The Akitan Summer 2019

AKITA JET QUARTERLY

THE AKITAN

SUMMER ISSUE

30.09.19

THE AKITAN SUMMER 2019

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

The cool, cool rain...............................................P.09 Little Magics and Everyday Lives........................P.15 The Way of the Bow.............................................P.21 Stretching

Forest.................................................P.25

Akita in Film....................................................... P.29 Everything Hanawa Ink

Ends..................................................P.43 Bayashi...................................................P.53

Embrace.........................................................P.61

Festival

Dreams....................................................P.65

Cicada song, summer skin...................................P.97 Itadakimasu!..........................................................P.107 Irene Interviews Akita English Cafe....................P.125 Horoscopes..........................................................P.141

Film Review: Ikiru 生きる (1952)..........................P.149 Kimbo Slice (of Life)............................................P.153

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.

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 longwinded discussions about the spooky scary unexplained.

1

Tamagawa Dam in Semboku, Brooke Dalgleish

Mototaki in Nikaho, Brooke Dalgleish

Editor’s letter

Let me preface by saying, I hate summer. I can’t stand the heat. Back in Canada, summ was a little more bearable, but Japan’s humidity makes me want to hide in my air conditioned apartment for the majority of the time. I only come out when the sun sets.

This summer, I escaped by flying back home where humidity was at a low, my hair was frizzy, and my sweat didn’t soak through my clothes.

That being said, I came back to Akita with a new found appreciation for Japanese summers. Now that fall is near, I think back to the sounds of summer. The constant

singing of cicadas during the late afternoon, and the muttering of “ 熱い ~ it’s hot” by

basically everyone makes me anticipate the nostalgia I’ll feel when I leave this country.

I spent my summer eating as many peaches as I could, seeing the Omagari Fireworks f

the first time, taking lots of motorcycle rides, and jumping into Lake Tazawa. How was

your summer? For some of you, this may have been your first summer in Akita, and I ho

you enjoyed it to it’s fullest. If I can offer any advice to you, it would be this: don’t think just do it. While you’re here, take the opportunity to enjoy every moment, make lots of friends, and build new memories.

Now, let us take a look back at what summer had to offer us.

Irene Cao, Editor & Creative Director

5

Tazawako, Ke

THE AKITAN

mer

sn’t

.

for

s

ope

k,

ei Lam

6

Couple at Unshoji in Oga, Irene Cao

Th

FELIX

‘Lightnin And thes Still at m - The Coo

And on o Certain d Rare ones The rain

As Billy s The stree The clatte Leaving t To happil On the ro Amongst Of falling

Daily so h The hum Give way And the s Of cold, m

As night The pool Become p Dancing Of bounc

Hydrangeas by night at Unshoji, Irene Cao

THE AKITAN

he cool, cool rain

X CLUTSON

ng pushes the edge of a thunderstorm se old hopes and fears my side’ ol, Cool River, Paul Simon

other days days s is perfect

said ets clear so quick ering of drops the rest of us ly sing under our breath oad the hammer and hum g skies

heavy and leaden mid currents to leaden clouds soothing balm metal air

darkens behind ls of water pools of light to the buck and sway cing rivered streets

The hammer and tongs On roofs and bus stops Umbrellas and barber shops Mingled with the tires splashing Through the traffic lights Every now and then Becomes a symphony An ode to the rhythm of nature To cool breezes and waters deep Washing away days gone Footsteps and memories Mingle in the deluge And the world stands The same but brand new When day dawns and the sky is a little paler I like to listen To open the back door Sit on the step And listen to the rain bouncing off the Earth Feel the fresh breeze Curling along the river The puddling prodigal son of nature Shifting through the world And landing, splashing Music At my feet

...

10

Unshoji in Oga, Irene Cao

Hydrangeas by night at Unshoji, Irene Cao

Tappizaki in Aomori, Andrea Danko

Little Magics and Everyday Lives Omagari, Tresier Mihalik

NOEL GLEN Let me take you on a journey of my town.

ask you about your day, and because you are a strange face they will come to know

I live in the country side, and it doesn’t

you quickly. You will never learn their

really hit you that you live in the

names, but you will learn their faces;

countryside until you walk a couple of

you will hear about their lives from their

blocks in any direction and hit the rice

mouths and open windows, and when

fields with their green heads not quite to

you go home at night or to work in the

the point of bowing with respect to the

morning, you will know too, the way they

sun’s light. The people here are always

live their lives by the routines of lifetimes.

on the street, and you will say hello forty times on a twenty minute walk. People

The sun rises early, and sets early, too.

want to speak to you, and greet you, and

When the temples chime their gongs in

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THE AKITAN the evening, the world stops being a public

if you’re lucky and unlucky enough,

place and becomes incredibly private;

because it rises early but it crests the

the sun sets earlier than feels natural,

mountains in the distance, and with the

and every kitchen is letting off the smell

magnificence of the clouds moving with

of wondrous dinners being made, entire

business-like haste across the sky, sunrise

feasts that you may only partake in as you

here embodies the spirit of the land. With

pass by in that moment. Every house has

the sun, the people once again take to

a garden, or potted plants, or some form

the streets, and everyone from the small

of plant life, and it’s charming every time

children with their big expectations to

you walk past ones that are blooming

the grandparents towing decades moves

and waving their colorful hearts to you as

towards the next destination in their

your steps stir them.

lives. You might be the only person to stand still and watch this phenomenon,

Shockingly, though, there is night life

and there is a sort of solitary joy when

here, and after the families have retired

you step out of the river current, out of

into their homes at the six o’clock chimes,

that moment, and watch their lives flow

the previously hidden youth come out

around you on the streets and unpaved

and walk the promenade or wander

roads.

the town. They dress for the night as creatures utterly apart from their daily

In the park, Kaze no Matsubara, people

selves, and you can see their freedom

run in teams or alone, and there is always

sought in bared shoulders and no ties and

some form of laughter coming from

loose hair and colored styles. It’s almost

somewhere amongst the trees. It’s easy to

sad when they disappear to their chosen

go far when you aren’t keeping track of

haunts, because they take the life of this

your path, and whether or not you’re in

little world in with them. But you know

the trees or among the suburbs or out in

they will return to seek their freedom, so

the even more remote villages, this ability

you await the next evening.

to become lost never disappears, because nothing here is organized into a clinical

In the mornings, you wake with sun

grid pattern. Life instead works around

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natural obstacles and follows the same roads it did hundreds of years ago, and you can tell that they will follow those roads for a hundred years more.

Perhaps that is where this small magic lies, in the every day lives and in the routines of the people. They carve through life as the the river does the mountain, and when the decades of flowing current wash into the ocean, the pillar they leave behind brings the world that little bit higher, that little bit more into the sky.

You are the intruder, the stone in the path, the log in the current, but that does not mean, in the time that you share your space with theirs, that you do not belong.

Take this moment, while you intrude, to look around, and see this world that I see.

...

17

THE AKITAN

Rice fields with friends, Andrea Danko

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It’s worth a visit!

Sitting on Mt. Shinzan, it is said that two gods, 瓊瓊杵尊 (Ninigi-no-Mikoto), and 武 甕槌 (Takemikazuchi) were enshrined in Shinzan Shrine. People come to Shinzan Shrine to pray for safety of the country, good harvests, and good fortune.

The Namahage Festival is held here every February, and rice cake is offered to the gods that reside here.

Even though winter is the popular season for festivities, it is still worth a visit during summer to experience the lush greenery from the cedar trees.

Fun fact: Ninigi-no-Mikoto was sent down to Earth to plant rice. And Takemikazuchi is said to have competed in the first recorded sumo wrestling match!

Left: Shinzan Shrine in Oga, Jessica Legham Scott

Photos above by Kristina Tan

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THE AKITAN

The Way of the Bow JESSICA LEGHAM SCOTT Coming into what I knew would be

on Orlando Bloom as Legolas in Lord of

my final year on the JET programme, I

the Rings) greatly swayed my interest. Yet

had a great desire to break away from

despite my proclaimed love for archery,

my school and ALT life. I wanted to get

the only experience I’d ever had was a

involved in the community. Join a club.

single P.E. class one time in high school.

Do something I could only experience in Japan. So what did I choose? Kyudo.

It was time to change that. On a mission, I googled for some local Kyudo clubs in

Kyudo (弓道), which literally means

the city and sent an email to one of them

way of the bow, is traditional Japanese

stating that I wanted to observe - kengaku

archery. And, just like its more wellknown such

as

“Only when your mind, spirit

cousins,

and body are in alignment will

Karate,

your arrow fly true.”

Kendo and Judo,

- a practice session.

Having only ever seen western-style archery, I assumed that you’d just stand

it’s a discipline of martial arts. However,

in front of the targets and fire away. But

it has a far longer history than these

as I watched the very first club member

relatively modern sports that dates back

walk into the kyudojo hall in their black

to the early days of the Samurai.

and white hakama uniform, back tall and straight, every step and action purposeful

So why Kyudo? Ever since I was young,

and precise, I realised that one does not

I’ve always had a fascination with archery.

simply shoot arrows at a target.

I’m certainly not ashamed to admit that my love of high fantasy (read: major crush

Kyudo is, as my sensei explained,

22

essentially a standing type of zen

on the spiritual - zen - aspect, and the

meditation. Only when your mind, spirit

targets reflect this.

and body are in alignment will your arrow fly true. Performing any step in

During competition time, when Kyudo

thoughtless haste betrays this pursuit of

steps into the ring of “sports”, the scoring

inner tranquility. Of course, you don’t

system is based entirely on a hit-or-miss

have to be a zen junkie to enjoy Kyudo;

system. On a side note, have you ever

you can think of it more like “entering

gone to a cinema in Japan? The audience

the zone”.

just sits and watches the movie in total silence. Kyudo competitions are just like that, except it’s so silent you can hear a pin drop (or an arrow thwack). The rare times that the crowd does get riled up and burst into applause is when a shooter hits the arrow all four times, called 皆 中・kaichuu.

One of my favourite things about Kyudo, and what left me utterly spellbound in my observation session, are the sounds.

