ISSN 1348-7906
3 March 2007 No. 245
Flagman of Contemporary Dance
We offer infor mation about par t-time and contr ac t
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SATO Norikazu, Executive Director, JCDN (NPO)
JCDNNPO
Flagman of Contemporary Dance
D
o you know of a contemporary dance style not yet familiar to the public? Requiring a free-minded imagination, it can be described as an avant-garde dance created with fast, slow, explosive, and sometimes, trance-inducing moves. Now, Japanese contemporary dance is drawing international attention.
contemporary dancer himself performing in a group called Byakko-sha for 15 years. But he, along with MIZUNO Ritsuko, the co-founder of JCDN, decided to take an internship in New York, the home of contemporary dance, to learn how it was treated there. While in New York, he witnessed and was shocked by a situation where contemporary dance had firmly established itself as an art form and plays an important role in society.
The Kyoto-based Japan Contemporary Dance Network (JCDN) aims to broaden the reach of contemporary dance and bring it into the mainstream in Japan. JCDN has constructed a network of information about dancers, choreographers and performance producers, and now consists of members of about 280 groups.
Sato felt that “in Japan, dance has its place in a distant place apart from society,” and that “there should be an integration of contemporary dance and society.” He was once told by someone in New York, “It only takes three people to start something. Just move.” This inspired him to later establish JCDN.
SATO Norikazu, executive director of JCDN, was a Photos “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!!” Vol. 7, Cover: SAEKI Yuka, photo by IKEDA Hiraku at the theater 21, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Page 3 left, YASUMOTO Masako and right SAKAI Yukina: Vol. 7 21 21
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After Sato came back to Japan to start up JCDN, however, the people around him treated him coldly, telling him that “you will never succeed in building a network like that with a big headed American way of thinking.” But he always recalled what he was told in New York. He spent the next three years preparing, visiting relevant parties all over the nation and explaining his ideas. During this time he became aware of many things.
JCDN is working on now. This dramatically named project finds new talent from the public and the chosen performers travel around the nation performing. JCDN comprises new performers as well as currently active performers from more than 200 groups.
He realized that each performance artist has his or her own ideas and strong stance about contemporary dance, but that they were alienated from each other. In 2001, Sato brought everything together and finally made JCDN into an NPO. Contemporary dance has no form; therefore, it is a form of self-expression made for and by anybody. Sato believes, “every performer is unique.”
Applicants for “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!!” can be in their 50s and 60s “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!!” is one of the main projects
Female performers still make up a higher ratio in the groups, but more male performers are coming into the race. Most of them have daytime jobs and yet are attracted by their love of dance and performing as professional dancers. It is a pleasant surprise that some of the applicants are in their 50s and 60s along with those in their 20s and 30s.
There was once a 60-year-old male applicant for “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!!” who says, “I was confused at first to be on the stage with all the performers who were much younger than me, but at the same time, it was exciting and such a great stimulation.” It seemed, on the other hand, that his presence became a motivation for the younger performers as well. Every contemporary dancer has his or her own story regardless of their age or sex.
Photos, page 3 center (Strange Fruits) and page 4~5 above (Rare Mushroom Dance Group and Jastin Careo, TEZUKA Natsuko, MORII Jyun and AKAMATSU Michiyo, BATIK DANCE NORTH/SPLINTER GROUP) the Australia-Japan Dance Exchange 2006
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JCDN’s wide range of activities has increased opportunities to work with foreign performers and has brought more international dance collaborations. One of them, for instance, is the Japan-US Choreographer Choreographer Exchange Exchange Residenc Residency y Project. This is a project in which performers from Japan and the United States visit some of the main cities in both countries and give performances created from their own experiences and spirits while actually living there.
In the United States, where contemporary dance has established its place in mainstream society, the audiences never judge what is expressed in each performance. American audiences have their own ways of absorbing and getting the most out of each performance. Japanese audienc audiences, es, in contrast, tend to make a certain judgment about each performance, just as they do when they view paintings. Japanese contemporary dance has gained a certain respect from international critics, but Sato observes that the scene is still in its infancy.
JCDN activities have been well received and were recently rewarded when they were given the
Another project was the Australia-Japan Dance Exchange 2006, co-produced by Australia and Japan and performed in both countries. In addition to these, JCDN invite professional performers from Malaysia and Taiwan to hold seminars and workshops in Japan. JCDN actively interacts with passionate performers. Its next project, “We’re Gonna Go Dancing!! in Asia,” is coming up in 2007. Their plan is to find performers from among the general public and put on performances in certain countries in Asia, just as they did in Japan.
Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship by the Japan Foundation in December, 2006. It was awarded for serving as a bridge builder between the Japanese contemporary dance scene and the rest of the world. Sato comments with joy that he feels as if the prize encourages him to keep going by telling him to “work harder to let the world become more fascinated by dance!”
JCDN
www.jcdn.org/
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Topics & Events
Katsuura Girl’s Festival February 24 ~ March 4 Held at Katsuura Civic Hall, Tomisaki Shrine and other locations. Inquires: Hinamatsuri Executive Committee, Katsuura-shi, Chiba
2 24 3 4
www.city.katsuura.chiba.jp/event/hinamatsuri.html
arch 3rd is Doll’s Day, which is a festival for girls. On the days around the festival day many kinds of dolls are displayed all over Japan. At Katsuura, Chiba, more than 20,000 dolls will be displayed, including 1,200 dolls that are placed on the 60 stone stairs at Tomisaki shrine and lit up at night.
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Sagae Doll’s Festival Thousands of showy and beautiful dolls from the Edo era can still be found in Sagae-shi. ~ April 15. Held at Japanese style restaurant, Jionji Jinya, and other locations. Inquires: Tourist Promotion Section of Sagaeshi, Yamagata.
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www.city sagae.yamagata.jp/
Topics & Events
Hitoyoshikuma Doll’s Festival Fully dressed dolls exhibited at each location. ~ March 31 Held at four places including Craft Park Ishino Park, and other locations. Inquires: Tourist Promotion Section of Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto.
