2 1 6 2 0 2 0 2 5 2 7 3

ISSN 1348-7906

July
2009 No. 273

450

Japans Lost World

Yakushima

A Day in the Life of

a Lower-Division
Sumotori

Houseboat Nawayasu Enjoy Delicious Cuisine

Sailing from Center of Tokyo

Charter a Houseboat
for a Party in Tokyo Bay

Five minute-walk from JR Hamamatsucho Station or Daimon

and Shibakoen stations by subway. Easily accessible.
Entertainers including geisha, Japanese comedians, magicians,
artists and musicians can be arranged at an extra cost.

A House Boat Nawayasu that has confidence in cooking is the

only house boat with a female captain in Tokyo Bay. They welcome
their guests with thoughtfulness and courtesy from a female captain.
Departing from the easily accessible Hamamatsucho in the center of Tokyo, the houseboats sail to popular sightseeing spots like
Odaiba and a Rainbow Bridge. The boats are ideal for all sorts of
events, from year-end and New Years parties, to welcome or farewell parties, birthday parties, flower-viewing parties, firework parties and even wedding ceremonies. Depending on the season, you
can also share a boat with other groups. Nawayasu can also arrange
geisha, comedians, magicians and musicians. (extra expense). How
about making a lasting memory?
Nawayasu can boast four kinds of course that start from 10,500
yen. Each course is all-you-can-drink and you are also free to bring
in your own drinks. The seasonal cuisines freshly fried tempura,
sashimi, crab meats, and nabe (hot pots), in addition to a stunning sushi-performance by the head chef of traditional restaurant
Wakashio Zushi. (extra expense) are always a hit with guests.

Hori-gotatsu style seating with ample leg space, in addition to

tatami-mat flooring inside the boats.
Courses, inclusive of drinks, start from 10,500 yen (tax included).
House boats have a sky-deck from where you can enjoy a
360-degree view.
Equipped with separate male-female bathrooms and washlets
(bidet toilets). Also equipped with a rolling-prevention machine.

You can enjoy a pleasant two-and-a-half hour night cruise on

a boat equipped with modern facilities or a more traditional boat
made of cypress. (2 hours for a day cruise). Horigotatsu-style seats
afford plenty of leg space and boats also have a sky-deck that offers
great views! A bathroom equipped with a clean Washlet is gaining popularity among the female guests. Nawayasu can guarantee a
pleasant sailing environment with rolling-prevention machines and
with complete air conditioning. You can have a fun singing songs
with wireless karaoke.

5% discount is offered for HiraganaTimes readers.

HOUSEBOATNAWAYASU

1-3-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0014

ADVERTORIAL

TEL: 03-3451-1379

FAX: 03-3451-1482

http://www.nawayasu.com/

Topics & Events

An Outside Art Festival

KUSAMA Yayoi, Tsumari in Bloom (2003)

2003Photo: ANZA

This is an international art festival

that has been held once every three
years in Echigo-tsumari (Tokamachi
C i t y a n d Ts u n a n - m a c h i , N i i g a t a
Prefecture) since 2000. This year about
350 works will be exhibited from 38
countries (including 160 permanent
exhibits displayed previously).

Courtesy of the artist, Galleri Andersson and

Jay Jopling/White Cube, London.

Echigo-tsumari Art Triennial 2009

Period: July 26 ~ September 13. Admission fee: Adult 3,500 yen.

38 350

SMaK The Visitors SMaK

2000 3

Antony GORMLY, Another Singularity

2009

160

7 26 9 13 3,500

www.echigo-tsumari.jp/

Jobs in Japan for Non-Japanese

July Issue Contents 7

 28-29

Topics & Events  3-5

Visa Q&A Q&A 30

Entertainment & Trends  6-7

From the Editorial Desk, Behind the Translation

Feature  8-11

 32

Parody Talk  12-13

People in Japan  33-35

Business Spotlight  14-15

Cover Story  36-39

Hot Products  16

Touching Japanese Life  40-41

Insight into Japan  17-27

Reiko s Recipes  42-43

Close Up Japan, Cross-Cultural Barrier, Japan Watching, Japan in the

Masterpieces of Japanese Film & Animation

World, Japanese History Makers

 44-45

Hiragana Times Art Gallery

 46

Write the present name, your name, address, sex, age, nationality and the article(s) you enjoyed in this issue and send by postcard or e-mail. Competition closes July 5. Winners will be selected by lottery and receive presents directly.

7 5

Topics & Events

7 14

9 6

7 11

8 30

18 19

Dish, Fern design in underglaze blue

Imari ware, Japan, Edo period, 18th ~ 19th century,

An Exhibition of
Original Picture Book Drawings

An Exhibition of Asian Dye Work

180

26,500

1,000

18 120

A special exhibition, SOMETSUKE The Flourishing of

Underglazed Blue Porcelain Ware in Asia will be held from
July 14 until September 6 at Tokyo National Museum Heisei
Kan (Taito Ward, Tokyo). Sometsuke is a dyeing skill in which
motifs are drawn on white porcelain using paint that includes
cobalt to create a vivid indigo color. It was created in China
and came to Japan from Korea. In this exhibition about 180
works from across Asia, representing styles from a variety of
regions and periods, will be introduced. Admission fee: Adult
1,000 yen.

1,000

www.tnm.jp/
Present for  couple (10 people)  10

2000
Kveta PACOVSK, Czecho from From Paper City, 2000

Chihiro Museum Collection Original Drawings of

Million-Seller Picture Books and World Picture Book Authors
will be held from July 11 to August 30 at Seiji Togo Memorial
Sompo Japan Museum of Art (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo). About
120 works from 18 countries, strictly selected from a collection
of about 26,500 pieces, will be on display together with original drawings from million-selling picture books. Admission
fee: Adult 1,000 yen.
www.sompo-japan.co.jp/museum/

Present for 10 couple (20 people) 10 20

The Biggest Toy Show in Japan

A Passionate Salsa Show

80

7 18 19

36,000

2000

15 100

7 17 20
Bunkamura

2009

S 10,500

International Tokyo Toy Show 2009 will be held on July

18 and 19 at Tokyo Big Site (Koto Ward, Tokyo). This year
about 36,000 items will be exhibited at the event, which has
seen visitor numbers from home and abroad increase in recent
years. The show will showcase the latest toy trends and some
items will be on sale. A stamp-rally and a stage show that both
parents and children can enjoy will also be held. Admission
fee: free of charge.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment

of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cuba, Lady Salsa
will be performed for the first time in Japan. With a variety of
dance and music, the show will introduce Cubas history and
the turbulent life of Cuban salsa star Trinidad ROLANDO.
Since the first performance in 2000, the show has been
watched by over a million people in 15 countries. Held from
July 17 to 20 at Bunkamura Orchard Hall (Shibuya Ward,
Tokyo). Admission fee: S seat 10,500 yen.

www.toys.or.jp/toyshow/

www.ladysalsa.jp

22nd Year!




No reservation or registration required.

1,000
700 if you arrive before 8 pm. 8

Admission fee for Tokyo parties will be 00 yen for party coupon holders.

To
k

yo

00

Pa irag
rty a
Ad na
m T
is im
0 sio es
0
n
ye Cou
n p

on

Also held in Osaka. Check our website for details!

WEB

Luxury Cars Now a Canvas for Otaku

f youve ever seen a car covered in anime stickers, then

youve seen an itasha. Its a term that combines sha,
to represent cars, and ita taken from Italian car or
itai car, the latter meaning a car thats too painful to look
at. The trend of decorating cars with anime imagery has been
around for about ten years now, and its popularity just seems
to keep on growing.

Like many otaku hobbies, it isnt cheap. Stickers tend to

cost between 10,000 yen to
20,000 yen per square meter.
And even though Japan is in the
middle of a recession, some are
still spending millions of yen on
transforming the look of their
cars.

MISAKI Maguro

There tend to be two kinds of

people who get into itasha: conventional Akiba otaku, who
like it mainly for the anime, and hashiri-ya, who are also
hooked on fast cars. Many itasha fans first find out about the
anime-covered cars through the Internet or by attending one of
the many itasha events now held around the country.

