AKITA JET QUARTERLY
THE AKITAN
FALL ISSUE
20.12.19
THE AKITAN FA L L 2 0 1 9
We are always looking for new content and ideas for The Akitan. Don’t hesitate to contact us at akitajoho@gmail.com if you might be interested in becoming an Akitan contributor!
Cover by Irene Cao
CONTENTS Editor’s Letter...........................................................P.05 Turning Over............................................................P.13 Taking the Long Route Around the River................P.19 Towada Hotel............................................................P.21 Dark Days.................................................................P.25 Fall
in
Film.......................................................P.29
La Corsa Delle Foglie Morte....................................P.35 Mauerfall...................................................................P.39 Itadakimasu!.............................................................P.59 Irene Interviews Gretchen Miura of Dairyuji..........P.73 Horoscopes.............................................................P.115
Film Review: Ohayo お早よう (1959) ......................P.127 December Log........................................................P.131 Get Crafty................................................................P.135 Kimbo Slice (of Life)............................................P.139
MEET THE AKITAN STAFF IRENE CAo Editor & Creative Director Hi, I’m Irene! I’m a 3rd year JET who’s got a penchant for flowers. I like discovering new places and experimenting with different ingredients when I cook. I believe in trying everything, at least once.
Lexi Baker Freelance Astrologist I’m Lexi, a 3rd year JET who moonlights as a part-time witch. I dabble in star readings, the mystic arts, and love potions. I almost never use my powers for evil.
1
THE AKITAN
Kim Bartos Webcomic Artist I’m Kim, a 2nd year JET in Kosaka Town. I’m currently co-managing social media for the AkitaPRC. I’m obsessed with all things animation and have dedicated most of my adult life to that. I enjoy drawing, animating, learning languages, and adventuring out into the wilderness. I’m prone to long-winded discussions about the spooky scary unexplained.
Peter Bond Film Review I’m Peter, I’m a 1st year JET in Yurihonjo City. When I’m not hiking or reading, I’m watching movies. Classic Japanese Cinema, Japanese New Wave, and of course Non-Japanese movies as well. Some favorite films of mine are : Mistress America, In the Mood for Love, Ran, Vertigo, The Act of Killing. Hit me up with any movie suggestions, always looking for more.
2
3Rice fields, Andrea Danko
THE AKITAN
4
Editor’s letter It’s my 3rd fall in Japan. “I wasn’t supposed to be here for so long,” is what I always say to myself. But here, I still am. It never came to mind, that I would want to work and live in Japan for such a long time. And there are so many factors that have made me want to stay. Things like the macaron icecream sandwiches that pop up at 7-eleven every so often, or the grapes that come into season in the early fall. Man...those grapes are good. But also things like the nature here is what made me stay. Now, the winter holidays are coming and some of you may be going back to your families, or some may be spending your first winter holiday on your own. However you’re choosing to spend it, I hope you can make the most of it. Sleep if you need to sleep, eat if you want to eat...indulge! Explore places you’ve never been. Happy Holidays!
Irene Cao, Editor & Creative Director
5
Mt. Chokai, An
nthony Madry
THE AKITAN
6
Iwate, Andrea Danko
Nikaho, Shelby Stark
9
Mototaki Falls in Nikaho, Shelby Stark
THE AKITAN
10
11
Autumn leaves, Irene Cao
Yokote Castle, Shelby Stark
Turning Over TRESIER MIHALIK
13 Fallen leaves, Tresier Mihalik
THE AKITAN
The summer leaves no longer blush, Their prime now gone They fall and crunch. The vibrant hue of long green reeds, Now cropped and brown, Are plucked and tied and carted off. The mountains Proudly stand and take in stride The transition of green to yellow-Orange to red. Its beauty changes But never fades, And thus retains the gaze Of all. The waters that weave in and out And carve their path into the slopes Shiver as they shimmer in The fleeing of the sun’s warm glow. As summer turns to autumn And the harvest comes to bear, This season of Turning over Creates the need to Stop And stare.
...
14
15 Tazawako in Semboku, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
16
17
Tattered Leaves, Tresier Mihalik
19
Foliage by night, Irene Cao
Taking the Long Route Around the River NATHANIEL SERES My soaked body is a gas canister on wheels Unwieldy and volatile, yet slick and cold As the rain that surrounds the runner shrouded In the pouring aurora of night-lights flaring Through the muck-oil Rorschach paintings of the trees. The rain pours down its somber elegy And the lighting dances about it to light The silhouettes of what the eye wants to seeIt dives for meaning in this ocean of cracking sound and wavering color The crushing depths of the contrasts unquenchable No bottom in sight, a chrome cone of miraging length. There is an oasis of warmth and definition at the end, But there is no way to reach it. Some take the bridge, some the road, some the tram No one reaches it And its yellow glow burns Like the crucifix seen by Constantine A possible idea, but as nebulous as the edges of fire Wrestling the open skies.
...
It’s worth a visit! Towada Hotel
LAURA PUERINGER
Opened in 1939, the Towada Hotel is a
figural part of the scenery of Lake Towada. Its golden glow makes it a memorable building, even if just seen from a cruise boat on the calm waters of the largest lake in Japan.
When I saw it for the first time, I
immediately put it on my bucket list to stay there at least once. When I got the chance to in September, I jumped on it immediately. It is an expensive place to spend the night, coming in at just over ¥20,000 plus beverages at dinner and breakfast. But if it’s an experience you’re wanting, it is worth every cent in my opinion.
While the heat of summer was still present
and heavy in the air during my stay, the crisp breeze from the lake and the mountain’s mist chilled the area just enough to make it seem like a fall getaway. The view of the trees covered in rolling fog come morning was mesmerizing.
It is a huge building. Although its clear
appearance from the lake makes the size of it well-known, it is something else to see it in person. Standing there in front of it, I had to take a moment and admire the beauty of the hotel
21
THE AKITAN
Lake Towada, Brooke Dalgleish
22
tucked away in the mountains. The main
windows to get a great view while relaxing.
building is constructed via traditional
Japanese architecture techniques. The
Akita specialty feast. Including iburigakko,
work of an imperial carpenter; the beauty
sashimi, hotpot, and the best roast beef,
of the Akita cedar is acutely accented
it was blended flavors of both Akita and
by careful consideration to details. The
Western foods. Even if you’re not a big
inside is just as golden and glorious as
hiker or onsen goer, I think the meal
the outside, a structure like I’ve never
makes the visit worth it. A major bonus
seen before in my life.
is the waiting staff who will tell you all
about each dish you get with a smile.
The lake is within walkable distance
to the hotel. The paths are clearly marked
for hiking routes, making an easy escape
to go for a refreshing get away. If you are
into nature possible. The onsen has both
a foodie, love nature and walking, or just
indoor and outdoor baths of perfect
enjoy unique getaways, check out Towada
temperature. Massage chairs are available
Hotel.
to use as well, situated right next to
23
The meal served is a seven-course
All in all, Towada Hotel is the place
...
THE AKITAN
**Photos courtesy of Laura Pueringer
24
Dark Days FELIX CLUTSON
I’m gonna write this one in advance Before the setting of the sun Before the winter winds sweep me away Before the deed is done As the dark accelerates towards us You can’t help but stop at the sight Of halogen puddles that quiver and quench The sunlight pouring into night Maybe you won’t see it in the gloam My face hidden by the twilight As shortened days make light work of the sun Upon the fields, shadows become night
Cos I will try to hold my poker face And not show you with my eyes The hope that keeps me warm inside And could so quickly turn to ice So, here I stand, before Pre-empting Quelling hope and fear the same And wishing On every cloud-filtered sunbeam That when I open my mouth...
