Page 2 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 3 Contents On the cover... Messages
4...... From the Editor 5...... From the PR Every Month
7...... Recipe of the Month: JET Dakara H20 Sweat Cover art by Chip Boles This month’s cover is the least traditional cover I’ve done so far. The idea start- 16-17...... ed when I was drawing Himeji Castle from a nearby park and clearly saw a face in 18-19...... Better Know a Ken: Akita the castle and imagined it standing up. I like giant monsters/heroes and couldn’t resist. The problem was deciding who he would fight. At first it was a giant Gan- 20-21...... Travel Japan: Makin the Best of Three-Day Weekend Mania guro girl, but I decided on Ultra-Takoyaki cause its just funnier to me. (And since 22-23...... Getting to Know Some Random JETs some folks have asked, Yes, prints are available!) 25...... Wheel Of Jeopardy! Features 6...... A Hyogo Times Review: Indiana Jones Hyogo Times Staff 8...... Ja-ran the Reggae Ramen Editor: Ann Chow 10-11...... Rockin’ Summer Sonic Design Editor: Jeff Morrice 12-13...... A Confederate in our Midst Contributors: Tuwhakaroa Biddle, Chip Boles, Daniel Carter, Ann Chow, Sophie Danner, Joy 14-15...... The Best of the Block Feddes, Robert Hollands, Brenda McKinney, Lester Somera, Andrew Tamashiro, Jeff Weese and Suzie Winterton. 16-17...... Building a Better ESS 24...... Phrases Every JET Should Know All JETs in Hyogo are encouraged to send in articles, photos, musings, poetry, prose and any ideas to contribute or improve the Hyogo Times for the betterment of the Hyogo JET community.
Submit by the 15th of each month to: [email protected] Visit us online at: http://hyogoajet.net Page 4 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 5 From The Editor... And From The PR... onnichiwa minasan! I hope da’s Best of the Block column! want to see your co-workers the ay hello to September, Hyogo-ites! Kyour summer went swim- This month we have two res- following working day! (Or if you S mingly well and that you are taurant reviews from two new have teachers like mine, you’ll Welcome to Japan’s second summer, getting (back?) into the swing of JETS, Andrew Tamashiro and hear about things you didn’t think which for some reason is affectionately things. Lester Somera. Andrew’s is they should share with the ALT. known here as ‘autumn.’ And with the There was much to do in Au- about a ramen place he likes to Then, they’ll not want to see you theoretical change in seasons comes gust, including TWO beer gar- frequent and Lester’s is… well, the following working day!) And “back 2 skool” time for another exciting dens, and there is more to come not about a ramen place, but I with Sports Day coming up, there term of English magic! I hope you all had a in the following months! There promise it’s much more interest- will be plenty of chances to use fantastic, refreshing holiday and are ready are a few three-day weekends (or ing than I make it sound, so read Bob’s recipe on how to make your and raring to unleash that inner teaching one of which can be easily made on because it is rather fascinat- own sports drink without having ninja. into a four-day one) coming up, so ing! to shell out obscene amounts of To all the new ALTs, especially, ganbatte you can easily jet to a neighbor- Aside from the various Sports money for bottles of grapefruit- ne! Good luck with your introductory ing country without missing too Days everyone may have during flavored drinks every time you speeches (you are doing them in Japanese, much work, and there are tons one of those three-day weekends, need to quench your thirst! right? :D) and your very first class in Japan of festivals happening within Ja- there is also the enkai which the One more thing, find out if — it’s definitely an experience. pan’s borders, so take advantage school will have at the end of that you need to participate in your And talking of experiences, over the of the combination of events and day. Word to the wise: try not to school’s Sports Festival because holidays I caught up with a lot of friends free time! For more info, read Jeff make too much of a fool out of I can say it is not a nice surprise who were leaving Japan with the change Weese’s suggestions and Bren- yourself there or you may not when they tell you that you are of the JET year. As you do in situations like supposed to “miracle this, we all spent some time reminiscing jump” your way past about all the experiences we’d had during student teams about the previous year. 10 minutes before I was really surprised at just how many you go. Then again, things we had collectively seen and done it’s never a nice sur- here in Japan. Running mostly naked prise when they tell through the streets of Saidaiji in the Naked you about 10 min- Man Festival; climbing the imposing Mount utes before you need Fuji to see the sun rise; partying all night to do something to do in the trendy clubs of Osaka; exploring it, for example, teach ancient temples and treasures in Kyoto; If there is one recommendation I can make about a class. So go out digging for clams and sea urchins on local beaches; living here, it’s that you get out there to explore and there, explore, find wearing a yukata and geta at summer festivals; experience as much of it as you can. Be confident, things out, ask ques- being invited into the houses of random local people take every opportunity and discover. There need tions, keep hydrated, to drink sake; shopping in the neon madness of never be a boring moment during your time here! and have fun! Akihabara and the fashionable streets of Harajuku; And on that note, remember to keep an ear out And send your and eating strange and interesting foods like nattō for upcoming HAJET events! One of our aims this submissions to sub- and raw horse heart. And that’s just the tip of the year is to make sure you have the opportunity to mit.hyogotimes@ iceberg. get out and about both in and around Hyogo-ken, to