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19 25 25 1

9September

2007 No. 251

390

ISSN 1348-7906

TAIKO

World FirstTAIKOBICS

Echoes in Your Heartand Body

It's the BizarreWorld ofChindougu!

http://www.hiraganatimes.com/

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We offer information about part-time and contract jobs,

as well as new employment opportunities.

www.hiraganatimes.comJobs in Japan

Powered by DIP.

a division of Hiragana Times (YAC Planning Inc.) ,

provides foreigners with opportunities to take part in paid

research work for Japanese and foreign companies.

From in-house testing of mobile phones, food and

cosmetics, to Web testing of laptop computer software.

Foreigners registering for our

service include everyone from

company managers, university

students and software engineers,

to Web designers, teachers and

housewives.

There are NO sign-up fees and

registration takes only a few

minutes.

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Japan International Research,

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Its baby clothing with cleaning mops. What is this?

Wouldnt it be great if the baby cleans up the floor as it

crawls along? KAWAKAMI Kenji, an inventor of the

Baby Mop says as if it were nothing. The baby is practic-

ing filial devotion to its parents already!

Inventions, in gen-

eral, are considered

to be the creation of

new things in pursuit

of grea te r conve-

nience. Kawakami,

however , thought

that people invent

things for money. If

you take the fetters

of making money off

the invention, our

ideas will be larger

and richer. Kawakamic a m e u p w i t h a

concept called the

Paradox of inven-

t ion ! Tha t i s an

invention that becomes more inconvenient when you use it.

With this principle, Kawakami established the Japan

Chindougu Society in 1992. By gathering some interesting

ideas from the public as well as using his own, Kawakami

has invented nearly 700 unique, unusual chindougu inven-tions. The trick ofchindougu is that you invent something for

increased convenience. But a whole new level of inconve-

nience will be created. This is the secret of bizarre and radical

chindougu.

1992

700

Kawakami, stimu-

lating people with

his unique ideas, has

had many different

kinds of jobs. At

first, he wrote arti-

cles for magazines,

a n d t h e n w r o t e

scripts for a TV ani-

mation series. Then

he started to edit a

popular mail-order magazine.

Kawakami came up with the idea of chindougu when he

was looking for new and fun ideas for the magazine. With hislove for creating fun things, he kept introducing new inven-

tions one after another in the magazine. Chindougu instantly

The Father ofChindougu (Weird Gadgets),

KAWAKAMI Kenji

Its the Bizarre World ofChindougu!

Baby Mop

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Japan Chindougu Society

www.chindougu.net/about.htm

became popular, and more readers began to buy the magazine

because they wanted to read the chindougu segment. It made

chindougu more popular.

Kawakami then decided to publish

a book. Britains BBC heard the story

and came to Japan to film Kawakami.

Before he knew it, the book about

chindougu had been translated into

English and published in England.

Other media including CBS, CNN

and ABC of the U.S. also came to

film Kawakami. This exposure led to

another translation of the book going

on sale in the U.S. The BBC now screens a regular program

about chindougu once every 12 to 18 months.

B BC

CBSCNN

ABC

BBC 1

1

Chindougu

Chindougu have since become popular all over the world.

But each country has different viewpoints on it. In Japan and

the U.S., people take chindougu in a humorous and comical

way. In Europe, its taken as art. In Australia and Korea, its

taken as science. Kawakami said that one French person told

him, This kind of invention should have been created by us!

Born and raised in a small

town in Nara prefecture, Kawakami always

liked airplanes. As a teenager, he conducted a

big flying experiment, attaching a huge sheet

to the back of a bicycle, and had a motor bike

connected by a rope pull the bicycle. He

stunned the neighbors. All he thought about

was airplanes. His strong interest in the field

led him to study Aeronautics and Astronautics in college in

order to become an airplane engineer.

Toe Umbrella

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When he was in high school, he became also familiar with

literature. It awakened a very real sense in himself of various

social injustices, and he thought, Justice should always be

paramount. After settling down in Tokyo, Kawakami joined

the student movement with great passion when it was at its

height. He says he could not bear injustices such as political

corruption.

When people follow the rules and hold onto preconceived

opinions, its easy for politicians to act the way they want. It

makes no sense. I want people to look at other side of poli-

tics, Kawakami says with a raised voice. His radical enthusi-

asm might even have influenced his personal life Mywife ran away from me! Kawakami added quite openly.

Is chindougu going against our material desire for con-

venient things? Kawakami emphasizes, Humans have

great imaginations by nature. But our lives are strictly tieddown by rules, systems and customs. We need to train our

imaginations more and have freer minds and ideas. I want

people to look at the other side ofchindougu.

ee Opening Protection Bag

Mix Straw Table Sleeping Aid

The tenets above are English translations from a book published in London by Harper COLLINS.

The Ten Tenets ofChindougu

1. Achindougucannot be for real use.

2. Achindougumust exist.

. Inherent in every chindougu is the spirit of anarchy.

. Chindouguare tools for everyday life.

. Chindouguare not for sale.

6. Humour must not be the sole reason for creating a chindougu.

7. Chindouguare not propaganda.

8. Chindouguare never taboo.

9. Chindougucannot be patented.

10. Chindouguare without prejudice.

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The Hama Koi Dance, which is now a popular attraction at the

Yokohama Carnival, made its debut at the 20th Yokohama Carnival in

1998. The dance has been a feature of the event every year since and

more and more people are participating in it. Last year, 72 groups took

part in the carnival with more than 3,000 people participating. There

are some participation rules, as follows: (l) A team must consist of more

than 30 people. (2) The music Red Shoes (childrens song) must be

included. (3) You have to dance with a musical instrument in your hand.

1998

20

7 2

3,000

30

The Largest Summer Citizens Festival, Yokohama Carnival

Topics & Events

Date: August 1 and 19

Inquiries: Hama Koi Dance

Administration Office

1

19

Tel: 045-451-02

www.hamakoi.com/yokohama_carnival/

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Topics & Events

The Largest Beer Garden in Japan A Beer Garden in the Woods

Open until September 9

At the children s playground

In the Outer Gardens of the Meiji Shrine

Inquiries: R&K Food Service Co., Ltd.

9

9

Tel: 03-5411-315

www.rkfs.co.jp/restaurant/resutaurant_3.html

This beer garden is open for a limited period of time.

It is located in the Outer Garden of the Meiji Shrine

where the green woods are an oasis for the citizens

of Tokyo. Chairs and tables made of logs have been

placed in the park that is full of big trees, some of

which are 100 years old. Approximately 1,000 seats

have been provided. Beer is so commonly drunk by

Japanese people that even though there are many

choices of alcoholic drinks available in Japan such as

Japanesesake

andshouchuu

, there is a phrase theyoften use: Beer first anyway. At this beer garden,

you will be able to enjoy beer and barbeque dishes in

a natural environment and forget you are actually in

central Tokyo.

