Alrighty then. Here are the instructions for the July 2009 issue of the Japansoc Matsuri!
*Update*: The deadline for entries has now passed. You can view the finished matsuri here: Weird things about Japan.
The theme?
What do you find most unusual, crazy or strange about Japan?
It can be anything you like: An event, a product, a custom, a food, a place or even something abstract like an idea or way of thinking. Best of all, you don’t have to have visited Japan to enter! Anyone who knows a little bit about Japan can write something.
There are only three rules that I would like to impose on this month’s matsuri, just as way of keeping things light-hearted and fun:
The rules?
1) The blog post you write must be no more than 200 words (approx. 2 paragraphs). (No long winding essays).
2) The blog post must contain a picture of some sort. (It should show what you are claiming is unusual or crazy. For abstracts, get creative!)
3) Please keep it cheerful. This month’s theme is for highlighting cultural differences in a positive way! :)
Also, let us know why you feel it’s something strange; is it something unknown in your own culture? Anyone at all with a Japan-related blog can enter and feel free to submit older posts, although I strongly encourage new posts.
How do I submit my entry?
There are 3 ways to do so!
1) Email me a link to your post: Contact Gakuranman
2) Submit your entry via the Blog Carnival Widget
3) Reply to this blog post with a link to your own matsuri post
If you need any more information about the matsuri, here is the Japansoc Matsuri FAQ
When is the deadline?
The deadline for this matsuri is 24th July 2009.
I will then sort out all the entries and make a big post unifying them all right here!
Okay! Let’s keep it cheerful and fun :)
Thanks Michael, this will be my first Blog Matsuri entry :) the only problem is TOO MANY POSSIBILITIES for a topic! I think I have a good one in mind though!
This sounds fun! I’ll do my best to get something ready and posted. (My wasteland of a blog the last month and a half could use some fun.) And hey – the requirements aren’t uber-strict or lengthy. I can totally participate! Ha ha. Good theme choice, and I dig the rules. :-)
Great idea!
It would take me some time just to decide what subject to pick… there are so many… :)
Count me in. Great theme choice! I look forward to participating and reading the entries.
Sounds interesting. I’ve just created a new blog (didn’t like my old one) and just finished my introduction. As soon as I think of it, I’ll write it down. Looking forward to everybody’s posts! :)
Wow, it is very happy for our Japanese to see that you are studying Japanese hardly!
I am pleased introduce many kinds of Japanese unique characters. It would be very appreciated that you will come and see my weblog, and start on our communication!!
Missy
http://we-love-japaaaaan.blogspot.com/
Glad you’re all looking forward to it! Please spread the word and let’s aim for over 40 entries!
Are we allowed to submit a video blog entry?
Sure! But let’s say, keep it under 3 minutes ;)
I don’t know if previously posted things are allowed, but I find the differences in Kit Kat flavors between America (my home country) and Japan to be fascinating.
Here is the link to my Kit Kat posts: http://tobidasu.wordpress.com/category/japanese-pop-culture/kit-kat/
I spend a lot of time seeking out strange and wacky things about Japan. Mostly they are extreme. So, for the Matsuri, I have chosen something a little more mainstream:
http://www.loneleeplanet.com/2009/07/japanese-barf-bins/
Here’s my contribution about a type of festival in Japan:
http://througheyesfromafar.blogspot.com/2009/07/penis-matsuri.html
wrote my post, It include’s the best picture I’ve ever found http://headingforjapan.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/the-mind-of-a-japanese-person/
Here’s my entry for this month, it’s my first time participating so よろしくね everyone! :)
http://joeinjapan.com/2009/07/19/you-sound-like-a-llama/
Here’s my contribution on the subject of beetles:
http://spamfromjapan.com/2009/07/22/six-legs-good-eight-legs-bad/
http://kanakanji.com/2009/07/22/surrounded-by-irrashaimase/
My first contribution to a blog matsuri. Looking forward to reading some great posts here.
Submitted mine today.
Oh man, I think I just made! Here it is, a reflection of the way Japan expresses melancholia in art without being depressing…..
http://bit.ly/VdELG
Just in case it somehow didn’t make it thru the widget, my submission:
http://bit.ly/78e0E
Just in case mine didn’t make it through the widget:
http://goinglocoinyokohama.wordpress.com/2009/07/21/clean-like-theres-no-tomorrow-its-the-little-things-3/
I also just submitted mine: http://bit.ly/15SILk
I tried sending one, but I think I missed the deadline — literally by minutes!
Ugh… Crap. I guess the deadline was in JST.
Oh well, here it is anyway, for anyone interested:
http://edojin.com/en/2009/07/25/blog-matsuri-over-complex-drama-organigrams
Here’s mine, フゥー！
http://www.watermelonstudios.co.uk/theramenblues/fooohhhh/
I don’t know If I said it already but …Great site…keep up the good work. :) I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks, :)
A definite great read….