VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1
SUMMER 2020 FREE!/無料
nagazasshi 2020 has been an unprecedented year: We’ve seen the massive support garnered for social equality, the pandemic, the abnormally large and frequent storms and fires that are occurring all around the world. In the midst of the global chaos, the Nagazasshi is choosing to turn towards one of the things that helps us make it through: art. Art gives us hope, it keeps us angry, it gives us small solutions to big problems. The art featured in this issue is from artists from around the world. The poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art featured here are testaments to everyday magic: the music of the koto, the beauty of pottery, and the more elusive enchantment of ever-present growth. This issue also features an article about how to get your hands on Englishlanguage books here in Japan, and an article to introduce you to the art of taiko, traditional Japanese drums. I sincerely hope that this special issue of the Nagazasshi motivates you to turn towards more art beyond the pages of this magazine, or even to immerse yourself in making your own works of art. I am proud to present this to you as the first issue of the Nagazasshi that bears my name as editor-in-chief, but this issue belongs to the artists. Thank you to the contributors for sharing a piece of their lives with the magazine, and thank you to all the readers for opening your hearts to them.
Clara Altfeld Editor-in-chief
CONTENTS
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2
FALL 2020
4 BLACK LIVES MATTER #FUKUOKA A photo essay
6 IN THE MEDIA: NAGASAKI
The prefecture in games, manga, and anime!
8 LOOKING FOR BOOKS?
Finding English-language books in Nagasaki
10 LEARNING ENGLISH IS MY LIFE'S WORK A personal essay
11 THE DRAGON OF THE HARP 12 UNTITLED 14 CASA 15 DILANG ANGHEL 16 THE HISTORY OF TAIKO:JAPAN AND ABROAD Overview of the famous Japanese drums
18 NIHONGO ON THE GO
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Clara Altfeld PRODUCTION MANAGER: J.S. EDITORS: Abbie Philpott, Kane Pride COPY EDITOR: Deidre Foley, Ronnie Triminio DESIGNER: Charlotte Gautier SOCIAL MEDIA: J.S., Clara Altfeld CONTRIBUTORS: Deidre Foley, Scott Andrada, Deanna Timmons, Kaori Tetsuyama, Mamta Sachan Kumar, Victoria Leque, Ronnie Triminio, Vien Valencia, Will Morgan, Dan Cohen FOUNDERS: Andrew Morris, Matthew Nelson
COVER ILLUSTRATION: Charlotte Gautier INSIDE-COVER PHOTO: Charlotte Gautier
@nagazasshi
BLACK LIVES MATTER #FUKUOKA
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CAPTIONS 1 Supporters walk the streets of Fukuoka as part of the Black Lives Matter Fukuoka Peaceful March. (Photo: J.S.) 2 Three kimono-clad women gather in Tenjin Chuo Park in Fukuoka. (Photo: Scott Andrada) 3 Marchers and onlookers hold up signs in support of BLM Fukuoka. (Photo: Scott Andra)
4 A display at Tenjin Chuo Park shows bilingual English-Japanese information about Black lives lost to police brutality. Pictured here are George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. (Photo: J.S.) 5 Attendees display Japanese signs for BLM. Left: “No justice, no peace.” Right: “Racism is born from ignorance.”(Photo: J.S.) 6 Two marchers kneel with their signs. The center one reads “Say Their Names” and lists name of Black victims of police violence. (Photo: J.S.)
The Black Lives Matter movement, active since 2013, was reignited in late May after the killing of George Floyd in the U.S. This sparked protests and demonstrations all around the world. Closest to home was the BLM Peaceful March in Fukuoka’s Tenjin Chuo Park on June 21st. Bako Nguasong and Athena Lisane organized the event to raise awareness of BLM and to show solidarity with the struggles of Black Americans. They began with speeches in English and Japanese about the history and importance of BLM, and gave safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. Attendees then marched, holding handmade signs and chanting phrases such as “Black Lives Matter” and “Say Their Names.” After the march, organizers wrapped up the event and opened the floor for people to share their experiences. ESSAY: Deidre Foley
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PHOTOS: J.S., Scott Andrada
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The joy of seeing your town in the media is something that should be afforded to everyone, but living in Nagasaki means that many movies focus on World War II. While these historical movies are educational, sometimes you just want some fictional and fun entertainment that happens to occur in your area. But where can you find such a thing? Fear not! We’ve rounded up six anime, manga, and video games that feature spots from around the prefecture. TEXT: Deidre Foley + Charlotte Gautier
This smash-hit for the PS4 is based on the real Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century. The player takes on the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai tasked with protecting Tsushima from the invading forces. The American studio Sucker Punch Productions worked closely with Sony Japan to create a believable experience; taking research trips, consulting with local artisans and historians, and attending the traditional Komodahama Shrine Festival, which commemorates the anniversary of the attacks. The attention to detail, along with stunning graphics and smooth gameplay, make this highly anticipated release a must for those wanting to experience a Tsushima as it once was... though the IRL samurais likely didn't get the insta-photo feature in their version of the battle!