25
I’ll flick Looking in the b Dancing And I’ll after the Hope That the beckon Climb o the air o In some gibberis
my glance upwards g at the strip-light shining bottle g on the water l try to tread one word e other
ey will come when I them out of me, and reach for outside e form that isn’t just sh
THE AKITAN
I dare not hope for eloquence Or even brevity But there’s a cold breeze outside that tells me That mysteries uttered, must float or fall now Before the crunch of snow and blanket silence Crowds out any sounds of light And winter sinks its cold-cut teeth Into the trees across the road
The leaves are falling now What at first started a colourful tinkle Is become crescendo In the gathering days of dark and cloudwater Your feet as if drawn slowly trudge their way to bed To the warmth and the books of the not-outside Blanketed with cotton not rain
26
But I’m not ready Not yet I want to linger on the corner Under the lights of the highrise Counting the spots of brightness As if each one was a story unto itself And that’s what I want to tell you To take you by the hand And tell you a story To whisper away the dark In the spin of a yarn And a turn of lexical pitch and toss And say that I want to hear a story too From you I’m tired of the clouds sending me home Of the lights in the streets only guiding me To the shops on the corner and the porch out the front So come with me
27
The light still bobs in the bottle And I think of other nights in other lands When my heart was fit to burst For other reasons But now, in the cold twilight of day I want it to reflect in two pairs of eyes Across the table Across the seasons A twinkle, maybe That says let the drizzle sweep us Around the corner Into the blue-grey day And gone And not stop until we reach adventure
THE AKITAN
I think this may be in vain But I’ll whisper the words Into yesterday’s hazy sunlight anyway Put my hands in my pockets And follow the stone I kicked across the street And see if the place over there sells any hope along with its ice cream
...
28
Fall in Film Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Fujifilm Superia Venus 800
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Fuji Film
Rachel Stivicic Ricoh KR-10 SLR Fujifilm Superia Premium
29
THE AKITAN
Irene Cao Superheadz Ultra Wide and Slim Lomography 800
Eric Badar Nikon F3 Ilford Delta 400
30
Eric Badar Nikon F3 Fujifilm Superia 800
Eric Badar Nikon F3 Fujifilm Superia 800
Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
31
THE AKITAN Eric Badar Nikon F3 Ilford Delta 400
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Fuji Film
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Fujifilm Superia Venus 800
32
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Fujifilm Superia Venus 800
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Fujifilm
33
THE AKITAN Eric Badar Nikon F3 Ilford Delta 400
Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
34
La Corsa Delle
FELIX CL
I Standing on the hill As the ribbon road recedes I know it’s over Summer’s swept away Without a word Upped and gone The days swing short and sharp As the wind rolls and swoops Bouncing off the mountainside I can trace the line of the sea Grey against the whitish clouds Specks of crows puncturing the sky Next to me a leaf drops Joins its friends under the crash barrier
35
Settles in for the rain and children’s boots Gathered at the side of the road They lie, patiently Aware that the sky will bring their end At the tipping point now Between dazzling mosaic And brown mush No wonder the tides and turns Of yellow and red beauty Haunt our misty minds But I hear something else On the breeze A different whisper
e Foglie Morte
THE AKITAN
LUTSON
Route 398 in Miyagi Prefecture, Irene Cao
36
II
As bells that strike the hour Peal in the shortening sun And yellowed leaves float fallen In the cooling river’s run
The thing is – it’s a secret I only found it out by chance When I was standing on the hillside And the leaves began to dance
And the rain falls on the hillside Grey clouds heavy with the load And whispered dark floats fallen Over footsteps on the road
The breeze it was that told me As it saw me standing gazing over town In whispered words of wind As the leaves came floating falling down
The darkness gathers dewdrops To sprinkle on the fields To glint softly in the cloudlight When a new day is revealed
There is if you glance carefully Shrouded in the morning mists At the tread of dawn and hidden streets A secret magic that exists As the world is torn asunder To make way for winter’s white The leaves burst forth with colour At the dying of the light
The crows take up the clarion call As they caw on through the gloom Wings reflected in the water They know it’s winter soon
37
There’s an urgency in the atmosphere As the wind cuts through the square Of the scarcity of sunlit days A growing coolness in the air
And in their sombre trip to Earth You can see time fraying at the seams And the sun strikes different golden chords Playing hazy dawning dreams
You know, there’s something else though Amongst the falling skies The crows I’m sure can sense it It’s in their song and in their eyes
The yellowed leaves are the runes For the changing of the ways As colours run and breeze sweeps in These new world-tilted days
THE AKITAN
It’s in that change the crows espy The magic seeping through the gaps Through swelling seas and changing leaves And through rainy pavement cracks So, step out in the drizzle Come down from northern lands And in birdsong and soft rain Feel the world turning in your hands While the winter cold comes down townwards And the sea wind gathers chill Look for the colours blazing out against The cold slinking towards us from the hills With hues glowing in your pockets Turn and face the sound Of daybreeze, crowsong, rainpatter Of ancient words swirling round
You’ll feel it first in your fingertips Hear it in the sound of the raining beat The crows across the road will tell you Up the hill is where you’ll secrets meet Silence falls on your shoulders now The world in quiet pools of light And twilight floats down fallen At the burgeoning of night Yet one last glance at colours And wise old crows amongst the leaves As autumn magic floats down fallen On the softly whispering breeze
...
If you look and listen closely To the drops bouncing at your feet And step skyward to the rhythm With the light sliding down the street
38
Mauerfall FELIX CLUTSON
I don’t know about you, but I’m
thanks in part to the Egyptians, the Greek
always a bit ambivalent about New Year’s.
and Roman civilizations, a couple of Hindu
I love a good excuse for a party as much
mathematicians and some very talented
as the next bloke, but it always seems a bit
Arab scholars, but most of all our ten
over the top. January 1st will be exactly
little fingers, here we are. A little arbitrary
the same as the day before, apart from me
maybe, but our perception of significance
forgetting what year it is for three months,
in blocks of ten just about bears the
an inevitable headache, and probably a lot
weight of history and the physiology of
of waiting around, as there’ll be a reduced
the hands that carry it. So, let’s turn the
service on whatever bus/tube/train I need
clock back 30 years, to the helter-skelter
to get home.
autumn of 1989 – a number you have a 6th
The same can be said, I feel, for anniversaries. Why is a 50th any more important than a 49th or a 51st? Still,
39
century monk from modern-day Romania to thank for, by the way.
THE AKITAN
It is the 4th of September, and
Over the course of the Mondays that follow,
a weekly prayer meeting is being held
the demonstrations swell in number in
at the Lutheran church of St. Nicholas
the square by the church, and Germans
in Leipzig, the largest city outside of
in other cities start to follow suit.
East Berlin in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany to you and me). The city lies about 160km south of Berlin, and historically was known as a place of the arts. Bach, Mendelssohn, Liszt and Wagner all lived there, it is one of the two sites of the National Library, and it was his time in this city which inspired the great Friedrich Schiller to write his poem Ode to Joy, which you may know from its use
in a little piece of music by some German
for the 40th anniversary of the country
lad called Beethoven. Ironically, our mate
were met with protests and consequently
Ludwig hailed from Bonn, which was the
hundreds of arrests. Two days later, there
capital of West Germany.
was a tension in the air. In expectation of
On the 7th of October, celebrations
Of course, these days, any young
large numbers, it was reported that 8000
Schillers have to write stuff that fits within
security troops had been readied. All eyes
some rigid socialist cultural parameters,
turned to the patch of ground outside
or you might start seeing some of your
a baroque church in Saxony. It was
colleagues talking to guys in grey jackets
reckoned that 120,000 people showed up
an uncanny amount.
in Leipzig that day. This also marked the
On this day, however, a group of people,
emergence to the wider consciousness of
aware that the Church, while not overtly
the defining slogan of those protests, ‘Wir
political, sympathises with their wish
sind das Volk!’ (‘We are the people!’).
for freedom from oppression, join the
meeting and afterwards stage a small
week later, Erich Honecker, the leader of
demonstration against the authorities.
the communist party and de facto head of
The numbers continued to grow. A
40
41
state, was forced to resign. On the 4th of
the electric fence which ran along their
November actors and theatre employees
border with Austria. East Germans began
in East Berlin organised a demonstration
to find their way out, and after a superficial
at Alexanderplatz (site of the famous TV
change in travel regulations was met with
tower built by the East German regime).
outrage, the East German government
Estimates vary wildly, but somewhere in
decided they had no choice but to relax
the region of 500,000 showed up.
travel restrictions, and allow free travel
Amongst those who spoke to the
across the border. A press conference was
crowd that day was Gunter Schabowski,
called for the early evening of November
the East Berlin socialist party boss. It was
9th, and Schabowski was chosen to chair
a speech he gave the week after though,
it, despite not being involved in the
which he will be most remembered for.
decision, but was instead armed with
The first gap in the Iron Curtain had
a note from new leader Egon Krenz.
appeared in April, after revolution in
Famously, he was asked when the new
Hungary precipitated the dismantling of
regulations were to come into effect, to
THE AKITAN which the answer was the next day‌
Berliners, before then also restricted, were
except Krenz had failed to avail him of
free to travel to East Berlin. In June 1990
that detail, so without anything informing
the state officially started dismantling the
him to the contrary, Schabowski replied
wall. Autumn came, and less than a year
that the changes would come into effect
after that wild night back in November,
immediately. Such historical events can
Germany
be triggered by such small accidents.
