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Consulate Updates October 2013 Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane
In This Issue
JET Programme 2014 –
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
17th Japanese Film Festival
Japanese Language and
Culture Meetup Group
Language Exchange Sessions
Hanami in the Park
Special TaikOz Performances
in Brisbane
TaikOz Beginner Taiko
Drumming Course
Australia-Japan Dialogue –
Energy Security: Challenges
and Opportunities
Internment Symposium
AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015
PARALLEL NIPPON:
Contemporary Japanese
Architecture 1996 – 2006
Tokyo Elected as 2020
Olympic Games Host City!
Premier Campbell Newman’s
Visit to Japan
Queensland LOTE Library
“Gen Hidemori: Baku” – A
Story of Redemption and One
Man’s Journey to Find It
Namonaikizuna (Unseen Ties)
Choir Song and OZ Ondo
Dance
Website Review – Go Tokyo
Website Review – “MAGO no
TE”, Kyoto City Tourism
Association
Holy Spirit College Students
Host Japanese Students from
Nagoya
JET Programme 2014 – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
Applications for the 2014 JET Programme are now open! A number of information seminars will be held in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast for those interested in applying. Please contact
the Consulate-General of Japan, Brisbane for further details on these. The 2014 JET Programme application forms are available to download from the Embassy of Japan in Canberra’s website at:
http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/en/education/education_jet.html About the JET Programme The JET Programme seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. Specifically, the Programme aims to enhance foreign language education in Japan, and to promote international exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese and foreign youth. The Programme offers university graduates and young professionals the opportunity to serve in local government organisations as well as public and private primary, junior and senior high schools. The JET Programme is conducted under the auspices of local government in Japan, and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations. Applications should be submitted to the Embassy of Japan in Canberra by close of business on Friday the 29th of November, 2014. Questions about the JET Programme and the application process can be directed to the JET Programme Coordinator at the Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane via the contact details below: Tel: (07) 3221 5188
E-mail: [email protected]
Recommended Websites
Embassy of Japan, Canberra http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp
The Japan Foundation, Sydney http://www.jpf.org.au/
Japan National Tourism
Organization http://www.jnto.org.au/
Japan External Trade
Organization http://www.jetro.go.jp/
Japan Exchange Teaching
(JET) Programme http://www.jetprogramme.org/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Japan (MOFA) http://www.mofa.go.jp/
Official Tokyo Travel Guide:
GO TOKYO http://www.gotokyo.org/
Contact Us
Consulate-General of Japan,
Brisbane
17th Floor, 12 Creek Street
Brisbane Qld. 4000
Phone: (07) 3221 5188
Fax: (07) 3229 0878
http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp
Office Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
9:00am – 12:30pm
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Gold Coast Consular Service
The next Gold Coast Consular
Service is scheduled for:
17th Japanese Film Festival (JFF) – “Watch Japan Unfold” | 16th – 20th October | Event Cinemas, Myer Centre Brisbane (Photo: ©2013 “The Great Passage” Film
Partners) Brisbane tickets are on sale now for the 17th Japanese Film Festival, which holds its first leg in Brisbane before touring Australia to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, and some regional areas. Tickets are able to be purchased online via the JFF website. Be sure to grab your tickets to your favourite films before they sell out! New film added!