10

It isnt only cars, however, that get decorated; some motorbike owners like MISAKI Maguro turn their rides into itansha. Maguro has covered his Yamaha Majesty 4D9 with

General exhibitions of itasha (aka Moesha), related-characters Autosalone

autosalone.jp/

Moeshaoh

OKAMOTO Yuya

stickers of KOMAKI Manaka, one of the main characters

of the anime To Heart. Selecting the design is the most fun
part, but putting the stickers on is always hard work, he says.

4D9 To Heart

The result is definitely eye-catching.

Tourists from abroad sometimes ask me
if they can take photos, he says. I ride
the motorbike for self-expression, so I am
simply happy with that.

My family says it is fine. They even say if you do it, do

it right, says OKAMOTO Yuya, who has an auto-related
job. He has covered his Nissan Skyline R33 with stickers of
KAWASUMI Mai, the main character of the computer game
Kanon. When he drives his itasha he feels like everyone is
watching him, but he still feels relaxed in it. SHINOHARA
Motoki, who decorates his Nissan Elgrand with stickers from
the anime Shakugan no SHANA, says: People around
me accept silently. I have never shown my car to my parents
though.

Most itasha are luxury cars, but Moeshaoh, who runs a

printing company and makes
stickers himself, says he is an
anime otaku and doesnt care
what kind of car he uses. He
has stickers of the characters
Sheryl and Ranka from
anime Macross F on his Nissan
Clipper. My 14-year-old son
begs me not to tell anybody
about my itasha, but my 5-yearold daughter enjoys riding in it
and my wife also loves itasha, so
we have a family conference to
decide what characters to put on
next.

IINO Kanetsugu and his Mercedes,

smart that has the character HIIRAGI
Chihaya from anime Magical Canan

14

R33 K anon

SHINOHARA Motoki s Nissan Elgrand

A Day in the Life of

a Lower-Division Sumotori

eighing 140 kilograms, wrapped in a yukata, and

with his jet-black hair tied into a samurai-style
topknot (mage), KANAYA Shigeki is hardly a typical 24-year-old. Under the ring name of Kihakuriki (Strong
Willful Force), he is one of 730 determined, powerful and
generally very large wrestlers (sumotori) who make up the
Japan Sumo Association (JSA).

140

24

JSA

730

The JSA has six official divisions. Household names, such

as Asashoryu and Takamisakari, compete in the first division,
known as makuuchi (inside the curtain). The name allegedly comes from an Edo era custom which saw top sumotori
screened off from the audience by a curtain while awaiting
their matches. Kihakuriki, is in sumos third division, known
as makushita (below the curtain). His life is thus incredibly
different to that of the sumo superstars.

Only the top two divisions, makuuchi and juryo, offer

monthly salaries ranging from 1 million to 2.4 million yen.
These basic incomes can be added to by match-day prizes
and performance incentives offered by private sponsors and
the JSA. Makushita men, on the other hand, are unsalaried.
Their rent and board is paid by the sumo training stable (heya)
in which they live. However, their only guaranteed spending
money is a small monthly allowance from their stable master
(oyakata).

2 100 240

Ex-judo student Kihakuriki lives in the Otake training

stable, located about four kilometers from the Ryogoku

Kokugikan, the home of sumo. Otake was originally founded

by a sumo legend called Taiho, who won a record 32 makuuchi championships. The stable was inherited by Taihos sonin-law, a fine sumotori of the 1990s named Takatoriki. This
man is my hero, Kihakuriki claims. He won the makuuchi
Emperors Cup in my home town of Osaka, and he is the reason I joined sumo.

32

1990

Last year, Kihakuriki carried out the special role of tsukibito

a personal attendant to a salaried sumotori. His extensive
duties included offering drinks to, and wiping the back of,
Russian giant Roho in training, carrying Rohos belongings
to and from the Kokugikan on matchdays, running shopping
errands, and welcoming the Russians supporters. In return,
Kihakuriki was presented with some of Rohos match-day
prize money, and loved spending it during off-season drinking

parties with friends.

Then, in September 2008, Kihakurikis life changed completely. Roho was forced to leave the JSA, and the young
Osaka man suddenly found himself the highest-ranked wrestler in the Otake stable. With no more prize money to look forward to, and no servant duties to distract him, Kihakuriki had
the perfect motivation to climb the sumo ranks. His form dramatically improved, and good performances in 2009 could see
his monthly earnings skyrocket from nothing to one million
yen. Promotion is achieved simply by winning more matches
than you lose. However, competition will be fierce, as the salary incentive appeals to many a makushita wrestler.

2008 9

lunch and relax in the afternoons, perhaps by reading,

playing pachinko or throwing a ball around. We start
cooking dinner at 6 pm,
ready for serving at 7 pm.

5 6

11

Kihakuriki is untroubled by the gruelling sumo diet. When

I joined Otake eight years ago, I had to eat so much food that
my stomach hurt, he recalls. But you get used to it. Ive
never had a problem putting on weight.

2009

His parents run a yakitori restaurant in Osaka, where a sumo

tournament is held every March.
In 2009, Kihakuriki celebrated
his homecoming by achieving his
highest ever sumo rank. In 2010,
he dreams of returning home as a
sekitori, someone who has vaulted
the great seki (barrier) between
unsalaried and salaried sumo
status.

Kihakuriki may look blubbery, but like

every sumotori his body consists of much
hardened muscle. His biceps are huge, and
his stomach feels like a medicine ball. He
describes his daily regime as follows: There
are eight wrestlers in the stable and the lower
rankers get up around 5.30 am. We train
between 6.30 and 11 am before eating our
morning meal afterwards. Chanko (a famous
sumo cuisine) is our main food, but we have
all sorts of side dishes. Lower rankers are
given a shopping list and must buy the ingredients. A team of wrestlers is posted to the kitchen, with each
of us taking turns to prepare the stables food. We sleep after

100

2009

2010

Text: Chris GOULD

10

Sumo Tips

Over 50 Wrestlers are from Foreign Countries

Although sumo is a Japanese national sport, 55 wrestlers
are from foreign countries (as of April 27th), accounting for a
little more than seven percent of the total number of about 730
wrestlers. Among that number 34 Mongolians represent the
highest from one country. Foreign juryo and makuuchi,
wrestlers, who are called sekitori, account for nearly 30 percent of sekitori,. At present both grand champions, Asashoryu
and Hakuho, are from Mongolia.

730 7% 2009 4 27

34

30%

4.55

55

50

15

Sumo Division is Divided into Six

From the bottom up, the divisions in sumo are called

jonokuchi, jonidan, sandanme, makushita, juryo
and makuuchi. The makuuchi wrestlers are in addition
ranked with special position names. From the bottom up, they
are named maegashira, komusubi, sekiwake, ozeki
and yokozuna. A ranking list of wrestlers is published before
each basho. Each ranking position traditionally has two wrestlers (an east side and west side).

The Number of Foreign Wrestlers (the figure in red represents the

number of juryo and makuuchi wrestlers)

Mongolia
13
6 China
1 3 Russia
2 3 Gruziya
2 Brazil
1 Korea
1 Tonga
1 Czech
1 Bulgaria
1 Kazakhstan
1 Estonia
1 Hungary

34

Sumo Rules are Easy

Two wrestlers have a bout in a ring (4.55 meters in diameter). When one makes a part of opponents body touch the
ground or pushes him out the ring, he is the winner. Six basho
(tournaments) in odd months are held per year. The period of
each basho is 15 days. A wrestler has a daily bout and fights
with 15 different wrestlers. The wrestler that wins the most
bouts becomes the champion of the basho. If a wrestler wins
more than eight bouts, basically he will be promoted within
his division or will be demoted if the basho ends and he has
won less than 8 victories.

Various Traditional Ceremonies

Wrestlers scatter salt in the ring before each bout. This
behavior represents purifying the ring. Referees called gyoji
wear a traditional costume. The yokozuna performs the entering the ring ceremony before the makuuchi bouts start and the
archery bow twirling ceremony is held every basho day at the
end of the last bout.

