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January – March Issue 2012
NIIGATA NOISE
January - March Issue Aaron Xavier Wilson Executive Editor
NIIGATA NOISE
Louise Hollywood Chief Copy Editor Layout & Design Luke Hamilton Columnist Layout & Design Carol Pinnock Columnist Shaun Smith Columnist Jon Robinson Columnist Steven Gore Columnist Martin Sedaghat Columnist Contributors Laura Coakley Caitlin Eberhardt Joe Moore Adam Wilson Cover Photo Craig and Aimee Render
Dear Readers, Thank you for your feedback and continued support of Niigata Noise. It’s our pleasure to bid you welcome to a bright and sunny change of seasons with this newly thawed spring edition. We have done a bit of branching out this issue with budding new guest writers and expanded sections. It’s also a particularly important part of year as we come upon the anniversary of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and Tsunami. In this issue, we will remember those lives lost, but also acknowledge Japan’s resolve in especially hard times. Spring is about rebirth and potential, and this issue of Niigata Noise will focus on those themes in particular. As always, it is our goal to not only enlighten and entertain, but to foster a stronger community amongst ALTs in our cozy corner of Japan. In order to do this we need your help! If you have not already checked it out, please visit our blog at: niigatanoise[dot]wordpress[dot]com and share your perspective. All submissions, including reviews, photographs and artworks are welcome. Even if you are not the artistic or expository type, I would still encourage you to take a look and share your opinion. Together, we can build a magazine that everyone will not only read, but also develop. I hope you enjoy! Addy Executive Editor PS -‐ If you are interested in joining the Noise team or becoming a guest writer for one of our sections, please inquire at: niigatamonthly[at]gmail[dot]com
Contents Greetings from AJET Capturing Snow Country After the Quake Travel Belle’s Top Ten Tips for Thailand! ALT Spotlight Arts Niigata’s Noise ALTs Speak Out Only in Japan Niigata Cuisine Eat This! The Hungry Binbo Fashion Style File Gaijin Desu Ne? Tech Corner Niigata Manga and Anime Festival Horoscopes
Greetings from AJET
I hope everyone enjoyed (or at least survived!) the winter. The snow this year has been crazy, but hopefully it will be over soon. Things with AJET have been quiet lately, but events are currently being planned in Niigata City and Murakami, so there will be more information about that soon. Also, although we did not do any elections for the first year of Niigata AJET, we are hoping to hold elections for regional and administrative positions, so if you are interested in getting more involved, please start to think about what you would like to do. There will also be more information about positions, nominating yourself and elections coming by email. As always, if you have any questions or ideas, please send them to: niigataajet[at]gmail[dot]com Cheers! Katrina
Capturing Snow Country
Winter in Niigata is nothing short of extreme, with blizzards, snow-‐shovelling, skiing and snowboarding, making it a definite contender for the most dramatic season of the year. So what better way to usher in the coming spring than by looking back on some of Snow Country’s spectacular scenery, courtesy of Niigata’s avid photographers.
Adam Wilson ALT in Joetsu City Camera: Canon EOS SLR
Joe Moore (Kashiwazaki City)
Camera: Canon 60D / 18 – 135mm lens Winter Survival Tip: “Don’t use a kotatsu!” (I would absolutely disagree with this! – Luke) Check out www.pix.ie/just-‐joe for more of Mr Moore’s inspiring shots!
After the Quake By Luke Hamilton Our hearts are not stones. A stone may disintegrate in time and lose its outward form. But hearts never disintegrate. They have no outward form, and whether good or evil, we can always communicate them to one another. ― Haruki Murakami, After the Quake
I was sitting in a café at the time, happy to have finished work early, reading a paperback and nursing a drip coffee when I felt the sensation. It was something not unlike my idea of what vertigo must feel like; the suspended lighting overhead rocked back and forth, gently and rhythmically. Another earthquake? I thought nothing of it. Having been in Japan less than half-‐a-‐year at the time, and having experienced the ground shaking more in those few months than I would have expected to in my entire life, I figured this was just standard fare – nothing worth getting worked up about. One of the baristas
calmly made her way to the main entrance, held open the door and, as politely as usual, ushered everyone outside into the car park where I waited calmly for the shaking to subside. It wasn’t until hours later, upon checking my emails, I actually understood the gravity of the situation that was unfurling a couple-‐of-‐ hundred kilometres away; meanwhile I had been standing impatiently outside of a café in Niigata, anxious to get back to my coffee and novel. That was only one year ago. Most people in Japan at the time can recall exactly where they were when the ground started trembling on March 11, 2011. Yet, it’s not so easy to
comprehend how so much time has
I remember the evacuation zones’
passed since havoc, wrought upon the
initial news reports served to do little
Eastern coast of Japan by the
but portray an overwhelming sense of
earthquake and subsequent Tsunami,
loss and hopelessness; yet, it’s not the
destroyed so many people’s lives. In
bleak scenes of devastation that I
the weeks following, there was little
recall with the most clarity. There is
rest for a population rattled by
another brighter side to an otherwise
aftershocks and the uncertainty of an
dark story. Slowly but surely, tales of
impending nuclear disaster. It was an
people’s selflessness and compassion
unimaginably sad time for the
were brought into focus: people caring
Japanese people and even now,
for the young and elderly;
almost a year later, those events are
communities queuing calmly for food
kept fresh in everyone’s minds by frequent quakes – an unsettling reminder of the consequences and unpredictability of nature’s force. However, in spite of such
rations; a
“Somehow, people all over Japan have done their best to sustain the essence of community spirit that that defines Japanese society.
”
a sombre outlook, much
nationwide movement of electricity conservation; and families waiting patiently in temporary communal housing for
has changed in the months after those
news of missing loved ones. I was
initial otherworldly images of the
completely taken aback by the level of
destruction emerged. Somehow,
commitment people demonstrated for
people all over Japan have done their
one another under the shadow of such
best to maintain the everyday flow of
adversity. If there’s one thing I will
life; not with an “ignorance is bliss”
undoubtedly remember about this
mentality, but in an effort to sustain
time: it’s how the Japanese people put
the essence of community spirit that
the welfare of the entire community
that defines Japanese society.
before themselves with an almost intrinsic patience and dignity.
