selfishlycated personality

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2008-04-26T02:01:00.000-07:00

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(other language versions)

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Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

diatas itu isi dari deklarasi hak asasi manusia
gatau diterapkan benar benar atau ngga di indonesia..
wakakakak

source http://un.org

lyric, fire house. i live my life for you

2007-10-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

lagu buat sayangkuuuw,,,,,,

Song lyrics | I Live My Life For You lyrics

tips ho to atract men

2007-09-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

One of the most important tips for seducing a man is try to make him curious. unlike women which do not like to be pushed too hard. man is the oposite of this To know more, read on the given below tips on how to seduce a man…

mens usually like a pollite girl, so act nice and calm with him
some times mens like agresive girls, but remember dont be too agresive.
to make him courious you can ask him a question, then when he ask why.. don't answer him..
some times when the girls who admire him gone, he will try to look for her.
maybe this one is relatve, for me, if the girl get angry without any reason, i will try to contact her, or i will ask her why she get angry. so you can have a time together

may be thats a small tips from me, remember, this is relative,,
good luck

how to deals with angry girl

2007-09-23T14:02:00.001-07:00

some times we often meet this situations, when we late to call her or we late when pick her up.
here I will share you some tips how to deals with angry girls.

be patient, nothing else we can do execpt patient, we shlould try to understand her
never aks why she get angry, some girls usually will emotionally become more angry when we ask that kind of question
try to comfort her, hug her, or maybe give a small kiss will be effective to make her calm down
understand her, yeah, we now, girls usually make some small problem looks bigger, thats natural,just try to relaks,
talk to her after she get calm down,
the most important things is as an apology, in this case ef the villain is you, if not, I guess thats not a problem.
never use violance, violance never solve the problem, it will make the problem get worse
when she good tempered she will ask an apology(usually they will feel guilty), just forgive her..

that's just a tips, if she still get angry with you, may be she has get borred with you. you can offer her to end your relations..
we must not hoping on a girl that have get bored with us.

how to seduce women

2007-09-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

One of the most important tips for seducing a woman is to be indirect and subtle. Women do not like to be pushed too hard. To know more, read on the given below tips on how to seduce a girl…

The Right Place

Look for your potential partner at the right place. A bus stop or a railway station is not the right place for seducing women. Go to pubs, discotheques, nightclubs, etc.

The Right Girl
Observe her for sometime to make sure that you are hitting on the right girl. You don't want to get embarrassed later on.

Charm Her
So, you have selected the right girl. Now is the time to make the next move. Approach her in a flattering manner and then charm her with your style. Make her the center of your attraction and initiate an interesting conversation.

Drop Subtle Hints
Most of the women prefer men to be indirect in their approach. Drop subtle, but noticeable, hints about your intentions.

See Her Response
Now, look for her response. If she trying to back off or seems interested? In case she seems to shrink away, don't push.

Time for the Final Move
If she still seems inclined, invite her over to your house. Need we say anything further?

quoted from www.everythingvalentinesday.com

tag habbit

2007-09-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

peer lagi peer lagi,, dari dokter cinta neeh

segala sesuatu memang harus disyukuri lah,, ga biasa biasanya gw nulis tulisan curhat keq gini.. biasanya copas dari google soal materi belajar sekolah. hehe...

title: *my tag habit....*
*) rasa keingin tahuan.....
penasaran pastilah selalu ada di diri setiap orang, mau itu hal sepele ataupun hal gede sekalipun, sebenarnya q penasaran kenapa si kaum cewe kalo ngomongin hal yang sepele bisa jadi panjang??haha. hmm that's out of topic, we did'nt discus it right now.. sebenarnya gw ingin tau kapan dan berapa umur gw berakhir....

*)game favorit....cs,, bukan customer service tapi counter strike,, paling seneng kalo pas nembak jatuh musuh,, kelua darahnya muncrat gitu,,, hehe... pake nya yang swat ato gign.. sama senjata favorit bull up.. kalo pake magnum kelamaan reload nya... taktik utama lempar flashbag trus lari tembak mati semua yang ada... enemy spotted....

*)buat mainan...buat mainan?? paling dari daun sengon trus diiket ujungnya,, trus diadu. daripadangadu semut... dosa... hehe...

*)pisah ranjang ama ortu...ddari kecil kalle emang dah pisah ranjang,, masa bobo ma orang tua?? hiiiii.. kaya anak anak aja...

*)gwpaling betah bngt main inet.....kalo dikantor begadang semaleman ya mainan itu.. habis cs sering ga ada lawan... kadang kalo bengong di tempat yang sepi juga q suka

*)waktu di kamar mandi...kalo dikamar mandi ya mandi lah,, ga ada aktivitas spesial.. ga suka nyani,, suara fales,, hehe.. walopun gitutak syukurin kok

*)tuk melepas kejenuhan..hmmm paling ngisengin temen... miscal miscal,, sms sms,, kadang telpon operator seluler ngajak ngobrol orang yang ngangkat,,, gokil is my middle name...

*)yg bikin ga' happy....hal hal yang isinya pembohongan publik,, kaya kemunafikan dan teman temannya...hehe, ketinggian ya... tapi that's the fact

Undang-undang Tag:

1. Each blogger must post these rules

2. Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves

3. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and to read ur blog.

***********************************************************************************

mau kasihpeer ke siapa?? temen temen bloger ya cuma yang ngasi ini.. hmmm

dokter cinta udah,,, hmmm

tinahaja kayaknya belum neeh.. ato kasih siapa aja yang buka blog ini aja dah. hehe

dasar apes, mau ngasi pe er malah ga taunya temen temen yang lain malahngasi gw pe er...q yangpaling akhir dapet pr neeh

! thanks dah

heart attack and how to help the victims

2007-09-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

about heart atack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a section of heart muscle becomes blocked. If the flow of blood isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Heart attack is a leading killer of both men and women in the United States. But fortunately, today there are excellent treatments for heart attack that can save lives and prevent disabilities. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms. If you think you or someone you’re with is having a heart attack, call 9–1–1 right away.

Overview

Heart attacks occur most often as a result of a condition called coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, a fatty material called plaque (plak) builds up over many years on the inside walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your heart). Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form on the surface of the plaque. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the part of the heart muscle fed by the artery.

Heart With Muscle Damage and a Blocked Artery

Figure A is an overview of a heart and coronary artery showing damage (dead heart muscle) caused by a heart attack. Figure B is a cross-section of the coronary artery with plaque buildup and a blood clot.

During a heart attack, if the blockage in the coronary artery isn’t treated quickly, the heart muscle will begin to die and be replaced by scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.

Severe problems linked to heart attack can include heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. Ventricular fibrillation is a serious arrhythmia that can cause death if not treated quickly.

Get Help Quickly

Acting fast at the first sign of heart attack symptoms can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Treatment is most effective when started within 1 hour of the beginning of symptoms.

The most common heart attack signs and symptoms are:

Chest discomfort or pain—uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest that can be mild or strong. This discomfort or pain lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath may occur with or before chest discomfort.
Other signs include nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting, or breaking out in a cold sweat.

If you think you or someone you know may be having a heart attack:

Call 9–1–1 within a few minutes—5 at the most—of the start of symptoms.
If your symptoms stop completely in less than 5 minutes, still call your doctor.
Only take an ambulance to the hospital. Going in a private car can delay treatment.
Take a nitroglycerin pill if your doctor has prescribed this type of medicine.
Put an aspirin under your tongue. Aspirin reduces blood clotting and can help keep a heart attack from getting worse. But don’t delay calling 9–1–1 to take an aspirin.

this article was quoted from nhlbi.nih,gov

Heart Cancer Treatment

2007-09-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

Cancer of the heart. Heart cancer is very rare and develops in the tissues of the heart. It is also known as a cardiac sarcoma or an angiosarcoma. The general belief is that cells that divide regularly (tissues that are constantly regenerating such as the skin and bones) are more likely to develop cancer than heart tissue who's cells generally don't divide at all. (Source: WD Writers)

Causes of Heart cancer

Chest Pain: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

Cardiovascular etiologies
–Myocardial infarction
–Angina
–Acute coronary syndrome
–Pulmonary embolus
–Pericarditis
–Arrhythmias
–Mitral valve prolapse
–Aortic stenosis
–Aortic dissection
–Cardiac tamponade
Pulmonary etiologies
–Pneumonia
–COPD
–Asthma
–Pneumothorax
–Tension pneumothorax
–Hemothorax
–Empyema
–Pneumomediastinum
–Lung cancer
Gastrointestinal etiologies
–Esophagitis/GERD
–Gastritis
–Peptic ulcer disease
–Perforated ulcer
–Esophageal spasm
–Pancreatitis
–Esophageal rupture
–Pneumoperitoneum
Musculoskeletal etiologies
–Muscle strain or spasm
–Intercostal muscle spasm
–Costochondritis
–Trauma (e.g., rib fracture)
Zoster
Cancer (e.g., lymphoma)
Panic disorder
Less common etiologies include Tietze's syndrome, Pott's disease (tuberculosis of the spine), xyphodenia, cholecystitis, peritonitis, liver cancer, and hepatitis

Chest Pain: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

Musculoskeletal
–Sharp, stabbing pain that is usually very well localized, often worsened by deep breath or cough
–Costochondritis: Tender parasternal pain at insertion of ribs into cartilage en route to sternum; increases with palpation or mild chest compression (possibly postviral)
–Injury to chest wall

Pulmonary
–Very common cause, usually associated with respiratory symptoms: Shortness of breath, cough, exercise intolerance
–Asthma (most common), often only EIA; may have personal/family history of atopy (asthma, eczema, seasonal allergies); shortness of breath is usually primary complaint, with feeling of chest tightness/pain as a secondary symptom
–Pleuritic chest pain: Sharp, stabbing pain with deep breaths, indicates pleural space inflammation, probably postinfectious (especially viral)
–Pneumonia: Chest pain secondary to cough or pleural involvement
–Pneumothorax can occur spontaneously, especially in tall, thin athletes

Gastrointestinal
–GERD and PUD: Burning, substernal pain with eating, worse at night
–Rarely pancreatitis (with back pain too), cholecystitis, hiatal hernia, hepatitis

Cardiac: Rare in children
–Precordial catch syndrome: Sharp, brief (seconds) chest pain usually associated with rising from lying or sitting; unclear etiology, but of no significance
–Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium; often postviral, may represent connective tissue/autoimmune, cancer, bacterial infection (very ill appearing with fever), or post-cardiac surgery; patients often lean forward to decrease the pain
–MI (rare): Congenital coronary anomaly, post-Kawasaki, cocaine use, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
–Aortic dissection: Consider if features or history of Marfan syndrome is present

Chest pain: Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

Treatment

Attention to airway, breathing, and circulation

All patients with suspected coronary artery disease should initially be treated with supplemental O₂, aspirin, and nitroglycerin; morphine may be added if pain does not subside
If an acute myocardial infarction is suspected, β-blockers, ACE inhibitors, heparin (usually low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin), thrombolytic therapy or primary angioplasty (PTCA), and/or glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (e.g., eptifibatide, abciximab, or tirofiban) may be indicated

Treat other etiologies as appropriate (e.g., antiarrhythmics and/or cardioversion for arrhythmias, pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade, H2 blockers or PPIs for GERD and peptic ulcer disease, antibiotics for pneumonia, bronchodilators and steroids for asthma)
Emergent surgery for aortic dissections that involve the aortic arch proximal to left subclavian artery (type A); strict blood pressure control for type B dissections that only involve the aorta distal to left subclavian artery

this article was quoted from wrongdiagnosis.com

Preventing Lung Cancer

2007-08-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

Definition of lung cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell combined) in the United States in 2007:


	New cases: 213,380

	Deaths: 160,390

What causes lung cancer?

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time; doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking history (the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). For example, a person who has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 10 years has a 20 pack-year smoking history. While the risk of lung cancer is increased with even a 10 pack-year smoking history, those with 30 pack-year histories or more are considered to have the greatest risk for the development of lung cancer. Among those who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day, one in seven will die of lung cancer.

Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, although the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. While someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk for the development of lung cancer that is 25 times higher than a nonsmoker, pipe and cigar smokers have a risk of lung cancer that is about five times that of a nonsmoker.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which have been shown to be cancer-causing, or carcinogenic. The two primary carcinogens in tobacco smoke are chemicals known as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases each year following smoking cessation as normal cells grow and replace damaged cells in the lung. In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a nonsmoker about 15 years after cessation of smoking. For more, please read the Smoking and Quitting Smoking article.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking, or the inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers sharing living or working quarters, is also an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that non-smokers who reside with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with other non-smokers. An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year in the U.S. that are attributable to passive smoking.

Asbestos fibers

Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers, as asbestos was widely used in the past for both thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Today, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries including the Unites States. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma (a type of cancer of the pleura or of the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum) are associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking drastically increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer in exposed workers. Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a fivefold greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers, and those asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50 to 90 times greater than non-smokers.

Radon gas

Radon gas is a natural, chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. It decays to form products that emit a type of ionizing radiation. Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung cancer deaths attributable to radon gas, or 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer-related deaths annually in the U.S. As with asbestos exposure, concomitant smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer with radon exposure. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. contains dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon gas is invisible and odorless, but can be detected with simple test kits.

Familial predisposition

While the majority of lung cancers are associated with tobacco smoking, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors, such as individual genetic susceptibility, may play a role in the causation of lung cancer. Numerous studies have shown that lung cancer is more likely to occur in both smoking and non-smoking relatives of those who have had lung cancer than in the general population. Recent research has localized a region on the long (q) arm of the human chromosome number 6 that is likely to contain a gene that confers an increased susceptibility to the development of lung cancer in smokers.

Lung diseases

The presence of certain diseases of the lung, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with a slightly increased risk (four to six times the risk of a nonsmoker) for the development of lung cancer even after the effects of concomitant cigarette smoking are excluded.

Prior history of lung cancer

Survivors of lung cancer have a greater risk than the general population of developing a second lung cancer. Survivors of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs, see below) have an additive risk of 1-2% per year for developing a second lung cancer. In survivors of small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) the risk for development of second cancers approaches 6% per year.

Air pollution

Air pollution, from vehicles, industry, and power plants, can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air can carry a risk similar to that of passive smoking for the development of lung cancer.

How can lung cancer be prevented?

Smoking cessation is the most important measure that can prevent lung cancer. Many products, such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, or nicotine inhalers, may be helpful to people trying to quit smoking. Minimizing exposure to passive smoking is also an effective preventive measure. Using a home radon test kit can identify and allow correction of increased radon levels in the home, which can also cause lung cancers. Methods that allow early detection of cancers, such as the helical low-dose CT scan, may also be of value in the identification of small cancers that can be cured by surgical resection and prevention of widespread , incurable metastatic cancer.

Lung Cancer At A Glance

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S. and worldwide.
Cigarette smoking is the principal risk factor for development of lung cancer.
Passive exposure to tobacco smoke can also cause cancer.
The two types of lung cancer, which grow and spread differently, are the small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).
Staging of lung cancer refers to the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body.
Treatment of lung cancer can involve a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as newer experimental methods.
The general prognosis of lung cancer is poor, with overall survival rates of about 15% at 5 years.
Smoking cessation is the most important measure that can prevent the development of lung cancer.

reference

the reason why we date a tennis player

2007-08-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

1. They always looking for a good opportunity to come up.

2. They can do it with two people or four. As for me, I prefer two.
In addition, they can play singles and doubles. Use one hand or two. Whatever it takes.

3. They have good hands and have strong hip flexors.

4. They do it for unlimited minutes in many different postitions and they don't mind if they sweat.

5. They like to be on top of their game.

6. They grunt when the action heats up.

7. They have the endurance to last 3 hours ... straight!

8. Women wear tiny skirts and tank tops for easy play. Men wear shorts to hold the balls.

9. They play it long and hard. Of course, they want it easy, but hard is good too.

10. They play the court until they score...

this article quoted from top-10-reason.com

Social engineering (security)

2007-08-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

Social engineering is a collection of techniques used to manipulate people into performing actions or divulging confidential information.^[1] While similar to a confidence trick or simple fraud, the term typically applies to trickery for information gathering or computer system access and in most cases the attacker never comes face-to-face with the victim.

Social engineering techniques and terms

All social engineering techniques are based on flaws in human logic known as cognitive biases.^[2] These bias flaws are used in various combinations to create attack techniques, some of which are listed here:

Pretexting

Pretexting is the act of creating and using an invented scenario (the pretext) to persuade a target to release information or perform an action and is usually done over the telephone. It's more than a simple lie as it most often involves some prior research or set up and the use of pieces of known information (e.g., for impersonation: date of birth, Social Security Number, last bill amount) to establish legitimacy in the mind of the target.

This technique is often used to trick a business into disclosing customer information, and is used by private investigators to obtain telephone records, utility records, banking records and other information directly from junior company service representatives. The information can then be used to establish even greater legitimacy under tougher questioning with a manager (e.g., to make account changes, get specific balances, etc).

