Category — Culture

The NY Public Library has scans of an 1804 book from China that shows 22 engravings depicting punishment methods. The vintage illustration is lovely even though the subject matter isn’t.

You get the gruesome methods such as lime being used to burn eyes and fingers being tortured as well as the hamstringing above.

There’s also the close confinement punishment, which might drive the prisoner mad, but at least they keep their bits intact.

Then there’s the slightly comical ear-twisting, though sure, the person being inflicted probably wouldn’t find it so funny.

See all 22 on the NYPL Digital Gallery

Via BoingBoing

Technorati Tags: China, China torture, culture, NY Public Library, punishment methods

Cute poses abound in east-asian portrait photos and this mockumentary charts the evolution of the peace sign…

Via Irish Born Chinese

Technorati Tags: culture, cute poses, mockumentary, photo posing

This figure collection room and owner/cosplayer must be the best looking combination yet! Alodia, who is from the Philippines, is a cosplayer, artist and figure collector, who submitted photos of her room to for a forthcoming book Otacool.

You can see more on her Deviant website or check out a few more photos on DannyChoo.com.

Technorati Tags: artist, cosplayer, figure collection, Otacool, Otaku, Philippines, toys

This BBC report from earlier in the year looks into how some homeless young people in Japan are opting to “live” in tiny internet cafe cubicles.

Via Irish Born Chinese

Technorati Tags: internet cafe, Japan, tiny internet cafe cubicles

We never saw any Bosozoku Bike Gangs when visiting Tokyo. Shame because this youth subculture sounds fascinating and visually interesting. However, its probably also a good thing since they’re known to be a nuisance and like to pick fights with each other.

The Tokyo Times posts a couple of images so we can get a short glimpse into Bosozoku…

See more on Tokyo’s bosozoku battle

Technorati Tags: Bosozoku, Japanese, Bosozoku Bike Gangs, subculture, Tokyo, youth culture

The blog Hong Kong Hustle takes a look at the history of Hong Kong hip hop in videos. US import MC Jin is currently doing the rounds in Hong Kong on billboards and tv ads endorsing Vita Lemon Tea. Check out the link for a bit of insight into some Chinese urban street culture.

Hong Kong Hip Hop history – in videos!

Technorati Tags: Chinese hip hop, Chinese rap, culture, hip hop, history of hip hop in Hong Kong, Hong Kong, MC Jin, Chinese urban street culture

Earlier this month, a record 30 cosplay entrants from 15 countries participated in the Cosplay Championship held in the Japanese city of Nagoya. We weren’t surprised to hear that the Japanese team won, but were when we read that this was the first time the country was voted the world champions since the event was started in 2003!

The Japanese team won with their samurai warrior costumes from the video game series “Sengoku Basara” and their spectacular swordfight performance.

In the competition, teams were given three minutes each to present their costumes, and were judged on their expression, creativity, entertainment and faithfulness to the original story.

Click through to the Mainichi photo special for more images of the Cosplay Championship

Via IrishBornChinese blog

Technorati Tags: cosplay, Cosplay Championship, culture, fashion, Japan, Nagoya, Sengoku Basara

Mercer’s 2009 Worldwide Cost of Living survey lists Tokyo as the world’s most expensive city. Tokyo is also followed by Osaka with the next East Asian city to be Hong Kong at number five.

Tokyo I can understand, but Hong Kong? They obviously don’t know where to shop!

Read more on BornRich

Technorati Tags: city survey, Hong Kong, Mercer’s 2009 Worldwide Cost of Living, Osaka, Tokyo, Worlds Most Expensive City

Mashups can bring a new angle on licenses sometimes creating rather cool new looks. While I applaud the contrast between dark and light (evil and cute?), I don’t expect the Hello Kitty Darth Vader to spawn off collectible figurines.

Via Hello Kitty Hell

Technorati Tags: culture, Darth Vader, film, Hello Kitty, JApan, Star Wars

Does Hello Kitty sow innocence on anything she touches? I’m not so sure with this condom keeper and the pants in the photo below it…

Hello Kitty condom keeper and Hello Kitty pants seen on Hello Kitty Hell

Technorati Tags: culture, Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty condom keeper, Hello Kitty pants, Japan, Hello Kitty underwear