You may have noticed a few new films added to the national line-up! That’s right – the JFF has brought back last year’s opening sell-out, “Thermae Romae”, a hilarious comedy that will have you in stitches. Get ready for a belly full of laughter! What’s on the program? A very wide variety of films are on this year’s line-up, so there is sure to be something for everyone. The festival will open with “The Great Passage”, and close with “Fruits of Faith”. Other films featured include “Dragonball Z: Battle of Gods”, “Reunion”, “Gatchaman”, “Library Wars”, “Hospitality Department”, “The Complex”, “Real”, “The God of Ramen”, “A Boy Called H” and “Blindly In Love”. To read more details on the films in this year’s exciting line-up, go to the Films page on the JFF site listed below. Free Classics Program Five free Classic film screenings will be included in the JFF program, for which tickets will be available only on the day of screening, and given on a first come, first served basis. This year’s Classic line-up includes “Lightning”, “The Life and Times of Ichi the Masseur”, “Children Hand in Hand”, “The Grand Master” and “Elegant Beast”. How to book Tickets for the films are available through a link on the JFF website, which will take you to a booking page through Event Cinemas. Times and information for each film is also available. To see what movies are showing in Brisbane, go to
http://japanesefilmfestival.net/location/brisbane/ and click on the individual film, which will take you to a page with a “Book Now” button and session times. Don’t forget, the JFF will also travel with free abridged programs to Townsville (26th of October) and Cairns (3rd of November) and other cities around the country. For further information, visit the official JFF website
www.japanesefilmfestival.net, and you can also “like” the Facebook page japanesefilmfest, or follow JFF on Twitter @japanfilmfest/#jff17.
Thursday, 12th December
10:00am – 12:30pm
25 Mawarra Building
3108 Gold Coast Highway
Surfers Paradise
Word of the Month
稲妻 (inazuma) “(a flash of) lightning”
Japanese Language and Culture Meetup Group | Weekly | Brisbane and Gold Coast
The Japanese Language and Culture Meetup Group aims to create opportunities for Japanese learners to meet native speakers and other like minded speakers of Japanese to practice language, exchange a variety of cultural experiences, and to build friendships. “Japanese Meetup Gold Coast, Monday
Nights” at Surfers Paradise Every Monday, 7:30 – 8:30pm Social, language and cultural exchange. All levels welcome. “Nihongo de Shabera Night” at West End (Brisbane) Every Tuesday, 7:00 – 9:00pm Must only speak Japanese. Advanced level and Japanese volunteers.
“The Brisbane Japanese Language and Culture Weekly Meetup” at Brisbane CBD
Every Thursday, 6:30 – 9:00pm Social, language and cultural exchange. All levels welcome.
“Japanese Eat Out/ Bangohan Tabe Night” at Sunnybank (Brisbane)
Every Saturday, 7:00 – 8:30pm Social, language and cultural exchange. All levels welcome.
Random weekend events coming up
Tennis, BBQ, Karaoke, Japanese grocery shopping tour etc.
For further information and to register to attend the events, please visit the websites below:
Brisbane: http://www.meetup.com/Japanese-Brisbane/
Gold Coast: http://www.meetup.com/Japanese-Gold-Coast/
Language Exchange Sessions | 15th October | Taringa
The Japanese Club of Brisbane hold regular Language Exchange Sessions in Taringa. The organisation welcomes participation from English speakers wishing to practise their Japanese language skills, together with Japanese speakers wishing to practise their English language skills. English proficiency and Japanese proficiency levels do not matter. Please note the details of the next Language Exchange
Session below: Date: Tuesday 15th October
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue: Japanese Club of Brisbane Office, 17/180 Moggill Road, Taringa (5 minute walk from Taringa Train Station)
Telephone: (07) 3870 0360
Admission: Free (but please note that a $5 contribution from non-members and a gold coin contribution from non-member students would be appreciated.) For further information, please contact Mr. Ray Gagen
([email protected]) or Mr. Hideaki Maruoka
([email protected]) from the Japanese Club of Brisbane.
Hanami in the Park | 20th October | New Farm Welcome in the season of spring at a Japanese-style Hanami
picnic by the beautiful Jacaranda trees at New Farm Park in Brisbane.
Hosted by the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) Queensland, this is a wonderful opportunity for
people with a shared appreciation of Japanese culture to come together and enjoy Hanami, Brisbane style! Date: Sunday 20th October Time: From 12:00noon Venue: New Farm Park, close to the Rotunda / Oxlade Drive entrance (look for the JETAA banner) Please bring your own food and drinks, and a picnic rug or chairs. Friends and family are also of course very welcome! For further information please visit the JETAA Queensland Facebook page.
