The Akitan Winter 2017 by Akita JET

The Akitan Winter 2017

The Akitan Team Jonathon Morris Hi everyone! My name is Jonathon Morris. This is my fourth year on JET, and this is my second year as the Education Center ALT/PA. I enjoy watching the footy, skiing, cycling, onsens, reading the news, and day dreaming.

We are always looking for new content and ideas for The Akitan, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

Rebecca Bamlett Hey! My name’s Rebecca, editor and graphic designer for the Akitan. I’m a second year ALT in Akita city, with passions for running, yoga and exploring the great outdoors!

Tara Scott Hello everyone! My name is Tara and I am a second year UK JET living in Daisen. I love taking photos and exploring new places, especially outdoors! I also have a real passion for history and look forward to getting stuck in to Japanese history and culture. I hope you all enjoy reading the Akitan!

2 Cover photograph courtesy of Tara Scott, Design templates courtesy of Steph Broder

Photograph courtesy of Didy Huang

In This Issue Sapporo Snow Festival & Otaru Snow Path.................................................. 6 Setsubun...................................................................................................................... 10 Akita JET February Food Fiesta..........................................................................12 “Akita Kyomi Fudoki” - Akitan Delicacies Cookbook Review.................14 Sean's Sempai Corner..............................................................................................17 Winter Blues Advice................................................................................................20 Charity Akita...............................................................................................................22 Cover photograph courtesy of Tara Scott, Design templates courtesy of Steph Broder

Photo Photo coutrtesy courtesy of Tara of Tara Scott Scott

Photograph courtesy of Dori Yama-

Photographs courtesy of Tara Scott

Sapporo Snow Festival Story and Photos by Keith Ikoma

Every year Sapporo hosts world famous

winter event called the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. Besides the snow event itself, there is plenty to do in Sapporo, so it makes a visit to the city an enjoyable experience. The main event is held in Odori Park, with two other venues. The featured pieces of snow art were Final Fantasy, Star Wars, The Arc de Triomphe, and the Chu-kondo of Kofuki-ji Temple (Nara). Besides that, there were many locals who made smaller pieces (smaller is relative - they were still big) as well as an international competition with pieces made my representatives of Hawaii, Macau, Finland, and so on.

One awkward piece by the Indonesian entrants was the cause of many giggles, but other than that, they were definitely a highlight of the event.

Being in Sapporo, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance to sample some of the local foods. There are several fantastic ramen shops, some of which are on the two ramen streets. Butter corn ramen and miso ramen are both great options. Sapporo is well-known for its seafood, especially crab and other seafood from colder waters. The city is also home to several fantastic beer halls (Sapporo and Kirin both have ones that seat several hundred people) and you can order all-you-can-eat/drink lamb and beer, which is called jingisukan (named after Genghis Khan). A great way to warm up during a cold winter festival.

Just down the road from Sapporo is a

couples; they have photos spots in a snow teacup, with snow lanterns that you can hold, and in giant heart (where I witnessed a marriage proposal - very sweet). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just for couples, though. The place has enough charm for anyone.

town called Otaru. Although it has recently received more attention from overseas tourists (thus seems a bit crowded), it is a quaint little town with beautiful seafood and a photogenic little festival called the Otaru Snow Light Path, which takes place in early February.

Otaru is a fishing village and port town with an old canal and several early-Meiji buildings which were done in European style. For sushi lovers, they have a sushi street with a disproportionate number of sushi restaurants for the size of the town. The festival itself feels intimate with only two main sites, only 10 minutes away from one another. There are many opportunities to capture the moment, especially for

How to get there from Akita

you go. The ferry is very comfortable, but it can be cancelled due to bad weather. You can also take the ferry from Aomori City to Hakodate, which takes around 4 hours, but Sapporo is a 4 hour drive from Hakodate, and it is also about 4 hours by train.

The fastest option is flying - flights four times daily from Akita to New Chitose Airport, then take a train or bus into Sapporo. For train lovers, you can get to Hakodate by Shinkansen and then take a train up to Sapporo or Otaru.

