JQ Magazine: COBU Gives Sakura Matsuri Season a Beat
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Takae Kawabe, a member of the all-female New York City-based taiko group COBU. (Courtesy of Takae Kawabe)
By Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-2008) for JQ magazine. Kirsten is a native New Yorker and currently works as a teacher for the New York Board of Education.
Sakura matsuri season is upon us. For JET returnees, this time of year hearkens back to picnics with friends or students. Copious amounts of alcohol under the pink shower of blossoms and maneuvering through crowded lines of vendors celebrating the coming of spring. Sakura season also brings out the finest Japanese talent in New York and no event worth mentioning would be whole without the beating heart of COBU.
You haven’t been following COBU around like a bloodhound? Shame on you. Don’t even know what a COBU is? Double shame on you. Fortunately, oneesan is here to clue you in.
Spearheaded by artist and visionary Yako Miyamoto, COBU is more of a statement in taiko than a collaboration. We are heard. We are seen. We are felt. We are here. A handful of iron women play tirelessly in perfect sync. A little humor, an appropriate smattering of sexy and a metric ton of showmanship make COBU a delight for audiences across the tri-state area.
This year’s Branch Brook Park performance in New Jersey was a staggering hit by COBU, showcasing the talent of their following, or deshi. Upstage, COBU performing members Micro Fukuyama and Haruna Hisada kept time and loudly cheered on the fledgling members as they demonstrated some of COBU’S trademark choreography and pulsing patterns. If you have ever witnessed a COBU show before, it’s easy to become dazzled by the performing members, but this showcase invited audiences to the notion that, hey, they can be a part of this rhythm, too.
As part of an occasional series, Sheila Burt (Toyama-ken, 2010-2012) will begin profiling JETs who are or were in some way involved with rebuilding efforts in the Tohoku region. The inaugural post is about Jessie Zanutig (Gunma-ken, 2009-12), who founded 3,000 Letters to Japan, an international letter exchange project aimed at lifting the spirits of students who are living in the communities hardest hit by the disaster. Burt is currently a freelance journalist and English teacher in Matsuyama City, Ehime-ken. Read more of her reporting at her blog, Stories from the Inaka.
Zanutig’s home full of letters.
Jessie Zanutig was in the middle of celebrating her junior high school students’ graduation at a small restaurant in Kawaba Village, Gunma Prefecture, when the earthquake struck. Buildings in her tiny mountainous town in northern Gunma shook violently, but her town was thankfully safe from the tsunami that was about to ravage several coastal communities in northeast Japan.
As Gunma residents banned together in the next few weeks to send supplies to neighboring Fukushima-ken, Zanutig began to correspond with a Canadian friend who was living in Ishinomaki, one of the hardest hit towns in Miyagi Prefecture, to learn more about the situation. Her friend’s boyfriend, who is Japanese, lost his father in the tsunami and was struggling with the sudden loss of a family member.
“I was in contact with her a lot to make sure she was OK. Her students were having a really hard time,” Zanutig, 28, remembers. “I thought, ‘I want to help but there’s nothing I can do.’ So I asked her, ‘If I just collected a few letters from friends and family, do you have a few students you can give them to?’” Read More
Job: Reservations and Marketing Coordinator for Japanese Event Space (Seattle, WA)
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Thanks to JET alum Travis Suzaka. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Reservations and Marketing Coordinator
Posted by: Hokubei Hochi Foundation
Type: N/A
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: This is a contract job with an hourly wage, to be negotiated
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
A Japanese-inspired event venue is searching for an outgoing and friendly individual to handle rental bookings, staffing, and marketing tasks. The ideal candidate is able to communicate in a professional manner, providing exceptional service to clients. (www.nagomiteahouse.tumblr.com )
Job Responsibilities:
-Handle incoming inquiries and show the space to potential customers.
-Coordinate the logistics of room rentals, from parking to staffing and setup plans.