This stoicism was a recurring feature
appreciation for the struggles and
in the Japanese response to the
hardships endured by the disaster’s
disaster. There was a very genuine,
victims.
startling sense of harmony amidst all
that chaos; and despite the fear, the
Karen Fung – a 3rd year ALT who is
food and electricity shortages, and the
fortunate enough to have developed a
dreaded aftershocks that we could
very tight bond with the staff and
never really be sure were real or
students of her base school – was
imaginary, people were, nonetheless,
informed by the school nurse about a
assured that Japan could pull through.
group of people participating in a
With the approaching anniversary, it’s
clean up operation near the Sendai
clear that, while we must mourn all
area. This chance encounter led to
that has been lost, we should also
Karen and fellow Joetsu ALT, Hannah
celebrate a country’s remarkable
Smith, travelling to Sendai, where they
resolve in the face of inconceivable
would be able do their part in
odds.
contributing to Japan’s gradual
recovery, and witness Miyagi
In the hope of gaining a first-‐hand
prefecture’s transformed landscape
account of just how far the Tohoku
with their own eyes.
area has come since that fateful day, I spoke with Karen Fung and Hannah Smith – both employed by the Joetsu City Board of Education – who recently travelled to the affected areas to offer whatever assistance possible. They have been kind enough to share the details of their experience,
and explain how it has helped them
“I thought I had prepared myself
obtain an invaluable sense of
mentally,” Karen reflects on her initial
impressions of their arrival in Sendai,
Karen and Hannah were tasked with
“but it was so surreal to see things
helping other volunteers from Joetsu
where they shouldn’t be; like cars
(mostly students from the Joetsu
upturned in rice fields and fishing
University of Education) clear pieces
boats lying by the roadside.”
of debris from a farmer’s field, so that
Everything seemed perfectly normal at
it could be cultivated for crops again.
first, as they entered the rural
Hannah outlined the details of their
outskirts of the port city of Sendai.
job: “The group was digging through a
However, gradually increasing piles of
farmer’s vegetable patch, turning the
debris, along with wrecked vehicles
top soil to filter out rubbish from the
and houses razed to the ground, were
Tsunami; the area had already been
a sure indication that they were
cleared three of four times of larger
nearing their destination.
items. After we had finished, we were informed that the soil will need to be turned another two times before it could be used for produce again.” Painstaking work – Karen highlighted its importance: “On the scale of things, it doesn’t seem like what we did was so
significant; but every little bit counts
Hannah recalls how the volunteer site
and we helped restore one family’s
was only a short distance from the
life back to some normality,” “We
beach: “I had never imagined that the
were also sending a message of
ocean could cause so much damage;
support; something which I think is
standing on the coastline and looking
just as important as any visible result.”
back at the flattened land, it hit me. It
It is such displays of humanity that
was horrific.”
have been ubiquitous in the aftermath of the disaster. Whether people joined
aid groups – like Karen and Hannah
of the community-‐oriented nature of
did – or sent support in the form of
Japanese society, however, Karen
money and supplies from their home
didn’t find it quite so easy to
prefectures; many people have tried
emotionally detach: “I want to do
to do something to contribute to the
something like this again but to be
relief effort.
honest I would have to spend more time there. I definitely could have done with some time to adjust and take stock of my surroundings. I don’t know how the rest of the group managed to stay so composed,” she admitted. Later in the day, the girls had some
time to explore their surroundings and
Such dedication was reflected in the
take in the full extent of the damage.
volunteer’s attitudes, and there was a
“When we first arrived, I was sort of
definite sense of purpose in the group.
surprised by how flat the landscape
“There wasn’t that much conversation between the volunteers as we did our work; everyone was pretty much focused on the task at hand,” Karen observed. “The other members of our group (all Niigata residents) seemed almost detached from the situation. While Hannah and I were pretty overwhelmed by the
“I couldn’t help but
think about the people who had once lived in these areas, and wonder what happened to them: were they alive? It was very difficult to imagine…
” – Hannah Smith
was. After a closer look, I noticed the remains of housing foundations,” Karen pointed out as we flicked through some
desolation and signs of destruction,
of the pictures that they had taken.
the others tried not to let their
Ominous shots of car wreckages and
emotions distract them from their
foundation stones set into the ground
work.” This is an interesting example
all indicated that there had once been
homes in those spots. Hannah
an entire rice field – not to mention all
questioned the fates of the previous
of the rice fields along the coast.”
members: “I couldn’t help but think
about the people who had once lived in these areas, and wonder what happened to them: were they alive? And if so, where are they living? And if not, what were their last moments like? It was very difficult to imagine.” While showing me some of their pictures, Karen informed me that some people had stayed behind and were still living in their houses – even though the windows, walls, and in some cases, the roofs had been destroyed. These people would rather stay in the remains of their homes than evacuate to temporary accommodation. Hannah noted the resolve shown by the locals who had decided to stay behind: “I saw a newly rebuilt house in the middle of a paddock – once a highly-‐populated residential area. The house was brightly painted; the paddock had been restored and even had a small garden. After experiencing first-‐hand how many people it took to clear one vegetable garden, I couldn’t imagine how much effort it would take to clear
Some of these people had lived in the area all their lives, and were willing to go to great lengths to get some semblance of normality back. Although such a reality is a long way off for many families of the area, there are still many signs of hope that their community will recover. It’s for this very reason that the work done by Karen, Hannah, and countless other volunteers and supporters across the world is crucial. Even the tiniest effort goes a long way in restoring hope for an entire community. Looking back on the year that has passed, Karen reminds us just how lucky we are to be a part of this amazing country, which provides us all
with a comfortable lifestyle, satisfying
Japan has come a tremendously long
jobs, and life-‐long opportunities:
way in only one year, but there is still
“As scary as the whole experience has
much further left to go; it’s only fair
been, it never had much influence on
that we express our gratitude and
my plans to stay in Japan. Despite
shoulder some of the burden in
pressure from friends, family, and the
whatever way we can.
media, I never really thought about
going home. The whole thing has
If you would like to see about doing
made me realise just how lucky I am
your part for Japan and volunteer or
to be where I am; and if anything, I
provide support like Karen and
have a new sense of appreciation for
Hannah have, then please refer to the
my job, my students and this country
following site:
in general.”
The Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund : www.japansociety.org.uk/earthquake/
T
ravel Belle’s Top Ten Tips for THAILAND! (in no particular order)
By Louise Hollywood
#1
B angkok
Chaotic. Restless. Dirty. Dodgy…and let’s face it, smells like crap; as I made my way up to Thailand’s capital, I was expecting to hate it. Even though this might have had something to do with my daily digest of the Lonely Planet – which dedicates an entire section to people trying to screw you – I’m happy to say I left completely in love (and unscrewed). Maybe not so much a concrete jungle where dreams are made, Bangkok, in all its weird and sleazy madness, serves as a perfect backdrop for some wonderful and memorable tales (all depending on how many buckets you consume, of course). So what’s there to see? Well the Grand Palace for one – big, bejeweled, beautiful and breathtaking – it’s a prime example of the wonderful creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people. Within the grounds is Wat Phra Kaew, home to the infamous emerald Buddha. The nearby Wat Arun and Wat Po, where the reclining Buddha rests, are also must-‐sees while discovering the historical side of Bangkok. At night, explore Khao San Road and do stuff on the street: bargain, buy, eat and drink. It’s a haven or hell depending on who you are and what you’re looking for. For me, it was a bit of both – loved hanging out there but wouldn’t want to sleep there. Tip: If you like to party but don’t want to sleep where the party is, don’t stay on Khao San Road. There is a great little spot two blocks south (or is it north?) of Khao
San called Rambuttri Street. It’s quieter, nicer and less packed with street vendors; it also has some lovely restaurants.
#2
T he Floating Market
Although I didn’t go on this tour (if you care to know the reason, please refer to # 10), my friends did. They booked with an agency around the corner from our hostel, which included in the price: transport there and back and entrance to the market. Although I’m not entirely sure the exact cost, it definitely wasn’t expensive – perhaps the equivalent of 300 yen. It takes about two hours from Bangkok to get to the actual market, so the bus leaves at an early seven a.m. and gets you back just after lunch, around one-‐thirty. The Floating Market recreates tradition and gives tourists a unique chance to see how Thailand traded back in the day before the evils of modernity took over. Wade through the Damneon Saduak Canal haggling for something that you will probably find on every street-‐stall on Khao San Road – this tour isn’t about what you’ll find; it’s about what you’ll experience. Again I can’t personally vouch for this one, but the girls came back with souvenirs, brilliant photos, full of smiles and no complaints, giving me ample reason to include this excursion in my top ten list. Tip: Be careful who you book your tours with; even though they went with an agency and it all worked out fine, a lot of people complain that Bangkok agencies are unreliable and shady. # 3
L et’s trekking!