As most U.S. companies still authenticate a client by asking only for a Social Security Number, date of birth, or mother's maiden name — all of which are easily obtained from public records — ^{[citation needed]}the method is extremely effective and will likely continue to work well until a more stringent identification method is adopted.

Pretexting can also be used to impersonate co-workers, police, bank, tax authorities or insurance investigators — or any other individual who could have perceived authority or right-to-know in the mind of the target. The pretexter must simply prepare answers to questions that might be asked by the target. In some cases all that is needed is a voice of the right gender, an earnest tone and an ability to think on one's feet.

Voice over IP programs are starting to become a standard in pretexting, as the absence of a traceable number makes the pretexter less vulnerable to being caught.^{[citation needed]}

Phishing

Phishing applies to email appearing to come from a legitimate business — a bank, or credit card company — requesting "verification" of information and warning of some dire consequence if it is not done. The letter usually contains a link to a fraudulent web page that looks legitimate — with company logos and content — and has a form requesting everything from a home address to an ATM card's PIN.

IVR/phone phishing

This technique uses a rogue Interactive voice response (IVR) system to recreate a legitimate sounding copy of a bank or other institution's IVR system. The victim is prompted (typically via a phishing email) to call in to the "bank" (via a provided toll free number) and verify information. A typical system will continually reject logins ensuring the victim enters PINs or passwords multiple times. More advanced systems will even transfer the victim to the attacker posing as a customer service agent for further questioning.

Trojan horse/gimmes

Gimmes take advantage of curiosity or greed to deliver malware. Also known as a Trojan Horse, gimmes can arrive as an email attachment promising anything from a "cool" or "sexy" screen saver, an important anti-virus or system upgrade, or even the latest dirt on an employee. The recipient is expected to give in to the need to see the program and open the attachment. In addition, many users will blindly click on any attachments they receive that seem even mildly legitimate.

Road apple

A road apple is a real-world variation of a Trojan Horse that uses physical media and relies on the curiosity of the victim. The attacker leaves a malware infected floppy disc, CD ROM or USB flash drive in a location sure to be found (bathroom, elevator, sidewalk), gives it a legitimate looking and curiosity piquing label, and simply waits.

For example: An attacker might create a disk featuring a corporate logo, readily available off the target's web site, and write "Executive Salary Summary Q1 2007" on the front. The attacker would then leave the disk on the floor of an elevator or somewhere in the lobby of the target company.

An unknowing employee might find it and subsequently insert the disk into a computer to satisfy their curiosity, or a good samaritan might find it and turn it in to the company.

In either case as a consequence of merely inserting the disk to see the contents, the user would unknowingly install malware on their computer, likely giving an attacker unfettered access to the target company's internal computer network.

Note that the term 'Road Apple' has been re purposed from an older use meaning horse manure.

Quid pro quo

Something for something:

An attacker calls random numbers at a company claiming to be calling back from technical support. Eventually they will hit someone with a legitimate problem, grateful that someone is calling back to help them. The attacker will "help" solve the problem and in the process have the user type commands that give the attacker access and/or launch malware.

In a 2003 information security survey, 90% of office workers outside of their building gave away what they claimed was their password in answer to a survey question in exchange for a cheap pen [1].

Notable social engineers

[edit] Kevin Mitnick

Reformed computer criminal and security consultant Kevin Mitnick popularized the term, and points out that it's much easier to trick someone into giving you his or her password for a system than to spend the effort to hack in.^[1] He claims it to be the single most effective method in his arsenal.

Others

Other social engineers include Frank Abagnale, David Bannon, Peter Foster, Steven Jay Russell and Michael Bafatakis.

United States law

Pretexting of phone records

In December 2006, United States Congress approved a Senate sponsored bill making the pretexting of telephone records a Federal Felony with fines of up to $250,000 and 10 years in prison for individuals (or fines of up to $500,000 for companies). It was signed by president George W. Bush on January 12, 2007.^[3]

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

Signed into U.S. law in 1999 specifically addresses pretexting of banking records as an illegal act punishable under federal statutes. Under the common law, pretexting is an invasion of privacy tort of appropriation; see Restatement 2d of Torts § 652C.

When a business entity such as a private investigator, SIU insurance investigator or an adjuster conducts any type of deception, it falls under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This federal agency has the obligation and authority to ensure that consumers are not subject to any unfair or deceptive business practices.

US Federal Trade Commission Act, Section 5 of the FTCA states, in part: "Whenever the Commission shall have reason to believe that any such person, partnership, or corporation has been or is using any unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce, and if it shall appear to the Commission that a proceeding by it in respect thereof would be to the interest of the public, it shall issue and serve upon such person, partnership, or corporation a complaint stating its charges in that respect...."

The statute states that if you are securing any personal, non-public information from a financial institution or the consumer, the action is covered by the statute. It relates to the consumer's relationship with the financial institution. For example, the pretexter is using false pretenses to get from the consumer's bank the consumer's address, that would be covered. Or, if the pretexter is going to the consumer and getting the name of his or her bank through false pretenses, that would be covered. The determining principle is that it is only pretexting if the information is obtained through false pretenses.

While the sale of cell phone records has gained significant media attention, and telecommunications records are the focus of the two bills currently before the United States Senate, many other types of private records are being bought and sold in the public market. Alongside many advertisements for cell phone records, wireline records and the records associated with calling cards are advertised. As individuals shift to VoIP telephones, it is safe to assume that those records will be offered for sale as well.

It is currently legal to sell phone records, but illegal to obtain them.^[4]

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton {R-Kalamazoo, Michigan}, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, expressed concern over the easy access to personal cell phone records on the Internet during Wednesday's E&C Committee hearing on “Phone Records For Sale: Why Aren't Phone Records Safe From Pretexting?”

Illinois became the first state to sue an online records broker when Attorney General Lisa Madigan sued 1st Source Information Specialists, Inc., on 20 January, a spokeswoman for Madigan's office said. The Florida-based company operates several Web sites that sell cell phone records, according to a copy of the suit.

The attorneys general of Florida and Missouri quickly followed Madigan's lead, filing suit on 24 January and 30 January, respectively, against 1st Source Information Specialists and, in Missouri's case, one other records broker - First Data Solutions, Inc.

Several wireless providers, including T-Mobile, Verizon and Cingular, filed earlier lawsuits against records brokers, with Cingular winning an injunction against First Data Solutions and 1st Source Information Specialists on 13 January.

US Senator Charles Schumer(D-New York) introduced legislation in February of 2006 aimed at curbing the practice. The Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 would create felony criminal penalties for stealing and selling the records of mobile phone, landline, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) subscribers.

Hewlett Packard's Former Chairman, Patricia Dunn, reported that the HP board hired a private investigation company to delve into who was responsible for leaks within the board. Dunn acknowledged that this company used the practice of pretexting to solicit the phone records of board members and journalists. Chairman Dunn later apologized for this act and offered to step down from the board if it was desired by board members.^[5] Unlike Federal law, California law specifically forbids such pretexting, and this case is being investigated by the California Attorney General.

Social engineering in popular culture

In the film Hackers, the protagonist used a form of social engineering, where the main character accessed a TV network's control system by phoning the security guard for a modem number, posing as an important executive. Although the film is not highly accurate, the particular method demonstrates the power of social engineering.

A form of social engineering can frequently be found in the online Internet gaming community. Befriending a user with the intent of extorting account passwords and game serial numbers can give previously banned cheaters access to online play. Insecure personal password policies amongst gamers will often give the unscrupulous user access to gamer’s other types of account, e.g.: forum accounts or e-mail accounts. It is advised that gamers should secure their accounts with strong passwords and never share their serial numbers or they may face sharing the server/forum bans that the unscrupulous users earn.

source

Search Engine Optimization tips

2007-08-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

How to find associated terms through Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI)
Techniques to find strong / associated keywords

Search engines have their own internal language used for ranking aggregate search terms, acronyms or plural or associated terms. If you are looking for the most effective use of keywords for your meta tags such as your titles or descriptions in your web pages. Here is a quick and easy method to find strong secondary terms to augment your keyword density or variations to broaden the exposure of your search engine results.

In order to find associated terms use the ~ (tilde) sign before a word in a search engine to see other associated words in bold.

For example go to Google and type in a keyword you are researching proceeded by the ~ (which is typically located at the top left series of buttons before the 1 on your keypad). Make sure you use shift to get the appropriate character.

We used the term ~url

For example let's use the term URL otherwise known as Uniform Resource Locator when you use Google. You will see the words that are highlighted are not just the term URL.

The results for the search are here<

Other associated keywords for this term are also highlighted such as:

Website
Web Site
Link
Address
Urls
Uniform Resource Locator
Universal Resource Locator

So, the next time you want to find strong, relevant keywords that already have an inherent association with terms you wish to optimize, this is a great seo tip.

How to determine if a keyword is worth pursuing?

SEO Strategies | Keyword Analysis

This is a continuation from a previous SEO Tip. "Find what your looking for with more relevant searches" located two SEO tips down on this page.

Meticulous keyword analysis is a process that should proceed any strategic SEO campaign. The process of identifying and determining the right keywords to optimize your web pages for are what allow you to rank competitively for keywords and key phrases that receive high search volume in search engines.

Ranking for specific terms is more of a science than wishful thinking. Through clearly defined methods, it is possible to research a term and rank in the top 10 results using tactical off page link building and website promotion strategies. Many of which you will find in this search engine optimization strategies section.

*For example, when keywords are located in the title, description and header tags of a web page, then that means that those pages are directly competing for those keywords. Let's find out specifically how many pages are really competing for any given term using Google.

1. Open Google in a browser.

Encase the keyword your researching inside of quotes for the sake of the demo, let's use a term we have already optimized for our business like "local seo company" for example.

After typing in "local seo company" at the time of this search the response was. Displaying Results 1 - 10 of about 2,980,000

The quotation marks around the search query make the results specific to pages with high relevance with that search term.
FACT: You are not actually competing with 2,980,000 pages for the term local seo company.

2. Now, to see how many actual pages you have to compete with to rank competitively for your key phrase, scroll down to the bottom of the search page on Google and continue to click the last number on the right. until you reach the end of the pages. If it asks you to repeat the search with the omitted results included. do so and continue to click the last result to the right until you reach the end.

See diagram below

Keep clicking the last result until you cannot go any further.

*Typically you will see 10 pages of results, so click the last number 10 in this instance and continue to do this until you reach the end of all the pages for that search term. After reviewing this tip, you will note that this term only had 20,600 pages competing directly (but after scrolling down and clicking the last result until we go to the end of the results) shows this term only has 162 pages on Google competing for the term.

So, in this instance for the term "local seo company" The next page went to 16 and I clicked it. The number of total results for pages using this term was 162. Not bad compared to 2.9 million pages right? In a later tip, we can get into the ratio to determine the number of searches to the number of competitive pages to really arrive at strategic keyword SEO analysis. But we can't give away all of our techniques just yet.

Care to see who is #1 for Local Seo Company in Google? What about the long form Local Search Engine Optimization Company <>

One added bonus to SEO is, when you optimize an abbreviated form of a word, you typically get the optimization for the long form. Optimize for SEO and you also are optimized for search engine optimization for example, or any part of the words that comprise the acronym. Based on the competition for the search term, if you want rankings across the board, then your back links will have to take this into consideration, but that is another SEO tip altogether.

When to consider alternate key phrases...

If there are more than 50,000 pages competing for a key phrase / term after you perform a search " in quotes", then you may wish to targeting another variation of the term or keyword. Think of it as the old one - two punch, first you get indexed, then after your website gets some traction in the search engines, you then change your content and meta tags to the desired (high traffic ) term, build more links and then wait for the page to be spidered again. Otherwise it's like trying to beat someone who started optimizing a term months or years ago with thousands of back links with anchor text for that term. As you ad 10 they add 20 and so on and so fourth, in which case, that may not be a winning battle, but a slightly different strategy for a hybrid key phrase could be yours alone to dominate if you beat others to the punch.

So, the moral of this tactic is not to be deceived into thinking you could never rank for relevant keyword combinations, if you see less than 100,000,000 results for a keyword (without quotes), you shouldn't be intimidated with a PR4 site or above. A simple on page change to your tile and meta tags could land you in the top 10 alone, adding targeted back links to the mix , makes it a matter or time.

The more specific the better, but even garnering traffic from a search term that receives 20-100 search queries / visitors a day, you can see how being in the top 10 can impact you traffic and conversion if 10-15 of those people (who are already looking for that product or service) just happened to grace your pages every day due to your digital real estate in the top 10.

Do this with 10 pages on your website with each page optimized for 3-4 competitive key phrases, now all of a sudden you see spikes in traffic 150 - 200 unique visitors a day, who are searching for the very topic your pages are centered around. This is how to generate the right kind of website traffic which if harnessed properly with a list generation campaign, can become and invaluable and cost effective marketing strategy with your only cost being, the investment in time for the effective keyword research. The pay-off, tons of free traffic. Don't have the time? Let us handle it...

Depending on the competition for that term, top 10 results can take anywhere from a few weeks and 20 to 30 back links to several months (and several hundred back links) to achieve the needed digital velocity to quantify the appropriate response from search engine algorithms. The link popularity gleaned from the sources that link to you, the age and page rank of those URL's, the anchor text they use in web page and how focused and concise your pages are determine what value they receive from search engines. Like most strategies in SEO, they are constantly evolving, synthesizing and arriving at systematic hybrids to keep up with the ever changing algorithms. But the very fabric of the web and basis of achieving top 10 results is ultimately links, links, links.

Want to know how to get your website indexed fast and free without using search engine submission software or the add url page in search engines?

"Need a way to get your website indexed quickly without using a submit url form or expensive automated software", try Craigslist.org. Placing a link on a high traffic website with a high page rank is one of the fastest ways to get your site listed in the major search engines (usually within 48-72 hours) There are a number of high traffic 1.0 and 2.0 website's that create the patterns online that invariably develop into fads, buzzwords, or marketing behemoth's (U-Tube, My Space, etc) and search engines know this and pay particular attention to website's with lots of unique visitors and colossal traffic. Instead of getting indexed every few weeks, they are visited from web spiders several times a day to take a new snapshot of the web for their site. If you happen to have a solid back link on such a site, then guess who's coming to dinner? probably a hungry spider.

No offense to little miss muffet, but In order to sow your online curds and whey, write a brief summary in an appropriate category on your website with targeted keywords about the products or services you offer. Somewhere in the body copy make sure that you include a link to your site in http://www.mysite.com format, give it a great title and that's it.

You title should be relevant considering it is how your visitors will find you, so be as specific as possibly using compelling yet brief optimal terms. Also make sure that you don't use duplicate content from your website, otherwise your pages could get swapped out in the view of the search engine and those pages could appear in place of YOUR site. In the case of two pages with the same content, the higher page rank site almost assuredly wins.

High page rank site such as Craigslist.org get indexed several times in a day, utilizing this method your site is generally crawled, spidered and indexed within 48 hours after the posting has made it's way to the top of the category. The on page content is not as important as the links, so don't overdo it or you could end up on a spam list and inevitably do more harm than good. We utilize this method for introducing new pages to a website. Creating a few fresh high page rank links works wonders and after a week, the piggyback advertisement disappears and all that remains is your site which typically gets the link juice from the boost.

It is important to remember that even if you utilize this method to expedite indexed or pull pages out of the supplemental index (after changing the title, description and on age content to something more unique). That a well devised link architecture is imperative for ensuring that your site is spidered completely to reflect any other changes you may have performed to your site. So this is not a solution to all problems, just another useful tool for search engine optimization.

this article was quoted from seodesignsolutions.com

Dealing With Annoying People Tips

2007-08-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

We can't choose our friends. We don't go around consciously asking ourselves if the people we meet are worthy of our friendship. In fact, friendship usually strikes when you least expect it.

You don't even have to know that person to enjoy their company; sometimes a common denominator is enough to serve as a bond. But what do you do if the guy turns out to be the most irritating person you've ever met? There are better solutions than simply throwing him overboard.

Allow me to introduce...

the mooch

This is the guy who has a very close relationship with his money. Actually, he's so attached to it that he won't even use it. He'll borrow money for a table dance, he'll pretend to have lost his wallet when the bill arrives, or he simply won't be there when it's his turn to buy the next round of drinks. He always claims to be broke and constantly tries to get others to provide for him.

Solution: If it's getting out of hand, start by letting him know that you are on a tight budget too and that you can't afford to keep covering for him. If that doesn't do the trick, your only option is to take a stand. Let him know that you've reached your generosity quota and that the stream has run dry.

the showoff

This guy is not necessarily the opposite of the Mooch, but at least he won't be asking for money. This guy will never cease to brag about what he has, what he's done, or with whom he's done it. He'll demand that you pay attention to his stories, actions or possessions.

Solution: Fundamentally, he's insecure and that's why he needs you to seem interested. For him, the only way to be worth something is to surpass others in the fields where he can indeed outshine them. So you can brush him off and tell him how you feel about this annoying habit of his, but it will hurt his feelings. Do so only if he isn't a good friend otherwise.

the motor mouth

The great thing about being a man is that we can be among our male friends and not have to talk about anything irrelevant. But there are guys who suffer from this troubled personality. They talk and talk and talk and never shut up. They'll tell you about their leaky faucets, marital problems, and painful hemorrhoids. You really don't need that much information.