-Create invoices, handle finances, and assemble quarterly reports. Read More
Job: Actus – Sales at Japanese Telecommunication Company (NY)
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Via Actus Consulting. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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**Note: If you apply, please indicate you learned of the job through JETwit.**
Position: Sales at Japanese Telecommunication Company
Posted by: Actus Consulting
Type: Full-time
Location: Manhattan , New York
Salary: DOE
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
- The company provides portable internet solutions to travelers in the United States and around the world.
- Main product is portable Wi-Fi routes.
- Headquartered in Tokyo, established 40 years ago.
- Number of Employees: 300 (worldwide), NYC Office 1
Appealing Point: As this is a small-office/start-up operation, your voice and actions will surely be heard and make a significant difference in the business. The company welcomes new opinions and suggestions and appreciates you taking initiatives. The philosophy of the company is to encourage your unique individuality and the work environment fosters your creative and innovating mind-set. Read More
Job: Consulate General of Japan – Visa Clerk/ Consular Assistant (Miami, FL)
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Via JETAA Florida. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: Full-time contract
Location: Miami, FL
Salary: DOE
Start Date: Monday, July 22nd, 2013
Overview:
The Consular Section at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant. This is a full-time contract position.
You will not be required to work weekends unless a special event is taking place. In such cases, you will be given advance notice.
Benefits:
This is a full-time salary position. Over-time is available when approved. Health benefits are included. Read More
Job: Program Assistant III – Center for Japanese Studies, UC Berkeley
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Thanks to JETAA Northern California Vice-President Mark Frey for sharing this very JET-relevant job listing. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Program Assistant III
Posted by: UC Berkeley Center for Japanese Studies
Type: Full- time
Location: Berkeley, CA
Salary: $41,448 (step 1) to $47,508 (step 7) depending on experience
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), founded in 1958, supports the teaching and research mission of the university in all areas of Japanese studies by serving faculty and graduate students, providing grants and fellowships, and organizing conferences and colloquia.
Working under the supervision of the staff Program Director and the faculty Chair, the CJS Program Assistant will provide support for the public and academic programming, postdoc fellows and visiting scholar services, as well as student and outreach activities. S/he will help to plan, execute and manage, with a large degree of independence and using both English and (if possible) Japanese, the full portfolio of center activities and general administration. Read More
Job: The Japan Society – Membership Officer
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Membership Officer
Posted by: Japan Society
Type: Full- time
Location: London
Salary: £20 – £23k depending on experience
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
The Japan Society is the leading independent body in the United Kingdom dedicated to the enhancement of the British-Japanese relationship in all its facets. It is a membership organization and UK charity with a strong educational remit. Its core programmes include approximately 80 academic, business and cultural events each year, support for schools teaching about Japan, provision of small grants, publication of periodicals and books, and maintenance of a small historic library.
The Membership Officer is the first point of call for the Society’s membership of some 700 individual and 200 corporate members and is responsible for keeping our records up to date and coordinating recruitment efforts. The post provides support to the Membership and Development committees and plays an active role in the management of the programme of business events.
He/she will report to the Chief Executive, though may work directly with other members of the Society’s small team on particular areas of activity. Read More
Job: The Japan Society – Information and Education Assistant
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Information and Education Assistant
Posted by: The Japan Society
Type: Full-time
Location: London
Salary: £18 – £19k depending on experience
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
Japan Society is the leading independent body in the United Kingdom dedicated to the enhancement of the British-Japanese relationship in all its facets. It is a membership organization and UK charity with a strong educational remit. Its core programmes include approximately 80 academic, business and cultural events each year, support for schools teaching about Japan, provision of small grants, publication of periodicals and books, and maintenance of a small historic library.
The Information and Education Assistant has a central role supporting all areas of the Society’s activity. He/she is the first point of contact for general enquiries and will have a general overview of current projects. This post also provides administrative support for management of the Japan Society office, the Small Grants scheme and for aspects of the Schools Education programme.