Getting into Kyudo, one of the biggest

There’s something very powerful about

differences that struck me (aside from

sitting in the tranquil quiet of the kyudojo...

the impressive 2 meter tall bows) were

because it’s never truly silent. You can

the targets. Unlike the large, colourful

always hear little scrapes of wood against

ringed targets that denote points in

wood; arrows knocking tightly into the

western archery, the ones used in Kyudo

string with a small twang; hakama skirts

are a smaller black and white. Why?

shuffling and ruffling; the release of the

The practice of Kyudo, which is often

arrow (which gets a dedicated term in

described as a ‘way of life’, puts far less

Japanese, called 弦音・tsurune); and lastly

emphasis on hitting the target and more

the almighty, resounding thwack of the

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THE AKITAN arrow hitting true.

invaluable memories that will stay with me long after JET. So if you’re on the fence about whether to commit to a club, I say take the plunge.

Throw yourself in that deep, deep ocean and experience Akita in a totally new way.

...

After a long day of work, Kyudo became my sanctuary. A time where I could slow down my mind and body, and pour my focus into the bow in my hands, the arrow and my target. From the moment of release, I could always tell a good shot by the way everything came into alignment.

Zen. But more importantly than good or bad shots, it was a space to connect. I shared in laughter and conversation over mountains of omiyage and tea; went through the ups and downs of exams and competitions; and partied at enkais.

With my club, I formed strong bonds and

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Stretching Forest

NATHANIEL SERES

Photo by Tresier Mihalik

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THE AKITAN

t

S

On the perimeter, stretches about eight kilometers.

The trees bend and leaves nip at the cruxes of your ankles, But generally the path is open Walkable for some and runnable for others Depending on how fast one would like to sink Into peerless and proud dirt.

It whistles sometimes, this forestIts tune is proving nothing But the sound it creates.

Its tension, its tune Is a wire That is only so tight as your hands can pull it.

...

26

Lake Towada Shrine, Martin Jackson

鳥海山

Mount Chokai, Charlotte Cunningham

Akita in

Film Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

Eric Badar Nikon F3 Fomapan 400

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THE AKITAN

Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

“What good do your words do if they can’t understand you?”

- ...& On, Erykah Badu We can’t always express in words what we see. So we use photography. It’s difficult to describe why some of us are so drawn to film photography. There is a certain magic that film can capture that our digital world can’t seem to do.

Somehow even in the mundane, another reality can be seen on film.

Here, I share with you some of the summer works of us film junkies.

From your Analog Girl in a Digital World,

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Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

33 Eric Badar Nikon F3 Kodak Portra 400

Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

THE AKITAN

Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

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Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

Eric Badar Nikon F3 Cinestill 800

Eric Badar Nikon F3 Kodak Portra 400

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Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

THE AKITAN

Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

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Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

Eric Badar Nikon F3 Kodak Portra 400

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THE AKITAN

Jillian Camille Contax T2 Kodak 200

Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400

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缭

Take a look back...

Summer. When did it start? I know for sure that it has just ended wit

only the many rice fields turning yellow but the leaves falling, too. But w display? Trying to look back, it feels like it was well back in time; many

with countless parade events, burning-something-events, traditional d

field art works, and place taking for fireworks. How do you summarize

experience it? It is hard, it is exhausting, it is beautiful. To add the nu visit summer festivals next year (as far as I’ve visited), there are at lea

that offer many rice field arts to admire, bon dances can be enjoyed

festivals, you better train yourself to become a time traveler. Once we m

more Nebuta, fireworks, and other summer festivals next year, too. Wi

Omonogawa Fireworks, Jessica Legham Scott

th all the rain today. It already feels much cooler, and one can see not

when was the first summer day, the first festival, and the first fireworks months ago. But to be precise, it was only one and a half crazy months

drum and bon dance events, many yukata-wearing-people-events, rice

e all the colors, sounds, and food stall smells for someone who did not

umbers for someone who missed some festivals this year, but plans to st 7 Nebuta festivals in Akita and Aomori Prefecture, at least 3 places

d in almost every city, and fireworks as well. If you wish to see many

managed to see 3 Nebuta festivals in 3 cities, in one day. I hope to visit

ill you?

ANDREA DANKO

Giant Drum Festival in Takanosu, Andrea Danko

Echigo Shimoseki Taishitamonja Matsuri in Niigata, Andrea Danko

THE AKITAN

Everything Ends AARON KERN The festival from my town, the Asama

bo staffs must make the area ready by

Shrine Festival, is held every year in

performing a short dance. Then the

early September. It has been going on for

Koma dancers do a quick “line dance”.

400 years, and includes multiple dances.

This is the easiest of the horse dance, and

In the hopes to appease spirits and get

is just simply repeating the same motions

a good harvest, the dances have been

moving in a circle around the area where

passed down year after year. No written

the dances will be performed.

instructions, just by words and example.

Then, the Shi Shi come out. The Shi The main focus of the festival is the

Shi are three people wearing little lion

Komaodori, or horse dance. There are two

heads. They do a dance lasting around 20

groups doing the festival, the Kamiwaka

minutes with no breaks! The heads move

and Shimowaka. Each of those groups of

while they dance, to make them look alive.

Komaodori involve another two teams of red and blue.There are usually five people

Then comes the main Komaodori, where

on each of the teams. The teams wear

usually one group of adults and one group

fake samurai armor and horses made out

of children come out and do the dances.

of wood. The main dance moves involve

These, unlike the line dance from earlier

kicking your feet, hopping on one foot,

involve doing quick and demanding

and lifting your shoulders.

movements without leaving your spot.

The festival has more to it than that

The festival is a good look at a bygone

though. Before any of the Komaodori

era. Heck, the festival is older than the

performances,

country I’m from. All the music is done

people

holding

long

46

live with real taikos and a chorus of flutes.

This year’s dance also took place in 34

The dances are cool to watch, and since

degree Celsius weather. Having long

the festival has about 18 hours of dancing

sleeves, heavy armor, and doing physically

between the two days, it is easy to stop by

demanding dances is a real toll on the

and see anytime.

body, one that as of writing this, I haven’t recovered from yet.

It is also the physical definition of pain.

The incentives for doing this dance is The thing they don’t tell you about this

the adults get free alcohol all day, and

festival before you sign up is that wearing

then get paid at the end of the festival.

the Koma armor is constant torture. The

I don’t drink, and I don’t get paid, so it

shoulder guards dig into your clavicles,

might seem like there really isn’t a reason

the box around the waist on older models

to go through all this misery. But after a

is too small for me so it bruises me,

lot of reflection on the subject, it is an

and you have to wear traditional woven

experience I would never get rid of.

sandals which are a great way to find out why they stopped making those.

First and foremost, from doing the horse dance, I have gotten things probably more

And that isn’t even doing the dance.

worthwhile to me than some lukewarm

Anyone doing the dance correctly is

Asahi or 2000 yen. I get the support from

expected to tear holes in their face as

my community. When I had a hard time

a result of the shoulder guard wings

memorizing the dance, when I felt like I

hitting you as you lift your elbows up.

was going to die from heat exhaustion,

Even after the first 2 hours people’s faces

and even just at the grocery store, the

will be swollen and bloody from doing

community has been there to help me

the dance, and there are 16 more hours

out. People who might have ignored me

to go. My ears are too big, so instead of

on the street are like “Oh, it’s that guy

getting the face welts, I just lose all the

who did the horse dance.”

skin on my ear.

This year I had to do the “call” for the

47

THE AKITAN

48

final dance, which lets the taikos and

to keep a positive attitude. After being

flutes know what song to play. Years of

physically worn out and dying after 6

projecting experience from theater paid

hours only realizing I have 12 more hours

dividends as now when I’ve been walking

to go, I started to despair. The pain would

around town I’ve heard all the ba-chans

only get worse, and I felt like the festival

talking about how amazing my call was.

would never end.

Which is to say they also mention how they could hear it and they live on the

But then I woke up the next day.

other end of town.

And it hurt, and I was in pain, but it was But I also get to enjoy the feeling of

over. It had passed, and I could move on

continuing something important. Two

to a new day. Anything and everything I

groups needing 10 adults each is actually

went through after that was easier for me

a bit of a tall task for my town. Half the

to deal with; none of it hurt me physically

people participating in the Shimowaka,

as much as doing the horse dance did.

my group, are actually people who live all across from Japan but come back

And that revelation has helped me get

for this festival. And that isn’t including

through a lot of the problems I’ve dealt

needing 3 Shi Shi, taiko players, and bo

with since my first year. Any bout of SAD

staff wielders.

(seasonal affective disorder), any stressful situation at work, and any amount of

The number of people who can do this

physical later, I can just keep it in my

dance is getting smaller and smaller each

mind that it will eventually end, and

year, and even though it hurts, the pain is

when it does, things will be better.

worth continuing a legacy. **Photos courtesy of Aaron Kern I’ve

also

learned

something

really

important about keeping myself going. It is a bit dark, but my first year was so hard on me that I realized the next day how

49

...

BROOKE DALGLEISH

Hanawa Bayashi

Floats in Kazuno, Andrea Danko

Last year, if you had told me that I would

For some reason, even though this was a

not only participate in a local festival but

year in the making, I didn’t see this one

also be dancing in it in front of a large

coming!

crowd, I would have thought you were joking. Somehow, this turned out to be

When I arrived in August of last year,

my reality! Don’t get me wrong, I love

I didn’t really know what to expect of

trying new things and learning about the

Hanawa Bayashi. It happens to be the

local culture, but I also happen to strongly

biggest festival in my town (Hanawa,

dislike being the center of attention. This

Kazuno City). I knew it had just become a

fear of mine has definitely been tested

Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage Site

with this job. I know as foreigners and

and it was getting more and more popular

even as teachers, we are constantly being

every year. However, I didn’t know the

put in the spotlight, but many times you

level of commitment and effort that

can see it coming and prepare yourself.

went into it year-round by community

55

a big BBQ, dancing and drinking party. I attended some last year but didn’t know any of the dances so I decided to sign up for dance classes this year so I could participate.

Fast forward again to May of this year and dance classes began twice a week. I was a little intimidated and discouraged the members. For my first year, I was just

first day because looking at the dances

an observer and between the floats and

they looked somewhat easy; however,

the taiko performances, I thought it was

I couldn’t quite seem to coordinate my

incredibly gorgeous and an amazing

feet and arms to dance together. It was

event but it still never crossed my mind

incredibly difficult and the instructors

that maybe in a year I would be a part of

didn’t

the celebration.

