Zorgamazoo in China too! (sort of)
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Following up on the post about Robert P. Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) rhyming children’s novel Zorgamazoo being translated into German, it turns out Zorgamazoo is also being translated into Chinese. And by the Chinese translator who did Dr. Seuss!
This, apparently, is not new news. Rob did a post on his Way of the West blog back in November, 2008 unveiling the news. But JetWit didn’t know Rob back then. In fact, JetWit barely existed at the time.
The important thing is that we know now and as a result, so do you.
And to Rob we simply say, “Gong shi, gong shi!” (That’s “omedetou” in Chinese, fyi.)
The latest from Way of the West, the official blog of Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), the Toronto-based author of the rhyming children’s novel Zorgamazoo:
Good news, everyone: I’ve had an offer to publish Zorgamazoo in Germany!
Jacoby and Stuart wants to have the book out in Spring of 2010, and in hardcover, no less. Because of the challenging translation presented by Zorgamazoo, they’re currently on the search for a well-known, well-experienced translator.
Whoever they find, may I wish them the very best of luck! I don’t expect it’ll be easy.
(JetWit is still stuck on the question of how one would pronounce “Zorgamazoo” in German?)
James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish continues to redefine the standard job description for “author.” In his latest adventure, he gave a speech at the American Librarians Association where he forcibly took the Newbery Award from “Neil Gaiman.” And that’s not even the most shocking part.
After watching the video clips below, you may find yourself contemplating the young Japanese students James once taught. What has become of them and how have their lives been affected, or perhaps more appropriately, distorted? Perhaps a film-making member of the JET alum community could set out to produce a documentary on the subject.
Until then, watch and enjoy below. Or watch and read the post on James’ site: “I Win the Newberry”
Video 1: James announces his intention to strip Gaiman of his Newbery.
Video 2: Freya and Erin act out a scene from his novel The Order of Odd-Fish.
Video 3: Neil Gaiman and James fight for the Newbery.
Need a little more James Kennedy? Click here to see video of him reading at the JET Alumni Author Showcase.
Sake World E-Newsletter by John Gaunter (July 2009)
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The July 2009 issue of the Sake World E-mail Newsletter by JET alum and leading sake expert John Gauntner (aka “The Sake Guy”) is now available online. In this issue:
- All I Really Need to Know…
- Did You Know?
- Guided Sakagura Tours
- Sake Professional Course
- Sake Events
- Learn More About Sake eBooks
- Odds-n-Ends
Roland Kelts Australia tour
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, is en route to Australia where he’ll be making several appearances. For JET alums in Australia, here are the dates and locations where you can catch him. And if you do happen to see him, by all means go up and say “G’day.” He really appreciates meeting other JET alums out there.
- July 13-16th, Sydney, AU, JSAA Conference, University of Sydney
- July 17th, Sydney, AU, The Japan Foundation: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
- July 20th, Brisbane, AU, The University of Queensland: Panel w/ Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
- July 22nd, Melbourne, AU, The University of Melbourne: Panel w/Susan Napier and Rebecca Suter
Roland will be back in the U.S. to host a talk with Hayao Miyazaki in Berkely, CA on July 25. Click here to see video clips of Roland speaking at the JETAA NY Alumni Author Showcase event held back in March 2009, here for photos from the event and here to read a review of the event.
Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99) signs a copy of his book at the JETAA NY Author Showcase held in NYC in March 2009.
JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned (a little lately) of the Emperor and Empress of Japan’s visit to Canada and thought that it might be of interest to former JETs across Canada. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.
The past, present and future will come together as Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visit Canada this summer at the invitation of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor-General of Canada. Their Majesties will travel through Canada from July 3 to 14. Excitement is building on both sides of the Pacific in anticipation of this rare occasion.
This will be the first time for Her Majesty the Empress to be in Canada. His Majesty visited Canada in 1953 as the Crown Prince of Japan on the way to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in England.
Click the following links for coverage from:
The Embassy of Japan in Ottawa
The Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto
The Consulate-General of Japan in Montreal
The Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary
The Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
Roland Kelts column on conversation with Haruki Murakami
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a short “JapanamericanEyes” column posted on Trannet.co.jp titled “Surfacing with Strength: Haruki Murakami at 60.”