If you want to go trekking in Thailand, you will have to go up north. This is easily done by bus or trains which regularly leave Bangkok, but if you haven’t got fifteen hours, a cheap internal flight will get you there in little over an hour. Although there are many places to trek in Thailand, the girls and I settled for Chiang
Mai. Maybe a little worn on the backpacker’s trail, this city with its quiet, laid-‐back and tranquil ambience was just what I needed after New Year’s in Bangkok. It was so beautiful, and in a way, I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to experience as much as I would have liked; but we only stayed in the centre for one night, spending our remaining day in the jungle with the Laos hill-‐tribe. Booking a trek in Chiang Mai is easy. Usually, people do it with their hostels or an agency, which I presume are, more or less, all the same, providing: a guided trek, one night with a hill-‐ tribe, food, elephant trekking, river-‐ water and bamboo rafting. I think we got ours for approximately 700 yen, so any more than this and you are probably being ripped off. The treks, from what I’ve read, can be hit or miss – many people saying it depends entirely on the group and trek leader you happen to end up with. Fortunately for us, we travelled with a van-‐load of young South American lads and our tour leader, Tony (the tiger), was nothing short of a legend. Tip: Although Chiang Mai is a beautiful city, the trek is very touristy. If you want to explore and discover somewhere that’s less on the trail, visit Pai – a nearby town where the treks and hill-‐tribes (apparently) still retain much of their authenticity.
#4
T he Beach
Thailand is home to some of the best beaches in the world, but choose wisely – some of these beautiful getaways have unfortunately been spoiled by tourists, high-‐rises and beach parties. Here are my top three: 1. Maya Beach, Koh Phi Phi
2. Railey Beach, Krabi 3. Patong Beach, Phuket
#5 G o to a full moon party and drink a bucket – or three!
#6
E mbrace Thai transport
“The rules are, there ain’t no rules” – one of my favourite lines from Grease (said by the evil guy with the crater face just before Danny Zukko kicks his ass with Grease Lightening – woo, Danny!). Anyway, this is one of the things that I remember thinking when I was in Thailand; that and, “oh my God, I’m going to die and ruin my family’s Christmas forever.” On Ko Pha Nghan we rented mopeds. “The only way to see the island,” we were told on our first night; I’m still convinced they were more of a hindrance than a help. The island is mapped with unlined roads, where junctions are a kind of free-‐for-‐all without the modern luxury of traffic lights telling you to stop, slow or go; and instead, basic instinct, chance and Ciera shouting in my ear, ‘go, go, goooooooo!’ taking its place. To be quite honest, I was so scared shitless that I was going to die the whole time that I think it would have been better to get a taxi because they are way safer, right?
Wrong! The Taxi, conveniently lined outside Haad Rin ready to bring our less-‐than-‐hot selves home in the early hours of the morning, we were only too glad of the help. Saying that – piling fifteen or more drunk people into the back of a truck with the only thing saving you from hitting the hard, cold road, a low-‐steel barrier, doesn’t exactly make me feel as safe as hailing a cab
outside the local at home in Ireland might, for example. In Bangkok, a new nightmare for my mother, the tuk-‐tuk – a three-‐wheeled motor-‐ run death trap. Offering a similar service to its counterpart the taxi, the tuk-‐tuk lacks doors or windows, instead offering its passengers an authentic air-‐conditioner, zooming through the smelly streets of the crowded metropolis. Despite the danger, they’re bloody hilarious, with some tuk-‐tuks pimped out with surround sound-‐ systems and disco lights. Yeeeeaaaahhhh, buddy! Tip: If you do decide to rent a moped, make sure you look into the company from which you are renting; be careful they are legit and reputable. There have been a few horror stories where a lot of travellers when returning the rented equipment (after giving over their passports) are blamed for mysterious damages that were not present before. Also, only get into taxis that use a meter. They’ll take one look at your pretty gaijin face and rip you right off.
#7
E xplore Thai Markets
Night markets, weekend markets, day markets – Thailand is famous for them. Get your fake Fendi and a pad-‐Thai for under a fiver – happy days! Tip: Learn to haggle! I found as I moved up north, people were friendlier and more welcome to bargaining. Down south they wouldn’t budge, and were, in some cases, down-‐ right rude. But after a week on the islands, it’s not really hard to see why Thai people have developed this stubborn attitude – thousands of tourists swarming in every year, wrecking the place with not so much as a back-‐ward glance, would no doubt piss anyone off.
#8
B e afraid; be very afraid…
•
The nice gentleman in the suit.
•
The woman blatantly telling you that the Grand Palace is closed, to turn around and go home.
•
The tuk-‐tuk driver who wants to make “only one stop” on the way to the weekend market.
•
Monkeys!
#9
G et a Thai massage - standard.
Expect to be twisted, bent and broken. Expect to be handled like you’ve never been handled before. Expect to feel pain! Tip: Be careful what you pay for these bad boys; I think my friend and I got a bit robbed on Ko Pha Ngan. Up north they tend to be less expensive – and word on the street is, better.
#10
E at the fruit…at your own risk!
Thailand is famous for its fruit – luscious, juicy, tropical goodness. Yuma yuma yuma, right? The girls and I (even though now that I remember it, someone did say something about the fruit…) were eating it in abundance. Fruit shakes in the morning, cocktails in the evening, persimmons to taste – we couldn’t get enough of the stuff! By Bangkok, let’s just say things weren’t looking so luscious – and I’m not talking about the fruit. Never fear – a quick trip to the pharmacist and a bag of meds later, I was blocked up in no time. And then, Ciera went down.
Tip: Kindly refuse the pharmacist who offers you charcoal tablets…
“If I'd learnt one thing from travelling, it was that the way to get things done was to go ahead and do them. Don't talk about going to Borneo. Book a ticket, get a visa, pack a bag, and it just happens.” ― Alex Garland, The Beach
ALT SPOTLIGHT
My favorite place in Niigata is Mt. Myoko. During the summer, it provides great hikes for those who can brave the heat; in autumn, wicked ramen and some of the most beautiful autumn leaves in the area; in winter, snowboarding (on par with Hokkaido’s famous Niseko); and finally in spring, Japanese cherry blossoms that would make even guys weak at the knees!
by Shaun Smith
In this installment of Spotlight, Hannah Smith gives us a lesson in the art of living. From the beautiful, ever-‐inaccessible snowscape Joestu, this first-‐year New Zealander tells us about her infatuation with Japanese culture – from her favorite okonomiyaki add-‐ins to her obsession with sento bath houses. She also gives us advice on how to get involved in volunteer projects in Niigata and Sendai, and later shares first-‐hand experience in why it’s important to strike a balance in our busy lives. Judging from all she’s done in the paradoxically long-‐short seven months since her arrival, you would think she has an army of clones seeing to her many duties and whims because somehow – somehow – she’s been able to teach, volunteer, travel and even squeeze in a little “Hannah time”. While the plausibility of the clone theory is questionable, one thing is for sure: this girl knows how to live.