Quitting was never an option and I’m

hold

anything

back

on

us!

glad Catherine and I kept going because Fast forward to January 2019, one of my

the best part of the class was just getting

resolutions was to get more involved in

to know some of the local community

the community. Luckily, a senpai of mine,

members. Whatever imposter syndrome

Catherine, told me about these dance

I had, they helped me overcome it and

classes that teach you about 20 of the

feel like one of them. This is something I

local traditional dances. People mainly learn these dances for an event called Machiodori that takes place throughout September. It is incredibly small scaled compared to Hanawa Bayashi and is mainly meant for the locals. The ten communities each take a turn hosting the other communities, and it becomes

57

THE AKITAN will never forget and always cherish!

that I was going to be center stage for this important festival. This was such a huge

It was all very casual until one night one of

honor, but I’m not going to lie, this was

the main instructors told Catherine and

definitely way out of my comfort zone! I

me that one of the communities wants

wanted to get involved but maybe not in

us

to

dance

with

them

during Hanawa Bayashi.

We

“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”

were so thrilled

such an obvious way.

I think people could

sense

and immediately said

some of our nerves, so

yes, not knowing what

one of my teachers at

was

Over

one of my schools, who

the next few weeks, it

also dances, along with

started to snowball into

her mother took the

a bigger commitment.

time to help us with last

First,

out

minute dance practices.

community

Other instructors took

that “adopted” us was

time out of their busy

hosting the festival this

schedules to help us

year so we were needed

with our yukatas and

that

to

it the

come.

turned

to dance in the opening ceremony the day

just understanding the routine of events

before the festival. Next, we found out that

to come. It really meant a lot to us to have

not only were we dancing with our float

such a large group of kind people not

in the streets but we were also dancing in

only include us, but support us. Hanawa

front of the entire audience on the first

Bayashi is always on August 19th and

night of the festival. The topper was that

20th so after a little over a year since I

Catherine and I were placed right smack

arrived in Kazuno, we danced!

in the middle of our group so all eyes could be on us. All of a sudden, I realized

It all seemed to happen so fast and I’m

58

still trying to digest it all. The opening

rewarding and humbling experiences

ceremony went really well and it was a

so far within my career as a JET. I hope

good time to meet more community

you all get a chance to have a similar

members in the nine other groups. On the

experience whatever that may be!

first night of the festival, it was comforting to see that the other ladies dancing with us were also nervous about performing in front of the audience. It reminded me that we are all human and have fears and as cheesy as it sounds when we all dance together, we all become stronger as a performance. I don’t know how much everyone knows about Hanawa Bayashi but the first night starts at six at night and ends at six the next morning.

Then everyone goes home and sleeps for a bit and we start again for the second night which is also an all-nighter. It’s very much so a whirlwind of events but it was so much fun and a whole other side of the festival I completely didn’t know about last year.

I guess the point of my story is don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and even if it seems to start to snowball out of control, just know it all works out. I truly had no idea I would ever participate in something like Hanawa Bayashi, but it turned out to be one of the most

59

**Photos courtesy of Brooke Dalgleish

...

THE AKITAN

Hanawa Bayashi is held on August 19th and 20th every year.

Hanawa Bayashi in Kazuno City, Andrea Danko

60

Burning Nebuta in Kazuno, Andrea Danko

Ink Embrace NATHANIEL SERES

Last night was the night of a painting, Sitting on a high wall in a warm but unattended museum, Painted in rolling oils in the style Of those hazy parlors of the old masters.

Stars and Koi swim alike In the blotchy abyss of the sky, The light was delightful, sweet, Yellow and orange candies flashing on metal popsicle sticks Street stretching eon to Aeon The wavering night casting its warm biteThe kind that dances flitting on the skin.

Walking across this crossroad of slick metal and starless quakes, Sinking, stretching, Like a koi sliding through bottomless gasoline.

...

63

THE AKITAN

Festival stands, Jessica Legham Scott

64

Omagari Fireworks, Jessica Legham Scott

Fe s t i v a l D r e a m ETHAN INGRAM

On a graciously cool summer night at the end of August, I was sitting

outside with a Japanese acquaintance. Since we were in a relatively secluded area, and since neither of us had anything in particular to say at the time, the only real presence in the darkness was the constant, warbling sounds of the crickets in the woods nearby. Though the crickets are an ever-present, unceasing backdrop to the Japanese summer, when all of the other noisy parts of the world fall away it becomes much easier to appreciate their different melodies and rhythms. Finally breaking the silence between us, my friend nodded slowly and pointed his dying cigarette out into the dark before us, “When we hear that noise,” he fit the English words together, speaking slowly, “All Japanese people know that fall has come.”

I thought it a charming and somehow profound sentiment, once again listening to the music and happy knowing that someone else found it worth mentioning. I then told him that while the high whining of the cicadas was a distinctly Japanese sound to me, the songs of crickets and frogs in the evening would always remind me of home.

ms

A week later and I am sweating

accompanying

them

never

stop

profusely in the midday heat, seriously

playing. Everyone wears towels across

questioning the crickets’ judgement.

their shoulders, and every face I see is

It is a cloudless and sweltering day

covered in beads of sweat. I see a few of

in early September, and I am walking

my students dressed as dancers, sitting

through the streets on the second day

on the curb with hand mirrors, trying

of festival in Kakunodate, my home for

to fix their running makeup. Absent the

the last two years. There are few tourists

soft glow of lanterns in the night prior,

out in the afternoon, and the food stalls

the scene takes on a less enchanted

lining the streets go unsolicited. The

and more grounded feel in the harsh

most crowded place I see is a nearby

light of day. The sense of revelry, and

convenience store, where people stand

of a year’s anticipation coming to

shoulder-to-shoulder, basking in the

fruition, has been replaced with one of

chill of the aircon. The workers behind

beleaguered duty. But it is a necessary

the register, unceasingly attending to

and time-honored duty: on this day

the lines of customers that reach to the

each float must make two visits, and pay

end of the store and never grow shorter,

two offerings, to secure their rightful

are perhaps the hardest working people

participation in the events following.

in town that day.

Though the lanterns are extinguished,

Despite the lack of onlookers, however, the festival continues all the same. The festival participants, marked by their matching happi, can be found throughout town, clustered around the massive floats that they usher through the streets. In the heat it is difficult, even

dangerous

work. The

floats

stop often so that the people pulling them can rest, though the traditional sounds of flute, taiko, and shamisen

69

the ritual laws of the festival are still maintained as participants once again rise to their feet at the commanding sound of the usher’s whistle, take the ropes in their hands, and continue the float’s slow procession through the streets. When the sun sets, once again replaced by the soft red and yellow glow of lanterns and the harsh light of vendor stalls run by thrumming generators, the tired participants will

THE AKITAN commit to their tasks with a renewed vigor and excitement, now performing for excited throngs of onlookers. The dreaming world of the festival returns once again to the streets of Kakunodate.

70

THE YAMA Kakunodate Festival, referred to by residents simply as O-matsuri, takes

against earthquakes, fires, and other natural disasters.

As with almost all other local

place every year on September 7th,

festivals

8th, and 9th. The town of Kakunodate

elsewhere, Kakunodate Festival has

is famous for its cherry trees and the

its roots in Shintō traditions and the

preserved estates and gardens of its

historical lifeways of the Japanese

historical samurai quarter. The people

working

of Kakunodate take pride in their

communities of the past, spring and

preserved connection to the town’s

fall were dedicated to the labor of

past, both for a sense of local pride and

planting and harvesting, while summer

as an attraction for tourists and visitors.

and winter were reserved for waiting

Kakunodate festival is seen as a living

and praying that their efforts would

embodiment of this history and an

prove bountiful. Winter and summer

integral part of the town’s identity. The

festivals then, developed both as a

festival’s history begins sometime in the

means for engaging in communal

17th or 18th century, initially organized

reverie and as an act of prayer for good

by fire fighter’s organizations in the

health, good fortune, and good harvest.

town’s merchant quarter as a means

Though these religious motivations

of beseeching the gods for protection

can still be found today, in the current

71

in

Akita

class.

For

prefecture

the

and

agrarian

THE AKITAN era, Kakunodate serves

a

more

Festival

“One yama featured a life-sized

practical

representation of Donald Trump,

purpose in bringing the community together. In the

smoking a fat cigar and lovingly

week of the festival, there

embracing a nuclear warhead.”

is always a great migration of former residents—most of them young adults who have left in search of work—returning to their hometown to participate in the festival alongside family, neighbors, and friends from their childhood days. For this reason, Kakunodate

Festival

remains

an

important event in the town calendar, the social “heartbeat” which drives the life cycle of the community year after year. And although it is only a threeday event, it is held in great esteem and anticipation all-year round for those who take part in it: as a coworker once told me, “The people of Kakunodate are matsuri people. It keeps them young at heart.”

chounai, corresponding with historical divisions of the community, and each chounai decorates and takes charge of its own yama. The yama are massive wooden carriages weighing several tons, which are pushed and pulled by dozens of festival participants by long ropes. Each yama is large enough to have space at the front for up to seven people to sit and stand, an additional sitting space in the back (usually for very young children), and an enclosed space in its belly for a group of musicians who play the traditional festival music (Oyamabayashi) on flutes, shamisen, taiko, and bells. These floats are called “mountains” because of their central tableau, a mountain shaped

The main attraction of Kakunodate

from foam and black cloth, sometimes

Festival is the construction, display, and

adorned with bamboo and other plants.

procession of floats called yama (literally

Each yama has two “doll” scenes on

translated as “mountains”) through

the front and back of this mountain;

the central streets of Kakunodate. For

life-sized papier mâché effigies of men

the purposes of the festival, the town

and animals decorated in finery and

is divided into 18 neighborhoods, or

72

brandishing weapons. The scene at the

yama in the streets they are young in

front is always an example of courage,

heart and spirit, and so they are “young

wisdom, and bravery drawn from kabuki

people.” With the exception of dancers,

plays, folktales, or ancient Japanese

all wakamono wear the same happi

history. For the back scene there is more

jacket, the traditional garb of Japanese

freedom in its representation, though it

festivals meant to signify the outfits of

must always feature large ceremonial

Edo-period laborers. Each chounai’s

sake barrels, the kind presented to

members wear the same happi, which

shrines as offering. Though the back

has unique patterns and emblems

scene is often also drawn from legend or

representing the individual’s affiliation

folktales, there is also an opportunity for

to the group. Wakamono also style

humorous or creative displays. In my first

“No matter a person’s

year at the festival, one

actual age, when they

yama featured a lifesized of

representation

Donald

smoking cigar

and

Trump, a

fat

lovingly

their hair specifically for the festival, with festival

streets, they are young in

embracing a nuclear

also

meant to evoke the

join the yama in the heart and spirit.”

styles

image of a laborer’s disheveled hair after a long day’s work. In practice, however, the dyed, spiked, heavily

warhead. As each yama moves through

teased

the night, it carries with it its own

display here would be more at home at

yellow glow, festooned with numerous

a visual kei concert, or perhaps a White

small lanterns, each emblazoned with

Snake music video. Women of all ages

the name of the chounai.

will additionally wear bold, elaborate

Festival participants are referred to as a group as wakamono, literally “youths” or “young people.” It was explained to me that no matter a person’s actual age, when they join the

73

and

hair-sprayed

styles

on

makeup which they touch up throughout the day. For men and women alike, festival gives an opportunity to experiment with deliberately outrageous styles that may not be considered acceptable in the

THE AKITAN other social spaces they inhabit.

