Nagazasshi 14.2 - Sunset Soundscapes

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2

FALL 2021 FREE/無料

SUNSET SOUNDSCAPES

Image: Amenotanagao Shrine, Iki Island

nagazasshi It’s nally fall, which means the leaves are changing colors, schools are beginning their new term, and it’s time for a new chapter for e Nagazasshi!

Hello everyone, my name is Ronnie Triminio, the previous copy-editor and now the newest editor in chief of our esteemed magazine. Like the amazing Clara Altfeld, I’ll work extremely hard to ensure Nagazasshi continues to grow and represent the best that Nagasaki Prefectural has to offer! よろしく！ Along with me, Deanna Timmons, Mia Husic, Trevor West, Barbara Walker, Ashley Noelck, Patrick Wong, Steve Jankowski, Maggie Bullen, Jay Starnes Dee, and Dave Ryan Mikail Go are all new to the Nagazasshi crew.

For this issue, we gave it our all to create wonderful articles, photos, and art that you’ve come to expect from us! is time our yo crew was inspired by music and subgenres so sought to present the different facets of music, but also the unique subcultures/traditions we’ve had the privilege of learning during our time here in Japan.

Learn about Iki Island as writer Trevor goes over the deep history and culture held within the island (Iki island is also the location of our beautiful cover photo). Our Editor Mia writes about Japanese heavy metal music and how female musicians have innuenced and shaped the genre. While not metal, writer Brandon talks about his experience inside a Japanese tal band. Inside Sasebo, Mark goes over the skateboarding that goes on in the city. Near the skateboard arena, Vika interviews Yoshihide Maekawa of Maekawa’s Musical Instrument Shop to learn about traditional Japanese instruments. Adding to the theme of Music, the Nagazasshi crew write about their favorite Japanese music. Tine Sarawat writes about Japan’s Boys’ Love culture.

Finally, Amber writes about practicing Christianity in Japan. ank you for reading! See you next time.

Ronnie Triminio Editor in Chief

CONTENTS

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2 FALL 2021

4 HOTEL QUARANTINE: Views of Tokyo 5 HEAVY METAL HEROINES 6 IKI ISLAND: Island of Gods 8 CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN 10 SOUNDS OF JAPAN 12 AN INSIDE LOOK AT THE SASEBO SKATEBOARDING SCENE 14 HAJICHI: A Story of Overcoming Colonization 16 THUNDERING GUITARS AND TEACHING STARS: An ALT joins a Japanese band 18 THE APPEAL OF BOY’S LOVE 19 NAGAZASSHI RECOMMENDS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Ronnie A Triminio PRODUCTION MANAGER: Deanna Timmons EDITORS: Mia Husic, Tshegofatso Motsuenyane, Ashely Noelck COPY EDITOR: Barbara Walker, Jay Starnes Dees DESIGNER: Palina Kot, Maggie Bullen SOCIAL MEDIA: Dave Ryan Mikail Go, Trevor West, Patrick Wong FOUNDERS: Andrew Morris, Matthew Nelson CONTRIBUTORS: Trevor West, Amber Jones, Vika Lekve, Sayaka Tateishi, Mark Hunstein, Klye Yukawa, Brandon Danford, Tine Sarawat COVER ILLUSTRATION: Palina Kot INSIDE-COVER PHOTO: Trevor West

@nagazasshi

Hotel Quarantine Views of Tokyo New Nagazasshi members have arrived!

Photos by: Starnes from USA > Nagasaki Dave from Phillipines > Tottori Maggie from Australia > Fukushima 4

Heavy Mel Heroines Japan has produced no shortage of talented and globally innuential female musicians, from pop icon Utada Hikaru to beloved composer and rock star Yoko Kanno. But there is one musical genre in particular where women have been carving out a place for themselves front and center lately, and that genre is heavy metal.

Over the past 15 or so years, the number of Japanese all-female metal bands has grown exponentially in what is being called the “girl metal band boom.” is has given rise to some of Japan’s best bands, many of which have reached international acclaim, including Aldious, Lovebites, and one of the most well-known and loved heavy metal bands in the world today: Babymetal.

Babymetal rst took the stage in 2010, quickly grabbing global attention with their idol-meets-metal performances. ey are credited with establishing kawaii metal, a relatively new subgenre built on the foundation of the girl metal band boom.

