The official X account issued a warning against the resale of "Chiikawa Goshuin" from Gokokuji Temple on flea market apps.
Located in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, the main temple Gokokuji offers a special "Chiikawa seal" in addition to the regular temple seal to visitors who bring the "Nanka Hikatte Tabitaku Naru Goshuincho" stamp book included with the special edition of the sixth volume of the Chiikawa comics and pay a fee of 500 yen.
The daily limit of 200 tickets usually runs out within an hour due to popularity, and the rarity of this temple-specific event has led to resale activities.
In response, the official Chiikawa comics X account stated, "Goshuin are given as proof of pilgrimage, akin to receiving blessings from the principal image of worship. We kindly ask for your understanding and to refrain from disrespectful actions such as reselling."
The post also mentioned that the event runs until June 30, providing ample time for anyone interested. "The same Goshuin can be obtained at any time during the event. Please visit Gokokuji at your convenience and receive your Goshuin personally," the post encouraged.
Cambodia and France are cooperating to transport the “West Mebon Vishnu” statue along with another 39 pieces of ancient artwork to France for repair and later exhibition.
The large bronze Vishnu statue was discovered by the French in 1936. The statue dates to the 11th century and is one of the largest bronzes ever unearthed at Angkor.
The original stature of the Vishnu measured more than 5m long and 4.5m tall. However, the surviving object is incomplete with only the upper chest, arms and head remaining intact.
Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona presided over a ceremony to mark the beginning of the restoration project with the attendance of Fabrice Etienne, Deputy Head of Mission of French Embassy and other dignitaries.
Sackona said that sending the statue of Vishnu to France is a necessity because the technical facility for proper restoration work is only available in France.
She added that Cambodian archaeologists will accompany the statue to learn the latest techniques from experts.
She said that archaeologists will analyse the composition of the metal in the statue, focusing on the methods of molding large-scale metal statues developed during the Angkorian period.
She said, “After restoration of this beautiful bronze statue, the West Mebon Vishnu will be exhibited at the National Museum of Asian Art in France until the middle of 2025. The exhibition will feature 126 bronze sculptures on loan from Cambodia.”
The exhibition is titled, “Bronze Age of Angkor: Art of the Deities”, and will showcase technical evolution of ancient Khmer metalwork and engraving from prehistoric times until the post-Angkorian period.
Casio Computer has announced a new model from its women's shock-resistant watch series "BABY-G," named "BGD-10K." This innovative model can be enjoyed in two styles: as a watch and as a charm. Priced at 9,900 yen in Japan, reservations began on April 24th, with the official release scheduled for May 17th.
The model allows the bezel and band to be detached and the center case to be attached to a special holder, transforming it into a unique charm. The watch body and the holder adopt vibrant coloring inspired by the Y2K (Year 2000) fashion trends prevalent around the turn of the millennium. The holder is made of silicone, which can be customized with stickers or rhinestones. In terms of watch functions, pressing the light button in time mode triggers the display of random dot character animations on the LCD screen.
Casio plans to expand its offerings with the new "BABY-G＋PLUS" series, which includes the "BGD-10K," focusing on items that allow individual expression.
Introduced in 1994 as a sister brand to the shock-resistant watch "G-SHOCK," "BABY-G" has been widely favored by young women under the concept "Tough & Cute." In 2014, the brand revamped its concept to "Tough & Cool," targeting more mature women, and expanded its lineup with the "G-MS" series and the "G-SQUAD" series, which supports physical activities through smartphone integration. The brand has grown to surpass 40 million units in cumulative shipments.
Ganghwado강화도 Island is located at the point where the water from the Hangang River meets the West Sea. Capitalizing on such optimal geographical location, Ganghwado Island provided bases for merchants who traveled to and from Seoul on boats. Made to carry goods, cargo boats had a flat bottom, allowing the boats to easily navigate even shallow waters. Cargo boats also helped transport fishing boats’ catches to seaside villages. So, the boats loaded firewood, salt, and fermented shrimp sauce to sell in Hanyang, the old Seoul, and came back with items not available on the island.
