Vol. 4 No. 6 - June 2009 |
|
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. |
- July 25th: A Trombone Recital with Megumi Kanda
- Winners of Tokyo's Abraham Lincoln 200th Birthday Speech Contest to Visit Illinois
- MEXT Scholarships: An Update
|
- Midwest Buddhist Temple's Bon Odori Dance
- Japanese Girl Stuff: Trends and Innovations in Popular Culture, a Lecture at Loyola University
- Family Sundays at the Chicago Botanic Garden's Malott Japanese Garden
- Hiroshi Sugimoto at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Before Anime: Japanese Prints from Superhuman to Superflat at the Des Moines Art Center
- Japan Heritage Night with the Kansas City Royals
|
- Monthly Economic Report (June, 2009)
|
- Signing of the Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
- G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting (Trieste, June 25-27)
- OECD Ministerial Council Meeting
- Comment by Prime Minister Aso on the Adoption of a United Nations Security Council Resolution Concerning the Nuclear Test by North Korea (Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet Website)
- Itinerary of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan's Visit to Canada and the United States of America
- The launch of “Together with the UN” E-Bulletin
|
- Last Month in Japan
- Upcoming School Visits
- Website Highlight
|
|
| |
 Minazuki, the old Japanese name for the month of June, means "water month." Considering the 6.5 inches of rain that typically fall on Tokyo this month, Minazuki certainly seems appropriate.
There are no official holidays in June, but June 4th is Cavity Prevention Day ( Mushiba no hi ) and kicks off Dental Hygiene Week. During this time, dentists visit schools to talk about proper care of the teeth. Also, the 3rd Sunday of June is celebrated as Father's Day, though it's not as widely observed as Mother's Day. |
| |
| |
As mentioned in these pages last month, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago is thrilled to be presenting a recital by trombonist Megumi Kanda at the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights. A native Tokyoite, Mrs. Kanda began playing trombone at the age of ten and quickly mastered the instrument. By the tender age of fifteen, she had already been named a top-ten finalist at the Japanese Wind and Percussion Competition, and by seventeen, was feted with the Grand Prize at Japan's National Competition for Solo Trombone.
Since moving to the United States in 1994, her ascent has only continued. Following intensive study at the Cleveland Institute of Music, she worked with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Albany Symphony Orchestra, before securing her current position as the principal trombonist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Kanda is the first woman to have held that chair.
So, as you can probably imagine, we are very excited for this concert. The ambitious program, selected by Mrs. Kanda, is to include works by Gröndahl, Guilmant, and Larsson, among others. Piano accompaniment, meanwhile, will be provided by Ms. Mio Nakamura, an accomplished performer in her own right. This fall, Ms. Nakamura will be joining the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
And as if all of that is not enough, the Consulate is very happy to be presenting the concert free of charge! What better way to spend a hot Saturday afternoon than in the cool respite of a church's shady chapel, listening to a world-class musician?
| Saturday, July 25, 2:30 PM (Doors open at 2 PM) |
|
302 N. Dunton Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(Map) |
It's Free!
More Information
|
|
| |
 In honor of his 200th Bicentennial, students from across Japan were tasked with writing and reciting English essays on the importance of Democracy and Abraham Lincoln as part of a nationwide speech contest. From July 27th to the 31st, the winners of the Tokyo Division of the contest, as well as several students from Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, have been invited to visit the state of Illinois. While here, the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago has arranged for them to stay with local host families, and tour some of the sites most famously associated with Lincoln, including the state capital at Springfield.
|
|
| |
Well, don't say we didn't warn you. The deadline to apply for this year's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEXT) scholarships has passed. But that doesn't mean it's time to give up. In fact, there is no time quite like the present to start preparing your application for next year. The deadline is not set, of course, nor will we be accepting the applications for some time (although all of that information will be announced in the next few months, in this space), but it can't hurt (in fact, I would encourage it!) to get a headstart. The application procedures vary slightly year to year, but all of the basics are the same. So start writing your essays and flattering your recommending professors now! All of the basic guidelines can be found here.
| |
|
| |
| 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. |
| |
As a celebration preceding Buddhism's Obon holiday, Chicago's Midwest Buddhist Temple will be holding their annual Obon Odori festival. The observance of Obon on Sunday, July 12th is a time for Buddhists to remember and honor those loved ones who have passed away before them. The dance and festival on Saturday, July 11th will take place under the glow of Japanese lanterns in the Temple's parking lot. The celebrants, clothed in Japanese yukata and kimono will dance to folk music. All are welcome to attend; shaved ice and lemonade will be on sale.
