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Tokyo 2014 Volume Journal 33, in Japan Issue #274 Printed 2014Autumn Volume 2013 33, — IssueVolume #274 32, Issue #273 www.tokyojournal.com

Exclusive Interviews: 雑誌

ISSN 0289-811X Yoko Ono on the 33rd Anniversary of John Lennon’s Passing Stan Lee Comic Book Marvel, Spider-Man Creator

Chef Anthony Bourdain Tattoo Artist Horiyoshi III

Feature Interview: Rock ’N’ Roll www.tokyojournal.com

e Manyamurai Sides of 29244385140274 S 29244385130273 KISS’s Gene Simmons

TJ_274_cover_final.indd 3 2014/03/23 12:27 Tokyo Street Editorial

OLLOWING the record-breaking superheroes, including Spider-Man, the bouts of snow that hit Tokyo and the Hulk, Iron Man and over 300 more, were east coast of North America in 2014, created by Tokyo Journal’s superhero Stan weF await cherry blossom season anxiously. Lee. In this issue, Stan Lee tells us about his Soon, Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park will be full of rev- post-Marvel adventures into the world of elers basking in the glory of its many cherry multimedia with POW! Entertainment. blossom trees. Yoyogi Park is of course the location of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Village Yoshiki and the iconic Yoyogi National Gymnasium. You may recall that the cover story for the last issue of Tokyo Journal was about Japan’s Architect Paul Tange rock and classical music superstar Yoshiki. This masterpiece was built for the 1964 To- Did you know that Yoshiki has ties with two kyo Olympics by famed Japanese architect of TJ’s feature interviews this issue? Not Kenzo Tange. Tokyo Journal talks with his only did he design the red “Yoshikimono” son Paul, who has followed in his father’s worn by KISS’s Gene Simmons on this is- footsteps. Paul gives his opinion of the new sue’s cover, but “Blood Red Dragon” created National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics. by Stan Lee was based on Yoshiki! Kjeld Duits The plans for this building have been at- Tokyo Street Editor tracting some controversy recently. He also Horiyoshi III talks about his remarkable MODE GAK- We go from comic art to body art with Ja- UEN Cocoon Tower, a 50-story school pan’s legendary tattoo master Horiyoshi III building in Nishi-Shinjuku that continues telling about his remarkable life. It may sur- to make people grab their cameras. prise you to find out that this traditionally Tokyo trained tattoo artist even finds inspiration The Amazing Yoko Ono on Instagram! From a remarkable building to a more than Streets remarkable person. On the 33rd anniversary Boyé Lafayette De Mente of John Lennon’s death, Tokyo Journal had Tokyo Journal is very pleased to welcome an exclusive interview with Yoko Ono, un- back our former Associate Publisher and doubtedly the world’s most famous Japanese acclaimed author and expert on Japan, person. The legendary artist and musician Boyé Lafayette De Mente. First arriving in

Licorice Red Cardinal Light Sky Blue talked about her many accomplishments in Japan in 1948, Boyé has had remarkable en- art, music and peace activism; her relation- counters with the likes of Admiral Nimitz, ship with John, and why she has been so Hustler Magazine’s Larry Flynt, and Sony misunderstood over the years. Legendary Founder Akio Morita. Boyé helped turn the rock ‘n’ roll photographer Bob Gruen, long- Tokyo Journal into a publishing powerhouse time friend of John and Yoko’s, shares his back in the mid 1980’s and in his first con- insight. tribution returning to TJ 26 years later, Boyé bares all by sharing what is revealing about KISS’s Gene Simmons not revealing in his article “Saving the Sexy This issue’s cover story is another exclusive. Cover-It-All-Up Kimono!” Tokyo Journal shows you the many sides of Gene Simmons, co-founder of celebrated Cool Colors rock-band KISS. Find out about his many With the Tokyo Fashion Week blasting off memories of Japan, as well as his varied as I write, I quickly introduce you to some business endeavors outside of KISS. They of the colors that are trending on Tokyo’s range from the new L.A. KISS Arena Foot- streets: light sky blue, cardinal red and li- ball team, music producing, and financial corice. Just in time for your spring shopping consulting, to his reality TV show. Did you and the upcoming cherry blossom parties! know it was TV’s longest-running celebrity family reality show? In homage to the closing signature line of Stan Lee’s editorial pages, ‘Nuff Said!’ tj Spider-Man Creator Stan Lee From rock heroes we take you to the creator Kjeld Duits of heroes. Many of the world’s best-loved Tokyo Street Editor

Tokyo Journal #274 3 Editor-in-Chief: Robert Garrity Executive Editor: Anthony Al-Jamie Tokyo Street Editor: Kjeld Duits 06 08 22 34 40 48 18 Travel & Leisure Editor: David Bracey Underground Culture Editor: Kimo Friese Copy Editor: Charles Newbery Translation: Miyuki Kawai Art & Design: Atsuko Watanabe Worldwide Distribution: 66 74 78 82 84 90 95 Chiaki Sakuma Advertising: Satoshi Muramatsu Tomas Castro Shizuka Sakura Contributors: www.tokyojournal.com Lewis Manuel (Copy Editing) Elena Encarnacion (Copy Editing) Charlotte Goff (Copy Editing) 3 Tokyo Street Editorial 60 On Tour with Bob Gruen 86 Yamano Beauty College Legacy Chelsea Spieker (Copy Editing) Tokyo highlights KISS retrospective Interview with Jane Aiko Yamano Malgorzata Dittmar (Photography) Contents Lola Rose (Photography) 6 Fashion Design by Junko Koshino 62 CReative teAM CREAM 88 Moments in Construction Kevin Baldes (Photography) 東京ジャーナル Her latest insight Making Japanese hip hop hip Photographer Hiroyuki Suzuki Autumn Flores (Anime) Cover Photo: 8 The Amazing Yoko Ono 64 Keiko Matsui 90 Saving the Sexy Cover-It-All-Up Kimono! Tokyo Journal Advertising in Japan: Photo by Bob Gruen Exclusive interview Ambassador of jazz Japan expert Boyé Lafayette De Mente's views 2014 Issue 274 Road & Sky Japan, Inc. Gene Simmons kimono 広告代理店 : by YOSHIKI's "Yoshikimono" 18 Tokyo Street Fashion 66 Overnight Sensation 92 Travel to the U.S.A. Katana sword provided 株式会社ロード＆スカイ・ジャパン Setting trends in Harajuku Chef Anthony Bourdain Universal Studios, Scottsdale & New Orleans by Little Star Enterprises, Inc. （村松諭） Contact: Satoshi Muramatsu TJ Expert Columnists: 22 Horiyoshi III 70 Mari's Homemade Cooking Recipes 95 Anime Los Angeles 2014 4-6-1 Idabashi Social Scientist: Japan's legendary tattoo master How to make anko and kusa-mochi Cosplay at its best Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0072 Daniel Yankelovich 30 Streetstyle Glamor 72 U.S. Based Sushi Pioneer 96 Through the Eyes of Yankelovich Japan Nuclear Expert: Fashion photo gallery Remembering the war Tokyo 5 Tel: 03-3237-0038 Hiroshi Tasaka Fax: 03-3237-0036 Fashion Designer: 32 Dancing on Air II 74 Léonce of Dame-Marie 99 Who owns the corporation? [email protected] Junko Koshino Cystic Fibrosis sufferer battles addiction A Haitian inspiration Accenture Japan former chairman's insight Tokyo Photographer: For advertisers and inquiries outside Japan: Hiroyuki Suzuki 34 Spider-Man Creator Stan Lee 77 Kyung-sook Shin 100 Parenting with Lorraine International Office The Marvel of comic books Award-winning Korean author Time-outs Rock Photographer: Tokyo Journal International, Inc. Bob Gruen 8721 Santa Monica Boulevard #950 40 Genius is in the Genes 78 The Legacy of Donald Richie 102 Fight Off Stress with Your Breath Business Expert: Interview with Architect Paul Tange Nobel Prize-winner Yasunari Kawabata Yoga stress-relief Los Angeles, CA 90069-4507 Masakatsu Mori USA Japanese Culture: 44 Garrity’s Japan 81 Subscription Information 103 Home Makeover Spotlight Tel: 1-213-880-1011 Peter Grilli Tora-san tribute How to subscribe to TJ Giving new life to an old home [email protected] Global Educator: David Nunan 46 Time Warp 82 Buddhism 104 You Never Know [email protected] Imperial Palace: then & now Interview with philosopher Hiroshi Tasaka Making the most out of life Parenting Expert: Lorraine Al-Jamie Subscriptions: 48 Feature Interview: 84 Hanjo Photos by Yoram Roth 105 New Year's in Kyoto www.tokyojournal.com/subscribe Haitian Culture & Politics: KISS's Gene Simmons Tribute to Yukio Mishima’s Noh opera Photo gallery Marcel Duret The many sides of the rock legend Psychotherapist: © 2014 Tokyo Journal International, Inc. Bianca Schmidt All rights reserved. Yoga & Wellness Advocate: Judit Torok Fashion Designer Junko Koshino Fashion Design by Junko Koshino Tokyo's Fashion Queen and Tony Award-nominee Junko Koshino, renowned for her cutting edge clothes, costume and uniform designs, shares the latest in Tokyo's fashion scene. Interview by Miyuki Kawai

TJ: You are going to Brazil to prepare for an art exhibition. What do you like the most about Brazil? “I don’t like to be KOSHINO: It has a future. It creates visions one after another, like the World Cup and bound by the frame of the Olympic Games. fashion.” TJ: What is important for you when working globally? KOSHINO: To act from a global point of view. KOSHINO: “Females in the Edo Era” in the Guimet Museum, Paris. TJ: What is the most exciting thing you have experienced abroad? TJ: Do you have any goals you are pursuing? KOSHINO: A show at the Cabaret KOSHINO: I have no goals, although I am Tropicana in Cuba and a dinner show in the forever pursuing something. Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. TJ: Does going abroad inspire you? TJ: Where would you like to visit again KOSHINO: I am always thinking of Japan. and why? I work abroad in order to confirm my KOSHINO: Venice: the scenes in the town thoughts about Japan and to encounter lots remind me of those in the movies. of people.

TJ: What do you like and dislike about the TJ: What are the most important factors and fashion industry? skills to succeed in fashion design? KOSHINO: The thing I like the most is KOSHINO: Encountering people makes the potential of fashion; it can be thought us creative and gives us a fresh sensitiv- about in many ways. What I like the least ity. It is important to observe the present is that I don’t like to be bound by the frame because the value in fashion always chang- of fashion. es. Basically, efforts to improve quality are important and originality is an advantage. TJ: Do you have any ongoing projects? tj Photo courtesy of Junko Koshino, Inc. Junko Koshino is one of Japan’s most highly acclaimed fashion designers, best known for her wide array of designs. These include her Junko Koshino line, corporate and sports team uniform designs, and musical performance TJ：美術館でのアート展のためブラジルに行かコシノ : キューバ、トロピカーナでのショウ、えられる。嫌いな点：ファッションという形に TJ：海外へ赴く事はあなたの思考とインスピ costumes. She has also been involved in cultural exchanges through her れるという事ですが、ブラジルの最も好きなとＮＹメトロポリタンミュージアムでのショウとはまるのは好きではない。レーションを高めますか？ころは？ディナーコシノ : 常に日本を意識しているので、海外で fashion design activities in the U.S., China, Vietnam, Cuba, Italy, and France. コシノ : 未未来がある。ワールドカップ、オリ TJ：最近進行中のプロジェクト、企画は何かあ確認と出会い Born in Osaka, Koshino won the prestigious So-en Award while studying ンピックと次々とビジョンが生まれる。 TJ：もう一度訪れたい場所とその理由を教えてりますか？ in Bunka Fashion College’s design program. She was appointed by Japan’s ください。コシノ : パリ、ギメ美術館での「江戸の女」企 TJ：ファッションデザインにおいて何かをなし Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as the 2008 Yokoso! Japan TJ：グローバルな仕事をするときに重要なことコシノ : ヴェニス、映画のシーンとオーバー画えるために最も重要な特徴と技術は？ Ambassador (now 'Visit Japan Ambassador'). は？ラップコシノ : 人との出会いは、クリエイションのコシノ : 常に世界観を持って行動すること TJ：いまなお求めてやまない到達したいゴール始まり、それによって新しい感性が生まれる。コシノジュンコは日本で最も高く評価されるファッション・デザイナーのひとりで、ジュンコ・コシノ・ TJ：ファッションビジネスの最も好きな点と嫌はありますか？ファッションの価値感は常に変わるところが重ライン、企業やスポーツチームのユニフォーム・デザイン、音楽パフォーマンスの衣装デザインなど、 TJ：最もエキサイティングな海外での体験は何いな点を教えてください。コシノ : 永遠に追い求めているので到達はない。要なので、今をしっかり見つめる必要がある。多彩なデザイン活動で知られる。大阪に生まれ、文化服装学院デザイン科在学中に装苑賞を受賞。中国、ですか？好きな点：ファッションの可能性、マルチで考そして、基本的にクオリティを高めるための研ベトナム、キューバ、イタリア、フランス、アメリカなどでファッション・デザイン活動を通じて文化究、独特のオリジナルティは大切であり強い。tj 交流活動にも関わり、2008 年に国土交通省の「YOKOSO! JAPAN 大使」に任命された。

6 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 7 Living Legends The Amazing

TokyoYoko Journal’s Exclusive Ono Interview with Yoko Ono on the 33rd Anniversary of John Lennon’s Death Interview by Anthony Al-Jamie

HY is Yoko Ono amazing, Tokyo for the December 7th “Dream Power you ask? What is not amazing John Lennon Super Live Concert” at the about her would be a better legendary Budokan. question!W Not only is she the most famous Japanese person in the world, she has been TJ: Tell us about your new video “Bad breaking new ground in art, peace activism, Dancer”. How did that come about? and music for six decades. Now, 81-years ONO: Well, I needed a video from my old, Yoko is producing one chart-topper album. Whenever I played that one, people after another, with 11 #1 dance singles, all just started moving their butts. while traveling the world promoting peace. Performing with her band, the Plastic Ono TJ: Who choreographed it? Band which includes the exceptionally tal- ONO: Well, there’s no choreography, is ented Sean Lennon (son of John Lennon there? We just brought in people. That was and Yoko Ono), Yoko has captured the © Bob Gruen Ben [Dickinson]’s idea; he said, “Is it ok?” interest of a new generation not emotionally and I said, “ok.” vested in The Beatles and free of prejudice. During this period her artwork attracted the attention of leading members of New York’s TJ: Tell me about your new album “Take Me Yoko’s love for music and art began long avant-garde artistic community through her to the Land of Hell”. Is there a deep message before she met John Lennon. She grew up involvement with such artists as John Cage, behind it? studying piano and composition and learn- Merce Cunningham, Ornette Coleman and ONO: The message? The message is good ing to sing classical opera and German lieder Andy Warhol. In 1966 Yoko Ono met her music. If I could give you some pleasure, at the prestigious Jiyu-gakuen Music school third husband to be - John Lennon - when enjoyment and knowledge, I’ll be very happy. in Japan. The great granddaughter of Yasuda he visited a preview of her exhibition at the bank’s founder Zenijiro Yasuda, Yoko came Indica Gallery in London, England. TJ: How was yesterday’s concert at Budokan? from an elite family and was the first woman ONO: It was good. It’s all to do with the ever admitted to the philosophy program at It was at this time that her life changed from exchange of power and the exchange of love. the prestigious Gakushuin University, where that of avant-garde artist, highly respected If we keep doing that, one day we’ll have a she was a classmate of the Crown Prince by her peers and the artistic community, beautiful world. (the present Emperor of Japan). Yoko moved to household name whose art was picked to New York and enrolled in the prestigious apart by a public not ready for her radical TJ: You’ve always been concerned about war. Sarah Lawrence College in 1952. approach. ONO: Yes, it’s such a silly thing to do. It’s not a way to solve anything. If you want to She went through two brief marriages: first I was fortunate enough to interview Yoko solve [problems] with war, then you become to Toshi Ichiyanagi and later to Anthony Ono on December 8th, 2013, the 33rd anni- poorer and poorer, because it’s a very expen- Cox (who fathered her daughter Kyoko). versary of John Lennon’s death. She was in sive game.

8 Tokyo Journal #274 Photo © Kate Garner – Courtesy of Yoko Ono Photo © Kate GarnerYoko – Courtesy of Photo Ono © Kate Garner - Courtesy of Yoko Living Legends © Bob Gruen

Sean Lennon and Yoko Ono on stage at Bowery Ballroom, NYC. September 15, 2013.

TJ: Yes it is, and you experienced war as a child in Tokyo during the WWII bombings of “I think we’re going to get to world peace faster Tokyo, right? ONO: Yes, I was in Tokyo and then I went than we think by just being silent.” – Yoko Ono to Nagano prefecture. Many families died, you know. Well, first of all, my father was in French Indochina, which was the name ONO: Yeah, yeah. It’s true. kept enjoying learning things that have to for Vietnam at the time and my mother was do with Japan and Japanese language and all in Tokyo. She was looking after the house TJ: Did you meet him? that. For example, there is a book called “Ai”. and whatever else. The three kids - me, my ONO: Yes, of course, we met. Ai is “I” in English, but in Japan Ai means younger sister and my younger brother - love, which was very interesting to him. were evacuated to the country and it was TJ: What was he like? not easy. ONO: He’s an incredibly, incredibly sensitive TJ: Was John into Japanese music at all? person, who really understands what he is in ONO: All Asian music – especially Indian TJ: So, do you think that diff icult experience the world and what he has to do. He’s a very music was something both of us felt very of the war made a strong impression on you responsible person. strongly about but Japanese music isn’t that and did that stimulate you to want to help interesting. bring about peace? TJ: Did you ever ask him about his father or ONO: Well, I think at the time I thought hear him speak about his father? I guess not, TJ: Was he into Japanese food? that was just life. That was the only life I huh? ONO: He was totally into Japanese food. knew. Life was a pretty frightening thing, ONO: No, of course not – “What’s your dad but also an exciting thing and I was right in like?” (laughs) Yeah, right. TJ: Do you remember what his favorite was? the middle of that. Afterwards, when I think ONO: It was soba in the beginning. He said, about it, wow! That experience was good. TJ: Have you had a chance to meet with the “Look, you’re not going to make me eat Emperor in recent years? sashimi and sushi.” Well, I didn’t ask you to, TJ: Was it a difficult time in Japan for you? ONO: Recent years? No. you know! And then he started to like it so ONO: Yes, it was very difficult. Well, not for much. We used to go to sushi restaurants all me necessarily, but Japan changed altogether. TJ: Let me ask you about John a little bit. Did the time. you ever teach John to speak any Japanese? TJ: I understand you were a classmate of the ONO: Well, he started to pick up some TJ: Why do you think John was so much into Emperor at Gakushuin University. Is that Japanese words and such when he was in peace? correct? Japan. He was a quick learner so he just ONO: Well, when he was born a German

10 Tokyo Journal #274

Photo by Ivor Sharp ©Yoko Ono SharpPhoto Ivor by ©Yoko John Lennon & Yoko Ono, at the Montreal Bed-In for Peace, 1969 Living Legends

Thai. I love Vietnamese food. I love Japanese food. I love Chinese food, Korean food. My time to speak with Yoko was brief and thus to gain further insight I called on my fellow “That’s definitely an homage to Yoko Well, that’s all Asian, but I love French, and Tokyo Journal columnist: legendary rock photographer, Bob Gruen. Gruen served as John and I absolutely love German food. when Cindy [Wilson] does that scream at Yoko’s personal photographer and has known Yoko for over forty years. TJ: Can you cook at all? the end [of ‘Rock Lobster’]” – the B-52s’ Keith Strickland ONO: I used to. But I feel I’ve done my share and I just don’t want to do it now. Rock Photographer Bob Gruen on John and Yoko Interview by Anthony Al-Jamie plane was flying right over the hospital! As is it about you that you think he respected the TJ: Could John cook? a person, he experienced war in that sense. most? ONO: John was trying. He laughed a lot ONO: I have no idea because I’m a woman. about it. “I baked this bread like an hour ago TJ: Bob, can you give us an example of Yoko person and so on. This was a room with think they don’t like her. I think in some TJ: Today is December 8th. John passed away I’m joking - ha ha. Well, I don’t know. How and it’s all gone now because everybody ate Ono’s art and how people reacted to it? about 500 people. Finally the last person had ways she’s been misunderstood because her 33 years ago today. would I know? You’re asking the wrong it. It’s not like having a medal, is it?” GRUEN: Once, a friend was talking about the message and was coming up to Yoko to artwork is so strong. Some of her art relates ONO: I know. person. destruction art and how upset she was that tell her and the whole audience was waiting to difficult feelings of pain and loneliness TJ: Well, let me get back to what’s important an artist had destroyed a piano. She always to hear how it got translated. Yoko put her and loss, and people don’t like to be in touch TJ: What is it about John’s character that you TJ: Many people say you are misunderstood. here. What do you think has been the biggest wanted to play but couldn’t afford one, and hand up and said, “Stop. I don’t want to hear with their feelings. So rather than realize loved the most? Do you feel you have been misunderstood obstacle that has prevented the world from couldn’t understand why the artist destroyed it.” And what she destroyed was communi- that Yoko is really good at what she does ONO: John is a very, very lovable person. throughout your life? achieving peace? it. Yoko said, “That’s exactly the way you’re cation. The audience had all participated in because she made them feel that, people I think a touch of Liverpool doesn’t hurt. ONO: Yes, definitely. But misunderstanding ONO: Well, I don’t know. Everything is an supposed to feel. They destroyed it to show this and were all pissed off! Yoko said, if half often say, “Yoko’s terrible. She made me Liverpool people really have some kind of is something we all experience. Your mother achievement. I guess the fact that we are you how horrible it is to destroy something.” the audience doesn’t get up and leave, she feel bad.” But people who are aware that a sense of humor. A left-handed sense of probably doesn’t understand you so well and talking now and the fact that we are alive is Yoko was once in a destructive art show hasn’t done it right. What I like about her we live with these feelings constantly have humor, shall we say? And he definitely had it! you’re angry about that or something. Even in fact an achievement. And we should not but couldn’t afford a piano or anything to art is it’s not just something to look at but great admiration for the way she is able to in the public, we don’t really understand each think of achievement as something we will destroy. Although Yoko was from a very something to feel. express and share them. It’s not something TJ: I’ve read many interviews and it’s obvi- other. Well, we try not to understand each have one day. We’re having it now. We are wealthy family, they didn’t like her being an to be afraid of: to hide and not ever feel. ous he respected you more than anything in other to keep our independence, or some- living now. artist, so they cut her off, and she was actu- TJ: Why is she so misunderstood? Because when you hide your feelings, you the world. thing. So people misunderstood about me. ally very poor living in the lower east side GRUEN: That’s always been a mystery end up hiding your happiness because you ONO: Well, I don’t know about that but It’s really a noble thing in a way, probably. TJ; What is it that makes you so committed to of New York. So she played the telephone to me because anyone who has met Yoko numb yourself to all your feelings, not just anyway, he had some feelings for me. I was a Japanese and the English and the leading this movement in helping people live game, where you whisper something to has tremendous admiration for her and it’s bad feelings. Americans just had a war with us you know, better lives and peaceful lives? somebody and they whisper it to the next mostly the people who never met her who TJ: That must have made you happy. What so what do you think? ONO: Well, I’m not leading anything. I’m just being here, now. TJ: Do you think it was a combination of Yoko Ono and John Lennon holding flowers being a strong, capable Japanese woman with TJ: How do you think we can learn to be more by a tree in Central Park, NYC. April 2, 1973. an American platform to speak on that made peaceful in the future? you seem very complex and unique? ONO: Did you notice that the world is get- ONO: Well, I don’t know. I was just me. If ting more peaceful? I’m not talking about that means strong, maybe I am. But I don’t the incredible announcement about wars think I’m that strong. I’m just normal in that and big notices we are given, but in daily sense, but the fact that I survived and lived life everyone is using the computer and their so long might suggest that I was stronger iPod or something and when [you] have than I thought I was maybe. But it’s just a 2 or 3 people in a room, especially my son fluke that I’m alive. and my son’s friends, they are just doing the computer. We’re silent people now. I think TJ: Are you a healthy eater? Do you eat we’re going to get to world peace faster than Japanese food? we think by just being silent. Everybody is ONO: I eat anything, or at least, I love all silent and nobody is angry at each other or different kinds of food. I love Indian. I love anything. tj

“I’d never met a woman I considered as intelligent as me…I always had this dream of meeting … an artist girl who would be like me. And I thought it was a myth, but then I met Yoko and that was it.” – John Lennon

Photo © Kate Garner – Courtesy of Yoko Ono

12 Tokyo Journal #274 © Bob Gruen (L-R) Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, John Lennon and Yoko Ono Yoko Ono and John Lennon on 73rd Street and John Lennon on knees and Yoko Ono singing Living Legends singing at a piano at The Record Plant, NYC. October 1972. Central Park West in NYC. April 2,1973. at Butterfly Studios, NYC. April 4, 1972.

“That could be the most exciting thing that’s ever happened. She’s my idol.” – Lady Gaga on receiving praise for her live version of “Imagine” from Yoko Ono by phone and on Twitter © Bob Gruen © Bob Gruen © Bob Gruen

TJ: Do you think she has diff iculty communi- Elephant’s Memory, the band that was back- that they really understood and appreciated had shot some pictures earlier in the studio TJ: What is your favorite memory of being believe in people having statues to John cating well with the public? ing them up. I asked if I could come to the the emotions she was putting out. I’ve been with John and Ringo and they were blank with John and Yoko? Lennon or John and Yoko because people GRUEN: Yeah, it seems that there is a lit- studio to get a picture of them with the a fan of her ever since. too; the whole roll was. But my film came GRUEN: I have several. The day they invited should believe in themselves, and not idolize tle gap between the way she talks and what Elephants and Yoko said they would pose out perfect. It was kind of like the Twilight me to photograph their newborn Sean when John and Yoko any more than themselves she is trying to say. Often, she is very clear, for one at the end of the night. She said, TJ: I read that during the time John and Yoko Zone, you know… So I called the police. he was about a month old to show their fam- because we are all human and we all have actually. It’s just that people aren’t listening. “Watch out for Phil Spector! He doesn’t were separated, he had a UFO sighting. Can I said, “Did anyone report a flying saucer ily. John and Yoko were so happy, particularly good parts and bad parts. like photographers!” It was kind of a trial by you tell us about it? last night?” He said, “What, up on the east John - you can see in the pictures that he was TJ: Didn’t John Lennon describe her as the fire. I avoided Phil all night and at the end GRUEN: Yeah, he called me. It was always side? Yeah, we got a couple of calls.” The absolutely ecstatic. It was really nice to see TJ: From your perspective what was it that world’s most famous unknown artist? they posed for a photo. Later they called me exciting when John would leave a message. Daily News said the same. The New York him recovering and having a second chance John loved about Yoko so much? GRUEN: Yeah… everybody knows who because I had the only picture of them with He wouldn’t say John Lennon called. He Times hung up on me (laughs). I asked, at life. He very much regretted that he wasn’t she is but nobody knows what she does. the band and they wanted to use it on the would say, “Dr. Winston” and so whenever “Did anyone see a flying saucer?” They went able to be in touch with Julian as Julian was GRUEN: Yoko has incredible perception But nowadays she’s gotten a huge follow- album cover. I went over to show them the I got a message from Dr. Winston, it was - CLICK. He put it on the album, “I saw a born while John was a Beatle but he was and awareness of the moment (the present) ing because she’s done so many shows. pictures and it was the first time we really like, “Oh my God. John called!” I called back flying saucer.” and he believed it. I mean, he determined to have a relationship with Sean. and the ramifications of things going for- In England the last few years, she’s been talked and we got along really well. We had and he said he had seen a flying saucer and and May never took any drugs or anything Another highlight was being a few feet away ward in the future. In a lot of her pictures releasing remixes of her music. Every single the same cynical kind of sense of humor and that May [Pang] had taken pictures and he and they both saw the same thing. He said it while John and Yoko played piano and John she appears very serious. She once said in song went to #1! I saw her playing South by at the end of the afternoon Yoko said she wanted me to develop the film. He was very was so normal. It was bizarre because it was sang “Imagine” at Madison Square Garden. Japan it’s a tradition not to smile in pho- Southwest in front of a thousand people at wanted me to stay in touch and come back excited about it. just like you’d imagine in a movie: a big sau- (laughs) But I think another was going out tographs, that you take life seriously, but in 1:30 in the morning. Yoko played an hour and work whenever I could. I’m still in touch cer floating past his building and... I never to Broadway to the dance [performance] of fact Yoko smiles often and you couldn’t live and a half show and they were cheering with her today, and that was 42 years ago! TJ: Was he high or drunk? saw a flying saucer but he did! Merce Cunningham, a friend of Yoko’s from with John Lennon without having a sense and yelling for more. This was at 79 years GRUEN: No. He had spent a year getting the downtown avant-garde art scene. That of humor. Yoko can be a very sexy person. old! She was just rocking out with this TJ: Did you go to Japan with them? loaded in L.A. and he was coming back TJ: How did your famous photo of John wear- was very exciting sitting at the table with She’s very open and free. There are a lot of new, incredible, powerful music and sound GRUEN: Well I went with Yoko. It was to New York basically to clean up. He was ing a New York t-shirt come about? James Taylor and Carly Simon, and Yoko reasons why John or anyone could like Yoko. that was kind of a cross between Ornette when John and Yoko were separated and sober as could be, and he was very clear GRUEN: John called me to take some introducing Merce to James and Carly. Most people who meet her walk out and go, Coleman and Miles Davis. Being friends John was in L.A. They were involved in a about what he saw. He had been sitting in pictures for his “Walls and Bridges” album “Oh my God. I just met the most amazing with Yoko it made my heart warm - seeing couple of lawsuits and didn’t have access to the living room. The door to the patio was a cover, and we did a series of close-ups of TJ: What were John and Yoko like as a couple? person.” her go from the early seventies where crowds their money, so Yoko went and did a tour little bit open and he saw…like a reflection, his face on the roof of his apartment. Then GRUEN: They were always touching each would boo her, to the point where these kids in Japan to pay some bills. Going along like lights blinking. At first he thought it I suggested we take more pictures around other, putting their arm around each other, TJ: So she has a good sense of humor? were screaming for encores. really opened my eyes about Yoko because was a store or something and then he real- the roof for publicity and we had a whole sitting next to each other. They would share GRUEN: Yep. On TV an interviewer once I had only experienced her in the States ized he’s on [the top floor] and there are no background of the skyline of New York. I the same seat. In the studio, they were like asked her how tall she was and she said, “I’m TJ: Artists often become well known or more and the English press, which was very stores up there, so he opened the door and had actually given him the New York t-shirt a tag team, producing songs and giving very tall.” And he said, “Well…what do you respected after they pass away. Do you think brutal to Yoko. In Japan, they welcomed it was a flying saucer, just kind of floating a year earlier because I used to wear those opinions on the music. They were a very mean?” She said, “Well when I look down at Yoko will be like that? her like a national hero. I had seen Yoko past his apartment. He went out on the kinds of t-shirts all the time and sometimes loving couple. It was fun to be with them. the ground, it’s far away.” GRUEN: Oh, yeah. You know, she was a perform before, like at the John Lennon balcony and he starts screaming, “There’s a I’d give them to friends. It wasn’t even sold in They were very much aware and interested little... uuhh... a little? She was WAY ahead concert at Madison Square Garden, and flying saucer! There’s a flying saucer!” He a store. It was made by some guy in Brooklyn in what was going on around them on many TJ: How would you describe John’s personal- of her time. There is a lot of humor in her people either really didn’t like it or didn’t was naked at the time. May came running or somewhere and he used to sell them on levels. They were very normal. They just ity? work. You actually have to see the work to understand it. When it was her audience, out with the camera and took a bunch of the street in Times Square, and whenever I liked to be together, to eat well, to relax in GRUEN: John was always cracking jokes. understand. I think since this younger gen- they liked it. She played Kenny’s Castaways photos. I had given her a special kind of saw him I’d buy a few. I said, “You still got a comfortable place. They may be celebri- He was very grounded, very perceptive. So eration is really understanding and appreci- and that was a really good show. She used film that works really well in the dark - a that New York shirt?” He knew right where ties but they weren’t not people, you know? he would really expose people for who they ating more and more about what she does, her voice as an instrument to express all high-speed film that was actually developed it was, which impressed me because a lot of I think that’s one thing people love about were, and the things he said were very blunt that as time goes on she’ll be one of the great kinds of emotions, rather than comparing for army surveillance. They gave me the people gave him a lot of things, but he went John and Yoko - they were always so open and almost insulting sometimes, but he artists of her time. her to a singer, because Yoko is obviously film to develop. I actually put a roll of my and put the shirt on and we took that photo. and admitted who they were and what their would twist it with a pun and make it fun. not Barbara Streisand but uses her voice in film in the tank, then his film, then another That was in 1974, actually about two weeks feelings were. They shared that through TJ: So when did you f irst meet John and a much more unique way. She’s much more roll of mine on top. My two rolls came out after I was in Japan with Yoko, and three art and their interviews. John and Yoko TJ: What would you say John’s weaknesses Yoko? like Ornette Coleman than a female singer. I perfectly and his roll came out completely days later my son was born! It was a very didn’t want people to look up to them as were? GRUEN: Through an interview with learned watching the audience react in Japan blank, you know, like sci-fi blank…. May exciting month for me. (laughs) idols. Yoko said sometimes she doesn’t really GRUEN: Did he have any? He was very