A young professional calligrapher, Seishu Handa, is banished to Goto as punishment for punching a renowned critic. But can life on Goto’s Fukue Island, with its friendly locals and beautiful beaches, really be a punishment? Although it’s a big adjustment for a city boy like Handa, his neighbor Naru and other local kids help teach him the charms of inaka life. The series creator Satsuki Yoshino pays homage to her hometown of Goto with this series — even the title barakamon means “energetic/cheerful one” in the local dialect!
Written by Sasebo native Yuki Kodama, this award-winning manga is a love letter to the unique culture of the city. Introverted highschooler Kaoru Nishimi moves to Sasebo in the summer of 1966, where he meets Sentarou Kawabuchi; a half-American half-Japanese delinquent who introduces him to the world of Jazz. With an anime adaptation directed by Cowboy Bebop's Shinichiro Watanabe and background locations lifted directly from Sasebo Kita High School and Kujukushima, you're sure to find something to enjoy in this musical masterpiece.
Better known by its Japanese name 青の花 器の 森 (Ao no Hana, Utsuwa no Mori), this is another manga series from Yuki Kodama. This story about ceramics and love is set in Hasami’s historic and hilly pottery district, Nakaoyama. Enter Aoko, a young woman who works as a ceramics painter in her beloved hometown. Her peaceful life is shaken up by Tatsuki, a new ceramicist at her company who has no interest in painting his beautiful pottery. The manga shows the inner workings of a ceramics company as well as scenery from around Hasami. The Blue Flowers and the Ceramic Forest is serialized in 月刊flowers (Monthly Flowers) and currently has five published volumes, but is only available in Japanese.
Although its original release was delayed due to COVID-19, this short anime series is now airing on TV and on YouTube (with English subtitles). The Giant Gods and the Ice Flower Castle (Kyoshin to Hyouka) was created by Nagasaki Culture Telecasting in order to promote Minami-Shimabara, featuring spots such as Kouka High School, Harajo Ruins, and the Hayasaki fishing spot. In the forefront are childhood friends Shirou, Tokiya, and Akane, who stumble upon a mystical little creature called Goron. Soon after their encounter, a number of supernatural incidents occur around the city. With elements of mystery, the supernatural, and drama, this 4-episode series will not only entertain you, but grow your appreciation for the historic Minami-Shimabara.
I was an avid reader growing up, so you could always find me with a book. However, as the years passed, the amount of time I set aside for reading decreased. Being forced to read for school — mostly books that didn’t pique my interest — deterred my love of books. It wasn’t until this past December when I decided to give books another shot! This seemed easy at first: head down to a bookstore and buy a book that seems interesting, right? But aside from big chain bookstores like Barnes & Nobles in the U.S., I had no clue where I could get my hands on English books. That is when I decided to do some digging into niche book communities on social media. There were many articles, “booktubers” (YouTube creators with book-focused content), and book bloggers who provided many helpful resources for finding books. I’ll share what I’ve learned here, starting with books in Nagasaki!
Bookstores in Nagasaki that have English books are indeed rare but not non-existent! The Tsutaya near Sasebo Station has a decent collection of English books, including newer releases and many translated Japanese books. If you’re up for the challenge, you can also check secondhand shops like Book Off and Hondarake that have many locations throughout Nagasaki. You should keep your expectations low, though, because you’re unlikely find to new releases or obscure English books at these secondhand shops.
If you want to hold a book in your hands and flip the pages, physical copies can be found on these websites: Infinity Books Japan is a bookstore located in Tokyo that sells used English books in-store and online for cheap. You can find many rare and interesting used books here and they also ship to anywhere in Japan with reasonable shipping fees. Book Depository is an online-only bookstore that I frequently use. They have a large variety of older published books as well as new releases. The price for books is usually in the same range you would see in-store but can depend on whether you order a paperback, hardcover, or a new release. The website often has sales, so you can find many discounted books if you time your purchases right! These books ship from the UK and always have free shipping! Better World Books is an online bookstore that sells used and new books that ship from the U.S. for free. The book condition is noted as new, like new, very good, good, and acceptable, so you know what to expect when buying. You can find many cheap options if you don’t mind secondhand books. AbeBooks is another online bookstore that sells used and new books from the U.S. The book’s condition is also noted, however shipping to Japan is not free.