Solution: The easy solution is to nod and say uh-huh every once in a while to show that you're listening. Whilst you do this, think about what kind of hamburger you're going to order or how you're going to manage your next mortgage payment. Since the motor mouth is harmless, doing this will get you through the torture without making him an enemy.

the rumor mill

This annoying person will usually wind up being a woman, as guys are by and large not known gossips. Similar to the Motor Mouth, the Rumor Mill elevates yakking to an art form, by only talking about others.

Solution: Dealing with this person must be done preemptively. You have to squash the rumors before they can be used by this person as ammo and never give this chatterbox any personal information that could be spurred into gossip about you.

the bloodsucker

Also known as a Leech in some circles, the Bloodsucker is one of the most infuriating personalities out there. No matter what you say to him, you're his best friend. He's absolutely convinced that you care about him as much as he cares about you. Remember Bill Murray's character in What About Bob? This guy is needy and will literally suck the life out of you.

Solution: Things can get worse when he decides to follow you around. It can even fall into the realm of stalking. If things get out of hand and he starts to seriously intrude on your personal life, set him straight. Let him know that you don't feel the same way and that he should respect your privacy and your space.

the opportunist

This person has an agenda. He may hang around you, pretend to be your friend, but deep down he is playing an angle. Perhaps he has his eye on your girlfriend or maybe he just likes to come over to your house and use your satellite TV system.

Solution: What you can do is shroud yourself in secrecy, and not let him know what's happening in your life so that he can't take advantage of it. If things go south, simply exclude him from your inner circle.

the incredible hulk

Okay, you might not actually know a guy that turns green and beefs up when he gets a paper cut. But I'm sure you know somebody who gets extremely angry, extremely fast. This guy has a temper and it might only take an ill-received comment to trigger it. This guy is dangerous because he can often get himself into more trouble than he can handle -- and take you along for the ride.

Solution: Tell him he should chill out (okay, in nicer terms) and that nobody did anything to warrant this kind of attitude. As well, don't take his outbursts personally.

the thug

The proverbial bully has a huge inferiority complex. He'll make jokes about you, get you to do things for him without any possibility of reward, and amuse himself with your pratfalls. He doesn't necessarily have anything to brag about so he'll entertain himself by tormenting those around him.

Solution: You have to realize that the Thug feeds on weakness. Like any other living organism, if you take away the nutrients, he will die. When you first realize that the person is a bully, take an immediate stand. They are like those old toy cars that drove around on their own but changed direction when faced with an obstacle. As soon as you identify the signs, set him straight and tell him you're not a pushover.

the knower of all things

Some folks are just so cocky that they think they know everything. In fact, and I'm sure you'll agree, they're the ones who are most often wrong. The reason is they are so sure of their own invulnerability that they never bother to check the facts. Only, you watch the Discovery Channel and know that aliens did not build the pyramids.

Solution: Never say: "you're wrong." Don't sink to the depths of the am-too/are-not variety. Tell him that you disagree and why. Point out explicit reasons with verifiable evidence that refute his position. Do so politely and without taking pleasure in it -- not noticeable delight anyway.

now what?

Finally, you'll realize that these stressful people can be dealt with and even remain your friends in the process. When exasperated, take a deep breath, take a break from their company, and imagine yourself elsewhere. And if all else fails, do like Mr. Costanza and yell to the entire world "serenity now!"

source from : askmen.com

Spammers wise up to trick computer users

2007-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Spam is now so common that many computer users see it as an inevitable irritant and delete it without a second thought. However, spam can have serious repercussions, from clogging business networks to causing delays and financial loss.

Furthermore, spam is becoming increasingly malicious, often containing viruses or Trojan horses that the user unwittingly downloads by clicking on a link or attachment in the email.

In these instances, the spammer's ultimate aim is to get access to sensitive and confidential information for financial gain, and email offers an effective distribution channel, especially given the use of sophisticated techniques that make it easier to bypass spam filters.

One of the big trends of 2006, and one that is continuing into 2007, was the use of spam containing embedded images. Approximately 35 per cent of all spam now uses images to try and sneak past anti-spam filters, as some filters can only analyse textual content and therefore cannot detect these messages.

Image spam is especially popular with scammers promoting company stock pump-and-dump scams or drugs to help with weight loss and sexual performance. However, it is not just stock market manipulators and backstreet doctors who use image spam.

Its success in reaching its intended audience has been realised by all those involved in sending junk mail, and it is also deployed by those selling training courses, pirated software and fake luxury watches. Without a doubt the use and scope of image spam will continue to rise in 2007.

To further enhance the chances of success, image spam often makes use of animated GIF graphics. Multiple layers of images load on top of each other, making an animation similar to a flipbook.

Using this and other techniques such as adding noise in the form of speckled pixels can help ensure that the graphic is different on each sending - making it harder for the filter to spot repeat offenders.

During 2006, the amount of junk email using GIF files rose from 16.9 to 28 per cent of all spam, making GIFs the graphic format of choice for spammers around the globe.

Spammers frequently use multiple tricks simultaneously to get past the filters. As well as the use of images, other common techniques used both independently and simultaneously include: black holes (hide messages by using size-zero font), numbers game (hides letters by encoding them using HTML entities or numeric representations intended for sending special characters and non-English alphabets), invisible ink (manipulates font and background colours to make text literally disappear on screen), and slice and dice (uses HTML tables to shred a message into thin strips).

Concealing complex HTML code in a message can render it undetectable by simple spam filters. Fortunately, the very use of these tricks actually makes it easier for sophisticated filters to identify spam, as legitimate mail has no reason to contain such techniques.

In terms of the content of spam, 2006 saw a massive growth in pump-and-dump spam. In January 2005, these campaigns accounted for just 0.8 per cent of spam emails; by the end of 2006, the figure stood at 23.6 per cent.

With these scams, spammers aim to quickly and cheaply circulate false information about a company's stock via email, often combining it with snippets taken from genuine press releases, to lure potential investors.

Companies with limited assets are used by the spammers, who will then dispose of their shares and stop advertising the stock, often causing the price to fall and bringing serious repercussions for the duped investors.

The campaigns generally run for short periods of time, keeping overall volumes low, and while some of the information may be accurate, the unsolicited and deceptive nature of the messages qualifies them as spam.

Spammers will employ obfuscation techniques, using variations like 'st0ck' or 'stox' to avoid detection by simpler spam filters. The stock scams tie-in with the growing trend towards financially motivated cyber crime.

Another recent twist has seen criminals spamming companies with email messages that offer to boost their stock price in return for payment. This could not only enable spammers to boost the value of their own share portfolio, but also see them get paid by the businesses they are helping to cheat the stock market.

In addition to stock spam, the use of real world events or news stories that appeal to human emotion continues to be popular with spammers. This serves a number of purposes - from tricking a user into downloading a malicious attachment to encouraging a recipient to hand over their bank details or make a one-off payment.

For example, in June 2006, a version of the Stinx Trojan arrived attached to a spam email claiming that George Bush and Tony Blair were involved in a Middle East oil-price cover-up. While the attachment purported to be evidence of this cover-up, in reality, if users clicked on the attachment, they opened up a gaping hole in their PC's security.

Other malware has been spammed out claiming to be breaking news reports of the demise of Michael Jackson, Arnold Schwarzenegger or alleged evidence of a conspiracy about the death of Pope John Paul II.

More recently, in the run up to the US mid-term elections, even politicians got in on the act, with both the Republican and Democratic parties sending out unsolicited emails campaigning for support.

The emails were sent out in the days leading up to the November 7 election date, and urged recipients to take to the polls and cast their votes.

Samples were picked up by Sophos's global network of spamtraps - evidence that the emails were not targeted specifically at US voters, and could have been distributed to lists created through online email address harvesting.

Interestingly, while the campaigns bore worrying echoes of traditional spamming activity, legally the emails were not classed as spam - as US political parties are exempt from legislation such as the CAN-SPAM Act.

While clever techniques and gripping content are important, spammers need to be able to get their messages across quickly if they are to succeed in duping innocent computer users. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by using zombie computers that hide inside networks and send spam, steal company secrets, and enable other serious crimes.

Once a computer has been turned into a zombie, hackers use it to commit a wide range of crimes by linking with a network of thousands of other infected computers.

Networks of zombie computers (botnets) are used by hackers to send spam, viruses, phishing emails and pornography. Sophos estimates that more than 60 per cent of all spam originates from hijacked computers, which cause business disruption, network damage, information theft and damage to a company's reputation.

In order to protect PCs from becoming zombies and to avoid falling victim to these spam threats, businesses should complement endpoint and gateway anti-malware and anti-spam solutions with a rapid and reliable zombie detection system. In addition, businesses should enforce safe computing policies and educate users about appropriate online behaviour.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, looks at new spamming approaches.

source : bcs.org

Sakura

2007-08-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

Japanese Cherry
Somei Yoshino Sakura
Scientific classification
Prunus jamasakura Prunus serrulata Prunus x yedoensis

Sakura or Cherry Blossom (Japanese kanji and Chinese character: 桜 or 櫻; katakana: サクラ) is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees, Prunus serrulata, and their blossoms. Cherry fruit (known as sakuranbo) come from a different species of tree. It can also be used as a name.

History

Sakura is indigenous to the Himalayas and in east Asia such as China, Japan and South Korea. Japan has a wide variety of sakura—more than 305 species can be found there.^{[citation needed]} This is because many were artificially hybridized or grafted by the Japanese many centuries ago.^{[citation needed]}

Flower viewing

Main article: Hanami

During the Heian Period (794–1191), the Japanese nobility sought to emulate many things Chinese, including the social phenomenon of flower viewing (hanami: 花見), where the imperial households, poets, singers, and other aristocrats would gather and party under the blossoms. The first recorded flower-viewing event took place at Kyoto's Shinsen-en Garden in 812. In China, it was the ume “plum” tree (actually a species of apricot) that was held in highest regard, but somehow by the middle of the ninth century, the sakura had replaced the plum as the favored species in Japan.^{[citation needed]}

Every year the Japanese Meteorological Agency and the public track the sakura zensen (cherry-blossom front) as it moves northward up the archipelago with the approach of warmer weather via nightly forecasts following the weather segment of news programs. The blossoming begins in Okinawa in January and typically reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March or the beginning of April. It then proceeds into areas at the higher altitudes and northward, arriving in Hokkaidō a few weeks later. Japanese pay close attention to these forecasts and turn out in large numbers at parks, shrines, and temples with family and friends to hold flower-viewing parties. Hanami festivals celebrate the beauty of the sakura and for many are a chance to relax and enjoy the beautiful view. The custom of hanami dates back many centuries in Japan: the eighth-century chronicle Nihon Shoki (日本書紀) records hanami festivals being held as early as the third century CE.

Most Japanese schools and public buildings have sakura trees outside of them. Since the fiscal and school year both begin in April, in many parts of Honshū, the first day of work or school will coincide with the cherry blossom season.

Symbolism

In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty and sexuality. It has also come to represent the feminine principle and love in the language of herbs. On the other hand, in Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life because of their short blooming times. They have also come to represent clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse. Falling blossoms are used as metaphors for fallen warriors who died bravely in battle. ^{[citation needed]} Due to this connotation, they are closely associated with the samurai. This theme remains alive today and is often observed in pop culture, especially manga and anime. Music also works with the theme; for example, the band Kagrra often uses sakura in its songs and live shows for ambiance. The flower is also represented on all manner of consumer goods, including kimono, stationery, and dishware. Cherry blossoms are an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, and as such are frequently depicted in art.^{[citation needed]} There is at least one popular folk song, originally meant for the shakuhachi (bamboo flute), titled "Sakura", as well as a number of pop songs. "Sakura" is also a common Japanese female name.

During World War II, the sakura served as a motivating symbol for the Japanese people. Japanese pilots would paint them on the sides of their planes before embarking on a suicide mission, and they were referred to in the names of kamikaze units. A cherry blossom painted on the sides of the bomber symbolized the beauty and ephemerality of nature.^[1] The government encouraged the people to believe that the souls of downed warriors were reincarnated in the blossoms. Even now Japanese military and police use the cherry blossom in emblems, flags, and insignia instead of star.^{[citation needed]}^[clarify]

Japan’s most beloved variety of sakura is the Somei Yoshino. Its flowers are nearly pure white, tinged with the palest pink, especially near the stem. The flowers bloom and usually fall (or “scatter,” 散る chiru) within a week, before the leaves come out. Therefore, the trees look nearly white from top to bottom. The variety takes its name from the village of Somei (now part of Toshima in Tokyo). It was developed in the mid- to late-19th century at the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period. The Somei Yoshino is so widely associated with cherry blossoms that jidaigeki and other works of fiction often depict the variety in the Edo period or earlier; such depictions are anachronisms.

Other categories include yamazakura, yaezakura, and shidarezakura. The yaezakura have large flowers, thick with rich pink petals. The shidarezakura, or weeping cherry, has branches that fall like those of a weeping willow, bearing cascades of pink flowers.

Outside Japan

Philippines

A province in Western Philippines, Palawan, serves as home to an endemic Palawan Cherry Blossoms, which appeared to resemble that of Japan's, thus the name.

United States

Japan gave 3,000 sakura trees as a gift to the United States in 1912 to celebrate the nations' then-growing friendship. These trees have since lined the shore of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. (see West Potomac Park), and the gift was renewed with another 3,800 trees in 1956. The sakura trees continue to be a popular tourist attraction (and the subject of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival) when they reach full bloom in early spring. Macon Georgia also has a festival for cherry blossoms.

Korea

Although sakura trees were already indigenous to Korea, following its annexation by Japan the Japanese planted sakura trees in locations that Koreans found offensive, such as at sites where ancient palaces, like Gyeongbokgung, once stood.^{[citation needed]}

Most of these trees were later cut down and removed by locals, who resented them as a reminder of Japan's imperialism in Korea, but areas where sakura had been blossoming for millennia were left alone. Ironically, sakura trees for appreciation (viewing for their beauty) were replanted by Koreans in Cheju Island and other regions.^{[citation needed]}

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Sugarbaker Oncology Associates Specialty Section for the Treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

2007-08-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare disease. The total number of cases per year in the United States is estimated between 100 and 500. A number of patients have a history of asbestos exposure. Because of the frequent dissemination of pleural mesothelioma to the peritoneal cavity, one must rule out spread from a primary pleural malignancy as the cause of peritoneal disease. No genetic, dietary, employment or geographic associations have been reported.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is unusual in that it demonstrates a wide spectrum of biological aggressiveness. The cystic variant of mesothelioma may cause recurrent episodes of severe lower abdominal pain but may not result in the death of the patient for many years. In contrast, the most aggressive mesothelioma variants may show metastases from the peritoneal surface to mesenteric lymph nodes at the time of initial surgery. Patients are diagnosed as having a malignant mesothelioma by histologic and immunocytochemical study. Frequent mitoses and increased size of the nucleus indicate an aggressive malignant process. Dissemination by cancer seeding and peritoneal fluid production would result in disease progression. As the peritoneal fluid produced by mesothelial nodules increased, dissemination to sites of peritoneal fluid resorption would be expected. Patients who are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma often present to their physician with a large volume of ascites.

The widespread progression of malignant cells on peritoneal surfaces results in copious fluid production. The fluid production can be attributed to the retention of a functional property of normal mesothelial cells. In these patients the peritoneal space becomes a free conduit for mesothelioma cells to migrate from place to place. In the production of ascites fluid, the cancer cells provide themselves with a carrier solution to disseminate throughout the abdominal and pelvic spaces.

Treatment of Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Due to a lack of symptoms early in the natural history of peritoneal mesothelioma, a large majority of patients are first diagnosed with a large volume of disease diffusely spread throughout the abdomen and pelvis. The disease accumulates in largest volume at sites of peritoneal fluid reabsorption and at dependent sites by gravity. The small bowel surfaces and mesenteries are not spared of mesothelioma implants as in the mucinous appendiceal neoplasms.

Promising results of treatment from a new strategy: cytoreductive surgery plus perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Four groups have now reported on approximately 300 malignant peritoneal mesothelioma patients. The National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD, The Washington Cancer Institute in Washington, DC, The Columbia Mesothelioma Center in New York and the National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy. Each group has reported their experience with between 50 and 100 patients. With current treatment all the groups report a median survival of 5 years or better. The median survival in the past was approximately 1 year (see Tables 1 and 2). As a result of this apparent major improvement in survival with a new treatment strategy, it has become standard of care for these patients.