14 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 15 Yoko Ono during the opening of the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland. Living Legends October 9, 2007

vulnerable. He was a bad drunk but he got to leave. He didn’t run away with his sec- TJ: Is she a good friend? over that. He took too much of whatever was retary the way people sometimes assume. GRUEN: Yeah. She’s very generous, very available and then reacted like a crazy kid Yoko actually asked May Pang to take care considerate, very caring…and very quick! but he got over that. of him; a very hard job. She did it very well, You know, if I send her an e-mail, it doesn’t but John was always in touch with Yoko. take days or weeks…like, I get an answer TJ: How bad was his drug addiction? Almost every day he asked her if he could back in five minutes. She’s right on top of GRUEN: John was pretty open about his come back and she would say, “No, you’re everything all the time and very helpful to experimentation and drug use and so on. not ready.” It wasn’t until he was called out all her friends. The point is not the mistakes of his use but in the international press that he finally the fact that he overcame it. After the wildly came back to New York, and about 6 months TJ: Does she have a lot of people around her excessive time they call “The Lost Weekend” later she finally let him come back home, I taking care of her all the time? that lasted 18 months, he sobered up. With mean let him come back into her life, which GRUEN: Well, she’s got staff, but I wouldn’t Yoko’s guidance, John was able to take care she did immediately after she accepted him. say a lot. She’s got a small staff that’s very of his son, learn about the responsibilities of Pretty soon she became pregnant and when efficient. She’s a great mother to Sean. She being a parent, eat a much healthier diet, and the baby was born, John spent most of the brought him up to be comfortable with just basically grow up. next five years raising him. That’s when he who he is and to understand the difference wrote the Double Fantasy album. It’s not between fame and who you really are. He’s [Before that] They got involved with a lot the typical rock and roll kind of songs he very grounded. He put together a great band of radicals. John was playing with Elephant’s did when he was getting drunk with the for her. They do a lot of shows together. On Memory and there was quite a bit of drink- boys - “I’m just a lonely teenager and I need her birthday last year she did a show for ing and carrying on, and after the concert some love” kind-of-songs. It’s a very mature © Bob Gruen about an hour and danced for about an hour John got very depressed. The reviews were album discussing the adult kind of issues Yoko Ono posing in Central Park, NYC. and a half; when I left she was still dancing! bad. The government was harassing him. that a couple get into. August 26, 1973. (laughs). She’s got more energy than anyone There was a lawsuit with his manager and I know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her tired! his reaction was to get drunk. Yoko didn’t TJ: What inspired John to record again after TJ: I heard you were actually supposed to want to do that and she basically told him being away from the music scene for so many meet John the night he passed away? TJ: Obviously she’s very intelligent. years? GRUEN: Yeah. They had put out their GRUEN: Very, very intelligent. She’s been John Lennon and Yoko Ono on 44th Street, NYC. GRUEN: He heard The B-52’s in Bermuda “Double Fantasy” album and were fixing up around the block a few times. She has a lot December 1980. and realized they were making the same an album that came out later called “Milk of experience. It’s hard to pull the wool over vocal sounds that Yoko was but were popu- and Honey”. John and I had sat all night a her eyes but she’s a person. She’s human. lar for it. In fact, The B-52’s were big fans couple of days before, talking about things. of Yoko’s and used to play her records and He was really happy because of Yoko’s good TJ: She does a lot of charity work. What is her imitate her and that’s where they got their reviews, and critics were calling his songs main cause? vocal style from. So John came back with more MOR (for Middle of the Road) and GRUEN: Peace, world peace; that’s the main songs he had written with plans to record he said, “That’s ok. I’m going down the © Bob Gruen focus of just about everything she does. not a John Lennon album but an album with middle of the road to the bank.” Because Yoko. When the first part of the album came his album was jumping up the charts. Yoko heard on the TV that John was dead. That TJ: So, let’s get back to Yoko. How would you TJ: What makes Yoko special? out, Yoko’s music got very good reviews for had written “Walking on Thin Ice”, which was the most permanent thing I ever heard. describe her personality? GRUEN: Ask her millions of fans. It’s not the first time: finally there was a new gen- actually became a big dance hit for her, and I think dead is the most obscene four-letter GRUEN: When people ask me what kind one thing. It’s her generosity, her openness, eration who didn’t care who broke up the they’d almost finished it the night that John word in the English language. It’s just too of woman Yoko is, I always say she is the her perception and the fact she is grounded Beatles but were actually listening to her, passed away. So, when [ John and I] were permanent. Because the first thing I thought kind of woman that John Lennon would in the present. It’s hard to define. It’s her and they liked it. John wanted to exploit this [last] talking John said he was going to take of is how to change it, how to fix it, how to marry, and he certainly had his choice. Yoko care for mankind, the work she does for a before even finishing the second half of the a couple of weeks off for Christmas, finish make it better, and there’s just no way you is an extremely active woman. She doesn’t better world and a better future for all of album. He wanted to start a world tour that mixing the album, get the band together and can. I realized this was a worldwide event, really sleep eight hours at a time. She takes us. She’s very selfless. To get attacked for it would carry his message of adult maturity start rehearsing in February, make some vid- that so many people would be affected. It catnaps for an hour or two at most. She’s on constantly is a mystery. It’s amazing that so and responsibility. Unfortunately the only eos to promote it, and by the end of March was my job to put out the good pictures so a 24-hour schedule. She travels around the many people put her down. They think her place you can find the message now is in the we were going to go on the world tour. We that John always looked good in the news- world. She’s got her own art and all kinds music is weird. When John and Yoko got Playboy and Andy Peebles BBC interviews - were talking about where to go shopping papers. I remember literally crawling across of other projects - exhibitions of her new together, I think there was a lot of racism the two best interviews he gave in the weeks and eat in Japan and Paris. I went home that the floor to the file cabinets - because when art as well as retrospectives of her old work. involved with England against the Japanese before he died - and it’s too bad for the night so excited. I was going to meet the I heard he was dead, I kind of slid down to She puts on John and Yoko art shows around and against John for picking a weird avant- world that he didn’t get to go on that tour leaders of world! He was excited about going the floor. I was talking to Yoko a few days the world, and there’s a lot of different peace garde artist instead of a beautiful blond because those ideas were very popular in the back to England for the first time in many later. She said something about when you activities. She writes letters. She recently model like a rock star is supposed to. But eighties - controlling your drug intake, being years. On Monday night I was supposed are in a battle and the leader with the flag wrote one to the fishermen [in Japan] to John really found a mate that he could responsible for your family, being more care- to go show some photos to John and Yoko goes down, you gotta pick that flag up and stop the dolphin hunt, and she gets involved communicate with, somebody who inspired ful about your diet. John I think was ahead and then make it down to the Village Voice, keep going. I don’t think one person can in a lot of causes like that. him and encouraged him to go beyond of his time but not with something totally but as usual I was late. Then my doorman replace John but a lot of people have taken his comfort zone and he loved that. He unusual. The ideas were already growing, but buzzed me. He said, “Do you have a radio up the cause. I’m very lucky that I knew him TJ: She’s very strong! totally admired Yoko. That last night that we he had a unique way of expressing them that or TV on?” I said, “No, why?” and he said, and worked with him so much. I get to talk GRUEN: She’s a very strong woman: very talked, he said, “Always listen to Yoko. She’s people could understand, and I think that “I just heard that John Lennon was shot.” about him and I carry his message of peace powerful, very direct. She’s not shy. Well, she always right. She always knows what to do.” was the greatest loss - the insight that he Then my phone started ringing like crazy. I and love, and that’s a great message to carry says she’s shy. In public she is but she’s not And I find that to be true. tj © Bob Gruen was going to bring around the world. remember a friend called up and he had just around the world. shy about expressing her opinions.

16 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 17 Photos by Kjeld Duits Tokyo Street Fashion/HARAJUKU

HONAMI Shibuya, Tokyo AUTUMN 2013, GIRLS STUDENT, 22

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Tokyo Journal #274 19 Tokyo Street Fashion/HARAJUKU

ANRI OZAWA KAORU Shibuya, Tokyo Shibuya, Tokyo AUTUMN 2013, GIRLS AUTUMN 2013, GIRLS STUDENT, 17 STUDENT, 19

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20 Tokyo Journal #274 Living Legends

Horiyoshi III Japan’s Legendary Tattoo Master Interview by Kimo Friese and Horikichi Photographs by Malgorzata Dittmar

TJ: Can you introduce yourself to our readers? matter because there are no malevolent HORIYOSHI: My real name is Yoshihito Buddhism-related designs. Even a demon Nakano. I was born on March 9, 1946 in can be relied upon if you make a friend of Shimada, Shizuoka. I am the eldest son with him. After all, Buddhist images are a human a sister and brother. creation.

TJ: Tell us a little about Irezumi, the tradi- TJ: How did you get into tattooing by hand? tional art form of Japanese tattooing. HORIYOSHI: When I started tattooing, HORIYOSHI: It depends what you mean by very few machines were available. Nowadays, traditional? Tattoo tradition, Japanese tradi- using machines is the norm. So tattooing tion or Asian tradition? If you say Asian tra- by hand was the way for me to get started. dition, it was most affected by Confucianism. I decided to apprentice under Horiyoshi But if you are obedient to Confucianism, because I liked his work. you can’t get tattooed because the belief states that you should not hurt your body. TJ: When did you become interested in the But since tattoo culture had already existed Irezumi tradition? before the ancient Chinese ideas that trans- HORIYOSHI: Probably around the age of formed into Samurai philosophy in Japan, “I want to die 10. I saw a man with Irezumi tattoo work in Confucianism couldn’t exclude tattoo cul- a sento, or public bath. I was overwhelmed. ture. The concept of the tattoo can translate beautifully.” That evening I talked with my family at into strength, religion, or many other things. the dinner table about Irezumi tattoos. But in Japan, it basically represents courage My father and grandfather told me a lot, or strength, like the Samurai’s fighting spirit. toos. According to Genkō Shakusho, a book like the fact that my great-grandfather had On the other hand, tattoos also have artistic on Buddhism from the Kamakura era, there Saraswati on his back. That was so impres- aspects. Actually, it’s difficult to talk about was a priest with a tattoo of the Buddha sive. In the second grade I was drawn to a Irezumi tattoo and tradition because the who lectured throughout Japan. Buddhism library book, Bunshin Hyakushi, which was scope is too wide. neither encourages nor denies the Irezumi full of Irezumi pictures. I got deeply into it. tradition. By the age of 15, I got a small Irezumi on TJ: Is there a commonalty between my foot. An older kid saw it and asked me to Confucianism and the art of tattooing? TJ: Some Japanese embrace Buddhism- do one on him. It was my first experience of HORIYOSHI: Nothing in common. Tattoos related Irezumi. What’s your feeling on that? tattooing. I was 15 or 16 years old. I gradu- are completely contrary to the idea of HORIYOSHI: Frankly speaking, many see it ally gained customers by word of mouth and Confucianism. It doesn’t allow for the hurt- as just a design and not a sign of faith. For started to earn a living. At that time there ing of the human body. example, when someone chooses Cetaka as was no information about the mechanics a tattoo design they often say, “I don’t know of tattooing, so I learned through trial and TJ: What about Buddhism? what it is, but it is cool.” That’s fine. If they error. At the age of 21 I was tattooed by HORIYOSHI: Buddhism doesn’t deny tat- realize later on what it represents it doesn’t Horiyoshi and continued to develop my own

22 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 23 Living Legends

style of tattooing. At the age of 25, I began an apprenticeship to broaden my technique. I wrote to Horiyoshi, but I got no reply. Next, I sent strawberries with a letter, but again, no reply. So I visited Horiyoshi and asked him directly. At that time, Horiyoshi II was absent, so I met with Horiyoshi I. He said I couldn’t earn money while apprenticing, but I insisted on learning anyway. I was finally accepted. After a few months, I started apprenticing. Horiyoshi II came home and said, “Had I been here when you visited, I would not have accepted you.” Timing is really important in life; some things are just meant to be and are beyond our control.

TJ: What were your options then, had you not been accepted as an apprentice? HORIYOSHI: If I was rejected after staying for three days in front of the gate, I was going to ask him to introduce me to the Yakuza in Yokohama. I was determined not to give up, but I did think of joining the Yakuza had I been rejected. I was 25 years old at that time.

TJ: When were you given the title “Horiyoshi III?” HORIYOSHI: Probably in 1979.

TJ: What are some of the fundamental differences between Japanese Irezumi tattoo and the Western tattoo? HORIYOSHI: There used to be apparent differences, but not so much now. Japanese Irezumi uses the body as a canvas to relate a story. Western tattooing draws on small, individual images. Japanese Irezumi incor- porates narrative imagery: seasons, flowers, mountains, water, rocks and so on are important. It’s all part of the bigger picture.

TJ: What do you think about the interest in Japanese Irezumi outside of Japan? HORIYOSHI: The human body is beautiful. I think Japanese Irezumi has beauty of form that explores the human body. In the West, people have become interested in the beauty of form in Japanese Irezumi. It has rules and sophistication. It’s not surprising that Japanese Irezumi is accepted worldwide. Foreigners are starting to understand the beauty of it.

TJ: Any advice for those getting tattooed for the f irst time? HORIYOSHI: First of all... no regrets. Think it through thoroughly and know your design well. People often prefer getting tattooed in visible areas on the body, but it’s cool to get them where they will be covered up.

24 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 25 Living Legends

As a tattoo artist, I think that is preferred. Tattoos are not meant for exhibition.

TJ: Are there many people who give up while getting tattooed? HORIYOSHI: There have been many. I remember one man quit in less than five minutes, saying “I forgot to turn off the gas, so I have to go home.” Another man said, “What day is today? I forgot an appointment. I have to go!” even though he made an appointment with me on that same day. They don’t want to be shamed by saying, “I want to quit because it’s painful.”

TJ: What was your f irst experience like when you used a machine to tattoo? HORIYOSHI: The first machine I used was sent to me from a man I had met at a tattoo convention in Rome. I struggled with it for a while before finally managing to handle it. My first impression was: “It doesn’t work well.” After that I bought some machines, but they didn’t work well either. I managed to use one of them, and sent out pictures of my work. The machines didn’t come with “manuals,” so it was difficult. At the age of 24, I made a tattoo machine using an electric razor. It moved very fast and power- fully. Horiyoshi I still worked by hand and Horiyoshi II had started using a machine. I stayed away from machines because I thought the hand method was much faster. But I was shocked and changed my mind when in 1985 I met experienced tattooists using a machine in Rome. I was keenly aware of the necessity of accepting Western tattoo culture at that time.

TJ: How long did it take to master machine no advancement. Progress through innova- tionally obey the orders of a lord. Retainers tattooing? tion is important. I don’t insist on state-of- swear allegiance to a lord, while a lord does HORIYOSHI: It took four to five years to the art style, but we have to accept both new his best for his retainers. Betrayal never really get the hang of it. It is important to and old if they are good. For example, a gun exists between them. We can’t choose our accept modern technology while still pro- is stronger than a sword, but it is useless parents when we are born, but we can tecting tradition. If you just reject it, there’s without bullets. So a bayonet was invented. choose our own mentor. We should protect tradition, but at the same time we should be willing to alter it. If not, On the day I became Horiyoshi’s pupil I we can’t make progress. On the other hand, was introduced to a small room where I’d change without acknowledging tradition be living. At that time, I decided to dedicate is completely wrong. Even if you use vivid myself to him. The relationship between a colors, you can still keep Japanese traditional mentor and pupil is based on that kind of design alive. The present is based on the concern for each other. Not only interests past, and the future is based on the present. and skills, but mind and body should be We can’t deny the past. devoted to each other as well. I once said I could do anything, even killing others, for TJ: What do you think of the Japanese men- Horiyoshi. It is extreme, but the relation- toring relationship? ship is that strong. After Horiyoshi I died I HORIYOSHI: For foreigners, the Bushido/ decided to take care of his daughter and wife Samurai spirit would be easiest to under- for the rest of my life. He mentored me, so I stand. Samurai retainers should uncondi- had an obligation to repay.

26 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 27 Living Legends

TJ: Do you think Irezumi will ever be accepted in Japan? HORIYOSHI: It is difficult to answer. Last year, a Maori woman with Irezumi was rejected from a Japanese spa. At the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, many ath- letes and visitors with Irezumi will attend. I think attitudes in the government will determine the future. Frankly speaking, I don’t have much hope. I’m not sure how Irezumi will be treated in the future in Japan.

TJ: What inspires your artwork? HORIYOSHI: Everything in daily life. For example, pictures uploaded to Instagram or Facebook are wonderful sources. Everything around me stimulates my imagination. Imagination depends on the amount of knowledge you acquire. You can’t imagine what you don’t know. Therefore, you have to obtain knowledge in day-to-day life.

TJ: Which artists have influenced you? HORIYOSHI: I was affected by Hokusai the most, followed by Kuniyoshi, Yoshitoshi, Kyosai, Yoshitsuya, and Kuniteru, the Utagawa family... Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raffaello and other Renaissance painters. Everything in the world of art affects me without restrictions.

TJ: Which tattoo artists do you admire? HORIYOSHI: I admire Ed Hardy the most

because of his personality and depth of control. You have to overcome the internal knowledge. He is a true gentleman. I feel struggles. I am proud that I can keep doing close to Bob Roberts because he was born it. I have confidence to keep doing it in the on the same day as me and had some future, and I think I have to make more similarities growing up. I have a lot of other efforts. Also, I am proud that I can pour my favorite tattooists. energy into other things than Irezumi such as scroll paintings. TJ: What is most important to you as a tattoo artist? TJ: Have you ever tattooed celebrities? HORIYOSHI: An inquiring mind is most HORIYOSHI: Yes, I have, but I can’t say important. Jealousy is the worst. You should their names. make efforts to surpass your rivals instead of feeling jealous. If you keep up the effort, TJ: Any future projects or goals? you will succeed for sure. You have to gain HORIYOSHI: As for projects, nothing spe- experiences. You have to be hungry, absorb cial. I’m pretty spontaneous. But I want to things. Jealousy shorts out your creativity. be ready for any occasion. We are all mortals. My last goal is to die well. To die well means TJ: What are the biggest challenges for a tat- to have lived well. I want people to regret my too artist? death. I don’t want a funeral service because HORIYOSHI: Maintaining a good relation- I don’t want to leave my family that respon- ship with others, improving your skills, self- sibility. I want to die beautifully. tj

28 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 29 Streetstyle Glamour Photos by TJ photographer Lola Rose MIKI

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30 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 31 Interview The World’s First Online Doctor Dancing on Air II of Education in TESOL Dancer, Adam Young, Defies the Odds, Taught live online by world-acclaimed faculty Battling Cystic Fibrosis The following is Part II of a series of interviews with Adam Young, a 32-year old ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dancer from California, who has cystic fibrosis (CF) and received a double lung transplant at UCLA in May 2013. He began dancing at the age of six in Riverside, California, and won Online Doctor of Education in TESOL (Ed.D.) national competitions in the United States and Australia at the age of 17, as well as the Kennedy Center Online Master of Arts in TESOL (M.A.) Emerging Young Artist Award Scholarship at age 18. He was offered a full scholarship to the renowned Online Graduate Diploma in TESOL Juilliard School and the Ailey School in New York but was unable to relocate due to CF complications. Rod Ellis Dean/Professor Online Undergraduate Diploma in TESOL Graduating from the University of California, Irvine with honors on full scholarship as a dance major Online Certiﬁ cate in TESOL in 2003, he went on to dance with the Nashville Ballet for two seasons. He trained at the Conservatoire Online Certiﬁ cate in Teaching English to Young Learners de Paris and has danced, judged and taught throughout the United States and performed internationally in France, Germany, Australia, Canada and Mexico. His professional career was put on hold in 2006 when cystic fibrosis caused his lung capacity to fall below 40 percent. Adam’s determination to overcome an addiction to pharmaceutical drugs through a 12-step program in 2010 allowed him to receive his lung World-Class Faculty transplant in 2013 – which has in turn given Adam a chance to return to the stage and continue pursu- MA TESOL / TESOL ing his passion for dance. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor, Anthony Al-Jamie, talked to Adam about his Institute inspirational story. Director & Professor Ed.D. Director Professor Professor Professor Professor

TJ: You mentioned that you were an addict was killing myself. and that you wouldn’t be considered for a lung “I destroyed my family, transplant until you were clean. When did TJ: So how did you f inally stop using drugs? your drug use start? my marriage YOUNG: After I had several interventions YOUNG: Well, being a “pharmaceutical and several relapses, my wife left me and baby”, I had access to meds. In college I and all of the lives my family kicked me out. My doctor said, started getting sinus headaches. Nothing “You’re going to die.” Finally, I had to say, was working because I had really bad sinus- around me. “I’m going to make a change.” And when I David Nunan Hayo Reinders Kathleen Bailey Jun Liu Denise Murray Gary Barkhuizen es, so they put me on Darvocet. And that’s decided that, I was done. I knew everything how it all started. I then started taking And I was killing I was doing was wrong. I checked into a Vicodin and slowly progressed to the next rehab for a 30-day stint. I said, “Whatever Professor Professor Professor Professor Professor Professor highest drug until I reached the top. I start- myself.” you guys say, I’m going to do.” Especially ed maxing out my prescriptions and then during my first year, any meeting my spon- went “doctor shopping” in Nashville too, sor or anyone asked me to go to, I went. I trying to get as many pills as I could. I mean, What they didn’t know was that I brought went to three twelve-step program meet- if you go in with a sad story like CF, they’re my own stuff on top of that. So sometimes ings a day and to a thousand meetings in [doctors] going to give you pills – especially they couldn’t wake me up and I would stop my first year of recovery. I didn’t work and when you are on oxygen. I manipulated the breathing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but drugs were all I had. So, I could either stay system. I just knew exactly what to do. I found out later that it had happened three at home and think about drugs or I could go never walked out without a prescription. It times! to a meeting. I’ve been clean for three years was free through my insurance so I could get now. I was lucky, because a lot of addicts free drugs. It was crazy. I actually overdosed TJ: What was the worst part of your addic- don’t have supportive families. I had a lov- Andy Curtis Fran Byrnes MaryAnn Christison Ken Beatty Martha Cummings Brian Tomlinson in the hospital a few times; and sometimes I tion? ing family that supported me and was doing stopped breathing. YOUNG: I think it was just my emotional anything they could to help me. I know I vacancy. I was a lonely user – an isolator. wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t have an TJ: Wow, you overdosed while in the hospital? Other users have “using” friends. I didn’t awesome family. tj How did that happen? have any of those. I didn’t use with anyone www.anaheim.edu YOUNG: Well, I loved going to the hos- but myself. I was in my cave of despair, anger This is Part II of a series of interviews with 1-800-955-6040 1-714-772-3330 pital. That’s where they give you the good and hate. I destroyed my family, my mar- Adam Young. Part III will be featured in stuff – the IV stuff – every couple of hours. riage and all of the lives around me. And I Issue #275 E-mail: [email protected] 1240 S. State College Blvd. Ofﬁ ce of Admissions Room 110 Anaheim, 32 Tokyo Journal #274 California 92806 USA 1, 3, 8 — Photos by Kimo Friese Living Legends 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 — Images courtesy of POW! Entertainment

Stan Lee is the man behind some of the world’s best-loved superheroes, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, the Avengers, X-Men, The Fantastic Four and over 300 Spider-Man Creator more. An American comic book writer, editor, publisher, media producer, actor, and voice actor, Stan Lee is currently Chairman Emeritus and Editorial Board Member of Marvel Comics, as well as Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment. Aged 91, Stan Lee is Stan Lee as sharp as ever and his lifetime accomplishments are as remarkable as the heroes he created. The Marvel of Comic Books and He successfully forced the Comics Code Authority to reform its censorship policies. He led the his POW!erful Partner Gill Champion expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing company to a multimedia powerhouse. The Spider-Man strip appeared in more than 500 newspapers worldwide, making it the world’s most successful syndicated adventure strip. He has been inducted into the comic industry’s most hallowed halls of fame and received numerous awards including the 2008 American National Medal of the Arts presented by President George Bush for his work as one of America’s most prolific storytellers and for recreating the American comic book. Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie met with Stan Lee and business partner Gill Champion at their headquarters in Beverly Hills, California.

TJ: Can you tell me a bit about your upbring- lems training troops fast enough on many “Will you write it?” and he was a good writer ing? technical things, and someone noticed that and a good artist. LEE: I was raised in New York until high I had been working as a writer, so I had to school, I moved to the Bronx, and then I rewrite the technical manuals in a more sim- TJ: And what is his name? had a lot of little jobs. I was a theater usher. ple way, without all the technical gibberish. LEE: Larry Lieber. I delivered sandwiches. I did publicity writing for a company, then I got a job at Marvel TJ: And where was the training f ilm divi- TJ: Larry Lieber... So how did you get the which was then called “Timely Comics”, and sion? name Stan Lee? then I joined the army. When I came back, LEE: Astoria, Queens in New York. LEE: When I started working it was almost I went back to work for Marvel, and stayed embarrassing to tell people, “I write comics.” there ever since. TJ: I understand your brother worked with Most parents didn’t even want their children you for a number of years. to read comics. In some cases, they were TJ: How long were you in the army? LEE: Well he did a number of strips: a right! Comics weren’t well written, and just LEE: Three years. western called “The Rawhide Kid”, the first had a lot of action and fighting. So I didn’t issue of Iron Man, I believe, and one other want to use my name because I thought TJ: What did you do? – perhaps, Thor. I didn’t have time to write one day I would write something good as LEE: Believe it or not, I wrote instructional everything, so I’d come up with an idea and “Stanley Lieber”. So I cut my name in half films and manuals. They were having prob- say, “Will you write it?” “Will you write it?” and called myself “Stan Lee”. Years went by and more people knew me as Stan Lee than Stan Lee's animated character from "Stan Lee's Mighty 7 Stanley Lieber, so to make my life simple, I just legally changed it to Stan Lee.

TJ: Is there anybody that had a major influence on you and your career? LEE: Everyone I read about – Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood… Speaking of Robin Hood, one actor Errol Flynn – I was very impressed by him. He seemed like the perfect hero, and I always felt, “When I grow up I’d like to be like Errol Flynn!”

