JET Prefecture Round up! 10.02.17
AJET, Events, JET Prefecture Round-up 
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By Suzanne Bhagan (Tottori Prefecture)
Put away that cool biz. October is here! Before you snuggle under that kotatsu, here are some events to get you nice and toasty!
Otsu Matsuri
When: 8 October
Where: Otsu, Shiga Prefecture
Get ready to work it. Shiga AJET invites volunteers to flex those muscles to pull festival floats at the famous Otsu Matsuri.
When: 7 October
Where: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
This fall, Block 6 kicks off their welcome undoukai/picnic in the park for all Block 6 JETs, new and old.
Cruising in Hita
When: 8 October
Where: Hita, Oita Prefecture
Oita AJET welcomes all JETs and friends to hop on a pleasure boat, drink, eat, and relax on Hita’s Mikuma river.
When: 7 October
Where: Nagaoka, Kochi Prefecture
It’s time for HAJET’s annual rafting trip down south. Grab a paddle pronto!
JQ Magazine: Film Review — ‘The Red Turtle’
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A critical analysis couched in fiction of the Academy Award-nominated Studio Ghibli co-production (Sony Pictures Classics)
By Preston Hatfield (Yamanashi-ken, 2009-10) for JQ magazine. Preston is the English teacher you wish you had growing up. He taught in Kofu, Yamanashi on JET and later received his Master’s in Education and teaching credential from Stanford University. He now teaches English at a public high school in the Silicon Valley, and is inspiring the leaders of tomorrow one dank meme at a time.
TL;DR: Directed by Dutch animator Michaël Dudok de Wit, The Red Turtle is another visual masterpiece by Studio Ghibli (making its external co–production debut here collaborating with a European team) with a unique artistic style that makes the scenery itself a prominent character. Though it lost me in parts, the story is poignant and evokes an array of feelings, few of which are pleasant, though nonetheless life–affirming. In order to fully appreciate this film (which has no dialogue), you need to be in a calm, patient, and cerebral mood. Also, make sure you watch it in a very dark room, as the film features numerous nighttime scenes that are hard to see with extra light.
You never asked from whence I came, if I had a family in my own land, if I was happy in my new life. I suppose you found those details immaterial as far as we were concerned, but you should know that from the moment I opened my eyes and coughed the seawater from my lungs on that accursed beach we called home, after surveying the island high and low, near and far, and discovering no human civilization from which I could find salvation, I devoted every precious calorie in my body to escaping that forsaken rock, ocean be damned.
Let my words carry across time and space; to echo across the sky and go bounding beyond the reach of the island that tethered me. Let me communicate what I couldn’t before. Let my memory endure, because I have lost everything else. Let me go.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw you, a scarlet leviathan that decimated my rafts like waves over sandcastles. I admit I never quite worked it out. Was it your will or the island’s that kept me from leaving? Who did I enrage so with my escape plan and headstrong persistence in the face of constant setback? I guess what I’m asking is, were you the warden of the prison, or just one of the guards? There in the open ocean I gazed at you, awe-struck, sure in that moment that you were going to kill me for being so daring.
JQ Magazine: Film Review — ‘Hayao Miyazaki: Never-Ending Man’
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“This tight, 70-minute documentary does not wander. It preserves a feeling of deliberate pacing and purpose through clever editing, and possibly even some deliberate misdirection, which echo Miyazaki’s personal deliberations.” (© NHK)
By Greg Beck (Hiroshima–ken, 2006-11) for JQ magazine. Greg is a writer, producer, home brewer, and Social Coordinator for JETAA Southern California and Arizona. A former news producer for Tokyo Broadcasting System in New York, he currently works freelance in Los Angeles. For more cinema reviews, follow him on Twitter at @CIRBECK #MovieReview.
