JetFuel Fall/Winter 2019 by JETFuel

F a l l

W i n t e r I s s u e /

J e t F u e l 2 0 1 9

Fuel the ALT life

Photograph by Megan Luedtke

Photograph by Leah Burkett

' s r o t i Ed s e g a s s e M Hello Readers, This is my first experienceÂ working on such a big project like JetFuel. I had written myself off as "bad writer" long ago. However, Since moving to Japan, I have continuously made the effort to push myself out of my comfort zone. Putting together this magazine and writing my first ever non-collegerequired article was a daunting task. But I believe that with Patience , Practice and a little bit of Pixie dust anything can be accomplished. So, I'd like to say thank you, both to everyone who submitted to this issue and those who are taking the time to read it.

Leah Burkett, Co-EditorÂ

Dear Readers, When I learned that I'd gotten the position as a JetFuel editor, I was really excited but also a little nervous. In days long past, I was a part of creating a literary magazine at my high school, but was that enough to prep me for this? I wasn't sure. All I knew is that I was excited to try my hand at editing and designing again, and that I wanted to help the magazine live up to the history that it has. The experience has definitely been a learning one so far, but I hope I've managed to accomplish my goal.

I want to give a very special thank you to all of our contributors. This magazine only exists because of you. It's my hope that the pieces here will inspire others to take up the call to action and help make the next issue just as amazing. Stay warm over winter everyone! I'll see you again when things heat back up!

Nikkole Martin, Co-Editor

Photograph by Nikkole Martin

Editors' Messages

Travel 08

Fukui's Lost World

Experience Fukui

Soul Compass

An Introspection of Hiroshima

Ethics of Elephants

Lifestyle 43

F-ART

Three Japanese Words I Need to Stay Sane

Metal & Me

Personal Motivation

The Disney Machine

Table of Contents 14

Community 61

ALT Interviews

Fukui Sports

Fukui Music Highlight

Bookmarked

Culture 87

There Ain't No Thang Like Children's Kabuki

Tales of the Test 97 Studio Ghibli Recipes 89 104

Kanji Quiz

105

Rapto's Mad Libs

Credits

Fukui Prefecture fukuijetfuel@gmail.com

www.issue/jetfuel.com

06 Photograph by Megan Luedkte

TRAVEL 07 Photograph by Leah Burkett

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Fukui's Lost World 08

Photograph byÂ Megan Luedtke

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Written by Simon Woodgett

UNCOVERED: FUKUI'S LOST WORLD

The Lost Quarry of Kanazu The following account is based on the recordings of a go-pro camera and a dictaphone recovered several miles downstream from the suspected location. The names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.

Photographs by Simon Woodgett & Leah Burkett

THE SIGHTING

ord was sent out. A survey plane had spotted something peculiar on its usual route over the Kanazu jungle. A large cavernous opening had suddenly appeared. Immediately, speculation was rife, was it simply an apparition of a tired pilot’s eyes? Or could it be that the fabled lost quarry of Kanazu had re-emerged after centuries of slumber?

Most scholars and experts alike dismissed the veracity of the report, as the pilot had failed to log the precise coordinates (and was also rumored to be a longtime sufferer of alcohol dependency). There was, however, one person who sat up and listened - We'll call her Mack. Continuing her father's long held beliefs that the lost quarry existed, Mack was not going to let this chance sighting slip through her fingers.

THE SETUP I received a message from Mack via her network of underground connections on the exclusive and often secretive internet group known as FJET (believed to stand for the Freedom & Joy of Exploration and Travel group). Two other operatives answered her call. There was Dabido Southcar, a world renowned aquarist, specialising in subterranean flora and fauna identification. There was Allsan Steephill, one of the world’s most highly respected wilderness survival experts, her specialism in sub-tropical jungle terrain navigation. And finally myself, let’s call me Ken – a man whose defining qualifications were no more than owning a camera and a willing attitude to join an exploration into a forgotten and potentially dangerous realm. It wasn't without trepidation that I joined up with this party, and questions were abound. Why after so long would this lost world choose to reveal itself? Were we being foolhardy and arrogant to assume this sighting was an invitation? Perhaps it was no more than a simple natural phenomenon of shifting tectonic plates that parted the thick jungle foilage and revealed its long forgotten whereabouts, or perhaps, if the legends are to be believed, it was more...

"Were we being foolhardy and arrogant to assume this sighting was an invitation?"

TRAVEL The ancient stories, which had always been assumed to be more rumour than fact, told of an ancient jungle quarry once mined by a stone worshipping civilization steeped in spiritual mysticism. Little more of the stories survived, as it was said those who came into contact with the civilization were never seen or heard from again, and soon the outside world began to not only shun them but actively avoid even a chance encounter. Not knowing what undiscovered creatures or ancient spiritual forces may still reside within the depths of the cavernous quarry, secrecy was essential. Secrecy, not only to protect the glory and integrity of the mission, but also to protect the sanctity of those that may wish to dwell undisturbed. Through coded messages the group arranged to meet in a nondescript car park in the Kanazu Forest of Creation National Park. Mack equipped us with flashlights, compasses, sample vials, emergency flares and machetes. Then with an uncompromising look etched into her steely eyes she held out her hand and simply said, “Phones.” This wasn’t a request. It was an order.

The experts have since debated this decision, was it to uphold the secrecy, or was it due to the detection of powerful subterranean natural magnetic ley lines that coursed through the area. Perhaps "Mack" was worried about the effect these may have on the sensitive navigation equipment and recording devices, or perhaps it was born out of a concern of disturbing the unnatural forces that may have been lying dormant.

Secrecy was essential. To protect the sanctity of those that may wish to dwell undisturbed. 10

ENTERING THE UNKNOWN The initial hike was long and hot. First, we navigated the narrow winding hillside roads. Later, we traipsed through humid forest trails. And finally, we fought our way through the dense unforgiving jungle. The undergrowth so thick it crept up all around us until it obscured the sky and enclosed us in the sweltering bowels of the jungle. As we delved deeper, the needles of our compasses began dancing a merry jig as they whirred and spun from one direction to the next. Even with the skills of Allsan the party soon became hopelessly lost. Minutes bled into hours, hours bled into what felt like days, as we continued our trek into the belly of the beast. With supplies running low the decision was made, we had no choice but to head back to base camp, for our maps had long since stopped reading 'here be dragons' and instead read 'here be despair.'

TRAVEL With sweat seeping into our eyes, thorns tearing at our skin, the party was teetering on the precipice of hopelessness. Tempers frayed as dehydration took a firm hold of our throats and relentlessly wrung them dry, trying to extract every last drop of moisture. All seemed lost and beyond any hope of salvation when a soft rustle sounded through the leaves. We waited, nerves tiptoeing along razors, as it gradually grew in intensity, as branches bristled, vines wavered, and finally an allencompassing column of icy breath blasted us. The thick wet heat of the day obliterated in an instant as we were gripped by an unnatural cold clasp. “Come to me, come to me…” it seemed to breathe in a low hoarse whisper, a whisper that folded in upon us, surrounding us from all sides. The cool chill was alarming in its contrast to the searing humidity, but too soothing to be disobeyed. And so we went.

“Come to me, come to me…” it seemed to breathe in a low hoarse whisper, a whisper that folded in upon us Following its siren call we came to a small dark opening framed by hanging vines. Glances were exchanged, but no words spoken before we ducked under the stone lintel and entered pitch-black tunnel. The drip, drip, drip of cold water on our backs, the musty dank smell of a place bereft of light and life laid before us an ominous sense of unease. But still we continued, wordlessly delving deeper under the ground, through the narrow tunnel, with the wet crunch of loose shale beneath our feet, the cool kiss of the subterranean breath enveloping our bodies and creeping up our sleeveless arms, around our shoulders and up the back of our necks. Our eyes began to adjust and the darkness recede, until it revealed a small chamber of collapsed rock-fall. Hard jutting edges of slick stone dissipating into the gloom that seemed to offer nothing more than a foreboding journey into the unknown, into nothingness, into oblivion itself. But still we went on. Clambering over large fallen giants, between narrow crevices alive with bandy-legged wiry spiders. We ducked under one last doorway cut out of the solid stone and finally we entered into the legendary lost world of Kanazu.

THE LOST WORLD

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Spears of silver light rained down upon us, gilding our blissful expressions of awe. Cobwebs sparkled with glinting droplets of water as if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d caught the sparkle from the stars of the night sky. Virulent green leaves and vines embraced the ancient stone structures. The angular edges of the walls soft and serene after years of the tender caress of the silk morning dews. Delicate ferns, that had taken perch on high up ledges, fluttered in the gentle chasmal breeze. As we travelled further inside we reached a large open area where the quarry ceiling had collapsed in on itself exposing the wilds of the jungle above and allowing our eyes to feast on a natural beauty perhaps unseen for thousands of years. Huge towering columns stretched up rendering us insignificant in their midst. Their sheer walls coated in smooth blankets of velvety moss, muting our awe inspired mutterings to no more than soft comforting purrs. Further still we travelled, until we came to crystalline pools of water, deeper than the eye could fathom, former chambers flooded by the purest rockfiltered water drip, dripping undisturbed for millennia. We explored one chamber to the next, each section more intriguing than the last, each filling us with more and more

"A world away from all worlds, a place that heeded no master, not that of time" 12

wonderment and feelings of giddy abandonment. Deeper still we went, regressing into an almost childlike state of blissful exploration, forgetting the tribulations of adult life. Gradually we began to discard our equipment, shed ourselves of the symbols that represented the frivolity of the modern world and its importunate superficial trappings the pressures and the consternation it constantly weighs heavy upon us all. Our compasses were cast into the pools, torches left on mossy ledges, our backpacks shrugged off our loosening shoulders. Eyes wide and bright, seeing for the first time, arms raised towards the angelic light that streamed in from above, skipping from one delicate footstep to the next, spinning and whirling in a world away from all worlds, a place that heeded no master, that answered no call, not that of time, nor that of

TRAVEL expectation or pressure, a world in which we can finally be free, and perhaps most importantly of all a world in which we can-

At this point the audio recording becomes an incoherent garbled splurge of noise – perhaps marking the moment at which the device was cast into the water. The visual recording appears to also have been thrown or dropped into deep water around this time. It tumbles over several times before the light source diminishes and the picture becomes impossible to discern. After precisely three hours and twenty three minutes of black screen the battery expires. At the date of reporting no further evidence of the party’s existence has been uncovered. Three rusty all-terrain hire vehicles were found in the Kanazu Forest of Creation Nature Reserve. They were bereft of any personal items but papers and other physical evidence collaborated that at least two of the vehicles had been previously used by the party. The vehicles were covered in a thick layer of dust, the tires all flat and the batteries dead, and plants had begun to grow up through the chassis, suggesting the vehicles had been left abandoned for many years. However, what is most intriguing and perhaps most alarming, is that the party was documented as setting out on their quest on the 4th August 2019, only two months after the writing of this article. The exact location of the lost quarry has still not been re-ascertained, as the code used in the messages exchanged between the party members has yet to be cracked. Further survey flights and satellite imaging reveal no such opening as reported by the pilot and the exploration party. It is as if the jungle has swallowed it back up. Due to the survival skills and knowledge of the group it is hoped that they may still be alive and well, and therefore hopes remain they will one day be found… if, indeed, that is what they want.