The majority of the wakamono are tasked with pushing and pulling the yama, but there are other specialized roles as well. A few young men act as ushers for the yama; standing at the front of the vehicle or hanging from its beams, they conduct the movement and direction of the yama’s activity through chanting, waving of hand-held lanterns, and the constant, rhythmic blowing of whistles they wear around their necks.

It is their job both to direct the yama and to keep the others invigorated in their duties. In the belly of the yama are the musicians, whose work also plays a vital role. Alongside the usher’s whistle, the

playing

of

unique

throughout the festival; the musicians begin playing when the yama is pulled from its resting place, and the music does not stop until it returns at the end of the day. They play different songs for the different activities the group will encounter: there is a song for normal movement, a song for when the yama makes a turn, songs for speeding up, slowing down, confrontation of another yama, and so on. They will heighten their tempo to incite action in the others, and slow in times of rest. But they will never stop; a yama whose music stops is said to be a shiniyama (a “dead float”), and their tune is necessary to maintain the spirit of the wakamono.

traditional

music forms a constant background

74

75

THE AKITAN Finally, there are the dancers. All

dance is being offered it is forbidden for

of them young women, some as young

anyone to walk in front of the dancers,

as elementary school, they will sit at the

thus disrupting the gift being given.

front of the yama in a group of five or six. They wear special outfits—either a bright violet kimono or a traditional farmer’s garment called kasuri—and perform the traditional hand dance (teodori) of the festival to the musician’s accompaniment.

These

dances

are

elegant, focusing special attention on the subtle movement of hands and eyes or the manipulation of fans or scarves, but they are also done with an air of great pride. Moreover, the dance is always done in pairs, and emphasis is placed on the synchronous movement of the two dancers. The performance of these dances is effectively an offering, and in this sense the dancers play one of the most important roles of the festival.

Throughout the three days, the dance is offered to shrines as a devotion, to patrons and other chounai as a gift, to other yama as a concession, and sometimes simply for entertainment.

When not dancing, the dancers sit poised and motionless in seiza, awaiting their next performance. The dance itself is held in great regard, and when a

Put together, the yama and the activities of the wakamono assume a divine role. The spiritual operation of the yama was once explained to me by a student: the kami are drawn from their various dwellings by the fragrance of the sake offered in casks on the yama.

Once drawn out, they will then take up residence in the forms of the dolls, impressed by the scene of their bravery.

Once installed, they may then watch the behavior of the wakamono and especially the dances offered by the dancers; if the kami are pleased, they will grant good fortune to all the people of the chounai for the coming year. As a divine vehicle, there are certain taboos and restrictions accorded to the yama. For instance, if someone has experienced a death in their family in the prior year, they may not touch the yama or its ropes.

Additionally, all wakamono must be consecrated by the principal shrine of Kakunodate to be allowed to participate, signified by the wooden amulets they all wear around their necks.

76

Kakunodate Festival, Irene Cao

THE FESTIVAL The week preceding Kakunodate Festival is one of my favorite times of

with smiles on their faces, the light of a nearby fire casting their shadows two stories tall on a nearby building.

the year. Lanterns are strung and lit

The festival begins in the early

several days prior to its beginning, and

afternoon of September 7th, signaled by

their soft light is enough to change

the sound of fireworks all throughout

the streets from their normal state

town. When this is a school day,

to something more effervescent and

students are released after lunch to

enchanted. It is a pleasure to walk

join their families and prepare. It’s also

the streets alone at night before the

important to note that from this point

crowds and vendors arrive, the town in

to the end of the festival, the streets at

silence save for the occasional sound

the heart of town are closed off to cars

of musicians practicing for the days

to make way for the yama. In my first

ahead. On the final night before the

year here, this was a big surprise and

festival, each chounai holds a block

frustration, as I could no longer rely

party with their yama as a centerpiece.

on the routes I knew to and from work.

This is a final time to practice the

Having grown a bit more experienced, I

various motions and activities that will

can now appreciate the symbolic effect

be shown throughout the festival, but

played out here. Kakunodate Festival

more importantly is a time for everyone

is not an event; the festival is the town

to gather, drink plenty of sake, and to

itself, transforming into something else,

catch up with long departed friends.

separated somewhat from everyday

Walking through the streets on this

constraints.

night, one can find these parties by the sounds of the music and whistling and the great light they give off in the dark, like great bonfires. I once chanced upon and saw two of my students at the front of the yama dancing proudly

79

The first day of Kakunodate Festival is dedicated to the paying of homage to the Kakunodate Shinmeisha, the principal ShintĹ? shrine dedicated to Amaterasu. Each yama lines up behind the other, forming a great

parade and awaiting their turn in front of the shrine’s gate. When they arrive, the yama is turned to face the gate and the dancers will perform, while the wakamono will ascend the steps en masse to the shrine itself. There they will be blessed by the priest and receive the amulets that they will wear for the rest of the festival. They will then return to the yama and depart, making way for the next yama’s approach. This procession begins at four o’clock and will last until around midnight, and this gives a good opportunity to see all

81

of the yama together.

The second day is similar to the first in that it is specifically dedicated to paying visits to two separate locations.

During the day, each yama must now visit the Jojuin Yakushido temple, a small buddhist temple on the west end of town, and to the living descendants of the Satake Clan—the old lords of Kakunodate—who sit waiting at the northernmost end of bukeyashiki, the historic samurai quarter. The chounai may visit the two in whatever order they choose and may make their own

THE AKITAN paths through the town at their own

of the festival it is possible (though

leisure. Throughout the festival, when

incredibly unlikely) for the festival to

a yama reaches a chounai that is not

go by with no yamabutsuke at all, and

their own, they must obtain permission

so these scheduled bouts are meant

to enter at a guardhouse set up at

to ensure that visitors do not leave

the neighborhood’s boundary. This

disappointed.

symbolic concession is sealed with the offering of a dance by the petitioning yama. Although this permission is typically a formality, the guardhouses may refuse entry, forcing yama to find some other path through town. As some chounai may have rivalries with one another, refusal of entry can be a point of great contention and a weapon wielded against the neighborhood’s rivals.

Contrary to the “tourist night” before it, the final day of the festival is sometimes known as the “traditional night.” It is here where the elaborate rules

and

rituals

of

Kakunodate

Festival take center stage, and play out in full effect. And it is also here where the yamabutsuke play out in their true form, as a natural development of the night’s activities. Each yama designates its own ambling path throughout the

The evening of the second day is

town, with no particular goal in mind

the “tourist night” of the festival. This is

besides the presentation of the yama to

typically the first opportunity one has

all those in attendance. However, the

to witness yamabutsuke, the renowned

festival’s rules dictate that the yama can

“float crashing” that is a central part

only travel forward, never in reverse,

of the festival, though it is performed

which may yield consequences. During

in a way somewhat different to how

the night, there will be moments where

it “naturally occurs” (which will be

one yama’s path confronts another,

described later). Multiple yamabutsuke

and the two meet head-to-head. As

bouts are performed at specific times

the streets are narrow, the two yama

and locations throughout the night, so

are unable to pass at the same time, so

as to give visitors plenty of chances to

one must yield and wait for the other

see them; under the “traditional” rules

to pass before resuming movement.

82

Kakunodate Festival, Irene Cao

In order to determine this sequence,

The music turns into a battle tune

both chounai send representatives for

as the usher’s whistle becomes loud

negotiation. These men meet in a circle

and frantic. The space between the

between the two yama, crouched or

yama is cleared and the the wakamono

kneeling on the ground and speaking

take their places quickly; the strongest

to each other in quick, hushed tones. I

men go to hoist the front sides of the

still don’t understand with what means

yama, while older people, women,

or criterion the negotiators present

and younger children take the ropes

their case, and Japanese friends I have

in the back. Finally, with a chanted

spoken with are similarly out of the

signal by the usher, the two yama are

know. What is known is that the right

pushed with every ounce of might at

of passing is a point of great pride for

hand towards one another. They meet

the chounai which is not yielded easily.

in the middle, the two yama ramming

Negotiation can last for a long time,

into each other at full speed with a dry,

and in this period the wakamono grow

muted *thunk* and the shaking of the

restless, sometimes chanting loudly to

mountain scene on top. Through this,

speed the procedure. If negotiations

the dancers sit at the front of the float

breakdown—or rather when, as this

with the chief usher, motionless and

is often the result—violence takes

with eyes forward. After the collision,

over where words failed. Yamabutsuke

the yama are quickly pulled away from

begins.

each other and bout begins again. If one yama is able to push the other back far enough, then it is declared

Said to be over 300 years old, Kakunodate Festival is designated as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site.

the victor and allowed to proceed. If they are evenly matched, as is often the case, then yamanobori begins. The front ends of the yama are lifted up and are once again rammed against each other, now locking together like two animals in combat. The goal now is to slightly

85

THE AKITAN

jostle one’s opponent a few degrees

settled the victor will finally be allowed

off center through a combination of

to proceed by the defeated, moving on

pushing, pulling, and whatever other

to the next confrontation. However,

basic mechanics the group can muster.

it is entirely possible for the yama

Eventually, the contest is decided

to be damaged during the struggle,

when the losing yama is forced to

sometimes beyond quick repair. Last

the side enough that it touches some

year, I came across a yama broken in

building or other object. But this is a

the street, sagging heavy on the ground

war of inches, and a true yamabutsuke

like a great wounded beast, its uncoiled

can last for several hours, the two yama

ropes snaked uselessly on the ground.

deadlocked to one another until a slight

Children sat on the beams of it, while

budge becomes a big push. In my three

the musicians continued to play, having

times at Kakunodate Festival I’ve seen

now left the yama. When I asked an

many yamabutsuke start; I have never

acquaintance at the scene what had

seen one finish. But when the match is

happened, he responded simply and

86

Kakunodate Festival, Irene Cao

with a look of slight embarrassment.

entirely possible that negotiators enter

“We lost.�

conference knowing full and well that

The yamabutsuke is considered the crown jewel of the entire festival, and is the main draw for many tourists.