(reunification). The task of taking down
the wall itself was finally completed in
The
evening
news
from West
had
its
Wiedervereinigung
Germany, which had long managed
1992.
to broadcast into many East German
homes, brought it to the attention of
For
many in East Berlin, and as the evening
anniversary carries conflicting emotions,
lengthened into night, people began to
and it is not really considered a day of
gather at checkpoints along the wall. Just
celebration. Reunification was, perhaps
before 11pm, when it became clear that
inevitably, very complex and difficult, and
no one in the party would take personal
in many ways still is. Also, significantly, the
responsibility for forceful resistance of
9th of November was already an important
the growing numbers wanting to cross,
date in German history. On that night in
the checkpoint at Bornholmer Strasse was
1938 hammers were also used, but instead
opened, and the East Berliners poured
of walls, they were swung by Nazis to
over the bridge into a different country
smash the windows of Jewish businesses,
and a new era. They were met, reports say,
homes and synagogues. This is what
by joyful crowds with flowers waiting for
became known as Kristallnacht (crystal
them on the other side.
night) – called The Night of Broken Glass
in English.
For the wall, of course, this was the
Germany,
the
beginning of the end. The people took
It is also worth noting, reflecting
to their task passionately with hammers
this example of two very important events
and chisels in the coming days. On the
on the same date, that the 9th November
22nd of December, the Brandeburg Gate
was probably not even the most important
was opened, and the following day, West
day in 1989. Arguably, that was the 4th of
42
June, when the joy of Solidarity winning
after, brought and will continue to bring
Poland’s historic democratic elections in
great complications, I like to think of the
a landslide, was contrasted tragically with
events of that night in the light of human
the events in Beijing, centred around
fellowship.
Tiananmen Square, where protesters and
I was lucky enough to live in Leipzig
bystanders alike were killed and wounded
for a year, and stand in that church where
by the authorities.
those demonstrators first stood, and Bach before them, and imagined what it must have felt like to stand there on those charged days. A city which suffered greatly after reunification, it has begun to grow again. Many like me, on an autumn day, just like this one, got the train up to Berlin and the tube to Alexanderplatz, which lies on the main road going
Just for a moment though, as the
through the heart of the city, running
leaves fall around us, I want to focus
under the Brandenburg Gate and away
on the wall again, and think about it as
westward. There is a stretch of the wall
it stands, or, well, falls in this case, as a
still up, decorated by artists from all over
symbol. Families, friends and neighbours,
the world at the East Side Gallery, right
who had been separated for years by
on the banks of the Spree. There, when
concrete were reunited, men and women
you consider the history of the tarmac
who had grown up not knowing what was
and stone around you, is where perhaps
down the end of their street were free
the idea of reunions can really hit home,
to roam. Citizens of the same city but
not only of nations, but of people, free to
different countries brought down what
spend time with each other, to share the
had become the world’s visual incarnation
view of the river together.
of the Iron Curtain, by coming together
43
and saying ‘we are the people’. For that
So, thirty years ago, some concrete
reason, while I know the before, and the
fell amongst the leaves. Scattered the
THE AKITAN debris of its origins and the intervening years, I hope it reminds you, as it does me, that among other things, freedom and fellowship can have their moment in the low autumn sun.
**Photos courtesy of Felix Clutson
...
44
45 Mt. Chokai, Irene Cao
s e r u t n e v d a
. ..
Au tum n
THE AKITAN
46
Persimmons, Irene Cao
Yasu no Taki in Kitaakita, Brooke Dalgleish
49
THE AKITAN
Oyasukyo in Yuzawa, Vincent Hsu
50
51
Oyasukyo in Yuzawa, Vincent Hsu
THE AKITAN
52
53
THE AKITAN Far left: Omoshiroyama hiking trail in Yamagata Top: Dairyuji Temple grounds in Oga, Akita Bottom: Autumn folliage at Dairyuji Temple Irene Cao
54
55
THE AKITAN
Naruko Gorge in Miyagi, Irene Cao
56
57 Yamadera in Yamagata, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
58
Itadakimasu!
59
Harvest salad, Irene Cao
Recipe by Laura Pueringer
*Can be substituted 3 cups water and 3 bouillon cubes ((or Ajinomoto コンソメ blocks)
61
THE AKITAN
62
63
Mille feuille nabe, Irene Cao
65
THE AKITAN
Takikomi gohan, Irene Cao
66
67
THE AKITAN Diablo cookies, Irene Cao
68
chocolate, Irene Cao 69 Hot Hand models: Vincent Hsu & Anthony Madry
71 Chrysanthemum flowers, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
It’s worth a try! CHRYSANTHEMUM “Kiku” in Japanese The national flower of Japan (yes, that’s right, it’s not the cherry blossom!), is a popular autumn flower as well as the imperial seal of Japan. You can often see yellow or purple ones in the fresh produce section of your supermarket. Incredibly fragrant, the Chinese dry them and make a chrysanthemum tea and is said to be “cooling” for the body when we eat too many fried foods and meat. When chilled, it’s a refreshing drink during the summer months! In Japan however, many people will blanch the petals and have it with some light soy sauce or sesame dressing. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can even find chrysanthemum jam. It’s sweet and great with crackers, toast, or dissolved into hot water for a drink. Experiment with these edible flowers! How about a sprinkle of petals for a pop of color in your salad and added vitamins A and C?
72
Bonsai at Dairyuji, Irene Cao
73
THE AKITAN
Irene Interviews... Gretchen Miura of Dairyuji Temple
Recently, I sat down with Gretchen
Miura, a fascinating woman who, for me, has led one of the most interesting lives. She’s studied in Nepal, went to China, Tibet, India, Thailand...a mom of 4 kids and wife of Keno Miura, the head priest of Dairyuji Temple.
Dairyuji has a very special place in my
heart and is somewhere I can always go to, to reconnect with myself. I will tell almost everyone I meet about Dairyuji Temple. So here I am again, trying to tell a much wider audience about my favourite place in Akita.
Prior to coming onto JET, I had experienced many years of depression. It’s
something that’s quite hard for me to talk about, but going to therapy and being introduced to mindfulness and meditation, I was given tools to help me cope, not only with my depression, but also daily life.
My first year in Japan was quite hard. It was the first time that I lived alone and
I was always trying to find ways to connect with other people who were interested in yoga and mindfulness. I can’t express enough how the practice of mindfulness really changed my life, and so I actively seek it out. When I heard about Dairyuji’s Zen Mindfulness Retreat of Meditation and Yoga, I jumped on the opportunity. The 3 days that I spent at this retreat was such an enriching experience. I met people from all over the world, and made lifelong friends.
My experience at Dairyuji’s retreat was about 2 years ago, almost 3. When I was
asked this year, to come and help Gretchen and Keno at the retreat, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to show you what their temple is like, and what their retreats offer.
74
The retreats run twice a year; one in fall, and one in spring, and last 3 days. The
retreats focus on mindfulness, meditation, and zazen (traditional Zen meditation), as well as yoga. It’s a great retreat for those who have no experience with meditation and it’s also a nice getaway from the routines of life. For 3 days, you can just sit, relax, connect with people, and experience staying overnight at a Japanese Buddhist temple.
Dairyuji tries to highlight locally sourced food, and gives you a chance to eat at
cafes or restaurants too. The retreats aren’t only about meditation and yoga. You also have the chance to get out, go to a museum, watch the Namahage Daiko performance, experience an onsen and much more. More importantly, the most valuable thing I took away from the retreat were the connections I formed with people I met, knowing I was offered a place to come back to to find peace, and teaching me to always keep my mind open.
Dairyuji is a Buddhist Temple of the Soto sect. It’s one of the major Zen sects out
of the 3 in Japan. Situated in Oga, in Akita Prefecture, with a concrete history of 500 years, the temple sits on top of a hill. The architecture of Dairyuji is quite unusual when compared to the mainstream Buddhist temples we usually encounter. It’s a temple that is made up of several buildings that loop around and features a courtyard. Some buildings were built by Keno’s father and grandfather. One of the current buildings is about 110 years old and was originally a summer home donated by a wealthy family who were members of the temple. With wide open windows that circle the building, one can sit and enjoy the inner water garden, or the breathtaking view of the Sea of Japan.
