Maiko in Kyoto

Walking through the Geshia district in Kyoto, you may cross paths with an apprentice Geshia known as Maiko-san.

It was just a quick glimse through the crowd, but as you can see they're are quite easy to spot.

The International Festival UTAGE Osaka (a.k.a food festival)

This event, I was told only occurs once every 4 years, since 1985! The theme of this year was "learn about and enjoy food", which I sure did! The festival also featured innovative techonology to help bring more declicious food to your mouth, faster and more effeciently.

I had the opportunity to try dishes from each continent of the world. My stomach went home very happy.

For more information visit: http://www.shokuhaku.gr.jp/en/index.html

Children's Day (Kodomo no hi)

Today is the national holiday where all children are celebrated and their mothers are honoured.

Symbol of children's day:

"The carp kites which are flown for this festival are called 'koinobori' and are colourful - usually decorated with red or blue - and made of white cloth. They symbolise success due to the carp's long life and golden colour and are also supposed to drive away evil spirits. They are believed to represent strength and determination of spirit in the same way the carp travels against the current. In some houses, a carp is flown for each family member with the father's being the largest at the top down to the youngest child's at the bottom".

Under the process of globalization, even KFC's Colonel Sanders is celebrating the day!

The following information was provided by http://www.essortment.com/all/kodomonohijap_rnsd.htm

Hanshin Tigers!

Inspired by Prof. Fedorowicz at Kansai Gaidai, I felt obligated to see a Hanshin Tigers game in at the Korien Stadium in Osaka. The day we went we saw the Tigers get crushed by the Carps. Even though I don't really like baseball, in fact, you might say I hate baseball, I decided it was an experience that living in Osaka compels you to do.

Regardless, I had a good time--on our way to the game we decided to get all decked-out and buy as much as we could to support Tigers! Made friends with some random group of middle-aged Japanese folks who were very generous to share their alcohol. This was one of things that shocked me--not that I was getting free alcohol from people I didn't know, but that you could so easily sneak your own booze into the stadium. In fact, if you showed up to two cans of beer at the stadium gates they poured it into a disposable glass for you! I couldn't believe this!



I wasn't surprised by the Japanese style food that was offered at the game, curry rice, noodles and the like. They also offered KFC and nachos and cheese!

Even though we lost, towards the end of the game almost everyone to the stadium bought long balloons that were released near the end of the last inning.

Baseball, and any professional sport back home for that matter was nothing like this. The crowd even had songs prepared to cheer on each player up to bat! It was truly an experience I will never forget.

North East West South

On my way home from a night out, I caught a glimpse of some workers unloading the daily newspaper. This was at about oh, I don't know...1:00AM!

1 bike, 2 bike, 3 bike 4...You're bike isn't here anymore

I have been living in Japan since September..and maybe I shouldn't mention this, but for the purpose of this post I feel I have no choice! I have been parking my bike illegally all over Japan. And much to my dismay, it has been towed.

I, of course, first noticed it was missing when I went to pick it up outside of the train station where I had left -- probably for longer than 24 hours. Fortunately, there was a note taped onto the ground saying where the bikes were taken and had an address and other contact information regarding the pick-up location. It also mentioned how much it would cost to get my bike back, and if I didn't pick it up by the said date--GARBAGE; they would recycle it!

So, actually this whole situation (other than the fee of about 1,000 yen -- roughly 10 bucks) worked out pretty good for me. Not only was the bike was transported closer to where I reside (Seminar House), but it there was also air pumped into my tires and the breaks and gears were well oiled! The condition of the bike was actually better than it was when I bought it from the local bike shop!

So, the moral of the story here is, if you are looking to get some work on your bike for 10 bucks...have it towed!

Panyasan (Bread Shop)

Bread. I love it. And when I return to the Great White North, I will miss it oh so much!

In Japan, bread shops specialize in all sorts of delicious pastry. There are sweet breads filled with whipped cream, chocolate, Japanese green tea, and the like. There are cheese breads, garlic breads and breads that are paired with curry or meat -- like little pizza breads or stuffed with potato and bacon.