Roland Kelts update
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has been keeping busy. JetWit just hasn’t been able to keep up. So here are some recent highlights:
- A recent Daily Yomiuri SOFT POWER/HARD TRUTHS column about a symposium on the state of the anime/manga industry and some of the challenges it faces, which you can see on 3:00 A.M. Magazine. The column touches on the shifting market as well as the unsustainable nature of the way anime/manga workers are compensated.
- Giving a speech at book-signing event in Kyoto next weekend as part of a Creative Writing Lecture Series. (A good event for any JETs or JET alums in the area! If you go, say hi to Roland and feel free to report back to JetWit on the event.)
- Japanamerica is now available on Kindle!
Hikaru Utada: The Complete JQ Interview
By Justin Tedaldi, Editor (Kobe-shi CIR, 2001-02)
(Originally Published May 2009 in JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) magazine, the official quarterly publication of JETAA NY (http://jetaany.org/magazine)
It was perfect timing. Back in January, Hikaru Utada, the New York-born recording phenomenon who before she was out of her teens notched three of Japan’s top ten bestselling albums (including number one), was back in town working on a new album for the U.S., and JQ spent a full hour with Hikki to talk of many things, including her new disc This is the One, which hit stores in May.
I know you want to talk about the new album and the single.
The song…
I heard it about two and half weeks ago, as I think I was already on the e-mail list from when your last English album came out.
Oh, right, right, right.
So we go way back. Ten years ago I found out about First Love when I studying Japanese as an undergraduate…
Oh, wow.
It’s amazing to be here now talking about it.
I’m humbled [laughs]. Read More
JQ Magazine’s Spring 2009 “Utada Issue” Now Available Online!
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The Spring 2009 Issue of JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) Magazine is now available online at http://jetaany.org/magazine/.
O-tsuakare sama deshita to Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for all his hard work in putting out another outstanding issue, this one featuring a one-on-one interview he did with Hikaru Utada in New York.
Tanjo!! JQ‘s Spring 2009 Utada Issue is Here!
- What do an Oscar-winner, a celebrated ambassador-turned-president, an international author summit and one of the best-selling singer-songwriters the Eastern Hemisphere’s ever seen have in common? That’s right! They all (I heard) turned down Conan O’Brien to appear in the new issue of JETAANY’s quarterly magazine JQ!
- Months in the making but well worth the wait, our new issue also features our newly elected officers, Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a you-are-there piece on the Tokyo Marathon that you’re guaranteed to learn a thing or to from, and interviews with an Off-Broadway star, community honchos, noted authors and local JETs-made-good in both Japan and beyond.
- And how’s this for a main course: for the first time ever our feature interview was too long for the print issue, so we’ve posted the complete 13-page interview with Hikaru Utada at the handy link below. Whether you’re a Hikki-mania or just want to read what might be the most in-depth interview she’s ever done in English, we’ve got you covered. It all happens in the new issue of JQ. Dozo and enjoy!
SPRING 2009 ISSUE – click to download PDF
(Click Here to Read the Complete Hikaru Utada Interview)
Editor: Justin Tedaldi – magazine@jetaany.org
SPRING 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Page 3…..Letter From the Editor / Letter From the Country Rep
- Page 4…..Nippon News Blotter / JQ National Photo Contest Winners
- Page 5…..Comings & Goings – New Officers and JLGC Changes
- Page 6…..JETAANY Author Showcase by Gina Anderson and Justin Tedaldi
- Page 6…..TAIKOPROJECT in Philly by Renay Loper
- Page 7…..Japan Society’s New President Motoatsu Sakurai by Justin Tedaldi
- Page 8…..JETlog featuring Ed Thompson (Chiba-shi CIR, 1994-97)
- Page 9…..STOMP New York’s Yako Miyamoto by Liz Wanic
- Page 10…Running the Tokyo Marathon by Stacy Smith
- Page 11…Nihonjin in NY – Featuring Noriko Furuhata of the CGJ by Rick Ambrosio
- Page 11…Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Page 13…Hikaru Utada: The JQ Interview by Justin Tedaldi
- Page 14…Adren Hart’s ConnectForce Productions Jazzes Up NY by Matt Matysik
- Page 15…JETAActivity Photos
- Page 16…An Animated Talk with Japanamerica Author Roland Kelts By Larry Heiman
- Page 17…Destination Nippon: JNTO and Kintetsu International by Sylvia Pertzborn
- Page 18…New York-Tokyo Founder Taeko Baba by Marea Pariser
- Page 19…Film Review: Departures by Lyle Sylvander
- Page 19…Book Corner: Shutting Out the Sun by David Kowalsky
- Page 20…Shutting Out the Sun Author Michael Zielenziger Q&A by Kelly Nixon
- Page 21…Awaji Puppet Theater at Japan Society by Beata Wilk
- Page 23…Top 14 List / Life After the B.O.E. / Let’s Make Chirashi!
