September 2023 INTOUCH Magazine

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Manga Royalty

The Rose of Versailles creator Riyoko Ikeda on the power of storytelling

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ARTISTIC REVOLUTION

22

FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH

Raising a child alone is difficult anywhere, but especially in Japan. One Connections-supported charity is working to ease the burden on single mothers.

Set to speak at a TAC Talk this month, Riyoko Ikeda shares how a series of unexpected events led her to create one Japan’s most famous works of manga, The Rose of Versailles 29

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Member Alex de Laiglesia recounts his attempts to translate the literary works of his famous father, and what he learned along the way.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Representative Governor Jesse Green (2023)

First Vice President Sam Rogan (2024)

Second Vice President Dean R Rogers (2024)

Secretary Nils Plett (2023)

Treasurer Rune Sølvsteen (2023)

Governors Trista Bridges Bivens (2024), Justin Keyes (2024), Gregory Lyon (2023), Mihoko Manabe (2024), Tetsutaro Muraki (2024), Catherine Ohura (2023), Edward Rogers (2024), Reiko Saito (2023), Vanessa Thomas—Connections president (2023)

Statutory Auditors Koichi Komoda (2024), Paul Kuo (2023)

Parentheses denote term limit.

CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Compensation Gregory Lyon

Culture, Community & Entertainment Matthew Tappenden (Trista Bridges Bivens)

Finance Patrick McLeod (Rune Sølvsteen)

Food & Beverage Mark Spencer (Sam Rogan)

House Adam Donahue (Dean R Rogers)

Human Resources Ken Cogger (Reiko Saito)

Membership Justin Negron (Tetsutaro Muraki)

Nihonbashi Geoffrey Bowman (Catherine Ohura)

Nominating Joseph Etheridge

Recreation Shinji Yamasaki (Nils Plett)

Risk Control Ren Kuroda (Mihoko Manabe)

Parentheses denote Board liaison.

GENERAL MANAGER

Darren Morrish

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGERS

Business Operations Wayne Hunter

Business Support Lian Chang

DIRECTORS

Facilities Toby Lauer

Finance Naoto Okutsu

Food & Beverage Suranga Hettige Don

Human Resources Jason Dominici

Marketing & Communications Shane Busato

Member Services Jonathan Allen

Nihonbashi Noriaki Yamazaki

Recreation Susanna Yung

INTOUCH

Editor C Bryan Jones

editor@tac-club.org

Communications Manager Nick Jones

Designer Kohji Shiiki

Designer Clara Garcia

Production Administrator Yuko Shiroki

CONTRIBUTORS

Writers

John Amari

Andrew Chin

Kiana Cook

Alex de Laiglesia

Masumi Kawamoto

Agnes Ouellette

Photographers

37 Frames

Tomo Fujii

Clara Garcia

Yuuki Ide

Yujiro Kaneko

Toshiyuki Masuda

Kayo Yamawaki

Illustrator

Tania Vicedo

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Pool Progress

WORDS AGNES OUELLETTE IMAGE CLARA GARCIA

The Sky Pool is a big part of my life. In fact, my entire family and many of my friends are avid users of our fifth-floor aquatics hub. So it felt natural to join the Swim Committee and give back to a community that has given us so much.

This past year has been about removing barriers to participation at the pool and building a community by connecting various groups. Our most visible initiative was the launch of the Sky Pool Pass in January, which gives Members access to all the adult aquatic programs for one simple fee.

We now have 80 regular Sky Pool Pass users. We have created new classes, with their viability guaranteed because people have made a long-term commitment to them. With the pass’ flexibility, many swimmers are trying different programs and meeting new people. It’s beginning to feel like one big community now.

At the same time, the committee wanted to focus on families. Since people naturally gravitate to the pool to cool down when the mercury begins to soar, we decided to open up the whole pool for families to enjoy on weekend

afternoons over the summer. The idea was to give the pool a fun, backyard feel, with food and drinks available at Splash! and from the new sun terrace bar.

Our new inflatables have proven a hit with young Members since they were introduced in the spring. Unsurprisingly, the monthly Splash-A-Round sessions are often a sellout now.

While we had specific goals we wanted to achieve this year, we also wanted solid data on Member usage and preferences. Nearly 350 Members completed the online survey we compiled earlier this year. It was a great learning exercise for the committee, and all the comments helped committee members and staff put the data in context.

In particular, the survey confirmed that we need to do better in the area of kids’ swim lessons, from the sign-up process to lesson availability. With this invaluable feedback, we hope to improve all aspects of our programs. This includes our kids’ lessons, which will be overhauled as we establish a more systematic and accredited swim program.

We are also reviewing the lifeguard and swim instructor certification procedures as part of a move to develop a more unified approach to both.

While serving on the committee, I’ve most enjoyed getting to know my fellow committee members, hearing their thoughts and finding common ground on a range of topics. But most satisfying has been seeing Members have a great time at the pool.

“With the pass’ flexibility, many swimmers are trying different programs and meeting new people.”

Agnes Ouellette is chair of the Club’s Swim Committee.

Champion Tips

Club swimmers picked up pointers from a world champion during two exclusive swim clinics at the Sky Pool on August 6. Australian Kai Taylor, who won gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka in July, hosted separate sessions on freestyle technique for adults and young swimmers.

The 19-year-old also secured a bronze medal in the 4x200m freestyle event, continuing a family tradition of success in the pool. His mother, Hayley Lewis, won two Olympic medals and six world championship medals during her career. By chance, her final outing in an Australian swim cap was in the world champs in 2001—in Fukuoka. NJ

NOLA Nosh

“I’m happiest when cooking Cajun and Creole food with the music turned up, playing the Neville Brothers, Professor Longhair or even good ol’ BB King,” says chef Sohan Ahluwalia. The India native who grew up in Louisiana will be stopping by the Club from September 15 to 17 for a weekend of bayou flavors.

He’ll be cooking up plenty of Big Easy bites, from classics such as gumbo and jambalaya to his original Lose the Blues Chicken, a zesty grilled chicken breast draped in a garlic sauce with olives, capers, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. The dish became famous at his Bourbon Street Louisiana kitchen in Roppongi in the late 1990s. Enjoy tapas and cocktails on Friday night, dinner on Saturday and brunch on Sunday at this piquant pop-up, a quick stop in the city Ahluwalia called home for 30 years. Les bon temps! CBJ

37 FRAMES

Image: Kai Taylor at the Sky Pool

Image: Jambalaya

From the Shelves

be released and then staying up all night reading!

What inspired your love of books?

My mom read to me and my sisters every night, and we spent a lot of time at the local library. At some point, I started reading by myself and just kept going!

What genre do you most enjoy?

