Vol. 4 No. 8 - August 2009 |
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The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago (CGOJ) and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves useful, interesting, and exciting as a window into Japanese culture in the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Daniel Drake, at jic@japancc.org. |
- September 18th: The Japanese American Service Committee's 29th Annual Fuji Festival
- September 19th: Kansas City Japan Festival
- October: Kore-eda's "Air Doll" to Screen at Chicago International Film Festival
- Japanese Nationals Cast Their Votes at the JIC
- The Consul General's First Pitch at US Cellular Field
- The Consul General's 1000th Guest Feted at Annual JETAA Meeting
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- Japanese Screens at the Art Institute
- Arts of Buddhism at the Lentz Art Center, Nebraska
- Hiromi Uehara Jazz in Minneapolis
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- Monthly Economic Report (August, 2009)
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- The APEC Japan 2010 Ministerial Meetings and Other Meetings
- Visit to Japan by H.E. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, U.S. State Department Coordinator for Implementation of U.N. Sanctions Against North Korea
- Statement by Foreign Minister Nakasone, on the Report Concerning the United States’ Anti-Dumping Procedures (Zeroing) Under WTO Dispute Settlement
- Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone
- REMARKS BY H.E. MIGUEL D'ESCOTO BROCKMANN,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
AT THE NAGASAKI PEACE MEMORIAL CEREMONY
- Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Confirmation by the U.S. Senate of Mr. John Victor Roos as U.S. Ambassador to Japan
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- DPJ Set to Form Government Following 45th General Election
- Japan’s GDP Posts Annualized 3.7% Growth in April-June Quarter
- Campaigning Begins for the 45th House of Representatives Election
- First Ruling Delivered Under Newly Introduced Lay Judge System
- Hiroshima Marks 64th Anniversary of A-Bombing, Issues Peace Declaration
- LDP Unveils Party Manifesto for General Election
- White Paper Says Japan’s Economy Has Hit Bottom, But Unemployment Remains Major Risk
- DPJ Announces Manifesto for Upcoming General Election
- Government Announces 2009 White Paper on Defense
- House of Representatives Dissolved; General Election to Be Held on August 30
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- Last Month in Japan
- Upcoming School Visits
- Website Highlight
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 Hazuki is the old Japanese name for the month of August. It is a shortened form of Haochizuki, which means "leaf-falling month." As with many of the old month names, they make more sense when we consider that, when they were in wide use, Japan was on a lunar calendar.
Although there are no official holidays in Hazuki, arguably the second most important celebration of the year takes place this month: Obon. The Bon Festivals are held to pray for the repose of the souls of ancestors. Deceased family members are believed to revisit the homestead during Bon to be reunited with their family. To guide the souls back, a small bonfire is lit outside the house. This is called the mukae-bi, or welcoming flame. Then, the house is cleaned and fruits and vegetables are offered at family altars. When Bon ends, the spirits are sent off with another bonfire, called okuri-bi. Some regions release small lanterns down rivers or into the sea as part of the okuri-bi ritual. |
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The Japanese American Service Committee's (JASC) annual fundraiser, the Fuji Festival, is right around the corner, so purchase your tickets soon (see the link below). This year's guests will have a chance to mingle over cocktails, enjoy a dinner buffet, bid on tons of great prizes in the silent auction, and enter a raffle for a chance at $10,000! Help support this long-time Chicago organization, and buy a ticket on their website.
Friday, September 18th, 5:30 PM
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Union League Club of Chicago
65 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
(Map) |
Tickets: $125 for JASC members; $150 for non-members
To purchase tickets, visit the Fuji Fest '09 website.
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The 12th Greater Kansas City Japan Festival promises to be one of its most exciting yet. Join the thousands of people who come every year for a day-long glimpse at Japanese culture, old and new, with anime screenings, martial arts demonstrations, Japanese food, and the sculptural confections of Japanese candy artist, Miyuki Sugimori.
Saturday, September 19th, 10 AM-8:30 PM
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Photo Credit: Andrew Allen
Courtesy KC Japan Festival
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The Carlsen Center
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
(Map)
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Cost: $7 for adults, $4 for students and children, free for children 5 and under
Greater Kansas City Japan Festival
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If you enjoyed our past presentation of director Hirokazu Kore-eda's film, "Hana," then you shouldn't miss the Chicago premiere of his most recent film, "Air Doll," at the 45th Annual Chicago International Film Festival. The story of a life size blow-up doll who develops a soul, it is a remarkable and very funny meditation on the nature of subjectivity.
