Apr 8

Hush Hush Keep It Down Now – Kirsten Phillips on Excess Noise in Japan

By Kirsten Phillips (Niigata-ken, 2005-08)

Japan is known to the world at large for its countless and enduring cultural contributions from the over-appreciated 茶の湯 to the oft overlooked (but sorely missed) heated toilet seat. However, there is one thing I’d like to scrawl into every guide book; one nuance of Japan that I’d like forever engraved in the minds of curious tourists: Excess noise.

What exactly is meant by excess noise?

It’s not something one cannot become desensitized to in time. But it is yet another reminder you are no longer in Kansas.

いっらしゃいませ！For the timid/under-informed, this customary holler of welcome and professional integrity is as intimidating as a car honk. Haplessly wander into any establishment in Japan and you will have to grow accustomed to multiple people welcoming you with bellowing. At least you know you’ve got their attention? But I’ve heard some dudes get creative with their shouting. Almost made me want to inch away from all that tempting スルメ they were peddling。

Let’s not even get into election time, shall we? Oh man, oh man.

Jingles. It seems like everything in Japan from coal to second hand stores has a mind-numbing jingle to it. I bet they even have a jingle for jingles! Augh! I pitied the dudes who had to work at Off House the recycling center. I have witnessed the slack jaws and desperate gazes of Disney employees trapped in their kiosks and made to listen to the Pocahontas soundtrack on an endless loop. So, too, was the fate of the Off House worker. But the fun did not stop there. Oh no.

“Why is the food singing at me?” I wondered aloud as I stared at the onigiri. Read More

Apr 8

Writers: Useful upcoming events from SWET (Tokyo)

Advice, Career, Events, Writers

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Via the Society for Writers Editors and Translators (SWET) e-mail list. Several workshops/discussions/presentations that seem to be very useful for writers and translators in Japan:

SWET News, April 8, 2009

For details on the following upcoming events, see below:

1) April 21 (Tues)–SWET OPEN FORUM: Wordsmithing in Japan (Tokyo)

2) May 16 (Sat)– WRITING MULTICULTURAL FAMILIES (Tokyo)

3) May 17 (Sun)–SWET KANSAI: THREE POETS IN JAPAN (Kyoto)

4) June 23 (Tues)–WRITING NEWS ON JAPAN with Elaine Lies (Tokyo)

5) July 18 (Sat)–SWET (Kanto) Summer Party – details pending. Read More

Apr 8

Donald Keene Center presents: Royall Tyler – The Honor of Translating the Tale of Genji

Events, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999), Associate Director at the Donald Keene Center on Japanese Culture at Columbia University. To get on their e-mail list for future events, send an e-mail to donald-keene-center at columbia dot edu.

2009 Annual Soshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Lecture on Japanese Culture

“The Honor of Translating the Tale of Genji”

Royall Tyler

6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 22nd

The 2008-2009 academic year marks the one-thousandth anniversary of that remarkable classic of Japanese literature, Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji. In order to commemorate the occasion, the Keene Center has invited the renowned Genji scholar and most recent translator of that work into English, Dr. Royall Tyler, to deliver this year’s Soshitsu Sen XV Distinguished Lecture on Japanese Culture.

Miller Theater, Columbia University (116th Street and Broadway)
Please go to http://www.columbia.edu/about_columbia/map/miller_theater.html for a campus map

Reservations are required by April 15th. To RSVP for a reservation-only event,
please email dcc2119 at columbia dot edu or send a fax to 212-854-4019. Read More

Apr 7

Recent publications by JET alum Michael Auslin

Academic, Events, Japan Trends, Writers

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Two recent publications by JET alum Michael Auslin, a professor of Japanese history and politics and currently the Director of Japanese Studies for the American Enterprise Institute in D.C.

The Sick Man of Asia
Posted Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
It might not be possible for Tokyo to maintain the type of global role it has played so far. If that happens, the world may finally understand just how vital that role was. http://www.aei.org/publication29667

Can Japan Thrive–or Survive?
Posted Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
Despite its political sclerosis, economic stagnation, and demographic worries, Japan is a resilient nation that has much to contribute to the world. http://www.aei.org/publication29666

Michael will also be moderating a panel on Tuesday, April 14 at the AEI offices in Washington, D.C. on the topic of “Are Alliances Enough: The Role of the U.S.-Japanese Alliance in Maritime Asia.” The panel is part of an all-day conference titled Protecting the Seas: Maritime Security in the Asia Pacific, America’s Interests, and Asia’s Future.

Apr 7

Zorgamazoo on the shortlist for 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award

Blogs, Books, Writers

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Robert Weston’s (Nara-ken, 2002-04) rhyming novel Zorgamazoo has just received another honor. Below is the post by Rob on his blog wayofthewest.wordpress.com:

Unbelievable. My little black book simply won’t stop slapping me in the face with the most pleasant of surprises.

GET THIS: Zorgamazoo is on the shortlist for the 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award. And here’s what I have to say about it:

EEEEEEEEEEGAD!