Predominantly female-led, kawaii metal bands mix idol aesthetics and pop melodies with the rich compositions and distorted sounds of metal music.

But Japan’s rich history of women in heavy metal goes back to the 1980s when the genre was still relatively new and just starting to garner a following in Japan. One of the best acts at the time was solo artist Mari Hamada, often referred to by fans as the Queen of Heavy Metal. is was also around the time that Naon no Yaon, a music festival exclusively featuring all-female bands from various rock, metal, and alternative music subgenres, was established. e festival was founded by the band Show-Ya in 1987 and is still ongoing as one of the few successful all-female rock festivals today.

Naon no Yaon was held as a live-stream in the spring of 2021 and featured a stellar lineup of artists considered to be part of the girl metal band boom, including power metal powerhouses Mary’s Blood and Nemophila. is movement shows no signs of slowing down, and if the past de decade and a half are any indication, the future of heavy metal across Japan and the world is bright in the hands of these talented women.

Text: Mia Husic Illustration: Maggie Bullen 5

Have you heard of Iki Island before? It's a very small island in southwestern Kyushu, Japan, as a part of Nagasaki Prefecture. Iki Island is one of the wonders of Japan and the world.

My name is Trevor and I worked for two years, from 2019 to 2021, as the Coordinator for International Relations at the Iki City Tourism Division. In my time living on Iki I have learned and experienced so much. I love Iki Island. It is the ultimate hidden gem of Japan, having not only a surprisingly rich culture and history, but also beautiful beaches, nature, delicious food (both seafood and non-seafood), drinks (Iki shochu), and very kind people.

First, I want to talk about the culture and history of Iki Island.

Iki Island has over 120 official Shinto shrines, but if you count the unofficial shrines the number reaches to over 1000. Truly, Iki Island is an island of gods (known as kami in Japanese).

In the oldest Japanese historical record, the Kojiki, it is written that Iki Island was the fourth island created by the deities Izanagi and Izanami. Iki is also said to be the first place on Earth that some of the first Japanese deities, such as Amenohitobashira and Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, came to. The place these deities descended to is known today as Ondake Shrine.

The mysterious roots of Iki Island continue. There is the ancient legend of the island of Iki itself being alive, and so the gods pinned the island in place with giant pillars to prevent it from drifting away in the ocean. Each of these pillar locations are beautiful scenic spots, which include popular areas such as Sakyobana and Tatsunoshima.

There is also the ancient legend of Iki Island being inhabited by malicious oni, or "ogres", in the past. The brave samurai hero Yuriwaka came and defeated the oni. This allowed the people of Iki Island to once again live in peace. There are a few places on Iki which are connected to oni lore, such as Oni no Ashiato ("Devil's Footprint") and Jagatani.

Iki also has many kofun ("tumulus" or "ancient burial mounds"). These are scattered around the island and were built over 1000 years ago! These kofun were the burial places for powerful individuals in the past.

Beyond the interesting and deep cultural and historical roots of Iki Island, there are also a plethora of beautiful beaches and other things to enjoy.

Iki Island: Island of Gods Island of Shinto shrines, beautiful nature, and ancient legends

By Trevor West 6

In the southeast of the island, in Ishida-cho, are the popular Ohama, Tsutsukihama, and Nishikhama beaches. Further north, in Ashibe-cho, is Kuyoshihama beach, which is great for coastal sunrises and surfing. The emerald green waters of the uninhabited island Tatsunoshima also have a breathtaking beach you can visit. My personal favorite is a toss-up between Ohama Beach and the beach located on the separate island Oshima, which is known as Oshima Beach.

For food and drinks, Iki Island has delectable fresh seafood as well as locally cultivated beef, in addition to it's locally-produced alcohol, shochu. I recommend both the sushi, sashimi, and Iki beef dishes of the island.

Overall, Iki Island is a beautiful part of Japan that should not be overlooked.

When COVID calms down, you could do an island adventure here and on the neighboring islands, such as Tsushima. Pre-COVID times, you could also get from Iki to South Korea by boat via Tsushima.

There is much more that can be said about Iki Island. When you visit, please also check out the Iki Island Museum (Ikikoku Museum) for more information about the history of Iki Island.

Please feel free to check out these resources for more information on Iki Island!

