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Vol. 10 No. 10 - October 2015
The e-Japan Journal is the electronic webletter of the Consulate-General of Japan in 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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In This Issue
This Month in Japan
Special Announcements
JIC Library
Fun Features
Editor's Note  
   
Highlighted
Cultural Events		 Please click through to our Events Calendar for a full list of events, as well as information about events in the coming months!
Economic News
 
Political News
Tomodachi Abenomics

Government Northern

Takeshima JapanChina

Abduction Highlighting

 
This Month in Japan
Koyomi Kannazuki, the old name for the month of October, is often translated as "month of no gods." There is an interestign story behind the meaning of Kannazuki. In October, all of the gods throughout Japan gather at Izumo Shrine and forgo their responsibilities for the month. Conversely, in the town of Izumo where the shrine is located, the month is known locally as Kamiarizuki, or "the month of gods."

In Japan, the second Monday of October is Taiiku no hi (Health and Sports Day). Typically, schools and some businesses host field days to encourage both physical and mental health. Popular activities include track and field events and tug of war.

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Special Announcements
Feature Interview: Jason Matsumoto at Ho Etsu Taiko
Jason Matsumoto, Artistic Director
Image courtesy of
Ho Etsu Taiko
Rotations
Welcome to the new interview section of the newsletter! This section was created so that readers can learn more about individuals in the Chicagoland area who promote Japanese culture through groups, organizations, and businesses. It is through their efforts that our city becomes more vibrant and we learn more about Japan but oftentimes we do not know much about how their organization formed, what their mission is, or about their personality. I will select individuals who have upcoming events during the newsletter month so that readers can learn more about the event itself and the person.

For our inagural issue, I interviewed Jason Matsumoto from Ho Etsu Taiko. Ho Etsu Taiko and On Ensemble's highly-anticipated ROTATIONS concert will take place October 3 & 4, 2015. Please read the full interview here as this is only a small portion of what we discussed!

AK: What do you hope to bring through taiko to Chicago and other areas you visit?
JM: First of all, I would say taiko is still pretty niche, especially in the Midwest where there is not a huge epicenter of Japanese culture like there is in other places like Los Angeles, New York, or Japantown in San Francisco. There are not large populations of Japanese nationals living in a city, we have that here in Chicago to an extent but it is not as concentrated as it is elsewhere. As a result, not a lot of people see or experience Japanese culture as much here. So we are trying to introduce people to how fun taiko is. I’ve never done a show where someone has come up to me to say that it was not impressive or not very interesting and I think taiko is a musical vehicle to connect people to Japanese culture. As a group, we are pushing ourselves to become better musicians as well as introduce taiko to people in the Midwest area. The furthest we have traveled in the United States is to Los Angeles and internationally we have played in Canada, but our primary focus is the Midwest region.

AK: Tell us about your upcoming show, ROTATIONS.
JM: Our group is at a stage where we are very serious ensemble musicians. As the Artistic Director, I think about who I want us to work with and learn from in the taiko community. On top of this list of people is Shoji Kameda from On Ensemble in Los Angeles, who studied in Japan, grew up playing taiko, and is an electronic and world music composer. I reached out to him about a year ago and we’ve been working together the past year and I pitched the show to him and I asked if we could collaborate with him and he agreed. So we have been thinking about how we incorporate each other’s members into the other group and also thinking about new music that would highlight the combined groups. Since May or so, we have been working on writing new music for the show while bearing in mind how to bring each group’s members into the other groups songs. We’re very excited to present ROTATIONS!

AK: Would you say the music is more experimental for ROTATIONS? Are you combining taiko with different genres?
JM: The one thing I learned from Shoji is to build music in a very textured or layered way. So we are trying new things with the drums and this is a bit of a new direction for us. We have one song that is brand new that incorporates vibraphone instrumentation and English lyrics to be sung on top of the music. Sumie Kaneko from New York will be there as well performing koto, shamisen, and some folk singing while Shoji will do a special type of throat singing.

AK: What is the best part of performing taiko?
JM: Sharing taiko music with the audience. You see their reactions and feed off of their energy which makes you keep trying harder. Performances are much more exciting for us when playing for an engaged audience.

As always, your feedback on the interview format or other aspects of the newsletter are always appreciated! Contact Amy.