EXPERIENCE FUKUI

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Photograph by Leah Burkett

The Charms of the Happiest Prefecture

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WRITER'S NOTE by Pierre Leroux

My name is Pierre and I am a first-year JET living and working in Fukui City, Fukui. As part of my work I get to share the many charms of Fukui with an international audience. I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity and through this short article, I aim to share with you some of my travel experiences across Fukui. There is still so much for me to discover, so feel free to share some of your local travel recommendations the next time we meet! You can follow me on...

https://www.instagram.com/experience_fukui

https://www.facebook.com/experiencefukui https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCUJzhQ4vbkoBNhqsNQB62bQ

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FUKUI DINOSAUR MUSEUM

When applying to the JET Programme last year, I did not expect at all to be sent to a Dinosaur Kingdom! It is inspiring to see how the region uses this unique heritage in a creative way to promote the prefecture and its charms to other prefectures of Japan and to an international audience. In Fukui, you can find Dinosaurs everywhere, and on everything! The Dinosaur Museum of Katsuyama City was thus a must-see from the very beginning.

The Fukui Dinosaur Museum is located in Katsuyama. It's ranked as the World's third best Dinosaur Museum because of its extensive fossil collection and impressive displays. 16

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ICHIJODANI ASAKURA CLAN RUINS AT IT'S PEAK DURING THE MUROMACHI PERIOD, IT HOUSED OVER 10,000 RESIDENTS. The rich history of the place never ceases to amaze me! I was happy to visit the beautiful Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins where a townscape from the Warring States period was recreated! This year, along with other cultural assets of Echizen and Fukui it earned under the common theme of a "Journey Heritage designation the Doors to 400 years of History: Medieval and Early-Modern Town Development Understood through Stones".

USUALLY EATEN COLD WITH TSUYU (SOY-SAUCE BASE) AND GRATED RADISH. Fun activities are also held on the historic site all year-round, such as the Echizen Asakura Warring States Festival and the Asakura Light-up festival every year in August. While I was here, I got the chance to try the local delicacy, Echizen Oroshi Soba! Echizen Soba is the perfect summer time dish because it's usually served cold.

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RAINBOW LINE SUMMIT PARK Many places in Fukui boast of special destinations. For instance, The Rainbow Line Summit Park that I visited this summer earned the Cool Japan Award! It is easy to see why when you reach the summit and catch a glimpse of the Mikata Five Lakes at once! The color of the surface of each of the lakes is slightly different because of their composition and depth, making for a unique scenic spot.

VARVE MUSEUM

Photograph by Leah Burkett

At the nearby Fukui Prefectural Varve Museum, I even learned that the sediment found in Lake Suigetsu is over 70,000 years old. It is used in archaeology and geology to help accurately determine the age of excavated articles globally as a "Global Standard for dating".

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"THE CLEAR WATER THAT RUNS ACROSS THE PREFECTURE NURTURES THE DELICIOUS RICE THAT IS GROWN IN THE AREA AND THAT IS FAMOUS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR ITS IRRESISTIBLE TASTE"

I recently had the pleasure to try my hand at harvesting rice in Wakasa Town. I have lived in Japan a few times before in my life, but it was my first attempt as this type of experience that is only possible in a place like Fukui! Other delicious produce is also grown throughout the prefecture, such as the brand-name Tomitsu Kintoki sweet potato of Awara City.

FUKUI RICE "MIKETSUKUNI" a land of delicious foods deemed suitable for the imperial household Fukui is also famous for its unique food culture "Miketsukuni" and its traditional crafts. During the colder months, you can enjoy some of Japan's best seafood. Recently, I had the chance to visit a little area of Obama City where people work the land in addition to fishing, which makes for a very diversified local cuisine. There, I was shown how to prepare a dish known as mackerel 'nuta' and even got to enjoy a taste of it after.

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NAKAIKEMI WETLANDS

When I first came to Fukui, I was glad to discover the prefecture is comprised of urban as well as rural areas. That way, I get to easily experience the culture and history as well as the charms of the countryside.

FUKUI CITY ART MUSEUM

In the southern Reinan area, I had the chance to visit the Nakaikemi Wetland, which was registered in 2012 as Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. There, a rich biodiversity of about 3,000 species of plants and animals, including more than 90 endangered animals, thrive.

A tour of Harstad and the Northern Lights

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PORT OF HUMANITY TSURUGA MUSEUM "HUNDREDS OF JEWISH REFUGEES SOUGHT REFUGE IN TSURUGA DURING WWII"

I also love learning about the history of Fukui's locality. It is why I was so pleased to be able to visit many places where the rich history of Fukui takes center stage. In Tsuruga City, I had the honor of visiting the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, where I learned that the port town played an important role in world history. During WWII, hundreds of Jewish refugees carrying "Visas for life" transited through the port when fleeing Europe in 1940.

IN SHORT... I love Fukui because here, I can experience the unique Fukui culture that is only available here, and at the same time get a taste of the Japanese culture that I fell in love with many years ago. Japanese attractions such as exciting festivasl, local foods, and luxurious hot springs are abundant in our beautiful region of Japan.

EES

DNA

Hello lovelies! I'm Meg, a first year ALT based out of Maruoka with a serious itch to constantly be out and about and traveling. And wherever I may be, my Lady Red (my appropiatly named red camera) is always at my hip, helping me capture the natural beauty of Japan. Here are some places in and arond the Fukui area that I've visited that you can go to check out (or may have already checked out) for yourself!

IUKUF

LEVART

DNUORA

SNOITANITSED

TISIV

Hokyo-ji Temple

Kanazawa Castle (Park)

Kanazawa is the capitol city of our neighboring prefecture, Ishikawa. Commonly overlooked for destinations like Kyoto, it is home to the beautiful Kanazawa castle park, several old historic districts, and Kenroku-en, one of Japan's top three gardens. Dist. from Fukui Station (local): 1 hr, 28 min Cost: 1,340 yen Dist. from Fukui Station (express): 47 min Estimated Cost: 3,070 yen

K A N A Z A W A

Higashi Chaya Historic District

Kenroku-en Garden

02 Hokyo-ji Temple

A hidden treasure in the mountains of Ono, Hokyo-ji Temple is the paradigm of peace and relaxation (seriously, I have never felt so calm anywhere else in my life). The Zen Buddhist temple was founded around 1278 and is tucked away in a secluded place, surrounded by an abandonded village, the Heko river, and the Soyru waterfall. Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 55 min (no tolls)

Ono City Known for its crystal clear, beautiful, clean water, Ono is a city that is rich in culture and nature. There you can walk around Karikomi Ike Pond, or Hike to trails to the three tiered Hotoke Gozen waterfalls. Rather stay in the city? Visit the Shichiken Morning Market or check out the historical Teramachi Avenue. Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 40 min (no toll) Dist. from Fukui Station (local): 55 min Estimated Cost: 680 yen

YAMANAKA ONSEN

KAKUSAENKI GORGE

One of the most beautiful towns I've ever laid eyes on, the quaint and quiet area housing Yamanaka Onsen is located on the outskirts of Kaga city. You can soak in the town's calming hot springs or stroll the streets and shop for unique, handmade arts and crafts.

Running parallel to Yamanaka Onsen is the stunning Kakusenki Gorge. Here you can enjoy a leisurely walk along a stone path while appreciating the beauty of the river and make a short stop at Kakusenkei Kawadoko where you can enjoy a cup of tea by the waters edge.

Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 50 min

Dist from Fukui Station (local & bus):Â 1 hr, 48 min Estimated Cost: 1,040 yen

06 ABANDONDED

KANNON

From a distance, the towering 240 foot tall structure (located in Kaga City) looks like it's the centerpiece of a welcoming guest attraction, though the exact opposite turns out to be true. The area is completely overgrown and falling apart. Despite the temples dilapidated state, the grounds are still looked after by a solo grounds keeper and open to visitors who to want to come a experience some Japan's old and forgotten history. Dist. from Fukui Station(local): 34 min | Estimated Cost: 590 yen Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 48 min (no toll)

07 Heisei-ji Shrine

Also known as the "Temple of Moss" (or mossy temple, but that doesn't sound as pleasant) this peaceful shrine is tucked away in forest with a carpet of green moss and full of thousands of 100 year old old cedar trees. Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 50 min

M O U N T

H A K U

Right on the border of Gifu, Fukui, and Ishikawa prefectures, Mount Haku is one of Japan's three sacred mountains (along with Mount Fuji and Mount Tate). Although I'm happy I took on Fuji for my own self gratification, the hike up Haku-san has Fuji beat in just about every aspect. The mountain boasts a beautiful, forested trail and near the summit hikers are rewarded with a wonderful view of a expansive field full of various flora and fauna. Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 1 hr, 23 min Estimated hiking time (total): 8 to 11 hours

Higashi Chaya Historic District

Kenroku-en Garden

TOJINBO CLIFFS (AT SUNSET)

OSHIMA ISLAND

One of the more well known and popular travel destinations in Fukui, the one kilometer stretch of rugged basalt Tojinbo Cliffs are definitely a sight to see. There is especially a certain calm that comes with seeing the cliffs while the sun sets below the horizon.

Not too far off the beaten path from Tojinbo is Oshima island. The small island, accessible via a vermillion bridge, is covered with Japanese cinnamon and Machilus thunbergii trees. Ominato Shrine stands quietly within the area.The path that circles the island enables you to enjoy enchanting views of the abundant natural beauty.

Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 44Â min Dist from Fukui Station (local & walk):Â 1 hr, 24 min Estimated Cost: 770 yen

Dist. from Fukui Station (by car): 45 min

To see more of photos of all these wonderful places or ask me questions about my adventures/experiences look me up on FB, Instagram, or on my photography tumblr!

@meg.lue Megan Luedtke @photo-bleu

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AN INTROSPECTION OF HIROSHIMA Most Americans never get the chance to visit Hiroshima in person. Many people only know the name of this city in passing in relation to WWII. But it`s a completely different perspective to experience Hiroshima in person. Learning about this event in a textbook from the view point of the "victor" and then be standing at the hypo-center of the world`s most devastating man-made disaster is eye opening. Being there and touching the remaining parts of the Genbaku Dome brought to light a whole new understanding for me.

By Leah Burkett When I visited Hiroshima in February of 2019, I stood silently at the Hypocenter of where the Atomic Bomb (A-bomb) struck. Standing there at the Genbaku Dome, I found myself suddenly hit with the harsh reality of man's destructive nature. A wave of emotion washed over me as I realized that this structure was all the survivors could see for miles after the attack.

Everything and everyone who was near the hypo-center was turned to ash. Any remaining survivors were left with nothing but a scene of suffering. All color was drained from the land except a brightly, burning ferocious fire. Over 200,000 people died that day on August 8, 1945. Even more people continued to suffer after the strike. Many of those survivors are still haunted by the memories of that day.

It was the only building left (mostly) standing after taking a direct hit from the bomb.