You can get to Iki by the following methods: 2-hour ferry from Hakata Port (Fukuoka) Kyushu Yusen Route/Service Schedule Guide https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/index.php 1-hour high-speed boat (Jetfoil) from Hakata Port (Fukuoka) Kyushu Yusen Route/Service Schedule Guide https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/index.php 1.5-hour ferry from Karatsu Port (Saga) Kyushu Yusen Route/Service Schedule Guide https://www.kyu-you.co.jp/index.php 30-minute flight from Nagasaki Airport (Nagasaki) [book flights on ANA’s website in English or on the ORC website (Japanese only) https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/ (English) Also feel free to check-out the official Iki Island Tourism Division Instagram account (@amazingiki) for beautiful pictures from around the island. Feel free to directly contact this Instagram account or email iki-kankou@city.iki.lg.jp with any questions about Iki Island https://www.instagram.com/amazingiki/ Iki was also featured in the Japan Times; “Emergency on Japan’s ‘lucky island’” https://features.japantimes.co.jp/climate-crisis-iki-island/

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Christianity in Japan

By Amber Jones

Japan is not a Christian nation. In fact, Japan has a dark history of persecuting Christians, especially in Kyushu and Nagasaki. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Religious Yearbook 2019, only 1.1% of the Japanese population claims to be Christian, and that is easy to see with the abundance of Shinto sh shrines and Buddhist temples in every city and tourist destination. So, if you are a Christian, how can you nd a faith-based community to meet your spiritual needs? It’s easier than you would think and takes just a little bit of research.

When I interviewed for the JET Program, one of the interviewers asked about my faith. “What will you do if you can’t nd a church? What if you have to work on the weekend?” I answered that I would watch my home church online and would gure things out, but I really didn’t know.

I hadn’t thought about it that much. So after I re received my placement, I did some research.

Tip #1: Look to see if your denomination has a directory of churches online I knew that my protestant denomination had churches all over the world, but I didn’t know if there was one in Kyushu, let alone Sasebo. To my surprise, I found one! I found the online directory of Adventist churches in Japan and used a form on the website to send an email to the church closest to where I would be. Just my luck, the pastor spoke English and emailed me back. I found a church near my home and my school!

B y the time I arrived, the church members were ready for me. ey welcomed me with open arms and were so friendly. Both the pastor and his wife spoke English, and there was a community of English speakers connected to the church that I’ve since become close friends with. I’ve been able to worship weekly and do activities with the community like smashing watermelons, catching bugs in the park, hiking nearby mountains, learning how to cook rice in freshly cut down bamboo, and singing Christmas carols for a group of elderly people and the mayor of Ureshino. If I hadn’t found this church, I think my time in Japan would have been very different.

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Tip #2: Search for your denomination of choice on Google Maps So, now that I’ve found a church family in my city, what do I do when I travel? In my time here, I’ve discovered that there is a church in or near every major city in Japan. All it takes to nd them is a search on Google Maps. It’s a great way to pinpoint the location of the church and nd a way to get there, especially if they don’t have an updated website or a Facebook page.

I’ve had a positive experience nding and visiting churches in different cities. I’ve always been welcomed, whether there was an English speaker there or not. When I visited the Adventist church in Kagoshima, after asking to look at my itinerary during lunch, one of the members insisted on driving me to and around Sakurajima and an hour out of the city to the Chiran Peace Museum. At the church in Miyazaki, a couple of the members took me to the station to get the tourist bus pass when they heard I didn’t have one. In Hiroshima, the members invited me in for lunch even though I got to church late and missed the service. No matter where I go, th there are always people to make me feel welcome in a new city. If I didn’t have this global family of faith I would still be able to tour all these places. However, being greeted with a kind face, a delicious meal, and a helping hand always makes the experience so much better.

Tip #3: Find a church with online service Finally, if you’re still stuck looking for a church or can’t nd one in your area, you may have to stick with online. I recommend joining JET Christian Fellowship on Facebook if you are an ALT, or nding a church you can relate to online. ese days, more and more things are moving online, church included, so see if your home church is streaming or holding a virtual service, or if a local church is doing the same.

W hen we’re not able to meet at the physical building, my church in Sasebo meets online.

