AKITA JET QUARTERLY
THE AKITAN
Winter ISSUE
10.04.20
THE AKITAN WINTER 2020
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.07 Skymaking............................................................P.15 The Weakness We Choose........................................P.21 Hourglasssea............................................................P.39 The Peak and the Pit ofWinter.....................................P.45 Winter in Film.......................................................P.51 The Konoura Cod Festival.......................................P.57 That Which Burns....................................................P.65 Winter Festivals........................................................P.77 A Pow Seeker’s Guide to the Slopes........................P.97 Itadakimasu............................................................P.117 Film Review: Ohikkoshi お引越し (1993) ..............P.133
Irene Intervews a JTE.............................................P.137 Gutters Full of Rain.................................................P.149 Kimbo Slice (of Life)............................................P.151
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.
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Kim Bartos Webcomic Artist I’m Kim, a 2nd year JET in Kosaka Town. I’m currently co-managing social media for the AkitaPRC. I’m obsessed with all things animation and have dedicated most of my adult life to that. I enjoy drawing, animating, learning languages, and adventuring out into the wilderness. I’m prone to long-winded discussions about the spooky scary unexplained.
Peter Bond Film Review I’m Peter, I’m a 1st year JET in Yurihonjo City. When I’m not hiking or reading, I’m watching movies. Classic Japanese Cinema, Japanese New Wave, and of course Non-Japanese movies as well. Some favorite films of mine are : Mistress America, In the Mood for Love, Ran, Vertigo, The Act of Killing. Hit me up with any movie suggestions, always looking for more. 2
Join the PRC AKITA JET PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITEE About us The Akita JET Public Relations Committee (PRC) is made up of the JETs currently responsible for creating and managing four digital platforms for collaborative information exchange, promotions, and communication.
position openings
-Editor & Creative Director of The Akitan We are opening applications early to find the best candidate for this position. More information about the application process will be sent out shortly. If you are a creative person and would like to gain experience and boost your CV in design, editing, journalism, and a leadership role while on JET, this position may interest you.
akitajoho@gmail.com Irene Cao PRC Coordinator
Kazuno in Akita, Andrea Danko 5
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Editor’s letter
For someone who loves winter, I was very disappointed with it last season. To call it winter would be a lie...It was a real shame that Akita didn’t get the amount of snow it usually gets each winter. This year, it felt more like a Canadian spring. I’m not going to lie though, I quite enjoyed not having to slip and slide on ice this time around. In my desperation, I went far and wide to seek out snow. Going as far as Nagano on an 8 hour drive...twice. Some friends even drove up to Hokkaido in search of true winter. For snow lovers, I hope that next winter will be better. Fear not however, because many of you have sent in lovely photos of winter for us to enjoy; without the shivering and potential frostbite. I know some of you are happy with an early spring, and looking forward to seeing the cherry blossoms. But let’s take a look back and appreciate what winter had to offer us.
Irene Cao, Editor & Creative Director
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Hokkaido, Irene Cao
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Innuko Festival in Yuzawa, Akita, Jessiva Legham Scott 9
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Togakushi Shrine Nagano Allyson Roberts
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Ombre cranes Tresier Mihalik
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Sapporo nightscape in Hokkaido, Irene Cao 14
Skymaking FELIX CLUTSON
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I
III
As the year crawls
The city wakes up, stretches
Towards December
Reluctantly it pulls morning cars up the hill
The skies realise
The roads though are slow now
Realignment is needed
Bewildered by the cornflower vault Of a day not quite dawned
The morning streets At the edge of winter
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Haze in morning sun twilight,
Afternoon dribbles in
Emerging as dew-laden trees unbend
And the daylight reaches out slowly
Wispy cloud ghosts
Keeping its other in hand in its warm pocket
Glacially rush to each other
But time has slipped round the corner
Across the smooth pale blue
And kept on running
Of a sky not quite coloured in Not out per se They had almost forgotten
But towards the moon
They’re not allowed to hibernate
And daylight can’t find its running shoes
So they gather, sheepishly
So retires to its cloudfluff armchair
To diffuse some gold through fluffy, burgeoning grey
And calls it a day Early
II The cold meanwhile
The only sounds remaining now
Has struck a deal with the sun
The slow, stumbling of life
That if it sticks to the shadows
In the emeraldewed grass
It can have free rein to push leaves into the grass
The lazy, lilting, homeward evening birdsong And the eternal etched spin of a sky moved on
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17 Swans in Kazuno, Akita, Andrea Danko
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Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita, Irene Cao
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Innuko Festival in Yuzawa, Akita, Tresier Mihalik
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THE AKITAN
The Weakness We Choose ALLYSON ROBERTS
“Nihongo jouzu!” and “O-hashi jouzu!” – the bane of a JET’s existence. It is in these words, albeit complimentary in
nature,
that
many
of
us
find
condescension and embarrassment, and often a realization that we are not truly being seen.
of our group. Every other participant was Japanese.
The three of us, all JETs from
across Japan, kept mostly to ourselves until lunch, when we were sat at a table with three friends from Tokyo. We had already established that the three of us
This February, I traveled to Taiwan
all lived in Japan and spoke Japanese,
to fulfill a childhood dream and, honestly,
and yet, over a traditional Taiwanese
to escape the monotony of winter desk-
meal in the heart of the Taroko Gorge,
warming. Ever since I first saw the Disney film Tangled, I’d dreamed of seeing the “floating lights” of the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, and it was that dream that drove me through the anxiety and stress of exploring somewhere brand new. A new country, a new culture, a new language – by all means, a new challenge. Partway through the trip, two friends and I woke before the sun to partake in a guided day trip down to the Taroko Gorge, a breathtaking national park full of towering, humbling cliffs. It was to be one of the highlights of the trip. We showed up at the station, ready to meet the rest
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on the other hand, was born and raised in the mundane suburbs of Idaho, with enough opportunities and experiences to be truly lucky, but also with a winding path that has left me questioning who I am, why I’m here, and what in the world I’m doing with my life. For the rest of the day, my friends engaged with their new Japanese friends, and I sat in a daze, trying to figure out where I’d gone wrong. we were complimented on our Japanese and chopsticks usage in nearly the same breath.
job as a JET is incredibly
seasonal, with an impossibly busy schedule for half of the year and prolonged deskwarming for the rest. In the beginning, I had high hopes for my paid “time off”
I’ve spent years steeling myself
– I was going to learn French and how
against the comments, reminding myself
to code and start several new programs.
that strangers mean well and to be
Instead, I spend most days at my desk, in
complimentary, but in that very setting, the cosmic absurdity of it all, I found myself angry that, once again, my efforts had been belittled. But my frustration didn’t steel me against the vulnerability and embarrassment that followed. The conversation quickly shifted to my friends – how they were born abroad but raised in big cities in America, grew up very well off and with an abundance of opportunities, loved their incredibly cool jobs, and had
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My
an abundance of charisma and youth. I,
silence and largely ignored, wondering
THE AKITAN depressing, and above all, scary. So, quite
why I can’t find the motivation to achieve
logically, we numb ourselves to it – we
any of those goals, wondering why I’m
keep to ourselves, we retreat to our homes
so absurdly lazy, and wondering why I’m
and comfort zones, we don’t put ourselves
here in Japan at all. Between the cold,
out there more than we must. We isolate
Seasonal Affective Disorder, and now the
ourselves from others, emotionally or
ever-increasing impact of Coronavirus,
physically, and pretend we don’t impact
winter in Akita has been isolating and full
those around us.
of vulnerability.
