WITvid #1: “ALT Rap”
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WITvid is a periodic series by Peter Weber (Saitama-ken 2004-07), the JET Program Coordinator in San Francisco.
I thought that JetWit could use some video content from time to time, so I figured I would help and contribute by adding JET and Japan related video links. If you have any suggestions do not hesitate to contact me at jet [at] cgjsf.org.
I thought I would start off with a video that was popular a few years ago titled “ALT Rap” by Rob Holbrook aka veloboy (Osaka-shi). Enjoy!
Video: Roland Kelts interviewed by Japan Society (NY) at New York Anime Festival 2009
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Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, was interviewed by Japan Society of New York at the New York Anime Festival 2009 which was held September 25-27 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Let’s go to the video tape:
Part 1 of the interview:
Part 2 of the interview:
Art opportunity: JET alum author James Kennedy seeks “Odd-Fish” art submissions for Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010!
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James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), author of The Order of Odd-Fish, is seeking art submissions from JET alumni for his Chicago gallery show in Spring 2010.
To get a sense of James’ aesthetic and sensibilities (or if you just like reading extremely funny and dramatic stories), by all means read The Order of Odd-Fish. Or watch clips of his over-the-top “speech” to the American Librarians Association as well as his audience-gripping reading performed at the JET Alumni Author Showcase last March.
In JetWit’s humble opinion, if James Kennedy is putting an event together, you will benefit greatly on many levels and attain new levels of happiness by participating in it in any way you can. Keep reading and you’ll understand.
Exciting news!
For about a year now I’ve been receiving stupendous fan art for my novel “The Order of Odd-Fish.” Artists like these deserve broader recognition. So this spring I’m planning a gallery show / extravaganza of “Odd-Fish” art in Chicago!
Are you an artist? Do you want to make something for the show? Everyone’s invited. Learn more here:
http://jameskennedy.com/2009/11/03/call-for-submissions-odd-fish-art-show/
I’m working with award-winning Chicago theater group Collaboraction to pull this off. It won’t be just an art show — we’re going to convert their space into Eldritch City and throw a Dome of Doom costumed dance party! We’re going to be bringing schools in for performances and writing workshops as well.
Will there be troupes of foppish dancing cockroaches? Will you be able to venture into the very maw of the All-Devouring Mother itself? You’ll have to come and see!
The opening will be sometime in late March or early April, to celebrate the debut of the “Odd-Fish” paperback. The deadline for submission of art is March 1.
I’ve already received lots of great art! Check out Max Pitchkites’ marvelous cut-paper illustrations — he’s doing one for every chapter:
http://jameskennedy.com/2009/10/29/the-odd-fish-art-of-max-pitchkites/
Feel free to pass this on to whomever you think might be interested in doing art for the show. And don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions!
Click here to read more about the show:
http://www.facebook.com/l/c93ba;tinyurl.com/yl5tjlk
Thanks,
James
Japan Society (NY) Weekly e-Newsletter Nov 9-15
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PERFORMANCE
This three-part screening program and artist discussion brings together rarely seen and seminal video art works. Co-presented with EAI and part of Performa 09. Open Television 2–4 pm Admission to the 7:30 pm Artist Discussion is included with any purchase.
LOCATION FOLLOW JAPAN SOCIETY ON THE WEB Updates on upcoming events will be e-mailed periodically. |
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J-News Mini-Roundup: Japanese Business: In Cell Phones Only 1/3 Profit
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J-News Mini-Roundup is a recurring feature 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 and Chinese language learning options.
Background: The economic news has been hard to swallow this past week in the U.S. Job numbers were the worst on record, hitting the highest unemployment figures since 1983. For Japan it’s not just about the labor market, but the yen’s constant appreciating has been hurting the export driven economy.
The business climate has been suffering as well, as reported by the Bank of Japan earlier this week. Both large businesses and small / medium sized businesses are still finding the economic climate “very tough.” Therefore, the Bank of Japan is looking into buying up some commercial paper to fuse monetary stimulus into the struggling system.
The challenge in the business market today in Japan is evidenced by the cell phone industry. Each newspaper released a story about the big three in the cell phone business.
Asahi “Out of the three big telecommunication companies, Softbank…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Japanese language and culture articles
Job: Admin at Japanese bank (London, UK)
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Via a recruiting firm called Business Paradigm that posted to the jetaajob yahoogroup:
One vacancy in London (UK). One of our clients is looking for:
Company: Very established Japanese bank
Position: Administrative job
Location: London (City)
Please let me know if you would be interested in.
