Dec 26

WIT Life #144: Manga restrictions and contemporary art challenges

Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #144: Manga restrictions and contemporary art challenges

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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.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas celebration, whether it was with a strawberry shortcake or more traditional fare.  Soon it will be time to get ready for Oshougatsu‘s toshikoshi soba and osechi ryouri!  If you want to enjoy these holiday foods but not have to prepare them yourself, there are places around the city that will be offering free toshikoshi soba samples on New Year’s Eve (Village Yokocho is one), and osechi ryouri is being sold at Japanese supermarkets and by catering companies.  I don’t know whether they are still accepting orders, but if you are interested it is worth checking out!

In other news, two articles in last week’s Wall Street Journal talked about aspects of Tokyo’s art and pop culture scenes.  One discussed how the city government is attempting to restrict sales of manga with “extreme” depictions of sex.  This ordinance originated with conservative governor Shintaro Ishihara, but has been openly opposed by Prime Minster Naoto Kan.  Motivating Kan’s critical stance is the fact that several manga artists and 10 major publishers have said that they will boycott the huge Tokyo International Anime Fair scheduled to take place in March.  On his blog he wrote, “Upbringing of youth is an important matter.  But at the same time, it’s also important to Read More

Dec 23

Job: Program Director (Dallas/Fort Worth)

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Program Director (Dallas/Fort Worth)

JETAA DC President Mac Maloney. 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.

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Job Position: Program Director

Job Details:

The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth is seeking a fulltime Program Director to plan and implement programs about Japan and the U.S.- Japan relationship. Additional responsibilities include managing the society’s membership program and promoting the organization and its programs to the community.

For a detailed job description and qualifications go to: http://jasdfw.org/downloads/Program%20Director%20Job%20Description.pdf

How to apply:

To apply, send cover letter and resume to Anna McFarland, Executive Director, at anna@jasdfw.org.

Dec 23

Justin’s Japan: An Origami Tree Grows in Rockefeller Center

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Minamoto Kitchoan's origami Christmas tree. (Courtesy of Yasushi Sasaki/Two Rivers Associates)

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.

Minamoto Kitchoan, the Midtown Japanese wagashi (confectionery) shop with over 150 locations worldwide, is currently sporting a Christmas tree made up of 3,000 origami cranes, or orizuru.

According to store management, “The orizurus symbolize peace. They were made by kindergarten and elementary students in Japan and sent to New York as a tribute to the WTC Visitor Center.” This special Christmas tree was unveiled earlier this month at Minamoto Kitchoan’s Fifth Avenue store in the heart of Manhattan.

“We’ve decided to create an orizuru Christmas Tree in remembrance of tragic events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001,” management explains. “Each orizuru comes with heartfelt hopes for peace.”

This sweet gesture is complemented by Minamoto Kitchoan’s own mission, which management says is to expand their business to every country in the world so that all can further experience and understand the beauty of Japanese culture through traditional Japanese wagashi, whether it’s Fukuwatshi Senbei (Japanese style vanilla cream filled cookie), the savory Benihana Ringo (apple cinnamon flavored bean jelly), or the delectable Kurizutsumi (red Bean paste and large piece of chestnut wrapped and baked in pie crust, topped with black sesame).

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Dec 22

JETAA Chapter Beat 12.22.10

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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.

JETAA Chicago

• General Meeting – Monday, January 10th, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in Chicago. Lend your voice to the future of JETAA Chicago at the first Executive Board meeting of the new year.
• Shinnenkai – Saturday, January 15th at the JIC. Celebrate 2011 Japanese style, with food, friends, games and more. More details to follow.

JETAA Southern California

• Shinnenkai – Sunday, January 9th, 11:00 at Gonpachi in Torrance. Join JETAASC in welcoming the new year over a festive Japanese lunch.
• JETAASC Retreat 2011 – Saturday, January 22nd, 9:00 to 3:00 in West Covina. Spend the day getting to know your fellow JET alumni, or catch up with old friends at this year’s retreat. Discuss the future of JETAASC and don’t forget to bring your favorite dish for everyone to share.