Favorite Place In Niigata?
Why JET?
I chose JET for a number of reasons: Japanese was a major of mine at University; JET seemed like the most logical move to improve my language skills. As a JET you have many opportunities to meet new people and try new things; this was right up my alley!
Greatest Discovery? Shichifuku no Yu, a Sento in Joetsu city. After you get used to the whole Onsen/Sento culture, this place becomes an addiction: citrus steam rooms, apple baths, electrical baths, sleeping baths – you name it, they got it!
Most Awesome Experience So Far?
What Do You Want To See Or Do The Most? I have this burning urge to visit Okinawa. During university, my Japanese language tutors were island-‐natives and some of the friendliest, funniest and most laid back people I have met from Japan. I want to meet the other 1.3 million of these characters; and that’s without even mentioning the war-‐history, beaches, sun, diving, food…
Volunteering in Sendai wins hands down. I jumped on a Japan Tourist Bureau volunteering tour that went to Sendai for a day to help with the Tsunami relief efforts. Along with sixty others, we spent seven hours trying to clear a lettuce patch for a family. In the soil we found things like pillows, batteries, glass, toys – everything. We were able to meet the owners and hear harrowing stories about how their lives had changed since the Tsunami. The tour ended by taking us to the coast line of Sendai; this was the most upsetting thing I have ever seen in my life. As difficult as it was to see the devastation, it was a life-‐changing experience for me; I now see things very differently and consider myself a very lucky person. Japan still has an extremely long way to go before they can fully recover from this disaster – physically and emotionally. Any support that anyone can give is welcome with open arms; it will never be too late.
How Do You Cope? I like to keep busy and active by getting involved in various projects: volunteering with the Joetsu International Network (JOIN) and American Field Service (AFS) intercultural programs have been great ways to do this. With JOIN, I have been able to make new friends; organize some great international activities for the community; and improve my Japanese. In AFS, I help out by supporting local high school exchange students from Myanmar and Czech Republic, organizing events and interpreting. Getting involved in the community has made me feel very much a part of Joetsu; I no longer feel like an “outsider”.
Most Epic Fail?
Up until four months ago, I was over doing it – big time! I was over committing myself in all areas of my life and frantically trying to settle in. As my Dad always says, I was “burning the wick at both ends”. Then one day it backfired. I was talking to my Mum in the local supermarket when I accidently dropped some things on the floor. Without warning, the waterworks started; and not just sniffles, but uncontrollable sobbing. Looking back, I feel so sorry for the awkward shoppers not knowing what to do with the weird foreigner crying on the floor! This has been my lowest point on JET and since then, I have made a concerted effort to have at least one hour of “me-‐time” every day.
After JET?
I think about this question daily; I still have NO IDEA! Somewhere along the lines of Japan and New Zealand relations, travel, internationalization or…a professional snowboarder! I have resigned for the 2012-‐3 year so my current focus is on what I would like to do in my second year of JET. All I have to say about the future is: BRING IT ON!
Niigata’s Noise An ISSUE BY ISSUE GLIMPSE INTO WHAT’S WEARING OUT AN ALT’S IPOD Battery AND WHY. THIS ISSUE :
tHE dARK SIDE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM lana del rey - born to die Having successfully manipulated the
By Luke Hamilton
the current, ever-‐impressionable
blogosphere and exploded onto the
Internet generation. This division has
music scene with last summer’s
sparked a fierce debate in the lead up
release of her nostalgic ballad, ‘Video
to this month’s release of Del Rey’s
Games’, Lana Del Rey has effectively
sort-‐of debut (she released a largely
divided fans of contemporary pop
unknown album previously under her
music into two distinct camps. There
real name of Lizzie Grant) album, Born
are those who consider her to be an
To Die, a somewhat fatalistic title for
ambitious, talented individual, one of the few contemporary musicians with any modicum of artistic integrity, managing to successfully take advantage of the Internet’s virulent ability to propel her to instant fame. Then,
an album that has
“Del Rey’s blast
to fame remains a very intriguing and important commentary on today’s music industry”
been the subject of such intense scrutiny before it was even heard. Whichever way you choose to look at it, Lana Del Rey’s blast to
in the other camp, there are those
fame remains a very intriguing and
who see Del Rey as nothing more than
important commentary on today’s
shallow and superficial, whose music
music industry.
is a manufactured product, a blank
canvas upon which has been painted a
To be fair, it’s hard not to be skeptical.
collage of images, lacking any real
Del Rey’s aesthetic is one that has
substance and tailored to appeal to
been so finely polished that you get
the impression it must have been
Fortunately, the opening tracks on the
manufactured. But does any of that
album are also its strongest, with the
really matter if the music is worth
titular ‘Born To Die’, establishing the
listening to?
tone of the entire album; a sort of
Born To Die, like the artist responsible
vintage, “those were the days” quality.
for it, has been met with ambiguous
This nostalgia colours each track,
reviews – mostly from critics who fit
giving us a shadowy glimpse into the
into one of the two factions described
profile of Del Rey’s character: a sultry
above. The album oscillates between
young woman in her prime who seems
some truly affecting, memorable
to become hopelessly devoted to each
tracks and some more puzzling,
and every “bad-‐boy” she crosses paths
repetitive additions that, although not
with. This motif maintains a definitive
unlistenable per say, definitely provide
high throughout the first section of
ammunition for the
the album, but
naysayers. In my
by the time we
opinion, this is a
reach the much
tremendous pity. The
lauded ‘Video
numerous songs on
Games’, it
the album
suddenly
representing the true
becomes clear
depth of Lana Del
that many of the
Rey’s talent, and
tracks are
assumed personality,
borrowing that
shouldn’t be
same
overshadowed by its
melodramatic
occasional blunders.
recipe that made
Unfortunately, all this controversy has
her first single such a hit in the first
put Del Rey in a precarious position:
place.
she could produce all the
masterpieces in the world only to fall
For some reason however, that
fast and hard when she inevitably
corniness isn’t necessarily a deal-‐
makes the slightest misstep.
breaker. There’s something
undeniably appealing about the lovely,
a cringe worthy faux-‐rap. Another
haunting, Americana-‐throwback feel
track that just doesn’t seem to fit in
to the entire album that a few
with the already-‐established concept
overlapping musical and lyrical trends
is ‘Radio’: a whiney, self-‐indulgent
don’t really seem to matter that
track about the long, arduous road to
much. There’s a stark contrast
fame – tried-‐and-‐tested subject
throughout between the various
matter that loses any credibility when
incarnations of Lana’s overarching,
you consider that Del Rey herself
hopelessly romantic character. We get
comes from a rather affluent
the naïve, hopeful Del Rey, desperate
background, and has had unlimited
for the affections of her distracted
support from her very wealthy and
boyfriend in ‘Video Games’; the bad
influential father.