I’ve been told by many people that to witness or participate in one of these bouts means you will be blessed with good fortune. Both lookers-on and

they expect and intend to fail so that yamabutsuke may occur. They play by the rules of a game written centuries prior, playing their roles to the best of their abilities while tacitly agreeing that it should all be in vain.

Indeed,

what

is

particularly

the participants await the yamabutsuke

interesting to me is how the cultural

with eager anticipation, and respond

logic of the festival seems to confront

in a rush of excitement when called to

that of everyday life. We tend to accept

battle. In periods of rest, the wakamono

that Japanese sociality is based on

strategize and plot their courses. They

agreement and concession, on working

lay out maps on the ground, each yama

together with the group. Here we

represented by a shogi piece, deciding

see it played in opposite, a game of

on when to move and where. Runners

separation, confrontation, and personal

are sent on bicycles to gain information

pride. Kakunodate Festival acts as a

on other yama, who report back on

sort of social experiment, asking what

their whereabouts. Each chounai has

would happen when a town is closed

its own character; some are peaceful,

off, split apart, and put to ritual war

wishing to avoid confrontation, while

with itself. Perhaps in the yamabutsuke

others are more ready to fight. The

we can see the ritualized performance

yama may be maneuvered to avoid an

of individual grievances and rivalries,

allied group, or may rush to confront

hidden in day to day life but now

a favored rival. Choosing when to

put on display in ceremony. Festival

fight, and with whom, is an important

rivalries between chounai can burn

factor in the festival activities. The

hot, and activities during festival can

cultural logic of the festival lends

form reputations that can last for years

itself to a contradiction here, as it is

after. I have even heard a few times that

89

one must be careful when walking the

the warm reds, oranges, and violets of

streets while wearing the festival happi,

Autumn. The yama, now stripped to

lest they happen to stumble into enemy

their frames, will be stored away under

territory. But when the happi is once

tarps or in garages. Soon to be covered

more washed, folded, and stored away,

in snow, they lay in waiting. The future

so too are these grievances set aside,

proceeds as always, a cycle marked by

perhaps to be resumed a year later.

the changing of colors and sounds.

The boundary lines drawn through the town fade away, and people go back to working with one another regardless of their chounai, once again choosing the stability of the real world.

But the three days of Kakunodate Festival marks a performance of pasts.

There is of course the storied, ancient past which laid the rules of the festival itself, which dictates the costumes,

As I walk back home from the

songs, and dances that are put on

festival, the sights and sounds fall away

display. But there is also a return

to reveal the familiar darkness of the

to a more recent, longed for past, a

streets. The last to remain is the usher’s

nostalgic return to a few decades ago

whistle, shrill and loud above all others.

where the town was a playground for

But it too fades, eventually becoming

children and young lovers. The sons

indistinguishable from the songs of

and daughters of Kakunodate will

the crickets that once again own the

return to resume this past, to roam the

night. The wakamono will return home

streets with their school friends once

in the early hours of the morning and

more, to settle old scores or revisit old

go to sleep. They will awake—some

stories with laughter and sighs. They

still young, some once again old—and

live out a separate story three days at

go back to work. The lanterns will be

a time, put away and picked back up as

put away and tomorrow will begin

the years go on. A dream of times past

anew. In a few weeks the air will grow

held aloft by the sound of flutes and

cool and the heavy, golden rice will be

the soft glow of lanterns.

ready to harvest. The hills surrounding Kakunodate will begin to smolder in

91

Amidst

the

revelry

and

THE AKITAN celebration,

the

true

prayer

of

Kakunodate Festival can be found in the weeks preceding on signs erected at shops and grocery stores all over town:

“Children

of

Kakunodate,

welcome back to your hometown.�

...

Kakunodate Festival, Irene Cao

92

Kanto Festival, Jessica Legham Scott

KANTO

O MATSURI

Kanto Festival, Jessica Legham Scott

Cicada song, summer s FELIX CLUTSON

As winter thawed The cherry blossoms swept north Claiming towns, park by park With a flower for every rifle

She casts her face upwards as she opens it Anticipating glorious warmth Touching skin and heart

Spring, so heeled, of course Stepped out, finally, to fields of green Not white

But she is stopped in her...

Tracks A wall of heat has risen up And the acid taste of summer

So, she strolls aimlessly Reminding herself of old streets Now fuzzy from the cold Sepia in the shadows cut As the trees unfurl Searching for sunbeams A heady mix Of birdsong, new chlorophyll, and hope So, as you do She decides to pop to the corner shop And get a paper for later Treat herself to some chewy mints Maybe even a can of pop A smile, a ‘cheers, mate’ She turns to the light Streaming through the doorway Next to the handwritten adverts For old lawnmowers and spare rooms

‘I’ve only been in there two minutes!’

She thinks, but has no choice But to turn on her spring heel And disappear in no time at all With Spring gone, Summer stretches Languidly, taking in the rooftops and grass blades Fingertips tracing the rising air And the other hand fiddling with the thermostat So, here we are Us in the streets looking up Unable to hold his gaze Up on his hilltop promontory Surveying the roads to the sea The air hangs thick around us Bedsheets of heat hung across the backstreets

skin The concrete bouncing sun Is a grey rider, pale and worn, but now alive To the light and the shadows Playing out so starkly on its Straight, laced route The evening lengthens, slightly Straining to catch a taste Of the coolness of night And of gold streaming down Ahead of the twilight Flashing pink and fading to depthsplumbed blue There is life abound in the Buzzes and beeps of insects and car horns Consumed by the air, filling the sky Instead of the noise slicing through it Like it would in the silent void of winter

It is the air, heavy and humid Which defines the season In a potent potion of sweat and electricity The days tread Slow but charged Past bursting trees and smoky lanterns And just for a second As lightning traces electric avenues From the road to the sky And the rain doesn’t clear, but is, the air

It feels like anything is possible Like everything is happening all at once In the patter of raindrops and rattle of buses On the pulsing streets, full to the brim And all the stories playing out In the heat and the hum Of all the roads that lead to the sea Then, in the night As the air lingers, but resting, cools A few other footsteps are heard In the heavy, vast silence They are unheard but sound jarring In their singularity They search simply for stillness And something as yet unfound In the angles of doorways And the lights of the hurtling trains Summer doesn’t give them long But temperate nights under full moons Always hold secrets Amongst the cracks in the pavements Offering escape from the dawn Bringing heat and madness To the streets of this town that lead to the sea

...

Flowers in Shimohama, Irene Cao

Wild vines in Shimohama, Irene Cao

Tazawako Shrine, Tresier Mihalik

Kubota Castle in Senshu Park, Vincent Hsu

105

INAKADATE

THE AKITAN

Rice field art in Aomori, Andrea Danko

106

Nairiukusen Tanbo art, Andrea Danko

Homemade canned tomatoes, easy summer spaghetti, Irene Cao

itadakimasu!

THE AKITAN

110

111

THE AKITAN

112

Eat as is, or topped on ice cream or yogurt!

113

Homemade canned peaches, Irene Cao

Recipe by Laura Pueringer

115

THE AKITAN

116

Chinese pork ribs & corn rice, Irene Cao

119

Poke bowl ingredients, Irene Cao

Poke bowl, Irene Cao

THE AKITAN

122

123

Roasted thyme grapes, Irene Cao

Akebi fruit, Irene Cao

It’s worth a try!

AKEBI The fruit that marks the coming of fall The akebi fruit is commonly found in the Tohoku region.

Growing on vines, it only appears for a short time at the beginning of autumn, when summer gradually turns to fall.

The outer flesh can be a pale, to almost nuclear purple colour.

Cutting lengthwise to open, the inner flesh resembles an alien-like creature, the larvae of some otherworldy specimen.

The flesh is custard-like in consistency and bears a slightly mild flavour. Seeds should be spit out, however.

What can you do with the outer pod? You can stuff the rind with pork and pan fry, or use it in a miso stirfry. The rind can be quite bitter, so soaking it in salt water for 30-60 minutes is recommended to take off the edge prior to cooking.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to find it in your supermarket, or local farmer’s market. Hurry, before the akebi season is over!

Fun fact: The vines of the akebi fruit are often used to weave baskets and purses, and can be quite expensive accessories!

Keep an eye out for these beautiful akebi vine purses!

Irene Interviews...

Akita English Cafe

In this issue, we’ll be interviewing two former ALTs, Chris Dean and Jeremy Ma from Akita City, who helped build English Café into what it is now. We will also have a talk with Anthony Madry and Vincent Hsu, who now help organize English Café each month.

Originally, English Café was organized and the brain child by one of our lovely former CIRs, Jenny Campbell. When Jenny returned to her home country, Chris and Jeremy decided to pick this project up and further develop it into what it is now.

127

THE AKITAN It has now become quite popular with not only students, but ALTs, and other citizens of Akita. As an ALT myself, who has attended almost every single English Café event, I can say that it has made a positive impact on my life, and something I look forward to each month. Being able to interact with students, and people who are interested in using English in a relaxed setting, I think, is a very valuable experience for learners of the English language (any language). English Café offers those who are interested in English, real world experiences, and the chance to meet different members of the community.