JETAA Portland

• J-Kaiwa – Friday, January 7th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese or just get together with friends for a drink at Lucky Lab.

JETAA Pacific Northwest

• Mochitsuki Volunteers Needed – PNWJETAA is looking for volunteers to make mochi on Wednesday, December 29th and Thursday, December 30th for the upcoming Mochitsuki, hosted by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center.

JETAA British Columbia

• General Meeting and Shinnenkai – Friday, January 28th, 6:00 to 9:00 at the Downtown YMCA in Vancouver. Ring in the new year with JETAABC. More details to follow.

Happy Holidays from JETAA Chapter Beat!

Dec 22

JET alum seeks funding for “Bound in Japan,” a community book art project

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Via the JETAA DC email list, information about an interesting project created by Kieu Lam (Kagoshima-ken, 2003-06):

Dear Fellow JETs and Friends of Japan,

I am writing to let you know about Bound in Japan, a community book art project that I am producing.

I am a former JET and, like so many of you, have come to love Japan and consider it a second home. As you are aware, establishing a new life and community in Japan presents many challenges, and opportunities for exchange amongst native and non-native residents are important. Bound in Japan will offer a unique opportunity for this kind of engagement.

I plan on going to Japan in the summer of 2011 and will be teaching book art workshops for mainly non-native residents. These participants will create original book art about their experiences living in Japan, and this book art will be organized as an exhibition. Through this creative process, Bound in Japan aims to promote intercultural exchange and understanding in a Japanese society that is slowly but steadily becoming more multi-ethnic.

In order to make the book art workshops widely accessible and to incorporate as many voices as possible, these workshops will be offered at no cost to participants. It is necessary to raise funds to cover expenses for workshops and the exhibition as well as travel and living expenses in Japan. Read More

Dec 22

WIT Life #143: SoHo Host Club

Food & Drink, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers Comments Off on WIT Life #143: SoHo Host Club

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.

I knew that there were a few hostess clubs floating around the city, but I was not aware of the existence of any host clubs.  That is until I attended the Winter Solstice Wonderland event last night hosted by none other than New York’s very own SoHo Host Club!  I have never visited a host club in Japan, so was not sure what to expect, but this group is inspired by the Japanese anime Ouran High School Host Club.  The six hosts present ranged in age from 18-31, and all were dressed in suits and looked quite dapper.

The host taking care of our table was 25-year old Salvatore Torres, and he impressively remembered all of our individual tea selections and kept our cups filled.  Evidently in the original anime most social events revolve around tea and sweets, but the event last night was Read More

Dec 22

J-DOC: This is how Christmas in Japan is Celebrated

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Christmas in JapanJ-DOC, C-DOC, and K-DOC are recurring features 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, Chinese, English, and Korean language learning options.

Japanese Class listing can be found at: Japanese Classes Dallas OR  Japanese Courses OR Japanese Classes Online

Being that most Japanese are Buddhist and Shinto, Christmas takes on a very different meaning in Japan. The streets are still decorated with Christmas lights and images of Santa Claus. Christmas music still plays incessantly everywhere you go. And, the shops and department stores still have great sales. But unlike in America and other Western countries, Christmas…

Click here to read the full article – Christmas in Japan

Dec 22

Job: Community Manager at Kabam

Jobs Comments Off on Job: Community Manager at Kabam

via JETAA Northern California. 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.

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From Casey Lary (Hiroshima-ken 2005-07)

The link to apply is here:
http://hire.jobvite.com/CompanyJobs/Careers.aspx?k=Job&c=qE09Vfws&j=onbyVfwL
and more information about the job below.

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Job Position: Community Manager at Kabam

Job Details:

Do you tweet and post on Facebook every day, all day? Does building a social community come naturally to you? Do concepts like customer loyalty and new customer acquisition make you get up and jump?

Kabam is looking for a highly motivated individual with experience and passion for Community Management in the Social Gaming industry. We are well-funded (backed by a top VC and a prominent UK gaming company), profitable and offer a competitive salary, equity participation and benefits.

