The Akitan Fall 2018

AKITA JET QUARTERLY

THE AKITAN

FALL ISSUE

12.20.18

THE AKITAN FA L L 2 0 1 8

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 photo by Shelby Stark

CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR .......... PAGE #3 BLOWING IN THE WIND .......... PAGE #7 RETURN TO OSAKI .......... PAGE #11 I’M (NOT) DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS .......... PAGE #17

FALL READS .......... PAGE #21 KEEPING UP WITH THE KOYO .......... PAGE #31 FALL RECIPES .......... PAGE #45 LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION .......... PAGE #56 HOME .......... PAGE #65 WINTER ESSENTIALS .......... PAGE #69 UPCOMING EVENTS .......... PAGE #75

MEET THE AKITAN STAFF pimms hubbell Director of Publications

Hey folks! I’m Pimms, and I’m in my 4th year in Akita. You’ll probably come to know me as the PA working at the Education center. I love eating food, going on cyling trips, visiting festivals, eating more food, and relaxing in onsen.

I hope you enjoy Akita as much as I do.

priscilla chong Editor & Creative Director

Hi everyone! I’m Priscilla, a 3rd year from Ugo Town. I lack self control and have a serious snack problem. Fun thing about living alone, no one will know if you eat a tub of ice cream in one night. I love food, coffee, skincare, and a good forest onsen.

reza danesh pajooh Editor of Book Reviews

I’m Reza Danesh-Pajooh, a fourth year living in Yokote. My hobbies are avoiding people, staying indoors, and making plans while secretly hoping that someone will cancel so I don’t have to go. Surprisingly, I’ve been told I’m a pleasant person.

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Fall colours at Mt. Kurikoma, Priscilla Chong

2

From the editor

Cold hands warm he The snow it falls a blinding white can’t see my car

I don’t remember where, but someone once told me that cold hands mean you have a warm heart. It m

a cliche line from a korean drama but its something that has stuck with me for a while now. Even tho are constantly cold during Akita’s winter, in my heart I have a great fondness for the snow. Don’t

fool you though, winter in Akita is a battle. I for one, will spend the next 3 months digging my car o of snow every morning (forever jealous of those of you with covered parking spaces).

It is at this time of year when we start becoming less willing to venture outside, less willing to leave t

our blankets or kotatsus. I get it, why drive for an hour to see a friend when you can just stay at hom netflix. You’ll see them next weekend, or the weekend after that… or maybe in spring. It can start

it soon starts to snowball into total seclusion and you’ll feel the effects of the winter blues. The signs

with accidental carb loading as if I were going into hibernation. The physical effect will often co

your body consuming more energy to stay warm you might slip into some bad eating habits. The men

creep on slowly. The sun rises later and sets earlier, and most of us are usually stuck indoors during s

Without us even noticing it, a significant drop in motivation and mood may occur. Less sunlight cau

our daily vitamin D intake, which is important for a balanced mental health. It only takes 20 minu

for your daily dose of vitamin D, so stand by a sunny window whenever you have a chance. Take care

your physical and mental health get the best of you. In this edition of The Akitan we revisit some of

scenery of fall, enjoy some poetry, guide you to the winter essentials, and provide a calendar of upcom Get reading!

Priscilla Chong, Editor and Cre

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eart

may have been

ough my hands let the beauty

out from 2 feet

the warmth of

me and watch out small, but

s for me begin

ome first, with

ntal strain will

sunlight hours.

uses a deficit in

utes of sunlight

e and don’t let

f the beautiful

ming festivals.

eative Director Aoni Onsen (Lamp no Yado) Aomori, Liam Fahy

4

Fall colours at Naruko (Miyagi), Priscilla Chong

Blowing in the Wind

Felix Clutson

Some days the words just flow Unfettered, uncaring Directionless, crackling Full of fear and flair and fire

Some days the rain hammers Our homes as anvils Our streets, raining blows Swung windward down to ground

Some days sit just staring into space Life rattling around the pipes Shaking windows, dizzying Sneaking, slinking, streaking Through the night

And the future slides into typhoons, heatwaves Knows not which way to juke and jink Potential path pieces scattered across The yellow brick road of Tuesday

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THE AKITAN And the weather swings for the fences Oblivious to the gathering dark Moonpull and tide turn, blazing Trail after trail, then wiping tracks clean

Some days the streets just clear A concrete red sea under dusky skies Imagination mozies, loitering on street corners Flicking cigarette butts into the drains of uncertainty

Then, in the oncoming dawn, silver And broken, he turns into the boulevard Wide, and sweeping, and the trails stretch And slide into the distance

Whispering, asking one by one To be the diamonds on the soles of shoes Whither wonders, and wanders off In search of nothing in particular in shortening shadows

A cup of tea sits on the table, solid, and peering Windowwards Waiting for a glimpse of sunlight

...

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Waterfall at Dakigaeri, Shelby Stark

return to osaki 

r e turn t o osak i em ily hatche tt Do

you have one experience that you

In 2012, Mami and Saki made the trip

can pinpoint that altered the rest of

from my hometown’s sister city, Osaki

your life?

Or maybe one that led you to

City, Miyagi. Never before had I met

Japan? In some cases, of course, not even

anyone that lived in another country,

hindsight could have predicted where

and now, here they were in my tiny town,

you’d ended up. Sometimes though, you

excited and ready to learn all about the

can look back and see exactly what led

US (though I’m not sure rural Georgia

you to where you are today, and I find it

was what they had in mind). They brought

exhilarating to relive that life-changing

us all sorts of trinkets and told us about

moment. Mine went a little like this:

their lives back in Japan. The more I learned, the more I wanted to visit their

One busy week night in high school, my

home, and a year later, I was boarding

mom asked my sister and I if we would

a plane to the other side of the world.

want to host two Japanese exchange students for a week. A little hesitant, and

I remember the moment we left for Japan,

a lot intrigued, we both agreed it would

the moment we arrived back home, and

be a cool experience and decided to act

everything in between. For someone with

as hosts for them in our community.

a fairly poor memory (It’s been five months

Little did I know, this one tiny “yes”

and I still don’t know my Japanese phone

would shape me for years to come.

number), it all remains crystal clear.