(ahem. )

Now then. What this means: E.B. White, as I’m certain you already know, is the author of Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little (he’s also the eponymous “White” of Strunk and White’s Elements of Style).

(CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF ROB’S POST)

Apr 7

Co-working links

Career, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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The following links are from the article on co-working by freelance translator Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04).

Coworking Google Group http://groups.google.com/group/coworking
I’m Outta Here E-Book http://www.imouttaherethebook.com/
Coworking Wiki http://coworking.pbwiki.com/
Web Worker Daily –http://webworkerdaily.com/
Independents Hall, Philly –http://www.indyhall.org
CoLab Tokyo –http://co-lab.jp/about/index.html
Jelly –http://www.workatjelly.com

Apr 7

Co-working – a new approach for changing times

Advice, Career, Translating/Interpreting, Writers

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Joel Dechant (CIR Fukuoka-ken, 2001-04), freelance translator based in Fukuoka, has been exploring the “co-working” trend. If interested in discussing with him, click on his name to contact him via LinkedIn or post a comment below to share your thoughts or perspectives.

After 3 years on JET I worked at a private Japanese university as a translator for 3 years. It was essentially a JET-type job: translate, interpret, assist foreign students and/or plan programs for 3 years and then you’re out. After their stints were up, some of my other colleagues went home or elsewhere in Japan to work in universities, government agencies or in the private sector, but I-on the other hand-decided to stay.

“What about my contract?” you ask. Well, my employer and I struck a deal. They needed someone who knew the university and who could translate and interpret well, and I wanted to stay in the area. By virtue of being placed in the position that bore the biggest share of translation and interpreting work, I was able to hone my skills well enough to confidently say, “Hey, I can do this!” So we wrote a new contract in which they would outsource their work to me. With the stroke of a pen, I was self-employed.

It was like a dream come true. How many times had I Read More

Apr 7

JETAA Chicago Newsletter – Spring 2009

Writers

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Elizabeth Friedman (Shimane-ken, 2003-04) just put out her first issue as new editor of the JETAA Chicago Spring 2009 Newsletter (PDF). Have a look-and-see at what’s going on in Chicago’s JET-world:

Letter from the Editor
Photos from Shinnenkai and Ski Trip
Guide to buying Japanese food in Chicago
Spotlight on local JET alum writer: James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-fish
Poet and JET alum James Shea Book Event
Japan America Society of Chicago Spring Events

Apr 7

Bankruptcy Bill #14 – Online Dating

Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Writers

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Bankruptcy Bill is a cartoon created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. To see more strips as well as original bankruptcy haiku, go to bankruptcybill.wordpress.com.

Apr 2

“Bankruptcy Lover” – by Bankruptcy Bill and The Fresh Starts

Cartoon/Illustration, Humor, Music, Writers

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Ladies and gentlemen, debtors and creditors, we are pleased to share the debut single by Bankruptcy Bill & The Fresh Starts….

“Bankruptcy Lover“

http://bankruptcybill.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/bankruptcylovermp3.mp3

(Click either the link above or the image below to listen.)

Bankruptcy Bill & The Fresh Starts groupies can get their…

Posters here: http://www.zazzle.com/poster_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-228608539647711199

Mugs here: http://www.zazzle.com/mug_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-168135713990751518

Hats here: http://www.zazzle.com/hat_bankruptcy_bill_the_fresh_starts-148439025032658748

Click here for the lyrics and explanatory notes as well as a note on copyright and use restrictions. Read More

Apr 2

JET alum Michael Auslin to moderate panel on North Korea missile launching

Academic, Events, Japan Trends, Writers

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____________________

Testing the Obama Administration: Implications of a North Korean Missile Launch

http://www.aei.org/event1912

Event Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2008

At this event, JET alum and AEI’s Director of Japan Studies Michael Auslin will moderate a panel that will discuss the implications of a North Korean missile launch, including how the launch will affect U.S. relations with other countries in the region, and the future of the six-party …

Apr 2

Even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase

Books, Events, JETAA Chapters, Roland Kelts, Video, Writers

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Thanks to Lawrence Brenner (www.lawrencebrenner.com), an online video and content specialist who covers a lot of Roland Kelts’ events, we have even more video from the JET Alumni Author Showcase laid out in nice YouTube video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E204A157B05C1AEC

Apr 1

Zorgamazoo wins 3rd prize at New York Book Show

Books, Cartoon/Illustration, Uncategorized, Writers

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*************

Good news to report from Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of the rhyming novel Zorgamazoo:

One reason I travelled to NYC last week was because my book was up for a design award from the Bookbinder’s Guild of New York, presented at the New York Book Show.

…I’m very pleased to announce that Zorgamazoo won 3rd prize in the Young Adult Hardcover category! The book was beaten out by two other impressive entries, Moribito by Nahoko Uehashi, which took 2nd prize, and Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley, which claimed the category.

(Click here to read the rest of Rob’s post)

(Click here to watch a video clip of Rob reading reading a selection from Zorgamazoo at the recent JET Alumni Author Showcase.)