Special TaikOz Performances in Brisbane
TaikOz Presents: Crimson Sky Japanese wadaiko musical culture is once again brought to Brisbane by Australia’s world-acclaimed taiko drumming ensemble, TaikOz, in a stunning new work entitled Crimson Sky, featuring the stylings of bass koto player, Satsuki Odamura. Based on a haiku by Japanese poet Miura Yuzuru, Toward the Crimson Sky, this performance evokes the poem’s sensual, dramatic and often playful imagery of a cloud of dragonflies ascending into a deep red sky. The thunderous drumming of the taiko is interwoven with the hypnotic melodies of
the shakuhachi and shinobue bamboo flutes, voice and a rare performance on the bass koto, a traditional Japanese 17-stringed plucked instrument to be played by special guest artist Satsuki Odamura.
The program will also feature new works by the two youngest TaikOz members: from the peaceful meditation of Solace by Tom Royce-Hampton to the dynamic high energy of Exploration by Anton Lock. Date: Thursday 24th October Time: 8:00pm Venue: QPAC, South Bank Tickets start from $45 and are on sale now via the QPAC website
http://www.qpac.com.au and via telephone at 136 246. Don’t miss out on this world-class performance! “TaikOz is for Everyone” Workshop TaikOz will also be holding a workshop for anyone wanting to try their hand at taiko drumming in a 90 minute workshop with members from the famous group. Practicing taiko drumming is great for learning about teamwork, enjoying being in exciting rhythm with others, and expressing yourself through the primal rhythms and deep, earthy tones of the taiko drum beat. Why not have a go! Date: Wednesday 23rd October Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm Venue: QPAC, Brisbane Cost: $79 per person Bookings can be made for the workshop at:
http://taikoz.com/TaikOz/introductorytaikoworkshops.aspx
TaikOz Beginner Taiko Drumming Course | Beginning 31st October | Nudgee Junior College Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming) is a traditional and popular form of Japanese music, which is seen today at various events both in Japan and around the world. Its heart-pumping rhythms are exciting and stirring, and the traditional costumes worn and the spectacle of the performance add to the amazing display that is taiko drumming! Now you too can learn how to play taiko, with the famous drumming group TaikOz in their 6-week course later this year.
Throughout the course, participants will be introduced to a variety of Japanese drumming instruments in a completely unique way. Exploring stance, striking techniques, basic strokes, as well as more complex rhythms and styles are all a part of the course. As a class, the group will learn a few short pieces, both traditional and contemporary. Each week, a
new element of the taiko world will be introduced, be it with a new technique, new rhythms, or a new style. This will be a fast-paced course designed with the student in mind, and participants will be both surprised and pleased with what can be achieved in six short weeks! Course details
When: Thursdays 7:00pm – 8:30pm Dates: October 31st; November 7th; November 14th; November 21st; December 5th; December 12th Venue: Nudgee Junior College (School Hall), Twigg Street, Indooroopilly, Brisbane Cost: $290 including bachi (sticks) To book your place in this unique course, please go to:
http://taikoz.com/TaikOz/beginnerclassbrisbane.aspx If you have any questions about the class, please contact the TaikOz office on (02) 9280 4260 (between 9:00am – 5:00pm AEST weekdays) or email
Griffith Asia Institute Presents: “Australia-Japan Dialogue – Energy Security: Challenges and Opportunities” | 12th – 13th November | South Bank
The third annual Australia-Japan Dialogue will be held in
Brisbane on the 12th and 13th of November at the Ship Inn
Function Room, South Bank, Brisbane. Registration is
now open online, and members of both the public and
private energy sectors as well as the general public are
welcome to attend.
