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 into 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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Shiwasu, the traditional name for December, means “priests running around” because they are busy preparing for upcoming New Year celebrations.
The primary national holiday in Japan this month is the birthday of the current emperor. His birthday is one of two occasions in the year where the Imperial Grounds are open for public access. The end of year holidays on December 29, 30 and 31 that continue into the beginning of January are also official national holidays. The New Year holiday, a topic that is discussed in more detail in the Editor’s Notes section, is one of the most important family gathering days in Japan.
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The Emperor's birthday falls on December 23. Under the Japanese Constitution, the Emperor is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people. Emperor Akihito took the throne as the 125th Emperor of Japan in 1989. Members of the Imperial Family maintain wide contact with citizens across Japan including disaster struck areas, and promote international friendship. They are also very involved in academic activities and preserving the nation’s cultural traditions.
His birthday is one of two occasions in the year where the Imperial Grounds are open for public access. If you would like to find out more about Emperor Akihito or Japan's Imperial Family, please click this link.
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| Full-time Staff Opening as Outreach Coordinator at the Consulate [Deadline 12/15] |
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The Japan Information Center is hiring a full-time Outreach Coordinator (including Receptionist/Librarian tasks). Information concerning the application is accessible here.
Qualifications:
- US citizen or permanent resident holder (working permit holder)
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Japanese studies, International relations, or a related area will be highly desireable
- Excellent communication skills
- Strong computer skills (database knowledge preferred)
Please submit a cover letter and resume in PDF format by Monday, December 15, 2014 to jic@cg.mofa.go.jp.
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| Part-time Staff Opening as JET Program Interview Assistant at the Consulate [Deadline 12/6] |
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The Japan Information Center is hiring a part-time JET Program Interview Assistant for mid-January and mid-February. The primary responsibility of this position is to asist with JET Interviews (tentatively, February 3-7), but other responsibilities pertaining to the JET Program and JIC activities will also be assigned. The pay is $15 an hour for up to 200 hours. The work schedule is somewhat flexible, however, during the JET Interview Week, you must work full days.
Applicants must be alumni of the JET Program and have excellent organization and communication skills. Applicants must also be able to use Microsoft Word and Excel.
If interested, please send your resume to Austin Gilkeson at austin.gilkeson@cg.mofa.go.jp by Wednesday, December 3, 2014. We will hold interview for selected applicants the second week of December.
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| Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) Spotlight: Hitomi Kameyama |
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Ms. Hitomi Kameyama with students
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The J-LEAP program brings Native Japanese Language Assistant Teachers (ATs) to K-12 educational institutions in the U.S. for up to two years to strengthen their Japanese language programs as well as create opportunities to nurture a new generation of qualified Japanese language teachers. The program started in 2011 and is jointly administrated by The Japan Foundation (JF) and The Laurasian Institution (TLI). Bringing an AT into the classroom gives students the opportunity to hear and learn authentic Japanese language from a different Japanese speaker, to interact with a native Japanese speaker (or a different native speaker), and to be exposed to authentic communication between the Japanese language teacher and AT.
"Hello. My name is Hitomi Kameyama. I am currently teaching Japanese with my lead teacher Nakamura-sensei at North Central High School in Indianapolis. We teach four levels of Japanese classes; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and AP (Advanced Placement) with a total of 130 students.
Nakamura-sensei is a wonderful teacher who is enthusiastic about teaching and I feel very lucky to be able to work with her. My roles as her assistant include:
1) To improve students’ communication skills by bringing them the opportunities to be exposed to the authentic Japanese language.
2) To help students increase their knowledge on Japanese culture behind the language.
Luckily, a JOI coordinator Ms. Chiaki Tokiwa is also working in Indianapolis and we are able to collaborate to promote understandings on Japan in our local communities. For example, we worked together on activities to introduce Japanese culture at a local university as well as North Central High School.
It has been three months since I came here and I have been really enjoying working with great teachers, students, and people in the community. I already see our students’ improvement on their Japanese language skills and knowledge on Japanese culture, and I am very excited to expand our Japanese program with various activities inside and outside class.
If you have any question, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to share this great experience with you."
Ms. Hitomi Kameyama
Email: hitomi.kameyama.84@gmail.com
Ms. Tomoe Nakamura
Email: tnakamura@msdwt.k12.in.us
Both J-LEAP and the JOI Program are currently accepting applications for hosting organizations.
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The Japan Foundation in Los Angeles and New York will be offering the following grants this winter. To ensure a smooth submission process, it is highly recommended that interested candidates start their applications early.
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| Holidays the Consulate is Closed |
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The Consulate General of Japan will be closed on the following days:
- December 23 (Emperor's Birthday)
- December 25 (Christmas Day)
- December 29 - January 3 (End of Year/New Year Holiday)
- January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday)
Thank you for your understanding. Happy Holidays!