100

1,000

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Topics & Events

Handcrafts for future generations will be on display! This

is a catch-phrase for an event where many original products

created by people whether they are professionals, amateurs,individuals, or belong to groups will be displayed and also for

sale. You will be able to enjoy seminars given by professionals,

experience workshops, a show, contests, and so on. Last year

the event was full of life with approximately 20,000 visitors

attending.

2

Date: September 9 and 10

Place: Tokyo Big Site

Admission fee: Adults 1,000 yen

Inquiries: Monozukuri Big Gallery Executive Committee

Administration Office

9

9

1

0

1,000

Tel: 03-5215-5112

www.monozukuri-bg.com/

Handcraft Creation Exhibition 2007

2007

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Topics & Events

September Issue Contents 9

COVER STORY 3-5

TOPICS & EVENTS 6-11

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 12-13

PARODY TALK 14-15

DO AS JAPANESE DO

16

Insight into Japan Japanology Textbook

17-24

JAPANESE PERSPECTIVES

CLOSE UP JAPAN TIPS FOR LIVING IN JAPAN

JAPANESE HISTORY MAKERS

TIPS FOR LEARNING JAPANESE

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

25-27

INTERNATIONAL COUPLE SCENE

28-29

HIRA-TAI FORUM 30

VISA Q&A Q&A 31

MY JAPAN 32

NEW TREND 33

SUBCULTURE 34-35HOT SPOT 36-37

JAPAN QUIZ 38

The unauthorized reproduction, photocopying or copying of articles or photographs appearing in this magazine is strictly prohibited.

Publisher & Editor: HASEGAWA Katsuyuki Assistant Editors: Jonathon WALSH, SHIBASAKI Akemi Illustrations: YOSHIDA Shinko DTP: NAKADA Natsuko

230

9

9

1,500

It has been 600 years since ASHIKAGA Yoshimitsu Shougun,

who built kinkakuji (Kyotos Golden Pavilion) passed away.

This exhibition will be held to commemorate the Shougun and

to introduce Zen culture, which was handed down to Kyoto

Gozan and associated temples. Approximately 230 fine itemsofZen culture that were created from the Kamakura era to the

Muromachi era will be exhibited. These are national treasures

and important cultural properties, and include portraits of

Zen monks, portrait sculptures, Buddhist paintings, statues

of Buddha, etc. Held until September 9 at Tokyo National

Museum, Heisei Hall. Admission fee: Adults 1,500 yen.

kyoto-5zan.jp

Zen Treasures

from the Kyoto Gozan Temples

Present for five couples (10 people) 5

10

15

12,000

19,000

H.I.S. Experience Japan has started selling unique one-day

programs for foreigners that take place around Tokyo. Among

the 15 programs available, Who Wants to Be a Samurai?

(12,000 yen) is the most popular. Using a real sword, you can

experience slicing a wet rush mat and using throwing stars.

Also popular is the Kimono Workshop! Take home your

brand new yukata! program (19,000 yen), in which a new

yukata set including a yukata (summerkimono), obi (kimono

belt) and geta (wooden clogs) are presented to participants. In

addition to English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish guides are

available.

j-experience.com

Tokyo Experience Programs

for Foreigners

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Topics & Events

8

August 25

Please keep in mind that articles printed in Hiragana Times may be published without notice in PDF format,on the Hiragana Times website, in other media related to Hiragana Times and possibly by third party media approved by Hiragana Times.

PDF Web Hiragana Times Hiragana Times

Y

OMOY

OMO

URL

It must be very difficult for foreigners who are studying

Japanese to learn how to read kanji characters. The Yomo-

Yomo system automatically displays hiragana and Roman

letters on top ofkanji characters by the simple entry of a

website URL. This system works not only forhiragana and

Roman letters, but also for Korean Hangul and certain other

letters. This system also works for e-mails, documents, etc.

Furthermore, you can search for unknown words in an instant

by directly linking to the associated dictionary site with a

quick mouse click.

yomoyomo.jp/

Yomo-Yomo:

Multilingual Furiganaon Command!

0 8 0 0

16

1 1

18

8

8

10

1

0

This test is mainly taken by foreign businessmen and

students. These days, Japanese enterprises are paying great

attention to this test as it allows the Japanese business

communication abilities of potential foreign job applicants

to be evaluated. These enterprises are intending to make useof this test as a tool for employing foreigners to counter the

effects of Japans aging society and shrinking population.

Tests takers receive a mark out of 800. A key characteristic of

this test is that in most cases, regardless of how many times

an examinee takes this test, and as long as they have been

maintaining the same ability, their grade will always be the

same. The 16th test will be held on November 18. Application

period: August 8 ~ October 10.

www.jetro.go.jp/bjt

16

BJT

16th BJT

Business Japanese Proficiency Test

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2

Two Popular Books by MIYABE Miyuki

Published in English

2,730

1,260

3

Two books written by MIYABE Miyuki, a popular female

Japanese suspense writer, have been published in English.

They are The Devils Whisper (2,730 yen) and Crossfire

(1,260 yen), which have both become conversation topicsin Japan. In the former book, three women who have no

relationship at all to one another commit suicide, and then

gradually, a social problem hiding behind the scenes in

Japan is revealed. This book received the Japan Mystery-

Suspense Award. The latter book is the story of a woman who

executes criminals who have carried out the worst kinds of

crimes using her pyrokinetic powers, and a detective who is

investigating a mysterious crime committed by a homicidal

pyr om ani ac. Bot h boo ks are publ ished by Ko dan sha

International.

73

A Century of Japanese Diplomacy

18531952

100

260

2,625

This is an English translation of One Hundred Year

Heritage: Japanese Diplomatic History of Modern Times

73 Stories published by Sankei Newspaper Company,

in which 100 years of Japanese diplomatic history from the

coming of Commodore PERRYs Black Ships to the San

Francisco Peace Conference are described by OKAZAKI

Hisahiko, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Thailand.The writer notes that many modern Japanese history books

are biased. He also points out facts that foreigners are likely

to overlook, for example, in the 260-year Edo period and

the subsequent Meiji era, Japan already had an advanced

civilization with the worlds highest rate of literacy, and

furthermore, although it is said that the postwar Occupation

introduced democracy to the country, one should not disregard

the fact that the spirit of democracy had already begun to

bloom during Taisho Democracy. Published by Japan Echo

Inc. 2,625 yen.

Topics & Events

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There are many machiya in Kyoto. A machiya is a

wooden house with a narrow but deep frontage that

also doubles as a shop at the same time. Since machiya

are usually built very close to neighbors houses, one of

their distinct characteristics is that they have an earth floorand a courtyard in order to maximize the amount of light

and breeze entering each room. These days, old machiya are

being reconstructed into lodgings or cafs and gaining popu-

larity among tourists.