He/she will report to the Head of Education, though will work directly with other members of the Society’s management team on particular areas of activity. Read More
Job: Part-time English tutor to Japanese students
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Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kim ‘Kay’ Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Part-time English tutor to Japanese students
Posted by: Hello England
Type: Part-time
Location: West London
Salary: £20 per hour
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
Hello England is looking for friendly, professional teachers who can teach private English lessons for a few hours on one or two weekday evenings to Japanese children. This position would suit someone who enjoyed teaching in Japan, and would like to join the Hello England team of excellent teachers. The applicant must be able to speak simple conversational Japanese, be reliable, presentable and enthusiastic about teaching. Long-term commitment is important (9 months +), as students do not like to switch teachers after only a short time. The applicant should have at least one year’s experience of teaching in Japan. Please send CV and details of experience and present situation.
Requirements: CV
Contact Name: John Chisholm
Contact Address: 8 Rosedale Terrace, Hammersmith, London
Contact Email: jchisholm@helloengland.co.uk
WIT Life #234: Tokyo Rose
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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.
Last night I had the chance to see the play Iva: The Myth of Tokyo Rose at Asia Society. Prior to seeing the performance I had heard of Tokyo Rose, but was not aware of what the story behind this name was. It was actually created by Allied forces in the South Pacific during WWII to describe English speaking female broadcasters of Japanese propaganda, which was intended to disrupt the morale of the Allied force listeners.
The play’s protagonist is Iva Toguri D’Aquino, a Japanese-American who later married a Filipino. She had the misfortune of going to Japan to take care of a sick relative in 1941, and being stuck there once war broke out. When the Japanese government asked her to renounce her American citizenship and she refused, she was forced to work at Radio Tokyo as an announcer. The program was The Zero Hour, which consisted of propaganda-tinged Read More
Let’s Walking
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Posted by Benjamin Martin, a 5th year JET on Kume Island in Okinawa, publisher of the blog MoreThingsJapanese.com and author of the award-winning YA fantasy series Samurai Awakening (Tuttle).
Sanpo is Japanese for a ‘walk,’ and it’s a popular pastime here. From the bureaucratic samurai of the Tokugawa period who would wander among the cherry trees and write poetry, to modern office workers trying to keep fit, walking is still a much appreciated activity in Japan.
Japan is also a land with a rising elderly population. It has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. As communities and towns have ever older populations it is also becoming ever more important to promote fitness in populations that will strain public health services ever more if not kept healthy. One way municipalities can do this is by hosting events such at the one Kumejima Town hosts every January.
The 久米島のんびりウオーク or Kumejima’s Leisure Walk is a two-day yearly event, part of the larger Okinawa Marching league. Participants come from all over Japan. As a resident of Kume Island I attended this event first in 2011.
The first day offered 32km, 16km, and 5km courses and the second day offered 20km, 10km, and 5km courses. One participant was a 86-year-old who planned on completing the full 32km course!
Both days featured different courses through the island. Participants entered with a nominal fee, and were provided maps and completion certificates. Along the way stickers were awarded at checkpoints, and food stations were set up where walkers could rest and eat.
I did the 16km walk on the first day of the event. Walkers stretched together and announcements were made. As with many events there was an MC tapped for the event who extolled everyone to do a good job. The 32km group did the same about half an hour before, so everyone in the 16km group set off together.
Each group set off to the sound of a taiko drum performance. All along the way were supportive Japanese Flags with messages urging the participants on. These helped guide the walkers through the more remote areas. There were also tea and water stations along the way, with great views and interesting conversations.
One lady I talked to came all the way from Yokohama to participate. She said it was a great way to see more of Japan, while keeping in shape. She talked to me because her children live in the states and wanted to know why I was there. ^_^ All in all, it was a great morning/afternoon spent among Kumejima’s beautiful walkways. Do you want to visit new places and keep in shape? Let’s Walking!
This post originally appeared on MoreThingsJapanese.com. To learn more about Kumejima visit KumeGuide.com.