1. Concerning neoadjuvant chemotherapy: A possible first treatment following diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma is systemic chemotherapy with Pemetrexed and cisplatin chemotherapy. This protocol was initiated at the National Cancer Institute of Italy and was not considered to be of benefit to these patients. However, anecdotal and beneficial responses have been noted. This chemotherapy which has approximately a 30% response rate may be of more value in an adjuvant setting after maximal mechanical and chemotherapy cytoreduction of the peritoneal mesothelioma has occurred. Neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy was thought appropriate for biphasic or sarcomatoid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

2. Concerning the selection of patients using histological type of mesothelioma: All groups agree that the patients with sarcomatoid or biphasic peritoneal mesothelioma do not show great benefit from this treatment. Dr. Chabot and the Columbia Mesothelioma Center agreed with the limited benefits but advocated continued aggressive approach with patients found to have biphasic mesothelioma. The Washington Hospital Center group also suggested that patients with grade IV findings in the nucleus demonstrate a poor outcome with combined treatment. They suggested that these patients should also have neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to initiating the combined approach. In those patients who show reduction in the volume of disease and symptomatic improvement, cytoreductive surgery with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy may be considered. In those patients who do not have a response to first-line chemotherapy, then second-line chemotherapy with Gemzar can be recommended. In patients not responsive to either of these systemic chemotherapy treatments, best palliative care would be offered.

3. Regarding cytoreductive surgery: Cytoreductive surgery with peritonectomy is the first step in treatment of all four institutions. However, the extent of surgery varies considerably between the four groups. Perhaps the most conservative initial effort is proposed by Dr. Chabot. His initial treatment is a minimal debulking, usually only a greater omentectomy and removal of large tumor nodules. Then intraperitoneal ports are placed and the patient receives interval intraperitoneal chemotherapy using doxorubicin and cisplatin or mitomycin C and cisplatin. In his new protocol, heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy will be used at this initial event.

Dr. Pingpank at the National Cancer Institute, USA, advocated a visceral sparing cytoreduction. In this approach large cancer nodules would be removed, peritonectomy would be performed, however, complete removal of the disease would not be attempted.

At the National Cancer Institute of Italy and at the Washington Hospital Center, complete cytoreduction has been attempted down to no visible evidence of disease. Peritonectomy procedures of the right and left hemidiaphragm and pelvis are standard of care in this group of patients. Also, visceral resections of the right colon or left colon, if it leads to a substantial reduction in the volume of disease, is advocated.

The morbidity and mortality of the combined treatment is thought to be acceptable at dedicated treatment centers (Table 3).

4. Regarding the perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: All groups advocated a cisplatin-based hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The doses were different at all four institutions. The heat, approximately 42.5ºC, was the same at all institutions. The drugs combined with cisplatin were doxorubicin and mitomycin C. At the National Cancer Institute, USA, high-dose cisplatin with systemic thiosulfate has been used.

5. Regarding early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Two groups advocate taxol (Washington Cancer Institute) or taxol plus 5-fluorouracil (Naitonal Cancer Institute, USA) in the early postoperative period with a long dwell time of these drugs. At the National Cancer Institute, 125 mg/m² of paclitaxel and 800 mg/m² of 5-fluorouracil is given as a single instillation. At the Washington Cancer Institute, 20 mg/m²/day x 5 days (100 mg/m²) of paclitaxel is utilized.

6. Regarding interval chemotherapy: The Columbia Mesothelioma Center uses multiple cycles over a 6-month time period of intraperitoneal cisplatin plus doxorubicin or cisplatin plus mitomycin C. The Washington Cancer Institute uses multiple cycles of intraperitoneal paclitaxel with systemic cisplatin (bidirectional chemotherapy) for treatment of these patients. Currently, treatment plans utilizing intraperitoneal Pemetrexed and systemic cisplatin are being initiated as several institutions. The success with bidirectional (intravenous and intraperitoneal) chemotherapy that has been recently reported for patients with ovarian cancer should be directly applicable to peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

The role of systemic chemotherapy with Pemetrexed and cisplatin has yet to be determined after combined treatment. Currently, it is often used in this group of patients, especially those with aggressive disease and a suboptimal cytoreduction.

7. Regarding interval or symptomatic second-look surgery: At the Washington Cancer Institute a symptomatic second-look is used in patients at the first evidence of recurrence. With the symptomatic second-look, heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy is again used. A change in the chemotherapy solution should be considered. The results of treatment of patients using either interval or symptomatic second-look were thought to be improved.

8. Regarding follow-up and identification of patients with recurrent disease for possible symptomatic second-look: The CA-125 tumor biomarker is suggested as a follow-up for these patients. The progressive rise of CA-125 was identified as a signal of recurrent disease by the National Cancer Institute of Italy. CT scan with oral and intravenous contrast is a valuable follow-up tool in this group of patients. MRI is not thought to be of value. PET scanning is suggested as a new tool to be studied in this group of patients. PET scans may be most valuable when the readings move from negative to positive: this should strongly suggest progressive disease. Reoperation for low-volume disease is considered a potential part of the standard of care clinical pathway.

9. Regarding the use of intraperitoneal chemotherapy to palliate large-volume ascites: All agreed that patients with debilitating ascites from peritoneal mesothelioma respond well to debulking surgery plus the heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy. This use of the mechanical and chemical cytoreduction could be considered a standard of care for palliative management of patients with debilitating ascites.

Table 1. Median survival of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma using traditional treatment modalities (combined pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma*).

Authors	Year	No. of patients	Median Survival (months)
Chailleux et al.	1988	11/167	10*
Antman et al.	1988	37/180	15*
Sridhar et al.	1992	13/50	9.5*
Markman et al.	1992	19	9
Yates et al.	1997	14/272	14*
Neumann et al.	1999	74	12
Eltabbakh et al.	1999	15	12.5

Table 2. Results of treatment of cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (NA: median survival was not reached).

Chief Investigator	n -	Median survival (months)	Survival rates (%)
Chief Investigator	n -	Median survival (months)	1-year	2-year	3-year	5-year	7-year
Sugarbaker	100	52	78	64	55	46	39
Alexander	49	92	86	77	59	59	-
Deraco	49	NA	88	74	65	57	-
Glehen	15	36	69	58	43	29	-
Loggie	12	34	60	60	50	33	33
Morris	15	NA	76	63	63	-	-

Table 3. Morbidity and mortality of cytoreductive surgery combined with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma.

Chief Investigator	n -	Morb (%)	Hem toxicity (%)	Blood loss (cc)	Op duration (hours)	Reoperation (%)	Mortality (%)	Hospital stay (days)
Sugarbaker	70	36	8	590	8.0*	11	3	23*
Alexander	49	25	26	-	6.5*	4	0	-
Deraco	49	27	-	-	-	-	0	-
Glehen	15	40	-	-	-	-	0	16
Loggie	12	-	-	-	-	-	8	-
Morris	15	36	-	-	9.6*	7	7	23*

Figure 1. Clinical pathway for diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

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Sakura Haruno

2007-08-18T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sakura Haruno
(春野サクラ)
Sakura Haruno by Masashi Kishimoto
Debut	Manga Chapter 3 Naruto Episode 1
Seiyū	Chie Nakamura
Voice actor(s)	Kate Higgins
Profile
Age	12-13 in Part I 15 in Part II
Birthday	March 28
Blood Type	O
Height	Part I: 150.1 cm Part II: 165 cm
Weight	35.9 kg
Information
Current rank	Chunin
Current affiliation	Konohagakure
Current team	8-Man squad (Kakashi Hatake, Yamato, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sai, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka)
Previous team	Team 7 (Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno) Team Kakashi (Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sai)

Sakura Haruno (春野サクラ, Haruno Sakura^?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. She is a member of Kakashi Hatake's Team 7, originally consisting of herself, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha. She is also considered part of the Konoha 11.

The name "Haruno" means "spring field" and "Sakura" means "cherry blossom," which is cherished in Japan due to its beauty and short life span (sakura blossoms have historically been associated with samurai). In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol for feminine beauty, and love in the language of herbs. Her name in full means "the spring of cherry blossoms".

In the June 2006 issue of the American Shonen Jump, Masashi Kishimoto (in the voice of Kakashi) stated that Sakura would make the best ninja instructor, because "she has flaws in her personality, like stalking Sasuke, but Sakura is the closest to being normal".^{[issue # needed]} He also has stated that Sakura and Rock Lee were meant to symbolize human weakness (at least in the beginning of the series).^{[issue # needed]}

In Shonen Jump's character popularity polls, Sakura is frequently in the Top 10, making the Top 5 once.^{[issue # needed]}

Background

Unlike her teammates, Sakura's childhood was devoid of any actual tragedy, only being marred by her early years in the Academy, where her sensitivity about her large forehead caused her classmates to tease her. Ino Yamanaka befriended her and gave her a ribbon that could accent her face and show others that her forehead didn't bother her. With Ino's friendship, Sakura came to develop her own identity and self-confidience. As Sakura's confidence in herself grew, she developed a crush on Sasuke, who Ino also had a crush on. When Sakura found out about this, she ended their friendship so that the two could properly compete for Sasuke's affection, beginning a bitter rivalry between the two. The two maintain this rivalry until the end of their match in the Chunin Exams, after which they begin to rekindle their friendship. Nevertheless, the two maintain a competitive relationship and constantly attempt to outdo the other.

Personality

At the series' start, one of Sakura's notable characteristics is her infatuation with Sasuke Uchiha. Initially this consists of following him everywhere in an attempt to help him and valuing his opinion and abilities above all others. Once Sasuke begins to be put in more dangerous situations, Sakura's display of her emotions shifts to concern for his well-being, first seen when he appears to have died and she goes against the Shinobi Code by crying for his loss. While his death turns out to be an illusion, Sakura maintains this method of showing her feelings for Part I's duration. The most long-standing example of this is the Cursed Seal Sasuke receives from Orochimaru as a source of power. In addition to worrying for Sasuke when he is left bedridden after the seal's use, Sakura also worries about the seal's potential to draw him away from Konoha. In time, her fears are realized and Sasuke abandons the village to seek out Orochimaru. Before he leaves Sakura attempts to stop him at the village exit, expressing her love for him and begging him to stay. She fails at this and changes tact, saying she will go with him, willing to do anything to be with him. Rather than leave her with words of parting, Sasuke gives her a simple "thank you" before knocking her out.

During Sasuke's long absence Sakura's driving force in life becomes a need to bring him back to Konoha. While it is unknown if her feelings for him have changed, her determination to bring him home overrides any other feelings she may have for him. As such, during their reunion after the timeskip, she willingly attacks him to make this task easier and to protect others from his attacks. Despite this new mentality in regard to Sasuke, Sakura still worries about his well-being, worrying about the lengths he has gone to get stronger and fearing what Orochimaru plans to do with him. Regardless of her conflicting approaches to Sasuke, Sakura is still unwilling to let anyone speak ill of him and readily beats anyone who badmouths him in an instant.

Sakura's opinion of Naruto is also one of her earliest personality traits. In Naruto's case, however, Sakura initially holds him to be a talentless idiot whose goal in life is to annoy her endlessly. While she continues to call him an "idiot" from time to time, Sakura abandons many of her convictions about Naruto as the two spend more time together. During each of his battles Naruto proves able to use numerous complicated jutsu in many ingenious ways, causing Sakura to value him as a teammate more with each passing mission. She even begins to find herself envious of Naruto's rapid progression and partly fearful that even he has surpassed her, and tries to replicate his methods of getting stronger. Once Sasuke leaves Konoha, Sakura, unable to join the retrieval team, asks for Naruto to bring him back, believing him to be the only person capable of getting through to Sasuke. Naruto promises that he will bring Sasuke back, making it his promise for a lifetime. It is with this that Sakura realizes the lengths Naruto will go to for those close to him, and she cries for him when he is left in the hospital after his failed attempt. While Naruto maintains that he will bring Sasuke back someday, Sakura resolves that next time they will bring him to Konoha together.

Sakura in Part II

In Part II, Sakura begins to learn of the various hardships in Naruto's life, particularly that he is the container of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox and that Akatsuki seeks to capture him because of it. Furthermore, should Akatsuki succeed in capturing Naruto and remove the demon fox from his body, Naruto will die. Because of these revelations, Sakura has acquired a worrying mentality for Naruto, and cries over the various difficulties he faces. To help him in overcoming these obstacles, Sakura has become very protective of him and does whatever is necessary to keep him safe. Upon finding that the medical abilities she has learned over the timeskip are ineffective in overcoming the demon fox, Sakura tries to see if there are other things she can learn to be of more use to Naruto. As the two spend more time together, she starts to see Naruto more than a very reliable comrade and a trusted friend. As a result of these newfound feelings, Sakura is generally more accepting of Naruto's personality traits and is much more capable of working well with him. She draws the line at his growing perversion, though, despite being aroused by Konohamaru's transformations into naked versions of Sasuke and Sai.

Independent of her feelings for her teammates, Sakura's holding of herself sees a change during Part I. While she does not realize it at the time, Sakura's initial role is guarding Team 7's object of interest while Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi fight off any hostile forces. It is not until the second phase of the Chunin Exams that Sakura realizes how unfavorable this role is, as she is the sole protector of her defeated teammates during an attack by the Sound Genin. Although she attempts to fend them off with a series of preset traps, her efforts prove futile against the Genin team and Kin Tsuchi is able to grab Sakura by the hair and immobilize her. As Kin condescends her for putting more effort into her appearance than her ninja abilities, Sakura becomes distraught that people are always fighting for her because she can't fight for herself. Deciding to change this, Sakura cuts her hair with a kunai to free herself from Kin's grasp and does all in her power to battle the Sound Genin, buying enough time for reinforcements to arrive. This new resolve remains constant throughout the rest of the series, as Sakura readily comes to the aid of a teammate in need of protecting.

Within Sakura resides an "Inner Sakura", a manifestation of her inner emotions that, aside from comic relief, serves as a representation of Sakura's actual opinion on things when she outwardly displays something opposite. Inner Sakura's appearances are typically marked by an exclamation of "Shānnarō" (しゃーんなろー). The phrase has no literal meaning, but is usually translated as "hell yeah", "hell no", or "damn it" depending on the situation. VIZ replaced the phrase with "Cha!" in the English anime, similar to what they did with Naruto's "dattebayo" to "Believe it!". Inner Sakura's appearances are fairly infrequent, her last appearance being Sakura's fight during the Chunin Exams (where it is implied that Inner Sakura may be similar to a separate entity in Sakura's mind). Inner Sakura briefly resurfaces later on during one of the anime's filler arcs, in which she fears that she is less observant than even Naruto is, and again at the start of Part II. This large gap between appearances is likely due to Sakura becoming more comfortable with herself, and no longer having what she says contrast how she actually feels.

Abilities

At the start of the series Sakura has few defining abilities, the only notable trait being her intelligence. Having honed the art of memorization and taking tests during her time in the Academy, Sakura can answer questions others in her age group cannot. This is most immediately apparent during the written portion of the Chunin Exams, where Sakura is the only Genin capable of answering the test's questions without cheating. Aside from this, Sakura's talents are initially lackluster, her overall skill and stamina being below average. As such she acts as the final defense for Team 7's objective, fending off any opponents that get past Naruto, Sasuke, or Kakashi. Soon after one of Team 7's first missions, however, Sakura discovers that she has excellent control over her chakra, allowing her to use jutsu to their maximum efficiency.

Sakura's chakra control is put to little use in Part I, due primarily to nobody training her in how to use it in battle. The only contribution it makes is during Konoha's invasion, where her chakra control allows her to become one of the few Genin able to repel the genjutsu that befalls the area. After Sasuke leaves Konoha and Naruto proves unsuccessful in bringing him back, Sakura becomes Tsunade's apprentice and begins to receive training that will put her chakra control to use. While the things she learns are seen in practice during the anime's filler arcs, they do not begin to play a big role until Part II.

With Tsunade's training, Sakura becomes an excellent combat medic-nin. Her medical abilities have thus far allowed her to heal the fatal injuries of others with relatively little effort and, as seen in the anime, reconstruct dead bodies. Her skills are greater than that of many experienced medic-nin, as she is able to cure injuries others would deem a lost cause with little effort. This is first seen when she uses Poison Extraction Technique (毒抜きの術, Dokunuki no Jutsu^?) to utilize chakra to pull some poison from Kankuro's body without doing bodily harm to him, and then proceeds to make an antidote for the poison that no others have managed to create. In her training Sakura has also learned to pick up on an enemy's movements in a short period of time, as good medics need to be able to avoid damage and survive a battle if they are to fulfill their purpose.

In battle, Sakura can rely on the strength taught to her by Tsunade. By building up and releasing her chakra with precise timing, Sakura can easily decimate most obstacles and turn them to rubble. Over time and through repeated use, Sakura has become able to use this strength instinctively and does not need to put any effort into using it. Creating this strength is an impossible task to do without precise chakra control, as noted by Kakashi. This strength, coupled with her medical expertise, her quick temper, her new disposition, and the beauty she gains over the timeskip has caused many to see Sakura as another Tsunade, and even capable of eventually surpassing Tsunade herself.

Plot overview

Although Sakura is present for many of her teammates' actions during Part I, she does not begin to play a key role in the plot until Part II. Her newfound place in the story is first seen during her battle with Akatsuki member Sasori whom, with the help of Chiyo, she is able to defeat. As congratulations, Sasori tells her of a spy within Orochimaru's ranks, which gives her and the rest of Team 7 a chance to find Sasuke. Despite their efforts and the help of new team member Sai, they are unsuccessful in bringing Sasuke back. Once learning of Sasuke's defeat of Orochimaru, however, Naruto and Sakura decide to try again, and after assembling an 8-man team they set out to find Sasuke or, Sasuke's target, Itachi Uchiha.