TJ: Do you have a favorite comic artist? LEE: Oh, so many. I worked with Jack Kirby most. He was just great. He could draw 1 2 anything and make it look so exciting. But

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using complex dialogue when the powers that before you know it, the day is over. be felt that comics should be simple. Wasn’t it with the Fantastic Four that this started? TJ: And the two of you created POW! LEE: Well my publisher just wanted action Entertainment together? with no personal life or anything. I was tired LEE: Yes. And a third partner who is not of it and I wanted to quit. My wife said, with us any longer, but we’ve been running “Before you quit, why don’t you do one story it together for over ten years. the way you’d like to? If your boss doesn’t like it, he’ll fire you, but you want to quit TJ: Do you have any regrets in your career? anyway!” So I did The Fantastic Four and LEE: Not really, I’m usually too busy... But tried to give them personal problems that yeah, I’d like to have created Superman. the reader might be involved with. Luckily (laughs) for me, the book sold! So then I did The Hulk, and X-Men and Spider-Man and so TJ: So was there a turning point in your forth. career? LEE: Yeah, when my wife said, “Make the TJ: So as I understand it, your creative output stories that you want to write.” I guess that is greater than any other comic writer. Why was as much of a turning point as you can have you been able to produce so much over get. the years? 5 LEE: I didn’t know that! I’d be the last per- TJ: Do you have a proudest achievement? son to say that. But I produced a lot because LEE: Yeah, that you bothered to come and First issue of Stan Lee's "Blood Red Dragon" I enjoy doing it. And If I can write some- interview me. It makes me feel very impor- comic book about X-Japan founder Yoshiki thing that other people enjoy, that makes tant. me very happy. LEE: Well, I never understood the side- TJ: I bet! You must be very nervous. kick business, like “Batman and Robin”. I TJ: Are you a workaholic? LEE: (Laughs) I like what I’ve done. I like 3 always used to say, if I were a superhero why LEE: Maybe. I hate to sit around doing the fact that people seem to be interested Stan Lee introduces Yoshiki at the Grammy Museum's Yoshiki Exhibition opening in L.A. would I want to go around with some teen- nothing. So if I have spare time, and if my in it. ager? At the very worst, people might talk! wife is busy, then there is nothing else to do we worked with so many great artists. Steve Chinese and someone else into Japanese, so a live theatrical production in Macau that Sometimes the story might call for you to but write! TJ: Tell me what you would like to do in the Ditko, and Gene Colan and John Buscema it took me forever to finish that little speech! we’re doing. Whatever’s to be done in enter- have a partner, but in most that I’ve written future. and John Romita; it goes on and on. But both sides were wonderful. tainment, we like to be part of it. the hero could stand on his own. It made it TJ: So what is an average day for you? LEE: Exactly what we are doing now. We easier for me - one less name to remember!” LEE: I wake up, come to the office, and have so many movies and shows being pre- TJ: Is there one piece of work that stands out TJ: Do you do any business in Asia? TJ: So throughout your career, your super- get yelled at by my partner, Gill Champion. pared, I can’t wait until they’re on the screen, to you as your best? LEE: Yes, we have a manga book in Japan heroes don’t often have sidekicks. Why’s that? TJ: When you are creating a superhero, how (laughs) We try to take the project that needs so there is always a lot to look forward to. LEE: No. I’m my biggest fan! I love eve- called “Ultimo”. I came up with the hero, does the process work? the most attention that day and discuss how rything I’ve written. Every time I read one and the comic book comes out all the time. LEE: Well, obviously the first thing is to we’ll do it. If it’s a story, what’s the best way TJ: Can you give me an example of a current of the old stories, I can’t believe I was that I believe the “Heroman” animated TV series think what superpower he or she has. Then, to do the script? If it’s a film, who’s best to project? good! Did I do that? Wow! That’s great! is still running. I very much enjoyed working you say to yourself, “How can I make people direct it? There are so many decisions that LEE: Yeah, we have one called Stan Lee’s (laughs) with them – we had a little computer here care about this and be interested?” Then and they had theirs, and we would see each most important to me is the hero’s personal Stan Lee with his creation Spider-Man TJ: Did Japanese comics or animation have other on the computer and try and make out life and how this affects the hero’s superhero an influence on you? what we were saying. It was fun! Right now existence. Because to me if you are not inter- LEE: Yes! Because they are such a different we’re working on a motion picture called ested in the character’s personal life, then all style of storytelling, I don’t know whether “The Annihilator” with a Chinese company you are getting is someone running around they influenced me that much, but I was and a cartoon series called “Chakra: The beating up bad guys. always fascinated by them. Invincible” with an Indian company. TJ: Do you have a favorite superhero? TJ: Have you ever worked with Japanese TJ: I understand you did “Blood Red Dragon” LEE: Oh, I’m like a parent with children. I animators? based on the Japanese rock and classical musi- love them all equally. LEE: Yes, a few – very talented artists. Some cian Yoshiki. Japanese animation is just beautiful. LEE: Yes! We made a superhero out of TJ: And what made you decide to give your Yoshiki, and it was quite a good book. superheroes human flaws or moral flaws? TJ: What about Osamu Tezuka? LEE: Well, I always tried to write the stories LEE: Oh, he was wonderful! There are so TJ: And this is all being done through POW!? that I myself would like to read, and I want many talented people in Japan. The last time LEE: Oh, we have this company called to know what kind of person is he. Nobody I went was with a delegation of Japanese “POW! Entertainment” and I’m sure you’ve 4 is free of worry. “What does he worry about? animators and we also went to China and figured out already that POW! stands for What are his problems?” met Chinese animators, and I had to make a “Purveyors of Wonder”. We do television Chakra the Invincible – the first superhero created speech. Someone translated what I said into shows, movies, digital comics, and there’s for India by Stan Lee TJ: I understood you took a lot of flack for

36 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 37 Living Legends

Mighty 7: a new group of superheroes that TJ: And how did POW! come about? brief as he does. I tend to talk too much but I came up with. It’s going to appear on the CHAMPION: Post Marvel - I was fortunate he’s teaching me. Hub television network as an animated enough to meet Stan. Despite his personal- motion picture. In fact they are supposed ity, I fell in love with his vision for creating TJ: From a corporate perspective, what is the to do three of them. I like to consider it the new franchises. We’ve been working every strength of POW! Entertainment? world’s first reality superhero story because I day and night since then. CHAMPION: Our intellectual property is appear as a character, as do other living peo- the key. The strength of POW! is its assets, ple. So it’s our usual type of superhero thing TJ: And what business were you in before and the assets are the IP. We really have a plus the inclusion of real people. that? treasure chest of IP and most of it has been CHAMPION: Entertainment - production, created by Mr. Lee. 10 or 15% of projects 9 TJ: So you’ve made many cameos in various licensing and merchandising. brought to us fit under the Stan Lee / POW! pictures, Do you want to have a more signif i- umbrella and so we embrace those. Stan Lee awarded 2008 American National Medal cant part? TJ: What are some of your biggest projects at of the Arts by U.S. President George Bush LEE: (laughs). I wouldn’t have time to go the moment? TJ: Great. Well, we’ve got 8 minutes. I can’t to rehearsals even if they wanted me, and CHAMPION: Well, every project we do believe it. Mr. Lee, just keep talking! ya but don’t be a pest.” (chuckles) nobody has said they want me. I guess I have here is big! But we probably have 25 or 30 LEE: I’m not used to not talking! I didn’t CHAMPION: There’s one thing we’d like a starring role in the Mighty 7, but since it’s in various stages of development including realize he’d take over the way he did. I to see. There has been a movement in the 7 a cartoon, all I have to do is lend my voice. I live action and animation, film, television, wouldn’t have invited him in! (laughs) Academy Award divisions to create an award have a supporting role in a television series digital... and we really see the future of dis- for Best Cameo Actor. Stan’s a shoe-in. based on Marvel characters, called “Shield”. for one lecture but you’re really doing about tribution on new tablets and iOS operating TJ: Well, let’s get back to it. Any dreams still I’m excited about that. But again, I could do four. Because when they pick you up at the systems that reach a whole new generation to achieve? TJ: Mr. Lee, is there anyone that you were that in one hour. airport, it’s usually a bunch of kids who won of fans for us. LEE: Oh, yeah. I haven’t won an Oscar. Or nervous to meet? a contest or something, and they’re asking an Emmy. Or a Nobel Prize. Or a Pulitzer. LEE: Not really. It’s fun meeting people. TJ: You seem very happy. What’s your secret? questions the entire ride. That’s one lecture! TJ: What is your favorite part about working There is a lot still to be done! Even when I met President Bush, Gil was LEE: Oh, that’s just an act I put on for You make your lecture. That’s Number Two. with Stan Lee? with me. I got an award – and that was a interviews. (laughs) I don’t know. I think if Then the Dean or somebody says, “Before CHAMPION: Everything. I’m really the TJ: What awards have you received? very funny thing. Olivia de Havilland also you’re lucky enough to enjoy your work, the you go, the student committee would like luckiest guy I know. LEE: Oh, actually quite a few: all sorts of got one and he kissed her on the cheek. So woman you come home to, and the people to have dinner with you.” But every time LEE: I keep telling him that… little metal things and plaques. I’ve gotten I said to him, “I’m not going to have to kiss you work with, I don’t know how you can you lift your fork, ya gotta stop and answer CHAMPION: You told me to say that! No, the key to a number of cities that I’ve spoken you, am I?” And he started laughing… I’ll have more. a question. That’s your third! Then another really… I can’t wait to come to work, which at. But I’m always disappointed because the never forget that. Luckily he had a sense of group drives you to the airport - that’s TJ: Did you, yourself, attend college? is a rarity, I am sure. key doesn’t unlock anything. It’s just a heavy humor. TJ: You’ve lectured all over the U.S. at vari- your fourth! The first lecture I did I was so LEE: Only for six months and only because thing that I have to carry back…it’s nice to ous colleges and universities, right? excited and put on my best suit and made there was a girl I liked. I signed up for a TJ: What are your secrets to time manage- get it. TJ: Do politics play a big role in cartoons? LEE: Oh, from maybe 1970 to 1980 there sure I looked real good. I got there and they night course so I could be with her, but then ment? CHAMPION: His home looks like a muse- LEE: Not really. I was always aware that wasn’t a day that I wasn’t going to some were like a bunch of hippies - dirty slacks; we broke up so that was the end of my col- CHAMPION: There is no time manage- um and a treasure chest of all this memora- I had a lot of influence among readers so school or university somewhere. You’re paid torn, dirty t-shirt… I felt like an idiot! The lege career. ment. We just crush in everything we can, bilia that has been collected. I never wanted to give my feeling about next time I said, “I’m not going to make the and now between the Internet and Skype Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conserva- same mistake again”, and I dressed like a TJ: It seems that a lot of your superheroes are conferencing, it’s really a 24-hour day. TJ: I bet. Well, the pictures here in your tives… that wasn’t my place. I always tried 6 slob. I went there and was invited to dinner intelligent. off ice. It looks like you’ve met a few people! to stay away from anything to do with at the Dean’s residence, all served by a guy LEE: Yes. Spider-Man was a science honors TJ: Do you have any comments, Mr. Lee? President Reagan, Bush, Hillary Clinton… influencing kids as far as politics go. I tried with white gloves and I’m sitting there look- student. Iron Man was a multimillionaire, LEE: No, I was fascinated by what he said. LEE: I’ve got to tell them, “Guys - run the to influence them as far as doing the right ing like a bum! So, one of the big problems inventor of weapons and things, but an I was wishing I could keep my answers as country by yourself! I’m busy! I’ll try to help thing, but not politics. of college lecturing is you never know what intellectual. Bruce Banner, The Hulk, was a to wear! scientist. Now that I think about it most of POW! Entertainment Co-Founders Stan Lee and Gill Champion TJ: Do you have a message to young people my heroes were intellectuals! that are just starting their careers? TJ: Were your lectures standardized? LEE: Yeah, come see all my movies and LEE: I had a prepared speech but tried not TJ: Let’s talk about the business side of POW! cameos, and buy all my comic books! to say the same every time. I would ask who- Entertainment. Anytime POW! does something, be sure ever hired me, “What are they most inter- LEE: Then, let me introduce you to my you don’t miss it! (laughs) No, the only thing ested in?” Of course usually it was super- partner, Gill Champion. The good thing I would say is a lot of people try to write for heroes. I learned that academics thought about Gill is he knows what he’s talking somebody else. I have never felt that way. I that reading comics was the greatest thing about! try to write stories that I would wanna read. for young children, because it taught them CHAMPION: Yes, Stan, but you could fool Because I don’t know you that well. But I to enjoy reading. If you put a 5- or 6-year anybody! (laughter) know myself. If I can write a story and I can’t old in front of the television, and there’s a wait to see how it ends, hopefully there are superhero comic book laying there, at some TJ: Mr. Champion, could you tell us a bit other people with the same taste. Don’t start point they’ll pick up that book, and you can’t about yourself and POW! Entertainment? out saying, “Oh, I think that would interest enjoy it unless you can read. So they kind CHAMPION: I’m President and CEO of that type of person so I’ll write that.” You of forced themselves to learn to read. These POW! Entertainment. You explained what know yourself better than you know that books that people used to hate turned out to POW! stands for, didn’t you Stan? person…..That was very profound! (laughs) Stan Lee stars as himself in the animated film 8 "Stan Lee's Mighty 7" teach literacy, which made me very happy. LEE: POW! is Purveyors of Wonder. tj

38 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 39 Architecture

TANGE: I believe there were more than 200 entries and we were very fortunate to be awarded first prize and selected for the project. Genius is in the Genes TJ: How did you come up with the cocoon Interview with Tange Associates President Paul Noritaka Tange concept? TANGE: Well, students have to be cherished and nourished before graduating and entering the real world. So we felt the concept of a cocoon, where one could be nurtured EPTEMBER 4, 2013 marked 100 TANGE: Well, I think for some time before joining the adult world, would be years since the birth of one of the Japanese architecture has been quite success- appropriate. most influential architects of the 20th ful compared to other Japanese industries. Scentury – Pritzker Prize winning Japanese It has gained global recognition and many TJ: Why such a stylish building for a school? school is not only what you learn in a class- architect Kenzo Tange (1913 - 2005). Many Japanese architects have done work abroad. TANGE: Actually the building houses three room but also in a corridor. The classroom of Tokyo’s most renowned landmarks are I believe my father was one of the first to vocational schools: a fashion school, IT and is often a top-down situation with a teacher Kenzo Tange’s structures, including the begin doing work abroad in the 1960s. If I medical. The school [MODE GAKUEN] lecturing, but the corridor, and by extension Tokyo City Hall Complex (Tocho); the recall correctly, his first foreign project was first began as a fashion school and it was the schoolyard, is where students can expand National Gymnasium designed for the 1964 the master plan of the city of Skopje in the our hope that fashion students would be ideas by more casual, stimulating conversa- Tokyo Olympics; Shinjuku Park Tower / former Yugoslavia. Skopje is now the capital stimulated to study in the building because tion. Given it was a vertical development we Park Hyatt Tokyo; Akasaka Prince Hotel, of Macedonia. The city was destroyed by an of the architecture. had to truncate the schoolyard and put one as well as dozens of celebrated structures earthquake and the United Nations asked on top of each other. These kinds of chal- across Japan and the world. A professor of my father to plan a new city. I believe last TJ: Was this an important project for you? lenges we faced, and this I believe is why architecture at Japan’s prestigious University year was the 50th anniversary of that devas- TANGE: Yes, very. It was one of our first we gained such recognition. It’s not just the of Tokyo, Kenzo Tange mentored many of tation and we went back to Skopje where large scale project submissions in Japan after shape of the building that was a success. Japan’s most acclaimed architects includ- we reconnected. I was very honored to be my father’s passing. ing Kisho Kurokawa, Arata Isozaki, Yoshio invited back on behalf of the Tanges after TJ: It was quite a challenge to build a school in Taniguchi and Fumihiko Maki. 50 years. So that was my father’s first project TJ: So was it your proudest achievement to a 50-story high rise building. abroad. Many of his students followed him date? TANGE: Yes, in the 20th century most high

Kenzo Tange passed away on March 22, in the seventies and eighties. TANGE: We are proud of every project. I Photographs Koji Horiuchi by rise buildings were offices, later came resi- 2005 at the age of 91, but not before pass- shouldn’t say this is our proudest; whenever MODE GAKUEN Cocoon Tower dential buildings, and then in the eighties ing the baton to his son Paul Noritaka TJ: Your father had many renowned students we look at a project, each project is very our Park Tower Building in Shinjuku was Tange. Paul earned his bachelor’s degree and disciples including the late architect Dr. special to us. The reason I mentioned the not. Of course when we create architecture, the first Japanese vertical mixed use devel- at Harvard University (1981) and master’s Kisho Kurokawa, who did several projects MODE GAKUEN Cocoon Tower was so we try to create a better place for people to opment that included retail, office and a in architecture from Harvard University’s came in 2008 when, under Paul Tange’s abroad including the Kuala Lumpur Airport, special was because it drew so much atten- spend their precious time. hotel on top. We also completed a 24-story Graduate School of Design (1985), before direction, Tange Associates unveiled one the new wing of the Van Gogh Museum tion from people who must have been shopping mall in Hong Kong. I think many completing a research term with the of Tokyo’s most remarkable structures and and the master plan for the capital city of wondering, “What’s going to happen to TJ: Is it harder to draw people’s attention now future projects will have to go vertical; it is Ministry of Construction. He then joined the world’s second tallest educational build- Kazakhstan. He taught and mentored so Tange Associates now that Kenzo Tange has that people always look at their cell phones going to be an interesting voyage. I don’t Kenzo Tange Associates, where he was pro- ing: the MODE GAKUEN Cocoon Tower. many great architects. passed away?” This project was our oppor- while they are walking? mean just Tange, but architecture in gen- moted to Executive Vice President in 1988 Tokyo Journal Executive Editor Anthony TANGE: Yes, of course, Mr. Kurokawa, Mr. tunity to prove that we at Tange Associates TANGE: Yes, and another challenge is that eral, because I believe we are going to begin and President in 1996. In 2003 the father Al-Jamie spoke with Paul Tange. Isozaki, Mr. Taniguchi and many others. are still producing architecture that is very information is everywhere. It’s hard to be redefining the typology of architecture as and son duo renamed the company Tange They worked for my father in the seventies substantial. original these days. land becomes scarce in the city. What’s next? Associates, with Paul Tange as its first TJ: I understand you earned your bachelor’s and eighties and many graduates of Tange Vertical stadiums? A soccer field? Tennis president. degree at Harvard University and master’s Kenkyushitsu have become leaders in the TJ: So do you think the Cocoon Tower is a TJ: Well you certainly accomplished original- court? Ice skating rink? Everything in one in architecture from the Harvard Graduate architectural world. So I believe it was a success? ity with the Cocoon Tower. tower? Why not? Then we’ll have vertical Paul Tange had significant success heading School of Design. How long were you in the very rewarding thing for my father to be a TANGE: It’s not up to me to say if it is good TANGE: Yes, but some have commented resorts and so on. It might not seem pos- up the architectural design of complex pro- Boston area? professor. or bad because architecture is very subjec- that aspects of it are similar to The Gherkin sible, but 50 years ago a 50-story school was jects such as the Tokyo Dome Hotel (2000) TANGE: I was there for seven and a half tive, but many have seen the building and by Norman Foster. The Gherkin is actually unheard of. If we put our minds together I despite pressure from critics of neighboring years. TJ: Tell me about the MODE GAKUEN commented on it, which I believe means it is a circular building and the Cocoon Tower think we can redefine things. goliath structure, the Tokyo Dome. In order Cocoon Tower in Shinjuku. It’s fantastic! already a success. I always tell my architects is not, but some think they look similar and to approve and complete the Tokyo Dome TJ: How is it living in Tokyo now? TANGE: Thank you. It was quite an exciting that the day we begin producing buildings everyone has a right to their opinion. For TJ: Well you certainly rose to the occasion Hotel project Tange’s architects had to make TANGE: It’s a good time to be in Tokyo. project for us because it was a very rare situ- that people do not notice will be the day we me, it was important that the architecture be because the MODE GAKUEN Cocoon Tower considerable adjustments, including having Mr. Abe’s new economic policies seem to be ation where the client came without many close our doors. functional. Classrooms should be rectilinear is one of the most remarkable structures in to rotate the entire hotel to make it appear working and the 2020 Olympics will help restrictions. Their one and only requirement so that there are no blind spots, and expand- Tokyo today. Obviously your father prepared thinner. to make for an even better situation for our was they wanted to see architecture which TJ: What are you trying to accomplish? able, by being able to move the wall and so you well. economy. It looks like we may be finally they had never seen before. TANGE: That architecture somehow touch- on. Those elements are in this building. The TANGE: I was quite fortunate. I worked In 2005, after the passing of Kenzo Tange, coming back into the global picture. es people’s feelings, and I think my father circular part is a three-story atrium, which is with my father for over 20 years and many the world of architecture waited with great TJ: There must have been a lot of archi- shared this philosophy. I think a successful our interpretation or innovation in creating of our key staff here now did too. Two of anticipation to see whether Paul Tange pos- TJ: How is the f ield of architecture doing in tects vying for this project given the freedom building gets people’s attention and inspires a vertical schoolyard. My father was an edu- my deputies Mr. Yasuhiro Ishino and Mr. sessed his father’s artistic genius. The answer Japan? granted by the client. them to comment - whether they like it or cator, and we know that what is important in Yoshinori Takahashi, worked with my father

40 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 41 Architecture

beauty is a very important part of function and what I am trying to say is not far from that.

TJ: Did your father feel it was important to let you see the world outside of Japan? TANGE: Yes, and I would suggest that today’s young people do, too. I was very fortunate. I didn’t think so at the time but I got to travel to many far away and unique places with my father on business. Places like Tanzania or Nigeria where we rode in a helicopter from Lagos to a potential new capital. It was very exciting. Seeing things firsthand is very important. Now nobody has to go anywhere; you can see everything online. But I think with architecture you have to feel the space. Of course you can Photograph by SS Tokyo Photograph SS by look at the Vatican, Sistine Chapel on the Tokyo Dome Hotel monitor, but when you go there you get a completely different sensation. So, yes, my for over 30 years. As the core members all Corbusier. In fact, Maekawa sensei worked father gave me a lot of exposure to places, worked with my father, they understand the for Le Corbusier and was a leader in bring- people and culture.

essence of Kenzo Tange’s architecture. ing western architecture back to Japan. So I Photograph Koji Horiuchi by guess my father had no choice but to work TJ: So, when did your international exposure Yoyogi National Gymnasium with MODE GAKUEN Cocoon Tower and Tokyo City Hall Complex in the distant background TJ: So are you holding on to your father’s for himself because the people he wanted begin? traditions? to work under were gone by the time he TANGE: I went to high school in Switzerland were included in their casual gatherings. We TANGE: Well, Mr. Fumihiko Maki is mak- Olympic Gymnasiums. Another was St. TANGE: We are not simply holding on to became an architect. and went with my father to Massachusetts travelled all over: Africa, the Middle East, ing a very strong argument and in some ways Mary’s Cathedral. I am sure my father liked the philosophy of Kenzo Tange. We are when he taught architecture at Harvard in Southeast Asia, etc., and I was very fortunate I think he is correct. The scale of the build- it because that is where he was buried. Of striving to bring architecture to the next TJ: Is there another architect or country the seventies. So my family travels began to get to see so many different places. ing and so on should be discussed. These are course, there was his first: the Hiroshima level, architecture that meets the needs of where the architects impress or influence you? when I was 13 or 14. Once, we went to things that architects must face. My firm did Peace Memorial Park. I could go on forever society today. TANGE: I think architects in Asia are grow- Saudi Arabia to look at the National Guest TJ: Where does most of your work come from? the Tokyo Dome Hotel and we had to make because he had a special feeling about each ing stronger. It’s hard to name one architect House site. It was a unique experience. We TANGE: Well, it’s certainly geared towards many adjustments in order to get the build- project, but he never said which one was his TJ: Did your father have a strong architec- but in Malaysia, Ken Yeang is one of the met members of the royal family, and we Asia now. That’s where the economic growth ing completed. Many people were upset favorite. He always said, “The next one.” tural philosophy? people who started the green architecture is. We have our head office in Tokyo and six when the Tokyo Dome’s huge stadium roof, TANGE: Unlike many architects who have movement, and there is a lot going on in The One, Hong Kong other offices in Shanghai, Taipei, Jakarta, which was designed by another architectural TJ: He was always thinking ahead to the next a particular style visually, my father tried to Southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Singapore, and then Associate Offices in firm, had destroyed the atmosphere of the project, you mean? create traditional Japanese architecture and Indonesia. I enjoy seeing new trends from London and Vancouver. Only 25% of our area and thus we had a difficult time getting TANGE: He said this when I was young, and merge it with western culture and modern China. I think we used to see China as a work is in Japan and the other 75% outside. approval without making many adjustments. I did not quite understand what he meant. I architecture. I believe this was the origin country learning from us, but now we have Out of that 75% approximately 90% is in So I’m not saying anything good or bad thought he was being polite and didn’t want of my father’s architecture: blending tradi- so much to learn from them. I get stimula- Asian countries like China, Hong Kong, about Zaha Hadid’s building but I do think to name a favorite one. Now that I have been tion with technology and urbanscape with tion from friends in different fields from Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, when creating architecture, environment, working as an architect for over 30 years, I architecture. Architecture cannot stand on all over the world. For example, architects Malaysia, and hopefully Thailand will come. scale and such things must be considered. think I realize what he meant. He really felt its own. It has to stand in a city or in its design buildings, but aren’t necessarily that We do have some projects in the Middle It is not Zaha’s fault. I think she presented that way because there is no finished product surroundings. My father’s work was at the creative. Bankers, on the other hand, are fan- East and potential projects in Europe but her submission to the competition within in architecture. If you look back at a project, beginning of this trend of blending urban- tastic! They convince you one bank is better as we are based in Japan, we do most of our the requirements. I don’t know how the there are so many different ways you could ism and architecture where east meets west than another. But they sell money. They are work in Asia. scale issues got overlooked but we have to have done things. When I look at my build- and tradition meets technology. selling the same thing! I think that is very consider the scale of it because Gaien Park ings, I cannot name my favorite either. We creative! (laughs) TJ: Are there any issues that you feel archi- is a very important historical place. This put so much time and effort into them and TJ: Which architects had the greatest influ- tects need to address? matter should not be taken lightly. It is not every building is very dear to us. ence on your father’s work? TJ: Do you practice sustainable architecture? TANGE: We don’t want all Asian cities to a question of budget. It is a concern of the TANGE: Well, my father always said that TANGE: We try to create buildings that look alike and lose their character. Buildings environment because once you destroy it, TJ: So is there some place you’d like to do work he would only work under two archi- make people feel good. I think that is the should represent the city and its feeling. you cannot get it back. in that you are not working in now? Would tects - Michelangelo and Le Corbusier! true meaning of sustainability. Of course, we Architects need to capture that, otherwise you like to do work in the U.S.? Unfortunately Michelangelo was no longer need to be environmentally responsible, but we are going to produce cookie-cutter cities. TJ: Let’s talk about your father’s buildings. TANGE: Well it would be nice to work in here, so there was only Le Corbusier, but he I think you have to go beyond that by mak- My father strongly advocated combining the Is there a particular building of your father’s the United States. I don’t have any borders. I never had a chance to work with him, even ing a place comfortable for people. urban setting with architecture. that you are most proud of? once had a wonderful panel discussion with though they did have a very good relation- TANGE: I don’t know which one was his Mr. César Pelli. He was asked the question, ship. My father worked with people like Mr. TJ: Right. Because if it’s not, it’s not going to TJ: What are your thoughts on Zaha Hadid’s best but now everybody is talking about “What kind of client is a good client?” and Hideto Kishida and Mr. Kunio Maekawa be sustainable. We’re going to tear it down! plan for a mammoth Olympic stadium in the 2020 Olympics and one of my father’s he replied, “The one who knocked on my

sensei who were very influenced by Le TANGE: Exactly! My father used to say that Wong Photograph Freeman by central Tokyo? important buildings was the Yoyogi door.” A great answer! (laughs) tj

42 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 43 Editor’s Insight

Garrity’s Japan

Robert E. Garrity has had a 50-year love affair with Japan. He is the Tokyo Journal’s Editor-in-Chief, founding President of the Japan-America Marketing Institute; professor of Japanese business, management and marketing, and an authority on haiku. He is a member of the International Haiku Association and the first American to present at its convention. He has written two books and published over 30 articles in Japanese. For a number of years he was a regular contributor to magazines in Tokyo including “Bonjour” magazine, in which he was published monthly. He is a Photo of Kiyoshi Atsumi as Tora-san student of the writings of such renowned Japanese poets as Matsuo for Tokyo Journal November 1988 cover Basho, Yosa Buson, Kobayashi Issa and Masaoka Shiki. courtesy of Shochiku, Ltd.

