December 2013 Volume 18 Issue 2

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 3

18.2

October is one of the busiest months for the JET Desk as I head out to the universities to meet with potential applicants for the 2014 JET Programme, during the yearly recruitment period. With the help of some awesome JET Alumni, we have spoken with many great candidates. Interested applicants truly appreciate the chance to connect with alumni and get an idea of what it is like to live and work in Japan. Your efforts continue to ensure the success of the program.

Over the summer our office was involved in several Japan-related cultural events. We witnessed the very popular, Canadian debut of Katsura Sunshine, an English rakugo storyteller, and held Shigin+, a concert of this traditional way of reciting (singing) Japanese poetry, combined with other traditional Japanese arts. To find out what’s up next, check out the event listings in this newsletter, and keep an eye on our website: www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/index.htm or sign up for email notification of Consulate events: [email protected].

From the JET Desk at the Consulate-General of Japan in VancouverText: Steve Chevalier, Culture and Information Assistant at the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver

Members of JETAABC with Katsura Sunshine, a classical Japanese rakugo storyteller, when he performed three shows in Vancouver in late-August. Rakugo is the traditional Japanese art of comic storytelling, performed solo with the storyteller sitting in seiza.(Photo courtesy of Steve Chevalier)

Next year, the Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver will celebrate its 125th anniversary. We are looking for opportunities to collaborate with groups or individuals on Japan-related events to honor this milestone. If you have an opportunity that might be of interest or want to link your event to the 125th anniversary, send us an email at [email protected]. Also, check our website in the coming weeks to find out how you can apply to use the 125th anniversary logo to promote your event.

2 JETAABC DECEMBER 2013

JET PROGRAMME

JETAABC at the JETAA Canada ConferenceText: Dalton Polyvas, Photos: JETAA Quebec/Atlantic

Top to bottom: The Canada Conference 2013 group; Dalton and Jessica presenting

the JETAABC report to the delegation; celebrating a hard day’s work in Montreal.

On an early May morning, three representatives from JETAABC departed for Quebec to attend the 2013 JETAA Canada Conference. The representatives were two new JETAABC board members Dalton Polyvas and Jessica Ng (recent returnees from Japan), and the current JETAA Canada Rep, Greg Joughin.

The Conference was well-attended. Held in a meeting room at the Delta Centre-Ville in Montreal, various ministry representatives were present to oversee the conference. Attendees included Executive Director Ogata from CLAIR in New York, and officiaries. Each JETAA Canada chapter was represented by no less than two delegates.

Over the two days, various pertinent subjects were discussed. Discussions included refining bylaws; and relevant standings of Canada as a JETAA community. Each chapter also held a short presentation of various successful and noteworthy events. Ideas were pooled on how to continue to exact and reach out to an ever growing JET alumni community within Canada.

Many thanks go out to JETAA Quebec/Atlantic for organizing and hosting the Conference. Representatives had a first-hand opportunity to experience the JETAA community at a national level, and to glean ideas for future use in their respective chapters.

DECEMBER 2013 JETAABC 3

JETAABC

Powell Street FestivalText and Photo: Dinah Linsangan

It was another fun-filled weekend at the Powell Street Festival with many activities and visitors. JETAABC was in the process of setting up the booth Saturday morning when we were already approached by festival attendees, asking about the JET Programme. There was a lot of interest from many young people, along with others who were just curious about JET. Many helped themselves to the snazzy new JET pens, while others took a look at the Japan tourism brochures provided by the Japanese Consulate. It was a wonderful summer event attended by JETAABC.

Sempai Program Connects 43 New JETsText: Thomas Law

This summer we had successfully completed a new iteration of the Sempai Program. The Sempai Program is an initiative started last year by JETAABC where new JETs are matched with volunteer alumni who used to live near the new JETs’ placement areas. It is a casually-organized mentorship where the alum “Sempai” can answer or offer suggestions to any questions or concerns the new JET has. There is no required commitment from the volunteers, and the pair can communicate through any channel that works for them. This connection is most effective in between the months from the JET’s acceptance into the JET Programme until the contracting organization makes contact, though the Sempai’s support is still needed in the lead-up to departure, often because the direct successor

may be occupied with his/her own exit from Japan.

