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Asahi Shimbun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
VOX POPULI: East and West converged in the life of Hana Glover Bennett
The former residence of Thomas Blake Glover in the Glover Garden in Nagasaki in October 2024 (Asahi Shimbun file photo) This is the story of a remarkable woman. Hana Glover Bennett was born in Nagasaki in 1876, at the dawn of the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Her father, Thomas Blake Glover (1838-1911), was a Scottish merchant who played a pivotal role in Japan's modernization during the final years of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the early Meiji Era. His former home, known as Glover House, still stands in Nagasaki. Hana's mother was his Japanese common-law wife, Tsuru. Lovingly raised in a cross-cultural household, Hana married a British merchant employed by a trading firm in Nagasaki. She was 21 at the time—shortly after the end of the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). When her husband was later transferred to present-day Incheon, a key port city on the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, Hana accompanied him. She would spend the rest of her life in that distant land, as chronicled in 'The Glover Family' by Brian Burke-Gaffney. I first learned about Hana from Ikuko Toda, a 65-year-old writer and translator based in South Korea. Last month, I visited the Incheon Gwandong Gallery, a space for exhibitions and cultural exchange that she operates in Incheon. There, she showed me a collection of photographs left behind by the Glover family. Among them were rare and valuable images capturing the city as it appeared before Korea became a Japanese colony. One striking photograph depicts a mansion perched on a hill overlooking the port, once home to Hana and her family. The building, later destroyed during the Korean War (1950-1953), had stood amid blooming rose bushes. It was there that Hana and her husband raised four children. 'It was a time of great upheaval,' Toda reflected. 'Even those with wealth and privilege must have faced deep uncertainty about the future.' In one faded photograph, Hana appears in traditional Korean dress, seated atop a yellow cow, her gaze fixed intently on something beyond the frame. Her eyes are haunting—quiet yet piercing. In that bustling port city where the shadows of East Asian history converged, what occupied her thoughts? What did she feel? Sadly, almost none of her words have survived. A few years before Japan declared war on Britain in 1941, Hana passed away at the age of 61. She still rests in the foreign cemetery in Incheon. Amid the hush of surrounding greenery, her white tombstone bears a name—HANA—clearly etched into the stone. On a bright, clear day, the inscription stands out in sharp relief. —The Asahi Shimbun, May 14 * * * Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Metropolis Japan
07-05-2025
- Metropolis Japan
Finding Central Tokyo
Tokyo in the evening sun. Image credit: Gri-spb / i Stock Finding central Tokyo sounds easy, right? At first glance, finding a city's center seems simple. London calls its center 'central,' New York claims Manhattan, and Sydney points to Circular Quay. Most cities designate a central hub for business, commerce, and culture—often called the downtown or CBD. In Tokyo, however, the picture gets murkier. Locals, expats, and tourists can't agree on a single ward that defines Tokyo's center. Still, many argue over where it should be. The debate draws on location, history, and present-day relevance, with six wards in particular competing for the title of central Tokyo. Before it became Tokyo, people knew the city as Edo. Originally a small castle village on Japan's east coast, Edo gained prominence when the Tokugawa Shogunate established its seat of power there in 1603. By the 18th century, Edo had already grown into one of the world's largest metropolises. Samurai and nobles settled in Yamanote, but the city's heart beat in the shitamachi—or 'downtown'—where commoners lived. Narrow streets and dense populations defined the shitamachi, creating a vibrant, chaotic scene of Edo-era life. Merchants and artisans flocked to the area, navigating a grid of streets and an intricate canal system. Today, Taito Ward encompasses much of this historic area. A visit to the iconic Senso-Ji temple or a walk through Ueno's bustling streets can instantly transport visitors back to the heart of old Edo. The Kaminarimon, the outer of two large entrance gates, leading to the Senso-Ji temple. Image credit: coward_lion / iStock . When Japan's capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo, officials established the Imperial Palace in the heart of the city—Chiyoda. Soon after, builders developed Marunouchi, just steps from the palace gardens, as Tokyo's central business district. With its grandeur and prestige, Marunouchi has played a vital role in driving Japan's economic growth and continues to serve as a cornerstone of Asia's financial sector. One crucial factor in the debate over Tokyo's center is the location of Tokyo Station, situated on Marunouchi's eastern edge. Since its opening in 1914, Tokyo Station has served as the main entry point for domestic travelers arriving in the capital. Planners deliberately positioned it to link Ueno and Nihonbashi through the city's most esteemed geographic and commercial hub. Boats and blossoming cherry trees in Kitamaru Park in Chiyoda. Image credit: idmanjoe / iStock. The name 'Chuo' directly translates to 'center,' and few can deny its relevance in the debate over Tokyo's core. Established in 1947 during Japan's post-WWII recovery, city planners created the ward to serve as a commercial hub and help rebuild Japan's economy. Chuo once housed the city's silver and gold coin-making mints and hosted Japan's first department store—the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. Today, Chuo continues to thrive as a global shopping destination. The former gold mint now serves as the Bank of Japan's headquarters, and Ginza has evolved into a luxury retail district filled with department stores and designer boutiques. Interested to know the hidden side of Ginza? Read our guide for