WIT LIfe #186: 今年の漢字
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
At Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple, 今年の漢字 (kotoshi no kanji), or the kanji of the year was just announced to be 絆 (kizuna) or bonds between people. According to the Japanese Kanji Proficiency Society, the rationale behind its selection by the based on ideas from the public was that in a disaster-ridden year that brought a nation closer together, kizuna best reflects the events of 2011. These bonds include those among family members, friends and neighbors, as well as refers to support from abroad. It was chosen with the hope that the world will continue to coalesce to help restore Japan.
As for how this year’s お正月 (oshougatsu) nine months after the disaster will be spent, it seems as if most people are being low-key and staying close to home due to 3-11. Many are still in mourning for the lives that were lost, and this probably will continue until the one-year anniversary next year. People aren’t even sure what to write on their new year’s cards, as the typical 新年おめでとう (shinnen omedetou) or “Happy New Year!” may not be appropriate. Below are some suggestions (in Japanese) for what to write on 年賀状 (nengajou) to those in the disaster area. Read More
Justin’s Japan: Interview with Kaoru and Die of Dir En Grey on the Band’s ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ Tour
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Die of Dir En Grey: "Things that we took for granted before now feel more important than ever. We now venture forth into every single day, every new encounter, every concert we play, with everything we have." (Courtesy of MSO PR)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
Dir En Grey’s latest album is called Dum Spiro Spero, a Latin phrase meaning “While I breathe, I hope.” Hope is hard to associate with this murky Osaka quintet, whose previous numbers include “Child Prey,” “Repetition of Hatred” and “Agitated Screams of Maggots.”
But if killing is their business, then business is booming. Fresh from dates in South America and Mexico, the group is touring the U.S. and Canada through Dec. 23, with a high profile gig at New York’s Irving Plaza on Monday (Dec. 12). In this exclusive interview, I caught up with guitarists Kaoru and Die to discuss their sizable worldwide fanbase, scorning their government after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and their thoughts on the current protest movements in America.
he cover art of Dum Spiro Spero is said to represent Tara, the Mother of Liberation in Tibetan Buddhism. What was the inspiration for this?
Kaoru: The original idea had nothing to do with Tibetan Buddhism, to be honest. We simply wanted to capture something real and raw and decided to go with a photograph instead of the usual graphics and came up with the current cover.
Dir En Grey has gained a big audience around the world without having to write songs that rely on “pop” sounds or even English. What do you think is the reason for that?
Kaoru: I think the fact that we are not mainstream is why we appeal to the core fans.
Dir En Grey has been called a band in its own genre. How would you describe the style of your music at this point?
Kaoru: What we try to depict through our music comes from all the negative and unsightly parts of a human being.
For the complete interview, click here.
JQ Magazine: JETAANY Artist Showcase Unites Fukushima, New York
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Sculpture by Lisa Benson. (T. Brooks)
By Carolyn Brooks (Ishikawa-ken, 2006-11) for JQ magazine. Carolyn is co-author of the blog MadSilence–a cross-cultural blog written with her father–and a current culture/education related job-seeker in the New York area available for full-time or consulting work.
“At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,” said the gentleman, taking up a pen, “it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for [those in need], who suffer greatly at the present time….We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices.”
—Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, brackets by author.
It was in the generous spirit of the holiday season that over 150 guests, including former New York City mayor David Dinkins and a visiting delegation of dignitaries from Fukushima, joined together Dec. 1 for a reception and silent auction to show support for Tohoku as it continues to struggle after the Great Eastern Earthquake last March. The event, organized in partnership by the Consulate General of Japan in New York and the New York chapter of the JET Alumni Association (JETAANY), was held at Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki’s residence on the east side of Central Park.
JETAANY utilized its extensive network to get 14 artists involved, displaying and auctioning off more than 30 pieces of art including sculpture, prints, paintings and antique ceramics. The artists and donators really showed the scope of people who have connections with Japan, ranging from JET Program alumni and parents to Japanese expats and students. All in all, the auction raised $700, and with other donations received that night totaled more than $1300. Read More
JET News Roundup 12.09.11
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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08), a graduate of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.
