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.