Shoko Hirotsuna, Director/ Founder, Business-Paradigm
hirotsuna@business- paradigm. com (hirotsuna [at] business-paradigm [dot] com)
http://www.business -paradigm. co.jp
Just because JetWit is a big fan of HappyFunSmile. Also because the flyer is pretty cool.
Event: Art and Cocktails with the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Ft Worth
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The following event info was shared with JetWit by JET alum Laura Sethney, Program Coordinator at the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Ft Worth:
Join us for a private gallery viewing and cocktail party for Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth members and friends.
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Sponsored by Conduit Gallery
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JASDFW members and friends are invited to a special viewing of the intriguing works of three emerging artists, including Japanese photographer, Mimi Kato. Spend an evening mingling with fellow JASDFW members while sipping on wine and sampling hors d’oeuvres. We encourage members to invite guests in order to share this unique opportunity and learn more about the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth.
Date: Friday, November 13, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Conduit Gallery
1626 C Hi Line Drive
Dallas, Texas 75207
RSVP to Lauren Sethney by Tuesday, November 10th
Email: lauren@jasdfw.org / Phone: 214-342-2022
***Exhibiting Artists’ Information***
Mimi Kato
Website: www.mimikato.com
This exhibit marks the first time for Japanese photographer Mimi Kato to showcase her work in Dallas. The large scale photographic series depicts each of the four seasons. Read More
Just saw a request on the JETAA DC yahoogroup for electronic dictionary recommendations. That seems like a good question to throw out to the JET and JET alum community. So please post your recommendations in the comments section of this post, or send an email to jetwit [/at/] jetwit [/dot/] com.
Yoroshiku!
Roland Kelts quoted in Vanity Fair article on “super-cuteness”
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A story just published in the new December issue of VANITY FAIR chronicles the way Japanese kawaii, or super-cuteness, has conquered America: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/12/cuteness-200912
Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica, is quoted fairly liberally via an interview with Vanity Fair writer Jim Windolf. Here’s a sample:
“There’s no doubt that cuteness has been a part of the Japanese aesthetic since the postwar years,” says Roland Kelts, the author of the 2006 book Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. “One theory, which has been proposed by a lot of Japanese artists and academics, is that, after the humiliation and emasculation of Japan in the postwar years, Japan developed this quasi-queer position of ‘little brother’ or ‘little boy.’ If you become ‘little brother’ or ‘little boy,’ the only way you can get big brother’s or fat man’s attention is by being so cute or puppy-like that he has to take care of you.”
Roland also recently returned to Japan from a book promotion tour in Korea.
WIT Life #55: 侍への憧れ
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Translator/Interpreter/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 w
ith her own observations.
Last night I attended the North American premiere of Goemon, a movie portraying this titular folk hero who was known as the Robin Hood of Japan. It takes place during the Warring States period, and some prominent historical figures who appear are Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is interesting to see Eguchi Yosuke, usually seen in lighter fare such as dramas, as the title character of legendary ninja bandit Ishikawa Goemon. Hirosue Ryoko, another drama veteran, is featured in the role of Princess Chacha whom Goemon spent his early years protecting. The movie’s plot is almost entirely fictional, and displays many dazzling special effects in a CGI-enhanced fantasy setting. The director, Kiriya Kazuaki, hails from my JET hometown of Kumamoto and is the former husband of Utada Hikaru.
During the course of the film, Goemon’s attendant talks of his aspirations to become a samurai and steadily working his way up to achieve this recognition. As the title of this post (samurai e no agokare or “longing for samurai“) suggests, the appeal of samurai has not been lost in this modern day and age. Recently various media have been Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 11.5.09
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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.
- J-Kaiwa – Friday, November 6th, 7:00 at Hawthorne Lucky Lab. Practice your Japanese and spend the night out with friends at this month’s J-Kaiwa. A nijikai at Hollywood bowl will follow the event for any interested.
- Career Panel 2009 – Thursday, November 12th, 7:00 to 9:30 at Portland State University, Smith Hall room 296. Make contacts, explore the possibility of continuing education and start your job search off right with the folks at JETAA Portland.
- First Ever Eugene Subchapter Event – Saturday, November 14th, 1:00 at Toshi’s Ramen. Newly forming Eugene Subchapter is having its first event over a bowl of ramen. Don’t miss it.
- Volunteer at the JRA Food Festival – Sunday, November 15th, 9:00 to 5:00 at the Kyoto Grand Hotel in Little Tokyo. The Japanese Restaurant Association is holding its annual Food Festival and is looking for volunteers to help out selling tickets, checking ID and serving food among other duties. Help out and share in the fun.