I literally could continue... I really love it. So, when I passed this particular bread shop in Osaka I thought it was worthy of a blog post. Aren't they cute???

Turtle, turtle!

Courtesy Flush

It came to my attention that others would be interested in knowing that Japan is doing it's part to reduce water consumption in washrooms.

At Kansai Gaidai University in every washroom stall you can find these devises which when activated send out a toilet flushing sound!

So what ever your business, remember that there is no longer a need for the courtesy flush.

How to kill a shrimp

I was invited out with my friends family on the weekend. We went to this really nice restaurant and ate a whOoping 10 course meal! (or so it seemed...)

When it came time to enjoy some nabe, a one pot dish (one of Japan's popular dishes), well I just sort of sat back and waited for everyone to do their thing before I stuck my chopsticks into anything (figuratively of course).




After the items had been placed in the pot and the broth had come to a boil, my friends mom asked the table who wanted the eat the shrimp... As a guest, naturally, I was offered... The only catch was that, I needed to kill it first!

The 4 Seasons

Before I came to Japan, well actually even when I was here, I heard and read a lot (mostly in tourism books) about Japan famously known for having 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

At first, I thought...what's the big deal? I mean, Canada ALSO has 4 seasons -- which I think are quite pretty...

Then, it dawned on me on this particular day when I saw this Kewpei display, that Japan takes great pride in their seasons because each one is truly unique to some cultural aspect or another. There are rare snow-falls in the winter time, unless you live in Hokkaido (where oddly enough where climate conditions are very similar to that of Southern-Ontario)... In the fall, they have "red-leaf" viewing, and there are a ton of beautiful scenic areas in Kyoto. I was really surprised to see how long the leaves stay on the trees before falling. Spring is famous for hanami when pink and white cheery blossoms welcome in the new year, a.k.a. work-terms begin and school commences. Finally, summer, when the biggest and best of the yearly festivals occur.

Some old into something new

Have you ever been to a used clothing store...in Japan? Let me tell you, it looks nothing like a Salvation Army store back home...

First of all, the prices are almost the same as a regular store. Which you may think, defeats the purpose of buying clothes that have previously been worn.

Japanese used clothing stores, like WEGO are best known for taking something old and making it into something new! Used clothing imported from countries like the U.S.A. and Canada are literally torn apart and re-sewn together to make a new article. There will always only be one item in one size, so once it's gone--it's gone!

If you have a chance to sneak around Amemura (lit. America ville) in Namba, Osaka...you can stumble upon many of these kinds of stores.

A touch of home

On my way home from Takarazuka, I spotted this sign in the station and it reminded me of home.

We have a highway in Ontario called the QEW - Queen Elizabeth Way...

Is the mask of Zorro hidding a woman's face?

In the land of Takarazuka (because the town and train stop are under this name), all women actress play both male and female roles--opposite to Kabuki, where the players are all men.

I went to see the musical version of Zorro. My final comments of the show, excluding the fact that I could barely understand anything that was going on vocally, was NOTHING like the actually story! There were 3 characters playing Zorro at once, 1 of them was a women...they called her "lady Zorro"! Who ever heard of that? Regardless, the world of Takarazuka is quite complex and I was lucky enough to learn about it in Dr. Hester's gender and sexuality in Japan.

Becoming an actress in Takarazuka is highly competitive, and of course like any other mode of entertainment, once you get too old, you're out, and it's time for the next wave to come in. Only the women who play male roles are able to become top stars, yet most of all the players receive gifts from thousands (and I almost mean that literally) of fans. Women who play male roles are especially said to make good housewives, because they understand their male counterpart.

After the show was over, we stayed at the front gates to see if we could catch a glimpse of any of the top stars leaving the building. This part of the day really shocked me... as each actress made her appearence, all of the superfans knelt on the group and everyone came single... respectful clapping filled the air, but it all seemed very sublte actions compared to how these middle-aged women adored the female stars.

Kids in High Fashion!

