: Instamatic Karma (2008)
In her own right
Artist, musician, film director, peace activist, designer, continual muse and avid artistic collaborator All-around Grand Artiste status	Personal assistant, production coordinator, jewellery designer, author, volunteer for Animal Haven, internet talk radio show co-host

In search of the best sushi in the world or as you like it II

“Best sushi in the world goes to the highest bidder”

and

“How to eat sushi sustainably”

 From Vanguard: Sushi to the Slaughter (Season 5, Episode 3 here)

 

Manga Mad Tokyo

Film Details from SnagFilms:

Manga Mad Tokyo (2008) 59 min

Exploring Japan's passion for anime, their biggest pop culture phenomenon, and largest export. From Tokyo, the comic capital of the world, comes an exploration of Japan’s passion for anime, their biggest pop culture phenomenon, and their largest export. A documentary about Japan’s biggest pop culture and deepest underground, filmed in the comic capital of the world, Tokyo. More people read comics in Japan than any other country. Comics account for 40% of all total books and magazines published in Japan. MANGA MAD gives insight into contemporary Japanese culture through the iconography of its biggest pop culture and explains why comics are not just for children, as depicted by the compulsive consumer obsessiveness of the otaku adult manga and anime scene. The tradition of graphic narrative is traced in Japanese art history through to the post WW2 boom of comics. There is extensive coverage of cyber-sex, ‘electronics town’, Akihabara. The virtual reality, manga-anime-mecca, for otaku, and most popular tourist attraction in Japan. In addition, Comiket Market, the biggest comic and cosplay event in the world is featured with an interview with its founder, Mr Yonezawa, who recently passed away. Candid interviews with artists, animators, publishers, historians, retailers and otaku fans punctuate vivid fantasy graphics and cartoon-clad, bustling, metropolis vistas, segued with an exotic, electro sound track. MANGA MAD opens the window behind the Japanese mask, to reveal what’s really going on in the collective imagination, and explains why manga is so ubiquitous, mesmerising, virtually uncensored, and is now contagiously popular world wide. - © Copyright 2008-2011 SnagFilms Inc. All Rights Reserved