This person will be the voice of the user within the company and the voice of the company and the games we make externally to our player communities. This person will develop strategies around creating awareness of our brand and games with potential new players, engage and retain our existing players, and focus on creating and executing on techniques to drive revenue through promotions and events.

Note: We’re growing but in a controlled fashion. We believe in small teams working collaboratively to build great products. And we’re extremely selective, with an emphasis on smarts, attitude and ethics. If you are looking to make an impact on (and share in) the success of our business, work with a great team, and have a little fun in the process, please send us your information. We’d like to meet you.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

How to Apply:

Go to http://hire.jobvite.com/CompanyJobs/Careers.aspx?k=Job&c=qE09Vfws&j=onbyVfwL

Dec 22

Job: Executive Director at Japan America Society of Washington (State)

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via JETAADC President Mack Maloney who received it from the National Association of Japan America Societies. 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.

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Job Position: Executive Director at The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington (http://www.jassw.org)

Job Details:

The Executive Director is accountable to the board of directors and serves as the general manager of the Society. There are two other Society staff along with unpaid interns and volunteers. All staff provides member support including programs, membership, educational and operational duties.

Responsibilities of the Executive Director include the following:

Overall Direction of the Society
Managing the office and initiating and leading the annual and multi-year strategic business and program planning process in close collaboration with the Board and Executive Committee for their review and approval. Upholds and models the mission statement, values, vision, and community tradition of the Society, modeling a high degree of accountability.

Financial and Budget
Initiating and leading the fund development efforts, financial management, and annual budgeting process in close collaboration with the Board and Executive and Finance Committees for their review and approval.

Program Development and Implementation
Initiating and leading interesting and innovative programs. This includes identifying prospective program offerings, recruiting speakers, arranging venues and maximizing attendance. The Executive Director collaborates with the Program Committee and executes program plans. The three major standing annual fund development programs include the annual meeting, golf tournament and the holiday celebration and auction.

Membership Recruitment/Retention
Initiating and implementing membership recruitment and retention strategies. The Executive Director collaborates with the Membership Committee in being responsible for recruiting new and retaining existing members.

Management and Administration
Managing an office of three staff in a collegial and supportive environment. Models accountability and ensures all staff is held to the highest level of performance.

For more details, click “Read More”.

Read More

Dec 21

Foxhound87: Monkey Mountain

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Joshua Small is a First Year JET currently living in Ikaruga-cho, Nara-ken and has been chronicling his experience on his blog Snorlax87.

Last Saturday, I joined some Nara and Kyoto JETs in climbing Arashiyama, or as I call it, Monkey Mountain.

This mountain in Kyoto is famous for playing host to many feral Macaques. The hike up the mountain was pretty easy. There were only a few hazards. Because it was a bit misty, the rock steps and ramps were a little slippery. We cautiously made our way up Arashiyama.

As we climbed, we came across many signs warning us of the dangers of Monkey Mountain:

1. Do not feed the monkeys

2. Do not look the monkeys in the eyes

3. Do not touch the monkeys

Yeah…lots of do not’s…

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.

http://snorlax87.blogspot.com/

Dec 21

Justin’s Japan: Interview with Filmmaker Amy Guggenheim on ‘When Night Turns to Day’

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‘When Night Turns to Day’ director Amy Guggenheim. (Courtesy of A. Guggenheim)

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.

New York-based writer/director/producer Amy Guggenheim is currently hard at work on When Night Turns to Day, a dramatic feature that will be shot in New York and Tokyo. A present-day romantic thriller with martial arts, sword choreography and tattoos, the film follows May, a young American female writer who gets drawn into both Japanese sword fighting (kendo) and a passionate relationship with Toshi, a young Japanese martial artist. Beyond anything she’d ever imagined, both must face secrets from their past, barely escaping with their lives.

Guggenheim herself is a third dan (degree) kendo practitioner who has competed in Tokyo, a grant recipient from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Mellon Fund, and the director of her own production company. I caught up with her to learn more about When Night Turns to Day, which begins shooting in Japan next year.