There is an overnight ferry from Tsuchizaki Port in Akita City which goes to Tomakomai on the south coast of Hokkaido. From there it is about a one hour thirty minute drive to Sapporo depending on the weather. If you have a group of people and are driving this is the cheapest option. You can walk on the ferry with no car, but beware the Tomakomai east ferry terminal is quite remote, so be sure to check public transport before

Setsubun

Story and Photos by Brianna Hom

At the beginning of February, you may have

during the same week in mid-February-received dried beans in your school lunch, it’s tied to what was considered the first or maybe you noticed an explosion of red full moon of the year, and it was a chance oni masks and peanuts at your grocery to pray for a good harvest, good luck, and store. As you may know, nuts and oni are good health. (Side note: many parts of Japan brought out to mark the day of setsubun (節 celebrate koshogatsu in January, since that 分) on February 3rd. But what you may not is when the first full moon of the Gregorian know is that setsubun is a holiday rooted calendar falls, but I would argue that Akita, in the lunar calendar and Chinese tradition, as a primarily agricultural and rural prefecand that it can be a great excuse to have a ture, maintains strong ties to the lunar calget-together with friends. endar, and thus the abundance of mid-February festivals.) Setsubun used to be one of many seasonal divisions on the Japanese lunar calendar. Much like oshogatsu in January, setsubun It was seen as the eve before the start of was (and still is) a time for cleansing and spring and, on a lunar calendar, the start cleaning out the old before welcoming in a new year. In fact, February is sometimes the new. Participants in setsubun will usucalled “小正月” (koshogatsu), or “little new ally throw dried soybeans or peanuts at year.” It’s why Akita has so many festivals someone wearing an oni mask, and yell, “鬼 10

supposed to eat these long rolls of sushi, uncut and in silence, while facing the lucky direction of that year (which is determined by that year’s zodiac sign). If you can finish the whole thing without completely stopping or breaking off a bite of the roll, then you are supposed to have good luck for the year. Some people also make wishes, and the wish will come true if the whole ehomaki can be eaten in one go. は外! 福は内!” (Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! Demons, out! Luck, in!) and drive the oni out of the room in a tradition called 豆まき (mamemaki). There are many regional variations on this chant, so it’s worth it to see if anyone knows the chant for your particular area. The oni represent misfortune and evil, and driving them out purifies the home. You can also eat the beans/nuts afterward--one for each year of your life--which is also supposed to bring you good luck. You might be asking why it is traditional to throw beans or peanuts and not salt, which is the usual material of choice for purification. After a long discussion with some Japanese coworkers (who also did not initially know), it turns out that the setsubun purification tradition came from China centuries ago, where their methods of purification differ from Japan.

If you stepped inside a convenience store in January, you may have seen advertisements for long rolls of wrapped sushi. These are 恵方巻き (ehomaki), which is also a setsubun tradition, though it originally comes from the Kansai region of Japan. It has gained more popularity in recent years as convenience stores and grocery stores started pushing their sales. On setsubun, you are

Although setsubun is usually something celebrated with young children (you may have seen it at your elementary schools), it doesn’t mean you can’t have a setsubun party yourself! First, get some dried soybeans or peanuts, though peanuts seem to be sold more frequently. Then, if you want to make ehomaki, you’ll have to get ingredients for that. There are traditionally 7 ingredients one can put in, but there is a lot of variation so feel free to include what you like. Egg, cucumber, and crab are commonly used. While you’re out, make sure to pick up a cheap paper oni mask. Last, get some friends together on February 3rd, make some ehomake, decide who is going to be the oni, and then pelt some beans at them! It certainly makes for an entertaining evening, and it is a great excuse to hang out with friends.

Akita JET February Food Fiesta

Story and Photos by Jennifer Campbell On Sunday, February 19th, a small group of JETs and local community members came together at Akita City Hall for a cultural cooking party. The event was created as an attempt to start a chain of events for the community, particularly JETs throughout the prefecture, which will bring people together more frequently and build stronger connections among participants.

For the first event, the class featured Filipino cuisine through a dish called pancit. It is a rice noodle stir fry which can be made with various types of vegetables, meats, fish, or anything the chef chooses to throw into the frying pan, making it adaptable to dietary restrictions and budget. For this event, participants used chicken, carrots, green onion, celery, and cabbage to flavor

their pancit. Difficulties arose with cutting methods and fitting all the ingredients into the frying pans provided by the cooking room, but each team successfully completed their stir frys with ample time to have

a late lunch together. The dish was a great hit with the participants, who appreciated its simplicity and how little time it took to make.

Because there was an excess amount of time allotted, participants ended up playing â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nouns in a Hatâ&#x20AC;? for the rest of the afternoon. This party game is essentially charades and taboo on overload, containing multiple rounds with specific rules for how to convey written prompts to the audience and score points. What sets it apart is that the same prompts are completely used up during each round. While confusing at the start, first-time players seemed to enjoy themselves once they got into the swing of the game.

in cooking, baking, or providing any suggestions for future events, please check the Facebook page, or contact Jenny Campbell via email, Facebook, or Line.