The benefit of being able to speak

with an alum “Sempai” is

enhanced when the Sempai has a deep knowledge of the

region, such that they can give them regionally-relevant information. We encourage many alumni to volunteer because we want strong coverage across all prefectures, so that when the expertise is needed, we can provide the new JETs with good information. We cannot guarantee a match for each alum volunteer, but the offer of their commitment is greatly appreciated. In addition, many alumni who do not live in Vancouver or Victoria have commented that the Sempai Program was a flexible way for them to participate in a JETAA activity and to give back to the JET community.

We were quite successful this year, with 49 alumni “Sempai” volunteers, 32 of whom are new to the Program. 20 volunteers were relatively recent returnees, having left their JET work from 2010 on. JETs are known for being a transient bunch, and the JETAABC membership is no exception. 11 of our volunteers joined us from outside Canada, some as far as China and Kuwait. 43 new JETs requested to be matched to a Sempai, and all of the requests were satisfied to the best of our ability.

We will most likely try this Program out again for 2014, so if you are interested in signing up to be a Sempai, please keep an eye out for call-outs on our communication channels. To those who have volunteered, thank you for your time, and please continue to support us!

All Sempai volunteers (blue) and new JETs (yellow) for this year’s Sempai Program, mapped out geographically.


JETAABC

Sights at Sounds at the Anime ConventionsText and Photos: Thomas Law

This summer witnessed two large anime conventions: the Anime Evolution at UBC, and the Anime Revolution at the Vancouver Convention Centre. JETAABC were given vendors’ passes to be there to represent the JET Programme to do promotional work. We were in an ocean of cosplayers, voice actor signings, artist promoting their work, imitation weaponry, and lots and lots of wigs. The costumes of the cosplayers were amazingly detailed — we could quite easily recognize the characters we saw at the show. Right from the get-go we were pretty sure we weren’t the coolest kids at the venue, but we were still quite surprised by the positive reception we got from visitors to our booth. Many of these people are genuinely interested in visiting/working in/living in Japan someday, and it was great helping them discover what the JET Programme can offer them.


JETAABC

Fireworks, BBQ, and oh Baseball at the Nat Bailey StadiumText: Thomas Law, Photos: Thomas Law and Sabine Sasakura

We had a great time at JETAABC’s 3rd Annual Canadians Baseball BBQ Tabehoudai & Hanabi Event! More than 20 JET alumni, friends, and family were able to join us at the Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. There was an incredible amount of food available: cheeseburgers, hotdogs, chicken, salads, veggies, snacks, and desserts (nom nom Nanaimo bars!), and though we were provided with seats in the stands as well (there was a baseball game going on, after all), many of us were content to jusat hang out at the eating area and enjoy the game from our “front row seats” just a bit past first base.

The grand finale of the night came after the game, when the Vancouver Canadians lost to the Spokane Indians 2-3. We enjoyed the popcorn we had been hoarding all night as we watched fireworks bloom in brilliant, vibrant explosions right above the baseball diamond. You won’t see anything else like it in town. This is a great event to bring your friends to, and if you’ve got family, they are certainly welcome to join us. A spectacular way to enjoy an end-of-summer night. We are most definitely doing this again next year, so keep an eye out for details!

JETAABC, On a Boat!Text: Thomas Law, Photos: Man on Boat and Titania Lin

As a way to thank our volunteers, JETAABC hosts a Volunteer Appreciation Event every September. This year we invited 33 alumni to join us for a lunch cruise up to Indian Arm. The weather cooperated and we had some warm sun with us while we enjoyed a buffet lunch with fellow JET alumni. A usual highlight of the trip (aside from seeing the sad, dilapidated “McBarge”) is when the ship pulled up close to a waterfall so passengers/diners can take some photos. This year we witnessed a little bit more in addition to a waterfall when two people in a little boat docked at the waterfall were so excited about the scenery that they decided to reveal a bit of themselves to the huge lunch cruise ship approaching them. Having spent enough time in onsens back in Japan, we were naturally unfazed by partial-nudity, though I can’t say the same about the other folks on the lunch cruise…

Left top to bottom: Ann says hi!; the Canadians-Spokane game started just before sunset; Lucky attempts a photo bomb; field staff hauling out the goodies; take a look at this underwhelming photo, and bump the awesomeness up by about 100, that’s how good it was watching it live.