UPDATE: Added an additional news item.
Good evening from Saitama! I’d had several things circulate my way recently so here we are with another Jet News Roundup.
- PR Event for Food Produced in Fukushima Prefecture (Japanese)
JET alum Greg Beck posted a story to JETAANY’s Facebook wall about a PR event held in New York to promote food produced in Fukushima Prefecture. Due to the accident and ongoing issues at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, sales of Fukushima-ken produced food stuffs has decreased considerably. Over 200 people were invited to the event and among the foods presented were roast beef prepared with salt produced in Fukushima and Fukushima produced sake, among others. - AJET Announces TEFL Scholarship Winners
Via JETAAUSA, on Nov. 29th AJET announced this year’s TEFL Scholarship winners from its AJET Outstanding Educator’s Program. This year’s winners are Emily Johnson and Meredith Smith. Congratulations to both accomplished teachers.Both winners demonstrated outstanding activities not only in teaching, but in spreading the values of the JET program and internationalization in their communities.
- Remembering a Very Different Dec. 7th
JET Alum Graham Shelby written an essay for the Courier Journal recounting his experience in Japan and how it affected his perspective on Pearl Harbor and its legacy. The essay is a wonderful read and I’m sure that many past and current JETs can connect with it on many levels, so go give it a read! - Welcome Back Reception in Portland for Oregonian JETs
On Nov. 17th the Consulate General of Japan in Portland held a welcome back reception for returning Oregon JETs. - Anime USA Charity Auction Raises Over $3000
This year Anime USA raised over $3000 through its annual charity auction benefiting the Taylor Anderson ’04 Memorial Gift Fund.
Justin’s Japan: Studio Ghibli Festival Mounts Monthlong, 15-Film Retrospective
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Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award-winning 'Spirited Away' screens as part of the Studio Ghibli Festival, running Dec. 16 to Jan. 12 at New York's IFC Center. (GKIDS)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
The holidays have come early for Studio Ghibli fans.
From Dec. 16 to Jan. 12, GKIDS will host a massive four-week film retrospective from Japan’s internationally acclaimed animation studio at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village.
Founded in 1985 and led by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Ghibli (based on the Arabic name for the sirocco, or Mediterranean wind) is home of some of the greatest anime films of all time, including the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away (also the highest grossing film in Japanese history), My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service and more. The studio even has its own museum in Tokyo, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary and showcased two of its short films at Carnegie Hall in March in a rare a one-time-only exception to its screening policy.
For this first-ever Studio Ghibli Festival, all films will be shown on sparkling new 35mm prints, including the North American premieres of Takahata’s Only Yesterday and Tomomi Mochizuki’s The Ocean Waves.
The retrospective should also whet fans’ appetites for the next Ghibli film to be released in North America, The Secret World of Arrietty. Co-written by Miyazaki and based on Mary Norton’s award-winning novel series The Borrowers, Arrietty arrives in theaters Feb. 17.
For the complete story, click here.
I’ll Make It Myself — Spiced Persimmon Cake
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L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and translator for The Art of Japan: Kanazawa and Discover Kanazawa, ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan.
桃栗三年柿八年 (momo kuri sannnen kaki hachinen): it takes time to reap the fruit of one’s actions
(lit. [It takes] three years for [planted] peach and chestnut trees, eight for persimmons [to bear fruit]) (ことわざ学習室）
In late autumn and early winter (mid-Nov. to New Year), Omicho Market is awash in reds and oranges: strawberries, crabs, mikan, and persimmons. Before I moved to Japan, I had never seen a persimmon, though they seem to be available in California. There are two main varieties available in Japan: non-astringent (amagaki, 甘柿) and astringent (shibugaki, 渋柿). Fuyu (富有), the tomato-shaped variety, are a variety of sweet persimmon; they are dull orange, firm, and ready to eat when they are sold. The human-heart-shaped Hachiya (蜂屋), on the other hand, is very astringent until the skin turns reddish and the insides turn to jelly.*
I tend to eat Fuyu persimmons plain, but I was inspired by The Food Librarian‘s “Fuyu Persimmon Bundt” to try something new.