The Open Road in distress and spend a great deal of time The following is a continuation of Robert “....had Bashō ever attempting to help solve her problem, yet Garrity’s story describing his walk across Japan; all the moviegoers knew he would invariably a journey replicating haiku poet Matsuo Bashō’s watched Tora-san, fail in his relationship. The tragedy of his 1,500-mile journey from Fukagawa, Tokyo failure would bring tears to the eyes of his to Japan’s northern wilderness, as detailed in he would have applauded audience. Bashō’s world-famous travel diary, “Oku no In many ways, Tora-san reminds one Hosomichi.” Garrity began the first leg of his Tora-san’s misadventures” of another famous Japanese Nihonjinron: journey in the summer of 1994, and continues Matsuo Bashō, the master of haiku. Tora- walking different segments each time he returns san created visual poetry, and had Bashō ever to Japan. each day a new beginning” watched Tora-san, he would have applauded Tora-san’s misadventures. From Tokyo to Sōka: Tora-san and Bashō Whereas Bashō sought the meaning of I passed a French restaurant that has A chapter in Japan’s rich cultural heritage life in natural creations, Tora-san searched tables lined along the front of its outside closed with the untimely death of veteran for the meaning of life in human relations. area. The problem I see is that the tables are actor Kiyoshi Atsumi, known more popu- Both searched for their answers in epic set in such a manner that all the people sit larly as Tora-san. journeys. Bashō through his “Oku no side by side, looking out. It is as if they are in The “Otoko wa Tsurai yo” movie series Hosomichi” and other travel diaries, and a theater watching a film. They are, in fact, was described in the Guinness Book of Tora-san through his “Otoko wa tsurai yo.” watching pedestrian and automobile traffic Records as the world’s longest continuing Both were storytellers who gained their rather than paying attention to each other. series, beginning in 1969 and continuing inspirations from their journeys. This offers no perspective on life as far as I through its 48th episode this year. Now Tora-san is free to join Bashō as can determine. Why take your partner to an What created such an interest in Tora- members of an elite group of Japanese who expensive restaurant only to sit side by side san? Was it his manners? His remarkable really make a difference, if only for a few watching the people on the street? Rather beauty? His class? His ability to get the girl hours twice a year, in the lives of Japanese. than enjoying each other, they are watching at the end of the movie? Tora-san’s movies, like Bashō’s haiku, will cars go by and breathing in fumes and dirt. No. It was his sense of portrayal of what only get better as time goes by. Bashō, at the beginning of “Oku no is commonly called Nihonjinron. He played They are timeless. Hosomichi” states: the model Japanese man. That was his “The moon and sun are travelers through attraction. Journey’s end eternity. Even the years are also voyagers. Anybody who has ever seen a Tora-san Flowers fade Whether drifting through life on a boat or movie has seen them all. The movies usu- Lights come on climbing toward old age leading a horse. ally open with a scene of Tora-san and Each day is a journey, and the journey itself his family in a lower-class ward in Tokyo. This is a brief tribute to Bashō and Tora- is home. There was usually some disagreement with san at the end of their respective journeys. tj his Shibamata family with Tora-san leaving The road is my home to go back on the road. While travelling, To be continued in the 2014 Spring Issue of the wind my companion he would meet some young attractive lady Tokyo Journal

44 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Photos courtesy of Kjeld Duits

1 — The original wooden bridges of 3 — Women praying for the recovery of Nijubashi sometime in the 1870s. Emperor Meiji in front of Nijubashi in 2 — Modernization: Workers install 1912. electricity or telephone poles in front of Nijubashi, Imperial Palace 4 — Tourists being photographed in front a newly built stone bridge during the late of Nijubashi today. By Kjeld Duits 1880s. Time Warp

1 2 3 4

MONG the most photographed the defining images of Japan’s defeat in present form for just a little over one hun- In 1888 a brand new Imperial Palace was spots in Tokyo is the entrance to WWII in 1945. Photos of people kneeling dred years. They were deliberately manufac- completed. Meanwhile, the majority of the “To both visitors and Japanese alike, the Imperial Palace. Every day on the gravel after the Japanese emperor tured to create a feeling of common identity surviving Tokugawa structures disappeared thousandsA of people stand here, their backs surrendered to the Allies were shown around and nationalism among Japanese citizens. As one by one. Some were torn down to make this is traditional Japan; to the castle, their legs slightly apart, to have the world. Even though they still illustrate a stage for magnificent public ceremonies, way for new structures, while others were themselves photographed. The stately stone history books, these images are misleading. this place connected the emperor with his destroyed by fire or earthquakes. this is the face of the Japanese nation.” bridge, the old castle gate, the traditional Kōichi Kido, the emperor’s closest advisor at subjects. Here they came together and saw turret and the many trees make for an iconic the time, noted in his diary that some people each other. Among the structures that were replaced photo. were actually cheering. That they chose to were two unimpressive wooden bridges at do that here, where the emperor could hear Visually represented in woodblock prints, what is now the main entrance to the inner tal in German style. Japan’s constitution was for the promulgation created a modern style Iconic it is. It was here that tens of thou- them, shows the symbolic importance of the postcards and newspaper photographs, these castle grounds. In 1887 and 1888, they were based on the legal structures of Prussia. Even of ceremonial event that set the standard for sands of people prayed when Emperor Meiji location. “meetings” allowed people throughout the replaced by stone and iron bridges. They are school uniforms were inspired by Prussian all imperial events that followed. (1852–1912) laid on his deathbed, where nation to see themselves as “We the Japanese collectively known as Nijubashi (Double cadet uniforms. multitudes loudly cheered when Crown More recently, newly minted American People.” This notion of one community Bridge), but this was actually only the name The plaza was further perfected in 1906 Prince Yoshihito (1879–1926) got married, ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, didn’t really exist when Japan opened its of the bridge in the back. The original Around this time, what is now the wide- when wider entrances were built. The old where tens of thousands of troops marched entered the palace here in a horse-drawn doors to the world in 1854. The Japanese wooden bridge featured two levels and is open space in front of the palace was still Babasaki Gate was removed and two tri- by in long columns or stood facing the pal- carriage to present her credentials to the identified themselves with their birthplace, literally a double bridge. an integral part of the old castle and was umphal avenues were constructed that ace during the first half of the 19th century Japanese emperor. The Associated Press not the nation. To most, the emperor was an filled with buildings. As late as the 1880s, intersected in the center. Construction was when Japan transformed itself into a milita- called it a “diplomatic tradition” and along unknown entity. Here, as in few other places, There was little architecturally Japanese the area featured a library, horse–training completed just in time for the Triumphal ristic nation. with other news agencies it spread the imag- Japan’s feeling of nationhood was forged. about the new stone bridge. It didn’t mat- facilities, buildings of the Tokyo Garrison Military Review, a celebration of the victory es around the world. It symbolized a new ter that it didn’t look Japanese; it only and Imperial Guards, the estate of statesman over Russia and the largest military spectacle Here, after the Russo-Japanese War of 1904- cooperative stage in the fraught relationship When Emperor Meiji moved from Kyoto to mattered that it looked impressive. That it Iwakura Tomomi, and several other build- of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). 05, Japan celebrated its victory over the between Japan and the U.S. during times of his new residence in Tokyo in October 1868, did. Its design was described as German ings and facilities. To create a space for pub- Russian Empire with a display of 459 artil- growing tension with China. it was known as Edo Castle. First built in Renaissance. That also mattered. Germany lic rituals, the Imperial Household Ministry It was only about two decades after Emperor lery pieces, 70,000 rifles and 1,235 swords 1457, the castle had been the residence and was a rising power in the late 19th century; razed them all when the new palace was Meiji’s arrival in Tokyo that a place to and lances. All of them were captured from The palace entrance and the wide-open headquarters of the Tokugawa shogunate and an ambitious Japan, eager to impress completed in 1888. celebrate the Japanese identity was born, the enemy. One British journalist called it plaza overflow with symbolism. To both since the early 17th century. The castle, by Western nations, modeled many of its new and just a little over a century ago that the “a spectacle altogether without precedent in visitors and Japanese alike, this is traditional now run down and dilapidated, was con- institutions on German ideas. The Japanese This newly created public space was first process was consolidated. Yet it now seems the history of the world.” Japan; this is the face of the Japanese nation. veniently consumed by flames on a spring army followed the Prussian model. Two used on February 11, 1889, when Emperor as if both the traditions and the place were But this place and its “traditions” are actually night in 1873, just five years after the young famous German architects were creating Meiji promulgated the new constitution – always there. tj This is also the place that created one of remarkably new. They have existed in their emperor’s arrival. important government buildings in the capi- Asia’s first. The ceremonies and festivities

46 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 47 Rock ’N’ Roll SKISS’samurai Gene Simmons From Legendary Rock and Roll Superstar to Business Warrior, Music Business CEO Gene Simmons Conquers All

Interview by Anthony Al-Jamie

Rock star, producer, publisher, actor, reality TV star, family man, professional sports team owner, entrepreneur and all-round marketing genius: what kind of steroids must one take to master so many ventures with dynamic energy and youthful enthusiasm for over 40 years? To find out, I drove to Gene Simmons’ Beverly Hills mansion. Meeting Gene Simmons was an educational experience from the get-go. Parking on the edge of the large circular driveway to this huge mansion - the kind you only see on a reality TV show - I looked up to see the towering KISS star on top of the staircase, yelling pinpoint directions to me about where to park. Before the interview; before I’d even parked the car, I knew this was a man who was in control. I couldn’t help but feel intimidated, but as I entered his palatial estate Simmons greeted me with a kind smile and, knowing that I had lived in Japan for many years, introduced himself in perfect Japanese using all the politest forms of the language. He offered me a cup of coffee and asked me to wait in his office, which doubles as a KISS museum. It includes literally thousands of unique KISS and Gene Simmons branded memorabilia – everything from motor scooters to pachinko machines! If you can put a brand on it, Gene and KISS have done it! A few moments later Gene entered the room and I sat down with this multi-faceted and articulate media magnate.

TJ: I’ve lived in Japan for 20 years and I guage, isn’t it? Chaim Witz to Gene Simmons? I think Witz was surprised to hear how well you speak SIMMONS: Well, that’s exactly right. When sounded pretty cool. Japanese. Your pronunciation is spot-on! in Rome, do as the Romans do. When you SIMMONS: It doesn’t work. SIMMONS: Well, I know enough to say to go to another culture, it’s time to buckle your a girl, “Anata wa utsukushii. Anata wa saiko knees, bow and give respect because the peo- TJ: No? desu! Mina san hakushu!” and all that stuff. ple, the language, and the culture have been SIMMONS: Your name doesn’t either. Just a few phrases. Let’s put it this way: if I around forever. landed in Japan, I could find the bathroom, TJ: What? get a good night sleep and tell a girl she’s TJ: So, Gene, you’re originally from Israel, SIMMONS: It doesn’t work! beautiful, which is, after all, all you need! right? SIMMONS: Yeah, I don’t look Swiss, do I? TJ: So should I just use my f irst name as my TJ: It’s a sign of respect for someone’s culture last name – Anthony? when you make an effort to learn the lan- TJ: Why did you change your name from SIMMONS: What’s your middle name? Photo by Bob Gruen Gene Simmons kimono by YOSHIKI's "Yoshikimono" Katana sword provided 48 Tokyo Journal #274 by Little Star Enterprises, Inc. Photo Kevin Baldes by Photo Kevin Baldes by

TJ: Mark. Japanese officials, they were very gracious, song, they’d be allowed to clap but not SIMMONS: Well, there you go. Mark but said, “You don’t look like the photos in allowed to stand and nobody in the aisles. Anthony. You know what? It sounds pretty your passports. You have to take the makeup Then at the end they were escorted out in darn good and no one is going to ask you off.” Here we are - we had spent two hours an orderly way. We had never seen anything how to spell it. People have preconceived putting the makeup on, we had to take the like it. It has changed. Now it’s become more notions. So, when you go to a funeral, put makeup off, and then an official looked at westernized and if you want to jump up and on something dark. People judge you by the the photos and our faces and said, “Yes, it’s down and scream, you can - now. Many of

first impression, which is what you look like, you. OK, you can pass.” Then we had to go the fans came dressed in makeup with their courtesy of McGhee Entertainment. Provided Photo LeRoux. by Keith your name, how you dress, how you walk, back to another room and put the makeup own unique look. how you talk, people skills. You’re allowed back on, because we knew the fans were out to mix it up and get any reaction you want, there. We then got into limousines and there TJ: What are you doing in Japan these days? isolation for more than 200 years until the TJ: I understand your wedding was planned into the fire and cooked it! You don’t have to but if you want to slide through and take the was another set of limousines that drove off SIMMONS: As you know, we just toured U.S. Navy demanded Japan open its trade to by Yoshitaka Nojiri, a Japanese wedding eat it raw anymore! How about the jumbo express… check out my next book. It is all with imitators so that the fans would jump Japan recently and we’ve teamed up with the west, and within something like 50 years, planner? shrimp and things like that that they stick about that: “ME, Inc.” Certain things [we] on them like locusts and start to shake the Hello Kitty for KISS Hello Kitty. A KISS Japan beat Russia in the Russo-Japanese SIMMONS: He was fantastic! His company on the grill that go “Eeeeek” with their legs can’t change - our racial type, our height, etc. cars. Some figured out we were there when Hello Kitty TV show is starting production War. So, by the early 20th century, [ Japan] is the absolute finest, most gracious, and flying out? They make these high-pitched Those things that we can change, I decided we came in with our makeup. It was an soon and will be seen around the world later arrived on the world stage and was able to professional entity I’ve come to work with! sounds. You can see their eyes going, “Oh, to take control of. Dress British. Think amazing time. We always go back to Japan. this year. challenge one of the major powers. So I It was fast, quiet, professional, and thorough. s**t! Oh, f**k! What’s going to happen? Do Yiddish. The ones who survive in the animal It’s an amazing place. knew a little bit about Japanese history, but We were renewing our vows. Before we were you think they’re gonna… No, they wouldn’t kingdom are the chameleons who blend in, as for the makeup, it just sort of happened. even done with the party, we were watch- dare! Oh, s**t!” and nature does that - your skin pelt, your TJ: Had you travelled before Japan as a band? Since then, KISS has grown into a culture. ing the fully edited video with music! They color, changes with the environment. There SIMMONS: We had been to England and It’s not just a band. It’s a brand. People name acted like: just have your vows. Forget about TJ: So you speak some other languages. You are no bright red or bright yellow animals Europe, but had yet to hit the world stage. their children after us. They have KISS con- us. But while it was all going on, a full staff have some understanding of Hungarian, is who are landlocked. They might fly through ventions all over the world. They tattoo their of about 30 people were taking photos, vide- that right? the air but even that’s not a good idea TJ: So it must have been quite the shock to bodies with our faces! It’s quite remarkable. oing and editing all at the same time. I’ve SIMMONS: I’m fluent in Hungarian. I can because they can be seen by the hawks. you to see the fans the f irst time you arrived. But I do have boots that were influenced never seen anything like it. get by in German, Hebrew and English. Or did you know you had this huge following by Godzilla. When I was a kid, I’ll never TJ: Did you just plug your book? there? forget watching the end of the movie when TJ: What do you like about Japan? TJ: How did you learn these languages? SIMMONS: This message was brought to SIMMONS: We had heard about it. It all Godzilla completely destroys Tokyo, and SIMMONS: You can go to different parts of SIMMONS: My mother and my father are you by Gene Simmons. started with our second album “Hotter than it starts to go back into the water unchal- Japan and see a modern city with skyscrap- Hungarian and although we hardly ever Hell.” The album art director, a guy named lenged. There’s a little boy waving, saying ers, geisha walking down the street, the huge spoke it, I picked it up. I learned German TJ: So, on with the interview. When was the Norman Seeff, an accomplished photogra- “Good-bye Godzilla. Thank you for destroy- Buddha, or just take the bullet train and see because I took it for six months in school f irst time that you visited Japan? pher, decided to have a Japanese motif with ing civilization! Good-bye!” It was so surreal amazing scenery. And any second I expect to and then we toured Germany; Hebrew SIMMONS: KISS first went to Japan in certain words written in Japanese. So when to me. It was like his best friend just killed see Rodan, Ghidorah, Mothra and Godzilla because I was born in Israel, and a few 1977, and it was like Beatlemania. In Tokyo, people both in the U.S. and Japan saw the his parents and destroyed all of civilization. to come over those mountains! phrases in Japanese because when you go the big arena was Budokan. The Beatles Japanese on the cover, they thought we were “Good-bye!” It’s the most bizarre thing. But someplace, make an effort. Learn a little bit had played there, and sold it out three con- a Japanese band - until of course, when they I remember as a kid sort of tearing up think- TJ: Do you like Japanese food at all? I heard about the culture and the language. secutive nights. We played it five nights and saw our size, because physically we were ing, “Godzilla, please don’t go!” you’re a burger guy. broke the Beatles record. When we landed at much bigger than the average Japanese even SIMMONS: Well, I’m not a fan of anything TJ: And has that helped you in business, the airport, there were literally thousands of without the boots. TJ: Did you have any interest in Japanese that looks like a cockroach. If you’ve got would you say? fans. We came off of our 747 jet and it was TJ: Was there any aspect of Japan that influ- movies like Kurosawa f ilms? eight legs and tentacles and little beady eyes SIMMONS: Well, here I am talking to a Pan Am, which at the time was a world TJ: And what were the fans like? enced KISS in any way? SIMMONS: Oh, sure! Kurosawa, Seven and you’re the size of a… I can’t. I’m not a you! The Tokyo Journal is a big deal! It’s leader. Pan Am was so excited by it that they SIMMONS: Oh, it was pretty crazy. We had SIMMONS: People point to Kabuki theater, Samurai, Ran… but also the pop culture fan of suction cups. I will say that the best important to reach out. The arrogance of put KISS on the side of the jet, so it was never seen this anywhere else in the world. especially my persona with the armor, com- stuff. The Mysterians was a sci-fi movie. beef I ever had was Kobe beef in a restaurant American businessmen in the 50s and 60s… the KISS Clipper 747. The entire plane was The concerts were crazy but they were not paring it to that of the shogun and samurai, It’s ridiculous by today’s standards but then that was cooked right there. I’m a chicken they would just land in Tokyo and assume filled with journalists and people from all allowed to stand during the concerts. The but it really happened naturally. We didn’t I thought it was the coolest because these and a burger guy. I literally cannot look at that everyone spoke English. That’s why I over the world that we brought over on our police were going around with dogs and they study it. I was fairly well read and I was aliens come to earth and they take over. people eating raw food. I can’t do it. As a partnered with Ortsbo, which is a universal dime. We stepped off the jet in full KISS had to sit and be courteous because that was aware that in 1853 Admiral Perry sailed into Japanese culture exploded with all the kids’ student of history, I know that a long time language translator so you can communicate makeup, because we knew the media was the Japanese way. They were not allowed to the harbor, and it was basically a clannish shows - Power Rangers and Digimon and ago, man invented fire, and they did a weird in any language. going to be there, and when we got to the be over-enthusiastic. At the end of every feudal society up until then in self-imposed all that stuff. thing - the meat that they killed, they put

50 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 51 Gene Simmons and family (Nick, Sophie, Shannon) as seen on Gene Simmons Family Jewels at Gene's home office/KISS museum

“While you are alive you are allowed to shake the world up a bit.” Gene Simmons' mansion as seen on Gene Simmons Family Jewels - Gene Simmons Photo courtesy of Miller PR

culture, but I don’t want to eat f**kin’ snails! very incisive assessments. I handed her a “I really admire his work ethic and his dedication. I just want a f**ckin’ burger!” Pretty much check early on in the ’70s for a few million everywhere else in the world, it’s about good dollars and I said, “Mom, look! I made $10 If he starts something he sees it through to the end. taste, but America just wants it to taste good, million!” She said something wonderful, and wherever you go in the world everybody “Now what are you going to do?” She’s right! I think that's a quality that not a lot of people eats hamburgers, wears jeans and listens to And so if you apply it to Warren Buffett, American music. You need to understand Carlos Slim, Rupert Murdoch and all the have, and I think that's the key to his success.” what the market is. I don’t care what your other guys, they get up every day and they – Sophie Simmons, Daughter of Gene Simmons and culture is, just give people what they want. don’t think about what they’ve got. They just The philosophy of Burger King is “Have it get up and go to work. Star of “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” your way.” But the French-European mentality is, “I’m the Chef! It’s not the way you TJ: So it’s not just about the money? eat my food.” He’s dictating to you what you SIMMONS: The irony is for the guys with TJ: Can you tell me about the band EZO? rock band. There just aren’t! should do. And you’re paying for the privi- the most money, it’s really not about the SIMMONS: They were a Japanese band. In lege? Bitch? I’m the boss! If I want you to money. The people who it’s really about Japan they were called Flatbacker. Amuse TJ: I was at a K-Pop concert a while back and spit in my burger, that’s what you’re going to the money for are the 9 to 5 people, the America, which is a Japanese entertainment Quincy Jones was sitting next to me so I guess do! That’s the American way! It’s the same vast majority of people - for whom it’s life company, liked what I produced because I he’s got his eye on Asian bands. Are you plan- in England, too! You sit down. Not a ketch- or death. It’s survival. It’s the loaf of bread. produced a few bands before like Keel, Black ning on producing more Asian bands? up bottle out. You ask, “Can I have some They don’t have as much as they need to get ’n Blue, Doro and lots of other bands as well SIMMONS: Yeah, but Quincy doesn’t do ketchup?” They say, “These Americans…” a decent house and get the kids’ education as some KISS records. I thought there might rock and modern stuff. He’s in pop. I’d love and stuff like that. They hate their jobs but be an opportunity for a Japanese band sing- to do Asian bands, but I would urge Asian TJ: So you were originally a teacher? Is that they only do it for money. But if you wanted ing in English to break through. Loudness bands not to look for rock as their thing correct? to become a rock star or a venture capitalist had made a little bit of noise. But in the because there’s a template, a stereotype, and SIMMONS: A sixth grade teacher, but it and you’re making buckets of money and you history of recorded music there has only it’s hard to break through it. was difficult because these kids were ghetto love what you’re doing and someone asks been one #1 Japanese song in all time! It kids in Spanish Harlem, New York City. I you why you are doing this, and you say, “Oh, was Sukiyaki by Sakamoto Kyu, which has TJ: What do you think about the service in must have been 22. In the afternoon I was I’m just doing it for the money,” they are so been covered more than once, but nobody Japan? a check out guy at a delicatessen. Then I insulted! If I have a hit and tour with the can remember the guy’s name. When EZO SIMMONS: I’d have to say because of started working as the assistant to the editor band and I go, “Whoopee! I made $100 mil- came to America and I decided to produce Japanese culture, the service is on a much of Vogue. I had a revelation if you will ….I lion!” They say, “It’s bragging.” If you win the them, the deal was set. They were going to higher level than in America. All of the thought the reason I wanted to become a lottery for $100 million and you run down be on Geffen Records, I believe. It was a very hotels that we stayed at in Japan were terrif- teacher was for altruistic notions - to give the street, “Whoopee! I won $100 million!” difficult process because they didn’t speak a ic. I love the limo drivers and the cab drivers back and so on. But it really wasn’t that. I They say, “Cool!” But I worked for it! That word of English. They knew a few rock and coming out fully dressed with gloves on and wanted to be up on stage and be listened to bitch just had a lucky ticket! Can you please roll terms. “A Chord”… “C Minor Chord.” opening the doors for you. But in America, and admired because delusionally I think I help me out on this? Where’s the justice? So they came and I arranged the chords, the culture and service mentality is very have something to say. Probably comes with melodies and stuff like that but I didn’t have different. American culture comes from the being an only child. TJ: That is ironic. Did you learn anything else the time to do all of it so I brought in a few bottom-up, instead of European, Japanese from your mother about business? other guys who co-wrote stuff. It’s a damn and other cultures where the culture comes TJ: So now your classroom has grown to the SIMMONS: Oh, sure! My father left us good record if I must say. Lots of musicians from the top-down. It’s hard to go into a size of a stadium? when I was about seven, so there was just my point to it as a sort of pivotal record, but high-end French cuisine restaurant and say, SIMMONS: Millions of people, yeah. mother and I. (I didn’t know about my half when they appeared live something didn’t “Let me have a burger and some ketchup.” brothers and sisters until I was in my late fif- connect in the American market. because you are not just ordering food, you’re TJ: You have a great relationship with your ties/early sixties). I’m 64…and boy, do I look making a statement about class and culture. mother. Do you ever ask her for business good! Anyway, my mother was not really TJ: Maybe they were a little early. You really want a burger. Your mouth is advice? educated in a classic sense of the word, but SIMMONS: Well, it’s still early. There is no watering for one and you love ketchup but SIMMONS: My mother? Jews don’t have she was duly diligent. She could balance her African-American rock band. There’s no it’s actually an insult to the other culture saints but she is as close as you can get. I own budget. She knew how much she made Asian rock band in America. There’s no rock if you want to eat whatever you want to don’t ask her, but she gives it. Her business every week. Pennies! We paid our bills. We band from India. There’s no Hasidic-Jewish eat. You’re thinking, “Look, I respect your advice comes in the form of life lessons and never borrowed money. A sound business Photo Bob Gruen by Armor and katana sword provided by Little Star Enterprises, Inc.

52 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 53 “Get up everyday as if it’s the only day

Photo Bob Gruen by you will ever have.” Gene with family before Dodgers Stadium performance – Gene Simmons

mom. So through her eyes I learned how to learned, and sort of make up your own puz- Everyday you wake up and you try to figure stubby tongue? make the dollar stretch which is to minimize zle. My heroes are not basketball players out how to make something work. Look SIMMONS: Sure! I wouldn’t have been in your financial exposure, how to balance your because that’s a flawed model. Putting all at the animal kingdom and survival; we a rock band. Maybe in venture capital. In budget, don’t spend more than you make, of your eggs in one basket is the height of became bipeds because we were flexible and other words, every walk of life has different and make a lot more because you still have stupidity. Basketball players are tall. They we figured out the more we could stand up, costumes. Detectives look a certain way and to pay tax! Every dollar you spend is after tax have an advantage. They can play basketball. the less we had to rely on all fours. When politicians look a certain way. We all wear money. Just all that stuff… Great! Hopefully you can hit it big. If you we were Australopithecus afarensis on the different costumes. don’t, you’re f**ked! If you can barely put a plains of Africa, the ones who were able to TJ: Do you have a business mentor? sentence together and you have no skills, stand up were able to see farther over the TJ: Speaking of costumes, during the f irst SIMMONS: Life is the best lesson. What you’re going to be asking the next person in grasslands and see a predator earlier could years of KISS you hid your identity. Was that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Some line, “Would you like some fries with that?” survive. That’s why tall, dark and handsome stressful? basic precepts are hang out with people who So, it’s a flawed business model. How many is still a phrase that is used. It’s a biological SIMMONS: Sure! But I was being paid a are more successful than you are, hang out years do you have of being a successful bas- imperative in nature. We don’t even know lot. That was from ’74 to ’83. It was a very with people who know more than you do, ketball player? I’m talking about rock stars why that’s appealing but the taller ones get stressful time. You know, anywhere you went, don’t hang out with people who do nothing. too, because it’s basically based on a youth to survive. people were trying to get your photos and in Don’t go drinking and the obvious things. model. Billy Joel and Elton John are older those days there was a $25,000 reward for You know, your mother was right. Don’t get and so am I but those are the exceptions. TJ: Yeah, but short people live longer! paparazzi getting us without our makeup. high. Don’t spend money on stupid stuff. You are talking about tens of thousands that SIMMONS: That’s right. And they’re the So I was always running around with hand- Eat your vegetables. She was right! And your went before them that are not around. Wang most powerful men in history. But there is kerchiefs over my face. By the late ’70s I had stupid friends who said, “Aw, let’s get high. Chung had two #1 records. I defy you to tell nature and there is nurture. Nature is very become friendly with Cher and we moved Let’s smoke. Let’s drink.” They are your me who is in the band. Or Loverboy. They important. You’ve got to realize that. And in together so they were always trying to get enemy. They are the most unqualified, inex- had a #1 record. then it’s about nurturing and what you do our photo. After Cher there was Diana Ross perienced people to determine what you are with it. The most powerful people in history and they were always trying to get photos of going to do in life. Talk to somebody who TJ: How did you learn management? You’re were men and they were all short. Caesar us. You couldn’t go to a restaurant or go out- has already been through life and has their really a marketing mastermind. and Hitler and all of them. Scientists tell us side without people hounding you. But look. Photo courtesy provided of Miller PR experiences - your mother and your father SIMMONS: I’m a voracious reader. I read that even Jesus may have been about 5’4”. Let’s just put it into context. It beats digging (if he’s there) because they’ve learned some all kinds of things I’m not necessarily inter- a ditch! Ok? Relatively speaking. Me thinks things you are actually involved in. Can you stuff, take what they’ve learned and hang out ested in and go, “Gee! I didn’t know that.” TJ: So would you have been just as successful he doth protest too much! tell us about a few of the things you do outside with older people and listen to what they’ve But there is no such thing as a mastermind. if you were short, overweight, bald and had a of music? TJ: Let’s get into the business side of things SIMMONS: If you go to genesimmons.com again. you can see the companies I’m involved in. SIMMONS: Well, life is business. Everything There is Cool Springs Life Equity Strategy, “It seemed like a great name for a team and football has been gone from you do impacts your climb to the top or which loans as much as $300 million to you go down. It’s who you’re around, what individuals with a net worth of over $20 mil- Los Angeles for so long. The idea of bringing back Arena Football is really you learn, what you don’t learn, and what lion. There’s Simmons Books that publishes opportunity passes you by that you don’t books and comic books, Simmons Records, something spectacular. It's really adrenaline football. take advantage of. All those things will add and just lots of stuff. I own L.A. KISS foot- Photo Kevin Baldes by to or subtract from your climb up the ladder ball. We had Gene Simmons Family Jewels, It's unlike anything else and we hope to bring back not only of success. a TV show that lasted 167 episodes. cable, and of course, KISS has thousands great sportsmanship but entertainment, which was something of licensed products - anything you can TJ: Besides KISS are there musical artists TJ: And what are your most recent ventures? imagine. that was irresistible to us. I have to design the cheerleaders' that you’ve worked with? SIMMONS: We have Rock and Brews, SIMMONS: Well I discovered Van Halen which is a restaurant chain. The newest store TJ: How did you f irst start licensing? outfits and I have to do the uniforms for the players, so it's and produced their 15 song demo. I also site is on Maui. In addition to KISS playing SIMMONS: It happened very naturally. We used to manage Liza Minnelli. Dodgers Stadium for the NHL, we’re doing started in ’73 but in February ’74 our first tough….I prefer doing the cheerleaders!” Photo Bob Gruen by some filming for LA KISS Football which record came out and what we noticed right KISS Singer & L.A. KISS TJ: Yes, and I know you once talked Eddie is not only on ESPN from April but we will away was that our logo started to appear on – Paul Stanley, KISS Co-Founder on L.A. KISS Co-Owner Paul Stanley Van Halen out of joining KISS! People would also have our own reality show on AMC t-shirts. We didn’t know about marketing. be surprised to know about all of the different which is one of the main broadcasters on People didn’t start to use that term. People

