Mt. Fuji has presence. As only a small landmark in the distance, the symmetrical mountain immediately calls attention to itself against the glamour of Tokyo’s industrial skyscrapers and neon signs. Whether in Tokyo’s flashy Ginza District or the fashionable Harajuku District, it is hard to forget that one resides in the mountain’s domain […]
Performance of Rituals: Evolution of Tradition
Four days ago, twelve undergraduates (myself included) moved into a thatch-roofed house with sprawling tatami mats and no air conditioning. When we return from our fieldwork or lectures, we trip over ourselves trying to follow the traditions and customs that come with the house: taking off our shoes in the entryway, sharing the bathwater, cooking […]
Shrinking and Growing the Mountain
As I travel in Japan, I am constantly regaled with the silhouette of a steeply sloped mountain that is now iconic around the world. Mt. Fuji, the focus of our summer research, is everywhere from the horizon to the konbini (convenience store). Throughout my experiences, I’ve noticed the miniaturization of the mountain, its internationally situated […]
Harold, Yaniv and Sam Ireland Video
Ireland Spring 2017
https://youtu.be/GtpxRZrsynA