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I sang silly songs with a nursery school

I experienced them last week. And while

class and played my flute for the students.

these intimate cultural interactions were

I learned about the history of kokeshi and

amazing, the thing I remember most was

painted my own doll at a museum.

I tried on samurai gear and marveled at their intricate

how I felt while

“I also felt something I had never experienced while away from home before: peace�

swords at a visit to

I was there. Not only was I in awe of the cool things around me and experiences I was

a shrine. I rolled sushi with a master chef

having, but I also felt something I had never

and dined at the most delicious, authentic

experienced while away from home before:

restaurants in Osaki City. Each of these

peace. I never once felt uncomfortable

moments is burned into my memory as if

or like the outsider that I obviously was

Welcome back BBQ, Emily Hatchett

12

return to osaki 

in this town on the other side of the world; I felt the full love and respect of Japanese hospitality, and I loved every minute of it.

This

familial

welcome

and

excitement was what drew me to coming back to Japan again. Never before had I met more friendly or gracious people. They were so

in love with truly experiencing a place

eager to make me feel at home, fostered

and its culture. Before, I had been your

an

environment,

typical tourist, seeing only big cities

and truly showed my naïve self what

and major sites, but after Japan, I felt a

it meant to be a citizen of the world.

longing to understand and appreciate the

amazing

learning

subtle nuances that make a culture its own. I went to college a few years later and picked a major in the global studies department. I studied abroad twice.

Then, looking for something to do after graduation, I applied to numerous jobs abroad… all of which I can pinpoint as stemming from my experience in Japan.

Then, this past March, I sat in class on a late Tuesday night, halfheartedly participating While I’ve always loved to travel, my

in a class discussion. Just an hour away,

visit to Miyagi is the point where I fell

my family was sitting down at a banquet

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to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the

the message around the room and heard

Dublin-Osaki Sister City relationship. For

excited congratulations and cheering from

a host of reasons, it had been impossible

those I considered my Japanese family. I

for me to skip class that night, and I was

was going to be returning after years away,

I felt a longing to

and they were just as excited as I was.

understand and appreciate

Though I was only there a week on that

the subtle nuances that

first trip, the bonds I was able to form

make a culture its own

with my host family and others in the community were unbreakable, and five years later, I returned to Japan, about

bummed (putting it gently) that I couldn’t

as close to Osaki City as one can be in

make the celebration. About halfway

another prefecture. About two weeks

through the class, we were given a break,

into JET, I made it back to Osaki… little

during which I checked my phone to

did I know, the event I was invited to

find an email from the JET Programme. My heart was racing, and as I opened the message, I must have gasped because suddenly the whole class was staring at me. With a sheepish smile and shaky hands, I told my class—I was moving to Japan! After running outside, I called my mom to tell her the news. I listened through the phone she passed

14

return to osaki ďťż

was actually a welcome back BBQ for

had a lot of hesitation about leaving

me! All of the Osaki International Club

home straight from college and moving

(which was much larger than I expected)

to the opposite end of the earth (literally),

showed up to say hello and eat, despite

I remembered in those moments exactly

it being a gross rainy day. I got to catch

why I had chosen to come back to Japan.

up with Chikara, my host brother, who

This community had loved and embraced

was no longer a gangly thirteen-year-old

me once again, this time without any

but a young man preparing to graduate in

obligation, and I knew that I wanted to

April. There was no awkwardness and no

live, grow and learn alongside them.

shyness, only that same warm welcome I

Even after five years, it felt like I never

received so many years ago. After having

missed a day—I was finally back home.

...

15

Welcome back BBQ, Emily Hatchett

THE AKITAN

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Hokutolite bedrock “healing� tents at Tamagawa Onsen (Hachimantai), Priscilla Chong

i’ m ( not ) dreaming of a white christmas

I’M (NOT) DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS jacob fagan Growing

up

I’d

always wonder about

those movies where Santa gets in trouble is cancelled,

The average high for December in

expect that

Christchurch, my hometown, is 21 degrees

at the last minute some plucky youngen

C (69.8 F). 15 degrees (59 F) warmer than

saves the day with minutes to spare.

where I’m based, in Akita prefecture.

This is because I grew up in New

I have yet to have a Japanese Christmas

Zealand, a full day ahead of America.

or winter but I will share my thoughts

In the movie world I would be sitting

anyway.

and

Christmas

All this during the middle of summer.

in my house on Boxing Day (A day invented by Australians to help keep the

I was told that Japanese people eat KFC

kangaroo population down) wondering

for Christmas. I recently found out that it’s

why there had been no Christmas.

just a couples thing so I’m disappointed.

Although, it will be strange having hot

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food for dinner. Most of my Christmases

food. Putting aside the possibility of an

consisted of eating cold meats in the

Oriental influence, the food will more

garage with all my family.

than likely be hot. Hot because it’s so freaking cold. It doesn’t scream Christmas

More recently, we’ve eaten outside on

to me. I can do without the decorations, I

the lawn but the food hasn’t changed.

probably will survive without my family.

