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| Vol. 8 No. 8 - August 2013 |
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The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and the Japan Information Center (JIC). We hope it proves to be a useful, interesting, and exciting window for you on Japanese cultural activities happening throughout the Midwest. As always, your feedback, comments, and suggestions are encouraged and can be sent to our editor, Amy Klouse, at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| This Month in Japan |
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 Hazuki is the traditional Japanese name for the month of August and is the shortened form of Haochizuki, or "leaf-falling month." Japan, prior to 1873, followed a lunar-based calendar system where Hazuki was the first month that fell in autumn.
O-bon, one of the most important celebrations of the year for the Japanese people, takes place during August. Bon Festivals are held to pray to the repose of the souls of deceased ancestors. At this time, these spirits are believed to return to their hometowns in order to reunite with loved ones. A mukae-bi, or welcoming flame, is lit by families to guide their ancestors' spirits to their homes. Fruits and vegetables are offered at altars as families eat together. 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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| Arrival of New Deputy Consul General and New JIC Section Chief |
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We are excited to announce two new dignitaries who have recently arrived at the Chicago Consulate. Ms. Keiko Yanai has been assigned to be our Deputy Consul General and just recently arrived here from Tokyo. Mr. Koji Kaneko is the new head of our Japan Information Center after being stationed at Embassies and other organizations in the Middle East for the past 15 years. As this is the first time living in America for them both...let's warmly welcome them to the Midwest!
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Please note the deadlines for the following grants offered by the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles and New York. Start your applications early to ensure a smooth submission process:
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| Japan Travel Program for US Future Leaders |
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This program is jointly sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) and the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA). The goal is to foster a new generation of future leaders in the United States who are interested in achieving a greater understanding of Japan and its roles in global affairs. The Consulate would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Patricia Dorsher, enrolled in a Master of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, for being selected to participate in this program. She was a former JET Coordinator for International Relations and worked in Nagano Prefecture for four years.
You can read more about the program, Ms. Dorsher, and other participants on the Japan Travel Program's website.
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| August 7 & 10 - Japanese Film Screening of "Thermae Romae" @ Chicago Cultural Center |
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Come to one or both of the Thermae Romae film showings at the Chicago Cultural Center! Based on the best selling manga series written by Mari Yamazaki, this comedy follows a Roman architect named Lucius, who is having trouble coming up with new ideas and loses his job. One day, when at a spa with his friend, he discovers a hidden tunnel underneath that leads him to a Japanese bath house. Inspired by the innovations found there, he creates his own spa bringing in the modern ideas he finds in Japan to Ancient Rome.
Directed by Hideki Takeuchi, the film has won awards including Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (for Hiroshi Abe) in the 2013 (36th) Japan Academy Prize, Tsutaya Fan Award (Japanese Film) in the 2012 (67th) Mainichi Film Awards, and Best Actor (for Hiroshi Abe) in the 2012 (55th) Blue Ribbon Awards.
| Dates and Times |
Location |
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August 7 & 10, 2013
● 6:30PM (WED), 2PM (Sat) |
Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street, 2nd floor |
Free Admission |
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| August 15 - Chicago Sister Cities International's Osaka Social Service Exchange |
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Chicago Sister Cities International is accepting applications from social service professionals in the Chicago area interested in serving on an interdisciplinary delegation to travel to Osaka, Japan from November 9 to 16, 2013 as part of an ongoing social service exchange program.
Delegates will visit governmental and non-profit social service agencies, learn about Japanese social service systems, and compare and exchange best practices serving children, families, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Delegates will return to the US with Individual Action Plans.
Completed applications are due by August 15, 2013. Interviews will be held in late August, and decisions will be announced in early September. Please visit the Chicago Sister Cities Osaka page for details and the application. Questions? Please contact Heather Li at hli@chicagosistercities.com.