This year's event aims to promote dialogue between
Japanese and Australian experts from both the public
and private sectors, with a view to raising awareness of
the future opportunities and respective challenges facing
both countries in the area of energy
security. Cooperation between Australia and Japan can make a very significant
contribution to mutual efforts to improve energy security and combat climate
change. This dialogue seeks to identify new ways in which Australia and Japan can
work together to address growing and interrelated challenges. Finding new
avenues for joint work can thus make a broader contribution to a stronger bilateral
relationship for decades to come. Event details Dates: 12th – 13th November Venue: The Ship Inn Function Room, South Bank, Brisbane Fee: 2 days $100; 1 day $75 Program The workshop will consist of six sessions held over two days. Day 1 – 12th November
Fundamental energy security challenges
Energy policy and political volatility
Traditional energy sources
Day 2 – 13th November
Alternative energy sources
Bilateral cooperation and regional energy security challenges
Plenary session: synergies, challenges and opportunities
Registrations are able to be made online, but please hurry as spaces are limited. To download the full program and register, go to the Griffith Asia Institute’s Australia-Japan Dialogue webpage at:
http://www.griffith.edu.au/business-government/griffith-asia-
institute/partnerships-collaboration/the-australia-japan-project/energy-
security-challenges-and-opportunities For further enquiries or information, please contact Meegan Thorley at the Griffith
Asia Institute by telephone (07) 3735 7624 or email [email protected]
Internment Symposium – Civilian Internment in Australia during WW2: History, Memories and Community Heritage | 6th – 9th March 2014 | Cowra NSW The Internment Symposium presents a unique opportunity to learn about civilian internment in Australia during WW2, a less well-known part of our history. The Symposium will be held during Cowra’s annual Festival of International Understanding (6th – 16th March, 2014). Of particular significance to the town of Cowra is that about 200 graves of the Japanese internees who died during the Pacific War are now located in the Cowra Japanese Cemetery. Participants in the Symposium will be given the opportunity to learn more and meet others interested in this topic. Registration is open to the general public, and will be of interest to both researchers and non-researchers, as well as former internees and their families. It will be a very special chance to take a glimpse into and share in the life stories of those connected with this aspect of our history. Event details Dates: 6th – 9th March 2014 Venue: Civic Centre, Cowra, NSW Fee: $130 (to be confirmed) including; Lunches, morning and afternoon teas during the Symposium (7th – 8th March) Unlimited admission to the Japanese Garden Unlimited admission to the Ames Errantes photo exhibition Historians, creative writers, artists and members of the local community where intern camps were built will tell Symposium participants about how they have maintained and developed the legacy of the wartime camps as part of their community heritage. Participants will not only come from within Australia, but also Japan and New Caledonia. Attendees will be able to experience:
A special talk by Professor Bill Gammage on his award-winning book, the Biggest Estate on Earth (on 6th March)
Community youth performances inspired by civilian internment experiences, facilitated by Mayu Kanamori with artists Alan Schacher, Weizen Ho and Jumaadi
A photographic exhibition Ames Errantes (Wandering Spirit: the fate of an Okinawan emigrant in New Caledonia) by Mutsumi Tsuda at Cowra Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre. The exhibition tells a story about a Japanese-Kanak family broken up by the war.
The unveiling of an interpretive board and a special commemoration ceremony for the Japanese civilian internees buried at the Cowra Japanese War Cemetery.
