(21) [English Edition］ 週刊NY生活 SHUKAN NEW YORK SEIKATSU 2018年（平成30年）11月10日（土） Letter From NEW YORKERS Sumo THE JAPAN VOICE by Masuo Ichida COOL JAPAN from New Yorkers’ Viewpoints The national sport of sumo is arguably one of Japan’ s most famous and oldest traditions, and is deeply rooted within traditional Japanese culture. Sumo is believed to have originated in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) as How to End My Life religious performances to entertain in My Way Shinto deities. Many of the rituals that the sumo wrestlers perform today have a Journey to Reiko Omae Lecture religious and historical meaning, like the World of Opera at The Nippon Club throwing salt on the ring, which is done The columnist Reiko Omae, 77, had a to purify the grounds. with Asako Tamura lecture to talk about her book “How to There are six moving tournaments End My Life in My Way” (published by Hailed by The New York Times as across Japan, each lasting 15 days, every Kodansha) on October 25 at The Nippon “a bright soprano”, Japanese opera year. In November, the tournament is in Club. where she spoke about how to pos- singer Asako Tamura will perform at Fukuoka. The other three are in Tokyo itively prepare toward the end of one's Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall on in January, May and September, Osaka life. In the book, she wrote about how Tuesday, November 20 at 8:00 pm. in March and Nagoya in July. Sumo she lives life positively through her Ms. Tamura will capture her audi- wrestlers are ranked in a hierarchy experiences, and was awarded No. 1 in 6 ence in the world of opera by portray- which changes after each win or loss. categories, including “Bestseller Self- ing ten different heroines from vari- The grand champion, highest ranking is Development Book for Seniors” , ous operas, accompanied by narrator the “Yokozuna”. If the Yokozuna ever “Bestseller for Love, Marriage and Martin Sola and pianist Kristen loses (and is considered unable to Divorce” and “Bestseller for Women and Kemp. uphold the dignity of the rank), he is Work” on Amazon Japan. She is the sis- The program includes excerpts expected to retire because he cannot get ter of Kenichi Omae, an internationally from well-known operas such as demoted. renowned management consultant. “Addio del passato” from Verdi’s La The objective of an untimed bout is In the lecture, Omae said “To be a Traviata, and “Un bel di vedremo” to either force the opponent out of the minimalist is one of the most important Tadashi Nakamura (left) and Nidaime Akira from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. ring (dohyo) or have him touch the things to end your life positively. I orga- Ms. Tamura performed the same pro- ground with any part of his body nize all my documents into folders so gram in Kyoto, Saitama and Tokyo in (besides the soles of the feet). The mod- that my daughter can dispose of them Japan, and was received with critical ern dohyo is a circle 4.55 meters in when I pass away, and I sort out those Human Karate acclaim. Critics in Japan commented diameter and covered in sand. The documents once a year.” The audience on her performance, saying that she shikiri-sen are two white lines in the World Karate Seido Organization was also impressed with how Omae gave a sense of fulfillment and joy to center where the wrestlers must position made a butterfly-shaped necklace using 42nd Anniversary Benefit Tournament the audience, as if they went to see themselves behind at the start of the her jewelry, which she wears everyday. ten operas in one night. bout. Surrounding the ring is very fine, One of the participants, a philologist, The 42nd Anniversary Benefit Organization. Seido represents the per- Along with authentic opera, you smooth sand which helps referees (by said “I was encouraged by her existence. Tournament took place on Saturday sonal ideal of Nakamura that karate can can enjoy some good laughs as well reading impressions on the sand) decide I’m single and have no kids, but she October 20, 2018 at John Jay College in help individuals to better understand in the Carnegie Hall Music Hall of whether a wrestler has had a body part taught me how to live the rest of my Manhattan. Tadashi Nakamura is the themselves and others, and to make sig- Fame. Tickets are priced at $40, and pushed out of the ring. life.” A woman who established her founder and chairman of the World can be purchased at the box office at Eating is considered part of a sumo company at the age of 80, now 83, said Seido Karate Organization. In 1956, the corner of 57th Street and 7th wrestler’s training. Chankonabe is a “How to end one's life is important, but I Nakamura began studying with Avenue, by phone at 212-247-7800 or standard daily dish accompanied by up want to focus on how to live more. ” Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of online by visiting to ten bowls of rice. Naps after meals are https://www.yomiuri-info.jp/daily_yomiuri/nys/ About 60 people attended the lecture. (by Kyokushin Karate. In 1966, Nakamura www.carnegiehall.org. (by Ryoichi mandatory to gain bulk. Kaoru Ishiguro/Photo by Ryoichi was personally selected by Masutatsu Miura/Translated by Tomoko Isshiki) Although sumo has been granted Oyama to help bring the true spirit of nificant contributions to their communi- Miura/Translated by Chiaki Iwasaki) full recognition by the International karate to the United States. In 1975, ties and to society at large. “Human THE JAPAN VOICE is the English Edition of SHUKAN NY SEIKATSU Olympic Committee (IOC), there is little Nakamura respectfully withdrew from Karate” contributes to spreading karate likelihood that sumo will be a sport in NEW YORK SEIKATSU PRESS, INC., 71 W 47 St, Suite 307, New York, NY 10036 USA Kyokushin Karate. In 1976, he estab- in the United States. (by Ryoichi Editor in Chief: Ryoichi Miura, Associate Editor: Tiff Ferentini, Editor: Kaoru Komi Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics. lished the World Seido Karate Miura/Translated by Chiaki Iwasaki) Advertise Here! Contact 212-213-6069 [email protected]