Due to the positive feedback from this first cooking event, plans are being put in motion to set up another event in March or April. Themes of these events will vary, but all information will be posted on the Akita JET Facebook page. If you are interested

“Akita Kyomi Fudoki” An Akitan Delicacies Cookbook review Story and Photos by Lynne Francis

As residents of Akita, one of the less-

er-known areas of Japan (at least we’re not Shimane), we certainly have our complaints. “The trains run rarely!” “There’s no place to get [insert foreign food here]!” “Why is there so much snow?” However, a recent presentation by some of my students made me realize we are rich in something: flavor. Akita food has some of the deepest

flavors Japan can offer, compared to the lighter, thin flavors of Kyoto. We’ve tried the classics of Yokote yakisoba, kiritampo nabe, and even natto soup. However, there’s even more dishes out there, and they’ve been put together in a great cookbook I received from my JTE who not only gifted me her copy, but also made me a recipe from the text.

“Akita Kyōmi Fudoki: Furusato Akita no Shoku Hyakusen,” (あきた卿味風土記ふるさとあきたの食百選), roughly translated as “Interesting Akita's 100 Best Dishes”, is a collection of recipes from all over Akita prefecture. The original edition, published in the mid-2000’s contained 100 recipes. The revised edition, published in 2015 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Akita Prefecture Association (秋田県農山漁村生活研究グループ協議会), contains an additional 21 recipes. In terms of structure, the book is very visually appealing and easy to follow. The cookbook is divided into five sections: spring, summer, autumn, winter, and dessert. Each section groups the main ingredient together. For example, all of the

summer recipes featuring cucumber appear together. Each dish features the ingredients and directions required, any special care needed, and a picture of the final product. They also feature snapshots of Akitan locals and Akita’s nature throughout the seasons. There is also a glossary which shows where in Akita each recipe is from, along with its corresponding page number. The book ends with a section about changes in Akita’s food culture over the years and profiles on some of Akita’s vegetation including jyunsai, Odate daikon, and three kind of local eggplant species. I would say the main drawbacks of the book are the language and availability of ingredients.. The book is written entirely in Japanese and features a lot of kanji, which is to be expected. However, with a good dictionary, it’s very easy to follow the recipes. The ingredients are also not terribly hard to find, especially for desserts, but some of the

vegetables might not be at your local supermarket or in season. My JTE prepared asazuke for me, which is a liquid-based thick rice dish made with ingredients like vinegar, sugar, and cucumber (although my teacher was kind enough to replace it with mikan, since I cannot eat cucumber). It was a great mix of sweet and sour. The visual instructions really helped me to understand the process of the dish, and I’m very excited to try more for myself, especially the recipe for butter mochi, my favorite food in Akita.

This book does offer a rich opportunity to not only practice your Japanese, but prepare food that reflects your current surroundings. Akita Kyōmi Fudoki can be purchased at various locations across Akita and also ordered online. For more information, please check out: http://www.kappan.co.jp/ dish_book/order_form.html

Sean's Sempai Corner Sean:

Hello, members of the Akita JET community. As I’m sure you’ve already gathered from the title of this segment, my name is Sean. I’d like to welcome you to what will hopefully be a regular feature (my schedule permitting!) of the Akitan going forward. I’m joined today by a fictional JET Program participant, Jimmy E. Thomas. Jimmy, I heard you have some questions. I know you’re just a figment of my imagination – the collection of my personal JET Program experiences made physically manifest, to be specific – but hopefully some of your questions will echo the questions of our readers. I’d like to do what I can to help you work through them.

Story by Sean Corrigan

rude here, though, but I’ve only met you like once, and that was in the hallway at the SDC for like five minutes. Who are you again, and why should I follow your advice?

Sean: Yeah, that’s my bad. I don’t get out of my town as often as I’d like. I wish I could visit you more often in Kita-Fujizuno (which is somehow simultaneously next door to me and in South Block… strange!). I came to Kitaakita City in 2010, where I worked as a junior high and elementary school ALT for five years. Now I work directly for my Board of Education as the ALT Coordinator here. Some of my duties include visiting English research lessons to offer advice, assisting communication between ALTs and their Jimmy: Hi, Sean. I’m a JET in my second schools, and teaching English at schools year here in Kita-Fujizuno City. Yeah, I’ve got which don’t get assigned an ALT (special my share of problems with the ALT job, like needs schools, alternative schools, and all I’m sure everyone does. I don’t mean to be that good stuff). 17

Sean: Are you sure? Why don’t they like you? You could speak the most perfect Japanese in the world, and you still wouldn’t be a desirable ALT from the school’s point of view if you never talk to anyone. Workplace communication is a big deal in Japan – in fact it’s bigger than a big deal. Just the effort you make to attempt communication is far more important than how grammatically accurate your message is; that’s true whether you’ve handily got N1 or whether you’ve just learned “konnichiwa” this morning. I don’t know your principal or your vice principal, so I can’t comment on how they act specifically, but remember that any relationship requires input from both parties.

