1. Asia Current Events
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22535524
Taiwan and the Philippines are not getting along well. Taiwan has issued a travel alert against the Philippines and has stopped hiring Filipino workers. Taiwanese people are angry because earlier this week, a fisherman was shot by a Filipino coast guard. Although the Philippines have apologized, the prime minister says the apology lacked sincerity and called the apology "unacceptable". Taiwan says it will be holding military drills in the South China Sea, even if the water is considered by both nations to be 200 nautical mile-from-shore exclusive economic zone.
This argument reminds me of how the Israelis and Palestinians always relentlessly fought. They never came to any agreement or peace, and it was always very tense. Although what is happening with Taiwan and the Philippines currently is no where near as bad as what happened with the Israelis and Palestinians, it sounds like both nations are very stubborn and find no easy way of creating peace. I hope Taiwan can resolve their issues with the Philippines before things get ugly.
Taiwan and the Philippines are not getting along well. Taiwan has issued a travel alert against the Philippines and has stopped hiring Filipino workers. Taiwanese people are angry because earlier this week, a fisherman was shot by a Filipino coast guard. Although the Philippines have apologized, the prime minister says the apology lacked sincerity and called the apology "unacceptable". Taiwan says it will be holding military drills in the South China Sea, even if the water is considered by both nations to be 200 nautical mile-from-shore exclusive economic zone.
This argument reminds me of how the Israelis and Palestinians always relentlessly fought. They never came to any agreement or peace, and it was always very tense. Although what is happening with Taiwan and the Philippines currently is no where near as bad as what happened with the Israelis and Palestinians, it sounds like both nations are very stubborn and find no easy way of creating peace. I hope Taiwan can resolve their issues with the Philippines before things get ugly.
2. Crossing the Pop Culture Universe
In Japan, they have a TV series called 'Sasuke', it is an obstacle course challenge in which 100 competitors try to complete in order to win a prize. Here in America, we have a show called 'Wipeout' which also has a giant obstacle course that various contestants try to finish the quickest for a cash prize. Both of these shows are purely for entertainment and have received very high ratings in their nations. Sasuke has currently completed its 28th challenge.
3. Photoblog
4. Web Archeology
This ancient Japanese painting titled "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" was painted by an artist named Katsushika Hokusai in 1829. It is a woodblock painting that was published under the Edo Period. A copy of this painting is in the British Museum in London, England, and also in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The painting has 3 mains elements in it, the giant waves of the sea, the boats, and the mountain in the background. Some have questioned whether or not this painting depicts a tsunami or just a really large wave.
The type of research I would conduct with this painting is more the style of painting the artist used, woodblock painting. Woodblock painting actually originated in China, and later the Japanese adapted to it as well. Although woodblock painting has been around since the 15th century, it reached its height in the 17th century and became the most popular way to paint in Japan. You will find many ancient pieces of artwork painted the way "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is.
The type of research I would conduct with this painting is more the style of painting the artist used, woodblock painting. Woodblock painting actually originated in China, and later the Japanese adapted to it as well. Although woodblock painting has been around since the 15th century, it reached its height in the 17th century and became the most popular way to paint in Japan. You will find many ancient pieces of artwork painted the way "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" is.