One of these machiyas contains a shop named Ginkakuji

Tsubomi. This elegant shop, which is 70 years old, contains

more than 1,000 items including antique kimono (tradi-

tional Japanese clothing) and obi (belts worn with kimono).

Although many people have the idea that Japanese kimono

are very expensive, here you can purchase some that only cost

2,000 yen. Kimono dressing classes are held once a week in

the far corner of the shop, and Ms. NITANAI Keiko, the shop

owner, helps customers to find a well-fitting garment that will

suit their needs.

70

1,000

2,000

This job cannot be done just because you are

good at fitting kimono, says Ms. Nitanai, who

places a high priority on training staff to instruct

customers how to wearkimono. She also explains why she

started this business. I have been interested in traditional

Japanese things since my childhood. This may have been

because my grandfather used to work in the shipping industry,

and I was brought up in a house filled with old items.

12

NITANAI Keiko,Shop owner, Ginkakuji Tsubomi

Proud to ShowKimono andObiDesigns to the World

http://www.sakura-house.com/

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The most difficult aspect of this business is appraising thevalue of antiques. For this business, you have to study by

looking at many authentic antiques. Furthermore, you should

see and touch them, as many times as possible. Deciding on a

price is not difficult, as it is usually the customer that does it,

Ms. Nitanai explains.

Partly due to its convenient location, many foreign custom-

ers visit the shop. The other day a

French man purchased a nagajuban

(underwear forkimono) as a souvenir

for his wife. As he took so much inter-

est in the fabric and colors, I was so

happy to wait on him. When I ask him,

what color ribbon would you pre-

fer to wrap the present? he instantly

answered, This color, please. On the

contrary, most Japanese men will say,

Any color will do.

We can be proud

to show the designs

Japanese kimono and

obi to the world, she

says. Their qual-

ity is proven by the

high level techniques

used to create them.

It must be rare to

find a country where

ordinary people have

clothing that takes a

great deal of time to

make. We do hope

that more foreign-

ers will come to like

Japanese cloth and

kimono. It brings us

great pleasure whenour customers are pleased to purchase a good and inexpen-

sive kimono. In autumn 2007, she

is scheduled to open a new shop

with a parking lot in Uji. They

hold exhibitions for their antiques

in various regions once or twice

a year, and are now planning to

exhibit them overseas as well.

2007

Ginkakuji Tsubomi

www.wagire.com

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CIA: What kind of book is it?

Dr.: It is not often reported that the average of the three body

measurements (bust, waist and hips) of Japanese women in

their 20s show an ideal proportion that show off women

at their most beautiful. Even in their 50s, Japanese women

often maintain fresh-looking skin, and furthermore, they have

the longest life spans in the world. This book discloses their

amazing secrets.

CIA

20

50

CIA: Some people said that their beauty is related to healthy

diets that include fish. Is this it?

Dr.: No. According to the survey, contemporary Japanese,

especially young people, have a tendency to eat less fish every

year. On the contrary, they are eating more and more meat.

My studies illustrate that the secret of Japanese womens

beauty lies in their lifestyles.

CIA

CIA: What do you mean by that?Dr.: Their beauty is due to their lifestyles where they depend

so much on their parents, even after they become adults. This

lasts until they marry. They live with their parents and do not

pay for their living expenses, food, and so on. Even those

women who live in rental accommodation are very often

financially supported by their parents. In Japanese society,

these practices are normal and allow Japanese women to spend

large amounts of money in order to make themselves look

more beautiful with cosmetics, diets, hair-styles, make-up and

everything from clothes and shoes to ornaments and bags.

by Hiragana Times CIA

Why are Japanese Women so Beautiful?At the Miss Universe 2007, a Japanese representative was selected

as the most beautiful woman in the world. Last year, a Japanese

representative reached the second place in the contest. Coincidently,

Dr. J. HYDE, who is well known worldwide for his studies into

beauty, wrote a book to be published soon titled Why are Japanese

Women so Beautiful? Hiragana Times CIA carried out an urgent

interview with him.

2007

J.

Hiragana

Times CIA

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CIA

CIA: Well, then, doesnt this means that they are using money

to buy their beauty?

Dr.: Thats right. But, the attracting power of their beauty that

has been created by money is actually the secret of creating

real beauty. In other words, the more often women are looked

at and admired by men, the more adrenaline it produces

in their brains to encourage them to become even more

beautiful. Since women instinctively sense this mechanism,

they do their best to attract mens eyes by wearing mini-skirts,

showing their belly buttons, or putting on sexy dresses with

plunging necklines, and so on.

CIA

CIA: This is the same as a flower that blooms in beautiful

colors and seduces insects?

Dr.: You are right. At one stage, Japanese women were called

Yamato Nadeshiko. They shyly covered their mouths with

their hands when they laughed and this attractive hesitance

charmed foreign men. However, modern Japanese women

put on their make up without a care even in the trains and

dont feel bashful about doing so. You could say that Japanese

women are creating their beauty by using money. However,

in Japan there is a system that makes this

possible.

CIA

CIA: What do you mean by that?

Dr.: To become beautiful, Japanese women dont care at

all how much it will cost them. The more they purchase

the cosmetics and big-name brand products, the more the

companies that sell those products will profit. This in turn

stimulates the Japanese economy, and consequently reflectsin an income increase for women and their parents, and as a

result they will spend even more money on their beauty. This

circulating system is making Japanese women look beautiful.

CIA

?

Comment from CIA CIA

Watering is necessary to keep flowers beautiful. Gentlemen!

Remember that you are required to glance at women

sometimes sorry frequently in order to keep them

beautiful.

CIACynically Insulting Agency

J

ames

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Photos: Courtesy of Tokyo Fire Department Ikebukuro Life Safty Learning Center, 5 minutes walk from Ikebukuro station.

5

Note

Experience an Earthquake 7 Level!

7 !

In Japan, small earthquakes are a daily occurrence and people

are not at all surprised to feel small shakes. However, in 1995,

the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake a level 7 quake shookthe Kobe region and resulted in the deaths of 6,435 people. Since

that disaster, many people have become afraid that a similar sized

earthquake might occur where they live. At disaster preventioncenters throughout Japan you can experience a simulated

earthquake and learn what to do from the moment an earthquake

begins to the time of evacuation.

At some centers you can experience a level 7 earthquake. At

this level, it is likely that electrical appliances around the home

such as television sets will fly into the air and that you will find it

almost impossible to walk. This is an experience perhaps that you

can only have in Japan. Do foreign readers know the appropriate

actions to take in an emergency?

1995

6,435

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One of the many interesting characteristics about Japanese

people is their flexible view of religion. The tradit ional

religion of the Japanese is Shinto, where many gods coexist.