gmail.com! Just do it! What I realised from all of this is that, although it’s enjoy the diversity I just mentioned. not always noticeable, there really is a lot of diversity To kick things off, we’re heading down to here in Japan. Maybe not so much multiculturally beautiful Shikoku in late September for a weekend (hehe), but there is definitely an astounding amount of crazy rafting action, and there’s plenty more on to see and do all over Japan, in terms of both modern the drawing board for later in autumn and through and ancient Japanese culture. the winter. So take care, enjoy the return to school The point I’m trying to make is that Japan is and hope to see you all out there enjoying what this probably one of the richest places in the world to amazing country has to offer! — Ann live in terms of the life experiences you can have. — Daniel Page 6 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 7 A Hyogo Times Review: Indiana Jones Recipe of the Month: and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull JET Dakara H2O Sweat By Movie Mogul Home-Made Sports Drinks By Robert Hollands For all you Indy fans, waiting September is really an extension of summer rather than a pre- for the fourth installment seemed lude to autumn that I’ve come to think of as August II: The Sequel. like it took years. Nineteen years For much of this month, the oppressive heat continues unabated, and to be exact. And while the hype many of us find ourselves spending a great deal of yen on endless concerning this movie has been bottles of Pocari Sweat, Dakara, Aquarius, or my personal favorite, building since the sixty-five-year-old Super H20 (though I’ve long suspected it’s the same drink in different Harrison Ford said that he would bottles). still do many of his own stunts, the I know what you’re thinking. “But Bob,” you say, “I just drink plain movie itself was a bit of a let-down. old tap water. It’s free!” I can’t deny that you have a point there. For Let’s recap a bit. Indiana Jones most people, re-hydrating with good, old-fashioned water works per- was born from the minds of Steven fectly well, however, for those sportier individuals among us I feel I Gaijin love sweat! Spielberg and George Lucas. Any must issue a word of caution: when you sweat, you’re not just losing kid who grew up the ’80s and ’90s water, you’re losing salt, and you have to replace both in order to Dry-Fried Shredded Beef worshipped these two blockbuster avoid becoming dehydrated. Ingredients (serves 4): masters. Enter the glorious invention, the sports drink. From the time Flor- •• 350-400g beef steak Indy told the tale of an archeolo- ida Gators coach Ray Graves, along with the help of team doctors, •• 1 large carrot gist adventurer who spent his time invented (then) Gator-aid to help their players perform better during •• 2-3 sticks celery going after rare and lost treasure, the hotter months, the humble sports drink has gradually evolved to •• 30ml sesame oil defeating Nazis and winning the contain carefully engineered proportions of water, sodium, potas- •• 1 tbsp rice wine or sherry woman. We last saw Indy riding off sium, carbohydrates, and the inevitable artificial colors and flavors. •• 1 tbsp chili bean sauce into the sunset with his father (Sean Of course, you have to pay for all the fancy research that went into •• 1 tbsp light soy sauce Connery) after drinking from the making the icy beverage you’re holding, usually at 150 yen a pop. It •• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped Holy Grail, said to give those who adds up after a while. Fortunately, the drink’s essential components, •• 1 tsp light brown sugar tasted its waters everlasting life. what you’re actually paying for, can be found in even the most poorly •• 2-3 spring onions, finely chopped The story was finished, complete, stocked ALT kitchen. •• ½ tsp fresh root ginger, finely chopped no more scripts need apply; we had To make your own, gather the following ingredients: •• ground Szechuan pepper (optional) our happy ending. - 1/3 liter of your favorite fruit juice (I recommend Flash forward nineteen years apple) To prepare: (coincidence?) and the Nazis are - 2/3 liter of water •• Cut the beef into matchstick-sized strips. Thinly defeated and the new enemy, - ¼ tsp. salt shred the carrots and celery sticks. those Russian commies, are trying The next step? Mix. That’s really all there is to it. The sugar from •• Heat the sesame oil in a preheated wok (it will to take over the world using ancient the fruit juice will replenish the carbohydrates you lose during activity, smoke very quickly). Reduce the heat and stir-fry artifacts and supernatural powers. keeping you energized. The salt will keep your body’s sodium levels in the beef shreds with the rice wine or sherry until the And of course Indy is in the thick of check and will help fight off dehydration. And of course, the water will colour changes. it. I won’t go into the plot points, but serve its primary function of keeping you alive. The best part, though, •• Pour off the excess liquid and reserve. Continue will mention the pros and cons of What I didn’t like Overall is how much you just paid for a liter of what you were previously shell- stirring until the meat is absolutely dry. this film. The film seemed to try too hard This is an entertaining film. I did ing out 150 yen per half-liter bottle. Carry it with you throughout the •• Add the chili bean sauce, soy sauce, garlic and What I liked to be an Indy film, thus rendering it enjoy it, but came out wondering how day, especially if you’re planning on being outdoors and even more so sugar. Blend well. Then add the carrot and celery Awesome performances by not an Indy film. The dialogue was I really felt. It's “good,” but not “great” if you plan on being active while you’re there. shreds. Cate Blanchett and John Hurt. cheesy, the plot all over the place, by any standards. It didn’t live up to the So it’s not