JETAABC

If you’re wondering how you too can get invited to the Volunteer Appreciation Event, it’s quite simple: Volunteer for JETAABC events at least once within the year, and we will make sure to send you an invite by late-August. It is a great way to meet other fellow alumni. The company is great, the food is delicious, and the scenery is gorgeous. And next time the captain will probably be on the lookout for a small boat at the waterfall.

Japanese Consul General turns to music as a balm to the soul

An international amabasassors’ music jam session in Afghanistan? A unique de-stressor while current Japanese Consul-General in Vancouver Seiji Okada was stationed in Kabul.

http://www.wevancouver.com/arts/221733281.html

JQ Magazine: JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund Aids Recovery

A detailed article on the aid provided by the JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund for those affected by 3.11.

http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2013/11/16/jq-magazine-jetaa-usa-earthquake-relief-fund-aids-recovery/

English education set to get serious

Jr High classes taught entirely in English. Could that be a reality?

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/12/13/national/english-education-set-to-get-serious

Vancouver JET defends Fukushima in Vancouver Sun

Current Fukushima JET Maxwell Lamb writes an opinion piece about trying to change perceptions of Fukushima.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Fukushima+much+more+than+nuclear+tragedy/9086975/story.html

NHK partners with AJET in search of Tohoku-based English speakers

NHK’s “Japan beyond 3.11” is working with AJET to look for Tohoku-based English speakers to share their experiences of life in the region.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oqtuWlPIVlD9xZme5P0NfbxPLmEQlUJThnwvbJdBHJU/viewform

In the NewsCompiled with help from Steve Chevalier,

AJET, and Justin Tedaldi at JETAANY


JETAABC


To Hokkaido:Snapshots of the NorthText and Photos by Thomas Law

No doubt most of you who used to live in more rural areas of Japan are familiar with the joys (and difficulties) of driving in the countryside. Having lived on the snowball of an island called Hokkaido, I had plenty of chances to drive on its roads to get to, well, pretty much anywhere, and have grown a fondness for roadtrips. So I never pass up the chance to rent a car everytime I visit: to wander around in the afternoon, to check out some old haunts, and to have a long lunch catching up with friends at a farm café.

Here are just a very few of my favourite places. Maybe you can swing by the next time you’re in Hokkaido?

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Gosh ゴーシュGosh (pronounced not “gosh,” but “goe-shh”) is a small café located on top of a hilly residential area in the town of Biei. They roast a hand-picked selection of coffee beans from around the world, carefully brewing it with the pristine local water. The café also has a bakery storefront where they sell artisan breads made fresh from their kitchen. For lunch, my friend and I chose the pork and prune stew, served with their bakery bread, and a prosciutto and salad open sandwich.

BIEI

Shirogane Aoi Ike 白金青い池Those of you with a Mac or iOS device like the iPhone or iPad might remember an image of a vibrant blue pond with snowy trees in their default wallpaper selection. You will find this pond in the Shirogane district on the outskirts of Biei, about 16km from the town centre. The pond was created accidentally when the banks of a nearby river was dammed to protect Biei from any runoff in case a nearby volcano erupted. Some water from the river was diverted and created a pond, which over time collected enough natural minerals such as aluminum hydroxide to turn its waters a bright blue. Now, in case you were wondering how healthy a mineral like aluminum hydroxide would be for life in the water: it isn’t healthy at all. There is no life in the water. The birch trees standing knee-deep in the water have no leaves at all, and I’m not sure whether they’re still alive. All you’re coming here for is a surreal, strangely quiet and serene vista of blue water in a forest.

BIEI


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Hitsuji to Kumo no Oka 羊と雲の丘In the sheep town of Shibetsu, there is a place called Hitsuji to Kumo no Oka, the Hill of Sheep and Clouds, where you can enter an enclosure (a term I am using loosely, as it covers pretty much the whole hill) and feed grazing sheep (despite the fact that they are already, you know, grazing). From atop the hill, you can see the entire town before you. And in true Japanese efficiency, there is also a restaurant on that hill that serves — you guessed it — jingisukan, grilled mutton. Those of you who aren’t fans of “watching what you’re eating,” at the middle of the hill is an education facility and petting zoo of sheep from all corners of the world.