Keno is the 3rd head priest of his family, and currently the 38th at Dairyuji. Upon
meeting Keno and Gretchen for the first time 2 years ago, my expectation of what a priest was and how a Buddhist temple is, was completely changed. I wanted to learn more about Gretchen, so as I sat down at my local Starbucks (I’ve grown to really like Starbucks) with Gretchen, I had to ask...
75
THE AKITAN
THE INTERVIEW Irene: You probably get this question a lot, but what’s it like being married to a Buddhist priest? Gretchen: Well, you’ve met Keno. He’s very laid back and very easy to get along with. Irene: Yes, he is so easy to talk to! Gretchen: Right? Sometimes you have to dismiss what you think a Buddhist priest is; as very serious. He’s quite relaxed, funny, and has a lot of energy. So in terms of just our marriage, it’s very easy to be married to him. I forget that he’s a Buddhist priest, except for the fact that he’s bald and shaves his head! It doesn’t dominate our conversations. Clearly, it effects our
to move into that lifestyle already having lived in Japan while on JET?
lifestyle. I mean, it’s a big part of my life,
Gretchen: I was an ALT for one year here in
but person to person, it’s not a problem
Akita, in Ikawa-machi. I had another job
at all. The only thing that’s irritating
lined up in America, but had already met
sometimes is that he’s so nice and never
Keno. I went back to America, and Keno
gets mad. He’s really good natured, so it’s
and I continued our relationship. When
very easy to be married to him. Of course
we were serious, I thought, I could live in
it’s a whole different situation if we talk
Japan because it’s so fun and everyone was
about the social implications of being
so friendly while I was an ALT. Though,
married to him.
I was very naive because I was just an
Irene: Was it difficult in any way; for example in the beginning? Did you find it frustrating or was it quite easy for you
English teacher, and the expectations of an English teacher are radically different than what a community expects from a
76
priest’s wife. We actually got married in America and my oldest son was born there. When we came back to Japan, I met his parents. It
77
very traditional part of the culture and I knew nothing. What I thought I knew about Buddhism or Zen was completely different.
was a huge shock to the system because
The members of the temple have always
when you’re an English teacher, people
been kind to me and given me space to
are really friendly to you and invite you
grow into the role as a priest’s wife. The
over. People felt standoffish towards
first few years were very hard and I didn’t
me because I was married and part of
really know what I was doing, and I felt
a temple, Dairyuji. There was not as
very isolated. I think there were some
much outreach as when I was an English
doubts about who I was. Like, how could
teacher. I don’t want to imply that anyone
this Westerner move in and become a
was mean, just the dynamic was different.
priest’s wife? But Keno and I decided
I really was very naive because it’s just a
early on that we weren’t going to listen to
THE AKITAN that. We just sort of ignored it. Though as I settled in, I realized there was a deeper layer being a part of Japanese society. When my oldest son started
my head about how I should be behaving and what I should say. I was creating this sort of distance between who I am and who I really am.
elementary school, I really made a huge
Irene: How did you move on from that or
effort to be involved in the community
overcome that?
and the school, the temple, and speaking the language as well. In a lot of ways, that was good. I felt very much connected to the community. I learned a lot and had a lot of friends. But after 6-7 years of that, I felt I was losing myself. As a non-Japanese person, there’s this constant conflict of how I would raise my children in America vs. how I would raise my children in
Gretchen: In some ways, I felt really good with what I was doing because I was part of the community and there was a smoothness to it. It also felt like, for my children’s sake, there was cohesiveness to it. But I was starting to feel that it wasn’t working for me and was getting quite stressed, so I took a step back.
Japan. An example of this would be club
I actually took my kids back to America
activities after school. It takes a lot of
to go to an American school. I just took
commitment and frowned upon if you
a breather to reconnect with myself, with
don’t attend. I found myself sacrificing
my family, with my culture. And I did. I
every weekend, year after year.We couldn’t
came back after that year with confidence
take family vacations anymore, and it
to say, “How are you going to live here in
even impacted me taking my kids back
a way that is more aligned with who you
to America. We would go back for a long
are?”
time during summers and we couldn’t do
It was sort of like growing pains. You’re
that anymore. I found myself sacrificing
stepping out of the lines more. I think
things that were important to me like
fundamentally because I’m living long
family time. Japan is such a communal
term and I have my children here and
society and you feel that you’re supposed
I’m connected with the temple, I do feel
to act this way because it’s what the group
that it’s important to be respectful of the
is doing. I would often run things through
78
79 Water garden at Dairyuji Temple , Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
80
culture. I’ve been here almost 20 years, so some things just take time. I talked to Keno about this too, and took a step back and just asked how could I belong to this community and this temple in a way that I feel more comfortable with. There were a couple of years of those growing pains of not really knowing how to do that. I would
up and prep work. There’s a lot of greeting people and making sure I talk to everybody, since I’m Keno’s wife, and also just cleaning up. Sometimes a big ceremony will be 2-3 weeks of preparation and then 5 days of clean up. During big ceremonies, which is about 3 a year, we do have volunteers or a small staff to help.
say that the last 3-5 years, I’ve been really
Irene: Sounds like a lot of work! And to
happy here. It just comes, but sometimes
add on to that, you also run retreats.
it just takes a long time to settle in.
Gretchen: Right, and the retreats are sort
Irene: Could you tell me what an average
of connected to what I was saying before.
day for you would be like at the temple?
I was thinking, how could I be part of the
Gretchen: Well, I actually have a small handmade business, which is sewing things so I usually sew two days a week. The other days, I’ll go to the temple. At the temple we have a lot of people visiting, and it could be 2-3 people coming, or sometimes we get a whole group of people from City Hall or school trips. Sometimes big bus tours come too, so every day is a different amount of people. We always have to be prepared for
temple in a way that reflects something that I’m really excited about and that I like? I really like Zen and meditation, and one big difference about Japanese temples that shocked me when I first came here is that Japanese temples tend to be just ceremonies. There are funerals, memorials, Obon, New Years... It’s a ceremony focused type of Buddhism. There’s a big focus on ancestors too.
that. I normally don’t work at the temple
Japanese people’s perspective of a temple
on weekends unless there’s a ceremony.
is really just for funerals. It’s a very narrow
We also have a lot of ceremonies at the
81
temple. Ceremonies take a lot of setting
vision of a temple and I really want to
THE AKITAN
Back of Dairyuji, Irene Cao
82
widen that. I want people to come to
You can have a very secular experience;
the temple and relax, have tea, do zazen
like enjoy the nature, have tea, relax... Or
or just come in and enjoy the grounds.
if you want more of a spiritual experience,
My husband does a lot of events at the
clearly there’s a lot of history, and Keno
temple, but even more, I’m trying to open
can talk more deeply about Buddhism.
it up to meditation and mindfulness. Irene: In Japan especially, temples almost
(meditation) classes that were open to
seem closed off and private. Your temple
people. I mean, I was projecting what
has a very warm atmosphere to it. How
I had learned in America. Japanese
did you and Keno create this atmosphere
communities in America still maintain
and make it feel more open to people?
those traditional ceremonies, but outside
Gretchen: Thank you that makes me very happy!
those immediate Japanese communities, when you think of Zen, it’s sort of this esoteric, meditation, Alan Watts... very
That’s something we’ve talked a lot about.
different from Zen in Japan. Having said
We have this temple, and I just want to
that though, zazen is at the core of Zen
share this space with people. Whatever
Buddhism.
they’re needing that day, they can find what they need. If you need someone to talk to, we want to talk to you. If you need some quiet space, that’s fine too. Keno is very good at that; he’s an easy presence to be with.
So, I kept asking my husband, “why don’t you have meditation?” and he didn’t really know. I was really happy when about 5 years ago, he started an early morning meditation every Thursday that’s open to anybody. It’s a small thing, but I thought
Sometimes I think that it’s too simple,
it was very significant. More people are
but my deepest desire is to just welcome
asking Keno and me to lead meditation
people and let them know they have a
groups now. Before 5 years ago, it wasn’t
place to come. The other thing I like
something that we even offered and no
about Buddhism is that it’s a religion yes,
one asked us about it.
but you don’t have to believe anything.