Fantasy and, more broadly, speculative fiction. Becoming completely lost in a book is one of my favorite experiences, and I think that the suspension of disbelief required in speculative fiction lends itself well to that. However, that didn’t work out so well for me when I was home alone and finished reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula at 1am. It’s a surprisingly scary novel.

What are you reading now?

It was the wave of a magic wand that set Member Riley McNally on her reading journey at a young age, and she hasn’t slowed down since. When the Canadian joined the Club with her husband in May, she quickly dove into all the Club Library has to offer, including the Book Lovers’ Group. She can often be found searching the second-floor shelves for the next fantastical story to keep her up at night.

What was your favorite childhood book?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling. It was the book that started my interest in fantasy novels. I still remember waiting for the next book to

Hands-On Healing

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Please Look After Mom by South Korean writer Kyung-sook Shin. I’ve found it a slightly slower read, though still very engaging. I’ve recently read several novels by Korean authors and have enjoyed them all immensely.

When were you last unable to put down a book?

That would be Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. It’s a character driven fantasy novel about how we choose to view the space we inhabit. Even though it’s only around 250 pages and slow-paced, Clarke does an excellent job of drawing in the reader. I feel like true character-driven fantasy is difficult to pull off, so I was very pleasantly surprised.

CLARA GARCIA

Image: Riley McNally

Attitude is Everything RECOGNITION

Member Andrew Peters has many great memories from his years at the Club. The Watford native joined in January 2011, when the new Azabudai facility opened its doors, and had his wedding in the New York Ballroom in 2015. That’s when he met Kota Ohnishi.

It’s a day the family dining assistant manager remembers well. He was in charge of the festivities, and has since come to know Peters and his wife. “I enjoy their family’s visits and watching their kids, Sakura and Hayato, grow up,” Ohnishi says.

This kindness, dedication and consistently high level of service is what moved Peters to single out Ohnishi for praise in a Tell TAC comment card.

“He was great at our wedding and he continues to be great every single time we meet him,” Peters says. “He’s always very positive, very efficient, very quick. And he’s smart. He understands situations quickly and has that ability to make a human connection.”

That’s exactly what Ohnishi hopes Members will feel when they dine at the Club. “Attitude is everything,” explains the Kobe native who has been working at the Club for 23 years and currently helps oversee Café Med and Rainbow Café. “Understanding and providing exactly what the customer needs is what I strive for every day.”

That goal is certainly clear to Peters.

“Kota has always been a shining light of great professionalism,” he says. “I’m so glad we have him at the Club.” CBJ

Members can recognize Club staff by submitting a Tell TAC through the Club website.

Image: Kota Ohnishi and Andrew Peters

WINE

Flavors for Change

WORDS MASUMI KAWAMOTO IMAGE CLARA GARCIA

With the autumnal equinox on September 23 and armed with our shokuyoku no aki, or autumn appetites, we prepare to enjoy plenty of delicious seasonal food, paired with great wine.

To help you make the most of the early days of fall, I have selected three Cellar wines that should enhance—but not overpower—food. They’re equally good on their own.

Nifo Sarrapochiello’s 2021 Falanghina del Sannio Taburno (¥2,300) is from Campania in southern Italy. This bright yellow, organic wine offers peach, pineapple and spice aromas and a fresh palate of minerals and fine acidity. Enjoy with seafood, autumn veggies or mild cheese.

Heading over to the “heel” of Italy, Manduria in Puglia is considered the birthplace of the Primitivo grape, known as Zinfandel in the United States. The 2019 Lirica Primitivo di Manduria (¥2,500) is textured and fresh, with notes of juicy fruits and sweet spice. Great value.

The Bieler Family’s 2019 Born to Run Cabernet Sauvignon (¥2,600) brings together the best of two states: soft, jammy Cab fruit from California and dark, structured Cab flavors from Washington’s Columbia Valley. Highly drinkable.

Masumi Kawamoto is a member of the Club’s Wine & Beverage Committee.

For the month of September, receive a 10 percent discount on purchases of at least three bottles of any of these recommended Cellar wines.

CLARA GARCIA

What’s on in

SEPTEMBER 8

First Friday: South African Shebeen

When apartheid laws of the early 1960s kept South Africa’s Black population from drinking spirits, wine and beer, illicit gathering places called shebeens popped up to offer home-brewed alternatives. Like the speakeasies of Prohibition-era America, shebeens became social hubs filled with music, dance and discussion. They also played a key role in resisting oppression and preserving South Africa’s long history of rich diversity.

On September 8, the Winter Garden will be transformed into one of these now-legal taverns, complete with mouthwatering cuisine, delectable drinks, local wines and live jazz and blues performed by Zambiaborn Prisca Molotsi.

The First Friday will honor South African Heritage Day (September 24), which South African Ambassador to Japan Lulama Smuts Ngonyama says “embraces and celebrates the true meaning of why we are the Rainbow

Nation. The rich tapestry of our diversity interwoven together is what makes South Africa so uniquely beautiful.”

The ambassador’s own chef, Sizwe Mgxanga, will be grilling braai barbecue favorites, such as lamb and apricot skewers, pork and fennel sausages and spicy chorizo, on American Bar & Grill’s terrace. The 62-year-old, who started creating his own dishes at age 10 to surprise his family, says a braai is “everybody’s event,” a gathering to celebrate special occasions and success.

With the Rugby World Cup kicking off the same night, and South Africa defending its title, what better way to mark the occasion? CBJ

• 7–9pm

• Winter Garden, American Bar & Grill • ¥2,750 (walk-ins: ¥3,850); guests: ¥6,150 (walk-ins: ¥7,250) • Adults only

• Sign up online

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM

1

Happy Hour with Tito’s

Discover the spirit of Texas throughout September with five handmade cocktails that deliver laid-back Austin vibes.

• 5–7pm • Traders’ Bar • Details online

1–2

Senn Japan Tea Tasting

Savor mood-lifting organic green tea from Shizuoka Prefecture or relax with a milder blend of organic, caffeine-free rooibos tea from South Africa.

• 9am–3pm • The Cellar • Free

• Details online

2

Cracking College Admissions

Two Ivy League graduates and admissions consultants share insights on how young Members can secure a bright academic future.

• 2–4pm • Washington & Lincoln rooms

• Free • Sign up online

4 Preschool Prep

Featuring vocabulary-building games and other early-development activities, this program introduces youngsters to learning before their first school bell rings.

• Daily & weekly sessions through December 8 • 9am–2pm • Childcare Center • Details online

4

Culture Connections

Get creative at this session with special guest Maja Laerkholm. The Danish artist, who will also host a workshop on September 20, shares her unique approach to painting on page 19.