Ham, cold turkey and chicken (turkey’s

But not having the ‘right’ kind of food?

expensive, and there’s a lot of us), cold

Who knows.

potatoes, cold peas, and warm salads (it’s hot outside…). The next day we’d gather

At the end of the day Christmas is about

for leftovers. Dad would bbq some of the

more than all of those just things. There’re

ham and potatoes, maybe we’d get a new

lots of things that make Christmas

salad. We didn’t have a hot meal.

Christmas and food was the first thing to come to mind. Having a cold Christmas

I’m not sure what my plans are this

isn’t a foreign concept, I have, after all,

year,

with

watched American Christmas movies and

friends, I might just stay by myself.

tv specials. The cold doesn’t worry my

Beyond the normal not being round

either. Akita is colder than Christchurch

my family the thing that I think will be

but it’s drier. It’s the food I’m not sure on

oddest about Christmas this year is the

yet.

I

might

do

something

...

18

Fall colours at Mt. Kurikoma, Priscilla Chong

fall reads 

fall reads reza danesh-pajooh

Kitchen

accepts the invite and finds herself

Banana Yoshimoto

entangled in the lives of Yuichi and his transgender mother, two social misfits

While I realize that I’m not breaking any

that share an almost palpable bond that

new ground by reviewing what is arguably

Mikage has found lacking in her own

Banana Yoshimoto’s most popular novella,

life. Lovingly embraced by her hosts and

I find that winter is the best time to read or

smitten with their kitchen, Mikage comes

reread this charming yet profound story.

to an agreement with the quirky family to live with them until she can get back

On the heels of her grandmother’s

on her feet. What follows is a story that is

death, the protagonist Mikage finds

packed with emotion and depth, in spite

herself alone in the world with no

of its meager 100-something page count.

remaining family members to speak of. She derives solace mainly from her

kitchen, the only place where she can put

of the human experience filled with

aside her woes until Yuichi, a young man

meetings and partings, love and loss, the

who works in the flower shop that her

quest for belonging and purpose, and

grandmother often frequented, invites

the overarching theme that everyone has

her to eat dinner at his apartment. Mikage

a place and everything, a reason. She

21

Yoshimoto

conveys

a

snapshot

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weaves in the idea that there is a meaning

for all the hurt that life can throw at

to Banana Yoshimoto, and the copy that

us, that our suffering yields a greater

I have, wonderfully translated by Megan

reward. But unlike most justifications

Backus is an inconspicuous book that

for self-flaggelation or endurance of the

would take even the most reluctant reader

unbearable, “Kitchen” reveals that the

no more than a couple of hours to complete.

reward is not something based in the

supernatural, but rather, the mundane,

kotatsu after a brutal day of shoveling

and is priceless for that very reason.

snow, this book is able to heal your soul.

My Rating: ★

Yoshimoto tells us that everyone

“Kitchen” is a very easy introduction

Like drinking hot cocoa under a

★★★

needs their own kitchen. Whether the “kitchen” is an actual physical place, an idea, or another person, the specifics don’t matter. What matters is that everyone has somewhere to come home to and

The Capricious Robot

be vulnerable in. Above all else, that

Shinichi Hoshi

is why I think this book is such a great read as the holidays come closer and

“The Capricious Robot” is not a

another winter settles in on Akita. Even

well-known book outside of Japan. I was

thousands of kilometers away from your

only made aware of it after quizzing one

families or loved ones back home, the

of my Japanese co-workers on famous

fact that they exist, somewhere, waiting

novels by domestic authors, and even

for you, should be something to take

then, apart from the title, I don’t think

comfort in on even the coldest of nights.

the book has left too much of a mark on the Japanese public consciousness. Less

22

fall reads 

a story and more a series of parables and

that the scientist in front of him was

dad jokes, “The Capricious Robot” is a

the very same child who had bullied

book that I would normally have written

him in elementary school. Most of the

off, if not for the saving grace of a couple

stories tread the line between humorous

of its surprisingly profound anecdotes.

account and Aesopian fable. Sometimes there are lessons to be learned and other

More than anything else, Hoshi’s

times the situation is too ridiculous

work reads like a joke book focused on

to even try and spin a moral out of.

taking future technological advancements to their natural conclusion. Super short

stories, two to four pages long, detail

in the 60s, there are quite a few anti-war

different

involving

short stories that stick out, mainly because

researchers and their latest inventions.

they either lack humor entirely, or pivot

One, for example, is about a scientist who

around a cynical irony that wouldn’t be

develops a pill that helps people recall

out of place in a modern opinion piece on

memories with perfect accuracy. In order

society. But, ultimately, the juxtaposition

to market the pills, the scientist first needs

between humor and helplessness at the

to look for a sponsor to assist with the front-

human condition does not have a sense

end costs of production and distribution.

of flow. The book details an allegory

After having a possible sponsor try out

about

the recollection medicine, the sponsor

towards weaponry ultimately annihilates

attests to the potency of his product, but

all other paths of advancement, preceded

informs the scientist that he will not work

by a story where the punchline is that

together with him on any grounds. When

a scientist developed edible furniture.

scenarios

usually

the scientist asks why, the sponsor reveals that thanks to the drug, he remembered

23

Given that the book was written

how

human

progress

geared

THE AKITAN

On top of that, the translation done

by Robert Matthew is incredibly stiff and stilted. Perhaps attempting to capture the formality of standard Japanese, Matthew instead presents a world in which even the humans talk and behave like robots.

It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read, but certainly nowhere near the best. “The Capricious Robot” did not blow me out of the water or excite me in any significant way,

Have any ideas for great books to

but it was a fun, quick, read while it lasted.

reccommend to your fellow JETs?

My Rating: ★

★

Send your suggestions to Reza at

akitajoho@gmail.com!