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| August 16-18 - Kansas Ethnic Enrichment Festival with the Heart of America Japan America Society |
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 This year marks the 34th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Kansas City, MO. Taste onigiri, edamame, inarizushi, chicken teriyaki, kakigori, mugicha (Barley tea), and green tea popsicles at the Japan stand. You can also enjoy such cultural crafts as origami or calligraphy at the Japan booth. Proceeds from this event help support the Heart of America Japan America Society's Student Ambassador Fund and their Scholarship Fund. Be sure not to miss the special Kendo Japanese Fencing demonstration on Friday, August 16 at 6:30 PM!
At the Consulate's booth, JET Alumni Association (JETAA) members will be there to provide information on the JET program and JETAA. Visit our booth to discover more about teaching in Japan!
| Dates and Times |
Location |
Information |
August 16-18, 2013
● 6PM-10PM (Fri), 12PM-10PM (Sat), 12PM-6PM (Sun) |
Swope Park: Kansas City, MO 64132 (near E. Gregory Blvd.) |
Ethnic Enrichment Commission's homepage
● Adults $3, Children under 12 free
● Free parking |
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| August 26 - September 27- Japanese Language Proficiency Test Registration |
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 Sign up this year to take the annual Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in December! The JLPT measures comprehensive Japanese-language communicative competence through three elements: "Language Knowledge," "Reading," and "Listening." There are five levels offered, with N5 being the least difficult and N1 being the highest level. The test is a challenge that evaluates your progress in Japanese language studies and is a goal to work toward for improving your abilities.
The American Association of Teachers of Japanese website has more information on the test and provides useful advice on what steps you can take to prepare for the exam.
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| August 27 - Calligraphy Demonstration by the JIC |
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The JIC will be hosting a special hands-on calligraphy (shodō) event where participants can take home their beautiful works of art as souvenirs. Ms. Seiran Chiba, Calligrapher and Attaka Fukushima Tourism Ambassador, will give a large-scale demonstration of her calligraphy style. Chiba-san has visited all 59 towns and villages in Fukushima to give live presentations. She has additionally traveled to other regions of Japan, including the town of Miharu, where her work "Saku Warau" (bloom laughter) was donated to the Miharu local government.
Due to limited space, reservations are required and can only be granted to the first 40 interested guests.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
August 27, 2013
● 6PM-7:30PM (Tues) |
Japan Information Center, 737 N. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60611 |
Shodō Flier
●Free
●Discounted parking at Olympia Centre Garage |
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| August 31-September 2 - St. Louis Japanese Festival |
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 The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts this event annually with the Japanese Activities Committee. Members of this committee include the Japan America Society of St. Louis and the Consulate. The celebration kicks off Saturday morning with a lively performance by taiko drummers at the Japanese Garden entrance. An elaborate omikoshi Shinto shrine parade, bon odori festival dancing, and opening remarks by local and visiting dignitaries are parts of the opening ceremony. Festival highlights include tea house island tours,traditional music, martial arts, sumo, bonsai displays, and many more fun family activities. There will be sushi and other Japanese snacks too!
| Dates and Times |
Location |
Information |
August 31-September 2, 2013
● 9AM-10PM (Sat & Sun), 10AM-5PM (Mon - Labor Day) |
Missouri Botanical Garden: 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110 |
Missouri Botanical Garden website
● $15 (ages 13+), $5 (ages 3-12), $5 (Garden members, free for member children) |
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Welcome to the new and updated JIC Library section of the e-Japan Journal! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to contact our librarian directly at emily.toelcke@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| This month's Highlighted Resources was written by JIC Summer Intern Hadley Hauser and features her choice of selected literary works in our library. |
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Daily Life as a Japanese High School Student
During my year-long Japanese high school exchange in a Tokyo suburb, I was immersed in the daily routine of a Japanese student. Though Japan is full of many special moments and discoveries, it’s the small parts of my ordinary days that I miss the most. Luckily, it’s easy for me to relive some of those daily happenings through accessing the Japan Information Center’s library.