But, enough about what I think about English Café, let’s talk to Chris and Jeremy, and learn a bit more about it by the cofounders themselves!

THE INTERVIEW Irene: Hi Chris! Hi Jeremy! How have

Jeremy: Initially, getting over the reverse

you two been since going back to your

culture shock felt like it was going to

home countries? What have you been

take forever but after catching up with

up to?

friends and family, it felt much better.

After getting back, I put myself on the

Chris: Hey Irene! It’s been great to be

constant and tiring job hunt and still

back, but I do miss Akita and all my

am.

friends there. To tell you the truth, I haven’t been up to too much, but that’s

Irene: I have to admit, I haven’t been

the part I’ve enjoyed the most. I’ve been

able to attend English Café since you

spending a lot of time with my family,

two left! I’m so sorry, I have been so

helping out where I can and it pretty

busy since summer began. And now, I

much feels like a long summer vacation

edit The Akitan. Who knew I’d take on

around here. On the more productive

this role?!

side, I’m applying for school and doing some teaching here and there, but

Anyways, from what I hear, English

nothing too intense.

Café is still growing and as popular

128

as ever. Many of the new ALTs have

structured school atmosphere. It just

attended as well. Do you miss English

really felt like we were bonding and

Café? What about it do you miss?

contributing to the Akita community, which is what all of us set out there

Chris: That’s one of the things I miss

to do in the first place. The way the

most about my life in Akita. I really

event grew, seeing the line-up at the

enjoyed organizing English Café, not

door before it started, and how nobody

only the few hours during the event,

wanted to leave even after we extended

but even harassing my students to come

it an hour, was just really touching and

every day! A lot of them thought it was

uplifting.

just another English class, but they all loved it when they actually gave it a try.

Jeremy: I definitely do miss the monthly

I really feel that English Café was one

English Cafes. There’s a lot of things

of the best ways to help our students

to miss, however the biggest thing

and friends to learn English in a fun

would be being able to interact and

and relaxed environment. It also gave

socialise with everyone in an enjoyable

the ALTs a chance to really have a

and friendly environment from start to

good time with students away from the

finish

129

THE AKITAN Irene: So, what made you want to pick up Jenny’s project and continue English Café?

Chris: First of all, kudos to Jenny for taking on this project in the first place and starting it from scratch! I attended all of Jenny’s original cafés as a guest ALT and thought it was a great event.

It started off a bit structured, but then got a lot more casual; mainly focusing on having fun with some board games rather than straight conversation. I think what really made me want to start it back up was how I saw attendance grow so much, and I figured that it was a shame to let it fade away. Also, I think English Camps were a big inspiration for me as well, enjoying the ‘downtime’ after the activities where we could just hang out with the kids and play games. I felt they benefited from that the most and it was always a really special experience.

Jeremy: I never joined English Café when Jenny was running it, I only started participating when Chris picked it up.

Irene: Can you tell us what English Café is about? Is it only for students? What is the goal of English Café?

Chris: I think that as ALTs we always have the students in mind as our top priority, so I guess the idea was conceived for students, at least on my part. However, it’s definitely not only for students, everyone is welcome! We invited friends, teachers, and basically anyone who had an interest in English.

I felt having adults there really helped to make it varied and interesting, especially because a lot of the adults were not as shy as some of the students and they could really take charge of the conversations!

Jeremy: English Café is basically a free event that revolves around socializing in English, mostly through board

130

games. As this is a great opportunity for

English Café, people are always free to

English-learners such as students. It’s a

come and leave during any time as well,

perfect way to fulfill one of the goals of

which makes English Café flexible for

English Café and that is to make sure

those with strict schedules.

that every participant gets something out of the event, whether it’s learning a

Irene: Do you remember the first

new English word or fun.

English Café you held? What was it like?

Irene: So can you tell people who have never been to English Café before,

Chris: To be honest I don’t too much

what we do there?

remember the first English café that we held. I started it back up in November

Chris: It changes every time, but basically

of 2018 at a local community center,

we sit down on the tatami floor and set

and since then we have held so many.

up some tables, and bring a bunch of

I do remember the first sessions were

board/card games to play. We try to find

more of trial runs, and participation was

games that are more language-friendly,

definitely pretty low; most often ALTs

or even language independent, so that

outnumbering students. However, I

it’s not so intimidating for beginners,

always felt that if we got even one

but that more advanced speakers can

student to come, it was a success. Of

have a chance to converse. My favorite

course a lot of the time we were basically

is a game called Dixit, a game that uses

playing it by ear, trying to make it a

creative cards and storytelling! We also

good experience, trying new games and

try to bring snacks and drinks as well

such. However, by the 5th or 6th English

so that everyone can feel at home, or at

café, it was like second nature.

least having something to chew on if Jeremy: The first few English Cafes

they just want to listen or watch!

didn’t Jeremy: Playing

games

as

many

participants

and

compared to the most recent ones and

making new friends is what we do at

because of that I’m really happy that

131

board

have

THE AKITAN

English Café has come a long way.

Chris: I think I remember one of the first English cafés where we had just

Irene: I remember the first English

one student and about 5 ALTs. We still

Café, and there were a lot more ALTs

had a good time, but we definitely knew

than there were students that attended.

we had to do some recruiting. I think it

I have to admit, I was a little afraid that

paid off because the last English Café

might happen. We all used our own

that I attended had about 60+ people.

pocket money to buy snacks and drinks,

It was mind-blowing.

too. But, it eventually grew didn’t it?

Jeremy: As far as I know, initially me and How many people came to the first

Chris pooled in some pocket money to

English Café vs the amount of people

buy snacks and drinks for the first few

who came at your very last English Café

English Cafes that I attended, however

you held before leaving Akita?

when English Café became a Charity Akita event, English Café was able to

132

THE AKITAN access a budget specifically to book the

invite both former and current students

community room, snacks and drinks.

who would be interested in enjoying

In regards to the numbers, the initial

English games.

English Café that I participated in only had around 10 people compared to the

Irene: It’s pretty crazy huh? I’ve met a

very last one that I joined which had

lot of your students, you’ve met a lot of

over 60 people.

mine, and we’ve met other members of the community, from adults to toddlers.

Irene: How did you feel when the

I found I was able to create bonds with

numbers began to grow? Did you feel

people, and even helped me get out of

like you were on to something?

my comfort zone. I am kind of a hermit, you know…English Café helped me, as

Chris: I definitely felt like this event

an adult with social anxiety, feel more

was taking root. I was not only pleased

at ease with meeting new people. I want

to see the number of students and

to thank you for that!

community

members

growing, but

I was overjoyed to see the amount of

Chris: You have no idea how happy that

ALT participation too. A lot of people

makes me to hear. The main purpose of

might not realize it, but some ALTs

English café was to create a comfortable

don’t always get the opportunity to

environment

bond with the community or even their

welcome and free - of course to practice

own students. Seeing how many people

English as well. When it comes to

came and especially the repeaters,

learning language, nerves can get the

really made me feel like we were doing

best of you. More importantly though,

something good.

our whole role in Japan is breaking

where

everyone

felt

down cultural barriers, and bridging Jeremy: When the numbers began

the gap between us and the community.

to grow, I felt like the event would

I think Japan already has a few of its

get more active. In the early stages, I

own cultural barriers up and I’m glad

started taking initiative to personally

that English café could serve as a kind

134

of neutral zone.

make friends, and to feel useful as well.

Some of us had the unfortunate luck

Jeremy: I’m happy to hear that, and I

of becoming a so-called ‘tape recorder’

hope English Café continues to make

at our schools, but at English café you

opportunities for people to create

really have the chance to help people

bonds with each other for both current

feel more comfortable in another

and future participants.

language. Of course learning another language is not only about practicing

Irene: How do you think English Café

communication or grammar, it helps

benefits the Japanese community? How

to expand your own ways of thinking

does it benefit ALTs who attend it?

and grow as a person. As for ALTs, they may hit it off with someone and find

Chris: I think English Café is a unique

themselves a good Japanese language

opportunity for the Japanese community

partner as well!

to get to know the international community and of course improve

Jeremy: English

their English with eager experienced

Japanese

teachers. I think it can benefit any

them the chance to converse in English

ALT to get to know the community,

and allow them to make friends with

Café

community

English-speaking

benefits by

the

providing

participants.

This

also applies to the ALTs who attend it, it allows them to make friends within the local community which is a wonderful chance as cultural ambassadors.

Irene: How did English Café benefit you? What did you love most about English Café?

Chris: English café made me feel like

135

THE AKITAN I was helping the community and contributing as an ALT. Not only that, it was a lot of fun for me. I loved seeing the students and playing games with them, alongside my ALT friends, and watching everyone have a good time.

I feel it gave everyone a break from the monotonous day-to-day. Hearing the reactions from the people who attended gave me a sense of how it was affecting their lives. Parents brought children, children brought parents,

Danny/Dory bringing their babies and

people brought their friends, and it

the students being more interested in

really started to spread.

them than English… But of course the most unforgettable was my last English

Jeremy: I made a ton of good memories

Café in July, where we almost were

and I missed and loved playing board

overcapacity in that tiny space. The

games with different people all the

excitement and friendship in that room

time, and English Café was one of the

felt that day was just too much to even

few opportunities I had in Akita City

handle.

where I was able to accomplish that.

Irene: What was your most memorable moment of all the English Café events you hosted?

Chris: I have so many it’s hard to choose! Doing Tim-tam slams, that time where we played Werewolf and everyone kept killing John, Pimms/

Jeremy: The most memorable one would have to be the last one I’ve attended because at that time, I knew so many of the participants personally and because so many of them were able to join my last one, it made me extremely happy.