Calling all Ex-JETs in the Midlands Area (UK)
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Originally posted to the JETAA UK LinkedIn group by Sarah Parsons:
CALLING ALL EX JETS IN THE MIDLANDS AREA to help with Q & A session for JETS about to go out to Japan and to provide advice and networking opportunities for those who will return this year.
We are holding a pre-departure Q & A session in Birmingham on Saturday 20th July from 3-5pm for JETs about to set sail for Japan so they can ask us more experienced and hopefully wiser JETS anything they want to know about living in Japan.
We are also holding a welcome back reception for JETS returning from Japan in September to offer them a networking opportunity and post-JET careers advice (date yet to be confirmed).
We really need ex-JETS who have used their JET experience whether in Japan related companies or doing something completely different to come along and share their experiences as well as continue to promote the links between our two countries.
E mail us on midlands@jetaa.org.uk, follow us on Twitter @JETAAMidlands or find us on Facebook – JETAA UK Midlands. Thank you.
Let’s Talk Japan Podcast, Episode 10 – Smile Kids Japan
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Let’s Talk Japan is a twice monthly, interview format podcast covering a wide range of Japan-related topics. Host Nick Harling (Mie-ken, 2001-03) lived in Japan from 2001 until 2005, including two great years as a JET Program participant in Mie-Ken. He practices law in Washington, D.C., and lives with his wife who patiently listens to him talk about Japan . . . a lot.
Dear JETs and JET Alumni,
One of the main reasons I started the Let’s Talk Japan podcast was to highlight the positive impact JETs and JET alumni have on their local communities in Japan. In Episode 10, I interviewed Meredith Smith, Media and Public Relations Director for Smile Kids Japan, a volunteer organization founded by JETs in Fukui Prefecture which encourages visits to orphanages in Japan. Through its website and volunteer leadership, Smile Kids Japan helps facilitate such visits by serving as a resource for best practices. This organization is doing amazing work, and I hope this episode helps raise its profile both in Japan and abroad.
Enjoy!
Nick
If you have not already done so, be sure to “Like” the podcast on Facebook, and follow the podcast on Twitter @letstalkjapan. Additionally, please consider leaving a positive rating and/or review in iTunes.
JET alum journalist Tom Baker presents Yomiuri Shimbun’s “Japan News” videos
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Tom Baker (Chiba-ken, 1989-91) spent many years on the staff of The Daily Yomiuri. On April 1 this year, The Daily Yomiuri became The Japan News. The paper’s website includes a daily video introducing a few sample headlines from each day’s paper, and Tom is one of the presenters. His latest video appears below, and you can see more at the-japan-news.com or The Japan News’ YouTube page.
JETAA Chapter Beat 14th May 2013
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Welcome to JETAA Chapter Beat. Theodore Genba Bigby (Yamagata 2008-12) walks you through some of the highlights from JET alumni associations across the globe. Genba currently serves as the chair of JETAA Midlands and JETAA UK Webmaster.
This month, I’ve been keeping an eye on the world of JETAA with a slightly different perspective. I’ve recently connected with a lot of chapters via social media and I’m glad to say that spirits are high. With recent news that numbers on the JET Programme are set to rise, that means our committed membership will also rise. There are a lot of great events this month for the JET alumni community and from this month, there are even events created not just for the sake of current alumni, but also for JETs departing later this year. Let’s see what’s up with alumni!
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Sake Brewery Tour
1st June, 2013
51 Gristmill Lane, Toronto (Distillery District)
http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/jetaa-events/june-event-sake-brewery-tour/
JETAA Toronto Culture Series: Sake Brewery Tour
There are two two private, expert-guided tasting tours available especially for JETAA Toronto members. Tours will consist of an overview of the sake brewing process, raw materials and equipment, followed by a guided tasting of several of their freshly-brewed unpasteurised and pasteurised brews. The tasting tour will last for around an hour and includes a souvenir IZUMI sake tasting cup.
