WIT Life #152: Kaga Maki-e
Art, Events, Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life, Writers 
Comments Off on WIT Life #152: Kaga Maki-e
WITLife 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.
Recently I had the opportunity to interpret for a delegation from Kanazawa that was here to promote the city in general and especially its ancient craft of 蒔絵 (maki-e), a lacquerware technique that uses silver and gold powder. This art form actually originated in Kyoto which has its own style known as Kyo Maki-e, but the Kanazawa version is called Kaga Maki-e, Kaga referring to the area of Kanazawa where it originated. This picture, courtesy of fashion blogger Alice Chin, shows two delegation members at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Kaga Maki-e display.
On the left is native New Yorker and long-term Kanazawa resident Evelyn Teploff-Mugii, a designer who has modernized the thousand year old maki-e process to make breathtakingly beautiful accessories. Her Evelyn Claude line will be offered in the US for the first time. To her right is Read More
There’s a nice piece today by Dan Moeller on The Wide Island View (a really high-quality JET-produced webzine for Hiroshima-ken) looking into the similarities between the Philly Phanatic and Slyly, the Hiroshima Carp’s mascot. In the process, Dan comes to grips with the overlap and digs below the costume to reveal some interesting things about the two mascots:
http://www.wideislandview.com/2011/02/the-hiroshima-carp-and-slyly-their-mascot/
Correction: The Wide Island View is independent and not an official AJET publication, as previously stated. Thanks to Dan for pointing that out and apologies for the confusion.
Justin’s Japan: Interview with Ary Warnaar of Anamanaguchi
Article/Journalism, Justin's Japan, Music Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: Interview with Ary Warnaar of Anamanaguchi
- See Ary Warnarr with Anamanaguchi at New York’s Silent Barn Saturday, Feb. 5. (Leia Jospe/leiajospe.carbonmade.com)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
The music of Anamanaguchi is part hacked Nintendo Entertainment System, part crowd surfing rave. The Brooklyn-based foursome and chiptune vanguards are on an artistic roll after releasing an acclaimed video game soundtrack based on the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and earlier this month the band played packed houses at both The Studio at Webster Hall as a headliner and Irving Plaza with Super Mash Bros.
If you missed them, fear not: Anamanaguchi returns this Saturday at Silent Barn. I caught up with their co-guitarist and songwriter Ary Warnaar for this exclusive interview.
How did Anamanaguchi form, and what made you decide to specialize in playing chiptune music?
Pete [Berkman, the band’s lead songwriter] started writing chip music in 2003 and was releasing it online under the name Anamanaguchi. Once there was a demand for the music in a live setting, Pete decided to form a band. Over the years the lineup changed quite a bit, but solidified in 2007-08 with Pete on guitar, James [DeVito] on bass, Luke [Silas] on drums and me on guitar as well. I started messing around with chip music when I met Pete and James at New York University in the music technology program. I had been writing electronic music for most of my teen years and had become quite bored with most software by the time I entered college. Modern music software gives you unlimited options in terms of creation, and often lets you skip most steps of creation with presets and loops…software for limited sound chips (such as the 2A03 in the Nintendo Entertainment System) does the exact opposite. You’re extremely limited and are forced to make every note and every sound count. I found that the primitive software and extreme limitations actually made me write more complex music, and helped me focus on expressing myself. The harsh sound palette of simple squarewaves and white noise was also a breath of fresh air to me…overproduced lush sounding electronic music drenched in reverb and pads with hundreds of channels can get kinda boring. Chiptune music is a nice way of going back to basics.
What does the band’s name mean?
Before studying music technology, we were all fashion majors at the Parsons School of Design. Pete and James both interned for Armani, I was a secretary at Prada, and Luke worked at the Gucci store in SoHo. Whenever we showed up at fashion parties, people would always call us as the “Armani-Prada-Gucci” boys. After a couple bottles of Veuve Clicquot, people just started slurring the nickname into “Anamanaguchi.” We quickly realized the fashion world wasn’t for us, but that name just stuck when we made the shift to being a band.
Tell us about your history with Japan. How did it pop up on your radar, what made you want to go there, and how do you keep up your connection with it back home?
Hmm…I’m sure we all have different answers for this. I’ll start with answering for the band, and then get more personal:
As a band, we have never been to Japan.
As a band, we are DYING to go to Japan.
