Hamish Downie’s News Sushi # 135: Morsels of News From Japan and Beyond

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Editor Note:It is Friday and that means it is time for the World Famous, soon to be Intergalactic Famous, News Sushi from our very own, Hamish Downie. Hamish brings us a decidedly different slant on Pop Culture as viewed through the lens of a non-native living in Japan.

Thank you (ありがとうございました) Hamish, for your insights.

こんにちは！Which means “Hello”!

Did everyone have a good Halloween? My partner and I had a quiet one at home, but we did watch “The Great Pumpkin” and “Doctor Strange into the Multiverse” which certainly had some Lovecraften elements, but overall, seemed a bit like those old Superman Part 4 greenscreen affairs. I wished they’d made it a bit more camp, but I did think that Benedict was very handsome as the Doctor.

The greatest academic acknowledgement I've seen in a while pic.twitter.com/BpxQGKCIbT

— Jonathan Robins (@robinshistory) October 11, 2022

I would like to delicate this column to Toast the cat as well.

Did you see the cherry moon this week? I always obey the moo-yon…

It’s a parody, but it’s not bad advice. Observe the moon, remember your friends, dance, and adopt a city. Why not try it if you’ve having a “mad glummer” yourself?

Local Actor and Comedian, Bob Werley, took a wonderful photo of the cherry moon:

No tripod and not the world’s best camera, but all in all not too bad for a once in a many centuries event. #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/9f5o3HP2RT

— Bob Werley (@bobwerley) November 8, 2022

I got to see the moon after work at its peak, and then after taking the train, I walked home through the park filled with the fall foliage and gazed at the cherry moon as the eclipse waned. It was glorious!

via GIPHY

I have some exciting news to share, and that is that my short film, “The Last Anomaly” will be having its world premiere in my hometown on November 18-19.

For tickets, please click here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/newcastle-international-short-film-festival-tickets-401876482377

Now, all I have to do is sort out the deliverables! ARUGH!!!

The film I produced, “Impossible to Imagine”, continues its success with a screening at a festival in Tokyo. Congratulations team!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Where Next Japan (@wherenextjapan)

My podcast co-host (of which the podcast itself is probably on permanent hiatus) recently commented on twitter that she wished there were more Autumnal songs to break up the time from Halloween to Christmas. I’d like to recommend Deron Reynolds “The Path”:

Do you have any autumnal favourites?

via GIPHY

Here’s a beautiful photograph of a Geisha in Autumn Leaves by one of the lovely members of Writers in Kyoto. I hope you can now visit us here in Japan proper!

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A post shared by Writers In Kyoto (@writersinkyoto)

If you do happen to find yourself in Kyoto, why not try out this New cafe!

Beautiful new spot in Kyoto, KYOTOWAND. https://t.co/7BiPTFNOUT

— Dave in Osaka (@DaveInOsaka) October 13, 2022

We all think of this time of year as the colours of the 70s, the browns, the yellows, and the oranges… but it also Tis the season of Pinks and Purples in Japan…

THE SEASON OF PINKS & PURPLES

These are the days of cold dew (寒露 'kanro').

In the traditional calendar the wild geese are returning (October 8th-12th 鴻雁来), chrysanthemums are blooming (13th-17th 菊花開), and crickets are singing at the door (18th-22nd 蟋蟀在戸) pic.twitter.com/jz9VUfWY4K

— Camellia Tea Ceremony (@camelliakyoto) October 12, 2022

Yes, I do realise I’m a month late on that one, but that’s what sometimes happens with these columns. They do get written over a period of time. Let’s forget all about that and have time for delicious cakes…

いちごのゼリーと抹茶のケーキ pic.twitter.com/Wkq8aVAi8p

— Chez Mitsu‎ (@chez_mitsu) July 11, 2022

コスモス色の羊羹 pic.twitter.com/m9Ubr6g9mJ

— Chez Mitsu‎ (@chez_mitsu) October 16, 2022

And here’s a lovely photo of a heron in sand:

Difficult to capture a decent photo of this beautiful sand sculpture created by @sandinyoureye (& featuring @UniofLeedsHeron, naturally) that truly does it justice! I highly recommend heading to @UniversityLeeds campus as soon as you can to see it before it disappears… pic.twitter.com/l594Z3Drkc

— – (@birder_bee) October 12, 2022

Which one is Tik and which one is Tok? And where is Peggy Lee’s ghost? Because we need her to write a song…

Hiya TikTok #cats – at first I couldn't tell them apart but they've grown to look quite different – can you guess which is Tik and which is Tok? pic.twitter.com/qCzboudHSd

— JJWalsh ⛩️️☀️ (@jjwalsh) October 13, 2022

As you know, I’ve been doing a “What if” series, and my Marilyn Monroe one has gotten over nine thousand views, and many comments, so it was time for a Part 2 of What if Marilyn Monroe had lived:

So, my lovely sister Naomi has a painting in an exhibition, and it’s up for people’s choice award, so if you would like to support her, or one of the other great artworks, please follow the links on instagram and vote away!