11

by Hiragana Times CIA

Interrogation Prejudice for Molesting Women

This spring the Supreme Court reversed
a verdict of guilty for a university professor who had been charged with obscenity
after he was accused of molesting a woman.
It became big news as a false accusation
case. Hiragana Times CIA interviewed Mr.
KOIDE Yoshito, the author of Interrogation
Prejudice for Molesting Women.

Hiragana Times CIA

CIA: What are the problems of interrogating someone suspected of molesting a woman?
Author: Most of the suspects deny their crime, even if they
did it. The peculiarity of this crime is that it occurs on a
crowded train, but no witnesses or evidence are usually found.
As a result, the police places importance on the victims statement and interrogate the suspect with the assumption he is
guilty. The suspect will be detained unless he admits to the
crime and is not allowed to contact anyone.

CIA: The interrogation seems just like something from medieval times, doesnt it?
Author: Interrogators hint that the case will be closed with a
minor proceeding if the suspect admits guilt. The suspects are
afraid that not only themselves but also their family will be
stigmatized if the molestation is disclosed. The suspects are
often fired by their companies just for being a suspect. Under
these circumstances many who are charged as the result of a
misunderstanding hesitantly accept guilt.

CIA

CIA

TOLL FREE

0120-981-862
e-mail: info@economovejapan.com
http://www.econovovejapan.com

12

CIACynically Insulting Agency

CIA: Is there no way to be saved from a false charge?

Author: Have you seen the movie I just didnt do it about
a man charged with molesting a woman? As with the movie,
it is almost impossible to escape from the charge and win the
trial. I think you may remember the case of a man and woman
who pretended to be a witness and victim to get settlement
money from an innocent man last year? If she hadnt confessed the truth to the police, the suspect would have been
found guilty. The professors case is exceptional.

CIA

100

Makiko

CIA: Is there any solution?

Author: In Japan there are many public baths, with separate
baths for men and women. Trains should do same. It could be
simply solved by increasing the number of womens coaches.
However, couples will be embarrassed to get on separately and
Japanese will be embarrassed to explain to people from foreign
countries that it is to prevent women from being molested.

CIA

CIA: I heard that a new machine that can prove guilt by

inspecting the suspects hand has been introduced recently for
molestation cases?
Author: Thats right. The inspection tool can detect invisible
fibers from the victims clothing on a suspects hand, but is
not perfect yet at this stage. So, the false accusations will not
stop soon.

CIA: In spite of a denial and a lack of evidence, mens statements are ignored. Isnt that unfair? Cant the term innocent
until proven guilty be applied?
Author: If it is applied, molesters will become wilder as
there will be no risk of being charged. The number of molestation cases will increase 100 times.

CIA

CIA

One comment from CIA CIA

I am curious about molesting women. What will happen if an
elderly lady claims to have been molested or if a man takes a
woman to the police claiming he has been molested by her?
What? You say instead of interrogation, they will be forced
to take a psychiatric test? Dear police, do victims have to be
pretty, young women?

13

Vstone Co., Ltd.

New Robot Shop Opened in Akihabara

wo-legged robots are manufactured in Japan for robot

contests, research, and even as a hobby. And now
a new store that specializes in two-legged robots,
Vstone Robot Center, has opened in Akihabara, Tokyo.

YAMATO Nobuo

Ya m a t o e s t a b l i s h e d
Vstone as a special camera maker in 2000. One of
the companys executives was making a robot as
a hobby at the time. The company decided to sell
it at a price of 400,000 yen. The
response to the new product was
much more positive than Vstone
expected and the company gradually moved from making cameras
to robots.

Akihabara is well known as an electronics quarter and for Japanese pop culture
such as anime, game shops and maid cafs.
Japan has a long history of nurturing robot
skills, and robots contain cultural aspects. I
thought the image of robots suits the area,
and therefore opened the center, says
Vstones president YAMATO Nobuo.

2000

40

14

Robovie is a popular Vstone series. More than 5,000 have

been sold since it was launched in 2003. It can dance, bend,
stretch, and carry another robot on its back. The robots are
used not only by individual enthusiasts, but also at schools
and research facilities so students can learn how to
change the parts and improve performance.

R obovie

2003

5,000

The center sells

many two-legged
robots of other makers as well as Vstones
and provides a Robot
manufacturing space
MANOI series MANOI
equipped with machinery tools such as aluminum board cutters and bending machines. In addition,
full-time technical staff are always there to lend a hand
for robot construction and answer any questions
about robots.

Robots that will benefit society cannot be

developed if they do not meet certain sizes
close to that of humans. Humanoid robots
for research studies cost from 5 million
yen to 8 million yen. If you get smaller
sized robots for a hobby, however,
you can get one at prices ranging from
69,300 yen for Robovie-X Lite
Robovie series Robovie
to 199,500 yen for MANOI by
Kyosho Corporation.

Yamato is now promoting the Robot class:

Manufacturing masters course. The courses range
from a basic course for beginners, to advanced courses and special lectures on assembling two-legged robots.
We w a n t b o t h a d u l t s
and children to experience and learn more
about robots, Yamato
says. The center is fullyequipped to support future
robot creators.

500

800

69,300 Robovie-X

L ite199,500

MANOI

Vstone Co., Ltd. www.vstone.co.jp

15

Hot Products
Japanese-English Bilingual Picture Book Based on Folk Music

It is said that there are about

58,000 folk songs in Japan. Based
on those about love, a JapaneseEnglish bilingual picture book
for adults is now on sale. It contains beautiful paper cutouts by
KUBO Shu, who has exhibited in
New York, and was translated by
OHSHIMA Kimie, a regular performer of rakugo in English.

58,000

Present for 3 people.

Traditional Folk Songs of Love

995 yen. Published by Ehonn no Mori.

995

www.ehonnomori.co.jp/

Chopstick Bag Made with a Kimono Sash

Present for 3 people.

3

With concerns about the environment, more and more people are making the effort to use their own chopsticks rather than disposable ones. This
is a chopstick bag that is made with a
kimono sash. It is hand-made and each
design is different depending on which
part of the sash is used. It can hold
chopsticks as long as 25cm and, since
it is 100% polyester, is washable.

Ryu-bi Original Chopstick Bag

3,150 yen

Size: Bottom 330 x Height 210mm (when it is open)

100

25cm

3,150
330 210
Ryu-bi
www.ryu-bi.jp/

16

Multi-level Hiragana Text

No. 040

Is the Newly
Proposed
Resident Card
Good for Foreign
Residents?

Study More

A bill to revise the Immigration Control Act that would include the introduction of a resident card in
place of the alien registration card has been submitted to the Diet. (2) An IC chip will be attached to the card
and will contain the holders picture, name, nationality, address, eligibility of stay, term of validity, and work
permission.
(1)

. . .

.
. .

(1)

(the) alien

registration

card

in place of

(a) resident

card

of

(the) introduction

You can
learn the
vocabulary
and kanji
used in this
article at
http://smart.
fm/landing/
Hiragana

. . . . . . . . .
(that would) include

(the) Immigration

Control

Act

(to) revise

(a) bill

the Diet

. . (2) . . .
. . .
to

has been submitted

(the) card

to

(an) IC

chip

(will be) attached and

(the) holders

. . . .
. .
. .
picture

and

name

nationality

address

eligibility of stay

term of validity

. . . . .

work permission

will contain <be listed>

[Hiragana Times Method] Explanations

Examples
.
Particles which are not translated into English are combined with the previous or following word and shown in italic.
When it is easier to combine two words together to learn them, is placed between the two words.
(the) desk
Words in parentheses are not translated into Japanese.
[in fact]
Words in square brackets are not translated into English.
go <come>
When English translation is different to the Japanese, the original Japanese is placed in < > after the English.
and
When a sentence is continuing in Japanese, the conjunction is shown in Italic.