Other media

Sakura has appeared in all three Naruto movies. In the first movie she frequently encounters Mizore Fuyukuma. After numerous encounters, Sakura manages to defeat him with Sakura Blizzard Technique (桜吹雪の術, Sakura Fubuki no Jutsu^?, English "Sakura Blizzard Jutsu") by throwing numerous kunai attached with bags of exploding tags at him that, once covering Mizore, Sakura detonates with an additional exploding tag to catch him in a large explosion. In the second she battles the wolf-like Fugai, whom she kills by using metal pillars to reflect Fugai's ear-splitting howl, which causes the pillars to collapse in on her. In the third she fights Karenbana, and by breaking a chandelier to cover the floor in glass, Sakura is able to pick up on Karenbana's high-speed movements and deliver a finishing blow to her face, instantly defeating her. Sakura will also appear in the upcoming fourth movie, which takes place during Part II. In Jump! Ultimate Stars, Sakura is able to use Tsunade's Painful Sky Leg.

She has also been in many of the games based on the series. While she is a versatile character in these games, her health is low. In games based off of Part I, she has several non-canon techniques due to having relatively few known techniques, such as moves involving Inner Sakura attacking her opponent or Kurenai Yuhi's Demonic Illusion: Tree Bind.

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Kakashi Hatake

2007-08-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Kakashi Hatake
(はたけカカシ)
Kakashi Hatake by Masashi Kishimoto
Debut	Manga Chapter 3 Naruto Episode 3
Seiyū	Kazuhiko Inoue
Voice actor(s)	Dave Wittenberg
Profile
Age	26-27 in Part I 29 in Part II
Birthday	September 15
Blood Type	O
Height	181 cm
Weight	67.5 kg
Known relatives	Sakumo Hatake (father, deceased)
Information
Current rank	Jonin
Current affiliation	Konohagakure
Current team	8-Man squad (Kakashi Hatake, Yamato, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sai, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka)
Previous team	Team Fourth (Fourth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, Rin) ANBU (Kakashi Hatake, Yamato, other ANBU) Team 7 (Kakashi Hatake, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno)

Kakashi Hatake (はたけカカシ, Hatake Kakashi^?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is the leader of Team 7, originally consisting of Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. After Sasuke defects, Team 7 receives Sai as a replacement.

Though his name is written in the manga using kana, Japanese syllabic scripts that carry no particular meaning, the family name "Hatake" can be written in kanji (Chinese characters) as 畑, or 畠 which means "field" or "farmland". The name "Kakashi" can be written in kanji as 案山子, which means "scarecrow". Understandably, Naruto uses a scarecrow look-alike of Kakashi to practice on the day before Team 7's first test, since he then considered Kakashi as the main one to defeat. Also, when Sakura spies on Kakashi so he would take off his mask, he replaces himself with a scarecrow to get rid of her.

Kakashi is a popular character, consistently ranking in the Top 6 in Shonen Jump magazine's official polls.^{[issue # needed]} He has taken 1st place in these polls twice.^{[issue # needed]}

Background

Kakashi's first team under the Fourth Hokage

Like his father, Sakumo Hatake whose skills have been compared to that of the Legendary Ninja, Kakashi is considered a genius shinobi, graduating from the Ninja Academy at age 5 and achieving the rank of Chunin at 6. A few years after these accomplishments, Kakashi's father was disgraced by the village for abandoning a mission in favor of saving his comrades, which cost the Land of Fire dearly. Deeply ashamed and ostracized even by those he had saved, Sakumo committed seppuku, leaving Kakashi to bear witness to the event. After his father's suicide, Kakashi began to adhere strictly to the rules of the shinobi – in particular the rule dictating that the success of the mission must come before the well being of one's teammates, causing him to become arrogant, humorless, and by-the-book.

At the age of 13, Kakashi achieved Jonin status. As a reward for his accomplishment, he was assigned to lead his team on a sabotage mission to blow up a bridge in order to prevent enemy forces from attacking Konoha. Shortly after the mission started, Kakashi's teammate, Rin was captured by enemy shinobi. Kakashi's other teammate, Obito Uchiha immediately stated his intention to save her, but Kakashi said they had to focus on completing the mission, opting not to make the same mistake his father had. Though Kakashi believed that they had to complete their objective and they parted ways, a little reflection on Obito's words and Rin's prior kindness eventually convinced him that his father had done the right thing in saving his teammates. This revelation prompted Kakashi to turn back to join Obito in the rescue effort, although he initially claims that he did not believe Obito could survive on his own—a statement that is more or less supported by how his arrival coincided with saving his oblivious teammate from a ninja's attack.

During their attempt to save Rin, Kakashi lost his left eye as a result of taking an enemy ninja's attack for Obito. To protect Kakashi in return, Obito managed to awaken his Sharingan and killed their assailant. Soon after saving Rin, a rockfall technique was triggered and a rock struck Kakashi on his blind side. He would have been buried beneath the rocks had Obito not pushed Kakashi out of the way, getting the right side of his body almost completely crushed in the process. Shortly before he died, Obito had Rin (a medical ninja) implant his Sharingan eye in Kakashi's damaged eye socket as a gift. As his first act with his new eye, Kakashi avenged Obito by killing the enemy ninja with his now-perfected Chidori technique, bringing the Kakashi of today into being.

Years later Kakashi would become a member of the Konohagakure ANBU where he served as a squad leader. During this time, he had several kōhai, named Yugao Uzuki and Tenzo, and recognized the latter as the most successful of his kōhai. It is unknown when or why he left ANBU, but he still wears iron guards on his gloves, a characteristic of ANBU uniforms.

Personality

Obito's death profoundly changed Kakashi, and Kakashi adopted many of Obito's traits. One such trait was Obito's concept of teamwork, which is most clearly seen in the way Kakashi tests newly-graduated students hoping to become a squad under him. He uses the bell test to test his students, which requires the three students to get the two bells he keeps on his person. Only those who get a bell get to pass, which would be difficult even with teamwork, as at least one ninja would fail regardless. However, the rule is only a ruse; the point of the test is to foster teamwork and to teach the students that teamwork is more important than the rules. Team 7 is the only team to realize this, and as such becomes the only team Kakashi passes into Genin-status. Kakashi also inherits Obito's chronic tardiness, due primarily to losing track of time during his frequent visits to Konoha's memorial site, where Obito's name is engraved. Ironically, this very habit is one that Kakashi was often annoyed at Obito about. Obito was supposedly late due to random good deeds.

Despite these changes, some of Kakashi's previous personality remains. He is fairly dispassionate compared to his subordinates and fellow Jonin, almost never showing emotion. He often says things that sound harsh but mean well, such as suggesting that Rock Lee brought his career-ending injuries on himself by using forbidden taijutsu techniques. While Kakashi is willing to help his students, he remains somewhat aloof and unwilling to let anyone too close to him, noting that he no longer has anyone important to him.

Kakashi's personal life appears to be as much of a mystery as the face behind the mask he has worn for most of his ninja career. He has no living family, or at least none he cares to acknowledge, and he's confirmed that everyone he loves is already dead. He is immediately recognizable as the son of (or mistaken for) his father, the "White Fang of Konoha" (木ノ葉の白い牙, Konoha no Shiroi Kiba^?). Though his face has never been seen, episode 101, which is devoted to Team 7 trying to remove their sensei's mask, implies that he is in fact quite handsome. He takes off his mask in front of Team 7 only to reveal another mask, suggesting that his face, like much of the rest of his personality, is something he does not readily share.

Kakashi has an ongoing, albeit slightly one-sided, rivalry with Might Guy, with Guy constantly proclaiming that Kakashi is his rival, and considering his and Kakashi's subordinates rivals. Kakashi, however, seems indifferent to their rivalry, which annoys Guy to no end. Guy randomly challenges Kakashi to contests of skill, and Kakashi has acquired a record of 49 wins and 50 losses in doing so. Given that the contests that make up this figure are so varied (ranging from Rock, Paper, Scissors to sumo-wrestling), this is not much of an achievement on Guy's part. Nevertheless, Guy is proud of his record.

Though he evasively says that he has "many hobbies" when asked about himself, he is commonly seen reading of "Icha Icha Paradise" (イチャイチャパラダイス, Icha Icha Paradaisu^?, literally "Make Out Paradise"), an adult and probably pornographic novel authored by Jiraiya that is a runaway bestseller in the Naruto world. Kakashi most prominently reads it while training and speaking with his team, and is later seen reading the second known volume in the series, "Icha Icha Violence" (イチャイチャバイオレンス, Icha Icha Baiorensu^?, literally "Make Out Violence"). In Part II Naruto gives him the new "Icha Icha Tactics" (イチャイチャタクティクス, Icha Icha Takutikusu^?, literally "Make Out Tactics"), which, during their second bell test, Naruto manages to use against him by attempting to spoil the ending and thus distracting Kakashi long enough for him and Sakura to grab the bells.

Abilities

Kakashi's Sharingan.

Kakashi's Sharingan eye gives him a significant advantage in battle, as he can copy enemy techniques and use them as his own, as well as track and predict his opponent's movements flawlessly. Because it is a transplanted eye, his Sharingan eye is always active. While this would not be much of a problem for an Uchiha, his non-Uchiha blood causes it to use much more chakra than it should. Because of this, he covers it with his headband and only utilizes it in the most dangerous battles. Kakashi's use of the Sharingan is as good as that of Itachi Uchiha, though the aforementioned handicaps brought about by the nature of his eye make him somewhat weaker in comparison. In Part II Kakashi is able to develop his own Mangekyo Sharingan. With his variant he is able to manipulate space-time to conduct long range attacks, and in its two uses has been capable of severing another's arms and otherwise sending things to different dimensions. Much like the standard Sharingan, the Mangekyo Sharingan tires Kakashi considerably, and after using it only three times he was hospitalized for a week due to its chakra usage.

With his Sharingan Kakashi has been able to copy more than one thousand jutsu, giving him the nickname "Copy Ninja Kakashi" (コピー忍者のカカシ, Kopī Ninja no Kakashi^?) or "Sharingan Kakashi" (写輪眼のカカシ, Sharingan no Kakashi^?). As a result, Kakashi's arsenal most prominently features ninjutsu abilities and has led to him becoming a specialist in the field. Many of the jutsu he has been seen copying in the series are water-based attacks, though most of these he only uses against the person he copies them from. He does, however, use Water Release: Water Encampment Wall on occasion as a way to block attacks. He less frequently uses other elemental attacks such as Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique to attack opponents or Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Technique (土遁・心中斬首の術, Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu^?, Viz "Groundhog Technique Decapitation", English TV "Headhunter Jutsu") to pull opponents below ground and immobilize them. He can also create shadow clones, though because he lacks Naruto's chakra reserves, he exercises the ability with caution, rarely creating more than one at a time.

While Kakashi specializes in the use of ninjutsu due to his Sharingan he is fairly adept with other jutsu types, though his use of them is rarely seen. Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique (魔幻・奈烙見の術, Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu^?) causes his opponent to see what they would find a horrifying vision, keeping them preoccupied until they can overcome the illusion. Thousand Years of Death (千年殺し, Sennen Goroshi^?) consists of Kakashi forcefully plunging his index and middle fingers into an opponent's rectum. While only capable of launching the opponent humorous distances in typical uses, the fingers can be replaced with kunai attached with exploding tags to actually do damage to an opponent. He has also started using sealing jutsu, as seen when he attempts to use Evil Sealing Method (封邪法印, Fūja Hōin^?, English TV "Curse Sealing") to seal Sasuke's cursed seal. His proficiency with this ability seems to be in its beginning stages, as the aforementioned jutsu is reliant on the user's will to keep the seal active. He is also quite adept at taijutsu and often matches taijutsu skill with his rival, Might Guy. Because of his well-rounded prowess in jutsu, Kakashi is the highest-ranking technique specialist and one of the strongest ninja in Konoha, as indicated by both Sakura and the manga databooks.

When he was younger Kakashi was taught how to use the Rasengan by the Fourth Hokage. Because the Rasengan is meant to have the user's chakra nature mixed with it, Kakashi attempted to add his lightning-based chakra to it, though was ultimately unsuccessful. In time he instead created the Chidori, which has since become the only jutsu that he has not copied from someone else. After the jutsu's initial creation Kakashi was unable to use the Chidori to its full potential as the sheer speed of the attack left his normal eyes unable to see any form of an enemy counterattack. After acquiring the Sharingan, however, he was able to overcome this shortcoming. Through repeated use and increased proficiency with it, Kakashi's Chidori has been upgraded and renamed to the Lightning Blade due to him having cut through a bolt of lightning with it.

Kakashi has his own personal pack of Ninken, which he calls into battle with the Summoning Technique. The dogs were apparently trained by Kakashi, and most are even able to speak. Kakashi typically uses the dogs for tracking purposes and summons them whenever he is in need of finding someone. The dogs can communicate with Kakashi via howls. If need be, the dogs can hold someone in place while Kakashi catches up.

Since being defeated by Itachi Uchiha in Part I, Kakashi has apparently trained to increase the speed at which he forms hand seals. Naruto and Sakura both remark upon this speed during their second bell test in Part II.

Plot overview

While he makes frequent appearances throughout Part I, Kakashi's role largely deals with protecting his students and keeping them unified. Most prominently he tries to steer Sasuke away from seeing Orochimaru as a source of power, even teaching him how to use the Chidori so that he will not rely on the Cursed Seal for power. In time, however, Sasuke begins to turn against his team and readily attacks them, which, despite Kakashi's protests and attempts to convince him that revenge should not be pursued, ultimately leads to his betraying Konoha. As Naruto and Sasuke carry out a final battle Kakashi rushes to their location to prevent them from killing each other. He arrives too late and Sasuke escapes, and Naruto and Sakura go their separate ways to find their own methods of getting stronger.

Kakashi begins to take part in more battles in Part II as he no longer needs to focus his attention on his students, who have improved greatly over the timeskip. As Akatsuki becomes increasingly more active, Kakashi joins the various battles in defeating its members. Likewise, Kakashi joins Naruto and Sakura's efforts in bringing Sasuke back to Konoha and has since organized an 8-man team that is in part dedicated to this cause. Still, Kakashi has not fully outlived his role as guidance for his students, and he helps Naruto in creating the Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken.

Other media

In the first Naruto movie, Team 7 encounters numerous Yukigakure ninja that seem to know Kakashi from prior encounters, though this is never elaborated upon. Towards the movie's end, Kakashi encounters Nadare Roga and defeats him using a variant of the Front Lotus.

Kakashi also appears in the third Naruto movie, acting as the leader of Naruto, Sakura, and Rock Lee. He fights Ishidate during the course of the movie, and has his arm turned to stone by his ability. He is later restored by Sakura. Near the end of the movie, Kakashi provides a distraction for the rest of his team by using a water jutsu to ward off Shabadaba's soldiers.

Kakashi is also playable in most of the video games for the series. in the fighting games, he is a fairly strong character, and his sharingan can also be utilized. This is most noticeable in the clash of ninja series, where he can use the sharingan to copy an opponent's special move.

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Naruto

2007-08-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

Naruto (ナルト^?) is a manga series written and illustrated by manga artist Masashi Kishimoto with an anime adaptation. The main character, Naruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, unpredictable adolescent ninja who constantly searches for recognition, as well as to become Hokage, acknowledged as the leader and strongest of all ninja in the village.

The manga was first published by Shueisha in 1999 in the 43rd issue of Japan's Shonen Jump magazine. As of volume 36, the manga has sold over 71 million copies in Japan.^[1] Viz Media publishes a translated version in the American Shonen Jump magazine. Naruto has become Viz's best-selling manga series.^[2] To date, the first 15 volumes are available. In order to catch up to the translated anime, Viz plans to release volumes 16 to 27 three at a time over the months of September to December 2007.^[3]

The first of two anime series, produced by Studio Pierrot and Aniplex, premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network and the anime satellite television network Animax on October 3, 2002, and is still being aired. Viz also licensed the anime for North American production. Naruto debuted in the United States on Cartoon Network's Toonami programming block on September 10, 2005, and in Canada on YTV's Bionix on September 16, 2005. Naruto began showing in the UK on Jetix on July 22, 2006. It began showing on Toasted TV on January 12, 2007 in Australia, although it could be watched on Cartoon Network in 2006. The first series lasted nine seasons, while Naruto: Shippūden began its first on February 15, 2007.

Plot overview

Twelve years before the events at the focus of the series, the nine-tailed demon fox attacked Konohagakure. Powerful enough to raise tsunamis and flatten mountains with a swish of one of its tails, it raised chaos and slaughtered many people, until the leader of the Leaf Village – the Fourth Hokage – sacrificed his own life to seal the demon inside a newly-born child, Naruto Uzumaki. The Fourth Hokage, who was celebrated as a hero for sealing the demon fox away, wanted Naruto to be respected in a similar light by being the containment vessel for the demon fox.