The Hangang River is a huge body of water with an average width of one kilometer. So, imagine how difficult it must have been to row the boat up the river carrying a full load. At such times, boat crew would sing songs to cheer them up and give some rhythm to their work. The first song for this week’s episode is such a song, “Rowing Song” sung by Kim Yong-woo. Some lines from the song goes, “Some people are fated to live in wealth and prosperity, but woe is me, why was I born with the fate to make a living out of sailing?” Working on a boat must have been hard, but perhaps such songs provided some comfort to the diligent boatmen.
Rowing Song/ Sung by Kim Yong-woo
Next song in the lineup is titled “Dondollari돈돌라리,” a folksong that originated in Hamgyeong-do Province. It is said that on spring days, women collecting mountain herbs near the Namdaecheon남대천 River used to dance to this song. During Japanese occupation, they used to sing this song to calm their nerves after hiding independence activists chased by Japanese soldiers.
The term “Dondollari” refers to things or events that keep turning. Nothing in the world remains the same. Even when Korea under ruthless Japanese rule, Koreans believed that they would get their country back and live freely, and this song was the expression of their hope for change. Today’s version of “Dondollari” is a piece arranged to suit modern sentiments of today’s Koreans. “I have regrets for some days, but I tend to forget the past, because a new day will dawn, my love,” goes some of the lyrics. Hope abounds wherever there is faith that tomorrow will be better than today. Here’s Lee Han-cheol singing “Dondollari.”
Dondollari/ Sung by Lee Han-cheol
The last song we have for this week’s episode is danga “Sacheolga사철가” or “Song of the Four Seasons.” Its lyrics tell us that although the seasons turn every year and are repeated without fail, we should enjoy everything our lives have to offer and not waste our time since we live only once. This moderate tempo song has a melancholy vibe as the passing of time is associated with aging and death. Here are some of its lyrics.
Heartless time passes fleetingly. Even a young person, once grown old, cannot return to youth again. Let’s say a person lives to be eighty years old, but take out the days spent in sickness, in sleep, or worrying, his years don’t even amount to forty.
It is not known when exactly the song was composed, but it is estimated to be in the early part of the twentieth century. The song is presumed to have been written rather recently judging from the fact that the song doesn’t refer to ancient Chinese poems or history like in other danga songs. Instead, the song sings about the futility of life or natural sceneries in simple, easy-to-understand Korean words. Let’s wrap up today’s episode with Park Ae-ri singing “Song of the Four Seasons.”
Prak Sokhonn, First Vice President of the Senate, received ÜLKÜ KOCAEFE, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Cambodia, on April 30 to pay a courtesy call.
Sokhonn expressed his pleasure in meeting with the ambassador for the first time as the first vice president of the Senate. The Ambassador congratulated Prak Sokhonn on his election as First Vice President of the Senate and wished him even greater success in his new position.
The Ambassador said that the Senate has leaders who have a lot of ability and experience in leading foreign policy and parliamentary diplomacy, especially Prak Sokhonn and his colleagues, who have contributed significantly to the strengthening and expansion of relations between the two countries. She also noted that friendly relations and cooperation between Turkey and Cambodia have grown significantly in the last 15 years.
In response, Sokhonn said that both Cambodia and Turkey have good and close relations. He also noted with satisfaction the outcome of the working meeting between the Ambassador and Hun Sen, President of the Senate, and with Ouch Borith, Second Vice President of the Senate, both of which further contributed to strengthening diplomatic relations and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The First Vice President of the Senate also highlighted the priority goal of Hun Sen as President of the Senate: he wants to turn the Senate into an active diplomatic parliament. This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He hopes that the two Cambodian and Turkish legislatures will have activities to celebrate the event.
ÜLKÜ KOCAEFE informed the First Vice President that the Turkish Embassy in Cambodia is planning to hold an exhibition of documents and images of relations between the two countries since 1959 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Ambassador expressed her satisfaction and congratulations on the opening of the Turkish trade office and cultural centre in Cambodia.
She also thanked the Cambodian Parliament for supporting Turkey in becoming an IPA observer in the past. She also requested that Cambodia support Turkey as a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and support the Maarif Foundation’s initiative to contribute to the development of education in Cambodia.
Recently, the singer Beyoncé posted videos and photos on her Instagram from her visit to Japan, which have generated significant buzz. She was seen wearing a leather fringe jacket and a cowboy hat, riding on a decorated truck (known as "Dekotora"), a sight that has caught the attention of her fans. This post appears to be part of the promotion for her latest album "Cowboy Carter."