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| December 7: JLPT Japanese Language Proficiency Test @ DePaul University |
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Don't forget, the time has come for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test! Here are some last minute tips:
Bring your ID, JLPT test voucher, plenty of pencils and erasers, a silent wristwatch, and some snacks to keep yourself energized between sections.
Be sure to arrive early...better than running late and not having enough time for the test!
Although you may want to do some last minute studying, make sure to get plenty of rest the night before.
Good luck! If you want to take the test next year, find out more information on the JLPT here.
| Date |
Location |
December 7, 2014 (Sun)
12:30 - 4/4:30 PM |
DePaul University
Lincoln Park Campus, Levan Center
2322 North Kenmore Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614 |
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| December 11: Bonenkai with the Japan America Society of Chicago |
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This year commemorates 28 years of the Bonenkai annual fundraising event in Chicago! The deadline for corporate RSVPs has passed, but individual reservations can still be made until December 5. Pre-payment is required. If you cannot attend, but would still like to make a donation, please call (312) 263-3049.
A silent auction and cocktail reception will kickoff from 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the Crystal Room (5th Floor). This will be followed immediately by a festive banquet until 9:30 PM in the Main Dining Room (6th Floor). You can visit the event website listed below for more details on raffle prizes and for the reservation form.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
December 11, 2014 (Thurs)
5:30 - 9:30 PM |
Union League Club of Chicago
65 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604 |
Bonenkai Page
● Individual $150, see website for corporate rates
● Business attire required
● Self Parking available at the garage on the northwest corner of Federal and Van Buren |
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| November 17: Child and Parent Reading Group at the JIC (日本語のみ） |
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A group of Japanese parents and children are gathering in the JIC to promote reading Japanese books together! The focus is mostly on elementary picture books and it is requested that all who wish to participate bring one of their favorite (or their child's favorite!) books with them to the meeting. You may also bring in light snacks and drinks for children to enjoy.
More information regarding details like parking is outlined when accessing the PDF link below.
| Date |
Location |
Information |
December 17, 2014 (Wed)
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
Japan Information Center
737 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611 |
Reading Group Flyer
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| December 31: Japan America Society of Iowa's End of Year Joya no Kane event |
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Children ringing bell image courtesy of
the Japan America Society of IA
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The Joya no Kane, or the "tolling bells ceremony," is a practice that is based off Buddhist beliefs. At midnight, it is a tradition for Buddhist temples around the country to ring their bells 108 times. This signifies the 108 vices humans have that they must overcome in order to attain enlightenment. Each ring is thought to repel one of these human earthly desires.
The Japan America Society of Iowa observes the same custom by using a special Japanese bell that was given to Iowa as a sign of appreciation by Yamanashi prefecture in 1962. Every year at 9 AM (midnight on January 1 in Japan), those who attend the ceremony ring the Joya no Kane bell.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Tuesday, December 31
9 AM |
Iowa State Capital Building, by the bell
1007 E Grand Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50319 |
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| Tomodachi Japan Society Junior Fellows Leadership Program [Deadline 1/16] |
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The TOMODACHI Japan Society Junior Fellows Student Exchange Program is a culturally immersive learning experience in Japan. Ten high school students who are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at the time of the application and are potential future leaders are eligible to apply. Students will live in the Tokyo metropolitan area with a host family, experience school life in Japan, and visit historical sites from July 6-27, 2015.
The total trip costs $3,500, with full and partial need-based scholarships available. Tuition includes orientation, all international and domestic travel in the U.S. and Japan, as well as meals and accommodations. Applications must be received by January 16, 2015. Please visit the website here to access application materials and to find out more on what the program has to offer.
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| First-Ever Illinois Japan Bowl for High School Students in March 2015! [Deadline for applications 2/6] |
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The First-Ever Japan Bowl for High School students studying Japanese in the state of Illinois is here! This academic competition covers a wide rande of topics that tests high school students currently enrolled in Japanese Level 3 or higher. It tests not only the students' knowledge of the language, but also their understanding of traditional and modern Japan.
Each school can have 5 teams be entered into the competition. Each team is comprised of 3 members. The champion team will go on to compete in the National Bowl held annually in Washington D.C. Originating in 1993, over 200 students from over 30 high schools across the U.S. participate in the National Japan Bowl.
| Date and Time |
Location |
Information |
Saturday, March 7, 2015
9 AM - 4:30 PM (tentative) |
North Central College
30 North Brainard Street
Naperville, IL 60540 |
JapanBowl Event Page
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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 librarian Emily Toelcke that features notable library materials we offer per month. |
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Japanese is a daunting language! Not only is the grammar opposite of English and the rules for using honorifics multi-dimensional, but there are three separate writing systems – one of which has over 2,000 characters. For English speakers who only need to know 26 letters, learning kanji can be a looming study mountain. But, it doesn’t have to be – with a little bit of creativity and imagination, it can be conquered!
