Learning hiragana: For business men
And when I say business men, I mean busy men. With the lack of free time I have, when it is slow at the restaurant I usually study hiragana. I can at times learn a set a day but I just finished mid-terms so all of my time has gone to study for those.
I have already mastered the following:
It’s not that hard to learn them but it’s just tough remembering them. I found it extremely easy when I study the set and then try to translate it when ever I view it in my book or on-line. So if I see: おもしるい - I know all of the characters but just not the meaning. I knew random hiragana due to already know some of the words and how to spell them. It feels great being able to read it and due to there only being 46 characters, I will be complete in no time. It’s the fun part of study for me.
日本語 くるま － Japanese Cars Vol. 1
Due to my love for automobiles, I have decided to make a Japanese Cars section. I will randomly post different vehicles that seem to have caught my eye. Mostly luxury, the cars of the rising sun are many we will never see here in the States. That’s heart-breaking but with my plans to live in Japan soon, I hope to be an owner of a Japanese vehicle in the future.
Let’s get on with the show!
Photo：300G“Sパッケージ”。内装色はブラック。本革シートは、SRSサイドエアバッグ＆SRSカーテンシールドエアバッグとセットでメーカーオプション。
HDDナビゲーションシステム、CD+MD+AM/FMラジオ+6スピーカーはセットでメーカーオプション。
*The Toyota Mark X (Japanese:トヨタ・マークX) is a full-size automobile created by Toyota for the Japanese market. The Mark X was introduced in 2004 and is manufactured in Kanegasaki, Iwate, Japan. Also sold in China as the Toyota Reiz, it is available with either a 3.0 L or 2.5 L (215PS/212hp) Toyota GR series V6 engine. The engines offer dual VVT-i (variable valve timing) with gasoline direct injection. The rear-wheel drive models have a 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, and the all-wheel drive models have a 5-speed automatic.
The Mark X is the successor to the Toyota Mark II which was first introduced in 1968, was known in the North American market as the Toyota Corona Mark II starting in 1972 and the Toyota Cressida from 1977 to 1992 and was the predecessor to the introduction of Lexus. Although the vehicle features an impressive interior with quality that can be categorized as a luxury sedan, it is aimed at the middle market. The Mark X is not pronounced “Mark Ten” but “Mark ecks” (pronounced /ɛks/) though the Mark II is “Mark Two”.
The Toyota Mark X is one of my favorites. I saw it a few years ago while watching Japanese TV. I knew it was created by Toyota but it truly had the body of a Lexus (knowing they are the same company.) I researched it back then but not as deeply as I did today and now it looks like the vehicle is Japan’s Lexus. It’s still rated a luxury middle-class sedan but with the features that it has standard and with the ones that can be added, it instantly turns into the car of your dreams.
Some features: HIDs/Cameras on side mirrors/Rearview camera/Smart entry - Start system/Large advanced ceiling light that uses LEDs.
The body looks very similar to the Lexus counterparts. If you were to remove the logo, you would not be able to tell the difference.
The car is priced pretty well. Starting from 2,793,000円 ($27,367.59) and going up to 3,622,500円 (35,506.00) for the higher models with more features. Keep in mind, a lot more accessories can be added to add more weight to the price tag.
This will be one of the cars I will look for when it comes to purchasing one in the Japanese market. It’s stylish and with the “S Package” and “Super Charger Package,” you can surely make this one bad puppy for the Japanese streets.
* = From Wiki
ZEEBRA - Jackin’ 4 Beats
ZEEBRA’s back with some hot stuff. His new video that was released titled, “Jackin’ 4 Beats” shows off him and his crew and as well as his ride and how he files. You can tell he has knowledge about American hip-hop because the term was used in 1990 by Ice Cube. That’s respect. He’s one artist I really want to meet when I become famous. His swagger is massive.
Check it out on youtube here: ZEEBRA - Jackin’ 4 Beats
From JPopAsia:
Zeebra (ジブラ, born April 2, 1971 in Tokyo, Japan) is a famous Japanese hip hop artist, who made his first appearance in 1995. Known as the first rapper in Japan, Zeebra is a former member of the legendary hip-hop group King Giddra, which also included DJ Oasis and K Dub Shine. He went on to pursue a solo career shortly after in 1997, and signed with the Future Shock record label. Having appeared in several TV commercials, instigated hip-hop television programs, and produced songs for upcoming rappers, Zeebra could be called the father of the Japanese rap scene.
Zeebra remains probably the most popular rapper in Japan, and is admired by both men and women. He appears not only in hip-hop magazines, but also in fashion and street culture magazines. He often features in and produces other rappers’ songs, and appears in their videos. He has also appeared as an opening act for American rappers.In 1998 Zeebra undertook his first solo tour. This is when he started being recognized as an individual rapper for the first time, making hip-hop more familiar to Japanese listeners. In the same year he started the first hip-hop TV program in Japan, titled Beats to the Rhyme. One of Zeebra’s songs was used in a Nike promotion video for NBA Japan games. The following year Zeebra released the single “Mr. Dynamite”, the first hip-hop single to break into the top 50 on the Japanese pop charts. In June 2000, he released his new album Based On a True Story, which sold 250,000 copies. At the end of that year Zeebra started his first Japan tour, the first hip-hop event to sell out. In 2001 Zeebra released the single “Never Enuff”, the theme song for a Japanese movie called Brother, directed by Takeshi Kitano and starring Claude Maki. In 2002 he temporarily rejoined King Giddra, but has been doing solo work since 2003 and has released many songs. At present, he is producing songs not only for rap artists, but also for pop stars like Namie Amuro.
Hip-hop is now firmly ensconced in the Japanese music scene, to the extent that it is even heard as background music. This would probably not have happened without Zeebra, who is often considered the originator of the Japanese hip-hop scene.
DOPING PANDA - Dopamaniacs
Product Title : Dopamaniacs
Sing Name(s) : DOPING PANDA
Release Date: March 12, 2008
Language : Japanese
I recently listened to Crystal Kay’s radio show on Brandnew-J. After a few tunes, I heard the ending of a song and it stuck to me. I quickly rushed through Kay’s play list and there it was: DOPING PANDA - I’ll be there. This song is an awesome record and I hope everyone at least gives this one a chance. DOPAMANIACS is one of the best albums I have heard recently. For some reason, J-rock isn’t what it use to be a few years ago. I think now it’s in it’s prime and slowly, all the great bands are coming out of the shadows. I first heard of DOPING PANDA when they featured in a record with m-flo. It was a pretty good record but it merely gave you samples of DOPING PANDA’s greatness. The album is mainly rock but the catchy beats and lyrics seem to grow on you as if it was a pop album but it certainly isn’t.
Be sure to check them out and if you enjoy it so much, purchase the album! It’s only fair ^^.