83
I also noticed there were no zazen
Irene: I remember you ran some afternoon
THE AKITAN
zazen days at Dairyuji for a time, which
always been quite progressive and doing
was free for anyone who was interested.
events. But he would do more big events
Even going in for a little bit was such a
like concerts and different markets. I
great experience.
think they’re great too, but I also wanted
Gretchen: Yeah, let’s say you come for just 2 hours and do a bit of meditation and just talk and eat. It makes the temple experience really casual and accessible. I’m so happy you find the temple so warm and welcoming though, because that is at my core. It’s my dream for the temple; to make it feel welcoming to everyone.
something more intimate. Irene: Is that why you created the retreats? Gretchen: Definitely, and of course the retreats have been really good since I’m contributing to the temple and participating; just more in line with what I care about, which is meditation and mindfulness. It’s also a wonderful way to
It’s something Keno and I talk about, and
invite foreigners to come into the temple.
I would say he was doing that and he’s
A lot of times, when foreigners visit the
84
85 Temple tour, Irene Cao
Water garden, Irene Cao
temple, they get really excited because
a really good group of people. Part of it
they’ll go to the big temples but they don’t
was that I like meditation and it was just
get an opportunity to just see a normal
sorely lacking from the temple. Like what
temple and go inside it to relax.
we talked about before, I wanted to make
Irene: Going off the topic of your Mindfulness and Yoga Retreats...I really want people to know about the retreats since I love them so much! How long have you been doing this retreat for, and also what made you want to start the retreat?
it for foreigners because whether you’re living here long term, travelling, or an English teacher, I do want there to be a space for people to come to relax, talk, be themselves and also see a part of Japan that maybe is sometimes hidden. Temples do have this imposing feeling, as though you can’t go in. I want people
Gretchen: Well, you came on my first
to come in and enjoy themselves. It was
retreat! That group was such a great
really just everything that I care about.
group and we had so much fun. It was
Also for me, it’s a sense of belonging. I really struggled with finding a sense of belonging. How do you find belonging when you don’t naturally fit in, or you’re putting on a show for everybody? I want people to feel like they belong, even if it’s a temporary community. Sometimes you have to create that; sometimes it can’t just be handed to you. I know many Japanese people who are so welcoming, so it’s not a criticism, but it’s just how do you find a sense of belonging when you live in such a different culture? That’s something that I’ve gone up and down with and struggled with. So that
87
THE AKITAN
was also at its core as to why I created this retreat.
great experience to just sit. Gretchen: It’s totally difficult. Our minds
And of course, I really like meditation, as
are constantly going. A lot of people say
mentioned before. It’s something that has
to me, “Oh, I could never meditate or go
been consistently grounding for me in
on your retreat because I’m so anxious or
my life. Meditation is quite easy. It’s hard,
always thinking.”
but easy. Irene: It’s hard to just sit and do nothing! We’re so used to doing something and you almost get frustrated at yourself when you can’t just sit. You can’t play with your phone...I mean you just have to take in your surroundings and not judge. I find that incredibly difficult, but it’s also a
Irene: That’s probably a good reason to go on the retreat. *laughs* Gretchen: Right? We’re all like that, so it’s great to step out of your routine and have that space to say, “Okay, we’re going to meditate.” I myself can be lazy. I don’t do it all the time, but if there’s a place to sit and go to do it, it’s a lot easier.
88
89
Lunch at Dairyuji Retreat, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
90
I always feel really good after I meditate.
The environment that you create in your
It creates a lot of space in my mental
retreats, you don’t have to put on this
and emotional life to be present with
facade. It’s not just about what country
people. To be grateful and happier, more
you’re from. I mean, that doesn’t really
fulfilled. I started meditation since I was
matter anymore, and you just talk. What
in college and it’s been an adult, lifelong
your temple provides is this way of
thing where I thought, I have this temple
connecting people, and forming really
and want to provide and welcome people.
close relationships within the span of 3
Almost selfishly, I want to have that for me
days.
too. About 6 years ago, where I was sort of going through my reconfiguration, I just started floating that idea. I was almost expecting Keno to take the idea and run with it, but he wasn’t. So then I thought, I’ll do it and I’ll do it the way I want to. It’s sort of the reason why I thought to do it in English; to do it for foreigners because we do have something in common.
example this past retreat which you helped, I really felt that if one person wasn’t here, it would have changed the dynamic. I thought it was quite an eclectic group of people, but by the 3rd day, everyone’s comfort level had changed. It was such an amazing transformation. I feel so happy about that. Everyone just shows up, and
Irene: Even being an ALT and having this
I hate this word, but everyone shows up
ALT community in Akita, which is a great
so authentically. I’m always touched that
support system, I still find it really hard
people come up and let other people into
to connect with my own community. But
their lives as much as they’re comfortable
having a space and meeting other ALTs,
with, again, with what they need at that
for example in the first retreat that you ran,
moment. So I agree, I think it’s just really
and the one I recently helped out with, I
special.
feel like it’s a really great environment to get to know each other. Not just ALTs, but people from all over the world as well as Japanese people.
91
Gretchen: It’s really quite magical. For
Irene: Yes, I agree completely. For me, that’s the best part of the retreat. For you though, what do you enjoy the most about the retreat?
THE AKITAN
Breakfast at Dairyuji Retreat, Irene Cao
92
Dairyuji altar, Irene Cao 93
THE AKITAN Gretchen: I would say, that’s definitely
they can walk away with some meditation
it. What we were talking about; it’s the
or techniques where they can bring some
people and it’s the connection. We’re all
calm or awareness, and like you said, non-
looking for connection right? Even if it’s
judging into their lives. Those are really
just a spark or temporary; it feels nice.
wonderful skills to have.
We’ve done 5 retreats so far, and each one has its own magic of people coming together. I do feel like Keno and I’s role is
Irene: Could you tell us a little more about what Mindfulness is?
to facilitate that, and make sure everyone
Gretchen: Sure, Mindfulness is sort of
feels welcome and that everyone has space
under the umbrella of Buddhism, but it’s
to be themselves. But it’s also a two way
also quite popular now worldwide.
street of people also being themselves. I’ll
Irene: How did you get into, and learn
just say that I actually really like planning
about Mindfulness? What draws you to
them. It’s really fun for me, and it’s really
Mindfulness?
nice working with Keno.
Gretchen: That’s a huge question, but
Irene: I noticed that your retreats draw
I think that it really hit me at a very
people from all walks of life, regardless
impressionable age when I was younger.
of religion and culture. We all walk away
I grew up on the East Coast; I grew up
with something from the 3 day weekend.
Catholic and had a really nice childhood.
Gretchen: Right! Again, I really like
But when I went to Asia for the first time,
meditation and Buddhism, but I also
it was such a shock. When I personally
want to offer a space for people to feel
interacted
that there’s a secular element in it as
during my study abroad in Nepal, it was
well. Mindfulness is not really religion.
so amazing to me. I didn’t really have a
People can come here and they don’t
connection to the Catholic Church. It
have to be Buddhist. I try to incorporate
never really resonated with me, but I
mindfulness activities as well because I
thought, I like meditation and Buddhism.
don’t have an agenda about Buddhism so
It’s just seeing yourself and being with
much. I just really want people to feel like
yourself. Being honest, and being honest
with
Tibetan
Buddhism
94
Admiring the water garden, Irene Cao
with the world. It has really helped me.
Buddhism?
Irene: It helps everyone, I think. I know
Gretchen: That’s a good question! A lot
everyone can use a bit of mindfulness
of people ask that. The core of Zen is
practice in their lives.
meditation and in Buddhism, there are the
Gretchen: Yeah, you can have a 40 minute a day practice, a 1 min a day practice, or even 1 min a month. You can leave it and come back to it. It’s given me so much in my life having a meditation practice, and more these past years going deeper into Mindfulness. Irene:
What’s
Right Speech, Right Effort, Right view.... One of the paths is Right Mindfulness. It’s an element of Buddhism, but it can be distilled into a secular version. And as you said before, mindfulness is being aware and having an awareness. It can be
the
main
focus
a
physical
awareness, emotional
of
awareness...just a feeling of being aware
Mindfulness? What are the elements that
and being aware in a non-judgemental
are Zen, and how does it connect with
97
4 noble truths and 8 paths. For example,
THE AKITAN that’s creating space so you’re not as tight. There’s more spaciousness and more willing to see the other person’s point of view. You see things a little more clearly. I feel that meditation and mindfulness practice
translates
into
life,
in
relationships, into your work, into your way. That’s what mindfulness is and of
parenting. I want to offer this at Dairyuji
course that plays out in a lot of ways in
and have people walk away with these
your life.
tools.