exactly the kind of recipe you all anxiously turn to this •• Increase the heat to high and add the spring Harrison Ford was definitely and while the stunts would have other movies in the series either, but column expecting to see, and for that I apologize. In order to make onions, ginger and the reserved liquid. showing his age, and at one point been awesome twenty years ago, for a Sunday matinee it was alright. I amends, here is an incredibly simple and delicious recipe that’s also •• Continue stirring, and when all the juice has in the film, I wondered why they most of them have been played would recommend waiting to see it on appropriate for this last month of unbearable heat and humidity. It’s evaporated, season with Szechuan pepper and didn’t just call the film Indiana to death in the action/adventure video, or watching it free somewhere. what’s known as “stamina food,” which is characterized by spicy dish- serve. Jones and the Curse of Senility. movie category. Two stars out of four. es high in protein, and are best eaten in hot weather. Enjoy! Page 8 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 9 A Hyogo Times Restaurant Review: Ja-ran, the Reggae Ramen ジャラン (Ja-ran Ramen, Asago) 兵庫県朝来市山東町一品 Mens and Womens １７２－４ Hair Open 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Color Last order: 8:15 p.m. Perm LOVELY JUBBLY Extensions Average check: under 1,000 yen By Andrew Tamashiro Make up Kitsuke I’m no expert on food; I just know what I like. When I like it, I try to learn about it. Hopefully there’s a bit of info in this for everyone, even if making a 20% trip for a meal is out of the question. The proprietors of this Ja-ran obvi- discount ously have a soft spot for Bob Marley, for as his face decorates their walls and their menu. Reggae regularly comes JETs! out of the speakers, and red, green and yellow are ubiquitous; Jah-land seems an appropriate name (Jah is the popu- For appointments, contact Ayame at lar term for God used by Rastas, but [email protected] or 079-233-1186 has its roots in the Hebrew word Je- hovah). It’s a small place, seating may- be 15, but there always seems to be THE PLACE TO GO FOR HAIR... a line. I’ve eaten here at least seven times in the first month, which isn’t a Just 5 minutes from surprise to those friends of mine who Himeji on the Sanyo know about my affection for a good line at Shikama bowl of noodles. There’s A/C, manga, magazines and a lovely couple that Little known fact: Bob Marley’s one love? Ramen! True story! Station! Lovely Jubbly makes sure your bowl is hot and water The second time I ordered the to- chashu-men (just more meat), fried is where it’s at for pitcher is full. mato ramen. While it might not sound rice and gyoza. My friends seem to perfect style, Western The first time I went with the reg- particularly appetizing, I was pleas- enjoy the kimchi versions, and cham- ular ramen with al dente/hard noodles antly surprised. Bok choy, small piec- pon is getting served every time I’m products and (katamen). What I got was an oil-rich es of chicken, and of course tomato in house as well. extraordinary tonkatsu (pork bones) broth with a chunks were spread through a bowl This is apparently the most popu- service... all in couple pieces of fatty (read delicious) of even richer broth, a combination lar ramen joint in the area, and I can English! What could chashu and green onions as toppings. of the pork bone and tomato-infused see why. There are friendly owners, The noodles were cooked nicely, a bases. a nice small setting, relaxing music, make this a more bit chewy without being difficult, and Even though I was told it was a and some good eats. Just don’t take enticing deal? plentiful. The soup was full-flavored, bit lighter (assari) than normal, it cer- my seat. How about a 20% discount on all services!* with sesame seeds and negi wafting tainly didn’t taste that way. I threw in Directions: It's on Route 427, *products not included through the light brown broth. The some of the spicy veggies on the table just south of where it hits Route 9. added dimension of what seems to and basically knocked out the entire Also, they've got 2 spellings of their be sesame oil as a flavor enhancer ce- bowl in about seven minutes, includ- names...Jaaran and Jaran. My navi- mented this base’s place in my list of ing conversation. gator pulls Jaran, but the signs in the happy addictions. I’ve since tried the corn ramen, store say Ja-ran, I believe. Go figure. Page 10 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 11 tucked into his tight denim hot- pants) had everyone hyped. Rockin’ Summer Sonic We then tried to see the gi- ganzilla kawayusu Japanese trio By known as Perfume but were dis- Tuwhakaroa Biddle appointed to see a large queue waiting to get into the packed My anticipation for Summer Dance Stage. We also tried to see Sonic ’08 started when I couldn’t Blood Red Shoes but ended up at get tickets to last year’s, so this the back of another long queue. year I made sure I was free and I did however get to see: Band had my 26,000円 two-day ticket of Horses, another band new to as soon as they went on sale. me, but one I really enjoyed; Ze- As Aug. 9-10 approached, I brahead; The Fratellis; Lostproph- checked the website as often as ets, who are a bit too Emo these possible to see who was added days; and マキツマム ザ ホルモ to the lineup. I wouldn’t say I was ン, the band I had been waiting disappointed with the final line- all day/several months for. up. I just wasn’t as excited by it マキツマム ザ ホルモン were acts. The Sex Pistols were a clos- to avoid a mission home like the as I was by the one I’d missed. obviously going to be popular as ing act that everyone (except me) night before. The line-up for ‘07 included the was quite excited to see the Japa- Vampire Weekend, a band I had thousands of people were wear- had been looking forward to. It All-in-all, Summer Sonic was a Black-Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, nese