17

A trial audio file of this section is available at www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-E.html

The government also says that non-Japanese residents will be listed in the resident registry network and be
able to receive better services from their local government. (4) Additionally, the maximum allowance of stay
before renewal will be extended from three years to five years and re-entry visas wont be needed for trips overseas of less than a year.
(3)

(3)

. . . . . . . .
(the) government

non-Japanese

residents

[too]

(the) resident registry network

in

. .
. . . . . . .
(will be) listed and

(their) local government

from

better

services

be able to receive

that

(4) . . . . . . . .
(also) says

additionally

renewal

before

stay

of

(the) maximum allowance

. . . .
. .
three years

from

five years

(will be) extended and

to

a year

less than

of

. . . . . .
overseas trips <stay>

for

re-entry

visas

wont be needed

The proposed bill also includes merging visas for foreign students and pre-college students, which are currently classified differently. (6) And the confusing Industrial training and technical internship program will be
a simple three-year technical internship program and the Minimum Wage Act and the Labor Standards Act will
be applicable from the first year. (7) The law is scheduled to go into effect within three years after the approval
of the bill, but the technical internship in one year.
(5)

(5)

. . . . . . .
(the) proposed

bill

currently

differently

(which are) classified

. . . . . . . .

foreign students

and

pre-college students

for

visas

merging

also

. . . .
. . .
(6)

includes

and

(the) confusing

industrial training and technical internship

.
. . . . .
.
program <system>

(a simple) three-year

technical

internship

program

will be and

the first year

from

. . . . . . .
(the) minimum

(7)

wage

act

and

(the) labor

standards

act

(will be) applicable

. . . . . .
.
(the) law

(the) bill

of

(the) approval

after

three years

within

but (the) technical

. . . . . .

internship

one year

in

(is scheduled to) go into effect

It has been pointed out that the card can possibly be given to illegal residents due to the lack of communication between Immigration and the local governments under the present alien registration system. (9) The aim of
the revised bill seems to strengthen control of illegal residents, by unifying information on all non-Japanese
residents.
(8)

18

//

www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-J.html

(8)

. . . . . .
. . .
(the) present

alien

registration

system

under

Immigration

and

(the) local governments

. . . . . . . .
between

(the) lack of communication

due to

illegal

residents

to

(the) card <registration certificate>

abbreviation for

. . . . (9) . . .
be given <issued>

can possibly

that

(it) has been pointed out

(the) revised bill

of

(the) aim

. . . . . . .
.
non-Japanese residents

all

on

information

unifying

by

illegal

. . . . . . .

residents

of

control

to strengthen

seems

Anyone who forges a card will face imprisonment of one to 10 years and those who dont carry the card can
be fined up to 200 thousand yen. (11) Furthermore, institutes like schools for non-Japanese will be obliged to
report to immigration details about their non-Japanese students, including their starting day, last day and attendance records.
(10)

(10)

. . . . .
(a) card

(who) forges

anyone <person>

one [year]

(to) ten

[from]

years

10

of

will face and

imprisonment

. . . . . . . .
(the) card

carry

(who) dont

those <non-Japanese>

two hundred thousand yen

20

up to

. . . . (11) . . . . .

can be fined

furthermore

non-Japanese

for

schools

like

institutes

. . . . .
. .

[lesson]

(their) starting day

and

last day

attendance

records

including

. . . . . .
(their) non-Japanese

students

about

details

immigration

to

. . . .
to report

will be obliged

Non-Japanese will have a high risk of being put under surveillance and their privacy violated.
regard, organizations like the Japan Federation of Bar Associations are against the revised law.
(12)

(12)

(13)

In this

. . . . . . .
. . . .
Non-Japanese

under surveillance

being put and

(their) privacy

violated

(a) high <strong>

. (13) .
. . . . .

risk (of)

will have

this

regard

in

(the) Japan

Federation of Bar Associations

like

. . . . . . .
organizations

(the) revised law

are against

19

Multi-level Hiragana Text

r
rie
ar

B
al





r
tu
ul
-C
ss
ro
C

Why Always the Same Tarento on TV?

Non-Japanese View . . . . .
non-Japanese

view

Why are the same talento on Japanese TV night after night? It is so boring. (2) They even have talento competing on quiz shows and winning prize money for themselves! (3) In my country celebrities only appear on such
shows to try and win prize money for charity. (4) Whats worst though is that most of the talento dont actually
have much talent!
(1)

(1)

. . . . .
why night after night <every night>

Japanese

TV

on

(the) same

talento

are <do appear>

so

. (2) . . .
. . .

boring

(it) is

quiz

shows

(they) have talento competing and

even on

themselves

for

in Japanese
does not mean
talent. It means
those who often
appear on TV
especially on
variety shows.

. . . (3) .
. .
prize money

winning

my

country

in

celebrities

only

.
.. .
such

shows

on

appear

to try and

charity

for

prize money

win

Study More

You can
learn the
vocabulary
and kanji
used in this
article at
http://smart.
fm/landing/
Hiragana

(4)

. . .
. . . .
though

whats worst

dont have

that

(the) talento

of

most

actually

talent

much

is

Japanese View . . . . .
Japanese

view

Many Japanese feel the same! (6) Nowadays we even have second generation talento becoming famous just
because they have celebrity parents. (7) Its just like politics. (8) In Japan, who you know is sometimes more
important than what you know.
(5)

(5)

. . . . . . (6) . .
many

Japanese

(the) same

feel

nowadays

. . . . . .

(they) have celebrity parents

just because

famous

becoming

second generation

talento

even

(7) . . (8) . .
(we) have

just

politics <political world>

like

(it) is

Japan

. . .
who you know <connection>

20

more

important

sometimes

is

in

what you know <talent>

than

abbreviation for

Multi-level Hiragana Text

by Hiragana Times editor-in-chief

High Chance Things

Left on Trains will be
Returned in Japan, But

Charlie, an American friend of mine, came to Japan with his family recently. (2) Several days later I had a call
from him. (3) He said he had lost his mobile phone and was calling me using his wifes phone.
(1)

(1)

.
. . . . . .
recently

(an) American

friend (of mine)

Charlie

(his) family

with

Japan

to

. (2) . . . (3) . . .
came

several days later

him

from

(I) had a call

(his) mobile phone

.
. . . .
(he) had lost and

(his) wifes

phone

using

was calling (me)

(he) said

In my phone I have registered lots of numbers including those of Japanese acquaintances. (5) So if I cant
find it, it will cause a lot of problems. (6) Apparently he was sad. (7) He was also afraid that the phone would be
misused and badly wanted my help.
(4)

. . . . . . . . . .

(4)

my

phone

in

Japanese

acquaintances

including (those of)

lots of

numbers

. . (5) .
. .

(I) have registered

so

if

(I) cant find (it)

a lot of

problems

if

.
. . . . . . .
(6)

(it) will cause

(7)

apparently

he

sad

was

(the) phone

. . . . . . .
(would) be misused

that

also

(he) was afraid and

my

help

badly <strongly>

wanted

21

A trial audio file of this section is available at www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-E.html

I called the subway lost and found office. (9) Then, as I expected, his phone was there. (10) Incredible! That
would never happen in the US, Charlie exclaimed with joy. (11) In Japan, there is a good chance that anything
you leave behind on a train will be returned.
(8)

(8)

.
. . . . . . . . . . (9)
I

(the) subway

lost and found

office

called

then

. . . . . . (10)
.
I

expected

as

his

phone

there

was

incredible

.
. . .
the US

in

(11)

(that) would never happen

Charlie

exclaimed with joy

. . . . . . . . . .
Japan

in

(a) train

on

anything (you) leave behind

(will) be returned

. . . . .
(a) good chance (that)

(there) is

One day, I told this story to my friend who works at a private railway company. (13) I said: I am proud of the
honesty of the Japanese. (14) Then he leaned his head and said: You think so? (15) And he added: In my company, the umbrellas left behind are causing a problem.
(12)

(12)

. . . .
one day

(a) private railway company

at

(who) works

(my) friend

to

this

story

(I) told

. . . . . .
. . used for
the Japanese
of
(the) honesty
(I am) proud of
I
said

(13)

(14)

. .
. (15) .
then

he

(his) head

leaned and

(you) think so

said

and

22

(the) umbrellas

left behind

(a) problem

are causing

(my) company

. . . . . . .
in

emphasis

(he) added

casual expression
used for emphasis

 www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-J.html

Japan has a rainy season from June to the middle of July and people often carry an umbrella during that period when they go out. (17) He says hundreds of umbrellas are left on trains every day, but very few people come
to pick them up. (18) Although they are disposed of after a certain period, the storage area is always filled with
them, he complained.
(16)

. . . . .

