He went from epitomizing the yakuza drama, to deconstructing the yakuza drama, to destroying his own career. When director Seijun Suzuki, 44 years old in 1967, turned in his film “Branded to Kill” to his employer— Nikkatsu Motion Picture Company promptly fired him. He didn’t direct again for 10 years.
A-pop! Spring Edition
There is an idiom about March that says it “comes in like a lion and [goes] out like a lamb.” While this refers to the weather, the expression is also relevant to the state of affairs in Hollywood — March started with a bang and ended on a cool and relaxed note. Read on to learn more about the lows and highs in pop culture last month.
Oregon governor assigns Minoru Yasui Day
After being unanimously approved by both houses of the Oregon legislature, on March 28, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed House Bill 4009 marking Minoru Yasui Day in Oregon in perpetuity.
Yao Ming elected into Hall of Fame
Yao Ming, along with Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, Sheryl Swoopes, Tom Izzo, and Jerry Reinsdorf, were elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame on April 4.
APIs tackle mental health stigma
Suicide. A chilling word, yet meaningless until it affects you directly. Suicide became meaningful for me when a close friend and fraternity brother, Jesse, could no longer cope with his depression, and ended his life.
A lesson from the past, for our future
Japanese American Fred Korematsu (1919–2005), a Nisei, made American legal history in 1942. With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, he fought against his government-mandated internment in a camp.
Under 40 gaming executive — The recipe for Chris Lee’s success
Chris Lee is our first candidate for the 2016 Asian Technology and Innovation 40 and Under award category.
Book recommendations
When she was 7 years old and living in Kolkata, India, Callie Hansen would have nightmares about fighting against evil demons. They were so realistic, she nearly lost her mind, so she and her family moved to Seattle. The nightmares stopped, but when she turned 17, they returned.
Bonsai, rooted in tradition yet leafing the past behind
Often perceived as an expensive hobby for old men, the art of bonsai is often overlooked by younger generations living a bustling city life.
It might smell like strawberry, but it’s still tobacco — Can hookah be healthy?
When you walk through the touristy Pike-Pine corridor in downtown Seattle, it’s hard to miss the smoke shops that pervade the area. On the ground level window display of Smoke Plus, on the busy intersection of Pike and First Ave., there are boxes of cigars, glass pipes of various colors and sizes, and a lineup of grandiose hookah pipes with long coils shoved against each other. A sweet scent permeates the shop’s perimeter that leads down to the basement.