What made you interested in making a movie about kendo from an American perspective?

I got interested in making a film involving kendo after making a multimedia theater piece called Monsters and Marvels with video projection and 14 actors. It’s about the unconscious influence we have on each other from various cultures, Japanese being one of them. It’s also a way to express my vision of kendo as an American woman in 2010, interested in the “art” aspect of the “martial art.”

What is your personal history with Japan?

I’ve been involved with Japan in one way or another since the 7th grade. I was first interested in the design culture and the values of simplicity and essence, then later in kabuki, noh and butoh. In my background in theater, I was trained by Zen-influenced artists including Elaine Summers— an early intermedia artist from Judson Church (John Cage, Merce Cunningham, etc.), and then Eiko and Koma—butoh artists based in New York. When I was doing my own solo theater performance work, I started practicing kendo. For a few years I toured in Europe, Latin America and the U.S. performing my work and then practicing kendo with local dojos.

With the honor of having an Asian Cultural Council Grant in 2008, I was able to travel again to Japan (the first two trips were kendo-related—2006 participating in the first International Women’s Kendo Tournament in Tokyo), and in these last two years I’ve gone back several times and have been working with Masaru Koibuichi of Koi Pictures (our co-producer there), Setsu Asakura (art director) and others.

The dark, erotic tension of Japanese culture is my own language as well, and also the intuitive intelligence at the heart of kendo is my subject, too.

How did you get into kendo originally? Are there any films that cover the subject that inspired you with the idea or development of your film?

Bobby Troka, a kendo player and voice coach, worked with me on a solo piece of mine, suggesting I try it. I thought it was “too formal,” but once I did it, I fell in love with it and couldn’t stop! That was in 1990. There’s surprisingly few films that adequately deal with kendo, and I must say the idea developed out of my own experience and imagination and was inspired by people I met in the kendo world along the way. The way Kwaidan, directed by Masaki Kobayashi, deals with the uncertain spaces of the psyche, is evocative. Kurosawa’s Ran, Dreams and The Seven Samurai, Shindo’s Onibaba, Masumura’s Irezumi and Hong Kong martial arts films also have great inspirational material.

What are your current goals regarding the next steps in getting the film made?

We are assembling a terrific, experienced, creative team here and in Japan, and launched a mini-fundraising campaign going with Kickstarter.com that ran through November. We will next move on to preliminary test shooting and start working with sword choreographer Kataoka Noboru and actors in New York City. We are working hard to complete financing for the feature to shoot next fall, which will include investors, pre-sales and sponsors. If people are interested in donating to the project to help get us to principal photography next year, please go to our website at www.whennightturnstoday.com. You can also contact me by e-mail about donations, the project, or interest in getting involved with creative skills or production.

Click here for the rest of the interview. 

Dec 21

Op-ed on natural gas development by JET alum

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Dec 21

JETAA DC Film Festival: How was it?

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On December 3 and December 5, JETAADC held its first ever JETAA DC Film Festival.  And they did it in style at the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institute.  Here’s a write-up of the event courtesy of JETAADC.

In an attempt to increase awareness of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program and to showcase Japanese or Japan-related films to American audiences, the Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC) partnered with the Freer Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution to screen two films from December 3-5, Linda Linda Linda and The Harimaya Bridge.

On Friday, December 3, JETAADC showed Linda Linda Linda, a quirky comedy about a band of four girls and their rehearsals leading up to their talent show performance during school festival. Prior to the film, JETAADC Vice President Nick Harling provided some opening remarks, discussing the JET Program, JETAADC, and adding a bit of context to the film.  Approximately  130 people attended the show on December 3, and after the film, about 40 audience members congregated at a local bar to continue discussing the film and Japanese culture.