We have a Facebook Messenger group chat where we do a group call and study the Bible together. Even when we do meet at the church, we still hold the call for anyone who is not able to make it for whatever reason. Also, my church back home streams and archives old services, so if all else fails, I can always watch that. Although the world seems to be in chaos, the potential to meet online has skyrocketed, so now more than ever you should be able to nd a community of faith online.

Japan may not be a Christian nation, but don’t be discouraged. Just take a look, have faith, and you’re sure to nd what you need.

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SOUNDS OF JAPAN Writer: Vika Lekve Translator: Sayaka Tateishi

Japan: a culture rich with both ancient and modern lifestyles interwoven. Among these contrasting worlds is music. From the ancient ceremonial instruments of Gagaku ( 雅楽) to J-Pop, our ears ll with sounds of Japanese life, but have you ever wondered what traditional Japanese instruments are? unveil some of this mystery, I To u interviewed the person who repairs such instruments in Kyushu: Mr. Yoshihide Maekawa of Maekawa’s Musical Instrument Shop (前川楽器店). Friend and translator, Sayaka Tateishi, and I found ourselves amazed by the information. ere are seven instruments considered traditionally Japanese: the taiko drum (太 鼓), the smaller tsuzumi drum (鼓), the sanshin banjo (三線), the biwa lute (琵琶), the shakuhachi ute (尺八), the shamisen ( 三味線), and the koto zither (箏 or 琴).

Except for the taiko drum, all were developed from other culture’s instruments de towards the end of the Heian Period (794 1185 CE). e shamisen is believed to have come from the Chinese sanxian, which originates from the older Persian and Tibetan spike lutes. e shamisen and sanshin were introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom (the Ryukyu Islands, i.e.

Okinawa) where they developed from Chinese instruments to tools of the Ryukyu court before being extended as part of Japanese culture. e other six made their way from China to Honshu or Kyushu where they evolved into Japanese culture. e rst of the stringed instruments that made its way to Japan in the Nara Period (710-784 CE), was the koto zither. As the rst, it absorbed the Old Japanese word “koto” which meant “any stringed instrument.” History developed the instruments, but the instruments’ roles deened the culture.

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Each instrument has a speciic purpose.

In the Kabuki theater, the music is provided by half singers, and half musicians playing the shamisen, the taiko, and the tsuzumi. Two other styles of shamisen are also used in both Nagauta and Jiuta theater. e taiko drum is used in Noh theater and festivals. e biwa lute is primarily used alongside storytelling, made famous by the Biwa Monks (琵琶法 師) in the Heian Period. ese blind priests made a living reciting scripture and lore: they are attributed as the rst storyteller of e Tale of Heike. For concerts, the most common combination is three instruments called the sankyoku-gassou (三曲合奏) made of the shamisen, the koto, and the shakuhachi.

Each instrument is lovely in its own right, but together they complement.

Speaking of sound, the instrument’s shape, size, and material all affect sound quality.

Made of bamboo, the shakuhachi is often translated as a bamboo ute, but it can be crafted of harder woods, too. Traditionally, the sanshin was made of wood and snake skin while the shamisen was made of cherry or oak wood and cat or dog hide. (Fear not animal woo lovers as synthetic leather is available!) e koto is traditionally made of paulownia wood, and silk for the strings. Less common materials include tortoiseshell and ivory.

Tortoiseshell can only be found on artefacts, but elephant ivory comes from old stocks that remained in Japan before trade became trafficking. As the stock is limited, larger ivory pieces like the shamisen pick or a set of 13 koto bridges start at 1 million yen (9,000 USD) and 1.5 million yen (13,500 USD). ere is support in protecting endangered animals, so alternatives to elephant ivory are being explored. Plastic and local wood alternatives are often sourced for these instruments at a fraction of the price. Some of these replacement woods include karin (花梨), shitan (紫檀), and the best wood for higher notes, kouki (紅木). Perhaps there is a future alternative yet to be discovered…

How does this relate to Nagasaki speciically?

On Hirado Island, the Matsuura Museum houses some ancient musical instruments.

Before Japan was uniied as one country, there were many efdoms and kingdoms, including the Matsuura Kingdom. is museum holds some of these traditional instruments of one queen. Mr. Maekawa is one of the few with the qu skills to repair these instruments, and recently did maintenance for the museum. at Nagasaki Prefecture has these ancient, functional relics played by royal hands is incredibly lucky and rare.