Touring in Japan is kinda our number one dream. Japanese culture, and more specifically, its music scene, is totally awesome. Even the chip-scene in Japan is amazing with artists like quarta330, USK, Maru, Aonami, Cow’P, BSK, YMCK, etc., etc…..
Personally, I have been to Japan twice. I went to Tokyo a couple summers ago and loved it so much that a week after I got back home, I bought another ticket right back to Japan to go to the Fuji Rock Festival. BEST TIME EVER. I’m always keeping up with what’s coming out of Japan, whether it’s reading blogs online searching for new Japanese artists, or asking my girlfriend to buy me clothes when she goes back to Tokyo to visit her family.
What’s your fanbase in Japan like? What things would you like to see and do there on tour?
I don’t really know what our fanbase is like in Japan…I know we have fans there, but we have yet to meet any of them! Hopefully we’ll be out there sooner than later. I love Tokyo, but haven’t really gotten a chance to see any other cities in Japan. Touring would be an awesome excuse to see all of Japan.
Click here for the complete interview.
Job: Tradeshow work for Japanese company Feb 27/28 & Mar 1
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Tradeshow work for Japanese company Feb 27/28 & Mar 1
via Actus Consulting. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Tradeshow work for Japanese company Feb 27 & March 1
Job Details:
Japanese food company who is attending the trade show at the end of February is seeking a Bilingual Assistant. Job duties will include but not limited to 1. Explain and introduce products to visitors/customers 2. Invite and encourage visitors to sample products 3. Assist communication with customers
Dates and Hours: February 27th and 28th, 9:30am to 5pm and March 1st, 9:30am to 4pm
Salary: Around $19/hr
Location: New York, NY
Qualifications:
-Must have native-level English.
-Must have enough Japanese skill to be a liaison between the Japanese vendor and American visitors.
-Prior to the work, you will be asked to learn and memorize their products.
Please forward your most recent resume as an MS Word attachment to stakeda@actus-usa.com. Make sure to mention which position you are applying to in your cover letter. We will contact qualified candidates to have a preliminary interview. We are a Japanese staffing agency and currently searching for candidates for the above position at one of our client companies. We look forward to your application. Thank you!
Fluent Chinese Speaker wanted for Live Japanese TV News Program
Uncategorized Comments Off on Fluent Chinese Speaker wanted for Live Japanese TV News Program
via Jet alum Rosa Sobrino. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Live Japanese TV news program looking for a fluent Chinese speaker to help us with our report in Manhattan Chinatown this Thursday, February 3 from 1p.m. to 5p.m. (4 hours). We’ll be reporting on Chinese New Year and we need someone to help us with production and to communicate with the local community.
If you are interested, please contact Rosa anytime at 917-755-0955.
Job: Japanese Translator/Administrative Executive Assistant (MI)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Japanese Translator/Administrative Executive Assistant (MI)
via Jet alum Yvonne Stephens. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Japanese Translator -Administrative Executive Assistant (Kalamazoo/Battle Creek MI)
Job Details:
Schedule appointments, translation of technical documents,arrangements and agreements with suppliers of clerical assignments given by the president such as travel agencies etc, give information to callers, take dictation, compose and type correspondence, read and route incoming mail. Perform other administrative and clerical duties. Relieve officials of clerical work and administrative and business duties.
Essential Functions:
• Translation of documents.
• Keep track of immigration status for Japanese expatriates.
• Assist Japanese expatriates and their families with community access activities.
• Assist Japanese expatriates and their families with their relocation including but not
• limited to negotiating with vendors and suppliers of household needs, leases, terms and
conditions.
• Plan conferences/meetings.
• Ensure all material required for conferences/meetings is prepared and distributed
accurately.
• Prepare, file, copy and retrieve corporate documents and correspondences as needed.
• Read and forward incoming mail. Locate and attach appropriate file(s) to
correspondence.
• Prepare and send outgoing mail.
• Compose and type routine correspondence.
• Answer telephone and give information to callers or route call to appropriate official
and place outgoing calls.
• Schedule appointments, meetings and any special arrangements required such as food,
beverages, transportation and needs of attendees.
• Make travel arrangements as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Fluently Bilingual in Japanese/English, written and spoken.
• Experience in technical translation from Japanese to English.
• Skills in speaking and writing Japanese consistent with a native of Japan.
• Ability to accurately complete all paperwork.
• Competent using office computer software.