The organisers of the Symposium hope it will expand our understanding of the consequences of, and the legacy of internment inflicted upon all nationalities, and re-examine the impact of war and conflict on the civilian population. Call for papers The Symposium has limited spaces remaining, but individual papers on any of the following areas of civilian internment in Australia during WW2 would be welcomed. If you are interested in presenting a paper, please email an initial expression of interest with a tentative title and a 150-200 word description to the Symposium conveners by the 31st of October, 2013. Organisers are interested in papers on the following areas:
Stories of internment experience in Australia during WW2
Life stories of former internees
Experiences of local communities where these internment camps were constructed
Stories told by Australian Military Personnel camp staff
Civilian internment in creative writing, visual art and performances For further information, and for a detailed provisional schedule of the Symposium, please contact conveners Dr Yuriko Nagata (The University of Queensland,
[email protected]) and Dr Keiko Tamura (The Australian National
University, [email protected]). The provisional schedule is also viewable at:
http://nikkeiaustralia.com/symposium-civilian-internment-in-australia-
during-ww2-memories-history-and-community-heritage/
Less than 500 days to go! AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 (Photo: Japan’s Keisuke
Honda takes on Australia’s Sasha Ognevoski)
It’s time to start counting down the days until the AFC Asian Cup Australia, Asia’s biggest football tournament kicks off around Australia in January 2015. The Japanese national team, the ‘Blue Samurai’, will be among the favourites to win, along with Korea Republic and of course, the hosts, the Australian ‘Socceroos’! Other countries which are likely to qualify include China, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Michael Brown believes that the 2015 Cup will be a great chance for fans to see how much the quality of Asian
football has improved, and he is excited to see this major international tournament come to Australia. “During the recent World Cup qualification process that quality was again evident and we expect the competition to be fierce in January 2015,” he said. Following the opening match on the 9th of January, 2015, Australia will be treated to a festival of football with 32 matches being played over 23 days in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. It will certainly be a chance to celebrate the game, but also the importance of valuing the relationship that Australia holds with the Asian community. “There are 2.5 million people of Asian heritage living in Australia,” Mr Brown said. “I know that many of those people, including the local Japanese community, are excited to have the opportunity to support both the country of their heritage and the Socceroos at the Asian Cup. Importantly, this event will also put Australia in Asia’s spotlight in January 2015 and we need to use that to build cultural, social and economic ties with countries like Japan. The Australian Government’s Asian Century White Paper acknowledges the power of sport to bridge language and cultural barriers and serve as a platform to build relationships.” And, if you feel like you are alone in your soccer fandom among a nation of NRL, AFL and cricket fanatics, you certainly will not be when the Cup comes in 2015! Approximately 45,000 international visitors are expected to arrive for the event and more than 500 million people will watch the tournament on television. Watch the hype reel Why wait to get pumped up? Watch the exciting AFC Asian Cup 2015 Hype Reel on
YouTube here http://youtu.be/p9oPmA3UvFQ (and don’t forget to share it through your Facebook page to get your friends excited too!) To get all the details on the 2015 Cup, check out the official webpage at
www.afcasiancup.com.
PARALLEL NIPPON: Contemporary Japanese Architecture 1996 – 2006 We are pleased to report that the Parallel Nippon: Contemporary Japanese Architecture exhibition was a huge success in its Brisbane show, which was held at Gallery artisan in Fortitude Valley from the 9th to the 31st of August, 2013.
Hundreds of visitors viewed the exhibition over the month and the popular “Talking Parallel Nippon” seminar attracted a sell-out crowd. Students at The University of Queensland School of Architecture were extremely fortunate to have a class with visiting lecturer, Mr Thomas Daniell, who visited Brisbane over the 21st and 22nd of August. Mr Daniell is the curator of the Parallel
Nippon exhibition, and travelled to Brisbane from Hong Kong to give a number of presentations. Mr Daniell also presented to the Australian Institute of Architects’ “Women in Architecture” group, which was an excellent chance for experts in the field to engage in professional discussion about prominent female Japanese architects and their achievements both in Japan and abroad. Finally, to a crowd of over 150 eager listeners ranging from practicing architects and CEOs of architecture firms, to students and the average Japanophile, Mr Daniell presented the public “Talking Parallel Nippon” seminar at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, which was followed by a networking reception at Gallery artisan. Many audience members commented on Mr Daniell’s excellent insight into