Spaces are limited and although the tour is open to non JET alumni, priority will be given to ex-JETs.
Tour #1 – 3:00-4:00pm (please arrive at 2:45pm), Tour #2 – 4:00-5:00pm (please arrive at 3:45pm)
Price: $17.29 ($15 + HST + 2% Booking Fee) Register here: http://guestli.st/163074
There will be a nijikai, to which everyone is welcome, scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. The location is yet to be decided, so it is recommended that you check the facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/161125420722099 “Due to tour capacity, there are only 15 tickets available for Tour #1 at 3:00pm and Tour #2 at 4:00pm respectively, so book your ticket ASAP. Please remember that tickets for Tour #1 and Tour #2 are NOT interchangeable, and must be used at the time indicated on the ticket.”
Dragon Boat Team Opening
Summer, 2013
Sunnyside Paddling Club, Lake Ontario
Fighting Carps
Meetings will begin in mid-June and run for 10 weeks. It costs around $170 to join the team, which includes equipment rental for all 10 practices, a team t-shirt and two races. The first race will take place on Sunday, 11th August, in Milton, with a two-day regatta, the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge on the 7th and 8th September to end the season. Check here for contact information to join the team: http://www.jetaatoronto.ca/jetaa-events/dragon-boat-team-opening/
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POP Exhibition @ Japan Society
31st May, 2013
Japan Society, 333 E 47th St New York, NY 10017
http://jetaany.org/2013/05/03/531-edo-pop-exhibition-japan-society/
JETAANY is organising a group outing to see Edo Pop: The Graphic Impact of Japanese Prints. “Edo Pop playfully juxtaposes classic ukiyo-e prints from such masters as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige with contemporary works inspired by these artists and their works. Delve into alluring worlds created by the power of the Edo period and contemporary popular culture in which change is the only constant.”
Gallery Associate Cory Campbell from Japan Society will be giving a tour/short introduction to JETAANY members. Find out more about the works displayed in the exhibition here. The exhibition will run until 9th June, 2013.
Yukata Bar Crawl
1st June, 2013
Brooklyn
JETAA is hitting the streets of Brooklyn donned in their finest Ykatas. Meandering through the the streets from Cobble Hill to Park Slope, they aim to get New York’s Jinbe and Yukata owners to dust them off and show BK how to party Japan style. Why? Because they’re just that cool. Save the date and check the JETAA New York site for updates.
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Queensland Night Out
31st May 6:30pm
Cyber City 2012, 245 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
http://jetaany.org/2013/05/03/531-edo-pop-exhibition-japan-society/
The time is about right for a meeting Yes! We were thinking the same thing! So it is for this very reason that we would like to invite the JETAA community to dinner and a spot of natsukashii karaoke at the action packed Cyber City 2012. This will be a great opportunity to meet fellow JETAA members, catch up, have a great night out and belt out a few tunes. The night will include a Japanese style banquet of meats (yakiniku), skewers, tempura, sushi and of course – karaoke. Please find the details below:
The event is set to cost $30 per person, but that includes the banquet and karaoke, though drinks are to be purchased separately.
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Picnic in the Park
8th June, 2013
Wollaton Park, Nottingham
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There’s no hotter event in the JETAA calendar this month than a trip to the set of the latest Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Meet at midday for a fun, relaxed British picnic. Kids and families are especially encouraged to attend this relaxed social event, where you can catch up with your fellow alumni from across the Midlands. Be sure to bring your spandex and a cape.
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South Alberta New JET Conference Appeal
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind the JET community that new JETs are preparing to start their adventure in Japan. The JETAA South Alberta New JET Conference is coming up in June and they’re looking for volunteers. Lunch is provided for any wonderful alumni who’d like to help out. Go to their site and drop them a line if you’re interested.
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Silicon Valley Networking
23rd May, 2013 5:30 – 7:30pm
TBC
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6399241303/eorg
To the home of modern computing for this JETAA networking event for alumni who now live in Northern California and Nevada.