(16)

Japan

June

from

July

of

(the) middle

to

(has) and

(a) rainy season

there is no dot

between the
kanji
here as

they form a fixed

. . . . . set
that

period

during

(they) go out

when

(an) umbrella

often

(people) carry

. . . . . . . . .

(17)

hundreds

of

umbrellas

every day

trains

on

are left

. . . . . . (18)
.
but

come to pick (them) up

people

very few

[that]

he

says

(a) certain

prefix meaning
"several"

counter for long,

thin objects

. . . .
. . . .
period

after

(they) are disposed of

although

(the) storage area

always

them <umbrellas> with

. . . .
is filled

(he) complained

Nowadays, umbrellas are so cheap. (20) You can purchase a plastic one for just a few hundred yen. (21) I said to
him: It is because the transportation fee to the storage area will be more than the cost of an umbrella, isnt it?
(22) Then, he said: Thats right, but in fact it is a nuisance to carry an umbrella when it has stopped raining so
people leave it on the train deliberately.
(19)

. . . 20 .

19

nowadays

umbrellas

so

cheap

are

(a) plastic

one

[if]

just

. . (21)
. . . .
a few hundred

yen

for

(you) can purchase

(the) storage area

to

(the) transportation fee

.

. .
(an) umbrella (the) cost of

(22)

than

more

will be

(it is) because isnt it?

him

to

said

. . . .
. . .
then

he

[this way]

said

thats right

but

in fact

raining

. . . . .
. . . .
(it) has stopped when

(an) umbrella

to carry

(it is a) nuisance

so

people

deliberately

(the) train

.
on

leave (it)

23

Multi-level Hiragana Text

Ja
pan

ld
in the Wor

13.4%

Japan

13.9%

Germany

14.1%

Italy

Japan has the Lowest

Percentage of Children
in the World

France

18.3%

China

19.0%

USA

20.2%

India

35.3%

Nigeria

44.3%

There are becoming fewer and fewer children in Japan. (2) According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
Communications, the number of children under 15 years of age was a record-low 17.14 million as of April 1,
2009. (3) This decrease has continued for 28 consecutive years. (4) As a ratio of the total population, the under
15s account for 13.4%, a figure that has decreased for 35 years in a row.
(1)

. . . . (2) . .

. . . . .

a special term
used for 1st day

(1)

Japan

in

children

[of]

according to

[number]

two thousand nine

[year]

2009

fewer and fewer

April

first

there are becoming

as of

fifteen years of age

15

the MIAC

under

. . . . . . . . .
children

(the) number of

(a) record-low

seventeen point one four million

1,714

[people]

(3) . . . .
was

(this) decrease

(4)

for twenty eight

years

28

consecutive

has continued

. . . . .
. .
(the) total population

of

(a) ratio

as

fifteens

15

(the) under

.... ...
thirteen point four

percent (account for)

13.4

(a) figure (that)

thirty five

years

35

in a row

for

has decreased

Compared with survey results listed in the United Nations Demographic Yearbook from 31 nations with
populations in excess of 30 million, Japans ratio of children is the lowest. (6) Other countries with low ratios
include Germany with 13.9%, Italy with 14.1% and France at 18.3%. (7) Nigeria has the most with 44.3%.
(5)

(5)

. . . . . . .

the United Nations

demographic

[statistics]

yearbook

in

listed

(with) populations

. . . . .
thirty million

3,000

[people]

in excess of

thirty one

31

nations

from

survey (results)

. . . . . . . . . . . (6) . .
compared with

Japans

children

of

ratio

is the lowest

ratios

. . . .

low

other

countries

with

Germany

with

thirteen point nine

percent

13.9

Italy

with

. . . .
fourteen point one

percent

14.1

and France

at

eighteen point three

percent

18.3

. . . .
(7)

include

24

the most

Nigeria

(has) with

forty four point three

44.3

percent

joining particle
used between
numbers and
a subject.
In standard
Japanese
katakana or
is comonly
used.

Multi-level Hiragana Text

MIYAMOTO Musashi

1584 1645

Master of Two Swords

who Rejected Divine
Protection

2009 Production I.G /

The story of MIYAMOTO Musashi has been a subject of kabuki and joruri since the Edo period, and also
made into numerous movies, TV and cartoons. (2) It is said the present image people have of Musashi was
greatly influenced by the best-selling book, MIYAMOTO Musashi, written by prominent Japanese novelist
YOSHIKAWA Eiji.
(1)

(1)

. . . . . . . . . .
Miyamoto

Musashi

of

(the) story

(the) Edo

period

since

kabuki

and

joruri

. . . .

. .
of

(2)

has been and

(a) subject

numerous

movies

TV

and cartoons

[drama]

also

a kind of hand
puppet show

made into

. . . . . . . . . .
(the) present

Musashi

of

image (people have)

Japanese

prominent

novelist

. . .
. .

Yoshikawa

Eiji

by

written

(the) best-selling book

Miyamoto

Musashi

by

. . . . . .

greatly

was <has been> influenced

[that]

it is said

25

A trial audio file of this section is available at www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-E.html

Musashi was a master of two swords. (4) He was said to have been born in present-day Hyogo Prefecture,
although some people believe the location to have been present-day Okayama Prefecture. (5) After winning his
first duel at the age of 13, he fought more than 60 times, but was never beaten. (6) His most famous duel was one
held on Ganryujima island.
(3)

(3)

. . . . . (4) . . .
Musashi

two swords

of

(a) master

was

present-day

Hyogo

Prefecture

in

. . . . . . .
(to) have been born

(he) was said

although

present-day

Okayama

Prefecture

the location (to have been) <birth place>

. . (5) . . .

some people believe <there is an opinion>

thirteen

(the) age (of)

13

at

(his first) duel

winning

after

sixty

times

60

. . . . . . . .
(6)

more than

(he) fought

but

was never beaten

(his) most

famous

duel

located in the
Kanmon channel
between Kyushu
and Honshu
(mainland)

. . .

Ganryujima island

on

held

one

was

His opponent SASAKI Kojiro used a long sword called a wash-line pole, while Musashi employed two
swords. (8) Both were sword masters. (9) Musashi deliberately arrived late for the duel to irritate Kojiro. (10) Kojiro
lost his temper, as Musashi calculated, and was defeated.
(7)

(7)

. . . . . . . . .
. . . .
(his) opponent

Sasaki

Kojiro

(a) wash-line

pole

called

(a) long

sword

. . . . . . . . (8) .
used

while

Musashi

two

swords

employed

both [people]

[either]

. . (9) . . . . . . . .
.
sword

masters

were <are>

Musashi

Kojiro

to irritate

(the) duel

. . . . 10 . . . . .

[time]

for

deliberately

late

arrived

Kojiro

Musashi

. . . . . .
.
calculated

as

lost and

(his) temper

was defeated

Musashi always planned his strategy before each duel. (12) He didnt respect established tactics and criticized
the classical sword-fighting pose, which he considered to be defensive.
(11)

(11)

. .
. . . . . .
Musashi

26

(each) duel

before

always

(his) strategy

planned

 www.hiraganatimes.com/hp/magazine/about/about-J.html

(12)

. . . . . .
. .
established

tactics

he didnt and

respect

(the) classical

sword-fighting

. . . . . . .

pose

criticized

Musashi <he>

which

to be defensive

considered

While training his sword skills, Musashi also trained his spirit. (14) He visited a shrine to pray for victory
before a duel when he was 21. (15) At that time he realized this kind of behavior was a mental weakness. (16) After
that he refused to seek divine protection.
(13)

(13)

. . . . .
.
(his) sword skills

(14)

(Musashi) trained

training

(he was) twenty one

21

when

(a) duel

. . . . .
a

shrine

(15)

(he) visited

before

weakness

was

[that]

at that time

realized

also

victory

he <Musashi>

. . . .

(to) pray

. . . . .