What
offer
Irene: Your temple definitely offers a
mindfulness
spaciousness and openness. What I like
meditation. In Zen Buddhism, zazen
about the retreats is that you get a little
traditionally is a meditation where you sit
snippet of what traditional zazen is like,
and no one really talks. There’s not a lot
but also what mindfulness meditation
of talking, which I actually love. Whereas
is. It’s two different ways of meditating.
mindfulness meditation may have a little
Having the experience of the morning
more guidance, so you’re being guided
meditation and morning zazen at the
more by connecting through your breath
retreat has been great.
at
I’m
Dairyuji
interested retreats
in, and is
or doing body scans. A lot of times it’s just anchoring in your body. There are a little more techniques in mindfulness.
Gretchen: I really love hearing your perspective. That makes me really happy,
I found zazen to be great, but I found that I needed more guidance and help. So for me, the big question is how do you translate meditation into your life? So when you’re feeling really stressed at work, what if you have a tool to calm yourself down? If you meditate every day,
98
and I do agree. I like zazen. It’s sort of
Irene: I actually wanted to ask you about the
austere you know, sitting and having this
Japanese community, about your in-laws
posture. It’s very serious and you’re afraid
and how they view the retreats that you’re
to cough and afraid to move even though
running at your temple. You incorporate
your legs are dead asleep. That can be
a lot of western influences into Dairyuji,
intimidating.
like the retreat and mindfulness day
Irene: Yeah, I think mindfulness is a good entryway. Gretchen: Yes! It’s an entryway and it’s also something that you can really bring into your life in snippets. I think some people compare meditation to exercise. Like creating muscles in your body so later, you can exercise better.
99
workshops. Do they support what you’re doing? Do they like that the temple is becoming more open and accessible to people? Gretchen: I think they’ve been very accepting. And again, I had to give them time. I’ve been here for a long time and I’ve talked about it for a long time and
THE AKITAN introduced it slowly. I do care what people in a community think because I don’t ever want to be disrespectful, but I don’t worry too much at the same time. In general though, I think the community has been very positive about our retreats because it brings tourism. For example, Unshoji that does the hydrangeas in the summer months, they’re our best friend! Their hydrangeas have nothing to do with Buddhism, but has brought so much tourism to Oga. Temples in Japan are really in a crisis because the population is dwindling and people don’t want to spend a lot of money on funerals or memorials anymore. There’s a big shift. So there’s that reality, of how do you make a temple sustainable
financially?
Temples
are
turning to different ways to make money.
avenues to support a temple financially. It’s not a secret that Akita’s population is dwindling and it’s a crisis. Oga’s population is dwindling as well.
Each temple is its own entity, like a small
Keno and I work together all the time.
business. There’s nothing but you, and so
It’s really fun to work with him and it’s
that means you’re completely dependent
been nice to try different things at the
on the members.
temple. We’ve also gotten a lot of positive
Irene: I’d assume dependent on donations, right? Gretchen: Yes, definitely donations. So I feel that it’s ok to look for different
reactions to the retreat from newspapers and TV shows. Irene: It kind of draws attention not only to the temple, but also Oga and Akita in general doesn’t it?
100
Gretchen: Yeah! Actually, AIU came to do
In the last retreat, 3 people were actually
a seminar at our temple and used our
travelling all around Japan, but they came
retreat as an example of a sustainable way
up to Tohoku just for the retreat. I was so
to promote local tourism. They were a
excited about that. Last weekend, we had
small group, but it was a mix of exchange
some people from Amsterdam stay with
students and Japanese students. It was
us because they heard about the temple.
interesting to hear their candor since the
I mean, it’s just a drip; a teeny tiny drip,
exchange students thought it was really
but when you try to connect the whole
cool to stay at a temple and do meditation,
community like incorporating local food,
whereas the Japanese students felt it was
restaurants, shows like the Namahage
odd and wouldn’t have considered it.
Daiko that we have as activities in our
To a foreigner, it seems really cool, so they’re highlighting the retreat at Dairyuji as a way of sustainable tourism.
retreats, it not only benefits the temple, but also the whole community because we’re all interwoven. Irene: Sounds like it benefits the locals! I love Dairyuji so much, and Oga is just breathtaking no matter what season. When I meet people who haven’t been to Oga yet, I always tell them how they NEED to visit Dairyuji. Gretchen: I’m so happy to hear that! Oga’s such a small community and we don’t need many people to visit, but if we do have more people visit, because our temple is an English speaking temple, it does benefit our community. Irene: For people who join your retreat, just seeing the dynamic between you and
101
Keno is fascinating. We don’t often see
THE AKITAN a Buddhist priest and his wife casually
Irene: As a final question, what do you
interacting with each other. We usually
want people to take away from the retreat
just see the priest. On the retreat, you get
and your temple?
to stay at this temple, and be there after hours. You get to see how a temple family operates, along with their children. You get to see what temple life is like without having to be at the temple for months to really see that side of life.
Gretchen: I do want people to just take away a sense of calmness or just a sense of finding a place to relax and a place for connection. The temple is our home and I don’t want Buddhism or Zen to be something way over there. Again, I want
Gretchen: Wow, yeah you’re right. You want
people to come and find whatever it is
to peel back the layers and see what’s
they need, to enjoy the temple grounds,
really going on. And I want people to see
and to be at peace.
that side of Japan.
END
102
If you are ever in the Oga area, please visit Dairyuji when you get the chance! If
you are curious about the retreats, don’t hesitate to send a quick email to Gretchen for more information. Or keep your eyes peeled for posts about the retreat on the Akita JET Facebook Page. Gretchen often posts about upcoming retreats there!
*Photo of Gretchen Miura was provided by her **All photos used in the interview courtesy of Irene Cao
... Dairyuji Temple
103
Address:
船川港船川字鳥屋場34 Oga, Akita
Email:
dairyuji.oga@gmail.com
Website:
https://www.dairyuji-oga.com
Call:
0185-24-3546
THE AKITAN
Dairyuji
104
Autumn foliage at Dairyuji, Irene Cao
105
Zazen at Dairyuji, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
106
Bell tower at Dairyuji, Irene Cao
107
THE AKITAN Goddess of Mercy, Irene Cao
108
Dairyuji garden, Irene Cao
111
Left: Dairyuji hallway Top: Entrance of Dairyuji Bottom: Sitting area Irene Cao
113
THE AKITAN
114
Bell tower at Dairyuji, Irene Cao
Written in DECEMBER SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 21) Mercury has finally slid into Sagittarius
Cap
after lingering by Scorpio for months, and
mom
you’re sure to feel its spark. This planet
of p
rules communication, so don’t be surprised
end
if you see your social opportunities
over
expanding! As your birthday approaches,
dem
enjoy the influx of friends and fun times.
Plut
However, it’s important to think before
Betw
you leap. You might be feeling the urge
two
to be extra generous with your time, your
likel
thoughts, and even your money—but don’t
out.
overindulge. It’s important to stay in touch
brin
with your long-term goals, too—especially
a fu
the financial ones. As long as you proceed
on e
with just a little bit of caution, future you
how
will be very grateful!
chan
seei This month’s lucky conbini snack: Lawson’s
Hap
Choco Cream Danish. It totally counts as a balanced breakfast.
This
Stra
lil b
115
the stars...
THE AKITAN
HOROSCOPES BY LEXI BAKER
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
(December 22 - January 19)
(January 20 - February 18)
pricorn has always had a role in defining
Jupiter’s
ments of great change, and as a ton
throughout all the signs, and Aquarius is
planets converge on your sign at the
no exception. If you’ve been feeling rough
d of 2019, you may suddenly be feeling
lately, this is the perfect time to reach out
rwhelmed! Your ruling planet, Saturn,
and ask for support. Additionally, anything
mands you work toward perfectionism;
you’d previously written off as doomed
to demands brutal transformation.
might require a second glance! This
ween the massive influence of these
month is all about patching up broken
celestial bodies in your life, you’ve
things and healing from old, nasty energy.
ly been feeling completely wrung
See what you can salvage, and cast away
. However, Jupiter’s transit will finally
anything beyond your power. Plus, right
ng a period of calm. Don’t stress about
around payday this month, Venus will
uture you can’t see yet—reflect instead
be rolling into your sign and giving you
everything you’ve gone through, and
a nice little boost when it comes to love!
w deeply and positively you’ve been
After your emotional spring cleaning, this
nged by it. Breathe, and expect to start
transit will offer a welcome new romance
ing your hard work pay off in 2020!
or a strengthening of existing bonds.
transit
is
sending
waves
ppy birthday! This month’s lucky conbini snack: Family
s month’s lucky conbini snack: 7-11’s
Mart’s Caramel Nut Tart. It’s fresh, it’s
awberry Sauce Kamakura Cake. Have a
exciting, it’s nutty (like you).
birthday treat. You deserve it!