Please

include a short review, a favorite passage or quote, and why you think it’s the perfect read!

...

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fall reads 

anticipated books for 2019 reza danesh - pajooh

Before 2018 started, I set a goal for myself

fellow ex-pats here in Akita! Below is my

to read 100 books by the end of the year.

personal reading list for the next year:

I failed that. Miserably. But looking back on my reading list for 2018, I found that I

“Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of

spent most of my time focused on bridging

Human Societies” by Jared Diamond

the gaps in my knowledge of Japanese authors. Trying to mix contemporary

“The Empathic Civilization: The Race

with traditional, I found myself reading a

to Global Consciousness in a World in

bunch of stories that I came to love, as

Crisis” by Jeremy Rifkin

well as others that I almost regret buying.

Throughout it all, I remained firmly ensconced within the realm of fiction, and upon realizing this, I decided that I would like to break out of this proclivity in 2019.

My goal for the next year is to read a

larger variety of genres and authors, and try to broaden my literary palette. I invite

These two books are completely outside

you all to do the same, and as always,

of my usual genre but somehow are

feel free to submit a review of any books

among my most anticipated reads. “Guns,

that you found particularly appealing

Germs, and Steel” was recommended to

and want to share with the rest of your

me by Japanese tutor as an interesting

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“The Accusation: Forbidden Stories from Inside North Korea” by Bandi (translated by Deborah Smith) “We Heard the Heavens Then” is a memoir written by Aria Minu-Sepehr study of how societies grew across the world since the Ice Age and the factors leading to Western civilization becoming hegemonic in the modern day. “The Empathic

Civilization”

was

actually

recommended to me years back but only recently have I found the will to attempt to read it. The main crux of the work lies on Rifkin’s appeal for a new, empathic, mode of consciousness that will replace the faith-based, or rational modes that have been heavily used until now and are

about his time in Iran in the transitionary period from pre to post-revolutionary Iran. Admittedly the contents of this book might not be of interest to many non-Iranians, but as I had read a memoir on my Cuban heritage, I feel that it’s only fair to read one about my Iranian half as well. “The Accusation” on the other hand is a book that I think appeals to anyone who has ever found themselves wondering about North Korea and what it’s really like on the other side. The

becoming obsolete in a rapidly globalizing world. Both books are hefty, weighing in at over 500 pages each. Perfect for a long winter vacation.

“We Heard the Heavens Then: A Memoir of Iran” by Aria Minu-Sepehr

26

author, Bandi, is actually still living in the DPRK and smuggled these stories out of the country to be translated and read. As someone who has always had an interest in the voice of the people of North Korea, unshrouded by propaganda, this book is near the top of my list.

The reviews written about them that I’ve “Among Strange Victims” by Daniel

read refuse to elaborate more than the fact

Saldaña París (translated by Christina

that they are both surreal romps, loosely

MacSweeney)

tethered to reality, yet contain a vitality to them that leaves the reader stunned.

“The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy

The main draw for “Among Strange

Day in May” by Mark Z. Danielewski

Victims” to me, however, is my fondness for Magic Realism that’s present in a lot of Central and South American novels.

Daniel Saldaña París is from Mexico City, so I’m curious to see what kind of story lays inside this acclaimed book of his. The Familiar on the other hand is a monster of a book, weighing in at almost 900 pages. It’s also only the first installment of a planned 27 novel series, of which only 5

I’m going to be honest when I say I’m not entirely sure what these novels are about.

27

have been published so far.

THE AKITAN

“Cane” by Jean Toomer “Native Son” by Richard Wright Like I mentioned earlier, I came to realize that my literary knowledge has far too many holes in it. I spent most of 2018 focusing on Japanese authors, but in 2019

poverty in inner cities and the black experience in America.

Other books on my radar: “Losing Kei” by Suzanne Kamata “Tehran Noir” by Salar Abdoh “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

I want to also focus on African American literature, especially from around the period of the Harlem Renaissance. Two books that stood out to me were “Cane” and “Native Son.” The former giving snapshots of American life stretching

“The Lake” by Banana Yoshimoto “The Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka “Death of a Salaryman” by Fiona Campbell “Nakamura Reality” by Alex Austin “Salmonella Men on Planet Porno” by Yasutaka Tsutsui

from the rural south all the way to the asphalt covered north, while the latter is set in Chicago in the 1930s, focusing on

...

28

Fall colours at Mt. Kurikoma, Priscilla Chong

keeping up w

Rice fields in fall are a beautiful sight in Japan. It’s no won

named after them after all. There are a few specific times wh

sakura season when the petals are falling, the rustic takeove

if in slow motion. My favorite time in fall is much harder to

pleasure, it requires a moment of luck. It’s as simple as rice fie

the wind creating rolling waves across a golden ocean. If you

This year we were lucky enough to have a slower change in s

red, orange, and yellow colour the mountains. Revisit som

View from Mato Park (Yokote), Shelby Stark

THE AKITAN

ith the koyo

nder that Akita has some of the best views on offer, we are

here nature in Japan truly takes your breath away. The end of

er of nature in summer, and the snow falling by a window as

o come by, it cannot be orchestrated or casually seen at your

elds on a windy day. Rice fields basking in the afternoon sun,

u didn’t manage to catch it this fall, there is always next year.

seasons, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the gradual creep of

me of the sights with Akita newcomers Shelby and Zach.

32

keeping up with the koyo 

33

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Mato Park Shelby: Since I am from Florida, I never

Zach: The views here are just so

got to experience a “real” Autumn. Seeing

beautiful and surreal.

the leaves turn to orange, yellow, and red is quite magical. I often found myself going for spontaneous walks with my camera just to take pictures of the leaves. I think Autumn might be my new favorite season.