The schedule is not set; check the website below for updates.
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Copyright © 2008 by Engine Film. All Rights Reserved.
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A screening location is not set; check the website below for updates. |
Check here for updates!
Chicago International Film Festival
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For the 4 days from August 19 to August 22, the Consulate served as the site for absentee voting in the Japanese Diet's 45th Lower House Elections. Over the course of this election, those residents who had completed their absentee voter's registration came to the polls set up by the consulate, and voted.
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On August 17, at the kind invitation of White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Consul General Hisaeda threw the opening pitch at the Chicago White Sox-Kansas City Royals game at US Cellular Field, and thrilled the crowd with his expertly thrown curveball, which was judged a strike.
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On August 21, Consul General Hisaeda welcomed lucky Megan Miller as the 1000th person to visit the Consul General's residence since his arrival. In the great tradition of Tokyo Disneyland, McDonald's, radio stations, and groups all over the world that honor auspiciously-numbered guests, the Consul General presented her with a certificate and a souvenir.
Ms. Miller was here representing the New York Chapter of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association at this year's JETAA National Conference, held in Chicago. Alumni from all over the country convened in the Windy City to brainstorm ways to further the mission of the JET Program in the United States, and were afterwards welcomed by Consul General Hisaeda to his house for an informal disussion session.
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| Following are some of the upcoming events taking place in our 10-state jurisdiction. For a complete listing of all events known to the JIC, see the Calendar of Events on our website. |
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As the summer itself draws to a close, the Art Institute of Chicago's season-long exhibition of a collection of Japanese folding screens is heading into its last weeks. Bringing together 32 well-preserved and still stunning screens, dating from all eras of history since the 16th century, the exhibit is a rare chance to see the evolution of this often under-documented medium.
Furthermore, as part of the museum's sendoff to the exhibit, on Thursday, September the 17th, there will be an evening soiree for young professionals to meet, participate in a tea ceremony with Joyce Kubose of the Chanoyu Center of Chicago, and see the screens for one last time.
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Showcasing works from China, Thailand, Tibet, Japan, and many more countries, this exhibit looks across many different media to show the many and varied approaches to Buddhist expression in the arts. Don't miss this opportunity for a tour of Asia, right in Nebraska!
August 14, 2009 to December 18, 2009 |
Image courtesy of the Lentz Center for Asian Culture
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Lentz Center for Asian Culture
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Hewit Place - Lower Level
1155 Q Street
Lincoln, NE 68588
(Map) |
Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $2
Lentz Center for Asian Culture
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Internationally renowned jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara will be playing as part of the Stanley Clarke Trio at Minneapolis' Dakota Jazz Club on October 4th and 5th. Inspired, she says, by artists as diverse as Franz Liszt, Oscar Peterson, and Sly and the Family Stone, Uehara's playing style is energetic and exciting, and certainly a good way to greet the fall.
Sunday, October 4, 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM
Monday, October 5, 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM |
Hiromi Uehara
Photo by Muga Miyahara
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Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
1010 Nicollet
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(Map) |
Dakota Jazz Club
Hiromi Uehara |
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Monthly Economic Report (August, 2009)
http://www5.cao.go.jp/keizai3/getsurei-e/2009aug.html |
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The APEC Japan 2010 Ministerial Meetings and Other Meetings
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2009/8/1195256_1164.html
Visit to Japan by H.E. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, U.S. State Department Coordinator for Implementation of U.N. Sanctions Against North Korea
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2009/8/1194875_1164.html
Statement by Foreign Minister Nakasone, on the Report Concerning the United States’ Anti-Dumping Procedures (Zeroing) Under WTO Dispute Settlement
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/8/1194864_1140.html
Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hirofumi Nakasone
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm_press/2009/8/0811.html
REMARKS BY H.E. MIGUEL D'ESCOTO BROCKMANN,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
AT THE NAGASAKI PEACE MEMORIAL CEREMONY
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/remark0908-2.html
Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Confirmation by the U.S. Senate of Mr. John Victor Roos as U.S. Ambassador to Japan
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/8/1194806_1140.html
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A handy report which gives up-to-the-minute background information with comments of major Japanese newspapers, in plain and concise form, on news items on the Japanese economy, politics, diplomatic activities, society, business, culture, and other matters of interest. Japan Brief is expanding its target readership and is now available in nine languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, and Arabic.