116
PISCES
ARI
(February 19 - March 20)
(March 21
You can’t control the way other people think
Both Eris and Chiro
or feel, and it’ll only bring you grief if you
through your sign,
try. Know that the decisions you’ve made
a little wild. Eris ca
have been in your best interest. There’s
something
no shame in taking care of yourself before
own independence,
others sometimes! Neptune is still at home
uncomfortable insig
in your sign, giving you the understanding—
may have been avoi
and the validation—that you know exactly
You sometimes act
what you need. This month, why not treat
and pick fights with
yourself a little and recover from the stress
consequences—whic
you’ve been under? Additionally, the full
effect of covering u
moon on the 12th will offer you a boost of
trying to ignore. Howe
energy and clarity for the rest of December,
you really want to br
allowing you to break down walls and foster
new decade? What’s
honest and productive communication
compromising every
with those that matter to you. You’ll be okay,
is the perfect time to r
Pisces. Onward to 2020!
and start living authe
that
re
foundation for 2020 a This month’s lucky conbini snack: Lawson Barley
Butter
Rolls. You
know
how
This month’s lucky c
sometimes bread and butter is literally the
hamburger. It’s no B
best thing you can put in your mouth? Yeah!
of all the conbini ha month, 7-11 was the
117
THE AKITAN
IES
TAURUS
- April 19)
(April 20 - May 20)
on will be transiting
Your life has been quiet but pleasant
and it’s making you
recently—you’ve been able to try new
arries chaotic energy,
things and explore new relationships.
esonates
your
However, retrograde Uranus is lurking on
while Chiron offers
the horizon. This will bring about another
ght into things you
period of questioning your personal goals,
iding about yourself.
your values, and the growth you’ve already
t without thinking,
done. Are you happy where you currently
hout considering the
are? What do you feel is missing, and how
ch
bonus
can you take steps to secure it for yourself
up insecurities you’re
in the future? 2020 has the potential to be
ever, is this the energy
a big year for you, but only if you’re willing
ring with you into the
to be flexible and roll with opportunities as
really so awful about
they arise. A little hard work isn’t anything
once in a while? This
to be afraid of—the results will be more
reassess relationships
than worth it!
has
with
the
entically, so that your
and beyond is secure.
This month’s lucky conbini snack: Oden. You’ve seen all the conbinis offering oden,
conbini snack: 7-11’s
right? Like...maybe it’s time for you to try
Big Mac set, but out
it. You know you’re curious.
amburgers tested this clear winner!
118
GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) Jupiter is making its way through Capricorn, and this transit is currently lighting up the part of your chart that deals with intimacy and love. Things might be currently in flux; perhaps a new relationship is forming in your life, or an existing relationship is on its way out. Regardless of your current situation, you may find yourself drawing plans you initially tried to skim over, or starting to lay down the groundwork for a new future goal. This kind of energy is a lot more introspective and heavier than you might be used to, but it is vital for your growth. Keep on your path! 2020 is just around the corner with all sorts of new experiences and personal growth. This will all have been worth it! This month’s lucky conbini snack: Curry bread! Warm up those cold fingers.
119
CAN
(June 21 -
The full moon in you
welcome reminder to
go of things that aren’
out for you. As always
think, but don’t let y
your judgment! As 20 want to take with you
What do you want to
has been overwhelm
what has been holdi
fear change—embra
to grow. This is the
something new, or m
you’ve been stressing
will help you land on
This month’s lucky con
hot cocoa. Soothe you
THE AKITAN
NCER
- July 22)
LEO (July 23 - August 22)
ur sign this month is a
As you get ready to welcome 2020, you
o stop, breathe, and let
might be feeling spread a little thin. This
’t necessarily working
is a great time to start managing your
s, you feel before you
time effectively! It’s easy to say yes to
your sensitivity cloud
everything, but it’ll leave you burned out
020 nears, what do you
and exhausted by the time the new decade
into the new decade?
arrives, which isn’t a good look. Instead,
o leave behind? What
why not reflect on and prioritize your
mingly positive, and
biggest goals now, so that you head into
ing you back? Don’t
the new year with a solid plan and clear
ace the opportunity
steps to achieve your dreams? Whether
e perfect time to try
you want to focus on your career, your
make that risky move
education, or your relationships next year,
g over. Jupiter’s transit
you have the drive and charm to achieve it.
n your feet.
You just need to pull yourself together and focus on what’s really important to you!
nbini snack: Lawson’s
ur soul.
This month’s lucky conbini snack: Strawberry Jelly-Filled
Marshmallows. Fruit
jelly
marshmallows are a fun snack year-round, but the strawberry flavor really brings the Japanese Christmas cheer!
120
VIRGO (August 23 - September 22)
121
LIB
(September 23
This month, the full moon might illumi-
Your sign is ruled by V
nate an unpleasant truth about a close
you just love to be in
friend or loved one, and your resulting
it’s the perfect weath
hurt might make it difficult to respond
someone under the
appropriately. Try not to react before you
as your ruling plane
think; it’s important to consider every-
your sign, it might be
one’s needs, not just your own. Lower
about your relations
your walls with others, and thank your
and platonic. If thing
loved ones for their honesty. They need
or if your hard work
your guidance—and they’ll pay back
unappreciated, it’s o
your support tenfold when you need it in
of whatever’s fallen o
the future. Relationships require equal
deserve people in you
engagement from all parties in order to
halfway out of joy, n
thrive, and you’ll want to go into the new
away the people who
decade with all the people you care about
feel good or suppor
at your side!
2020 without guilt or
This month’s lucky conbini snack: Strawber-
This month’s lucky con
ry Toppo. Share it with someone you care
Winter Potato Chips
about!
Flavor). Get seasonal,
THE AKITAN
BRA
3 - October 22)
Venus, and sometimes love (especially when
her to cuddle up with
e kotatsu!) However,
et transits away from
e time to think deeply
ships, both romantic
gs aren’t feeling right,
k is being repeatedly
okay to simply let go
out of alignment. You
ur life who meet you
not obligation! Clear
o no longer make you
rted, and move into grief.
nbini snack: Calbee’s
s (Powdered Cheese
SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21) Have you considered a change of scenery recently? The winter holidays might be the perfect time to shake things up and invite a friend to take a trip with you! Mars is currently glowing in your sign, offering you the drive and energy to accomplish anything you take on. This is also an excellent time to practice flexibility and welcome new opportunities and friendships into your life. 2020 has the potential to be a vibrant year for you if you step out of the edges of your comfort zone—why not allow yourself to be under the spotlight for once? New year, new you. Go ahead and enjoy your popularity! This month’s lucky conbini snack: Calbee’s “Satsumariko” sweet potato sticks. It’s, like, basically a vegetable.
, get snacky.
122
123
Left & Right: Entsuin Temple in Matsushima Bay, Irene Cao
125
THE AKITAN
126
Fall Illumination at Matsushima Bay, Irene Cao
Film Review
PETER BOND
お早よう (1959) YASUJIRO OZU
I cannot count how many
They even refuse to even say good
fart jokes are in this film. They are
morning to others on their way to
many with multiple conversations
school. This conflict is at the center
alongside them, and even once with
of the plot, but the movie has more
a bombastic music cue. The humor
in mind. The aforementioned bodily
comes from two young boys, and
humor serves merely as surprising
posits a timelessness to the simple
exclamation points in what is a
pleasures of scatological humor.
quite thoughtful film.
The commitment to these jokes
The
movie
is
still,
both surprised me and brought me
purposeful.
to raucous laughter. However to
naturalism found in much of Ozu’s
focus on this, would miss the beauty
work. A camera placed on the tatami,
of this piece of classic Japanese
thoughtfully watching life trickle
cinema. Good Morning is Yasujiro
through our characters. The movie
Ozu’s fiftieth film and his second
doesn’t go anywhere at all, because
shot in color. Set on the outskirts
Ozu wants us to stay within these
of Tokyo, the movie tells the story
moments. It’s a movie dedicated
of a pair of two young brothers who
to observing how, why and what it
want a television. Their mother
might mean to say お早よう.
refuses, and the boys enter a pact of silence until they get their way.