• 10–11:30am • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko

Maki classrooms • Connections members: free (non-Connections members & guests: ¥1,000)

• Details online

4 Club Study Hall: After School

Students of all ages make new friends while exploring after-school programs designed to maximize their academic and problem-solving potential.

• Daily & weekly sessions through December 8 • 2–6pm • Childcare Center

• Details online

CWAJ Print Show Special Exhibit: Color Blast!

He’s a rainbow. That’s one way to describe 92-year-old Takao Iijima, whose artistic name is Ay-O. The Ibaraki native became famous for his use of colorful striped motifs and gained international acclaim for his immersive Rainbow Tactile Room at the 33rd Venice Biennale in 1966. Suspending a 300-meterlong rainbow banner from the Eiffel Tower didn’t hurt either.

It is only fitting then that Ay-O is one of four influential artists whose work will be part of Color Blast! this month in the Frederick Harris Gallery. The special exhibition will lead up to the 66th CWAJ Print Show, which helps the College Women’s Association of Japan fund its long-running scholarship program.

Joining Ay-O will be Go Yayanagi, 90, who left pharmaceutical college in 1953 at age 20 to start painting and made a living by drawing portraits at the US Army base in Yokohama.

Work by the late Masuo Ikeda will also be on show. Growing up in Nagano, Ikeda aspired to become a painter and moved to Tokyo to pursue his dream. Despite failing the University of Tokyo oil painting course three times, he went on to have works displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Together, Ikeda, Yayanagi and Ay-O emerged as leaders of Japan’s pop art movement, which grew in the early 1960s as a form of social commentary on the country’s rapidly changing post-war society. The trio, who were close friends, began participating in the CWAJ Print Show in the 1960s and have exhibited more than 20 times.

A fourth artist, Hiroshi Tanaka, will also be part of the exhibition. Tanaka, who passed away last year at age 91, took Grand Prize at the first CWAJ Print Show that Yayanagi joined, in 1969. His very rare award-winning silkscreen print will be on display. CBJ

• Through October 2 • Frederick Harris Gallery • Some artworks available for purchase through Member Services • Details online

Image: “TAN-B (Sunrise)” by Ay-O

8

Cub Scout Meeting

Elementary school kids are introduced to the exciting world of Scouting through the Club-sponsored Pack 51.

• 7–8pm • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms

• Details online

13

Welcome Back

Make this fall a season of learning, adventure and new friends at an introduction to Connections’ programs.

• 10:30am–1pm & 3–5pm • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms, Beate Sirota Gordon and Haru Reischauer classrooms

• Free • Details online

13

Behind the Label

Delve into the world of wine while earning a globally recognized qualification at this course taught by the Club’s Kanako Ijichi. Eight-session course continues through November 7.

• 6:30–8:30pm • Washington & Lincoln rooms • ¥84,700 (guests: ¥101,640)

• Sign up online

14

Nihonbashi Mixer

Savor exquisite wines from the heart of France’s Bordeaux region at this month’s Nihonbashi Mixer led by Jean-François Lagarde of Champagnes & Châteaux.

• 6–7:30pm • Muromachi Bar & Lounge

• ¥3,000 (walk-ins: ¥3,500); guests: ¥4,000 (walk-ins: ¥4,500) • Limit: two guests per Member • Sign up online

14

Shafer Wine Dinner

Matthew Sharp uncorks a selection of the Napa winery’s 2018 and 2021 vintages during this five-course dinner.

• 7–9pm • Manhattan I • ¥23,100 (guests: ¥27,720) • Limit: two guests per Member • Sign up online

15–17

Riedel Glassware Sale

Upgrade your glassware with hugely discounted Riedel, Spiegelau and Nachtman wineglasses, tumblers, plates, decanters and more.

• September 15–16: 10:30–7pm; September 17: 10:30–5pm • Beate Sirota

Gordon and Haru Reischauer classrooms

• Details online

16

Oktoberfest

It all started with a wedding. The beer and bratwurst-infused funfair that’s now a fall mainstay around the world was born on October 12, 1810, when Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig married SaxonyHildburghausen Princess Therese. The five-day celebration of Therese’s arrival in Munich featured food, beer, dance and even a horse race. This year, Bavaria’s capital will stage its 188th Oktoberfest, and Traders’ Bar will bring the party to Members with festive flavors such as kartoffelpuffer classic potato pancakes and hearty German schweinshaxe, a traditional roasted pork hock (pictured).

To wash it all down, grab a bottle or stein of Paulaner Oktoberfest. First served in 1643, Paulaner’s original brew was reserved for monks and served publicly only at festivals. Today, the brewery’s massive 8,400-seat tent is one of the festivals most popular attractions. Drop by after 5pm and capture the spirit of Munich without leaving town. Lederhosen and dirndl optional. CBJ

• Through October 3 • Dinner only • Traders’ Bar • Details online

MUNICH OKTOBERFEST FUN FACTS

● 6 million

Number of annual visitors to the world’s largest fair and beer festival.

● 26 meters

Height of the Paulaner beer tent tower, topped with a rotating mug.

● 1516

Year the Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) was enacted. Only beers brewed to its stringent standards in Munich may be served at the festival.

● 6–7 percent

Alcohol content of Oktoberfest beer.

● 7 million

Liters of beer consumed during the 18-day bash.

19

Nihonbashi Chef’s Table

Enjoy an intimate dinner of gourmet cuisine and wine pairings presented by the Club’s culinary creatives.

• 6pm • American Room (private dining room) • ¥15,000 (guests: ¥18,000) • Limit: two guests per Member • Sign up online

22–24

Le Creuset Sale

If you’re looking for cooking inspiration or motivation, you’ll find it at this threeday sale of top French kitchenware.

• September 22–23: 10:30–7pm; September 24: 10:30–5pm • Beate Sirota Gordon and Haru Reischauer classrooms

• Details online

26

Cocktail Hour

Budding mixologists learn how to craft a classic loved by famous spy James Bond: the martini. Shaken, not stirred.

• 5:30pm • Muromachi Bar • ¥2,200

• Members only • Sign up online

26–27

25 A Taste of Singapore

Michelin stars are coveted as a symbol of culinary excellence. But they are most often associated with restaurants. So when two Singapore hawker center stalls nabbed the honor in 2016—the first street vendors in the world to do so—it highlighted how the Lion City’s rich tapestry of diverse cultures and casual approach to eating have made it a foodies’ favorite.

Club Members will get a taste of sensational street food this month when special guest chef Lee Hon Boon takes over the Rainbow Café kitchen as part of a culinary exchange with the American Club Singapore.

The 16-year American Club veteran will be working his wok magic to craft an array of authentic dishes, from the iconic Hainanese chicken rice to the deliciously messy chili crab to char kway teow noodles, a street food classic.