Friday, July 11th, 8 PM
The Temple Chapel will be open from 6:30 to 7:30 PM for those who wish to burn incense.
|
|
435 West Menomonee Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(Map) |
The Midwest Buddhist Temple
|
|
| |
Loyola University Chicago Professor of Anthropology Laura Miller will be giving a lecture on some of the oft-overlooked practices of "girl culture" in Japan. While Americans are very familiar with manga and anime consumption by Japanese girls, they are less aware of other methods of cultural participaion, including self photography and divination. Dr. Miller's talk promises to be a fascinating glimpse into youthful performances of gender in Japan. This event is sponsored by the Japan America Society of Chicago.
Thursday, July 16, 6:30 PM. Registration is from 6 PM at the door. |
|
Loyola University Baumhart Residence Hall / Terry Student Center
26 E. Pearson, #303-304
Chicago, IL 60611
(Map) |
Tickets $10 at the door
Event Flyer
|
|
| |
On select Sundays through October 4, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Malott Japanese Garden holds a family day wth hands-on, arts and crafts activities that both kids and adults will love. Give your kids a chance to try a number of Japanese cultural activities, and see what it's like to celebrate summer in Japan! Full schedule below.
July 5: Tanabata Wishes & Streamers
July 19: Kabuto (samurai helmets)
August 2: Uchiwa (paper fans)
September 6: Japanese Kites
September 20: Kimono Paper Dolls
October 4: Gyotaku (fish prints) |
|
Malott Japanese Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022
(Map)
|
Free with admission to the gardens
Chicago Botanic Garden Family Activities
|
|
| |
Through October 4, the Museum of Contemporary Art at Chicago is exhibiting a show called "Elements of Photography." Exploring the intersection between the elemental materials of nature and the elemental processes of photography, the works on display illustrate the relationship between light, water, and time, and how all three can be both abstracted and made more real. World-famous Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto is on display as part of the exhibit.
Through Sunday, October 4th |
Image Credit: Hiroshi Sugimoto
|
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
220 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611 |
Elements of Photography |
|
| |
Tracing the evolution of Japanese visual art from the 18th century through the present day, this exhibit highlights the continuities and traditions of representation that one can see across woodblock prints, drawings, comics, and animation in Japan. The show draws from the Des Moines Art Center's considerable collection of Japanese art, allowing for an in-depth, intelligent, and beautiful exploration of the two-dimensional in Japan.
Through Sunday, September 6th |
Seki Kiyonaga (Japanese, 1752–1815).
Kintoki with a Mallet on his Shoulder, 1804
Woodblock print on paper, 14 1/8 x 9 5/8 inches.
John C. Huseby Print Collection
of the Des Moines Art Center
through Bequest, 1994.220.
|
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50312-2099 |
Des Moines Art Center |
|
| |
Leading up to the July 25th Kansas City Royals - Texas Rangers game, the Royals will host a Japan Heritage Night in the Outfield Plaza of Kauffman Stadium. Scheduled events include a taiko performance as well as a traditional Okinawan dance. Admission to the festivities is included with the purchase of a ticket to the game.
|
| |
Monthly Economic Report (June, 2009)
http://www5.cao.go.jp/keizai3/getsurei-e/2009jun.html |
| |
Signing of the Statute of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/6/1193441_1136.html
G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting (Trieste, June 25-27)
http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/summit/2009/index.html
OECD Ministerial Council Meeting
Comment by the Japanese Prime Minister on the Adoption of a United Nations Security Council Resolution
Concerning the Nuclear Test by North Korea
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/asospeech/2009/06/13comment_e.html
Itinerary of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan's Visit To Canada and the United States of America
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/japan/imperial/eev0907.html
The launch of “Together with the UN” E-Bulletin
http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2009/6/1193011_1136.html |
| |
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!