SHIBETSU


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Orto 食工房おるとOrto is one of those little-known gems of a farm café that you wish would stay unknown enough so people wouldn’t crowd it, but known enough that they have visitors to keep them in business. Located in the outskirts of the town of Nayoro in the middle of sprawling farmland, Orto is lovingly run by Mr and Mrs Koya. Mr Koya studied cuisine in Europe, and has developed a menu that involves locally-grown food, some as local as the backyard of the café, where the Koyas maintain a garden of vegetables. Nothing beats a late afternoon eating the “Orto Special Lunch,” which is essentially an omakase meal decided by Koya-san based on what was fresh that day. For that particular day, this consisted of a creamy vegetable chowder to start. A vegetable plate followed, consisting of pumpkin salad, a croquet made of rice, caponata (a Sicilian eggplant salad), picked carrots, cashews, a small omelet, fresh tomatoes, okra, and fresh goat cheese. After which followed the main meat dish of pork stew, served with rice on the side. And if you aren’t already full after all that, the meal is topped off with pumpkin pudding and hot tea or coffee. All that for ¥980. Did I mention the Koyas are awesome people?

NAYORO


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Sunpillar Park サンピラーパークIn case Orto is full — and it happens often because it seats less than 20 people at a time — swing by the nearby Sunpillar Park in Nayoro, where in late-summer you can see its enormous sunflower fields. Though aside from all the park golf, camping, ice curling, sunflower-watching, etc. that you can do at the Park, it’s the Fuwafuwa Dome that has my attention. It is a cloud-shaped inflatable tarp structure that exists solely for kids (umm, I mean everyone) to jump onto. If you’ve ever wondered how it feels to jump on the old BC Place roof, I think this would be pretty close.

No doubt this is quite off the beaten track for most travellers (even for people who live in Hokkaido), but they are certainly the kind of places we would stop by on a drive in the countryside. Those of you interested in renting cars and going on a road trip of your own in Japan, many “rent-a-car” (as rental car companies are called over there) shops have English pages and offer English GPS systems, though if you’re still relatively Japanese-literate I would certainly suggest checking the Japanese side of the website for deals. I saved close to ¥19,000 by going for a “summer drive” deal that was available only on the Japanese side of the site. The rental cars are close to new (mine was less than a year old), with USB ports for your iPhone or music player, and a navigation system. My six-day rental (including optional insurance and roadside assistance) for a white-plate Honda Fit came to around ¥40,000. Though do take into account fuel costs for your journey. For the rental procedure, you will need your passport, your Canadian driver’s license, an international driver’s license, and the address of your driving “destination.”

Lastly, please be generous with your driving plans — if you’re in Japan visiting, jet lag will hit you at inconvenient hours. Drive shorter distances, plan frequent stops, and enjoy the journey.

NAYORO


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Movie Review: The Great Passage (舟を編む)Text: Alison Chiang

If you thought becoming a sushi chef took a long, long time... you’ve got to see this movie. Try nearly 15 years, roughly 240,000 words, a lot of sweat, tears and fingerprints later.

On the surface, the plot of The Great Passage appears dry and uninteresting; a painfully shy young man Majime Mitsuya (Ryuhei Matsuda) is lackluster in the sales department of

Genbu publishing. When the top editor of the dictionary section decides to retire early, Majime is selected as his replacement. The task: to make a modern dictionary that includes new words and slang that is reflective of the younger generation.

Movie Reviews: Wolf Children and Like Father, Like SonText: Dinah Linsangan

Wolf Children おおかみこどもの雨と雪

A special presentation at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival, this 2012 anime by Mamoru Hosoda is a touching story of siblings, Yuki and Ame, who are born to a human mother and a wolfman father. In an unlikely pairing, Hana falls in love with the thoughtful and brooding Wolfman. Their union results in the birth of the strong-willed and lively Yuki, and a year later, the sweet and timid Ame.

Tragedy soon strikes the young family, and Hana is faced with the difficult task of raising Yuki and Ame on her own. Eventually she decides to move from the city to the relative safety and anonymity of the countryside, necessary for two children who can morph into adorable wolf pups when excited. Hana is careful to protect their identities, but also wants them discover who they are as humans and as wolves.

