Hatsune Miku, computer-generated singer (from Japan, of course)
There is a company in Japan that has written a fantastic piece of software that allows even non-musicians to write music and songs for a “virtual singer” to perform. … Read entire article »
Filed under: cool things!, cute things!, Japan things!, musical things!, neat things!
CATDAT-41 latest report on the Great East Japan Quake
Nearly 20,000 dead or missing, 60,000 still living in “temporary” shelters, and over 1500 children who lost parents or guardians. The CATDAT-41 report by the Earthquake Report website spells out many details about the dead, the missing, the costs in money of the destruction, and the effects on Japan. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Japan things!, serious things
Beautifully choreographed synchronized gymnastics
Absolutely beautiful, I don’t know where this competition was held, but hopefully this Japanese team made it into the finals at the very least. More like watching a ballet than a gymnastics exhibition, the athletes coordinated almost flawlessly. … Read entire article »
Filed under: cool things!, Japan things!, neat things!
Boy’s love for Morning Glories lives on long after his passing…
This is a nice story about a boy’s love of Morning Glories, and his mother’s love for him, which she spreads to the tsunami survivors through seeds from the flowers he grew just before he died, and which he never lived to see bloom. http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/life_and_death/AJ2011092612223 … Read entire article »
Filed under: cool things!, Japan things!, serious things
Background music from a game called “Touhou”: “Bad Apple!!”
I’ve never heard of this game, but then I’m not a gamer, but this is really neat traditional-style Japanese music, played with authentic instruments on a traditional stage. … Read entire article »
Filed under: cool things!, Japan things!, musical things!, neat things!