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The JET alumni community already has a great reputation for writers such as Bruce Feiler, Roland Kelts and James Kennedy among others. And now we’re starting to make our mark on the world of film as well.
JET alum Aaron Woolfolk‘s film The Harimaya Bridge, starring starring Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover (who is also the Executive Producer), is making its New York debut on Sunday December 6 (with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow) and Sunday December 13 as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival.
(Editor’s Note: I already bought my ticket for the Dec 6 date!)
The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan beginning in June, and the response from audiences and critics was fantastic. (There was also a showing in Los Angeles back in June that a number of JETAA Southern California JET alums attended.)
The film will be showing in New York:
- Sunday, December 6 @ 5:30PM – Thalia Cinema, Symphony Space (95th & Bway) – GALA SCREENING. Followed by a Q&A with director and catered reception
- Sunday, Dec. 13 @ 7:30PM- Thalia Cinema, Symphony Space (95th & Bway)
This looks to be a big event for the JET alum community, so get your tickets now and hope to see you there.
Here’s the trailer for the film:
WITvid #4: Monkey Majik – “Change”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
Some of you may have heard of the popular band in Japan, Monkey Majik, but did you know the lead singer, Maynard Plant (Aomori, 1997-00) is a Canadian JET Alumni! Here is their song Change with the Yoshida Brothers!
Video: Roland Kelts keynote speech at U of Missouri
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Here are two videos of Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, from a keynote speech he gave at the University of Missouri in St. Louis back in October.
In the first, he talks about the connection between manga and anime and traditional Japanese line-based aesthetics–or what Takashi Murakami now calls “Superflat”:
And in the second video, he discusses the fundamental differences between American visual iconography and Japanese sensibilities, with a reference to Pokemon in America and McDonald’s in Japan:
WIT Life #59: Winter culinary trends
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Translator/Interpreter/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Believe it or not we will be greeting the new year in about a month, and today’s news took a look at what is being forecast for お正月 (oshougatsu) 2010. Similar to last year, it is expected that in light of the dismal economic climate there will be a tendency toward 巣篭り (sugomori), literally nesting or staying close to home as opposed to going abroad or visiting one’s family. Compared to last year, there has been 30% increased sales of two-person servings of osechi ryouri. According to an osechi salesperson at a department store, this goes along with Read More
J-News Mini-Roundup: Strong Yen – Japanese Reactions to their Inflated Currency
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options.
Background: The Japanese economy has had some bad news in past weeks. The index that measures new housing starts in Japan went down 27.1% in October. The historic news that JAL is lowering their retirement payouts still rocks the news, along with institutions posting historic unbalanced budgets, including JTB and the Bank of Japan.
Usually at the forefront of bad economic news are the effects felt from a strong yen. In an export driven economy with the dollar weakening and the yen strengthening, Japanese exports continue to become more expensive when compared with their competition. The newspapers this morning reported on the yen strengthening and the reactions to it.
Asahi Prime Minister Hatoyama exclaims “We must do something quickly…”
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
WITvid #3: “Thanksgiving Party In Japan”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving here is a video posted by malavi21 explaining a little about the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Thanksgiving in Japan – Celebrating and Enjoying the Holiday
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The JAPANESE DOCTOR is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options.
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays you’d expect to be an American only holiday. After all, according to our elementary school education it celebrates American pilgrims and Native Americans coming together to celebrate, eat, and give thanks. Why would a country like Japan, whose history starts 1,000 years before America, celebrate Thanksgiving?
Surprisingly, Japan does celebrate Thanksgiving. Not surprisingly, the official holiday, called Thanksgiving Labor Day, was started after the American Occupation in 1948. Thanksgiving in Japan is an opportunity for unions and other workers to celebrate their hard worked days of labor through parades, parties, and well an actual day off.
As an American living in Japan though it wasn’t easy to celebrate the holiday…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
J-News Mini-Roundup: Poison Blowfish: A Deadly Dinner in Japan Puts 11 in the Hospital
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com). Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Japanese and Chinese language learning options.
Background: Sushi is a delicacy in Japan, and probably the most famous Japanese food in America. Whenever anyone hears sushi, they think of raw fish, and how adventurous (and healthy) it must be to eat fish uncooked. No one ever thinks it might be dangerous.