Located in Masuda, Yokote; Mato Park is a beautiful place to walk, picnic, and take in the views. Go during spring, the sakura are a sight to behold.

Address: 〒019-0701 Akita-ken, Yokote-shi, Masuda, Masato Yamashita

34

Oyasukyo Daifunto (Yuzawa), Zach Beasy

keeping up with the koyo ďťż

Oyasukyo Daifunto Shelby: Walking through Daifunto was

Zach: Daifunto was amazing. I felt like I

an incredible experience. It was a cold day

was in a dream while walking through it.

when I went, so the volcanic steam was enjoyable. Not to mention the beautiful waterfall at the end of the little walk.

Nestled up in the mountains in southern Yuzawa about a 40 minutes drive from city hall; Oyasukyo Daifunto is a steaming ravine at a output temperature of 98 degrees. It provides the source water for the onsen dotted up the street. Try Abe Ryokan or Tarobee Ryokan!

Address: 〒012-0183 Akita-ken, Yuzawa-shi, Minase, Yumoto-5-1

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THE AKITAN

38

Fall colours at Dakigaeri (Senboku), Shelby Stark

keeping up with the koyo 

Not far from Kakunodate lies this peaceful gem; Dakigaeri Gorge is easily accessible

buses are offered from Kakunodate). Follow the narrow path along the side of the g

bridges until you reach “mikaeri” waterfall, named after its beauty that makes vis Address:〒014-1113 Akita-ken, Senboku-shi, Tazawako Sotsuda

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Dakigaeri Gorge

Shelby: The fall foliage on this trip was breathtaking. The walk along the hiking path offered a lot to look at, including mountains, a lustrous blue river, and tunnels you can pass through. The gorgeous waterfall at the end of the hike makes it all worth it.

Zach: Dakigari Gorge has a lot to offer.

The scenery is amazing and it’s a nice walk through nature to get to an awesome waterfall.

...

e by car (during fall season shuttle

gorge through the cliff-side and over

sitors look back again and again.

42

Tuna carving at Oyasukyo (Yuzawa), Priscilla Chong

FALL RECIPES

priscilla chong & guests

THE AKITAN

Fall is the havest season, and so harvest we shall! No doubt many of you (like myself) participated in the harvesting of rice and vegetables at elementary school back in September and October. It is the time for nabe parties なべっこ and the Akita staples of Taro soup 芋の子汁 and kiritampo. As delicious as all those are, try out some tried and tested recipes provided by our lovely readers. With the snow falling outside there is no better time to get experimenting in the kichen.

Tuna Poke Bowl On a stroke of chance during one of my regular onsen trips to Oyasukyo we were lucky enough to watch a tuna carving performance. Why was there a tuna show way up in the mountains and nowhere near the ocean? No idea.

Serves: 2 Time: 10 minutes What you’ll need:

Slice tuna into 2 cm cubes

fresh block of raw tuna

Sprinkle with salt, green onion, and sesa-

thin green onion (thinly sliced)

me oil

pinch of sea salt

Mix ginger, garlic, sirracha, and soy sauce

2 tbsp soy sauce

in a small bowl

2 tsp sesame oil

Drizzle on tuna mix until seasoned (to

1 tsp chopped garlic

taste)

1 tsp grated ginger

Serve on a bowl of freshly cooked rice

1 tsp sirracha

46

fall recipes 

Grandma’s Banana Bread Passed down within the family, grandmother Edith Smyth ‘s banana bread has made it to Japan. It can be made with ingredients found at a local supermarket.

Makes: 1 loaf Time: 80 minutes What you’ll need:

Hand mix in order given, until just

1 cup sugar

blended.

½ cup crisco (you can alternately use

Pour into two bread loaf pans (“L size”

½ cup butter, or 115g, mostly melted)

Daiso aluminium pan)

2 eggs, slightly beaten

Bake for 1 hour at 325ºF (~170ºC)*, or

3 ripe bananas, mashed (you want

until firm/crusty on top.

these bananas to be as black as pos-

Serve warm with butter.

sible; I usually make it with bananas that are almost mouldy. Peel them

*If you are using a microwave oven, it

and mash them into paste with a fork

might cook a little faster. I’d recommend

before adding to the mix)

checking it every 5-7 minutes or so after

2 ½ cups flour

a half hour.

1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder Optional: 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ cup chopped walnuts

amanda rider

47

THE AKITAN

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Time: 5 minutes What you’ll need:

Mix all spices in a bowl

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Store in a sealed container

1 tsp ground nutmeg

Use in a variety of recipes such as

1 tsp ground ginger

pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin

3/4 tsp ground cloves

scones (p. 50)

3/4 tsp ground all spice

48

fall recipes 

Whiskey Hot Chocolate Serves: 1 Time: 5 minutes

Heat the milk to drinking temperature (be careful not to burn the milk)

What you’ll need: 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp white sugar

Stir in the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt Slowly add the whiskey to your taste

(OR 1 tsp demerara sugar) 300ml whole milk Pinch of salt

Option: if you cannot be bothered

Whiskey (to taste)

with measurements then 1 sachet of Swiss Miss hot chocolate powder can substitute

Irish or Japanese whiskey is recommended. Scotch tend to have a strong peaty flavour which won’t compliment the sweetness of the chocolate

liam fahy

49

THE AKITAN

Warm Apple Crisp Serves: 8

Heat oven to 375ºF (190ºC)

Time: 50 minutes

(greasing the pan is optional)

What you’ll need:

Toss apples in a bowl with a sprinkle of

4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

cinnamon. Place into the pan. (If you’re

1 cup of sugar (white or raw)

using the Apple Sauce, coat the tops of

1/2 cup of flour

the apples in the pan with the sauce)

1 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 teaspoon of nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl

1 cup of oats

using a beater or your hands. Mix (knead)

1 cup of brown sugar

well until all ingredients combine. Crum-

1 stick of butter

ble and sprinkle the topping evenly on the apples.

