Justin’s Japan: Interview with Jason Michael Paul on The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
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“My company produced and promoted the 25th Anniversary concerts. It was truly an honor to do this for Nintendo. We worked very closely with series composer Koji Kondo and his team to create the best of Zelda.” (Courtesy of Fresh PR)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his Japanese culture page here for related stories.
Big in Japan for decades, symphonic concerts of that country’s most popular (and hummable) classic video game tunes have now hit critical mass in America. It’s a dream come true for fans of the blockbuster Nintendo series The Legend of Zelda, as Jason Michael Paul Productions presents the first-ever North American tour of its kind called The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.
With a high profile performance in Los Angeles last month hosted by Zelda Williams (the star of last year’s Nintendo DS commercials with papa Robin, who named her after the series’ eponymous princess), Symphony of the Goddesses is playing to packed houses and has dates lined up all through November. Next up are a pair of gigs at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston July 6-7.
In this exclusive interview, I caught up with JMP CEO and the show’s executive producer Jason Michael Paul to discuss his pioneering history of bringing video game concerts to America, the special surprises planned for the tour, and his rebuttal to Roger Ebert’s notorious opinion on the artistic merit of video games.
Tell us a little about how this concert tour came to be. How did you get Nintendo’s blessing?
I have been producing VGM concerts since 2004 when I created Dear Friends: Music from FINAL FANTASY. Since then I have produced successful concerts including “PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.” Given my track record and working history with Nintendo, it was natural for my company to participate in the 25th Anniversary of The Legend of Zelda with symphony concerts in Tokyo, Los Angeles, and London. My company also produced the orchestral CD that was included in the bundle with [the 2011 Wii game] Skyward Sword. The success of the opening of the Nintendo 2011 press event, the 25th Anniversary Concerts, and the recording paved the way for the license to produce The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.
How did The Legend of Zelda game series first appear on your radar?
In 1987, when my parents purchased it for me to play on my NES.
What’s your favorite Zelda game and why? How would you define the series’ appeal?
My favorite Zelda game is the latest release because I feel as if I contributed to the tile. I was honored to produce the orchestral CD that accompanied the release of the game. The series has appeal through excellent gameplay and music. Throughout its 25-year history Zelda has consistently featured a solid mixture of action, puzzles, battle, adventure gameplay, exploration, and questing.
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JQ Magazine: In Texas, Metroplex Lolitas Paint the Town
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Photo shoot by Anvil Photography.
By Jen Wang (Miyagi-ken, 2008-09) for JQ magazine. Jen is a research technician from Dallas who also writes for Purple SKY, a Japanese music website. Her love of cosplay and her junior high school students inspired the name for her own Japanese pop culture blog, Hibari-sensei’s Classroom.
The Japanese fashion subculture Lolita is based on Victorian and Rococo aesthetics. Its trademark look consists of a blouse, a knee-length skirt or jumper, a petticoat, stockings, and Mary Janes or platform shoes. Since its inception in the 1970s, Lolita has developed several sub-styles: gothic, sweet, classic, punk and more. There is also a mature variation known as aristocrat and a masculine equivalent known as ouji.
Although I had been interested in Lolita since college, I didn’t really start compiling a Lolita wardrobe until I was a JET. It was easier to figure out what styles worked when you could try on the clothes. I visited the seventh floor of Sendai Forus—the location of punk, gothic and Lolita stores—so frequently that the shopkeepers started to recognize me. The budding fashionista in me missed the shopping trips and opportunities to dress up once I returned to the U.S. Then I discovered the Metroplex Lolita LiveJournal group.
The Metroplex Lolitas are a group of from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Prior to their creation in January 2010, several of the girls had been arranging meet-ups through another group, Texas Lolis. They decided to branch off to encourage more conversation and gatherings.
My first meet-up was in March 2010. We went to watch Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and sat down for tea and a gift-exchange afterwards. The Metroplex Lolitas meet around once a month to enjoy a meal—true to our Victorian influences, we do love tea and pastries—or an activity, which can be anything from a trip to the museum to ice skating. The Texas heat has never deterred us from getting together in our layers of frills since many members have come up with more summer-friendly outfits. We also host meet-ups with out-of-town Lolitas at anime conventions.
Job: Shukan NY Seikatsu Newspaper Seeks Volunteer Translators and Writers
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Thanks to JET alum Paul Benson (Fukui-ken, 2006-08), who serves as the associate editor of the English page and translates for The Shukan NY Seikatsu Newspaper, for sharing this opportunity with the JET alum community. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97)
____________________________________________________________
Position: Translators and Writers
Posted by: Shukan NY Seikatsu Newspaper
Type: Volunteer
Location: New York, NY
Salary: N/A
Start date: N/A
Overview:
Are you interested in writing about Japanese culture in New York? Do you have a lot to say and burn with zeal to express it? Are you interested in starting a career in Japanese-English translation? The Shukan NY Seikatsu newspaper (週刊NY生活) looking for you! The paper is looking to expand its volunteer base of translators and writers. Read More
Dan’s Slice of Culture 06.30.12
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By Japanese cultural blogger Dan Moeller (Hiroshima-ken, 2009-11). Through blogging, staying active with Philly JETAA, and being married to his wife, Dan tries to stay connected to the Japanese world. Check out this piece and more of his thoughts at American Accent.