How does this relate to you? Regardless of whether you are able to make the trip to the Matsuura Museum in Hirado, or visit concerts in the future, music is a hobby that requires time, focus, and sitting. Perhaps, in a time of staying at home this is an opportunity to enjoy a new skill otherwise not pursued ne individually or as a family. In order to contact a music teacher, Mr. Maekawa recommends meeting with your local music shop owner as they can match you best to people certiied* to teach in your area. You may even be able to do lessons via video platforms such as Zoom or Skype. *In many Japanese art forms, it can take 20 years or more to become certiied to teach.

Pictures by Vika Lekve

You can nd Mr. Maekawa’s online shop at http://maekawa-gakki.jimdo.com/ or on Facebook as “Souvenir Shop Maekawa.” e Matsuura Museum (Hirado Island, Nagasaki Prefecture) can be found at http://www.matsura.or.jp/en/home-2/ 11

An Inside Lo o k at the Sasebo Skateboarding Scene

By Mark Hunstein 12

The skateboard park in Sasebo wasn’t designed by someone who skates. The ramps are pre-built (as opposed to molded concrete), are unusual sizes and degrees of incline, and are arranged in a way that’s a little unintuitive at first, sending skaters rolling into obstacles with too much or not enough speed. On top of that, the whole park is on a slight incline.

It’s unnoticeable if walking but when standing on a set of wheels, it’s critically important. It’s a hodgepodge of things seemingly slapped together in a boardroom by old men, and I love it. The ground itself is smooth, so rolling is easy, and the community is one of the best I have ever been in. This community has made this park their own, populating it with homemade smaller obstacles like ledges, kickers, and rails. The same group of people of all ages and genders can be seen there every day hanging out, learning new tricks, encouraging one another, and slamming into the ground over and over again.

The Sasebo skateboard park is often crowded after work hours, and nearly every day, Takurou Tomita, 44, can be found trying tricks or teaching other people how to skate. Tomi-san owns and runs Bright Idea, the skate shop in Sasebo. A pillar of the community, Tomi-san was instrumental in getting the park in Sasebo built in the first place, and most skaters from here to Fukuoka recognize his name when mentioned.

He’s been skating for the last thirty-one years, and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

I asked Tomi-san what the appeal of skating was in his words. “You try, try, try [a trick],” he said in English, “and then you make it, and everyone’s happy.” And he’s right. Regardless of skill level, all the skaters recognize the hard work and perseverance involved in learning a new trick. When learning anything from pushing and riding to Ollies to 360 flips and beyond, skaters recognize that more often than not, the process of learning is interlaced with discovering the subtle differences in the umami of asphalt, concrete, and brick as you bash into the ground until a trick finally clicks. The blood, sweat, and sprained ankles are the norm in skateboarding, and pushing past not only the pain from previous attempts but also the fear of injury in the current to successfully land a trick, no matter how simple, is a sense of accomplishment everyone at the park can relate to. The hype is genuine when someone lands their first kickflip, and it keeps me coming back. Plus it’s fun. Even doing basic tricks that can be learned in an afternoon gives such a strong feeling of satisfaction that it is always worth pushing past the falls.

In addition, as a result of its location, Sasebo park is also a rare place where Japanese locals and US Navy service members can soberly mingle with one another. There’s a hard-to-describe matter-of-factness about the vibe between American and Japanese skaters, where although they aren’t fluent in each other’s spoken language, skating becomes a common language for people. Pair that with how supportive everyone at the park is, and you get a killer place to spend your evenings. “Everyone hypes each other up here,” Justice Bullock, 24, Petty Officer 2nd class (I have no idea what his rank means but wanted to include it), said “I feel like I’ve progressed more in the past two years than in the ten years before that.”

I’ve had the same experience wherever I skate here; it’s a wholesome environment with wholesome dudes.