But it’s not just hard work that this movie exudes; there’s plenty of laughter too. A young man who isn’t the biggest fan of his job, assistant editor Masashi Nishioka (Joe Odagiri) is simply delightful to watch.

Of course, a movie with a love story adds some excitement. When Majime sets eyes on a girl, Kaguya Hayashi (Aoi Miyazaki) one fateful night, the audience can’t help but root for this unlikely pair.

There’s a scene between Majime and Kaguya that simply melts your heart. Yet director Yuya Ishii doesn’t sugarcoat this movie and a pivotal scene towards the end where the audience holds its breath… let’s just say, I’m glad we didn’t get a Hollywood ending. Thank you for that, Ishii-san.

Ishii brings in veteran Japanese actors (Go Kato, Kaoru Kobayashi) and some already well-established young stars (distinct resumes from Matsuda, Odagiri and Miyazaki ). The different generations of characters add great depth to the film and beautifully illustrate the significance of the title: building bridges between words and understanding, closing the gaps between people.

There’s a nice mix of emotions in this film to keep everyone happy and in typical Japanese filmmaking there’s great

Yuki and Ame thrive in the countryside, and are free to morph into wolf pups as they frolic through fields and forests with their mother. Despite the hardships Hana faces in learning how to farm and care for her family on her own, she becomes content with the life she has built for them there. She learns how to grow crops and teaches Yuki and Ame about nature.

Complications arise as Yuki and Ame get older, and start attending school. Terrified that their identities will be discovered by teachers and classmates, Hana reminds them not to transform into wolves. It is at school that the paths of Yuki and Ame diverge, which ultimately leads each sibling to decide on their own path in life as a human or as a wolf.


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pacing between scenes filled with elegant imagery; the old wooden boarding house of Majime and the Japanese seaside.

I saw Sawako Decides, Ishii’s film from 2010 and much preferred The Great Passage. Some critics have said Ishii has traded in his earlier style of quirkiness and the unconventional for mainstream storytelling.

Well, this movie doesn’t fit into any pre-made box either. The character of Majime, effortlessly portrayed by Matsuda, makes us take notice of those who continue to struggle in everday, ‘normal’ society. Sometimes the best way to express how we feel is not done verbally.

If this film doesn’t make you appreciate words any more or less, hopefully you’ll at least be “grateful.” It’s certainly an “interesting” world we live in with a whole bunch of “uncool” folks. ;)

The Great Passage is Japan’s official submission for the Oscar’s best foreign film of 2013.

Hosoda provides a backdrop rich in detail, from the animation to the story itself. He masterfully depicts a loving young mother determined to raise her children well, and let them find their own happy place in the world.

Like Father, Like Son そして父になる

Winner of the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and winner of the People’s Choice Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival, Hirokazu Koreeda’s latest film depicts a poignant tale of family ties and parental love.

The Nonomiya and Sakai families have just learned that their 6-year-old sons were switched at birth. What follows is the aftermath of this shocking discovery and how the families cope with this terrible predicament.

Keita Nonomiya (played with charming innocence by Keita Ninomiya) is raised in a structured but loving household with doting mother Midori (Machiko Ono) and hardworking father Ryota (Masaharu Fukuyama). They are blissfully content in their modern Tokyo apartment as architect Ryota works long hours at the office to provide for his family and Keita strives to do well in his studies and piano.

The Sakai family lives in the countryside with their three children in a ramshackle house. Easygoing parents Yudai (Lily Franky) and Yukari (Yoko Maki) run a small electrician’s shop, where Yudai spends his days reading the newspaper and repairing his children’s toys. They are warm and loving parents, and provide a more relaxed approach in raising their children.

The families meet with their sons and schedule regular weekend outings, allowing each family to get to know each other. The reserved Nonomiya family is at first surprised by the carefree Sakai clan, but their sons Keita and Ryusei enjoy their play dates. Ryota, an accomplished man driven by ambition to always be the best, perceives his counterpart Yudai as a happy-go-lucky slacker. Fixated on progeny and the importance of familial bloodlines, Ryota sees the only solution to their problem is for each family to take home their biological son, effectively “switching” them back.

