RIP, Masaki Koh sama, Japan’s outspoken and charming porn star

Dead at 29 of a ruptured apendix. Unbelievably sad. Extremely talented, and eager to connect with his audience on Twitter and elsewhere.

Sanja matsuri this weekend in Asakusa

This festival looks like heaven. Gorgeous yakuza tattoos. Who’s going this weekend? (Photo credit).

Do jacket hoods make good marriages?

Perhaps the perfect city staycation. Open lawn and full relaxation.

Stay classy, New York City

My favorite Twitter politician, Anthony Weiner, is back, and considering a run for mayor of New York City. Former US congressman Weiner used Twitter to get inappropriately close to new digital, female friends. It’s unclear to me whether he loved himself or his fans too much. As another great politican would say, you be the decider.

Remember the video with super-hot Jane Lynch and Bill Maher reading the Weiner testimony?!

Sumo wrestler riding a bicycle

These gentle giants have captured my heart. Photo by Paolo Patrizi.

Sumo wrestlers washing themselves with hose on sidewalk

Another photo by Paolo Patrizi.

Sumo wrestler frying up some food

I love Paolo Patrizi‘s intimate portraits of sumo wrestlers in and around the Tokyo “stables” where they train. Wonder what this one is cooking?

Japanese-Peruvian sings gay bubble pop

I think Sebastian Castro looks best with glasses.

Only now have I heard about Empty Tomb Cake

I consider myself an Easter fan, including all the S&M events prior to the resurrection. I’ve even visited his tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. For reasons I cannot fathom, I’ve only just learned about an (American) tradition of serving Empty Tomb Cakes for Easter. Wow! I would love to eat Jesus’ tomb!

Here’s how Aaron Hartzler describes his mother’s baking craft:

An edible replica of the cave where Jesus was buried after dying on the cross for our sins, the Empty Tomb Cake is the standard passion week centerpiece in my childhood home. It is frosted in gray, surrounded by a field of green coconut grass, and finished off with a Hostess Ding-Dong as the stone that was rolled away. On Saturday night, after everyone goes to bed, Mom steals into the kitchen under cover of night and rolls the Hostess Ding-Dong away from the door of the Empty Tomb Cake, then retouches the frosting. On Easter morning Jesus has risen — right there in the middle of the kitchen table.

Tokyo Metropolitan Gym reopens after one year renovation, and the gays rejoice

The Tokyo Metropolitan Gym is Tokyo’s gayest place. Certainly in daylight and without booze, this non-digital location ranks as the busiest social space for an often “down low” sub-culture. The gym is even gayer, but the pool is noteworthy for its clerestory windows, natural light, and 50 meter length. It’s cleaner than ever after the renovation.

TMG, or Taiikukan, is directly across the street from JR Sendagaya station, and near Shinjuku, Yoyogi, and Omotesando.