The one exception to this is blowfish. To anyone who’s ever lived in Japan or thought about going there, blowfish is famous for its borderline poisonous properties. All restaurants that carry blowfish need special chefs to prepare the fish just right, and if it’s not prepared correctly it can potentially be poisonous. Everyone tries blowfish because of the potential danger and of course unique taste, but no expects to actually…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
Job: Project Coordinator – Mobility International USA
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The following job opportunity is via the JETAA Jobs yahoogroup:
PROJECT COORDINATOR – NATIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE ON DISABILITY AND EXCHANGE
Position description
Writing/Editing Skills
* Research, write and update new informational resources such as disability-specific tip sheets or online journals
* Solicit, interview, write or edit exchange alumni stories, blogs, featured person pieces, and podcasts for publications, websites, journals, newsletters and other resources
* Write sections of the NCDE quarterly report and monthly E-News
* Content and copy editing for peer review, including articles, conference proposals, resources, alumni stories, newsletters and correspondence Read More
WITvid #2: “ALT in Japan”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
This video was brought to my attention by Rhea Young, JET Program Coordinator at the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit.
This piece (posted by draginboll) was featured on Japanese television about the treatment of some Assistant Language Teachers in Japan. Although I feel some of the views are biased and extreme (especially the references to the JET Program) it is very interesting. It just goes to show, ” Every Situation Is Different (ESID)” does not only apply to the JET Program.
Job: Junior Patent Editor/Coordinator at MultiLing
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Via MultiLing Japan:
Position: Junior Patent Editor/Coordinator
Type: Fulltime
Start Date: Negotiable
Salary: From 3.6m JPY/year (experience and performance based)
Benefits: Social Health Care, Pension, Unemployment Insurance, Paid Leave
Holidays: Sat., Sun., National Holidays, End of year holiday
Description of position:
MultiLing Japan is looking for a hardworking detail-oriented linguist to coordinate our growing JA-EN patent translation work. The selected candidate would also be responsible for editing translations done by other members of the team, and, after proving competence, translating as well. Organizational and computer skills are an absolute must for this position as well as superior English writing ability.
Those interested should send the following documentation to the email address provided above:
1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter
3. Sample of translation
Candidates must already live in Japan. Relocation costs are to be born by the candidate. Company will sponsor visa.
Company Name: MultiLing Japan Y.K
Address: 4-17 Kaigan Dori, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0002
Tel: 045-315-3135
Email: info-japan[at]multiling[dot]com
Fellowship: 2010 Charles Rangel International Affairs Program
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Via JETAADC:
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is now seeking applicants for its 2010 Graduate Fellowships and undergraduate International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program. These are excellent opportunities for outstanding students interested in international affairs careers.
The Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship is designed for individuals interested in careers in diplomacy in the U.S. Foreign Service.
The fellowship includes:
1) up to $34,000 per year for two years toward a graduate degree in international affairs or a related discipline at a U.S. university
2) paid internships working for a Member of Congress on international affairs issues and at a U.S. Embassy overseas
3) entry into the U.S. Foreign Service for those who successfully complete the program. **** Read More
Jetwit Society – Nihongo Dake Dinner – 11/11
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The Nihongo Dake Dinner is one of the few regular events in New York City designed to bring both Japanese and non-native Japanese speakers together. Currently run by Jon Hills for JETTANY (http://jetaany.org/), he’s also the founder of Hills Learning (http://hillslearning.com/default.aspx), a language school based in Grand Central, New York City.
The Nihongo Dake Dinners have always been a part of JETAANY, at least for JET’s who have been in New York City for the past few years. However since last year the dinners had stopped, with no one willing to take the reigns of organization. Then from June of this year the dinners began to take off again, with a dinner happening on average per month. They usually have regular attendance of about 20 people, which consists of half native Japanese and half non-native Japanese speakers.
The most recent Nihongo Dake Dinner took place at an Izakaya called Onya. There after speaking with the very knowledgeable and capable management staff they agreed to create a set menu of typical Japanese Izakaya dishes: deep fried tempura style food, along with edamame, oden, kara-age, etc. We also each were served a complimentary drink for “kanpai,” a very fun way to celebrate the end of 2009.
