Japanese brass foundry retains lustre; delights eyes with unique ornaments, decorations
The Shibazaki alloy foundry in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, uses brass to craft everything from trophy handles to building hardware such as door components.
Breaking boundaries: Singapore student bridges cultural gaps in Chinese orchestra
Muhammad Iman Mohamed Irfan is the only Malay musician in Temasek Polytechnic’s Chinese orchestra, where he plays the dizi, a bamboo flute. He has also taught himself how to…
The uses and abuses of the Philippine concept of “hiya” or good manners in social settings
The term “hospitality” being glorified as a social value is interesting because it does not seem to have a direct Indigenous equivalent.
Malaysian teacher’s compassion beyond the classroom
For Vienny Balakrishnan, teaching is more than just a profession. She often opens her home to students in need, offering meals, comfort and guidance, especially to those juggling…
April in Seoul a time for classical music
Classical music takes center stage in Seoul this month with two standout festivals: the Seoul Arts Center’s Orchestra Festival and the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music.
Retired Nepali Gurkha soldiers in India’s Dehradun keep the traditional Naumati music alive
In the bustling city of Dehradun in India, the traditional music of Naumati—a set of nine traditional Nepali percussion and wind instruments—echoes during auspicious occasions…
Bhutanese cabbie offers free service for pregnant women
For the past week, Tempa Gyeltshen’s white taxi, marked with the message “Pregnant Women Free Service”, has been crisscrossing Thimphu. The message, now widely shared on…
Pattavikorn Market: Bangkok’s hidden treasure trove of second-hand goods
Whether you're a vintage enthusiast, a savvy bargain hunter, or simply a curious wanderer, this sprawling second-hand market offers an experience like no other: It's chaotic,…
The unbearable pressures of the peer perfect life
A study by the Harvard Medical Journal suggests that Gen Z has reported twice the rates of anxiety and depression compared to the preceding generation. Why is a generation of…
Stepping into tradition with Vietnam’s wooden sandals
Wooden sandals may not be as popular today as they once were, but images of people wearing them can still be found in photos and paintings from the feudal period and early 20th…