Tomato juice may cure hangovers, or by saying so, make Kagome rich…
According to a recent study by Kagome and Asahi Group Holdings, drinking tomato juice will help you sober up faster (source). Apparently, the tomato juice helps to cleanse your liver by making it secrete more of the enzymes needed to break down alcohol.
The study included an experiment of people given about two shots of shochu (焼酎, a Japanese liquor similar to vodka). After the two shots of shochu, the control group was given a pint of water while the experimental group was given a pint of tomato juice. Those drinking the tomato juice sobered up an average of 50 minutes faster than those drinking water.
Kagome and Asahi agree that a tomato would most likely work the same way, although it was not studied.
This is great news considering Japan loses Read More
Recently posted to the JETwit LinkedIn group by current JET Eliot Honda (Ehime-ken, Uwajima-shi):
“I created a playlist of all four ALT Introduction videos. It’s finally finished. Hope this helps folks coming to Uwajima, and maybe helps new folks coming on JET.” Great job, Eliot! O-tsukare sama deshita!
JETwit note: It might also make for a good submission to Chris Allison’s (Oita-ken) TheInaka.com project. Bullfighting in Japan? Who knew? Uwajima JETs, apparently.
Any other videos by JETs about their areas? JETwit wants to know about it. E-mail: jetwit [at] jetwit.com
Job: Grant Writer Asian Art Museum (San Francisco, California)
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Via the Foundation Center. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97)
____________________________________________________________
Position: Grant Writer
Posted by: The Asian Art Museum
Type: Full-time
Location: San Francisco, CA
Salary: $48- 57K* annually with generous benefits package.
*Please note: This position is represented by SEIU 1021. New hires start at the beginning of the
salary range.
Start date: NA
Overview:
One of the nation’s fastest growing Japanese Tier I automotive suppliers is seeking an Business Planner Gain experience in grant writing and institutional giving as a member of a robust and dynamic Development team.
The Asian Art Museum seeks a motivated individual with strong writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills to assist the growing Development team in its fundraising efforts.
Reporting to the Manager of Institutional Partnerships, the Grant Writer helps secure foundation, corporate, and government support for the Asian Art Museum through writing proposals, identifying and actively pursuing grant and sponsorship opportunities, serving as primary contact for a portfolio of institutional funders, and meeting reporting requirements. He or she focuses primarily on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional donors, and assists in the smooth execution of daily institutional fundraising activities, including gift tracking, gift acknowledgement, gift renewals, and benefits management.
The ideal candidate will have excellent writing and communication skills; the ability to effectively handle multiple priorities and deadlines; tolerate ambiguity; successfully maintain perspective and focus while working under pressure; and develop and sustain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external constituents. Read More
WIT Life #205: Lunch Hour NYC
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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.
Yesterday I had the chance to check out the NYC lunch exhibit at the New York Public Library. It offers fascinating tidbits regarding the origins of the meal we now know as lunch, as well as how has evolved over the years here in the city. The aspect that interested me the most was the discussion of the first Japanese restaurant here in the city, dating back to 1932. It was called Yoshino-ya and located at 76 West 47th Street. Although it is often thought that Read More
Job: Assistant Correspondent Position at Jiji Press (DC)
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Via JETAA-DC. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97).
____________________________________________________________
Position: Assistant correspondent
Posted by: Jiji Press
Type: Full-time
Location: Washington, DC
Salary:
Start date: Beginning of August
Duties include:
– Covering early morning releases of major economic indicators
– Reporting on news events in the Washington, DC area
– Transcription (English)
– Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
– Bachelor’s degree required (journalism/ mass communications preferred)
– Punctuality: must be able to reliably attend economic release “lock up” periods in the DC area as early as 7:30am
– Japanese language ability: able to read and type Japanese required (JLPT level 2 or higher preferred)
– English language fluency required
– Strong knowledge in current events and international affairs, especially Asia, required
– Background in economics or interest in economic news preferred
– Basic computer proficiency required
Please send a resume and cover letter in PDF format to applications@ jijidc.com<mail to:applications@ jijidc.com> and include your full name in the subject field. Applications will be accepted until Monday, July 9. Candidates selected for interviews will be notified by mid-July.
Jiji Press is a leading Japanese wire service and has a reputation for its reliable, fair, and objective reporting. We deliver information to approximately 140 newspapers, broadcasters, and publishers throughout Japan and have 28 international branch offices. Jiji Press also provides English-language political, economic and financial news to foreign media and financial institutions.