girl beyond redemption in the gritty ‘Off to the Races’; and there’s a somewhat disquieting desperation in ‘Born to Die’ that simply can’t be overlooked. While sharing a basic fundamental style, each of these songs is given a unique touch by the confidence with which Del Rey handles her character. Manufactured or not, she fully understands the role she is playing – and she is scarily good at demonstrating it. Despite the power of the first few tracks on the album, some of the middle section is rather disappointing and left me with raised eyebrows. ‘National Anthem’, for example, lacks an original, solid melody, which isn’t helped by the bewildering inclusion of
Fortunately, the album reaches its climax in ‘This Is What Makes Us Girls’ – an initially unassuming track that starts off by relaying the, by now very familiar adage of a “good girl gone bad” – where Del Ray, who is remembering the bad crowd she had
fallen in with in the past, embarks
Born To Die is a valiant effort by
upon a crime spree in a brash
someone trying to establish herself in
combination of Gossip Girl and Grand
a very competitive, and often brutal,
Theft Auto with a hint of David Lynch.
industry. There’s no denying that Lana
The nonchalant recollection of these
Del Rey has produced something
misguided adventures serves to lull
special in her carefully assembled, hip-‐
you into a state of vulnerability so that
hop-‐savvy approach to 60s soul – a
it can hit you with the full force of its
smoky, mysterious and moody work
final verse: "They were the only
that, admittedly, lacks diversity at
friends I ever had / We got into trouble
times. At no point is it revealed to us
and when stuff got bad / I got sent
whether or not Lana Del Rey, as an
away / I was waving on the train
individual, is entirely genuine or just a
platform / Crying 'cause I know I'm
fragment of a life gone by. The answer
never coming back." It’s these
to that mystery will lie in her next
unexpected moments of magic that
venture, sure to attract the attention
make the album for me. There’s a
of fans and critics alike.
genuine sense of despondency that
Part of me hopes that the version of
could easily have the potential to win
Del Rey we see in this album is in fact
over those of her listeners who might
a fabrication, if only to see how she
have been turned off by some of the
will tackle the challenge of showing a
album’s weaker offerings.
new side of herself in her next album.
ALTS SPEAK OUT! A platform for people who want to share ideas, opinions and information on their favourite things (or just need to vent).
Nihongo Wa Jouzu Desu! I remember being asked in my JET interview what Japanese I knew. I laughed, and then counted (very slowly) from one to ten. My interviewers kindly said, ‘great!’ a definite sign of things to come. I had a genuine intention to learn more before I left for Japan, but despite my ‘Japanese basics’ CD being on repeat in my car, I arrived knowing ‘hello’ and ‘please’. I thought I’d just pick it up when I got here, how hard could it be? Turns out, it’s a fair bit harder than I ever imagined. Now, well past the halfway point of my first year, I expected to be really quite competent, and I’m not. I had to abandon my ideas of passive learning; that just by living in Japan I would absorb a deep knowledge of all things Japanese. I started having private lessons once a week with a teacher who is indisputably a very lovely lady, but is, well, very Japanese. Our baby steps in my language learning journey were all in hiragana and katakana, with the odd kanji thrown in for good
by Laura Coakley
measure. I thought mastering the forty-‐six basic symbols you need for hiragana (before adding “and ° and even combinations) and then doubling that to include katakana was quite the achievement. I can read and write them (simple things!) but in doing so, I make snails look fast. So, you can see the source of our problems. Believe me, in a country where the fewest people I’ve ever met speak English, I definitely see the benefits of getting to grips with the lingo. But, if I’m caught uttering a Japanese word at school I’m chastised; a teacher once said, ‘you just sound weird when you speak Japanese.’ High praise indeed and quite the confidence boost I needed. Not to mention my social life consists of English speakers, Japanese and gaijins, so getting in touch with the lingo isn't the easiest of feats. I think the key to success is to laugh at yourself. I try saying English words the Japanese way (you know what I mean!) or with gestures, or even
making noises – when I first arrived I found myself in my Board of Education imitating the squeaking noise of a cockroach!? Paramount is learning how to say things in a roundabout way, using what you do know, to explain that one word you don’t. I thought trying to tell a male colleague that his wife looked very beautiful in the photo he was showing me, and accidentally saying ‘I hate her’ was a pretty big error. But, I’ve heard worse. One friend knew that kawaii means ‘cute’, so thought that kawaii so simply meant ‘so cute’. She got a funny look when she said it about a teacher’s new baby, and it took that experience to teach her that it actually means ‘what a pity’. Another (and this is a winner for me!) friend told her school that at the weekend she’d been on a gokon, a ‘group date’, with her
friends. Puzzled as to why she got some frowns, it turns out she meant to say gokon but actually said goukan which means rape. Alas! Never fear, it happens to everyone. I told a Japanese friend that I will never be a fan of dried squid, and she asked me if I meant I’d seen Japanese people fanning themselves with dried squid. Excellent. So, for any newbies who, like me, entertained the prospect of being fluent in Japanese by now, I hope this makes you feel a bit better. And for the Japanese speakers amongst us, please remember your humble beginnings and know that we really are trying. Also note that saying our Japanese is jouzu – although a blatant lie – is actually just the encouragement we need.
The Small Secret to Big Change By Caitlin Eberhardht “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be only afraid of standing still.” --Chinese Proverb
This time last year, my New Year’s resolution was long forgotten. Maybe yours was too—maybe this year's already is as well. But, fear not! There is still a chance; there is still time to make some real changes in the upcoming year. Since coming to Japan, I’ve increased not only the amount of change that I can take on, but more importantly, the amount of change that I can sustain. With two little words, I’ve deepened my spiritual practice, begun running (even though
I’ve always hated it), dropped caffeine, and even started writing a little bit. All of this has happened because of one trick, one mantra, that I believe is the key to sustaining long term success. In fact, this mantra has even made change (dare I say it?) fun. So, what are the secret words? Here they are: Small victories. What? Let me explain.
Start as small as you can, and do that small thing every day; then praise yourself for your accomplishment. Chances are you are pretty unimpressed. “That’s it?” you are probably thinking. But please, hear me out. Why is it, at this time of year, many of us have given up the hope of incorporating a real change in our lives, even when we know we would feel better if we just saw it through? I myself have had resolutions that haven’t even lasted an hour. How can I be so weak? I would ask myself. Well, perhaps there is something fundamentally wrong with the idea of a big “resolution”. Perhaps there are a lot of reasons why people can’t change instantaneously. Our lives are built around routines, and our bodies get used to these routines; our minds begin to think that the routine is the right way to live, because that is how it has always been done. So, when we try to change our routines in a major way, our minds and bodies throw out all the stops to avoid changing. We think that we are losing something valuable, because our minds and our bodies feel disoriented and a sense of loss. So what’s the answer? Start small. 1. Small is an Easy Beginning: Big changes are daunting, but taking a minute a day to learn a new kanji, or do one set of push-‐ups isn’t that difficult, is it? 2. Small Means Less Pressure: Becoming a vegetarian overnight is probably going to be really difficult. Don’t give up your steak cold turkey if it means your friends and co-‐workers
are going to start looking like juicy filet mignons dancing in front of you. You’ll never last long that way. Eat half of your steak each night, or try just every other night. 3. Small Will Turn into Big: After you’ve begun your small habit, you’ll see that it is much easier to expand from where you are than from the dreaded starting line. If you’ve exercised for five minutes a day, it will be easy, after a while, to find another five minutes. You probably won’t even notice the time passing. Each of us wants to improve and become better in some way; whether our hope is to run a marathon, speak Japanese, or write a novel. But, marathon training happens when we put on the running shoes; Japanese comes one word at a time; and a book is made from a compilation of many individual pages. Focusing on the entire project, the entire goal, can be overwhelming and make you throw your hands up in despair; but remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your life doesn’t deserve that kind of pressure either. Change is not something to be achieved and then forgotten. It is a process, a journey, and one that will never end at that. Be kind to yourself, as you would be to a friend, a family member or a student; set small, accomplishable, and sustainable standards. If everyone around you deserves kindness, then that includes you yourself, too. Start small. Be consistent. Praise yourself for your successes. Small victories!