Upon entering the Hiroshima Peace Museum, the first thing you see is a clock that reads 8:15 AM. That's the last minute that over 200,000 people got to see. The gravity of that time weighs on you throughout your time at the museum.

"All color was drained from the land except a brightly, burning ferocious fire."

32 Photograph by Leah Burkett

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"To witness the unimaginable destruction of the bombing in Hiroshima and then to do so again in Nagasaki just a few days later is unsettling."

Walking through the museum was the first time I was able to see things through the victims' perspective. As an American I constantly felt sick to my stomach. I've been told not to judge a country based on its actions during war time but I still found myself asking the question, "how could my home country do this to Japan?"

Listening to the survivors relive their heartbreaking stories was more than moving, it was haunting. Every person describes a similar experience when the bomb hit. They all say they saw a flash of burning light, then immediate darkness. In those seconds of bright light, thousands of people were lost. The survivors endured more turmoil and suffering than imaginable at that time.

"That's the last minute that over 200,000 people got to see." 8:15 AM We killed so many innocent Japanese lives. To witness the unimaginable destruction of the bombing in Hiroshima and then to do it again in Nagasaki just a few days later is unsettling. One thing that stuck with me long after leaving the museum is the videos of the survivors recounting their memories from that day.

"a lash of burning light, then immediate darkness."

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"School uniforms that were burnt, melted, and frayed"

There is one thing that everyone should take away from theirÂ visit to Hiroshima - its's that peace should be a priority and weapons of mass destruction, like the Atomic Bomb, should never be used again.

The most heartbreaking thing to watch in those videos is the survivor's last happy memoryÂ before the bomb. By the end, I was left with a strong dry burning sensation in the back of my throat and a pool of water threatening to spill from my eyes at any moment. It wasn't until I reached the leftover belongings of the victims that IÂ could no longer hold it all back. Seeing children's toys, clothes, and books left barely recognizable. A single bento box with charcoaled rice. School uniforms that were burnt, melted, and frayed were all devastating to say the least. These uniforms did not look too dissimilar from my own students' uniforms. It made everything suddenly feel so real to me. In that moment I imagined losing all of my students in mere seconds. All my beautiful, young, bright students gone. That hit close to home for me. It's a haunting feeling that really puts things into perspective. War is ruthless and too many innocent lives are always lost. It doesn't matter which side of the fight you are on - no one wins when innocent people die. In the words of John F. Kennedy,

"Peace should be a priority"

"Unconditional war can no longer lead to unconditional victory. It can no longer serve to settle disputes. It can no longer concern the great powers alone. Let us call a true to terror. Let us evoke the blessings of peace. Mankind must put an end to waror war will put an end to mankind." September 25, 1961

Photograph by Leah Burkett

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I often think that humans go into war to satisfy their greed. If we rid ourselves of greed and help each other instead, I believe that we will be able to coexist without war.â&#x20AC;?

Photograph by National Geographic

How to Have an Ethical Elephant Experience By Natasha Taliferro Picture Thailand, a beautiful country in southeast Asia full of rich cultural history, delicious food, and unique experiences. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great location for those who want a little luxury and those who are on a budget, and it attracts many long-term backpackers and tourists who tra vel throughout southeast Asia. When I planned my short trip to Thailand about two years ago, one of the first points of information that I found from other blogs, review websites like Trip Advisor, and even YouTube was about

visiting an elephant sanctuary. I had never even thought of the idea, but of course, the idea of seeing an elephant truly upclose and personal was an experience that I wanted to have. I found countless blogs, vlogs, and Instagram posts showing people posing with elephants, feeding elephants, bathing elephants, walking beside them, and even r i d i n g t h e m . T h a t a l l s e e m e d l i ke experiences that you could only experience once in your lifetime, and me knowing little to nothing about elephants, saw those opportunities as something similar to riding a camel for a desert trek. Luckily, I continued to research and read reviews as I began to pinpoint elephant sanctuaries in Thailand that I wanted to visit. One of the biggest warnings I began to find was DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T ride the elephants. 37

This brought me to a river of confusion

broken. Many young calves won’t

about what was “ethical” and what was

survive the process. Now that the

“unethical” about even visiting an elephant

elephant is broken, the mahoots are able to

sanctuary. Countless blogs and reviews

completely control the elephant and force

contradicted each other, and by the time I

it to do tricks, manual labor, and any other

finally chose a sanctuary to visit, I was

command it is told. The elephant is under

e x a s p e r a te d w i t h a l l t h e co n f u s i n g

the mahoots complete and utter control.

information surrounding the industry as a

While not all mahoots put their

whole.

elephants through Phajaan, most elephants in the tourism industry, especially those

What is “the Crush”? In order for unsuspecting tourists to be able to ride elephants and get them to do “cute” tricks, elephants must go through a process of br utal taming cal led Phajaan or the Crush. The process of the cr ush begins on young or baby elephants in which the babies or forcibly separated from their mothers and tied into a fixed standing position in a small box enclosure. They are given neither food nor water during this time. Calves enduring the crush are unable to walk, sit or lie down. This is to break the poor calf by exhaustion on top of the

that oﬀer rides or do tricks, have been

already traumatic ordeal of being taken

through this process. That is why it is

away from its mother. To further ‘break

important to choose not only a sanctuary,

the spirit’ of the calf, the mahoots of the

but also one that is truly ethical and allows

elephant will beat, burn and stab the

the elephants to roam as if they were back

baby while it is tied in place. During this

in the wild.

torture, the tool often used is a bullhorn, or a metal or bamboo stick with a sharp knife and hook fastened on the end. With

What is “Unethical”? What is “Ethical”?

this tool and other weapons, the mahoots

There is so much new information coming

will target sensitive spots on the elephants

out about the brutal elephant tourism

body, such as the ears.

industry that it can be hard to know what is ethical and what is unethical for

Phajaan will often last for weeks

someone who just wants to enjoy a

until the elephant’s spirit is completely 38

“simple”

vacation! Although there are

and bathing, I find myself wondering what

incredible grey areas even within

is best. Elephants commonly found in

discussions between elephant advocates

these sanctuaries are those that have either

and well-researched and/or well-

been bought from elephant circuses and

intentioned bloggers and influencers, here

poor mahoots or were retired by their

are some key questions to think about

mahoot and sold, and the belief for these

when choosing an ethical experience:

sanctuaries’ necessity is that the elephants

Q1: Why are these elephants at the “sanctuary” in

have been tamed so brutally that they may

the first place?

not be able to go back into the wild.

Q2: Do the elephants roam !ee or are they usua"y

Although the elephants can roam freely

chained up?

within the confined “wild” of the

Q3: Does the “sanctuary” oﬀer elephant rides, tricks

sanctuary, they have already experienced

or other circus-like experiences?

the Crush, unlike those elephants who remain relatively “safe” in the wild. But, what is actually true? Ultimately, if you visit a sanctuary, I encourage anyone to visit one that limits the interaction between humans and elephants and encourages education of the issue to all of its visitors. We are unable to know how these elephants really feel and if they are truly comfortable with humans interacting with them, bathing

Q4: How many tours does the “sanctuary”

them or even feeding them—and most

a"ow in one day?

likely, the answer is no.

Q5: How many people are a"owed in each tour? Q6: If the “sanctuary” oﬀers elephant feeding and

Whose responsibility is it, anyway? This is not just the responsibility of travel

bathing, how many times a day does this happen?

Here lies the grey area. Some take a

bloggers or social media influencers, this is

hard line and say that bathing and feeding

the responsibility of everyone who travels,

an elephant is unethical, equating those

and even those who don’t. As tourism

experiences to elephant riding. Others feel

becomes even easier and more aﬀordable

that as long as the elephant is free to roam

for the average person, industries like the

without chains and bull-hooks, then

massive tourism industry in Southeast Asia

bathing and feeding is ethical. To weigh in

will encourage those whose goal is to

my own opinion, I am on the fence.

exploit. It is said that at least one Asian

Having visited a “sanctuary” that did not

Elephant is smuggled into countries like

oﬀer rides, but did have elephant feeding

Thailand every week for illegal lumber 39

logging and to perform for tourists. They

In researching for this post, I found

are often taken from their families in the

so much more information now than I

wild at a young age only to endure a life of

found two years a go. The matter is

slavery and torture.

extremely complex, much like the other

We all as humans inhabiting and

“cultural experiences” that let you interact

using this land, can and should advocate

with animals, and even common practices

for those--animal or human--that cannot

and industries that we as humans rely on

speak for themselves. Always keep your

today. If I go back to Thailand again and

eyes open and spread the word. When

wish to see an elephant, I will choose a

your friends ask you for travel advice, you

sanctuar y carefully and go with

can take the opportunity to make a

apprehension and a much better

diﬀerence. It’s never too late to spread

understanding of the issue. For now, having

awareness about animal cr uelty (or

experienced seeing elephants very up-close

anything environmentally harmful or cruel,

and personal and knowing what I now

for that matter), and it only takes one

know, I am satisfied with just advocating

person to start a movement.

for them from afar. If any sign of a red fla g at a sanctuary is unacceptable to you, then I urge you to try the sanctuaries that I have extensively researched in my article. I not only recommend these sanctuaries because of the ethical practices I found outlined on their websites, throughout reviews, and even through images found online, but also because many other websites and blogs suggest these locations as the most ethical places. If all of this has led you to give up the hope of seeing an elephant entirely, then there is an alternative to interacting with an elephant in captivity. You can instead see wild elephants from a safe distance in national park reserves.

The Breakdown If anything my research into this matter has taught me, it is something quite simple: Don’t ride elephants or do anything that would be considered encouraging “elephant tricks.” While elephant feeding may not be “unethical” and elephant bathing is tip-toeing the line, riding an elephant is surely unethical. Not only can it be painful for elephants to carry humans, these elephants have undergone extreme training to crush their spirits so that they are tame enough to be ridden. This practice, Phajaan or “the crush,”

To get the fu" edition of the article, “How to

usually begins on baby elephants. A YouTuber, Instagram influencer,

Have an Ethical Elephant Experience” and a

or travel blogger can give you all the

fu" list of ethical elephant sanctuaries in

recommendations in the world, but please

southeast Asia and A!ica, check out the fu" post

go beyond that and do even more research!

on Natasha’s travel and lifestyle blog, Away

I have listed my sources within this post,

From Origin.

so please read more for yourself. 40 Photos on pages 36, 37 and 39 provided by Natasha Taliferro.

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T R A FOR W T R A I FUKU

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by Tara Henley 44

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by IggyJeffery 45

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by Kali Michelle

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Three Japanese Words I Need to Stay Sane by Niamh Crosbie

"Kore wa Airurando desu? Wakarimashita" 47

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Kore This mightn't come as a shock, but there's a lot of stuff out there, and stuff tends to be called a whole lot of different names. And you're gonna need to acquire certain quantities of that stuff, you need a life ring, and in Japan, that life ring is "Kore wo kudasai". Don't have a clue what something is, but like the look of it anyway? Kore wo kudasai. Don't know what an everyday item is called in Japanese? Kore wo kudsai. Don't want any unnecessary follow-up questions? Kore wo kudsai.