Kanji Pict-o-graphix by Michael Rowley (Call Number 536003, App) boasts over 1,000 kanji and kana visual and written mnemonics. The characters are not introduced in the traditional manner taught in Japanese schools, but instead are organized by theme – usually surrounding a certain character or radical (such as the below examples from the “hand” section). Ultimately, the goal of Kanji Pict-o-graphix is to provide the student with visually appealing associations between the characters and their supporting elements so that the characters can be readily recognized.
Remembering the Kanji by James W. Heisig (Call Numbers 536010-536012, App) is a book series designed to help the learner remember the meaning and the writing of kanji. Like Pict-o-graphix, Remembering the Kanji introduces the character in an unorthodox, but systematic way. Kanji are clumped by their primitive elements, the fundamental strokes and combinations of strokes which characters are built. Each primitive is assigned a target word which is not to be confused with a character’s meaning, and mnemonics are made through elaborate but concise stories incorporating these target words (see excerpt below). In the first few sections of the book, these stories are included, but the majority will be created by the learner.
Personally I have used both books for my kanji study. While Pict-o-graphix is much more visually appealing and creative, I have found that I have had greater success recalling the characters with Remembering the Kanji since it requires “imaginative memory” to create my own mnemonics. However, no matter which method you choose, your ascent of Kanji Mountain no longer needs to be defined by rote, brainless writing repetition. Instead it can be a colorful journey filled with pictures, stories, and creative connections!
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Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers to Amy Klouse at jic@cg.mofa.go.jp for a chance to win a small prize!
- Which Japanese film star died at 83 in November?
- What technological devices will Japan introduce in airports in FY 2017 (hint: this will help speed up immigration control)
- Who is the Japanese ski jumper who recently set a new Guinness World Record?
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Congratulations to Steve Jankowski, our winner from the November issue! Here are last month's answers: |
• Japan’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of women’s rights in the workplace this month. What did it rule? (hint: it has to do with pregnancy and this was the first time this issue was heard in court)
It ruled that it is illegal and invalid to discharge or treat disadvantageously a female worker due to her pregnancy.
• For the first time since 2005, which Japanese baseball team advanced to the Japan Series?
The Hanshin Tigers
• What is the name of the popular millennium old fire festival held annually in October in Kyoto? (The festival is said to have originated in 940!)
Kurama Fire Festival
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 Japanese Text Initiative
The University of Virginia has compiled a list of online Japanese literature texts from the Pre-modern to Modern Periods. One of the best ways to improve your language abilities is to read and continuously look up the meaning of unfamiliar kanji and grammatical patterns. Forgetting is a part of the natural process of language learning, so even if you find yourself looking up the same kanji repetitively, this will ultimately help you remember the word. This database has recognizable titles including the Man’yoshu, Tale of Heike, and the entire Tale of Genji text that is accessible in the original, modernized, and romaji formats. During winter break, it would be fun to try and read one of these works!
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Brrr…it’s been a cold winter so far!
Although Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, more and more people are decorating their homes, giving presents to friends and celebrating the event with a special meal. A popular celebratory Christmas cake for dessert is typically a sponge cake comprised of strawberries and whipped cream (pictured below). Another holiday, December 31, is known as Omisoka, or the last day of the year. On this day, families often clean their homes in preparation to start the new year fresh. For Japanese New Year, it is best started by viewing the new year's first sunrise (hatsuhinode). It is also a common practice to visit a temple or shrine for the first time (hatsumode). Stay warm, enjoy the holidays, and see you in 2015!
Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
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Cake image courtesy of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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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 |
Shiwasu, the traditional name for December, means “priests running around” because they are busy preparing for upcoming New Year celebrations.
The primary national holiday in Japan this month is the birthday of the current emperor. His birthday is one of two occasions in the year where the Imperial Grounds are open for public access. The end of year holidays on December 29, 30 and 31 that continue into the beginning of January are also official national holidays. The New Year holiday, a topic that is discussed in more detail in the 
The Japan Foundation in Los Angeles and New York will be offering the following grants this winter. To ensure a smooth submission process, it is highly recommended that interested candidates start their applications early.
Don't forget, the time has come for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test! Here are some last minute tips:
This year commemorates 28 years of the Bonenkai annual fundraising event in Chicago! The deadline for corporate RSVPs has passed, but individual reservations can still be made until December 5. Pre-payment is required. If you cannot attend, but would still like to make a donation, please call (312) 263-3049.
The TOMODACHI Japan Society Junior Fellows Student Exchange Program is a culturally immersive learning experience in Japan. Ten high school students who are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors at the time of the application and are potential future leaders are eligible to apply. Students will live in the Tokyo metropolitan area with a host family, experience school life in Japan, and visit historical sites from July 6-27, 2015.
The First-Ever Japan Bowl for High School students studying Japanese in the state of Illinois is here! This academic competition covers a wide rande of topics that tests high school students currently enrolled in Japanese Level 3 or higher. It tests not only the students' knowledge of the language, but also their understanding of traditional and modern Japan.