3 31
www.hitoyoshi-city.com
Sagae-shi, Yamagata
Katsuura-shi, Chiba
Katsuura-chou, Tokushima
Hitoyoshi-shi, Kumamoto
Big Doll’s Festival A magnificent doll’s festival in which a memorial service is held for dolls that are no longer displayed at home. February 18 ~ March 21 Held at Dolls Culture Exchange Hall Inquires: Katsuura-chou industrial promotion section, Katsuura-gun, Tokushima.
2 18 3 21
www.town.katsuura.lg.jp
Kyouhou-bina Edo era (middle-later period)
“The World of Dolls” Exhibition Februa Feb ruary ry 1 10 0 ~ Ma March rch 18 18 Adu Adults lts 700 yen yen Toyama Memorial Museum of Art 675, Shiroinuma, Kawajima-machi, Hiki-gun, Saitama 350-0128
2 10 3 18 700
350-0128 675 Tel: 049-297-0007 www.e-kinenkan.com Free invitation for 5 couples (10 people). See the bottom of page 10.
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Topics & Events
St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Motomachi, Yokohama
This is an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. On March 10, about 300 people wearing green, the Irish national color, will parade through Motomachi, Yokohama, which is a well-known, fashionable town. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland. St. Patrick was a bishop living in Ireland from the end of the 4th century to the beginning of the 5th century who worked to spread Christianity in Ireland. The committee that organizes the St. Patrick’s Parade is now looking for volunteers for the parade.
Organizing committee
www.inj-yokohama.com/
www.hiraganatimes.com 8
Topics & Events
Doraemon Exhibition for Everyone
Submit Your Work to the Digital Cinema Festival
“Contract,” 2006 Grand prix
2006
©
The 4th SKIP City International D - Cinema Festival will be held at SKIP city in Kawaguchi city, Saitama, from July 14 to 22. Organizers are now inviting film makers to submit works for the festival. Submissions should be Digital Cinema shot and produced in digital format only. Long features must be more than 80 minutes in length and submissions are accepted from all over the world. After judging by an international judging judgin g committee, committ ee, prizes will be awarded. The short film division has two sections, less than 30-minute films, and 60minute films which are only accepted from Japan. The total amount of prize money is 17 million yen. The deadline for applications is March 16. www.skipcity-dcf.jp/
Doraemon, a cat-shaped robot who came to earth on a time machine from the future, is one of the most popular cartoons among Japanese. The cartoon portrays his happy daily life with Nobita and his family and friends. This exhibition displays precious original cartoon pictures and modern art products that have been created based on ideas from “Doraemon,” and also spotlights the charms and universal appeal of Doraemon. Held at Kawasaki City Museum until February 25. Admission fee: Adults ¥800, University and High School students ¥500, students below Junior High School age and people over 65 are admitted free.
www.kawasaki-museum.jp/
COVER STORY 3-5 3-5
TIPS FOR LEARNING JAPANESE
6-11 TOPICS & EVENTS 6-11
25-27 SPECIAL INTERVIEW 25-27
CHALLENGE!! 12-13 12-13
INTERNATIONAL COUPLE SCENE
PARODY TALK 14-15 14-15
28-29 28-29
16 USEFUL WEBSITES 16
HIRA-TAI FORUM 30 30
Insight into Japan — Japanology Textbook
VISA Q&A Q&A 31 31
32 MY JAPAN 32
JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES
NEW TREND 33 33
CLOSE UP JAPAN TIPS FOR LIVING IN JAPAN
SUBCULTURE 34-35 36-37 HOT SPOT 36-37
JAPANESE HISTORY MAKERS
JAPAN QUIZ 38 38
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Publisher Publi sher & E Editor ditor:: HASE HASEGAWA GAWA Kat Katsuyuki suyuki Assistant Assistant Editor: Editor: Jonathon Jonathon WALSH, WALSH, SHIBASA SHIBASAKI KI Akemi Akemi
Illustrati Illustrations: ons: YO YOSHIDA SHIDA S Shinko hinko DTP: NAKADA NAKADA Nat Natsuko suko
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Topics & Events
Can You Tell Tell the Difference Dif ference Between Hay Fever and a Cold?
Plants that warn of Earthquakes Available!?
Rohto’s Hay fever-related products
Japan is well known for earthquakes, with small earthquakes occurring all over Japan all the time. For years, people have been working on ways of forecasting earthquakes. Now, the World Flower Service has started selling to adults who have a sense of humor “ Jishin yochi-so” (a plant which foresees earthquakes). The plant is a kind of Ojigi-so (bowing plant), and it warns us an earthquake is coming hours before it will happen by closing its leaves. Also available are “ Denjiha saboten” (microwave cactus), authorized by NASA and which absorbs microwaves, and, “Katori-so” (mosquito killing plant) scheduled on the market in April which paralyzes mosquitoes on contact, are on sale as “Otona no engei kouza” (Gardening lectures for adults). ¥735 each.
Early spring is the start of hay fever season and many people can be seen wearing masks everywhere. Pollen from Japanese cedars and cypress trees is believed to afflict one out of every five or six Japanese people with hay fever. Although it is rather difficult to tell the difference between hay fever or a cold, according to Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a cold has distinct characteristics as follows; you sneeze badly but not so often, your mucus becomes gradually sticky, but your eyes do not itch. In the case of hay fever, you sneeze often and in bouts, mucus runs like water, and your eyes become itchy and bloodshot.
For more information www.rohto.co.jp
www.worldflower.net/
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Topics & Events
Popular Japanese Mystery Book “The Hunter” Now on Sale
awarded a Japan Mystery-Suspense Grand Prix for “ Koufuku na choushoku (Happy Breakfast)” in 1988.