My morning commute to school in Japan gave me ample time to notice a variety of high school uniforms. It was easy to pass the time by comparing each different style to my own nautical-inspired outfit. After school, my classmates made the uniforms their own by switching out blazers for trendy cardigans and rolling their knee-skimming skirts to more-fashionable lengths. To read about a variety of trends in schoolgirl fashion, check out Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno (Call Number 180014) by Izumi Evers and Patrick Macias. Explore the evolution of the Japanese school uniform, and learn why Japanese schoolgirls continue to be at the forefront of “cool”. The JIC library has many books related to the fashion whims of trendy Japan. To flip through street styles, pick up our copy of Fruits (Call Number 180012).
One craze that marks schoolgirl life is characters galore, which decorate everything from notebooks to chopsticks. A growing trend that I noticed was motifs that were kimo-kawaii, or “ugly-cute.” These characters, though sometimes more chilling than charming, were a refreshing break from the cuter-than-cute merchandise staples like Rilakkuma or Hello Kitty. I believe that the artist Yoshitomo Nara is a perfect example of kimo-kawaii. He is notable for his edgy-sweet depictions of children and animals that are darker than they first appear. Immerse yourself in the world of Nara’s spunky characters as they are featured in Ukiyo (Call Number 130047), one of his collections.
Eating my obento lunch was always the best part of my school day. My host mother would pack my two-tiered box with great care every morning, filling it with my favorites like kabocha (steamed pumpkin) and chikuwa (a tube-shaped fish cake). I was delighted to open my lunch one day and find rice and seaweed crafted into the likeness of Totoro. Charaben are bentos filled with foods in the shapes of characters or faces. Though theses treats may look too beautiful to eat, Japanese mothers maintain that motivation to please their children is the driving force behind this art form. For a photo-spread of mouth-watering inspiration, read Face Food: The Visual Creativity of Japanese Bento Boxes (Call Number 141035) by Christopher D. Salyers.
The JIC library offers the perfect dose of nostalgia for me. It’s great to know that I can still get my daily blast of Japanese culture without leaving Chicago.
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| New Editions, written by Emily Toelcke, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection. |
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers for the chance to win a small prize!
- At the Suntory Museum of Art, which artist is being commemorated for 250 years since his birth?
- Which famous Italian luxury brand is starting to sell handbags in Sendai made out of traditional Japanese silk fabric?
- The Japanese government approved the first trial of stem cells produced from a paient's own body to work towards curing what?
Answers from the June Quiz:
Congratulations to Jerry Rankin, our winner from the July issue!
• UNIQLO, teamed with Grameen Healthcare, announced they will open stores where?
In June, UNIQLO announced that their company is opening a store in Bangladesh and has aligned with Grameen Healthcare to implement a new social business to help the impoverished nation. The goal is to assist in creating a more economically self-reliant system through clothing production and sales. The clothing articles are made by the people of Bangladesh and, in turn, sold at more affordable prices. It is projected that clean clothing will also help improve sanitation and encourage more children to attend schools! You can read more about the initiative here.
• Who was the the world's oldest man (according to the Guinness Book) and what was his age when he passed away?
Mr.Jiroemon Kimura, who was 116, passed away on June 12, 2013. He surpassed a US woman, who had been 115, last year as the oldest living person in the world. When he died, he became the oldest man in recorded history. He has 7 children (5 living), 14 grandchildren (13 living), 25 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren. You can read more about his long life here.
• Ms. Kana Satomi is the first female shogi player to accomplish what?
Satomi-san is the first female shogi player to hold five women's titles at once. Quite an impressive feat! Click here for more on her victory.
• What did Mr. Akira Kato accomplish on June 14, 2013?
Kato-san finished his 10-year bike trip around the world when he arrived home in Tottori Prefecture on June 14. Wow...10-years?! There was surprisingly very little media coverage in English on this, but please click here for some details.
To submit your answers by email, send your guesses to jic@cg.mofa.go.jp and write "Japan News Quiz" in the subject line.
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 JAPAN PORTAL
For those of you interested in a wide range of topics on Japan, JAPAN PORTAL is an excellent, multilingual source. Documents from national and regional governments, corporations, and other affiliates are posted to discuss current events. Topics under the categories of "Industry," "Government," "Regional Government," "Entertainment," "Videos," and "Events" contain up-to-date information with many articles available in English. Links to other partner organizations, like "Global Voices from Japan," offer provocative perspectives on contemporary issues.