54 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 55 Entering Dodgers Stadium for January 2014 NHL L.A. Kings - Anaheim Ducks opening performance Photo courtesy provided of McGhee Entertainment

“I play a role I was born to play, Gene Simmons.” – Gene Simmons

merchandising. If you go on tour, and it’s a magic, spread it across and call it “IndyCar” successful world tour, playing stadiums, and because that’s what you are.” And they did. in some places selling out arenas, you can And their business skyrocketed. And then I make a hundred million dollars gross, and created a campaign called, “I am Indy” with you can go as far as 300 million or more if a song, “Because I love the way I feel when I you stay out there long enough. You can get get behind the wheel. I am Indy.” I changed up on stage at a stadium and make multiple my name. If you want, you can change yours millions for one night, but it’s up to you to and so can they. And Citibank became Citi. Photo Bob Gruen by limit the costs, so that your profit margin is relatively high. In licensing and merchan- TJ: So when you consult, you don’t beat around didn’t even use the term “brand”. It didn’t dising, when we played, for instance, at the the bush much. I guess marketing consultants mean anything. Pop culture hadn’t caught Tokyo Dome, which they call “The Big have to be aggressive. up with reality. Reality was that people Egg”, we sold out and made a lot of money. SIMMONS: It’s called tough love… and wanted to wear t-shirts and somehow loudly With 55,000 fans there was $1.2 million just marketers are highly overrated. Because proclaim to people who they were, what in t-shirt sales. if someone says, “Here’s what you should they believed in, and sort of wear the colors do…” I say, “Whoah… what’s your qualifica- of your gang if you will. Just like military TJ: You mentioned your book earlier. Can you tion and what’s your resume? First I want to wear their uniform, they wanted to have a tell us more about it? know who are you? What have you accom- sense of belonging. And when that KISS SIMMONS: I’ve written a few. The new one plished? What have you created to validate logo first hit, we noticed fans, even when we is ME, Inc. through HarperCollins Books. what you are about to say? For instance, were third on the bill, started wearing those It’s coming out in the spring or summer. The there are a lot of acting coaches that have t-shirts. So we went, “Uh-oh!” Opportunity forward is about John Varvatos who was a never been in movies or TV that tell every- 2014 is a signif icant year for KISS, marking both the 40-year anniversary of their f irst tour, knocks. Open the door and take advantage. kid that came from nowhere and it’s basi- one how to act. I’m suspicious of that. and the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many of rock’s biggest bands So from ’74 to ’79 KISS became a singular- cally a business book for dummies. It talks ity (which is a big word like gymnasium). about how everything you learn in general TJ: OK, to wrap things up, will you be return- got their break supporting KISS as an opening act on tours – hardly surprising given that 20th Century Fox in those days handled public school does not prepare you for life. ing to Japan soon? KISS are one of America’s top gold record champions, having performed for over 22 million licensing and merchandising for events. #1 You can learn that Columbus discovered SIMMONS: Yes, we will tour Japan. We was Star Wars. #2 was KISS. And we were America in 1492, which is untrue - Indians start touring this summer. It’s the 40th fans and sold over 100 million albums worldwide. In the last f ive years alone, KISS has put so big and so successful so fast that we had were here for 50,000 years, and the Vikings Anniversary KISS Tour, a world tour. tj on 300 shows in 35 countries for 5 million fans. The band has broken box-off ice records set by our own warehouse in the valley here in Los came and landed in North America - but Angeles fulfilling orders of cash that came in let’s say it’s true. How does that prepare you Elvis and the Beatles, and with over 3,000 licensed / merchandise items, this merchandising through the mail because we had envelopes to pay the rent? It doesn’t. You have to figure with photos of what you could order inside it out for yourself. So in business terms you juggernaut has garnered more revenue than any other music act of all time. The following are of our albums, which nobody had ever done have an inferred fiduciary duty to yourself. notable moments in KISS’s amazing history. before. It was the height of uncoolness. Except, I win. I don’t know where Foghat TJ: And you own a marketing company too? is today but…we license almost anything: SIMMONS: Yes, I did marketing for Stanley Eisen (AKA Paul Stanley) is February KISS begin 1st North American tour & Maybelline eye makeup to anything you can 1974 IndyCar, which was then called IRL (Indy Early 1970s introduced to Gene Simmons and joins release their self-titled debut album imagine. Anything from KISS condoms to Racing League). I said, “You have to give Simmons’s band Wicked Lester KISS caskets - we’ll get you coming and me $2 million a year and 15% of everything KISS presented with their 1st Gold we’ll get you going! I bring in, and the first thing is: your name Simmons and Stanley leave Wicked Lester December Record awards for KISS Alive!, which later Late 1972 blows. It sounds like a communicable dis- to form new band. Drummer George Peter 1975 achieved quadruple platinum status and TJ: And are record sales a big part of your ease. I hope I don’t catch IRL!” They said, John Criscuola (AKA Peter Criss) joins produced KISS’s 1st Top 40 single - the business? “Well, we can’t. We’ve been around 92 years. live version of Rock And Roll All Nite SIMMONS: Well the old model of record Everybody knows IRL means….” Actually January Lead Guitarist Peter Daniel Frehley (AKA sales is flawed. That’s not where you make the masses don’t know anything. The only 1973 Ace Frehley) joins band. Stanley suggests the real money. The real money is in live thing they had is the Indy 500, which every- Photo by Bob Gruen the name KISS and Frehley designs logo Armor provided performances. If you’re lucky, and KISS is body knows about and the rest of the races by Samurai Store very lucky, [the money is] in licensing and are invisible. I told them, “Take the Indy International, Inc.

56 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 57 Photo by Bob Gruen

KISS become the 1st band to be put into comic book form, and announce their May 1977 debut KISS Marvel Comic book by depos- iting their own blood into the Marvel printing plant ink KISS voted #1 band in America by Gallup Poll. KISS perform five sell-out shows June 1977 at the Budokan, Tokyo, breaking attendance records previously held there by The Beatles. KISS become the first band since The Beatles to have four albums on the 1977 Billboard Hot 100 album chart. Alive, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, and The Originals were all in the Top 40 at the same time

May 1980 Drummer Peter Criss leaves KISS following the release of Unmasked

October 1982 Guitarist Ace Frehley leaves KISS following the release of Creatures of the Night KISS perform in Brazil; the last concert June 1983 in their signature makeup until the KISS Reunion Tour in 1996

September KISS appear on TV without their signa- Holding the KISS "Dressed to Kill" Gold Record. 1983 ture makeup for the first time, live on an Album Cover photo by Bob Gruen MTV prime time special KISS performs at Super Bowl XXXIII in Four original KISS Members (Gene June 1999 Miami, Florida Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and February 1996 Peter Criss) appear together in full KISS March 1999 KISS become first music group to appear makeup and costume for the first time on the cover of Playboy Magazine in 17 years at the 38th annual Grammy KISS presented with star on Hollywood’s Awards show in Los Angeles August 1999 Walk of Fame The KISS Alive Worldwide Reunion tour KISS become #1 Gold Record Champions launches in Detroit, Michigan, selling January 2002 in the U.S. June 1996 out 40,000 tickets in 40 minutes. The 13-month tour sets a record for the top- KISS perform at XIX Winter Olympics grossing tour of the year with 2 million February 2002 Closing Ceremony in Salt Lake City to attendees at 200 shows in 26 countries worldwide audience of over 3 billion TV viewers KISS appear on Dick Clark’s American April 2002 Bandstand 50 th Anniversary nationally televised prime time show on ABC

May 2009 KISS perform on American Idol season finale to over 30 million TV viewers

th October 2013 KISS’s 20 studio album MONSTER debuts #3 on Billboard charts Smithsonian National Museum of October 2013 American History accepts Gene Simmons’ autographed Axe bass guitar into their collection

April 2014 KISS inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Photo by Hab Haddad. Provided courtesy of McGhee Entertainment

58 Tokyo Journal #274 Photos courtesy of Bob Gruen

09 On Tour with Bob Gruen KISS Retrospective 03

STARTED working with KISS in 1973 when they signed with Buddah Records, a company I had worked with regularly. Working with KISS proved to be a different experience from most of the I 11 bands I had photographed. It’s not just that they wore makeup; the New York Dolls did that too. It was that 12 their makeup created a different identity, as if they One afternoon in Kyoto, I scouted locations taking Polaroids to show were superheroes. Right from the beginning when 04 the band and they picked several spots. The next day we went to the Buddah’s president, Neil Bogart, wore makeup and first one, took a series of pictures and went on to the next. What I had the contract handcuffed to his wrist for the photo hadn’t expected was that many of the people who saw us started fol- announcing their signing, I knew this was an unusual lowing us. By the time we were headed to the third location we had band. a long line of cars following us and a huge crowd watching.

01 14 13

15 16

02 05 06 10 Bob Gruen Bob Gruen is one of The first time I saw them the most well-known play, they opened for Iggy When KISS went back to Japan in 1978 they told Music Life they and respected pho- Pop on New Year’s Eve, wouldn’t go outside again. Instead they invited the original Godzilla tographers in rock 1973. I went backstage to come and visit the band at the Budokan arena so we could get after their set to take 07 some pictures to show they were really in Japan. Japanese fans gave and roll. By the mid- 17 1970s he was already photos of them with the band lots of homemade dolls, which also made for good photos. the celebrity guests, but KISS always thought about their Japanese fans. When I took photos regarded as one of I was stopped by their of Ace in a bubble bath for an assignment he included my Japanese ized I would have enough money from selling the photos to Japanese the foremost docu- manager. He told me robot doll in the photo. magazines to get an apartment in Tokyo. After five chaotic years menters of the music 08 that the band would traveling with rock bands I was ready to take a break. So in August scene. Throughout never be in pictures In 1979, I went to Kissimmee, Florida to take some pictures at the 1979 I got an apartment in Harajuku and stayed for the better part his career Bob without their makeup. This made my job start of KISS’ Destroyer Tour. Their costumes had been evolving of a year thanks to my KISS photos. Gruen has worked harder since the band only “existed” for about 10 min- since the early days when they made them themselves and the new with major artists utes between when their makeup was done and when costumes were sensational! After getting my film developed I real- Bob Gruen such as: John Lennon they went on stage. It was very rare that they would and Yoko Ono, put on makeup during the day for a photo shoot. But Tina Turner, The they did it twice for me! 01 – (L-R) Peter Criss, Paul Stanley of KISS, Neil Bogart, Gene Simmons and Ace 10 – (L-R) Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Gene Simmons of KISS at Rolling Stones, Led Frehley of KISS posing at Fillmore East, NYC. December 26, 1973. shrine in Kyoto, Japan. March 1977. Zeppelin, The Who, The first time was in 1974 when I was making a 02 – (L-R) top row: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley bottom row: Peter Criss and 11 – (L-R) Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley of KISS with Elton John, KISS, photo-comic story for CREEM magazine. The story Ace Frehley of KISS backstage at The Beacon Theatre, NYC. March 21, 1975. Godzilla in Tokyo, Japan. April 1978. Aerosmith, David starts with KISS in makeup wearing suits and ties as In 1977, KISS asked me to come to Japan with them 03 – (L-R) Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss of KISS in 12 – Ace Frehley of KISS with a collection of dolls in Japan. March or April 1977. the 23rd Street subway station, NYC. October 26, 1974. 13 – Paul Stanley of KISS in bed with Paul Stanley dolls in Tokyo, Japan. March 18, Bowie, and Alice if in disguise, and then they change into their KISS because I had already been there several times and was costumes in a phone booth. The band liked one of the familiar with working there. Japanese music fans were 04 – (L-R) Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss of KISS in 1977. Cooper; he also cov- the 14th Street subway station, NYC. October 26, 1974. 14 – Ace Frehley of KISS in a bathtub at Westbeth Studios, NYC. November ered emerging new photos from that session so much that they used it as very excited about KISS being in Japan, and many 05 – (L-R) Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS 1989. an album cover and named the album Dressed To Kill. of them came to the concerts in versions of KISS wave and punk bands ‘Dressed To Kill’ album cover shoot at West 23rd Street and 8th Avenue in NYC. 15 – Paul Stanley of KISS close up on stage in Kissimee, FL. June 1979. The fact that Gene is wearing one of my suits, which makeup. Music Life magazine was making a special including: The New October 26, 1974. 16 – (L-R) Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Paul Stanley of KISS on was far too small for him, makes him look even more issue about KISS in Japan, and as part of the deal we 06 – KISS, Dressed To Kill album cover, 1974. stage in Kissimee, FL. June 1979. York Dolls, Patti like a giant monster. KISS had decided early on that had to photograph them in Japan and not just onstage 07 – Gene Simmons of KISS on stage in Japan. March or April 1977. 17 – (L-R) Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley of KISS back- Smith, The Clash, instead of competing with good-looking bands, they or in their dressing rooms. We decided to do a photo 08 – Gene Simmons of KISS on stage during their US tour. June 1978. stage in Kissimee, FL. June 1979. Sex Pistols, Ramones would be the monsters of rock ‘n’ roll. On stage Gene shoot in Kyoto with KISS wearing traditional kimono 09 – KISS fans at a show during their tour of Japan. March or April 1977. and Blondie. would even breathe fire and spit blood like a dragon! at some typically Japanese locations.

60 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 61 Photos courtesy of avex group Holdings, Inc.

(laughs). He really likes Dragon Ash. They hesitated on. We kind of adjusted to things did a lot of early hip hop stuff and were huge “We do what is not that we didn’t really believe in. For the sec- CREative teAM in the early 2000s. I love Mariah [Carey] ond album we made it a mission to really do CREAM and Whitney Houston. Utada Hikaru is the norm in Japan” the music we believed in and wanted to do The duo that are making Japanese hip hop hip amazing. I really love Bruno Mars. I love and say the things we wanted to say without people who can write music for others as putting a filter on it. The second album is Singer-songwriter Minami and rapper/track maker Staxx T form the Japanese hip hop group well and are successful at doing that. We are more true to what CREAM and our sound also really inspired by a lot of producers. He is, so that’s the reason we named it #nofilter. CREAM. Influenced by hip hop, pop and electronic dance music, they have gained popularity likes Swizz Beatz.... through their CREAM VISION YouTube channel featuring original songs, Japanese covers STAXX: Timbaland.... TJ: So what’s going to differentiate you from MINAMI: I’m all about that L.A. pop sound all the other bands out there? of western songs, and live performances, earning over 22,000,000 views and over 68,000 like Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco..... MINAMI: The thing about the Japanese subscribers. In October 2012, CREAM started a free download project “Tada Uta” on their market is the top-selling artists are all girl or TJ: And Minami, you’ve written songs for boy idol groups. We are artists. We write our official website where fans could download their music at no charge, and their debut album other people as well. Who did you write for? own music, come up with our own concepts, MINAMI: Amuro Namie, BoA, m-flo and we even share our promotion ideas with our DREAMIN’ was released in January 2013. others. I actually did a charity song for Kylie marketing team. We are very hands on. I Minogue for the earthquake appeal in Japan. think we have a different sound. We look Staxx has also written lyrics for a lot of art- TJ: And do you enjoy doing cover songs? different; we act different. I don’t think I’m TJ: How did you get the name CREAM? very unique sound. People say our music is some modeling for a hip hop magazine. Are ists too. Actually, right now we have a song MINAMI: Yeah, we do, but at the same like a typical Japanese girl. We stay true to How can you use the name CREAM since it Japanese but sounds sort of foreign and I you still doing that? out with Hey! Say! JUMP, which became #1 time we try to make sure that we are not who we are and I think that’s why people was used by another band? think that is one of the key reasons why. STAXX: I modeled when I was in my teens on the Oricon charts. That was a pretty big portrayed as a cover artist because our like us. We do what is not the norm in Japan MINAMI: Yeah, we get this a lot. The word and I’m trying to get back into it. deal for us. There are some other really big creativity is really important to us. So right and I think that’s why we have the fan base CREAM comes from two words meshed TJ: Why did you call yourselves brothers in a projects coming out. now we aren’t really doing a lot of covers that we have. together: “CREative” and “teAM.” Before YouTube video? TJ: Minami, have you done any modeling? and are focusing more on our originals. But we became CREAM we did a lot of outside MINAMI: Well, we have a brotherly sort of MINAMI: No, but I’m really into fitness TJ: And with whom have you collaborated? we did enjoy doing covers and putting our TJ: That’s great. Do you have any advice jobs, writing for well-known artists here in relationship. When we go to shows outside right now. I work out 3 or 4 times a week MINAMI: I did a bunch of songs with own twist to them. They’re always fun. We for musicians who are just starting out right Japan. We are creators and our creativity is of Tokyo we tend to go out partying togeth- at the gym. Fitness has become a passion m-flo for their SQUARE ONE album and thought they were a great way to reach out now? very important to us and that’s where we er. After the shows, just the two of us will go of mine, so I do want to get into modeling. featured with VERBAL on his solo album. to fans of those artists and to let them hear MINAMI: Dream big. No dream is impos- came up with the name Creative Team. to a club, open some bottles of champagne My dream or goal for this year is to land a WISE and Tarantula were on our album; our sound. sible. Envision what you want to be in the and have a good time. It’s not like a girl-boy campaign with a big sports brand like Nike they are both rappers. future and how you will feel when you get TJ: Why do you write songs in English and sort of relationship. It’s more of a brotherly or Adidas. STAXX: ...and Matt Cab. TJ: What are your upcoming plans? there. Also, if you want to get out there, you then translate them into Japanese? relationship. I mean, we talk about anything MINAMI: Matt also started on YouTube. MINAMI: Our second album is coming out can’t wait for a chance to happen. You have MINAMI: First of all my Japanese is not with absolutely no filter. I know everything TJ: Do you have a favorite band that inspired Staxx did a song with AKLO recently. His April 30th and the title of it is going to be to make it happen. Whether it’s putting your so good, so I am not really good at writing about him and he knows everything about you? music is really cool. “#nofilter.” video out on YouTube or sending out for Japanese lyrics. I also think by writing the me, so it’s pretty great. We don’t look at each STAXX: Dragon Ash, Black-Eyed Peas..... auditions, you have to move and take action. lyrics in English it gives the melody more other as opposite sexes. TJ: How many cover songs have you guys TJ: Why did you choose that name? STAXX: Studying English is a good idea! of a U.S. / U.K. pop groove and when Staxx TJ: So are you the Japanese will.i.am? done? MINAMI: The first album was a first time If you learn English, it will give you more re-writes the lyrics in Japanese it creates a TJ: OK, cool. So Staxx, I understand you did MINAMI: No, he’s a Japanese Staxx T! STAXX: A lot: Around 30. experience so there were a lot of things we opportunities all over the world. tj

62 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 63 Movies, Music & Entertainment Photos courtesy of avex group Holdings, Inc. Keiko Matsui Ambassador of Jazz Keiko Matsui is a Japanese contemporary jazz pianist and composer who has received international acclaim for her 24 albums spanning a quarter of a century. Born in Tokyo and living in Los Angeles, California, Keiko spoke with Tokyo Journal during a recent trip to Japan before embarking on a tour to Peru, the U.S., Indonesia and Russia.

TJ: Can you tell me a little bit about your background? “For me, MATSUI: I was raised in Japan and started piano lessons when I was five years old. I music has no borders.” went to private school in Japan and studied jazz at Yamaha Music School. After graduating from university, I was in the music business in Japan for a while before moving to the U.S. Austin, Kenny G, James Ingram, and Al Jarreau. Everybody was there to pray and TJ: What was your major at university? dedicate music for peace, so it was a very sad MATSUI: Great question. I studied chil- occasion but was very special because for me dren’s literature at Japan Women’s University. music is like a prayer, and spirituality is very I chose that because my dream since junior important. high school was to compose and perform music for children. “Keiko Matsui Soul Quest” Japanese version TJ: Is there someone you’d like to collaborate of Keiko Matsui’s new album “Soul Quest”. with? TJ: Tell us about how you f irst learned the Release date: March 5, 2014 MATSUI: Sting. He’s my favorite artist of piano. all time. MATSUI: My mother was a teacher of TJ: Wow. How would you describe your music? nihon buyo – traditional Japanese dance. She MATSUI: I think my music connects people TJ: What are your plans for the future? wanted me to do that but I wasn’t interested beyond culture and religion. The challenges MATSUI: I’d like to write more movie at all, so she took me to piano lessons and I we face on earth such as 9/11 and the March soundtracks. I’d also like to develop my loved it. In addition to the piano, I learned 11th Japan disaster impact my music. collection of songs for live orchestra perfor- to play the organ and the electron at Yamaha mances. The most important thing in my Music School. TJ: Can you tell us about some of the people life is to dedicate concerts to peace on earth you’ve played with? and share my passion and emotion with the is TJ: What kind of music were you interested MATSUI: I’ve opened for Miles Davis and audience. in? George Benson, and I’ve done collaboration for both business and leisure travellers. MATSUI: I listened to many different kinds tours with Chaka Khan, Philip Bailey, Bob TJ: Do you have any advice for aspiring musi- of music, not only classical but also pop and James, James Ingram and Patti Austin. cians who are just getting into their career movie soundtracks. I listened to people like now? Ella Fitzgerald and Stevie Wonder. For me, TJ: Which show was the most signif icant for MATSUI: Well, I think technology has made music has no borders. you? it easier for people to do many things without MATSUI: One of my favorite shows was an expensive studio. So there are many ways TJ: Can you describe how you compose music? my first performance with an orchestra for of creating music, but at the same time it’s MATSUI: When I decide to make an album, the U.S. Air Force at Constitution Hall, getting harder and harder, not only because I sit in front of the piano without playing, Washington D.C., where I was introduced of the economy but because the industry has just waiting to hear something from some- as a music ambassador between the U.S. and changed and there are so many musicians out where. I catch notes and write them down Japan. Another show that was special was there. I know it is hard but if you believe in on paper, so it’s a very interesting, mystic a 9/11 benefit for the American Red Cross something then keeping your identity and process. Disaster Relief Fund called “Wave of Peace.” character is very important. I hope that you Other artists included Stevie Wonder, Pattie can trust and visualize your dream. tj

64 Tokyo Journal #274 Travel & Food Photograph by Peter Ruprecht. Photograph courtesy of CNN.

TJ: How did you become a food journalist and BOURDAIN: That’s tough. I’m very happy put me off. If anything, it solidified my con- connoisseur? in a casual izakaya, even here in New York. nection to it. BOURDAIN: Well, I had a very successful Date night for me and my wife is usually at memoir that changed my life overnight. You the most authentic Japanese izakaya we can TJ: Was Beirut your scariest adventure? know, one day I was a dead broke line cook find. If it’s westernized, we’re not interested. BOURDAIN: Uhh … visits to Vietnam have Overnight Sensation in a working class brasserie in New York and I love izakayas’ traditional casual foods with been pretty terrifying. Probably the times I Anthony Bourdain’s Culinary Quest Crosses Cultures next I had a best-selling book and people beer or sake, but on special occasions I’ll have been closest to death have not been offering me money to make television pro- treat myself to very high-end beef. in countries that are at war, but driving in grams. So, it was an overnight transforma- places like India or Vietnam where people Chef, TV host and author Anthony Bourdain began his culinary career as a dishwasher and worked tion of a guy with a very sheltered life, not TJ: I notice from your Tokyo travels that really take risks. We’ve been to a lot of places his way up to line cook, sous chef and chef in New York restaurant kitchens. Rave reviews for his much experience of the world, a very narrow you tend to hit the backstreets more than the with very uncertain environments, but we try view. I didn’t know anybody except chefs famous Michelin Star restaurants. not to be stupid. 1997 article “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,” published in the “New Yorker,” helped spawn his and cooks and pretty much overnight on the BOURDAIN: I’ve been to Masa in New basis of this one book I got in a position to York and Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo, so I’ve TJ: So back to food, what’s the most bizarre New York Times bestselling memoir “Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly” travel the world and I’ve been doing it ever had the best sushi, but there is so much good thing you’ve ever eaten? in 2000. Instant fame launched the Culinary Institute of America graduate’s career from executive since. I’ll keep doing it as long as they let me stuff that I can look past the usual suspects BOURDAIN: Once you’ve spent so much get away with it! and hit the backstreets with my friends in time outside the States it’s really hard to chef at Brasserie Les Halles to television host of “A Cook’s Tour,” and two Emmy-winning programs: Tokyo. Places like Golden Gai for instance. look at anything as bizarre anymore. I’ve had “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” and CNN’s “Parts Unknown.” These programs have allowed TJ: Do you still enjoy travel? reptile parts, penises, bile, brains, bugs… but BOURDAIN: Sure. I go where I want and TJ: Do you have a favorite restaurant in if I had to name the weirdest and the most Bourdain to swap New York kitchens for worldwide culinary adventures, as local hosts introduce when I get there, I decide how we’ll tell the Tokyo? bizarre thing I’ve ever eaten, it would be the story. That’s as much creative control as I BOURDAIN: If I had to... Sukiyabashi Jiro Chicken McNugget. I mean, what is it? him to their culture and cuisine. Tokyo Journal Executive think anyone has ever had in television. I’m would probably be the restaurant I’d like to Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with Anthony Bourdain to pretty happy about that. die in. TJ: Have you ever turned down food during your travels? find out how he went from small fry in the Big Apple to the BOURDAIN: No. That has never happened. big cheese on television’s top news, food and travel channels. I try to be a good guest. I mean, if you ask me ahead of time, would I like to go to the "Sukiyabashi Jiro would probably be the restaurant dog restaurant, I will try to find a diplomatic way of saying, “Perhaps some other time.” I'd like to die in." But I’ll never turn anything down. An offer of bear bile - as unpleasant as that might be, I’m not going to be rude about it. TJ: What got you interested in food? TJ: What’s the f irst country you travelled to TJ: What about outside Japan? BOURDAIN: I grew up in an unusually outside the U.S.? BOURDAIN: Asador Etxebarri outside San TJ: I noticed you’re quite the interculturalist. food-centric household. My father was first BOURDAIN: For the show, Japan was my Sebastian, Spain is pretty amazing. It’s old Is that skill necessary to get your job done? generation French. I spent time in France. first stop. Way back, right after the book school, very simple, very austere. That guy, BOURDAIN: If you want to make friends But I never thought about food as a profes- came out and I made my first program he grills steaks, and he’s very fanatical about around the world, being polite at the table sion until much later. I sort of fell into the “A Cook’s Tour”, the first destination was how he grills them. and accepting what’s offered is important. position of dishwasher. Tokyo. It matters. People, in general, are proud of TJ: So you’ve travelled all over the world. Do their food. They work hard to put it in front TJ: In New York? TJ: And you’ve been back to Japan since then? you have a favorite destination you’d like to of you. I think it’s important to try and do BOURDAIN: Cape Cod. A summer job. BOURDAIN: Yes, many times. go back to? your best to eat it and be polite about it. BOURDAIN: I’ve been to Vietnam many When you’re in the wild, especially in a very TJ: Then that led into working in the kitchen, TJ: What’s your favorite part of Japan? times. I love it there. If I had to choose one poor culture and they don’t have anything in right? BOURDAIN: I love Tokyo but I have a real country to eat in for the rest of my life, I’d the way of refrigeration and where hygiene BOURDAIN: Yes, I got a job as a dishwasher soft spot for Osaka….the lifestyle, the peo- say Japan. I love traveling around Southeast standards tend to be not so great, every once and felt very at home in the subculture. ple, the food. There’s a mentality there that Asia. Of course, Spain, Italy, and Brazil. I in a while you find yourself having to take I’m very sentimental about. love them for obvious reasons. Also, Beirut. one for the team and eat something that TJ: How old were you then? Lebanon is an amazing country. is clearly going to make you sick. It’s hap- BOURDAIN: About 17, 18. TJ: I know you know a lot about Japanese pened a couple of times, but that’s the price nightlife. How does Tokyo nightlife compare TJ: Tell us about Beirut. you pay. TJ: At what age did you f irst travel abroad? to other major cities? BOURDAIN: It’s a great city. I know it’s a BOURDAIN: I think I was 44. I mean, I had BOURDAIN: It’s a subject I’m only scratch- complex subject but amazing people and TJ: Do you cook at home a lot? been to France and the Caribbean a couple ing the surface of. Tokyo nightlife is not amazing food - a place I’d go back to again BOURDAIN: Whenever I can. I love cook- of times, but besides that I had spent my particularly open to non-Japanese. It’s fas- and again. ing for my family as much as I can. whole life in restaurant kitchens with no cinating but not easy to understand for expectation of ever seeing the world. So it non-Japanese. From the outside looking in, TJ: Wasn’t there a time when you wanted to get TJ: Do you have a favorite restaurant in New was late in life that I started travelling and it looks pretty damn awesome. out pretty badly? York? maybe that explains why I am doing it with BOURDAIN: Yeah, we got caught in a war BOURDAIN: One of my favorite places is such vigor now. TJ: What’s your favorite Japanese food? the first time I was there, but that did not Yakitori Totto on 55th street because they