Can I Borrow Your 本 ！ ？
by Laura Coakley
If you love books you’ll know the feeling when you find that really special one. One you can’t put down, the kind that moves you to the extent that years later you would de-‐friend someone on Facebook if they said they didn’t like it. Well, I need to do a spring clean of Facebook friends, so here’s mine: A Fine Balance, by Rohinton Mistry. Set in India, this book follows the journey of four people living their lives in the late 70s and early 80s. It exposes the caste divides and unimaginable circumstances in which people were forced to live. At times funny, at times depressingly sad, the emotions are so simple and honest that it’s impossible to stop reading. It is the very worst of India, and at the same time what compels our interest. I’m open to the possibility that being in India whilst reading this made me appreciate it more. Or that I can be sentimental at times and this pulls on the old heart strings. But, if you don’t appreciate this book, I can’t see any way for us to stay friends; I simply don’t understand you. •
If you liked this, you’ll like Shantaram by Gregory Roberts. Much more upbeat and at times silly, it provides heart-‐warming stories of one man’s adventures in India. You’ll never think of a bear hug in the same way again!
Niigata Cuisine Eat This! At the Spicy Market By Jonathan Robinson
Spicy Market – one glance at the name of this restaurant and you know exactly what’s on offer. Bringing the heat, and more, in a very satisfying recreation of Thai cuisine, here’s a breakdown of why I adore and highly recommend these hidden gems, scattered around Niigata city. First and most importantly, the food! Enjoying a night out at Spicy is so easy to do because the menu is excellent. But let’s not forget we are in Japan, so don’t presume that the menu is going to be a perfect sampling of Thai cuisine. Saying that, the options are diverse, and Spicy presents choices that are well in your comfort zone, while also allowing you go a bit bold as well. You can order á la carte; have an entire course of your choosing; or just let the house decide. Most selections include dishes with loads of veggies,
seafood, pork, and chicken; along with combinations of meats, soups and noodles, including a fantastic Pad Thai. The desserts are elegant, simple, and delicious. (My favorite is the crispy cream cheese pie served with a scoop of ice cream!) But, I would urge you to explore all the scrumptious dessert creations Spicy has to offer. They also feature a wide range of alcoholic beverages to complement your meal – which may come in handy depending on how spicy you like your Thai food!
In terms of dish sizes, they are big
unusual in Japan – I can’t deny that I
enough to fill
specially
the average
appreciate it when
foreigner, but
I eat out.
not so large as
to feel
There are four
overwhelmed.
Spicy Market
In my opinion,
restaurants to
they are just the right size to enjoy
choose from; the easiest for most to
your meal without forgetting your
reach is conveniently located near the
conversation.
south entrance of Niigata Station, with
the others interspersed throughout
Once the menu is set, my other main
the city. All locations give you the
concerns lie in the location and
same awesome menu, but the
atmosphere. Staff, lighting, music –
atmosphere differs slightly between
these are important components I
them. The two locations I frequent
consider when it comes to choosing a
share a similar aesthetic, almost like a
place to wine
relaxed
and dine. So,
hookah bar,
how does
but not.
Spicy Market
Comfortably
rate?
warm with
calm lighting
Well, first off,
to math, Spicy
the service is
Market offers
great! The
a relaxed
staff try their best to accommodate
atmosphere with a mix of groovy
you and make you feel relaxed so you
ethnic music on play in the
can enjoy your meal. Also, Spicy uses
background. However, they do differ
the push-‐button system – and
in size and floor plan, and as a result,
although I know this is not exactly
the seating arrangements vary widely. (Think booths vs. Japanese old-‐style
tables with cloth-‐separating barriers.)
eight course meals, plus an hour-‐and-‐
I’m a big fan of space, so I tend to stick
a-‐half to two hours nomihodai (and
to the main locations, which
relatively cheap one-‐hour extensions if
consequently
you’d like to
have more,
continue drinking)
though any of
are available. There
their restaurants
are also different
are an ideal venue
specials for each day
for having a great
of the week, along
night out with
with many discounts
friends.
– just call one day in
advance to take
So, how much for
advantage of these
this perfect night
great offers.
out? I hear you
ask. Well, Spicy isn’t the cheapest
At the end of the day, this restaurant
restaurant, but it certainly won’t break
simply makes it easy for you to get out
the bank either. If you’re looking to
and live a little – on your terms. With
stay close to a budget of ¥2000, a
a great ambience, a helpful and
drink or two and a few dishes from the
friendly staff and a menu to die for,
á la carte menu is the way to go. If
it’s the perfect place to spend some of
you’re willing to spend a bit more,
your (well-‐earned!) cash. Go on, check
then things can get pretty interesting.
it out!
In the ¥2500 to ¥5000 range, Spicy offers quite a few deals: five, six and
SPICY MARKET Niigata Station South Entrance Chuo-‐ku Tenjin 2-‐137-‐150 Hours: 18:00-‐01:00 (enter by 22:00) Tel. 025-‐245-‐2636
The Hungry Binbō
By Shaun Smith
Quick, cheap and delicious – this month the Hungry Binbō teaches you how to spice up your dinner time with Mabo Tofu! My favorite semi-‐quick meal has got to be Mabo Tofu – where processed goo meets fresh produce. Wherever your supermarket stocks curry, you'll find Mabo’s aluminum pouches of savory goodness, ranging from orange to black, denoting its spice level. It’s simple: dunk the pouch into a pot of boiling water for five minutes and hey presto! dinner is served. If your Japanese isn't up to snuff, the illustrations will take your hand and
walk you straight through the process. But, sometimes the directions are less intuitive and will leave you scratching your head, so be mindful that some of these ostensibly instant meals require a bit of preparation. Preparation? Egad! All you need is one Mabo package and a carton of tofu. (However I do recommend throwing in a couple of bonus ingredients to kick up the nutrition factor!) So, let`s get started!
Ingredients: •
Mabo Tofu mix: sauce and cornstarch pack
•
firm tofu (もめん), 350-‐400g cubed
•
water, 80g
•
oil for cooking
Optional Ingredients: -‐2 handfuls of maitake mushrooms, chopped -‐3 small green peppers, thinly sliced
-‐3 small eggplants, sliced or chunked
-‐1 medium onion, thinly sliced
-‐1 stalk green onion, chopped
Method: 1) Add oil to heated pan and lightly fry vegetables. Set aside. 2) Add water and sauce pack to pan on medium heat, cook until oil rises to surface, then add tofu and cook for three to five minutes. 4) While cooking, prepare corn starch by combining powder package with one tbsp of water in small bowl, stir. 5) Turn off heat and immediately drizzle corn starch over contents, stir in. Turn heat back on, add vegetables, and cook for an additional two minutes. 6) Serve over rice and top with green onion.