The children understandably have a difficult time adjusting to their new homes. To be removed from the only family one has ever known to live with virtual strangers is traumatizing for Keita and Ryusei. Ryota, intent on molding Ryusei into the well-behaved and intelligent child that Keita is, sets about teaching him proper table manners and how to hold chopsticks. Yudai, meanwhile, tries to coax a confused Keita out of his shell, in a heartfelt scene where father and sons are in the bath.

The switch proves to be unsuccessful, however, and Ryota is faced with the realization that he was not the best father he could be. Koreeda creates a touching and sensitive narrative, which explores the meaning of fatherhood, family, and love.


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…shitsureshimasuText: Bryan Chau

I love school lunches: Inexpensive, plentiful and downright delicious. I have never met a school lunch that I did not like. It also helps that I am in good with each school’s lunch lady so when kyushoku time rolls around, look who is getting a bigger heaping plate of Today’s Special.

One day at Kita Juniour High School, Koharu, the 60 year old lunch lady who not only cleans the school, prepares tea for every teacher and I also believe coaches the volleyball team, brings over the most magnificent meal ever — Curry Rice. As the school bells ring out signaling for that wondrous event called Lunch, Koharu presents to me a large mountainous range of white rice smothered with a cascading river of sweet brown Japanese curry and topped off with delectable strands of pickled ginger. If Heaven has a drive-thru, Japanese curry rice would be the one and only item on the menu. Not finished yet, Koharu then lays down a giant vat of leftover curry for all those teachers who were inclined to have seconds, thirds or even, the gluttonous fourths.

Somewhere between the third and fourth helping, I feel a twinge from deep within my bowel. It starts as a low rumble like distant thunder on the prairie plains but then like a flash of lightning, a pang of pain grips my side. I sit down and bend forward, trying to curl up into the fetal position which makes the pain subside but everytime I straighten up, it feels like I swallowed a bucket of thumbtacks.

“Daijoubu?” asks the Principal in between mouthfuls of curry rice.

“Hai, daijoubu desu,” I groan from beneath my desk.

I manage to sit up straight (more like lean towards the right). The tendency for any average person is to head straight to the staff bathroom and relieve themselves of this agony but I am no regular person. My anal tendencies (pun, possibly intended) have caused me to favour Western style “sit down and do your business” toilets as opposed to the Japanese Squat “like a catcher for the Hanshin Tigers” toilet, and unfortunately for me, this particular school was inundated with the latter.

Like my inordinate disdain towards coconuts, really tall trees and hipsters, the Japanese Squat Toilet has drawn my ire the many times I have faced it. The uneasy maneuvering, the uncertain amount of disrobing and the

always dreaded splashback make using them quite a gong show for me (including an infamous incident involving a hotel key and a whole lot of sanitizer). I know it is not going to be an easy showdown between myself and the squat toilet so I decide to play the only hand I have; call my stomach’s bluff and wait until after school. I have Good O’ Westy at home with a heated seat, I might add.

Sweat beading down my brow, I look towards the blackboard and note that I have one more class in the afternoon. It is a third grade class and all they are going to do is prepare for their final exams. “A cakewalk,” I smirk to myself in between grimaces.

The class went better than expected if better meant me leaning on every object in the classroom to find the perfect position of comfort. I even had one student prop me up with his arms as I explained past tense conjugation. The students did not suspect a thing even in spite of my excessive sweating and painful whimpers after each sentence.

Finally the bell rings and I stride quickly back to the teacher’s room. I grab my bag off my desk and turn my heels straight for the door. Everyone in the room had their head down working feverishly or napping which made my escape act, the more unnoticeable and successful.

“Osaki ni…,” with the rest of my valediction trailing down the hallway, I struggle to do the indoor / outdoor shoes shuffle. I walk briskly into the parking lot fumbling for my car keys and I notice Koharu hosing down the kitchen floor. She waves to me.

“Kyushoku ha oishikatta desu ka?” she asks with hose in hand, spraying wildly.

“Hai,” I quickly reply as I jam my key into the ignition.

White knuckles grip the steering wheel as I speed around the usually lovely lake that centres my town. Murphy’s Law is definitely in full effect as slow moving vehicles and oblivious pedestrians appear around every corner. I shift

Creative Commons photo by Janne Moren


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around uncomfortably at every red light but making sure not to move too much; like disarming a bomb, the less you touch it, the less chance it will go off on you (or under you).