(16)

(a) mental

(his) spirit

. . . . . . .

for

while

this kind of behavior

. . .
after that

divine

protection

.
(he) refused to seek

Musashi developed his own theory of strategy. (18) In his last years, he wrote a book called Gorinsho about
his sword-fighting strategy. (19) As the book contains much wisdom about life, it is read by many people even
now. (20) He was also a talented charcoal-ink painter and produced many masterpieces.
(17)

(17)

. . . . . . . . . . (18) .
Musashi

(his) own

theory of strategy

developed

(his) last years

in

. . .
. . .
(his) sword-fighting

(19)

strategy

about

(a) book

(called) Gorinsho

(he) wrote

. . . .
.
the

book

much

wisdom about life

contains

as

even now

. . (20) . . . . . . .

many

people

by

(it) is read

he <Musashi>

(a) talented

charcoal-ink painter

also

. . .
was and

many

masterpieces

produced

27

Pub Staff

Key Skills

Finding Work
To pick up bar work the best route is to contact a bar directly. Many of the Irish and British pubs in Japan have recruitment information on their websites that will tell you who to
contact and how to contact them. If there is no such info, you
can call them anyway and ask if they need staff, but try to do
it when they arent busy; afternoon or early evening on a week
day might be best. Another option would be to check the big
job sites aimed at non-Japanese as they often have positions
listed.

28

Given that customers generally speak either English or

Japanese, being bilingual is a big advantage. Prior experience working in a bar is also helpful, but not always essential.
What is essential is an outgoing personality and the ability to
be firm, but friendly when dealing with difficult customers.
When hiring, most bars will also look favorably on anyone
who shows they are flexible to covering shifts at short notice
and to those who can commit to their position for at least a
year and work several shifts a week.

The Pay
Starts from about 900 yen/hour and can rise to 1,500 yen/
hour for part-timers, who can expect to work shifts either from
around 11 am to 5 pm or from about 5 pm through to as late
as 1 am. You can also expect your travel expenses reimbursed,
including a taxi home if you have to work past the last train.
Unlike in many other countries, bar staff cant expect to get
tips in Japan, although you might occasionally get bought a
drink.

You will find the reason why

so many people from more than 25
countries choose J-OS.

Japan Online School Corporation - Since 2004

TEL: 0467-58-8710 MAIL: info@j-os.com

900

1,500

11 5 5 1

Tips from a bar tender

1. Many people like the idea of working behind a bar because
they like drinking in front of one, but its best to stay sober
and focus on doing a good job.
2. K
 eep smiling. Nobody wants to be served by someone who
looks miserable or disinterested.

29

Immigration Lawyer
Office: 1-526-8-104, Kosugi-machi, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa

1-526-8-104
TEL: 044-739-3275FAX: 044-739-3274
E-mail: info@kaneto.info
URL: www.kaneto.info

KANETO Mitsuru

What Should I do to Extend my Stay to
Continue Job Hunting?

I graduated from a vocational college this March and

obtained a specialist degree. However, with the recession
I am still having difficulties finding a job and my visa will
expire in about a month. Please advise me what I should
do in order to extend my stay and continue job hunting.
Furthermore, if I fail, is it possible for me to go back to my
country once and then return to find a job in Japan?

If you have been job hunting before graduation

and want to continue looking for a job after graduation, it is possible for you to stay in Japan on a
Temporary Stay visa if you can provide a document
to certify that you are looking for a job and a recommendation letter from the college you graduated from. In this
case, the maximum visa length is 180 days from graduation.

You wont have a problem if you have graduated from university; however, as for a specialist graduating from vocational college, if you leave Japan, you will be unable to re-enter
Japan to look for work. You need to change your visa status
and get a job while you are staying in Japan.

180

Consultation
For
Visa Problems

Takeuchi Office

ACCESS: very near Musashikosugi

Station, 15 minutes from Shibuya
on the Toyoko Line express.

30

TEL: 03-5356-9980
mobile: 080-6507-7832
FAX: 03-5356-9981
E-mail: astm.office@rainbow.plala.or.jp
Address: 1-59-4 Yamatocho, Nakanoku,
Tokyo 165-0034 Japan

Green Forest Hights

Warabi Stn. (JR keihin Tohoku)

http://www.guesthouse.cc

Weekly pay
Monthly pay

-<8-2OIZUMI-GAKUEN/WARABI/IIDABASHI/NISHI-KAWAGUCHI

EN
FLAT TOKYO
03-3288-2355 info@mmtl.jp www.mmtl.jp
No key money, guarantor, agent fee required.
Utility expenses included in most rooms.
Fully furnished and internet access.

Apartment: 115,000month
Guesthouse: 59,000month

Yotsuya (easy access to Shinjuku and Tokyo.

Waseda House (near Waseda university and Shinjuku )
Waseda Residence (near Mejiro sta. high grade apt.)
Yoga apartment (11min from Shibuya to yoga sta.)
We are an apartment and guesthouse agency,
providing accommodation the center of Tokyo since 2003.

31

From the Editorial Desk

In sumo, the difference

in treatment between juryo
and makushita divisions is as
Editorial Note
big as the difference between
heaven and hell. Kotoyutaka

(27), who is scheduled to
be promoted to the juryo division in the
Nagoya basho (this July) is getting a lot of
media attention recently. He had his first
bout at the spring basho in 1997 when he
was 15 years old and it took 12 years to
become a juryo wrestler. He said he would
give all of his salary payment to his parents.

27

1997

12

The number of participants at the Tokyo

Party used to be around
60. However, the
numbers have started
to increase since this
spring and we now see
around 80 people getting together at our parties. On May 22nd, one day after the first case of new influenza was
found in Tokyo, and media warning reports were at their peak, our
party staff were surprised to see more than 100 people attend. No
reservation is required for the Tokyo party, so you can come anytime you like.

60

80 5 22

100

In Japanese History Maker, we introduced MIYAMOTO Musashi. Now the

animated movie Miyamoto Musashi
Dreams for Two Swords is in cinemas.
The hero Musashi is more handsomely
drawn than usual as compared to his portrait displayed in museums.

15

Hiragana Times Party Participants are

Increasing!

Trend and Culture Writers Wanted

We are looking for writers who cover youth culture, trends and
entertainment. If you are interested, please send your resume to the

address below.

editor@hiraganatimes.com

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIRAGANA TIMES

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Publisher & Editor: HASEGAWA KatsuyukiAssistant Editors: Rob GOSS, TANAKA Kuniko, SHIBASAKI AkemiIllustrations: YOSHIDA ShinkoDTP: NAKADA Natsuko

People in Japan

Kodanshi, Professional Storyteller:

KANDA Kaori

Traditional Storyteller
Focuses on Social Issues

odan (professional storytelling) is a traditional form

of Japanese entertainment with a history of over
500 years. Kodan was originally a way of passing
on history, but recently the stories are not limited to only
past events. Professional storytellers sit in front of a small
desk and talk for about 20 minutes to one hour. Sometimes
with light and sound effects, the audience enjoys storytellers
rhythmic intonation and can imagine the scenes of the story.

500

respected figures. Furthermore, storytellers were regarded as

journalists who introduced culture and news to the people of the
time. Kodan stories are passed down from generation to generation through an oral tradition; however, storytellers can arrange
the stories as they like. Many storytellers often create their own
stories using their favorite subjects or current issues. It is said
that there were 500 to 600 storytellers from the end of the Edo
period to the Meiji era. Today, however, there are about 100.

20 1

In times past when many were illiterate, kodan played an

educational role by teaching people about the lives of highly

500 600

Note

100

In kodan a fan called hari oogi is used to signal a scene change, pacing rhythm, and emphasizing.

33

People in Japan

Storyteller KANDA Kaori often tells stories based on

social issues. One of her favorites is Hadashi no Gen (Barefoot Gen) in kodan style. The story was inspired by a trip
to Saipan in 1984. Kaori learned the history of Saipan and
visited Banzai cliff, where many Japanese settlers committed
suicide at the end of the WW2. After that she visited Okinawa,
Hiroshima and Nagasaki to learn about those who suffered in
the war.

1984

Kaori soon called on the writer, NAKAZAWA Keiji, who

willingly gave her permission to use it. Although the story is
very miserable, both the storyteller and listeners are encouraged and can gain power from this tale. Gen inspires me
always and thanks to him I am fine and happy now, says
Kaori.