Only in Japan By Carol Pinnock
かわいい! (Kawaii) The most ubiquitous exclamation in Japan; you hear it everywhere, every day, for everything! But, how is that? Japan is such a serious place; you wouldn’t expect this to be one of their most overused words. There is an image of Japan that many people – including me – hold. The general concept being: a strict, unchanging and bureaucratic kind of society; and for the most part, we are not far from the truth. Try getting a straight answer to a simple question; or a paper signed that doesn’t have to go through five people first, and you will soon see what I mean. The Japanese are all about tradition: following the rules and going through the proper channels; and they are way more concerned with efficiency rather than pleasantry. But, Japan has a way of surprising us. In the nearly-‐ three-‐years that I have lived here, I have come to realise something: this is a country of pure contradiction. Right alongside this businesslike manner – that they are so notorious for – is a healthy injection of the flippant. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that, like all humans, the Japanese people are just as multi-‐faceted and multi-‐ dimensional as the rest of us – even though it sometimes can be hard to tell. (Thousands of years of tradition have a way of doing that!) In any case, for all the austerity and seriousness of Japanese society, I have never seen a place for which the frivolous (bordering on ridiculous at times) holds so much meaning. Even for people with little or no cultural knowledge of Japan, かわいい is not a strange word. The kawaii factor dominates; so many things that have absolutely no need being cute end up being ‘cute-‐y-‐fied’. So here is my question: how is it that a country so strict and serious simultaneously be so darned cute? I have seen ‘kawaii’ in so many odd places I can’t even begin to count. But the one thing that made me really understand how important ‘cute’ is to this country is: TRAFFIC CONES. I know right! Who makes cute traffic cones? It just seems so bizarre. But seriously, don’t you just love those little things? They are so super cute. There are all kinds of animals: monkeys, frogs, giraffes; even sea creatures are represented. The last day I spotted a dolphin. Did you notice they are all smiling and happy, and some of them even speak English? It’s quite amazing when you think about it. Being stuck in traffic or having your daily commute interrupted by road works can be really annoying.
But these amazing cones provide such a distraction, you barely have time to notice you aren’t moving; it’s a stroke of genius! I don’t always know what to make of the things I see and experience here, but I have come to one conclusion: when it relates to traffic ones, I really like ‘cute’. If I were back-‐home, I think the level of cuteness would, at best, be cloying, and more than likely, drive me nuts. But you know what? I think it’s needed here. Imagine this: it’s past eight in the evening, you’ve just left the office and you’re driving in God-‐awful snow conditions with the traffic moving at an inch-‐an-‐hour, when suddenly you look over and see one of these little guys. It could have the ability to totally make your day! So next time you see road works up ahead, or you’re stuck behind the wheel in a blizzard, prepare to be dazzled; and hope there’s another ridiculously cute animal traffic cone to add to your ‘kawaii in Japan’ collection.
NIIGATA STYLE FILE
Name
by Louise Hollywood
From the rice-‐fields of rural Joetsu to the bustling metropolis of Niigata city, we give you an exclusive insight into the fashion habits, advice and blunders of Niigata prefecture’s most stylish residents.
WEARING Wearing: (Calm outfit)
Peter Carter
Scarf: Rational Joff in Seoul
Age
Pants: Kevin Spanky Long X RVCA in Canada
25
Background Born and raised in Canada’s inaka – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (Although I try and keep that a secret.) I studied Japanese language and literature at the University of Alberta in Canada and went on year exchanges to both Meiji University in Tokyo and Yonsei University in Seoul.
Jacket: Firetrap in Canada Shoes: Simple life in Shinjuku Wearing: (Bright outfit) Hat: Random store in Kobe Glasses: Street vendor in Thailand Hoodie: Hyundai Department store in Seoul Pants: Uniqlo Shoes: Nike Free
Occupation
Bag: Kidrobot
Coordinator of International Relations in Sanjo.
How much do you spend on clothing or accessories per month? Now that I live in the inaka? Practically nothing! When I go to Tokyo, I’ll easily drop 40,000 yen in a day.
Favorite Clothing Shop Kidrobot
Favorite Label I don’t think I have one…
Favorite Item of Clothing My collection of colourful lenseless glasses.
3 things you couldn’t live without
1. My fiancé 2. Electronic dance music 3. My DJ gear
Worst Fashion Blunder Pretty much everything I wore before university – which includes parachute pants!
Fashion Icon Nobody famous really, but I do appreciate people who find their own style and don’t just wear what everybody else does to fit in
Best Bargain One of my favourite places in Tokyo is the area called Shimokitazawa. It has tonnes of used clothing stores where every item in the store is 300 yen. You can find some really awesome stvintage stuff there. For new clothes – Uniqlo, hands down.
Gaijin Desu ne? Fundamental Fashion with Laura Coakley Want to fit in more but not sure how? You need to take it to the grass roots; get deep down and dirty in the soil of Japan, so that your bud that’s been buried under snow this winter can flower into the true beauty of spring. Guys, you need to grab yourselves a pair of black boots. Tuck your normal sized jeans into them (no skinnies like us Brits like) and get a comfy but fitted jumper – the sort that most girls wish their boyfriends owned. To complete the look, you need a man/hand bag. The key to the bag seems to be getting one small and feminine enough that a girl may mistake it for hers, but I recommend maintaining a manly edge to your style and opening the discussion doors for admiring girls to debate if it’s a handbag or a manbag (and decide, with relief, that it’s a manbag, but it got their interest!). Ladies, it’s time to get frilly! Yep, to borrow a Japanese girl’s favourite word – it’s time to kawaii-‐up your wardrobe, kawaiify, if you will. Live on the dangerous side of life by shortening those skirts and adding a touch of pneumonia to your inner fashionista. For those who don’t want to pair their cutesy lace-‐up heels with frilly ankle socks just yet, strut your warmer stuff in something thigh high. Pair your shorts that look like a skirt (or is it a skirt? Nope, it must be shorts. No one really knows…) with a pretty blouse, and crop a fringe into your luscious locks. These are just the basics; the ingredients you need. Combine or discard them as you wish to create your own recipe for fashion success!
Tech Corner
By Steven Gore
This month our tech-‐expert delves into the growing online epidemic caused by PIPA and SOPA, discussing its origins, potential problems and threats to future ALTs if these legislations were to be enforced. Do you know anyone who compulsively opens ten tabs in three different web browsers, claiming to use them all simultaneously in a parallel surfing session? I’m one of those people. I actively use the Internet as an extension of my knowledge base, frequenting tutorials,
the implications are much more severe.
how-‐to’s, DIY websites, articles, info
But hang on a minute, didn’t this all
graphics and any other source of
start long before the Internet even
information I find to my liking (after
existed, when people were still making
rooting through the trash, of course).
mix cassette tapes and recording their
Right now, there are more people on
favorite shows onto VHS? The answer is
Facebook than there were people on
yes, it was. By and large, people have
the planet two hundred years ago; we
used the technologies that have come
are constantly connected, where for
into existence over the years to opt out
most of us, not a day goes by that we
of spending money on copyrighted
don’t use the Internet to communicate,
material (the music industry felt that
share and collaborate as an online
one); and although for the most part, it
community.
was without ill intent, some used it very irresponsibly.