Lee’s weeklong kitchen residency will culminate with a festival of Singaporean flavors at an all-you-can-eat weekend buffet. And as the heat of summer lingers, top it all off with the refreshing sweetness of a shaved ice kacang. CBJ

A Taste of Singapore

• September 25–29

• Lunch and dinner

• Rainbow Café

Weekend Buffet: Flavors of Singapore

• Details online

Tokyo 101

This two-day orientation helps new arrivals transition to life in Japan.

• 8:30am–2:30pm • Manhattan I

• ¥19,800 (couples: ¥30,000); guests: ¥22,000 (couples: ¥33,000) • Adults only

• Sign up online

28

Nikko Tour

Take in the stunning scenery of Tochigi Prefecture, the Kegon Waterfall and the historical Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a World Heritage site.

• 7:45am • Connections members: ¥15,500 (non-Connections members: ¥17,000) • Sign up online

29

Welcome Back Cocktails

Connections members catch up after the summer break with drinks and a buffet.

• 6–8pm • CHOP Lounge • Connections members: ¥6,500 (non-Connections members: ¥10,000) • Details online

• September 30–October 1

• Details online

• 11am–8pm

• Rainbow Café

• Adults: ¥3,300; ages 12–17: ¥2,500; ages 7–11: ¥1,050; ages 4–6: ¥750; ages 3 & under: free

Check the Club website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.

Image: Chef Lee Hon Boon

Legal Eagle

Kenichi Yasuda helps overseas companies navigate Japanese labor law

For those without the necessary background, the intricacies of the law might seem like an unsolvable riddle—even in one’s home country. But for foreign companies trying to navigate legal matters in Japan, the challenge just may be too steep. That’s where support from a lawyer such as Kenichi Yasuda, who practices at Dojima Law Office, can pay dividends.

Yasuda, a native of Nara Prefecture, was raised in the Kansai region and earned his degree from Kyoto University Law School. However, when he first began university, he didn’t have a keen interest in the law. As he explains though, once he started studying the subject, his natural curiosity was piqued.

“In the beginning, I became interested in the framework of law—in that there are rules, and you need to see how facts apply to those rules,” he says. “There are also the stages of negotiating. First, there is the interpretation of laws or rules. Second, there is fact-finding—we need to examine the evidence or the arguments, and then reach decisions on the facts themselves. This framework became fascinating for me.”

GLOBAL EXPERIENCE

After working as a lawyer for several years in Japan, he also had the opportunity to study for a year at the New York University School of Law, during which time Yasuda passed the New York State Bar Exam. He also learned about the perspectives of US lawyers, as well as those of fellow students in the program, who were mostly from abroad.

After finishing his studies, Yasuda also worked in Beijing and Bangkok. In Beijing, he was with a Chinese law firm that handled cases for Japan-based companies in China. In Bangkok, he worked for a major Japanese trading company, serving as in-house counsel.

Yasuda focuses on labor law, particularly helping foreign companies that

are operating here, and he now finds himself able to see legal matters from multiple angles. “It is very good for Japanese lawyers like me to study ways of thinking that are different from Japanese people,” he explains. “So, I can communicate with foreign citizen managers and other members of their team. And I can understand that their perspectives are different. Of course, I understand the Japanese point of view, so I can explain ideas to both sides.”

Yasuda works with a wide range of foreign companies in Japan, including those from the United States, Australia and China. These companies run the gamut of industries, from manufacturing and consumer goods to travel agencies and outsourcing companies. Many are also listed on the exchanges of their home countries.

Bringing together expertise in Japanese labor law and a deeply international mindset, Yasuda offers foreign companies an invaluable asset for doing business here.

Breakfast of Champions

WORDS NICK JONES

IMAGE CLARA GARCIA

Avocado toast might not fill Instagram feeds like it once did, but this simple dish remains a breakfast and brunch favorite around the globe. And whether you believe it was Australia that put it on the foodie map or not, chefs continue to reinvent it in dozens of gloriously delicious ways. Café Med’s culinary creators have done just that. Available for weekday breakfast and weekend brunch, this new addition to the menu combines the buttery flavors of smashed avocado on sourdough with strips of smoked salmon, creamy goat’s cheese from the award-winning Meredith Dairy farm in Victoria, Australia and baby leaves from Mashiko in Tochigi. Move over, Kim Kardashian.

• Meredith Dairy goat cheese avocado toast • ¥1,500

Attracting Top Talent

As the Jeff Bezos quote goes, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” While this holds true for consumer brands, it’s equally important for companies to keep in mind as they seek out the best talent to help them succeed. In fact, as top job candidates now search for positions like savvy consumers search for products, employer branding plays a big part in helping to shape a positive impression of a company.

This is a topic that Fabien Brogard Cipriani, founder of recruiting advertising platform HirePlanner, is passionate about. He launched the service in 2016 after working for Apple and Tesla, and it has been widely embraced in Japan. HirePlanner can be used by candidates to search for jobs and by employers to list and advertise positions, track applications and promote content. It also regularly

hosts online career events where candidates can virtually move around conference halls, connect with one another and engage with hiring companies.

HirePlanner has recently added employer branding services which include the production of video and social media content. Cipriani explains that employer branding shouldn’t be confused with recruitment marketing, which is the short-term strategy a company uses to attract talent and close job vacancies. Employer branding is a more long-term strategy that involves building a memorable candidate and employee experience to positively influence brand perception.

BUILDING BRIDGES

Cipriani points out that candidates do a lot more research these days before taking a job—or even applying for one— and check many reviews before making a decision: “Just like when you look

through customer reviews on Amazon, people research potential employer reviews and testimonials to make up their mind before they apply for a role. Job seekers trust the voice of employees more than they trust the company’s marketing.

“Think about employer branding as a wooden footbridge spanning a river,” he says. “Each plank on the bridge represents a step in your candidates’ journey—such as clear job information, easy application process, excellent interview experience, fast response, smooth contract negotiation and great onboarding. Each component makes a difference and contributes towards building the bridge of a great employer brand.”

There are five key elements in creating this bridge, he explains. “First, you need the right HR recruiting systems to help you organize your data, streamline your hiring process and add responsiveness. Second, you need engaging content that will inspire your targeted audience. Third, you need to identify the best media platforms on which to promote your content. Fourth, you need to organize or attend events to build and engage with your talent community. Finally, you need the right team and expertise to orchestrate the entire recruiting process.”

Cipriani adds that most companies need help with some aspects of these five stages and that, with a wide range of services available in English and Japanese, HirePlanner is ready to help businesses of all sizes recruit more efficiently and effectively in Japan. www.hireplanner.com

Why employer branding is crucial for all businesses

NEW YEAR, LOCAL FLAVORS

Club executive chef Lindsay Gray shares what went into filling this year’s gourmet stacked boxes.

