Japan: Google crosses line with controversial old Tokyo maps(addresses of Burakumin?)

Japan Times ^ | 05/05/09 | JAY ALABASTER

[TigerLikesRooster]

Google crosses line with controversial old Tokyo maps

By JAY ALABASTER

The Associated Press

When Google Earth added historical maps of Japan to its online collection last year, the search giant didn't expect a backlash. The finely detailed woodblock prints have been around for centuries, they were already posted on another Web site, and a historical map of Tokyo put up in 2006 hadn't caused any problems.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Burakumins are the untouchables of old Japan. Their descendants are still shunned. PI's are hired to check the background of a potential spouse or child-in-law. If they are descended from Burakumin, the marriage is off. Koreans are probably having better chance of marrying a non-Burakumin Japanese than a known Japanese Burakumin.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Unbelievable, but true. To this day.

[yankeedame]

This is off subject, but are you in Japan and/or familiar with Japanese foods?

Why I ask is that mother-in-law is Japanese, well into her 80's, in frail health, and as a treat I would like to surprise her with some candies/sweets she enjoyed as a child. I've found a place on the web, out of Seattle I believe, that sells Japanese candies (particularly hard candies) but I have no idea what is what.

If you -- or anyone reading this -- could offer suggestions,I would be most grateful. Thank you.

[gridlock]

History is history. You aren’t going to get anywhere by ignoring the facts.

[ArtDodger]

She would probably love some mochi, sometimes referred to as O mochi. Very sugary, old-style treat that is stil popular in Japan. Too sweet for my taste.

[ME-262]

I thought only white men could be bigots?

[Actually_in_Tokyo]

Is she in Japan or the US? O-mochi is delicious but it can be dangerous for elderly and very young in that it is sticky and can get stuck in the throat.

[yankeedame]

Thanks for the reply. I'm sorry, forgot to mention that she's here in the states, a couple of states over from here.

LOL! And yes, I know about O-mochi. My husband (who can't cook a lick)tried to impress me by grilling some O-mochi...in the house over the stove's burner. You can imagine what happened (cough,cough, sputter, "Somebody open a window! ALL of them!")

[mollynme]

She might appreciate one of the goodies stuffed with sweet Azuki bean paste. That was often a treat we were served in Japan. Yokan was also always a big treat.
You should look for an oriental food market somewhere near you and go browsing.