It is said that there are eight million gods in Japan. This has

come about because things that are beyond human beings

understanding and that people hold in awe become

objects of their worship. These religious objects are not only

those found in nature such as awe-inspiring mountains, rocks

and forests, but also mysterious animals and even human

beings who have ach ieved great things; al l of these can

become gods.

In the 6th century, Japanese adopted Buddhism from China

and allowed it to coexist naturally with Shinto. Japanese

are very good at making their religion suit their needs. For

example, they go to shrines (Shinto) to pray for blessings on

occasions such as the New Year and Shichigosan (a festival

for children aged three, five and seven-years-old), and go to

temples (Buddhist) for funerals and other related events.

In the 20th century, Japanese were greatly influenced

and affected by Western culture and even adopted Christianceremonies such as Christmas. At present, the majority of

wedding ceremonies held in Japan take place in church-

like chapels. Some people criticize Japanese people as being

thoughtless, but it can be said that Japanese are actually rather

very generous and open-minded towards other religions.

Looking back in history, you can see there have been

many, many conflicts caused by religion. Those who wish for

peace in the world should perhaps pay more attention to the

Japanese religious view where they adopt their religions and

make them coexist instead of suppressing them.

No. 018

The Japanese Coexist with Gods

6

3

5

7

20

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Although the Japanese government does not allow the

entry of unskilled foreign laborers into Japan, they haveset up a system that allows the entry of foreign trainees.

This system supports them in acquiring information about

Japanese technology, skills and knowledge with the aim of

increasing Japans international cooperation and contributions

to undeveloped countries. However, the actual reality

has become clear that many companies who accepted

trainees used them as low-wage laborers. Furthermore, the

organizations that recruited the trainees used the process to

promote their own interests at the expense of this system.

When this situation came to light, vigorous discussions about

reviewing the system began.

In August 2006, a murder occurred in which a Chinese

trainee killed and injured three people including a former

managing director who worked for the Chiba Agricultural

Association, which is one of the organizations that accepts

foreign trainees. Before coming to Japan, these trainees paid

between 0.6 and 1.65 million yen to the Trainee Center that

the former managing director had established in China. It had

been charged under the pretext of a training fee. In addition,

host Japanese farmers who accepted Chinese trainees also

paid 500,000 yen per trainee to the center.

Foreign Trainees Treated as Low-wage Laborers!

2006

8

3

60

165

50

!

0467-58-8710

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The payments trainees can receive, which depend on the

participating companies, average about 60,000 yen per month.

But cases have been reported in which trainees were forced

to work overtime for 300 yen per hour, or they have been

housed in dormitories without baths or running water in spite

of being charged for rent, heating and lighting expenses. Theparticipating companies have explained that they are bearing

invisible expenses including those incurred from teaching

trainees Japanese, providing them with furniture, and so on.

Japanese People are Positive About

Accepting Unskilled Foreign Laborers!?

Part of the cause of this situation has been the progress

of globalization. This process has forced various industry

sectors, in particular sewing businesses, to become involved

in low-price competition against overseas products. At

present, the Japanese government has a poli cy of on lyaccepting foreign workers who have specialized skills and

expert knowledge. However, it can be said that this foreign

trainee system actually works as a loophole.

The business world is fuelling a strong demand for the

acceptance of unskilled foreign laborers. According to a

survey carried out by the Cabinet in 2004, 25.9% of citizens

answered I disagree with accepting unskilled foreign

laborers in the future. Out of this group, the biggest portion,

74.1%, stated their reason as public security will deteriorate

(multiple answers were allowed). The main reason that the

government has been slow to address this issue seems to be

the underlying anxiety that Japan may become an unsafe

country if too many foreigners are allowed to enter.

However, 16.7% of citizens responded I agree to accept a

wide range of unskilled foreign laborers without any special

conditions. In addition, 39.0% of citizens answered Greater

priority should be placed on domestic laborers such as women

and elderly people, but I agree to accept unskilled foreign

laborers in industry sectors where there is still a shortage of

laborers.

6

300

2004

25.9

74.1

16.7

39.0

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There must be many foreigners who would like to

associate with Japanese people. The secret of getting familiar

with the locals is to get to know their character. Although

many Japanese are interested in becoming friends with

foreigners, they are basically shy and will be very unlikely to

spontaneously start a conversation with a foreigner. However,it is very often the case that they will be willing to talk with

you if you start to speak to them in either English or Japanese.

Once Japanese people become close to foreigners, they

will start to ask you various questions. These will likely

continue and may make you feel as if you are being examined.

Questions may include Where are you from?, When did

you come to Japan?, Where do you live?, How long are

you going to stay in Japan?, Are you married?, How old

are you?, and so on.

How to Associate with the Japanese

Hir@gana Times Friends

Hir@gana Times

Friends

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Furthermore, rather childish questions may also be asked.These may include Do you like Japan?, What kind of food

do you like? and Who is your favorite movie star? This

style of questioning comes partly from the fact that Japanese

often do not know what kind of questions they should ask,

as most are not used to associating with foreigners, and also

because they cannot express complicated questions in English.

Therefore, their questions do not necessarily mean that they

have other, perhaps dubious, intentions.

The Japanese Dislike Filthy People

After you get acquainted with a Japanese, you will likelyfind you have opportunities to have tea or dine with them. On

such occasions Japanese may treat foreigners as their guests

and pay for you, since it is one of their traditional customs

to treat guests well. If you become more intimate with them,

they may invite you to their house.

In this case, they may prepare alcoholic drinks and

delicious food for you to try. It is usually a custom for a guest

to bring something as a present. If you are a foreigner, they

will be pleased to receive alcoholic drinks or food from your

country. You must pay special attention to cleanliness when

associating with the Japanese, and it is common sense to wash

your hands before leaving the wash-room and before meals.

Your Japanese friend may say to you, Well, come to my

house one day. However, in many cases, they may not have

intended to actually invite you to their house it may just

be one way that Japanese express greetings. The best way

to answer this is to just say Thank you. If they actually do

intend to invite you, they will mention actual dates.

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Japanese novelist KON Hidemi, described SHIRASU Jirou

(1902 ~ 1985) as a well-bred, natural-born barbarian. He

was handsome, stood at 185cm, tall for a Japanese, and wasthe first man to wear jeans in Japan. He loved and drove a

Porsche car at a time when such cars were rarely seen, and

enjoyed playing golf. On the other hand, he is also known

as a man who scolded General Douglas McARTHUR, the

American commander of the Allied General Headquarters

(GHQ).

On the first Christmas day after the war ended, Shirasu

delivered a present from the Japanese Emperor to General

McArthur. There were already many presents piled up on his

desk. General McArthur pointed at the floor, saying Leave it

somewhere around there. Shirasus face changed color andhe shouted, The Emperor once governed Japan! How can

you say to leave his present on the floor? and he almost took

it back. Confused, General McArthur apologized and prepared

a new table for the Emperors present.