TEXT: Deanna Timmons
Nagasaki’s libraries are beginning to widen their collection of English books as well as books in other foreign languages like Spanish, French, and German. Mirai On Library is in Omura City, about a 5-minute walk from Omura Station, making it very accessible. This library was built just last year and has a continuously growing English book section! There, you can find fantasy, thrillers, business, travel, historical, and other genres of books. The library also has a restaurant, Café Miraino, making it a nice place to read and eat a delicious meal. Takeo City Library is just on the border of Nagasaki and Saga, about a 15-minute walk from Takeo-Onsen Station. This library is one of the most famous in Japan but it has only a small English book section. On the other hand, it has a Starbucks inside, making it a nice place to read and relax. Libby and OverDrive are both free digital library apps available in most western countries. You can gain access by connecting your hometown library card to the app. Once you’re logged in, you can browse all the e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines your library has to offer. If you don’t have a library card, you can email the library closest to your hometown address and they can create a library card for you. The apps work similarly to an actual library, meaning that you can borrow books if they are available. However, if they are already “checked out,” then you must wait. The waiting period can vary between 1 to 20 weeks depending on how many people have the book on hold. This is a good option for free e-books and audiobooks!
If you are not keen on having your apartment filled with piles of books, check out these e-books, audiobooks, and online subscription services! Kindle Books are a good option when you want to own a wide variety of reading materials in the palm of your hand. Books often go on sale for $1.99 (~210円) to even $0.99 (~105円), making it a great option to save money! Audible is an audiobook service priced at $22.95 (~2400円) a month, with other membership plans available as well. Each month you can choose one “premium” audiobook and have access to a variety of free audiobooks and discounts throughout the year. Scribd is an online e-book and audiobook subscription service for $8.99 (~950円) a month. With the subscription you have an almost unlimited choice of reading materials. Scribd has an exceptionally large selection of new and old book releases as well as magazines, podcasts, documents, and even sheet music! If you are an avid reader this option might be best for you! I hope this article gives you helpful information on where to find books so that even with social distancing in effect, you can have fun experiences and adventures through the pages of a book!
Learning English is my life’s work When I was a junior high school student, I really loved western movies and music. At that time, I thought it would be pretty cool if I were able to speak English. But, I didn't have a chance to talk with people from other countries, so I couldn’t practice English much. One day, an ALT started working at the high school I graduated from. He was from Canada and the first ALT at that school. Then, he came to our English conversation club as a teacher. It was about 30 years ago! Sometimes, other ALTs came to our club, too. Native English pronunciation was very difficult for me to understand, but I didn't want to miss the chance to speak to native speakers. I wanted to be friends with them. So, I started to learn English seriously because I needed it to communicate. I watched American movies and dramas. My favorite TV dramas were The Blacklist, The Mentalist, and Cold Case. Watching with English subtitles was more useful than watching with Japanese subtitles because I could practice listening and reading at the same time. At first, I couldn't understand them at all, but I watched them over and over again. Eventually, I became familiar with many English words, including uncommon words used in the shows, like criminal terms. Day by day, year by year, my English skills have improved slowly, and I can now talk with native speakers. There are still many words I don’t know, so I will continue to enjoy learning English. TEXT: Kaori Tetsuyama
お琴の竜 “The Dragon of the Harp”
TEXT: Victoria Leque