This is the English version of the book “ Kogoeru Kiba” that was awarded one of the most prestigious literary prizes, “ Na ok i- sh o, ” in 1996. It has already been published in Chinese and Korean. The story opens at midnight in a restaurant when a victim suddenly gets burned, and the dead body is brutally bitten by a strange beast ... Ms. OTOMICHI Takako, a divorced female detective living alone in a drab apartment house, appears on the scene. This book is more a human drama than a simple mystery story. Published by Kodansha International. ¥2,730. Written by NONAMI , who was
Kansai Dialect Also Cool
Present for three people
The Japanese that most foreigners learn is the standard one, that is, the Tokyo dialect. However, there are many other dialects in various regions around Japan. The most commonly spoken dialect among them is the Kansai dialect, which is spoken in and around the Osaka region. The Kansai region has the second largest population after the Kanto region, and the Kansai dialect is widely spoken. Many comedians use it and it has a soft but distinctive effect. The “Guide book for Kansai dialect through Listening” was published recently by Hitsuji Shobou as a Kansai dialect study book for foreigners. It consists of cartoons, etc. which makes it easy to learn. With CD, ¥2,940.
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KURODA Yoshiko
She has even acted as a dead body ...... but her steadiness has another side to it
A
ctress, KURODA Yoshiko, 27, performs in the movie, “ Oninaki-no-machi,” (directed by MIYASAKA Takeshi) that comes out this spring. Her acting work ranges from movies and TV dramas to theatre and modeling. Her principle, she says, is “I will do anything!” Kuroda is a sound actress with a down-to-earth approach in the seemingly flashy and volatile Japanese entertainment business.
UFJ
JR
Above: MUFJ saff service advert, right: JR East advert
er’s passionate support, led her to pursue a singing career. She had auditions when she was 15 years old, and although she failed at the final hurdle, she picked herself up, telling herself, “I’ve got to learn more. More lessons!” She felt a sense of failure, but she is a girl who turns everything, even her mistakes, into positives. This attitude helped her decide to try her skills in the entertainment business. business.
Having learnt to play piano and flute as a child, and having been active in chorus singing at school, music has always been there with her. Her love of singing, helped by her moth-
Kuroda studied singing and acting at university, and began to get jobs in dramas, movies and theatre. The path has not been smooth, but she moved on gradually, once even playing the role of a dead body in a TV drama. Lying on her stomach on the riverside naked, she had chicken pox two weeks later. “It was hard!” she says, but she showed her actress spirit.
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Her movie, “Gekkei-Aika,” (directed by Yuki Narusawa) won the TSUTAYA Fes Grand-prix in 2006.
2005 TSUTAYA 12
“I need to see the world I’ve never seen before,” Kuroda thought one day, and she subsequently decided to acquire a Personal Life Support Care Qualification two years ago. She now visits the home of a handicapped person who lives alone, and helps do daily chores such as cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry, cooking and grocery shopping. It is the other side of her life. But she says again, “I will do anything!” she says reaffirming the actress spirit in her.
She writes the words (for songs) to keep herself inspired by what she feels about everyday life. She loves to sing and she is always humming. She values meeting people and building connections to extend her career rather than having audition after audition. Kuroda feels strongly that “other people’s support has brought me to where I am now.”
“I would like to go international somewhere down the road,” she says about her dream. She believes that she does not have to stick only to Hollywood, and she dreams of co-starring with actors and actresses from
Asian countries such as Korea or China. If her wishes come true, she would want to play a role of Since she started participating in a Japanese person as she is personal life care work, she has From the movie, “Gekkei-Aika” Japanese herself. She has come to realize the importance of already taken the first step on the ladder towards her dream by basic communication between people in everyday situations. self-studying English. Kuroda says she always seeks “great “It is really plain and simple. But because of its simplicity, we works.” To that end, she is ready to start whatever she can do. tend to forget how important it is,” Kuroda says. “I needed to
do this, to build up her career as an actress.”
Kuroda’s blog, “Ottan-tsurezure”
blue.ap.teacup.com/kuroyoshi/ 13
by Hiragana Times CIA
Japanese will Never Start a W War! ar! On January 9, 2007 the Japanese Defense Agency was upgraded to a Ministry of Defense, while in the previous year, the Basic Educational Law, which included the “patriotism clause,” was also passed. These developments are very closely related to recent changes in the security situation around Japan that has included China’s military expansion and North Korea’s nuclear armament. Taking these developments into consideration, Hiragana Times CIA recently interviewed Dr. Phil WRIGHT, an American anthropologist who studies military powers from an historical point of view.
CIA:
What have you found out through your studies? Dr.: It is that humans have the same essence as animals. In order to have a better life human beings take even the lives of the weak. It is a truth seen commonly among not only nations,
and then through the invention of iron, began to fight with swords and arrows. Later, armor and guns were also developed. The progress of science and technology has been developed to win wars, that is, for the purpose of killing and
but also regions and even even the business world. world. It seems people will continue to have conflicts just as they used to do so 5,000 years ago.
protecting people in the most effective way. If there were no wars in this world at all, many scientific and technological developments would not have been made. Ironically, our present civilization is a result of wars.
CIA:
Human beings have created civilizations. Their science and technology have developed far more than people expected. I believe we can stop fighting at once if we make the best use of our wisdom. Dr.: Impossible! Once upon a time people fought with stones,
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CIA Cynically Cynically Insulting Agency
CIA:
Well then, would you say that conflicts are unavoidable? Dr.: That’s right. Human beings are animals after all. Like other animals which take the lives of other animals for their food, human beings eat cows and chickens for sustenance. To cows and chickens, human beings are more threatening than lions. Human beings killing other human beings can be seen as a form of cannibalism that is often seen in the animal world.
Do you mean that war will never become a thing of the past?
James
Oh no, there is only one solution. It is that all the nations of the world follow Japan’s lead.
Dr.:
However, human beings are intelligent and have developed democracy to a certain extent. I’m sure there must be some ways to avoid wars. Dr.: Look at America, the most democratic country in the world. They are still developing weapon after weapon to resolve world disputes with armed might, and yet are objecting to their own disarmament in order to maintain their superiority.