Japan lost the war; it did not become a slave, said

Shirasu, who placed importance on principles. Shirasu

was born into a wealthy family, and after graduating from

Cambridge University in Britain, he began working as a

trading company employee. Afterwards, he became a close

GHQ: General headquarters of the Allied Forces

GHQ

Note

(1902 1985)

185cm

GHQ

1948

(

The Only Disobediant Japanese

Under the Occupation

SHIRASU Jirou

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adviser to Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru. In 1948, he

took up the post of the first Chief Director of Trading Agency

established in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

(currently the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). He

advocated the necessity for Japan to convert its industrial

policy to take more initiative in exporting, which he believed

was the way for a resource-poor country like Japan to survive.

A Man who Always Placed Importance on

Principles

In 195l, a peace conference was held in San Francisco with

the aim to end the state of war between Japan and the United

Nations, and to rebuild Japan into a sovereign nation. Two

days before the conference began, Shirasu was astonished to

see the English-language manuscript that then Prime Minister

Yoshida was going to use to make a speech. The manuscript

was prepared by GHQ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Shirasu said, We should attend the peace conference in

the same capacity as representatives of victorious countries.

What a fool you are to write a speech you will give on such

a glorious day in their language and after consulting with the

victors! He subsequently advised Prime Minister Yoshida

to rewrite the speech in Japanese and from the perspective of

Japan still being an independent country. MIYAZAWA Kiichi,

who went with him and who later became Prime Minister,

later recalled that Shirasu shed tears when he saw Yoshida

giving his speech in Japanese.

An executive at GHQ spoke of Shirasu as the onlyJapanese who is not obedient under occupation. There is no

end to episodes of this nature about Shirasu. In the washroom

of the golf country club at which Shirasu was working as a

director, there was a notice on the wall saying Taking towels

is forbidden. In spite of the words, former Prime Minister

TANAKA Kakuei disregarded it, Shirasu said to him, Hey

you, cant you read Japanese? Shirasu died at the age of 83.

In his will he wrote There is no need for a funeral, no need

of Buddhist name. His wife, SHIRASU Masako was a writer

and essayist.

)

1951

GHQ

GHQ

83

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Knowledge of Japanese Cultureis Necessary when Translating

[ ]

Audio Version Information

Annual SubscriptionFee: 6,000 yen (avail-able only for a 1-yearsubscription period.)

6,000

iPod

English and Japanese are recorded in al-

ternative order sentence by sentence. This

means you will be able to understand them

even without using a textbook.

Texts are recorded a little slower but still

close to normal speaking speed, so they will

be easy to listen to and will be ideal for those

people wanting to learn Japanese and/or

English.

You will be able to directly listen to recordingson your PC, or download them on your iPod

and other mobile devices.

Features

When a meal invitation is given, Japanese have a custom

where guests bring a present as a token of gratitude for the

food that is provided. In the case of Westerners, the guest

will give a present saying This is a nice cake sold at a shop

near my house. It is very delicious, and the host will open

it at once and make an exaggerated reaction, Wow! It looks

delicious! I do love strawberry cake. Im very glad.

Young Japanese who are familiar with Western culture will

often express themselves in the same way as Westerners do. On

the other hand, there are still many elderly people who use the

traditional expressions and mannerisms. For example, a guestwill give a present to a host and say, This is a trifling gift.

And the host will receive it with an expression meaning Dont

mind about me. Then, the host will usually place the present in

a corner without opening it. This is because the guest is anxious

about whether the present will please the host or not, and the

host acts to reduce the guestss anxiety.

Furthermore, when the guest sits at the table, the host, who

will likely serve a delicious dish as a treat for the guest, will

humbly say something like this. Sorry, this is nothing or Im

afraid whether you will like the taste or not, but please help

yourself to as much as possible. For hosts introducing theirwives to others, an appropriately humble expression would be

something like My wife is not smart, nor good at hosting. But

you should not take comments like this at face value.

Traditional Japanese expressions are completely different

from those used in the Western world. If an expression such as

My wife is not smart, nor good at hosting, is translated into

English, Westerners will surely wonder why he married the

woman. But if someone says My wife is so smart and can do

anything, a chill will come over Japanese guests who hear this.

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25/4025

You can order by

TEL: 03-3341-8989 FAX: 03-3341-8987 info@hiraganatimes.com www.hiraganatimes.com

Postage included

SAL (Surface Air Lifted) SAL

Payment Method

1) Credit Card Visa, MasterCard, American Express,

JCB or Diners Club.

2) Cash on delivery (only in Japan. Please pay when you receive the first

delivery)

ISSN1348-7906

1 97 25 250

8August2007No. 250

390

JapanhastheBiggestFlamencoFollowingOutsideSpain

WorldCosplaySummit20072007

CosplayersareEntertainersandAmbassadorsofFriendship

Many of us are filled to capacity with material pos-

sessions, facing an onslaught of electronic infor-

mation, and coping with the dangers of terrorism

we are in a society filled with stress, and many people

are seeking help through therapy for healing. In Japan,

some of the more well known therapies include aromatherapy,

foot therapy or yoga therapy. But if you turn to therapy in

Western countries, you may well also find art therapy, whichis known generally as practical therapy that is applied in psy-

chiatric treatments.

KOBAYASHI Toshiko, who works at the Bronx Psychiatric

Center in New York as an art therapist, came to the UnitedStates in 1999 and obtained a Masters degree in art therapy

from New York University. At the time, she was 54 years old.

She has been living in New York and working as an art thera-

pist since.

1999

2002

54

N

.Y.

Kobayashi works in teams, sharing patients information

with other doctors, in order to provide total treatments. Many

patients have suffered from experiences of rape, and are cop-

ing with emotional damage or mental trauma suffered when

they were children. In the worst cases, people are just unable

to speak, says Kobayashi about the psychiatric treatment

situations she faces.

I have loved creating, for example, drawing, origami, cal-

ligraphy and pottery since I was a child, she says. During

the busy time when she was raising her children, Kobayashi

found opportunities and held recycled art exhibitions consist-

ing of objects she had recreated from items that had been

thrown away. Always having had an interest in art for a longtime, Kobayashi developed a unique approach to treatment

using origami, called Enrichment Origami Art Therapy.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO HIRAGANA TIMES

A Japanese IntroducingOrigamiTherapy in New York

Art Therapist, KOBAYASHI Toshiko

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Kobayashi teaches the basics of how to fold paper, and

encourages patients to fold paper in their own unique ways.

She says, You see your own creation in front of you.

Realizing its existence makes you aware of your own exis-

tence. It also makes you aware of the reality. Kobayashi

says the resulting excitement will be greater if you can create

something that is linked emotionally to yourself.

