2018年（平成30年）2月17日（土） 週刊NY生活 SHUKAN NEW YORK SEIKATSU [English Edition］ (22) Letter From NEW YORKERS

Remembering Nujabes by Ashley Matarama THE JAPAN VOICE Nujabes was the stage name of the late COOL JAPAN from New Yorkers’ Viewpoints Jun Seba, a f a m o u s Japanese DJ 50th Super Bowl and producer. During the at Age 85 2000s, many music fans were amazed by his talent on the turntables. Samples from piano Photographer Tak Tak Makita arrangements and oldies, collaged Makita still on the field of equipment on the field for four with guest rappers and jazzy hours. melodies, became Nujabes’s signa- "Despite what many people think, it ture style. Even long after he met Super Bowl LII was held on was incomparable to last year's game, a tragic end in a traffic accident February 4 in Minneapolis. The which was historic for the Patriots in Tokyo, his legacy remains alive National Football Conference given their huge comeback, and how it as his tracks are continuously (NFC) champions, the Philadelphia went into overtime." He said, "I think it replayed and tributed. Eagles, defeated last year's was an interesting game for the general Although I wasn’t up to speed American Football Conference audience, as well as for both teams, on Nujabes’s music at the height (AFC) champions, the New of his fame, and never had the who went on to achieve high scores." England Patriots, and won the The game determined the 1st and 2nd chance to see him at clubs, I Ms. Kawano (left) and Ambassador Takahashi at the ceremony championship for the first time. It remember when I first consciously place teams of all 32 teams in the NFL, came across his music. I was in was a very tense game due to the and was a grand finale to last year's Kyoto browsing through the arts absence of the Patriot's defensive football season. (Ryoichi and crafts section of Loft, a home Introducing Japanese Food Culture to U.S. back (DB), which caused them to Miura/Translated by Tomei Takahashi) goods store. A song began to play lose many points. on the speakers and caught my Ms. Kawano receives Commendation The Eagles lost their start- attention. The song featured the from the Foreign Minister of Japan ing quarter back (QB), voice of a woman repeating a sin- Carson Wentz, in the sec- gle word over and over. As she H.E. Ambassador Reiichiro nize seminars for people interested in ond half of the season due sang her one-word lyric, a beauti- Takahashi of the Consulate General of Japanese food culture. She has also set up a to injury. Former starting ful chord of piano keys trailed Japan in New York presented Saori program where American chefs are sent to QB Nick Foles replaced alongside a drum beat, some phasers and a muffled EQ distor- Kawano, President of the Korin Japan to study, contributing in U.S. - Japan him, despite being designat- tion. I asked Siri to identify the Japanese Trading Corporation, with the culinary exchange. Additionally, she has ed a backup through their song, and my screen displayed 2017 Foreign Minister’ s used presentations and books as mediums playoff victories, and went “Flowers” by Nujabes. Commendation on January 31. The for spreading the fascinating aspects of on to win MVP. That night, I went home and presentation ceremony took place at Japanese food culture, which were the rea- For Tak Makita, the game replayed the song on YouTube. the Ambassador’s Residence on behalf sons for her commendation. served as the 50th Super Google told me he sampled and of the Gohan Society, a nonprofit orga- Bowl that he photographed. looped the voice of an R&B nization fostering U.S. - Japan culinary At 85 years old and 115 lbs, songstress and a jazz piano and cultural exchange. With the pur- it was a big challenge for arrangement. I also learned that pose of having the public understand him to carry nearly 40 lbs even before that store visit, I had already heard his music as part and support the awarded person’s con- https://www.yomiuri-info.jp/daily_yomiuri/nys/ of photography equipment. of the soundtrack to Samurai tributions, this commendation is pre- "I thought 'Maybe it's time Champloo, an anime set in the Edo sented to an individual that shows out- A speech was given during the ceremo- for me to quit', but when I period mixed with contemporary standing contributions in a variety of ny by Chef Michael Romano, the guest of saw my photos, I changed hip-hop imagery. Much like the fields on an international level, as well honor. "This is a great honor. I am very my mind. This is the world anime did visually, Nujabes’s as advances friendly relationships humbled. I would like to take advantage of of ippon-shobu, and for as music had a beautiful audial way between Japan and foreign nations. this excellent opportunity to continue long as I am allowed to live, of mixing the old with the modern. Ms. Kawano has worked in New spreading Japanese food culture in I will be there." Makita Nujabes came and left this York’s Japanese food business since America," stated Ms. Kawano, expressing swore in a fight-or-flight world in the month of February, so the 1980s, and used this experience to joy for her commendation. (Ryoichi response, carrying 62.8 lbs I thought it would be a good time to contemplate my experience with create the Gohan Society in order to Miura/Translated by Yudai Kaneda) QB Nick Foles won MVP his music. Whether you’re a long spread the importance of Japanese food time fan or curious listener, why culture throughout the American food THE JAPAN VOICE is the English Edition of SHUKAN NY SEIKATSU don’t you allow his tracks to cre- business. As a representative of the NEW YORK SEIKATSU PRESS, INC., 71 W 47 St, Suite 307, New York, NY 10036 USA ate a cozy ambiance in your Gohan Society, she has collaborated Editor in Chief: Ryoichi Miura, Associate Editor: Tiff Ferentini, Editor: Kaoru Komi space? with famous American chefs to orga- Advertise Here! Contact 212-213-6069 [email protected]

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