When I was in my youth...ok, well I still am in my youth...but, you know what I mean. My mom took me shopping at places like Northern Getaway. Although I cannot find any pictures portraying their unique style (probably because they have since gone out of business)...they manufactured clothing with "Spice Mice" and "Catstreet Boys" after popular artists in those days.

I wore flared jeans and sneakers. I was pretty proud of my good fashion sense in that day and age.

The other day when I was walking through the underground passage between stations in Umeda, Osaka....I came across this family: a mother and her two girls. I was quite surprized to see that her kids had so much style at their age!

I can't even remember how old I was when I first wore a pair of boots/high heels...maybe 14? Definitely older than these two!

Sumo

According to Japanese legend the very origin of the Japanese race depended on the outcome of a sumo mathc. the supremacy of the Japanese people on the islands of Japan was supposedly established when the god, Takemikazuchi, won a sumo bout with the leader of a rival tribe. Apart from legend, however, sumo is an ancient sport dating back some 1500 years ago.

日本相撲協会

Nihon－Sumo－Kyokai

This March Sumo has come to Osaka! We weren't sitting that close, but that didn't stop us from feeling apart of the action!

Asashoryu in opening ceremony.

This just goes to show that in Sumo, size doesn't really matter.

and don't forget about the snacks! During a sumo match, you can enjoy a nice hot cup of ramen.

Yum!

International Food!

One great advantage about being in Japan is traveling to other countries near by!

During the winter vacation, I travelled to South Korea and Taiwan and for the Spring Break I ventured to Thailand.

I have to honestly say, the thing I liked most in all three countries was definitely the food!

In Taiwan I enjoyed...

Roasted Duck.

Hello Kitty burger!

Dinner served in a toilet.

In South Korea I tried...

Spicy Ramen with a side of pickles and, of course, kimchi!

Hot Chocolate!

and In Thailand...

Double Cheese Pork Burger (potato chips).

Street food.

And really, really good Pad Thai!

Torikizoku--Where everything is 280円

In Japan, Izakaya style restaurants are very popular. They are casual restaurants (usually loud and smoke-filled) where all of the dishes on the menu come in small portions, so that you can try many different foods without filling up on one dish.

At Torikizoku they offer a variety of chicken dishes. Many students from Kansai Gaidai enjoy eating here because everything on the menu is 280 yen (294 with taxes included).

May I take your order?

What do you do when you want to get your server's attention?

• a: Wait paitently until they walk by.
• b: Scan the room in hopes to make eye-contact.
• c: Scream "EXCUSE ME" at the top of your lungs.
• d: Simply push a button to notify the entire restaurant staff that someone is wanted at your table.

see answer below

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In Canada, either a or b would suffice. In Japan, c or d are your ideal answer. If these answers were reversed... I'd image that in Japan you'd never get served and Canadians would find the other ways quite rude.

Volleyball: Japan vs. Canada

There are several differences between playing club sports in Japan, compared to in my home country (Canada).

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I played volleyball in Canada for 8 years from elementary school to high school and I was nowhere near prepared for what I experienced when I played with a girls volleyball team at Kashiba High School in Nara, Japan.

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First, at my high school in Canada, different sports rotated throughout the year. This allowed me to play on a different team each season of the year. In Japan, I was only able to choose one sport to play during the year. Second, in Canada, we had 2 morning practices and 2 afternoon games each week. School related sports only occurred during the week, thus weekend tournaments were optional to attend. In Japan, we had practices twice everyday--in the morning and after school. Games were hosted only on weekends (Saturdays). Third, sportsmanship and competitiveness also differed between the two countries. In Canada, it was common to have team members miss practices when it was inconvenient for them, as well as put down other team members when we lost a point. In Japan, it was quite the contrary. Team members were always at practice, unless they had plausible reason to miss it. After every point, gained or lost, the last person to touch the ball received a high-five from each player! This sportsmanship genuinely showed that whatever happens, everyone is there to have fun.

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This is the symbol or mascot for volleyball in Japan called "Babo-chan".

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I think that these differences between playing club sports in Japan vs. in Canada is primarily due to how students are disciplined in school.