Kobayashi also works for various art programs including

at after school art therapy programs (children attending these

classes often have working parents), at the high school adja-

cent to the ruins of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and also for chil-

dren from low income families living in the lower east side of

the city.

N.Y.

I felt so happy when a mother of my patient, a young man

who had gone through delinquency, expressed her gratitude,

Kobayashi recalls. The mother said her son folded a piece of

paper and made a box for us. For the first time he made some-

thing useful for the family. But while some of the patients

may not like to make things, Kobayashi says, I just let them

feel free and wait until they start moving by themselves.

Going Through Divorce, and Became an Art

Therapist in Her 50s

Kobayashi says that the path she took to get to where she is

now was not so smooth. While she was a housewife, she was

active for volunteer work as a medical coordinator and busy

with producing artistic creations, Kobayashi began to feel a

strong urge to have her own job and become independent.

After her children had grown up she decided to divorce, and

started a new life.

50

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During this time, as an artist she was engaged in art exhibi-

tion planning and workshops. She received a request, from

the Red Crescent, which knew her activities, to hold a range

of rehabilitation programs for physically and emotionally

affected children and young people in the war-torn region of

Palestine. Kobayashi took the job and visited Palestine several

times.

Kobayashi has met a great many people through art during

her numerous visits abroad. She has come to realize the huge

influence that making artistic creations can have on people.

On one occasion, she visited her daughter who was studyingin New York. While there, Kobayashi learnt that she could

study to apply art for medical care, so she made a decision to

move to the city to study. Her daughter returned to Japan a

while later, but Kobayashi stayed in New York.

N.Y.

She remembers the time and said, I had a hard time mak-

ing the decision to move, feeling afraid about whether I could

actually do it, and I had so much to think about including

family and household issues. Now, Kobayashi is leading a

fulfilled life going back and forth between her apartment in

Manhattan and the Center in Bronx.

The healing effect of art therapy lies in the process of mak-

ing artistic creations. Kobayashi says, Art therapy is a medi-

cal practice that can be used to discover inner problems that

cannot be verbalized. A psychiatric therapy such as art thera-

py is in great demand in a large city like New York. In modern

Japan, mental health treatments are being discussed and in

future, art therapists will be given more and more opportuni-

ties to be active in Japan.

Kobayashi s website

www.imagefactoryt.com/

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If God exists, he will surely find me wherever I may

live. It was at a university in Paris that a French

girl, Helene, met Yutaka for the first time. Since they

walked the same route every morning, they became acquaint-

ed with each other and naturally started to talk. Before long,

they began to wonder how the other was if they had not seen

each other for a few days.

3

The pair met in the 80s when Yutaka dressed like a hippie,

a fashionable style at the time. Helene thought he must be two

or three years older than her, as generally Oriental people look

younger than their age. Later when Yutaka said he was born

in Shouwa (Japanese Era) 22, she misunderstood and thought

that he was 22 years old. It was many years later when she

found out that he was actually 15 years older than her.

1980

22

22

15

After graduating from university, Yutaka returned to Japan.

But, the pair happened to meet each other again. When Helene

went to Algeria to visit her relatives, Yutaka was staying in

Algeria on business as an interpreter and coincidently staying

in an accommodation facility for foreigners

that was run by her relatives. This meeting

brought Yutaka and Helene into a closer rela-

tionship,

If they were in Paris, they would have fallen in love at

once, however, they were in Algeria, which is an Islamic

society where young men and women are not allowed to see

each other and yet there were neither cellular phones nor

e-mail communication at that time. They wrote a diary alter-

The International Couple Scene

15

Overcoming a 15-Year Age Gap,They Developed Their Love by Exchange Diary

Helene & Yutaka

&

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natively to exchange their feelings of love and this lasted for

two years. However, Helenes parents opposed her marrying

Yutaka.

My cousins and friends were betting that I didnt have

enough courage to elope, she says. But Helene had made

up her mind to marry him. Inviting her cousins, friends, and

Yutakas friends living in Paris, they held a wedding ceremo-

ny. I didnt go to see my parents as I was afraid to tell them.

Im disobedient to my parents,

arent I? When Helene gave birth

to a baby and her parents found outthat she was very happy, they were

allowed her decision at last.

Helene came to Japan for the first time after they married.

Yutakas parents had accepted the couples marriage. Yutakas

family and relatives work in many different occupations,

including diplomat and an overseas airline crew member, so

Helene didnt have any difficulties communicating as many

of them had international mentalities and could speak French.

Yutakas family didnt treat Helene as a foreigner, good or

bad.

29

Helene says her main difficulty was food. Whatever

food is served, it looks mysterious to me, she says in flu-

ent Japanese. I hate worms, therefore, when I saw a zenmai

(wild fiddleheads) for the first time, I though they are trying to

make me eat earthworms, said. What I have a problem with

now is how to read and write Japanese. When I have to fill

in a clerical document such as an insurance application, even

now I say Good Heavens!

Japan is a paradise for women,

isnt it? Because if they want to

be more beautiful, they can obtain

as much information about beauty as they need, and also therecant be another country in the world where a woman can get

on a subway alone at night, Helene says about her Japanese

way of life. At present she has a sweet home and is working as

a principal of a language school in Kawasaki.

Maison Francaise Helene Dale www.helenedale.com

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I had been in this ofuro-loving country only a month when

one of my friends asked me to accompany him to an onsen.

Whats that? I asked. Hot water springs, Im sure you

know about them, he replied. Of course! I said. My school

texts in India mentioned about the hot springs, but very unlike

what I was about to experience.

?

!

As I nervously pulled at the half-slit curtain to the changing

room, what I saw made me stop in my tracks. Oh God!I couldnt help keep my eyes off the men in all their glory.

Ah! I gasped, a cry stuck in my throat as if I had been

molested with all the two million Indian gods staring at me in

disbelief! Youve got to do the jig as if nobodys watching!

my friend quipped.

200

I took five minutes in my

birthday suit to build the courage.

Its nobodys concern what

I did or looked like, because

everybody looked the same

with towels on their heads. I

observed three generations of the

families in the onsen together

un li ke In di a where peop le

are conservative with a wide

generation gap. While India

also boasts of many hot springs

(religious places!) near the

Himalayan mountains, people take dips partially clothed, just

for the religions sake.

5

(

)

Only Japanese take baths like this, my friend enlightened

me. My initial hesitation gave way as I lazed away in the

warm sulfur-rich pools that took me on a different high into astate of pure bliss. Since then, this Indian has come to terms

with all his gods and has never missed a chance to experience

this heavenly abode.

INTERNATIONAL GRASS-ROOTS HIRA-TAI FORUM

Never get lost again! This useful site allows you to find the best

way to reach your destination. Simply enter the departure station and

the destination station, and the website will show you the available

routes, travel times, distance and costs!