It may only be September , but it’s never too early to start planning your New Year’s feast. The Club’s contemporary twist on the centuries-old Japanese tradition of feasting on specially prepared dishes for the first meal of the year has become a favorite among Members. Limited to 100 sets, this year’s selection promises to be one of the most impressive yet.

What did you aim to create with this year’s Club osechi?

The premise of the Club’s boxes is that this is not traditional Japanese osechi, which is typically preserved to withstand a few days left out at room temperature. Our osechi is more of a fresh offering meant to be picked up on New Year’s Eve and eaten that day or on the first of January.

As much as possible, we wanted to use products from the land and waters here in Japan. It supports our community and cuts down on the environmental impact of shipping. I think we have a selection this year that does that and delivers really great celebratory bites.

Why do you think the Club take on a Japanese tradition is so well received each year?

The biggest draw, I feel, is the combined selection of non-traditional osechi items and a great bottle of premium champagne or sake. This has made our unique boxes a tradition for many Members. About 30 percent of our orders are repeats and almost 80 percent are from Japanese Members.

What are this year’s standout dishes?

We have a fantastic selection that is the sum of four parts: the land, the sea, sweets and drink.

While we are focusing on local ingredients, it’s also important for the Club to include elements from the US. From the land, we have beef from Idaho’s Snake River Farms. This blend of top-grade Wagyu beef and premium American Black Angus delivers intense, buttery Wagyu marbling with a robust American beef flavor.

From the sea, we have the amazing 1983 Miyazaki

fresh caviar. This project started in 1983 after 200 white sturgeons were donated to Japan by the Russian government. There are no preservatives, just sturgeon eggs and salt. The pure underground water supply provides an immensely clean-tasting craft caviar that we would like Members to try alone with no garnishes.

The sweet is a baumkuchen from Satoya Baumkuchen Bakery in Minami Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture. Flavored with sake lees, this is a simple yet rich dessert that fits perfectly with the osechi.

These are just some highlights from the extensive collection of flavors in the boxes.

This includes a bottle of sparkling sake for the first time. Why did you choose Hakkaisan’s Awa?

It’s a fantastic sparkling sake. The second fermentation in the bottle results in a delicate bubble and a balanced sake that is a perfect match with our food. And in keeping with our theme of staying close to home, there was no better choice than Hakkaisan.

What reaction do you hope for when Members open the lids? Hopefully, Members will love the rich selection of local ingredients. We’re leaving less of a footprint, and that makes me happy. Above all, we hope they have a great New Year’s break and that the Club osechi helps make it the best ever!

• Reservations open October 2 • ¥56,000 • Pickup (The Cellar): December 31 (12–3pm) • Details online

WORDS C BRYAN JONES IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

WHY CHOOSE GYMBOREE?

Companies staffing for the constantly changing marketplace demand adaptable business partners like Robert Walters. Since 1985, the group has offered permanent and temporary recruitment options across all industries and levels of seniority. For a recruitment firm that caters to your company’s unique bilingual hiring needs, speak to one of our consultants specialising in your industry sector or visit our webpage at www.robertwalters.co.jp

Upcycled Art

As snow fell on Copenhagen , Maja Laerkholm huddled on her small balcony, paint and cardboard in hand. The lack of space inside her apartment couldn’t quell her unwavering dedication to art, and she spent much of her time in 2018 braving the elements to bring her creative visions to life.

Inspired by Denmark’s everyday sustainability practices, she transformed discarded cardboard and paper into works of art. Creating an intriguing topography of paper on her canvases, she fashioned makeshift brushes from cardboard shreds.

Through a growing repertoire of unique works, Laerkholm earned a name for herself among Danish galleries. This month, she will share her techniques with Members at a Culture Connections event and, later, at a hands-on enrichment class.

Laerkholm and her family moved to Tokyo in December. As they unpacked, a fresh wave of creativity swept over her. Digging out her recycled materials from Copenhagen, she began drawing on her new surroundings in a phase of work she calls her “dreamy universe.”

“What I realized coming to Tokyo was that I wanted to sort of get new inspiration and not necessarily be attached to the Danish way as much,” she explains. “I wanted to be free and learn new things and explore the Tokyo art scene.”

Laerkholm was particularly captivated by kintsugi, a 500-year-old Japanese technique used for mending broken pottery with lacquer and powdered gold. This wabi sabi concept of embracing imperfections and celebrating the

beauty of flaws resonated deeply with her and became a guiding principle in her artistic vision.

“I aim to give elements new life and, in a way, let them tell their story—hopefully making something pretty out of them,” she says.

Laerkholm says she hopes to inspire others the way Japan has left its mark on her work. The September 4 Culture Connections will offer a peek into her creative world while addressing the topic of sustainability and environmental consciousness.

“I would like to give [Members] a little bit of my dreamy universe,” she says. “Hopefully, they can make their own dreamy universe within that space.”

On September 20, Members will have a chance to try their hand at Laerkholm’s distinctive approach to art during her Art Attack class, part of Connections’ fall lineup of enrichment programs.

“People should be let loose, you could say, once they have explored how I do my art,” she says. “Hopefully, they find it fun to explore how you can, in a more unconventional way, make art with your hands and with the materials that are just around you.”

Culture Connections

• September 4 • 10–11:30am • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms • Connections members: free (non-Connections members & guests: ¥1,000)

• Details online

Art Attack

• September 20 • 2–5pm • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms • Connections members: ¥5,000 (non-Connections members & guests: ¥8,500) • Sign up online

Danish abstract artist Maja Laerkholm invites Club Members to unleash their (sustainable) creativity this month.

WORDS KIANA COOK

Image: Maja Laerkholm

ARTISTIC

Outside the Takarazuka Grand Theater in Hyogo Prefecture stands a bronze statue of Oscar François de Jarjayes and André Grandier, the main characters from Riyoko Ikeda’s world-famous manga The Rose of Versailles So beloved is this story about the years leading up to the French Revolution that it is immortalized outside the home of Japan’s renowned all-female musical theater troupe.

But it almost wasn’t.

“I originally wanted to pursue a career in literature,” says Ikeda. “I really wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t have the talent. I once wrote and submitted an entry, but the best I could do was an honorable mention.”

With dreams of becoming the next Murasaki Shikibu shattered, the young woman who would become one of Japan’s most influential manga artists forged a new path.

“When I was 18, I ran away from home.” she reveals. “I entered university at a time of upheaval and conflict. I felt that if I was going to rebel against my parents, society or whatever I wanted, I would be ashamed to do it on my parents’ dime. I thought I had to become financially independent. So I worked various jobs, as a waitress at a coffee shop, as a factory worker.”