But, vulnerability is also often the
This vulnerability largely stems
source of joy, gratitude, and love. It is
from the fear that we are not enough
in the risks that we find connections; it
– not good enough at a language to
is in the risks that we are truly seen by
communicate effectively, not experienced
another person. The difference in the
or outgoing enough to be successful in our
results – in finding joy versus isolation –
jobs, not “attractive” enough to be worthy
seems to stem largely from whether we
of our crush. We can try to minimize our
embrace the vulnerability, indeed that
vulnerability by distancing ourselves
we proactively put ourselves in a place
from others, by not putting ourselves
of vulnerability. Following a traumatic
out there, and by not taking risks. But
experience several years ago, I hesitated
when desk-warming rolls around, when
but ultimately faced my fears to spend my
we find ourselves isolated and with no
birthday drinking and enjoying karaoke
clear resolution, we are stuck with those
with friends. Although a drunken man
treacherous thoughts for 8 hours a day,
in the hall incited fear – an unchosen
for days on end. We are left vulnerable,
vulnerability – the overall experience was
where a single action – a coworker’s
one of compassion and bonding with
flippant comment about how bored we
others. On another day trip in Taiwan
must be or a stranger’s “o-hashi jouzu” –
(surrounded again entirely by Japanese
can trigger much more dangerous results.
tourists), traveling alone – a chosen
Vulnerability can be exhausting,
vulnerability – allowed me to group up with a pair of middle-aged women, spend
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the day laughing and exploring with them,
In the months at my desk, I’ve
and ultimately get invited to visit them in
spent an immeasurable amount of time
Kyoto someday. On my final evening in
thinking, about life and the experiences
Taiwan, I signed up for a solo motorcycle
we have here. Perhaps vulnerability isn’t
tour, being shown around mountains,
unavoidable. Perhaps there are ways
hot springs, and night markets of Taipei
to ensure that we never feel at risk or
on the back of a guide’s bike, forced to
disliked. Perhaps there are ways to numb
communicate only in Mandarin. I was
ourselves to the judgment and thoughts
anxious about the entire experience, but
of others, carelessly carry on however
the adrenaline and forced conversation
we please in a purely hedonistic manner,
gave me more confidence and a more
pump up our egos so high that we never
memorable experience than I could have
question
imagined.
worth. Perhaps that’s a safer way to live.
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our
qualifications
or
self-
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But without that vulnerability, without
alone, struggling against ourselves. In
taking risks and admitting our faults and
embracing this, both in ourselves and in
having the bravery to be seen anyway, I
others, however, we can confront these
believe that we are robbing ourselves of
fears and grow.
an important part of life. We are robbing ourselves of the chance to grow.
The promise of the floating lights drew me to Taiwan, but even the day of the
That day in the Taroko Gorge, I
festival itself was a bit of a mess: hauling
spent the bus back in tears, hating myself
luggage back and forth between cities
for having been born in the suburbs, for
in the rain, unreliable train schedules,
having not been born in a multilingual
getting lost in the city, a confusion of
house, for having changed my career path
what to do or where to go. Yet, as the sun
four times, for not being charismatic or
sank beneath the horizon and the rain
outgoing or funny enough. I hated myself
fortuitously came to a halt, we were able
for not being good enough to keep up
to write our dreams, our fortunes, onto
with my friends and I hated myself for not
one of the massive lanterns and release
having a clear dream or plan for changing
them into the sky with hundreds of others
my life. I was involuntarily vulnerable,
– hundreds of floating lights, brightly-lit
all over two mere “compliments” from
dreams, illuminating the darkness of the
strangers. But, in owning my vulnerability
night. It certainly would have been easy
and admitting those fears and insecurities,
enough to keep each of those thoughts
both to myself and a friend, I was reminded
to ourselves, to not even bother, but it is
that it is because of every misstep, every
precisely because of the fact that these
misfortune, every risk that I learned
hopes frailly burn away into the night,
qualities like compassion and empathy
surrounded by so many others, that there
and adventure. It seems like there’s often
is so much, such unparalleled, beauty in
this expectation that we must always be
the world. It is merely up to us to open
cool and collected, genki for the students,
ourselves to it.
likeable and attractive to those around us. But life is messy, and, especially in winter, it is all too easy to find ourselves lost and
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**Photos courtesy of Allyson Roberts
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Winter nights in Akita, Tri Phan
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Towada Shrine in Aomori, Brooke Dalgleish
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It’s worth
GAO Aq
THE AKITAN
Situated on the beautiful Oga
Peninsula in Akita, GAO Aquarium can be seen sitting on the very edge of rocky cliffs, with the waves from the Japan Sea crashing against it.
The aquarium is about an hour
drive from Akita City that allows you to take in the views of the coastline along the way.
If you’d like a short day trip
with friends, family, or your date, the aquarium offers various marine animals to observe, from the local “hata hata” fish to Californian sea lions. Don’t miss the polar bear and cute penguins!
h a visit!
quarium
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Snow monsters on Mt. Moriyoshi, Akita, Kei Lam
Hourglasssea FELIX CLUTSON
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THE AKITAN
I The wind is blowing the sands of time Down the beach of destiny As grains grind and push you To board the boat bound for Gold? Gloom? Glory? A story, sure. Stories under starry, stormy skies on the shore Wishing waves washing Up and down And up and down Would miss you, twist you But not yet pull you under Plunged, pedaling into The open ocean of Oh Of open-ended questions, Quiet mumbled answers Such are promises Meanwhile the gulls of fate Circulate, skylarking Spinning, wheeling, squawking Spying out for some poor bastard’s Chips to steal And steal away bills full and salty As hands run through hair Empty from stolen poker chips Lost, pouring out, raked from the gambling tables
Of chip forks in the road And cast out amongst the shells and shushes of this Stumbling, storming beach Blowing winds of bite and brimstone Billowing the grey blue sea Slippery rocks beneath your feet Slide and slick you seawards Raging, roaring waves run Break, and run again As the tide turns you know they are coming for you Skywards seen and psalms said Make no difference The sands of time give way to a steady drip Of the sea’s lapping water clock A whirlpool of spume and spray Sends you swirling, whirling Out to sea All salt and second chances As the gurgling seconds swish away You grasp for breath And silhouetted silence Amongst the gushes and growls Of the gargling blue beneath
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II All at sea You float on a different blue As far as the eye can see Your eyes open and adjust To a breeze and a brine And a breath Of a life still lived And time still given In the arcs of the gulls And the taste of the salt on your skin
But time can be traced back Can be turned and tricked And tidally Tip and trip you back towards The shore
The breeze can change in the barest of moments And blow in brooding clouds as before Of course But For the time being Blue skies hint at hues Of hope and hearth And homeward trails for Heralds of heavy hearts The tide offers no promises It cannot tell you that time will be kind Tilting the world this way and that Helter skelter and topsy-turvy as it is The eddies and rapids of this Riotous ride Will always roll this way and that across The ramrod, roman-road straight line Of destiny
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So rest now Ashored, And assured That even if remnants Of stormy roars Remind you that time is always running out Nothing is restraining you From reaching out now This one sandgolden moment Railing yourself against future rain And rising with gentle, rolling footsteps Retracing your tracks to the rise of the beach Bringing your hands forwards Bearing the gaze of the beaming, brimming Sun Blazing now across the burnished sea Turn the timer over Time to try again In the trace of a coastline And the twirling, tumbling birds There is tranquility to be told
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Trust me
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Coastline in Oga, Akita, Jessica Scott Legham 42
Yamadera in Yamagata, Andrea Danko
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The Peak and th
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THE AKITAN
he Pit of Winter
BROOKE DALGLEISH
Growing up, my family had this
kind of things annoyed us so we could
tradition of saying what our peak and pit
better understand ourselves and each
of the day were. We loved being outside
other. Peak means the top highlight of
exploring, so we would usually do this
the day, while the pit is the opposite. It’s
after spending a day together in the car
something that I have continued to this
driving around to see
day on all my adventures
what
see.