Irene: There are so many memorable moments for me too. Like the time we

136

taught students how to Tim Tam slam,

Jeremy: As long as people love playing

to the time we brought in a projector

games, socializing and English, they

and played video games with students.

will no doubt enjoy English Café

But the most memorable for me, was

because that’s what English Café is

having my own students come each

able to provide at the very minimum.

month, and really getting to know them. Really speaking to them and

Irene: What do you hope for English

hearing their opinions about English

Café?

classes at school. Learning about their lives, and getting to know them without

Chris: I honestly hope that English

the distance that is created in a school

Café continues strong and that it will

setting.

continue to thrive for years and years, with plenty of ALTs, students, and

Why do you think people enjoy English

community members. I’d also like to see

Café so much?

it extend to other cities around Akita as well; popping up in each block. I have

Chris: The Tim Tams of course!! No

complete faith in the new organizers

but seriously, I think people love the

(shout out to Vince and Tony!), but if

freedom of the event. Most attendees

there’s one message I can give to those

are either English teachers or English

who read this is that English Café is

students and what they’re probably

not a two-person job; it takes everyone

used to is a really structured nerve-

to really make it a success. Invite your

wracking

set-up. However, English

students, friends, family, bring games,

Café was created for the purpose of

snacks, ideas, or just simply keep

it being free, unstructured, and just

showing up! Repeats are the heart of

enjoyable. I think that’s what people

this event!

love; the carefree nature (of course that comes with ALTs) and just friendly

Jeremy: I hope that English Café can

feeling that everyone who comes helps

gain more attention than ever in the

to provide.

future with more participants to keep

137

THE AKITAN

the English Café fire going!

**Now under Charity Akita, Anthony Madry and Vincent Hsu run English Café.

Irene: Thank you so much Chris and Jeremy! If you come back to Akita,

Irene: Hey Anthony, Vincent! You’re

please join the next English Café if

now running English Café and also

possible!

members of Charity Akita. I’m sure you

Chris: Will do! I can’t wait for the chance to come back and see my Akita family! Can’t wait for my next English Café! Thanks Irene!

Jeremy: I’ll try my best to look forward to the next one if possible, until then I hope it’s taken good care of!

two are incredibly busy. What’s it like to be part of Charity Akita?

Anthony: It’s great! We’ve got a really solid team this year (shout out to June and Amanda!). People from different backgrounds and yet with the same goal, it’s an awesome opportunity! I’m blessed to be a part of it.

138

Vincent: So far it has been a great

ages come to English Café and they get

experience. I am glad to have the

to learn a little bit about English from

opportunity to work with ALTs living

the ALTs who attend.

in other cities. Since I have just started as an executive of Charity Akita, I am

Irene: How has English Café helped

still getting used to my role. It is fun to

you? Has it changed your perspective

work with everyone on the team and I

in how a language can be learned?

feel we have excellent chemistry with Anthony: English Café has helped me

each other.

give my English-learning friends an Irene: What made you want to take over

opportunity to practice English for

English Café? What do you like about

free in a relaxed environment. This

English Café?

has definitely changed the way I see language learning. As someone who

Anthony: Well

knows

studied Japanese at the university

me knows that I thrive off of social

level, I can tell you spending time with

interaction, so when I went to English

native speakers while enjoying yourself

café once, it became a regular thing

will help you progress in conversation

for me. There’s so much to like about

more than any textbook!

anyone

who

English Café but my favorite thing is being able to connect with people

Vincent: English Café has afforded me

who have the similar goal of building

more chances to talk with Japanese

communication with others.

people from the local community. It is really fun to talk with others and

Vincent: I started attending regularly

make new friends in a relaxed setting.

around the beginning of this year. As

Learning a language can be so much

I saw it grow, I wanted to continue

fun.

this fantastic event. English Café is an important opportunity for cultural

Irene: Are there any other things you’d

exchange. Japanese people of various

like to incorporate into English Café?

139

THE AKITAN What do you want to see happen with

board games. I want more and more

English Café? Do you think there will

people from the local community to

be other English Café events held not

come and to have interest in learning

only in Akita City, but throughout Akita

English. It would be a very good idea

Prefecture in the future?

to have English Café events all over the prefecture. Maybe in the future,

Anthony: Of course, we’d like to see

Anthony and I could talk to ALTs living

English Café expand, but until then

in other cities to start a regular English

Akita City is still the best middle

Café in that city and those ALTs would

ground. Even more than that though,

be running it.

I’d like to see people make long-lasting relationships with people they meet at

Irene: Sounds great! Thank you so

English Café. Free English practice is

much for your time. Hope I can attend

awesome, but community is priceless.

the next English Café!

Vincent: We could always do other activities during English Café. It does not always have to be centered around

END

140

English Café is held once a month at ALVE in Akita City. It’s free and all are welcome to join. Snacks and drinks are offered, and you can play board games, card games, or just sit down and have a chat with people who come. Meet local Japanese people who are interested in learning English, students that range from elementary school to university, and also socialize with fellow ALTs and expats.

The best thing about English Café, is that it is a place where you can relax and just have fun.

If you’re interested and have some free time, drop in to say hello! Anyone is welcome to join. But don’t forget to let your students know, too! They will benefit from English Café greatly.

Upcoming English Café events will be posted on the Akita JET Facebook page, Charity Akita Facebook page, as well as their Instagram @akitaenglishcafe.

**Photos courtesy of Jeremy Ma, Chris Dean, and Anthony Madry

... @akitajet @charityakita @akitaenglishcafe charityakita@gmail.com 141

THE AKITAN

UPCOMING ENGLISH CAFE

142

Written in SEPTEMBER VIRGO (August 23 - September 22) Happy birthday, Virgo! After a few months

Hav

of feeling frustrated and off your game,

rece

your birth month is here to offer you some

but

guidance. As Saturn goes direct, you’ll

rein

finally see paths opening for you that didn’t

life,

exist before. If you’ve been feeling stuck in

the

a creative project, you might have a burst

glow

of inspiration; if you’re feeling left out or

imag

caught in a rut at work, you may suddenly

relat

have new chances to shake things up and

lack

form new friendships with your peers; and

hear

if you’ve been in a bit of a dry spell, your

you’

luck in love may soon change, especially as

moo

Libra season takes over on the 23rd. Virgo

you

season asks you to reorient yourself. Know

ever

yourself fully, identify what you want, and

thin

manifest it!

happ snack:

This

Caramel café latte! Japan might not have

Esse

pumpkin spice, but this is always a very

flavo

sweet autumn alternative.

ice c

This

month’s

lucky

conbini

the stars...

HOROSCOPES BY LEXI BAKER

LIBRA

SCORPIO

(September 23 - October 22)

(October 23 - November 21)

ve you been contemplating a big change

This month, stay ready for the burst of

ently? Summer holidays may be over,

inspiration you’ve been waiting for—

that doesn’t mean it’s too late for you to

either in your job, your personal pursuits,

nvent yourself. Let inspiration into your

or in your close relationships. This is

and don’t let anxiety hold you back. As

an emotionally charged time for you, so

Sun returns to your sign, let yourself

proceed with an open heart! You may

w! It’s a great time to shake up your

have noticed—or even contributed to—

ge with a style change, and if you’re in

some drama amongst your circles recently;

tionships where your voice has been

Saturn in retrograde has been inspiring

king, then let your opinions be fully

swift and dramatic change over the past

rd. Celebrate yourself and everything

four months. However, when it goes direct

’ve accomplished this year. As the new

on September 18th, old problems will be

on approaches at the end of the month,

brought to light, and tensions will finally

can finally stop compromising on

be addressed. As you work things out, do

rything—it’s not selfish to want to do

so with the willingness to shift your own

ngs for yourself for once. Have fun, and

perspective of events, and don’t let your

py birthday!

emotions dictate your words. Everything should resolve peacefully.

s month’s lucky conbini snack: Meiji

el Super Cup (Strawberry Shortcake

This month’s lucky conbini snack: Shittori

or). The name is a mouthful, but this

Choco! Share these chocolate-covered

cream is worth it!

corn puffs with your friends. Or don’t :-)

SAGGITARIUS

CAPRI

(November 22 - December 21)

(December 22

You’re not good at sitting still or waiting,

During summer, it

so it’s a relief to finally be getting back

your forward motion

into the swing of working. But don’t just

fizzled out. If you’r

focus on your professional or personal

communication from

pursuits—now is a great time to also

about, remember th

reflect on yourself and your living space.

the same. Reach out

Reorganize yourself and your priorities.

them that you want t

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your planetary ruler,

damage to your bank account over the past

retrograde, everythin

four months, and you’re probably paying

smoothly; you’ll feel

for it—or trying to. Now it’s a few weeks

and put-together. A

away from turning direct, which will help

Sun moves into Lib

you cut down on thoughtless spending!

the month, try bein

Be strict with yourself and your budget,

advocating for your o

and you’ll be in a much better place once

from both friends and

2020 arrives. In the meantime, enjoy the

absolutely nothing to

coming Libra season, and connect with

gain, especially as w

new people!

coming months!

This month’s lucky conbini snack: Pizza

This

nikuman, but don’t forget to eat a real

Jalapeno and Onion

dinner, too!

on the topic of being

month’s

luc

ICORN

AQUARIUS

2 - January 19)

(January 20 - February 18)

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own intuition, and take time to reflect

re waiting on better

on yourself—where you are now, where

m those you care

you’ve been, and where you’d like to go

hey might be doing

from here. This is the perfect opportunity

to them and remind

to ground yourself a little and think about

to see them soon! As

career moves, budgeting, and scheduling

Saturn, finally leaves

yourself to make the most of your time.

ng will start unfolding

Once you have some solid goals for yourself

much more cheerful

moving forward, you’ll be surprised at how

Additionally, as the

much of your stress will simply melt away!

bra near the end of

And just in time, too—Libra season is

ng bold and further

just around the corner, bringing plenty of

own wants and needs

chances for travel and new activities. Let

d coworkers. You have

your inspiration be sparked this equinox!

o lose, and plenty to

work picks up in the

This

month’s

lucky

conbini

snack:

Galbo chocolate. Crunchy, chocolately, comforting!

cky

conbini

snack:

Pringles (while we’re

g bold and spicy!)

PISCES (February 19 - March 20) The full moon this month will rise in your sign, Pisces, and it’ll bring a radical shift to the way you regard yourself and others. You are forever in a state of transformation, but it’s nothing to fear.

Accept change, and allow it to shape your life, for better or for worse. More than anything, realize you must treat yourself with the same love, attention, and respect you give to others; as your life re-settles, refuse to compromise or be made small.

And as always, your friends will be there for you in all the ways you’ve been there for them! Never be afraid to ask for a little more support whenever you need it. It’s 2019—we’re building healthy boundaries, not unclimbable walls.