Airurando SCENARIO A Taro: "Where are you from?" Me: "I'm from Ireland!" Taro: "Ah, Iceland?" Me: "No, Ireland." Taro: "Famous for hotsprings!" Me: "N-no. That's Iceland. I'm from Ireland." Taro: "...It's cold in Iceland, yes?"

SCENARIO B Taro: "Where are you from?" Me: "Airurando desu." Taro: "Ah, Airurando!" * Proceeds to remind me that Japan beat Ireland at rugby* Me: *Humbly acknowledges defeat on

Ireland's behalf*

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Wakarimashita I'd be lying if I said I never realized quite how often I used "okay" in a day, or even in a single conversation. I realized it, but I kept that realization pushed to the outer edges of my consciousness, like an addict in denial. I went through phases of cutting back, and supplementing with other phrases, such as "right", and "oh, I see", but they just didn't give me the same buzz. Since coming to Japan, "Wakarimashita" has been my saviour whenever I feel the need to express understanding (or, at the very least, prove that I've been paying attention), but as my Japanese improves, I'm sure this will prove to be a gateway to other dregs of conversational decay.

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METAL & ME BY :

KAL I

MI C HE L L E

" GE NRE S ARE T HE DI F F E RE NCE S I N WORL D" 51

ONL Y T HE

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BRREAKING INTO THE METAL SCENE In a country whose motto could be "the

being unapproachable by many, but this is

nail that sticks out gets hammered down,"

not a view held by those who go to rock

being different, whether you are a foreigner or

shows in Japan. At first glance, the long black

someone who doesn't conform to Japanese

hair, full arm sleeves, and giant piercings can

societal standards, will get you a lot of

be quite intimidating, however, here is where

judgement. Japan is known for its homogeny,

you need to keep that old "book cover" adage

so not judging a book by its cover will have a

in mind. The people who have shunned the

greater impact on your social life in Japan than

societal norms of conservative Japan are the

anything else.

most genuine and authentic people you can

Looking unconventional is often viewed as

meet.

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"THE NAIL THAT STICKS OUT GETS HAMMERED DOWN" Coming to Japan, I knew that I wanted to get involved in the local music scene. Japanese underground music has an almost cult-like following and is a breeding ground for originality and individuality. After about a year, I finally was able to make my way into the scene. For me, it was definitely a "you need to know a guy" situation. Going to my first underground show was a little nerve wracking, but that was more for the fact that I was going alone. I went to a show to go support my tattoo artist who was in a punk rock band. The venue they were playing at was the size of a shoebox. It reeked of cigarettes, whiskey, and beer. Posters for local bands and famous albums covered the bright red walls. Although the bar counter was long, the ordering area was tiny because it was covered with flyers, CDs, LPS and ashtrays. There was even a jar full of free lighters for those who had forgotten theirs. And I was the only gaijin there, in this tiny, punkinspired live house. Not being able to speak much Japanese and not knowing anyone other than my friend, was a little isolating, but after a few beers, that feeling slowly vanished. The show was awesome; each band was totally different and a lot of fun to watch.

"EVERYONE ATE THEIR FOOD, DRANK AND SOCIALIZED...IT WAS SO JAPANESE... AND I LOVED IT!"

As per Japanese metal show tradition, there was an after-party. I was invited to join, and gladly accepted, even though my friend wouldn't be attending. After-parties in Japan don't reflect the image of western style ones, à la Guns n’ Roses or Led Zeppelin. There were no bottle being thrown or copious amounts of drugs being used, and only a few people were white girl wasted. Instead, the

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the venue owner had made onigiris, yakisoba and karage for all the attendees. The stage area became the dining area and a small table and some chairs were brought out. And of course, there was a nomihodai for two hours. Everyone sat down, ate their food, drank and socialized. It as like nothing I had seen before... It was SO Japanese... and I loved it! As I stood next to the bar, I was served beer and food by band members that I didn't even know, it was so thoughtful and I felt included. Despite being judged for their rebellious appearance by many, they maintained the true spirit of Japan as much as anyone in a suit.

"HOLY SHIT! YOU SPEAK ENGLISH!â&#x20AC;? Alcohol was definitely responsible for everyone's increased confidence so it was only during the after party that other people tried talking to me. I fumbled my way through conversations with my broken Japanese that was generously deemed "jouzu" by the people I was talkingÂ to. We talked about favorite bands and foods, all real jikoshoukai stuff. And it was great! I felt bad because of how little I knew, so, regardless of my total lack of Nihongo, I was still able to talk to these new people and that's how I met my best friend.

LIFESTYLE The conversation was like this: "Hello. My name is Tomoya. Do you speak English?" he politely asked. "HOLY SHIT! YOU SPEAK ENGLISH!" I shockingly responded.

This short exchange became the foundation of a very strong and true friendship that was equal to ones that I had made back home. This friendship started an entirely new life for me. Through my bestie, I was introduced to so many people, band members and supporters alike, and I was welcomed into this underground world with open arms. It's also through him that I met my boyfriend. The people I've met, the places I've visited and music I've listened to have been some of the best experiences I've had since coming to Japan. Constantly standing out in Japan has never been an issue for me, however, being included in this music scene with people who all stand out, has been refreshing. Entering a restaurant and having everyone be stared at equally has been hilarious and a nice deviation from what I'm used to. From my safety-pin loving punk friends, to my snakeskin boot wearing drinking buddies, all of us manage to stand out no matter where we are, and this has proven to be a strong glue that keeps the music scene conencted.

"ENTERING A RESTAURANT AND HAVING EVERYONE BE STARED AT EQUALLY HAS BEEN HILARIOUS AND A NICE DEVIATION" Genres are the only difference in this world. In this little pocket of Japanese culture, the friendships are strong and the support for each other is unwavering and unmatched. Nothing creates a stronger friendship than a love for live music and getting trashed. Which is what ultimately happens at every show.

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- Victor Hugo

" Money is a good servant but a bad master" - Sir Frances Bacon

ersonal

Motivation By Karim Mohanna

Sometimes we think to ourselves, what am I doing with my life? Is this really what I ought to be doing? It can happen to any of us no matter where we are in our life psychologically as well as physically. In our case, we are in Japan. We are here because we chose to take part of an adventure of a lifetime called the "JET Programme!" If times get tough from time to time, just remember the purpose, the reason why you wanted to come to Japan in the first place. Was it to travel? To make friends? To find a life partner or just to live everyday like it is an adventure of both self and Japan-discovery! For any of these, we can remind ourselves that we are lucky to have been chosen for this adventure that is shaping and will shape the rest of our lives. I thought I'd share five quotes taken from self-motivation books: Keep aiming high and discovering your life with enthusiasm. REMEMBER YOU PURPOSE! From a friend, Karim Mohanna

"Life's tough. It's tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne

The future has many names. For the weak, it's unattainable. For the fearful, it's unknown. For the bold it's ideal

Clear language engenders clear thought and clear thought is the most "To avoid criticism, important say nothing, do nothing, be nothing." benefit of - Aristotle education." 56

-Richard Mitchell

Photos by Karim Mohanna & Casey Corrigan

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THE

A personal take on the Disney marketing machine

Written by Karim Mohanna Edited by Leah Burkett

At my previous school's staff party, I had won free tickets to the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland! I had been to the parks three times prior, however, this wouldn't just be a fun, carefree trip to Disney. This time, I had research to do. I spent two days exploring both parks. The first day I visited Tokyo Disneyland and the next day I made my way over to Disney Sea. The goal of this trip was to observe and witness the brilliant

MACHINE

marketing machine that is known as "Disney". While I journeyed through each park, I did the unusual thing of collecting packages from food, drinks, and assorted Disney merchandise. After riding all my favorite rides such as Star Tours and Thunder Mountain, I began recording my findings. I asked myself a number of questions ranging from common characteristics of each package to possible brand deals.

as observed by a Disney fan.

"He demonstrated how one could assert one’s will on the world at the very time when everything seemed to be growing beyond control and beyond comprehension.” ― Neal Gabler, Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination

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Are there specific characters that we see on Disney merchandise? The answer is yes. The majority of the packages at both parks have at least one wellknown Disney character displayed on them, the most popular characters being Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. It's also worth noting that certain characters, like the aliens from Toy Story, will appear more frequently when nearby their associated attractions.

What products sell the most at the Disney parks? From observation alone, coffee and souvenir candy boxes appear to sell the most. I myself waited in a long line to purchase a coffee, which featured an adorable design with both Mickey Mouse and Pluto running around. Other products that tended to sell well were items that had a "cute factor" to them. Japan seems to relish the visual appeal of cuteness.

Does Disney form a partnership with any other companies? This one is a big resounding yes! Disney has a large association with Coca-Cola. All, if not most, of their soft drinks are manufactured by Coca-Cola. They are also closely aligned with the established Japanese company, Kirin. Kirin seems to produce Disney's water as well as supply a small portion of the alcohol sales at Disney Sea.

Are there any specially-designed packages from the theme park? Are you even visiting a Disney park if you aren't bombarded with Disney Characters on every product? The most popular characters can be found on most anything within the park but when in a themed area you will see different, less popular characters begin to appear. For example, in Toontown you will find more of Mickey's lesser famous friends like Clarabelle the cow.

Conclusion:

As a conclusion to this short survey that I conducted, I can say that Disney's success is in both the quality and packaging of their products. I mean, who can resist a Mickey Mouse-shaped Cookie?! The fun product designs and deliciously-themed food all makes the Disney experience more pleasurable and brings out everyone's inner child. Remember, this is where dreams come true.

Photograph by Megan Luedtke

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ALT Interviews

TAMARA When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thing you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? The one thing I cannot find myself getting used to, is how normal it is for people to sleep at their desks. I actually love naps myself and studies have shown that short naps are good for you, and I wish the rest of the world would follow Japan on this one.

You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town?

Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan?

I really love the town I live in. It's just the right mix of laid back, quiet, and lively - not to mention the great balance of nature and city. More than anything, I really enjoy the fact that I don't have to worry about crime.

The main reason is a combination of my love for Japan, the English language, and working with children. I wanted to do something more valuable with my English degree; outside of the corporate world, and teaching seemed to be the best option.

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable?

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie? I won a TV singing competition in High School. I don't have a driver's license I hate walking barefoot.

A tub of Mayonnaise Rope A bottle of gin Duct tape Garbage bags A leather whip

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PIERRE You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town? I was surprised by how people think of Fukui City as the countryside. From a Canadian perspective, a town of almost 300,000 is a decent-sized city! I like how, in Fukui, I can enjoy both the city life and the countryside.

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie? I have traveled to more than 10 countries and ate at a McDonald's in each of them to compare the taste and the price of their burgers. I was strung by an Asian giant hornet during the first few weeks of my stay in Fukui and had to go to the hospital several times. A member of my family is a renowned NHL (National Hockey League) hockey player and even owned one of the teams.

Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan? I have lived and studied in Japan a few times before, so when thinking about what to do after graduation, coming to Japan seemed like the best (and most fun) option! I had heard of the JET Program on several occasions and even have a few friends who took part in it over the years, so it felt natural to first try my luck there. The main objectives I want to peruse while working on the JET Program is to improve my Japanese language skills and get to a clearer idea of what I'd like to do afterwards.

When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thing you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? Fruits and vegetables are so expensive!

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable? Buying every strawberries and whipped cream sandwich available in the store!!

Social media 62

Experience Fukui

TARA

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Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan? I've always loved travelling and experiencing different cultures. I was 19 when I traveled alone for the first time out of Canada, and I've most recently spent a year living in Australia for a working holiday. I've truthfully been working toward the JET Program for a few years now; I got a lot more volunteer and work experience with kids, I did my 150 hour TEFL course and got some more traveling under my belt before I felt confident enough to apply. I'm pretty infatuated with Japanese art, history and, most importantly, food. The JET Program seemed like an answer to my prayers for finding an affordable way to travel and enjoy Japanese traditions. Working with such brillant students is just an added bonus.

You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town? I'm living in Maruoka, in very close proximity to Maruoka Castle. This castle, and many other buildings around my apartment, are absolutely stunning structures. I think I was picturing the town I would be living in to look more like towns in North America, but everything here is so much more beautifully designed. That's one thing I really love about Japanese culture: everything is designed as much for the aesthetics as it is for purpose.

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie?

When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thingÂ you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? I've repeated this frustration to many JETs now, but it's so hard for me to go out and eat and find vegetarian (or pescatarian) friendly options. Often, I will translate a menu and be horrified to find that meat isn't even listed as an ingredient yet the meal is served with ham/pork/beef/whatever. I asked a waitress once - in Japanese - if something was vegetarian and she didn't know because no one had ever asked her before. I usually can pick around it, but for people with very serious allergies this can be a huge problem. For myself personally, I throw up for hours if I accidentally eat any meat, but thankfully it causes no long-term health problems (unlike people who are celiac or have peanut allergies).

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable?

I have been skydiving in Australia. I used to own a horse named Rocket. My brother used to be friends with Shawn Mendes.

A bag of cucumbers. A bottle of lube. A "Happy Birthday Grandma" card.

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CHRIS When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thing you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? I would say the biggest culture shock for meapart from the true shock I get every time I hit my head on the short door frames (this happens a lot since I am 6'4"...) - has been my sudden inability to communicate anywhere I go. I have lived abroad before, but never in a country where I don't speak the language. It's a really humbling experience to realize how difficult everyday tasks can be when you are both illiterate and unable to communicate. Also, I don't know if this is culture shock, but it has been amusing how often people stare at me, and even take "discreet" photos of me.

Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan? I joined JET for a number of reasons, but my primary motivation for applying to JET was my desire to teach English. After briefly teaching English in Lebanon, I got a taste for teaching, and I wanted to recapture that feeling. I also have several friends who participated in JET and I heard universal praise for the program from them and from others that I spoke to. In addition, I have always wanted to travel to Japan, and I wanted a change of scenery from my law job in the U.S. The JET Program offered the perfect opportunity to teach English abroad, and experience life in Japan.

You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town? This may be a Tsuruga cliche, but the thing that I love the most about living here is definitely being a two minute walk from a beautiful beach. Now that summer is over, I usually get a huge swatch of the beach to myself when I go.

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable? Let me preface this by saying that I feel like I already make cashiers here uncomfortable just through my presence. But I think I would definitely raise a few eyebrows if I went into my local Family Mart, bought a few Pocari Sweats and a pack of tissues, and then picked out a couple of .... magazines. (sorry, but you asked)

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie? I can dunk a basketball. I am afraid of cows. I almost drowned in the Red Sea.

NIAMH

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Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan? My boyfriend and I had been living in Dublin, Ireland, for five years when we applied for the JET Program. We had always wanted to travel, and particularly hoped to spend a lot of time exploring Japan. After college, we found ourselves quickly becoming swept up in working life, especially since Dublin is becoming more and more expensive to live in. We decided that it was now or never, so we applied for the JET Program, and thankfully we were both selected, and placed not too far apart from each other.

You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town? I live in Tsuruga, and my apartment is close to the gorgeous Matsubara Beach. I grew up near the sea in Wexford, Ireland, so it's almost like having a little piece of home close by, but at the same time it's still so magical and exotic to me. The first time I video-chatted my dad was from Matsubara Beach during the sunrise (around 1 AM Japanese time), when I was still dealing with jetlag.

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie? I used to do traditional Irish dancing when I was younger. I came fourth in a regional championship, but gave it up before starting secondary school. Although I've been to twelve different countries so far in my life, I had never flown outside of Europe before coming to Japan. There were 40 students in my primary school. There were only seven of us in my class when I finished there.

When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thing you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? Japanese customer service makes you feel like royalty! The first time I pulled into a Japanese petrol station, the employees proceeded to fill up my tank and wipe down my windows and lights, I was in complete awe. I kept expecting them to charge me extra for it! I also couldn't believe I didn't even have to get out of my car to pay for the petrol. If you rocked up at a petrol station in Ireland and expected someone to fill your tank and take your money through the window, I promise you'd be laughed out of town.

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable? Cake Balloons Birthday card (with the cashiers name on it)

They have no idea who you are or how you know it's their birthday. They'll never see you again, but they''ll always wonder.

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JAMES When moving to a new country, culture shock is always expected. What is the craziest thing you have learned/experienced in Japan thus far? Generally I've not experienced much culture shock since moving to Japan. One thing that sticks with me, however, is how strict the recycling laws here are. As much as I support that, it flies in the face of how paper-heavy Japan is - it is a bit weird for me not using a work email network.

You've now been in Japan for a few months and hopefully have been adjusting well to our new home. What is one (or more) things that you enjoy or find interesting about your town?

Everyone has their reasons for deciding to come to Japan. Why did you decide to join the JET Program and move to Japan? I come from a rock pool in the North Sea where the two main industries are government work and finance. Joining the JET Program was conducive to seeing more of the world while working in a field I enjoy. I chose to teach in Japan in particular for its natural beauty and history.

I doubt I'll get bored of the landscape or beach in Mikuni any time soon. One thing I'm still adapting to is how my town at times seems farremoved from the busier parts of Japan and at others within reach.

Now, for the fun question! What set of items could you buy that would make a cashier very uncomfortable?

Two Truths & One Lie: Can you guess the Lie?

I once fist-bumped Henry Cavill in the men’s room. I can speak French. I once unknowingly bypassed border control and woke up in a completely different country.

A hammer A video camera Soundproof foam

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CROSS CULTURAL COMPETITION

FUKUI SPORTS Fukui is home to a number of sports teams such as our very own Fukui Phoenix Soccer team, Fukui Hikers Guild, and our spicy Dance Squad, The Mic Drops. Through the grind, sweat, and tears, the lines of cultural differences are blurred. We all come together to fight in the name of Fukui through friendly cross cultural competition.

GO. July 2019

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The FU Cup Soccer Tournament OVER 40 PLAYERS FROM ACROSS FUKUI PREFECTURE CAME OUT TO COMPETE I N THE 7TH ANNUAL FU SOCCER TOURNAMENT ON OCTOBER 1 9TH.

WHEN WELL PLAYED, THE GAME IS A DANCE WITH A BALL. Photos by Simon Woodgett & Words by James Childe

Forty-eight players across eight teams enthusiastically donned their bibs (with the Eiheiji Monks in pink a little less reserved than the rest). Gameplay took place in two groups of four teams, the top two from each would advance to the FU Cup semis while the corresponding "bottoms" comprised the proverbial bald men fighting over a comb. The qualifiers were called off due to an hour of horizontal rain, but overexertion in adverse weather makes for entertaining tent fellows. I fondly recall huddling like emperor penguins with my opponents between

games: divided on the pitch but united in our fight to survive.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN! There were no boring games that day. The mix of Japanese and international players provided breakneck runs, curious volleys, and attempted goals that seemed sheer lunacy to fans. Speaking between matches, numerous members of the local talent told me they had "never really played much" before the tournament. Yet, I was left

staggered by their stamina and control as the day passed, While the salience of the day's memories begin to dullen. I won't soon forget how, despite monsoon conditions, onlookers were dazzled by the egalitarian approach exhibited by the Fukui Phoenixes, the frictionless pace and maneuverability of the Tsuruga Sands, and the down right lovable spunk of the Mikuni Crabs.

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The winners circle

"THEY SAY HISTORY IS WRITTEN BY THE VICTORS BUT I WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THAT DAY FOR ALL THE RAIN IN MY SOCKS."

Alas, while competition remained close into the afternoon, two teams somehow reached the final without losing a game: Takefu Knives and Eiheiji Monks. What both teams lacked in playable substitutes they made up for with the swell of supporters. What else were the injured and otherwise unoccupied players to do? I can tell you abjectly, the man holding the trophy above is neither an athlete nor a sportscaster. He is at least sincere in recommending that you consider signing up for the next FU Cup tournament. I for one could not have spent that day more positively for all the rain in my socks. It's football that's open to all skill levels and doesn't take itself too seriously. My thanks to all who participated in that glorious day of sports, with special thanks to Simon Woodgett and Mathieu Martin for organizing it.

TAKEFU KNIVES

EIHEIJI MONKS TSURUGA SANDS

MY FLABBERS WERE WELL AND TRULY GASTED"

p o R d miC COMMUNITY

Fukui Dance Team

D-1 is a dance competition and showcase that Fukui has hosted for over 20 years. The competition started as the brain child of Yoshihisa Yamashita, a man you may know well. He not only operates the International Club (the people who barbecue for us during the welcome barbecue), but he also has his own television program on the Fukui Cable Television Channel. Many teams from all around Fukui come out and showcase their hard work over the year, and many of the teams have experienced dancers, or young dancers who want to make it big and be J-pop stars. Words & Photos by Natasha Taliferro

his year, like many years before, D-1 was graced with a performance by people in the FJET community! The all-female hiphop dance group, "Mic Drop", includes Natasha Taliferro, Nyssa Giangregoria, Megan Luedtke, Julie Jameson, and Sae Mizutani. The leader of the team, Natasha, had an idea to choreograph and create a dance team since last winter, but after she heard that D-1 would be moved from July to October, she letÂ

go of her choreography dreams and forgot all about it. Then, one day in August she decided "what the hell -why not" and reached out to her friends and some new ALTs to learn her choreography and join her dance team with only a month and a half before the performance.

I'M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SHORT TIME WE HAD TO PRACTICE."

COMMUNITY Natasha thought, "I'm really glad that I took the plunge and just choreographed the dance. Although I have been dancing for years, it was my first time to choreograph and teach a dance that I created, so at times felt a little lost on how to properly tell my vision to the team. I also didn't know how long and intricate choreographing a dance is! Luckily, everyone was willing to work with me -- even as I fine-tuned the choreography weeks before the performance. I'm really proud of what we accomplished in the short time that we had to practice and I'd

The latest member of the team, Sae, joined the team with only month to go before the performance. When asked about the experience, she commented, "It was a good experience to participate in D-1 as I felt accomplished dancing together with others at the end, even though I had never danced before. Also, on the day we performed. the audience was so welcoming and warmhearted while watching all the performances, which made me feel good as well. If I have a chance to participate again in D-1, I'd like to do it again.

love to dance with Nyssa, Megan, Julie, and Sae again. I think I'll challenge myself and choreograph another dance in the future." The second member of the team, Nyssa said: "I thought it was grand, I had fun practicing with everyone and getting closer to some people I don't really see. Even though I, myself, messed some stuff up on the day, I felt accomplished for having done a dance routine in public. Totally recommend."