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August, and the winding down of summer, is upon us. I just realized that this will be the first time since I was young that I will not be heading back to school- in some way, shape, or form- in the fall...remarkable! As many of you may know, school in Japan is year-round, but there is a long summer break for students around July 30 - August 31. For winter and spring breaks, students have 10-days off and begin the new school year April 1. So, August in Japan and the US is summer vacation time.
The O-bon holiday in Japan has always been intriguing to me. The fact that the dates Bon is celebrated varies per town indicates that it is a local, communal, and cultural experience that involves the whole town and not just immediate family members. This is also present in the bon odori dance, where how the dance is performed varies per town. It reminds me of Thanksgiving in the US in some ways, but it is a much more spiritual festivity in the sense that it is a time for remembering and jubilantly celebrating with past ancestors. This short video documentary from The Huffington Post tells more about O-bon. Enjoy!
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
PS: I think I am finally satisfied with changes I have been making to the newsletter format. Tell me what you think!
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| 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 email the Japan Information Center at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp. |
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Official website for Consulate General of Japan at Chicago
www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp |
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Hazuki is the traditional Japanese name for the month of August and is the shortened form of Haochizuki, or "leaf-falling month." Japan, prior to 1873, followed a lunar-based calendar system where Hazuki was the first month that fell in autumn.
Please note the deadlines for the following grants offered by the Japan Foundation in Los Angeles and New York. Start your applications early to ensure a smooth submission process:
Come to one or both of the Thermae Romae film showings at the Chicago Cultural Center! Based on the best selling manga series written by Mari Yamazaki, this comedy follows a Roman architect named Lucius, who is having trouble coming up with new ideas and loses his job. One day, when at a spa with his friend, he discovers a hidden tunnel underneath that leads him to a Japanese bath house. Inspired by the innovations found there, he creates his own spa bringing in the modern ideas he finds in Japan to Ancient Rome.
Chicago Sister Cities International is accepting applications from social service professionals in the Chicago area interested in serving on an interdisciplinary delegation to travel to Osaka, Japan from November 9 to 16, 2013 as part of an ongoing social service exchange program.
This year marks the 34th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Kansas City, MO. Taste onigiri, edamame, inarizushi, chicken teriyaki, kakigori, mugicha (Barley tea), and green tea popsicles at the Japan stand. You can also enjoy such cultural crafts as origami or calligraphy at the Japan booth. Proceeds from this event help support the Heart of America Japan America Society's Student Ambassador Fund and their Scholarship Fund. Be sure not to miss the special Kendo Japanese Fencing demonstration on Friday, August 16 at 6:30 PM!
Sign up this year to take the annual Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in December! The JLPT measures comprehensive Japanese-language communicative competence through three elements: "Language Knowledge," "Reading," and "Listening." There are five levels offered, with N5 being the least difficult and N1 being the highest level. The test is a challenge that evaluates your progress in Japanese language studies and is a goal to work toward for improving your abilities.
The JIC will be hosting a special hands-on calligraphy (shodō) event where participants can take home their beautiful works of art as souvenirs. Ms. Seiran Chiba, Calligrapher and Attaka Fukushima Tourism Ambassador, will give a large-scale demonstration of her calligraphy style. Chiba-san has visited all 59 towns and villages in Fukushima to give live presentations. She has additionally traveled to other regions of Japan, including the town of Miharu, where her work "Saku Warau" (bloom laughter) was donated to the Miharu local government.
The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts this event annually with the Japanese Activities Committee. Members of this committee include the Japan America Society of St. Louis and the Consulate. The celebration kicks off Saturday morning with a lively performance by taiko drummers at the Japanese Garden entrance. An elaborate omikoshi Shinto shrine parade, bon odori festival dancing, and opening remarks by local and visiting dignitaries are parts of the opening ceremony. Festival highlights include tea house island tours,traditional music, martial arts, sumo, bonsai displays, and many more fun family activities. There will be sushi and other Japanese snacks too!