Kaori came
from Fukushima
Prefecture to Tokyo
to be an actress. She
entered one of the
training schools, but
whenever she spoke,
it was pointed out
that her dialect was incorrect. After
graduation, she entered an entertainment
company and had the chance to learn
about kodan. When she began to take
lessons, Kaori was surprised to find that
kodan helped correct her intonation

The more Kaori learned about the misery, the more

she became confused.
So much in fact she
had a nightmare. She
questioned why she
had such a bold thought
to create and tell a
story about the war.
At a point where she
was about to give up
her project, she happened to see the cartoon
Hadashi no Gen. It is
a story about the misery
of the atomic bomb attack, with a nine-year-old boy called
Gen as the main character, which also provides some laughter
and encouragement to readers.

At present she performs in various places in Japan with the

subjects such as the Story of Billie Holiday with Jazz music
and the Statue of Sorrowful Mother and Children, inspired
by a US military plane crash that happened in Yokohama in
1977. In that incident a mother and her two children died
while the pilot survived.

Kodan Statue of Sorrowful Mother and Children by KANDA Kaori will be held on July 25th at the Bungei center
(Aoto, Katsushika Ward, Tokyo). Admission fee: 1,000 yen. e-mail: takada@amail.plala.or.jp

34

1977

become a society with an income gap, I think many people are

depressed. I thought people could get some relief by just saying what they think, even for a short time.

Kaori has had many bitter experiences

including marital problems and returning
to her parents home with her two small
daughters. Because of that, she often receives
requests to lecture about raising children or
womens issues. She makes stories from different angles with
jokes, sometimes adding political criticism.

I dont think that its enough for a housewife to

be concerned only about household matters. Also, a
politician shouldnt pay attention only to his election.
I want to create something I can do as
a storyteller for the whole of society.
Working in entertainment is a challenge for oneself and an entertainer
fights with oneself. It is an endless
challenge, says Kaori.

People are apt to think that the incidents

like war and accidents are rare cases, but those
involved are just ordinary people like us. I try
to find some laughter in disaster. I hope you
feel sympathy for the fact that
people have their respective
lives, though each individual
is a tiny being, Kaori says.

2007

Kaori has held kodan gatherings for amateurs in Tokyo,

Fukushima and Nagoya since 2007. Kaori says: As Japan has

Hana mo Arashi mo Koushakushi ga Katarimasu.

(A storyteller tells everything) written by KANDA Kaori.
Published by Nanatsumori Shokan Inc. 1,890 yen

1,890

Kanda Kaori official site

www.ppn.co.jp/kannda

7 25 1,000
takada@amail.plala.or.jp

35

Tokyo

Yakushima



Japans Lost World: Yakushima

iant waterfalls, shrub-covered mountains, and twisted, ancient cedar trees. You will find them all on
one island Yakushima. This round island is located
about 60 km off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu,
in a subtropical area of Japan, making its snow capped peaks
of winter a surprising contradiction. It rains heavily and often
there, about half the year.

60

A large section of Yakushima

was listed as a World Natural
Heritage Site by UNESCO in
1993, and one can easily see
why. Probably the main draw is
the giant cedar (sugi) trees, aka
Yakusugi, that dot the mountains and make up much of the
forests canopy. You can see these all
over the island, by roaming any number
of trails.

Jomonsugi

Miyanoura-dake

Hananoego

Tachudake

Kigensugi

Yakusugi Land

Shiratani Unsuikyo

Wilson Kabu

Kuromi-dake

Ohko-no-taki

Yakushima Airport

Sanbon-ashisugi

1993

Miyanoura Port

Nagata Inaka-hama

Yakushima
Nature Museum

Senpiro-no-taki

Yakushima is a hikers paradise, and just taking a few of

the main trails, you can see most of the best spots. Maybe the
easiest and most tourist-friendly trail is that of Yakusigi Land.
Over 1,000 meters above sea level, the park has several paths,
taking from 30 minutes to two-and-a-half hours.

1,000

30 2

Yakusugi Land

36

Anbo

Jyomon sugi

Yayoi sugi

The hiking there is relatively easy and you can see a wide
variety of enormous trees. Yakusugi Nature Hall/Museum
is along the way to Yakusugi Land and is a beautiful building, inside and out, where you
can see cutaway samples of the
cedars, along with art and educational displays explaining the
history of the island.

Kigen sugi

animated film Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke). Its

easy to imagine the characters making their way through this
forest.

As famous a location as
the forest of Mononoke Hime
is though, the biggest attracThe forest of Shiratani Unsuikyo is a much
Yakusugi Nature Museum
tion on the island is the iconic
darker, covered forest than Yakusugi Land,
Joumonsugi tree. Standing at 25
and the lush, green moss is breathtaking. A variety of courses
meters tall and over 5 meters wide and with age estimations
takes you past named cedar trees, like Yayoisugi and
varying wildly from 2,000 to 7,200 years old Joumonsugi is
Sanbon-ashisugi. But the real payoff here is Mononoke no
a long hike at about 5 hours each way. The first half of the trip
Mori (Mononoke Forest), which was the inspiration behind
is fairly easy, following an old logging track on mostly even
some of the dramatic locations of MIYAZAKI Hayaos

Shiratani Unsuikyo, a model of Mononoke Hime

Sanbonashisugi

Miyanoura dake

land and over rivers, then the trail veers off into the mountains
and it is all uphill from there. Also on the same path is the
Wilson Kabu (stump), a large hollowed out tree stump. Its
important to note that any one of these trails usually end up
taking most of the day.

25 5

2,000 7,200

Kuromi dake

Miyanoura-dake, which commands a spectacular view of the

island and ocean.

1,936

The most difficult hike would be

the trail to Miyanoura-dake, Yakushimas highest mountain at
1,936 meters. This requires an early start. But before getting
to the top, a wonderful site to see is the Hananoego highland
marsh, where bone white trees, stripped of their bark, contrast
dramatically with the green backdrop. A good alternate route
can take you to Kuromi-dake (1,831 meters) or continue on to

Senpiro-no-taki

38

1,831

The sound of running water

can almost always be heard,
no matter where you are on the
island. Rivers and waterfalls are
everywhere. The two waterfalls
that compete to be the most
impressive are Senpiro-no-taki,
Wilson kabu
overlooking a massive, granite
gorge, and Ohko-no-taki, which
cascades over the rocks from high above.

Ohko-no-taki

Tachuu dake Hananoegou

Nagata Inaka-hama

At the waterfalls, and just about everywhere else, wildlife can be found in many forms. Monkeys (yakuzaru) can
sometimes be seen, and seem to be considerably more docile
than their annoying mainland counterparts. Deer (yakushika)
are everywhere, especially deeper into the mountains. On
Yakushima you can also witness sea turtles laying their eggs
on the western beach of Nagata
Inaka-hama from May to July.
Special tours can be arranged to
see these rare events.

the whole forest to yourself. The tops of the mountains are,

however, snow covered and rather treacherous. So caution is
advised.

Transport and Accommodation

After a flight to Kagoshima

Airport, you have a choice of
reaching the island by small plane
(around 30 minutes) or by ferry
(around 4 hours) from Kagoshima
port to Miyanoura, or by jetfoil to
Miyanoura or Ambo ports (around
2 to 2 1/2 hours). There are several
places to stay, ranging from small
lodges, to mid-size hotels, to luxury
Yakushika
hotels. All of the trails need to be
reached by some sort of transportation. Bus (cheap but limited
schedule), taxi (convenient but expensive), and rental car (by
far the best option, if possible) can be found.

5 7

Yakuzaru

These are only the highlights, mind you.

More trails, kayaking, mountain climbing,
hot springs, scuba diving, museums, and wonderful, local cuisine and crafts add considerably more to the complete experience.