the neighborhood here. The busy shopping streets of Ginza. Image credit: Sean Pavone Photo / iStock. Major global companies like Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Baidu have chosen Roppongi for their Japan headquarters, solidifying Minato's role at the heart of Tokyo's international business scene. The ward also carries historic diplomatic weight. During the Edo period, regional daimyo (lords) built residences in the area, effectively creating early domain embassies. Over time, many of these residences transformed into foreign embassies, which explains why Minato now hosts a high concentration of consulates, including those of the U.S., Australia, and China. As the 20th century came to a close, major real estate developments accelerated Minato's growth. By the mid-2000s, its modern skyline embodied wealth, luxury, and Tokyo's forward-looking spirit. Today, Minato brims with fine dining, art galleries, and a dynamic nightlife. It also boasts Tokyo's tallest building, Azabudai Hills, alongside the iconic Tokyo Tower. Want to see the Tokyo Tower from all the best angles whilst catching up on some exercise? Head to our article about the cycling route that takes you on the Tokyo Tower Tour. The iconic Tokyo Tower lights up at night in Roppongi. Image credit: CreativeJP / iStock. Chiyoda may host the city's central station, but Shinjuku claims the title of busiest—not just in Japan, but in the world. Shinjuku Station moves an astounding 3.4 million passengers daily, operating 12 lines across 36 platforms. The station connects directly to nearly every major hub in Tokyo, making Shinjuku a vital gateway to the entire city. Supporters of Shinjuku argue that the ward has emerged in recent decades as Tokyo's true downtown. It offers a bit of everything—from the tranquility of Shinjuku Gyoen and the heritage of Hanazono Shrine to the vibrant queer culture of Nichome, one of the world's most densely concentrated LGBTQ+ districts. Head north and you'll step into Okubo, Tokyo's Koreatown, where kbbq restaurants, skincare shops, and K-pop clubs draw crowds day and night. Shinjuku's neon-lit high streets have come to symbolize Tokyo itself, and many consider a visit here essential to experiencing the city. The neon-lit crossing of Kabukicho in Shinjuku. Image credit: Urbanscape / iStock. Many holidaymakers choose to stay in Shibuya—and for good reason. Much of Tokyo's energy centers around this vibrant ward. While tourists flock to icons like Hachiko, Shibuya Crossing, and the colorful streets of Harajuku, Shibuya offers far more than its famous landmarks. It operates like a city within a city, with countless music venues, the open-air freedom of Yoyogi Park, and the culinary delights of Ebisu. Visitors could easily spend an entire week here without ever stepping outside the ward. On the commercial front, Shibuya overflows with shopping destinations and continues to grow as a business hub. Increasing numbers of companies—especially in tech and startups—have relocated their headquarters to the area, reinforcing its status as a center of innovation and commerce. The always busy Shibuya crossing. Image credit: Nuthawut Somsuk / iStock. Clearly, no single definition can pinpoint Tokyo's true city center. A salaryman working in Roppongi might see Minato as the core, while a tourist might argue for Shibuya. Chuo claims the center in a literal sense, but Chiyoda holds it in another. As the idea of a city center has evolved, so has Tokyo itself. After beginning as Edo, the city became Japan's capital in 1868. It endured near-total destruction during WWII, then rapidly rebuilt and expanded throughout the 20th century. By 2024, Tokyo had grown into a city of over 14 million residents and welcomed an additional 35 million tourists. This growth has created a sprawling, decentralized metropolis layered with history, industry, and culture. Rather than form around a single hub, Tokyo has adapted across centuries—reshaping and reinventing itself with each era. It lacks a definitive center not by accident, but by deliberate evolution.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Rise of the Ronin' (PS5/PC): Wandering the land of the samurai
Berlin (dpa) — The action role-playing game "Rise of the Ronin" takes players to Japan in the year 1853. After 250 years of rule by samurai warrior nobility, the Tokugawa Shogunate, the arrival of a US naval expedition heralds an era of change. Japan is slowly opening up to the Western world, but the profound changes are not without conflict. In the meantime, you slip into the role of a ronin, a wandering, masterless samurai warrior. The game begins with a look back at the tragic childhood of the nameless main character. After followers of the ruling Shogun have reduced a village to rubble, a pair of young twins are left orphaned. A few years later, you meet them again. Whether you play through "Rise of the Ronin" with a female or male main character is up to you. This is the first of many decisions that will have a significant impact on the course of the story. The gaming experience here is extremely individual to each player. You also have to make a choice between two rival factions: Should it be the traditional Shogunate supporters who want to preserve the old order? Or the reform-oriented forces fighting for the opening of Japan? The contrast between tradition and modernity is reflected in the gameplay. Fighting takes place with both swords and modern firearms. Players can customise their equipment, develop skills, and adjust the general level of difficulty over three levels whenever they want. The action role-playing game presents three open and detailed game worlds, namely Edo (now Tokyo), Kyoto and Yokohama, each with its surrounding area. Narrow streets, historical sites, blossoming cherry orchards and vast landscapes await. Many secrets and side activities await in the atmospherically dense backdrops. If you don't want to roam alone in the approximately 40-hour story, you can get support in co-op mode. There, numerous missions can be completed in pairs and valuable rewards can be fought for together. "Rise of the Ronin" is available for the PlayStation 5 and PCs and costs around €50/$50. The age rating is 18 years.
