I've got my August/September interview up.  It's with Urban Sidhe/Rio B., who is a cosplayer, lolita, and steampunk.  I figured it's time to branch out because the issues that affect cosplay also affect other subcultures.  Check out the interview and other pretty photos here.


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For me, taiko symbolizes power and unity. The various drum beats come together to resonate through my body. When I was an ALT, learning taiko gave me a way to connect with my students, as well as people in the neighborhood. It opened up the gates of communication when words failed. It also let me spend more time with my fellow ALTs when we had our ( Read more... )

Gymnast Kohei Uchimura is probably the most recognizable Japanese athlete at the 2012 Olympic Games, and he is the one Japan is counting on to bring home many medals.  However, a less well-known competitor-an Olympic rookie-gave the country its first gold: 57kg division judoka Kaori Matsumoto.  I didn't know much about her (or judo) so I decided to ( Read more... )

The Opening Ceremonies haven't even happened, and Japan is already making waves.  The men's soccer team pulled a surprising 1-0 win against Spain, a gold medal favorite, in their first Group D.  The game is now being referred to as the "Miracle of Glasgow".

Nadeshiko Japan also won their first group match.  On Wednesday, the ladies beat Canada 2-1.  ( Read more... )

Ace Attorney (known as Gyakuten Saiban in Japan) made it's Texas debut at the 2012 Asian Film Festival of Dallas. Unlike most of my fellow audience members at the sold-out closing night screening, I was neither a fan of the Phoenix Wright video games nor a fan of director Takashi Miike. I was, however, curious about the franchise that spawned ( Read more... )

I finally got around to posting my photos from the 2012 Crow Collection Cosplay Fashion Show that took place last month.  I attempted to put together a fairy kei outfit.  Fairy kei is a fashion style that popped up in Japan a couple years ago; it combines the 80s with a pastel palette (maybe I'll do a post on it in the future).  The idea to do ( Read more... )

My fellow blogger and steampunk, Jha Goh, once gave me this piece of advice: practice self-care. We were talking about sociopolitical activism, but that advice is pertinent for anything one is passionate about: cosplay, journalism, and even just attending conventions. I found out the hard way at A-kon 23, and I'd like to remind everyone to make ( Read more... )

JQ Magazine, a publication by the JET Programme Alumni Association of New York (JETAANY), put out a call for submissions.  One of themes was how former JETs got their "Japan Fix" back home.  I got the idea to write about
metroplexlolitaas the group has given me many opportunities to get my Japan fix.

You can read the article on here: "In Texas, Metroplex Lolitas ( Read more... )

I've been busy blogging about the X Games at To the Power of X, but I wanted to share some exciting news.  For the first time since 2004, a Japanese athlete has topped the Summer X Games podium.  Very rarely do we get Asian medalists at either the winter or summer events so this is extra exciting.

Freestyle motocross rider Taka Higashino came to the ( Read more... )

I've decided to make Beneath the Layers a bimonthly interview series.  It seems to work out better, especially around con season.  Anyway, this month's cosplayer also dresses up as Kyoya Hibari.  Please check out my interview with Lauren.