and sometimes on a
Maybe it was to a place
daily basis. Whether it’s
that we have already
an internal reflection or
been to, or maybe it
something I force upon
was to a new little diner
my friends, I think it’s
that recently opened up
a cheesy yet healthy
45 minutes away from
practice.
us. It wasn’t essentially
have found great travel
about
ultimate
buddies here in Japan
destination but more
that humor me and
we
the
could
Luckily,
I
about what we would see or talk about
participate on all our outings. Shout out
along the way. Throughout the drive, we
to Kim and Catherine!
would find interesting places to stop at which sometimes would become some of our favorite memories. At the end of the day, we would ask each other what was the peak and the pit of the day. I think my parents started this to get us kids to reflect on what made us happy and what
In January, the three of us went to Morioka, to the Iwate Art Museum to see the temporary Ghibli exhibit. As we all know, winter hasn’t been too terrible this year so we wanted to take advantage of the drivable weather. The exhibit was our main destination that day and we didn’t
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plan for anything else. It was a lot of fun
THE AKITAN However, we didn’t know that the
and so worth the two-hour drive to the
adventure wasn’t quite over. Since this
“city”. The three of us live in Kazuno and
was a new area, we used Google Sensei
Kosaka, so it was nice to get out of the
to get us back on the road we knew how
inaka and into a city-like atmosphere.
to take home… and we all know how that
After we finished the exhibition, we
can go. Google took us through roads
started to get hungry and Catherine
we didn’t even know if cars were meant
had heard of this pizza place a little bit
to go on, especially since there were no
outside the city. At first, I think we all
other cars in sight. We drove through
wished it was a little closer but the drive
one-way alleys, then through vastly open
wasn’t all that bad and Mt. Iwate was in
country roads, and then eventually onto a
all its glory that day so we had a pretty
highway road in a dark forest. Right when
good view for the entire drive. When we
we thought Google was trying to kill us,
got to Shizukuishi Soul Kitchen Pizza, we
we were blinded by these beautiful lights.
were pleasantly surprised to find that this
I was driving and for some reason, I just
pizza shop was nothing that we expected and for a moment, we felt like we were back home in the states. It was small and placed in a random neighborhood on a not so busy street. It had this cool hipster vibe with 90’s music playing and decently sized pizza that wasn’t overly priced. We were stoked and I’m pretty sure it still is the best pizza we all have had since moving to Japan. The employees were so nice and I think Kim made their day when she told them it was the best we have had in Japan. We were on cloud nine and felt like it was the best ending to an already fun day. So we thought!
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decided then and there to pull in and
To be honest, there were a lot of
check it out. It turned out to be the Koiwai
peaks this day and they outnumbered
Farm Illumination Festival. We had all
the pits. In my opinion, being an ALT in
heard of Koiwai Farm but all of us had
Japan also has more peaks than pits. Of
never been to it and had no idea where
course, it all depends on perspective and
it was located. Little did we know it was
we all know the motto, “every experience
a dairy farm in the middle of these dark
is different” is annoying but so true. I
woods. We decided to buy an admission
think for the most part we can agree that
ticket and go investigate even though it
life here in Akita has some major peaks.
was freezing outside. We had so much fun
You just have to find them!
checking out the different light displays, taking selfies galore, and then we got the crazy idea to buy ice cream… in the middle of winter. It was worth it and I don’t regret it at all. Honestly, it was one of my favorite memories to date and I think it was because it was so unexpected and the cherry on top of an already fantastic day. Going into the day, I thought for sure that seeing the Nekobus from Totoro would be my peak, but then it turned into eating pizza and drinking ginger ale from a nostalgic glass bottle. Overall, I think it was eating ice cream while looking at pretty lights that took the win. It for sure added on extra time to our already long drive home but to me, if spending extra time in the car singing Disney songs with my girls is the pit of the day, I’ll take it.
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**Photos courtesy of Brooke Dalgleish
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Winter in Film Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
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Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
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Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
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Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
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Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
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Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
Jillian Camille Yashica T4 Expired Lomo
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Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
Irene Cao Canon AE-1 Kodak Portra 400
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The Konoura Cod Festival JACOB FAGAN
Konoura Elementary School students do a drum performance (technically kagura not taiko) to start things off. Then a bunch of local business as well as 3rd graders from the elementary school each carry a cod through the town for about 30 minutes to the Konoura Yama Shrine where the cod are offered to the kami, and the priest does a blessing. It’s all over
Konoura is a small town in Nikaho, in
by about 11am.
southern Akita. Konoura only has a population of about 5000,but it isn’t
One of the big draws of this festival
that isolated because it’s right next to
is the cod soup. Despite there being only
route 7 and the Tohoku expressway; both
a few hundred people there on the day, it
major roads. Every year on the fourth of
was still close to a 35 minute wait to try
February it celebrates cod.
some. It was ok, maybe a bit sweet which sounds strange,but it was. There are a few
The
Cod
Festival
(鱈祭り Tara
other food vendors and they wrap up by
Matsuri) started over 350 years ago. It was
about 1 PM, so it’s a very short festival,
originally a month and a half earlier and
but it’s nice.
held at a different shrine. It was moved to its current date and place during the Meiji
Period (1868 - 1912). These days it starts
please come and check it out. Also, just
at 10am at a fishery warehouse on the
come to Konoura anyway.
coast. After someone greets the crowds,
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If you get the chance next year,
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**Photos courtesy of Jacob Fagan
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Otaru canal in Hokkaido, Irene Cao 60
Snow covered path Brooke Dalgleish
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Bonfire Jessica Legham Scott
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Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita, Tri Phan
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That Wh
ETHAN
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hich Burns
N INGRAM
Hiburi Kamakura in Kakunodate, Akita, Jessica Legham Scott 66
In the dead of winter, heat becomes
lessons of what we’d prefer not to repeat
a most valuable resource. And as resident
next year.