DPJ Set to Form Government Following 45th General Election(2009-09-01)
Japan’s GDP Posts Annualized 3.7% Growth in April-June Quarter(2009-08-21)
Campaigning Begins for the 45th House of Representatives Election(2009-08-20)
First Ruling Delivered Under Newly Introduced Lay Judge System(2009-08-11)
Hiroshima Marks 64th Anniversary of A-Bombing,
Issues Peace Declaration(2009-08-07)
LDP Unveils Party Manifesto for General Election(2009-08-04)
White Paper Says Japan’s Economy Has Hit Bottom,
But Unemployment Remains Major Risk(2009-07-31)
DPJ Announces Manifesto for Upcoming General Election(2009-07-29)
Government Announces 2009 White Paper on Defense(2009-07-28)
House of Representatives Dissolved;
General Election to Be Held on August 30(2009-07-23)
For more backnumbers, please visit the following FPCJ website:
http://fpcj.jp/modules/news8/index.php?storytopic=1
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Here are three questions regarding news stories about Japan in June. The first person to send us the most correct answers wins a little Japanese prize. Don't forget to send us your mailing address with your answers!
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Why might the Usagi-to cafe in Nagoya be an inappropriate destination for a leporophobe?
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How is the Tsukuba University's Cyberdyne Corporation making a HAL robot humanity can love?
- Why does Hiroshi and Kyoko Yamao's facility with タンゴ(tango) have nothing to do with their vocabulary prowess?
To submit your answers by email, click here: jic@japancc.org and write "Japan News Quiz" in the subject line.
Answers from the June Quiz:
My God, it's not even a contest anymore. With his third win, and third sweep of the three questions, Dick Stump is vying for Japan e-Journal immortality. Congratulations, Mr. Stump, on your uncontested dominance.
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What looks like a dolphin, and can get from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori in 3 hours? A new bullet train.
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Why did the launch of space shuttle Endeavor give Japanese people new reason to hope? Endeavor holds the third and final segment of Japan's enormous $1 billion space station lab, named Kibo, or Hope.
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How did the Kawamura Gishi Company help a 20-year-old sea turtle learn to swim again? Kawamura Gishi Co., a prosthetics maker based in Daito, Osaka Prefecture, will start making artificial fins with advice from veterinarians, taking advantage of its experience making artificial legs for dogs.
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The following is a list of all educational visits our office will make in the next month. For more information, or if you would like to register for a cultural presentation, please visit our website.
Upcoming visits:
- September 24: At the Japan Information Center
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 Rock of Japan
Is there music in Japan that is not J-pop and not kodo drums? What a silly question! Of course there is. Japan has a veritable ocean (both wide and deep!) of rock, punk, underground, indie, and assorted other tags that all try and approximate modern music's varied shades and nuances. Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of English scholarship or coverage on any of this music.
False! For 10 years (older than YouTube, if you can believe it), Rock of Japan has been documenting the comings and goings of Japanese rock music, covering Japanese bands, following their tours in the United States, and reviewing their CDs. In the process, the site has created a veritable encyclopedia of Japanese Rock knowledge.
Ok, so the design is a little Web 1.0, and you have to scroll forever to get to the bottom, but I could name plenty of quality websites that suffer the same affliction. More importantly, Rock of Japan has up to date concert announcements (for the US!) (but mostly New York!), well-written overviews on hundreds of artists, and links to guide you down the rabbit hole that is Japanese rock music's corner of the web.
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As a surprisingly mild summer sputters to a close, the curtain also falls on the season of elaborate and and kinetic Japanese matsuri (festivals). Fortunately, there is one more festival we Midwesterners can attend this September to tide us over until next June: the Kansas City Japan Fest! I, for one, wish I could attend and try the homemade candy from Miyuki Sugimori...maybe next year.
In any case, have a lovely September, and I'll speak with you all again at the end of the month!
Daniel Drake, Editor
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