That was 1966. The New Left political movement was taking shape in Japan, culminating two years later with student groups occupying dozens of universities in a heated conflict with the government. Witnessing this movement that was inspired, in part, by the French Revolution proved to be a formative period for the young student from Osaka.

Work also had an impact. “Doing those jobs, I realized that I was not good at interacting with people,” she says. “I wondered what I could do alone, locked in my room. Then I thought, ‘The only thing I can do is write a story or make comics.’ I drew a manga and took it to a publisher. They said it wasn’t good enough. But they told me that

I had something to offer and that I should study. They introduced me to a publisher who had a rental bookstore, and I did my apprenticeship there. When I was 21, I got an offer from a magazine company.”

Ikeda made her manga debut with The Maiden of the Rose Mansion in 1967. The first chapter of The Rose of Versailles was published five years later in Margaret, a biweekly magazine of shojo manga, or girls’ comics.

“I continued to attend college while working part-time and, in my sixth year, I started to serialize The Rose of Versailles,” she says. “Once the serialization started, I got too busy and dropped out after seven years.”

No matter. Ikeda was doing what she had always wanted—storytelling—although the format was not the one she had envisioned.

But the influence she had on others was profound. The Rose of Versailles was wildly popular. In 1974, an adaptation was staged by the Takarazuka Revue. Performances continued through 2015, with Ikeda writing new stories and scenes. Many credit The Rose of Versailles for reinvigorating the Takarazuka Revue, which was formed in 1913.

Ahead of her TAC Talk this month, The Rose of Versailles creator Riyoko Ikeda shares how twists of fate led her to become manga royalty.

WORDS C BRYAN JONES

TOMO FUJII

Image: Riyoko Ikeda

The story has also been adapted for television and the big screen. A 41-episode anime series ran on Japanese TV from 1979 to 1980, and later in France, Germany, Italy and South Korea. A film version was released in 2008. After 50 years, The Rose of Versailles has sold more than 23 million copies worldwide (the Club Library stocks the English translation). Its golden anniversary was marked last year with an exhibition at Roppongi Hills’ indoor observation deck.

“I think the story holds up because it is not only enjoyable but has been an inspiration to many, created cultural connections and is a statement on political inequality and popular uprisings,” says Ikeda.

In 2009, the French government awarded her the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the country’s highest order of merit, in recognition of her work’s promotion of French history and culture in Japan.

At a TAC Talk this month, Ikeda will discuss her unexpected career as a manga artist (she has written more than 38 books or short stories) and

the social phenomenon sparked by The Rose of Versailles, as well as her love of music.

The success of The Rose of Versailles enabled Ikeda to pursue a second career of sorts. At the age of 47, she enrolled at the Tokyo College of Music to study as a soprano. Now 75, she is combining storytelling and music to write scripts for operas and musicals.

“This year, we performed an opera I wrote called Queen Himiko, and last year my play The Sleeping Man, starring my husband, [baritone] Yoshitaka Murata, was performed in Finland,” Ikeda says.

“I have known my husband for 15 years, and it has been the happiest 15 years of my life,” she adds. “I will be 76 in December. My body gets weaker every year and I wonder how long I can keep singing. But I will continue as long as I get offers.

“And as my husband’s activities expand, I will be stepping down from the front line to support him as much as possible. From now on, I guess I will be creating more and more rather than singing.”

Additional interviews by Yuko Takahashi.

TAC Talk: Riyoko Ikeda

• September 20 • 6–8pm • Manhattan II

(guests: ¥2,940) • Sign up online

REVOLUTION

CLARA GARCIA

FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH

FROM STRUGGLE TO STRENGTH

When Miyu Kobayashi divorced her husband , she found herself facing the harsh reality of being a single mother in Japan. For many reasons, including his infidelity, she knew that leaving was the right choice. The transition wasn’t easy. She moved in with her parents, but her goal was to live on her own with her young son.

One group working to help people like Kobayashi (not her real name) through the trials of solo parenting is the Single Mothers Forum. Established in 1980, the Tokyo-based nonprofit organization is run by single mothers and has a simple goal: to support children in single-parent homes. Single fathers can also access its resources.

It’s a service that is much needed “because the situation for single-parent households in Japan is rather dire,” explains Chieko Akaishi, the group’s CEO. “Generally, divorce—let alone single parenthood—is frowned upon in Japanese society.” Children, she adds, may also face ostracism.

Raising children as a single parent has always been challenging, but the situation worsened during the recent pandemic.

In a 2020 survey of 1,300 single mothers by the Single Mothers Association, 65 percent of respondents reported that their income had fallen or was expected to drop. At the same time, nearly 80 percent said their expenses had increased.

With Connections’ help, the nonprofit Single Mothers Forum is working to change the lives of parents and children.

WORDS JOHN AMARI

It’s no surprise that in 2021 the relative poverty rate for single-parent households in Japan was more than 44 percent, according to data from the National Survey of Living Conditions. That’s well above the nearly 32 percent average for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries.

For starters, employment options for single mothers are often restricted to short-term, temporary or contractbased jobs. An unstable income makes it hard to afford the rising costs of daily living—from food and utility bills to school materials.

As part of this year’s annual financial support of local charities, the Club’s Connections group donated ¥1 million to the Single Mothers Forum.

“Connections chose to support the Single Mothers Forum as they have been at the forefront of helping single-parent families break the cycle of poverty,” says Lina Raffone, the group’s director of charities. “Our donation will make a direct impact by allowing the Single Mothers Forum to publish and distribute a free booklet for single parents that contains details and contacts for educational support initiatives throughout Japan.”

That information can make a big difference when trying to keep up with the demands of work and parenting.

“Raising a child alone and working is super hard,” says Kobayashi, whose working hours make it impossible to welcome her son home from elementary school each day (her former partner sees him once a week).

However, with the help of the Single Mothers Forum, Kobayashi—and many parents like her—are finding a way forward. Even before her divorce was finalized, Kobayashi

tapped the forum for guidance. Of particular help were the information seminars and the e-magazine, which has more than 9,000 subscribers.

Seminars are a key offering of the Single Mothers Forum and include sessions on how to gain access to child allowance and career training (the forum will host its ninth careers-related initiative in partnership with the cosmetics giant L’Oréal this fall).

Kobayashi also received career counseling that advised her on work-related issues, including the steps to take if she lost her job. According to Akaishi, it’s this type of support that is especially important for the Single Mothers Forum to provide.

Other programs include a food relief initiative, which delivers essentials to more than 30,000 families per year.

Currently, the group is preparing for a two-day course to train people who support single parents. “We consider this course, which provides appropriate knowledge and accurate information to NPOs and local government officials who support single mothers, to be just as important as our employment support program,” she explains.