the field of Japanese architecture, particularly in regard to its development during “post-bubble” Japan. The Consulate-General of Japan would like to thank the Japan Foundation who kindly brought the exhibition and Mr Daniell to Brisbane, and also Gallery artisan for their generous assistance throughout the preparation, installation and showing of the exhibition. The Consulate would also like to thank the Architectural Institute of Japan, the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, and the University of Queensland School of Architecture for their kind support. Finally, we would like to thank everyone who came to see the exhibition – you have certainly demonstrated the amount of public interest there is in contemporary Japanese culture! To see photographs of the exhibition and events, see the Event Reports page of our newly updated website:
http://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jicc/event_reports.html If you missed the Brisbane show, the next and final Australian leg of the travelling Parallel Nippon exhibition will be shown in Canberra. For more details visit the Embassy of Japan in Australia webpage:
http://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jicc/events.html
Tokyo Elected as 2020 Olympic Games Host City! On the 8th of September at the 125th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session held in Buenos Aires in Argentina, Tokyo was elected as the host city of the 32nd Olympic Games and the 16th Paralympic Games. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his desire to work together with the IOC to make the world a better place through the power of sport. “Distinguished members of the IOC, I say that choosing Tokyo 2020 means choosing a new, powerful booster for the Olympic Movement,” stated Mr Abe in his presentation to the IOC. “Under our new plan, ‘Sport for Tomorrow’, young Japanese will go out into the world in even larger numbers. They will help build schools, bring in equipment, and create sports education programs. And by the time the Olympic torch reaches Tokyo in 2020, they will bring the joy of sports directly to 10 million people in over 100 countries.” Stay tuned for more updates as Japan prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2020. To keep the passion alive for the upcoming games, visit the Tokyo 2020 website at:
http://tokyo2020.jp/en
Premier Campbell Newman’s Visit to Japan – Strengthened Trade Relations
and a Gift of Koalas Premier Campbell Newman has returned to Queensland after a very successful visit to Japan as part of the Guest of Government program to build on already well-established trade relationships, particularly in the resources, education, tourism, agricultural and construction industries. The visit was from the 26th to the 30th of September and has
been much anticipated, after the Premier needed to cancel a previously arranged trip due to the flooding events throughout Queensland this year. Premier Newman acknowledged in a media release that Japan now buys almost half of Queensland’s fresh beef exports, and nearly $5 billion worth of coal every year. He also said that Japan accounts for 11% of foreign investment in Queensland and is still one of the state’s top five tourism markets. “The reality is that Japan’s long-term commitment to our state has let us develop, grow and create a suite of world-class resources, education, tourism, agricultural and construction industries,” Premier Newman said. During his visit, Mr Newman also met with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Japan Oil Gas and Metals National Corporation. He noted that Japan’s longstanding interest in investing in Queensland is proof of the strong relationship that has been building between the regions for decades. The Newman Government has also announced that it will mark the 30th anniversary of the sister-state relationship with Saitama Prefecture with a state gift of koalas for the Saitama Children’s Zoo. This gesture of goodwill will of course be a unique drawcard for the zoo, and will not only attract visitors throughout Japan to Saitama, but will also encourage residents to come to Queensland to see koalas in their natural habitat.
Queensland LOTE Library – Resources Available for Educators
The Queensland LOTE Library has moved from its previous location in West End, but is now open through the Brisbane School of Distance Education. You can access the catalogue of resources available online, and for teachers visiting from far and wide, you will be pleased to know that the Library is open on weekdays. About the LOTE Library
Did you know that the Queensland LOTE Library provides resources, reference and alerting services to practicing teachers and instructors in Queensland Government, Independent and Catholic schools, Queensland Universities, TAFE institutions and After Hours Ethnic Schooling programs? Furthermore, if you are a Pre-Service teacher at university, you are also able to borrow items in your Lecturer or Supervising Teacher’s name (when on Prac) with permission, and are welcome to come and use the resources at the library! Resources are available for teaching not only Japanese, but also Chinese, French, German, and Indonesian. Visual resources and languages teaching professional development resources are also available. Don’t forget too, that if you would like a resource that is not in the Library, requests can be made to the Library and if approved, it may be acquired. If you do not live in Brisbane or are unable to get to the Library to borrow a resource, you will be happy to know that postal loans may be arranged! However, the cost of the postage is at the borrower’s expense. Regular Opening Hours 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday Location
Brisbane School of Distance Education LOTE Library Corner of Cavendish Road and Stanley Street East, Coorparoo, Brisbane Catalogue available online at:
www.education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/lotelibrary For further information on how to borrow from the Library or become a member, please contact the Library Administrator, Lisa Houghton via email
[email protected] or call (07) 3727 2850.