CIA:
CIA:
CIA:
Do you mean that the world should adopt Japan’s peaceful constitution, which forbids war, and the three antinuclear principles of not having nuclear weapons? Dr.: Not only that, but in a world survey about peoples’ values, there was a question which asked, “Would you fight for your country if a war broke out?” The ratio of those who answered “Yes” is as follows: China 89.9%, Korea 74.4%,
Russia 63.8% and USA 63.3%. Japan scored the least points for this question among 60 countries — only 15.6%. Even if the Japanese government asks people to fight for their country, war won’t break out because their people will run away. The Japanese are indeed wonderful people.
That’s why North Korea and Iran want to possess nuclear weapons to protect themselves from America. Dr.: That’s wrong. In fact, dictatorial nations welcome this situation. They create imaginary enemies and stir up crises, and ask their people for unity, but their true purpose is to strengthen their dictatorships.
CIA:
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International Exhibition Schedules
Tokyo Big Site
www.bigsight.jp/english/
At this website you can check schedules of exhibitions to be held at Tokyo Big Site, the largest event hall in Japan. It is possible to check schedules six months in advance, and also information about past events. Information about the events, including their schedules, opening times, admission fees and so on, are available in both Japanese and English.
Nationwide Assistance for the International Community
Japan Helpline
www.jhelp.com/en/jhlp.html www.jhelp.com/en/jhlp.html
This is a non-profit Web site for Japan’s international community. Whether the concern is emergency situations such as gas attacks on subways or just a simple question about earthquakes or even a toothache in the middle of the night, Japan Helpline is there to help nationwide, 24 hours a day, all year round.
Student Debate Match
English-Speaking Union of Japan www.esuj.gr.jp/index_eng.htm
This is a non-profit and non-political voluntary group established in October 1998, to promote mutual understanding and friendship among people throughout the world through an internationally common language, English. This group is active in holding student debate matches.
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No. 012
When the Titanic was about to sink, the captain let the women and children board the boats first. At that moment the captain persuaded the men to remain on board by saying to the English men, “Gentlemen know that ladies go first,” to the Americans, “Now, you can be heroes,” to the Germans, “This is the rule” and to the Japanese he said, “Everybody does so.”
This is a famous joke, but it accurately depicts the Japanese character. As a homogenous island race, Japanese feel comfortable acting in the same way as others and uncomfortable about being perceived as being different. In other words, they are anxious about how they are perceived by others, even what their neighbors and co-workers think of them, and what foreign people think of Japan.
It also seems that the reason why Japanese women are very keen on fashion comes from not wanting to be thought of as being unfashionable unfashionable by others, and that it is this that creates the phenomenon where they flock to buy designer-brand goods.
It could be said that the recent “furikome swindle” took advantage of this Japanese characteristic. A phone call from someone masquerading as a lawyer saying, “Your son embezzled money from his work place, but if you return the money on his behalf right now, it can be settled without going to court,” led to thousands of parents paying the requested money. It is unbearable for Japanese to think that he and his family members may be stigmatized by their neighbors.
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MATSUZAKA introduced on official Boston Red Sox s ite
Japanese baseball superstar pitcher MATSUZAKA Daisuke, has left the Japanese team, the Seibu Lions joined American Major League team, the Boston Red Sox. Considering baseball’s position as the dominant sport in Japan, it is no surprise that the news that the Red Sox paid about six billion yen to the Seibu Lions, in addition to a six year contract with Matsuzaka worth six billion yen, has astonished Japanese.
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In high school, Matsuzaka achieved a no-hit-no-run pitching performance in the final game of the All Japan High School Baseball Championship in 1998 and subsequently lead his team to win the title. Afterwards, he joined the Seibu Lions and achieved excellent results as an ace pitcher that included becoming the most winning pitcher of the year. Furthermore, in March 2006 at the World Cup Baseball Tournament, he led the Japanese team to win the title and was chosen as the competition’s MVP. Everybody admits he is the best pitcher in Japan.
At present, there is some difference in levels between American and Japanese baseball, however, it has been proved that the best Japanese baseball players can produce good performances. As you can see, superstar players from Japan such as SUZUKI Ichiro and MATSUI Hideki consistently produce excellent plays and results in the Major League. Matsuzaka’s move to the Red Sox seems to have enhanced
The annual wage for Major League players is far higher than that of Japanese players. Matsuzaka’s annual wage in 2006 with the Seibu Lions was 250 million yen. He will receive one billion yen a year from the Red Sox. Athletes dream of playing in the high-level Major League (not only because of the wages). As a result people are anxious that there will be no more superstars in the Japanese baseball league and its popularity will decrease. In the globalization of baseball, Japanese baseball will, whether you like it or not, be placed into the position of a minor league. To avoid that, it is necessary for Japan to propose the idea of organizing an international baseball federation with the hope that baseball will become an international sport like soccer. For example, one idea could be that the Japan Series winner participates in the Major League’ World Series play-off games.
Japanese champion should be invited to the Major League playoff games
Japanese players’ desire to join the Major League that started with pitcher, NOMO Hideo, in 1995.
It may be a good idea to invite the Asian baseball champion instead of the Japan Series champion, while champions of other regions would also be fine. At the moment the American Major League winner is called the “World Champion,” but it would be more admirable for the World Series winner to have
defeated the champions of other nations or regions.
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In Japan there are various traditional events such as the bean-scattering ceremony celebrating the coming of spring and the Dolls Festival for girls. These are long held Japanese customs, but the number of people celebrating these customs is gradually decreasing. In contrast, western religious events are gradually gaining popularity among Japanese people, beginning with Christmas, which is celebrated as merrily as in the West, and more recently Halloween.
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Among these events, Valentine’s Day has become an unmissable event for young people. February 14th is the day when Saint Valentine was executed as he saved the lives of a couple who were about to get married, and is the day when couples take oaths of love. On this day in Western countries for people cards, flowers and cakes are commonly exchanged between not only men and women, but also between families and friends. In Japan, however, Valentine’s Day has prevailed as the day when women present chocolates to the men they love.