“It is important for those we help to be able to receive consultation anywhere in Japan,” Akaishi notes, adding that she is hopeful about the future of Single Mothers Forum and looks forward to expanding the organization’s programs through partnerships with corporate sponsors to provide even better support.

Learn more about Connections fundraising and charitable support on the Connections page of the Club website.

Image: Single Mothers Forum’s Chieko Akaishi

“It is important for those we help to be able to receive consultation anywhere in Japan.”

St. Alban’s Nursery , only five minutes from Tokyo American Club, offers a select English-language program of learning and self-discovery for preschoolers, inspired by Montessori principles. Located in the quiet, leafy grounds of St. Alban’s Anglican-Episcopal church, the Nursery is independently operated and open to children of all denominations and cultures, and focuses on each child’s individuality and needs, in a caring, highly personalized atmosphere.

• Large enclosed outdoor playground

• Safe off-street drop-off and pick-up area

• Parent visits welcome at all times

PLAY GOLF IN THE AUTUMN BREEZE

Just a five-minute drive from the ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen Resort, the first luxury resort in Tohoku, is the Appi Kogen Golf Club. In 2017, the club served as the venue for the 50th LPGA Championship Konica Minolta Cup, a major tournament. Designed to incorporate birch forests, the venue allows you to enjoy resort golf on a championship course as refreshing autumn breezes blow by, even amidst the lingering heat of September.

DISCOVER

MORE:

3-6-25 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011

Email: saintalbansnursery@gmail.com

www.saintalbansnursery.com

Finding New Levels of Fitness

Member Oana Ponomarenco

Romaneiro shares how sessions with a Club trainer help her keep up with her young son.

As a model and entrepreneur , I’ve had a very active life. Staying in shape was never a problem. But when I was pregnant and gave birth to my son during the pandemic, keeping fit became more difficult. Naturally, I put on some weight, but managing it was tough during those early days of Covid, when getting out to exercise was often not possible.

Before my pregnancy, I worked out four times a week. When I [couldn’t keep up] the routine, it was hard to get back into it. I wanted to shed pounds but wasn’t having the success I had hoped for.

I found the answer about a year after my son was born when I started training at the Club with Luis Uraga. It’s really helpful when someone pushes you and gives you structure.

When you have a scheduled time to work out, you’re much more likely to do it compared with just relying on yourself.

But more than that, Luis himself has made a big difference. He pushes in a really good way. He finds your limit and knows when you can do more. He’s innovative and he encourages me to do things that I wouldn’t do by myself, like the bench press.

He also knows what works for me. Caring for my son, I can’t work out four times a week like I did before. But I want to be sure that I am doing enough, so Luis puts together longer, more concentrated workouts. I’ve been able to get in the same amount of training, but in a way that fits with my schedule as a mom.

And there was an unexpected benefit. Although I started with the goal of getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight— and I have—the results have gone much further. For a long time, I had a shoulder injury that kept nagging me despite many attempts to get over it. Luis put together routines to strengthen my shoulder muscles, targeting the area that was giving me trouble. It quickly had an effect and I’ve had no pain since we began those workouts. That’s amazing. No one else had been able to help me.

After two years of training with Luis, I’ve become much stronger and, most importantly, I can keep up with my son the way I want to. He’s 3 now and is a very active boy. I can pick him up, swing him around and enjoy our time together.

While my initial goal was to get back to where I was before my pregnancy, I’m actually stronger and fitter now. And that feels awesome.

As told to INTOUCH’s C Bryan Jones.

KAYO YAMAWAKI

Image: Luis Uraga and Oana Ponomarenco Romaneiro

Azuki Partners on REAL ESTATE IN JAPAN

GoConnect brings you an insightful conversation with Tsuyoshi Hikichi, the founder of Axios Management and Azuki Partners, who discusses what international investors looking at properties in Japan need to know.

AZABUDAI

USA | Jasher & Lindsey Sutton

Asurion Japan K.K.

New Members

NIHONBASHI

JAPAN | Michiya & Miho Uchida

Kajima Corporation

“Before arriving from Nashville, we spoke with several friends and acquaintances who all recommended joining the Club, and we’re glad we did—we absolutely love it! The people, both staff and Members, are incredibly friendly and warm and have made us feel at home. Our two daughters love the various activities, and we are cherishing the chance to meet others and hear their life stories. The Club has quickly become our second home in Tokyo.”

Image: (l–r) Allegra, Jasher, Eliska and Lindsey Sutton

AZABUDAI

USA

Evan Akutagawa & Maya Dobashi

Erik Bishop & Roxana

Pazuengo Zuniga

Wonderland, LLC

Dani & Mayo Boswell Cocoon Ltd.

Luca Costa

Amerigo Japan

Elvis & LaToya Garrison

Pratt & Whitney

Philip & Yurie Huggenberger

Elanco Japan K.K.

Sean Maruyama

M3, Inc.

Ned Harris Melmed

GlaxoSmithKline K.K.

Daniel & Olga Weinberger

Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc.

CANADA

Clara & Kazunori Shirota

White & Case

CHINA

Yan Fan & Anibal Yanez Hinojosa Code Chrysalis

Jiayuan Hao & Naoya Kurihara

BlackRock Japan

Jing Xu & Mengyun Zhang Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.

Wei Yan

Infini Capital Management

ITALY

Giorgio & Maria Teresa Matera

PFC K.K.

JAPAN

Minoru & Yuka Kawarada

Kawarada Office Co., Ltd.

Masahito Sakurai

La Base, Inc.

Ken Uchiyama

MasterCard Japan K.K.

SOUTH KOREA

Sungeun Ryu & Jiyu Song

Lotte Chemical Japan

“After residing in London and Atlanta, we yearned for a space that resonated with our past experiences in those cities. Drawn in by the Nihonbashi Club’s delightful cuisine, welcoming ambience and friendly staff, we joined with the hope that this establishment would provide a comforting place to meet likeminded individuals with whom we could relish camaraderie akin to the cherished bonds we cultivated in London and to stay connected with the essence of Western culture.”

Image: Miho and Michiya Uchida

RUSSIA

Irina Menshikova & Oleg Menshikov

Amway Japan G.K.

UK

Andrew & Setsuko MacKinlay

Exec-Search Partners K.K.

NIHONBASHI

JAPAN

Mariko & Masayuki Hashimoto

Harunobu Miki

Tamanohada, Inc.

Ryuichi Nagano

PwC Consulting G.K.

Kota Okabe

Masahiko Oshima

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Motohiko Uratani

Milestone Capital Management Co.

Toshinori Yagi

Aomi International Law Offices

Keisuke & Kumiko Yui

Tamanohada, Inc.