The best part of the night, as with most nights, is the intimacy felt by having a small group with a common goal: cultural exchange. Onya added to this by reserving an entire floor just for this event, which included our own bar, two waiters, and plenty of space to stand up and mingle. All in all a memorable night, but after 4 hours of speaking Japanese the organizer (myself) found it better to retire for the night than proceed to a nijikai of Karaoke. There’s always next year.
New JET alum book: “People of the 21st Century: A Portrait of Japanese Society” by Taylor Chapman
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Thanks to a post on the JETAA Texoma (Chapter 9) yahoogroup, just found out about JET alum Taylor Chapman, a professional photographer who has a new book out titled People of the 21st Century: A Portrait of Japanese Society. Additionally, Taylor has a book signing coming up in Houston, TX. (Details below.) Meanwhile, if you know of any other JET alums out there with published books, by all means let JetWit know and we’ll post about it here to let everyone know.
Here’s the info from JETAA Texoma:
Hi All,
I am excited to let you know about a book signing by photographer and JET alumnus Taylor Chapman that will take place at the River Oaks Bookstore on Friday, November 27 from 5pm-7pm. Taylor would love to have folks stop by to say hello, even if you haven’t bought his book.
Taylor Chapman spent the last two years living in Kumamoto, Japan with the JET Program, teaching English at a local high school. As his Japanese proficiency grew, he became increasingly fascinated by Japan’s distinctive culture, and decided to embark on a unique photographic project to document Japanese society.
Having pursued photography for ten years now, including extensive study at Yale University, Chapman developed a specific methodology, adapted from a 1930’s German photographer’ s approach. He classified all members of Japanese society by their occupations and societal roles, and set out to create a portrait of Japanese society as a whole by photographing as many of its component parts–in other words, these individuals- – as possible in their natural environments.
In his last six months in Japan, Chapman went out shooting almost every single day, ending up with an archive of thousands of pictures spanning hundreds of individuals and social roles. Included are bakers and butchers, salarymen and snack bar girls, farmers and fishermen, teachers and students.
In July, he held an exhibition of his work in Japan; this Thanksgiving, he’ll be having a book release/signing party at the River Oaks Bookstore in Houston (across the street from Lamar High School, next to Baskin Robbins). Please come! There will be wine and hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 7.
The book (there are mini and deluxe editions available in-store and online: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/950612 makes a great Christmas present. But please feel free to just drop by, say hi, and have a glass of wine– the author is happy just to share his work and his love of Japan, and there’s no need to buy anything.
If you’d like to get a feel for the work in the book, here are some of the images posted online: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31959446@N07/sets/72157622321556815/
Finally, for any comments or questions, feel free to contact the author at taylor.c.chapman [/at/] gmail [/dot/] com.
Photos: JET alum Aaron Woolfolk’s 5-week Japan promotional tour for “The Harimaya Bridge”
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JET alum Aaron Woolfolk‘s film The Harimaya Bridge, starring starring Ben Guillory, Saki Takaoka, Misa Shimizu, and Danny Glover, is making its New York debut on Sunday December 6 (with Q&A and cocktail reception to follow) and Sunday December 13 as part of the African Diaspora Film Festival. (See the JetWit post about the upcoming event here for details and ticket info.)
The film had a nationwide theatrical release in Japan beginning in June, and Aaron was involved in a five-week promotional tour in Japan for the film. What is it like for a former JET to go on a five-week promotional tour in Japan? Well, Aaron captured much of it in photographs available on Facebook along with informative and entertaining captions. (FYI, you don’t need to have an account to view the pictures.)
Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=124235&id=833564815&l=9d23bf0eb9
And here’s Aaron’s intro commentary on the photos along with a couple samples of what you’ll see:
Five weeks in Japan in May and June of 2009, traveling all around the country doing promotion in the run-up to the June 13th nationwide opening of “The Harimaya Bridge.” Most days were spent doing loads of media interviews and promotional appearances. This here is just a small sampling, as I wasn’t able to come anywhere close to capturing everything with a camera. It was hectic and exhausting…but talking to the media and connecting with audiences only reaffirmed my desire to live my life telling stories via film, television and theater. :-)
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