I pull into my parking space and I finally feel a sense of relief. I struggle towards my apartment and swing open the door. I was now less than 10 feet away from freedom. To save time, I begin the process of disrobing as I slowly creep towards the bathroom door. With one hand on the wall clawing myself closer, I try in vain with my other hand to undo a stubborn belt buckle.

Rambling angry thoughts run through my head. “Why did I wear dress pants today? Why didn’t I wear a tracksuit like I usually do? You know what it is? — It’s that other guy in the school who keeps wearing suits to work, making me

When Janken HappensText: Bryan Chau, Doodles: Thomas Law

The ubiquitous game of chance and challenge decides life’s greatest mysteries and trivialities.

Udon or Ramen.Stuck in traffic; School bus full of children in front of you.One Bathroom, Two Full Bladders.Who is going to be the Oni.When you start a sentence with “Saishou ha...” and people

expect you to say the rest.Last piece of Yakiniku.When a simple handshake goes wrong.Karaoke; who’s belting out Shima Uta first.Bored sitting between classes; Principal bored sitting

between meetings.When no one has a coin to flip.Ikinari; when you wake someone up from deep sleep

suddenly to maximize your odds of winning.After School Lunch and before School Cleaning.When you learn another region’s dialect. Three friends; two seats together and one seat far away.When the words: Rock, Paper and Scissors become part of

that day’s vocabulary lesson.Sitting across from a stranger on the Shinkansen.With AET outside classroom door deciding who says

“Good Morning Class!”When a 10 year old boy says he’s the best in three

Prefectures.During deep philosophical conversations where one

realizes a rock can break through paper.

Sleep on uncomfortably hard bed or sleep on uncomfortably soft futon.

When their day is not going well, to watch their eyes light up when they win.

Creative haggling at the supermarket.Pointing your index finger and calling it, “Dynamite —

The Ultimate Weapon.”When you raise your fist in anger, your ire can be quelled

easily with an open palm or 2 fingers.Migi or Hidari.When Kancho and Dekopin lose their juvenile charm

(quite quickly, might I add).Would solve a lot of the world’s problems even if it’s only

the small ones.In front of an entrance and even after many “Douzo,”

the other person will still not enter before you.When a 10 year old girl says she’s the best in the

Kanto Region.If you meet someone named Ishikami Hasami.Often best 2 out of 3; Rarely best 3 out of 5; Best 4 out of 7

only when you’re losing.After watching a Japanese documentary titled, “Janken:

Tada Asobu de ha Nai.”When someone remarks that making important decisions

arbitrarily is ridiculous.Quiet wallflower of a student who always sits alone needs

to play too.After your impeccable aisatsu and scripted dialogue fails,

the next best way to meet girls in a bar.When your friend’s hand is in a splint and the only thing he

can throw down is paper.When you least expect it.

look bad! That’s why I bought 22 ties and 4 dress shirts last week! If it wasn’t for GQ over there, I would be comfortably sitting on my toilet right now and not struggling with my pants!”

With the buckle finally solved; I reach for the bathroom doorknob, exposing the glorious porcelain that awaits me. I let out one last painful sigh as I take a step towards my heated throne. Like many before: Judas to Jesus, Brutus to Caesar, Angelina to Jennifer; today, right here and right now, my intestines betray me.

Et tu, Intestina?

The only bright side — it was laundry day.

Winter 2014 Japanese ClassesInterested in free Japanese lessons? JETAABC is planning on holding a 10-week Japanese language course at the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver in January 2014 (level: TBD). If you are a JET alumni and are interested, please fill out this application form by January 4, 2014 (http://goo.gl/gCj5WP) or learn more at www.jetaabc.ca/2013/11/winter-2014-japanese-course.

Dates, Times, Places, and LevelThe Winter 2014 course will be 10 classes long and run on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm. Classes are scheduled to begin in the middle of January (exact start date TBD) and will continue into March 2014.

The course is scheduled to take place at the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver (Suite 900–1177 Hastings St West, Vancouver, BC). The level will be determined based on the proficiency of the applicants.