bands that I listened to, like never heard of but now love; ing their fan shirts, so I went to the turns out they were unapologeti- two-day, six-stage, music extrava- Artic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Inter- マキツマム ザ ホルモン, Rad- Junkie XL, crazy dance time; The Sky Stage über-early to get a good cally 20 minutes late and had lost ganza of crowd-surfing musicians, pol, Klaxons and CSS, to name wimps, Perfume, Funky Monkey Kooks, who I found a little “meh”; position. As soon as the band hit their voices in Tokyo (also singing with a crazy-yet-polite atmosphere a few. Babys and ET-King. Radwimps, an awesome Japa- the stage, the moshing began. In at Summer Sonic). and, of course, insanely-dressed This year’s included its fair On Saturday, as expected, nese band that is gaining popu- between songs, the band did little I, instead, went to see The Nihon-jin and their unique danc- share of oldies (Sex Pistols, Devo, Osaka was hot as hell and the larity; Skindred, a ragga-metal comedy routines which made me Prodigy, who were closing a dif- ing. I can’t wait for ’09! Fatboy Slim, The Verve and The place was busy. I met a friend on band who enjoyed swearing at regret that I don’t know Japanese ferent stage. They were Prodigy) and bands whose new the train and we arrived just af- the audience; Hadouken!, who (I quickly got over that). good but it would have music I hadn’t heard due to my ter noon in time to catch the end surprised me by not being Japa- By the end of their hour-long been nicer to see them Japanese isolation (Panic at the of ET-King’s set, which had the nese; and Alicia Keys, whose set, I was ready to faint from phys- at a smaller venue. In Disco, The Kooks, The Fratellis, crowd going crazy. music I probably would have en- ical exhaustion but was nonethe- the end, we didn’t wait Coldplay and Alicia Keys). But I Over the rest of the day I saw: joyed more in a concert hall than less mentally psyched for more. for the end as we decid- an outdoor festival. It was then time for the closing ed to head to the buses After Keys, it was time for the perfect closer, Coldplay, who sang a song in Japanese and even moved through the crowd to a smaller stage in the middle of everyone. After the last note had faded away, fireworks lit up the sky. After this, began a three-hour wait/journey back to Umeda. Sunday was hotter and busier than Saturday, but after a cof- fee, beer and donut breakfast, we were ready for another day of rocking out. We again arrived at around noon and caught the end of the Funky Monkey Babys, whose high energy and crazy male DJ (who wore a singlet Page 12 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 13 reservation in advance might be necessary, con- A Confederate in our Midst sidering that the owner apparently goes canoe- By Lester Somera ing when there’s no busi- ness, so it may be wise to Deep in the forest of the get a more fluent speaker Hyogo countryside, any trace of to call ahead. civilization is barely existant. The Also, they accept pay- mountains loom large above the ment in gold coins or gold valley, and mist rolls off their tops dust, so if you’re ever in gentle waves. panhandling in a stream South of Asago, the roads and strike it rich, this is only accommodate one car’s the place to check out. width, the buildings are raised Country Hut (tel #: off the ground to prevent nightly 0796-77-1892) insect visitations and the muted Directions: melodies of clear rivers are all Take Route 312 (lead- that disrupt the stillness. So obvi- ing to Asago City), then turn onto onto Route 429 and follow it until motorcycle, cowboy hats, guitars, ously, if you were in Japan this is Route 70 into Asago proper. On eventually runs parallel to a river. deer antlers, fish mounted on the the first place you would look to It also offers a brand of kitsch can immigrant and being called Route 70, follow it south past the There will be a sign for “Country walls). It can be very hard to find, find an American frontier-themed that you probably won’t be able to racial slurs. He also has quite a Nii train station, pass under the Hut,” a green cabin on the right because of its remoteness, so restaurant with a Confederate find anywhere else in Japan, un- collection of cowboy hats. bridge and keep going straight. with highly conspicuous Ameri- asking someone for directions be- flag proudly displayed above the less you know of another restau- The first time I went there with Drive along the long, winding road can paraphernalia everywhere fore setting out might be a good door. rant run by a kindly old Japanese some of my elementary school for about ten minutes, then turn around it (Route 66 signage, a idea. The Country Hut Fly Fishing man who used to call Montana teachers, we all had fresh-baked Station Cafe Antiqes (sic) and home. naan bread with curry dip and hot Cafeteria, run by Mr. Wada and Mr. Wada, who was a bit of a chai. The naan was quite good, if his wife, is open from sun-up to walking anachronism in his over- thoroughly out of place in a fron- sun-down and serves a variety of alls, ponytail and red bandana, tier restaurant which exhorts cow- food that you won’t be able to find regaled us after lunch with stories boys and Indians alike to “wipe without visiting a bigger city. of when he was a young Ameri- the shit from [their] boots” prior to entering. They also serve pizza, inexplicably. Unfortunate- ly, both times I tried to re- turn they were closed. When they say, “sun- up to sun-down,” this appears to actually be code for, “we’ll be open when we feel like it,” or some such equivalent. Some re- search suggests that a phone Page 14 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 15 The Best of the Block By Brenda McKinney noon. There is no fee free language classes, for the event, held on held twice weekly at Typhoon season is upon us! Nov. 3, but please the Hyogo Inter- Before you decide to make best call in advance for