Job: Postings from Idealist.org 6.26.12
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Via Idealist.org. Posted by Geneva Marie (Niigata-ken 2008-09) Geneva is a contributor to both JETwit and JETAANY. Geneva is on a continuous (epic) search for Japanese-related jobs in the United States. Hire me! :-)
Senior Program Manager -Afterschool and Youth Leadership Initiatives
Posted by: Asia Society
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: Competitive
Start Date: Not Specified
Asia Society is seeking a Senior Program Manager that will be instrumental in coordinating, delivering, and expanding Asia Society’s professional development and technical assistance to theout-of-school time field, including local, state, and national after school programs and networks. Five to six years of professional experience in education, afterschool/youth development, and/or global education field required. Masters degree preferred.
http://www.idealist.org/view/job/FhJtkm4ttJNp/
Jobs: Two JET-relevant Jobs In Atlanta, Georgia
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Thanks to JET alum Jessica Cork Kennett for sharing these two JET-relevant job listings. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97)
____________________________________________________________
Position: Bilingual English / Japanese – Business Planner job
Posted by: Austin Allen Company
Type: Full-time
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: $45,000 to $60,000 plus excellent benefits and relocation packages
Start date: NA
Responsibilities:
One of the nation’s fastest growing Japanese Tier I automotive suppliers is seeking an Business Planner who is bilingual English / Japanese.
This individual will work closely with parent company’s Accounting, Sales, Development and Engineering groups to complete product requests and construct estimates for customers. This Business Planner will work with purchasing and material control associates to maintain accurate cost information and achieve the lowest costs for materials and equipment and support the manufacturing business planers. Heavy interface with Japanese Management.
Located in a Medium sized Mid South community that offers access to excellent universities, excellent public schools, affordable housing and safe, family-friendly communities.
Requirements:
1. Bachelor’s degree required.
2. Must be bilingual Japanese / English (strong written and oral)
3. Must be Microsoft Office proficient (Strengths in Excel highly desired)
http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=92373e7dd486286e&from=tellafriend&utm_source=jobseeker_emails&utm_medium=email&cd%20-=tell_a_friend Read More
JETProgram.ME – a new unofficial JET community site
Aloha! My name is Beau Mueller (Miyazaki-ken, 2009-11) and I am the founder of JETProgram.ME — a new unofficial community site catering to those in all stages of the JET process. With the site, we are hoping to be able to help promote the positive qualities of the JET Programme and of JETs, while fostering a sense of community and facilitating exchange. Being quite fed up with some of the other JET community sites that can be snarky and downright unpleasant, we put together the site aiming for it to be a diverse, friendly, productive and useful resource.
To kickstart the site, we have put together an essay contest for current, former and prospective JETs. Basically, writers have to put together a 400-800 word essay on one of the given topics. After submitting the essay, the goal is to get as many Facebook likes as possible. The writers who get the most likes will win cash prizes (first place is $150).
I hope many of JETwit’s readers will consider participating. The current deadline to pick a topic is 11:59 PM on June 30th, JST. That said, if you are interested in the contest, it is highly recommended you pick your topic soon! Currently, only about 10 people are signed up, so there are lots of great topics left to choose from.
If you are at all interested in or have questions about the site or contest, check out the links below or feel free to contact me at contact (at) jetprogram.me. Note that I am in Hawaii and timing might be a little funny ;)
Hawaii JET alums volunteer as Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui leads visiting delegation (Japanese article)
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JETwit recently posted a JETAA Hawaii article by chapter President Darryl Toma about Hawaii JET alums volunteering to support a visit by the Hiroshima City Mayor along with a visiting delegation from Hiroshima.
FYI, there’s also now an article in Japanese about Mayor Matsui’s visit on the Japan Local Government Center (aka CLAIR-NY) blog: http://www.jlgc.org/TopicList.aspx?topicCategoryID=16&topicID=279&languageTypeID=2&controlType=Display
CLAIR Forum Vol. 273
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Here’s a link to the latest issue of CLAIR Forum (Vol. 273), featuring an article on the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Other notable articles include:
- Contributions from Andy Anderson, Cameron Peek (current Miyagi CIR) and William McMichael (former Fukushima CIR) (Andy’s original English version is also included in the link above. You can find Cameron and William’s original English versions here.)
- An article by Satoko Kanesh about JETAA support, with emphasis on activities of JETAANY. (only Japanese available)
23 students from Taylor Anderson’s high school to visit Ishinomaki as part of Japanese government sponsored exchange program
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Thanks to Andy Anderson for sharing the information about this exchange.
Twenty-three students from Taylor Anderson’s high school, St. Catherine’s, will be visiting Japan, including Ishinomaki, as part of “The Kizuna Project.” The Kizuna Project, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is sending around 1,000 American high school students to Japan this summer for a 2-week trip including sightseeing, a homestay with a Japanese family, and volunteering in the Tohoku area. All expenses – transportation, lodging, food – are covered by the Japanese government.
The Kizuna Project is being coordinated by the Laurasian Institution in Seattle (where JET alum Megan Bernard works and is very involved in the project) as well as the Center for Global Partnership in Tokyo.
Niigata JET directs original films and adds Japanese subtitles
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Niigata JET Robert Shane Ellis has been making original films and even added Japanese subtitles to his most recent film, “Sunset Core.”
Have a look: http://www.youtube.com/rbeort