Visiting Yakushima is easy enough, but a bit expensive

depending on your length of stay. Short package tours are
reasonable, but are often too short to take in the many sites,
not to mention the expected bad-weather-day. Spring, before
the rainy season, when the flowers are in bloom, and late summer, are also good times to go. Winter is an interesting time
too, as very few people are there and youll feel like you have

30

2 2

Yakushima Tourism Association www1.ocn.ne.jp/~yakukan/

Text: Jerremy DROUIN

39

Touching Japanese Life



Genuine Geisha Party

in Tokyo

n the Japanese language, the word omotenashi is

used to describe hospitality. It means to offer enough
services to customers for them to be fully satisfied.
OMOTENASHI Experience, an event to experience the
Japanese omotenashi spirit, is regularly held at Muromachi
Fukutokujuku (Nihonbashi, Chuo Ward, Tokyo) by Mitsui
Fudosan Co., Ltd. and the Shinnichiya Tokyo Kimono Club.

OMOTENASHI

The event is designed for non-Japanese to become more

familiar with Japanese culture and traditions. It includes
drinking good sake, eating tsumami (snacks for when you
drink alcohol) made of seasonal ingredients, and experiencing
ozashiki-asobi, (traditional, sophisticated Edo entertainment
with geisha on tatami mats), which cannot be easily experienced in Tokyo.

At the event, ohayashi (musical accompaniments) are

played with shamisen, fue and taiko, and geisha perform traditional Japanese dances. If you wish you can go up on the stage
and enjoy games with geisha, such as Tosenkyo (hitting a
target with an opened fan), which is an old game dating back
to the Edo period, or Tora-tora-tora, a game of charades.

After the games are over, geisha come around to each

table and pour sake for you. Staff, all wearing kimono, speak
English and can interpret for you, so you can talk with the geisha easily and take photos together with them.

Tosenkyo

40

some of the best entertainers. He says: I

pondered how non-Japanese can experience genuine Japanese culture and
the spirit of it. I hope they enjoy our
performances.

Ms. Susan D. REED, a district attorney from Texas says:

It is wonderful to be able to have such an experience as this
in Tokyo. It is the first time for me to come to Japan, but I
would like to experience it again when I come here the next
time. His Excellency Mr. Stuart H. COMBERBACH, the
Ambassador of Zimbabwe, says: I like the atmosphere of the
stage. I think it is such an attractive experience to get to know
the personality and grace of the geisha.

YAMAGUCHI Hirobumi

Normally, you cannot experience a genuine ozashiki-asobi

unless you go to Kyoto or Kanazawa. NISHIURA Kihachiro,
who is an MC for the event says: I try not to give too much
explanation. I think it is important for the customers to experience it directly. YAMAGUCHI Hirobumi, the president of
Shinnichiya, has been in the business of operating events that
introduce Japanese culture for a long time and has recruited

The performance lasts an hour and a half and costs 12,000

yen per person. Reservations are required in advance. The
event is held every other Saturday, twice a month. In July it
will be held on the 4th and 18th.

1 30 12,000

7 4 18
OMOTENASHI Experience Muromachi Fukutokujuku
OMOTENASHI
Reservation rsv@tokyo-kimonoclub.com

Tora-tora-tora

41

d Delicious
, an
!

Sim
pl

e,

n
Fu

Reikos Recipes



Usually a hamburger
is made with both
minced beef and minced
pork, but Japanese-style
hamburger usually uses
pork and is served with
finely grated Japanese
radish which gives the
dish a refreshing taste.

Japanese-Style
Hamburger Steak

Ingredients [Serves 2] 2
300g minced pork
1/2 onion
1 egg
10 green perilla leaves
a half loaf of bread torn into pieces,
or, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
70 ml milk
1 tbsp ginger juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sake

1/4 Japanese radish grated

1 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
a little yuzu pepper, if available

300g
1/2
1
10
1/2

1/3
70cc
1
1
1
1/4
1

AKIYAMA Reiko
Reiko is a cooking teacher from Tokyo.
Director of Party-Winds. Ltd.
She hosts parties centered
on interesting food, with simple
lessons for the guests.

White bread or breadcrumbs

should be soaked in milk until
softened.

42

If you would like to attend a party or take lessons

E-mail: p-winds@pw.catv.ne.jp

To Prepare

1. Finely chop the onion.

2. Saute the onion in a frying pan and then leave to cool.
3. Finely chop the green perilla leaves.
4. Put the minced pork, sauted onion, green perilla, egg, bread soaked
in milk, ginger juice, soy sauce and sake into a pot and mix well.
5. Put a bit of oil (separate from the frying oil) on your palm and shape
the mince mix (4) into four disc-shaped burgers, making sure to get
as much air out of the mix as possible.
6. Put some vegetable oil in the frying pan, add the four burgers and
fry on a high heat. Fry on both sides until browned.
7. Then fry on a low heat until the meats juice will come out clear
when skewered.
8. Place the grated Japanese radish and yuzu pepper on the hamburger
and then dress with soy sauce, if desired.

5 4

6

8

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43

Nijushi no Hitomi (Twenty-four Eyes)

Directed by KINOSHITA Keisuke

A Nostalgic Story of a Teacher

and Students on a Small Island

he book Nijushi no Hitomi (Twenty-four Eyes) by

TSUBOI Sakae might be a familiar story to many
Japanese, but most likely a considerably fewer number of people have seen the black and white 1954 film based
on the famous story. Just one of the 50 films directed by the
prolific KINOSHITA Keisuke, Twenty-four Eyes easily stands
out as one of the most memorable of the late, great director.

1954

50

The story centers on a vibrant, young teacher, OISHI Hisako,

played by TAKAMINE Hideko, and starts from the very beginning of her teaching career, educating first-year students on the
island of Shodoshima in the Inland Sea, Kagawa Prefecture.
Initially, the film takes place in 1928 and old, traditional values
are on full display. Miss Oishi goes against the grain by riding a
bicycle on her long journey from home to school, all the while
wearing a modern suit rather than a kimono, drawing the ire and
gossip of the island women. Her modern ways are more of a
practical measure rather than meant as disrespect.

Non-Japanese will
receive a 15% discount.
When making a
reservation, please
mention Hiragana Times.

44

1928

Miss Oishi teaches 12 students, who quickly develop a

close relationship with her. This loyalty eventually changes
the attitudes of the grown ups. Not long after, however, as the
result of an innocent prank by the children, Miss Oishi injurs
her leg, making it impossible to ride her bike to school, and
therefore must transfer to the higher grade school near her
home.

12

DVD jacket.

156 minutes.

3,990 yen
DVD

Fast forward four years when her original 12

students reach grade 5 and she once again becomes
their teacher. The reunion is sweet, but the harsh
realities of life start to interfere with the childrens
lives. One girl has to quit school and work far
away. Another girls family must sell everything
and leave town. And yet another girl must give up
her dream of being a singer in order to help out at
her familys restaurant.

156
3,990

4 12

2007DVD
1954/2007

DVD is also sold overseas. The cover is from the

Criterion Collection in USA.

www.criterion.com

Besides poverty, Japans war in Asia affects the inhabitants

of the island, as the boys dream of becoming soldiers, much
to the chagrin of their teacher, whos simple desire not to see
anyone killed puts her at odds with the nationalistic sentiment of the time. Add to all of this her disenchantment with
teaching, as the atmosphere of censorship and paranoia at her
school slowly sap her enthusiasm, eventually leading her to
resign and start a family.

By the end of the movie, 20 years have passed and we see

an older Miss Oishi reunited with the remaining members of
her original class. War and disease have taken some of them,
but enough return to show their gratitude to her. Miss Oishi
takes up teaching once again, returning to the small school
where she began her career. Takamine portrays Oishi with
absolute charm and grace, from her youthful exuberance to
older melancholy.

20

Text: Jeremy DROUIN

45

Non-tittled by KIM Won Hee

Unicorn by TAKEMURA Yuri

Lily in the dark by BABA Ayumi

Presence Asian Arowana by ITO Yoshihisa

English-Japanese Bilingual Digital Books:

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Japanese are very mysterious people in many ways to foreigners. Why dont they
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For students learning Japanese. Explained are Japanese language peculiarities,

the differences in thinking between English and Japanese etc., including Japanese
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Narrator: ONO Keiko / David CRYSTAL

2007 10 2008 12

15 22 1,500
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In Japan there are some unique practices such as the wrapping culture and the way
Japan counts years. These tips will be helpful for your life in Japan. Published from
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Other books are also available.

Narrator: ONO Keiko / David CRYSTAL

2007 10 2008 6 9

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