My Secret Ingredient: 1 Cup Apple Sauce

Bake for 30-40 minutes until rich, golden brown and until the apples are tender.

Poke with a fork to check for consistency.

Serve warm from the oven with Vanilla Ice cream.

cristina rose decamargo

50

fall recipes 

Pumpkin Spice Scones (english style) Makes: 9 large

Preheat oven to 180ºC (390ºF)

Time: 30 minutes

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin spice into a bowl

What you’ll need:

Grate the butter into the flour mix

2 cups flour

Whisk egg and milk in a small bowl (set

4 tsp baking powder

aside 2 tbsp for egg wash)

1/2 tsp salt

Gently cut the wet ingredients into the

1/4 cup sugar

dry with a knife

60g cold butter

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and-

1/3 cup whole milk

lightly knead (don’t knead too much the

1 large egg

mixture should be sticky)

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Flatten the dough to about 3cm and cut

2 tsp pumpkin spice (see p. 47)

into 9 circles Brush tops with egg wash Bake for about 15 minutes

51

THE AKITAN

Spicy Miso Ramen Serves: 2

Cut the green end off the leek and slice at

Time: 35 minutes

an angle (thick slices)

What you’ll need:

In a large saucepan heat the sesame oil Add the ingredients from [A] to the

A

saucepan 100g pork mince

Sautee until the pork is browned

1/2 tbsp sesame oil 1cm grated ginger

Pour the water into the saucepan

1cm grated garlic

Add remaining ingredients from [B] to

3.5 tbsp Miso paste

the pan and stir well

1 tsp doubanjang 1 leek

Bring the soup to boil then reduce the heat to a low simmer for 10 minutes

B 700ml water

Cook ramen noodles according to the

1 tbsp chicken stock

packet

1 tbsp mentsuyu (3x concentrate) 1/2 tsp salt

Serve with sesame seeds and pepper

2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp chili oil sesame seeds (to serve) pepper (to taste) ramen noodles

...

liam fahy

52

Oyasukyo Daifunto (Yuzawa), Shelby Stark

55

Fall colours at Mt. Kurikoma, Priscilla Chong

THE AKITAN

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Andrea Danko

Beautiful locations, kind people, deep theme, just very shortly about the movie “Day and night”

A man whose family was killed. A man

as justice becomes defined through the

who commits crimes for his family. A

eyes of each character.

lonely girl who does not know

her family.

The movie Day and Night ( デ イ ア ンド ナ イト ) explores

themes

“What would you do if your family was killed?”

of

The shooting of the movie “Day and night” took

place

prefecture November

in Akita between 3rd

to

human ‘good and evil’ under the setting

28th 2017; mainly in Akita city, Kazuno

of familial loss, revenge, and justice. Two

city, and Mitane town. I have lived in

sides of the same coin are brought to light

Kazuno city since August 2018 and have

56

lights , camera, action 

been following the development of the

on August 20th, the day of Kazuno’s

project since arriving here. I have visited

“Hanawa

some of the shooting locations already,

director, the producer and the main actor.

bayashi”

festival

with

the

and can’t wait to see the movie itself.

Along with director Michihito Fujii,

One

week

producer Takayuki Yamada, lead actor

release of the movie on January 26th

Shinnosuke Abe, and the whole staff,

2019, the very first screening will be

many local people participated in the

held in Kazuno city’s Culture hall

shooting or supported the movie in many

Comosse from January 19th to 25th 2019.

ways. There was a talk event organized

(above and opposite page) Talk event in Kazuno, Andrea Danko

57

before

the

nationwide

THE AKITAN

Besides watching the movie, shooting

in one of the shooting location tours.

location tours will be organized in March, more precisely on the 9th-10th

It

and

not

participate in the shooting in some

only visit 6 shooting sites in Kazuno

way, but it is also fun to see the count

and Mitane, but can taste the original

down until January

“Day

how

16th-17th. Participants

and

night� curry

will

and

spend

the night at an onsen hotel in Oyu.

would

have

been

enthusiastic

local

interesting

to

19th and see people

are

about preparing for the big event.

If you always wanted to know where good and bad comes from, what does justice mean, or ever thought about what you would do if your family got

...

killed, watch the movie or take part

58

lights , camera, action ďťż

Check out some of the shooting locations around Akita prefecture on the map below.

These include the wind farm on the coast in Mitane, a church in Kazuno, and Akita city port. Our every day scenery has become the backdrop to someones vision for a movie.

59

THE AKITAN

For more information you can read about the filming experience, check out production photos, read the full interview, and learn about the producer, director and staff involed on the Day and Night website.

https://day-and-night-movie.com/

60

61

THE AKITAN

Watch the trailer for Day and Night above

An excert from an interview with director Fujii and producer Yamada commenting on the experience working in Akita prefecture.

地元の人々の協力で現場が動いた 藤井： 秋田県での撮影は11月だったのですが、例年より寒い時期にぶつかってしまって。 This [movie] was filmed in Akita in November, but we’ve entered into a chill even colder than we have experienced in previous years. 山田： この時期は雪が降らないと言われていたのに、 どわっと降ってきて。 みんなで雪か きをしまくった。 During this time, even though snow hasn’t fallen, it rained very hard. It felt as if the snow was coming soon. 藤井： 山田さんが率先してやるので、休んでいるスタッフも休めないという…。 Yamada-san took the initiative, and the staff that took a break and didn’t, well... 山田： 現場に入ると、案外することがないんですよ。 When we entered the filming location, it was, well, unexpected.