national Cen- friends with your tatami and vow registration (079- ter near San- to stay inside until the winds have 292-8210). nomiya (next died down, here are some up- Nada no Ken- to the Earthquake coming events from around Block ka Matsuri museum). Registra- 6 that might make you want to Come watch over tion is now open. pull out the umbrella and get out 200 loincloth-clad, o- to explore regardless! mikoshi-carrying men If You’re Hanging What’s Happening Around duke it out in a gladiator-like Around stadium tucked into a mountain Hyogo Prefecture at the Nada no Kenka Matsuri Shiga Prefecture Annual Shikoku Rafting Trip (Nada Fighting Festival). The 2008 Lake Biwa Bike Trip Join Hyogo AJET for our an- event will be held Oct. 14-15 in Join Shiga JETs for a two-day nual rafting (and canyoning) trip Shirahama-cho, off the Sanyo bike trip around Lake Biwa, Ja- to Shikoku Island from Sept. 26- line, near Himeji. Feel free to go pan’s largest lake, on Sept. 27- and there is a cancellation fee, concert of "Niko" (Chinese string east side). For the “deep appre- 28. Email
I have heard people describe a variety of experiences in working with their ESS/English Clubs. Some folks have huge groups, while others have two students who treat it as a tutoring session; some have a good mix of boys and girls, and others have uni- sex membership. At Himeji Higashi Senior High we are lucky in many ways. It is a high- level academic school, and the JTEs are very capable — many with expe- rience living abroad. Most of the stu- I encouraged them to memorize one image that told that part of the experienced a feeling that was new dents can handle the basics of Eng- as much as possible, too. This really story best. to me. When the tourists would walk lish well enough that last year when a helped them own the lines they were After deciding on an approach to by, often scowling through the blinding JTE became seriously ill and classes saying. The translation was a chance each image, we even talked about summer sunlight while fearfully/angrily had to be reorganized, I was able to to answer questions about difficult viewpoint. I explained this by compar- determining exactly what our group teach without a JTE present. words and discuss some of the sub- ing it to holding a camera — is the im- wanted from them, I felt very protec- What I most want to describe to they each had equal speaking time. Musashi that has some history with tle differences between descriptive age better when we are looking up at tive of my kids. readers are two projects that the ESS I think they really enjoyed it, and the Himeji Castle. Since our school is terms. the Big Bad Wolf in order to emphasize While I understand the irritation of had a good time with. In both projects, group as a whole could certainly pro- pretty much next door to the castle, The second benefit was the art. his size, or do we go with a view of him having someone try to sell you some- the ESS translated a story from Japa- nounce “Big Bad Wolf” much better they decided to practice the story and Some folks know that my thing in the street, I was also nese to English, divided it up into parts than before. make pictures that could be told and background is in art, illustration able to see the difference be- for each member, and practiced to read For the pictures, we decided on shown to tourists at the castle. specifically. One of the main tween the typical Western re- it in public. They even illustrated the sto- a visual style of using fabric scraps Again, we worked out the transla- ways I introduced that into my sponse to our group, and the ry they were reading in a way that was instead of coloring the images. This tion, weighing words’ descriptiveness teaching was by working on typical Japanese one. Many appropriate for their chosen venue. did not limit the look of the pieces to against their difficulty. For the art, we how we illustrated the stories more Japanese would stop Our first story, Little Red Riding one student’s style, and it also gave went with watercolors on paper in a themselves. curiously and listen politely, Hood, brought up more than the ob- the less artistically-inclined something large sketchbook. They would turn the First, we had to decide looking carefully at the pic- vious pronunciation practice that the important to contribute. large pages as they told their story. Af- how to divide up the story into tures even if they couldn’t un- title implies (Seriously, try to get your The performance was for our terwards, the students handed out an beats to help us figure out the derstand the English. students to say it). They divided up school festival. We were able to proj- information sheet about their story appropriate number of pictures While there were some the parts and the narration so that ect the completed images on a huge with the ESS’ email address, in case for telling the story. Little Red very kind Westerners who screen for the crowd tourists would be interested in drop- Riding Hood, a three-page sto- were generous with their time while the students read ping them a line. ry, had about 15 images, but Musashi and Red Riding Hood from above? I and attention, the curious percentage their parts. My involve- Some of the specific benefits of (only one page long) had only six im- actually had students take turns sit- was much lower overall. The lesson ment was limited to these projects were, first, translation ages, and these numbers worked ting in the character’s positions while for me was the feeling of identification helping finish off the art and speaking practice. When students pretty well relative to the length and others walked around thinking about I had with my kids and my school. Af- and making the Wolf’s read something from a worksheet in complexity of each story. where the best viewpoint was. They ter leaving the castle on the first day, snoring sounds (no class, it can be more of a mechanical Next, I gave each student the