The Leaf Village, however, shunned him, regarding Naruto as if he were the demon fox itself and mistreated him throughout most of his childhood. A decree made by the Third Hokage forbid anyone to discuss or mention the attack of the demon fox to anyone, even their own children. However, this did not stop them from treating him like an outcast and as a result he grew up an orphan without friends, family, or acknowledgment. He could not force people to befriend him, so he sought acknowledgment and attention the only way he knew – through pranks and mischief.

However, that soon changed after Naruto graduated from the Ninja Academy by using his Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to save his teacher, Iruka Umino, from the renegade ninja Mizuki. That encounter gave Naruto two insights: that he was the container of the demon fox, and that there was someone besides the Third Hokage who actually cared for and acknowledged him. His graduation from the academy opened a gateway to the events and people that would change and define his world, including his way of the ninja for the rest of his life.^[4]

The main story follows Naruto and his friends' personal growth and development as ninja, and emphasizes their interactions with each other and the influence of their backgrounds on their personalities. Naruto finds two friends and comrades in Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, two fellow young ninja who are assigned with him to form a three-person team under an experienced sensei named Kakashi Hatake. Naruto also confides in other characters that he meets throughout the series as well. They learn new abilities, get to know each other and other villagers better, and experience a coming-of-age journey as Naruto dreams of becoming the Hokage of the Leaf Village.

Throughout all of the Naruto plot, strong emphasis on character development changes the plot, with very few things happening because of chance. At first, emphasis is placed on Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, who are the members of Team 7. However, other characters are developed, such as Kakashi, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, as well as Naruto's peers in the other teams and villages. Several major villains come into play as well, the first being Zabuza Momochi, a missing-nin from Kirigakure, and his partner, Haku. Later, in the Chunin Exams arc, Orochimaru is introduced as an S-Class missing-nin at the top of Konoha's most wanted list. Later still, a mysterious organization called Akatsuki begins to pursue Naruto for the nine-tailed demon fox inside him.

Characters

The main characters, Squad 7: Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki and team leader, Kakashi Hatake

Naruto has a large and colorful cast of characters, running a gamut of detailed histories and complex personalities, and allowing many of them their fair share in the spotlight; they are also seen to grow and mature with the series, as it spans several years. As fitting for a coming-of-age saga, Naruto's world constantly expands and thickens, and his social relations are no exception – during his introduction he has only his teacher and the village's leader for sympathetic figures, but as the story progresses, more and more people become a part of his story.

The students at the Ninja Academy, where the story begins, are split up into squads of three after their graduation and become Genin, junior ninja. Each squad is assigned an experienced sensei. These core squads form a basis for the characters' interactions later in the series, where characters are chosen for missions for their team's strength and complementary skills; Naruto's squad 7 becomes the social frame where Naruto is acquainted with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, and their sensei Kakashi Hatake, forming the core of his world-in-the-making. The other three-man teams of his former classmates form another such layer, as Naruto connects with them to various degrees, learning of their motives, vulnerabilities, and aspirations, often relating them to his own. The groups of three are not limited to the comrades Naruto's age – groups in the story in general come in threes and multiples of three with very few exceptions.

Sensei-student relationships play a significant role in the series; Naruto has a number of mentors with whom he trains and learns, most notably Iruka Umino, the first ninja to recognize Naruto's existence, Kakashi Hatake, his team leader, and Jiraiya, and there are often running threads of tradition and tutelage binding together several generations. These role models provide guidance for their students not only in the ninja arts but also in a number of Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideals. Techniques, ideals, and mentalities noticeably run in families, Naruto often being exposed to the abilities and traditions of generation-old clans in his village when friends from his own age group demonstrate them, or even achieve improvements of their own; it is poignantly noted that Naruto's generation is particularly talented.

Character names often borrow from Japanese folklore and literature (such as the names borrowed from the folktale Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari), or are otherwise elaborate puns; often there is a noticeable influence of the story behind the name shouldered by the character.^[5]

Anime details

See also: List of Naruto episodes, List of Naruto: Shippūden episodes, and List of Naruto media

Even though it debuted some time after the manga, the anime quickly caught up, since one anime episode usually covers one or two manga chapters. To prevent overlapping, the anime's producers tend to organize content from the manga chapters into long, uneventful sections followed by short bursts of action, sometimes adding filler content in between. By the time the last canonical arc of the anime concluded, it was quickly gaining on the manga and consequently switched to anime-only filler episodes to allow the manga to broaden the gap once more. Most of the filler episodes are stand-alone stories, with a few being part of arcs that are several episodes long. The filler episodes lasted for 85 episodes, the duration of the first series. After the series moved back into manga-adapted episodes, it was renamed Naruto: Shippūden (疾風伝, Naruto: Shippūden^? lit. Hurricane Chronicles). The new series premiered on February 15, 2007.

The anime generally remains true to the manga, usually changing only minor details (causes of death, loss of limbs, and other injuries have been lessened in the anime) or expanding on parts skipped by the manga. The filler arcs, though unreferenced in the manga (save for a few scant scenes), deal with the breaks between story arcs, most prominently the period between the mission to retrieve Sasuke and Naruto's departure from Leaf Village at the end of the original series. The filler arcs also often shine the spotlight on minor characters that have received little narrative attention otherwise.

New episodes, animated by Studio Pierrot, air weekly on TV Tokyo in Japan during the Golden Time slot (Japan's equivalent of prime time in the US). As of October 5, 2006, it shows on Thursday nights. The series has also spawned four movies, Naruto the Movie, Naruto the Movie 2, Naruto the Movie 3, and Naruto: Shippūden the Movie. The first three are available on DVD,while the fourth one was released on August 4th 2007.

English-language broadcast

On September 10, 2005, Naruto had its hour-long premiere in the U.S. on Cartoon Network's Toonami. The first episode of Naruto premiered in Canada on YTV on September 16, 2005. In the United Kingdom, Naruto premiered on Jetix on July 22, 2006. In Australia and New Zealand it premiered on Cartoon Network on September 27, 2006. It also began showing on Toasted TV on January 12, 2007, in Australia.

In its English anime release, Naruto was aired with a TV-PG rating in the US and a PG rating in Canada. More explicit episodes, such as Jiraiya's debut and the battle with Zabuza, have been given a TV-PG-DS or a TV-PG-V rating.^[6] References to alcohol, Japanese cultural differences, mild language, mild sexual situations, and even blood and death remain in the English version, though reduced in some instances.^[7] Other networks make additional content edits apart from the edits done by Cartoon Network, such as Jetix's more strict censoring of blood, language, smoking and the like. So far, only one episode, the "lost OVA", has received a TV-Y7-FV rating, but this was likely due to Cartoon Network neglecting to update the rating for usually in the timeslot that this special ran in TV-Y7-FV programs ran. Repeated viewings (such as the on August 8, 2007) have listed the special as TV-PG-V, As did all commercials for the special.

Reception

The series' length and popularity is comparable to that of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, another popular action-oriented shōnen manga. Since its creation, Naruto has spawned a large number of fansites that contain detailed information, guides, and active forums. Some of the first and most popular sites targeted at English speaking audiences were established shortly after the first English manga volume was released in August 2003. Like many other manga and anime titles, Naruto has also spawned its own collectible card game.

Prior to the anime's North American debut in 2005, several scanlation and fansub groups translated the series and made it available for free download on the internet. Despite North American companies' perceived tendency to prosecute fansubbing groups more frequently than Japanese companies,^[8] there are some that have continued to translate new Naruto episodes due to the extremely large gap between the English and Japanese versions.

Although the early part of the series has been called "childish" and "goofy", with a focus on toilet humor, "formulaic battles" and a simplistic plot, the series later develops.^[9]

Volume 7 of the manga has recently won a Quill Award for best graphic novel in North America.^[10] In TV Asahi's latest top 100 Anime Ranking, Naruto ranked 17th on the list.^[11]

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Common Questions regarding orchid

2007-08-12T14:21:00.001-07:00

In the world of flowers, orchids are the undisputed champions. Once the expensive interest of the wealthy, orchids today are within reach of all. One of the oldest and best organized of plant hobbies, orchid culture now enjoys worldwide popularity. Their incredible beauty and diversity captivate men and women of every walk of life.

If you haven't grown orchids, you are missing one of nature's finest offerings.

WHO CAN GROW ORCHIDS

If you can grow houseplants, you can grow orchids. With some attention to light and temperature, there are many popular and satisfying species and hybrids that will do well in the home or out-of-doors. Like any other plant, an orchid must have the growing conditions it needs to survive. But they are amazingly sturdy and resilient.

ARE ORCHIDS ARE CHALLENGING

Because there are so many of them, there is always more to learn about orchids. New discoveries are made every day, giving the world of orchids an ever-widening horizon. It is an interest that provides as much of a challenge as you like.

ARE ORCHIDS HARD TO GROW?

No. They are no harder to grow than many flowering popular plants. Like any plant, an orchid needs water, food, light, and air. If you can grow other garden and house plants, you can grow orchids. All it takes is a little understanding and care.

AREN'T ORCHIDS PARASITES?

Absolutely not! Of the 20,000 species of orchids that grow around the world, not one is parasitic. In nature, many orchids cling to trees and bushes as a growth habit; but they take nothing from the host plant and do not injure it in any way. Orchids that grow on trees are called epiphytes or, more commonly, air plants.

DO YOU NEED A GREENHOUSE?

Not necessarily. Many popular orchids can be grown in your home in a window or under lights. Some are able to withstand a light frost. When selecting plants, choose those that will survive in the environment you have to offer.

AREN'T ALL ORCHIDS THE SAME?

To the contrary. No plant family is more diverse. After all, the orchid family is the largest plant family in nature. From the thimble-sized Mystacidium caffrum to the 20-foot-tall Renanthera storiei, orchids take amazingly different shapes, forms, and growth habits. Some orchids produce blossoms no larger than a mosquito; some orchid flowers are as large as a dinner plate. Your familiar corsage orchid is just one of thousands of attractive types that can be grown in this area, given the proper environment.

DO ORCHIDS COME FROM THE JUNGLES?

Some do. But every country in the world, and every province in Canada, has its orchid species, including the Arctic. Ontario, for example, has more than 60 species of native orchids.

ARE ORCHIDS FRAGRANT?

Some are powerfully scented, others less so. A few orchid fragrances defy description, while others resemble familiar fragrances - raspberry, coconut, lilacs and citrus. Others have no scent, but rely on shape and color to attract insects or birds for pollination.

HOW LONG DO BLOOMS LAST?

It depends on the type, plus factors of culture and care. Blooms of hybrids of the Cattleya family may last from one to four weeks on the plant. Those of the Phalaenopsis family commonly last from one to four months.

WHAT SORT OF SOIL DO THEY NEED?

Most require none. In nature, orchids can be divided into four types according to growing conditions. Most are classified as epiphytes, or air plants, which grow on trees. The rock growers, or lithophytes, cling to the surfaces of rocks. Saprophytes are those that grow in mulch, often on the forest floor. Finally, there are the terrestrials which anchor themselves in soil or sand. As most orchids are epiphytes, they can be grown in tree bark, crumbled charcoal, pebbles, or on wooden or cork plaques.

AREN'T ORCHIDS TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE?

Not any more. Once a rich man's hobby, orchids are now within the reach of any income. Modern reproductive methods make it possible for growers to enjoy the finest plants for a few dollars. You can spend as much or as little as you like on your hobby. But you should know that trying to own just one orchid is like trying to eat just one peanut.

SHOULD THEY BE PROTECTED FROM DRAFTS?

By no means. As a matter of fact, orchids require moving air. They do best where there is a steady breeze. After all, in nature, orchids are subject to all kinds of weather.

MUST ORCHIDS BE KEPT HOT?

Like most plants, orchids prefer a middle range of temperatures, neither too hot nor too cold. Some warm-growing species can take hot weather; some cool-growers are not harmed by subfreezing temperatures. It depends on the plant. Generally, however, the climate in the home favors the intermediate species. Orchids from more severe climates that are accustomed to cool or warm temperatures year-round do not do as well.

ARE ORCHIDS SHORT LIVED?

Most are very long-lived. In fact, some species are virtually immortal, given the proper attention. Divisions or propagations of orchids discovered in the 19th century are still growing and blooming today... a botanical heritage from an earlier century.

HOW OFTEN DO ORCHIDS BLOOM?

Again, it depends on the plant. Some bloom once a year; others bloom several times a year; some bloom continuously.

WHEN DO ORCHIDS BLOOM?

The most popular types bloom in winter and spring, but orchids may be found that bloom in any month of the year.

CAN YOU TRANSPORT ORCHIDS?

Yes. That's one of their greatest assets. Orchids are portable. Because they grow in pots or baskets, they can be carried anywhere. Many growers use blooming plants as living centerpieces in their homes. Orchids are routinely mailed and shipped across country and around the world.

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Indonesian Declaration of Independence

2007-08-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Soekarno reading the declaration of independence
This article is part ofthe History of Indonesia series

Pre-colonial Indonesia (before 1602)
Srivijaya (3rd century–14th century)
Sailendra (8th Century – 832)
Kingdom of Mataram (752–1045)
Kediri (1045–1221)
The spread of Islam (1200–1600)
Singhasari (1222–1292)
Majapahit Empire (1293–1500)
Malacca Sultanate (1400–1511)
Aceh Sultanate
Sultanate of Demak (1475–1518)
Mataram Sultanate (1500s to 1700s)
Dutch East Indies (1602–1945)
Anglo-Dutch Java War (1810–1811)
Padri War (1821–1837)
Java War (1825–1830)
Aceh War (1873–1904)
National Revival (1899–1942)
World War II battles (1941–1942)
Japanese Occupation (1942–1945)
Independence (1945–1965)
Declaration of Independence (1945)
National Revolution (1945–1950)
Asian-African Conference (1955)
Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1962–1965)
New Order (1965–1998)
Overthrow of Sukarno (1965–1966)
Act of Free Choice (1969)
Reformasi (1998–present)
Revolution of 1998 (1996–1998)
2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake (2004–present)
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The Indonesian Declaration of Independence was officially proclaimed at 10.00 a.m. sharp on Friday, August 17, 1945. The declaration marked the start of the five year diplomatic and armed-resistance of the Indonesian National Revolution, fighting against the forces of the Netherlands until the latter officially acknowledged Indonesia's independence in 1949.
Contents[hide]
1 The Declaration Event
2 The Aftermath
3 Text of the Declaration
3.1 The draft
3.1.1 In Indonesian:
3.1.2 Draft amendments:
3.2 Final text
3.2.1 In Indonesian:
3.2.2 English translation:
4 References
5 Further reading

The Declaration Event
The draft was prepared only a few hours earlier, on the night of August 16, by Soekarno, Hatta, and Soebardjo, at Rear-Admiral Maeda (Minoru) Tadashi's house, Miyako-Doori 1, Jakarta (now the "Museum of the Declaration of Independence", JL. Imam Bonjol I, Jakarta). Maeda himself was sleeping in his room upstairs. He was agreeable to the idea of Indonesia's independence, and had lent his house for the drafting of the declaration. Marshal Terauchi, the highest-ranking Japanese leader in South East Asia and son of Prime Minister Terauchi Masatake, was however against Indonesia's independence, scheduled for August 24.
While the formal preparation of the declaration, and the official independence itself for that matter, had been carefully planned a few months earlier, the actual declaration date was brought forward almost inadvertently as a consequence of the Japanese unconditional surrender to the Allies on August 15 following the Nagasaki atomic bombing. The historic event was triggered by a plot, led by a few more radical youth activists such as Adam Malik and Chairul Saleh, that put pressure on Soekarno and Hatta to proclaim independence immediately. The declaration was to be signed by the 27 members of the Preparatory Committee for Indonesian Independence (PPKI) symbolically representing the new nation's diversity. The particular act was apparently inspired by a similar spirit of the United States Declaration of Independence. However, the idea was heavily turned down by the radical activists mentioned earlier, arguing that the committee was too closely associated with then soon to be dysfunctional Japanese occupation rule, thus creating a potential credibility issue. Instead, the radical activists demanded that the signatures of six of them were to be put on the document. All party involved in the historical moment finally agreed on a compromise solution which only included Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta as the co-signers 'in the name of the nation of Indonesia'
Soekarno had initially wanted the declaration to be read at Ikada Plain, the large open field in the centre of Jakarta, but due to unfounded widespread apprehension over the possibility of Japanese sabotage, the venue was changed to Soekarno's house at Pegangsaan Timur 56. In fact there was no concrete evidence for the growing suspicions, as the Japanese had already surrendered to the Allies, and the Japanese high command in Indonesia had given their permission for the nation's independence. The declaration of independence passed without a hitch.

The Aftermath
The event also triggered several insurgencies and atrocities in some local areas such as Westerling's Celebes Massacre in 1946, East Sumatra Social Revolution in 1946, and Laskar Hitam. They were carried out by both Dutch-loyalists and anti Dutch-loyalists fighting against each other, as well as by other local militias that simply took advantage of the seemingly uncertain situation following the proclamation.