Receiving its East Coast premiere last night at Japan Society in New York, NHK’s new documentary on Studio Ghibli’s famed animation director Hayao Miyazaki offers a seemingly deep and undeniably personal look into the man’s current life, as well as his achievements and challenges, both artistically and—in his old age—existentially. True to Japanese-style filmmaking, we see a series of scenes as they happen, and are left to draw our own meaning. Still, this tight, 70-minute documentary does not wander. It preserves a feeling of deliberate pacing and purpose through clever editing, and possibly even some deliberate misdirection, which echo Miyazaki’s personal deliberations.
The film starts with Miyazaki’s retirement announcement at a press conference in September 2013. It then jumps forward two years, to an unseen and seldom-heard cameraman, whose perspective we take for this fly-on-the-wall documentary. Entering his gorgeous, countryside atelier, Miyazaki grumbles humbly, “What do you have a camera for? There’s nothing worth seeing. I’m retired.” He feeds birds, smokes, makes tea, and gripes about the complacency of Disney’s Frozen anthem “Let It Go,” but in no time shows that his creative drive is undiminished. Walking to a table covered in a pile of pages of new projects and material, he insists, “I’m a retired pensioner. I’m just fooling around now.” Read More
Job: Receptionist – Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta (Atlanta, GA, USA)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Receptionist
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job from JETAA Southeast:
The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is hiring! We’re looking for a new Receptionist and JET alumni are preferred. Check our website for more information: http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/ (Look under the “What’s New” section and click on “Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta Employment Opportunity: Receptionist”)
WIT Life #316: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Teikoku Hotel
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Written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03), WIT Life is a periodic series about aspects of Japanese culture such as film, food and language. Stacy starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s birth, and celebrations are taking place around the country and world. I recently had the chance to go to MoMA’s Frank Lloyd Wright at 150: Unpacking the Archive (ending October 1 so run to check it out if you haven’t already!). This incredibly comprehensive exhibit looks at Wright’s career from 12 different perspectives, each of which has its own section. There are around 450 works that he made from the 1890s through the 1950s on display, and each section has a video narrated by a scholar in the respective field.
I was particular interested in the section discussing the second version of the Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル), designed by Wright and built from 1919–1923). It survived the Great Tokyo Earthquake that September, but eventually slipped into decay over time and in 1967 it was decided to demolish the hotel and replace it with a high-rise building. The structure was mostly destroyed, but the iconic central lobby wing and reflecting pool were disassembled and rebuilt at Meiji-mura in Nagoya, which I was lucky enough to visit during a recent business trip.
This is an amazing theme park with a variety of architecture mostly from the Meiji Era (1868-1912), and Read More
JET Prefecture Round up! 09.25.17
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By Suzanne Bhagan (Tottori Prefecture)
Konnichiwa past and present JETs! This autumn’s already steaming up with a host of events to keep you occupied. Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss!
Bull sumo wrestling
When: 1 October
Where: Ojiya, Niigata Prefecture
Forget human sumo wrestlers! Head to Tsunotsuki or bull versus bull wrestling in Ojiya to see which beast comes out on top!
Mount Daisen
When: 30 September
Where: Saihaku, Tottori Prefecture
It’s already fall so you know what time that is: time to tackle Daisensan, the tallest mountain in the Chugoku region!
Bonfire
Block 4 Welcome Party: Odo Beach Bonfire
When: 29 September
Where: Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture
Calling all Block 4 peeps! Bring some booze and marshmallows and get to know one another!
When: 30 September
Where: Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture
Cozy up with live music from over 20 local artists and groups and nosh some tasty food at this music festival.
Nebuta parade
When: 29 September – 1 October
Where: Fukue, Nagasaki Prefecture
Head to one of the main Goto islands for Nebuta parades, fireworks, dances, and a whole lotta fun!
When: 24 September – 1 October
Where: Miyako, Fukuoka Prefecture
Join in one of Kyushu’s three major float festivals that’s famous for its “fighting floats” where competing floats hit one other!