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**Event** October 30-February 6: "Japanese Design Today 100" Japan Foundation Exhibit on dispaly at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
100Design The Japan Foundation, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), and the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago are excited to announce "Japanese Design Today 100," a world-touring exhibition, will be on display in MIAD's Brooks Stevens Gallery from October 30, 2015 - February 6, 2016.

TENUKORE
img
Everyday products can offer tremendous insight into a culture, providing a glimpse of what everyday life may entail. The "Japanese Design Today 100" traveling exhibition allows viewers to explore 100 works that represent Japanese product design, ranging from innovative designs to those that are more modern.

These designs feature 100 objects, 89 that were created since 2010, as well as 11 objects that represent Japanese post-war modern product design. These designs can be separated into 10 categories: classic Japanese design, furniture and housewares, tableware and cookware, apparel and accessories, children, stationery, hobbies, healthcare, disaster relief and transportation.

On October 30, there will be a special opening ceremony featuring Japanese Design Director Mr. Shu Hagiwara, a curator of the exhibit:

ShuHagiwara Shu Hagiwara was born in 1961. He graduated from Musashino Art University’s Visual Communication Design Department and was employed at Dai Nippon Printing and Living Design Center OZONE until he began working independently in 2004. He has started and maintains several original projects including the stores KAMI NO KOUSAKUJO, Codo mono Coto, Chuo Line Design Network, Kunitachi Honten, Nishi-ogi Shiten, Kokubunji Sanchi, TENUKORE, and KAMIMINO. Books he has authored include Nine Tsubo House and Design Stance. He currently is the shopkeeper of TSUKUSHI Stationery, a representative of the public company SHUHENKA, and a professor in the Design Department at Meisei University in Tokyo. http://www.shuhenka.net/





Dates Location Information
October 30, 2015 - February 6, 2016 Brooks Steven's Gallery of Industrial Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
273 East Erie Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202		 MIAD website

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Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) Spotlight: Let's welcome 3 Japanese instructors to the Midwest!
2014 J-LEAP participants
Image courtesy of
Japan Foundation
JLEAP
The Japanese Language Education Assistant Program (J-LEAP) 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 and The Laurasian Institution. Currently, there is a total of 23 ATs in 19 different states nationwide.

Let's welcome the following individuals to the Midwest:
  • Seiji Arai to Madison Country Day School in Waunakee, Wisconsin
  • Kasumi Tago to Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota
  • Tamaki Yoshitome to Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota
As well as those who are continuing on into their second year:

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2016 JET APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
JET Are you a U.S. citizen and a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the upcoming year? Have you considered applying to the JET Program? We hope so!

The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program is a government sponsored program that promotes internationalization and language education at the grassroots level. It was established in 1987 and is one of the largest educational programs of its kind. Recent college graduates and young professionals from over 40 countries are invited annually to share their language and culture with Japanese youth.

JETs participate in the program in one of two ways: as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), who team-up with Japanese colleagues to teach English in primary or secondary schools or as Coordinators of International Relations (CIRs), who perform various international and inter-cultural related functions in local government offices. CIRs must be fully proficient in the Japanese language.

Please visit the JET Program website to take the first steps toward becoming a JET! The deadline is 5:00PM EST November 13, 2015. Please note that this application should be sent to the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Consulates WILL NOT accept applications.

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October 3: 2015 Greater Kansas City Japan Festival
Japanese Torii Gate
Image courtesy of
Greater Kansas City Japan Festival
KansasCity
The Greater Kansas City Japan Festival is a fun, family-friendly event for those new to Japanese culture and for enthusiasts alike! Meet and Greet Consul-General Toshiyuki Iwado in the Regnier Center in Room 270 at 4:00 PM. There will be a variety of other festival activites within the following categories:

  • Martial Arts
  • Musical Workshops
  • Performances
  • Tea Ceremony
  • Anime & Manga
  • Bazaar
  • Candy Artist
  • Cultural Presentations
  • Cultural Village
  • Exhibits
  • Short Essay Project
Please visit the link to the website listed below to see a detailed schedule of events and to purchase discounted tickets in advance (Adults: $10, Children: $6, Students: $8)!