Text of the Declaration

The draft

In Indonesian:
PROKLAMASI
Kami, bangsa Indonesia, dengan ini menjatakan (menyatakan) kemerdekaan Indonesia.
Hal-hal jang (yang) mengenai pemindahan kekoeasaan (kekuasaan), d.l.l., diselenggarakan dengan tjara (cara) saksama dan dalam tempoh jang (yang) sesingkat-singkatnja (sesingkat-singkatnya).
Djakarta (Jakarta), 17-8-0'5
Wakil-Wakil Bangsa Indonesia
...

Draft amendments:
Three amendments were made to the draft, as follows:
"tempoh": changed to "tempo", both meaning "time period".
17-8-45: changed to "hari 17, boelan 8, tahoen 05" ("day 17, month 8, year 05" of the Japanese sumera calendar); the number "05" is the short form for 2605.
"Wakil-Wakil Bangsa Indonesia" (Representatives of the people of Indonesian nation): changed to "Atas nama bangsa Indonesia" ("in the name of the nation of Indonesia").

Final text

The original Indonesian Declaration of Independence

In Indonesian:
PROKLAMASI
Kami, bangsa Indonesia, dengan ini menjatakan kemerdekaan Indonesia.
Hal-hal jang mengenai pemindahan kekoeasaan d.l.l., diselenggarakan dengan tjara saksama dan dalam tempo jang sesingkat-singkatnja.
Djakarta, hari 17 boelan 8 tahoen 05
Atas nama bangsa Indonesia
<> Soekarno - Hatta

English translation:
PROCLAMATION
We, the Indonesian people, hereby declare the independence of Indonesia.
Matters concerning the transfer of power, etc., will be carried out in a conscientious manner and as speedily as possible.
Jakarta, 17th day of 8th month, year 05 (note: Japanese calendar year)
In the name of the nation of Indonesia
Soekarno - Hatta

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Rurouni Kenshin

2007-08-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Rurouni Kenshin

るろうに剣心 (Rurouni Kenshin)

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story (るろうに剣心明治剣客浪漫譚, Rurōni Kenshin Meiji Kenkaku Romantan^?)^[1] is a manga and anime series created by mangaka Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story is set during the early Meiji period in Japan. The English versions of the OVAs as well as the movie are released as Samurai X, although the original title was included in the DVD releases. The series tells the story of an assassin named Himura Kenshin, who was known as the Hitokiri Battōsai ("Man killer - Master of the Sword"). Kenshin later grieves for all the lives he has taken, and vows that he will never kill again.

The manga originally appeared in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from September 2, 1994 to November 4, 1999, and the completed work consists of 28 tankōbon volumes. The United States release of the manga has been completed by VIZ Media. Rurouni Kenshin is subtitled "Wandering Samurai" in some English releases, as a rough translation of "Rurouni."

Writer Kaoru Shizuka has written an official Rurouni Kenshin novel titled Voyage to the Moon World. The novel has been translated by VIZ Media and distributed in the United States and Canada.

Plot overview

The story starts with Kenshin meeting Kaoru in Tokyo. Kaoru is in pursuit of a man who claims to be the Battousai, and at first believes Kenshin is the man, but after seeing Kenshin's clumsiness and "sakabato" ("reverse blade sword"), she decides he can't possibly be the legendary manslayer. The actual culprit turns out to be a former student of the Kamiya dojo who seeks revenge after being expelled. Kaoru is captured and held captive by the fake Battousai, but Kenshin appears on the scene, reveals that he is the real Battousai, and proceeds to defeat both the fake and his gang without killing any of them. He uses a powerful, ancient style of swordsmanship known as "Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu." When offered a place at the dojo, Kenshin decides to temporarily stop being a Rurouni and stay at the dojo, starting the first of three manga arcs.

Characters

Usage note: Character names are given in Japanese order with the given name after the family name. The English anime dub uses the Western order (family name after the given name) while the English manga uses the Japanese order.

Nobuhiro Watsuki, in each tankōbon, details the creation of the characters, as well as the influences he had for the characters' personality and design. Influences include historical figures (prominently seen with members of the Shinsengumi) and fictional sources including X-Men and Marvel characters, and SNK video games characters, mainly Samurai Shodown and Last Blade ones.

Rurouni Kenshin main characters:

Himura Kenshin (Kenshin Himura)
Kamiya Kaoru (Kaoru Kamiya)
Sagara Sanosuke (Sanosuke Sagara)
Myōjin Yahiko (Yahiko Myojin)
Takani Megumi (Megumi Takani)
Saitō Hajime (Hajime Saito)
Makimachi Misao (Misao Makimachi)

Media

Rurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story

A prototype series titled Rurouni: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story^[2] first appeared as a pair of separate short stories published in 1992 and 1993 in the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump Special.

The story released in the first manga features an earlier version of Himura Kenshin helping a wealthy girl named Raikōji Chizuru. Chizuru would later be the prototype for Rurouni Kenshin's heroine, Kamiya Kaoru. Chizuru also makes a cameo in the Seishouhen OVA with Kenji in the final scene.

The second story, which though released second in the manga format was indeed the first 'Rurouni' one-shot, has Kenshin saving the Kamiya family's dojo from a corrupt crime lord who seeks to marry the family's oldest daughter, Megumi (later to become Takani Megumi), with the aid of her younger siblings, Kaoru and Yahiko (the heir to the Kamiya dojo, later to become Myojin Yahiko). While Kaoru and Yahiko's characters are similar to their incarnations in Rurouni Kenshin, Megumi's personality is distinctly different as she is more timid and submissive than her eventual incarnation in the series, and Watsuki has noted her personality from that part has been transferred to the character of Sekihara Tae.

Rurouni Kenshin

In 1994, Watsuki created an ongoing version that was published in Shonen Jump until its conclusion in 1999. The manga consists of 28 tankōbon volumes. The storyline of Kenshin is divided into three storyline arcs: Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Jinchū (人誅編, Jinchū-ban^?). The Jinchū arc (also known as the "Ending Arc", "Revenge Arc", and sometimes spelled "Jinchuu Arc") was not animated, except for the parts about Kenshin's background which formed one of the OVAs released.

The Jinchū arc contains a large amount of Himura Kenshin's backstory including the meeting of his first wife, (Yukishiro Tomoe), and the events that resulted in his infamous cross-shaped scar. The story arc is primarily focused on characters from Kenshin's years spent as the Hitokiri Battōsai, who seek revenge against him for his past actions. The Jinchū arc also has a stronger romantic theme to it.

Yahiko no Sakabatō

In 2000, it was followed up by Yahiko no Sakabatō (弥彦の逆刃刀, ("Yahiko's Reversed-Edge Sword")^?), which VIZ Media released in the September 2006 edition of Shonen Jump. The story follows the character of Myojin Yahiko, who reluctantly accepts an assignment to teach at the Kikuhara Kasshin Shintō style dojo. At the dojo, Yahiko finds that Midori, the daughter of the dojo's master, and three students are being held hostage by a criminal, Mutō Kaname, and his followers. Yahiko quickly defeats Mutō and a police officer, Lieutenant Kitaki, who attacks Mutō with the blind belief that all criminals must be executed for the sake of the Meiji era. Yahiko returns to the students and subjects them to harsh training for the rest of his duration at the dojo.

He returns to Tokyo at the end of the month and then takes off to Akabeko to visit Sanjō Tsubame, not knowing the whole trip was planned by Kenshin for Yahiko to become stronger.

Kenshin Kaden

Haru ni Sakura is six pages long and in full color. The story takes place years after the manga's conclusion, when Kenshin and Kaoru have married and have a young son, Kenji. Many of the series' major characters who have befriended Kenshin reunite (or otherwise reveal their current whereabouts) with him in a spring picnic.

Rurouni Kenshin Kanzenban

Starting in July of 2006, the Japanese publishers of Rurouni Kenshin released the long-awaited kanzenban edition. Each Rurouni Kenshin kanzenban volume features a new cover, and there's also a color panel inside the book that is new art as well. The Rurouni Kenshin kanzenban is slated to run 22 volumes (as opposed to the original 28 Tankōbon each book will contain more chapters than the basic editions), with two coming out monthly. As a bonus, the Rurouni Kenshin kanzenban will include "Yahiko no Sakabato", an extra story that ran in Shonen Jump and was never collected into a book in Japan. In Germany it was added to volume 28.

Novels

Originally from Shueisha's Jump j-Books. Voyage to the Moon World is an original story (that was later adapted in the anime), but the rest are adaptations of manga and anime stories. Only Volume 1 has been translated into English so far.

Volume 1
Voyage to the Moon World and Sanosuke and the Nishiki-e By Kaoru Shizuka (1996/10). ISBN 1421506041
Volume 2
Yahihiko's Battle and Kurogasa By Kaoru Shizuka (1997/10). ISBN 4087030636
Shimabara Arc
TV Anime Shimabara Arc (#67-76) 1999/2. ISBN 4087030776

Anime

For a list of episodes from the anime, see List of Rurouni Kenshin episodes.

The television series was split into three approximate seasons, with the first 27 episodes generally following the Tokyo Arc, episodes 28-62 closely following the Kyoto Arc, and episodes 63-95 being "filler" non-manga based episodes designed so that Watsuki could have more time to finish the Jinchuu plot so it could be animated. The anime series slid from high popularity after the Kyoto Arc because of all the "filler" episodes to eventual cancellation before the Jinchū/Revenge Arc could be animated. The anime series began airing on Japan's Fuji TV on January 10, 1996 and ended on September 8, 1998. It was produced by Aniplex (formerly SPE Visual Works) and Fuji TV, and was animated from episode 1 to 66 by Studio Gallop, whereas the episodes from 66 onwards were animated by Studio Deen. The TV series was later licensed in North America by Media Blasters.

The animated series enjoys immense popularity worldwide, and although designed primarily for young male fans, its detailed exploration of emotion and relationships (especially the romantic relationship that develops between Kenshin and Kaoru to eventual marriage) attracts many young female followers as well.

Movie

Main article: Rurouni Kenshin: Ishin Shishi he no Requiem

A movie, Samurai X: The Motion Picture , known in Japan as Ishin Shishi he no Requiem (―維新志士への鎮魂歌, Requiem for the Ishin Patriots^?)^[3] which tells a story where Kenshin meets a samurai who was very close to a man Battosai murdered in the war. The samurai is trying to start a revolution to overthrow the Meiji government.

OVAs

Kenshin as an apothecary

The OVA series, which features a number of historical characters, attempts to be more realistic and accurate than the TV series, which begins as a romantic comedy but evolves into a period drama. The OVA made use of live footage spliced with animation cells giving the series a different feel than straight animation. Both OVAs were re-released internationally in "Director's Cut" forms that spliced the separate "episodes" together into continuous movies, as well as adding some extra footage. The order of musical cues in both director's cut OVAs were significantly lessend and altered, although the tracks themselves were not altered or omitted.

The first OVA series, Samurai X: Trust and Samurai X: Betrayal , known in Japan as Tsuiokuhen (追憶編, Recollection^?)^[4] and later edited into a movie as Samurai X: Trust & Betrayal -Director's Cut, was set during the downfall of the Tokugawa shogunate and telling of Kenshin's childhood and teenhood. Only a few characters from the TV series appear in this OVA, namely Kenshin, Kenshin's master, Hiko Seijuro (Seijuro Hiko in the English anime), and Saitō Hajime (Hajime Saito in the English anime), as well as a cameo by Makoto Shishio in silhouette at the end. The OVA mainly depicts the life of Kenshin as Battosai and his time with his first wife, Tomoe. Kenshin is nine years old at the beginning and eighteen years-old at the end of the OVA.

Himura Kenshin leaving the Ishin Shishi

Main article: Rurouni Kenshin: Seisōhen

The second OVA series Samurai X: Reflection , known in Japan as Seisōhen (星霜編, Time^?) ^[5] and later edited into a movie as Samurai X: Reflection -Director's Cut, was set both during and after the TV series and telling of Kenshin and Kaoru's later years, differs from the manga on many key plot points, such as the details in regard of the Jin-e and Enishi fights. The OVA is best described as a montage of singular events surrounding the life of Kenshin, told from the point of view of Kaoru.

Sakabatō

The sakabatō (逆刃刀, lit. reverse-blade sword) is the main weapon of the character Himura Kenshin. It was created by Nobuhiro Watsuki as an original weapon that represents Kenshin's unwillingness to kill.

On a normal katana, the outwardly curved side of the sword is sharp, while the inwardly curved side of the sword (棟, mune) is blunt. In contrast, the sakabatō has the cutting edge on the inwardly curved side of the sword.

Although the origin of the sakabatō is the cause of some confusion amongst fans, Watsuki has stated in an interview that the sakabatō was his creation. There is no record of reverse-bladed katana ever having been used historically in Japan and there is no existing school of swordsmanship that employs them. However, since the manga was published, non-functional sakabatō have been produced for purchase by collectors and fans.

Trivia

This is a trivia section.

The section could be improved by integrating relevant items into the main text and removing inappropriate items.

This section has been tagged since May 2007.

Kenshin's original Japanese dialogue contains some unusual words which can cause problems in translation. Most of the time, he refers to himself with the extremely humble pronoun "sessha" (translated by Viz as "this one") and uses the formal verb "de gozaru" (conveyed by MediaBlasters by sentence-final phrases like "...that it is"). He shares this vocabulary with some characters in other series, such as Goemon Ishikawa from Lupin III. (However, he refers to himself in the first person in the English version of the anime.) He also addresses most women with an honorific that was generally reserved for feudal lords; the translation "Miss Kaoru" does not really express the same degree of extreme courtesy as "Kaoru-dono". When in Battōsai persona, Kenshin stops being so polite; "de gozaru" disappears, and "sessha" is replaced with the more typical brash male pronoun "ore". Kaoru is quick to catch onto this fact, as is demonstrated after the fight with Jin-e.
Both Kenshin's name and his semi-nonsensical exclamation "oro" are tributes to Watsuki's favorite comedian, Ken Shimura. As used by Shimura and Watsuki, "oro" expresses surprise or dismay, based on the similar exclamation "ara" (generally considered feminine). As proper Japanese vocabulary, "oro" only exists as a word for lochia. It seems in the English version that "oro" has been translated into "huh?" in the English anime dub (Although in episode 62 of the dub, Kaoru notices that Kenshin is saying "oro" rather than "huh?") . However, "oro" is kept intact in the English manga.
The source of Kenshin's cross scars were introduced later in the series (or in the animated version, during the OVA), but the source of the idea was revealed during an interview with the creator of the series. During concept design, Nobuhiro Watsuki started out with the usual, stereotypical masculine swordsman. He then proceeded to draw a character that, in appearance, was the complete antithesis of the other design. Even he felt that the character design of Kenshin resembled a girl. He added the scars, out of desperation, to make the character look more manly.
The word Battōsai (抜刀齋) translates into Master of Sword Drawing. Battō (抜刀) is the action of drawing a sword; Sai is a suffix which has no literal meaning, but in this context, can refer to having mastered a set of skills or knowledge. The name directly indicates Kenshin's mastery of all forms of Battōjutsu. However, Kenshin did not give himself this name, nor does he value it.
The name Samurai X was created to be used as an international name for the Rurouni Kenshin series, it is used for many different versions of the series. ADV Films' English language release of the OVA's and the movie used the Samurai X as so not to confuse their releases with Media Blasters, which had the TV series. This name is unpopular with fans of the series, who also point out that Kenshin was not technically a samurai to begin with, although a few fans of the OVAs say Samurai X makes Kenshin sound more brutal. His use of a surname before the end of the Shogunate may mean that the Ishin Shishi granted him a samurai-equivalent status although he was born into a family of peasant farmers (peasants were not permitted to have family names).
Watsuki, being a fan of American comics, particularly Marvel, based some of the characters in Rurouni Kenshin on various characters in X-Men, Spider-Man and numerous other Marvel characters. Kenshin's enemy, Jin-E, was physically based on Gambit while Shinomori Aoshi's long coat and the length of his double-kodachi (based on Gambit's cue stick/bō) are borrowed from the same character. Saito Hajime's character design (dark blue uniform, white gloves, hairstyle and 5 o'clock shadow) and credo of brutally killing those who are evil were patterned after The Punisher while his smoking habit and penchant for sarcastically berating his friends (especially Sanosuke) are inspired by Wolverine. Moreover, Kenshin himself also exhibits wit, sensibilities, and morals similar to Spider-Man. The character design of Yatsume Mumyoi, a character from the Jinchu arc (see above) is extremely similar to the supervillain Venom from Spider-Man, something which Watsuki himself points out in his respective character-commentary section. The cloak of Hiko Seijūrō, Kenshin's master, Watsuki admits in one of the manga commentaries was inspired by the cloak of Spawn.
According to Watsuki's Secret Life of Characters sections, his characters are also visually based on characters from other popular anime series. Sanjō Tsubame's haircut was modeled on Hotaru Tomoe's from the Sailor Moon series while Yukishiro Tomoe and Honjō Kamatari are based on Rei Ayanami and Yui Ikari respectively of Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The alternate title for Kenshin, Samurai X, is used in another Watsuki series; Buso Renkin. The Sword Samurai X is Shusui Hayasaka's Buso Renkin (an alchemic weapon).
In the first appearances of Yahiko, he is shown to be naming himself as Myōjin Yahiko, Tokyo Samurai, though by Meiji era, most members of the samurai class became shizoku, who retained the same salary but were no longer permitted to wear and draw a katana unnecessarily in public. In later releases by Viz depicting Yahiko's introduction, Yahiko refers to himself as Tokyo Shizoku, confusing many of the readers who had seen the previous edition. In the English dub by MediaBlasters, he refers to himself as "Yahiko Myojin: Son of a Samurai."
This series is also, in part, inspired by the classic SNK game Samurai Shodown, as Watsuki frequently makes references to the game and its characters in his own character notes. It is also noteworthy that the Last Blade games series, also from SNK, has many characters that in turn took elements from Rurouni Keshin characters, most notably Moriya Minakata, whose cloak was inspired by that of Hiko Seijuro and whose primary skills are in battoujutsu.
The character Baiken from Guilty Gear was heavily inspired by Kenshin, to the point where her initial physical appearance in the first game was a pallette swap of Kenshin. It is said that Daisuke Ishiwatari (the character designer) got the idea when he saw a picture of Kenshin and mistook him for a woman.
There is a scene in the manga, during the beginning of the Jinchuu arc where Kenshin tells his friends of his past and of Yukishiro Tomoe, where in one page, Kenshin is not wearing two toed socks, yet the page after and the following one clearly shows his wearing two-toed socks.