- Nihongo Dake Dinner – Saturday, November 21st, 6:00 in Cerritos. Eat, drink and brush up on your Japanese with the return of the JETAASC Nihongo Dake Dinner.
- Japanese School in Perth’s Bunkasai – Saturday, November 7th, 9:30 A.M. at the Japanese School in Perth. JETAAWA will have a booth selling gyoza and drinks, so drop on by and share in a celebration of Japanese culture.
- Kaiwa – Thursday, November 5th and 19th, 5:30 at 43 Below. Practice your Japanese with old friends and some tasty snacks.
- Asia Society Texas Center Young Professionals Mixer – Thursday, November 12th, 5:30 at Arturo’s Uptown Italiano. JET Alumni have been invited to this month’s mixer. Make contacts, see old friends and enjoy a night out with JETAA Texoma.
- Happy Hour – Tuesday, November 10th, 5:00 to 8:00 at Momo’s Sports Bar. Come on out and relax with the JETAADC gang after a long day.
- Orlando Japan Festival – Sunday, November 8th, 12:00 in Hunters Creek Village. Share in the festivities with JETAA Florida and experience this exciting event. Karaoke to follow if enough people are interested.
- Tampa Subchapter Tsudoi – Friday, November 6th, 7:00 at Panera Bread in the Brandon Mall. The Tampa Subchapter will be hosting their monthly Tsudoi, an informal time for anyone interested in Japanese and Japanese culture.
- Happy Hour – Friday, November 6th, 6:00 at Wann Izakaya. Relax after a long week of work with the gang at PNWJETAA.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just email Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
Japan America Society Roundup 11.5.09
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Iaido: An Exhibition of Sword Arts Presented by Sword Masters from Fukuoka — The Japan-America Society of Mississippi will host five Sword Masters from Fukuoka, Japan, in three separate performances of martial arts, Japanese dance and performances of Japanese folk songs in Oxford, Fulton and Jackson, Mississippi. The Sword Masters will offer an exhibition of the ancient arts of Iaidō, Jōjutsu, Jūjutsu and Kendō. Master Nawata also will perform a Samurai Kuroda Bushi Buyo (dance). Each event will feature choral performances of traditional Japanese folk songs by local college choral groups. There will be three presentations:
- Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Meek Hall on the Ole Miss Oxford Campus.
- Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Itawamba Community College Fulton Campus.
- Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts at Millsaps College in Jackson.
- For more information: http://www.jasmis-us.com/events.html#Iaidou
- Japanese Holiday Card Workshop — Celebrate the holiday season by designing one-of-a-kind Japanese cards. During this workshop, you will learn to combine basic calligraphy brush strokes with Sumie techniques to create your own holiday- inspired designs. All levels are welcome.
- Date: Friday, Nov. 13
- Time: Session 1 is from 2 to 4 p.m. Session 2 is from 6 to 8 p.m.
- Place: Japan America Society of Chicago, 20 N. Clark St., Suite 750, Chicago
- For more information: http://www.jaschicago.org/en/events/default.aspx?eventid=105
Kodo: An Evening of Incense Appreciation — Mr. Masataka Hata, president of the Shoyeido Incense company of Kyoto will present an evening dedicated to the lore of traditional Japanese incense appreciation. Engage in the classic incense game of kumiko or genji–ko, a favorite pastime of courtiers, as depicted in The Tale of Genji. Participants also can create their own fragrance to take home in an incense sachet. Register here.
- Date: Friday, Nov. 20
- Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Place: Showa Boston Institute, 420 Pond St., Boston
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Job: In-house Translator/Checker (IT related) (Ishikawa-ken)
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Post from JET alum Dipika Soni (Ishikawa-ken 2003-06), currently working for PFU Limited (Fujitsu).
Position available for an in-house translator at PFU Limited (Fujitsu), Kahoku City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
Duties include:
– Translation of computer/software manuals (Japanese to English)
– Checking/Proof-reading translated manuals
Requirements:
– Must be a Native English speaker with the ability to read Japanese
– Familiar with Word, Excel
– IT knowledge/experience of working in IT industry
Working hours are Mon-Fri, 8:30-17:15.
Initial contract is for 3 months, but this is essentially a long-term position.
If you would like more information please contact PFU Career Evolution (details can be found on the following website http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/pce/), or send me an email at dipikasoni18 [/at/] gmail [/dot/] com.
Cheers!
Bankruptcy Bill cartoon profiled on major bankruptcy law blog
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Thought I’d share this recent profile about the Bankruptcy Bill cartoons written by South Carolina bankruptcy attorney Russell A. DeMott for the Bankruptcy Law Network, the top consumer bankruptcy law blog.