On Sunday, December 5, JETAADC and the Freer Gallery screened The Harimaya Bridge, written and directed by Aaron Woolfolk, a JET alum from Kochi-ken. The film follows an American man who must travel to rural Japan to claim some important items belonging to his late son, from whom he was estranged. While there, he learns several secrets his son left behind. Mr. Woolfolk attended the screening, which drew over 200 people from the greater DC metro area, including representatives from local media. After the film, Mr. Woolfolk responded to questions from the audience regarding his inspiration for the film, the process of making the film, and what it was like working in Japan, both as a teacher and a filmmaker. About 50% stayed for the Q & A.

Afterwards, Mr. Woolfolk said, “It was a special honor to have the film shown at the Smithsonian Institution, and I am especially grateful to JETAADC for playing a pivotal role in making that happen. Moreover, spending time with the DC alumni before and after the screening reminded me how very fortunate and proud I am to be a part of the JET community.”

JETAADC President Maurice Maloney added, “JETAADC was honored to have Aaron Woolfolk and The Harimaya Bridge as part of our film series. In two and a half hours at the Freer Gallery, the film, along with Aaron’s discussion, conveyed the JET experience to a broader audience than we could have reached in months.”

Maloney added, “In light of discussed budget cuts to the JET Programme and JET Alumni Associations across the globe, it is more important than ever for JET Alumni Associations to showcase the breadth of their alumni and the positive effects they have on their communities.”

Click “Read More” to see photos from the event, courtesy of JETAADC.

Read More

Dec 20

Japan Fix: San Francisco

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Kathy Laubach (CIR Kumamoto-ken, 2003-06) originally hails from Montana but recently re-located to San Francisco and agreed to share how she’s been getting her Japan Fix there so far.

I have to admit that I simple feel too fresh back to write a worthy piece on my Japan Fix in San Francisco…. Montana was so long ago, which also makes that a challenge! I have found that my main sources of warding off Japan homesickness are skyping/emailing friends there and, mainly, tracking their lives on Facebook. I’ve also managed to meet a few Japanese folks in the area which has been helpful for the adjustment.

One place that makes the top of my still short but notable Bay Area Secrets Japanese list, however, is Umami. The menu boasts two of my weaknesses (as in addictions) – sushi and ice cream – in an upbeat, modern atmosphere. Plenty of items for sharing and the wait staff is confident making suggestions and ordering on behalf of patrons’ wanting to spend more time in conversation than deliberating over menu choices. Fairly expansive and fun cocktail list, with sake as well (Was driving, so not too familiar with the beverages. Would like to stop in for Happy Hour sometime though.)

Umami staff got good marks, too, for doing a good job of accounting for 好き／嫌い and アレルギ. The ice cream I referred to isn’t any ordinary/extraordinary 抹茶 variety, per se, but the dessert menu incorporates a cookie dough wrapped ice cream roll with delectable toppings. Attractive to the eye and as well as stimulating to the taste buds! Also noteworthy is the Japanese language lesson audio system in the トイレ!

I guess you could say I am a fan. I’d like to sit at the bar sometime and see if it offers that same visual satisfaction as often felt when doing so in Japan.

(Kathy added that she would soon be attending her first JETAA Northern California gathering, another great way to get your Japan Fix.)

Have something to add to Japan Fix:  San Francisco?  Want to share how you get your Japan Fix in your corner of the world?  Add a comment to this post or e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com.

Dec 20

Job: Position available at Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta

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via JET alum Jessica Cork who works for the Consulate in Atlanta. 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.

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Job Position: Assistant, Political and General Affairs Section, Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta

Job Details:

The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is seeking an assistant for the Political and General Affairs Section. Duties will include preparing speeches and materials for lectures, analyzing and reporting on political trends and election results in the Southeast region of the United States, preparing letters and other communications, and assisting with other Consulate duties. Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree, have excellent English language communication skills, be proficient with Microsoft Office, have an interest in and knowledge of U.S. politics, particularly the Southeast, have a strong desire to further mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, and be a U.S. citizen. Knowledge of Japanese culture and history and fluency in the Japanese language are a plus.

How to apply:

To apply for this position, please email your résumé and two writing samples to isoda@cgjapanatlanta.org

http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/politicaljob.html