“Takahashi’s warm watercolors and relatable stories are guaranteed to entertain readers of all ages, and the latest English-language addition to this series, Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Travels, is every bit as enjoyable as its two predecessors.” (Museyon)
By Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03) for JQ magazine. Stacy is a New York City–based provider of top quality Japanese interpreting, translating and writing/editing services. Starting from her initial encounter with Japan in her teens, she has built up a consummate understanding of the country‘s language and culture, enabling her to seamlessly traverse between Japan and the U.S. and serve as a bridge between the two. For more information, visit www.stacysmith.webs.com. As a writer, Stacy also shares tidbits and trends with her own observations in the periodic series WIT Life.
Having spent three years on JET in Kumamoto, home of nationwide sensation Kumamon who didn’t yet exist when I was there, I must honestly say that I approach bear characters with slight trepidation. However, I was delightfully surprised to love every minute of my encounter with Kuma-Kuma Chan, the bear who stars in the eponymous children’s book series written and illustrated by Kazue Takahashi. Her warm watercolors and relatable stories are guaranteed to entertain readers of all ages, and the latest English-language addition to this series, Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Travels, is every bit as enjoyable as its two predecessors.
The previous two books, Kuma-Kuma Chan, the Little Bear (previously reviewed in JQ here) and Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Home, looked at a day in the life of Kuma-Kuma Chan on his own and when a friend comes to visit. Kuma–Kuma Chan’s Travels is a bit more expansive, introducing readers to his world when he takes trips. I love the details at the beginning sharing what he brings with him on his journeys, along with accompanying illustrations such as a Thermos containing hot coffee. We later see him on top of a mountain drinking said coffee while watching the sunrise. These trips take place inside his head, but the descriptive text and beautiful pictures make you feel like you are with him everywhere he goes.
The series as a whole features a strong element of kawaii, or cuteness, which contributes to its Japaneseness. Also, there is an intangible sensibility to the stories that make them feel a bit different than traditional Western children’s books. In the inaugural Kuma–Kuma Chan, the Little Bear, we learn about his daily routine, which includes aspects such as eating a big salad for breakfast with lettuce from his garden and personal grooming like trimming his nails and hair. I particularly liked the scene which shows him during the winter, rolling around to catch the sunlight as the day progresses with the kerosene heater nearby. For many JET alumni, I’m sure this scene will be reminiscent of days spent in school offices where this was the sole source of heat.
Courtesy of Museyon
For readers seeking a creature of a different nature, the Tyrannosaurus children’s books written and illustrated by Tatsuya Miyanishi is another series worth checking out. It currently features 13 titles, four of which have been published in the U.S. For those who would like to learn about these books and meet the acclaimed author, he will be at the New York and New Jersey locations of Books Kinokuniya at 2 p.m. on October 21 and 22, respectively. On both days, Miyanishi will be reading from and discussing his works, as well as signing books for those with purchased copies. For more dates in Texas, Washington and California, click here.
Kuma-Kuma Chan’s Travels is available October 1. For more information, click here.
For more JQ magazine book reviews, click here.
JET Prefecture Round up! 09.18.17
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By Suzanne Bhagan (Tottori Prefecture)
Hey, everyone! It’s already past the middle of September and there’s a national holiday (Autumnal Equinox Day on 23 September) coming up. Here’s what’s going on in Japan’s JET community this week and the next!
Oirase Shimoda Matsuri
When: 23 September – 24 September
Where: Oirase Town, Aomori Prefecture
Snap the “living dolls” that ride the giant floats during the Shimoda Festival in Oirase!
When: 30 September
Where: Minamiaso, Kumamoto Prefecture
Pack a tent. It’s party time on the side of the world’s largest caldera for the first ever Kuma Fest!
Whitewater rafting in Japan
Hiroshima AJET’s Annual Whitewater Rafting Trip
When: 29 September – 1 October
Where: Yoshino River, Kochi Prefecture
Block 9 peeps, get your paddles ready! Hiroshima AJET is hosting its yearly whitewater rafting in Shikoku.
When: 30 September
Where: Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture
September can be tough with classes, speech contests, and sports day so rustle up a team and head to the MAJET Trivia Night! It’s also a potluck so bring something yummy to share!
Howl’s Moving Castle
When: 24 September
Where: Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
At this sesh, Hyogo JET’s Book Club will dissect Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. P.S. it isn’t considered cheating if you can’t finish the book and only watch the movie instead.
Kagawa AJET Moon Viewing and Party
When: 23 September
Where: Marugame Castle, Kagawa Prefecture
Forget yesterday’s eclipse. Kagawa AJET hosts a moon viewing party at Marugame Castle for the autumnal equinox! Take a tour of the castle, picnic, and enjoy the scenery!
When: 30 September
Where: Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture
Get your drink on at the first ever Kamaishi Wine Festival! It takes place during the Kamaishi Magokoro Food Festival and the Rugby World Cup 2019 Fan Zone Rehearsal Event so drink up, eat up, and join in a game of street rugby!
Lake Biwa
When: 30 September – 1 October
Where: Maibara, Shiga Prefecture
Get ready for a legendary weekend of mad views and copious amounts of Pocari Sweat as Shiga AJETs cycle 150 km (93 miles) around Lake Biwa!
When: 30 September
Where: Nakagami, Okinawa Prefecture
An exciting night of dance performances: hip hop, belly dance, tribal fusion belly dance, jazz dance, popping, flamenco, and more!
Job: TOEFL Course Preparation Teacher – UTP High Schools (West Islip, NY)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: TOEFL Course Preparation Teacher
Posted by: UTP High Schools
Location: West Islip, NY
Contract: Part-Time
Thanks to former JETAANY Vice President Kathryn Piper for passing along this opening from a friend of hers who is the Director of Academic Development at UTP High Schools.
https://longisland.craigslist.
org/edu/6304935070.html(Apply by hitting the “Reply” button at the top of the job listing on the Craigslist page.)
JAPAN STANDS WITH HOUSTON FUND Created by JAS Houston
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Posted by Cori M. Hallock (Hokkaido 2007-2008)
In response to the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) established the JAPAN STANDS WITH HOUSTON FUND. Gifts to the Fund will be donated to local Houston charities supporting recovery efforts.
JASH created the fund in response to an outpouring of concern from Japan over the severity of flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. JASH’s website states:
Houston,
You were there for us in 2011 to assist people and communities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. You also came to our aid in 2016 as we responded to the Kumamoto Earthquake.
Now, we are here to support you. JAPAN STANDS WITH HOUSTON.
The Fund will serve as the focal point of support received from Japan and from friends of the U.S.-Japan relationship. All contributions will be utilized to support trusted local Houston charities with five-star ratings on Charity Navigator.
You can donate by check, wire transfer, or credit card through the JAPAN STANDS WITH HOUSTON FUND page. More information is available in English and Japanese on the fund page.
Hurricane Harvey hit Houston on August 30th, 2017 causing severe flooding and damage to thousands of homes. For updates on JAPAN STANDS WITH HOUSTON relief efforts, follow the JASH Facebook page.
Job: Resident Faculty (Dormitory Supervisor) for Girl’s Residence Hall – Keio Academy of New York (New York, NY)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Resident Faculty (Dormitory Supervisor) for Girl’s Residence Hall
Posted by: Keio Academy of New York
Location: New York, NY, USA
Contract: Full-Time
Here’s a job received directly from the institution:
We have a new opening position that is a Full-Time Resident Faculty (Dormitory Supervisor) for Girl’s Residence Hall at Keio Academy of New York. I really appreciate if you would post the attachment to your relevant networks. Potential applicants should email their resumes and cover letters to somu@keio.edu. Contact information: somu@keio.edu
POSITION: Full-Time Resident Faculty (Dormitory Supervisor) for Girl’s Residence Hall
QUALIFICATION: Must have bachelor’s degree. Must reside on campus. Several years of experience at educational institutions preferred. Education background is a plus.
STARTING DATE: Immediately
COMPENSATION: Salary commensurate with education and experience. Health Insurance and 403B Pension Plan benefits will be provided after three month probation period.
DEADLINE: Applications will be considered in order of arrival, until the position is filled.
職種:女子寮寮監(専任)
応募資格:大卒以上。本学院寮内に居住できる方。教育関係従事者,教育関連専攻の方歓 迎。
勤務開始日:至急
待遇:経験・能力等を考慮の上,本学院規定により決定。3 ヶ月の試用期間後,健康保険 および確定拠出年金制度あり。
締め切り日:採用が決定次第終了。
Job: Full-Time/Part-Time Instructor/Teacher/Tutor – Axiom Learning (Multiple Locations)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Full-Time/Part-Time Instructor/Teacher/Tutor
Posted by: Axiom Learning
Location: California (Los Altos, Menlo Park); Massachusetts (Chestnut Hill, Concord, Harvard Square, Newton, Wellesley); New York (Manhattan); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contract: Full-Time/Part-Time
Here’s a job received directly from the company:
Axiom Learning: Innovate. Instruct. Inspire.
Axiom Learning strives to be a catalyst for educational change globally. We are an innovative, early stage company; a hub for smart, idealistic people aspiring to unleash the greatness in every child. Our customized, 1-on-1 instruction is designed to empower students of various ages to find happiness and success in all aspects of their lives.
We are growing rapidly and looking for the most passionate team members to join us!
Axiom needs instructors to serve as both faculty members and innovators in our global mission as we help students overcome learning challenges, provide a fresh perspective to education, and work to open our own micro-schools. Instructors will design and apply creative lesson plans in traditional and non-traditional subjects, while also supporting unique learners. Additionally, they will work on projects from increasing our efforts to reach more underprivileged communities to developing new Axiom branches and services.
Through these projects, instructors should expect many opportunities for growth and promotion. Axiom values leveraging our team members’ strengths and interests. We incubate our employees’ distinct talents by allowing them to apply and develop their extraordinary skills. As we open more centers, we are looking to promote educational and center directors from within.
Check out our website to learn more about who we are and what we do!
Join the Axiom Family
Job: Assistant Producer (TV News/FNN Department) – Fujisankei Communications International Inc. (Washington, D.C.)
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Posted by Sydney Sparrow. Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
Position: Assistant Producer (TV News/FNN Department)
Posted by: Fujisankei Communications International Inc.
Location: Washington, D.C. (No Visa Support)
Contract: Full-Time
Thanks to pre-JET alum Peter Gold (Fukui-ken) for the following job opening:
SUMMARY
To research and cover political and economic news in Washington DC as well as news taking place in North, Central, and South America that would be of interest to the Japanese viewers living in Japan. The position will require research on current events, develop ideas for news segments (“kikaku”), and on-site coverage. The ideal candidate will speak native-level English, conversational Japanese, and have 3-5 years of relevant experience or background. The candidate must be able to adapt their lifestyle to the news cycle, and travel frequently.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Keep up with current events in both Americas and Japan by scouring news media and researching a wide range of sources. Present topics that may be of interest to the Japanese viewers, whether the news involves Japanese individuals, has an effect on Japan, or topics that are similar to events taking place in Japan. Report news from location, which could be anywhere in the North, Central, or South America. Arrange business trip, including flight, lodging, rides, and interviews.
Other Skills
Speak native-level English, conversational Japanese. Strong commitment to the news lifestyle. Thrives in a team-oriented environment. Strong organizational, communication, and research skills. Reliable and punctual. Ability to use a hand-held camera a plus.