My scales thrum under her strokes: her hands, the pleasant warmth, shudder like a long forgotten touch. Frozen in wood, by choice, we make music. I serenade her with a song for two lovers of music. She is my partner of music, so I flick my notes between cheerful chirps and sympathizing growls. In these moments, unforgotten and attended, I purr at each plucking finger. Weight sat in heavy stature, my muscles ache to move; to dance to the tune we make together. A harmony of hearts and ears. The hour passes her fingers soothe my back and stroke my head before she lays me in my blanket. I nuzzle the dark corners, appreciative of its foam. I purr, welcoming the softness and freedom of termites and dirt, but it's too low a note for her to hear. Our communication, restricted to song. You see, I gave up my freedom long ago to enjoy the peace of quiet solitude. Like a few others of my kind, I chose this life because I wanted nothing more than to lay back and observe another culture. I once thought they were lesser, but still these humans fascinate me. Now… I understand mortals have complexities (maybe more than necessary) that bring a freshness to my life. But humans live such short lives and their wisdom accumulates slowly: even at 87-years-old, my musician is probably the wisest and kindest of all humans; but I can acknowledge how easy other dragons can mistake this as they compare; believing themselves wiser than mortals. Does it make it right?, I wonder. Cring! calls the metallic noise from downstairs that usually signals visiting voices. The blanket still unrolled, she pats my shoulder before her warmth vanishes. Breezes ruffle my back scales. Rigid, I endure. Soon she will return and clothe me in my favorite cover. For now, the voices chatter downstairs, but the moonrise's darkness matches the heaviness of my eyelids. Rin-rin, rin-rin catches on the breeze. What's that noise? I wake to the chatter of something... comforting... forgotten... bittersweet as a simple ballad now nostalgic. My head snaps into the air, turning to the sound. My neck cracks, the stiff muscles stretching. Crickets in chorus: they sing a song, but the urgency to locate a mate is odd. Did they always sing so stressed? Perhaps it has to do with the humidity? It’s soaking into my wood and I think anything could scratch my surface. I shake the feeling away: how good it feels to shake my shoulders! But the blanket shifts under my scaled legs. My ears prick, surprised. I blink my eyes slowly. «I can hear things from far away, and now can I move?» My ears flicker at the growling of my stomach. It’s been at least twenty years since I last ate or moved (not that an immortal needs to eat). Unfurling my nose—a strange familiarity—I raise my head to gauge the room. A box... a box smelling of grass with flowers sticking out the top. The leaves taste bitter on my tongue, so I waggle my head hoping the petals fall. The air tastes of this strange smell, too, but stale sans the breeze. A window, framed in silver stone and embellished with... a mirror or ice... is held on the wall, but open enough to leave. Freedom at my talons, do I go or stay with those I watch over?
bulbous and cracked the earthenware sat atop the sleeping giants dawn snuck through impatient to sleuth impatient to sleuth jagged lines ablaze the hollowed caves of sandy past awake dust off and shake aghast and glowing with amber hues the pots are alive! “do you think we are empty inside?!!”
cowering zapped! out of sight dawn swept the hills clean of their luscious green hung by clouds, outshined it stood alarmingly still as the pots reigned supreme angered and teeming they blistered with fright: “we hold the majesty of all things past; the histories and herstories of many – the stories of might!” they wailed: “all who have tried to ascend to dethrone Mother noborigama have failed!”
the kiln lay entombed by clay and grassy wear unaware and at peace rich of soil and earth but tumbling girth had once perfectly birthed these jilted pots who rattle abandoned enslaved and lost
through cracks exposed their ghoulish interior of brittle ceramic speaks –
have you sneaked a glimpse? caught your future in their moulds?
what story were you told?
now mellowed in gaze and pregnant in age of four hundred long years its children bear its soul
This poem was inspired by the pottery town of Hasami, Nagasaki, in particular the historic climbing kilns (‘noborigama’) of Nakaoyama – a scenic part of the town with an enclave of potters still Mamta Sachan Kumar very much in the midst of their artistry. JET Alum, 2017-18 Hasami, Nagasaki
Casa There were no illusions about living in Sasebo. It isn’t my casa, the home where I belonged… Here is a place for work, for learning, for travel, and for friendship. It isn’t home. Yet, in living here, near the beautiful sea and the wide amusement park
where the temples are proud and the mountains breathtaking I let myself be charmed by it all. In the place for work, I have gained experience studied hard become independent and have even loved. I’ve changed. Despite all the magic in Sasebo, my time is limited. I now know I’ll leave my home again.
Ronnie Augusto Triminio Enamorado
Dilang Anghel (Speaking in Tongues) blood on linen, 2019
In this work my blood was extracted and utilized as medium with my tongue as the tool. Meditative, performative, and spiritual. With the Word, the Primal Source breathed out life. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Dilang Anghel is an exploration of the Imago Dei or image of God.