Akitans, we have all become more or less
accustomed to the fine art of keeping cozy.
season, we cut time sharply into periods
We come to cherish those things that
of warmth and cold. When we leave the
make winter living a little more bearable:
(usually sweltering) office we flee through
a second layer of socks, a hot water bottle,
chilly hallways and snowbound streets
the little kerosene heater whose fumes
in a desperate return to the inescapable
we’ve long stopped worrying about. When
allure of the kotatsu. In that brief, fleeting
we lose these little creature comforts, and
moment when heated air hits our face
when the cold creeps back in, it can be
and we can feel our toes again, the little
a sobering experience. When you return
tribulations of the day are melted. Once
from vacation to a toilet frozen solid, or
again we are home: we are warm, we are
when you’re driving through a frigid night
comfortable, we are content. We are safe.
with a dead heater, these can be shocking
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But as we go about our lives this
Imagine how it must have been
then, for the people of Akita in centuries
THE AKITAN aspect of practical, social, and religious
past. The dramatic snowfall of Western
life. Today, fire features prominently in
Tohoku must have been truly horrifying
many of the winter festivals and events
in
falling
that are held across the prefecture, a
gently and without a sound, and then
ceremonial testament to the importance
unceasingly. For days on end the snow
that it played in the rural communities of
falls, suffocating the fields and rising
yesteryear. In my visits to these festivals
up to swallow your feet, and then your
this year, I was drawn to the presentation
thighs, and then your house. A perfect
and significance of open flame in their
blanket of frigid whiteness, crushing the
proceedings; in some it plays a central
world and ending life where it spreads. In
role, in others it is more subdued. But in
such a place, winter had to be planned for
each, fire tells an important story of the
carefully throughout the year. A meager
community that comes around it.
storehouse or poor harvest in the fall
could have meant a slow, starving death
religious events, we should remember
for one’s family. Indeed, it was the harsh
that fire is an important aspect of religious
and unforgiving winters that lent this
practice all around the world.The burning
territory its reputation as a dark and wild
of offerings and incense, the lighting of
hinterland—full of bears and barbarians
votive candles or a menorah…these are
and
rituals that we may be intimately familiar
those
first
worse—to
winters; first
the
more “civilized”
First, as festivals are nominally
southern residents of Sendai and Edo.
with in our own acts of worship. The same
harsh
is certainly true in Shinto traditions,
environment, producing and retaining
where fire is integral to communion with
heat is absolutely necessary. And fire is
the kami, and this is prominently featured
central to this need. It is fire that cooks,
in the Namahage Sedo Festival at Oga’s
that
provides
Shinzan Shrine. The event is opened
warmth. In winter, the long, foreboding
with a ceremony in which the audience
slumber of the world, it offers life to those
is blessed and offerings of food and water
who control it. And in the frozen reaches
are offered to the guardian spirits of the
of northern Japan, it was a necessary
Oga Peninsula. Fire—or rather the smoke
To
survive
illuminates,
in
and
such
that
a
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it produces—is the means by which the
of cedar wood smoke. Here is fire in its
spirits receive the pleasant aromas of these
ferocious form, its intensity both alluring
material sacrifices. The event following
and all-consuming.
this consecration is everywhere colored
by flame, and its presence is undeniable.
fires that burn are more gentle, subdued,
The procession of the Namahage from
and inviting. Indeed, in many cases, they
the high places of the mountain to the
aren’t really fire at all, but rather the safer
crowds below is heralded by the lonely,
simulacra of electric tea candles. This
foreboding light of their torches; for
festival is of course most famous for its
young children who have been nervously
kamakura, igloo-like domes of ice and
awaiting the Namahage’s arrival, the sight
snow that are constructed throughout the
of this slow, dreadful approach must be
city. Some are large enough to host a small
fearsome, the first physical evidence of
party, while others are tiny things, but all
what had been only a nightmare before.
act in some way as devotional shrines to
Beyond this, the entire festival space is
the gods of water that sustain this land.
filled with the harsh, uneven light of a
And all are lit from within, and it is this
roaring bonfire and the enchanting smell
constellation of light which makes the
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In Yokote’s Winter Festival, the
Namahage Festival in Oga, Akita, Irene Cao
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70
us against the cold and darkness.
In my home of Kakunodate, we
practice
kamakura
of
a
completely
different kind. During Hiburi Kamakura, neighbors gather together to light bales of rice straw on fire. Attached to long ropes, these lit bales are then hoisted and swung around the participant’s heads, festival impressive in its beauty. Visitors to the Winter Festival must be sure to visit the Janosaki Bridge, where they can see a river of light borne from thousands of miniature kamakura, a striking image in the dark. Historically,
kamakura
were
practical dwelling structures, and in the festival logic this memory of communal purposes is transformed into a sacred act. Visitors who enter the kamakura are offered food or drink, and invited to sit and share with each other. The orange glow from within the kamakura is both invitation and promise: in this little godshouse, you are sustained, you are protected, You are Safe. The simple act of sharing and consuming between friends is here rendered as an act of praise to the spirits whose names are written between the glowing candles. Here, fire and light are here to offer us protection, to enshrine
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their bodies encircled by a twirling blaze of flame and smoke. For newcomers—and I speak from experience—the thought of swinging fire yourself can be a little daunting. As you approach the fire and hold the rope in your hands, its smoke stings your eyes and the heat becomes alarming. But as you begin to move your arms, hoping you haven’t made some grievous mistake, the fire that orbits you owns the moment, and offers it its glow. The fire roars in a cyclical rhythm, and casts light strangely as it passes your eyes, revealing the world and then hiding it in shadow. The heat and smoke are still present, but now they do not serve to repel. For most people the act of hiburi lasts only for a few seconds until the burning end is cast off onto the ground, blackened and broken into ash. But it is difficult to name these seconds as it is still alive around you.
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Sea of miniature kamakura in Yokote, Akita, Jessica Legham Scott
Alter in kamakura,Yokote, Akita, Ethan Ingram 72
Hiburi Kamakura is also an act of
and names, fire continues to enrapture us
ritual purification, the fire and smoke
as it has through all of history.
thought to keep away evil spirits and bad
luck. Parents will stand toddlers between
remember that fire brings us closer
their legs, or hold babies and small pets in
together.We gather around the open flame
one arm as they swing the flames around
to share stories, sing songs, prepare food,
them. Held near the start of the Lunar
and engage in those practices that truly
Year, the act of hiburi burns away the
make us human. Fire connects us to one
troubles of the past and offers protection
another, to the world around us, and to the
for the trials ahead, the smoke that clings
myriad forms of the divine. Thousands of
to your clothes an enduring reminder of
years before the first words were spoken,
this blessing.
our hominin ancestors brought fire into
These are but a few examples of a
the caves, the first home carved from a
tradition of celebrating fire that can be
chaotic and unformed world. Since the
found across Akita, across Japan, and
spark of that first flame, it has burned
across the world. But what is it that draws
alongside us in perpetuity. In its burning,
us to the flame? Is it the need to huddle
we are sustained not only by its warmth
up beside it, to take its warmth into our
but by myth and legend itself, a thousand
bodies and bask in its glow? Or is it
songs and stories casting shadows on the
fearful curiosity of its capacity to consume
walls.
and destroy, its never-ending hunger
rendering all to ash and smoke, and the
intangible and fleeting, yet we cannot deny
drive to control such awesome power?
the impressive reality of its heat and light.
