Your Doorway to Japan

Kobayashi Akira

Born in Tokyo in 1964. After working for various publishing companies, went independent in 2011. Currently writes and edits manuscripts related to travel and history for magazines and books as director of the Diranadachi editing company. Has overseen book series by various publishers, including the Sarai no Edo series from Shōgakukan.

LATEST
Shiwasu: Sweeping Away the Year’s Soot and Other Traditional Annual Events in DecemberINSIGHT | Nov 29, 2024
Shimotsuki: A New Kabuki Season, “Shichi-Go-San” Celebrations, and Other Traditional Annual Events in NovemberINSIGHT | Nov 1, 2024
Kannazuki: Setting Up “Kotatsu,” Public Sumō Bouts, and Other Traditional Events in OctoberINSIGHT | Oct 1, 2024
Abe no Seimei: Building the Legend of the Mystical MasterCULTURE | Sep 9, 2024
Nagatsuki: Chrysanthemum Festival, Viewing the Waxing Moon, and Other Traditional Events in SeptemberINSIGHT | Aug 30, 2024
Hazuki: Hachiman Festival, Autumn Moon Viewing, and Other August TraditionsINSIGHT | Aug 1, 2024
Fumizuki: Star Festivals, Welcoming Departed Ancestors, and Other July TraditionsINSIGHT | Jul 1, 2024
Minazuki: Climbing Mini Mount Fujis, Edo Eel, and Other June TraditionsINSIGHT | May 31, 2024
Satsuki: Children’s Celebrations, Fireworks, and Other May TraditionsINSIGHT | May 1, 2024
Uzuki: Celebrating the Birth of Buddha, Wisteria Viewing, and Other April TraditionsINSIGHT | Apr 1, 2024
Yayoi: Doll Festival, Clam Digging, and Other Traditional Events in MarchINSIGHT | Mar 1, 2024
Fujiwara no Michinaga: Powerful Statesman and Emotional Diarist CULTURE | Feb 27, 2024
Kisaragi: A Requiem for Broken Needles and Other Traditional Events in FebruaryINSIGHT | Feb 1, 2024
Mutsuki: Traditional Annual Events in JanuaryINSIGHT | Jan 12, 2024
Tsutaya Jūzaburō: The King of Edo PublishingINSIGHT | Oct 4, 2023
Palace Rendezvous: Rigid Rules Governed Sex Lives of Tokugawa ShōgunsCULTURE | Sep 15, 2023
Death with Honor? Behind the Myths of SeppukuCULTURE | May 23, 2023
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s CastlesCULTURE | Sep 14, 2022