We can help you completely refurbish your residence, office, or showroom, from finding the ideal combination of materials, fabrics, and colors to selecting the best furniture and furnishings.

We also provide design, construction, and renovation services for hotels and retail areas, with the ability to handle all local regulation issues and help with approval processing.

ONE DESIGNS’ English-speaking staff can assist with any inquiries.

INTERIOR DESIGN

For more information,please email: post-onesd@koyou.co.jp

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Tokugawa

Lost in Translation

I was brought up in England as a Brit and in Spain as a Spaniard. I grew up reading books and watching movies in both English and Spanish. I wasn’t just bilingual, I experienced and assimilated two contrasting cultures. It was almost like having two distinct identities.

My father, Álvaro de Laiglesia, was a Spanish author and humorist. I enjoyed his novels and the weekly satirical magazine he edited. Since I loved reading and shared my father’s sense of humor, it seemed inevitable that I would one day attempt to translate his works into English. I was certainly well-placed and qualified to do so. Little did I realize what I was taking on.

A single word can have a quality, a texture, a nuance that has no direct equivalent in another language. Some words— déjà vu, karma, tsunami—become universal terms. Others may require more than just a literal equivalent to convey their full meaning.

How do you transmit a language’s richness evoked by such literary devices as metaphor, simile, pun or onomatopoeia? What about proverbs or idioms? Do you try to find English equivalents or just keep the

original and provide an explanatory footnote? What about conveying dialect or slang to retain a character’s idiosyncratic delivery?

Humor and irony are also challenging. As I discovered when I tried to translate my father’s books, even if a humorous or ironic statement is translatable, it may no longer be funny or strike the intended tone. A comical situation may be easy to understand, but what about expressions or wordplay unique to a particular country or people?

Technical translations focus on meaning whereas literature is all about emotion and expression. I soon realized that to faithfully construe my father’s words, it wasn’t sufficient to simply understand his language or the subject matter.

Literary translation requires a blend of creativity and problem-solving to account for words and phrases that have different meanings depending on context, cultural nuance or literary purpose. The words chosen must evoke the same understanding and feelings in the reader as the original. A literary translator is like an evangelist spreading the word in a foreign land. It is thanks to them that we can access the magical literature of Japan, where even the symbols used to communicate are different.

As for my own literary translation efforts, they remain a work in progress. I am still not convinced that I can suitably render my father’s words in another language. Despite that, the process of translation has helped me to truly appreciate not only how rich, powerful and beautiful the written word can be, but also that language is no barrier to great literature.

Alex de Laiglesia is a Member of the Club.

WORDS ALEX DE LAIGLESIA ILLUSTRATION TANIA VICEDO

July 12

TAC Talk: Investing in Wine

Berry Bros & Rudd’s Frédéric Cayuela and Member Tom Kriegshauser of the Australian winery Topé shared insights on buying and collecting fine wine.

IMAGES YUUKI IDE

July 15–17

TAC Premier Classic

The Club hosted three days of thrilling squash action, with last year’s champions, Ryunosuke Tsukue and Satomi Watanabe, successfully defending their titles.

IMAGES TOSHIYUKI MASUDA

July 23

Nihonbashi Bridge Cleaning

Members and Nihonbashi Club staff braved the Tokyo heat to join the annual community cleaning of the historic Nihonbashi Bridge and its zero-mile marker.

IMAGES YUUKI IDE

July 28

Camp Discovery: Kyogen Workshop

Summer campers immersed themselves in traditional Japanese comedic theater during a fun workshop and performance with the Izumi clan of kyogen performers.

IMAGES YUJIRO KANEKO

August 7

Your Move: Play a Chess Grandmaster

Samy Shoker chatted to Members about life as a grandmaster before showcasing his chess acumen during multiple simultaneous games with players.

IMAGES YUUKI IDE

Kicks, Kata & Confidence

Class Junior Karate

From its origins nearly five centuries ago in the Ryukyu Kingdom (now Okinawa) to its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, karate’s marrying of defensive and offensive techniques with self-cultivation has built a truly global appeal. The martial art is practiced in more than 190 countries, and students in this class develop physical strength, agility, stamina, confidence and selfdiscipline as they learn the sport’s movements and philosophy.

Instructor Tim Neely

A fifth-degree black belt, Tim Neely brings nearly 40 years of training and teaching experience in Shotokan karate to his classes. Also trained in kendo and Tenjin Shinyoryu jujutsu, the Club Member took up karate in the 1980s after a five-year run as an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Golden Gloves boxer in the United States.

Student Momofuku Nakano

“Karate is cool! I love the movie Kuro Obi (Black Belt), so I started training with Neely-sensei. He is nice and kind and supports me when I am learning something new. Karate is not just moving your body. Neely-sensei also teaches me about [respect and discipline].”

Junior Karate

• September 6–December 13

• Every Wednesday (5–6:30pm: ages 7–12; 7–8:30pm: ages 13 & above)

• The Studio • ¥57,750

• Sign up online

IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

Image: Tim Neely and Momofuku Nakano

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kalaewardvillagehonolulu.com | +1 808 376 1882

Offered by Ward Village Properties, LLC RB-21701

THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN OFFERING OR SOLICITATION OF SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE PROJECT IS NOT REGISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW OR WHERE SUCH OFFERING OR SOLICITATION WOULD OTHERWISE BE PROHIBITED BY LAW. WARD VILLAGE, A MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN HONOLULU, HAWAII, IS STILL BEING CONSTRUCTED. ANY VISUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF WARD VILLAGE OR THE CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS THEREIN, INCLUDING THEIR LOCATION, UNITS, COMMON ELEMENTS AND AMENITIES, MAY NOT ACCURATELY PORTRAY THE MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OR ITS CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS. ALL VISUAL DEPICTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. THE DEVELOPER MAKES NO GUARANTEE, REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER THAT THE DEVELOPMENTS, FACILITIES OR IMPROVEMENTS OR FURNISHINGS AND APPLIANCES DEPICTED WILL ULTIMATELY APPEAR AS SHOWN OR EVEN BE INCLUDED AS A PART OF WARD VILLAGE OR ANY CONDOMINIUM PROJECT THEREIN. WARD VILLAGE PROPERTIES, LLC, RB-21701. COPYRIGHT ©2023. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING.

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A new standard for luxurious living

Toranomon Hills Residential Tower Serviced Apartments

Toranomon Hills Residential Tower Serviced Apartments can make you feel at home from day one. Floor plans range in size from studios to two-bedroom units, and each apartment comes equipped with all the necessities for daily life. And the property’s full array of services and amenities put comfort and convenience right at hand.

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インタッチマガジン二〇二三年九月一日発行