Oh God!

An Indian at an Onsen !

Text: Pankaj ARORA (India)

Need to Find Your Way Around Tokyo?

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I am an English journalist. I lost my passport containing

my re-entry permit while I was staying in England. What

do I need to do to be able to enter Japan again? There is

still more than one year until my visa and re-entry permit

expires.

You need to apply for a new passport in

England and enter Japan on a short stay sta-

tus, however, this visa is very likely to restrict

your activities. Therefore, I will explain another

way in which you can re-enter Japan after

you have certified the fact that you obtained a

re-entry permit.

Regarding proof of possession of your re-entry permit,

it will be possible for you to ask the Immigration Office to

endorse the fact that you have been issued with a re-entry

permit. In order to have them do this for you, you have to

make out a power of attorney letter in duplicate for a personal

representative in Japan; one for applying for a copy of your

alien registration certificate, and the other for a copy of your

latest re-entry permit application form, and then send them to

your attorney. Furthermore, if sending your attorney the other

1

Immigration Lawyer

Overseas Law Firm Training in England and Germany for two years

Office: 3-15-14-302 Higashi Ikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo

2

3-15-14-302

TEL: 03-3985-4661 FAX: 03-3985-4662

E-mail: kurokawa-office@mbg.nifty.comwww.kurokawa-office.com

What do I do if I Losemy Passport Containingmy Re-entry Permit in aForeign Country?

KUROKAWA Koji

documents including a copy of your newly issued passport

and the report of the loss from the police office, the procedure

should go smoothly. If your attorney is one of your family

who lives with you in Japan, you are not required to produce a

letter of attorney.

You will certainly be allowed to re-enter Japan with your

new passport and the copy of your alien registration certificate

endorsed from the Immigration office.

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Some of the Insight into Japan sections are

finishing with this current issue, and new sec-

tions will appear from the October issue. Please

look out for them!

Hiragana Times is providing the free of charge

e-mail magazine Hiragana Times-Easy that

contains text from Insight into Japan converted into an easier

form of Japanese. We have been very encouraged by the feed-

back we have received about Hiragana Times-Easy, much of

which has emphasized that it is very useful.

1 0

Hiragana Times Easy

Editorial

What things do you like about Japan?

What things do you dislike about Japan?

Name: HIRANO Ainah

Nationality: Philippines

Job: none

Stay in Japan: 8 years

8

Japanese People Have GoodHearts

I like Japanese culture and the environ-

ment. There are trees everywhere. Japanese

people have good hearts for everyone, espe-

cially their lovedones.Onsen are also nice

and the food is delicious.

Parents and Teachers are NotVery Strict

Among parents, teachers and students

do not communicate enough. Since parents

and teachers spoil children, the behavior

of young Japanese is very bad. Japanese

students wear school uniforms, but in the

Philippines, only call girls wear them.

This Country has LeisurelyPastimes Down Pat

I was very surprised by the turnout at

Yoyogi Park on a Sunday afternoon and the

variety of activities going on all over the

park bongo drummers, badminton play-

ers, martial arts exhibitionists, buskers of all

genres. Most people are really good-naturedand hospitable.

Excessive Politeness andPlastic Smiles

Particularly at convenience stores, can

get overbearing at times. Getting chased

down the street by a cashier who is deter-

mined to give you the 1 yen coin you delib-

erately left behind is a bit excessive. I find

this, and the pointlessness of J-pop, to be astain on a culture that is otherwise humble

and praiseworthy.

1

J-p

op

Name: Mike HANNAH

Nationality: Australia

Job: English teacher

Stay in Japan: 11 months

11

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Recently, a range of

services, including

the provision of free

magazines, have begun to be

provided free of charge. The

Tadakopi (free photocopy-

ing) service, provided by

Oceanize, Inc. in more than

30 universities is now gaining

populari ty among students .

Photocopying charges can be

provided free by arranging for

a company to have their adver-tisement printed on the back

of A4 size photocopy paper,

therefore enabling the featured

company to specifically advertise their products and services

to target customers such as students.

30

(

)A4

Priea, a photo service provided by ideaSync Co., Ltd., is a

service where photos can be developed and delivered to order

for free. This service can be provided due to the placing of

advertising on the photos. Customers can have one set of 30

photos produced in a month. You can choose how to print the

photos, which can be either different pictures or the same pic-

ture.

(

)

1

30

1

30

Priea is providing another service an Internet-based

photo album that can hold up to 2GB of pictures free of charge.

This service makes it possible for you to store a large number

of pictures taken with a digital camera in the album. If your

friends and families who live separately sign up as members,

they can share their albums with one another. And you can

order to have photos printed free of charge. An ID and a pass-

word are required for storing, arranging and viewing pictures.

2GB

ID

In September, a free drink service called Medicafe pro-

vided by WillB Co., Ltd. will start. With this service, you will

be able to drink cappuccino, caf latte, frozen drinks and so onfree of charge or at heavily reduced prices. You simply choose

a drink, touch a panel to select it, and then watch a commer-

cial message for about 30 seconds while the drink is being

poured into a cup. There are clear signs that free services are

becoming more widespread, reflecting the awareness that

information obtained through the Internet should be free of

charge.

9

30

CM

Oceanize, Inc.

www.oceanize.co.jp

idiaSync Co., Ltd.

priea.jp/

WillB Co., Ltd.

www.willb.co.jp/medicafe/

Free of Charge Services Expanding

Tadakopi

Medicafe

Priea

http://www.oceanize.co.jp/http://priea.jp/http://www.willb.co.jp/medicafe/http://www.willb.co.jp/medicafe/http://priea.jp/http://www.oceanize.co.jp/

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TAIKO

T

AIKO-L

AB

Ms. MIYAKAWA Maki, a TAIKObics instructor

engaged in this trial-and error process, says, The

more we think, the more we have to change, so we

had great difficulties in creating ways to move thewhole body while beating a taiko drum, and also

taking into account the wide range of ages. Their

efforts were rewarded when it became apparent the

program can be enjoyed by everybody from children

to the elderly.

TAIKObics programs start with careful stretching. At first

you stand up straight in front of a mirror. While getting to

know about the weaknesses of your body such as whether one

of your shoulders is higher than the other, and so on, you then

gradually begin to stretch your body. After learning how to

hold the drumsticks and practicing playing for a 15 minutess,

the time will come for you to drum to the music.

TAIKO

15

The drum is arguably the oldest and most familiar

instrument in the world. The origin of the Japanese

taiko drum goes back to the Joumon period (before

and after 10,000 BC). The drum has been used for festivals,

ritual ceremonies at shrines and temples, and also for

kabuki and noh plays, etc. One of its main characteristics

is the extremely powerful sound and echo that creates amesmerizing effect. Performances by the Japanese taiko

drummers are gaining popularity worldwide.