CLICK HERE to read the full post.
Songwriting contest for Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
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Thanks to JETAA Music City President (and Arkansas Cherry Blossom Princess) Terry Vo (Kumamoto-ken, 2007-09) for sharing info about the songwriting contest for the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival.
Terry writes: “It’s open to ANYONE that believes that they can create a song (lyrical or instrumental) that exudes the spirit of the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (or any cherry blossom festival). This is an awesome opportunity and I would love for a JET alum to win this!! Let’s hope we get some entries on the JET or JET community side!”
GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 + A spread in the premiere Nashville Arts Magazine (February 2012) + Opportunity to have the song performed at the annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (March 24, 2012)
Deadline: January 15, 2012
For questions or inquiries, please contact 615-383-0278 or songs@nashvillearts.com.
Photos from Rikuzentakata Tutoring Project supported in part by JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund
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Thanks to Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) for forwarding the below photos of the “Youth Empowerment Iwate“ Rikuzentakata tutoring project that received $25,000 in support from the JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund. These photos are from a November 10 visit to one of the several middle schools in town where the project is operating three times a week. These photos are of three rooms, one where individual students can study quietly on their own, a second dedicated to group study (and relaxing, too…which is important), and a third that is tutoring for the entire group. The tutors you see are university student volunteers, who are the ones running things.
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A very heartfelt video thank you from the people of Tohoku that includes a number of Taylor Anderson’s students. According to Taylor’s father Andy, “the video was shown at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York’s annual dinner on November 15 where Taylor received their Luminary Award. Executive Director Karino had the video made for the event. The students who were being taught by Taylor at the time of the earthquake on 3/11 are in the video. Taylor’s students are in front of The Taylor Anderson Reading Corner. It’s very moving and reminds us all of how much is yet to be done for the area to recover.”
JET Alum Projects $54.3 Billion in New Law School Debt by 2020
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Matt Leichter (matt [dot] leichter [at] gmail [dot] com) (Saitama-ken 2003-05) is a renegade attorney who plays by his own rules. He operates a think tank of one, The Law School Tuition Bubble, where he archives, chronicles, and analyzes the rising cost and declining value of legal education in the United States.
On December 5, the American Lawyer (aka the AmLaw Daily) published Leichter’s most recent article, “Law School Debt Bubble, Part II: Data Show Feds Will Lend $54.3 Billion to U.S. Law Schools by 2020,” in which he uses American Bar Association data to project the exponential growth of law school debt in contrast to the small number of new lawyer jobs in the U.S.
Interesse Club: Matchmaking Service
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JETwit.com is pleased to welcome its newest sponsor, interesseclub, a subsidiary company of staffing/recruiting firm Interesse International, Inc.
interesseclub offers a progressive matchmaking service, from registration through marriage, and is based in both the U.S. and Japan.
To learn more and/or to register, visit the interesseclub website or contact them in:
- New York: 212-391-7767
- Los Angeles: 310-414-4541
- Sillicon Valley: 650-218-9464
Online registration available 24/7!
JET News Roundup 12.05.11
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By Filmore Ha (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08), a graduate of Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas. Filmore continues to live and work in the Greater Tokyo Area and is webmaster for JETAA Tokyo.
JET has made headlines quite a bit over the past several weeks, so today we’re going to do a roundup in the first ever JET News Roundup!