62

lights , camera, action 

阿部：

地元の方々にとっては、映画の現場自体が珍しいだけではなくて、 ２〜３分のシー ンを撮るのにも時間がかかるということが新鮮だったようでしたね。 みなさんにも 僕らの熱が伝わっていると感じました。 According to the locals, using this location [Kazuno] to film a movie was not only rare from the start, but it took so much time to film a 2-3 minute scene, it seemed “fresh”. Not only the other crewmembers, but also I myself felt that the passion was effectively conveyed.

山田： １ヶ月の間、 ３つの町で撮影したけど、 それぞれの町で自然と実行委員会や炊き 出し隊ができたんです。 それで有り難いことに毎回、炊きたての＜あきたこまち＞ が出てくる。 こんな贅沢な現場は、今まで経験したことがないです。 After one month had passed, while we were filming in three separate towns, we were able to discover so much nature in these towns, and we were able to aid the executive committee in the emergency rice distribution. Every time, we used freshly cooked “Akita Komachi”. I (We) haven’t been able to experience such a luxurious location such as this until now.

63

Hanawa Bayashi museum (left); Talk event in Kazuno (right), Andrea Danko

THE AKITAN

Lake Towada, Priscilla Chong

64

home anonymous

As I looked out the airplane window, all

watched as towering trees with bare trunks

I saw was lush trees with sparkling green

and muted browns blasted past us, and

leaves and an occasional river peeking

the foliage, denser than I had ever seen

through coverage, rolling its way down

before, rhythmically swayed in the gentle

the mountain side. I remember staring

April wind. Snow was sprinkled in the

at the view in front of me, never having

edges of the shadows; the chill of a long

seen so much nature before, let alone

winter still clinging to life that spring day.

so many variances of a singular color. I

It was all so foreign, and yet so familiar.

was mesmerized and enchanted by the beauty of the landscape below. The light

I had visited forests before in my

that lifted from the water of the streams

home state. I had visited nature parks

and rivers, chasing their own way into my

in Europe on vacation. Yet, I had

memory, was a sight I will never forget.

never seen anything like this before.

As I rode on a bus from the airport to the

It was an odd sensation that I had felt

college campus, I barely listened to the

looking out at all the nature before

speech being given by my tour guide. I

me. It was a warmth that settled deep

65

THE AKITAN

into my very being and made me

the airport to my new home, but she didn’t

feel more at peace than I ever had.

seem to understand why I was so infatuated colors of the trees, the leaves, the grass, the

Returning back to America, a brief

vines, the everything, that sparkled just

four

beyond the window like a sea of emeralds.

I

months

would

forever

encapsulated singular

later, in

I

realized

chase

the

that

sensation

of

that

feeling

moment. The being

home.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” I would inquire, my eyes remaining fixated on the trees so different from the maples and oaks of

Returning to Akita, just over two years

America, failing to be able to articulate

later, was a dream come true. I was back

just how magical it all was to me.

on an airplane, looking out at the very greenery that had welcomed me all those

She

would

many months ago. I felt my heart lighten

agreeing

at the view, finally releasing struggles

The whirlwind of my future here buzzed

nor

politely

hum,

disagreeing

neither

with

me.

endured in the final moments before departing, and my mind begin to release its hold on the thoughts of self-doubt that had plagued me for just as long.

Warmth finally returned to me, just as I had returned to the green.

I tried to make small talk with my supervisor on the drive from

Oyasukyo Gorge (Yuzawa), Priscilla Chong

66

home ďťż

around my head, filled with possibilities

Isabella Bird, traveling through Japan

of places to revisit and adventures yet to

and southern Akita in the late 1800s.

be had. I wrote lists of places I wanted to see again, places I hadn’t had a chance

I looked back at photos and websites,

to see before, and places I wanted

lost in not only the nostalgia emitting

to experience in different seasons.

from

my

the

excitement

I picked up books that had been long

memories, in

but

also

in

rediscovering

the mysteries and beauty of Akita.

forgotten in the last year. I reread the story of the Akita dog, saved post-World

I walked along growing rice fields, the

War II by group of loyal dog breeders. I

hue so different from the mountains in

revisited and relived the stories of Lady

the distance, yet the color spectrum the

Oyasukyo Gorge (Yuzawa), Priscilla Chong

67

THE AKITAN

same. The rustle of the budding plants, a

worried mind, easing me back into a

soft symphony dancing across the wind,

gentle reflection that soothed worries

reminded me to pull away from the

unknowingly weighing heavy on my mind.

hustle and bustle of daily life and listen.

I felt a softness enter into my mind I walked wooden trails once again,

and soul, something long lost to the

different and yet so similar to the ones

whirlwind of my past two years. In

I had explored years before, the sounds

the moments spent amongst the ever-

of the city and cars fading into the

changing, yet ever-present, nature of

distance and allowing me the chance to

Akita, peace was able to finally lay a

fall deep into a warm, welcoming silence.

permanent hold on me. The kind of

The trees embraced my cluttered and

peace that only comes from being home.

...

68

winter essentials 

winter essentials priscilla chong

In case you haven’t been paying attention, winter is already here. That means hopefully you are already prepped and ready for snow conditions, but just in case you aren’t sure have a quick look through this guide.

FOR T H E CA R You need to keep a t the bare minimum a snow brush and shovel in your car at all times.

Make sure your brush has a de-icer side to it, otherwise you’ll need that too. Change your windshield wiper fluid to one designed for low temperatures, and keep it topped up. If you live in a particularly icy area I advise you to get a de-icer spray to help speed up the clean up in the morning.

