“But his house is now an alehouse, with a nicely sanded floor / And a garland in the window”

Informal poll: If you were reading a book of translations of Japanese poetry, would you find an index of first lines (in romanized Japanese) of any use? All poems would be clearly identified by its standard anthology reference regardless.

And in return, some links:

Learning to make beef noodles. (via)

Once upon a time in Sichuan, someone made short charming videos about Chinese folkways.

Happy endings for birds.

Subject quote from Nuremberg, Henry Longfellow.