I joined a volleyball circle (which doesn't require as much commitment as a club) at Kansai Gaidai . The TRAPxTRAP volleyball circle has 2 practices per week for fun scrimmaging (see above) and technique training.

No Smoking

After a night out at Café Absinthe, I was surprised at a women who was sitting beside me in the train. She took from her bag a handkerchief and held it to her face. I can only assume it was becuase I reeked of cigarettes and shisha. Usually, I am the one who is bothered by the smell of smoke. This time it was the other way around--it was me who was bothering someone else...

I think they should ban smoking indoors or at least have seperate smoking sections in restaurants, bars, etc. in Japan.

How to play UFO catcher (in Japan)

Cat, dog stationmaster boost local railways

The Tomiuri Shimbun


Canine and feline stationmasters in three prefectures have brought fame to little-known small town stations, attracting passengers from across the country.

The three sweet stationmasters have brought encouraging news to their respective semi-public joint ventures and regional private railway companies, some of which are suffering from financial difficulties.

A Yorkshire terrier in uniform toddles past passengers who have just gotten off a train, making them all smile. The dog, named Marron, was appointed honorary stationmaster of Okunakayama-kogen Station on the Iwate Ginga Railway in Ichinohemachi, Iwate Prefecture, in June.

Located about 50 kilometers away from JR Morioka Stations on the Tohoku Shinkansen line, the station has no famed shrines nearby. Nevertheless, the small station was packed with visitors during the New Year holiday, as unimaginable scene in previous years. About 50 passengers a day, including some from as far away as Osaka and Hokkaido, visited the station, just to see Marron.

A thousand cell-phone charms featuring the canine stationmaster sold out in six months. The first 8,000 copies of his photo book, which was published in November, are also expected to be sold out soon.



In Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, a feline stationmaster named Bus works at Ashinomaki-onsen Station on the Aizu Railway, having attracted 28,000 passengers in six months after she "took office" in April, about 1.5 times the number from the same period a year ago.

The feline became popular after she was regularly featured in the background of a weather forecast program on local TV.

"We can never thank Bus enough," said Tetsuya Koshiba, assistant manager of the administration division of the Aizu Railway Co.

Tama the Cat, the pioneer of animal stationmasters, is now in her third year at Kishi Station on the Wakayama Electric Railway in Konokawa, Wakayama Prefecture.

Tama has helped raise about 10 million yen in donations since autumn last year, with which the company plans to run "Tama Train" from March, a train car painted with various pictures of Tama.

According to earnings reports on third sector railway firms released by the council of semi-public railway companies, only five of its 36 members firms posted profits in fiscal 2007, among them Miigata-based Hokuetsu Express Co. On the other hand, the number of passengers declined from the previous year at 21 companies.

As the report suggests, many local railway companies are suffering from a decline in the number of passengers.

They may consider the same strategy, but the cuddly stationmasters are not overnight idols.
Marron has been commuting to the station for eight year with his owner, Yoko Motoki, 65, who is commissioned to take care of that station. Bus was brought to the station nine years ago by a local child who found her on the street. All of the four-legged stationmasters seem to be content with "salaries" comprising meals and some treats.

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This article was taken from The Daily Yomirui.
Printed Thursday, February 26, 2009--A3

Japanese nail art: Trendy or Tacky?

Getting a manicure in Japan can be quite costly, but when you see the elaborate and intricate designs with the additional bells and whistles (and I almost mean that literally) for your tiny nails, I'd say your money is well spent.

However, you don't have to go to a salon to get a professional look. You can purchase pre-made nail art kits or if you are feeling adventurous and crafty you can do it yourself. A friend of mine, who does nail art as a hobby, really makes it look easy.

Do it yourself!

Nail art, not just for the hands, is also popular to wear on your toes.

I really appreciate this form of art! It's very creative and unique. I can see why people might find Japanese nail art to be tacky. On the contrary, I think it is very trendy. It would be cool to see this art form internationalize. Unfortunately because I play sports, I can't really have mine done...

What do you think about Japanese nail art? Trendy or Tacky?