Advertisement ●Focusing historical issue from the overseas point of view chapter 21 Many Korean Organizations in the U.S. keep spreading the fabricated story of the“Comfort Women” Don’t let them distort the historical fact

On May 25, the opening ceremony of the and 90s who grew up and were educated in Korea Committee of the United Nations, and let them to will be an obstacle to solve this problem. “Comfort Women”statue at Constitution Park in during the colonial period of Japan and immigrat- speak at the meeting of the Committee about their However, since the allegation of the KCWDM Fort Lee, NJ, was held. More than 200 Korean ed to America after the World War II, admitted experiences as sex slaves for the Japanese sol- has received a strong support by many Korean Americans attended. Many Korean media sent that 73 years ago, there were many drinking diers which certainly are far from the facts. people, the Government of Korea has no choice their staff to this ceremony. Some Japanese joints which served not only drinks but also sexu- In 1990, the Korean Council for the but not to challenge them. Accordingly, the anti- media including “Shukan NY Seikatsu”also sent al services in many cities and towns. Those Women Drafted for Military (KCWDM) was Japan activities of the KCWDM became inten- their staff to this ceremony. Korean men are wondering why the Japanese established. This organization now actively sive. Indeed, KDWDM seems to be the organiza- The ceremony was opened by the Government and Japanese people do not mention works to promote anti-Japan activities not only in tion which keeps demanding the indemnity from greeting remarks by the Mayor of Fort Lee, and about the fact that the drinking joints were pub- Korea but also in many cities in the U.S. It is Japan by distorting and ignoring the historical Korean-American students of high schools in the licly approved. In the past, both in Japan and obvious that the purpose of this group apparently facts. area, who worked actively to promote the plan Korea, the social status of women was much is to promote anti-Japan feeling. Every week, In the past, the Korean Government for building the statue of “Korean Comfort lower than that of men. Especially, there was the this group holds the “Thursday Demonstration” aggressively sent the orphans who are mentally Woman” at the public place, read a poem. Then social tendency that the women who were born in in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Korea. and physically healthy for the adoption by the a Filipino-American female lawyer gave a the poor family have to help the family in any On the commemoration of the 1000th demonstra- American couples who couldn’t have their own speech. She insisted in her speech that she way possible. It is not possible to talk about the tion, this Council set up the statue of “Comfort children. It is indeed right choice for the future researched about the comfort women 15 years fact of “Comfort Women” without the knowledge Women” in front of the Japanese Embassy in of those children. They were nurtured by their ago and it is the fact that in the Philippines, of the status of women at that time. The Korean Soul, Korea. Furthermore, KCWDM urged the American parents and many of them had college young girls from 14 to 17 years old were raped women of the younger generation who are igno- former comfort women not to receive the Letter education and good job. I would like to add one many times by the Japanese soldiers. She used rant about the social status of the women in the of Apology from the Prime Minister of Japan and more comment that some of them had an experi- the words of “sex slavery” many times in her country from where their parents came, actively the remuneration from the Japanese government ence that they were discriminated by Koreans. speech and tried to smear Japan. It has been 73 promote to build the statue of “Comfort Women”. for the reason because both the Letter of Apology They said, “I am an American, not Korean”. years since World War II was over. I wonder Since most of them are highly educated I am and the amount of remuneration are not enough what kind of material this lawyer used for her extremely disappointed. to show the repentance of the Japanese people Yoko Wiles research. I wonder whether the Korean govern- and government for their brutal acts. Publisher, Potomac Newsletter To smear the honor of a country, she has to dis- ment has the national pride when they brought According to the Korean newspaper close the details of the materials she read. the former comfort women to such an interna- “Hangyore”, the Korean government has a great Some Korean men now in their 80s tional arena as the meeting the Human Right concern for the movements of KCWDM which

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