What is taiko? Taiko means “drum” in English! Taiko has a long history, tracing back to the 6th century CE (Kofun period). As a result, taiko has influences coming from many places, including India, China, and Korea. Taiko was traditionally used for sending messages between villages, rallying troops, intimidating enemies during war, and keeping rhythm during religious ceremonies. Taiko is also seen in kabuki and noh theater performances, as well as in gagaku (imperial court music). In 1951, a new style of playing taiko was invented by Daihachi Oguchi. It was called kumi-daiko, which gathered various types of taiko into an ensemble style influenced by Oguchi’s jazz drumming background. In this new style, each type of taiko was brought together and given a specific role, like snare drums and bass drums, which kept rhythms or added accented hits. This led to the creation of many new taiko ensembles throughout Japan.
Okedo is a popular parade drum because it is lightweight and can be worn around the body. It can produce a mid-tone sound and is held together with ropes.
TEXT+ILLUSTRATIONS: Deanna Timmons
Shime-daiko is the smallest drum and is commonly used in performances. Due to its sharp tone, it is often used to add rhythmic flourishes and to keep tempo in songs.
Nagado is a medium-sized drum that is commonly used in performances. It produces a mid-tone sound and can be tilted and played vertically, diagonally, and horizontally!
In 1968, Japanese immigrant Seiichi Tanaka brought the style of kumi-daiko to North America by forming the first taiko ensemble called San Francisco Taiko Dojo. With this, the art of taiko began to spread throughout North America. In the U.S., taiko was not only used in musical performances, but also in civil rights demonstrations. Taiko was mainly played by Japanese-Americans who wanted to reconnect with their Japanese identity. In later years, it began to gain popularity with performers across a diverse range of backgrounds. These new performers were interested in the variety of sounds, instruments, and performing styles kumi-daiko had. Due to this increased popularity, taiko has spread around the globe, with thousands of performing groups in North America, Australia, Europe, and Brazil!
Hira-daiko is a versatile drum that is like the shape of a nagado but looks flattened! It can be made in varying widths, which provide the player with more pitch options for songs.
Odaiko means “big drum� and that is exactly what it is! It is the biggest drum and thus produces the deepest sound. It can come in a variety of styles that look like larger versions of nagado, okedo, and hira-daiko.
Aside from listening to the pounding of the drums, viewers can also find enjoyment in the variety of outfits taiko groups wear. Common outfit pieces include hachimaki (headbands), happi (straightsleeved coats), black pants, and tabi (split-toed socks). Other outfit pieces include haragake (aprons), hakama (wide-legged trousers), fundoshi (loincloths), and even yukata and kimono for women.
In Nagasaki, we have many taiko groups such as: Oroshi Danchi Taiko in Sasebo, Hibikigarashi International Taiko Team and Kujira Taiko in Omura, and Tenman Taiko in Isahaya. The next time you get the chance to view a taiko performance, take a second to admire the thousands of years of history and creativity that led to the evolution of this instrument!
TEXT: Will Morgan, Dan Cohen
From 俳句 (haiku) to 金継ぎ (kintsugi), Japanese art is revered around the globe. Language, culture, and art are intrinsically related, and in Japan they intersect at 漢字 (kanji). Kanji are not only an anchor of Japanese communication, they are also central to the Japanese art of 書道 (shodō - calligraphy). And so, in this issue we’d like to give you the tools to begin your journey into the world of kanji.
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Here are some kanji keywords to get you started:
習字 (shūji) - penmanship. Students spend years practicing to make wellshaped characters with the correct stroke order.
画数 (kakusū) - the number of strokes in a kanji. 画 (kaku) also happens to
be the counter for strokes.
書き順 (kakijun) - the order of strokes to correctly write a kanji. 部首 (bushu) - radicals, or smaller groups of strokes that can been seen in a variety of kanji. Radicals can often give hints to the meaning of the kanji. 振り仮名 (furigana) - small hiragana characters written over or next to kanji to aid reading.
当て字 (ateji) - kanji used irregularly, as in 珈琲 (コーヒー - kōhī - coffee). These are often found in names. Try looking up the kanji for your country.
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If you want a challenge, the 漢字検定 (Kanji Kentei) are exams you can use to drive your study and test your knowledge. It’s a popular exam among Japanese people and you get to see an interesting cross section of the population in the testing center. Hundreds of elementary school kids crowd the foothills of 10級 (jūkyū - level 10) while only the most dedicated kanji experts can conquer the summit of １級 (ikkyū - level 1). Find the level that fits where you are and give it a shot!
Although it may seem insurmountable at first, learning to read and write kanji is an indispensable step on your journey towards better Japanese. If nothing else, find kanji that fit the phonetics of your name to put on your はんこ (hanko - your personal seal/stamp).
男 ＆ 初流 (Dan
&
Uiru)