Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Tokyo, Japan (ContentDesk) January 29, 2006 -- Until the last couple of decades the Japanese had the reputation of being workaholics not given to letting their hair down and having a good time. The Japanese were indeed hard workers, but the impression that they didnt go in for parties and other forms of entertainment was way off the mark, says author Boy? Lafayette De Mente in his book "Mistress-Keeping in Japan."???? De Mente debunks the idea that historically the Japanese were not into good time activities, especially the sensual kind. He notes that one of the earliest anecdotes in Japans creation myth is about a party held by one of the gods that became so boisterous he was kicked out of the pantheon as punishment. ???? But this particular god didnt give up partying, and apparently passed on his predilections for a good time to the human progeny of the gods. In any event, De Mente goes on, entertainment of various kinds has been a significant part of Japanese culture since ancient timeswith mistress-keeping by members of the upper class being high on the list.
???? As in virtually all societies, singing, dancing and drinking were major entertainment activities in early Japan, with copious references to them in historical records. And rather than decrease with the passing of time entertainment of has grown in volume and variety to the point that since the mid-1950s it has been one of Japans largest industries.???? De Mente says that one of the most characteristic Japanese forms of entertainment today is subsumed in the word enkai (inn-kigh), which is usually translated as Japanese style banquet and is a kind of generic term that refers to a gathering where food and drinks are served, and which serves several purposes.???? The first enkai of record occurred in the 7th century at the imperial court on New Years Day and on other auspicious occasions during the year. In 1873 the celebration was renamed Shinnen Enkai (sheen-nane inn-kigh), or New Years Banquet, and was held on January 5th. ???? This was discontinued as an Imperial Court event after World War II, and was later picked up by the general public as a way of celebrating special occasions any time of the year, including New Years and near the end of the year, when it was called Bonen Kai (boh-nane kigh), or Party to Forget the Year just ending. ???? Hundreds of thousands of Bonen Kai and Shinnen Kai parties and are still held every year, but even more enkai are held during the year to celebrate promotions, company events, farewell parties, assignments abroad, political rallies, family gatherings, welcoming parties (for new company or club members), etc.???? In earlier times the locations for enkai were almost always restaurants or halls that had Japanese style rooms with reed-mat (tatami) floors, but now many, especially large ones, are also held in hotel banquet halls that are Western style, with tables and chairs.
???? The importance of the enkai to Japanese can hardly be overstated. They are one of the primary ways the Japanese bond with each other in both formal and informal ways during the proceedings, which generally include a number of short speeches, a great deal of toasting and hand-clapping, and often singing and dancing performances by individuals or groups.???? For the Japanese the enkai are an institutionalized and ritualized way for them to express and nurture their Japaneseness, to shore up their psyche and energy, and strengthen their bonds with each other and their guests. ???? De Mente adds that foreign business people can get a lot of cultural mileage out of sponsoring enkai for their Japanese affiliations, as well as by attending (when invited) those staged by the Japanese side. ???? Dinners (and sometimes lunches) arranged for large tourist groups in resort hotels and inns are typically done enkai style, with the participants wearing thin yukata robes, sitting on tatami reed-mat floors at low tables, and being called upon to participate in some kind of entertainment. ???? De Mente says that visitors in Japan, for business or pleasure, should make an effort to attend at least one enkai, adding: They are a marvelous way to physically, emotionally and spiritually experience the traditional culture. ???? "Mistress-Keeping in Japan" and some 30 other books on Japan by the author are available from Amazon.com.
A list of his books may also be seen on his personal website: phoenixbookspublishers.com.
The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls Issue Call to Action for Sorority Recruitment
(ContentDesk) August 18, 2005 -- The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls, through its founders Kristina "Morgan" Rose and Deandra "Brooksie" Brooks, call on collegiate and alumnae members to support sorority recruitment efforts this fall. Often referred to as sorority rush, fall recruitment is considered a tradition on many college campuses."The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls wishes all of the collegiate chapters busily preparing for fall rush the best of luck with their recruitment efforts," Rose said. "While the process is hectic and can sometimes be stressful, the Greek experience teaches many important life skills and a new generation of women should have the opportunity to benefit from it.""We also urge all sorority alumnae members to get involved in the recruitment process by writing letters of recommendation and offering support to their collegiate chapters," Brooks added. "Sorority membership does not end with graduation, it's a lifelong commitment. If you want your organization's...
The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls Issue Call to Action for Sorority Recruitment
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Enjoy A Weekend Break In Prague
Copyright 2006 Utopia Creative Solutions Ltd
Whether you want to spend your holidays in Prague, sample the Prague nightlife or hold your stag or hen party, you really could not go wrong with a Prague weekend break.