I think everyone who can, regardless of age, gender, self-perceived athleticism, or balance, should try skateboarding. Anyone can skate if they want to, and there’s little to no gatekeeping in the Nagasaki skate community. If you want to try it, the cheapest way to get in is to order a blank complete (“blank” meaning no artwork on the bottom and “complete” meaning all the parts pre-assembled) skateboard on Rakuten, though I strongly recommend paying a visit to Tomi-san’s shop, Bright Idea (ブライトアイディア in katakana. You can search the English name on google with no problems). If you’re located to the south of the prefecture, Jobless in Nagasaki is a stellar shop as well. Aside from the inherent value in supporting local skater-owned businesses, it is immensely helpful as a beginner to have an experienced person helping you choose components for your board. Japan took three gold medals this year during the Summer Olympics, so now is a better time than ever to get involved and have fun skating. If you’re in need of a new hobby like I was a few years ago, consider giving skating a try.

Hajichi: A Story of Overcoming Colonization

By Kyle Yukawa Many countries throughout the world have unfortunately experienced colonization. Names, languages, ceremonies, and traditions that have been seemingly wiped away in a single generation are struggling to maintain a place in the modern-day world. Looking at these ghts for recognition and cultural respect shows amazing stories of grit and pride in one’s heritage.

Such can be said for the country of Ryukyu, or modern-day Okinawa.

Okinawa is Japan’s 47th prefecture, and is located in the very south of the country. It is often said that Okinawa, “is technically Japan, but nothing like the mainland.” e islands host multiple indigenous languages including: Uchinaaguchi (Okinawa Hantou), Dunan Munui (Yonaguni), and Myākufutsu (Miyako). Many of these languages have tones similar to Mandarin and many of these languages are as similar to Japanese as Spanish and Italian are to each other. e selection of traditional food greatly differs from that of the mainland in addition to the native religion and spirituality of Okinawa, which stands alone.

DNA research has also been conducted showing that Uchinaanchu, or indigenous Okinawans, are genetically different from Japanese people. We can see this in their facial features when we compare Uchinaanchu to mainland Japanese people.

Before annexation to Japan in 1879, Okinawa, then known as Ryukyu, was a sovereign island nation with its own language, culture, king, and international relations. Trade with China, Korea, Japan, South East Asia, and even India innuenced the island nation culturally, and Ryukyu enjoyed great nancial prosperity. After being a tributary state of China for hundreds of years, a secret colony of Japan for just as long, and being oc occupied by the American military from 1945 to 1972, many traditions have been outlawed or erased.

One tradition which has beat the odds and recently made a comeback is the tattooing of hajichi. Hajichi is the traditional art of tattooing a woman’s hands (and, on some islands, forearms) throughout her life. To the trained eye, these tattoos tell a story of the woman’s life.

Certain designs can signify things like birthplace and familiar ties. Images such as stars, arrows, and circles are used to explain the story of that woman’s life. Each area or island has a different and unique design. Depending on which island the design is based on, it can also represent spiritual wishes the woman prays for, such as safety for her family or abundance in food throughout her life.

Traditionally, the indigenous women of Ryukyu were seen as protectors of the spiritual domain – men were the protectors of the physical domain. Women were, and still are, carriers of culture, language, tradition, and spirituality. ese tattoos are not only a story or accessory to the Uchinaanchu people, but a bond between women celebrating life and the accumulation of experiences. On some islands, the tattoos themselves were thought to hold a special power which protected the women from harm and brought good fortune. It is said that these tattoos were more important to them than any ot other possession.

After annexation to Japan, the Ryukyuan practice of hajichi was banned, and women with hajichi tattoos were ridiculed. e ridicule and discrimination that the Uchinaanchu faced were not only in Japan. Dicrimination and bullying could be seen in places like Brazil and Hawai'i by Japanese immigrant groups emigrating alongside Uchinaanchu.. Looking through old photographs of women with hajichi, one can note how many of these women posed with their palms facing up or wore dark gloves so as not to show the beautiful designs of their tattoos.

As years passed, seeing hajichi became more of a rare experience. Now, in modern day Okinawa, many youths have no idea what hajichi is. is tradition which was framed as embarrassing and savage was almost completely forgotten. However, young people in both Okinawa a nd the diaspora abroad are making efforts to ensure that the beauty of hajichi is not forgotten.