Perhaps it is in its miracles of turning
And yet again, it is not substance at all. It
raw into cooked and softening metal, the
is process, a catalyzation of material and
means by which we build our societies.
energy exuding itself, revealing the inborn
Or maybe it’s the art of burning itself, the
principles of the universe. A mundane
longing to cast fire against the world or
miracle, a daily transubstantiation.
against ourselves, the opportunity to begin
sacred gift and divine wrath. It is the
anew from the ashes. In its many faces
gift of Prometheus, stolen from the gods
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But in the cold of winter, let us
What is fire? Myth and memory, it is
A
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and granted to shivering man; it is the
The shimmering light reflecting off the
incomprehensible form of God revealed
shellac on your uncle’s guitar as he starts
to Moses in the cave. Older than music,
to play again and you doze off in your
it is both the memory of the world told
father’s arms. A quiet, gentle moment
in a thousand tongues and the intimate
of friends around a campfire, shoulders
spark in our own mind, enduring long
touching
after we’ve closed our eyes.
towards the warming glow, the promise
Fire is that first fearsome burn
of comfort tempting us closer together.
from a frying pan, and the panic of oil
Each memory burns in our mind, some
gone too hot. It is one lit candle amongst
painful and some promising.
many, a bowed head and the whispered
names of saints on our lips. It is autumn
of gods atop Old Chokai. From their
drives through quiet villages, the hazy
formless thrones they keep watch upon
air thick with of the smell of burning
the Northern Kingdoms, as they have for
leaves, the fragrance somehow different
millennia. Turning their eyes northward,
from what I remember from home. It’s
they gaze upon a still and slumbering
roasted marshmallows, perfectly golden.
wilderness. In the dark forests the bears
and
hands
stretched
out
Imagine, if you will, the congregation
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are sleeping, as are the frogs in the mud and the dragons beneath the water. But
amidst this shadow is a light, and then another, and then a thousand more. Flickering lights between the trees and hills, their patterns as beautiful and laden with meaning as the cold stars above. What are their thoughts? Do they pity us, forced to steal our survival from the world around us? Are they grateful for our devotion, if not in faith then in our will to endure and to make the night our own? Perhaps upon seeing these fires, the gods themselves pray, hoping that they will be lit again the next night, and onwards into eternity. That as long as the snow falls, so too will we burn against the darkness.
...
**Photos used within article courtesy of Ethan Ingram and Irene Cao
75
That which
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burns, blesses, and thus we should long to be burned.
76
i W
Namahage Festival in Oga, Akita, Jessica Legham Scott 77
r e t n i
THE AKITAN
t s Fe
s l a v i
78
Namahage Festival in Oga, Akita, Amanda Keefauver
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Namahage Festival in Oga, Akita, Tresier Mihalik
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Namahage Festival in Oga, Akita, Irene Cao 81
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Hiburi Kamakura in Kakunodate, Akita, Irene Cao
Dainichido bugaku Kazuno, Akita Andrea Danko
85
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86
Godzilla kamakura in Yokote, Akita, Jessica Legham Scott 87
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88
Yokote Castle in Akita, Irene Cao 89
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Kamifusen Festival in Semboku, Akita, Ethan Ingram
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91Naked Festival in Kazuno, Akita, Andrea Danko
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Snow sculptures Innuko Festival Yuzawa, Akita Jessica Legham Scott
93
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Yosakoi Innuko Festival Yuzawa, Akita Tresier Mihalik
Poodle Innuko Festival Yuzawa, Akita Jessica Legham Scott
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Burning Darumas in Morioka, Iwate, Andrea Danko
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A Pow Seeker’s Guide to the Slopes KEI LAM
I consider myself an outdoorsy
I have been to on my ski trips, Hokkaido
adventurous kind of person. Wherever I
is hands down my favorite place, not just
find myself, I try to mix in some action
during winter but any season.
and adventure in my life, whether it be
in the company of others or by myself.
country; the powder here is so fresh and
One of the things I do every winter is to
soft. Although this winter has been a
hit up the different ski resorts in Japan.
bit sluggish, a great time to go would be
While most ALTs head home for winter
from late January to mid-February. If you
vacation or travel to warmer places, I grab
have any inkling of trying out a winter
my snowboard and skis and seek out fresh
sport, this country is a great place to do
powder. I have been to ones in Gunma,
it. The following are some of my personal
Niigata, Nagano, Hokkaido, Iwate, and, of
favorite ski resorts in Japan that I would
course, Akita. Out of all the prefectures
like to share with you.
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Japan is indeed a premium snow
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Ani Ski Resort, Akita
Ani Ski Resort is on Mt. Moriyoshi,
a trail leading off to the side that requires
one of the places in Japan famous for
you to wear snowshoes or backcountry
these snow-covered trees known as snow
skis to traverse. This trail provides off-
monsters. Ani is not a very big ski resort
piste skiers with untouched powder snow
nor does it have much variety in terms of
to play with. If this sounds amazing to
runs. Some on-piste skiers might even
you, I recommend you check this place
find it rather boring. However, off-piste
out.
skiers might find this resort to their
liking. At the top of the mountain (after
from Tazawako that everyone seems to go
a gondola ride and a short hike), there is
to. It is not as crowded and the powder is
I find this resort to be a nice change
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light and fluffy. The first time I was there,
the lift ticket, you will find the resident
I went up to the top of the mountain
Akita Inu, Hokuto. He lies in a room
and found myself alone with the snow
surrounded
monsters. It was so peaceful. I snapped
entrance. He sometimes can be seen out
some pictures of the snow monsters and
on walks, but most of the time he just lies
the view from atop the mountain with my
about. You can try to interact with him
iPhone but as I looked at the shots I took,
but he pays you little attention in return.
I felt the pictures did not do it any justice.
He is still quite adorable though and I
It was then I unstrapped my snowboard
stop by to greet and pet him whenever
bindings and simply enjoyed the moment.
I’m there.
by
windows
near
the
At the bottom where you purchased
Appi Kogen Ski Resort, Iwate
Appi is located in Iwate Prefecture,
and
half-pipes
for
freestyle
riding.
just about a three-hours drive from
Additionally, the resort offers wide open
Akita city. I think this resort is great for
piste, off piste, steep drops, mogul runs,
beginners and experienced skiers and
and long runs. The longest run is a green
boarders alike. There are rails, boxes,
one (access via gondola). It is about 5.5
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kilometers long (3.4 miles) and it is quite
THE AKITAN year will improve for those staying another
fun trying to bomb down it and/or doing
year and the new incoming ALTs. A great
tricks off the side banks. There are also
first-time experience of Appi would be on
a couple of restricted courses that only
the annual Appi ski trip held by Charity
allow skiers. I have come to this resort
Akita. I try not to miss it and recommend
every winter season for the past five years.
it to everyone. The place where we usually
The first four have been great but the last
stay, Appi Kogen Mutti, is great. Dinner
season was terrible. There was mostly ice
and breakfast are also terrific. You have a
on the slopes and it started raining on the
5-course meal for dinner and a western
second day. Hopefully the powder next
style breakfast the following day.
Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts, Nagano
Hakuba is not just one resort; it
Valley Lift Pass, as it grants you access to
incorporates 10 ski resorts, which are
all 10 resorts at a very reasonable price.
Happo-One, Hakuba 47, Goryu, Cortina,
The chart below will give you an idea of
Norikura,
the pricing:
Iwatake,
Tsugaike
Kogen,
Jigatake, Kashimayari, and Sanosaka. I recommend you purchase the multi-day
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Ticket 1 day ticket 2 day ticket 3 day ticket 4 day ticket
Adult
Child
¥6,101 ¥11,000 ¥16,300 ¥21,700
¥3,500 ¥6,101 ¥9,200 ¥12,101
Valid Period Valid on day of purchase Valid for 3 days from first use Valid for 5 days from first use Valid for 7 days from first use
Keep in mind that the price listed
many artificially constructed moguls. One
above reflects the cost of a lift pass during
of the intermediate runs has moguls most
the main season. It could be different
of the way down. They cannot be avoided
during the beginning and end of the
because they take up the entire stretch of
season, as snow quality is not as good.
the slope.The Sakka side is definitely more
While I have only been to three out of the
suitable for beginners and the Nakiyama
10 (Hakuba 47, Goryu, and Happo-One),
side for experienced skiers and boarders.
I still recommend this united ski resort.
Holders of the Valley Lift Pass can use the
I really enjoyed Hakuba 47 and Goryu.
inter-resort shuttle bus, which takes them
The two resorts are interconnected and
to the different resorts in Hakuba. If you
can be done in one day. Happo-One is
ever end up somewhere else too far on
the largest one but I personally do not
the mountain than when you started, you
like it. I find the Sakka side of the resort
can take the shuttle bus back.
enjoyable but the Nakiyama side has too
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Niseko United, Hokkaido rails and ramps, off-piste skiing, steep drops, and mellow slopes. It is impossible to do it all in one day, or even two. There are also a lot of international visitors in Niseko, so much so that it does not feel like Japan. The place is English friendly and has a ton of ski and snowboard instructors from different countries. I highly recommend this resort. That being said, I do not recommend you dine at any of the restaurants on the mountain; they are overpriced. Unless you are a big spender looking to dine on your meal with a view, I suggest you visit restaurants
Similar to Hakuba, Niseko is not just
one resort; it is comprised of four resorts on one mountain – Hanazono, Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village, and Annupuri. You can purchase a resort-specific lift pass but I highly recommend you purchase the All-Mountain Pass, which gives you access to all of the resorts. If you purchase it online at niseko.ne.jp, you can get a 1-day All Mountain Pass for 7,500 instead of 8,000 (you save about 7%). The resorts are interconnected, so you can very well start at one and end up at another. There is just so much variety here. They have
103
elsewhere near the resort.
A notable mention is Mt. Yotei, the
nearby active volcano known as the Fuji of
Hokkaido. Backcountry skiers have hiked
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to the top and skied down the crater. Do take caution, though, if you are interested in undertaking Mt. Yotei, as it requires skiers to be in tip-top condition, be able to ski any terrain, and be prepared for sudden change in weather condition.
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Rusutsu Ski Resort, Hokkaido Rusutsu is about a forty-minute drive from
space to practice your wide turns without
Niseko, so if you want to try a different
worrying about crashing into someone,
resort but remain in Niseko village, I highly
or having to wait in a long queue for the
recommend this one. I think this resort is
lift. One thing of note is that there is
great for beginners and experienced skiers
an amusement park situated next to the
and snowboarders. Some of the slopes are
slopes. It is not in operation during the
quite mellow but they are not boring by
winter season, so you are able to ski and
any extent. Both Niseko and Rusutsu are
snowboard right by it. Both are a powder
great for off-piste skiing. Niseko may have
paradise and you cannot lose with either
a larger terrain and vertical, but Rusutsu
one. Overall, Rusutsu is a fantastic resort
is not as crowded, giving you ample
for skiers and boarders of all levels.
...
**Photos courtesy of Kei Lam, Bryce Fowler, and Irene Cao
105
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106
樹氷
Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita, Irene Cao 107
S
Snow monsters
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108
Mt. Moriyoshi in Akita, Irene Cao 109
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110
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Ani Ski in Kitaakita, Akita, Tri Phan 112
Snowboarders at Ani Ski, Akita, Tri Phan 113
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It’s worth a try! BUTTERBUR BUD “Fuki no to” in Japanese Considered sansai 山菜 - mountain vegetables, you’ll see these little guys all over people’s gardens, in the forest, and even on the side of the street when the snow has melted, and early spring has arrived. The butterbur bud has an astringent taste to it when eaten raw. The bitterness can be removed by stirfrying with miso until it is paste-like in consistency, and simply eaten with rice. You can sometimes find this ready made in grocery stores. Another way to remove the bitterness is by deepfrying, tempura style. As it grows, it rises high above the ground and the stalks can be used in cooking too. This vegetable has been used to treat a host of pains like stomachaches, ulcers, and even migraines Play a little ‘I spy’ the next time you go out for a walk or shopping at the grocery store!
115 Butterbur buds, Irene Cao
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116
Butterbur tempura, Irene Cao
Itadakimasu!
117
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Crab cream pasta, Irene Cao
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Vietnamese sandwich (banh mi), Irene Cao 121
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Dalgona matchas, Irene Cao 124
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano, Irene Cao
125
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Snow monkeys in Nagano, Irene Cao 127
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Snow monkeys in Nagano, Irene Cao 129
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Snow monkeys in Nagano, Irene Cao
133
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I’ll grow as quickly as I can.
134
Film Review PETER BOND
お引越し (1993) SHINJI SOMAI Ren is moving, whether
1993’s お引越し (Moving)
she likes it or not. Her father
comes as a late career entry into
has left the house, the divorce
Shinji Soumai’s filmography.
papers are soon to be signed,
His films are difficult to track
and her mother is drafting
down and have not gained a
new rules for them to live
ton of notoriety in the west.
by. These realities settle in
However Soumai has a varied
throughout the film, some
and intriguing body of work.
far more painful than others.
Moving is a story of divorce,
Sometimes she keeps moving,
centering primarily on 5th
and other times she has to
grader Ren who confronts
lay down in the ashes of what
the challenges of divorce
she left behind. The pains of
through the film. Tomoko
growing up, and bearing the
Tabata anchors the movie with
weight of what she didn’t ask
her dynamic and effortless
for are only beginning to fall
performance as the 11 year
on her shoulders. Yet, she
old.
moves all the same. Walking,
Set
in
a
tranquil,
running and in the very end
domestic Kyoto, Ren is being
with a jovial stroll through
pulled by mother and father,
those in her life.
and between times in her life.