How to apply:
If you have an interest in the above position please email a copy of your resume to Doug Scripture or John Hall or please pass this on to an associate.
CTPC
Career Technical Placement Consultants
PO Box 48081 Oak Park MI 48237
(313) 345 – 0134 Fax 1(866) 399 – 8543 Toll Free
information@ctpccareers.com
www.ctpccareers.com
Job: Assistant Producer for Japanese TV Company (NYC & DC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Assistant Producer for Japanese TV Company (NYC & DC)
Job listing received directly from TV Asahi:
Japanese television network seeks assistant producer to provide support for foreign correspondents in their newsgathering and reporting.
Excellent research and coordination skills required. Entry-level with opportunity for hands-on experience in all phases of broadcast news.
In your cover letter, please identify three story ideas, including human interest, national news, and techonology/economics, from the last month that you think would be of interest to a Japanese audience.
Job opportunities are available both at Washington, D.C., and New York city.
Please send your resume to kitasei [at] tv-asahi.net.
JETAA Chapter Beat 1.31.11
JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on JETAA Chapter Beat 1.31.11
Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, February 2nd, 6:00 at Coo Izakaya in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
- Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
- Annual General Meeting – Friday, February 4th, 6:00 at the Japanese Consulate. Connect with friends, meet people in the Japanese community and discuss the future of JETAA Sydney in this year’s meeting. Dinner and drinks to follow at the Nippon Club.
- Happy Hour Networking Event – Tuesday, February 1st, 6:00 at Cafe Asia. Chat, relax and catch up with friends old and new at this month’s Networking and Happy Hour event.
- J-Kaiwa – Friday, February 4th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.
- Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 5th, 1:00 to 3:00 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. JETAABC presents a workshop by the renowned Shakuhachi(Japanese bamboo flute) artist and musician, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos. Learn how to play from the master and enjoy a day of Japanese culture.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
Justin’s Japan: X Japan Signs North American Deal with EMI
Article/Journalism, Justin's Japan, Music Comments Off on Justin’s Japan: X Japan Signs North American Deal with EMI
X Japan will release its first album in 15 years especially for North America. (Nishioka)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
Hot on the heels of a rapturous North American tour last fall that climaxed with a sold out gig at New York’s Roseland Ballroom, X Japan is one step closer to cracking America.
The supergroup, which began recording in the mid-’80s and went on to become one of the most successful in Japanese history, has inked an exclusive three-year North American manufacturing and distribution agreement with EMI Music. The first release will be the track “Jade” on March 15, followed by the band¹s as yet untitled American debut set for a summer 2011 release.
“We are so honored to have X Japan as part of the EMI Label Services/Caroline family,” commented EMI Label Services executive VP Mike Harris in a press release issued Thursday. “After the highly successful North American tour last fall, the timing is perfect for the upcoming X Japan release.”
Led by the charismatic drummer/pianist Yoshiki (whom this reporter conducted an exclusive interview with in October), X Japan is currently putting the finishing touches on the disc, the band¹s first new studio album since 1996 and fifth overall. Half of the songs will be culled from some of the band’s gold and platinum Japanese singles, while the other half are brand new songs. An estimated 95% of the lyrics are being sung in English by vocalist Toshi.
Click here for the rest of the story.
What do you like about JetWit?
Please take a moment to share your response for the benefit of potential supporters and sponsors of JetWit, JETAA and the JET Program.
Here’s a link to the comments section of the original post from April 28, 2009 where the question was first asked: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2009/08/09/what-i-like-about-jetwit/#comments
Thanks for your help and yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
–Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94)
Brooklyn, NY
Job: Part-time Assistant position at Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Part-time Assistant position at Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)
via Jet alum Emily Chung. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Part-time Assistant position at Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)
Job Description:
CGP has an opening for a part-time Assistant in the Grassroots Exchange & Education Program. This program promotes collaboration and exchange between the United States and Japan at the grassroots level and K-12 education about Japan in the United States. The Assistant will report to the Program Director and will support grant-making efforts, and may support the coordination of program and in-house events.
Responsibilities:
The Assistant will report to the Program Director and will assist with the following:
1. Grant-making
Review letters of inquiry and proposals, draft recommendations, and related materials; communicate with grantees and grant-seekers, through written correspondence, meetings, and site visits; research fields to identify and monitor trends, new models, and new initiatives.