It is not only in Japan that chocolates are given on this day. They say that it is very common to give sweets such as chocolate to show the sweetness of one’s love throughout the West. However, no country compares with Japan when it comes to giving chocolate on Valentine’s Day. It is said that one fourth of the annual quantity of chocolates consumed in Japan, is consumed on this special day. Nowadays, there is even a tendency for women to give chocolates to their co-workers and
superiors, but this is called “obligatory chocolate.”
Confectionary Industry created the Event
In fact, it was the Japanese confectionary industry that
March 14 is called called White Day Day in Japan. This is the day when men who received chocolates on Valentine’s Day return a gift such as marshmallows or candies to the women who gave them. This practice is only seen in Japan. In Japan a custom to give money for both wedding and funeral ceremonies and then to send something in return is widely practiced. It may seem safe to say that this is where White Day has its roots.
created White Day. They explain that March 14th was the day when the couple who were saved by St. Valentine took an oath again for each other’s love one month after his death. It seems that they have taken advantage of certain peculiar characteristics of the Japanese that makes them not only very fond of adopting new Western culture, which they assimilate easily, but also fond of following something as a group.
However, according to a survey held by one company, 70% of female and 50% of male staff responded saying that they would prefer to stop the custom of giving chocolate. Giving chocolate has developed into an event that has nothing to do with religion. Should sales of chocolates decline significantly, the plotters will introduce another product. This is what is called Japanese lightness, or in other words, Japanese flexibil-
ity or generosity towards different cultures.
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Haiseiko
Haiseiko statue, Nakayama Race Track
On March 4, 1973, Nakayama Race Track was filled with
extraordinary excitement. The audience paying attention to one horse only — Haiseiko, who hadwas won six out of six races by over seven lengths at the local race track at Ohoi. He made his debut on this day at Nakayama and 130,000 people rushed to the stadium to see him. As everyone expected, he won the race. He followed this race with three consecutive victories including the Satsukisho’s stakes, one of the Triple Crown races.
After his tenth consecutive victory Haiseiko was dubbed “Monster” and was now at the height of his popularity. Behind the popularity were two elements — one was that his father was not from a highly valued or distinguished thoroughbred blood line, and the other was that he came from a minor local race track. track. In other words it was was a dream story for ordinary people that a local horse could become successful in a mainstream competition full of elite horses.
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At the time of Haiseiko’s rise, the Prime Minister was TANAKA Kakuei. He had been brought up in a local part of Niigata and had only graduated from elementary school. However, he had managed to overcome Tokyo’s elite and become Prime Minister. At that time Japan was also in the middle of a period of high economic growth and the time when capable men could succeed in life regardless of their blood line was just around the corner. Haiseiko was just the kind of super horse that the people of this period had longed for.
In the Japan Derby, Haiseiko’s eleventh race, 66.7% of the bets were on him to win, the highest in the history of the Derby. It was an extraordinary situation in that only the amount of the money bet would be returned even if he won. At the fourth corner he was in a good position and then he came up to the front of the group. However, two horses passed him on the stretch and Haiseiko ended up in third place. The audience was silent for a moment — it was the moment when his “monster” myth was broken. The winner that day was a dark horse named Takehoupu, who later became a rival to Haiseiko.
In spite of the results, horse fans kept sending encouragements to Haiseiko. Their feelings were almost the same as their love towards their families. In his last race, The Japan Grand Prix Race Arima Memorial, the winner of which becomes the No. 1 horse in Japan, Haiseiko finished before Takehoupu, but regretfully he was in second place. When he retired, Haiseiko’s jockey MASUZAWA Sueo, released the record “Farewell to Haiseiko,” which was a big hit that sold 500,000 disks, and Haiseiko gained immortality as the first “Idol Horse.”
Expecting to get revenge in his last Triple Crown race, the Kikkasho’s stakes, Haiseiko took the lead on the stretch after the fourth corner and soon outdistanced all the other horses. Everybody believed this was to be his victory. However, just before the goal Takehoupu came up like an arrow and crossed the finish line side-by-side with Haiseiko. After a photo finish, Haiseiko was defeated again.
From “Monster Myth” to “Idol Myth”
www.succeed.co.jp/
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Kanji is one of the most complicated areas of study for Japanese language students, but if you know its structure, you will find it unexpectedly interesting. Basic kanji developed originally from pictures. Take for example, “Mountain.” You can imagine a mountain from this kanji’s shape. There are many other similar examples. “River” comes from the image of streaming; “Tree” comes from the shape of a tree. It may not be so difficult to learn kanji when you look at a learner’s dictionary in which the process where a picture transforms into a kanji character is described.
The combination of these basic kanji can create other kanji which express more complicated meanings. Writing two “tree” kanji meaning forms “woods,” while writing three means “forest.” The kanji for “flower” consists of two parts. The upper part means “grass” and the bottom parts means “change.” It represents a grass becoming a flower.
The structure of kanji is similar to those English words taken from Latin (about 60%). For example, “unhappy.” “Un” means “not,” and “happy” means “satisfied.” So it means “not satisfied.” “Psychology” also consists of two words, one is psycho,” which means “mind,” and the “logy” which means “study.” Therefore, it becomes “study of the mind.”
It will also be fun if you know how place names are made. Take for example “Tokyo.” “Tou” is also read as “Higashi,” which means east. “Kyo” means Kyoto, the previous capital before Tokyo. Since a new capital was placed in the east, they named it Tokyo. As you can see, by looking at kanji as a puzzle and learning its structure, you will find learning kanji becomes more enjoyable.
Audio Version Version In Information formation Features
Annual Subscription Fee: ¥6,000 (available only for a 1-year subscription period.)
English and Japanese are recorded in alternative order sentence by sentence. This means you will be able to understand them even without using a textbook. Texts are recorded a little slower but still close to normal speaking speed, so they will be easy to listen to and will be ideal for those people wanting to learn Japanese and/or English. l isten to them on You will be able to directly listen your PC, or download them on your iPod and other mobile devices.
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Insight into Japan: Edited & Produced by Hiragana Times. Recorded by Succeed, Inc.
“Don dedreams Tokio” in quest Quixote for ever-lasting No expiration date for adventure in life!
In front of the house where CERVANTES was born
W
hat will you do when you are retired? It is difficult for most people to consider this when they are young and working. What is a man to do when he is set free after years as a workaholic? Some people plan in advance. But for those who meet their retirement day without any planning, what will happen?
Shimizu wrote a book called “Why don’t you study abroad after retirement?” (published by Bungeisha), which advises those who have given up thinking they can achieve things in
yet active, was suddenly dispatched to such a gay, carefree, open culture as the one in Latin America, he was hooked.
“Go abroad to study!” says a voice full of life. Addressing himself as a “Don Quixote of Tokyo,” SHIMIZU Takeshi (65 years old and retired) says, “I keep having dreams. Dreams keep coming to me continuously.” On his retirement, he started his lifework named, “World Literature Journey — Visiting the Locations of the Masterpieces,” starting with his longawaited “Don Quixote.”
Shimizu was a newspaper reporter when he was younger. He decided to study Spanish for the simple reason that “everybody else around me was knowledgeable in English.” To be different, he chose Spanish. He then spent the next 10 years stationed in Panama, Latin America, as a correspondent. When this man, who was once called studious and diligent,
the later stagesa of theirstudy lives.inIn countries such as Spain, he could manage year’s college on his annual pension. “As long as you’re healthy, retirement is a time to be active.
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Go back and check if there is anything that you missed doing, places that you always wanted to visit, or if there is someone you want to see,” he explains.
Shimizu finally realized, “the origin of all Latin American culture is Spain.” He played “Don Quixote” when he was a little boy in a school play. He took the role of Sancho Panza, the invaluable servant of Don Quixote, and was instantly attracted to the character of Don Quixote, who is forever chasing his ever-lasting dreams. Since then, Shimizu has been fascinated by the novel, written by CERVANTES, and has reread it many times. He was convinced, “one day I will go to Spain and see its origin with my own eyes and get to the heart of ‘Don Quixote!’ ”
Shimizu flew to Spain accompanied by his wife while his two grown-up daughters stayed in Japan. He studied the language, culture and arts for one year at Malaga University. On holidays, he invited his college friends over to his house and welcomed them with his favorite recipes he had learnt before moving to Spain. Making new friends and learning a new culture was such a fresh and exciting experience for him, particularly since he is over 60.
people in Latin America, humans are the masters of time. No one is managed by time,” he recalls. He lost count of the number of times he was left waiting at appointments and meetings. Once, Shimizu was mugged in his much-loved Spain, and was left disappointed. But he turns even the unhappy events into positive experiences.
However, Shimizu was often troubled by differences in time management between Japanese and Spanish people. “For
GUAM SAIPAN PALAU POHNPEI SAMOA TONGA FIJI HAWAII
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2005 was the 400th anniversary of the first publication of “Don Quixote” in Spain. Shimizu flew there to celebrate the moment and visited famous locations related to the novel and the writer, Cervantes. He met many kind local people who seemed, in return, so happy to see a Japanese man who loved the novel so dearly. A well-known local daily newspaper even asked him for an interview.
“Maintaining your curiosity and imagination, and thinking positively is the key,” says Shimizu. Don Quixote has taught him how to live in various situations. His ever-lasting dreams gave way to the American masterpiece, “Gone with the Wind,” after “Don Quixote.” The dream will then move to Canada for “Anne of Green Gables,” which will be
The stature of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza
Shimizu is active in many areas, ranging from giving talks to senior, retired people, to giving lectures to young followed by England and SHAKEstudents and writing travel SPEARE. The dreams will be woven books. Visiting the locations endlessly. He claims, “I can’t get sick. of the masterpieces not on only ly There are so many things to do. There is satisfies his need to do somea long road ahead!” thing for himself, but he also hopes to pass on what he has Photos: The Margaret MITHCELL Museum in Atlanta. Margaret seen and felt. Shimizu talks to MICHELL, the author of “Gone With the Wind,” used this typewriter. elderly people who have lost a sense of fulfillment after retirement, and young people who have no hopes or dreams. “Find one thing you can be interested in, and study it all over again. Then, you will expe rience the excitement from it, I am sure.”
Tokyo Business Hotel Genkai
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Yasukuni Dori Subway Marunouchi Line Exit- 2Shinjuku Gyoenmae Shinjuku Dori Exit 1
Tel: 03-3356-4605 Fax: 03-3356-4606
Shimizu’s URL, “Plaza de Don Quijote” homepage2.nifty.com/donky/ 27
The International Couple Scene
Murray DUKE & MINE Keiko
You Deserve Someone Good You
L
ife-changing encounters can take place suddenly and unexpectedly. MINE Keiko had an appointment with a friendly couple she knew on the day she separated from her boyfriend. The couple encouraged the depressed Keiko, saying, “You deserve someone good!” Keiko murmured, “Why don’t you introduce me to someone, then?” Little did she know her words would change her fate.
ing,” Murray recalls.
The couple introduced Keiko to a Canadian man called Murray DUKE, and soon they arranged to meet each other. At that point Murray had not even seen Keiko’s picture. He went to the meeting place early. “Whenever a cute girl passed by, I thought, ‘Is that her?’ or when a girl who was not my type went by, I thought, ‘I hope that isn’t her,’ my heart was rac-
While Murray and Keiko’s parents have a good relationship now, when Keiko’s father first met Murray, he did not say anything. “My parents were perplexed by my foreign boyfriend,” says Keiko. Murray described his parents’ reaction to Keiko by saying, “When we went to Canada together, there were no problems. On the contrary, they liked Keiko very much and when we were leaving for Japan they wanted her to stay, but not me!”
3 470 – 2 0 1 2
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Murray is working as a project manager in the marketing division of a leading foreign corporation, and Keiko, who likes talking to people, works in her ideal job as an interpreter. The couple, who are blessed in many ways, married in May 2006. They held the wedding ceremony at Keiko’s local shrine and a wedding party in Tokyo, but their perspectives on the wedding were quite different.
Breakfast time is an example. While Murray is enjoying toast, cereal and coffee, Keiko is having rice with natto (fermented soybeans) and ocha (Japanese green tea). “If someone looks at this, they may think we are an odd couple,” Murray says. “But for us, we are having breakfast together ordinarily. This is just a natural part of our daily life,” Murray says.
When the couple do housework, Keiko is responsible for cooking and washing while Murray does the cleaning. The couple make it a habit to talk about any questions they have. “As a Japanese, I am apt to keep silent after quarrels, but Murray tenaciously says, ‘It is important that we understand each other by talking.’ This is quite true,” says Keiko. When the couple reconcile, they always say, “Now, we understand each
other a bit more.” To cap off their wedding, they held a unique wedding party that was neither Japanese style nor Canadian style. Everything was bilingual so that guests from both cultures could enjoy them. They are continuing this unique style on into their marriage.
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INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONA L GRASS-ROOTS
HIRA-TAI FORUM
The reason why Japanese don’t give their seats to elderly people
It is quite interesting to get on a commuter train, as you can see another side of the Japanese. When a train reaches the platform of a station, everybody rushes to the vacant seats. Even the “priority seats” for the handicapped and the elderly are scrambled for. Since it takes from 30 minutes to one hour for most Japanese to get to work, it is understandable, but we can hardly find a polite Japanese person among them.
The passengers standing nearby looked at one another and their faces said that someone should give a seat to her. It ju st ha pp e ne d th a t there was a man who looked like a Yakuza among them. As if understanding the other passengers’ feelings, he tapped a young man’s cheek lightly and said, “Hey you, give your seat to her.” The young man was embarrassed but did so.
I was moved to see it. The other passengers might have applauded the guy in question. It is well known among the The other day I was standing in front of a priority seat, when foreign community that the Japanese seldom give their seats an old woman got on the train and approached the priority to older people. One of my Japanese friends explained it as seats. I took it for granted that someone sitting in the priority follows, “The Japanese have a mind to give up their seats, but seats would give his or her seat to the old woman. However, they are too shy to actually do so,” which was an unexpected no one noticed her as they were reading books or dozing. answer to me. I want to ask Japanese people, is this true? Maybe, they were pretending not to be aware of her.
30
t ion e s
What should a foreign student do after receiving informal assurance of employment?
u
Q
Immigration Lawyer Overseas Law Firm Training in England and Germany for two years Office: 3-15-14-302 Higashi Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo
KUROKAWA Koji
www.kurokawa-office.com
I’m a student from Sri Lanka. At present I am studying data processing at a specialized school and will graduate this spring. I was given informal assurance of employment from a food company. Please advise me about the procedure for changing my visa.
A foreign student who obtains a specialist degree is qualified to receive a visa enabling them to work, subject to conditions. If the office Ans w e work you are going to start is related to what you r have studied at school, there will be a possibility that you will be allowed to change your student visa to a working visa. In your case, a technical visa will be applicable. First of all, please make sure that you can obtain a specialist degree.
Next, you will have to confirm the relevancy between your future office work and your acquired knowledge. Although it does not matter whether your future employer is a Japanese firm or a foreign firm, it is important that the work you are going to do is relevant to data processing since your company is not a data processing company. The documents required to change your visa are as follows: Application for change of residency status, certificate detailing your expected gradua-
tion, certificate showing your expected qualification, resume, your future employer’s registration document, copy of the company’s recent Profit & Loss statement, the company’s outline guide, and a copy of your contract with the company.
Besides these documents, you may also require a note explaining the reason for your employment. In your case, what is most important is that you can satisfactorily explain the relevancy between your future work and your study, therefore, we suggest that you ask the company to issue a note reflecting this.
31
Big ramen or bento
I don’t have a chance to speak in Japanese It irritates me when I try to speak Japanese to Japanese people that they tend to answer in English, or when they don’t speak
“ramen” which is totally the opposite size of Japanese food, or the “ bento” which you can buy everywhere, etc.
Job: exchange student
Stay in Japan: 3 months
Nationality: Germany
English and I’d like to ask for something in Japanese that they walk away and say: “Sorry, I don’t speak English!”
Besides the difficult but interesting language I like tiny little things like people on the train sleeping on the shoulders of their neighbors, the unique fashion, the big
Name: Angela MUELLER
I love what I call “controlled “ controlled
A lack of common courtesy in daily life
mayhem”
At the train station, I am frequently stuck behind someone who stands right in front of the ticket machine and slowly counts their change. Plus, on the train, I once stood up so that an elderly woman could have my seat. However, a young Japanese male quickly rushed over and took it!
3
I often go to Koshien Stadium. It has to be one of the craziest places in Japan, but it still has an orderly and safe feel to it. Plus, since everyone goes there by public transportation, they are able to serve beer until the end of the game.
Name: John RUCYNSKI Nationality: USA Job: Instructor Stay in Japan: 7 years
7
The Tita Titanic nic jo joke ke men mention tioned ed in “Japanese Perspectives” is interesting as it describes the nature of people. The captain’s persuasion continued with: to the Editorial Russians “If you give up your place in the boat, your government will confer a decoration on you,” to the Italians “You will be loved by women,” to the French “You should never remain on board,” and to the Indians “you will be rewarded in your next life.” “Katsurano-Haiseiko,” a foal of Haiseiko who was introduced in “History Maker,” moved horse racing fans by winning the Japan Derby in 1979, a feat his father could not achieve.
32
O
n holidays, the Kohoku interchange area of the Daisan Keihin express way is crowded with cars and it often takes
more than one hour to get through the exit. Most of the cars are heading to the parking lot of IKEA KOHOKU in Yokohama city, a large-scale Swedish home-furnishing store which opened in September, 2006. It is the second store to open in Japan after the first one opened in April in Funabashi city, Chiba.
Women chose a man according to their desires and situation. Now, they say that “ Kumitate-kun” is used for men who furnish their homes with IKEA furniture.
www.ikea.jp
IKEA Japan K.K. K.K.
“ Assy-kun” (to describe a man who serves a woman by pick Mitsugu-kun un” (to describe a man ing her up in his car) or “ Mitsugu-k who offers a woman money and other things) were popular.