Caught between her parents, the movie
THE AKITAN move from childhood to adulthood, and
is firmly set behind Ren’s experience of
how those fires can be flamed by people
the separation. Her mother quickly lays
out of our control. There are embers and
out more and more expectations that
ashes left, but what went up in flames
Ren is to bear; grocery shopping, doing
cannot be had again. Ren’s childhood is a
the house’s laundry, and always making
finite thing, she may look back again, and
time for conversation. Through Ren, we
cry for what’s left behind but it will be
get glimpses of her mother and father,
washed away with time.
and of Ren herself. Her father drinks,
Moving is not always easy. The film
)
and seems to be detached from the first
portrays the grief, the frustration, and
o
frame. While her mother slowly detaches
the anger that comes when something is
.
more throughout the film. Her parents are
taken away. In the end, Ren congratulates
k
frustrated, and constantly disconnected
herself. Congratulations for moving on,
a
from Ren’s experience. They seem almost
growing up, and ultimately letting old
.
unable to interact with their daughter, only
times be washed away. Both heartbreaking
d
pursuing the idea of the young girl. What
and mature for her to move on, to have
.
results is a girl that is alone, unperceived,
strength, to acknowledge the grief. People
,
and trying to comfort herself. Hard
come and go, and change comes for Ren
enough for anybody, especially a child.
as well as the rest of us. She doesn’t stay
h
s
Near the end, Soumai enters a realm
a child, and she couldn’t if she tried. She
e
of abstraction and surrealism effortlessly.
fights it, and she certainly didn’t ask for
o
A previously quiet score comes to the
it but she moves on, and she tries to find
h
forefront, as he articulates Ren’s loss
new happiness.
s
and grief through beautiful flowing
r
camerawork. The loss from when we
,
g
おめでとうございます
...
,
.
136
Irene Interviews... a JTE
Sometimes we make life long friends with a coworker. Sometimes we see them
come and go, and never get to have a conversation with them.
Often times, we don’t get the chance to open up and talk with our colleagues at
work. Do you know what your deskmate’s favourite colour is? How about what your boss does in their free time? What if they play Animal Crossing when they get home?!
On the surface, we all have a persona that we portray depending on who we
interact with, and it can prevent us from opening up. If we took the time to get to know some people, you’d be surprised how many interesting things you can learn!
Unfortunately, many ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), and JTEs (Japanese
Teachers of English) don’t get the chance to know each other. Whether it be language barrier, shyness, a full schedule, or differences in attitude and opinions...we often forget that we are all human and there are many aspects to that person’s life that we can sometimes be blind to.
During the school closures in the month of March, I found that my JTEs had a
lot more time to talk to me. One of my JTEs sits next to me and we tend to talk about random things. Each day, I found myself more curious. So on a whim, I asked if I could interview her.
It gave me perspective on what the daily life of a teacher in Japan is like.
Furthermore, I learned that my JTE loves to cook and is great at making clay figurines!
137
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THE INTERVIEW Irene: How are you today?
students today’s schedule. Sometimes the schedule changes or there are important
JTE: I’m very sleepy! But, I’m ok.
things happening, so it’s important that teachers tell students. When students
Irene: What was the first thing you did
finish classes, I’ll check their diary and
today?
write comments. This year I don’t have club activities, but sometimes I’ll check
JTE: I checked the weather when I woke
out the club activities like the volleyball
up today and it was a little cloudy.
team since the other teacher in charge of it is busy. I’ll also print some handouts
Irene: It’s supposed to be sunny today, but
for the next class. I’ll prepare materials
it’s cloudy. Hope it doesn’t rain. So, could
for the next day too.
you tell us what your daily routine is on a weekday?
Irene: What time do students finish club activities?
JTE: First, I brush my teeth, take a shower, and eat breakfast. I leave home
JTE: Every day is different, but normally
at 6:50 AM. Then I start working at 7:10
around 6 or 6:30 PM. Teachers stay until
AM. I usually check my schedule first,
clubs are finished. Once a month, we have
then I check in with Kyoto-sensei and
to check the whole school after 7:30 PM.
prepare for the day’s lessons. At around
I will walk around the school and school
7:50 I’ll go to the classroom and meet
grounds and check the locks and windows,
the students in homeroom. I’m scared
or if something is broken or if strangers
of being late, so I come early. If students
are around. Each month, a teacher is
have any homework, I’ll ask them to hand
assigned to have this responsibility. So,
it in. At 8:15, the teacher’s meeting starts
on that day, we can’t go home earlier.
every morning. And from 8:25, I will go back to my homeroom and tell the
Irene: What time do you usually wake up/
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HE T M U M MAXI !!! E N O M R HO go to bed/ leave work? Irene: Onsen! I love onsen! What onsen JTE: I usually wake up at 5:30 AM and go
do you recommend?
to bed at around 11:00 PM. I usually leave work around 7PM.
JTE: Of course, Tsuru no Yu. It’s my favourite but it’s far from here. So recently,
Irene: What do you usually do on the
I’ve been going to Hana no Yu in Akita
weekends or when you have free time?
City. Recently, I’ve been doing BBQ in my garden. I smoke food and bake potatoes.
JTE: So many things, because I have many
I make stamps using erasers, too. And I
hobbies. Sometimes I go to live concerts.
make food samples with clay.
I really like rock concerts! My favourite band is Maximum the Hormone. I like
Irene: How many classes do you usually
going to the movies, onsen, and shopping
teach in a week?
too.
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JTE: I usually teach 17 English classes a
THE AKITAN and wanted to go to art school. But the
week. I also teach one Moral Education
examination was too difficult. It included
class, and one homeroom class. I also
Math, Social studies, Science, Japanese,
teach 2 Integrated Learning classes. It’s
and English. I’m not good at Math and
not a subject, but it’s a class very unique
Science, so I changed my goal. I decided
to Japanese schools. Students learn about
to study English since I like it, and then
the area they live in; like its history, about
decided to be an English teacher.
high schools in Akita City...many things. Irene: What is the most difficult or Irene: Oh, that’s interesting. I don’t think
challenging part of your job?
we have Intergrated Learning in Western countries. As a homeroom teacher, what
JTE: For me, only the club activities. I’m
are your responsibilities?
not in charge of the volleyball team, but I will help the teacher who is when he
JTE: If students have trouble, I will talk
is busy. It’s difficult because I’ve never
with them and try to solve the problem.
played volleyball, but I have to take care of
If I take care of them too much, it’s not
the volleyball or table tennis team. Many
good for students. Sometimes I will give
teachers are the same; they might not
them advice, but I have a very hands off-
have any experience with the sport, but
approach. Irene: How long have you been teaching for? JTE: I have been teaching for 19 years. Irene: Wow! What made you want to be an English teacher? JTE: I actually wanted to be an art teacher,
140
still need to take over that club activity. As
JTE: Us JTEs should control the class.
an English teacher though, I don’t think
My advice though, is to become a strict
there is anything too difficult. It’s a very
teacher and wait for them to stop talking.
exciting job and it suits me!