as- really got into that, and I think they I felt thankful for the stable and most- Oscar nominations yet, process of sounding out some foreign signment of making one or more very came to better understand an impor- ly kind environment of our school. I though...). words. What I like most about practic- simple thumbnail sketches for each tant part of visual storytelling. never even considered what it would For our next project, ing English for a performance is the section. Then we compared these One last note about our project mean to identify with my kids more the students decided to chance to work in-depth on intonation, sketches looking for what people did going to the castle to tell the Musashi than the foreigners, but hey, if you try translate a story about a pronunciation, and natural speaking or didn’t include. Most often we would story to English-speaking tourists: these projects out, maybe you will be famous samurai named rhythms. combine a few students’ ideas into I learned something new, or at least surprised, too. Page 18 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 19 throughout the town. Da- is held in Omagari city, drawing Better Know a Ken: isen’s Giant Tug of War thousands of visitors to watch a and Misato’s Takeuchi night-long display of hanabi, sup- Bamboo Pole Fighting posedly the largest in the world. By Sophie Danner festivals are also fun, if Lastly, Akita has been work- Akita sometimes dangerous, ing on making a tourism draw Part 9 in our ongoing 47-part series highlighting the lives of JETs living in other prefectures. Yes, we blatantly stole the idea from Stephen Colbert’s winter events that break from Akita dogs, the most famous 434-part Better Know a District. If you know someone living in another ken, have them send in their story and pics to [email protected]. up the season’s long being Hachiko, for which a stat- I’ll start with the great news home to doldrums. ue stands in the square outside that the prefecture of Akita, way the friend- Akita’s Kanto festi- Shibuya station in Tokyo! This up in northern Honshu, has re- liest polar val joins Aomori’s Neb- loyal dog was born in Odate city cently been demoted from its title bear in Aki- uta festival and Sen- in Akita. He walked with his mas- of highest suicide rate in all of Ja- ta, Gato. dai’s Tanabata festival ter, a professor at the University pan! It now only has the second Akita as one of the three big- of Tokyo, to and from Shibuya highest! We are still, however, also boasts gest and best summer station on his way to and from number one in sake consump- the deepest festivals of the Tohoku work everyday. After the profes- tion! And when you produce some lake in Ja- region. Candle-lit paper sor suffered a stroke and died at of the most delicious sake in the pan, Taza- lanterns are strung to a the university one day, Hachiko country, is that any surprise? The wa-ko, a bamboo frame and bal- continued to wait for him, looking link between the two rates, how- gorgeous anced on a pole, repre- for him at the station everyday ever, is another topic altogether. spot for senting an ear of rice. for years at the arrival time of the Aside from sake and trag- swimming, These top-heavy struc- evening train. edy, Akita has a lot to offer. Like swan-boat- of Japan. tures are then perilously balanced I’ll never forget what Akita’s many other parts of Japan, Akita ing, hik- Winter festivals are a lively on performers’ palms, hips, and last JET prefectural advisor said has beautiful beaches, beautiful ing, and way to cheer the Akita winter foreheads. The largest weighs at orientation last summer, “I mountains, and plenty of beauti- onsens, blues. One of the most unique is about 50 kgs, extends 12m into haven’t stayed here this long be- ful rice fields. It is perhaps most including the Kamakura festival in Yokote the air, and holds 46 lanterns. The cause I love teaching nor any par- famous for its boogeymen, or the group city, in mid-February. Igloo-like brave and talented performers do ticular aspect of Japanese culture namahage, who frighten little of Nyuto snow houses are made along the sometimes accidentally drop the — it’s because I love this place, children into behaving well, and onsens. streets, and inside, locals serve structures, adding to the excite- Akita.” After being here for a year occasionally scare female onsen- The Nyuto visitors sweet amazake and ment. Flutes and drums play tra- myself, I can easily see what he goers just for fun. onsens mochi. In Odate city, candy is cel- ditional songs during the festival, means. On New Year’s Eve, men from are ancient ebrated at the Amekko-ichi festi- which represents hope for abun- Perhaps Hachiko was not Akita’s Oga Peninsula dress up in natural val in February. Candied straw- dant harvests of rice in the com- waiting for his master, but instead the namahage costumes and visit hot spring berries are popular treats and ing season. Later in August, the for a night train to take him back to local homes, asking “Do any mis- baths with The Kanto Festival performers. hard candies are strung to trees All-Japan Fireworks Competition his hometown in beautiful Akita. behaving children live here?!”, at sulfurous waters renowned for an old town of samurai houses, which point the children usually their healing properties set deep many of which are impressively burst into tears. Oga Hanto’s rocky in the forest connected by moun- preserved and open to the pub- coastline also provides a dramat- tain trails. Nyuto was a subject lic (for a price!). A stunning long, ic setting for the GAO Aquarium, of a New York Times Magazine curving row of cherry trees flank article last year, including a pho- the river in this town, which is a to shoot of Japanese models perfect spot for a spring-time walk. dressed in luxury brand names in Handmade cherry-bark crafts are and around the snow-surrounded popular souvenirs here. onsens. Tazawa-ko Ski-jo’s trails As for hiking, the crown jew- overlook the lake with impres- el of Akita is Chokai-san in the sive views. Tazawa-ko is rivaled southwest of the prefecture. At by, and not to be confused with, 2,236 meters tall, this volcano is Towada-ko, in the northeast of sometimes called Akita-Fuji and the prefecture. offers a challenging but reward- Near Tazawa is Kakunodate, ing day hike with views of the Sea Page 20 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 21 Travel Japan Making the Best of Three-Day Weekend Mania! By Jeff Weese There are a plethora of three-day weekends in the upcoming months that Beautiful Lake Chuzenji in Nikko National Park. are waiting to be taken advantage of! of your time and money (