AUDIENCE WAS SO WELCOMING AND WARM-HEARTED WHILE WATCHING ALL THE PERFORMANCES

THE GREAT THING ABOUT D-1 IS THAT YOU GET TO ENJOY SO MANY DIFFERENT DANCE STYLES!" The third member of the team, Julie said: "I would have never imagined that I would compete in a dance competition especially in front of so many people. However I am gratefulÂ that I had theÂ opportunity to participate in something new and make memories with an amazing group of ladies!

COMMUNITY

FUKUI HIKERS HAKUSAN TAKING ON MT. HAKUSAN. ONE OF THE THREE MOST SACRED MOUNTAINS IN JAPAN. Mt. Hakusan is a dormant volcano that spans across 4 Prefectues - Ishikawa, Fukui, Toyama and Gifu.

WE CLIMB THE HEIGHTS OF MOUNTAINS 72 Photograph by Takuya Arita

COMMUNITY

CLIMBING MT.HAKUSAN With a cool chill in the air a group of us started our ascent in the early hours of the morning. The expected total climb time was about 5 hours. 5 hours was exactly all the time that we had to climb the mountain and back before the last bus arrived to take us to base camp. The climb up was a long and painful. I climbed the mountain at a glacial pace so I could not only enjoy the view around me but also not overwork my dangerously outof-shape body. Climbing a mountain can also be very therapeutic. People tend to bond through mutual struggles. I've had many heart-to-hearts as a result so I always prefer to climb slow. After a long, grueling 3 1/2 hours, I finally made it to the summit. The sight was stunning. Clouds were cascading over the mountainside, the trees were a brilliant red and yellow, and I could see the summit cabins in the distance. I had all of about 10 seconds to take it in before having to turn back around to start my descent. I had less than 2 hours to make it back to the start before I would miss the bus. I was basically running down the mountainI was moving faster than I have ever moved while hiking. On the way down, I met a lovely Japanese couple that helped motivate me in my struggle. They offered me a walking stick so I could maneuver my way around the slippery obstacles with more ease as well as some jerky for energy. Despite my fast pace and the kind assistance I received from the couple, I did not make it back in time. I was alone, cold, and out of luck... but not for long.

WITH MY HEAD ABOVE THE CLOUDS, I FELT LIKE I WAS ON TOP OF THE WORLD. " Photograph by Leah Burkett

I WAS ALONE, COLD AND OUT OF LUCK." The Japanese couple that had helped me down the mountain noticed I was alone. They talked to some constructionÂ workers that were working on the mountain and convinced one of them to give me a ride back to base camp. I'm always surprised by the generosity and kindness that Japanese people show. Even though the views at the top were amazingthe one thing that I will never forget about my hike is the seemingly endless kindness of the Japanese people. By Leah Burkett

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74 Photographs by Takuya Arita & Megan Luedtke

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FUKUI MUSIC 75

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Photographs by Seth Christmus

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Written by Leah Burkett

does your band name mean? utside of their day- What Our band name is a play on the song "Green jobs, these Fukui Onions" by Booker T. and the M.G.'s. locals spend their free Who are your biggest influences? biggest influences are JamesÂ Brown, Aretha time living the underground Our Franklin, The Commodores, and Tower Power. rock band lifestyle in Fukui Describe your sound. Our sound is a mix of funk, R&B, and Rock. We City. usually play a lot of music with classic rock We got the chance to sounds. However, at more casual gigs we play interview the band and get to more funk and R&B. know them better. Here is We play a anÂ inside look at a local ALT mix of Funk, band in Fukui: R&B, and

Rock."

COMMUNITY

What's your song writing process like?Â One of us will bring in an idea and we'll workshop it as a group until its all done.

What's your favorite song to cover? We've been covering "Hard to Handle" by Otis Redding since day one.

How did everyone in the band meet?

We all met through work events or live shows around Fukui. The current group lineup has been together since September, but some of us have been playing together since November 2016.

What is your craziest band experience? Playing in front of Maruoka Castle or playing on Mikuni Sunset Beach were both crazy experiences. We also regularly bring food and drink where we aren't supposed to.

P A S T

The Fukui music scene is a constant source of inspiration."

Who/What inspiries you? We tend to inspire each other in the band to work hard and play hard. Other musicians in the Fukui music scene are also constant

Where can people find you?Â We usually play shows in Fukui City. Our most regular gig is Swell so keep an eye out for upcoming shows. In the summer we occasionally play at Mikuni Sunset Beach, which is always a fun and chill gig. You can also find us on our Instagram account: blue.onion.band

SWELL

NOV

FUKUI CITY ] 6:00 pm

SUMU

NOV

FUKUI CITY ] 8:00 pm

SWELL

DEC

sources of inspiration.

S H O W S

FUKUI CITY ] 6:00 pm

Bookmarked COMMUNITY

by Tara Henley

DARK PLACES A haunting murder mystery novel thats perfect for thrill lovers and fans of true crime.

THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK A refreshing slap to the face to the stereotypical self-help book. Filled with entertaining stories, and ruthless humour.

EXCLUSIVE REVIEWS

THE SECRET KEEPER A dual-timeline historical mystery novel about love, family, and friendships and human nature.

Dark places COMMUNITY

Written by Gillian Flynn: a reviewed by Tara Henley

" I was a lovable child, and I'd grown into a deeply unlovable adult. Draw a picture of my soul, it'd be a scribble with fangs."

f you've ever read and enjoyed Flynn's other works - most notably "Gone Girl" and "Sharp Objects" then you're in for a treat. "Dark Places" has the same dirty, raw, and unapologetically human atmosphere that draws in so many of her readers. Her portrayal of depression through various characters' actions never ceases to both amaze and horrify me. The protagonist of the novel, Libby D Day, was the only survivor in a massacre that resulted in the death of her mother and two sisters in the eighties. Her brother is incarcerated, believed to be the murderer under much controversy, and Libby's own memories of that night paint her eldest sibling out to be a crazed Satanist. The story is set some twenty years after the murders take place and Libby dives deep into the question she has been too scared to ask for decades: what really happened that night? Without giving away any spoilers,Â the novel deals with the Satanic cult

hysteria that swept North America around the time of the fictional murders. It also deals with the farming crisis that placed thousands of families in sudden and inescapable poverty. The Overarching themes of the book, in my opinion at least, surrounds depression and isolation and how various characters cope with their mental illnesses.

" Dirty, raw, and unapologetic...surrounding depression, isolation and how various characters cope with mental illness." I was continuously arguing withÂ myself over Libby's brother's innocence or guilt, trying to read behind every character's actions (or inaction). Like I said, I don't want to give too much away with this review, but I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. I gave it five stars on GoodReads before I'd even finished it.

The subtle art of not giving a F*ck

COMMUNITY Written by Mark Manson: a reviewed by Tara Henley Manson's philosophy sounds so simple - don't give something your energy if it makes you feel awful - yet the reality is that it is much harder than it sounds. He argues that life's struggles are what ultimately make us better people. He takes a lot of his concepts and ideas directly from Buddhism (which he unfortunately only sometimes credits) and he relates them back to every day situations.

" Don't give something your energy if it makes you feel awful ... Life's strug les are what ultimately makes us better people "

“We’re apes. We think we’re all sophisticated with our toaster ovens and designer footwear, but we’re just a bunch of finely ornamented apes.”

his book has been recommended to me by half a dozen people over the past few years (gee, I wonder what they were trying to tell me?). To sum it up in one sentence, it is a self-help book that pokes fun at all other self-help books while actually helping the reader in the process. Manson is a humorous writer and he uses this to his advantage throughout his book, often teasing the reader in the process. He doesn't take himself too seriously, and his point is that in the end, none of us should take ourselves seriously either. He uses clever anecdotes and funny life stories to illustrate to the reader that only we can choose what we care about in our lives.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, but I had several issues with it. Maybe "issues" is a harsh word, but you can be the judge of that. Firstly, I found it to be a bit repetitive. There's only so many times you can say, "Life will suck sometimes but that's okay because otherwise it would suck all time," without sounding pedantic. I also found Manson to be a bit pretentious throughout many points in the novel, particularly when he was describing his own success as a writer during the recession and his womanizing during his younger years. We get it Manson, you were a stud, good for you. Then again, I've since wondered if that air of pretentiousness is meant to be satirical and yet another example of the author not taking himself too seriously. Either way, it made certain passages a bit boring to read. I gave this book three stars on GoodReads, a decent score but not something I would necessarily recommend nor read again. Most of the valid points the author made can easily be found doing a quick Google search of Buddhist philosophy. That said, the humor is undoubtedly the best part and the biggest reason why so many millions of people have read this book.

The Secret Keeper

COMMUNITY Written by Kate Morton: a reviewed by Tara Henley

"There were moments in which a person reached a crossroads, when something happened, out of the blue, to change the course of life's events."

must admit, while I enjoyed Kate Morton's most famous novel, " The Clockmaker's Daughter", I wasn't overly thrilled by it. I found the narrative to jump around just when I least wanted it to and the tempo was a bit slow for my liking. That said, I am extremely grateful I gave this author another shot. "The Secret Keeper" surrounds a childhood mystery that is slowly unraveled by the protagonist, Laurel Nicolson. When she is a teenager, she witnesses a murder in her own backyard, a murder that is committed by the least likely of suspects: her mother. Her mother's impending death causes Laurel to dig up her past during WWII. She finds a photograph of young Dorothy Smitham, her mother, and a mysterious women named Vivian, who Laurel has never heard mention of. This launches an investigation that has Laurel asking herself, who was the man her mother killed and why did she kill him on that otherwise peaceful, summer's day? The novel takes place both in semimodern times (the early 2000s) and overÂ

the course of the Second World War, switching between Dorothy and Vivian's perspectives. It paints a remarkably vivid image of wartime England and focuses on themes such as classicism and idealism. In my opinion, the best part of Morton's writing is her rich, romantic descriptions that can make even something as gruesome as a bombing sound idyllic. It sounds weird, but it creates a great juxtaposition within the confines of the story. The ending, while shocking and brutal, is also immensely satisfying and not altogether surprising if the reader pays close attention.

"Her rich, romantic descriptions can make even something as gruesome as a bombing sound idyllic." I liked this novel a lot and I found myself reading it in every spare minute of my day. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of either (or both) the historical fiction and mystery genres. It's also a great starter book for anyone looking to get into Morton's writing.