66 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 67 Travel & Food

do really great yakitori just like they do in afterwards. I’m generally aware of the fact TJ: Wow! Japan. that if I’m shooting in France for ten days BOURDAIN: Her mom’s Italian, so it’s a that I might want to take a few days off from bi-cultural household. But yeah, this is a big TJ: What do you think about the new food the carb parade. world and there is a lot of good stuff in it. I revolution in the U.S. where it seems every- want her to understand that there are people one is becoming a critic? TJ: Are you writing a book at the moment? who live differently than the way that she BOURDAIN: Well, we’re growing up. That’s BOURDAIN: Not at this precise moment. does and I want her to see as much of the nice. We have a lot of catching up to do with I’m thinking about what I’m going to do world as she can. Europe and Asia. We’re coming along very next. I’m in the middle of shooting now. I nicely and you know there will be moments don’t do a lot of writing during the show and TJ: What’s the hardest part of your job? of excess and hypocrisy and silliness and when I’m working on other projects. BOURDAIN: Being away from my family. absurdity but in general it’s a good thing. We’ve started to care about food and learn TJ: I read that you overcame a drug addic- TJ: How much time do you spend on the road? more about food and learn about food cul- tion. Is that correct? BOURDAIN: I’ve spent as much as 250 days ture and think about where food is coming BOURDAIN: That’s true. a year. from. These are truly good things. TJ: How did you overcome it? TJ: Wow! You must have a lot of mileage. TJ: How important do you think it is for BOURDAIN: I don’t think we have enough BOURDAIN: Oh, yeah! restaurants to get locally sourced ingredients? time to talk about it here but I wrote exten- It seems Gordon Ramsay places great impor- sively about it. It was a significant part of TJ: And what are the “must-haves” for your tance on that. my life and it’s not something I recommend travels when you go to some remote place like BOURDAIN: It’s nice if you can do it. It’s anybody to do. Africa? nice if you can afford it. It’s nice if you live BOURDAIN: Not much. A notebook, an in a place where the stuff that is local is TJ: What’s the most challenging thing you’ve iPhone, an iPad with a bunch of books good. But if you live above the Arctic Circle faced in your career? downloaded onto it, anti-diarrhea medicine in Quebec, going local is going to be a bit BOURDAIN: I think once I got a lucky … other than that I’m good. of a challenge. I think as a general principle, break - not f**king up like some people do as a goal, it’s always a good thing to try to when they get a break in life professionally. I TJ: Where would you most like to go? support local business people if nothing else got very, very lucky with a best-selling book BOURDAIN: Well, I’m looking forward to and to highlight the food of your region. and for the first time in my life I was able going to Iran sometime in the near future. That’s nice but I’m not going to say no to to pay my rent on time. That sort of thing someone who says, “I’ve got the world’s tends to lead to temptation that derails a lot TJ: Do you get food poisoning often? best fish from Tsukiji market” here in my of people. BOURDAIN: Twice in thirteen years. Both neighborhood in New York. I wouldn’t mind times in tribal situations in Africa and both that at all. TJ: So how did you stay on track? times I had a pretty good idea going in. Let’s BOURDAIN: I’d already f**ked up in every just say I knew the risks. TJ: Any thoughts on Gordon Ramsay? Do you possible way a human being could f**k up. know him? So that experience was perhaps useful. I try TJ: What are your thoughts on Julia Child? BOURDAIN: We’ve spent time together. to be a good father. That’s always a challenge BOURDAIN: I think probably the most He’s a very good cook and very hard-work- but one I’m very happy to face. It’s my great- important person in the history of American ing entertainer. est challenge and my greatest pleasure. gastronomy! I mean, huge! Towering, towering important figure! She was a big figure, TJ: What about Jamie Oliver? TJ: Do you spend a lot of time with your an important figure in my household grow- BOURDAIN: I admire what he’s been doing daughter? ing up. with school lunches, changing the way peo- BOURDAIN: As much as I can. I travel a lot. ple eat. Both of them have business models So, it’s difficult. TJ: Who in your life influenced you the most? that I wouldn’t necessarily follow myself. But BOURDAIN: Maybe Hunter Thompson? I think they are both hard working people TJ: When she gets a bit older, do you plan on who deserve the good stuff they’ve gotten. taking her with you? TJ: Is there someone that mentored you? BOURDAIN: She’s travelled with me a fair BOURDAIN: My old boss in the restaurant TJ: How do you keep in shape? Do you exer- amount - at least one trip a year with the business - the guy who taught me to show cise? show. While I’m doing the show, I’ll bring up on time. BOURDAIN: I do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the family if it’s a family-friendly location my wife. She competes and is very serious and try to spend as much time with them TJ: How long did you work for him? about it. as possible. BOURDAIN: A few years off and on. I learned a very important life lesson as a TJ: So with all the eating you do, you never TJ: So now with all of your intercultural dishwasher. have to diet? experiences, are you eager to see your daugh- BOURDAIN: If I’m doing a full show in ter learn a foreign language and travel the TJ: What other lessons did you learn? Italy for ten days eating pasta and cheese, I world? BOURDAIN: Show up on time. Do the best try to make sure I’m doing a poor country BOURDAIN: She’s already learning Italian. you can. tj

68 Tokyo Journal #274 Food Culture

Mari’s Homemade Cooking Recipes When the dough becomes clear, place it in a bowl 3 with the yomogi powder. Pound the dough with a wooden spatula, then knead the dough by hand until it cools down a little. Let’s Make Kusa-Mochi!

Kusa-Mochi ( Japanese Mugwort Mochi with Anko) 草もち How to make Ingredients: • 200g of joshinko (fine rice flour) • 20g sugar (Sweet Bean Paste) • 200cc warm water (adjust the amount depending on the humidity) あんこAnko (A) 2 Tablespoons of yomogi powder (mugwort powder) Ingredients: (A) 2 Tablespoons of water • 200g of red beans Flatten the dough to make a circle, • 190g of sugar 4 then place the anko filling in center and wrap it. • A pinch of salt

1 Wash the beans in water. Place the (A)s in a cup. 1 Place the joshinko and sugar in the other bowl, Place the beans in a deep pot and pour on then add the warm water 2 enough hot water to cover them. Boil for 10 little by little until it minutes. becomes earlobe texture.

3 Remove the beans and wash again.

Place the beans back in the pot with water 4 (1 part beans to 4-5 parts water), and boil until the beans become soft.

Remove the beans and place in a pan with 5 sugar and salt. Heat the beans on a low heat until they become the desired consistency. 2 Separate the dough into Mari Nameshida is a Japanese cooking small pieces and then instructor, Chinese herbal medicine 6 Remove from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes steam for 20 minutes. advisor, registered nurse and a food lover. to 1 hour. It is her hope that through her “Cooking with Mari” classes, her blog and this column that people from around the world will gain a better understanding of Japanese culture through gaining an appreciation of Japanese food.

70 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 71 Food Culture Photo courtesy of Mutual Trading

The Man Who Brought Sushi to America, Part IV Remembering the War

This is the fourth in a series of “Why did we have to interviews with Noritoshi Kanai, chairman of Mutual Trading and the kill people who man who coined the phrase “sushi bar.” were good people?”

TJ: I understand your f irst experience in bring his remains back to Japan after the What followed was chaos. There were a working with food was during World War II. war, his soul had remained there. I wanted bunch of us infantrymen quarreling amongst Can you tell us about it? to pay my respects to this man who saved ourselves about what we should do next. We KANAI: I was drafted into the Imperial my life. totally ignored the mid-ranking soldiers Army in 1943 as I’d just entered Hitotsubashi who tried to take control in a futile effort. University. Due to the country’s shortage of I’d gotten malaria, and was very sick with Although still under military contract, and military recruits, the Army and Navy drafted high fever. I was lying in bed at a mili- with any act of desertion leading to harsh college students, taking 70 percent of the tary hospital when American B-24 bomber punishment, some just “quit” and headed total college student population. At just 19 planes started an attack. Akiyama said “I’ll north to walk home – literally. years old I was sent to Burma ( Myanmar) help you get to a safe place”, but I was too as Second Lieutenant, and placed in charge ill to move, replying, “No, I can’t move, so You know, when I think back to those times, of non-military supplies including food, you go save yourself.” He didn’t budge, say- it was pretty miserable. I was only 20 years medicine and clothing. ing, “Don’t say such a thing. I’ll help you”. old, still immature, not knowing anything Akiyama led me down a flight of stairs and beyond my school environment. I returned During the war there were some deplor- toward the bunkers, just as a low-flying to Japan with so many questions about the able and despairing situations, however, this plane about 500 meters above released a war – Why did this war begin? Why did we was also an enormous learning experience. bomb. We hit the ground. When the air have to die for our country? Why did we Since only a limited amount of provisions cleared I found him only meters away with have to die for the Imperial Majesty? Why from Japan would ever reach the jungles of his head blown off. did we have to succumb to the order of the Burma, I started my own food production upper officers, only to have them betray us? operations - Shoyu, Miso, Konnyaku - cre- Three months later, Japan surrendered. I Burma was a peaceful Buddhist country, so ating products out of necessity for the many wanted to take Akiyama’s ashes back to his why did we have to kill people who were military personnel. family, but prisoners of war were barred from good people? taking any “souvenirs.” I’d left him buried in The biggest lesson I learned through the war the mountainside and finally, in 2007, I went Upon returning to Japan, I reentered col- experience was the importance of logistics. back to pray for his soul. I wouldn’t be here lege, and graduated in 1948. During the Japan lost the war because of the country’s today had it not been for Akiyama. three years of my economics studies, I read absence of logistical infrastructure. An army and read, not textbooks, but tore through cannot move without men ready for battle, Toward the end of the war we were protect- books by the world’s greatest philosophers and men cannot fight without being well ing the capital of Burma, Rangoon, now in search for answers to my “why” questions. fed and supplied. During the war, out of the called Yangon. The US and UK Allied I yearned to find clues to solve the ques- 300,000 military personnel in the Indian- forces had lost Burma in an earlier battle, tions that’ve haunted me from my Burmese Burmese region, 175,000 perished not from and had wanted to reclaim it back. Under journey. battle but from starvation and disease as our Supreme Commander Yanagida, a Four a result of logistics systems failure. Those Star General, we were ordered to “Protect Upon graduation, most of my fellow who survived were the ones who took care the capital with our lives.” Ten days prior Japanese college grads went on to work for of themselves. I was placed in a POW camp to Allied troops reaching us, our General large corporations. That idea did not appeal for five years, but I was very lucky to have Chujo ordered us to “fight to the death” in to me. In fact, I purposely steered away from survived. protecting the capital. Then one day, in a going to work for any one individual, I mean drastic turn of events, we found the com- for any authoritative, structured company, TJ: Would you like to go back to Burma? mand station void of all ranking officers. where there would be one person determin- KANAI: As a matter of fact, I made a pil- We’d all been deserted, left to die protecting the fate of another. I’ve already had my grimage back there several years ago, to ing Rangoon, with no officers to command share of that experience in Burma. That’s the very spot where my closest comrade, over us. why I’ve chosen to walk my own path, to Akiyama, had been killed. Since I couldn’t take control of my own destiny. tj

72 Tokyo Journal #274

THY_Manifesto_ing 21x29.7cm.indd 1 1/23/14 10:03 AM Haitian Culture

“Life is like the sea, one day turbulent, and the the greatest hardship of his life; the first next day calm, just like us human beings. I have and unique time he ever left Haiti. It was been living with my wife for the past 60 years. after the coup d’état of 1991 that overthrew Léonce of Dame-Marie, The sea has been my master, my counselor. Once President Aristide. The country was in tur- we understand and accept that our mood can moil; the venom of politics had infiltrated change every hour and every day, we find the their remote village. With a few friends secret of living together, the secret of tolerance.” and a bunch of other people, he took off Haiti: A True Free Man early one morning on a fishing boat. They From the boat that afternoon, Léonce could were 150 in all, looking forward to reaching “Something from the ocean, something from the hills” not keep from shouting with excitement: Florida’s shores. By Marcel Duret “Look at this beautiful town! This is my Dame- Co-author: Kettly Mars Marie! Every day the sun paints it in different Photography by Raphaelle Castera/ImagineAyiti shades of green, shades that change with the mood of nature, with the mood of God.”

Dame-Marie is the town in the forest. One can barely see the houses because they are covered with lush vegetation. Only sailors enjoy such an exceptional view. The Dame- Marians are the luckiest citizens of Haiti. Thanks to the generosity of the sea and the land, there is always a sufficient supply of different food around. At certain times of the year, surplus breadfruits and mangos are The boat was dangerously overcrowded. wasted and fed to cattle. Léonce was deeply disturbed by the inno- cence of most of the people onboard who of the ocean has always impregnated his did not know the dangers of the sea. The days. His livelihood depends on the high or night came. The full moon covered them the low waves. Some days are good, others with brightness. Léonce never slept. Having are bad. left his family of four, his house, his peace of mind and his fishing behind to face an Léonce’s voice seemed timeless. During our uncertainty that seemed endless, he felt wait in the crew cab, I looked back at the the need to stay awake and watch over the last days spent with my old tour guide in this others. He wanted to be a witness to his incredibly beautiful Haitian town nestled own destiny. Lo and behold, at three a.m., between sea and mountains. a ship of the U.S. Coast Guard emerged from nowhere and a strange voice yelled At 85, Léonce is Dame-Marie’s oldest fish- out of a loudspeaker. Léonce could not erman. The town is located in the southwest understand a word but knew that it was not area of Haiti called “Grande-Anse.” Old age The most exquisite and juicy mango on a friendly encounter. They were all taken to has shrunk him, but his muscles bulge under earth comes from Dame-Marie. It is called Guantanamo Bay, an American naval base at Léonce his black skin and his face is a ray of sun. “il” and is very small. When you start eat- the southeastern end of Cuba, where 3,000 As a welcome treat, he proudly took me for ing “il,” you just cannot stop. Dame-Marie Haitians were already awaiting their fate. T was four o’clock in the morning, a ride on his wooden boat that he still sails, is also the main cocoa-producing city of pitch black, cool, and we were about with the help of a younger fisherman, his Haiti. Major multinational companies such “Never in my life have I known such long and one hour early. When our driver turned son, a tall and taciturn fellow. as M&M, Ecom Trading and Olam import The Dame-Marians have earned the repu- painful days. The promiscuity in which we Ioff the car’s engine, life seemed suspended cocoa from Dame-Marie. Even so, the origin tation of being the most hospitable of the lived provoked frictions and altercations among to the songs of crickets and the spicy smell is not mentioned on the packaging. People country. Indeed, Léonce seems to know us. For the first time as an adult, I cried bitter of mountain vegetation. It was an eerie from all over the world are enjoying choco- everybody or it seems that everybody knows tears. Through a Haitian translator, we were moment for a city man like me who is intox- late made of Dame-Marie cocoa without him. “Good morning” here, “good afternoon” told that our cases were being processed so that icated with artificial noise day and night. knowing it. The Dame-Marie’s association there. Even if they do not know each other, we could obtain a permanent visa to the United Léonce had promised as a farewell gift to of cocoa producers is looking for an inter- there is always a kind hello when people States. Nevertheless, I realized suddenly that end my three-day stay, that he would take national partner to produce chocolate with meet. I was too old for that. Would it be worth the me to “Planò” Hills, a few kilometers south “The fruits of the land are good to have every the Dame-Marie brand name and distribute separation from my wife and children? After of Dame-Marie, to see where the earth and morning...” it worldwide. It’s almost half past four in the morning, and two months of excruciating pain, I asked to sky become one. We waited in the darkness, Léonce keeps speaking in the darkness. I ask return home.” using our cell phones when we needed light, Léonce does not remember when he became “Dame-Marie is something from the ocean and many questions. I feel his words are a kind talking and sharing the cassava, avocados a fisherman. He was born a fisherman; his something from the hills. We eat good and fresh of legacy he is transmitting to me, the words “And finally, I could see the shore of Dame- and bananas that the generous old man had father, his grandfather and his great grand- foods from the sea and from the mountain; that of a son of the ocean and the mountains, Marie! At last, I was back home! At last, I felt brought. father were men of the sea. The salted smell Léonce and his son is why we are in good health”. in love with his country. He tells me about alive again! Home is where your heart is.”

Léonce is back to his fisherman’s life. Every It was an enchanting display of colors wor- morning at three o’clock, before Léonce thy of the finest pages from “One Thousand embarks on his boat, he kneels on the shore and One Nights,” a breathtaking blend of Kyung-sook Shin and asks God for protection so that he can orange, pink, purple, white and gold, chang- return safely. He touches the seawater and ing from one minute to the other. SUPERB! Interview with the Award-Winning Author draws the sign of the cross on his forehead, I was speechless. This hour alone of pure praying also to Agwe, the spirit of the sea wonder justified my trip to Dame-Marie. Kyung-sook Shin is a celebrated author in her native South that crossed the ocean from Africa to the colony of Saint-Domingue with his enslaved How can one explain the fact that Dame- Korea. She made her literary debut in 1985, winning the Munye ancestors centuries ago. Every morning is Marie and the Grande-Anse area have pre- Joongang New Author Prize for her novella Winter Fables. a moment of deep anxiety, when his heart served such magnificence while the rest of is heavy and he feels extremely vulner- the country is an ecological disaster? Léonce She recently came to international attention as a result of her lat- able. However, as soon as he is onboard, did not and probably could not find a scien- pure adrenaline takes over. His confidence tific answer. est book, “Please Look After Mom,” being translated into many returns, he looks forward to a good catch languages and set for distribution in 33 countries. The book is and the money it brings home. “It must be God’s will and grace...“ about a mother who disappears and the family’s desperate search “Fear is a necessary evil, but it should not last to find her. It won the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize for too long.” 2011, the Asian equivalent of the Man Booker Prize. Both the first Korean and the first woman to win the prize, she beat cel- Pierre Antoine and Mrs. Barbara Bourque ebrated Asian authors such as Haruki Murakami and Anuradha The mission comes from the Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford Connecticut, which is Roy. TJ’s Hong Kong correspondent David Nunan caught up the largest Catholic hospital in Northeastern with Ms. Shin at the recent Hong Kong International Literary U.S. For the past seven years, an international mission program has settled with It was the grand finale before we say good- Festival where she was a featured speaker. multidisciplinary teams, bringing first class bye. At my age, I thought I had already met surgical, obstetrical and other medical ser- all the people worthy to be called “friends.” vices to the least served communities of the I was wrong. Léonce became my very true DN: When did you decide that you wanted to own life, but it wasn’t just about me and my greater world. * and sincere friend within three days. I left be a writer? family; it was about Korean society in gen- Léonce him with a refreshing sense of serenity and K-s S: My dream to become a writer came eral. Even though the story is about me to Léonce visited the hospital for his annual optimism. Léonce epitomizes poise, intel- very naturally to me. I grew up in the rural begin with, by the end of the story, it is about The sea has also been cruel to Léonce. How checkup. He received a clean bill of health. ligence, sense of humor and wisdom. He is countryside, a long way from the city. We other people. It’s not just my story, it’s the K-s S: When I was 16 my mom took me to many of his friends left and never returned? a great human being who will leave anyone raised animals like cows and chickens, and story of other people as well. I’ve been asked Seoul on the train and left me at the station. How many of their bodies washed ashore far “Good health is the most important thing, eve- pleasantly surprised, even though he never then we would kill them and eat them. I had that question many times before. One day, For the first time, I noticed that she looked from the village? How many times the wind rything else is secondary.” set foot in a classroom. Léonce is a true, free many siblings, many brothers who would one person asked me: “So did you find your exhausted. So I thought, “One day when I and the waves took Léonce’s boat at fright- man with a virgin mind. bring books home and leave them lying mom?” And of course, my mom was never become a writer I’ll write a beautiful book ening distance from his port? During more Twenty minutes past five o’clock in the around. I read them and fell in love with missing. The mother in the book is not just about motherhood and dedicate it to my than 70 years of fishing, he has had several morning, we stepped out of the car and literature. Many of the questions I had about “mother.” She symbolizes many things – a mom.” I wanted to write a book to celebrate narrow escapes and has looked at death in stretched our legs and arms. The miracle life were answered in the books. I loved the kind of archetype of the traditional mother her life and the lives of women in general. the eyes, at the coldness of death. began under our incredulous eyes, an unbe- characters and felt that I was experiencing who is disappearing from contemporary That was the promise I made to myself. But lievable and spectacular trick of nature: the same thing. So my dream to become an Korean society. the novel went in a different direction and A quarter to five a.m., the darkness is chang- light slowly rising, hills unfolding up to the author was very natural to me. When I was turned out to be very, very sad. I think this ing; it is less impenetrable, vague forms are horizon and covered, as far as the eyes can 16, I went to Seoul to go to high school, and But yes, there are bits of my mother in the may be partly because in the years between standing out. Our waiting is almost over... see, with a moving sea of thick white mist. my love of literature got deeper there. mom, and there are bits of my father in the when I was 16 and when I wrote the book, I During my stay, Léonce took me to the local It seemed like earth and sky were melting. dad. There are also things about the father came to see the sadness and struggle in my hospital where an American medical mis- DN: Congratulations on winning the Man that are nothing like my dad. He has some mother’s life. sion of 16 technicians and doctors is provid- Asia Prize – that’s wonderful. As I read nasty characteristics. In Korea, the book ing health services to the population. Léonce Ambassador Marcel Duret and Léonce “Please Look After Mom”, I wondered how was turned into a play. My dad wanted to DN: Another theme is the contrast between arranged for me to meet with the two peo- much of it was autobiographical. Your back- go and see the play, but I said, “No Dad, traditional and modern Korean society, which ple behind this very I want everyone in the world to meet ground is very similar to the daughter in the don’t go and see it.” I was worried he might mirrors the change from traditional to mod- important mission: Léonce and visit this unique and splendid novel. She went to Seoul to study like you, think the dad was based completely on him, ern life in Asia in general. Dr. Michael Bourque town. They will leave, like me, transformed and, like you, she is also a novelist. To what because the father is not a very nice man. K-s S: Yes, the novel shows the transition of the U.S. and Mr. for the better and looking at life, death and extent, then, is the novel autobiographical? So the book is a combination of reality and from the older generation to the younger Pierre Antoine, a intellectuality from a very different perspec- K-s S: The family in Please Look After imagination. generation and also the tension in between. native of Dame-Marie tive. tj Mom has many similarities to my own fam- When the mom comes to visit her children and a socially commit- ily, but it wasn’t just my family. There were DN: As I read it, motherhood and the cen- in Seoul, she comes loaded with fresh food ted person. * Visit the St. Francis Mission website at many families at that time that were similar. trality of motherhood came across as a main and preserved food that she has prepared for www.saintfrancisimm.org The first chapter draws very much on my theme. Was that the inspiration for the novel? them, and they get irritated by this. tj Dr. Michael Bourque

76 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 77 The Legacy of Donald Richie The following is part of Tokyo Journal’s Living Tribute to Donald Richie, who passed away on February 19, 2013. Donald Richie’s con- tribution was originally printed in the November 1994 edition of the TOKYO TIME: Tokyo Journal. It was excerpted from “Japan Journals 1947-2004” by Donald Richie (Stone Bridge Press, 2004). Donald Richie’s first visit to Japan took place in 1947. Since that time, he became a celebrated film Donald Richie’s Reflections on critic, author and composer, not to mention a journalist of many talents, recording the changes of over half a century of life in Tokyo. Donald Novelist, Yasunari Kawabata Richie contributed to the Tokyo Journal over the years and when asked By Peter Grilli about times in the nineties, Donald replied, “Frightening but exhilarat- ing. I think everybody with a pencil should be out there taking notes.”

HENEVER I think of Donald the Japanese writer, clumsily translated for felt, seeing his city in ruins? “I don’t know,” Richie’s early life in Tokyo, him prior to the meeting. Alone on that Kawabata mused. “Surprise maybe… Sorrow Photo courtesy of Benjamin Parks somehow the very first image rooftop, they shared no common language probably.” thatW always springs to mind is of his rooftop and could not converse. Silently, they con- conversation with Yasunari Kawabata. templated the charred aftermath of war. Writing for Tokyo Journal in 1994, nearly Attempting to find an intimate connection, 50 years after his first encounter on that It was a chilly morning in the early spring of Richie uttered a single word: “Yumiko” – the Asakusa rooftop, Richie recalls the last After the Inferno 1947. Richie, the tall 23-year-old American name of the heroine of the only Kawabata time he saw Kawabata. It is no longer per- By Donald Richie GI journalist, dwarfed the frail Japanese story he knew. He could only wonder about sonal. Along with the rest of the world, he is novelist, who was older and far wiser, at the emotions of his middle-aged Japanese shocked to see the novelist’s aged and ema- more than twice his age. They stood high companion, looking over the ruins of his ciated face staring at him from a televised In this installment of a series, Donald Richie recalls a poignant post-war moment with above Asakusa, gazing out over the ruins beloved home. Neither of them could know news flash. In death, the eyes were the same Nobel Prize-winner Yasunari Kawabata of a city that the older of the two knew that Kawabata, 20 years later, would receive as those that had once gazed over Tokyo, intimately and the younger was just begin- the Nobel Prize in Literature. the city that Richie and Kawabata had both ning to love. experienced so deeply and so differently. T was 1947 and the Sumida River, sil- Or, looking over the landscape, perhaps he In his reflections on Kawabata for this Tokyo ver in the winter sun, glistened beneath was feeling a great sorrow. All those lives lost Why were they there together on that Journal article, Richie adds two more short Who else but Donald Richie could com- us. Yasunari Kawabata and I were on in that blazing, roaring conflagration. Asakusa rooftop in Tokyo? Young Richie excerpts from his diaries – each separated by press a half a century of keenly remembered Ithe roof of the Asakusa subway terminal hardly knew. As an eager young features a decade or more of Tokyo experience. Tokyo time into such an incisive page? Who tower, looking out over downtown Tokyo, Imagining a sadness which I assumed that writer for the “Stars and Stripes,” he had no else could express the long arc of nostalgia still in ruins, still showing the conflagration I in his place would be feeling, I looked at doubt requested an interview with “Japan’s He next encountered Kawabata at the 1957 for a departed friend with such Zen-like of two years earlier, the burned concrete his profile. It did not seem sad. Kawabata greatest writer,”, and poor Kawabata had International PEN Congress, the first to brevity? “Surprise perhaps… Sorrow prob- black against the lemon yellow of new wood. smiled, looked over the tarpaper and indi- been summoned forth to obey the victori- be held in Tokyo and considered to be a ably.” tj cated the river. ous Americans. Japanese readers had been historic moment for postwar Japanese writ- This had been the amusement quarter of praising his novels and short stories for ers, as they rejoined the world community Tokyo. Around the great temple of Kannon, This was where the insolent Yumiko, hav- more than two decades; but young Richie of intellectuals. Kawabata was president of now a blackened, empty square, had grown a ing given the kiss of death to the older man knew nothing about that. Before the war, the congress, and Richie, now fully aware warren of bars, theaters, archery stalls, circus (who, it transpired, was the lover of the local Kawabata had made his home in the bawdy of the elderly novelist’s fame, was surprised PETER GRILLI, former President of the tents, peep-shows, places I had read where English and I spoke no Japanese. I did not mad woman who was really our heroine’s entertainment district of Asakusa and had that Kawabata remembered him. By now, Japan Society of Boston, was a friend of the all-girl opera sang and kicked, where know that Kawabata was already famous and sister), suddenly appeared at the base of the written poetically of its back streets and Richie had learned enough Japanese to Donald Richie since his own childhood in the tattooed gamblers met and bet, where would become more famous yet. But I did tower, leaped through the porthole of the shady characters; but Richie knew little of ask what Kawabata had been thinking on Tokyo. He now serves as Richie’s literary trained dogs walked on hind legs and Japan’s know he was a writer because I had heard waiting boat, and sped away just as the water that either. He had read only one story by that Asakusa rooftop in 1947. How had he executor. fattest lady sat in state. he had written about Asakusa and it was the police arrived. place itself which interested me. Now, two years after it all had gone up in I knew all this without knowing any Market Entry Localization & Globalization Services flames, after so many of those who worked “Yumiko,” I said, pointing to the silver river Japanese because, as a member of the Allied TOKYO JOURNAL and played here had burned in the streets or beneath us. This was the name of the hero- Occupation, I had translators at my com- 市場参入ローカリゼ―ション＆グローバリゼーションサービス boiled in the canals as the incendiary bombs ine of his novel Asakusa Kurenaidan, which mand and had ordered an English précis of INTERNATIONAL fell and the B-29s thundered over, the empty Kawabata had written when he - 20 years the novel. Now, looking at the author lean- »» Advertising / Media 広告 squares were again turning into lanes. Tents, ago (then about the same age as I was now, ing over the edge, as had left-handed Hiko CONSULTING »» Marketing マーケティング reed lean-tos, a few frame buildings had and as enraptured of the place as I) - walked as he spied the escaping Yumiko, I thought »» Public Relations 渉外・広報 begun appearing. Girls in wedgies were sit- the labyrinth and saw, as he later wrote, the about Kawabata’s love for Asakusa. インターナショナル・コンサルティング ting in front of new tea-rooms, but I saw no jazz reviews, the Kiss-dances, the exhibitions sign of Japan’s fattest lady. Perhaps she had of the White Russian girls and the passing He had begun his book with the intention Providing intercultural insight since 1981 »» Business Consulting ビジネスコンサルティング海外M&Aトランザクション bubbled away in the blaze. Japanese flappers with their rolled stock- “to write a long and curious story set in 1981年以来、異文化をつなぐお手伝いをしてきました »» Cross-Border M&A Transactions »» Corporate Law & Trademark 企業法務＆商標 ings. Yumiko, on this very roof where we Asakusa . . . in which vulgar women pre- Was that what he was thinking? I wondered, were standing, had confronted the gangster, dominate.” It had perhaps been for him as it »» Simultaneous Interpretation 同時通訳 looking at the avian profile of the mid- crushed an arsenic pill between her teeth was for me, a place which allowed anonym- dle-age man standing beside me, outlined and then kissed him full on the lips. ity, freedom, where life flowed on no matter »» Translation / Localization 翻訳／ローカリゼーション against the pale sky. what, where you could pick up pleasure, and »» Website Design & Development ウェブサイトのデザイン・開発 [email protected] Perhaps he was thinking of this scene and of where small rooms with paper flowers were I had no way of knowing. He spoke no the lost Yumiko: tough, muscled, beautiful. rented by the hour.

