Stuff contributed by Henrique

The work of two multicultural Nikkei tattoo artists
Henrique Minatogawa
From about 10 years ago, tattoo has been gaining another status in Brazil. Previously, the common peception was that only gangsters had them. Today, people of various professions and backgrounds carry on the body what is increasingly accepted as a “work of art”.

Little Changes in Family Celebrations
Henrique Minatogawa
We know that many Japanese came to Brazil over 100 years ago. They brought their culture with them, which their descendants preserve, but at the same time, it has evolved over time. One part of this culture’s customs is the celebrations. So, I talked with two professionals who work ...

The Shogi Challenge in Brazil
Henrique Minatogawa
Pawn, tower, horse, bishop, and king, in Brazil, these names refer to chess pieces. Not that chess is extremely popular in this country it is only that many people have at least some knowledge of its basic rules. The expression "checkmate" for example, is used in various everyday situations. I ...

Nikkei LGBT Talk About Prejudice and Acceptance - Part 1
Henrique Minatogawa
According to the 2010 census conducted by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), there are approximately 190 million people living in Brazil. Of these, approximately 1.5 million are Japanese or descendants of Japanese, or less than 1% of the country’s population, according to data from Japan’s ...

Nikkei Pastry Chef Spreads Yogashi in Brazil
Henrique Minatogawa
Many people in Brazil tend to assume that Nikkei are interested exclusively in Japanese culture. If a Nikkei is keen on sports, the sport must be karate; if s/he likes music, it must be enka; if s/he draws, it must be manga. While these assumptions may occasionally be ...

Japanese Grocery Stores: An Appreciation
Henrique Minatogawa
Some years ago, I worked in a publishing house in São Paulo’s Vila Mariana district. Nearby, there was a Japanese grocery store, where I would go to buy a bento at lunchtime.

What “Made in Japan” Means to Me
Henrique Minatogawa
When I was a kid growing up in the 1980s, one of the most desired objects was the Sony Walkman. Particularly a blue one that was made in Japan. By that time, Japanese products had a good reputation in Brazil; watches, cameras, TVs, or audio equipment manufactured in Japan were ...

Japan vs. Brazil?
Henrique Minatogawa
In August 2016, Rio de Janeiro will host the Summer Olympic Games. As the athletes prepare to compete, I prepare to once more answer the question: “Will you support Brazil or Japan?”