Dedicated
to
and a
“Adults talk too much.” The older
brother
declares
before
listing the proper pleasantries of
these omissions. In addition to the
a Japanese society: Hello, Nice
brothers, the film weaves in the lives
Weather, Good
Morning. These
of the mothers of the neighborhood
children come to their frustration
and their conflict over dues to
and their silence only after the
a women’s club. We watch this
language of childhood has failed to
conflict as women scurry from
persuade their parents. Both mother
home to home to gossip, but always
and father socialize in the language
maintaining a facade of politeness;
of adults, and the children cannot
conveying frustration and furor
understand why. The language of
with a polite hello. The young boy’s
these adults is saturated with the
English teacher wrestles with how to
unsaid, attempting to communicate
articulate his feelings to the woman
by omission.
he loves. The teacher, a soft spoken
The
film
is
dedicated
to
man who can’t help but discussing
observing
the
consequences
of
the weather. He continues on his
romantic pursuit, but is hamstrung
they haven’t gotten around to the
by his silence. And finally we have
important things. The things that
children
and
are more messy, more human than
vice versa. All of these characters
the meaningless things that can so
struggle with the difficulties of
easily fill up a conversation. Ozu
human communication, to speak to
doesn’t condemn these characters,
others and understand. All hopeless
he portrays these shortcomings
attempting to express themselves,
as part of our fallible humanity,
but unable to communicate how
something we’ve all succumb to.
they truly feel.
He does ask you though, to observe
An
scolding
answer
parents
to
the
film’s
underlying question is articulated
what might be lost if we only say good morning.
as, “Get around to important things.” Yet, within this wisdom is the deep struggle of the film and the beauty
...
as well. Characters find a security and a pleasure in saying good morning. Ozu defends greetings and
small
talk,
understanding
the need for such things. His characters are suffering because
“Important things are difficult to say. Whereas meaningless things are easy to say.”
131
Fall to winter, Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
December Log:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year... ANNIES JOY
December is a time for longing; spiritually, mentally, socially. December is often said to be the loneliest month of the year , and Christmas goes hand in hand with being known as the loneliest time of the year. If you are living alone, then I guess you tend to notice it more. I’m starting to notice it this year. But what makes it more apparent? Is it the cool winds making you want to snuggle up close to someone? Is it the decorations, the lights and the exciting chitter chatter of the people that beam with Christmas spirit making you want to share it with someone? Christmas is depicted with families, gatherings, friends, loved ones, presents... I guess you need at least one other person for these things. It’s not a void that can easily be filled when you’ve packed your bags and moved to another country. But do I regret this decision? No, not at all. Opportunities like these don’t come by easily, so sometimes you have to be selfish and grab at it. And I did. It’s been four months. Some would call it long. Others call it short. You see it’s just a matter of perspective. 132
Yes, it definitely has its ups and downs, but so does everything else. That’s just the way life is. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly. But somehow, the good triumphs at the end and that is enough to keep me happy. The consequence of all this is that this is my first Christmas alone and away from family and friends. And it kind of feels weird and incomplete. You kind of feel lost... just a little. I’d be lying to myself if I say there aren’t times in the day where I don’t suddenly feel empty. There are things I experience... things I see, feel, and touch that I want to share with someone. But distance, and time can be such a pain in the neck sometimes. What I learned so far from my four months, is that being on your own makes you appreciate the small, fine details in your life. You notice every kind deed and action. Things you have taken for granted before, you remember them. You start to treasure them. You want to shout out to the world how thankful you are to them. And I’m not going to lie, I’ve embarrassingly done that a few times already. What I’m trying to say is this, Christmas is a time where you might inevitably start feeling down, but when you start to appreciate the little things in life, you start to enjoy a different kind of magic. 133
THE AKITAN
So if you are alone this Christmas, don’t lose hope. And if you know people who are alone, offer them a minute or so of your day. It might mean more to them than you think.
...
134
135DIY festive wreath, Irene Cao
y t f a r C t Ge
THE AKITAN
h t a e r W Y IRENE CAO I D
MATERIALS NEEDED Wreath base
Glue gun
Dried fountain grass*
Dried cotton flowers
Mini pine cones
Large pine cones**
Decorative balls Wreath base, dried cotton flowers, mini pine cones, and decorative balls were bought at Daiso. *I collected some dried fountain grass, but dried leaves, flowers, or twigs can also be used. **Larger pine cones were also collected and later painted with gold and white spray paint. Painting them is optional.
136
STEP 1 Trim stems of dried fountain grass, leaves, flowers (whatever you chose to use) and fit them into the wreath base. Slowly make your way around the base.
STEP 2 Using the wire end of dried cotton flowers, wrap them around the wreath base in an arrangement that you like.
STEP 3 Use a glue gun to attach the pine cones around the wreath. Try to make it asymmetrical.
STEP 4 Pull the wire bit out of the decorative balls. Use a glue gun to glue them in place. Try to fill empty spaces, and arrange them near the pine cones.
And you’re done! **Photos used in tutorial courtesy of Irene Cao
...
THE AKITAN COMIC SECTION
KIMBO SLICE (OF LIFE) KIM BARTOS A non-sequential, comic strip-based, slice-of-life comic that follows “me” and my various interactions with wacky students, coworkers, and townsfolk while living in the inaka of Japan. Everything you are about to read is true.* *Except the things that aren’t
CHARACTERS
139
THE AKITAN
Hello my dudes! I’m Kim and I’m currently an ALT in the cozy town of Kosaka in Northern Akita. I’ve been drawing as a hobby for as long as I can remember, and although I still have a lot to learn and improve upon, I wanted to share this fun comic I’ve been working on. It’s a lighthearted, not to be taken seriously, slice-of-life comic based on real (and not so real) events that have occurred during my first, and now currently second year as an ALT. My hobbies also include talking (i.e obsessing over) spooky scary things such as ghosts, yokai, and the like. I also love baseball and volleyball; food is way up on that list as well. Thanks for taking the time to read this! I hope to bring you some laughs with my drawings. No, you will not get an explanation of the comic’s title.
140
halloween (
141
THE AKITAN
(a new fan)
142
aaaand...th
143
THE AKITAN
hey’re gone You’d think a girl would learn after the 80th time...
144
AISATSU
145
THE AKITAN
U NO.2
146
kyushoku no
*black or dark brown seaweed that’s super rich in iron, magnesium, p
147
THE AKITAN
o.1 (hijiki*)
potassium, and calcium...and is the bane of my existence.
148
UPCOMING EVENTS What: Christmas caroling Where: Akita Station West side, in front of FONTE When: 1-4PM What to bring: Warm clothes and your beautiful voice! All proceeds will go to Misono Tenshien Orphanage
APPI SKI TRIP Where: Appi Kogen Ski Resort When: February 15-16, 2020 Place of stay: Pension Mutti Address: Appi Kogen Mutti, 605-51 Appikogen, Hachimantai, Iwate 028-7306, Japan More details coming soon! Mark your calendars!
149
Tsubaki in snow, Irene Cao
Instagram worth
151
THE AKITAN
hy
152
by e
Go od 153Omoshiroyama hiking trail in Yamagata, Irene Cao
a f
. . ll .
THE AKITAN
154
155Autumn foliage in Miyagi,
Irene Cao
THE AKITAN
156
He
157
llo
THE AKITAN
. . winter.
158
Winterscape, Irene Cao
the staff of the akitan would like to talented contributing wr
Most photographs are credited in pla Martin Jackson (images 25, 27, 151) Andrea Danko (images 25, 26, 27) Allyson Roberts (images 25, 26, 27, 132) Vincent Hsu (images 26, 151) Irene Cao (images 28, 151, 152; banner 37-38) Gerard Malie (image 39) Jose Giribas (image 41)
159
THE AKITAN
o extend our grattitude to our many riters and photographers .
ace, but we would also like to thank: Unknown (image 62, 128, 129, 132-134) Unknown (Zodiac wheel 115-122) Jeremy Thomas via Unsplash (background (115122) Shelby Stark (image 151) Brooke Dalgleish (image 151) Rachel Stivicic (image 152)
160
Thank you for reading
T H E A K I TA N
S E E YO U I N W I N T E R