85 Photograph by Megan Luedtke

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86 Photograph by Kim Carrero

There Ain’t Noh Thang Like Children’s Kabuki Story and photos by James Childe

For the sharp minority of those who haven’t heard of it before, Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theatre which dates back to the Edo Period. It typically incorporates vibrant set design as well as arresting costumes and make-up. On Sunday 24th November, a few friends and I were blessed with the opportunity to experience this art form for the first time, with a cast of all-elementaryage school children. This was a 90-minute production of "Tosagenkankiyonoba" (“The Tosa General’s Quiet Place”), essentially one

87 87

act of the play “Keiseihangonkou” (“Antisoul Incense”). The depiction centred on painter “Ukiyo Matahei” who, due to a speech impediment, must travel with his wife, “Nyoubou O Toku”. They do so in hope that she will be deemed virtuous enough to request the General’s licence on Matahei’s behalf, enabling him to surpass his rivals and become a truly great artist. While I only understood three words of the entire performance, a defining characteristic of Kabuki theatre is how animated the actors’ movements are, which

I found to be valuable for both my comprehension and entertainment in equal part. Stagehands garbed entirely in black allowed this childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production to flow seamlessly. Additionally, the punctuating accompaniment of guttural chanting and delightfully skilled shamisen not only served to further project the narrative but also unfurled a solemn atmosphere over the audience.

[T]he punctuating accompaniment of guttural chanting and delightfully skilled shamisen not only served to further project the narrative but also unfurled a solemn atmosphere over the audience.

While the entire cast exhibited ability that I would argue had exceeded their respective ages, some special mention must go to Tsukada Yuuya (Matahei) for his strident poignancy and knack for pulling laughs out of the audience. The true star of the show, however, was Sasaki Kokowa (Nyoubou), whose ability to steal a scene simply with a muffled laugh was something quite harrowing. The two young thespians played off each other masterfully, exchanging well-timed facial expressions that perfectly reflected the audienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bafflement at the situation, chiefly during Mataheiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repeated attempts at suicide. I see many more elaborately styled robes and wigs in both of their futures. Full credit for the production must go to Maruoka Kodomo Kabuki for their talents, and Isobe Elementary School for the lending of their stage.

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Tales of the Test Every year, if Fukui ALTs hope to drive in Japan for more than a year, they must face the challenge of getting their Japanese license. The journey for everyone is unique, as are their stories.

Natanya Williams The process to get a Japanese driver’s license is a long process. My advice would be to start as early as possible to prevent your International Driver’s License from expiring before actually obtaining the license. In my experience, it took me three chances to pass the test. At the SDC conference, there is a course first year ALTs can take that focuses on getting a license in Japan. At the very least, I would try to get ahold of the packet provided at that workshop. That packet was very helpful and provided detailed instructions of the whole process. I strongly encourage you study the guide as much as possible. In the guide, it explains in great detail what to do for the test. It also shows you a map of the course which you will have to memorize. Please also take note of the tips written in the guide. One reason I failed was because I didn’t merge close enough to the center lane before making a turn. Lastly, if you are from one of the countries that do not have to take the driver’s portion, I would still strongly advise for you to start early. It is better to have your license early than to not be able to drive. The process is still quite long for those who do not have to take the driving portion of the test. All in all, my biggest advice is to not procrastinate. You don’t want to be in a situation where you are not able to drive because you thought you had a lot time. I started my process in February and successfully got my license in July. Although my International Driver’s License was set to expire at the end of August, the police offer told me that it will expire in July. Since I came to Japan in July, he felt that it should expire one year after I arrived in Japan. You may not have that extra month. Please start as early as possible.

90 Photo by Megan Luedtke

Tanya JN Baptiste "I am proof that you can indeed pass in one attempt." After hearing about all the requirements

Japanese

videos of persons who had done the test

license, I admittedly felt over-whelmed.

before and read different blogs about

It seemed like a bit much, especially for

driving in Japan. In retrospect, I can say

someone who already had a license. An

that the test itself is not hard, especially

interview, road test from memory, and

if you are a confident driver. However,

making

animals

the proctors look for specific things and

beneath the car before getting in? What?

if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do them, you will definitely

On top of that, hearing that many had to

fail.

redo

for

sure

the

getting

there

test

are

multiple

up to the test. I also looked up some

times

was

discouraging. I had attended the fall SDC

I implemented changes to my

driving workshop and listened to the

driving beforehand. It may be hard to

presenter talk about passing the test on

readjust your driving methods to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

their first attempt. I remember thinking,

required,

I only want to go through this process

youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

been

driving for a while. Therefore, it is very

once. A few months later, I passed on my

important to practice so it could come

first try.

somewhat natural to you during the test. I would look under my car before

I attribute my success to the research

getting in, exaggerate my head checks,

and preparation I did leading up to the

drive closer to the curb and try to

test. I started practicing by using a handout

especially

from

the

SDC

maintain 30 and 50 km/hr prior to my

workshop.

test day. I also walked the course a few

Believe me when I say that I read over

times and made sure to record the

the steps religiously in the week leading

course.

"I attribute my success to the research and preparation I did leading up to the test." 91

Although I felt that I was as prepared as I could ever be, on the

"My advice to you is to start the process early and take the test seriously."

day of the test, I still felt nervous. What if I got a strict proctor? What if I go over the speed limit? These thoughts were running through my

Also, the earlier you start, the better,

mind. They escalated when I got

as it will give you time to retake the

into the car and spoke to the

test before your license expires, in the

proctor. He did not react to my

event that you fail. Listen to the

question,

blink.

feedback that the proctor gives after

Throughout the entire test, I felt

the test and make changes before

like he was just judging everything I

your next test date. Practice driving

did and started thinking I would

the required way before the test.

definitely be back to redo the test.

Remember, “Failing to prepare is

When we got back inside, he spoke

preparing to fail.” I am proof that you

for what seemed like forever but

can indeed pass in one attempt.

not

even

then asked us to wait. “Tanya, I think we passed!” My supervisor was more convinced than I was, but I soon found out that I had indeed passed. My advice to you is to start the process early and take the test seriously. You may think that you have everything down pat because you have been driving for years but I can guarantee you, what the test requires

will

completely

different. It’s ironic that even Japanese drive

completely

opposite.

Definitely walk the course before as it will make a big difference. Before I did, I thought it would have been a lot more difficult to memorize.

Alicia Nix As soon as I realized that I would need to get my Japanese drivers’ license, I ordered

the

Japan

Automobile

Federation, Rules of the Road booklet off Amazon Japan and started studying. At first, I thought the test would be easy since I got my license in California at age 16, but this exam proved to be more difficult than expected. The very first step is getting your American [English] license translated into Japanese.

the

After you pass the interview, you are

paperwork in the mail, your supervisor

allowed to take the written exam. Again,

will

your supervisor will need to schedule the

make

When an

you

receive

appointment

for

interview. This interview is tough. Make

appointment

sure you know how you got your license

portion is relatively straight forward.

(step by step) and when your license

There are a series of questions written on

needs to be renewed (in California it’s

large,

every 5 years). If possible, get a copy of

for

laminated

you.

cards

The

and

written

all

the

questions are multiple choice. However,

your driving record.

the behind the wheel test was much

more difficult. The instructors are really

strict, and passing or failing is left up to

their discretion. Plus, as the driver, you

My interview took almost 2 hours. Be prepared.

must memorize the entire course and drive it without making any errors

My first behind the wheel test was taken right after the written test. Since I passed the written portion, I was allowed

Every time you make a turn, even if there isn’t a stop sign, STOP.

to move onto the driving portion. While I waited, I studied a map of the course and watched the other test takers, hoping that I would be one of the lucky few to pass on the first try. From what I’ve heard, most foreigners don’t pass on their first try. In

Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder. Do it constantly. In fact, I told the instructor every time I did a mirror check or looked over my shoulder.

fact, I’ve heard from other ALT’s that most foreigners fail. So, when I failed, I just considered it a learning experience and moved on. On my second visit to the JAF (Japanese version of the DMV), I was ready to pass. In my opinion, I should’ve passed but again, I failed.

By my third visit, I was little irritated but I needed to get my license since having a car in Fukui Prefecture is necessary. The JAF office is an hour away from my placement in Ono City and each time I went, I had to pay 2500 yen. I took the test and luckily, I passed. But, in my opinion, I did better driving the course on my 2nd attempt. Every ALT that stays in Japan longer than one year has to go through this process. It’s long and tedious but once it’s over, you’ll feel relieved.

CULTURE

The Luck of the Drive

By Christina Pastore

In mangled, broken

Putting on a theatre worthy

Japanese, I declared we were

display of “Look at me being

going as I inched out of every

a safe driver” is the point of

stop sign during the driving

the test. But is it enough to

portion of the Japanese License

pass?

testing. I mentioned that the road was clear every time I

It should be.

turned my head, which would

Unfortunately, however, luck

be every three seconds. I filled

is a huge factor. Depending

the rest of the silence with

on the proctor you get, the

“migi”

and

time of day, and if the person

vaguely

before you sneezed... even a

and

anything

“hidari”

else

remembered the Japanese word

perfect

run

through

the

for.

course may not be enough. That may sound frustrating, The test was over fast. Even

but try to use it to relax. You

with my going 10 km/hour. On

can’t control the good or bad

paper, the course looks decently

luck. So focus on what you

large. In practice, every turn

can control. Study the course

came

in advance. Be prepared for a

sooner

than

white plate car.

expected. Or maybe that was just the panic setting in as the proctor next to me hissed and sighed and made suspiciously check-marked-sounds

his

paper. The driving portion is a test of appearance. That much I had been warned about. Did you adjust your seat? Did you check the mirrors? Did you kick the tires? Did you check for bikers?

Did you adjust your seat?

The best bit of advice I got before the test was “speak Japanese.” Start off with a “nice to meet you” to the proctor and narrate in Japanese during the test. I believe it was this that encouraged the proctor to graciously allow me to pass on the first try. Going overboard checking everything is important, since that is what the test is looking for. Yet while I did well on the course, I still made mistakes. So I think my attempts to speak Japanese gave me the extra nudge into a passing grade. And, of course, I was simply lucky. Some final advice. Go slow. You have to hit 30 once and 50 once. Otherwise, it’s

Did you kick the tires?

drive at a “comfortable” speed. If you miss a turn it does not immediately fail you. The proctor may use the passenger break to stop and redirect you. In the crank and s-curve, drive very slow and back up if you slip off the course. You have 3 mistakes on each before it’s an automatic fail. Remember the stupid things: put on your seatbelt. Adjust your seat

but

make

sure

it’s

actually

comfortable when you do. Put your blinker on for everything. The driver’s test is a mixed bag of putting on a cautionary show, acting like you know what you’re doing, and all kinds of luck. Remember you aren’t necessarily a bad driver if you fail the first time. Do what you can...and good luck. You’ve got this!

Did you check the mirrors?

RECIPES FROM

TASTE THE MAGIC

Studio Ghibli

Have you ever watched a Studio Ghibli film and found yourself drooling over the beautifully animated food?

RECIPES!