Date and Time Location Information
October 3 (Sat)
10:00 AM - 7:30 PM		 Johnson County Community College
12345 County Community Boulevard
Overland Park, KS 66210		 Event Website
Facebook Page

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October 3-4: Japanese Ambience Festival @ Omaha's Lauritzen Garden
Taiko drummers
Image courtesy of
Japanese Ambience Festival
Taiko
For an entire weekend, the garden grounds are alive with merriment as guests celebrate the joys of autumn and experience the Japanese culture first-hand. Most activities are free with garden admission or membership.

The Omaha Sister Cities Association helps host the Autumn and Japanese Ambience Festival, with a variety of activities to celebrate the Japanese culture. Japanese Ambience also celebrates the anniversary of the gift of the Japanese Sunpu Castle Gate at Lauritzen Gardens by Shizuoka, Japan, Omaha's first Sister City. Enjoy activities like Japanese calligraphy, koinobori, origami, chop sticks, traditional Japanese games, food tastings and more. Performances will include martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming and traditional Japanese music and dance. Paid activities will help fund the construction of phases II and III of the future Japanese garden at Lauritzen Gardens.

Dates and Times Locations Information
October 3-4 (Sat-Sun)
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM		 Lauritzen Gardens
100 Bancroft Street Omaha, NE 68108		 Event Website

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October 14: Japanese Picture Book Reading Group
A group of parents and children gather monthly 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 link below.

Date and Time Location Information
October 14 (Weds)
10:30 AM-1:00 PM		 Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611		 Reading Group Flyer

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October 17: "From Citizen to Enemy: Japanese-American WWII Internment Camp Experience" with the Japan America Society of Iowa
Grace Amemiya &
Neil Nakadake
Image courtesy of
Japan America Society of Iowa
Grace Neil
The removal and internment during World War II of more than 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry who lived on the Pacific Coast to the interior of the country is a dark mark on the nation's record of respecting civil libertires and cultural differences.

Come hear the personal stories of two Iowa internees and how they and their families experienced the disruption of their lives due to wartime hysteria and paranoia, yet eventually managed to thrive in the country that once betrayed them.






Date and Time Location Information
October 17 (Sat)
1:00 - 3:00 PM		 Des Moines Social Club
Culinary Loft, 2nd Floor
900 Mulberry Street
Des Moines, IA 50309		 Event information

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October 18: 9th Seminar of Japanese Researchers Crossing in Chicago
8th Seminar participants
Image courtesy of
JRCC
JRCC
Japanese scholars conducting research in Chicago will be giving presentations on their work for the Japanese Researchers Crossing in Chicago lecture series. Attendees are invited to bring sharable snacks for the opening reception and potluck. Each presentation will be for approximately 30 minutes immediately followed by a 15 minute Q&A session. Please refer to the presentation schedule on their website for more information and for more details on what topics presenters will be discussing.



Date and Time Location Information
October 18 (Sun)
From 1:00 PM		 Japan Information Center
737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611		 JRCC website

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Japan Foundation Grants
JFGrants

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Other Scholarships and Programs

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JIC Library
JICLIB


Highlighted Resources
This month's Highlighted Resources was written by JIC Librarian Ella McCann and features a notable library item we are recommending this month.
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Yakyu
This month the JIC Library added lots of great new books and a couple of DVDs to our library, all of which are listed in the New Additions section. I will be introducing two of the new children’s books both of which are great ways to introduce the difference and similarities between Japanese and American culture.

In honor of baseball season, the first book I would like to introduce is Take Me Out to the Yakyu (call number 510146) written and illustrated by Aaron Meshon. Aaron, who has traveled to Japan many times, takes the reader on a trip to a baseball game in America and Japan at the same time. On the left side readers learn about Baseball, while on the right side they learn about Yakyu. Having been to baseball games in both countries, this book reminded me of all the fun game day events, such as releasing balloons during the seventh inning in Japan vs singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in America. At the end of the book, Aaron writes about the history of the sport and describes how it evolved and became popular in both countries. Aaron addresses the differences between the two while also showing the similarities and including some vocabulary, making this book both a fun and educational experience.