-
What achivement did Tomoji Tanabe recently pass to a World War I veteran?
-
Whose sumo career, lauded by Richard Nixon in 1972, was recently honored by the United States House of Representatives?
- Why is "Toyoda" no longer just a misspelling of the Toyota brand?
To submit your answers by email, click here: jic@japancc.org and write "Japan News Quiz" in the subject line.
Answers from the May Quiz:
As you may remember, there was a little trouble in tabulating the answer's to April's quiz, and as a result, there were six questions to be answered in May's webletter. The happy end to this story, though, is that this month we have 2 winners! So a hearty congratulations to Lianne Burnson for getting April's questions (numbers 4-6 below) and Dick Stump, a repeat winner, for correctly answering the May edition (numbers 1-3 below). Mr. Stump is already at two wins for the year! He's going to have so much Japanese Consulate swag! The rest of you had better catch up.
-
Why might Koji Suzuki's new horror novella cause readers to "wipe" the sweat off their foreheads? Mr. Suzuki's latest novella is being published on the sheets of a roll of toilet paper
-
Why is Jenn Barr like Takeru Kobayashi, albeit in a different sport? Mrs. Barr is an American champion Mahjongg player in Japan, while Mr. Kobayashi is a Japanese champion eater in America
-
What new product is Starbucks trying to "wiggle" into the Japanese market? Jelly Frappuccino
-
Why was Tokyo Tower green and gold on April 9th? To celebrate the Emperor and Empress' wedding anniversary although, amazingly, Mrs. Burnson managed to come up with a correct answer that also matched the tortured phrasing of the question, To celebrate the Tokyo Tower's Golden anniversary with a 24-carat gold replica of the Tower
-
What's gotten fashion designer Junya Watanabe feeling a little presidential? The designer's fashions haev been worn by Michelle Obama
-
What island off the coast of Nagasaki just reopened? Hashima Island
|
| |
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:
- July 23: Near North Montessori School
|
| |
 Jim Breen's WWWJDIC Online Japanese Dictionary Service
Invaluable doesn't begin to describe Jim Breen's online translator/dictionary/kanji reference manual/Japanese Rosetta Stone/artificial heart. Ok, one of those superlatives isn't true. But just the one. Despite the clunky, old-school internet interface, and the occasionally omitted word, the WWWJDIC is nigh peerless as an on- or offline kanji dictionary. Its database of available compounds is staggeringly large (how would you like the kanji for seven different species of red algae?), it works from Japanese into German, French, Russian, Swedish, Hungarian, Spanish, Dutch, and English, and on those occasions where a word cannot be found, well, Jim Breen does you the favor of linking to six other resources that may have your entry. For every student stuck translating, reading, or just being confounded by kanji, the venerable WWWJDIC is a godsend.
|
| |
It is finally warm here, although in typical Chicago fashion we have skipped over the transition and settled uncomfortably into a hot, hot summer. But what better excuse to escape into the cool, calm serenity of the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights for an afternoon of lovely trombone music from Megumi Kanda! It promises to be a delightful concert.
Anyway, you may have noticed a few additions to the format of the e-Japan Journal. We're hoping to add a little more news-type coverage to our regular events beat, so there will be a few articles every month covering some of the other goings-on on at the Consulate, like this month's story about the visiting Lincoln Speech Contest winners.
Additionally, there is now a regular feature covering the Cultural Presentations our office gives several times each month. If you're not aware, this is a free service that the Japan Information Center provides to schools, camps, churches, or even corporate offices as a way of introducing facts about Japan in a fun and informative way. The presentations can be tailored to your group's needs, and run the range from introductions to Japanese food to disquisitions on the philosophy of tea ceremony. For more information, please check our website.
And as always, before I go, I demand that you email me information about every Japan-related event in your area!!!
I really want to know!
See you in July,
Daniel Drake, Editor |
| |
| You are receiving this email webletter because you have signed up to receive information about Japan and Japan-related events from our office. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please click the link below. |
|
|
|
Minazuki, the old Japanese name for the month of June, means "water month." Considering the 6.5 inches of rain that typically fall on Tokyo this month, Minazuki certainly seems appropriate. 