2. Program and in-house activities coordination
Coordinate various program activities and in-house events such as roundtables, seminars, and outreach events; participate in the development and implementation of a public relations strategy; carry out other related duties as assigned by the Program Director.
Qualifications:
Work Hours and Days: Between 9:30 am-5:30 pm, 2 to 3 days per week. Initial term will be for a three-month contract, renewable contingent on performance.
Wage: Hourly wage, commensurate with experience.
Job Commencement: March 1, 2011 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
How to apply:
Please email résumé, cover letter, and one-page writing sample to: job-opening@cgp.org.
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February 11, 2011.
—————-
Established in 1972, the Japan Foundation seeks to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries. The Foundation awards grants in the areas of Arts & Cultural Exchange, Japanese-Language Education Overseas, Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange, and operates fellowship programs to foster individual research and the development of human resources.
The Center for Global Partnership (CGP) was founded within the Foundation in 1991 with offices in New York City and Tokyo , and seeks to promote exchange and collaboration between the United States and Japan with the goal of fulfilling shared global responsibilities and contributing to the improvements in the world’s welfare.
—————-
For more information, please visit the Japan Foundation website and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) website.
Job: Recruitment Consultant (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Recruitment Consultant (Tokyo)
Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Recruitment Consultant, Tokyo
Responsibilities:
You will be the driving force behind successful and prospering relationships between clients and candidates by integrating the three core elements of the role of a recruitment consultant.
* Client Portfolio Management: Your objective will be to build your own client base by truly understanding your client’s business and culture, as well as successfully interpreting their unique resourcing requirements.
* Candidate Management: You will develop and consult to a large network of candidates, not just those who are looking for immediate opportunities, but also those who are appraising their medium term career potential. Becoming each candidate’s `career partner’, you will personally manage their aspirations and expectations to ensure that they achieve the career they want in an environment they suit.
* Role Fulfillment: While keeping abreast of emerging trends in the market place, you must oversee meetings with candidates and clients who will often require your attention at the same time. You will also work with your team to ensure feedback is shared so you meet the needs of both the client and candidate to ensure the best mutual fit in the shortest possible time.
For more details, click “Read More”.
Job: Sales Learning and Development Program Manager, Display – Sydney, Tokyo or Singapore
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Sales Learning and Development Program Manager, Display – Sydney, Tokyo or Singapore
via Jet alum Michelle Elliott. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Sales Learning and Development Program Manager, Display – Sydney, Tokyo or Singapore
Job Details:
You will manage learning programs with a focus training Sales on the Google Display Network and YouTube. You will be responsible for partnering with sales leaders to develop learning solutions that align with business objectives and have measurable, long-term business impact. You should possess strong business acumen, have outstanding communications skills and be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Experience with program and project management, and work experience in a direct sales organization are a plus.
For more details, click “Read More”.
Job: Server at Upscale Japanese Restaurant (NYC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Server at Upscale Japanese Restaurant (NYC)
via Jet alum Jamie Graves. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika currently works as an in-house translator for PFU (a Fujitsu company) in Kahoku-shi, Ishikawa-ken. She is also the vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
*Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JetWit. Thanks.
—————————————————————————————————————–
Job Position: Server at Kajitsu, one of New York’s premiere Japanese fine dining restaurants.
Job Details:
About us: Kajitsu is one of New York’s top Japanese restaurants. In the nearly two years since it’s opening the restaurant has been awarded 2 Stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide, one of only 8 restaurants in New York to be selected for 2011. Kajitsu serves shojin-ryori, the vegetarian predecessor to kaiseki cuisine. More information at www.kajitsunyc.com.
Applicants should friendly and organized, and have an interest in Japanese cuisine and food culture. Experience in restaurant service and knowledge of spoken Japanese are a big plus. Work environment is friendly but professional, and very team oriented.
Excellent pay and flexible schedule, working 2-3 nights a week.
How to apply:
Interested applicants should contact us at info@kajitsunyc.com. Please paste your resume in the body of the email, attachments will not be opened.
JET alum Bruce Feiler’s TED talk on The Council of Dads (video)
Books, Celebrity, Notable JET Alums, Uncategorized, Video, Writers Comments Off on JET alum Bruce Feiler’s TED talk on The Council of Dads (video)
JET alum Bruce Feiler, author of Learning to Bow, Walking the Bible and several other best-sellers including his recent book The Council of Dads, recently spoke in connection with the TED lecture series:
