JQ Magazine: Book Review – Natsume Soseki’s ‘Kokoro’ Takes New Translation to Heart
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By Sharona Moskowitz (Fukuoka-ken, 2000-01) for JQ magazine. Sharona works at a literary agency in New York City. She is interested in fresh, new voices in fiction and creative nonfiction.
In a magazine article published earlier this year, crooked former banker Bernie Madoff told the public that despite his lies, despite the lives left ruined in the wake of his atrocious crimes, he is not a bad man.
Why do I bring this up here, in a book review of Japanese author Natsume Soseki’s seminal 1914 novel Kokoro? Because Madoff could have learned a thing or two from the book. As the saying goes, the classics aren’t about what happened, they’re about what happens. And Kokoro is no exception.
The novel peels back the layers of an unlikely friendship between a callow university student and a reclusive old man to reveal how experiences shape us and relationships define us, for better or worse. Admiration, greed, curiosity, jealousy; all these ingredients swirl together in the complex stew of the human psyche, the kokoro (“heart”). Only in the face of temptation are a person’s true colors revealed.
The new translation by Meredith McKinney offers readers a more modern version without compromising the impact of the work. The novel is both timeless and timely—it’s as relevant now as it ever was. Maybe cynicism weathers the ages better than unexamined optimism. Or, maybe human nature just doesn’t change that much.
Job: Full-time English Teacher at Keio Junior and Senior High School (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Full-time English Teacher at Keio Junior and Senior High School (Tokyo)
Via JET alum Celine K. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Full-time English Teacher at Keio Junior and Senior High School (Tokyo)
Job Details:
Keio SFC Jr. & Sr. High School, the newest secondary school associated with Keio University, is seeking applicants for full-time teaching positions in 2012. Our students go on to Keio University, one of the most competitive private universities in Japan. SFC Jr. and Sr. High School differs from other secondary schools in that more than two-fifths of the students have lived abroad for extended periods. Many of these students already speak English or other languages fluently. The school provides training in computing, language, and intercultural communication in an effort to equip the students for active roles in the global community.
For more details see:
http://www.sfc-js.keio.ac.jp/recruit/English_Teaching_Position.pdf
Subscribe to the JETAA Sydney (Australia) Newsletter
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Here’s the link for anyone who’s interested in subscribing to the JETAA Sydney Newsletter:
http://sydneyjetaa.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=074f1003f7e0dbeb3de9861cc&id=8cc42074cb
Life After the B.O.E.: We’re Here For You
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Life After the B.O.E. is a comic series about the JET experience by David Namisato (Aomori-ken, 2002-2004), a professional illustrator currently living in Toronto.
Visit David’s website at www.namisato.org.
Hi everyone,
Sorry for posting the comic a bit late.
I want to let you all know that after a 5-year run, Life After the B.O.E. will be ending at the end of July.
The final comic will be posted on July 25th, 2011.
Job: DataSite Project Manager Assistant, Native Japanese Proficiency (St. Paul, MN)
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Via JETAA JOBS.Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: DataSite Project Manager Assistant, Native Japanese Proficiency (St. Paul, MN)
Job Details:
SUMMARY:
Job: Japanese Teacher (Georgia)
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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 has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields..
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Japanese Teacher (Georgia)
Job Details:
In anticipation of possible employment opportunities for the 2011-12 school-year, Fulton County Schools is accepting TeachGeorgia online resumes from highly qualified Japanese educators professionally certified in Georgia or out-of-state, for potential employment opportunities for the 2011-12 school year.
Job: Inward Investment Officer at British Consulate-General (Osaka)
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Via British Consulate-General, Osaka. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London and is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields..
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Inward Investment Officer at British Consulate-General (Osaka)
Job Details:
The British Consulate-General in Osaka is looking for a dynamic, self-starting, business-minded individual to take on a key business-development role, starting at the end of July/beginning of August.
Job: Assistant Program Director – Fuji Television (DC)
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Via JETAA DC. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: Assistant Program Director – Fuji Television (DC)
Job Details:
Fuji Television, Japan’s largest commercial television network, through its US subsidiary, FujiSankei Communications International, seeks an Assistant Program Director to assist with daily news coverage in our Washington, DC bureau.
Job: 2 Jobs at Temple University (Japan Campus)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: 2 Jobs at Temple University (Japan Campus)
Via Temple University. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former vocalist for the Japanese hardcore punk band DEGRADE.
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***Note: If you apply for this position, please let them know you learned of it from JETwit. Thanks.***
Job Position: 2 Positions at Temple University (Japan Campus)
New position opening up in at Temple University, Japan Campus and it would be ideal for a JET alum who can speak Chinese:
http://www.tuj.ac.jp/joblistings/s_overseas_admissions_counselor_110615.html
Also, for those with any experience in academic advising:
http://www.tuj.ac.jp/joblistings/s_academic_advisor_110615.html
Surviving in Japan: How to find Tylenol in Japan
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Posted by Ashley Thompson (Shizuoka-ken, 2008-2010) of Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese and Lifelines columnist for The Japan Times.
I’ve previously showed you how to find ibuprofen in Japan, but what about acetaminophen? Otherwise known as Tylenol. Though Tylenol itself is a bit more difficult to find in Japan than ibuprofen (I can’t find it in my local drugstore but I can find it in the drugstore in the closest major train station in my area). You can also find it online quite easily. Though, keep in mind that other brands of medicine in Japan also contain acetaminophen, but many of those brands also contain caffeine (カフェイン), occasionally aspirin (アスピリン), and some other active ingredients, which may or may not be exactly what you want.
First things first: acetaminophen in Japanese is アセトアミノフェン.
And, Tylenol is — CLICK HERE to read the rest of the post.
Job: Assistant Program Director (DC)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Assistant Program Director (DC)
Via Actus Consulting. Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former 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 Program Director (DC)
Job Details:
A well-established Japanese Media Company seeks an Assistant Program Director at their D.C.Office. The hiring company is the overseas branch of Japan’s largest commercial television network. This would be a great opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the broadcast journalism industry for those who are interested in international relations and media.
Job: Translation Coordinator (Tokyo)
Jobs Comments Off on Job: Translation Coordinator (Tokyo)
Via JET alum Daniel Morales, (Fukushima 2005-’08). Posted by Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken, 2003-06). Dipika has recently moved back to London as is currently looking for new work opportunities related to Japan, translation, or other fields. She is also the former 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: Translation Coordinator (Tokyo)
Job Details:
Translation company in Shimbashi, Tokyo seeks full-time translation coordinator.
Intac Co., Ltd. (http://www.intac.co.jp) is currently seeking a translation coordinator. The position is full-time and will be based at our office in Shimbashi, Tokyo starting at the end of July. Tasks will include liaising with clients and freelance translators, editing/proofreading of translated materials, budget control, schedule management, translation, and more.
MEF Bruce Rutledge article on CNN: Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement
Article/Journalism, Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Trends, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Writers Comments Off on MEF Bruce Rutledge article on CNN: Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement
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MEF Bruce Rutledge, founder of Seattle-based independent book publisher Chin Music Press and editor of Ibuki magazine, has an article on CNN GO titled:
“Japan’s post-quake kawaii cute movement: Harajuku’s colorful street-styles used to combat the quake crisis.”
Memo to JET alums: Please mention JET in your bios and profiles!
Networking, Return on JET-vestment Comments Off on Memo to JET alums: Please mention JET in your bios and profiles!
I’ve come across a number of bios and profiles of established JET alums in recent months, usually on their company or organization’s website or on LinkedIn. And I’ve noticed many do not specifically mention JET.
They might say they worked or taught English in Aichi Prefecture or were an ALT in Osaka, but no mention of JET. I realize that specifically mentioning JET is not appropriate in every bio and profile. But if your work relates to Japan or to education (and in many cases even if it doesn’t), I want to suggest that it would be a beneficial to us as a community and to the JET Program as well to make a point of mentioning JET.
In addition to the fact that the JET Program enjoys an excellent reputation, it’s also important to let the world know that we’re out there. It’s kind of like that “Canadians: They walk among us” bit from the movie Canadian Bacon. There are JETs everywhere, but you may not always be aware of it.
The more we’re aware of how many of us are out there and where we are, the stronger the community and the network becomes, the greater the positive visibility for JET and the more likelihood that the JET Program and JET alumni community continue to play a unique and positive role for Japan in the future.
Just one more small thing you can do to help improve Return On JET-vestment (aka JET ROI).
Update 6/16/11: Jennifer Jakubowski of cross-cultural consulting firm Bridges To Japan got in touch to say that after seeing this post she updated her profile to mention the JET Program.
Update 6/15/11: Good example – JETwit and JETAANY Webmaster Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06) makes a point of mentioning the JET Program in his bio for Purpose.com.
National AJET’s Life After JET: David Leung
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National AJET
shares former JET participants’ experiences – and a little advice – with current JETs in their new monthly interview, Life After JET. Contact lifeafterjet [at] ajet.net to be featured in future posts.
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David Leung (Nagasaki, 2009-2010) walked us through his decision to leave JET and eventually finding his way to his current position as Graduate Policy Officer for the State Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology back in Australia.
NAJET: When in the JET-year did you decide not to re-contract?
David: It was the toughest decision to make, whether or not to recontract. It is usually the worst time of the year for most JETs to carry such a heavy burden, either having just settled in, or in the most serious bouts of wintery homesickness.
For me, from the very beginning, it was always an open option to stay for as long as I could enjoy the experience and be of use to my local community on Fukue Island. The main reason I was still debating at the 11th hour wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy my work (I loved my schools, my Japanese colleagues and the kids), my social life (I had the closest network of JET teachers, who will remain some of my closest friends for the rest of my life, and was a member of the warmest Taiko Team you could imagine) or the environment (fresh local produce and delicious Goto udon that you must try, the friendliest neighbours, and the most gorgeous tropical island with beaches). It was the fact that I left the love of my life back home in Australia. When it came down to it, choosing to stay would be choosing a life for me, and choosing not to recontract meant choosing a life together with my partner.
NAJET: What’s important for JETs to do once they decide not to re-contract?
David: The two toughest things to do is to keep up the energy and try to pack in as much experience as you can in the time left. I found that I subconsciously began to distance myself from all aspects of life, I guess as a defence mechanism against the inevitable pain of leaving a year’s worth of relationships, work and stories.
Make a list of things that you want to do, either mentally or written down. This list doesn’t just include experiences that you can only do in Japan or your local community, but also making the time to say proper goodbyes with people that have become close to you over the past year(s) you may not see ever again. As time to go draws near, time speeds up; your mind will wander to the future, leaving less time and space for the present – having the list helps you keep focused and in the here and now.
Make the effort to say goodbye to your school(s) and exchange contact details with those nearest and dearest to you. You never know with whom you will want to stay in touch during a lonely moment after a few months of being back at home.
Don’t underestimate the amount of luggage you will want to bring home, and be prepared for bulky and impractical (but wonderfully sentimental and treasured) goodbye gifts from people you’d least expect.
NAJET: How did you get started on your job search when you returned home?
David: As soon as I decided to return home, I started my job search online via the numerous jobseeker support websites here in Australia. I had plenty of conversation with my partner, my family and my friends, all of whom were splendid sources of support and advice.
I had a pretty clear idea of where I wanted to be – education policy. Having worked in rural Japan, I saw areas of improvement in local government policy and funding decisions first-hand, yet could do nothing about it at the teaching level.