This month’s lucky conbini snack: “Two mini Snickers bars! I don’t know why mini is more fun.” - certified Pisces

ARI (March 21

As Mars travels thro

expect a sudden upti an expansion of your

to be out and about, others pay attention

taking steps to keep in harmony? When

mid-month, use this and illumination to

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usual fade-out; be c

make sure you give a

goodbye to proper c

comes out of retrogra

begins, you’ll be glad

for fresh, positive re

experiences to begin!

This month’s lucky c

Hi-Chew. Summer m

can still force a couple this month.

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TAURUS

- April 19)

(April 20 - May 20)

ough Virgo, you can

You’re feeling like a whole new person

ick in invitations and

lately! With the Sun in Virgo, you’ve been

social circle. You love

soaking up all kinds of inspirational rays.

, and you glow when

You may have recently found a new after-

to you—but are you

work hobby, and your friend group is

p your relationships

expanding. Awesome! Let Virgo season’s

the full moon hits

nitpicky nature help you further crystallize

s moment of clarity

your actions, then: What are your goals?

identify what is and

How do you want to make the remainder

r life. Don’t pull your

of this year different, and how will you

clear and direct, and

carry that energy into 2020? Don’t shy away

anyone you’re saying

from the truth. Saturn is going direct—let

closure. Once Saturn

its energy push you. Consider new travel

ade and Libra season

plans and explore outside of your comfort

d you cleared the way

zone. Now is the time for action!

elationships and new

!

This

month’s

lucky

conbini

snack:

Jagariko—crunch it like you’re going to

conbini snack: Mango

crunch your new plans for the future! But

might be over, but you

in a good way!

e more #summervibes

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20)

CAN

(June 21 -

Recently, you’ve been feeling quiet and

You don’t easily let g

withdrawn after the relentless energy of

do have a bad habit o

Leo season. Your ruling planet, Mercury,

influence your decis

is traveling through Virgo, and you might

Virgo season, howeve

be receiving the message that you, your

feeling unheard late

values, and your current situation are all

step out of your she

in a rapid state of change. It’s okay to take

new and wholly po

a bit of quiet time to recenter yourself

Near mid-month, whe

this month. Make sure you’re on top of

in Pisces, harness the

everything financially, and keep your

clarity it brings you. T

home life organized. Saturn will finally

get social and expand

go direct mid-month, showing you a path

and by the time Libra

forward. By the time Libra season begins

feel reorganized, refo

on the equinox, you’ll be feeling refreshed

enact change in your

and ready to be social again!

feeling tense or unha

be it work-related, p This month’s lucky conbini snack: Salt

this is your time to m

and Seaweed-flavored Chip Star chips.

You can’t go wrong with a classic.

This month’s lucky co

chunk cookie. Somet

of realizing hard tru

things, you really, rea

NCER

- July 22)

go or give up, but you

of letting other people

sions and emotions.

er, knows you’ve been

ely, and urges you to

ell and work toward

ositive relationships.

en the full moon rises

e burst of energy and

This is a great time to

d your friend group—

a season begins, you’ll

ocused, and ready to

r life. If you’ve been

appy in a relationship,

platonic, or romantic,

make your voice heard.

onbini snack: Choco-

times after a long day

uths and perceiving

ally need a cookie.

LEO (July 23 - August 22) After a vibrant birthday month full of food, friends, and festivals, your bank account might be feeling a bit sore. If there are holes in your financial plan—or you have no budgeting plan in place at all!— then Virgo season is absolutely the time to start giving it some critical consideration.

Address what you’re avoiding, especially if it’s a large payment. Once that’s no longer looming over you, you’ll feel much freer.

On the equinox, Libra season will kick off, and you’ll have a lot more chances to spend time with your peers, both in and outside of work! With some cash in your wallet and plenty of social opportunities around you, you’ll be feeling much more in your element in no time at all.

This month’s lucky conbini snack: Mitsuya Cider (Fuji Apple Flavor). Try this seasonal drink for a sweet sip of fall flavor!

生きる (1952) AKIRA KUROSAWA

Film Review

PETER BOND

“Today will not return.”

What shall we do as the snow falls? Although

Kurosawa’s samurai films like Yojimbo became popular in the west, the acclaimed director has a diverse body of work that did not necessarily reach such an international audience. Ikiru is one of the films, a cinema classic here in Japan but not often discussed abroad. Released in 1952, Kurosawa riffs on Dostoevsky’s, The Death of Ivan Ilych. The film’s structure plays with time, starting at the end, and moving with temporal freedom throughout. Although sometimes offputting, Kurosawa uses this freedom to create an expansive tapestry. A story that can expand outside of its central character, Kanji Watanabe.

In fact, the film was once called “The

life of Kanji Watanabe”, however it was later renamed. Watanabe is a city official facing terminal stomach cancer. The film opens with his diagnosis and continues as Watanabe reflects on the choices of his life. Although his death is only

beginning, Watanabe’s spirit begins to

runs between both the busy-ness of

perish. At first, Watanabe descends

the bureaucracy, and the mummy like

into debauchery under the rattling

existence of Mr. Watanabe. With his seal

shadows of a bridge. Watanabe is played

in hand, Watanabe has not seen past

by the titanic Takashi Shimura, who’s

the paper in front of him. That is until

performance keeps the film’s heart

the start of the film and his terminal

beating. Shimura is often positioned

diagnosis. This is part of the tragedy

in close-up; his nearly frozen face is

Kurosawa is painting. A man who had

moved by the most subtle of gestures.

not missed a day of work in nearly 30

These stunned faces, as Watanabe

years, whose papers may have blinded

faces death, evoke a humanity outside

him to living life. While drunk on the

of words. In the morning, Watanabe

town, a novelist remarks to Watanabe,

stumbles into life once more, as

“How tragic that man can never realize

he encounters his co-worker Toyo

how beautiful life is until he is face to

Odagiri, played by Miki Odagiri. Toyo’s

face with death.” However, Kurosawa

youth and vitality are everything that

does not let the audience rest there.

Watanabe has discarded for much of

Watanabe’s first fumbling attempt at

his life, and the old man fixates onto

living, his night on the town, is juvenile

her. However, Watanabe’s son, and the

and confused. It is not living at all,

audience, can’t help but wonder if it’s

rather a denial of the life he is longing

just the young woman’s outlook on life

for. It is later during his pursuit of Toyo,

that the old man is pursuing.

and her vigor that Watanabe breaks

“I was so busy, but never got

anything

done.”

Says

Watanabe,

reflecting on his career in the town’s public affairs division. Ikiru offers a satirical indictment of Japanese bureaucracy of the time, including an amusingly head spinning sequence at the start of the film. The parallel

down. She is inscrutable to him, and eventually resorts to begging. “Only you can show me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how.” He pleads for guidance and direction but finds nothing. Watanabe must find what it means for him to live on his own terms.

The finale of the film poetically

mediates on the legacy we leave behind.

The private legacy we leave within our children and family. But also, a more public legacy that we can leave, one in our community. Some men spend all their time debating and discussing what was done, and what could be done.

However, all the while, the children of our day are playing on swings that somebody built. With this, Kurosawa calls on us to live a meaningful life personally, but to live for others as well.

A life that’s memory is less important than its legacy.

Ikiru is a masterwork of classical

Japanese Cinema, it is my favorite of Kurosawa’s works. Since my time coming to Japan, I have had the chance to speak to my coworkers and others about the film. It has been a wonderful talking point with a lot of different people. Watch it yourself or not, but ask a coworker about the film.

Not everybody has seen it, however everybody will have heard of it. The film left an indelible mark on cinema, as a timeless portrait of a man facing death, and coming to terms with life.

...

“How tragic that man can never realize how beautiful life is until he is face to face with death.”

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

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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.

156

AISATS

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THE AKITAN

SU NO.1

158

a modest

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THE AKITAN

proposal

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you’re ame

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THE AKITAN

rican so...

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hepp

* heppuri is a local colloquialism for kamemushi (stink bug)

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THE AKITAN

puri*

164

AKITAJET PRC AKITA JET PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITEE

CONTACT US AT: akitajoho@gmail.com akita_jet facebook.com/akitajetPRC

NEW MEMBERS PR Coordinator

Irene Cao

Editor & Creative Director

Irene Cao

Social Media Managers Akita JET Wiki Manager

Brooke Dalgleish Kim Bartos Stephen Beasy

MEET THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS 2019 - 2020 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR

JUNE KIM ANTHONY MADRY

TREASURER

VINCENT HSU

SECRETARY & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

DANIE MANOS

LOCATION LIAISON

AMANDA LOCKWOOD

Instagram worth

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THE AKITAN

hy

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f

T

he

as

N

m

w

sh

gi

W

THE AKITAN

fukamaru aki:

deepening into fall

The mornings and evenings grow colder. Though Summer still has

er grips on the midday and doesn’t want to let go. She must however;

s her older sister, Autumn will come soon.

Nothing lasts forever, and we must be as the lotus flower; delicately

moving with the wind, opening ourselves up as widley as possible

when the sun shines upon us. Growing. And when it’s time to go, we

hall go away in happiness for having been able to enjoy what was

iven to us. Each petal, falling onto the waters it was born from.

With open arms, let us welcome, Fall.

Calligraphy by Yoshinori Miyakoshi

170

Goodbye summer...

Friends in Kakunodate, Kei Lam

Grape picking at Maruna Vineyard in Yokote, Irene Cao

Rice in Semboku, Irene Cao

Hello fall...

the staff of the akitan would like to talented contributing wr

Most photographs are credited in pla Brooke Dalgleish (images 49, 94, 165, 166) Andrea Danko (images 50-52) Irene Cao (images 65-90, 97, 171) Jessica Legham Scott (images 93, 166) Unknown (images 110) Denis Degioanni via Unsplash (background 141

o extend our grattitude to our many riters and photographers .

ace, but we would also like to thank: Antonella Castelli (tarot image 141) Jeremy Thomas via Unsplash (background 143) Unknown (image 149) Unknown (Zodiac wheel 141-148) Tresier Mihalik (images 165, 166) Ally Ty (images 166)

Thank you for reading

T H E A K I TA N

S E E YO U I N FA L L