A large variety of goods, excellent designs and functions, and affordable prices thanks to IKEA’s self-service policy, are the secrets of the store’s popularity. At one time, jargon like
Ms. MATSUMOTO Yukiko, a housewife who often comes to IKEA, said with great admiration, “Just coming to IKEA makes my heart beat. Since there is lots of furniture created with different tastes from ours, a facility to look after children while parents are shopping and even a restaurant, it looks like a mini theme park where adults can enjoy themselves.” The same can be seen in the US toy store, Toys‘R’Us. Foreign stores that provide a touch of fantasy seem to be catching the heart of the Japanese.
The two story store, painted blue and yellow like the Swedish flag, has a show room on the second floor where customers can spend time leisurely looking at many kinds of furniture. When you find a piece you would like to buy, take a pen and memo paper that are placed all around the store and write down the item number of the piece you like. Then, go down to the storehouselike first floor where packaged furniture is kept and put the package matching the item number you want on the cart and go to the register.
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J
apan is just now in the middle of a comedy boom. You can see comedy shows on any TV station almost every day. At the end of the year a grand comedian contest, the M1Grand Prix, is aired and gains high viewing ratings. Every year new comedians burst onto the scene bringing with them new vogue words. Last year, “Oubei ka!” (Are you a westerner?) was in fashion. Recently, the number of foreign comedians has been increasing, too.
establishment in 1994, the group has been entertaining English speakers in Japan by performing standup comedy, improvised performances, and sometimes magic and street performances.
At the same time in 1994, IMAI Jun, a friend of Michel and Chris, started to instruct improvised performance to Japanese. Ten years later, in 2004, he joined Tokyo Comedy Store with other professionally qualified Japanese
improvisation performers. improvisation
Tokyo Comedy Store, supported by foreigners living in Japan including Michael NAISHTUT and Chris WELLS, is leading the foreign comedy boom. Since its
34
Up to now, many foreign personalities have been on the stage of Tokyo Comedy Store including Patrick HARLAN of Pack’n Mack’n, Lenne HARDT, who is a PRIDE ring announcer, and Cyril, a magician. At present, a Japanese show is held on the first Friday and the third Thursday of every month, and an English show on the fourth Friday, at Crocodile in Shibuya.
vised performance is just what they want to give to their audience while they are enjoying something to eat and drink. Satisfaction comes from a sense of unity between the audience and performers.
In addition to each performer having unique charms, no one knows how the performance will unfold, and with no prepared story or dialogue (lines), the players have to work together and rely on each other to create a rewarding performance. This kind of impro-
The audience for the Japanese shows is mostly Japanese, but Japanese make up only 20 to 30 % of the audience at the English shows. Lots of foreigners living in Japan look forward to seeing high level comedy performed in English. The shows usually attracts 60 to 80 people, about half men and half women who are mostly between 20 and 40. While many men and women come individually, there is a corner where people can celebrate someone’s birthday together, so some groups come to celebrate a party.
Michael Naishtut told Hiragana Times, “Japanese audiences are very quiet and humble, however, it doesn’t mean they don’t like comedy shows. They are just too shy. On the contrary, American audiences are extraordinary and react in loud voices to our silly j jok ok e s .” La u gh i ng po in ts di f f e r depending on nationalities.
Tokyo Comedy Store
www.tokyocomedy.com
The Japan open-air folk House Museum was opened in 1967 in order to preserve for ever those houses which are now rapidly disappearing. At the museum, you can see 25 houses including a water mill, a boatman’s house, a high warehouse and a stage for Kabuki plays, as well as characteristic private houses of Eastern Japan. Eighteen of the museum’s houses are recognized as important cultural property by the nation and various prefectures. In the exhibition room you can also learn more about these houses.
The exhibition “Living in the Snow” — the northern regions seen in Kawasaki — is being held until May 27.
5 27
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Opening hours: March ~ October October 9:30 ~ 17: 17:00 00 November ~ February 9:30 ~ 16:30 (last admission 30 minutes before closing time).
3 10 9:30 17:0011 2 9:30 16:30 30 12/28 1/4 500
Closed: Mondays (except when Monday is a national holiday), the day following a nation-
For inquiries
al holiday (except Saturdays and Sundays),
7-1-1 Masugata, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, 214-0032
Year end and New Year’s Day (Dec. 28 ~
214-0032 7-1-1
Jan. 4) Admission fee: Adult ¥500.
Tel: 044-922-2181 www.city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/minka.htm
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JAPAN AN QUIZ JAP
A dish where sukiyaki ingredients are mixed with egg andplaced on rice.
1
A dish of deep-fried cutlets and egg mixed with vegetables such as onion that have been boiled in a bitter sweet soy sauce mixture and served on rice.
2
A dish of tempura mixed with a sauce and served on rice.
3
Q.: What are these dishes called in
Japanese?
A dish of thinly sliced beef and vegetables which are cooked briefly in boiling water and dipped in sauce before being eaten.
4
A present will be awarded to everyone who answers all the questions correctly! 1. Free one-time Hiragana Times party admission ticket (next month in Tokyo or Osaka). 2. Audio “Insight into Japan” for 1 month (next issue). *The above can be used by people besides yourself. Send all your answers and the number of the present (1 or 2) together with your name, sex and nationality to
[email protected] by
[email protected] by the end of Feb. 2007. *Applicants must be non-Japanese. The answers will be published in the next issue.
A dish of raw fish and shellfish served on a plate. The fish is dipped in soy sauce and horse radish before being eaten.
5
A dish where ingredients such as pieces of daikon (white radish), konnyaku (devil’s tongue jelly), and hanpen (fish cakes) are boiled well in a soup stock, then eaten with hot mustard.
A lunch box filled with rice and different side dishes such as tempura , grilled fish, and nimono (boiled vegetables).
6
7
Kabuki 2. Nou 3. Shamisen 4. Koto
5.
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OO-ch cha a
o orr S Sad adou ou
6. Ik Ikeb eban ana a or Kado Kadou u
7. Bonsai
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