Various designs.
This photo was taken from The Intricate Science Of Nail Art

自虐の詩 / Happily Ever After（２００７）

I watched this film the other day called「自虐の詩」or "Happily Ever After" in English. The title actually translates into something like 自虐 "self-torturing" 詩 "poem".

It's a romantic comedy set in Osaka, about two people who through their hardships prove their love to each other. My favourite parts of the movie is when Yukie's meals are literally tossed aside.

Training wheels

One of the first things that foreigners arriving in Japan are often surprised by are the vast number of bicycles. Practically everyone, from grandmothers to well dressed businessmen use a “jitensha” (bicycle) as a form of mainstream transportation. The bicycle is an integral part of Japanese society, unlike in Canada where bicycles are used mostly for recreation.

For me, getting back on the bike was rather challenging. Last time I rode a bike, I think I was about 10 years old. It was a little rocky to start, but then you get the hang of it (again). Now, I can't even image not having a bicycle. When I return home, it will be quite the culture shock.

On my way to school, listening to my iPod.

Check out this video! See how people react to bicycles in Japan

Hey good-looking, what's your blood type?

Is it possible to summarize who “Japanese people” are? Of course not! However, it is easy to categorize them in personality groups… just draw a little blood.

Takeji Furukawa founded this way of thinking when he published: "The Study of Temperament Through Blood Type" in the early 1900s. Since then countless studies have be conducted to prove this social stereotype true. For example the University of Ochanomizu published results of A Natural Experiment with Time-series Data of 1978 - 1988 concluding that "blood-typical personality stereotypes actually influenced individuals’ personalities – self-reported personalities at least – in Japanese society and operated as a self-fulfilling prophecy, even though no scientific evidence for these stereotypes has been presented."

Japanese purikura has an option to illustrate what blood type you are.

There are four different blood-types believed to reveal with the following personality characteristics:

• Type A: calm, perfectionist, most artistic, shy, conscientious, trustworthy, sensitive.
• Type B: goal oriented, strong minded, individualists.
• Type AB: split personalities, can be both outgoing and shy, confident and timid.
• Type O: sociable, outgoing, optimistic, creative and popular, confident, attention seeker.
  

Blood Type Condom Machine

For further info, check out these sites:

• Personality and Individual Differences: Blood Type and Personality: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V9F-46JYKJX-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=869437d88620738e39bb8f2cf3ceea9d
• Who's your Type?
  http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/love/package.jsp?name=fte/bloodtype/bloodtype

Do you get the message?

If you are not already familiar with the term "Engrish", it basically refers to mistakes in English that appear in Japanese advertising and product designs. Even when the English is readable, the meaning of the message is rarely as clear.



What does everybody think about all of this Engrish? I, personally enjoy the good laugh. Will anyone but English speakers in Japan really get the message anyway? Most of the time when I go shopping with my Japanese friends, they catch me laughing at a shirt and ask me what's so funny. The only thing is...it's quite difficult to translate the meaning of the message, when there really isn't any.

• http://www.engrish.com/

Introduction

Hello! My name is Katy and I have come to love Japan and all its wonder. I can assure you, if you have never been to Japan before and you ever have the chance then you, too, will fall in love.

For me, it all began in the small town of Acton, Ontario. I was offered a chance to apply for an International Rotary Youth Exchange and was

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Making sushi in Kashiba High School
Nara, Japan
2005

selected to represent my local high school, the local Rotary club of Acton, and my country, while studying abroad in Nara, Japan.

I left Canada with almost zero knowledge of both Japanese language and culture. My exchange lasted for 12 months from 2004-2005 and since then it claims to be the best of my life.

After I returned home, I finished high school and pursued an education at Huron University College (affiliated to the University of Western Ontario). I continued my studies in Japanese language in hopes that I would once again return to the land of the rising sun.

I am currently studying abroad in my 3rd year at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan. During my exchange I hope to improve my level of Japanese, make some amazing friends, take loads of pictures, and have a great time while I'm at it! This is my blog. My posts will consist of my thoughts, interpretations, and reflections on readings assigned in class, stories in the news or on TV, and my personal experiences. I hope to capture Japan and attain a cross-cultural understanding for what it's worth...