Prague in Czech Republic is a beautiful city filled with culture & diversity and the Prague nightlife is legendary with music and movie stars frequenting for the fun and lifestyle. There are many nightclubs and bars around and some recommended places are Club Mecca, Karlovy Lazne, Duplex, Stonx, Zlaty Strom Bar & Club, Roxy Dance Club and Radost FX in Wenceslas Square, at the city's centre.
Party the night away to Funky House, RnB, Hip Hop and whatever else takes your fancy, but be prepared to have fun and party the night away with people from across the world and enjoy the nightlife and party vibe of this wonderful city.
Eating out in Prague is a great experience and the standards are high with prices very good compared...
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UK Elections on the Horizon
With elections on the horizon and Blair looking tired and increasingly defensive, just what is likely outcome of the next election? The New Labour adoption of Tory plans and policies has created an almost parallel party in terms of the Conservatives and Labour. Many people are confused and find it hard to tell them apart. The Labour Party will struggle to retain the loyalties of the staunch labour support it has enjoyed over the decades.The wind of change is in the air. Does this mean that the defeat of labour is a foregone conclusion in the next election? Far from it ? the Labour Party, whilst certainly experiencing a rapid decline in popularity is far from defeated. They are still likely to win the next election - but a week is a long time in politics.Labour candidates will admit that Blair's popularity is well down on previous levels prior to the Iraqi war.
The recent doubts over the proposed new terror laws allowing suspects to be detained without trial has not helped. The...
UK Elections on the Horizon
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Red Hat Society Tea Party at the San Francisco Zoo, July 24, 2004
The Strutting Peacocks, an Red Hat Society Chapter, will be throwing a Red Hat Society Tea Party on July 24th at the San Francisco Zoo. The Strutting Peacocks and guests will mingle with the resident live peacocks at the San Francisco Zoo. The catering services at the zoo have graciously agreed to create a tea service for the Red Hats, something that is not normally on their menu. Over 100 Red Hatters have registered to dress in their purple outfits and red hats to meet, eat, play games, win prizes, and celebrate the birthday of the Queen Peacock, Amber-Leigh. Saturday July 24, 200410 AM
Zoo opensNoon - 1 PM
High Tea in the Lorikeet Meadow Tent1 PM - 4 PM
Games, Prizes, Zoo Tour 5 PM
Zoo closesFor more information about this event, please visit www.thestruttingpeacocks.com/birthdayzoo.htmThe Red Hat Society provides fun social opportunities for mature women.
Inspired...
Red Hat Society Tea Party at the San Francisco Zoo, July 24, 2004
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Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Tokyo, Japan (ContentDesk) January 29, 2006 -- Until the last couple of decades the Japanese had the reputation of being workaholics not given to letting their hair down and having a good time. The Japanese were indeed hard workers, but the impression that they didnt go in for parties and other forms of entertainment was way off the mark, says author Boy? Lafayette De Mente in his book "Mistress-Keeping in Japan."???? De Mente debunks the idea that historically the Japanese were not into good time activities, especially the sensual kind. He notes that one of the earliest anecdotes in Japans creation myth is about a party held by one of the gods that became so boisterous he was kicked out of the pantheon as punishment. ???? But this particular god didnt give up partying, and apparently passed on his predilections for a good time to the human progeny of the gods. In any event, De Mente goes on, entertainment of various kinds has been a significant part of Japanese culture since ancient...
Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
Party > Author of "Mistress-Keeping in Japan — Then & Now" (Boy? Lafayette De Mente) Explains How to Party With the "Natives"
I Gave A Party and Nobody Showed Up
I GAVE A PARTY AND NOBODY SHOWED UP!Did you ever do that? Give a party and nobody showed up? Ihope not. I must admit I never have either.But, I'll tell you what I have done and it's just about asbad, maybe worse. I've placed ads and nobody answered them.Now, that really hurts - not only your ego, but your bankaccount.Maybe that's why so many people are afraid to place ads. Ihear them say - "yeah, but what if I put in ads and they donot get a response? Then what?" Well, my answer to that is -you lost money.So, why do ads not pull a decent response? How can you avoidlosing money when placing ads? The answer - there is noguarantee. But, you can almost assure a decent response toan ad by doing several things right.When I first started in business I was going gung-ho.
Ispent money left and right placing ads, thinking that's allthere was to it - just place the ad and watch the money rollin. Well, the money rolled alright, but it went the wrongway - *out*, not in.However, I did profit...
I Gave A Party and Nobody Showed Up
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Christmas Party Theme
Christmas Party Theme The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born . The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, theYule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals (parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church processions can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians.? In the Western world, the birthday of Jesus Christ has been celebrated on December 25th since AD 354, replacing an earlier date of January 6th. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the birth place of King David. The Roman Emperor, Augustus, wanting to know the size of the population of his empire, had ordered a census to be taken.
The Governor issued orders that all Jews should register their names in their ancestral home town. Joseph set out for...
Christmas Party Theme
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