Kimono
The second book, Suki’s Kimono (call number 510144) was written by Chieri Uegaki and Stéphane Jorisch. It tells the story of a girl named Suki and her favorite kimono that she received from her grandmother over her summer vacation. On the first day of school she wants to wear the kimono, but her sisters tell her the other kids will laugh at her and that she should change. Suki does not mind their comments and wears the kimono to school. During her homeroom class, each student is asked to introduce themselves and describe their summer vacation. Suki proudly stands up and talks about going to a festival with her grandma and dancing. She gets so immersed in telling her story and showing students the dance that she forgets she’s in the classroom. Once her dance is over the room is silent for a moment and she wonders if she’s in trouble, but then her classmates all begin to clap for her. On the walk home her sisters complain that no one even noticed their outfits, but Suki smiles because she knows that her classmates will always remember her favorite kimono. As with Take Me Out to the Yakyu, there are vocabulary terms related to kimono that help the reader learn about the culture and a bit of the language.

We hope you will stop by find the perfect book to read on those late fall evenings!

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New Additions
New Additions, compiled by Ella McCann, showcases the latest materials we have received in the JIC collection.
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Title Author Language Call Number
Doraemon no dokodemo nihongo (Textbook) Fujiko F Fujio, Kyoko Inahara, Yukari Goto McCagg, Yasu-Hiko Tohsaku, Noriko Fujimoto Vergel Japanese, English 534094
The Dream of Water: A Memoir Kyoko Mori English 320023
Haiku International 2015 No. 119 Haiku International Association English, Japanese Library Use Only
One Piece: Vol. 7, 8, & 9 Eiichiro Oda English 560290
One Piece: Vol. 10, 11, & 12 Eiichiro Oda English 560291
Attack on Titan 1 Hajime Isayama English 560292
Attack on Titan 2 Hajime Isayama English 560293
Attack on Titan 3 Hajime Isayama English 560294
Hachiko Waits Lesléa Newman English 510143
Suki's Kimono Chieri Uegaki, Stéphane Jorisch English 510144
Take Me Out to the Yakyu Aaron Meshon English 510146
Title Author Language Call Number
Tokyo Sonata Kiyoshi Kurosawa Japanese with English subtitles 812121
Red Beard Akira Kurosawa Japanese with optional English subtitles 812122
Like Father, Like Son Hirokazu Kore-Eda Japanese with English/Spanish subtitles 812123

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Fun Features
Last Month in Japan
Here are some questions about current events in Japan. Email your answers to Amy Klouse at amy.klouse@cg.mofa.go.jp for a chance to win a small prize!
  1. Since being promoted to Yokozuna, what is the name of the Yokozuna who clinched his first tournament victory this month?
  2. Japan is starting a licensing system to give to foreign chefs for what type of cuisine?
  3. How old is Hidekichi Miyazaki, a Japanese man who set the 100-meter shot-put world record this month?
--------------------------

Congratulations to Richard Stump, the winner from our September issue! Here are the answers:

• What is Kounotori 5?
An unmanned cargo ship launched by Japan's space agency taking supplies to the International Space Station.

• Which Japanese clothing company is starting to offer employees 4-day work weeks?
UNIQLO

• What type of Japanese traditional theatre debuted at Las Vegas’ Bellagio this month?
Kabuki

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Website Highlight
WebHighMaggie Sensei

This month, I thought I would feature the fun and interactive “Maggie Sensei” for learning Japanese grammar, vocabulary, phrases, and more. Many of the expressions you learn on this site are more conversational, but if you have a language partner or would like to improve your colloquial speaking/writing abilities, this is the website for you! Lesson topics range from Japanese gift and souvenir customs to Twitter slang (internet terminology) to help familiarize the reader with a variety of subjects that are applicable to real-life experiences. The website’s motto is No Fun No Gain! (issho ni tanoshiku nihongo wo benkyoushimasho!) and teaches through creative images and examples rather than with dry explanations as found in many textbooks students use in school to learn the language. It’s one of my favorite resources for learning and better understanding cultural nuances!

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Editor's Note
October is here and we’ve just passed the official start of autumn. Have you ever traveled to Japan during the season of fall? While the weather is enjoyable in the Midwest during this time of year, the temperature and lower humidity levels throughout much of Japan in October make it an ideal month to visit.

The Japan National Tourism Organization has created lists of places that are popular to visit from late September to early October, early October to mid-October, and late October to early November…and none of these locations are in Tokyo! If you want to explore Japan, outside of the bustling city, think about planning you next trip to one of these listed destinations . Enjoy the crisp autumn air, colorful leaves, and beauty of nature!

Best,
Amy Klouse (Editor, Technology and Information Coordinator)
Image courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Autumn

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