Essential Physical Requirements
Able to work irregular hours to accommodate developing news; ability to work overtime and weekends on a short notice; be willing to travel frequently. The job may require candidates to travel to inhospitable areas, such as the aftermath of natural disasters.
Please email cover letter and resume to fujitvwdc@gmail.com. No phone calls, please.
(Updated to correct location 9.9.17)
JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York — Collision: Brooklyn, ‘Four Nights of Dream,’ The Joy of Sake
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe–shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
As the summer winds fade into fall colors, the weeks ahead are shaping up with these exciting events, ready to be enjoyed after Labor Day.
This month’s highlights include:
Courtesy of Nipponclub.org
Friday, Sept. 8, 6:45 p.m.
The Nippon Club, 145 West 57th Street
$70, $60 members
The Nippon Club will present “Sake Social 2017″, featuring a sake tasting with 14 different “Kuramoto” (sake brewers) from Japan, on 9/8 (Fri). From Fukui to Yamaguchi, each Kuramoto will bring 2 types of Sake to the event, so you can enjoy 28 types of Sake and Chef Yasuoka’s tasty appetizers. For RSVP and more info, call Mita-san at (212) 581-2223 or email info@nipponclub.org.
Courtesy of Residentadvisor.net
Friday, Sept. 8, 8:00 p.m.
Lot 45, 411 Troutman Street (Brooklyn)
$20 advance, $30 at the door
Collision is a cross-cultural event that aims to expose Japan’s underground music and culture to cities across the globe by curating lineups of Japanese and local artists (seven acts in all). With the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics on the horizon, organizers hope to introduce Japan’s unique subcultures to the millennials of the U.S. and contribute to the attraction and brand of the country, while supporting local creatives and businesses.
Illustration by Ben Warren and David O’Nyon, copyright Japan Society
Sept. 13, 15-16, 7:30 p.m.
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$55, $45 Japan Society members
A frustrated samurai. An unwieldy herd of pigs. A mysterious murder. A woman’s dying wish. Four surreal stories from Japanese author Natsume Soseki’s (1867-1916) Ten Nights of Dream come to life in Four Nights of Dream (2008), a contemporary chamber opera that traverses the subconscious through colorful melodies and piercing emotions. For this new production, New York vocalists and Tokyo instrumentalists come together to perform within a spellbinding and ever-morphing set. Performed in English.
Justin’s Japan: LUCKYRICE and The Joy of Sake
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By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Shukan NY Seikatsu. Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
Autumn in New York is the season for delectable dishes, and this month has two unmissable events on the calendar.
First comes the annual LUCKYRICE New York Feast at Mandarin Oriental on September 22. Founded by Danielle Chang in 2010, this eagerly awaited event will once again showcase the city’s most enticing Asian food experiences, along with avant-garde spots, fine dining establishments and local superstar mom and pop shops. Tradition becomes progressive in this mash-up of culinary cuisines, with drinks provided by Asahi Beer and Suntory Whisky (for even more LUCKYRICE, check out their EPIC-urean Asian Feast hosted by BD Wong at Capitale on October 14).
Turning the spotlight to sake, returning for its 12th annual celebration in New York City is The Joy of Sake. The world’s largest sake tasting event outside of Japan comes to Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea on September 27, featuring a record 400 premium labels from every part of Japan and sake appetizers from 16 of New York’s finest restaurants, including Momofuku, Sakagura and SushiSamba.
While current statistics show that sake is losing ground to beer in Japan, it continues to make inroads in the U.S., especially among drink-savvy New Yorkers.
“In the last 10 years the amount of sake imported into New York has doubled as more and more people discover how good the premium labels can be,” says event organizer Chris Pearce. “The Joy of Sake is a celebration of the pleasures of the sake cup—and it’s also one of the best annual food and beverage events in New York.”
For more information and tickets, visit www.luckyrice.com and www.joyofsake.com.