“Gen Hidemori: Baku” – A Story of Redemption and One Man’s Journey to Find It
“Gen Hidemori: Baku” is a new documentary made by film maker Greg Watson, who is based in Brisbane. The movie is currently in production and filming, and the team behind it are fundraising to get the project off the ground. The story is based on the life and times of Gen Hidemori, who Greg met by chance through a friend four years ago while in Tokyo on holiday. He explains Gen’s life as “a story of
redemption and one man’s journey to find it”. Gen Hidemori calls himself a “Baku”, which is a creature from Japanese mythology that devours nightmares. Gen says that he grows strong feasting on the nightmares of others – he runs a rescue centre in Kabukicho to harbour those who are at risk or in need. He says that he gains power from helping others forget their demons. His story is truly inspirational, as someone who, from his own blackened past of crime, human trafficking and blackmail, has been transformed into a force of good for others in his community. Greg says that he is so inspired by and interested in Gen’s story because it transcends national boundaries. “At its heart, it’s about the best in humanity. The ability to wrench our path from a downward spiral and seek redemption from our past is an inspiration for us all,” he says. He comments that some may wonder why a film maker from Brisbane should want to make a documentary about the life of a man halfway across the world, but it is the passion for this story that drives him. For more information about Gen’s story, the documentary and a video preview,
visit the group’s Pozible page at http://www.pozible.com/project/32865 and
“like” their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/genhidemoribaku. There is also information for those who would be interested in making a donation towards the production of the documentary. For any further information, Greg Watson can also be contacted directly via email
Namonaikizuna (Unseen Ties) Choir Song and OZ Ondo Dance – A Special Project by Kizuna
The Kizuna Project, which works to support victims of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, has been busy lately with two creative projects, which aim to help keep the memory of the disaster in Northern Japan alive and to let the people of Japan know
that we are still thinking of them and supporting them. Both Namonaikizuna and OZ Ondo have been taught at workshops and performed at various events over the last couple of months and have received excellent support from those attending. Namonaikizuna (Unseen Ties) This is a choral song composed by Mr Yoshiyuki Obi, who wished to express the “unseen ties” between those affected by the disaster in Japan, and those who support them in other countries and areas of Japan. Mr Obi composed the song as a response to the disaster, as he felt shocked, nervous and powerless to help victims of the disaster, due to living a considerable distance from the epicentre. A friend of Mr Obi’s wrote the lyrics, and the song has become a beacon of strength and hope for victims of the disaster, and has now been translated into 20 languages. Recently, students from Bilambil Public School at Tweed Heads had the chance to sing the song for Mr Obi, as he was in the area for the tsunami and earthquake’s Gold Coast memorial event “O-do-ru” on the 11th of August. Mr Obi was very moved by the performance. The song is also sung by the Kizuna Choir, which is made up of passionate Gold Coast, Tweed and Byron Bay residents. Mr Obi is also currently putting together short recordings of people from around the world either singing or speaking a message of hope, to be uploaded onto YouTube. He believes this project can continue for many years, until there is no longer a need to send the message to affected people. He is currently seeking people to send recorded messages or sung phrases of Namonaikizuna. If you would be interested in sending your recording, please contact him via his website
http://namonaikizuna.net/ or via email at [email protected]. OZ Ondo OZ Ondo is a special “Australian” version of the traditional Japanese Obon dance, made by Kizuna Project on the Gold Coast. Obon is the annual Buddhist celebration held throughout Japan during August to commemorate one’s ancestors. It is a time to express gratitude to loved ones who have passed on before us and it is believed that during Obon, the ancestor’s spirits return to earth in order to visit their relatives. During the festivities, participants dance a special Obon dance called “Bon Odori”, which is accompanied by singing and taiko drums. The OZ Ondo is a version uniquely Australian in theme, and it is hoped that the dance will become adopted as a cultural practice in Australia. It is also a way for Australians and Japanese people to express solidarity with those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. YouTube Links How to do the OZ Ondo Dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09tGsXUGN7I OZ Ondo performance at ‘O-do-ru’ Event, 11th August