- Major domo to (from left) Anson Mau, Kayoko & Rob Werner, Marea Pariser, Louie Reyes, Joe Marucheck, Justin Tedaldi, Steven Horowitz, Laura Pollak, Stacy Smith, and (off camera) Nancy Ikehara and Peter Mallik for pitching in to mail out the Utada Issue.
Roland Kelts to host talk with Hayao Miyazaki in July
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According to a news item on the Anime News Network (which was first reported by Publishers Weekly journalist Kai-Ming Cha in her personal blog), Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, will host a talk with Hayao Miyazaki (director of Spirited Away among other animated films) on July 25 in Berekely, CA. Miyazaki will be making a rare U.S. appearance to receive the second annual Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement, presented by the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
This is familiar territory for Roland, who hosted a talk with novelist Haruki Murakami last October when Murakami was presented with the first Berekely Japan award.
JET alum sake expert John Gauntner at Japan Society May 19
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Just saw a Japan Times article on JET alum sake expert John Gauntner, and then this popped into my inbox:
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LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!
Annual Sake Tasting & Lecture
Koji-making is the heart of the sake brewing process. Koji is steamed rice onto which a special mold has been grown with great precision and skill that converts starches to sugars, which in turn are fermented to yield alcohol. Making good koji requires precise regulation of temperature and moisture, and nothing has a greater impact on the final flavors and aromas of sake. Like much of sake brewing, koji-making is more art than science. Sake expert John Gauntner discusses the art and science of making koji, what it is, the myriad ways it can be accomplished, and how tiny changes to koji can result in major differences in sake flavor. Followed by a sake tasting. Co-sponsored by the Sake Export Association. Tickets: Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 212.715.1258 |
Thanks to JET Liason Noriko Furuhata and JET alum Eric Campbell, both of whom work at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, for sharing the link to this Japan Times article about JET alum John Gauntner who has established himself as the leading non-Japanese sake expert in the world. And this on the heels of a recent JETAA NY sake tasting event at Bao Noodles, a restaurant owned by JET alum and sake sommelier Chris Johnson (Oita-ken, 1992-95).
Great stuff. Then again, is anyone really that surprised that JET alums would know sake so well? :-)
For more info, here are links to:
- the Japan Times article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090404a1.html
- John’s website: http://www.sake-world.com/ (filled with lots of good stuff)
- The five books he’s written on sake: http://www.sake-world.com/html/books.html (Yet another published JET alum author!)
- His Nihonshu columns that he wrote for the Japan Times for 8 years: http://www.sake-world.com/html/jt-archives.html
Perhaps going forward it’s time for JetWit to start keeping its eyes peeled for JET alum shouju sommeliers.
Roland Kelts on Sakura-Con: Yomiuri column and podcast
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, has a recent Daily Yomiuri column on his experience at Sakura-Con in Seattle in April. You can also listen to a podcast about the event in which he’s interviewed.
WIT Life #37: Creative Commercialization
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/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 observat
Since the recent shattering of the boy band’s SMAP’s clean-cut image with the arrest of member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (34) on public indecency charges, the fallout has been pretty well contained. Kusanagi held a press conference on the 25th to apologize, and his agency has suspended all his activities indefinitely and declared a ban on alcohol for him. Apparently the famous Johnny’s jimusho is advising all of its high-profile clients to be mindful of their celebrity status when they are out for a night on the town and drinking is involved. SMAP fans are worried that Read More