However, recent legislation has come
forth in the United States Congress that
This spurred the media industry to
threatens to limit this power. Though at
sponsor several bills that combat
first glance the bills fight online piracy,
copyright infringement and, at the same
time, severely limit our ability to
shared with your English classes some
express ourselves freely on the Internet.
of these online sources: popular music;
While Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and
excerpts from videos starring famous
Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA)
actors; pictures of characters from
are the latest iterations of these acts,
animated shows; educational resources
they were preceded by the Combating
about our home countries. According to
Online Infringements and Counterfeits
the U.S Congress, these would be in
Act (COICA), the Inducing Infringement
violation of the proposed legislation. If
of Copyrights Act, the Protecting
disasters like SOPA and PIPA come into
Intellectual Rights Against Theft and
effect, web portals such as Wikipedia,
Exploitations (PIRATE) Act, the Digital
Google, countless blogs and other
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and
websites – that all embrace the sharing,
the grandfather of them all, the Home
remixing, remaking and entire creative
Audio Recording Act. It is beyond the
culture of the Internet – face
scope of this article to discuss each of
governmental and corporate orders to
these in detail, but, suffice to say, the
close down for merely linking (even
media industry has been at this for a
unknowingly) to resources with
while. Many warn these are just the
copyrighted material. Fortunately, as
beginning and more dangerous
SOPA and PIPA were recently delayed
methods of Internet governance loom in
by public outcry, we can rest assured
the background.
knowing the power still rests in the
As teachers and cultural ambassadors
hands of the people – at least for now.
trying to engage Japanese students, this
Regardless of nationality, the Internet
issue is very relevant to our interests.
belongs to us all; no one could have
Our highest purpose while on the JET
imagined the scale to which this single,
Program is to reach our students on a
universally accessible knowledge base
personal level and cultivate their
could grow to the global power it is
international awareness. Without an
today. We need to continue to do our
immense resource such as the Internet,
part to keep it free; our jobs depend on
our jobs would become exponentially
it.
harder. Think of all the times you’ve
Niigata Anime and Manga Festival 2012
by Martin Sedaghat
What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Niigata? Koshi hikari rice? Sake? Snow? How about manga and anime? You might be surprised to know that Niigata prefecture has a long and famous history when it comes to the comic books and animation that has made Japanese popular culture a smash-‐hit in countries around the world. Niigata has produced many well-‐known mangaka such as Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of such world-‐famous series as “Inuyasha” and “Urusei Yatsura”, and Takeshi Obata, creator of the “Death Note” series. If you take a walk down Furumachi-‐dori, you may notice some life-‐size statues of cartoonish baseball players. These are the characters of Dokaben, a manga series about a baseball team from Niigata’s own Meikun High School, by Shinji Mizushima. Most fans of manga and anime would point to Tokyo’s Akihabara district as the mecca of these artistic mediums; but, Niigata City officials are working hard to promote Niigata’s capital as the “Manga City” of Japan. In 2010, the Niigata City government launched a panel to explore the use of manga and anime to revitalize local communities and attract tourism. One of the major projects that this has led to is the Niigata Anime and Manga Festival, which took place this year on February 26 and 27. The festival events were held in halls, galleries and on the streets of Niigata’s Bandai, Furumachi, and Hakusan areas.
This year’s shows and events included screenings of new and upcoming anime, live interviews with famous seiyuu, a showcase from the 14th annual Niigata amateur manga competition and three areas dedicated to cosplay. Cosplay is an especially popular part of comic book events in Japan, as it gives people a chance to show off their skill and creativity in creating elaborate costumes; as well as this, it allows followers to become, for a short time, their favorite manga, anime, or video game characters. Unlike western comic books and animated films – which have traditionally been marketed to younger children and teenagers –Japanese manga and anime really does have something for everyone. There are stories for every age group and interest: from comedy and romance to horror and history. Reading manga and watching anime is a great way to learn and practice Japanese, so ask your students (and fellow teachers) for some recommendations and get started!
Glossary Anime – Animated films or television shows. Comiket – The world’s largest comic book convention, held semi-‐annually in Tokyo. Cosplay – Wearing costumes and accessories to look like characters from popular manga, anime, or video games. Dojinshi – Manga produced by amateurs, often using popular characters in original stories. Many people attend comic book conventions like Comiket to buy and sell dojinshi. Gataket – Niigata’s own comic book convention, held several times a year. Itasha – Cars that have been decorated with paintings and stickers of manga and anime characters. Manga – Comic books, traditionally black and white. Mangaka – A creator of manga. A mangaka is often both writer and illustrator of their work. Otaku – A word used to describe a person who is very interested in a particular hobby (sometimes obsessively). This word can have positive or negative connotations, depending on the listener. Seiyuu – A voice act who provides the voices for characters in anime and video games.
HOROSCOPES by Jonathan Robinson Master of the Universe and Clairvoyant Supreme of Apartment 3B.
Aries So, pancake futures turned out to be a bust. But according to the position of the Pluto in Apus, you shouldn’t have listened to me that one time. My bad!
Taurus Duck!!!
Cancer It was inevitable: you were always destined to find love to complete yourself and become whole. I just don’t think it was meant to be with a dirty mop. Cut back on the beer, eh?
Sagittarius The jig is up. We know you’re really from the future – Facebook Timeline said so! So, what is it? Terminator rules or Time Cop drools?
Gemini Can you feel it? The chill of the air! The silence of the night! Can you hear the shuffling and the moaning? No? You don’t smell that? It’s vile! N – n – natto? “No, I don’t think so – “ Ok, then you just stay there! The sun in Cancer illuminates a bright future for you, and inspires a brilliant creativity which will undoubtedly manifest itself – what? No I’m not moving away from you and the zombies. No! “Huh, who said zombies?” Ha, ha, ha – bye bye!
Libra A Knicks fan, I see. Yes, you ARE! Don’t deny it, I’m psychic, man! Linsanity can’t last forever. Or can it? Nope! It can’t. Except it will. But it didn’t. But it DOES! OK, OK, OK, keep it together. Lin and the Knicks 27-‐14 over Lebron and the Heat 2013 Super Cup champions! (Get to your local bookie – immediately!)
Leo Your adversity, intuition, and unrelenting drive have finally paid off. You may pass Go AND collect 200 dollars. But I foresee you landing on Baltic Avenue. With four hotels that’ll be 60 big ones.
Virgo Tom called. He says you’ve been spending too much time with Mark, feeding the birds; he barely knows you anymore. He and Justin want to play. Save a life. Check a MySpace.
Aquarius Remember that little kid’s snowman you knocked down that one time? He does. And this time, it’s personal!
Capricorn Perhaps it’s intuition, or mysticism, or maybe even your feng shui… Nah, it’s probably those cameras over there. Stop throwing ducks!
Scorpio ‘The Giri Choco King’ has taken a liking to you. Invitations to the Candy Castle and sweet offers of chocolate lazy river floats await you, but don’t be fooled – it’s just business. He’ll be expecting sugar-‐plus interest on White Day.
Pisces You’ll find great success on your current path. “What? Plagiary?” No silly! I don’t even know what a fortune cookie is.