v Name: Andrew Newell. pansies). v If it was my last day on earth I Getting to Know v Please call me: AJ. Music: Deathcore, or anything would: drink, fuck and take some v School and Location in Hyogo: else that melts your face. pills. Harima-cho, Harima Minami Koukou, Shop: wha? v Interesting fact about me: I have Some Random JETs Kinjou Koukou. TV Show: Meet the Press. a black belt in karate. v Name: Caoimhe McGarry. v How we know you: You probably Movie: Braveheart. v My top tip for teaching: pretend v Please call me: Quee-va, Q or don’t. v Most Proud Achievement: Pretty you care — they love that. Queevers. v Birthday: September 25, ‘84. general, getting my degree. v When the class is TOO QUIET I… v School and Location in Hyogo: v Born and raised: on the play- v Best life experience: My term stare around menacingly. Akashi Nishi SHS, living in Harima-cho. ground is where I spent most of my abroad here in Japan during college. v Bribery for students…YAY or v How we know you: You don’t. days... v Motto to live by: Death is certain, NAY? Why notÉ It always worked on v Birthday: August 24th. v Family: I lived with my mom until I life is not. me, and look at me now... v Born and raised: Dublin, Ireland. went to college.. v I remember when... I rejected this v Funniest story involving a stu- v Family: An older sister and a younger v University and Degree: Union survey in September 2007... lol... dent? I plead the fifth.{Editor’s note: brother.. College, biology. v What are you drinking? Beer for For the non-Americans, “pleading v University and Degree: Trinity Col- v Other jobs you have had: Bar sure. the fifth” refers to the Fifth Amend- lege Dublin, Microbiology. manager. v Who would you like to meet? ment of the United States Consitu- v Other jobs you have had: Teacher v Travels: a bit of Europe. Sam Harris. tion. It is the right to refuse giving of science and maths, worked behind v Hobbies: reading, writing, fighting. v Why should we elect you Presi- an answer under oath in a court of the bar of a hotel all during school and v Staying another year? Probably dent of the World? You really, really law if the answer given can be used college. no. shouldn’t. as evidence to convict the testifying v Travels: I’ve been all over Europe, v Favorites: v Best thing about JET so far? Hitch witness of a crime. Yes, I just went and have also travelled to Canada and Food: if it was cute and breathed, hiking all the way around Shikoku. all “legal” on you people. Now AJ, South America for a few months. I’d like I’ll eat it. Though I complained the whole way, the real question is what did you to travel more while I’m here too. Have Sports: Football (American, you it made for some sick memories. do?...,} been to Australia, South Korea and In- donesia, but also want to see more of Japan. v Hobbies: I like playing soccer, read- ing, drinking chu-hi... v Staying another year? Obviously. v Favorites: but they had given us flame throwers South America, my doctor injected me Food: I like Indian food especial- and alcohol, so really, what did they ex- with an un-attenuated strain of rabies, ly, but since living in Japan, I like pect? so basically he gave me rabies. Then, Japanese food too. I miss brown v What are you drinking? Tea. I’ll drink three weeks later I had to get treated for wholemeal bread and cheap fruit chu-hi later though. Lemon, or lime, or having rabies. though. maybe a mix of both... v My top tip for teaching: Smile! Sports: I played hurling in Ireland. v Who would you like to meet? My v When the class is TOO QUIET I… Here, I play soccer and go running co-worker’s parents. I’d love to know offer them stickers to get them to answer sometimes. I love to ski but am use- how he came to be who he is today. questions. Even the boys love stickers. less at it (right Jeff???). Just need v Why should we elect you President v Bribery for students…YAY or NAY? more practice! {Ed. - which she’ll of the World? I would make sure that Definitely... it makes the games so much get this winter at Hachikita!!!} chu-hi could be bought in every country more competitive and fun. Music: Amy Studt and Director. in the world for a very cheap price. {Ed - v Funniest story involving a student: Shop: Local supermarket. I’m noticing a trend here Q...} I met a really cute guy in Osaka last year. Movie: I like old classics like Indi- v Best thing about Japan so far? The We switched numbers at the end of the ana Jones (haven’t seen the new people I’ve met... and chu-hi... night and he emailed me the next day. one yet though) and The Goonies. v If it was my last day on earth I The next time I met him was in school v Best life experience: JET, so far. would: Drink chu-hi. the following Monday morning in his un- v I remember when… I set the lab on v Interesting fact about me: When form... ONLY JOKING!!! I don’t have any fire on my first day in the lab in college... I was getting vaccinated for my trip to particularily funny stories... Page 24 — Hyogo Times, September 2008 Hyogo Times, September 2008 — Page 25 First-Year Survival Guide: Phrases Every JET Should Know Wheel Of Jeopardy! By Joy Feddes Time for the H.T. Quiz: Whoops! Missed a month edition! By Joy Feddes & Suzie Winterton Are you ready to Last time we gave you the ba- 1. start teaching? sics, so we thought we’d step it a) Can’t wait to start up a bit now and give you some imparting knowledge and helpful phrases. shaping young minds! Note for pronounciation: the b) And by teaching, you “u” at the end of “desu” is used mean playing games. seemingly at the whim of the Yeah elementary school! speaker. More often, it’s not used, toire (toilet), kombini (conve- is acceptable under any circum- c) So far, I’m great at the but if you accidentally say it, no nience store) stances where “No, thank you.”