Tuition and Attendance PolicyThe classes are free. As part of our proposed funding agreement, however, our generous sponsors require that there be at least 10 students per class. In order to encourage attendance, each student must provide a $150 deposit the first day of class. Each student is entitled to two “free” absences during the 10-class term. Each further absence entail a $20 “absentee fee” for each additional absence. Any outstanding absentee fees will be due on or before the last day or class, and any absentee fees may be deducted from your $150 deposit. Thus, if you attended 8 or more classes, you entire deposit will be returned to you.

How to sign up and the application deadlineTo confirm your participation in this winter’s JET Alumni Japanese language course, please fill in the sign-up sheet available at the following link: http://goo.gl/gCj5WP.

The application deadline is January 4, 2014.

Next Steps and QuestionsOnce you have filled in the application form, and once our funding has been confirmed, we will contact you to confirm that the class will take place and to provide you with more information. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the course coordinator at [email protected].

We look forward to receiving your application and to another great JET Alumni Japanese language class!

JETAABC Introduction to Soto Zen Buddhism WorkshopLooking for something new in 2014? JETAABC is pleased to offer an Introduction to Soto Zen Buddhism Workshop. The workshop will be lead by Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton.

Who: 5–10 JETAABC Members (sign up to be done on a first come, first served basis)

What: A 2-hour intro to Soto Zen Buddhism workshop.

When: From 1pm to 3pm on either Sunday, January 19, 2014 or Sunday, February 16, 2014 (final date to be determined based on interest).

Where: The Mountain Rain Zen Centre (2016 Wall Street, Vancouver, B.C. http://www.mountainrainzen.org). The centre is easily accessible by public transportation, and has un-metered parking for those wishing to arrive by car.

About the workshop and our instructorsKate and Michael will introduce sitting (zazen) and walking (kinhin) meditation practice, as well as some basic Zen Buddhist teachings. They also propose to discuss Zen in the context of Japanese history and culture, depending on the interests of the group.

Kate and Michael are the resident teachers of Mountain Rain Zen Community. They began Zen practice thirty years ago in Japan, and were ordained by their teacher, Zoketsu Norman Fischer, ten years ago. Kate is a clinical counsellor, poet and translator, and Michael teaches Asian Studies and Religious Studies at SFU.

Cost: FREE! JETAABC will cover the cost of this event.

Deadline: The deadline to sign up is December 24, 2013.

Sign Up: To sign up, please fill in your information here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DarM5QioweQzVzsRK4N2V_SpuvDMKuQnvkmYPavmQH4/viewform.

For more information, please contact the organizer at [email protected].


EVENTS

BacktrackDo a YouTube search for Katsura Sunshine’s performances. It’s a little surreal seeing rakugo done in English, but it works. It’s like stand—up, but, er, sitting down. — page 2. Wondering what the Consulate events are coming up? — page 2. It looks like a fancy group photo, but they are actually in the middle of a game of Darumasan ga Koronda. — page 3. Hmmm, spam sushi! — page 4. Rarely has emailing complete strangers been so helpful. — page 4. You will not believe how many cardboard swords we saw that day. — page 5. I think we’re going to keep running this event forever. — page 6. Just when you think it’s just another relaxing afternoon lunch cruise... — page 6. All the news that’s fit to print, and a couple we didn’t write ourselves. — page 7. Handy article to have when you’re driving around Hokkaido wondering where to go. — page 9. Cutest animal crossing sign I’ve ever seen. — page 13. An Oscar contender about writing dictionaries? — page 14. Think raising kids is hard? What if they can morph into wolves? — page 14. The heart-breaking and conflicting feelings that flood you when you realize the son isn’t your own. — page 15. I will never think of curry rice the same again. — page 16. The latest work from our resident poet! — page 17. No more excuses to not study Japanese anymore. — page 18. A great way to start the new year. — page 18.Keep in touch!

This issue’s cover photo was taken by Thomas Law in Furano, Hokkaido. Sort of has that “Windows XP wallpaper”-look, eh?

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JETAABC 349 West Georgia St PO Box 2462 Vancouver, BC V6B 3W7

Alison ChiangBryan ChauDalton PolyvasDinah LinsanganJustin Tedaldi (JETAANY)Sabine SasakuraSteve ChevalierTitania LinAJETJETAA Quebec/AtlanticJETAABC Board of Directors

Newsletter Designed + Compiled byThomas [email protected]


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Documents

December 2013 Volume 18 Issue 2