According to the posts, Beyoncé thoroughly enjoyed the truck, climbing on its roof and striking poses at the front, conveying her enjoyment of the experience. Additionally, she was captured shopping at a Seven-Eleven, a moment that shows her fondness for Japanese culture.
Regarding styling, Beyoncé combined a Balmain leather fringe blazer with Stella McCartney baggy trousers, patent Western boots, and a large cowboy hat, showcasing a perfect "Cowboy Core" style. This look was styled by Shiona Turini.
On April 16th, the Los Angeles Dodgers versus Washington Nationals game was held under the theme "HELLO KITTY NIGHT." On this day, Hello Kitty, the iconic character from Sanrio, donned a Dodgers uniform with the number 74 to throw the first pitch. The catcher was pitcher Yushin Yamamoto, and the event received a tremendous applause from the audience.
During the pre-game ceremony, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, YOSHIKI, who composed the global theme song, performed the American national anthem on the piano. This event showcased a gathering of stars from Japan, transcending genres and vibrating with energy on the world's grandest stage.
នៅថ្ងៃទី១៦ ខែមេសា ការប្រកួតរវាងក្រុម Los Angeles Dodgers និង Washington Nationals ត្រូវបានរៀបចំក្រោមប្រធានបទ "HELLO KITTY NIGHT"។ នៅថ្ងៃនេះ Hello Kitty តួអង្គដ៏ល្បីរបស់ Sanrio បានពាក់ឯកសណ្ឋានក្រុម Dodgers ដែលមានលេខ៧៤ ហើយបានធ្វើការចាប់ផ្តើមការប្រកួត។ អ្នកចាប់បាល់គឺជាកីឡាករបោះបាល់ Yushin Yamamoto ហើយព្រឹត្តិការណ៍នេះបានទទួលការសរសើរយ៉ាងខ្លាំងពីទស្សនិកជន។
On April 21, 2024, the "Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024" parade was held in Shibuya, Tokyo, aimed at advancing the rights of sexual minorities and broadening societal understanding. According to the organizers, about 15,000 participants marched, waving rainbow flags that symbolize the diversity of sexuality.
This parade marks the 30th anniversary of its predecessor, which started in Tokyo in August 1994. The theme for 2024 is "Don’t give up until things change." It encapsulates a message of promoting understanding and acceptance of sexual minorities within Japanese society.
Japan remains the only G7 country that has not yet introduced same-sex marriage or a national-level partnership system. The parade also served as a platform to criticize these issues and to vocally demand changes in policies.
Organized by the non-profit organization "Tokyo Rainbow Pride," the event brought together not only the LGBTQ community but also many supporters and allies, making it a significant occasion to continue advocating for the rights of sexual minorities. There is hope that this movement will continue to bring positive changes to society.
Introducing the Main Characters Let's highlight the features and charms of the characters appearing in the story! Although they all look cute, they each possess a strong and distinct personality.
The kind and slightly tearful protagonist Chiikawa makes a living by weeding and subduing (Note: defeating dangerous creatures, a job in the Chiikawa world). Shy by nature, but when the moment calls for it, Chiikawa bravely steps up to the challenge, inspiring many to cheer him on.
A fearless and free-spirited character Chiikawa's friend. Usagi is high-spirited and acts on impulse, often shouting loudly phrases like "Ura," "Yaha," "Huh?" and "Purururu."
The Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster has announced its latest collaboration with BLACKPINK's Jennie.
This marks the third collaboration between Gentle Monster and Jennie, and it's especially significant as it will be the first time these collaboration items are launched in Japan. Previous releases were not available in the Japanese market.
The collaboration was revealed through a video posted on both Gentle Monster’s and Jennie's Instagram accounts. In the video, Jennie opens a large gift box to reveal a unicorn plush toy, and underneath it, a case covered in pink fur containing the items from the new collection named "Jentle Salon." This collection features five types of rimless sunglasses and one type of metal frame glasses, along with a pink comb and several charms. These charms appear to be designed to adorn the temples of the eyewear.
The "Jentle Salon" collection by Gentle Monster and Jennie is set to start selling in Japan from May 1st (Wednesday). Further details about the items will be updated officially.