Looking up the tag #hajichi on social media, one can see many stories of women connecting to their culture and ancestors by choosing to tattoo their hands with traditional designs. Tattooing one’s hands is a deep commitment that many Uchinaanchu take seriously. Temporary tattooing techniques like henna and jagua are now becoming popular and allow people in the community to connrm their conviction before doing anything permanent. Ancient texts describing the signiicant designs and their various meanings are being translated and passed person to person in order to educate each other on the proper designs for your story. Reclaiming these tattoos is not just saving this one aspect of Uchinaanchu culture. It’s about resisting colonization and the erasure of such a beautiful and meaningful practice. Hopefully as ti time goes on, we will be able to see more indigenous cultural practices being uplifted and celebrated not only in Japan, but abroad as well.

Thundering Guitars and Teaching Stars: An ALT Joins A Japanese Band

By Brandon Danford

Playing music on stage in front of an audience is one of the greatest feelings in the world. So when the opportunity to join a band with other local Japanese teachers came around, you better believe I took it. My name is Brandon Danford, I am a 5th year ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in Hirado on the JET Program and I love playing the guitar. In July 2017, I was invited to join a local rock cover band called LIVE MOON CHILD. I was contacted by the bass player before coming to Japan about joining.

Rather conveniently, my predecessor also served as a guitar player in the band. Once I heard about this opportunity, I packed my guitar with me and started practicing with the band soon after arriving in Hirado.

LIVE MOON CHILD (also known as LMC) was formed by teachers at Ikitsuki Elementary School and, despite a few lineup changes, has continued for almost 10 years. The band’s name was created by the founding vocalist and the bassist, coming from Ikitsukikko (生月っ子), meaning Ikitsuki Child. The kanji used to make up 生月 are 生きる, meaning “to live,” and 月, meaning “moon.” However, the vocalist suggested that “live” should be read as LIVE (ライブ) instead, and from there LIVE MOON CHILD was formed. Originally formed as a one-off teacher band for the 2012 school graduation, the band continued to practice together and play songs that overall had positive messages behind them; songs primarily aimed for children. The band at the time played songs from artists like Tancobuchin (たんこぶちん) and Mao Abe. As time went on, the events that LMC would play went beyond just school events, and with that the repertoire changed as well; moving past songs geared towards children and moving in a direction to play music that everyone of all ages can enjoy.

Nowadays, LMC and I also play a variety of Japanese pop-rock songs ranging from Showa era classics like “Gakuen Tengoku” (学園天国) by Finger 5 to more modern rock songs from bands like KANA BOON. Recently, we've been taking Showa era songs and putting it together with a classic rock song, using the lyrics of the Showa song while incorporating parts of the classic rock song. This trend started when we covered a hybrid song like this from one of our senpai Nagasaki City bands (the guitarist of which is one of LMC’s founding members). They took the Showa classic “Amagi goe” (天城越え) by Sayuri Ishikawa and the classic rock song “Burn” by the British rock legends Deep Purple. LMC not only plays this song, but we have also created our own hybrid song, taking “Ihoujin” (異邦人) by Saki Kubota and fusing it with “The Final Countdown” by Europe.

Playing in a Japanese band as a foreigner can be a bit intimidating, especially given potential language barriers. But if you can work past intimidation and work towards communication, then you will certainly be able to make music! In the four years I have been in LMC, I have had the opportunity to play shows in Hirado, Sasebo, and as far as Isahaya. One of my favorite memories is playing at the Yui no Hama Marine Park in Isahaya in 2019 for a summer music event.

Playing a roughly 40 minute set filled with Japanese pop-rock songs right by the beach left a lasting impression on me.

Every musician loves their fans, and having Japanese patrons of Shimamura Music near Sasebo Station recognize me as 'LMC guitaristsan' was a wonderful encounter.Other local bands in the Sasebo area are also very inviting, generous, and eager to communicate. I am fortunate to be a part of the band scene in Sasebo.

LIVE MOON CHILD primarily plays in events in Hirado and the Sasebo area, but given the coronavirus pandemic, we have not had the opportunity to play live in almost a year. Practices have also been scarce at times. However, we are most definitely eager to get back out on stage and play. If you are interested in seeing us play, we would love to see you come out and show your support!

13

The Appeal of Boys’ Love

By Tine Sarawat As a genre, Boys’ Love or BL has captivated the fantasies of various audiences. From straight women gushing at romantic relations between handsome guys to gay men finding representation in the media, BL has attracted fans across the sexuality spectrum and the world.

Before the emergence of contemporary BL works, in Classical Japan, samesex love and its depictions were tolerated. They could be found in art and in nanshoku relations between samurai and kabuki actors and their companions. However, during the Showa period (1926–89), homosexuality became a bit more stigmatized.