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Recently, increasing numbers of women have been takingup Japanese taiko, and TAIKObics a form of fitness

combined with aerobic movements has been born.

Japanese taiko used to be like a sport, as better sounds were

able to be produced by beating the drums using energy from

the whole body rather than just the hands. After a continuous

trial-and-error process in order to have taiko acknowledged as

a sport, we have at last accomplished this TAIKObics. says

Mr. KATARAO Kazumasa of TAIKO-LAB.

T

AIKO

Special tabi (socks) for TAIKObics TAIKO

World First TAIKObicsEchoes in Your Heart and Body

MIYAKAWA Maki

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When students beat their taiko drums together, the

classroom rings with the powerful beats, so much so that

drummers are able to clearly see the clothes they are wearing

vibrating. They enjoy various styles of drumming including

beating vigorously, gently, and sometime while stepping,walking, or shouting Ha! Ha! Ms. Miyakawa also shouts

More and More! Havent you eaten? After finishing the

practice, many students feel so good they naturally begin to

clap their hands.

The students talked about TAIKObics lessons happily: I

have long been interested in Japanese taiko, and while I was

inquiring about it, I found out about TAIKObics and became

interested to find out more.; After hearing about it through

a TV program, I asked my friend to take a lesson together.;

All of my friends who I have talked to about it are very

interesting in it.; Since taking this lesson, I am doing my

best to continue to maintain good posture.

TAIKO

Lee Hiang, a Singaporean who experienced it for

the first time today, says with a smile, I enjoyed

it very much. The instructor was great! AlthoughI have tried to kick-box, this is much more fun,

because I can beat a taiko drum to the music.

Ms. Miyakawa says, This is a very good way to get rid

of stress. When I say to students, Beat a taiko drum while

thinking of someone you dont like, instantly the sounds from

their drums change. There are of course some students whoseem to be able to maintain better posture, but most people

seem to be more enthusiastic. I hope I will be able to develop

TAIKObics in the future. The newly created TAIKObics

is very likely to evolve and may even become a new part of

Japanese culture.

TAIKO

TAIKO

TAIKO

Lee Hiang

TA IK O -LA B : w w w .taiko-center.co.jp

http://www.taiko-center.co.jp/

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In Fukui prefecture and its vicinity, many fossil remains of dinosaurs

and prehistoric mammals have been discovered. This is the largest

Paleontological and earth science museum in Japan. Hundreds of fossilsand zoological specimens as well as more than 30 complete dinosaur

skeletons are on show. People of all ages from children to adults can enjoy

looking at the automatically operated dinosaur robots, large-scale restored

dioramas and watching powerful presentations. Furthermore, you can

actually observe how museum staff are cleaning the fossils that were dug

out of the rock.

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Experience the Lost Dinosaur Era

Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

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Opening hours: 9:00 ~ 17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Closed: The second and forth Wednesdays, Year

end and beginning of the year (Dec. 29 ~ Jan. 2).

On certain days the museum is closed temporarily

please check.

Admission fee: Adults 500 yen

9:00 17:00

16:30

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Inquiries: Katsuyama Dinosaur Forest,

51-11 Terao, Muroko-chou, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui-ken

911-8601

51-11

Tel: 0779-88-0001 www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/

http://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/http://www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/

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JAPAN QUIZ

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Q.:What are the names of thesebuldings?

A present will be awarded to everyonewho answers all the questions correctly!

1. Free one-time Hiragana Times partyadmission ticket (next month in Tokyo orOsaka).2. Audio Insight into Japan for 1 month(next issue).*The above can be used by people besidesyourself.Send all your answers and the number of thepresent (1 or 2) together with your name, sexand nationality to quiz@hiraganatimes.comby the end of August 2007.*Applicants must be non-Japanese. Theanswers will be published in the next issue.

1. Hiragana Times

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2.

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: quiz@hiraganatimes.com

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The shrine located in Tochigi prefecturebuilt in memory of TOKUGAWA Ieyasu.The gorgeous Youmei Gate is veryfamous.

The wor ld soldest woodenb u i l d i n g

i n N a r aprefecture. Ithas a five-storied pagoda inside thesanctuary.

A building that is st il l standing nearHiroshima Peace Memorial Park. It hasa slogan Never Again.

Okinawa prefecture used to be calledRyuukyuu kingdom and this castle isthe symbol of this kingdom.

About World Cultural Heritage Sites in Japan

Party held twice a month. Check our website for details!

2WEB

No reservation or registration required.1,000

JAPAN QUIZ Answers: August issue 8

1.

Fuurin (wind bell) 2. Uchiwa (fan) 3.

Kakigouri (shaved ice) 4.

Asagao (morning glory)

5. Chouchin (lantern) 6.

Taiko (drum) 7.

Mikoshi (portable shrine)

One of the three great views in Japan.Also called Miyajima. This is a shrinebuilt in the sea. Located in Hiroshimaprefecture.

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A most renowened and beautiful Japanese

castle in Hyougo prefecture. Also generallycalled Hakuro-jou (Shirasagi-jou) due toits beautiful white walls.

This is located in Shirakawagou, Gifuprefecture. The house was built in this

style to reduce the effort involved inremoving snow from the roof, and alsoto create a larger space in the attic.

mailto:quiz@hiraganatimes.commailto:quiz@hiraganatimes.comhttp://www.hiraganatimes.com/mailto:info@hiraganatimes.commailto:quiz@hiraganatimes.commailto:quiz@hiraganatimes.com

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While I thought Kusatsus only claim to fame was its

extensive onsen, little did I know that just outside town is asecret forest therapy hidden in the trees that almost equals

the famous onsen for luxurious healing powers. After

enjoying an onsen, take a short 15~20 minute walk out of

town and you will find yourself breathing fresh forest air.

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What is forest therapy? Its best to experience it with an

experienced forest guide, but its not difficult to feel it your-

self. Simply stand by a large tree and hold your hands 2~3

cms away from it as if you are going to lift it up. Move

your hands away, then move them back again to the same

position and hold them there for a few seconds. You may

well feel a slight tingling in the palms of your hands this

is energy from the forest!

Not only can you feel this amazing healing energy from

trees, but also from the many plants and if you lie on

your back on the ground among the trees and extend your

hands, you can soak up even more of this refreshing power.And thats not all the forest around Kusatsu is also home

to a wide range of beautiful flowers, herbs and animals.

Probably the best thing is that the forest therapy adds a

whole new level of enjoyment to the well known Kusatsu

Jikan-yu (hard core detox) experience.

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Wonders of Kusatsu Onsen From a Foreign Journalist s Eyes 22

Experiencing Magic Healing Power in the Forest

Text: Jonathon WALSH

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