With that said, you shouldn’t feel compelled to take any of my advice. You know your teachers, your students, and your situation better than I ever will. My advice comes from my personal experience as an ALT and from my understanding of Japanese work culture (presumably based on which I was offered my current position?). How or if you implement it will be something for you to decide. If you’re ever concerned about something and all else fails, ask your principal or vice principal (that seems like a good piece of sempai advice right there, right?)! Jimmy: Yeah, that’s easy for you to say; you speak Japanese. The only one in my office I can communicate with is my JTE, and they’re hardly ever at their desk.

Sean: Well, that actually sounds like two things at once to me. First things first, though: sure, part of the reason my Board of Education gave me this job was probably because I can hold a conversation in Japanese. People like to tell me I’m fluent, but I personally like to imagine that someone who is actually fluent wouldn’t fail to understand as many things as I do. You’re a student of Japanese, just as your students are students of English. We’re always telling our students not to be afraid of mistakes. I make mistakes every time I open my mouth. Think of it this way: you can understand your students even when all they can muster is a few bits of English vocabulary. Any principal or vice principal worth their weight in salt will be willing to try hard to understand your concerns; it’s part of their mandate. Jimmy: Yeah, they don’t really like me…

Also as an aside, constant communication is a good way to make up for any faux pas you will inevitably commit. I commit them all the time and they haven’t fired me yet: there’s your proof!

Jimmy: Well, I do like to keep a browser tab open with www.jisho.org loaded on it. I sometimes use it to look up kanji on the office blackboard… I guess I could use it to look up vocabulary beforehand?

Sean: Yeah, that’s a good idea to keep a website like that open. There’s a bunch of lists of helpful vocabulary online, as well. Scribble down on a notepad ahead of time all of the vocab you think you’ll need to help you! We unfortunately don’t have enough time to cover ever-absent JTEs today! Maybe that can be the topic for next time? If you have topics you’d like to see covered in future issues, please feel free to contact the staff of the Akitan! See you next time.

Photograph courtesy of Didy Huang

Winter Blues Advice Story by Kate Barber, Photo by Jonathon Morris

Winter is here! And while the snow-cov-

ered scenery can be absolutely beautiful across the prefecture, many of us have to fight the urge to leave the comfort of our warm kotatsu after work or on weekends. I’m personally well acquainted with winter depression coming from Alaska, and I wanted to share advice from doctors I’ve talked to back home on how to combat the winter blues. Here are my top seven pieces of advice to stay happy and healthy this winter!

outside for prolonged periods of time! On those days when sun isn’t abundant, look into eating foods high in vitamin D (such as tuna, mackerel, salmon, egg yolks, orange juice, and some dairy products) or taking vitamin D-3 supplements (500-1300 yen on iHerb).

2. Stay active! Have you always wanted to join that taiko group, but were too busy over the summer? Are you a ski/snowboard aficionado? Or are 1. Get outside and soak in the sun! you hoping to join a gym to get in shape? While it is often cloudy and snowy this time Staying active not only strengthens your of year in Akita, on those rare sunny days, immune system against those flu strains get outside and enjoy the sun! While there coming and going through the schools, but it are a number of foods that can provide your can also help fight depression. After exercisbody with vitamin D, the easiest source is ing, your brain releases “feel-good” chemfrom exposing bare skin to sunlight. Just be icals serotonin and dopamine, which can sure to remember that sunscreen if you’ll be be super effective against the winter blues! 20