When manga was becoming a popular medium, some artists began depicting homosocial and even homoerotic relationships between young men in implicit subtext. Eventually, during the ’70s, works featuring shōnen-ai, or boys’ love, began to emerge. After shōnen-ai started trending, more female artists began producing dōjinshi or self-published works. Dōjinshi conventions and magazines helped popularize the genre as well. These also included yaoi paro works in the ‘80s that focused more on sexual content and fan service. However, it was only during the late ‘80s and ‘90s when BL became commercialized and visible outside of fan communities in a big way, both in Japan and globally.

Outside of Japan, several Asian countries, such as Thailand, saw more local BL dramas, movies, novels, and manga being produced. In China, a BL-influenced genre of texts called danmei emerged.

However, despite the popularity of BL, Japanese society continues to have subtle misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia.

Even amid discrimination and stigma, BL works continue to provide representation for the queer community and appeal to many fans.

According to Thomas Baudinette, Lecturer in International Studies at Macquarie University, “BL is primarily about an intense emotional response known as moe, a feeling of excitement, enjoyment, and pleasure. For some people, the taboo nature of homoeroticism is appealing, for others, it provides important queer representation. Underneath all this, however, is the recognition that [BL] allows people to explore and experience romance in a multitude of ways.”

As a genre, BL continues to captivate female audiences and provide representation for the LGBTQIA+ community. From its humble roots in implicit subtext and fan communities, it has now become a big phenomenon with large fandoms. Beyond excitement and enjoyment, these works allow people to explore romance in different ways, and may perhaps, in the future, provide more awareness and less stigma for the LGBTQIA+ community in Japan and many Asian countries.

Nagazasshi Recommends In our previous issue, some of our staff shared stories about their personal experiences with failure while living in and outside Japan. This time, our staff, both old and new, have recommended some of their favorite Japanese music - what better way to immerse yourself in a culture than to explore its music? They’ve also shared some short stories as to why each song is so special to them. What are some of your favorites? We hope you give these a listen and share your thoughts with us!

Ronnie Artist: Official HIGE DANdism Song: アポトーシス（Apoptosis) Genre: Pop

“Basing their name on the English word “Dandy”, this 2012 group from Shimane has become quite a hit in Japan. Their newest song Apoptosis became one of my favorite songs because of the amazing beat and vocals. I love their use of unique English words to make such catchy tunes!”

Tshego Artist: Maria Takeuchi Song: Plastic love Genre: City Pop

“I heard this on an 80’s Japanese city pop compilation, and haven't looked back since. I would describe this song as light-hearted, old fashioned, fun. Whenever I play this song, it reminds me of a time and place in my life that I wish existed.”

Deanna Artist: UMI Song: Sukidakara /好きだから Genre: Rhythm and blues, Neo soul, R&B/Soul, Hip-Hop/Rap

“I think the melody in this song is very mesmerizing and UMI’s voice is very soothing! I picked this specific song because I think it is fun when mixed race performers sing in multiple languages. UMI is a Black Japanese American singer so she sometimes sings in English and Japanese.”

Artist: SHISHAMO Song: Natsu no koibito/夏の恋人 Genre: JPop (Ballad)

“This is probably my favorite karaoke song. Despite SHISHAMO being a Jpop group, this song is a ballad and the lyrics are quite melancholy. It expresses the feeling of not wanting to grow up and part with your childhood sweetheart, about wanting things to stay the same but knowing it cannot.”

Trevor Artist: Kyu Sakamoto Song: Sukiyaki (Ue o Muite Arukou/ 上を向いて歩こう)

“This is a song from 1961 and it is amazing. If I had to pick my favorite Japanese song ever, this is it. The catchy, positive vibes match the uplifting and cheerful lyrics, and it is always a karaoke favorite that most Japanese people will love when you sing.”

Mia Artist: SHOW-YA Song: Genkai Lovers (限界 Lovers) Genre: Hard rock

“Released on the 1989 album Outerlimits, this song has all the classic vibes of late ‘80/early ‘90s hard rock and metal. Keiko Terada’s impressive vocals mixed with the band’s powerful riffs and strong beat make for a song that any fan of this era will be sure to love.”