/ sitting at my desk part. one cares. Prease to enjoy! Directional words: ushiro “I’m fine, thanks.” would be. Your get-ready-for- 1. Shumi wa nan desu ka? (behind), mae (in front), migi 5. ____ ga hoshii desu (ka) 2.bed ritual: Meaning: What are your hob- (right), left (hidari), tonari (next Meaning: I want ____ / Do a) Taking off all of my cloth- bies? to), (insert-number-here)-kai (in- you want ____? ing, turning on all my fans Uses: You might not know sert-number-here floor). Uses: I haven’t worked out and laying on top of my bed. it, but your hobbies are about to 3. Irrashaimase! if this is too straightforward or b) Cranking the AC to 15 become more important than you Meaning: Welcome/May I help not but, hell, there’s no mis- degrees and cocooning. thought. I’ve never had any actual you? understanding, “Lady, I want Elecrticity bill be damned. hobbies to speak of — not paint- This is what those girls are STRAIGHT WHISKEY.” c) Calling you up... wink ing, soccer or playing piano, but screaming at you on the street in the 6. ____ suki desu ka? wink, nudge nudge. to have no answer is to have no cities and in any store you go into. Meaning: Do you like ____? Are you study- life, so you better come up with Uses: You’ll never use this, Uses: After my self-introduc- 3. ing Japanese during c) I’ll say yes to this, and then multigrain bread. When I went through something. unless your love of yelling at tion, I was asked “___ suki desu your time off? take no action on what was customs, the guy went through my Possible answers: Let’s be strangers is greater than the ap- ka” a million times over. Ques- a) Hai! asked, and hope the person for- suitcase and saw it, but let me take honest here — they ask you this peal of JET, but it’s just nice to tions ranged from “What food b) I opened my Japanese gets about it. it into Japan. The moral of the story because they don’t know what know what that girl is yelling do you like?” to “What beetles textbook yesterday. Does that Believe it or not, is: don’t forget the importance of fiber, else to say. Use it — lie, cheat, Where you’ll hear it: any- do you like?” (yea, I teach ele- count? 7. this summer is cool- Mostly As. It’s important. and steal pieces of your great- where with a cash box, or some- mentary school, so it was a legit c) I learn by osmosis. er than last year’s: great uncle’s legend to make thing fancier. question). This is a good one for a) You mean it could get worse? Mostly Bs: You’ll suffer for fashion, but I yourself a better person. 4. Kekko desu small talk with your students and 4. You like your men: b) It’s cooler becayse Kanye know you’re smarter than Kanye, right? If they actually remember what Meaning: No, thank you. teachers. a) Tall, muscular, knows how to West introduced some wicked Right. I know you are because you’re you say, maybe, just maybe, you Uses: I use this constantly, Examples: supotsu (sports) swing an axe. awesome sunglasses! still reading this quiz. Wait... uh, yes. could make yourself live up to the mostly to discourage kombini tabemono (food). b) The bigger hair the better! c) I only sweat profusely for six Sure. Be sure to floss, and cherish your you inside your head. Unless you staff from putting the coffee and Possible Answers: This c) By the dozen. hours a day. toothpaste from home, which actually said you could fly. chocolate that I’m going to eat in question is much like the shumi You like your wom- Were you following the has fluoride. Although my hippie sister is 2. ____ wa doko desu ka? 2 minutes into a plastic bag. one. If you teach Junior High 5. en: 8. Olympics? anti-fluoride, I think it’s still a good idea, Meaning: Where is ____? Careful though, you have to or below, almost any reply a) To apply makeup with a trowel. a) Yes! Michael Phelps, blah blah blah. and she also doesn’t like microwaves. Uses: Need to pee? Need to be on your game to catch them you give will be met with “EE- b) Tottering on heels, clutching my b) No, the Olympics is a waste of time find the train station after getting before your purchase has been EEEEEEEH?!” arm to make me feel manly. and money. And my country is terrible Mostly Cs: Let’s meet up for drinks lost wandering around Osaka? bagged, bringing the number of Depending on your level of c) (insert obnoxious barefoot/preg- at them. some time. I’ll give you a slice of bread This one’s a keeper, but it works times your purchase has been Japanese or how much your JTE nant/kitchen joke here) c) How did I not know ping pong was for a chu-hi. It’ll be grand. Till then, be best if you know directions in packaged up to 10. is willing to translate you may find You think the word an Olympic Sport? sure to take off the bathroom slippers Japanese too, although it’s not Where you’ll use it: kombini, out if this is because dear LORD, 6. “yes” means: when you leave the bathroom and ev- always essential. Gesturing is the grocery store, getting rid of creepy the Gaijin ALSO knows about a) No, but if I say no, they will What your answers mean: eryone will love you. And memorize universal language. old men who ask you to sit with soccer, or because they really do think I’m rude, so I’ll just say yes. Mostly As: When I went home for two some katakana. I learned hiragana first, Examples: eki (train station) them for a while — “kekkō desu” consider you a freak. b) Yes, right? weeks, I brought back two loaves of and I now see the error of my ways.