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Geisha

2007-08-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Women posing as maiko (geisha apprentices), Kyoto, Japan wearing traditional furisode and okobo

Geisha (芸者, Geisha^?) or Geigi (芸妓, Geigi^?) are traditional, female Japanese entertainers, whose skills include performing various Japanese arts, such as classical music and dance. Contrary to popular opinion and Western stereotypes, geisha are not prostitutes. Geisha are similar to the Korean Kisaeng.^{[citation needed]}

Terms

A maiko walks to her next appointment in Gion Kobu, Kyoto.

"Geisha," pronounced /ˈgeɪ ʃa/, is a proper noun. Like all Japanese nouns, there are no distinct singular or plural variants of the term. The word consists of two kanji, 芸 (gei) meaning "art" and 者 (sha) meaning "person" or "doer". The most direct translation of geisha into English would be "artist" or "performing artist".

Another term used in Japan is geiko (芸子), a word from the Kyoto dialect. Full-fledged geisha in Kyoto hanamachi are called geiko. This term is also commonly used in the Kansai region to distinguish geisha practiced in traditional arts from onsen geisha (see below), who are prostitutes that have co-opted the term geisha. Prostitutes wear the bow of their sash, or obi, in front of their kimono, but geisha wear their obi at the back. True geisha usually had the luxury of a professional aid to help them in the difficult process of dressing; their clothing is made up of several layers of kimono and undergarments, and an obi is more than a simple band of cloth. Dressing could take over an hour, even with professional help. Prostitutes, however, had to take off their obi several times a day, so theirs were far less complex, and tied at the front for ease of removal and replacement.

Apprentice geisha are called maiko. This word is made of the kanji 舞 (mai) meaning "dancing" and 妓 (ko) meaning "child". It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono and hairstyle, that has become the stereotype of a "geisha" to westerners, rather than the true geisha.

Tokyo geisha generally do not follow the ritualized Kyoto maiko apprentice process. The training period can be six months to a year - notably shorter than a Kyoto maiko - before she debuts as a full geisha. The trainee is referred to as a han'gyoku (半玉) or "half-jewel", or by the more generic term o-shaku (御酌), lit. "one who pours (alcohol)". On average, Tokyo geisha tend to be older than their Kyoto counterparts, many holding formal degrees from university.

Stages of training

Traditionally, they began their training at a very young age. Although some girls were sold to geisha houses ("okiya") as children, this was not common practice in reputable districts. Daughters of geisha were often brought up as geisha themselves, usually as the successor ("atotori" meaning heir) or daughter-role ("musume-bun") to the okiya.

The first stage of training was called shikomi. When girls first arrived at the okiya, they would be put to work as maids, or do everything they are told. The work was difficult with the intent to "make" and "break" the new girls. The most junior shikomi of the house would have to wait late into the night for the senior geisha to return from engagements, sometimes as late as two or three in the morning. During this stage of training, the shikomi would go to classes at the hanamachi's geisha school. In modern times, this stage still exists, mostly to accustom the girls to the traditional dialect, traditions and dress of the "karyūkai."

Once the recruit became proficient with the geisha arts, and passed a final, difficult dance exam, she would be promoted to the second stage of training: minarai. Minarai are relieved from their housekeeping duties. The minarai stage focuses on training in the field. Although minarai attend ozashiki (banquets in which guests are attended by geisha), they do not participate at an advanced level. Their kimono, more elaborate than even a maiko's, are intended to do the talking for them. Minarai can be hired for parties, but are usually uninvited (yet welcomed) guests at parties that their onee-san ("onee-san" meaning "older sister", and is the Minarai's senior) attends. They charge 1/3 hanadai. Minarai generally work closely with a particular tea house (called "minarai-jaya") learning from the "oka-san" (proprietor of the house). These techniques are not taught in school, as skills such as conversation and gaming can only be absorbed through practice. This stage lasts only about a month.

After a short period of time, the third (and most famous) stage of training began, called maiko. Maiko are apprentice geisha, and this stage can last for years. Maiko learn from their senior geisha mentor and follow them around to all their engagements. The onee-san/imoto-san (junior) relationship is extremely important. Since the onee-san teaches her maiko everything about working in the hanamachi, her teaching is vital. She will teach her proper ways of serving tea, playing shamisen, and dancing, the casual talk of conversation, which is also important of a maiko to learn for future invitations to more teahouses and gatherings. The onee-san will even help pick the maiko's new professional name with kanji or symbols related to her own name. One would suggest that geisha are prone to "flirt," but it is only their nature to seem demure and innocent. Regional variations exist, as the han'gyoku of Tokyo are known for being sassy and the Kyoto maiko are known for being demure.

After a period as short as six months (in Tokyo) or as long as five years (in Kyoto), the maiko is promoted to a full-fledged geisha, and charge full price for their time. Geisha remain as such until they retire.

Modern geisha

The Gion geiko district (hanamachi) of Kyoto, Japan

Modern geisha still live in traditional geisha houses called okiya in areas called hanamachi (花街 "flower towns"), particularly during their apprenticeship. Many experienced geisha who are successful enough choose to live independently. The elegant, high-culture world that geisha are a part of is called karyūkai (花柳界 "the flower and willow world").

Young women who wish to become geisha now most often begin their training after completing junior high school or even high school or college, with many women beginning their careers in adulthood. Geisha still study traditional instruments like the shamisen, shakuhachi (bamboo flute), and drums, as well as traditional songs, Japanese traditional dance, tea ceremony, literature and poetry. By watching other geisha, and with the assistance of the owner of the geisha house, apprentices also become skilled in the complex traditions surrounding selecting and wearing kimono, and in dealing with clients.

Kyoto is considered by many to be where the geisha tradition is the strongest today, including Gion Kobu. The geisha in these districts are known as geiko. The Tokyo hanamachi of Shimbashi, Asakusa and Kagurazaka are also well known.

A geiko entertaining a guest in Gion (Kyoto)

In modern Japan, geisha and maiko are now a rare sight outside hanamachi. In the 1920s there were over 80,000 geisha in Japan, but today there are far fewer. The exact number is unknown to outsiders, and is estimated to be from 1,000 to 2,000, mostly in the resort town of Atami. Most common are sightings of tourists who pay a fee to be dressed up as a maiko.

A sluggish economy, declining interest in the traditional arts, the exclusive nature of the flower and willow world, and the expense of being entertained by geisha have all contributed to the tradition's decline.

Geisha are often hired to attend parties and gatherings, traditionally at tea houses (茶屋, ochaya) or at traditional Japanese restaurants (ryōtei). Their time is measured by the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and is called senkōdai (線香代, "incense stick fee") or gyokudai (玉代 "jewel fee"). In Kyoto the terms "ohana" (お花）and "hanadai" (花代), meaning "flower fees", are preferred. The customer makes arrangements through the geisha union office (検番 kenban), which keeps each geisha's schedule and makes her appointments both for entertaining and for training.

Geisha and prostitution

An ukiyo-e print of an Oiran

There remains some confusion, even within Japan, about the nature of the geisha profession. Geisha are frequently depicted as expensive prostitutes in Western popular culture. Geisha are entertainers, their purpose being to entertain their customer, be it by reciting verse, playing musical instruments, or engaging in light conversation. Geisha engagements may include flirting with men and playful innuendos; however, clients know that nothing more can be expected. In a social style that is uniquely Japanese, men are amused by the illusion of that which is never to be. Geisha do not engage in paid sex with clients.^[1]

Geisha have sometimes been confused with the traditional high-class courtesans called oiran. Like geisha, oiran wear elaborate hairstyles and white makeup. A simple way to distinguish between the two is that oiran, as prostitutes, tie their obi in the front. Geisha tie their obi in the back in the usual manner. During the Edo period, prostitution was legal and prostitutes such as the oiran were licensed by the government. By contrast, geisha were strictly forbidden from holding a prostitution license, and were officially forbidden to ever have sex with their customers.^[2] The licensing arrangement led to the derogatory term 'double registration', referring to promiscuous geisha.

During occupied Japan, many Japanese prostitutes marketed themselves as geisha to American GIs. These prostitutes became known as geesha girls, due to a mis-pronunciation of the word geisha, and carried the image of geisha as prostitutes back to the United States.

Also, geisha working in onsen towns such as Atami are dubbed onsen geisha. Onsen geisha have been given a bad reputation due to the prevalence of prostitutes in such towns who market themselves as 'geisha', as well as sordid rumors of dance routines like 'Shallow River' (which involves the 'dancers' lifting the skirts of their kimono higher and higher). In contrast to these 'one-night geisha', the true onsen geisha are in fact competent dancers and musicians.

Personal relationships and Danna

Geisha are expected to be single women; those who choose to marry must retire from the profession.

It was traditional in the past for established geisha to take a danna, or patron. A danna was typically a wealthy man, sometimes married, who had the means to support the very large expenses related to a geisha's traditional training and other costs. This sometimes occurs today as well, but very rarely.

A geisha and her danna may or may not be in love, but intimacy is never viewed as a reward for the danna's financial support. The traditional conventions and values within such a relationship are very intricate and not well understood, even by many Japanese.

While it is true that a geisha is free to pursue personal relationships with men she meets through her work, such relationships are carefully chosen and unlikely to be casual. A hanamachi tends to be a very tight-knit community and a geisha's good reputation is not taken lightly.

Appearance

A geisha's appearance changes throughout her career, from the girlish, heavily made up maiko, to the more sombre appearance of an older established geisha.

[edit] Makeup

Typical nape make-up

Today, the traditional make-up of the apprentice geisha is one of their most recognizable characteristics, though established geisha generally wear full white face makeup characteristic of maiko only during special performances.

The traditional makeup of an apprentice geisha features a thick white base (originally made with lead or rice powder) with red lipstick and red and black accents around the eyes and eyebrows.

The application of makeup is hard to perfect and is a time-consuming process. Makeup is applied before dressing to avoid dirtying the kimono. First, a wax or oil substance, called bintsuke-abura, is applied to the skin. Next, white powder is mixed with water into a paste and applied with a bamboo brush. The white makeup covers the face, neck, and chest, with two or three unwhitened areas (forming a "W" or "V" shape) left on the nape, to accentuate this traditionally erotic area, and a line of bare skin around the hairline, which creates the illusion of a mask.

After the foundation layer is applied, a sponge is patted all over the face, throat, chest and the nape and neck to remove excess moisture and to blend the foundation. Next the eyes and eyebrows are drawn in. Traditionally charcoal was used, but today modern cosmetics are used. The eyebrows and edges of the eyes are colored black; a maiko also applies red around her eyes.

The lips are filled in using a small brush. The color comes in a small stick, which is melted in water. Crystallized sugar is then added to give the lips lustre. Rarely will a geisha color in both lips fully in the Western style, as white creates optical illusions. The lower lip is colored in partially and the upper lip left white for maiko, and newly full-fledged geisha will color in only the top lip fully. Most geisha wear the top lip colored in fully or stylized, and the bottom lip in a curved stripe that does not follow the shape of the lip.

Maiko who are in their first stage of training will sometimes color their teeth black for a short period of time. This practice used to be common among many different classes of women in Japan, but survives only in some districts, or even families.

For the first three years, a maiko wears this heavy makeup almost constantly. During her initiation the maiko is helped with her makeup by either her "older sister" (an experienced geisha who is her mentor) or the "mother" of her geisha house. After this she applies the makeup herself.

After a maiko has been working for three years, she changes her make-up to a more subdued style. The reason for this is that she has now become mature, and the simpler style shows her own natural beauty. For formal occasions the mature geisha will still apply white make-up. For geisha over thirty, the heavy white make-up is only worn during special dances which require her to wear make-up for her part.

Further information: History of cosmetics

Dress

Rear view of a maiko in a teahouse, her richly embroidered obi clearly visible

Geisha always wear kimono. Apprentice geisha wear highly colorful kimono with extravagant obi. Always, the obi is brighter than the kimono she is wearing to give a certain exotic balance. Maiko wear the obi tied in a style called 'darari.' Older geisha wear more subdued patterns and styles. The sign of a prosperous okiya is having geisha not wearing a kimono more than once, meaning that those okiyas with higher economic status will have "storehouses" of sorts where kimono are stored and interchanged between geisha.

The color, pattern, and style of kimono is also dependent on the season and the event the geisha is attending. In winter, geisha can be seen wearing a three-quarter length haori lined with hand painted silk over their kimono. Lined kimono are worn during colder seasons, and unlined kimono during the summer. A kimono can take from 2-3 years to complete, due to painting and embroidering.

Geiko wear red or pink nagajuban, or under-kimono. A maiko wears red with white printed patterns. The junior maiko's collar is predominantly red with white, silver, or gold embroidery. Two to three years into her apprenticeship, the red collar will be entirely embroidered in white (when viewed from the front) to show her seniority. Around age 20, her collar will turn from red to white.

Geisha wear a flat-soled sandal, zori, outdoors, and wear only tabi (white split-toed socks) indoors. In inclement weather geisha wear raised wooden clogs, called geta. Maiko wear a special wooden clog known as okobo.

Hairstyles

The maiko Mamechiho in the Gion district of Kyoto. Notice the rubber duck in the upper right and the green pin on the mid-left: this identifies her as a maiko of Gion-Kobu.

The hairstyles of geisha have varied through history. In the past, it has been common for women to wear their hair down in some periods, but up in others. During the 17th century, women began putting all their hair up again, and it is during this time that the traditional shimada hairstyle, a type of traditional chignon worn by most established geisha, developed.

There are four major types of the shimada: the taka shimada, a high chignon usually worn by young, single women; the tsubushi shimada, a more flattened chignon generally worn by older women; the uiwata, a chignon that is usually bound up with a piece of colored cotton crepe; and a style that resembles a divided peach, which is worn only by maiko. This is sometimes called "Momoware," or "Split Peach." Additional hairstyles: Ofuku, Katsuyama, Yakko-shimada, and sakko. Maiko of Miyagawa-cho and Pontocho will wear an additional 6 hairstyle leading up to the sakko. Some include: Umemodoki, Osidori no Hina, Kikugasane, and Osafune.

These hairstyles are decorated with elaborate haircombs and hairpins (kanzashi). In the seventeenth century and after the Meiji Restoration period, hair-combs were large and conspicuous, generally more ornate for higher-class women. Following the Meiji Restoration and into the modern era, smaller and less conspicuous hair-combs became more popular.

Geisha were trained to sleep with their necks on small supports (takamakura), instead of pillows, so they could keep their hairstyle perfect. To reinforce this habit, their mentors would pour rice around the base of the support. If the geisha's head rolled off the support while she slept, rice would stick to her hair and face. The geisha would thus have to repeat the tiresome process of having her hair elaborately styled. Without this happening, a geisha will have her hair styled every week or so.

Many modern geisha use wigs in their professional lives, while maiko use their natural hair. However, either one must be regularly tended by highly skilled artisans. Traditional hairstyling is a slowly dying art.

Geisha in popular culture

The growing interest in geisha and their exotic appearance have spawned various popular culture phenomena both in Japan and in the West, most recently by the popularity of the biography of former geiko Iwasaki Mineko, Geisha of Gion ("Geisha, a Life" in the US).

The short lived animated series "Clerks" depicted geisha as prostitutes. When a Geisha tells Randall they are there to serve him, he requests chocolate and pornographic magazines, to which they reply "you no need magazine".^{[citation needed]}

Geisha is known to be the ultimate in womenhood. Therefore the term is also used in many items normally related with women other than the traditional Japanese geisha. A good example is the Dutch jeans label Geisha Jeans : a very successful jeans label with young feminine styles.

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