78 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 79 The Legacy of Donald Richie

Did he, I wonder, find freedom in flesh, as I had learned to? It was here, on the roof of the terminal, that Oharu had permitted herself to be kissed - and more - by members of the gang and had thus earned herself the title of Bride of the Eiffel Tower. It was here that the Akaobi-kan, that group of red- sashed girls who in the daytime worked in the respectable department stores, boasted about the bad things they did at night. Here that Umekichi disclosed that he had been raped at the age of six by a 40-year old woman.

I wondered all of this but had no way of asking. And now, chilled by that great sky, we went down the steep stairs, companion- able but inarticulate. I had given him an outing; he had given me his bird’s eye view of Asakusa.

I did not see Kawabata again for over 10 years. Then at the P.E.N. conference at the “I did not know that Kawabata was already old Asahi Shimbun building, the sun reflect- ing off the Sukiyabashi Canal just outside famous and would become more famous yet.” the big French windows I was introduced to the bird-like white-haired man who had been presiding. He had gotten over Asakusa. Had he gotten find their youth in these sleeping girls, in over it ten years before when we stood there that firm and dormant flesh. “Oh, but we know each other,” he said to the in that cold glare? I wasn’t over it, even yet, man who was introducing us. “We spent a doubted I ever would be. For me, Asakusa And after that, one day in 1972, a quarter very cold afternoon together some ten years had spread to cover the city, the country, of a century after he and I had stood on the or so ago. I caught a cold. Was in bed for a maybe even the world. Asakusa tower and thought of Yumiko, I saw week.” his face flashed onto the television screen. “And you, did you ever translate Asakusa The avian profile flew past - noted author He looked at me, kindly, inquisitively, Kurenaidan?” he asked. dead, a suicide. released my hand: “I imagine he doesn’t even remember me.” “I never learned to read.” I did not believe it. Dead, yes, but not a suicide. How could anyone who so loved “But I do,” I said. “Well, at least you learned to speak. We can life, flesh, Asakusa, kill himself? No, it was talk, finally.” an accident. The bathroom. The body had “He speaks,” said Kawabata, surprised. Then been found there, the water running. He to the other man: “There we were, stuck up And he smiled, his white head against the had been going to take a bath. He had used there, the old subway tower in Asakusa, and flowing glare of the slow canal and the dis- the gas hose as a support. He pulled it loose, I was wondering what to do about him. He tant clamor of the Tokyo traffic. was overcome. This is what I wanted to was so terribly enthusiastic and kept point- believe. I could hear the water running and ing things out. And we couldn’t talk.” But we never did. And now people were I remembered the silver of the Sumida and pushing, wanting to talk to the famous the muddy bronze of the Sukiyabashi Canal. “Tell me,” I said, a decade-old curiosity novelist. We had already had our talk. And returning. “What were you thinking of that whenever we thereafter met, Kawabata But in time, I came to believe that it was day?” would cock his head to one side and look suicide. The gas-filled arsenic kiss had been at me quizzically, humorously, as though we chosen. Naked, free, Kawabata had stepped “I don’t remember.” had had something in common. into the water just as Yumiko had slipped into the boat. “But how did you feel about Asakusa all Ten hours later, the translation of The House burned? You were seeing it for the first time of the Sleeping Beauties appeared and I saw I turned off the TV and closed my eyes. I since the war was over.” that Kawabata had been as true to his vision saw the unwinding Sumida, a molten silver of Asakusa as I had been to mine. Yumiko, under the great staring sky. I saw him flying “Oh, that. I don’t know. Surprise maybe. or her daughter, was now in this strange off in the motorboat with Yumiko, racing Sadness probably.” house in Kamakura where old men could away forever. tj

80 Tokyo Journal #274 Insight

Buddhism

TJ: How do you def ine Buddhism? Small Ego in our mind, it will die sooner TASAKA: In today’s modern society, science TASAKA: Buddhism is a kind of “cosmol- or later. However, if we see the Great Self seems to have become the most influen- ogy” that can accept various value systems as the world itself, then there is no life and tial religion for people in many countries - not only religions but philosophies that death. A famous philosopher left an impor- including Spain and Japan. However, people exist around the world. Zen Buddhism, tant message to us: “You are the world. The are always seeking the truth of life deep in especially, is a “philosophy of contradiction” world is you”. their mind. So the problem is not the mind that can accept all the contradictions in our of ordinary people; the problem is the mind life, because contradiction is an essence of TJ: If there is no life and death, then we of religious people. Religious people should life. An important thing in Buddhism is the shouldn’t be afraid to die. Have you ever talk a lot about their religious experience ability to keep the contradictions in mind, experienced a fear of death? in their daily lives in an attractive way to Hiroshi Tasaka, a former spe- to keep gazing at them and think about the TASAKA: Yes. Thirty years ago, in 1983, a the audience. For instance, when we face cial advisor to the Japan Prime meaning of the contradictions. doctor told me that I had terminal cancer. a difficult problem, after praying to God Minister (2010-2011), is also a Some other doctors gave me the same diag- we sometimes hear the voice of something Global Agenda Council Member TJ: In Europe, many philosophers think nosis and told me I could expect to live a great to guide our lives. That kind of motiva- of the World Economic Forum, Buddhism is not a religion but more of a way year or so at most. I was thrown into deep tional talk is much more attractive than just and since 2000, a professor of to understand life or a style of life because it is despair; it was like a living hell caused by the explaining the text of the Bible. philosophy at Tama University. not theist. What do you think? fear of death, day in and day out. Finally I He graduated from the University TASAKA: It depends on the definition of went to a Zen temple to find hope after all TJ: Is Japan living a similar phenomenon of of Tokyo with a Ph.D. in nuclear religion. If we define a religion as a value the doctors told me there was no medical laicism? engineering in 1981 and from system centering around one god, then cure for my illness. I met a Zen master at the TASAKA: Yes. But I am very optimistic 1987 worked at the Battelle Buddhism is not a religion. Buddhism sees temple who told me a very important mes- about that phenomenon because people Memorial Institute and at the numerous gods, Buddhahood, everywhere sage, “There is no past. There is no future. are always seeking the meaning of life deep Pacific Northwest National – in mountains, rivers, grass, trees, land Existing is only now. Live now. Live now in their minds. This is because their sub- Laboratory in the U.S. In 1990, and even in the wind. However, we need to the fullest.” This message gave me a deep consciousness is always looking at death and he participated in founding the to understand that religion itself is in the insight into life. I then started practicing hoping to understand the meaning of life. Japan Research Institute. In process of transformation and evolution in this message every day, imagining “Today is 2000, he founded the think tank today’s age. An important question is, “What the last day of my life.” After practicing this 13.7 billion years ago as the universe, which TJ: What is the objective of a Buddhist? TJ: If we observe the world, we can recognize SophiaBank. Dr. Tasaka is a phi- religious systems will replace the old reli- message every day for a year, I found the we can see every night when the sky is full of TASAKA: The objective is to consider the many economic differences with the United losopher who has authored more gious systems in the 21st century?” Even a fear of death had completely disappeared stars. The universe began a long journey 13.7 meaning of life, find the deep and quiet joy States, Japan and Europe as stronger zones. than 60 books. traditional religious system should transform from my mind. This way of living enhanced billion years ago, and it thinks, “Who am I?” of life and celebrate the miracles of life. In But some people are predicting the end of itself to adapt to the changes in people’s my power in life and I have survived cancer through you, me, him and her now. So, we fact, it is a miracle when someone encoun- Western dominance. What do you think? minds in modern society. until now. cannot die as the Great Self; we can die only ters someone in his or her very short life, TASAKA: I think what we are seeing is the as the Small Ego. which goes by like a blink of an eye. We call beginning of the fusion of Western and the feeling of miracles “Enishi.” Eastern civilization. Greece, Italy and Spain TJ: What are the main differences between used to be very strong countries economical- Buddhism and other big religions? TJ: Many Buddhist practices are becoming ly and are still excellent countries in terms of “There is no past. There is no future. TASAKA: True Buddhism does not exclude alternative health solutions in Europe and culture. The important thing is to not only other religions and philosophies. That is North America. For example, yoga, medita- look at countries from the viewpoint of the Existing is only now. Live now. because Buddhism understands that every tion and vegetarian diets. Why are people economy but also to look at countries from religion and philosophy has an impor- adopting these customs? the viewpoint of culture and civilization. Live now to the fullest.” tant meaning to exist, and that is because TASAKA: Harmonizing with the world and Buddhism believes that the roots of all reli- nature through yoga, meditation or a veg- TJ: Where do you think humanity is heading? gions and philosophies are the same. etarian diet always results in better health. TASAKA: At this moment, humankind TJ: We are very interested in knowing how TJ: That’s amazing! Can you tell us how But for Buddhists, harmonizing with the is walking on the stage of “pre-history”, Buddhism views life and death. Could you Buddhism influenced you during your disease? TJ: How does Buddhism explain injustice, world and nature itself is the ultimate pur- because the “true history” of humankind has explain what life and death means to you? TASAKA: I learned many things from social suffering and inequalities? pose. Becoming healthy is not the ultimate not yet opened its curtain. This is because TASAKA: For Buddhists, there is no dif- Buddhism during the disease. Among them, TASAKA: The world is still in the process purpose; it is merely a result. But many peo- humankind is still suffering from war, ter- ference between life and death in their true the most important thing I learned is the of evolution and growth. Buddhism believes ple tend to control their bodies to become rorism, violence, crime, starvation, epidem- meaning because life and death share the meaning of “eternal life.” Eternal life does that everything that happens and exists healthy. It is a kind of mental illness that ics, poverty, discrimination and environ- same reality in life. If we hope to talk about not mean how we can avoid physical death. in the world has an important meaning. people living in modern society have to put mental pollution. There is a famous science death, we need to answer the question, It means “who I am.” Once we realize the Of course, we need to change the state of the result as the purpose. fiction novel entitled “Childhood’s End” by “Whose death is it?” Is it the death of the fact that behind this Small Ego, there is a injustice, social suffering and inequalities in Arthur C. Clarke. Like the title of the novel, Small Ego or the death of the Great Self? Great Self, deep in our mind, we understand the world; however, they are a kind of deep TJ: In Spain, the number of catholic believers I think humankind is still walking in the age Once we ask this question, we will find the Great Self cannot die because we are the message sent from the world to us in order is decreasing. What is your opinion about this of childhood. But we are growing now. tj that the Great Self cannot die. If we see the world and the world is us. We were born to foster compassion within us. flood of laicism?

82 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 83 Art & Culture Photographs by Yoram Roth Hanjo German Photographer, Yoram Roth, Pays Tribute to Yukio Mishima’s Noh Opera Adaptation By Elena Encarnacion

sullen geisha sitting alone at a Such is the premise of Hanjo, a 15th cen- station, Hanako waits. For years, tury Noh opera, famously revised by Yukio she has waited every day in the Mishima in 1952. Hanjo is a tale about sameA place, gripping a treasured fan in her the universal human tendency to place the hand. key to one’s own happiness in the hands of another. It is the tale’s realistic and unhappy Such an exquisite beauty, she was noticed by end − thematically consistent with present all. The world wondered how she could be so genres − combined with the traditional passively obsessive. The conclusion was that use of multifaceted characters, that inspired she must be mad. German photographer, Yoram Roth. His photographic novel and exhibition pay hom- What her spectators didn’t know was that age to this work, which is both classic the fan she held was the embodiment of a and currently relevant, in this era of post- vow she had made to the man who possessed narrative motifs, in which aesthetics and her heart. Hanako had promised to love substance are too often abandoned. Yoshio eternally. When he had to depart, he had given her a fan to represent their love, The sets, most costumes and decorative which would be requited upon his return. stage-props were all created specifically for And so she had sworn that she would wait. this ambitious project – one which inter- twines the language of fashion photography The story continues with Hanako being with story elements to engage the viewer. purchased from the geisha house by Jitsuko, The images require a certain level of per- a painter who is unsuccessful in profession sonal interpretation and reference Meiji era, and love. Jitsuko wants to live vicariously 19th century, hand-colored Japanese pho- through Hanako’s radiance. When a news- tography. paper article appears about the geisha who waits eternally at the station, Jitsuko flies The photo book is available through into a rage and panics that her muse will be Camera Work. Roth’s work has been exhib- taken from her desperate grasp. ited throughout Europe and Asia, including at Tokyo Photo 2013. tj

84 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 85 Fashion & Design Photos courtesy of Yamano Gakuen.

so we’re trying to start short-term courses. Former Yamano Gakuen Chancellor Masayoshi There’s a group from China right now in- (Mike) Yamano, who initiated gerontology house and what we did is we put together program partnership between University of Southern California and Yamano College of a program that they can’t get anywhere else. Aesthetics The Yamano Beauty We’ll personalize the curriculum for whatever time that the group has. We can do five days - so one day we can bring in someone from the salons who does hair cutting, or College Legacy long hair styles and maybe coloring, and then Interview with Yamano Gakuen Chancellor & Kimono Aficionado Jane Aiko Yamano of course tea ceremony. The kimono dress is always a fun cultural experience, and then maybe they go to Tokyo Disneyland for one day. If they wanted more hands-on experi- Yamano Beauty College was founded in 1934 by Aiko Yamano (1909-1995), a pioneer in the ence we can do that as well, so we’re making programs based on demand. hair and beauty industry. At 16, she opened her first salon in 1925. Her dream was to dignify the beautician profession by increasing educational standards. Yamano also introduced the per- TJ: Do you have career services that help them get employment? manent wave machine to Japan in the 1930s and in 1980 was awarded the “3rd Class of the YAMANO: We have 100 percent employ- Yamano Gakuen Founder Aiko Yamano ment. We have a career center that helps Order of the Sacred Treasure” by the Emperor of Japan. Today the Yamano group of schools has every student find a job, or we can help them 3,125 students, with four areas of study: beauty, aesthetics, medical/chiropractic and Japanese TJ: I understand the director of “The Walking continue their education. Dead” TV show lectured to your students language. Yamano’s granddaughter and successor, Jane Aiko Yamano discusses the 80th anniver- recently. Can you tell us about that? TJ: What was it about your grandmother that sary of her family’s school and Aiko Yamano’s legacy. YAMANO: Yes, Greg Nicotero. He’s actually you respected the most? ever guessed that that’s where she came out a special effects make-up artist, turned direc- YAMANO: She was always smiling and no from. “No” wasn’t in her vocabulary. It’s a tor. He came, lectured and explained to the matter what she did, she did her best. There hard act to follow but we’re doing our best. students how he went about putting on the was always a very positive feeling around her TJ: Aiko Yamano was quite a powerful Los Angeles once a year and dressed us up. TJ: What is your favorite part of the business? prosthetics and all kinds of things. Previously, and an energy that’s kind of hard to explain. TJ: What was the secret to your grandmother’s woman. Did she start the Yamano group of We couldn’t speak to her because we didn’t YAMANO: Being with the students and Fox TV had asked me to participate in their We had a show at Kabuki-za once. When the success? schools? speak Japanese. I didn’t really know what sharing what we have to share about beauty promotion for “The Walking Dead” at the show was on, she was in the hospital hooked YAMANO: She loved what she did, and she YAMANO: She was the technician and the our company did or who my grandmother and the kimono. The Olympics will be in Tokyo Tower. So we got 1,000 students, all up to an IV. But the show must go on, so she had a passion for the beauty industry and star of it. My grandfather put the state boards was. As I traveled with her, and went to Japan so hopefully we can help dress the dressed like zombies. If you look it up on unhooked it all. We took her and she got on the people around her. She said there are five together and made the beauty association. beauty school and college, I learned that she presenters! YouTube, you’ll see them. We’re in the busi- that stage. She could barely walk, but I just elements of beauty: hair, face, fashion, mental They put the beauty industry together. He was very dedicated. People always loved her. ness of making people look pretty and nice, held her and we aimed for the emcee. She health and physical health. The last two are was the brains; she was the talent. When People would cry and she would calm them. but we had to look dead, bloody and gory! gave her speech. Then we walked off, went the most important because with a positive something would come out, she would teach They considered her like a god. It was a very interesting challenge but our back to the hospital and no one would have attitude you could do almost anything. tj the technique and use the equipment, like students loved it. the perm machine. TJ: What is your position in the college? Yamano Gakuen Students Lead Approximately 1,000-person "Zombie Walk" to Tokyo Tower YAMANO: It’s my 30th year since I was named TJ: What other work is your family involved for Fox TV's "The Walking Dead" Promo TJ: Did she have a huge influence on your life? as successor to my grandmother at Carnegie in? YAMANO: It mainly started once I graduat- Hall, but just last April my father gave his YAMANO: A University of Southern California ed high school, because when I was a young residence title to me, and so I’ve become the program called gerontology. USC was one of girl she was just a grandmother that visited chancellor of the Yamano doctrine. the first campuses to start this area in the study of the elderly and aging, so we are now pushing the quality of life for the elderly and living life to its fullest. Through gerontology young people can understand the elderly. We’ve already started our second year in the program. Our first-year students received a certificate of completion from USC, which is very rare because USC usually doesn’t give these unless you’re graduating from there. And because it’s online you can do it at your own pace.

TJ: Do you have international students? YAMANO: Yes, but they have to be fluent in Japanese. When you come to Japan you have

Photo courtesy of Anaheim University. Photo Leland by Hayward. Photo courtesy University. of Anaheim to be able to take the state board exam in Yamano Gakuen Students Prepare for 2009 Cherry Blossom Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel Yamano Gakuen Chancellor Jane Aiko Yamano Japanese in order to work in a beauty salon,

86 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 87 Hiroyuki Suzuki www.amoment.jp Moments in Construction Photography by H. Suzuki

TJ: What aspects of photography do you like the most and the least? SUZUKI: The most – it mirrors the creator. The least: it mirrors the creator. What I like the most is it reflects the thoughts of the photographer. On the other hand, what I like the least is it reflects the thoughts of the creator, despite his or her intention.

TJ: Can you tell us about your recent projects? SUZUKI: The construction sites of the Otemachi Tower in Marunouchi, Tokyo; the Yokohama Kanjyo Kita Line of Metropolitan Expressway Company, and the Tohoku-Jyukan Line of East Japan Railway Company (now called the ‘Ueno-Tokyo line’).

TJ: You had an exhibition of your photos of Grand Central Terminal in New York. What do you like about New York? Hiroyuki Suzuki SUZUKI: There was good chemistry between the city and the photographs. Photographer, producer and author, Hiroyuki Suzuki has produced many Junko TJ: Can you share any interesting experiences you had from photographing Grand Central Koshino Fashion Collections in Paris, Terminal? Beijing, New York, and in Washington, SUZUKI: Many U.S. citizens got to know about underground construction in Manhattan for D.C. for the opening dinner of the John the first time through that photo exhibition. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2008. He is also the author of TJ: Why do you like to photograph sites outside Japan rather than just sites inside Japan? “I Am Myself”, “Promise”, and “Yuki et SUZUKI: I like unique sites regardless of borders. Maria,” which is a sequel to the opera “Madame Butterfly.” He began his career TJ: Can you tell us about your most exciting international experience? as a photographer in 2006 with his SUZUKI: Riding the external elevator of a 500-meter high building in Shanghai. archetypal work, “A Moment.” He has photographed construction sites around TJ: Where have you travelled that you would like to visit again and why? the world including the Metro of Dubai, SUZUKI: Singapore. I want to take pictures of the construction sites of the Singapore Tokyo International Airport, the Tokyo National Stadium. Gate Bridge, the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway and the renovation of Tokyo TJ: When entertaining foreign guests in Tokyo, where do you like to take them? Train Station. His photograph exhibitions SUZUKI: My house. tj have been held in Washington, D.C., New York, Shanghai, Beijing and numerous locations throughout Japan. TJ: 写真の最も嫌いな点と好きな点を教えてください。スズキ : 良いところ：作り手の鏡、悪いところ：作り手の鏡。良いところは写真家の意識が写真に投映されるとこであり、悪いところは意識せず作り手の意識が鈴木弘之写真に投映されてしまうところ写真家、プロデューサー、作家。パリ、北京、ニューヨークにおけるジュンコ・コシノ・コレ TJ: 最近のプロジェクトについて教えてください。クション、2008 年にケネディ・センターで開スズキ : 丸の内大手町タワー建設関連現場、首都高速横浜環状北線建設現場、東北縦貫線建設工事現場催されたジャパン・フェスティバルのオープニング・ディナー・イベントなど数々のイベント TJ: グランドセントラルで写真展を開催されたということですが、NYの好きな点を教えてください。のプロデュースを手掛けた。オペラ「蝶々夫人」スズキ : 写真の似合う街の続編である「Yuki et Maria」、「I Am Myself」「Promise」「A Moment」の著者でもある。 TJ: グラントセントラルの写真展での面白いエピソードを教えてください。 2006 年から、「A Moment」をコア・コンセスズキ : この写真展によって、初めて市民の多くがマンハッタンの地下工事を知ったという事プトに据え写真家として活動を始める。ドバイの地下鉄、東京国際空港、東京ゲートブリッジ、 TJ: 日本だけでなく、海外でも写真を撮りたいと思われるのはなぜですか？東京の首都高速道路、東京駅復元工事など、世スズキ : ユニークな現場は、国境を問わず界の工事現場を撮影している。ワシントンD.C.、ニューヨーク、上海、北京、日本各地で写真展 TJ: 最もエキサイティングな国際体験を教えてください。を開催。スズキ : 上海の 500 ｍビルの外付けエレベーターでの移動

TJ: 今一度行きたい国はありますか？またその理由は何ですか？スズキ : シンガポール、建設中のナショナルスタジアムの撮影

TJ: 個性あるキャラクターの外国人ゲストが東京を訪れた時、あなたはどこへ連れていきますか？スズキ : 自宅 tj Tokyo Journal #274 89 Fashion & Design

Saving the Sexy Cover-It-All-Up Kimono! By Boyé Lafayette De Mente

EOPLE who are not intimate- in cotton and linen, rather than the tradi- Since many Japanese have never worn a ly familiar with Japan’s tradition- tional silk – itself one of the most sensual kimono before, rental services including al female kimono may never have fabrics ever made. The enormous but latent the Shinari restaurant, assist their patrons Pthought of these cover-everything-up gar- cultural power of the kimono kicked in and in putting the garments on properly. Rental ments as particularly sexy, but they are. Even in no time the industry was worth 2 trillion fees for up to eight hours cost between $50 the most die-hard take-it-all-off advocates yen a year, which is the equivalent to $19.7 and $70. cannot deny the influence of kimono on billion today. both the women who wear them and the Retailers say their bestsellers to younger libido of males who view them. But the new cotton and linen kimono had women are in the $200 to $300 range, a short lifetime. Their cost continued to while older women are inclined to buy The first step in converting full or nearly spiral upward and sales began to decline. more expensive kimono. Some shops stock full-exposure die-hards to an appreciation By 2007 sales were off by about 75%, which kimono made of denim as well as cotton of the seductive appeal of the and linen, with the denim kimono is to remind them that appealing more to men total exposure of the female than women. body eventually results in a loss of its seductive powers. Traditional silk kimono are still made in Kyoto for the In ancient times, the Japanese wealthiest clientele, costing learned that mystery and up to $15,000. If properly imagination are far more cared for, this type of kimo- powerful sexual turn-ons than no can last for over half a complete exposure of the millennia and become fam- body, and until recent times ily heirlooms. this knowledge was reflected in their apparel as well as Renewed interest in wear- in other areas of their life, ing the kimono is reflec- including communal bathing. tive of the latent power of Japan’s traditional culture The early Japanese, especially and a growing discomfort sensually oriented because of with the style of living and their Shinto beliefs, did not working that comes with limit the seductive powers “Mystery and the imagination are the modern economy. of the form-fitting kimono by concealing the physical far more powerful sexual turn-ons” The effect that a kimono charms of the female form. has on teenage girls and They used colors and design elements to resulted in something quite new for Japan: young women in particular is remarkable. further enhance the sensual appeal of these the appearance of low-cost kimono rental Their attitude and behavior change. They garments. services and large numbers of retailers spe- must walk in a more sedate manner that is cializing in second-hand kimono. conspicuously sensual. They feel the sensu- But many of the lifestyle changes that were ality of the colorful, form-fitting garments, introduced in Japan from the 1870s were Now a growing number of people, particu- and it shows in their manner. incompatible with the kimono, and over the larly middle-aged and older women and following century it gradually disappeared men, rent kimono for special occasions, for Interestingly, a growing number of foreign from everyday wear. strolling around traditional neighborhoods, women are discovering the potency of the attending Kabuki and Noh performances, kimono and adding it to their arsenal of By the 1970s one generally saw the kimono and visiting famous historical sites. One feminine wiles. only on special occasions such as weddings traditionally styled restaurant in Tokyo’s and holidays. It began to seem as if this Kagurazaka district – the Shinari -- rents Both the change in the physical appear- amazing garment had been consigned to kimono to patrons who make reservations ance and the behavior of young women in a the dust heap of history; so manufacturers in advance, allowing them to have a totally kimono have a subtle but powerful effect on began an attempt to revive the popularity of traditional dining experience. the libido of males; and this is certainly not the kimono by producing cheaper versions lost on the females! tj

90 Tokyo Journal #274 Travel Treasures

Scottsdale, Arizona W Scottsdale Over the past decade, Scottsdale, Arizona, has transformed from sleepy, desert town to dynamic city with an exploding social scene, Travel to the U.S.A. well worth an international trip. Universal Studios, Hollywood, Scottsdale & New Orleans Things to do: • The annual Phoenix Open Golf Tournament TJ’s hotel reviewers headed to California, Arizona and Louisiana to experience the best places • Scottsdale Arts Festival and Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show to stay and most entertaining things to do. Here are a few of our favorites. • Heard Museum, Arizona Capitol Museum and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art • Rawhide Western Town (“Old West” theme park) • Scottsdale Fashion Square with leading fashion retailers Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City • Four professional sports teams: MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, Universal Studios Hollywood, California NBA’s Phoenix Suns, NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and the NHL’s Universal Studios is a must-see for all ages. One of the oldest and Phoenix Coyotes, as well as the spring training home of 12 most famous Hollywood studios still in use, it is also an amuse- Major League Baseball teams ment park - both fascinating and educational. Where to stay: Things to do: W Scottsdale • See how Hollywood movies are made on a studio tour For a trendy and upscale experience where Scottsdale’s night scene • Learn how blockbusters are made at the “Special Effects comes alive. Luxurious, sophisticated and chic, and right by the stage” hippest spot in town, their suites make you feel like a celebrity • Thrills, chills and spills with King Kong, Transformers, The – probably why they have accommodated the likes of Rihanna, Mummy, The Simpsons, Shrek, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld Jessica Simpson and Steve Nash. and haunted house attractions. Take pictures of your children with their favorite characters: Transformers, The Minions, The top 3 things we love about it: Photos courtesy of W Scottsdale The Simpsons, SpongeBob SquarePants, Shrek, Curious • This place lets you live the rock-star dream with a unique George, Scooby-Doo and more concierge-type service providing tips on and VIP access to • Within walking distance of designer shops, art galleries and the area’s coolest nightclubs, restaurants and hotspots. But if fine dining Where to stay: you’re all partied out, the lobby holds live Friday and Saturday • Year-round events and activities such as yoga and fashion Photos courtesy of Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City night entertainment shows The Hilton is just a block away from Universal Studios The top 3 things we love about it: Hollywood’s entrance and less than 10 minutes from the historic • Location Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theater (formerly • Location Grauman’s Chinese Theater). Other nearby attractions include • Location – It is everything you would expect in a Hilton and Fairmont Scottsdale Princess the Hollywood Bowl, Pantages Theater, Hollywood and Highland although there are shuttle buses; it is only a couple of minutes’ Looking for a luxurious golf resort away from the city’s hustle Center, Griffith Park and Observatory and the Los Angeles Zoo. walk from Universal Studios Hollywood and bustle? This resort has a AAA Five Diamond rating and offers four award-winning restaurants and convenient access to two 18-hole championship golf courses – among them the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course where you can enjoy the PGA TOUR Arroyo Vista Inn golf experience.

