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Welcome!
Hibari-sensei's Classroom is a blog created to educate you about the Japanese culture. It reflects the views of only one individual and not any associated organizations that may have been mentioned. Photos of my students are intentionally blurry as to protect their privacy. Permission has been granted by cosplayers, and credit is given to ( Read more... ) -
No more updates on LJ
I have decided that I will not longer be cross-posting my entries here. Even though the process is mostly just cut and paste, the time that I do spend reformatting some of the posts can be used for other purposes. This past year has brought me new writing opportunities, and I'm starting to feel like I have too many blogs to keep track of. I'll ( Read more... ) -
Profile: Erochica Bamboo
In the past year, I've developed a love for burlesque. I enjoy watching it, learning it, and even writing about it (check out my posts at DFW Dieselpunks After Dark if you're curious and okay with NSFW images). Recently I bought The Burlesque Handbook by Jo Weldon, and upon seeing the a quote from Japanese dancer Erochica Bamboo, I knew it was time ( Read more... ) -
New writing gig with Jrock247 and NekoPOP
The closing of Purple SKY was sad, but as one door shut, another opened. I have become a writer for JRock247 and NekoPOP. Now that doesn't mean I will stop writing about music here, but the reviews, interviews, and live reports will go up on those sites. Please check them out. You can also follow our updates on various social media websites.
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The Fuss Over Bagel Heads
Ever since the Taboo episode featuring saline forehead injections aired, the media has been making a fuss over the "bagel heads" of Japan. Even my parents and their friends were talking about it! What do you think of bagel heads and the hype around them?
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Happy (belated) Cosplay Appreciation Day!
I found out about Cosplay Appreciation Day late yesterday so I didn't get around to posting on here. I have much appreciation to show the entire cosplay community, but special props goes to everyone who has participated in my Beneath the Layers interview series: my thanks on TumblrI've noticed that more people are speaking out against the issues ( Read more... ) -
2012 Japan-America Grassroots Summit
The photos have been sorted through, uploaded, and watermarked, which means I can finally make this long overdue post. Before I do, I must announce to those who haven't heard that Purple SKY will no longer be updated. I'm currently looking for writing opportunities, and that may affect the content of this blog in the future. I'll keep everyone ( Read more... ) -
Shinya Yamanaka wins 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine with John B. Gurdon
I was going to write up my Grassroots Summit post, but earlier this week, some exciting news came in the form of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Sir John B. Gurdon and Dr. Shinya Yamanaka received this year's prize for their discovery of a specialized cell's ability to be reprogrammed into an immature state that allows it to develop ( Read more... ) -
The Legacy of John Manjiro and Captain Whitfield
Araaa, where did September go? It was a crazy month with the Japan-America Grassroots Summit, starting a new job, and some other events that kept me away from blogging. Not to mention I had hundreds of Summit photos to edit before I could make a post. In the middle of my editing, I realized that the majority of my readers probably don't know the ( Read more... ) -
Miss Rikei Contest
Lately, I've come across multiple articles on the lack of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. A 2010 study by the Academy of American University Women found that only 20% of U.S. STEM bachelor degree earners are female. In Japan, the rikei joshi (science girl) is even rarer. To acknowledge these women and ( Read more... )
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