6. Talk with friends such as other JETs or people in your community. It can be very difficult to handle the winters in Akita. The lack of insulation in our apart3. Make goals for yourself. ments. The mounds of snow that reappear Even if it’s a small goal, make plans and every morning, covering our cars. Chancgoals for yourself this winter. Bonus points es are, other JETS, our JTEs, and people in if you set goals to get yourself out of your our communities know exactly what we’re apartment/house after work, maybe at least dealing with. Talking these problems out or once per week! Maybe this means going to even just venting with people who underweekly Japanese classes, doing club activistand can go a long way. You might even get ties with your students, or even just visiting a few tips from more seasoned Akitans in an onsen after school. Making plans, even the process! small ones, might help you feel better! 7. If things get serious, please seek out 4. Remind yourself of why you came to help! Japan in the first place. Remember, the AJET Peer Support Group During the winter, many of us get caught up is here to help if winter depression gets in staying near home. During downtime this really bad, especially if you need an anonwinter, maybe you should start planning ymous ear to listen, want resources about that Golden Week trip and explore a new anything from counseling to the best place part of Japan. Or, if you came to Japan want- to buy supplements, or just want to chat, ing to study Japanese calligraphy, maybe please contact them 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. at 050now is the time to pick up that brush! You 5534-5566 or Skype them at AJETPSG. You might find your spirits lifting! can also find resources on their website at http://www.ajetpsg.com 5. Look into buying a “happy light.” I will admit, I personally didn’t find these However, if you are having very serious to be very beneficial to me while I lived in levels of winter depression or Seasonal AfAlaska. BUT- I know of several people who fective Disorder (SAD), and especially if you swear by them! The theory is that light are having suicidal thoughts, please contact therapy affects brain chemicals linked to 1-800-suicide (1-800-784-2433) via SKYPE, mood and sleep, easing Seasonal Affective or TELL via phone at 03-5774-0992 until Disorder (SAD). You can find a “happy light” 11 p.m. For calls past 11 p.m., please con(as they are known in Alaska) by searching tact Befrienders at 03-52-86-9090; they are 紫外線療法 (しがいせんりょうほう) or available from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. “light therapy” on Amazon Japan, which run for about 11,801 yen. This is expensive, but I hope these tips help you get through some they do help some people! And if you are of the last weeks of winter and remember: visiting your home country, they can run spring is just around the corner! for cheaper, as the US Amazon website lists happy lights for around $40-60 USD. And keeping winter weight gain in check is just another positive to staying active in the winter.

Charity Akita

Appi “This year was another fantastic one at Appi Kogen in Iwate prefecture. Seasoned skier/snowboarder? First time experiencing snow? All are welcome on this wonderful wintertime romp through the mountains. The courses at Appi cater to all skill levels, so don’t be afraid to give it a go if you’re a beginner. Also well worth the

visit is the pension resort we stay at every year. Fantastic service, friendly staff, and a five course steak dinner make it one of the ultimate highlights of my time on JET. Hope to see you all on the slopes next year! And don’t forget: never give Appi!” - Dave Wilson Upcoming Events

The Appi ski trip just finished, but there are still plenty of events coming up. We always need volunteers, so if you're interested in helping us out or have some suggestions send us an email (charityakita@gmail.com). For email updates about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, you can sign up for our mailing list (http://charityakita. com/stay-updated). St. Patrick’s Day Party

The annual St. Patrick's day party will be held on March 18th at Studio London. We will be donating the proceeds from the event to the Japan Association for Refugees.

While Japan does currently accept refugees, they only take a low number and support for those transitioning to life in Japan is very limited. The Japan Association for Refugees is a non-profit organization which gives legal and social assistance to refugees and advocates for their rights. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Japanese-Irish diplomatic relations, so put on your best green outfit and come out to enjoy local DJs and have a fantastic time.

The 13th Akita International Sumo Tournament

yet. The head nun of the Misonotenshien orphanage has expressed interest in having some of us come and entertain the children We will be hosting the 13th Akita Interthere sometime in the coming months. The national Sumo Tournament on June 10th. details of the event have yet to be set in Every year for the past 12 years we've stone, but she mentioned potentially having held a sumo tournament for charity open a group come for half a day and play with to people from around the prefecture and the children. Sometime in the spring, we beyond. The tournament features wrestlers will be holding our annual camping trip. from all over the world and of various skill Last year we rented out some cabins in levels, and we would love for you to comHinai. And of course, in July we will be holdpete this year. Do not hesitate to sign up for ing a goodbye party to bid a fond farewell to this unique cultural experience. For more those members of our Akita family who are information about how to sign up as a wres- returning to their home countries. tler or a volunteer, please see our website (http://charityakita.com/sumo). The best way to stay updated on these events and more is to like us on Facebook And More! and sign up for our mailing list (http:// charityakita.com/stay-updated). There are a handful of other events that we Hope to see you at the events! have lined up, but don't have exact dates for