If they do very bad things, I will tell them it’s bad right away. At the beginning of
Irene: What do you love about being a
the year, we must make rules and repeat it
teacher?
strictly. Students have to learn these rules. When they misbehave, I stop teaching
JTE: I like when students achieve success
and I will talk to them.
and watching them be proud about it. When I see students grow up and become
Irene: How about slow learners?
a better person, I’m really happy. JTE: When they read, I write the Japanese Irene: This year, I had some trouble
script (katakana or hiragana) to help their
keeping difficult students under control
reading. I will make worksheets that are
in some of my classes. Could you give us
a little bit easier. I will put hints on the
ALTs some tips on how to handle difficult
top of the worksheet so they can see it
students?
and notice how to write. I’ll walk around the classroom to give them advice. I never
141
give them the answer, only hints. If they
THE AKITAN Irene: Wow that is amazing! You must
notice that, it’s a power for learning next
have worked really hard! When you were
time. If they get answers easily, they never
a student, did you have an ALT?
study again. JTE: Yes! In junior high school. I went to Irene: What was your first experience with
Onoba JHS and it was very big. The ALT
English or foreign cultures?
came to our school once a week, but I had lessons only once or twice a month. It was
JTE: It was in my English lesson when
very rare that I saw the ALT.
I was in junior high school. My teacher said “if you want to use English easily, you
Irene: When was the first time you worked
have to study English every day only for
with an ALT? Was it difficult? Fun? What
5 minutes”. It’s important, so I did it for
did you learn?
3 years. I memorized the whole textbook when I was in third grade. (New horizon
JTE: 19 years ago, it was very difficult
1-3).
because it was my first year to become a teacher. It was a very small school. There
142
were only 18 students in the whole school
can use many textbook sentences. If you
and there were 17 elementary students
think about some activities, please keep
in the same building. But I was the only
in mind what the students are learning
English teacher. No one told me how to
in the textbook. If you have time, you
teach English, how to make worksheets,
can come to the classroom to eat lunch
or how to work with an ALT. So it was
together with students. You don’t have to
very difficult. I learned that meeting with
do it every day, just sometimes. Please go
the ALT before lessons is very important.
out of the teacher’s room and talk with
If he/she can speak Japanese, I shouldn’t
students at lunch or break time, too.
talk in Japanese in the lesson. I also got
Cleaning time after school is a good time
many activity ideas.
to talk with students as well. Sometimes others teachers are very strict, so if you
Irene: How many ALTs have you worked
want to help, please talk to other teachers.
with so far?
This year you helped check student’s sentences, I really want to say thank you.
JTE: Around 20 ALTs.
So, if ALTs have time, please talk to JTEs about marking.
Irene: What do most JTEs expect from ALTs?
Irene: I think your English is really good! How long have you been studying it for?
JTE: I want ALTs to use the words in the textbook more. Use basic sentences that’s
JTE: About 10 years.
taught in the textbook because it’s a review. Japanese textbooks are very boring, but
Irene: Many of us want to learn a new
there are so many important words in
language like Japanese, but we have a lot
the textbook students have to learn. They
of trouble, or we are just too lazy! Could
forget everything by just reading it, so
you give us some tips/tricks on how you
if you use more textbook English, they
learned English? How do you motivate
can learn to use it in conversation. That’s
yourself to keep learning?
why I like using “criss cross” since we
143
THE AKITAN
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YOU CAN SMOKE MANY THINGS : TOFU, CHEESE, NUTS, SALT, SAUSAGES, AND MORE!
144
JTE: How about join some kind of group
something you would like to take from
to speak Japanese. For example like Taiko
their education system into Japanese
team or tea ceremony class. Or going to
schools?
the bar! JTE: Presentations, and show and tell. In Irene: Have you ever been abroad?
Japan we never do show and tell. In movies, only little kids do presentations. Japanese
JTE: Yes! America for 3 weeks for an ESL
people aren’t so good at presenting in
class when I was a university student.
front of many people. So it’s a good way
And twice to the UK. And a 2 day trip to
to practice speaking.
Canada (Victoria) by ferry. I took a ferry from Seattle to Victoria.
Irene: Last question…is about natto! I know you love natto. Many of us don’t like
Irene: If you had the chance to go to any
natto so what recipe do you recommend
country, which country would you want
that would make us like natto more?
to visit? JTE: I like natto chikuwa tempura. JTE: Germany, because there are many
Chikuwa is a kind of fish cake. Chikuwa
beautiful old buildings. The food looks
can be found in oden. Inside the hole, I
delicious too. So Germany, but I can’t
stuff it with natto and cheese, then I dip
speak German…
it in tempura batter.
Irene: Me neither, but Germany is also on
Irene: Oh, I think I’ll try that next time!
my bucket list.
Natto is so healthy for you, so I want to like it and eat it more often. Thank you so
Irene: Knowing what you know about
much for sharing and doing the interview
education in other countries, is there
with me!
END 145
THE AKITAN School has already begun, and you may find yourself lost in a sea of busy colleagues
at work. But when you can, take the time to strike up a conversation with the person next to you!
In a time where there is a fatal virus spreading across the globe, you may find it
difficult and contradictory to walk into work filled with many people. I’m sure your colleagues and students feel this too, even if they aren’t voicing it. You may be frustrated, anxious, and feeling homesick, but if you make at least one person smile a day with a bit of chitter chatter, then at least everyone can take their minds off of what’s happening to the world...just a little bit!
**Photos courtesy of JTE
...
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Nanataki Falls in Kosaka, Akita, Allyson Roberts 148
Gutters Full of Rain FELIX CLUTSON
An empty windowpane The edges of the city reduced to droplets The outside world become a hall of watermirrors And the trees across the road, nowt now but silhouette pixels There’s just no movement No signs of life The town asleep, or away Gone The only sound is the clatter of gutters Full of rain and gathering more Patters patterned rhythms in the misty morning milklight Time to leave the chair empty Fold up the crossword, put down your tea Clear the table and shrug on your coat Lift grey day blues in the shine of your key Now Turn the corner, look for the sunlight Trace the streets like the back of your hand Slanting shadows on a golden brick road Search the reflections Keep your heads Keep your heads
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THE AKITAN
150
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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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.
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Aisatsu
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u no. 3
154
the “conf
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fession”
156
an attempt
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t was made
158
the amer
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rican way
160
Instagram worth
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hy
162
e y b Good 163
r e t n i w
THE AKITAN
r...
Ani Ski in Kitaakita, Tri Phan 164
o l l e H
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p s
.
. . g n i r p
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Cherry blossoms , Irene Cao 166
the staff of the akitan would like to talented contributing wr
Most photographs are credited in pla Felix Clutson (images 15, 161) Tresier Mihalik (images 31,162) Allyson Roberts (images 31, 32, 39) Tri Phan (images 32, 35, 36) Irene Cao (images 32, 150, 161, 162, 167) Unknown (image 133)
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THE AKITAN
o extend our grattitude to our many riters and photographers .
ace, but we would also like to thank: Unknown (image 135) Unknown (image 139) Ethan Ingram (Image 161) Andrea Danko (Image 161, 162) Jessica Legham Scott (image 162)
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Thank you for reading
T H E A K I TA N
S E E YO U I N S P R I N G