Recipes from JustOneCookbook.com

SATSUKI'S BENTO BOX A Japanese lunch stable from "My Neighbor Tottoro" | 98

R e c i p e

G u i d e

SOSUKE'S RAMEN Jump into an ocean of flavor with this ramen from "Ponyo"Â | 100

WINTER VEGETABLE STEW Relive the magic and warm your soul with a hearty stew from "Castle in the Sky" | 102

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Satsuki's Bento Box

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES LEVEL: EASY

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MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO

Satsuki's Bento Box INGREDIENTS: 1

AN INTERVIEW WITH MOIRA Can of Green Peas TAKAHASHI BY SAORI SHINJIRO

1 1/2

cups of Rice

japanese Anchovy (or Shishamo)

Tblsps of Sakura Denbu

Ume Boshi

DIRECTIONS:

Cook the fish at medium heat until the skin looks dry. If it looks dry, you can flip it over and cook the other side until nice and brown.

3 Once the rice has finished cooking and has cooled for a few minutes, fill the whole bento with the rice. YES... the whole box!

1 Cook your desired amount of rice in a rice cooker until finished (can add mirin to preferred taste).

4 Once you have filled the whole bento

2 While the rice is cooking, let's start preparing the fish. Cooking the fish is the trickiestÂ part of this seemingly easy recipe so be careful. The fish is small and has very thin skin so it's easy for it to stick to the bottom of the pan. My advice is to use a frying pan with parchment paper to prevent the fish skin from sticking to the pan.

box with rice, it's now time to put on the toppings. First, place your cooked fish in the middle of the bento. Next, add green peas and sprinkle sakura denbu on the left half of your bento. Lastly, place one ume boshi in the center on the right side of your bento. The ume is supposed to represent the red sun on the Japanese flag. If you don't like ume you can substitute for kuri.

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Sosuke's Ramen

COOK TIME: 15 MINUTES LEVEL: EASY

100

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PONYO

"Ponyo loves ham!" by Lucia R. Art_of_Vincentvangoth

INGREDIENTS: 1

pgk of Chicken Ramen Noodles

400 2 1/2 1

First, cut the green onions into small pieces and slice your ham (if you buy pre-sliced ham, then you can skip that step).

Arrange the ham, egg and green onion over the noodles. Cover again and wait until the timer beeps.

ml of Boiling Water

Slices of Cooked Ham

Boiled Egg

Chopped Green Onion

DIRECTIONS: 1

Boil 400 ml of water for your ramen. At this time you can also begin boiling your egg. Egg cooking time Hard: 8 min Medium: 3 to 5 min Soft: 1 to 3 min

2 Place the noodles in a ramen bowl and

pour the boiling water over the noodles and cover. Set your timer for 3 minutes.

After the first minute, quickly open, shake the noodles to separate, then begin preparing your toppings.

101

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Winter Vegetable Stew

COOK TIME: 45 MINUTES LEVEL: MODERATE 102

CULTURE

CASTLE IN THE SKY

"laputa - cloud ocean" by feeshseagullmine

INGREDIENTS: 400

ml Dashi stock (Or vegetable stock)

Tblsp Bonita flakes (for taste)

Large Carrot (peeled)

Large Potato (peeled)

Medium Onion

Shiitake Mushrooms

Snow Peas, Broccoli, or Green Onions ( for garnish)

44.Â Add sugar, mirin, cooking sake, and soy sauce to your stew. Once the extra flavorings have been added, place a lid over the pot to let it cook for about 20 minutes.

DIRECTIONS: 11. First, prepare the Dashi (or vegetable)

54. Prepare your desired garnishes and place them on top of your finished dish.

stock. Pour 400 ml of water into a pot and mix in a 1/2 teaspoon (or more to increase flavor) of Dashi stock granulates. You can also add in bonito flakes for more added flavor.

22. While the dashi stock is warming up to a

simmer, let's start cutting up the vegetables. First, start by peeling and cutting the carrots in to semi-thin disks. Next, start peeling the potatoes. Once you have peeled the potatoes, cut them into large bite-size pieces. When cutting the mushrooms, cut the stem off first before chopping the mushroom tops in half. Lastly, cut the onions into 1/8 sized wedges.

Now let's cook some stew! Heat up a separate pan from your Dashi pot and add a teaspoon of oil (preferably sesame oil). First, put the onions in and stir them around for 3 min. Then add in your potatoes and carrots. Add in the mushrooms last before pouring in the dashi stock. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer.

103

CULTURE

Q I J N A K T he following are Kaniji

featuring two or more

characters that have been separated

and

translated

into English. For anyone who correctly

answers

each

kanji question will receive a small prize. Cheaters will not

Z I U A. Face Color B. Evening Day C. Start Snow D. Bad Thing E. Reason Coming F. D e p r e s s i o n M o n e y G. B r a n c h B e a n H. Trace Earth I. North Road Sea J. Slender Eel

be rewarded. All answers must

submitted

February 1st.

104

Bonus prizes available for comedy answers and/or a story using as many of these words as possible!

CULTURE

MAD LIBS is fun to play with your friends, with students, or even all alone. To start, don't look at the story on the next page. Fill in the blanks on this page first with the words called for. Then, using the words you have selected, fill in the spaces in the story.

Rapto's Vacation Adjective

N o un

Verb

Food

A Place

Ac ti v ity

Country Name

Co u ntr y N a me

Adverb

V e rb -i ng

Number

N a ti o na l ity

Nouns

S ill y V e rb

Noun

N o un s

Plant

V e rb -i ng

Body Part

An im a ls

Superlative

V e rb -i ng

Verb Past Tense

Food

Noun

Ad je c tiv e

Verb -ing

V e rb P a s t T en s e

Verb-ing

N o un Written by Leah Burkett

105

CULTURE

Rapto's Vacation I have never used Nenkyu in my ________

Dinosaur

(adjective)

always

wanted

life. to

But

have

_______ (verb)

_________. This vacation I'm going to (a place)

__________ with my ________ Juratic (country name)

(adverb)

family. I can't wait to see _________ _________

there.

Last

year,

(number)

Happiryu

(nouns)

fell in a/an ________ and got poison (noun)

________ all over his __________. It (plant)

(body part)

was a _________!Â If I had a bone for (superlative)

every time Happiryu _________, I could (verb past tense)

build a _________. I like to spend my (noun)

time ________ or _________ so a good verb-ing

(verb-ing)

Dinosaur vacation isn't complete without _________, _________, and _________. While in ________, we want to try

(noun)

(country name)

________

(verb-ing)

the

_________ (nationality)

and

_________on our last day. I took a lot of (verb)

pictures of __________during our trip. (nouns)

But my favorite pictures are of Happiryu and Titchy ________ with __________ and

Sautan

verb-ing

__________

(animals)

___________.

verb-ing

(foods)

Everyone had a _________ time. Even (adjective)

though Happiryu ________, we will never (verb past tense)

forget ___________ on this trip. (noun)

106

(food)

(activity)

107

C R E D I T S JETFUEL MAGAZINE

Travel

Culture

Travel Cover Page Photos by Megan Luedtke & Leah Burkett Font by Canva.com

The Disney Machine Written by Karim Mohanna Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Karim Mohanna & Casey Corrigan Font by Canva.com

Culture Cover Page Photos by Kim Carrero & Megan Luedkte Font by Canva.com

Fukui's Lost World Written by Simon Woodgett Edited by Leah Burkett and Nikkole Martin Photos by Simon Woodgett & Leah Burkett Background & Font by Canva.com

Metal & Me Written by Kali Michelle Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Kali Michelle Background & Font by Canva.com

Children's Kabuki Written by James Childe Edited by Nikkole Martin Photos by James Childe Background & Font by Canva.com

Experience Fukui Written by Pierre Leroux Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Pierre Leroux & Leah Burkett Background & Font by Canva.com

Personal Motivation Edited by Leah Burkett Font by Canva.com

Tales of the Test Written by Tanya Baptiste, Christina Pastore, Alicia Nix, & Natanya Edited by Nikkole Martin Photos by Tanya Baptiste, Megan Luedtke & Canva.com Background & Font by Canva.com

Community

Soul Compass Written by Megan Luedtke Edited by Megan Luedtke & Nikkole Martin Photos by Megan Luedtke Background & Font by Canva.com

Community Cover Page Photo by Canva.com Font by Canva.com ALT Interviews Written by Leah Burkett, Tamara Kotelo, Pierre Leroux, Tara Henley, Chris Mullaney, Niamh Crosbie, and James Childe Edited by Leah Burkett & Nikkole Martin Photos by Tamara Kotelo, Pierre Leroux, Tara Henley, Chris Mullaney, Niamh Crosbie, James Childe, & Canva.com Font by Canva.com

An Introspection on Hiroshima Written & Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Leah Burkett, Canva.com, & National Geographic (https://www.national geographic.com/news/2016/05/obama-visithiroshima-atomic-bomb/)

Font by Canva.com Ethics of Elephants Written by Natasha Taliferro Edited by Natasha Taliferro Photos by Natasha Taliferro & Brent Lewin ( http://www.brentlewin.com/elephants/thecrush/) Font by Mac Pages Graphic from https://www.peta.org/aboutpeta/milestones/

Fukui Sports FU Cup Written by James Childe Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Simon Woodgett Background & Font by Canva.com Mic Drop Written by Natasha Taliferro Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Natasha Taliferro Background & Font by Canva.com Mt. Hakusan Written & Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Leah Burkett, Takuyaa Arita, & Megan Luedtke

Lifestyle Lifestyle Cover Page Photos by Canva.com Font by Canva.com F-ART Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Tara Henley, Iggy Jeffery, & Kali Michelle Background & Font by Canva.com Three Japanese Words I Need to Stay Sane Written by Niamh Crosbie Edited by Leah Burkett and Nikkole Martin Photos by Niamh Crosbie & Canva.comFont by Canva.com

Fukui Music Highlight Written by Leah Burkett & Seth Christmas Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Seth Christmus Font by Canva.com Bookmarked Written by Tara Henley Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Tara Henley & Canva.com Book Covers by Pan Macmillan, Orion Publishing, & HarperCollins Publisher Background & Font by Canva.com

FALL/WINTER ISSUE 2019

108

Studio Ghibli Recipes Written by Leah Burkett & JustOneCookbook Edited by Leah Burkett and Nikkole Martin Photos by Leah Burkett & Canva.com Art by feeshseagullmine (https://www. deviantart.com/feeshseagullmine/art/laputacloud-ocean-391335808), Lucia R. Art_of_ vincentvangoth (https://www.instagram .com/p/Bu4TG8WhVwC/?utm_source =ig_web_copy_link, & Angkana Supakijwanishok (http:// pikord.com/media/5425437048947 3027). Background & Font by Canva.com Kanji Quiz Written & Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Jed Henry Font by Canva.com Rapto's MAD LIBS Written & Edited by Leah Burkett Photos by Fukui Municipal Offices & Canva.com Background & Font by Canva.com

Magazine

Front Cover Photo by Megan Luedke Table of Contents Page Background and font by Canva.com Edited by Leah Burkett and Nikkole Martin Credits Page Photos by Canva.com Font by Canva.com Edited by Leah Burkett & Nikkole Maritn Back Cover Edited by Leah Burkett Font by Canva.com

"You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." - Miriam Adeney

Fukui Prefecture fukuijetfuel@gmail.com