The top 3 things we love about it: • Richard Sandoval’s La Hacienda, voted #1 Mexican Restaurant in Arizona. Superb service: the chef went out of his way to carefully accommodate a child with a food allergy. • Year-round activities for the entire family including the out- Fairmont Scottsdale Princess door pool and water slide with pool rafts, spa, fitness center, basketball and three lagoons for fishing. Outdoor ice skating during their “Christmas at the Princess” celebration. • Great daytime activities for kids include; exploring the property’s wildlife, making s’mores using a solar oven, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, recreational games and an ice cream

Photos courtesy of Arroyo Vista Inn social

Unique L.A. Experience: Pasadena, California The top 3 things we love about it: Arroyo Vista Inn • Elegant, relaxing American country-style home; off the For a unique experience while staying in the L.A. area with lots beaten path of museums and fun things to do in the city of Pasadena, try this • Stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains and surround- quaint bed and breakfast. The inn was recently renovated and ing hillsides originally designed by renowned architect Lester Moore, best • Gourmet breakfast, fresh baked cookies and afternoon wine known for the L.A. City Hall. and cheese served by Innkeeper Pat Wright Photos courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

92 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 93 Photos courtesy of Travel Treasures W New Orleans – French Quarter Manga & Anime

W New Orleans – French Quarter

• Ride the Canal Street Ferry to Algiers Point and see the New Orleans skyline New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans’ fabulous food, marvelous music and distinctive cul- Where to stay: ture make it unlike other U.S. cities. Visit the birthplace of jazz W New Orleans - French Quarter during its world-famous Mardi Gras festival: you won’t be disap- Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior that blends into sur- pointed. The trip is worth it for the Creole cuisine alone! rounding colonial-style architecture and cobblestone streets. The interior is the chic, modern, luxurious design the W is known for. Things to do: • Check out historic Jackson Square and its musicians, mimes and The top 3 things we love about it: street performers • Walking distance to the iconic Jackson Square, bistros, bou- • Bar-hop on the rowdy and wild Bourbon Street tiques and live jazz • Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art or National WWII • Award-winning SoBou restaurant and bar serving a mix of New Museum Orleans-/Caribbean-inspired cuisine • Tour Mardi Gras World • The W’s Whatever/Whenever service: to find the hippest jazz • Watch the ships on the Mississippi River from Woldenberg band, the perfect boutique or the most sought-after artist in Park town tj Anime Los Angeles 2014 By Autumn Flores

LTHOUGH Anime Expo may be the largest and best-known eastern media convention in North America, there are a multitude of events for lovers of Japanese culture that take place in Southern California. Anime Los Angeles, the first scheduledA convention of the year, may be small in terms of attendance and location, but it still draws in 5,000 fans to the LAX Marriott. ALA is hailed by regular attendees as one of the best conventions for meeting people with similar interests in specific fandom, and apanese Armor con-specific areas such as the pool, where people tend to show off their cosplays, are also a Authentic Reproduction Samurai Armor big draw. There are the usual panels and competitions associated with conventions and, of course, the tradition of cosplay chess, where individuals serve as pieces and “battle” it out for Formed in 2001, Little Star Enterprises has been the world’s leading online reseller of authentic reproduction Japanese Samurai Armor. their respective king. Many voice actors, musicians and other industry professionals make Each suit is painstakingly handcrafted by experienced armourers who use traditional as well as modern methods and materials. their own special appearances and interact with those who are interested in their work. At ALA it is always a delight to spend time with friends, make new ones, and as always, Our armor is made specifically for re-enactors and private collectors who demand authenticity, detail, quality & affordability! celebrate the culture that binds them together. tj

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94 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 95 Through the Eyes of Yankelovich

Tokyo 5

By Daniel Yankelovich

大企業が収益を上げることができるのは、消費者の所得増によって製品の改革も、日本経済の活力を新たにするのに必要な臨界質量には達しな N the coming months, people in America and やサービスへの支出が増えた時だけだった。しかし、ここ数十年ほどのいかもしれないという危惧が高まっている。 Japan should expect a lot of discussion on a topic “It would make sense for Japan 間に、企業は社会に富を還元することなく収益を上げることができるよ数十年前、日本製品は世界最高の品質を誇り、日本経済は栄光の日々 that may at first glance seem like technical eco- うになった。を謳歌していた。日本は高い競争力によって、“上げ潮が全ての船を押 nomics, but is in fact a red-hot political issue whose to turn its focus to improving Daniel I 非民主的資本主義においては、企業は人より技術に投資する。いかにし上げる”民主的資本主義を推進することができた。日本人は、世界中 consequences are hard to exaggerate. 残酷であろうとも、労働コストをカットして利鞘を高めようとする。この消費者の需要に応えて製品の品質を高めることに精進するのは理にか Yankelovich product quality in response to The topic is whether or not our capitalist systems の形態の資本主義から利益を得るのがごく一部の高所得者層だけであるなっていると考えるはずだ。民主的資本主義の下で、起業が盛んになり、 renowned social are undergoing a lasting structural change. Are we なら、政治的に支持が得られないのは明らかだろう。企業が人間に投資し、労働者が成長の利益を共有することが妨げられな researcher and pub- worldwide consumer demand.” inadvertently shifting from forms of capitalism that もちろん、民主主義と相反する資本主義は様々な形で存在する。中国いことを望ましいと思うだろう。 lic opinion analyst, are compatible with political democracy to forms that の中央統制型資本主義、ロシアのクローニー・キャピタリズムなどなど。日本は、容赦ない競争の中で、起業家精神が重要な役割を果たし、人 earned bachelor’s are undemocratic? こうした資本主義においては、上げ潮が押し上げるのは一部の船だけで、びとのスキルの向上に資本が投下されるという、単純に労働コストを and master’s degrees The American public is most familiar with the “ris- In these forms, a rising tide raises only some boats and 政治的安定は脅かされる。カットするだけではない、民主主義に最もなじむ資本主義を目標にすべ from Harvard ing tide raises all boats” form of capitalism – the most political stability is threatened. 日本には、これとはやや異なる問題がある。日本の資本主義は、資本きではないか。 University, and car- democratic of its forms. Economic growth benefits Japan is struggling with a somewhat different set 主義体制が陥りやすい過剰な“創造的破壊”から人々を守ってきた。労世界中のどの国もまだ、民主的資本主義から非民主的資本主義への移 the majority of participants. Income levels rise for all of issues. The Japanese public is most familiar with 働者も銀行も輸出企業も産業も保護されてきたのだ。 ried out post-grad- 行の結果について十分に議論を重ねてはいないと思う。tj uate studies at the demographic groups. Political stability prevails. a form of capitalism that protects participants from こうした利益集団を長年保護してきた結果、景気低迷に陥った。現行 Sorbonne in Paris. This form of capitalism has proven successful in the excesses of the “creative destruction” to which the United States because average Americans are not all capitalist systems are prone. Employees are pro- He served as founder opposed in principle to gross inequalities of income, tected. Banks are protected. Exporters are protected. of The New York as long as they have a fair chance to improve life for Industries are protected. Times/ Yankelovich themselves and their families. Unfortunately, the cumulative effect of protecting all Poll (now The New However, there is mounting evidence that this of these interest groups is economic stagnation. The York Times/CBS necessary condition for public approval no longer fear is growing that current reforms may not reach Poll); Chairman of prevails in the United States. Those at the top are the critical mass required to renew the vitality of the Educational Testing doing extremely well. But incomes at all other levels, Japanese economy. Services (ETS); especially at the bottom, are stagnant or declining. It The glory days of the Japanese economy occurred “Now and then a new book comes Director of CBS has become a truism that the American middle class is decades ago when Japanese products were the best in along in which nearly every sentence and Loral Space and being hollowed out. the world. That competitive edge permitted Japan to Communications; and It is possible that the United States has, without rec- embrace the “rising tide raises all boats” democratic deserves underlining. . . . Profit with professor of New ognizing it, shifted from democratic to undemocratic form of capitalism. It would make sense for Japan to York University. capitalism. Until recently our giant corporations could turn its focus to improving product quality in response Honor is such a book.” be profitable only if consumers had rising incomes to to worldwide consumer demand. Under democratic —Christian Science Monitor ダニエル・ spend on their products and services. But in the past capitalism, entrepreneurship thrives and companies ヤンケロビッチ decade or so, companies have learned to become prof- invest in people rather than in ways to prevent employ- 著名な社会・世論分析家。 itable without spreading the wealth throughout society. ees from sharing the benefits of growth. ハーバード大学で学士 Under this form of undemocratic capitalism, com- In a brutally competitive world, Japan would do well “Provocative and passionately argued, 号・修士号を取得、パ panies invest in technology rather than people. They to focus on those features of capitalism most compat- リのソルボンヌ大学大 improve their profit margins by cutting labor costs, no ible with democracy, in which entrepreneurship plays and deserves a wide audience.” 学院で研究。公共機関 matter how brutal that may be. Clearly, if only those a key role and capital is invested in developing people’s に関する研究でワシント at the top of the income scale benefit from this form skills, not just in reducing labor costs. —Financial Executive ン大学、ジョージ・ワシ of capitalism, then it will prove politically untenable. I don’t think any nation has thought through the ントン大学の名誉博士 There are, of course, many forms of capitalism that consequences of these shifts in the forms of capital- 号を取得。ニューヨー are not consistent with democracy, e.g., China’s form ism straying from a democratic to an undemocratic ク・タイムズのヤンケロ of centralized capitalism and Russia’s crony capitalism. agenda. tj ビッチ世論調査（現在のニューヨーク・タイムズ／CBS共同世論調査）後数か月の間に日米両国で、表面上は経済学的なこの形の資本主義がアメリカで成功したのは、平均的ア Yale University Press の創始者であり、ETS 議論だが実のところ計り知れない影響力のあるメリカ人は基本的に、自分と家族のためによりよい生活を（Educational Testing 今ホットな政治問題が話題になるだろう。求めるチャンスが公平にある限りは、所得格差に反発しな Service）会長、Society 我々の資本主義体制において持続的な構造変化が進行しいからだ。 for the Advancement ているのかどうか、という問題だ。我々が気づかないうちしかし、アメリカでも、世論の支持を得るための必須条 www.YaleBooks.com of Socio-Economics に、資本主義は民主主義と親和性のある形から非民主的な件がもはや満たされない現実が広がっている。ひと握りの初代会長、CBS 名誉形にシフトしているのではないか。人びとが驚くばかりの富を享受する一方で、それ以外、特 www.YaleBooks.co.uk 会長、 Loral Space & アメリカ社会は、“上げ潮が全ての船を押し上げる”形のに底辺層の収入は停滞あるいは減少しており、中流層が空 Communications 名誉最も民主的な資本主義になじんできた。経済成長が市民に洞化している。会長、ニューヨーク大学恩恵を与え、あらゆる層の所得レベルを上げ、政治的安定アメリカは、知らぬ間に、民主的資本主義から非民主的教授でもある。をもたらすシステムだ。資本主義にシフトしているのかもしれない。最近まで、巨

96 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 97 Accredited Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and TJ Business Expert MBA Programs in Entrepreneurship, International Management & Former Accenture Chairman Masakatsu Mori shares his Sustainability 30 years of experience in advising many of Japan’s leading corporations as well as foreign corporations doing business in Japan and beyond.

Who owns the corporation?

N today’s global economies, corporate governance plays a very important role not only to increase the economic value of individual companies but to build a peaceful and prosperous sustainable global society. The impact of some huge Masakatsu Mori global companies goes well beyond that of some countries. For example, Toyota Motor Masakatsu Mori is the former Chairman and I Representative Director of Accenture Japan Corporation’s revenue ($250 billion) is bigger than the GDP of Malaysia ($238) and Finland ($239); and the revenue of Mitsubishi Corporation ($200) exceeds the GDP Ltd. He was with the organization for over of the Philippines ($189) and the Czech Republic ($192). The behavior of these com- 30 years and helped major clients like Sony, panies around the world can bring fatal impacts on the economy and social welfare of Toshiba and Yamaha to remain globally com- the global community. In many ways, how huge global corporations are governed is petitive. He was President of the International more important than how some nations are governed. University of Japan from 2011 to 2012 where Prepare for an Increasingly Competitive he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. He is There are many models of corporate governance around the world. Here are two typi- currently an Executive of the Japan Association cal examples: of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai), and Business World a member of the board of directors of SKY The American model: Perfect JSAT Holdings, Stanley Electric and As the owners of a company, shareholders yield strong power and the management is Yamato Holdings. strongly motivated by and focused on making a high profit. Most Online Doctor of Business Administration Online Master of Entrepreneurship of the board members are external independents who supervise the with concentrations in: Gut instinct is not something you are born with. It management. Management is a combination of knowledge and wisdom and Under this model, the management tends to seek short-term profits International Management Anaheim University’s Master of Entrepreneurship at the expense of long-term economic value. It also doesn’t pay Global Sustainable Management is the place to gain this knowledge. much attention to social values. Employees are considered by man- Entrepreneurship agement as a dispensable resource.

Online International MBA The Japanese model: Over the next 20 years, few businesses will sur- The balanced interests of all stakeholders including shareholders, vive without an international clientele. Intercultural customers, suppliers, employees and the community are respected understanding and knowledge of foreign markets and reflected in the governance structure. Most of the board consists of internal members. are the key ingredients for success. Under this model, the management does not have a clear focus Online MBA in Sustainable Management and tends to keep to the status quo. Employees are positioned as At AU, being green is not about enhancing cor- important members of corporations but sometimes shareholder value is sacrificed. porate public image. It is about preparing stable businesses of the 21st century to co-exist with the One of my ideas for solving some of the holes in the Japanese environment while at the same time thriving. model is to promote more stock ownership by a wider group of stakeholders such as the employees. That would mean that the interests of stakeholders, say employees and shareholders, could be joined together and not in conflict. They may be more motivated to cooperate to increase the value of the corporation. www.anaheim.edu 1-800-955-6040 1-714-772-3330 One of the most influential guidelines has been The OECD World-Class Education E-mail: [email protected] Principles of Corporate Governance issued in May 1999 and Anaheim University revised in 2004. Because of the huge roles that global corporations Office of Admissions Room 110 play and their consequential impacts on the global community, 1240 S. State College Blvd. corporate governance should be one of the most important issues Anaheim, California 92806 USA in the coming years. tj

Tokyo Journal #274 99

university_MBA_2014revised.indd 1 2014/03/22 14:55 Parenting with Lorraine ロレインの子育て相談翻訳：川合美雪

Time-Outs タイムアウト

イムアウト（今いる場所から強制的に退去させ、別の場所で一定ことを心がけてください。おもちゃやテレビがあったり、家族がいる場所は Lorraine Al-Jamie ARENTS have long used “time-outs” as a tech- Parents need to choose the length of time or else it is a retired licensed nique to stop unacceptable behavior; however, becomes meaningless. How long should a time-out be? 時間過ごさせること）」は、子供の容認できない行動をやめさせる避けるべきです。余計なものがなければ、他のことに気をとられずに落ちタために以前から用いられている手法です。単なる“お仕置き”で着いて自分の過ちについて考えることができるはずです。 Marriage Family P time-outs are not just an effective punishment. Generally, the time limit is one minute for each year of Therapist who They also give children an opportunity to calm down a child’s age up to the age of eight, which is when they はなく、気持ちを落ち着かせ自制心を養うチャンスを子供に与えるという specializes in assist- and gain self-control. are old enough to sit for 15 minutes or longer. 効果があります。タイムアウトの時間も考慮しなければなりません。一般的に、８歳までは１歳 ing parents acquire につき１分が限度です。８歳になれば 15 分以上は座っていられるはずです。 skills that enhance Time-outs can be used as a consequence of misbe- As we are putting a child into a time-out, we want タイムアウトは、問題行動があった時、あるいは事態の悪化を防ぐために用 their ability to raise havior, and they can be used to stop a situation from the child to understand what behavior caused it. The いられます。両方とも当てはまる場合もあるでしょう。例えば子供がケンカタイムアウトには、子供に自分の行動のどこが悪かったのかを分からせると escalating. Sometimes both situations will justify calling directions you give your child should not be a discus- high-functioning and をしていたとしましょう。この場合、タイムアウトの目的は、ケンカをやめいう目的もありますが、その場で子供と議論してはいけません。親が簡単な a time-out. For instance, when children are fighting you sion but a simple question from you, an answer from happy children. She させるだけでなく、殴り合いは許されないという理念を子供に理解させるこ質問をし、それに子供が答えるようにします。よくある失敗ですが、親がしゃ is a mother of five not only want to stop what is going on at that moment the child and your direction. I think one of the biggest とです。タイムアウトの実行には、望ましくない事態に対する別の対応の仕べりすぎるとタイムアウトのインパクトが薄れ、子供にはマイナスのイメージ and grandmother of but also want to try to remove the idea that fighting is mistakes parents make is talking too much. This makes 方を教えるという責任が伴います。しか残りません。今起きたことを振り返り、自分はどうすべきだったのかを 10 and has spent the acceptable. With the time-out comes your responsibili- the experience lose its impact and leaves the child with last 30 years help- ty to teach alternative responses to negative situations. negativity. Direct the child to think about what just 考えるよう子供に指示します。子供と話をするのは、しばらく時間をおいて ing young parents, happened and how his behavior might have been more タイムアウトは非常に有効です。ただ、どんなテクニックもそうですが、多からにすべきです。その時には、例えばケンカを避けるにはどうすればよかっ children and adoles- A time-out can be a very useful technique, but like any acceptable. Then, when you talk to them later, they 用すると効果が低下します。たと思うか聞いてもいいでしょう。問題行動を正す努力をせずに単なる罰と cents work through technique it will lose its effectiveness when overused. may have some input. We can ask the child after what してタイムアウトを使う例も多々見受けられますが、それでは子供の行動を their varied and he could have done differently to avoid a fight. There タイムアウトが効果的であるためには、子供の側にその概念を十分受け止変えることはできません。 many challenges. For a time-out to be effective, the child must be are times when parents misuse a time-out as a penalty められる理解力が必要です。一般的に、２歳児であれば行動を停止し一定 mature enough to understand the concept. Usually, without trying to correct the behavior. This does little Prior to special- 時間待つという考えを理解できます。２歳を超えていれば――大人でも―― タイムアウトの時間を計る必要もあります。タイムアウトの終了を告げるうま two year olds can understand the idea of stopping and or nothing to help the child change his behavior. izing in parenting, この手法は効果を発揮します。い方法があれば、時間を間違えることもないし、特に子供が小さい場合は waiting for some time. But we also find the technique Lorraine worked 子供に対してもインパクトがあります。大きな音の出るタイマーが効果的で for two decades effective with all ages over two - even adults. It is necessary to keep track of the length of the タイムアウトは、かんしゃく、破壊行動、ケンカ、口ごたえなど多くの行動す。 treating children and time-out. A good technique to announce the end of Time-outs have benefits in response to numerous に対して効果的です。しかし、言われたことをやらない、何かをするのを忘 adolescents at an the time-out that helps you regulate the time and has behaviors, including temper tantrums, destructiveness, impact for the child, especially young children, is using れる、すねる、といった行動に対してはあまり効果が望めません。タイムア親の心得としての基本ですが、タイムアウトにおいてもブレないことが肝心 outpatient center fighting and talking back. However, time-outs do not a timer with a loud ring. affiliated with Long ウトは、子供が行動とその帰結の関係について認識を深める手助けをしまです。ですから、子供をその場にとどまらせることは重要です。逃げ出そう have as much of an effect on behaviors like failing to Beach Memorial す。自制心を学ぶのに役立ち、ネガティブな感情をあおらないという点でとしたら、落ち着いて引き戻し、タイマーをリセットします。場合によって do a task, forgetting to do something or pouting. Time- Consistency is the key for successful time-outs as it Medical Center も効果があります。子供の誤った行動に対して親がどなったりわめきちらしは押さえつけてとどまらせることも必要かもしれません。ただし冷静に。ど outs help children reinforce the relationship between is with all parenting techniques, and it is important in Long Beach, たりすれば、状況はさらに悪化します。タイムアウトは、子供を落ち着かせなったりわめいたりすれば、子供の反応はエスカレートする一方です。タイ behavior and consequences, and they are effective that the child stays in the time-out. If the child tries to California. るのに効果があるばかりでなく、親が気持ちを静め論理的に考えられるよムアウトの場所から逃げることは許されないという事実を子供が受け入れ for helping children learn self-control. They also help leave, calmly take the child back and restart the timer. うになる時間を与えてくれます。事態をどう収拾すべきかについて正しい判るまで繰り返す必要があるでしょう。 by not feeding into negative emotions. When parents If your child refuses to stay, you may physically need to ロレイン・アルジェイミー respond to misbehavior by yelling or screaming, the restrain him there. However, be sure to stay calm as 断をすることができるようになるのです。は、現在は引退していま situation goes downhill quickly. Time-outs are not you hold him there because yelling or screaming from タイムアウトが、社会的に受け入れられる行動と、困った状況に対するよりすが、結婚と家族に関す only effective for helping the child to calm down, but you will only feed into the child’s dramatic reactions. タイムアウトの場所としては、気を散らすものが少ない静かなところを選ぶよい対応の仕方を学ぶきっかけになることを願っています。るセラピストの資格を持 tj time-outs also allow parents to calm down and think This may have to be repeated until the child accepts ち、親たちが賢く元気な rationally so they can make a wise decision on how to the fact that leaving the time-out area will not be 子供を育てる力を高める支援をすることに力を注 take care of the situation. accepted. いできました。５人の子を育て、10 人の孫を持 When choosing a time-out location, make sure it is a We would hope from time-outs that the child will つ彼女は、30年にわたっ quiet area with as few distractions as possible. There learn acceptable behaviors and different ways of て、さまざまな困難に直 should be no toys, television or family members. This responding to problematic situations. tj 面する若い親や子供たち will allow the child to be removed from attention and stimulation, allowing them to compose themselves and Intern at the Tokyo Journal の支援をしてきました。子育ての問題を専門とす think about their unacceptable behavior. TJ is seeking talented interns anywhere in the world in every field: る前の 20 年間は、カリフォルニア州ロングビー copy editing, marketing, promotions, design, photography, etc. チにあるロングビーチ・ Send us your resume, photo, contact info and let us know what you would like to do. メモリアル・メディカルセンターの関連施設であ子育ての悩みはロレインに。る外来センターで、子供 Have a Parenting question? E-mail Lorraine your question at メールは [email protected] や青少年のケアに携わっていました。 [email protected] [email protected]

100 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 101 Yoga Lifestyle Lifestyles

Yoga & Wellness Advocate Home Makeover Spotlight JUDIT TOROK Exterior: Subtle Sophistication with Asian Elegance A regular visitor to Tokyo, New York City- based yoga instructor and interculturalist Judit Torok shares Before: her techniques for alleviating big city stress. This California house and exterior wall was covered in rough, unflattering stucco. The paint was mismatched, and the hefty exteri- or wall was topped with an incon- gruously thin stone. The front gate Dr. Judit Torok Fight Off Stress with Your Breath was cast of black rod-iron. is a philosopher, intercultural thinker MAGINE you have an acquaintance, a person body seems to move? Sometimes we feel the upper and yoga instruc- you’ve known for a long time – perhaps as chest rise and fall, while at other times the movement Wall exterior Wall interior tor. She was born I long as you can remember. He comes to your is experienced throughout the entire rib cage. More After: in Hungary and house any time, uninvited, and stays for as long as controlled movements of the belly produce more learned Japanese he wants. Rude and inconsiderate, he imposes his expansive and beneficial breaths. In yoga we call this The original stucco was replaced fluently at an early presence on your life, makes a mess and doesn’t the belly breath. Any type of human breathing creates a with a light beige smooth stucco, age. She has vis- leave. You try to be nice at first and reason with physical change in our body which causes the muscles creating a lighter feel and accentu- ited Japan many him, but he only gets more annoying with time. to relax and fresh oxygen to flow through overlooked ating the wall’s stone cap. But the times and worked You try to ignore him or even pick a fight, but he nooks and crevices. real bringer of Asian elegance was comes right back again and again. This unwelcome gorgeous Mangaris Red decking for a Japanese and annoying acquaintance is called stress. Yoga helps us breathe better as we shape our bodies wood, topped with a single coat company for more into different forms called poses. Notice how your of Penofin hardwood oil finish. than a decade. She A universal hardship of modern life, stress affects breath feels when you stand up or sit down. How Mangaris wood was affixed hori- received her doc- people regardless of age, education, economic status about when you stretch your arms all the way up? zontally to the house facade and torate degree in phi- or ethnicity. Many popular medical journals cite that Try it by lifting your arms and taking a deep breath. I on the exterior wall, providing a losophy at the New over 60% of adults in the U.S. and Japan and well over bet you feel your spine lengthen up and your rib cage Japanese look. School University 50% of Europeans suffer from physical and mental expand all the way up to your throat. It’s relaxing and and uses her inter- stress. Stress doesn’t invigorating. The breath cultural background discriminate; it affects tends to be more calm- and education as a schoolchildren, teenag- ing and soothing when Mangaris Red Hardwood Decking springboard to focus ers, business people, we lie on our backs. on theories of eth- and artists as well as See if you can bring The Mangaris Red hardwood decking transformed a once bland exterior to a rich, ics, aesthetics and the elderly. Wherever we turn, stress seems to have about a belly breath by moving your stomach with the mahogany-colored one, with a matching, Japanese-style gate. Mangaris decking wood multicultural mar- taken hold of our lives. rhythm of your breathing the next time you lie down. was also used to build up the front exterior wall by 18 inches, giving the front yard, ginality. She is an pool, and entrance both a higher level of beauty and of privacy. energetic, creative Stress is my unwelcome associate as well. We have Stress will probably never be completely gone. Fighting and certified yoga known each other for a long time and have negotiated it off will need to be a continuous effort. But when we Mangaris is a trademark owned by TATA Enterprises, Inc. and distributed by BlueLinx. a complicated relationship over the years. It was after get rid of mental and physical clutter in our lives we Mangaris hardwood decking is available in several high quality species such as Red instructor who pro- many years of dedicated yoga practice that I realized create spaces where stress can disperse more easily. Balau and Merbau, and this premium hardwood decking line offers homeowners a motes a holistic and that creating space can be effective at combating this The technique of paying attention to the movements Mangaris Red decking wood atop exterior wall 20/25-year warranty against rot and decay. It is State Fire Marshal approved for use healthy lifestyle for destructive impostor. of the body associated with simple breathing is essen- in severe, Class A Flame Spread fire zones, certified for sustainable growth and legally people of all ages, tial for creating space and releasing tension from areas logged. Mangaris Red is extremely hard, clear grade, tight and interlocked grain wood backgrounds and Through yoga, I learned a useful method for handling where stress is likely to settle: the neck, the shoulders, with unique beauty. It has a consistent deep red, rich mahogany-color peppered with abilities, incorporat- stress which involves creating space in our body and the lower back, the stomach, the hips and the head. fine brown ribbon stripes. ing general wellness, mind and getting rid of unwholesome aspects in our alternative medicine lives. The first step to fighting stress is to become My relationship with stress has significantly improved Mangaris Red hardwood decking provided by: and nutrition. conscious of breathing – our primary life force. The through yoga. I practice conscious breathing that drives TATA Enterprises, Inc.: human breath purifies and rejuvenates our entire bio- stress away when he shows up. By creating clean space http://www.tataenterprises.net/PRODUCT/mangarisdeck.html logical system and maintains our emotional well-being. in my life, I discourage stress to be comfortable around BlueLinx Corporation: Try this by focusing your attention on your inhales and me. As I take a cleansing breath, stress leaves me alone http://www.bluelinxco.com exhales. How does the air expand your chest and your and lets me live more peacefully. I recommend this belly? By taking a long, deep breath, which part of your technique to all. tj New Mangaris Red wood gate

102 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 103 Lifestyles New Year’s in Kyoto Photographs by Malgorzata Dittmar and Tomotaka Nishimura

You never know…

Bianca Schmidt Psychotherapist and sexologist Bianca Schmidt writes a column OW often do you let people just pass lenging and some that are good. It does not even seem in Norway’s larg- through your life without much notice? to be fairly distributed. Some people have a life filled est newspaper VG H Shared time can be anything from a with challenges while others appear to get all the luck. and in the Gestalt moment, to a few hours or days; like the lady that The lucky ones seem to have all the good opportuni- psychotherapy smiled at you in the store or the man you met at ties come their way. There is a lot of stuff we can’t magazine. The Oslo, the seminar. The investments we make in these change or take control of in life. But I think we can Norway native came unexpected meetings are often small. It’s common all agree that taking advantage of good opportunities up with the idea to assume that unexpected meetings will have makes life more accessible. So the question is, can we for the develop- little or no impact on the sequence of our lives’ create more good opportunities? I argue yes. If we ment and cast of a events. So why bother? But what if these meet- start to live our lives as if every encounter could count TV documentary ings could change your life? What if an encounter I think we can create more possibilities. about transgender could change your life? If you embraced this idea, would you choose to live differently or greet the Let me tell you a little story. The phone rang and a issues. In 2010, people you bump into in a different way? polite man asked if I was the Bianca he had taken to the program won Disneyland way back in high school. My mind won- the Gullruten, the Our lives unfold as a chain of small episodes. They dered back to the year I spent as a foreign exchange Norwegian equiva- might seem meaningless at the time, but they can student. One day I got invited to speak at a neighboring lent of the Emmy change the direction of your next step and the one high school. I did not really feel comfortable talking in Award. That same after that. At first this might not seem important. It front of groups, so I struggled through. I felt rewarded year, the series won just looks like you made a choice or move that was when a few boys came up to talk to me afterward. The the Gay Award in slightly off in a new direction. But as the weeks, months attention was a pleasant kick, so I gladly gave away my Norway. Bianca is and years pass you move further down the path you phone number. Back then that meant the house phone. quoted as a special- create. It’s like a golf ball; if you hit it just a little off, it So for a few weeks I sat in the hallway of the family ist on psychological will end up far from the hole. The longer the shot, the house and talked with these boys. I think I found this and relational issues further away from the hole the ball could land. activity far more entertaining than the poor family by newspapers, members forced to listen. After a while it was just one magazines and sweet boy who kept calling. He even invited me to go TV programs in to Disneyland. What a day! It was my first and only visit Norway, and also there. The day ended with a friendly hug and a thank makes appearances you. A few weeks later I moved and I never heard from as an inspirational him until that out-of-the-blue phone call. Yes, I clearly remembered him. We had a nice long talk. He was speaker on a wide happily married, had lived in different countries, and range of topics. In was enjoying life. I was excited to talk to a foreigner. I 1997, Bianca found- had just got hired as a columnist for a big Norwegian ed the Gestaltsenter newspaper and it had not been announced yet. Finally I This book and the author’s other titles are in Oslo, where she had found somebody to tell. So I bragged happily. Then still meets clients. It is a bit unfair to compare our lives to a golf ball. We he said, “Bianca, I own Tokyo Journal and we are look- available in printed & ebook editions from She has a passion do not live our lives as though we are flying through ing for international writers. Interested?” for making a positive thin air. A lot of things happen and many people we Amazon.com shift and difference run into affect our lives. These encounters can bump We never know when an encounter can lead to an in people’s lives. us off course. Life brings some “bumps” that are chal- opportunity. So make sure you make the most of it. tj

104 Tokyo Journal #274 Tokyo Journal #274 105

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