A couple of personal recommendations are to keep a blanket, spare socks, and some basic first aid in the car, accidents happen easily on icy roads.

69

THE AKITAN

FOR YOU A N D YOU R HOM E As you may have noticed, Japanese housing has terrible insulation. It is up to you to winter proof your home, or stock up on some snuggly warm goods to survive the winter. For starters, get some winter bedding. There is an assortment of warm, fluffy mattress covers, fitted sheets, duvet covers, and blankets designed to trap in heat.

They

can

be

found at affordable prices at stores like Nitori.

Electric blankets are a great investment, especially for those of you not fond of using a kerosene heater and need an extra oomph of warmth. Buy some thermal under shirts and pants, heattech by UNIQLO is an affordable and light-weight range. They are designed to be fitted and reduce the cold from reaching your skin through the fabric. Merino wool is also an amazing thermal fabric, but much more expensive. Get a humidifier! The air in winter is very dry, this is terrible for your skin. Other items include a hot water bottle (or heated beanbag) to warm up your bed if you don’t have an electric blanket. Odor absorbing beads so you don’t get a funky “I’m a shutin” smell in your room. Cold and flu medication (be ready before you get sick). Lastly a snuggie and fuzzy slippers because it’s winter and you deserve to feel like you’re wearing a hug.

70

winter essentials 

FOR W H E N YOU N E E D A L I TT L E BI T MOR E Now that we have covered the basics here are a few other things to help you get through winter. Pocket warmers, these are sold everywhere and are great when you are spending a long time outside in the snow (think festivals). They come in regular hand pocket sizes, but also try the ones to put in your shoes. Heated patches and eye masks, I love these! After using a computer for a long time try a Megu Rythm disposable eye mask, they come in aromatherapy scenets such as lavender and rose and are a nice way to refresh yourself. Heated stick on patches are also a great fix to help you go to sleep, or to relax a stiff neck you get from cold wind during the night.

STAY WA R M T HE JA PA NESE WAY Take a bath using bath salts designed to help your body retain heat. Go to an onsen. Use a lap blanket at work (great for when you have long assembly in a cold gymnasium). Eat warming food such as soup, nabe, simmered dishes and slow burning carbohydrates such as sweet potato and pumpkin. Stay hydrated with warm water. Get enough sleep.

Consuming the ‘right’ food, sleeping well, and staying active are key to regulating body temperature as well as fighting off cold and infections. Wear clothes in layers so you can adjust to varying temeperatures between indoor and outdoors.

71

THE AKITAN

A BR E A K DOWN OF T HE KE ROSEN E H E AT ER There is no need to be intimidated by these, they are very simple to operate and you can safely use them if you do it correctly. Here is the breakdown: 1. Air out the room 1-2 times every hour, or keep a constant gap in the window for fresh air flow.

2. Don’t leave on overnight. 3. Use a humidifer when you use the heater. 4. Don’t set your temperature above 15 degrees (you’re not trying to make it summer inside, just make it warm enough to wear a sweater not a snow coat). What you need: a kerosene container (big red one, a weight you can carry), and a pump (go automatic it’s worth it).

You can buy kerosene 灯油 （とうゆ）at the gas station.

Timer

Switch screen

Monitor screen (manage temperature setting, time etc)

Kerosene level (red means empty)

On/Off

設定温度 - present temperature 室内温度 - room temperature 現在時刻 - current time (clock) 時刻合せ - time (clock) adjustment タイマー合せ - timer adjustment ほこり - dust 換気 - ventilation

...

72

Dakigaeri Gorge, Shelby Stark

upcoming event 2 0 1 9 WINTER FESTIVALS J A N UA RY M

T 1

It’s New Years Day in Japan.

W

T

F

S

S

2

3

4

5

6

North Block Meeting

Go to a shrine and get your fortune!

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Central Block Meeting

21

22

23

24

28

29

30

31

75

South Block Meeting

25

Naked Man Festival Yurihonjo

26

27

THE AKITAN

ts around akita F E B R UA RY M

4

Lunar NYE

T

5

Lunar New Year

W

6

T

7

F

S

S

1

2

3

8

9

10

Sedo Namahage Festival - Oga Inukko Festival (snow dogs) - Yuzawa Kamifusen (paper lantern) Festival - Kamihinokai Kariwano Tug of war Daisen

11

12

13

14

Hiburi Kamakura (fire swinging) - Kakunodate

Valentines Day

15

16

17

Kamakura Festival (Igloo) - Yokote Rokugo Takeuchi Festival (bamboo fighting) - Misato

Charity Akita Appi Ski Trip - Appi ski resort Iwate

(give out obligation chocolate “giri-choco�)

18

19

20

21

25

26

27

28

22

23

24

76

the staff of the akitan would like many talented contributing

Most photographs are credited in pla

Shelby Stark & Zach Beasy (background 32-41) Emily Hatchett (background 13,14)

Priscilla Chong (background 45, 75, 77 ; banner 21 ) Whitney Wright, via unsplash.com (background 48) Monika Grabkowska, via unsplash.com (background 49) Adrian, via unsplash.com (background 65)

77

THE AKITAN

e to extend our grattitude to our writers and photographers .

ace, but we would also like to thank: Bernd Schulz, via unsplash.com (background 7) Kira Auf der heide, via unsplash.com (background 51) Annie Spratt, via unsplash.com (background 17) Anonymous (clipart 69-72) day-and-night.com (poster 59-62) Reza Danesh-Pajooh (clipart 25-28)

78

Thank you for reading

T H E A K I TA N

S E E YO U I N W I N T E R