- Japan to offer donations to alma maters of U.S. Jet disaster victims
The Japan Foundation stated it will be offering US $100,000 annually over five years to the alma maters of Taylor Anderson and Montgomery Dickson. In addition, the foundation is working with each school on projects in memory of both victims. - Japan shows world it is safe with help of JET teachers
Current JETs such as Sean Dowty (featured in this article) as well as former JETs as are seen as crucial in rebuilding world wide trust in Japan as a safe destination for tourists. - On Nov. 24th the Asahi Shinbun released a short article about former CIR William McMichael who now works at Fukushima University and his efforts to recruit international students here. The article is in Japanese, so get out your dictionaries! asahi-shinbun-william-mcmichael-jet-news
- Woman pitches in for Japanese tsunami relief
Canadian community website YorkRegion.com posted an article about former Shiogama ALT Tanya Gardecky who went door to door raising funds for tsunami relief following news of the 3/11 disaster. - TV Japan posted a video prior to Thanksgiving highlighting the JET Welcome Back Reception in New York. The video, which is in Japanese, is can be accessed via the TV Japan video archive.
- Mockridge returns to visit quake-, tsunami-ravaged Japan
Bay Area Mercury News posted a great article about Alan Mockridge, a former ALT from the UK, highlighting his activities in disaster relief following the 3/11 disaster, as well as the events leading up to his return to Iwate Prefecture to visit his former school. This article is a great example of the relationships and special ties that result from participation on JET.
JQ Magazine: Georgia JETs’ Ganbare Tohoku Shows Social Media Savvy
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JET alumni Emily Duncan and Mellissa Takeuchi presenting at Georgia’s annual JapanFest, Sept. 17, 2011.
By Emily Duncan (Hyogo-ken, 2005-08) for JQ magazine. Emily is a graduate of the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia.
When I was a JET, I worked at Himeji Nishi Senior High School and enjoyed my time there immensely. I would love to return to Japan, if only for a visit.
Since a transcontinental, transpacific trip is a bit too much of a stretch for my wallet right now, I, like many of you, have an application essay ready for the day that JNTO begins their campaign for the 10,000 free flights to Japan (should the Diet rethink approving this plan for next spring, of course).
On March 11, 2011, I was asleep when the massive earthquake struck northeastern Japan (after all, it was about 1 a.m. in Atlanta). When I awoke, there was an e-mail news alert on my phone. I spent a chunk of time that morning trying to call friends in the Himeji area, but everyone was fine as they live about an hour west of Osaka. Plenty of room between them and disaster.
The rest of the day—the rest of the weekend, really—I spent occasionally checking in on the progression of events in Japan through news sources online. I reached out to the JETAASE and the Japan-America Society of Georgia with fundraising ideas. But neither group had decided upon a plan of action.
Impatient, I called my friend, Mellissa Takeuchi, fellow Hyogo-ken JET alum, to brainstorm. We thought of ideas for fundraising, but the one immediate and tangible takeaway from the conversation was that we should establish a Facebook page to catalogue the ongoing narrative of the Tohoku Earthquake, the tsunami disaster and the ensuing recovery effort.
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Time truly flies, as I can’t believe it has been so long since I’ve been here. At any rate, tadaima!
Although almost nine months have passed since the earthquake/tsunami in Fukushima, and I am glad to say that the recoverｙ effort is still on people’s minds. Last night I went to the Artist Showcase and Fundraiser for Japan held at Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki’s Residence. The event featured a reception honoring a visiting Fukushima prefectural government delegation to New York, along with artwork (some from JET alumni!) available for silent auction purchase.
Ambassador Hiroki offered his comments, and a representative of the Fukushima prefectural governor read a letter from him on his behalf. On display were Fukushima goods, and guests partook of Fukushima sake as well as Read More
L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and translator for The Art of Japan: Kanazawa and Discover Kanazawa, ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan.
Despite my oft-mentioned love of turkey, I had actually never cooked one until this year. In between being a super serious high-school student buried in a stack of books during the holidays and being a super-serious undergrad/grad student visiting from out of state, still buried in a stack of books and often rushing to get back home in time for holiday meals, I somehow seemed to have missed participating in the time-honored ritual of roasting a whole bird. This year marked my third consecutive Thanksgiving missed because I live in Japan, so rather than cry over my twitter feed of satisfied turkey-eaters in the US, I decided that my upgraded oven range was going to good use this year: we would host Thanksgiving, and, moreover, we would cook the turkey.
CLICK HERE to read the full post.