http://youtu.be/w1wg11YDSrE Kizuna Choir sings Namonaikizuna (Unseen Ties)
http://youtu.be/CbXN7fxwgDE For further information about Kizuna Project Australia and their many projects,
keep in touch with them through their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/KizunaProjectAustralia
Website Review – Go Tokyo, Official Tokyo Travel Guide
Next time you are planning a trip to Japan, or perhaps the next time you are just having a daydream about a future holiday, check out the recently updated Go Tokyo website. The information available on this bright and colourful website is sure to entice your senses on every level! Information about virtually every aspect of Tokyo that there is to love is featured, with everything from major tourist attractions, down to recommendations for strolls around suburban streets. Food, traditional sites, seasonal events, museums, gardens, transport options, and so on – the amount of detail included in this website is
enormous! Routes for recommended day trip courses are also featured, so you can have your day in Tokyo planned out. And of course, information about the much-anticipated 2020 Tokyo Olympics is sure to be featured too! To visit the website, go to:
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/
Website Review – “MAGO no TE”, Kyoto City Tourism Association
Your first trip to Japan is certainly not complete without a visit to the old capital, Kyoto! The “MAGO no TE” website by the Kyoto City Tourism Association is sure to give you all the information you need to make your visit especially memorable. The website is published in six different languages, and features relevant and useful information sections about the practicalities of
travel: arrival; money; transportation; accommodation; and climate. Furthermore, detailed information is offered on a range of activities that you can engage in during your stay, included in the “sightseeing”, “dining”, “fun”, “shopping” and “experience” sections. How about relaxing in a traditional Japanese onsen bath, or being dressed in a kimono? Or perhaps you would like to explore one of the old Kagai Flower Towns, where maiko can be seen even today? There is certainly an infinite amount of culture to be seen and experienced in Kyoto, and the “MAGO no TE” website is a great place to start in planning your trip. Why not jump on there and start dreaming! Visit “MAGO no TE” at:
http://www.kyoto-magonote.jp/en/topics/koyomi/koyomi201312.html
What’s going on in North Mackay? Holy Spirit College Students Host Japanese Students from Nagoya
Students at North Mackay’s Holy Spirit College (HSC) had the chance to make friends and practice their Japanese language skills with visiting Japanese students from Nagoya. The students’ visit was organised by Department of Languages head Ms Karen Hurford, who currently teaches Japanese at HSC, and who lived in Nagoya for almost 15 years as an English teacher.
Eight student visitors from Nagoya spent three weeks attending classes at the school, and enjoyed getting to know their host families. In addition, the school also had a short visit by students from Mackay’s sister city Matsuura, which was organised through Mackay Regional Council. Students from both countries enjoyed various activities such as a school treasure hunt, games and making pikelets. It was a great chance for HSC students to practice their Japanese skills with students their own age. A Japan Festival was also held at HSC, which was an extended learning program to inspire and broaden the skills of students who have chosen to continue learning Japanese. Also, Japan Day was celebrated at the college on the 22nd of August, where students could wear Harajuku-style free dress. Students at HSC have certainly enjoyed their experience with their visiting students, and the opportunities they have had to learn more about Japanese language and culture. Congratulations HSC and Ms Karen Hurford on a wonderful program! Photo of Japan Day: Nagoya student Mitzuki Sakakibara (left), teacher Ms Karen Hurford, Shaun Bezzina, Nagoya student Yuan Takikawa, and Sarah Jansen.
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